Best Mall to People-Watch

Scottsdale Quarter

Grab some popcorn, because you’re bound to see some odd things at the high-end outdoor mall, including a wedding party braving the splash-pad quad (and the messy kids playing in it) to get the perfect picture, or a senior citizen with his young girlfriend proudly wearing a bowling shirt displaying her in a bikini. We saw it with our own eyes. 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-270-8123, scottsdalequarter.com

Best Place to Find a Basement

Agritopia

The ground was very hard, and the space was just about limitless – so few early home developers bothered to dig basements here in the Valley. That changed with Agritopia. Not every home in the Gilbert development has a basement – but many do. They don’t come cheap, but if you want to fulfill your East Coast basement fantasies, this is the place. Northwest corner of Higley and Ray roads, Gilbert, agritopia.com

Best Arena Name Change

PHX Arena

Earlier this year, the signage for the Phoenix Suns’ home arena came down as the team and Valley sustainability firm Footprint ended their naming rights partnership, with the Suns renaming the venue PHX Arena. We are fans of this temporary fix until another naming rights partner comes around. “TSMC Microchip Arena,” anyone? 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-379-7800,

phx-arena.com

Best Reason to Ban Laser Pointers

Aviation Safety

When you point a laser light at an airplane, it can blind the pilot. That’s why doing so is illegal under both state and federal law. However, this doesn’t deter Arizonans. The Federal Aviation Administration reported an average of 4.71 laser attacks per 100,000 state residents in 2024 – the fourth-highest rate nationally.