HEADLINE NEWS
February is Black History Month. This is a time when we honor the history, culture, achievements and contributions Black American have made to our nation. People like Scottsdale’s very own George Nelms, the inventor of key components in the development of pacemaker technology. Nelms grew up in the 1940s and ’50s in his grandmother’s house in a close-knit neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. Read more about Nelms and his storied life and career.
You can also celebrate the pioneers, leaders, and innovators within the Black community by reading these stories curated by the Scottsdale Public Library that highlight and amplify Black voices.
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 by the numbers. Maricopa County has been tracking COVID-19 cases since Jan. 22, 2020. Review the latest numbers.
Scottsdale remains at high community transmission for 30th straight week, but cases are trending downward. The city’s COVID-19 case rate has decreased by 47.6% to 348 cases per 100,000 residents (week of Feb. 5). High transmission is defined as greater than 100 cases per 100,000 people. This does not include undetected cases of COVID-19, or unreported cases that have only been detected through an at-home test.
According to Maricopa County’s Vaccine Dashboard, 75.6% of eligible Scottsdale residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose, and 69.9% are fully vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is your best defense against getting or spreading COVID. Attend a city vaccine site (see below) or find another location.
Vaccines and boosters save lives, and we’re doing our part to help make testing and vaccinations more accessible.
Vincere Cancer Center is administering free COVID-19 testing for active infection (PCR and antigen), Influenza A+B tests and vaccinations by appointment at the following locations. Testing is available to everyone, 3 years and older. PCR test results will be available by the end of the next business day via email. Antigen results will be available onsite. Appointments are required for vaccines and recommended for testing; walk-ups are accepted until 3 p.m.
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Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road: Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. COVID-19 testing only, no vaccinations; and Fridays: 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. COVID-19 testing, vaccinations by appointment only
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Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.: Wednesdays: 9 a.m.-3:35 p.m. COVID-19 testing; vaccinations by appointment only from noon-3:45 p.m.
In partnership with the Maricopa County Public Health Department, Scottsdale Community College offers free testing 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through February. Testing is open to the public and appointments aren’t necessary.
Free vaccine events continue through March at community centers. We’re offering the Pfizer vaccine (5 and older), and the Janssen and Moderna (both for 18 and older) vaccines:
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Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St.: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25.
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Eldorado Park and Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road: 1-4 p.m. Feb. 14 and 28, and March 14 and 28.
Registration is not required; walk-ins are welcome. Please check in no later than 30 minutes before the session ends. Call 602-506-6767 for more information.
Find information about free vaccines, boosters and testing for Scottsdale residents.
Attending a “big game” gathering Sunday? Think about the steps you need to take to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19.
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Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. Find a clinic – see information above.
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If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you should wear a mask indoors in public (2 and older).
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In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors. In areas of substantial or high transmission, like we are in Scottsdale, people might choose to wear a mask outdoors when in sustained close contact with other people, particularly if they or someone they live with has a weakened immune system or is at increased risk for severe disease.
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Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who do not live in your household. Good ventilation can help prevent you from getting and spreading COVID-19. If you haven’t already, get free at-home COVID-19 tests.
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Stay home if you test positive or are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
THINGS TO DO
WM Phoenix Open continues through Sunday. Known as "The Greatest Show on Grass," the WM Phoenix Open is one of the PGA Tour’s most exciting stops. The event, held at TPC Scottsdale, has gained legendary status for combining great golf, great weather and a festive atmosphere, unlike any other tournament.
Traffic information: Drivers should plan for heavier-than-normal traffic on the Loop 101 Pima Freeway. Tournament-related traffic will increase during the morning and late afternoon. Get parking information and directions. Nearby off-site parking and a rideshare lot will be available at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Parking and a shuttle service also are available at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick near Loop 101 and Talking Stick Way.
Valley Metro has temporarily relocated the Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Greenway Hayden Loop bus stop (RT-170 westbound). It’s on the northwest corner of Greenway Hayden Loop and Paradise Lane.
Lights, camera, action! The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival features cultural films from all over the world that offer an authentic portrayal of the historic and contemporary Jewish experience. In addition to the film screenings, the event features highly esteemed guest speakers to address festival watchers and filmmakers. The festival runs Feb. 14-28 and is virtual only. *Community Funded Event
The Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable meets Tuesday. Speakers are nationally known historians and authors who discuss America's greatest conflict. The Tuesday, Feb. 15, program features Adrian Brettle, “Colossal Ambitions: Confederate Planning for a Post-Civil War World.” These monthly lectures, held at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, start at 5 p.m.; doors open at 4 p.m. for book sale and meeting the speaker.
City hosts gnarly Wedge Hangout event. Drop by Eldorado’s Wedge Skatepark at Eldorado Park from 1 – 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, for this free event featuring a live DJ, food, vendors, raffle prizes and more. The Wedge Skatepark, 7650 E. McDowell Road, features a 20,000-square-foot facility that has a fun box, amoeba bowl, launch box, quarter-pipe, pyramid, curbs and rails.
WestWorld hosts the Arabian Horse Show, Feb. 17-27. Since 1955 the annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. It has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2,400 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. The city provides matching event advertising funding for this event.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Could your HOA/condo board use a refresher on financial matters? Join us from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, on Zoom for “HOA/Condo Finances 101.” A community association attorney will share info on budgets, reserve studies, preventing fraud and more. Sign up.
FYI
Scottsdale TV commercial and video series features McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Experience Scottsdale partnered with an award-winning videographer to capture the history and character of McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park as part of its “Uniquely Scottsdale” video series. The series showcases the area’s unique attractions through interviews and stunning visuals. The park also made an appearance in Experience Scottsdale’s latest television commercial airing in cities across the country. Millions of potential visitors are watching the commercial, which features a young family enjoying a train ride in the park. Experience Scottsdale serves as the city’s destination marketing organization, promoting the Scottsdale area as a luxury destination for meetings, events and leisure travel.
Take a few minutes to give us your valuable feedback on meeting your library needs. We’re developing our 2023-26 strategic plan, and we need your input. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win an iPad mini.
Scottsdale conducts survey about living, working and playing in Scottsdale. The city, in partnership with Experience Scottsdale, is developing a Tourism Strategic Plan to determine and identify sustainable growth, expansion and management opportunities, while enhancing the city’s long-term quality of life for residents and visitors. In preparation, the city is conducting a survey about living, working and playing in Scottsdale. The responses will help us better understand the community experience, as well as identify how we can protect, improve and enhance Scottsdale’s economic prosperity. Help us by taking this 10-minute survey by Feb. 22.
Do you have some extra plastic bags sitting around? Drop them off in the Civic Center Library lobby, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. We’re collecting and distributing them at the Chaparral Dog Park so patrons can clean up their dogs’ waste.
Find out about traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.
