🌱 7-Year-Old Completes El Tour De Tucson​ + Sterling Award For SCC

Hello all! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 65 Low: 42.

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Here are the top three stories in Scottsdale today:

1. Scottsdale's Carina Dinu, a seven-year-old, became the youngest person in the El Tour de Tucson's history to complete the 102-mile course. Dinu, a Great Hearts Archway Scottsdale student, competed in the cycling event on Nov. 19 and finished with a time of eight hours and 15 minutes. The previous record holder for age and time was her sister, Ariana, when she was 10 years old. (Daily Independent)
2. Scottsdale Community College has been recognized as an institution of excellence, innovation, and community stewardship. The College recently received the 36th Annual Sterling Award in the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce's Big Business category. The award recognizes the college's dedication to "quality of life and the economic fabric of the community." (Arizona Education News Service)
3. Three Scottsdale-area restaurants, Dominick’s Steakhouse, Ocean 44, and Steak 44, have been named in OpenTable's Top 100 list. The restaurants are in the company of two additional Arizona eateries. The full list of Top 100 restaurants is available here. (The Arizona Republic)

Today in Scottsdale:

• A Christmas Story The Musical At Desert Stages Theatre (2:00 PM)
• The Velveteen Rabbit At Desert Stages Theatre (3:00 PM)
• Sippin’ Series: Holiday Cocktails At Mezzanine Lounge, Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Head over to The Spot Neighborhood Grill in North Scottsdale for a holiday party and tree lighting beginning at 5:30 p.m. this evening. Proceeds from the event benefit the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
• The Scottsdale Police Department has added five new officers to its ranks. Congratulations to recruits Fogo, Pence, Rodriquez, Sylvester, and Yost! (Scottsdale Police Department via Facebook)
• If you are looking for holiday cheer this weekend, check out ideas for family fun at the link! (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early Monday morning with your next update!

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing associate at Lightning Media Partners. Outside of work, she enjoys constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.