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🌱 Patch AM: How a south Phoenix Legion post turned exclusion into 80 years of service

Be sure to catch Arizona National Livestock Show on the Phoenix Patch calendar

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Good morning Phoenix! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a south Phoenix Legion post turned exclusion into 80 years of service
  • How Phoenix helped name the zoo’s speedy new baby giraffe
  • Want to see 40,000 lights dance to holiday music?

Also on today's calendar: Arizona National Livestock Show and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Phoenixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Phoenixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: A brief shower or two, with a high of 73 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Friday: Variable cloudiness, temps: high: 74, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 69 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. South Phoenix American Legion post celebrates 80 years of service and inclusion (abc15.com) — An 80-year-old American Legion post in south Phoenix is celebrating its legacy of serving veterans and neighbors, especially Mexican American service members once excluded elsewhere. Leaders describe how Post 41 grew from discrimination into a welcoming hub for all veterans, hosting holiday events, food and clothing drives, and multigenerational gatherings that keep its history and community spirit alive.
   

2. Phoenix Zoo announces name of baby giraffe (ktar.com) — Phoenix residents will soon be able to meet Kasi, the Phoenix Zoo’s new female Masai giraffe calf, whose name was chosen by more than 11,000 public votes. Born in November through the Species Survival Program, she’s growing quickly and expected to debut in the Savanna habitat in January, alongside ongoing ZooLights evenings.
   

3. Phoenix homeowner syncs 40,000 lights to holiday music (fox10phoenix.com) — A Phoenix homeowner near West Marco Polo Road and North Central Avenue has transformed their house into a 40,000‑light holiday show synchronized to music, running nightly through Dec. 31. Creator Sean Makela spends hundreds of hours programming the display, which neighbors can enjoy from the sidewalk or from their cars by tuning in on the radio.
   

4. 'It's the Christmas spirit': Last-minute shoppers flood Phoenix stores on Christmas Eve (fox10phoenix.com) — Phoenix shoppers packed Safeway and Walgreens on Christmas Eve, hunting for last-minute gifts, groceries, and even a few “spirits” before stores closed. Residents described the rush as part of their holiday tradition, from grabbing stocking stuffers to scrambling for wrapping paper, with extended hours giving true procrastinators one final window to prepare.
   

5. How to ring in the New Year without a financial hangover (abc15.com) — Phoenix residents gearing up for New Year’s Eve are being urged to enjoy the night without blowing their budgets, with local voices from Queen Creek and Scottsdale sharing how they plan to celebrate. A savings expert suggests reusing outfits, shopping secondhand, hunting last‑minute travel deals, and splitting transportation costs so any money left over can go toward debt or future goals instead of a financial hangover.
   

📸 Around Phoenix

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • VFW Warns Phoenix Veterans – Don’t Leave Benefits Money on the Table —Michelle Cheesman Read on Patch
  • Marriott International posted a job opening for Night Auditor & Hotel Operations in Phoenix. Apply here.
  • Aramark Corp. posted a job opening for Warehouse Worker - Aventura Catering Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Phoenix here.

Ok Phoenix! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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