🌱 Can You Afford A Tiny Home? + Lord of The Rings Actor In Town

Happy Friday, Phoenix! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Warm with plenty of sunshine. High: 78 Low: 51.

Here are the top stories today in Phoenix:

1. Home prices are nearing record highs in Phoenix and experts say they haven't peaked yet. If you're wanting to buy, it might be time to consider a creative option like a tiny house or a home made out of a boxcar. These options are generally much cheaper than a traditional home, allowing people who would have otherwise been priced out of the hot market to buy a home. (ABC15 Arizona)
2. The city of Phoenix has agreed to pay a $450,000 settlement to a hiker left wildly spinning in a basket as she was rescued via helicopter from Piestewa Peak in 2019. The woman and her husband had filed a $2 million claim for "physical, emotional and psychological injuries." (KTAR.com)
3. The death in a car crash of a 4-year-old boy who was sitting on a passenger's lap is a tragic reminder of the importance of buckling your child into a car seat. The boy was sitting on the passenger's lap when the car crashed into a tree. The driver and passenger had to be extricated from the car. (Phoenix Patch)
4. "Lord of the Rings" and "Goonies" actor Sean Astin will be taking part in Phoenix-area fundraisers this weekend. Astin has started a running club for kids that helps keep them off their devices for at least part of the day and he is an advocate for mental health awareness in memory of his mother, who had bipolar disorder. (Arizona's Family)

Today's Phoenix Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Phoenix!

Today in Phoenix:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (9 a.m.)
• Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts. (10 a.m.)
• Bluegrass Jam — Foothills Branch Library. (1 p.m.)
• Hybrid Teens' Manga Club — Foothills Branch Library. (4 p.m.)

Phoenix Patch Notebook

• Arizona Humane Society: "Call them PAW-casso! These adorable pups are showing of their artistic side with these Thanksgiving themed paintings! The Adoptions team at our PetSmart Scottsdale location had some fun doing arts and crafts with our pets during the holiday." (Facebook)
• City of Phoenix: "We are taking time this December to remember the best posts from 2021 — one that really resonated was this photo of a cactus shaped streetlight near the Westward Ho Hotel. Photo courtesy the Russel Lee collection, Library of Congress." (Facebook)
• Water - Use It Wisely: "Wayne on a shelf arrived just in time for the holidays! He is here to spread cheer, water-saving tips, and help you get on Santa's nice list😉! Follow along for Wayne's water-saving tips for the holidays!" (Facebook)
• Phoenix Public Library: "Browse and enjoy our Best Books of 2021... what were your favorite reads from this year? https://bit.ly/3Egpb9A ⭐ #BestBooksof2021 #JustReadPPL #PhoenixPublicLibrary #Phoenix #PHX" (Facebook)

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Events:

• Social Security Seminar (Dec. 8)
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That's it for today! I'll see you around. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Caitlin Sievers

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Phoenix Daily? I'm all ears. You can reach me at caitlin.sievers@patch.com.