🌱 Zoo's Big Cats Get COVID Vax + Lacking Silverware, Apple Juice

Morning, people of Phoenix! Caitlin Sievers here with a fresh edition of the Phoenix Daily.

First, today's weather:

Clouds and hazy sunshine. High: 63 Low: 43.

Here are the top stories in Phoenix today:

1. It's looking to be a chilly weekend, but that's no reason to miss out on festival fun. Throw on a sweatshirt and head out to Phoenix Festival for the Arts this Saturday and Sunday at Hance Park. There will be plenty of vendors where you can grab some special holiday gifts, a variety of food and drink options and chances to check out local music and other artistic performances. (Phoenix Patch)
2. The Phoenix Zoo is vaccinating its most susceptible animals against COVID-19. Just like humans, the animals will get two doses. Some of the animals who are getting or who have already started receiving their injections are the African lion, Sumatran tigers, bobcat and mountain lions and the zoo's Bornean orangutans. (Arizona's Family)
3. Small businesses and locally owned restaurants are struggling to find workers and are dealing with supply chain issues while they also try to compete with Amazon and big box stores. Some restaurants don't have enough silverware to operate efficiently, while some breweries are having trouble finding supplies to create their booze. (Cronkite News)
4. Pre-construction work on the Central Station redevelopment project in downtown Phoenix is set to begin early next year. The project has been a long time in the making. The City Council approved the redevelopment agreement for the transit depot in 2019. (Phoenix Business Journal)

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:

• Dapper & Stout Donates Portion of Sales to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. (6 a.m.)
• International Off-Road & UTV Expo. (4 p.m.)
• Zoppé Italian Family Circus Swings Into Rawhide Western Town. (5 p.m.)
• Cash Mob — Free Networking. (6 p.m.)
• Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Phoenix Public Library: "Check out a cheery, holiday book from one of the festive displays at Desert Sage Library at 7602 W. Encanto Blvd. in Phoenix." (Facebook)
• City of Phoenix: "As temperatures begin to drop, especially at night, protect your plants from chilly desert nights by covering them properly. If you don't have frost cloth, cover plants with lightweight cotton sheets or painter's cloth that allow for light and airflow." (Facebook)
• Phoenix Public Library: "Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Rainbow Storytime Online! 🌈📚 Children, birth to age five, and their favorite grownups can read books, sing and dance to topics that celebrate diversity and inclusion." (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Caitlin Sievers

About me: I'm a passionate writer and photographer who worked as a reporter and editor for various publications in the Midwest before landing in Phoenix. I have seven roommates. Four of them are cats. Contact me at caitlin.sievers@patch.com with story ideas and feedback.