HEADLINE NEWS
The city seeks additional input on Old Town Scottsdale Character Area Plan and Zoning Ordinance updates. Based on direction from City Council, additional outreach is still needed for this project, and we need your input. We will discuss the following topics at three, two-hour sessions Monday, March 7. Visit “Old Town Updates” to register.
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The Provision of Open Space in Old Town
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The definition of Mixed-Use Development
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Building Height in Old Town
We will provide additional opportunities for input as updates progress through the public participation and hearing processes. Draft content will be available for public review. Continue to stay engaged by visiting Old Town Updates website.
Support social services through the Alli Ortega Empty Bowls fundraiser, through Monday. Bid online on hand-crafted bowls created by local artists and Scottsdale Unified School District students. Proceeds benefit various programs including Back to School, Healthy Packs, food bank, Adopt-a-Family, Beat the Heat and more. Last year, 465 families, 320 seniors and 753 students were served through these critical programs. We hope to return to an in-person event next year. Learn more.
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; cases continue to trend downward. The city’s COVID-19 case rate has decreased by 37% to 134.1 cases per 100,000 residents (week of Feb. 19). High transmission is defined as greater than 100 cases per 100,000 people. This is the lowest case rate since Oct. 16, 2021. 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, 77.9% of eligible Scottsdale residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose, and 70.6% 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.
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Vincere Cancer Center is administering free COVID-19 testing for active infection (PCR and antigen) 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. Appointment are recommended for testing; walk-ups are accepted.
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Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays
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Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays
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Free vaccine events continue at city community centers. We’re offering the Pfizer vaccine (5 and older), and the Janssen and Moderna (both for 18 and older) vaccines. Please note that we canceled several dates due to increased vaccine availability throughout the county.
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Eldorado Park and Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road: 1-4 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 14.
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Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St.: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 11.
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.
THINGS TO DO
Celebrate the 185th birthday of Scottsdale’s Founder Winfield Scott. Discover the storied tales of Scottsdale’s founder and founding at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25, on the Community Design Studio patio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. Mayor David D. Ortega, Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble, Community Historian Joan Fudala and Scottsdale Storyteller Bruce Wall will be the featured speakers. Light refreshments will be provided.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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. 28, for Scottsdale residents, and 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, for everyone else. Programs take place during April and May. These include swim lessons, youth activities, adult programs and more! View Scottsdale Life online. Or browse classes and register here.
Scholarships available for Scottsdale students with disabilities. Each year, we provide financial support to college or college-bound students who have demonstrated outstanding initiative in living with a disability. Students can apply through 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28. Learn more.
Sister Cities Association hosts Young Artist and Authors Showcase. The showcase is an annual contest that encourages youth worldwide to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork and literature. This year’s theme is “Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All.” We will display works accepted into the local competition at Scottsdale Civic Center Library. Entries will be accepted Feb. 28 through March 10. Submit written entries or questions to info@scottsdalesistercities.com. Review the YAAS Guide for more information.
Don’t let your kids idle during March spring break. Scottsdale Spring Break Camps begin Monday March 14. They offer dynamic, social enrichment experiences that address both changing lifestyles and the needs of families. Activities include crafts, sports, games and more. Cost is $125 per week, per participant.
FYI
Scottsdale Airport is ranked fourth in the world for business aviation departures. WingX, which tracks business aviation flight activity globally, shows Scottsdale Airport just below Palm Beach International, Teterboro (NJ) and Miami-Opa Locka Executive airports. Those airports all have more than one runway, which also makes Scottsdale Airport the busiest single runway airport. The early 2022 ranking was driven by our “high season” with events like the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction and the WM Phoenix Open. Overall, the airport experienced an average 77% increase in business jet operations during these events alone. Watch a video clip of the aircraft lineup during Barrett-Jackson.
City Council names Marianne T. Bayardi presiding city judge; takes over for retiring Joseph Olcavage. Since 2019, Bayardi has served as the Phoenix Municipal Court’s assistant chief presiding judge. Prior to that, she served for 12 years as an associate judge of that court, presiding over misdemeanor cases, as well as civil traffic hearings and protective order hearings.
Bayardi is active in many legal, community and educational organizations in Arizona, and has previously worked in the Office of the Arizona Attorney General, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Law. Read more.
Find out about traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.
