Scottsdale Update - Jan. 13, 2022

HEADLINE NEWS 

SUNDAY: Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon runs through Scottsdale Jan. 16; note traffic restrictions. Traffic restrictions and road closures on several major Scottsdale streets will be in effect from 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16. Drivers are encouraged to use the freeway system to avoid the marathon routes.    

The major street restrictions:  

• Indian School Road eastbound closed between 48th and 64th streets

• Hayden Road southbound closed between McKellips and McDowell roads  

• McDowell Road eastbound closed between 52nd Street and Hayden Road 

• Scottsdale Road northbound closed at McDowell Road (limited local access provided) 

• Scottsdale Road southbound closed at Thomas Road (limited local access provided) 

• Thomas Road closed between Scottsdale Road to 64th Street (limited local access provided) 

• Miller Road northbound closed at McDowell Road 

• Oak Street westbound closed at Scottsdale Road 

• 64th Street southbound closed between Indian School and McDowell roads 

Call the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Community Relations Hotline at 623-252-2485 for questions or concerns. Send emails to community.cgi@ironman.com. Learn more about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. 

Most city offices closed Monday, Jan. 17, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

• Recycling and garbage collection will not change. Place your containers out by 5 a.m. the morning of collection or the evening before.  

• We will not be publishing Scottsdale Update on the 17th; we’ll be back Thursday, Jan. 20.  

• You can honor Martin Luther King Jr. by attending “Chaos or Community: What can Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work and writings teach us now?” See details below. 

Chaos or Community: What can Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work and writings teach us now? Join a community town hall discussion that considers Dr. King's final published work, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” and what lessons it, and Dr. King's other work, have for us today. This discussion is for anyone 15 and older, and it is hosted by the Scottsdale Human Relations Commission. Light refreshments will be provided. The program runs from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at Horizon Community Center, 15444 N 100th St. The event is free, but registration is required. 

COVID-19 UPDATE 

NOW!: In partnership with the city, Vincere is administering rapid COVID-19 testing for active infection (PCR and antigen) and Influenza A+B tests. Attend from noon-4 p.m. at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. Testing is available to everyone, 3 years and older. Your insurance company will be billed for the testing; there is no cost to the patient. If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card or information and a photo ID. If you do not have insurance, testing will be covered through the CARES act. Bring a photo ID. PCR test results will be available by the end of the next business day via email. Antigen results will be available onsite. Appointments are recommended; walk-ins are accepted until 3 p.m.  

COVID-19 by the numbers. Maricopa County has been tracking COVID-19 cases since Jan. 22, 2020. Review the latest numbers.  

Starting tomorrow! The city is hosting a series of free vaccine events at community centers. We’re offering the Pfizer vaccine (5 and older), and the Janssen and Moderna (both for 18 and older) vaccines: 

• Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St.: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28, Feb. 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25. 

• Eldorado Park and Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road: 1-4 p.m. Jan. 31, 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. 

State data shows vaccines and boosters save lives. A new Arizona Department of Health Services report shows that people who are not fully vaccinated are 31.1 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who have been vaccinated. Though vaccinated individuals can catch and spread COVID-19, the study also shows those who are not are 4.9 times more likely to contract the virus. 

With how quickly Omicron spreads, it’s imperative to stay home when you’re sick. Even if you have the sniffles, a low-grade fever or what seems like allergies - stay home if you can. If you must leave, wear a mask. People infected with Omicron can have mild symptoms that could make going about their daily activities seem reasonable. However, you can pass COVID-19 to someone who is at high risk for more serious illness and complications. Don’t risk it; stay home when you have any symptoms. 

Maricopa County Public Health explains: 

• When to quarantine if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. 

• When to isolate if you have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19. 

THINGS TO DO 

TONIGHT! Dash to “Demonstrations and Donuts” Gold Palette ArtWalk. The Scottsdale Gallery Association is ringing in 2022 with its annual “Demonstration… and Donuts” Gold Palette ArtWalk 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. Guests can enjoy live entertainment from bagpipers as they stroll the streets of the Scottsdale Arts District. Participating galleries also will be featuring live artist demonstrations and donut sampling. Get details. 

Scottsdale Sister Cities is hosting its monthly happy hour with “Art of Kenya” viewing. Come see this exhibit at Mustang Library at 4 p.m. then head to Ling and Louie’s at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19. Scottsdale Artists’ School, in collaboration with Sister Cities and Scottsdale Public Library, presents this exhibit featuring works from professional and working artists from our sister city Uasin Gishu and other areas of Eldoret. You can also view student art samples from the Moi Girls High School. RSVP. 

Ongoing Events and Activities:

• Old Town Farmers Market 

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 

Valley cities invite the public to celebrate diversity through the 19th annual Regional Unity Walk. Each January, residents from around the Valley gather at Tempe Town Lake to celebrate diversity and culture during the annual Regional Unity Walk. This year, however, the celebration has been re-envisioned. Each city has compiled a list of various activities for residents to enjoy. View all the cities’ offerings.  

Nominations are open for “All Star Awards.” Presented by Mayor David D. Ortega, the “All Star Awards” program highlights Scottsdale community members and organizations, that in 2021, received an award or honor, or participated in an exceptional, documented achievement. We will recognize winners at a special ceremony during the 68th annual Scottsdale Parada del Sol. Submit your nomination by Monday, Jan. 24.  

FYI 

MONDAY: Last day to recycle your Christmas tree at city collection sites. Large collection bins are available at these city parks: Eldorado, Chaparral, Scottsdale Ranch, Cactus, Horizon, Scottsdale Sports Complex and Thompson Peak. Live Christmas trees will be made into compost and save landfill space. We do not accept artificial trees, stands or ornaments. Single-family home residents can place Christmas trees in their green waste pile, separated from bulk trash, for collection on their scheduled brush/bulk service week.  

WestWorld General Manager earns Hall of Fame recognition. Brian Dygert, the man behind WestWorld of Scottsdale, will be inducted into the League of Agricultural and Equine Centers Hall of Fame Jan. 18, in Austin, Texas. 

Dygert has been a recognized leader in the equine management industry for nearly three decades and will celebrate his 15th anniversary with the city this year. Under his leadership, WestWorld has grown into a world-class, full-service events facility, which annually welcomes nearly a million visitors, across all seasons. It serves as the venue for roughly 40 equestrian events each year, in addition to dozens of conventions, trade shows, concerts and other large-scale gatherings, including the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the Arizona Quarter Horse Sun Circuit and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. 

Scottsdale asks residents to cut water use by five percent. We're asking residents, businesses and visitors to conserve their water usage by at least 5% as the state is officially in tier one of a Colorado River supply shortage. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation declared a water shortage in August, and it took effect Jan. 1. As a result, Central Arizona Project’s water supply will be reduced by 30% in 2022 - most of the cuts coming from agriculture. 

While Scottsdale residents and businesses will not see a shortage at their tap, everyone is asked to look at their water use and find better ways to conserve this precious resource. Take these small steps that can make a big impact.  

Find out about traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.