Happy Friday! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend and a great week here in the best neighborhood in Arizona.

A lot is happening this weekend, be sure to get out, have some fun and support local businesses.

Also, I’m considering hosting some dinner events, please take a moment to complete the survey question below. 🙏

In this week’s newsletter:

Have an amazing weekend!!

Big news for Peoria’s growing tech corridor: Amkor Technology has announced another $5 billion expansion of its massive semiconductor packaging and testing campus in north Peoria, bringing the total planned investment to approximately $12 billion. The expanded campus is expected to support more than 3,500 Arizona jobs, further cementing Peoria’s role in the Valley’s rapidly growing semiconductor industry. Read the full article at YourValley.net

If you live in the Valley long enough, water is one of those subjects that is always somewhere in the background. But with the Colorado River facing significant reductions beginning in 2027, the conversation about where our water comes from, and whether we have enough of it, is becoming much more important.

The good news for those of us in Glendale and Peoria is that neither city has been waiting for a crisis to start planning.

Glendale has been preparing for decades.

Glendale currently gets roughly 55% of its drinking water from the Salt and Verde rivers through the Salt River Project, about 41% from the Colorado River through the Central Arizona Project, and approximately 4% from groundwater. That diversity is important because a reduction in Colorado River water does not mean Glendale suddenly loses its entire water supply.

One of the most interesting parts of Glendale's strategy has actually been happening underground since 1996. During times when water has been available, the city has stored water underground and accumulated approximately 209,000 acre-feet of long-term storage credits. Think of it as a giant water savings account that can be tapped when surface supplies become scarce.

Glendale is also spending heavily on the infrastructure needed to actually access backup supplies. Five new groundwater well projects are in development at an estimated cost of $54 million to $70 million, and the city has committed approximately $50 million toward the planned expansion of Bartlett Dam, which could increase storage on the Salt and Verde River system.

Right now, Glendale remains in Stage 1 of its drought plan, essentially a drought watch. The city is targeting a 5% reduction in water use at municipal properties and asking residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve as well. More serious mandatory restrictions would come only at later stages of the city's drought plan.

Peoria has been building its own backup plan.

Peoria is also heavily exposed to changes on the Colorado River, but city officials say residents should not expect changes at their taps as the city continues investing in stored water, conservation and new infrastructure.

A major part of that plan is happening near Lake Pleasant Parkway and the CAP canal. Peoria has been developing a system of five new groundwater wells, along with pipelines, storage and pumping infrastructure that will allow the city to recover renewable water it has previously stored underground. The broader project has been estimated at more than $60 million.

The concept is similar to Glendale's strategy. During better water years, renewable water can be stored underground. When Colorado River supplies are reduced, wells give the city the ability to retrieve some of that stored water instead of relying exclusively on what is flowing through the CAP canal.

Peoria's planning has even contemplated a worst-case scenario in which no CAP water is available, with city officials saying the additional well capacity is intended to help keep water flowing to homes and businesses even under a severe shortage scenario.

And there is another piece of this worth remembering: water conservation doesn't necessarily mean running out of water.

Both cities are trying to stretch existing supplies through conservation, groundwater recharge, reclaimed water and infrastructure investments. Glendale, for example, uses reclaimed water for landscaping, industry and groundwater recharge, while Peoria operates recharge areas where water can percolate back into underground aquifers for future use.

Concerned? Yes. Panicked? Probably not.

The Colorado River's problems are very real, and the West is entering an era where Arizona will likely have to make do with less Colorado River water than it enjoyed historically. But Glendale and Peoria have known this possibility was coming for years and have been spending money, storing water and building infrastructure specifically to prepare for it.

For homeowners, that distinction matters. The conversation isn't simply, "Is Arizona running out of water?" A better question is, "How prepared is my particular community for a future with less Colorado River water?"

For residents of Glendale and Peoria, there is quite a bit of evidence that local water managers have been asking that question for a long time.

And in the desert, planning for the dry years while you still have water in the bank might be one of the smartest investments a city can make.

Read the full articles at PeoriaTimes.com and ABC15.com

Upcoming closure

What is Best of Arrowhead? A curated collection of my favorite restaurants, individual dishes, local businesses & all sorts of cool stuff that makes Arrowhead Ranch the best neighborhood in the northwest valley.

Check the newsletter each week for a new ‘best of’ or visit BestOfArrowhead.com

Pizza can be a touchy subject, as every one has their favorite pizzeria and toppings they like. To me, pizza is like coffee and there can be a hundred different varieties. So remember, this is one of MY favorites and I fully expect you to have a different opinion, so don’t come for me in the comments.

One of my favorite slices in the Arrowhead area is at AJ’s Fine Foods. Yup, my favorite slice is from a grocery store. The combination of the wood fired flavor, plus the spices & cheese they use plus the fact it is readily available whenever I go into AJ’s.

See the full article here.

I’d love your input on what you think is the Best of Arrowhead. Click here to send me an email with your favorites.

CBD is having a moment and CBD brands are everywhere right now. But with so many options, it can be tough to know what to look for – and which brands actually follow through on their claims.

That’s where CBDistillery sets itself apart. For the past decade, all of CBDistillery's products have been made with non-GMO, US-grown industrial hemp and with 100% clean ingredients – no corn syrup or artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.

They frequently introduce new and innovative products formulated to meet a variety of wellness needs and customer preferences. And every single batch of CBDistillery’s gummies, oil tinctures, topicals and softgels are tested by an independent, accredited lab to make sure what’s in the package matches what’s on the label.

Right now, CBDistillery is offering our readers a special deal: save 50% on orders of $75 or more with code NEWS50!

Try Trusted CBD

In an Arizona summer, your AC already has a tough enough job. Poor attic insulation can make it work even harder.

Adding blown-in attic insulation helps keep the heat where it belongs, making your home more comfortable while reducing the amount of time your AC needs to run.

✓ Lower energy bills
✓ More consistent indoor temperatures
✓ Less AC run time
✓ Less wear and tear on your system

Don’t buy insulation from an AC company that turns around and hires an insulation contractor.

Buy direct from the installer with Synergy Cooler Home Solutions and avoid the middleman markup.

Your AC will thank you. Your wallet might too.

Contact Synergy Systems, Cooler Home Solutions today for an attic insulation evaluation and a FREE quote at (480) 329-3227

Hot Rox: a Tribute to The Rolling Stones - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th at Westside Blues & Jazz, from 7:30-11PM. You asked and we answered! Come join us for the Westside return of the Hot Rox band!Hot Rox is a tribute band that captures the essence of The Rolling Stones' iconic live performances from the 1960s and 1970s. These musicians meticulously recreate the energy, sound, and stage presence of this legendary rock band.A group of truly talented and incredibly charismatic musicians which embody the energy of The Rolling Stones, this is a tribute band unlike any other, and a show you most certainly don't want to miss! (link)

Live, local and right here in Arrowhead! Arrowhead resident Bruce Donaldson will be playing classic acoustic favorites at Hopsology Taproom & Wine Bar, on Saturday, September 12th. Grab a bite, enjoy some live music and support a neighborhood musician!

A new spot for live music is kicking off in Glendale! Burgers & Brews at 67th Avenue and Cactus launches its Saturday night music series every Saturday from 7–9 p.m. There’s no cover, with more live music planned each Saturday, including Emmy G on Sept. 5 and father-daughter duo Brian & Z on Sept. 12. (link)

It’s going to be a “beary” fun day in Historic Downtown Glendale! 🧸 The 22nd annual Teddy Bear Day returns Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. with free family activities, crafts, treats, local shopping and first responder displays throughout Catlin Court and Old Towne. The event also supports the Trauma Teddy Program, which has provided more than 16,000 teddy bears to comfort local children during emergencies. (link)

One of Arizona’s coolest natural phenomena is back! From Sept. 13-19, the setting sun will create the famous “Cougar Shadow” across the Superstition Mountains, with the best viewing around 6-6:30 p.m. near Superstition Boulevard and Goldfield Road in Apache Junction. The shadow only lasts about 20-30 minutes, so this might be worth a little East Valley road trip! (link)

*Disclosure: Our free newsletter and website carry paid placements and sometimes use affiliate links. If you click or buy, we may earn a commission. We are not affiliated with these advertisers. That’s just how we keep this newsletter free.