☔️ Inches of rain, cooler temps & pumpkin patches 🎃

What a wild week of storms & rain we had. I hope you made it through without any issues. 🌧️

I know some were not so lucky, getting stranded in their cars or dealing with leaking roofs or damaged landscaping.

In this week’s Scoop:

• Fall is here and so are all of the events that come with it. 🎸

• Info on local pumpkin patches 🎃

• Bell Center farmers market is back! 🌽

• And so much more!

COMMUNITY NEWS

~ Fall is here and that means it is Pumpkin Patch season! There are many great events happening in & around Phoenix, as well as parts of Arizona. See all the details on the best local events here.

~ Dick’s House of Sport is hosting the weekend long grand opening of its new facility, beginning on October 17th, near Loop 101 & Maryland Ave, bringing a new kind of sports store to the West Valley. Golfers can test the latest gear in high-tech Trackman golf bays, while pickleball fans will find one of the Valley’s best selections of paddles, nets, and accessories. The store also features a rock-climbing wall, HitTrax multisport cage, and an outdoor turf field. Opening weekend (Oct. 17–19) includes athlete meet-and-greets, NBA’s Jalen Green on Oct. 18 and D-backs star Corbin Carroll on Oct. 19, plus giveaways like gift cards, Stanley Quenchers, and soccer balls for early arrivals.

~ Sun City has launched there new website, check it out at SunCityAZ.org

~ Sun City Meals on Wheels has announced a partnership with LifeStream, which will allow for lower cost meals, as low as $8. You can learn more at SunCityMealsonWheels.org or by calling (623) 974-9430. See the full article here from YourValley.net

~Help support the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. The museum is one of the Top 4 finalists for Best Museum category in the Independent, West Valley Favorites contest.

You can vote by visiting this website, and finding them in the Arts & Entertainment category, then Best Museum. You can vote daily through October 20th.

ARIZONA TRIVIA

Last week’s trivia question was ‘What is the smallest incorporated town in Arizona, with a population of just 296 people?’

The answer was: Winkelman

Winkelman, the smallest incorporated town in Arizona, was founded in the early 1900s along the banks of the Gila River. The town grew up around the copper mining boom that shaped much of southern Gila and Pinal counties, serving as a hub for miners and ranchers alike. Its name comes from Peter Winkelman, a local landowner who played a key role in establishing the community. At its peak, Winkelman bustled with railroad activity, farming, and smelter operations tied to nearby Hayden. Though the mines have long since slowed, the town remains a reminder of Arizona’s copper-rich past, with fewer than 300 residents keeping its history alive.

EVENTS

This Week

[Sun City] Sun City Rockhound Mineral Museum Celebrates 35th Anniversary

The Sun City Mineral Museum opened its doors on October 1, 1990. Many hours of challenging work by dedicated Rockhound volunteers made this dream become a reality. From its meager beginnings of 5 cases to 28 cases with 1000+ specimens and a fluorescent room with 130 specimens it now ranks in the top 10 of mineral museums in Arizona. Admission is free. The museum continues to be run by all volunteers. Club members also go out into schools and the community and provide STEAM education, tours and presentations to local groups happen throughout the year and the club also collaborates and donates to different organizations.

The Museum has gone through a renovation this summer and displays have been reimagined and new ones curated. Creating a whole new experience! We hope you will join us in celebrating 35 years by attending our open house on Wednesday, October 1st from 9AM-2PM. The museum is located at The Sundial Recreation Center at 14801 N. 103rd Avenue. Refreshments will be served and grab bag giveaways will be handed out. Tours of the museum will be given all day by Rockhound members.

Handouts of the museum's history will also be available. Please come and celebrate this true gem! You can reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our website www.scrockmuseum.com

[Sun City] This week’s movie is ‘ALOHA’, starring Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, and Emma Stone. Showtimes are Wednesday 10/1 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 10/4 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN VIEW CENTER (New location).

[Sun City] Banner Health Olive Branch Senior Center is hosting Project Health by CVS Health to give individuals access to free health screenings.The event is scheduled 10am-2pm, on Thursday, October 2nd, at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, 13049 N. 103rd Ave.

The screenings include instant blood screenings for cholesterol and glucose, blood pressure checks, body mass index (BMI) calculations, depression screenings, mini cognitive assessments and osteoporosis screenings.

[Sun City] The Sun City Farmers Market returns this week, on October 2nd at the Bell Center, on 99th Ave just south of Bell Road. The market will be held every Thursday from 9am-1pm. (link)

[Sun City West] The first fall SCW Desert Garden Club PLANT SALE is Saturday, October 4 from 8:00am to noon. It will feature cacti, succulents, and a variety of other desert plants.

The weekly Thursday plant sales will commence on October 9 from 9:00am-Noon, except for Thanksgiving. Club members will be available during the sale for questions and suggestions. While you’re there, take the opportunity to view the flourishing botanical garden adjacent to the greenhouse area.

The plant sales are open to the public with cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.

Desert Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. As such, net profits from plant sales are dedicated to educational programs and other local charities benefitting the SCW community.

For more information, visit the SCW Desert Garden Club website.

[The Grand] The Farmers Market at the Grand returns this Saturday, October 4th, from 9am-1pm at 19726 N. Remington Rd in Surprise. Be sure and see Connie with Connie’s Corte Bella Creative Florals and Gifts

[Sun City] Sun Bowl Fall Concert Series 2025. Doo Wah Riders will be performing on Sunday, October 5th. Food trucks will arrive about 60-90 minutes prior to the beginning of the show. This concert series is free for RCSC members & their escorted guests.

[Sun City West] Sun City West Governing Board President Christine Novello will be having president hours on Monday, October 6th, from 9-11am at the Recber Services at the R.H. Johnson Rec Center. Stop by during that time to share comments, concerns or ask questions.

Upcoming Events 

[Sun City West] Learn more about the BNSF Railway project under consideration in Wittmann, Arizona. Wednesday, October 8th, 2-4pm at the Sun City West Foundation.

[Sun City West] Music on the Green returns this fall with a pair of great shows scheduled! Like previous years, Music on the Green shows are free to attend and take place at the R.H. Johnson Great Lawn, located behind Member Services, near the RHJ pool and Bocce courts. Wolff Pac will perform on Wednesday, October 8th at 6pm. Bring a lawn chair! (link)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Rec Centers will be hosting a free DJ event at the pool, with DJ John, from 5-7pm, on Thursday, October 9th, at the R.H. Johnson Pool. (link)

Sun City West residents are invited to attend, relax in pool and enjoy the cool tunes as DJ John pours through his stacks of wax and spins the hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. DJ John will MC the event and play requests from his vast collection of vinyl records. The DJ booth will be located outside the storage area on the right side of the pool deck.

[Sun City] You’re invited to Meet with Mike, RCSC’s interim General Manager, on Thursday, October 9th, from 11am-1230pm in the Lakeview Rec Center Board Room. Lunch will be served.

[Sun City West] Sun City West Witches’ Ride 2025, “A Spooktacular Fundraiser for Benevilla.” This popular fall event will be held on Friday, October 24th, with the parade beginning at 330pm at Beardsley Park.

[Sun City West] Help the Recreation Centers of Sun City West celebrate the brave men and women who have served the country in the military with a free concert presented by the Surprise Pops on Tuesday, November 11th in the Palm Ridge Recreation Center.

The concert kicks off at 11am with doors opening at 1030. Tickets (two per rec card) are required and are available Tuesday, September 30th, at the R.H. Johnson Box Office or online at suncitywest.com/tickets.

Weekly Events 

[Sun City] Desert Glow Farmers Markets is hosting their first market of the season, from 8am-12pm on Thursdays, at Desert Episcopal Church. (link & map)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Friday Market has moved indoors for the summer. You will find them every Friday from 9am-1pm, at the Briarwood Country Club. (link & map)

[Surprise] Surprise Farmer’s Market, every Sunday from 3-7pm. A weekly market featuring fresh local ingredients, homemade goods, and artisanal crafts from nearby farms and ranches. (link & map)

Have an event you want listed here? Please reach out!

REAL ESTATE

HOME OF THE WEEK: Outdoor living season is almost here, and this home in Sun City West has an amazing set up with a pool, water features and a golf course lot.

See all the details & pics here.

Listing brought to you by Yoi White at Coldwell Banker Realty.

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Thank you for reading, have an amazing week!!