HEADLINE NEWS
Scottsdale adopted its anti-discrimination ordinance one year ago. Adopted unanimously by the City Council April 20, 2021, the ordinance is part of the city’s commitment to a Scottsdale free from discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability anywhere within city limits. The ordinance protects people in Scottsdale from discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, in businesses that serve the public, and in employment. Learn more about the ordinance.
Prescription Drug Take Back available at two Scottsdale locations Saturday. The collections – which take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 30 – are part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s 17th Annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back. Bring your pills for disposal to the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road, or Foothills District Police Station in the Market Street Plaza at DC Ranch, 20363 N. Pima Road. Please do not bring liquids of any kind. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that many abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
Earth Week activities continue through Friday. Scottsdale has a full lineup of events for everyone looking to recognize Earth Day and make our city a better place. Register.
Highlights:
Wednesday, April 27: Hike with a Natural Resources Coordinator (8-9:30 a.m. at Brown's Ranch Trailhead): Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with natural resources coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They will share their knowledge about the preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert.
Thursday, April 28: Scottsdale 360 – Water Wise (11 a.m.-noon *Virtual): We’re asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce water use by at least 5% due to the Colorado River shortage. Scottsdale’s Water Policy Manager Gretchen Baumgardner will talk about the city's water resources portfolio, conservation efforts, and ways residents and businesses can help. Register here.
Green Building Webinar Series: Solar 101 (6-7:30 p.m. *Virtual): Interested in going solar but don’t know where to start? Join the non-profit organization Solar United Neighbors for a “Solar 101” webinar with Arizona Program Associate Adrian Keller. Learn how solar works, what it costs and how to save by going solar with your neighbors. Register here.
Friday, April 29: Arbor Day Celebration (8 a.m. at Bell Road Sports Complex, 9390 E. Bell Road): Scottsdale is proud to be recognized as a Tree City USA community for the 40th year, more times than any other Arizona community. Read more about the Arbor Day Foundation and the criteria to be a Tree City. Mayor Ortega will read the Arbor Day proclamation and there will be a tree planting ceremony, along with guest speakers from the Scottsdale Garden Club and Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission.
See how the transcontinental railroad transformed and built the American West. Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West debuts this new train exhibit, “The Railroad Opening Up the West.” It contracted with members of the train clubs of Scottsdale’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park to undertake the design, fabrication, installation and ongoing management of the exhibition. The display features period HO and G scale train sets that will operate hands-free and will include images and sounds appropriate to the various vignettes. To learn more about the display, visit the museum’s website.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts presents “Balloonacy,” a tender, uplifting, laugh-out-loud comedy show. Sweet, inventive and packed with physical comedy, this family-friendly play explores the power of friendship and shows how, with a little imagination and acceptance, companionship is everywhere. Performances take place 11 a.m. Friday, April 29; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30; and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 1. Learn more and get tickets.
Take note - Scottsdale Jazz Festival comes to Old Town Scottsdale. The Scottsdale Jazz Festival, a tribute to the 11th Annual International Jazz Day, runs 3-10 p.m. Saturday, April 30, on the northeast lawn of Scottsdale Civic Center, near Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Event sponsors have a spectacular lineup including Richard Elliot, Rick Braun & Nayo Jones, Jaleo Afro Cuban ensemble, along with The Molina’s 32nd Jazz Band, all-star youth jazz orchestra, and world-renowned trumpeter Jesse McGuire and Carlos Rivas. Festival proceeds help to sponsor music programs for at-risk youth in organizations.
New theatrical work, “DANCING WITH THE UNIVERSE | Native Style,” debuts May 7, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. This production, created by Derrick Suwaima Davis, tells the story of seasons and cycles and the value of respecting the natural order of the universe. It combines individual numbers focusing on music and dance to tell a story of universe, this planet and the living creatures who dwell here, including human beings. Some of the performances draw on traditions of specific Southwest tribes, from the Tohono O’odham to the Apache, while others refer to common powwow performances, most often linked to the traditions of Great Plains cultures. Learn more and buy tickets.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
The Scottsdale 360 series kicks off with “Water Wise” 11 a.m.-noon April 28. We’re asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce water use by at least 5% due to the Colorado River shortage. Scottsdale’s Water Policy Manager Gretchen Baumgardner will talk about the city's water resources portfolio, conservation efforts, and ways residents and businesses can help. Register here.
Scottsdale360 is a virtual learning series that highlights the people, policies and programs that shape our community. Other topics include short-term rentals, emergency preparedness and investing in Scottsdale through capital projects. Sign up for one session – or the entire series. All classes take place from 11 a.m.-noon every other Thursday, starting April 28. Learn more and register.
Every tree counts – be part of Scottsdale’s citizen tree inventory. Members of Scottsdale’s Environmental Advisory Commission want residents to learn about the benefits of trees, plants and animals by collecting data right outside their homes via an online portal and app. It's all part of an effort to expand Scottsdale’s tree database. While Scottsdale has an inventory of trees on city properties, this additional data would lead to better evaluation of the environmental impact and economic value of trees throughout the city. Get started. View our tree inventory.
View Scottsdale traffic restrictions. Access information in our map center.
