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🌱 Patch AM: How a Tempe district school just joined an elite Blue Ribbon club

You won't want to miss International John Violinist coming to The Herberger Theater Center Stage West on Sun. January 4, 20 on the Tempe…

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Hello Tempe! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Tempe district school just joined an elite Blue Ribbon club
  • How ASU’s newest Tempe dorm hides security in its design
  • Which 2026 Tempe festivals just added extra days and bigger headliners?

Also on today's calendar: International John Violinist coming to The Herberger Theater Center Stage West on Sun. January 4, 20 and 9 more events.

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

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Tempe? Post it to Tempe photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 75 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 48.
  • Friday: Sunny and pleasantly warm, with a high of 79 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ward Traditional Academy proud to be ‘Blue' (tempenews.com) — Ward Traditional Academy, part of the Tempe Elementary School District, has been named a Blue Ribbon School, one of only six in Arizona and the district’s third to earn the honor. Staff credit a rigorous academic approach, strong enrichment programs, and highly involved families, even as the federal government ends the national version of the Blue Ribbon program.
   

2. ASU using architecture to boost campus security (azfamily.com) — On ASU’s Tempe campus, crime prevention experts are shaping new dorm designs to boost student safety from the ground up. By limiting entry points, adding strategic seating, using protective trenches, and requiring key-card access, the university is applying “crime prevention through environmental design” principles to make future buildings safer for students and staff.
   

3. Top music festivals in Arizona 2026, from Innings to Country Thunder (azcentral.com) — Tempe Beach Park will be a major 2026 festival hub, hosting an expanded three-day Innings Festival, Extra Innings, and Reggae Rise Up with big-name rock, country, and reggae headliners plus baseball-themed fan experiences. The guide also rounds up other major Arizona festivals in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Flagstaff, Gilbert, and beyond so Tempe residents can plan road-trip-worthy music weekends.
   

4. Arizona State University's ‘Operation Comeback' targets dropouts for return (azfamily.com) — Arizona State University in Tempe is rolling out “Operation Comeback,” a new program to bring former Sun Devils back to finish their degrees with scholarships, advising, and possible forgiveness of old account balances. The initiative, starting with about 500 immediately eligible students, offers per-credit scholarships through 2026, customized degree plans, and even streamlined re-entry for some returning students.
   

📸 Around Tempe

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Tempe

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Shalimar area(Price/Alameda).
    Found. This little doggie wandered into our garage just now. Very friendly. Can't take to get scanned at present moment, but do so as soon as… (Nextdoor Shalimar)
  • Found a pup roaming in the middle of the street near Loma Vista Drive in Tempe.
    No collar or tags. Anybody recognize? Closest cross streets are E Broadway and S Rural (Nextdoor Hughes Acres)
  • Hazen & Sawyer posted a job opening for Principal Proposal Coordinator in Tempe. Apply here.
  • Dayton Freight Lines, Inc. posted a job opening for Billing & Data Entry (Full Time) in Tempe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tempe here.

Ok Tempe! 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 don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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