Valentine's Day events, Arabian Horse Show and Pizza Night

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh, and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems that make our city great.

I made a new partnership form. If you’re interested in getting your business front of 11,500+ Scottsdale residents check it out here.

Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day! We have a great lineup of special Valentine’s Day courses/events. We’re also hosting our very first pizza night!

If you've never been to the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show at WestWorld, this is your year. Running from February 12-22, this 71st annual event has been a Scottsdale staple since 1955 and has grown from just 50 horses at the Arizona Biltmore to nearly 2,000 horses today.

Top owners, trainers, and breeders from around the world fly in for this one because a win at Scottsdale means serious prestige (and big money in the breeding barns). Even if you're not into horses, the Shopping Expo alone is worth the trip with over 200 vendor booths featuring jewelry, clothing, art, and more. Plus, there's an international cuisine court if you want to make a day of it. The show benefits several local charities including Make-A-Wish Arizona and Horses Help.

You may have seen the headlines about Arizona's water negotiations hitting an deadlock with a Feb. 14 deadline looming. Gov. Katie Hobbs held a press conference last week saying she thinks we'll get to a deal, just not by Valentine's Day. With about two-thirds of Scottsdale's water supply coming from the Colorado River, I know some of you are wondering if we should be worried.

The short answer from David Walby, Scottsdale's new interim senior Water Services director? "I would not be concerned."

Turns out, Scottsdale has been planning for cuts for 30 years. The city has banked about 280,000 total long-term storage credits (think of it as a "water savings account"), and residents already use about 10% less water than we're allocated each year. Scottsdale Water also has one of the most advanced recycled water facilities in the world. While there's definitely work to be done and politics to sort through, the infrastructure is in place. I'll keep you posted as negotiations progress.

This looks so cool so wanted to include it. Mark your calendars for March 28th! Be Well 2026 returns to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess from 10am to 2pm for a day of movement, beauty, and mindful living against that iconic desert backdrop.

This year features yoga, barre, and pilates classes led by lululemon ambassadors, inspirational wellness speakers, beauty activations, health-conscious bites, and handcrafted cocktails and organic elixirs. Every guest gets a curated gift bag too. If you're into wellness (or just want a luxurious Saturday with like-minded people), sign up early to secure your spot in the fitness classes you want.

North Italia is throwing a special Pi Day celebration at their Arcadia location and we're hosting a happy hour there to bring Scottsdale together over some seriously good hand-stretched pizza they're crafting just for this event. I love North Italia and I’m so excited to partner with them!

We're charging a small $10 commitment fee to make sure everyone who signs up actually gets a spot and can enjoy the pizza. When you arrive, you'll get a free beverage, passed bites, and samples of the special pizzas. This is your chance to meet fellow Scottsdale locals and business owners who actually care about our community, without the stiff networking event vibe. Space fills up fast, so grab your ticket here before we're out.

Some home projects feel like a gamble. Hiring a painter should not be one of them.

ACP Painting recently painted my home and it was a great experience. From the very first phone call, everything felt different. Professional. Organized. No runaround on pricing or timelines.

The fact that they're veteran-owned shows up in everything they do. The crew arrived on time, treated my home with respect, and paid attention to details I wouldn't have even thought to check. No cutting corners on prep work. No rushing through to get to the next job. Just solid craftsmanship and genuine pride in their work.

What really stood out was the detail of work. Even my neighbor noticed and asked for their number after seeing the painter check every surface after painting (true story). You could tell this wasn't about squeezing profit out of every job. They operate with integrity, and you feel that from start to finish.

I walked away confident the work was done right and built to last. That's the kind of investment that protects your home long-term.

If you're looking for painters in Scottsdale, ACP Painting is the recommendation I'm giving to friends and neighbors. Quality work, real professionalism, and a local team that actually cares.

Learn more here.

If you haven't tracked down the Mustache Pretzels food truck yet, you're missing out on one of Arizona's most beloved mobile eateries. These guys hand-roll and scratch-bake every single pretzel from locally grown, non-GMO flour, and the results speak for themselves.

The Original is pure comfort food perfection: dressed with clarified butter and topped with classic white pretzel salt. Pair it with their fresh queso dip and you'll understand why it's their bestseller. Feeling adventurous? The Garlic Parmesan version comes loaded with freshly grated cheese and pairs perfectly with their Cilanktro hot sauce.

They've been named one of the Top 50 Food Trucks in the US and "The Most Loved Food Truck in Arizona," which tracks when you see the lines they draw at local events. Keep an eye on their socials to catch them around town!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just local businesses I wanted to highlight. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

If you're looking for a date night that goes all out, Talavera at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale is one of the most beautiful spots in the city. It's a steakhouse, but there's a Spanish influence running through the whole menu that makes it feel different from the usual.

The location is everything. You're up in Troon North with wide desert views, and they have indoor and outdoor seating so you can choose based on how you're feeling. Something about watching the sun set over Pinnacle Peak while sharing a meal makes even a Tuesday feel special.

The menu leans into prime cuts and seafood with seasonal ingredients. It's definitely a splurge, but that's kind of the point for a spot like this. Save it for an anniversary or when you really want to impress someone.

Wednesday, February 11

🔪 Knife Skills Class | Classic Cooking Academy | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Thursday, February 12

🐴 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show | WestWorld of Scottsdale | All Day (multiple days)

🎨 ArtWalk | Old Town Scottsdale | 7:00 PM

🎵 La Mera Mera Banda | Casino Arizona | 7:00 PM

🎤 World Choir Workshop | Musical Instrument Museum | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Friday, February 13

🎸 Rock of Ages | Talking Stick Resort | 8:00 PM

👯♀️ Galentine's Day | Scottsdale Quarter | 5:00 PM

💕 Valentine's Day 8-Course Tasting Menu | COURSE Restaurant | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

💕 Private Couple's Sound Bath | Shanti Sound | 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM (multiple days)

Saturday, February 14

🎤 Celebrate Hip Hop | Musical Instrument Museum | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (multiple days)

🍽️ Valentine's Day Prix-Fixe Dinner | TORO at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Dinner Service

Sunday, February 15

🛍️ Valley Girl Market | Clayton House, Old Town Scottsdale | 10:00 AM

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $6M! The views are amazing as you can see in the cover image.

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John