🦈 Sharks Return to OdySea Aquarium + ☕ Coffee Shop Helps Foster Kids

Happy Monday everyone! Merichelle Norwood here to fill your inbox today with the top stories in the Valley of the Sun.

September weather: High: 109 Low: 87.

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Here are the top stories today in Phoenix:

1) Sharks, sloths, penguins, and stingrays - oh my! The OdySea Aquarium resumes animal experiences.

"We are so happy to bring back our popular animal encounters and tours, giving guests a unique, small-group setting where they can get up-close and learn about their favorite animals," OdySea Aquarium President Greg Charbeneau

(KTAR.com)

2) Sept. 11 memorial Tower Challenge to take place in Glendale.

At the 7th annual event, guests will climb 2,071 to honor those who lost their lives in the attacks on the Twin Towers.

(KTAR.com)

3) Phoenix coffee shop, Cultivate Coffee, offers jobs for kids aging out of foster care, and trains them on life skills.

"So cultivate means to draw out the potential for something to see that it flourishes, and we like to do that with our product people and place we work with," said Chris Priebe, head roaster and founder of Cultivate.

(FOX 10 News Phoenix)

4) Yesterday, on National Wildlife Day, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy celebrated desert tortoises.

The organization tracks desert tortoises' behavior in order to protect them. "Tortoises are especially sensitive to human and environmental pressures. Some populations, primarily around urban developments, have experienced declines," said Jessie Dwyer, biodiversity manager at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.

(Daily Independent)

5) First looks at Saboten Con 2022: an annual four-day anime convention held in Downtown Phoenix.

The convention included colorful costumes by cosplayers from manga series, etc.

(The Arizona Republic)

Mark your calendar:

• Duran, Duran, Sept. 7 (Details)
• Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Dashboard Confessional and The Juliana Theory, Sept. 7 (Details)
• Flo Rida, Sept. 9 (Details)
• The Head and The Heart, Sept. 11 (Details)

From my notebook:

• "The Frank Lloyd Wright designed First Christian Church in Phoenix has distinctive spire structures that rise seventy-seven feet, supported by 23 slender triangular pillars.#franklloydwrightdesign" (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
• "🚨 There's still time! ⏰ 📝 Get those applications in! The EXTENDED deadline is September 5th. 📅 Before midnight! Learn more: https://bit.ly/3A1gtLd" (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)
• "TRAILS CLOSED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT! Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak Trails will be closed today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. due to an Excessive Heat Warning." (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
• "❕ Remember to put your ♻️ & 🗑️ bins out tonight! #LaborDay will not change your trash or recycling pickup schedule if you have Monday collection." (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
• "What time is it? Book O'Clock! Join us 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, for a casual, monthly, online book discussion. Read September's title Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu and participate in the discussion via Webex. See you there!" (Phoenix Public Library via Facebook)

• "Families! 🍎 Multiple Phoenix Public Library locations are offering Kids' Café service as part of our long-standing partnership with St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance. Children ages 0-18 can enjoy a free and healthy meal Monday through Saturday." (Phoenix Public Library via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!
— Merichelle Norwood
About me: Merichelle has chronicled her many Arizona adventures since 2016. She is the Founder of the local blog She Moves PHX. You're most likely to find her munching on tacos on a Tuesday, sipping brews at a local cafe, or eating unicorn cakes.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Phoenix Daily? Contact me at phoenix@patch.com