🌱 Mother's Day Purse Drive + Pediatric Leukemia + Taco Fest PHX

Welcome back, Phoenix. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with plenty of sun. High: 81 Low: 62.

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Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. The nonprofit Nourish Phoenix is hosting an annual Mother's Day purse drive. The drive aims to provide moms with special pampering items, such as lotions, jewelry, and makeup palettes, by filling donated purses. The initiative is sponsored by Papa Murphy's and welcomes purse donations filled with pampering items at 501 S 9th Ave. (Arizona's Family)
2. John Gray, a father from Phoenix, raised over $220,000 in just 10 weeks for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society after his daughter, Lily, was diagnosed with Pre-b Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Now, he is pushing for new treatments for pediatric leukemia. Gray and his team have raised almost $300,000 for cancer research in total, earning him the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Man of the Year" award in 2018. Although there have been some recent breakthroughs in pediatric leukemia treatments, Gray emphasizes that more funding is needed to improve outcomes for kids currently battling the disease. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
3. Barcoa owner David Tyda is launching a new taco and tequila festival, called Taco Fest PHX, in downtown Phoenix on May 20. The event will feature distillers, brewers, and taquerias lining the streets, with bars serving margaritas, tequila flights, and beers. Tyda aims to create an intimate street party, celebrating Mexican culture and featuring a variety of agave spirits, tacos, and mercado vendors. The festival marks Tyda's return to taco festivals four years after splitting from Arizona Taco Festival, which he co-created in 2010. (Phoenix New Times)

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Today in Phoenix:

• Kate's Heartsong, At Lunch Time Theater At The Herberger Theater Center (12:10 PM)
• Witches Brew - Holistic Health, At Sutra Studios (7:00 PM)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night, At Verdura (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Becky G will be performing on Oct. 14 during the Arizona State Fair's Coliseum Concert Series in Phoenix. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
• Calling all fellow animal lovers! The Arizona Humane Society is currently teaming up with Bissellpet-foundation to Empty The Shelters now through Monday, May 15. Adopt any furry friend and adoption fees will be waived. (Arizona Humane Society via Facebook)
• As temperatures start to rise, it's important to stay safe from extreme Phoenix heat. Here are some safety tips ahead of National Heat Awareness Day on May 26. (Signals AZ)

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• Free Zoom Meeting about female divorce lawyer in Mesa, AZ (May 15)
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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.