Something that’s been keeping me grounded lately has been hitting some Valley trails on the weekends.

I feel so fortunate to live somewhere that has hiking access so close by—and I always feel like by the time summer comes around, I haven’t taken enough advantage of that.

Sliding through Fat Man’s Pass in Phoenix South Mountain Park & Preserve. (Saylor Soinski)

I checked out the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area in Phoenix last weekend for the first time. I had forgotten about it since its three-year closure that started in 2020, so it was nice to finally go see it.

Before that, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I hiked the Mormon Trail at South Mountain to Fat Man’s Pass, a narrow area between big rocks you can slide through. It wasn’t as scary as it looks to some people—but someone did get stuck in it in 2018.

These quick jaunts have been good reminders that “hiking” doesn’t need to be an all-day activity I have to prepare for—it can be as simple as spending an hour walking in nature.

What’s something that’s been bringing you joy lately? Let me know!

A newsletter for Phoenix renters, written by someone who’s lived it—me! Rent Check PHX gives you news, resources, and real renter stories from across the Valley every other Wednesday.

People protest outside of Zipps Sports Grill Park Central after Federal authorities entered multiple locations in metro Phoenix on Jan. 26, 2026, as part of a still-evolving investigation by the Department of Homeland Security. (Joe Rondone/The Republic via Reuters Connect)

By Jessica Swarner

Hundreds of organizations have come together to call for a “national shutdown” today to protest the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids under President Donald Trump, and multiple Arizona businesses are taking part.

The shutdown, a response to the recent killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Silverio Villegas González, and Keith Porter Jr. by federal agents, calls for people to unite in “no work,” “no school,” and “no shopping.”

“Every day, ICE, Border Patrol and other enforcers of Trump’s racist agenda are going into our communities to kidnap our neighbors and sow fear,” organizers state on the protest’s website. “It is time for us to all stand up together in a nationwide shutdown and say enough is enough!”

Protests are also planned Friday across the nation, including one at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix at 1 p.m.

These restaurants, coffee shops, and bars are closing their doors Friday in solidarity with a nationwide protest against ICE and the killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others.

The plant-based supplement kava is sweeping across Arizona. Check out these interesting benefits and the kava bars where you can test it for yourself.

From big concerts to a fried chicken festival, here’s what’s going on around Arizona this weekend.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner with stories from Jessica Swarner, USA Today Network via Reuters Connect, and Dorothy Scott. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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