🏗️ Big downtown plans, finally revealed

There’s something fun about seeing your own town through fresh eyes. This week, it’s the students showing off their creativity and the city showing off what’s next. Both are worth checking out in their own way.

Add in a solid mix of food, fitness, and weekend events, and you’ve got a pretty easy yes list. Start with one thing and let the day build from there.

The Graduation Gift They Will Replay Forever: A Custom Song Written for Your Senior

Graduation only happens once, and it deserves something more than a gift card. Songs for Your Story takes your senior's name, memories, and inside jokes and crafts them into a fully custom, professionally produced song. Play it at the party, drop it behind the slideshow, or just send it to them on the big day. Give them something nobody else will think to give.

Country, pop, hip-hop, ballads. You pick the style. They handle everything else.

Before you decide, go to songsforyourstory.com/graduation and hit play on any song. Just 30 seconds. You will be blown away.

Starting at $49. Graduation season only.

Thank you to our sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the community. 🙏

🎨 Artist Showcase At Global Academy

The Gist Our 7th and 8th graders are showing off their creativity at the annual GPS Junior High Art Show on April 23rd. Between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM, the Global Academy Cafeteria at 55 N. Greenfield Rd. will host works from six schools, including South Valley, Highland, and Mesquite Junior High. It is a simple drop-in event designed to celebrate the hard work of these young Gilbert students.

Why It Matters It is a great chance to see the impressive talent growing right here in our neighborhood schools. Supporting these young artists helps build their confidence and keeps the local arts scene vibrant for the next generation. Head over to the cafeteria on April 23rd to see the display before it wraps up at 7:00 PM.

🏗️ Digging Into Our Downtown’s Future

The Gist: Our town is hosting the Digging the District Open House on Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the University Building (92 W. Vaughn Ave.). You’ll get to chat with project teams and see renderings for big changes coming to the Heritage District, including private developments like Heritage Park, O.H.S.O. Duckpin Bowling, and the South Anchor. If you're 18 or older, you can snag a limited-edition State48 Heritage District t-shirt just by filling out a "Project Passport" as you tour the stations.

Why It Matters: These projects will redefine how we live and play in Gilbert’s historic heart. This is your chance to get the inside scoop on construction impacts and ensure our neighborhood’s growth reflects the community we love. Swing by the Assembly Room on April 18 to grab your shirt and see the plans, or for more info on upcoming road closures:

⛱️ Salt rims and breezy patio afternoons

Joyride Taco House is the local go-to for catching the breeze when the garage doors slide open. The energy is vibrant yet easygoing, especially during the daily happy hour that makes a random Thursday feel like the start of the weekend.

Grab a seat outside for some Crispy Fish tacos and a blood orange margarita. It is polished, sun-drenched, and exactly where our corner of Gilbert gathers when the light turns golden.

🔥 The heated studio the East Valley has been waiting for

Workshop Pilates’ SanTan Village location brings a specific kind of polish to Gilbert. You can choose between the 105 degree infrared mat room or the low light reformer studio, both of which focus on rhythmic movement rather than just going through the motions.

The glam room is fully stocked for a post class refresh, and you can even find the instructor playlists on their app to keep that specific energy going all day.

Now that the fourth studio is settled in, a dedicated heated mat space is already being prepared for Tempe!

Twilight is a bright, athletic Belgian Shepherd mix

Currently thriving in her Gilbert foster home and at eight months old, she stands at thirty pounds. This medium sized pup is remarkably intelligent and already mastered the dog door.

She is a social standout who enjoys the company of other dogs, cats, and children. Whether she is playing at the park or snuggling on a cozy bed, her adventurous spirit and quick mind make her a joy to train. Her adoption fee is $375.

To learn more about this quirky girl,

🚴 Gear Up Gilbert: Community Bike Ride | Freestone Park to Water Tower Plaza | Gilbert | 04/18 | More 
One-way ride with music, yard games, and giveaways. Registration is free but needed.

🐾 Paws in the Preserve: Puppy Picasso Paint Class | Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch | Gilbert | 04/18 | More 
Bring your pup and your kids and go home with a canvas!

🏊 April Pools Day: Water Safety | Williams Field Pool | Gilbert | 04/18 | More 
Helps families get ready for pool season with safety demonstrations and activities.

🐕 Meet & Greet with Lotus & The Lambs | Pet Depot - Market Street Pet Hospital | Gilbert | 04/18 | More 
Pup cups, popsicles, and custom cookies with local community leaders and Lotus.

♻️ Teen Earth Day Art Night | Gilbert Regional Park | Gilbert | 04/22 | More
Upcycling workshop to transform recycled materials into creative masterpieces.

🌍 Earth & Arbor Day Celeb | McQueen Park Activity Center | Gilbert | 04/22 | More 
A tree planting ceremony, live animal display, local vendor booths, and prizes.

🛍️ Ladies Night Shopping Event | Painted Tree Boutiques | Gilbert | 04/16 | More
An evening of music, refreshments, and boutique shopping plus hundreds of vendors.

🎭 Broadway Night | Hale Centre Theatre | Gilbert | starts 04/17 | More 
Vocalists perform iconic showtunes in a state-of-the-art theater-in-the-round.

🍺 Naturalist Guided Night Hike | Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch | Gilbert | 04/17 | More 
A genuinely good way to spend a Friday evening before the weekend gets loud.

😂 Wyatt Cote Live | JP's Comedy Club | Gilbert | 04/17-04/18 | More 
Sharp, observational stand-up from a rising West Coast talent in an intimate club.

🎨 Prismatic Sky Paint & Sip | Pinot's Palette | Gilbert | 04/18 | More 
Create a vibrant glow-in-the-dark landscape while enjoying artisan cheese boards!

🀄 Teas & Tiles and Tattoos Too | Sip & Shop Boutique | Gilbert | 04/19 | More 
Mahjong games, tea cocktails, permanent jewelry, and live tattoo artistry.

Thanks for reading Our Newsletter! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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