HEADLINE NEWS
Recycle your natural Christmas trees and wreaths. Scottsdale Solid Waste is offering two ways to dispose of live trees and wreaths through Jan. 15. Only real, untreated Christmas trees and wreaths (unwired) are accepted. The city does not accept artificial trees, stands, ornaments, lights or storage bags.
Option No. 1: Drop your trees and wreaths in the yellow, labeled roll-off containers at these locations:
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Cactus Park: 7202 E. Cactus Road (Cactus and Scottsdale roads, southwest corner of the parking lot)
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Eldorado Park: 2301 N. Miller Road (77th Street and McDowell Road, parking lot east of the soccer fields)
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Scottsdale Ranch Park: 10400 E. Via Linda (104th Street and Via Linda, parking lot west of the basketball courts)
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Thompson Peak Park: 20199 N. 78th Place (Thompson Peak Parkway and Hayden Road, northeast parking lot)
Option No. 2: Single-family home residents can place Christmas trees in your green waste pile for collection on your scheduled brush/bulk service week. Please separate from your bulk trash. View Brush & Bulk Collection Map and Schedule
ADOT begins Loop 101 widening and improvement project this weekend. The two-year project will take place between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road. Construction includes adding one lane in each direction and modifying interchanges.
North- and southbound closures are scheduled over the Jan. 5 and 12 weekends.
Northbound Loop 101, from Shea Boulevard to Princess Drive/Pima Road will be closed 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, through 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8. It includes the following northbound on-ramps:
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Via de Ventura
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Pima Road/90th Street
Detour routes will be signed, and traffic can re-enter the freeway at Princess Drive/Pima Road.
Southbound Loop 101, from Princess Drive/Pima Road and Shea Boulevard, will be closed 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 through 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15. It includes the following on-ramps:
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Scottsdale Road
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Hayden Road
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Princess Drive/Pima Road
Detour routes will be signed, and traffic can re-enter the freeway at Shea Boulevard.
“Stay in the Loop” by subscribing to ADOT’s website.
Share your ideas on bike and pedestrian crossing improvements on 64th Street and Thomas and Indian School roads intersections. Attend one of two open houses to learn about proposed improvements and share your experience using these crossings. Identical content will be presented from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, and 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Both sessions are at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. Staff will consider the study results and public input to determine the next steps. The city will host another open house in spring 2024 to share the results.
Learn how residents can live better, longer lives by transforming environments where people live, work, learn and play. The launch of Scottsdale’s Blue Zones Project represents the beginning of a multi-year collaborative effort that involves the entire community working together toward one common goal – to support and build a culture of community health and well-being.
Join us for the kickoff event, “Right Outlook, Connect, Move Naturally, Eat Wisely,” from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard. The event features yoga, a drumming circle, lawn games, a scavenger hunt, DJ, dancing and food vendors. Discussions on healthy living also will take place. Learn more about the Blue Zone Project and register for the free event.
Purchase tickets for the State of the City Address. Mayor David D. Ortega's annual State of the City Address takes place 7:30-10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive. Celebrate the city's successes and accomplishments over the past year and hear about what we’re focusing on for the year ahead. Learn more and buy tickets.
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. This week:
Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.
Find more public meetings.
THINGS TO DO
Ignite your imagination with adventurous stories of the Western frontier at Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Round up the family for a thrilling time at Western Spirit’s Sunday Funday. Family passes are available for up to five members for $45. Children are especially captivated with the authentic Western apparel, saddles, art, scavenger hunts, train exhibit and much more. Learn more and purchase a pass.
Detour Company Theatre cuts loose with “Footloose.” Detour Company Theatre provides theater training and performance experiences for adults with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities, providing them opportunities to develop artistry, demonstrate courage and collaboration, experience joy and participate in the sharing of musical theater with the community.
Attend one of three shows at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5; and 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, and Sunday, Jan. 7. Admission is free but donations are accepted. RSVP.
View an impressive array of 100 rare and historic automobiles at Arizona Concours d’Elegance. This event is a professionally judged and curated assembly of rarely seen dream cars and highly valued collector vehicles, examples that impress and excite not only car lovers but anyone who appreciates the beauty of expressive design. It begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at Scottsdale Civic Center. Learn more and buy tickets.
Attend the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration featuring professor and award-winning journalist Dr. Battinto Batts. The dean of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication has extensive experience in philanthropy and nonprofit administration. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Scottsdale Stadium’s Field House, 7408 E. Osborn Road. Learn more and purchase tickets.
Ongoing:
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Holiday Lights: Hop on board McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s Paradise & Pacific Railroad through Jan. 7, and experience a winter wonderland of holiday lights and displays. Visit and take a photo with Santa various times and days. Cost is $15; children two and younger ride free with a paying adult. To ensure a delightful experience for all, the event will have limited capacity and staggered entrance times. Access to the park will be exclusively for ticket holders during their designated time slot.
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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.
Get more events information.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Learn about the inner workings of city government by participating in the Scottsdale Government 101 Citizen Academy. Participants engage in dynamic and interactive learning experiences, group discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities to enhance their understanding of city operations. The academy is open to Scottsdale residents and business owners and limited to 40 people. Participation in seven of nine sessions and completion of two special assignments are required to graduate.
The academy starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 21, and will convene Thursdays through May 9. Graduation will be 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Get all the details.
Bring your personal and/or commercial documents to the "Shred It" event. The service runs 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box or bag.
Find out how Partners for Paiute serves the Scottsdale community. The nonprofit works together with the Paiute Neighborhood Center to help many residents. Watch this video to hear stories of how they collaborate … and why.
Investing in Our Scottsdale: Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center is closed for pool replastering through April 28. Swim programs take place at Chaparral Aquatic Center and Club SAR is accepting fitness passes during the closure.
Students are invited to apply for Community Celebrating Diversity scholarships. The nonprofit sponsors five $2,500 scholarships to high school graduates who show promise of continued excellence in academics and community service. Scholarships are for study at Arizona post-secondary institutions. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or provide evidence they are permanent United States residents, full-time Arizona residents, involved in community projects and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Learn more and apply.
FYI
Prevent pipes from freezing and the costly repairs associated with them. Here’s how:
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Wrap exposed pipes outside or in unheated areas of your home with insulation (a towel, blanket, small rug, etc.).
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Remove garden hoses from outside faucets.
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Cover vents around the foundation of your home.
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If you have a pool, set your timer for the pump to run between 9 p.m. -7 a.m. Running water won’t freeze.
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Turn off drip irrigation and sprinkler systems.
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Know where your property owner’s cut-off valve is located and how to use it.
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Allow outside faucets to drip 24 hours a day (five drops per minute). This is not necessary unless temperatures are expected to be 28 degrees or below for at least four hours. Be sure to turn off the faucets after the threat of freezing weather.
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Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.
What do I do if my pipes freeze?
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Frozen pipes located in the sun should thaw by mid-morning. If shaded, they likely won’t thaw until midday. If you detect your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and contact a licensed plumbing professional.
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Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame.
Report a water emergency to Scottsdale Water at 480-312-5650.
Make Scottsdale even better in 2024 by serving on a city board or commission. The city has several openings on various boards and commissions, including:
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Airport Advisory Commission (one opening)
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Board of Adjustment (one opening)
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Environmental Advisory Commission (one opening)
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Historic Preservation Commission (one opening)
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Industrial Development Authority (one opening)
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McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission (two openings)
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Parks and Recreation Commission (two openings)
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Tourism Development Commission (one Scottsdale Hotelier position opening and one Industry Representative opening)
Learn about boards and commission functions. Interested applicants must submit an online application by Friday, Jan. 26. Learn more and apply.
Break down shipping boxes before recycling. The surge in online shopping has produced an increase in shipping boxes in our waste stream referred to as the “Amazon Effect,” which is especially prevalent during the holidays. Do your part to properly recycle cardboard boxes. Break down your boxes before throwing them in your recycling bin. Be sure to remove shipping labels and packing tape. Moving, food and shipping boxes, and envelopes and folders can all be recycled if they are clean, dry and free of plastic packaging materials. Greasy pizza boxes are not recyclable and must go in your trash can. Get more recycling information.
Job of the Week: Safety and Training Coordinator. The successful candidate develops and implements occupational health and safety programs and specific training to address facilities/buildings, personnel and business operational requirements. Benefits include 12 paid holidays; sick leave; medical, dental and vision benefits; paid parental leave; tuition reimbursement; participation in Arizona State Retirement System; and more. Learn more and apply.
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