Our Whole Foods wish is coming true

What a beautiful week we’ve had here in Arrowhead, I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend.

Lots of exciting things happening here in the Valley, the Phoenix Open is the star attraction, but there are lots of great local events to check out as well. Plus, many Valentine’s Day things are beginning this weekend.

In this edition:

Thanks for being here!

Mission BBQ is coming to Bell Road, bringing a new barbecue option here to Arrowhead Ranch. Known for smoked meats, hearty sides, and a community focused atmosphere, this will be an easy go to for Arrowhead residents once it opens.

They will be in the space formerly occupied by Brunch House at 7350 W. Bell Road.

It is that glorious time of year when local entrepreneurs sell the greatest cookies ever. To find out who is selling, or to share your daughters store, go to the Everything Arrowhead Facebook Group where we have a post with everyone’s link.

Per the City of Glendale website, the ‘PLANNING APPLICATION APPROVAL’ has been granted for a new Whole Foods Market location at 17510 N 75th Ave, taking over the former Big Lots space near Arrowhead Towne Center.

I guess wishes really do come true…see all the details here.

Have paint cans & other chemicals in your garage that you don’t know what to do with? The City of Glendale offers a safe and convenient way for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste like paint, chemicals, batteries, and old electronics. Using the city’s designated disposal program helps keep these items out of landfills and protects local waterways and neighborhoods.

You have to make an appointment, learn more at GlendaleAZ.gov

Upcoming eastbound Loop 101 closure

Reminder: 75th Avenue will continue to be narrowed to one through lane in each direction between Rose Garden Lane and Arrowhead Clubhouse Drive through mid-April. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following closures as part of the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) widening project.

The Clubs at Arrowhead (formerly Arrowhead Country Club) sits at the heart of the Arrowhead community, and whether you’re a member or not, what happens there impacts homeowners, lakes, property values, and quality of life.

In this episode of Everything Arrowhead, we sit down with Dan Walker, General Manager of Arrowhead Country Club, for an open, wide-ranging conversation about what’s changing at the club and what it means for the surrounding neighborhoods.

We cover:
• Major improvements under new management
• Pickleball, tennis, pool, and fitness upgrades
• How the club manages the integrated lake system
• Trespassing, access, and homeowner concerns
• Membership options beyond golf
• Whether parts of the club could ever open to the public
• Long-term vision for the courses and facilities

Dan answers both the easy questions and the hard ones — with transparency, context, and a clear focus on being a good community partner.

If you live in Arrowhead, this is a conversation worth hearing.

Subscribe for weekly community news, conversations, and events.

👉 Subscribe for local updates
👉 More info at EverythingArrowhead.com

Kajabi was built for people with earned expertise. Coaches, educators, practitioners, and creators who developed their wisdom through real work and real outcomes.

In a world drowning in AI-generated noise, trust is the new currency. Trust requires proof, credibility, and a system that amplifies your impact.

Kajabi Heroes have generated more than $10 billion in revenue. Not through gimmicks or hype, but through a unified platform designed to scale human expertise.

One place for your products, brand, audience, payments, and marketing. One system that helps you know what to do next.

Turn your experience into real income. Build a business with clarity and confidence.

Kajabi is where real experts grow.

Start Your Free Trial

[Glendale] Local legend Bruce Donaldson has another live music performance next week, on Wednesday, February 11th from 5-8pm at Tre Bicchieri here in Arrowhead Ranch. Get your Valentine’s Day started early with some amazing food and live music from a local artist.

[Scottsdale] The WM Phoenix Open is back, bringing a weekend of golf, concerts, and high energy crowds to TPC Scottsdale. If you’re making the trip to Scottsdale, see everything you need to know, from ticket options and parking tips to the concert lineup and daily schedule, this guide from AZFamily has everything you need to plan your visit to one of Arizona’s biggest events.

[Downtown Glendale] Historic Downtown Glendale presents Galentine’s Day on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a fun day of activities to gather your best girlfriends together to honor the value of female friendships. (link)

[Downtown Glendale] Calling all princesses. 1895 Spicery is hosting its sweetest Princess Party of the year on Sunday, February 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring a delightful three course tea, games, crafts, a sing a long, and plenty of adorable photo moments. It is a magical afternoon perfect for little royals who love tea parties and fairy tale fun. (link)

[Downtown Glendale] The Chocolate Affaire returns to the Glendale Civic Center in Downtown Glendale! Join us on February 14th & 15th, 2026 from 10am-5pm each day. Indulge in all thing's chocolate, from decadent treats to artisan creations and mouth-watering chocolate-inspired dishes, this is the ultimate chocolate lover's paradise! (link)

[Peoria] Lazy Bird, at Park West, is hosting a Galentine’s Brunch on Saturday, February 14th, featuring florals, photos, music, and Valentine themed bottomless cocktails like mimosas, Bloody Marys, and micheladas. The first 40 guests who purchase bottomless brunch will receive a complimentary bouquet from the build your own bloom bar, plus enjoy a live DJ and themed photo booth for the perfect girls day out. (link)

[Glendale] Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an elegant Wine Dinner at Tre Bicchieri featuring wines from the renowned Antinori Family Wines. The evening includes a curated multi course meal thoughtfully paired with Antinori selections, making it a perfect date night for wine lovers looking for something special and intimate. (link)

How the State of Arizona Got Its Name.

The name Arizona has a surprisingly layered originárida zonaects the region’s Indigenous roots, Spanish exploration, and early mining history. While many people assume the name is Spanish, the story is a bit more interesting than that.

An Indigenous Beginning
Most historians believe the name Arizona comes from an Indigenous phrase, likely from the O’odham language spoken by Native peoples in what is now southern Arizona and northern Mexico. The phrase alĭ ṣonak, often translated as “small spring” or “place of the small spring,” referred to an area with reliable water sources. In the desert Southwest, that kind of location mattered a lot.

Early Spanish explorers and settlers heard versions of this phrase and adapted it into Spanish spellings and pronunciation. Over time, it evolved into “Arizona.”

The Spanish Influence
Another long-standing theory ties the name to Spanish words like árida zona, meanoriginárida zonaectsle this explanation sounds logical given Arizona’s climate, most scholars now consider it more of a folk tale than the true origin. The Indigenous explanation has stronger historical and linguistic support.

Still, Spanish explorers played a key role in spreading the name. In the 1700s, Spanish records referred to a mining area called “Arizonac,” near present-day Nogales, which helped cement the name in official use.

From Mining District to Territory
The name Arizona first applied to a small mining region rather than the entire state. As mining expanded and the area gained importance, the name spread northward. When the Arizona Territory was officially created in 1863, separating it from New Mexico Territory, the name Arizona was chosen and made official.

Arizona later became the 48th U.S. state in 1912, bringing the name from a local descriptor to national recognition.

A Name That Fits the Land
Today, Arizona’s name reflects centuries of history shaped by Native cultures, Spanish exploration, and frontier settlement. Whether tied to a desert spring or a rugged mining camp, the name feels perfectly suited to a place defined by resilience, stark beauty, and deep roots.

For a state known for red rocks, wide skies, and enduring communities, Arizona’s name carries a story as rich as the land itself.

The Arrowhead Hiking Club is hosting another hike next weekend! Join us on Saturday, February 14th at 8am to hike the East Wing Mountain Trail. (link)

The club is also making a field trip to hike near Piestawa Peak on February 28th!!

Get the details & all of our upcoming hikes at ArrowheadHikingClub.com

This group is for everyone of all skill levels, seasoned backpacker to beginner, we’d love to have you join us.

I had to be out in the East Valley last Friday, and I took advantage and spent some time in one of my favorite places, Lost Dutchman State Park. I love this park because it is relatively close to town and it doesn’t even require getting out of your car to experience the amazing views of the mountains. There are several easy & flat trail options if you do want to venture into the desert.

If you’re making the trip to Canyon Lake & Tortilla Flats, take the time to stop at Lost Dutchman State Park, you’ll be glad you did.

*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.