Symphony's Cash Crunch, a Suns Do-Over, and Rezoning Battles Around Shea

A four-story, 169-apartment redevelopment proposed for Shea Corporate Center drew signs, petitions and organized neighborhood opposition near Shea and the 51.

Farther east, Mayo Clinic recently proposed 122 residential lots near Via Linda and 136th Street. They want new housing instead of future commercial buildings. But their proposal raises a similar question: What do the existing residents of that area actually want?

Friday’s Feature follows both locations, the arguments for and against the changes, and what we can learn from the Mercer success story as the Mayo rezoning battle heats up.

READ THE FULL MERCER + MAYO STORY →

The Phoenix Symphony plans to suspend the rest of its 2026–27 concerts and programs. Musicians face unpaid layoffs as the orchestra says years of operating deficits and accumulated bills have left it short of the cash needed for payroll and other essential obligations.

The Symphony says fundraising, higher revenue and administrative cuts haven't closed the gap. An internal estimate puts the immediate financing need near $10 million, but leaders stress that figure is still being validated and is NOT an announced fundraising goal. Even with new funding, concerts cannot restart without a longer-term financial plan.

For now, the season is suspended, not formally canceled, but there is no confirmed return date.

PHOENIX SYMPHONY UPDATES + TICKET INFORMATION →

Wednesday’s hail battered pockets of the Valley. While much of Shea Boulevard appears to have missed the worst, we understand some of our readers live beyond the Shea area, or at the very least, work all around Phoenix, Scottsdale and PV.

In western and deeper north Phoenix, windows shattered, cars were damaged and residents watched golf-ball-sized hail come crashing down.

And the videos? They're something else.

Meanwhile, much of the Shea corridor appears to have escaped the worst of it. We consider our area lucky, considering what was happening elsewhere across town.

Sure, all that rain is great for the desert. The mosquitoes will appreciate it, too.

With our compacted soil and caliche slowing drainage in some Phoenix yards, standing water can linger after a storm. Check your plant saucers, buckets, pool covers and low spots around the yard. Drain what you can.

And congratulations, you can now check caliche off your Arizona vocabulary card.

For water that won't or can’t empty, Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits are worth purchasing and dropping in the right spots. Both contain Bti, a bacteria-based treatment that kills mosquito larvae before they become biting adults. They won't get rid of mosquitoes already flying around, but they can help prevent the next batch. Before you know it, your ankles aren’t itchy, and you won’t have to tape kitchen mitts to your hands to prevent scratching!

MOSQUITO PREVENTION CHECKLIST →

Ever thought about planning a once-a-year alley cleanup, or a common-area refresh for your neighborhood? Well, we haven’t either. But that’s only because we didn’t know this was a thing. Turns out Scottsdale offers free loaner tools and can even deliver a 30-yard dumpster over the weekend, Friday-Monday.

Before anyone gets ideas about neighbor Nacy’s outdated lawn decorations, here’s the catch: the city provides the tools and dumpster, but a neighbor organizes the work.

One of you will have to volunteer as the project coordinator, round up at least five households in total and complete the applications for the services you need. The coordinator also sets the date and gives participants at least two weeks’ written notice.

After these storms, and the approaching Holiday (cardboard) Season, a few hours clearing alley debris and yard trimmings beats looking at that pile for another year. HOA and disposal rules still apply.

SEE SCOTTSDALE CLEANUP RULES + APPLY →

At Ni Hao Bao on Shea, the dumplings are only half the decision. Start with edamame dumplings in ponzu sauce, pork-and-shrimp sui mai with miso butter, or shrimp-toast dumplings served steamed or pan-fried.

Opened in January at Mercado del Rancho, Ni Hao Bao takes its cue from the energy of an Asian street market, with counter service and an open kitchen. Behind it are childhood friends and Arizona natives, Darrell Ngo and Arin Finger.

Where: 9301 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 105, Scottsdale | Order: counter service or pickup

SEE NI HAO BAO'S MENU + ORDERING →

At Craft Nights' Craft Bar, you can create personalized perfume or your own designed candle. Choose scents and colors, then make the item with supplies and guidance from the studio.

For the perfume-oil roller, you blend fragrance into a small roll-on bottle. For candles, you pick a container, scent and color, then pour the wax. You can also create a sugar scrub: mix sugar with oil and fragrance, then decorate its jar. Each Craft Bar session is for up to four people; no full workshop required.

EXPLORE CRAFT NIGHTS CRAFT BAR →

Looking for a date night idea that isn’t the standard dinner and a movie? Potters' Peak pairs a coffee shop with a working ceramics studio at 116th Street and Shea. Its bookable Date Night invites couples or friends to get their hands dirty, work a little clay and make something cool together.

But hey, it doesn’t need to be a group thing. If you’re getting the creative itch to try something new, the studio also teaches wheel-throwing and hand-building to beginners.

EXPLORE POTTERS’ PEAK CLASSES + DATE NIGHT →

Salt River Fields is trading baseballs for balloons this weekend. More than 20 hot air balloons will inflate at sunset, light up from the inside and become giant trick-or-treat stations for the Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Plenty is happening on the ground, too. Kids can explore more than 30 inflatable slides and attractions, collect candy, and brave a spooky trail. Friday and Saturday also feature costume contests for kids, adults and groups.

SPOOKTACULAR DETAILS + TICKETS →

Scottsdale's 10th annual Fiesta de Muertos brings elaborate altars, art installations, music and a procession honoring loved ones to Civic Center. Admission is free.

Can’t make Saturday’s festival? The altars and large-scale art installations are open October 22–25, 8am–10pm. If you’re coming for the evening performances, give yourself extra time for Old Town parking and the walk into Civic Center.

Saturday, Oct. 24 | 1–10pm | Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. | Free admission; food and vendor purchases extra.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE + ARRIVAL DETAILS →

The trains at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park are getting a spooky makeover this October. Hop aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad for an after-dark ride through Halloween displays, eerie lighting and a few surprises along the tracks.

New this year are two very different experiences: a Storybook Train with silly Halloween characters for younger kids, and a haunted-train walkthrough with jump scares for older kids and adults. There are also unlimited carousel rides, so the whole family can find its preferred level of spooky.

SPOOK-TRACK-ULA DETAILS + TICKETS →

Ok, fine! Technically it started Wednesday… but can we just forget about it already?!

The Phoenix Suns opened their season against the Portland Trail Blazers this week with a 124–83 loss. Yes, we lost by 41 points…

If you’re new to the area and experiencing AZ Sports for the first time, we’re sorry. It’s a painful experience, but people tell us it builds character. If you’re a longtime enjoyer of this particular agony, you know the steps: outrage, confusion, shock… followed by cautious optimism, overconfidence, some misplaced bets, and then repeat it all over again.

So, here's the plan. We're going to pretend Portland was a fever dream. Let's give our Suns a proper opening night, and kick off this season with a W.

Saturday, Oct. 24 | 7pm Arizona | Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix | Watch FREE locally on CBS 5 or AZFamily Sports with an antenna

SUNS–WARRIORS GAME DETAILS + TICKETS →