🌱 Couple Saves Dumped Amazon Packages + PetSmart's MVPets TAILgate

Hi all. It's me, Helen Eckhard, your host of the Daily. Let's get this Wednesday started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with rain and drizzle. High: 58 Low: 50.

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Here are the top three stories in Scottsdale today:

1. A Scottsdale couple recovered dozens of local Amazon packages from the side of the road a few weeks ago during their morning walk. After thinking it was dumped trash, the couple noticed it was unopened boxes of Amazon packages and investigated further and found they were all addressed to the same apartment complex about a mile away. The couple got their car and retrieved the boxes and went to the apartment complex where they were able to find a resident who agreed to store the boxes and get the word out. All of the packages were picked up in a day or so. (12news.com KPNX)
2. PetSmart’s ultimate MVPets TAILgate experience will be in Scottsdale on Dec. 31. The event is free to the public and will be hosted at the Scottsdale location PetSmart. Activities for pets and owners alike will be available. PetSmart is a sponsor of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee. (citysuntimes)
3. Scottsdale Mayor David D. Ortega is concerned over the low number of short-term/vacation rental properties that have applied for and received their licenses for their properties. With an estimated 5,000 properties in Scottsdale, only 530 had applied for/received their licenses as of Dec. 14. Mayor Ortega said, "I’m concerned that only a small percentage of all properties currently advertising in Scottsdale have applied for the license we require." (Subscription: Daily Independent)

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Today in Scottsdale:

• Christmas Poinsettia At Gallery Andrea (12:00 PM)
• Open Mic Event At Pub Rock Live (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• As the year comes to a close, are you curious what Arizona's most popular baby names were? Top girl names include Olivia, Emma, and Isabella, while Liam, Noah, and Mateo were popular among boys. See the full list of the most popular names at the link. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
• Looking to jam out while you ring in the New Year? Check out the link for six concerts taking place in the Scottsdale area. (Phoenix New Times)
• Five new homes have been listed for sale in the Scottsdale area. Available properties range from an 890-square-foot home for $219,000 to a $7.5 million home with five beds, eight baths, and 9,489 square feet. Get all the property details at the link. (Scottsdale Patch)

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Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 29)
• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (January 22)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all tomorrow for another 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.