🌱 Water Cost Increase + Metaverse Charity + Camp Taliesin West

Hello, everybody. It is almost Friday! Let's hang in there and brush up on everything Scottsdale.

First, today's weather:

Summer is in full swing with another day over 100 degrees. The high today is 104 with a low of 74.

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Here are the top stories today in Scottsdale:

1. Unfortunately, what we all expected with the drought and water shortage is coming to pass. Due to an increased demand and cost, the Scottsdale City Council approved new, higher, water rates for Scottsdale Water customers: "Sewer fees will increase by approximately 4 percent starting July 1. Water fees will increase starting Nov. 1 with the biggest increases coming to high-water users." (City of Scottsdale Website & also on Facebook)
2. Habitat for Humanity teamed up with Scottsdale's Rose Law Group to raise money within the metaverse with NFTs. Metaverse is a virtual reality concept that uses augmented reality technology to bring make the internet feel real. NFTs are non-fungible tokens, such as music or drawings, that can be sold. Rose Law is hoping to use this new technology to simultaneously raise money for Habitat while exposing Scottsdale, and Arizona at large, to the metaverse and NFTs. In fact, last year an Arizona Supreme Court justice officiated a metaverse wedding, hosted by Rose Law Group, in which a couple's virtual persona's were married. (Cronkite News)
3. Our monsoon season is on the way, and is expected to be bring above-normal rainfall. This is good news for farmers, ranchers, and local buyers in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Last year's monsoons came too late to make up for the 2022 dry spell, plummeting profits for the agriculture industry and leaving farmer's markets and grocery stores lacking local produce and meats. Arizona's ranchers generate around $700 million annually, so a wetter rainy season will help us all economically too. Maybe with enough of a monsoon season, those new water rates will drop? What do you think? (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
4. Do you have an aspiring architect at home? Then Camp Taliesin West might be a summer camp to consider. In December 2020, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation hosted the camp virtually, under the tutelage of education manager Abbie Wilson. After such a smashing online success, the camp is returning in-person this summer. Camper's range in age from 7 to 17, so there is a group for everyone. Registration is required, but there is still time! Cost varies per each age group and camp week, but through the Foundation’s Community Access Program, qualifying students can attend a camp for free. (Scottsdale Progress; Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation).
5. In Case You Missed It: On May 21, Kyle Miller was arrested in Scottsdale on charges of 2nd degree burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespassing, and resisting arrest. How did he resist arrest? Allegedly, Miller choked a K9 unit dog. Miller was restrained by a police dog when attempting to resist arrest near near Pima and Indian Bend roads. Miller proceeded to hold the dog between his legs in an effort to restrict breathing. Officers were able to remove Miller from the dog. Currently there is no status on the dog. (12 News)

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Today in Scottsdale:

• Pac-12 Baseball Tournament: May 25 – 29 at Scottsdale Stadium (Times Vary)
• Fish & Sips at OdySea Aquarium (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
• Yoga in the Rainforest — Butterfly Wonderland (5:15 PM to 6:15 PM)
• Scottsdale's ArtWalk — Old Town (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
• Reel Rock 16 features four brand-new world premiere films from the creators of The Alpinist and The Dawn Wall — Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (7:30 PM)

Tomorrow, Friday, in Scottsdale:

• Old Town Farmers Market (8:00 AM - Noon)
• Bach to Rock: Summer Student Showcase (5:00 PM)
• LAST DAY for the May Concert Series — Kierland Commons (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
• LAST DAY for Music in the Garden — Desert Botanical Gardens (5:00 PM - 9:30 PM)
• New School for the Arts, Academics Graduation, and Visual Arts Showcase — Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (7:00 PM)
• Pitbull Concert — Talking Stick Resort (8:00 PM)

Looking Ahead — Memorial Day Weekend:

• Memorial Day deals to take advantage of across the Valley (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
• Your Guide to Memorial Day Weekend 2022 Parties in Metro Phoenix (Phoenix New Times)

From my notebook:

• The Scottsdale Fire Department is creating fire resilient landscapes as a defense against the wildfire threat in Wildland Urban Interface areas. (Scottsdale Fire Department, Facebook)
• The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and Salt River Schools offices of School and Community Relations and Higher Education would like to recognize all SRPMIC high school and postsecondary graduates from the Class of 2022. This includes any graduation from high school, GED, trade school, or college/university occurring from July 2021 through June 2022. (SRPMIC, Facebook)
• SRPMIC Update: In observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30th the COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations will be open Tuesday, May 31 through Friday, June 3. (SRPMIC, Facebook)

• Donation deadline approaching for the Scottsdale Senior Services’ Beat the Heat program. (City of Scottsdale, Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Tatum Place: "My 14 year old Siamese had his teeth cleaned and two extractions yesterday at All Creatures. - He came home so relaxed and happy, ready to eat a little soft food and take a little nap. Cannot thank Dr Bob and Michelle enough!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Camelback / S. Scottsdale: "I am a retired vet and during this time I would like to remember all who we have lost! - This is a time of remembrance for of our freedom!" (Nextdoor)
• ADOT Communications Office of Community Relations, State of Arizona: "No holiday weekend closures along state highways (May 27-30) - ADOT and its contractors are not scheduling any full construction or maintenance closures along state highways from Friday afternoon, May 27, through Monday night, May 30" (Nextdoor)
• ADOT Communications Office of Community Relations, State of Arizona: "Holiday travel alert: plan for delays, oversized vehicle restrictions in Oak Creek Canyon" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Thunderbird: "Amazing METAL Roofing & Facia Detailing for your home -If looking for a unique or different new look for your home & roofing, I highly recommend HALO METAL ROOFING Co." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Rio Verde Foothills: "Interesting article on how EPCOR helped curb New River over development - https://kjzz.org/content/642545/can-new-river-residents-control-development-new-water-source" (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Madison Feser

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Scottsdale Daily? Contact me at madison.feser@patch.com