HEADLINE NEWS
Scottsdale smart cities workshop generated conversation and ideas. As a 2022 Smart Cities Readiness Challenge winner, Scottsdale hosted the Smart Cities Council along with more than 50 industry professionals, city staff and residents for a “Scaling Citizen Engagement Readiness Challenge Workshop.” The April 6 workshop included data and solutions presentations SkySong and Old Town based on five indicators of successful innovation districts: volume, character, variety, vitality and relevance. Building upon the City of Scottsdale Smart City Strategic Roadmap, potential projects were identified for the Old Town and SkySong areas involving sound mitigation, wayfinding, sustainability, public safety and economic development. There will be an additional workshop in the fall.
Tickets on sale for inaugural Pac-12 Baseball Tournament. The PAC-12's first ever championship baseball tournament is set to begin May 25 at Scottsdale Stadium, and tickets are on sale.
TONIGHT! Scottsdale Gallery Association hosts the season’s final Gold Palette ArtWalk - “Spring into Art.” Participating galleries will feature artists that showcase spring in their works via landscapes, florals, colors and all things that evoke the feelings of spring. It runs 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in the Old Town Arts District. The Scottsdale Gallery Association offers Gold Palette ArtWalks throughout the year in addition to the weekly Thursday events. They include extended hours, special activities and experiences, including wine tastings, small bites, music and entertainment that align with each event's theme. Learn more.
Adaptive Services hosts “Space Jam: A New Legacy” movie in the park. Bring a chair or blanket and watch LeBron James work with Bugs Bunny and the Tune Squad to win a basketball game after a rogue AI kidnaps his son. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 15, at 8102 E. Jackrabbit Road. This free event is for Adaptive Services participants, their families and friends. Space is limited; register.
Register for Earth Week activities, April 22-29. From volunteer road cleanups and tree giveaways, to a solar power presentation and green expo breakfast with the Mayor and City Council, Scottsdale has a full lineup of events for everyone looking to recognize Earth Day and make our city a better place. Get details on all the events and register.
Scottsdale Public Library hosts Sister Cities Association’s Young Artist and Authors Showcase through April 30. The 34th Annual Young Artists and Authors Showcase is on display at Civic Center Library. This year’s theme “Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All” invited young artists and writers to create written and visual art that highlights the importance of climate change and its impact on water resources. Award winners from the Scottsdale exhibition will advance to the international competition.
Mark your calendars – Scottsdale Jazz Festival returns to Old Town Scottsdale April 30. Sponsored in part by the city, this festival – a tribute to the 11th annual International Jazz Day – will run 3-10 p.m. Saturday, April 30, on City Hall's northeast lawn. Nationally known trumpeter Jessie McGuire, famous for his performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” will open the festival. The lineup also includes Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Nayo Jones, the Jaleo Afro Cuban ensemble, the Molina’s 32nd Jazz Band and the All-Star Youth Jazz Orchestra. Learn more.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
Investing in Our Scottsdale - Vista del Camino receives upgraded playground and basketball court. Renovations are complete at Vista del Camino’s north playground and basketball court. The playground received new equipment, a new shade structure and ADA-compliant wood chips for a safer, cleaner play area. The basketball court was resurfaced for better play and safety. Both renovations were funded through the city’s Capital Improvement Program.
Library use continues to climb. Since full restoration of library hours in January, attendance systemwide has remained strong at approximately 40,000 patrons visiting a month. This number is expectedly up compared to last year’s attendance numbers, when the Appaloosa and Arabian branches were drive-thru only, and hours were limited at Civic and Mustang. Drive-thru and curbside options remain popular with patrons. Since January, the library has served 27,000 cars through drive-thru windows and curbside visits.
As we progress through the public and hearing processes, additional participation events will be offered, and draft content will be available to review.
Scottsdale Road will be closed at Camelback 10 p.m.-5 a.m. Sunday, April 17, through Friday, April. 22. The closures are necessary to perform maintenance on the Arizona Canal bridge. Traffic detours will be in place for southbound travelers. Vehicles traveling south on Scottsdale Road will be directed to turn east or west onto Camelback Road at the intersection. Northbound travel will not be affected. Bus stops in the construction area will be relocated during construction.
Help prevent wildfires. Globe Chamomile is a fast-moving invasive plant in Arizona. Explore your property and be diligent about pulling it now before yellow ball flowers develop mature seeds and dry out in our summer heat. Plants resemble a carrot plant with dark green leaves and a strong odor. Just one pull will prevent the spread of thousands of seeds. Invasive plants upset the sensitive and natural ecological balance of the surrounding area and can also disrupt the habitat for desert wildlife. In addition, it could become a major fire fuel source during the hot weather when these weeds dry out. Learn more.
Local school donates 813 pounds of food to Vista del Camino. That’s after a fierce competition to see which Pima Traditional School class could bring the most donations to benefit the food bank. Mrs. Mendoza’s third grade class won and earned a pizza party from the PTO. In March, Vista del Camino distributed 154 food boxes to local families in need. The food bank is one of a variety of valuable services available to Scottsdale residents at Vista del Camino Community Center. Learn more.
View Scottsdale traffic restrictions. Access information in our map center.
