The fall concert season is in full swing!

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I hope you had your fill of Halloween candy this past weekend! If you’re a fan of live music, this time of year must be your favorite as it feels like there is a concert happening somewhere about every day each week!

In this week’s Scoop:

• Food banks may be busy due to looming end of SNAP benefits 🥪

• New book planned for 50th Anniversary of Sun City West 📘

• Concert season is here!! 🎸

• And so much more!

COMMUNITY NEWS

~ In the midst of the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is getting a lifeline, but not a full one. According to recent filings, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will tap into emergency contingency funds to cover roughly 50 % of SNAP benefits for November for existing recipients, while new applicants won’t receive support this month.(APnews.com)

~ With changes to SNAP benefits and rising costs putting more pressure on Arizona families, local food banks are preparing for a surge in demand. The Arizona Food Bank Network offers an online map to help residents find nearby food pantries, and FindHelp.org lists additional resources for food, transportation, health care, and more. Families are also encouraged to contact their school districts, as many provide meal assistance and other support programs. (ABC15.com)

~ Arizona food banks are preparing for a surge in demand as federal SNAP benefits are set to be paused beginning in November. More than 887,000 Arizonans rely on SNAP each month, and organizations like St. Mary’s Food Bank say they’re already seeing record numbers of people seeking help. The pause could mean longer wait times and greater strain on local resources. Residents in Sun City, Sun City West, and The Grand who are affected are encouraged to plan ahead, while neighbors who can are urged to donate or volunteer to support local food banks during this challenging time.

If you are able, please consider a donation to local food banks. (link & link)

~ 📘 New Book to Celebrate Sun City West’s 50th Anniversary. The Sun Cities Area Historical Society has begun work on a new “Images of America: Sun City West” book in partnership with Arcadia Publishing, timed for the community’s 50th anniversary in 2028. Scheduled for release in early 2027, the book will mirror the popular Images of America: Sun City edition published in 2011, featuring vintage photos and stories highlighting five decades of Sun City West’s growth — from recreation centers and local clubs to the Sundome and community landmarks. All proceeds will benefit the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, with museum volunteers compiling materials from the museum’s archives and Independent Newsmedia. Marketing Chair Bret McKeand, who helped create the original Sun City book, will again lead the project. (link)

ARIZONA TRIVIA

Last week’s trivia question was ‘Which Northern Arizona hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of a bellboy who still knocks on doors to announce room service, decades after his death?’

The answer was: The Monte Vista Hotel

Legend has it that a bellboy who died in the 1950s still roams the hallways, knocking on doors and announcing “room service” to startled guests, even when no one’s there. The historic Monte Vista, built in 1927, has long been considered one of Northern Arizona’s most haunted hotels, with stories ranging from phantom bartenders to ghostly dancers in the cocktail lounge.

EVENTS

This Week

[Sun City] This week’s movie is ‘SAN ANDREAS, The true story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Showtimes are Wednesday 11/5 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 11/8 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location).

[Sun City] As part of the Fall Ticketed Mini-Series, The Liza & Judy Show will be held on Wednesday, November 5th, at 6pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

Straight from Vegas and the Las Vegas Entertainers Hall of Fame, these ladies have the looks, the voices and the dancing ability. In this concept show of a mother and daughter being reunited to do one more performance together, Suzanne and Denise as Liza and Judy, have the unique energy of these legends when they were shining stars on the stage. Let this show transport you back in time with signature songs and funny yet moving dialogues!

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Rec Centers’ are hosting their annual two-night event, Fall Fest, beginning on Thursday, Nov. 6 and Friday, Nov. 7, grab your lawn chairs and enjoy the autumn evening weather at Beardsley Park as tribute bands “Another Journey” and “White Wing Dove” take the stage to provide two nights of great entertainment. Doors open at 5pm and the shows start at 7pm. (link)

[Sun City] Kick off the golf season with the Sun City Golf Expo 2025, on Wednesday, November 6th from 10am-2pm at the Riverview Golf Course. Several manufacturer sales reps will be on hand to answer your questions and get you set up right for the winter golfing season.

[Sun City West] The Green Team 2.0 is hosting a golf equipment donation drive golf equipment donation drive in Sun City West on Friday, November 7th, from 9am-noon. Donations will be used for the Green Team 2.0 program, the Rec Centers' golf development program that helps residents new to the game of golf or those returning to the game after years away from it.

[Sun City] New to Sun City? Or, want to learn more about our unique community? Join us for a New Residents Orientation and get to know the Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA) and other Sun City organizations that make our community special. This event will empower you to enjoy your ideal quality of life. (link)

Sun City Resident Orientation Friday, November 7, 2025. Doors open: 8:30am Meeting starts: 9:00amLocation: Sundial Recreation Center, 14801 W. 103rd Ave, Sun City.

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Desert Garden Club hosts monthly PLANT SALES on the first Saturday (November 8th) of each month from 8:00am to noon. Plants for sale include a variety of cacti, succulents, and other desert plants.

[Sun City] Enjoy the sounds of The Rhythm Ramblers, on Sunday, November 9th, at 4pm at the Sun Bowl Amphitheater. Join us for a musical journey tribute to our Sun City Veteran’s at this very special concert with our very own musicians from the great days of the big-band era! (link)

[Peoria] The Sounds of the Southwest Singers will be performing on Sunday, November 9th, at 3pm at the Apostles Lutheran Church in Peoria. This event will be ‘Celebrating Our Veterans’ and promises to be a great show like always!!. (link & map)

Upcoming Events 

[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 for purchase at the R.H. Johnson Box Office or online at suncitywest.com/tickets.

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre is back! Join them for a showing of FERRARI VS FORD on Tuesday, NOVEMBER 11TH at 6pm. (link)

[Sun City] As part of the Fall Ticketed Mini-Series, LA Sound Machine will be held on Wednesday, November 12th, at 6pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

A Gloria Estefan Tribute with the West Coast’s #1 Gloria Estefan Tribute Band! During the show, this band highlights smash hits from the Miami Sound Machine, as well as from the  successful solo career of vocal artist Gloria Estefan. Delighting audiences across the country for years, LA Sound Machine meticulously recreates the fun of Grammy Award winning music played from the 1980’s though today. Come on and shake your body down, because the rhythm is gonna getcha!

[Sun City] 40th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival will be held on Friday, November 28th from 9-4pm and Saturday, November 29th, from 9-3pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

This event is the best after Thanksgiving holiday shopping experience and guests will find gifts for all pocketbooks. Items for sale and marketing of the event is sponsored and produced by the craft clubs of Sun City, Arizona.

This two-day event provides more than 50,000 sq. ft. of award-winning artisans representing: Ceramics, Clay Arts, Fiber Arts, Glass Arts, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, and Wood Arts, and Painting.

Weekly Events 

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Friday Farmers Market is BACK!!! The market is every Friday from 10am-2pm at the Lord of Life Lutherans Church. (link)

[Sun City] The Sun City Farmers Market is back 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] Desert Glow Farmers Markets is hosting their market, from 8am-12pm on Thursdays, at Desert Episcopal Church. (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)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Desert Garden Club hosts weekly PLANT SALES from 9:00am to noon each week, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Club members will be on hand during sales to answer questions and offer gardening advice. Visitors are encouraged to tour the adjacent botanical garden during their visit to the greenhouse. The plant sales are open to the public and payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Supporting Education and the Community.

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

I had someone suggest to me recently that the lovebird images from the newsletter would make a good puzzle. That is certainly an interesting idea. What do you think?

CLUBS

Upcoming Plant Sales at Beardsley Rec Center Greenhouse.

The Sun City West Desert Garden Club hosts monthly PLANT SALES on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00am to noon. Plants for sale include a variety of cacti, succulents, and other desert plants.

Regular Thursday plant sales from 9:00am to noon each week, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Club members will be on hand during sales to answer questions and offer gardening advice. Visitors are encouraged to tour the adjacent botanical garden during their visit to the greenhouse. The plant sales are open to the public and payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Supporting Education and the Community.

The Desert Garden Club operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All net proceeds from plant sales help fund educational programming and support local charities, directly benefiting the Sun City West community. For more details, please visit the SCW Desert Garden Club website at https://garden.scwclubs.com.

Want to have your club featured in the Sun City Scoop?

Please reply to this email or send details on your club to [email protected]

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