Scottsdale Update - Feb. 20, 2024

TONIGHT! Attend a public meeting to learn about a new, sustainable project to improve storm drains in neighborhoods near Continental Drive and Roosevelt Street. The Roosevelt Storm Drain Project public meeting runs 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the North Tempe Multi-Generational Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath St., Tempe. The project will increase drain capacity, improve water capture, upgrade flooding protection and explore green features to use stormwater runoff for landscaping. This is a joint project by Tempe, Scottsdale and the Maricopa County Flood Control District. Learn more.

Scottsdale adds Greg Caton to its leadership team to serve as the newest assistant city manager. Caton is a credentialed local government professional who has spent the past eight years as Grand Junction, Colorado’s, city manager. Prior to his tenure there, he served as Oro Valley, Arizona’s, town manager and Durango, Colorado’s, assistant city manager.

Caton holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. His commitment to professional excellence is underscored by his attainment of the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association. Caton will work alongside Scottsdale’s other assistant city managers Bill Murphy and Brent Stockwell when he assumes his new role May 6. Read more.

City provides one-stop-shop resources for senior citizens. The free All Things Senior Expo and Tradeshow takes place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7308 E. Second St. Participants can get information about healthcare, senior housing, city services, recreation, technology and transportation. The event also features free health screenings and educational opportunities. 

PUBLIC MEETINGS 

Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host. 

Week of Feb. 19:

• City Council Regular Meeting and Work Study Session: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20

• Library Board: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21

• Parks and Recreation Commission: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21

• Protect and Preserve Scottsdale Task Force: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21

• Airport Advisory Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21

• Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21

• Human Services Advisory Commission: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22

• Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee: 5 p.m. Thursday Feb. 22

Week of Feb. 26:

• Audit Committee: 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26

• City Council Work Study Session: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27

• Neighborhood Advisory Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.  

Find more public meetings. 

THINGS TO DO 

“Celebrate the Legacy of Disney” with the Scottsdale Concert Band. The free concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Scottsdale Community College Amphitheater, 9000 E. Chaparral Road. Highlights include selections from “Frozen,” “Star Wars Saga,” "Fantasia,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Music from Disneyland.” The Scottsdale Concert Band is an award-winning community band established in 1977, and it is the college’s longest standing ensemble. It performs a diverse repertoire ranging from timeless Big Band favorites, contemporary wind music and rousing patriotic tunes.

Play ball! Spring training begins Saturday, Feb. 24, at Scottsdale Stadium. Catch the San Francisco Giants in Cactus League action before beginning their regular season. Get a schedule (pdf). Buy tickets. Learn about Scottsdale Stadium. In conjunction with the season, the Scottsdale Giant Race is returning this year with a 5K and 10K race beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, throughout Old Town. 

In addition, you can explore the legends, all stars and rogues of Scottsdale spring training at the Little Red Schoolhouse Museum, 7333 Scottsdale Mall. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. Details: www.ABLEAZ.org or www.ScottsdaleHistory.org

Take the Scottsdale Trolley to Old Town, Scottsdale Stadium and nearby parking garages on Giants’ home game days. The free service starts 90 minutes before the first pitch and ends 30 minutes after the last inning. Trolley map (pdf).

Recognize Scottsdale Founder Winfield Scott’s birthday. Discover the storied tales of Scottsdale’s founder at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the Little Red Schoolhouse, 7333 E. Scottsdale Mall. Join the Scottsdale Historical Society, the city of Scottsdale and the Daughters of the American Revolution Winfield Scott Chapter as we mark this event in the history of our community. Light refreshments will be provided.  

Experience the rich Native American culture at the Scottsdale Gallery Association’s Gold Palette ArtWalk. This special ArtWalk includes activities, entertainment and exhibits. It runs 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, in the Old Town Arts District. Learn more.

Attend the Navy Band Southwest 32nd Street Brass Band concert. This band brings Bourbon Street to Scottsdale with its energetic performance. The show begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Civic Center East Lawn. It’s free, but RSVPs are required. 

Ongoing: 

• Black History Month events (pdf): Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This year's theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” 

• Arabian Horse Show at WestWorld runs through Feb. 25. 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.

• Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival – 12 days. 21 films. Three theaters: Movies show through March 3, at Harkins Theaters in Scottsdale, Chandler and Peoria. The festival celebrates diverse Jewish storytelling while exploring themes of culture, history and the human experience. 

• Scottsdale ArtWalk: Scottsdale is home to more than 100 galleries, dedicated to exhibiting the finest visual art from around the world and locally. Stroll at your own pace. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Specialty-themed Gold Palette ArtWalks are held 6:30-9 p.m. about once a month. 

• Old Town Farmers Market: Find a variety of organic and pesticide-free produce, and seasonal specialties such as cider and apples, flowers, natural pork, beef, fish and free-range eggs. Th market runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through June at 3806 N. Brown Ave.  

• Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: Immerse yourself into the unique story of the greater Western region with unique exhibits and events. 

• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, diverse events throughout the year. 

• Find McDowell Sonoran Conservancy events. 

Get more events information.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 

Update your vaccines – Paiute Neighborhood Center hosts a free vaccination clinic for all ages. Come to the center 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Feb. 22. Available vaccinations include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Tdap, shingles, pneumococcal and COVID-19. Children will need parent or legal guardian consent to get vaccinated. Bring insurance information if you have it. Those without insurance are still welcome. Call the CARES Center at 602-506-6767 if you need more information.

Learn a new hobby … or brush up on an old one. Registration for Scottsdale Parks and Recreation spring programs begins at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, for Scottsdale residents, and at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, for everyone else. Programs take place during April and May. View Scottsdale Life online (pdf). Or browse classes and register here.

Neighborhood College Spring 2024 Series continues with “Treasures of Scottsdale: The Extraordinary Ellis Family.” The family behind this one-of-a-kind home for the arts traces its Scottsdale roots back to just a few years after the founding of the State of Arizona. The free tour and presentation run 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Cattletrack Arts Compound, 6105 N. Cattletrack Drive. Learn more and register.

Other classes:

• HOA/Condo Series track: Rentals, Animals & Disabilities - What You Need to Know. 

• The Stories of Scottsdale History Series track: Murder in the First Degree; and The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree.

Get class descriptions, times, locations and registration information.

Donate professional clothing to support Vista del Camino’s Career Closet Dress for Success Program. This program provides assistance to local job seekers who need professional outfits, work clothes and shoes for interviews and/or office jobs. Gently-used men’s and women’s clothing in all sizes are needed, but plus sizes are especially appreciated. The career closet also accepts gently-used bras, socks, belts, ties and shoes. New undergarments, makeup and toiletries also are needed. Drop off items March 4-13 at Civic Center, Mustang or Appaloosa libraries, or Vista del Camino. Contact Vista del Camino at 480-312-0060 or  [email protected] for more information. 

FYI

Take note of ADOT’s Loop 101 closures happening next week:

10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26-10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27: 

• Northbound Loop 101 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard on ramp. Detour: Northbound frontage road to the Princess Drive on ramp

• Northbound Loop 101 Princess Drive off ramp. Detour: Northbound Frank Lloyd Wright off ramp to northbound frontage road to Princess Drive

10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27-5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28:

• Southbound Princess Drive on ramp. Detour: Southbound frontage road to Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard on ramp

10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28- 5 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29: 

• Southbound Princess Drive on ramp. Detour: Southbound frontage road to Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard on ramp

This is part of Arizona Department of Transportation’s two-year project to add lanes and improve interchanges on Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road. “Stay in the Loop” by subscribing to project updates on ADOT’s website.

Police offer home burglary prevention tips. Scottsdale Police have had 21 reported “dinner-time” burglaries between Nov. 1, 2023, and Jan. 23. These burglaries typically occur in the early evening when residents are not home. 

Follow these safety tips:

• Lock your doors and set your alarms.

• Install interactive cameras which are valuable in gathering real-time information on the activities in and around your home.

• Add motion sensor lights to help illuminate dark areas.

• Consider adding shatter-proof window tinting.

• Join a neighborhood watch group.

Call 911 for crimes that are in progress or the non-emergency number of 480-312-5000 to report suspicious activity. If you see something, say something.

Care for cleaner air – don't idle. Idling vehicles are harmful to the environment because they emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds They can cause respiratory problems, allergies and other health issues. What’s more, idling cars use up to a half gallon of fuel per hour and cost consumers and businesses more than $20 billion each year. You can help: 

• Turn off your engine while waiting in drive-thru lines, curbside pickup, school pickup.

• Carpool, walk, bike or use public transportation. 

• Enable your vehicle's auto stop/start feature if the technology is available.

Learn more. 

Job of the Week: Police Communications Dispatcher. A dispatcher serves as the vital communications link between the public needing help and emergency response. A dispatcher receives and dispatches calls from emergency (911) and non-emergency phone lines and other electronic devised.  Dispatchers must be able to work independently and as team in a high stress environment. Learn more and apply.

QUICK LINKS: 

• City Call Center – 480-312-3111    

• Report things that need to be fixed, or submit other requests via Scottsdale EZ

• Traffic Restrictions Map – We update this map weekly to include most road improvement projects. Stay in the loop for Pima Freeway construction.     

• Brush and Bulk Schedule    

• Scottsdale Weather