Scottsdale Update - July 7, 2022

In-person voting began yesterday at various locations. Maricopa County opened “vote anywhere” Vote Centers which allow voters to choose from various locations, instead of being assigned to one location only. These locations are open throughout early voting. All voting locations will be open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 2, as well. The list of locations is provided here, but each site has unique hours during early voting and are subject to change. Check hours of operation before going. 

You can request a replacement ballot, vote in person or drop off your voted early ballot now at the following Scottsdale locations:

• Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park, 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road 

• Indian Bend Wash Visitor Center, 4201 N. Hayden Road 

Prevent heat-related deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat was a contributing factor in 1,577 U.S. deaths in 2021. That’s a 56% jump from 1,012 in 2018. Common-sense practices will help keep you safe and healthy during the summer, including:  

• Drink water before you get thirsty to prevent dehydration.  

• Don't rely on fans as your primary source of cooling. 

• Come indoors frequently to an air-conditioned location to cool your core body temperature. 

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and light-weight clothing.  

• Never leave children or pets inside a parked car.  

• Check on friends and neighbors, especially the vulnerable. 

• Seek medical care immediately if you have, or someone you know has, heat-associated illness symptoms like muscle cramps, headaches, vomiting, confusion, no longer sweating and rapid heart rate. 

THINGS TO DO

Seniors invited to centers’ cool Ice Cream Socials. Events are free, but registration is required. Attend either one: 1 p.m. Friday, July 8, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road; or 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, at the Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda. 

Second Saturdays @SMoCA. Join us from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, July 9, and make contemporary art a family tradition! Solve a mysterious puzzle, create your own character cards to trade and explore the museum. It’s free, but you need to reserve your free timed-entry admission online.

Get up close and personal with a variety of amazing Arizona reptiles. A trained volunteer will talk about reptile behavior, habitat, preservation and safety. Space is limited, so please see a staff person prior to the start of the program to pick up a ticket which will be your registration. Here’s the schedule:

• Reptiles from Around the World: 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, Mustang Library 

• Venom vs. Poison: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 18, Arabian Library 

• Reptiles from Around the World: 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 19, Civic Center Library

• Animal Prosthesis: 2 p.m. Thursday, July 21, Appaloosa Library

Rust, Dust, Crust: Discovering Desert Surfaces. If you think the desert floor is all dust, gravel and rocks, then you haven't taken a good look beneath your feet. Learn how the desert is covered with life at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St. The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy presents this free program. Register.

Ongoing:

• ArtWalk

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Applications due Friday for Scottsdale’s Community Arts Grant Program. Scottsdale Arts is accepting applications for its Community Arts Grant Program. The program provides funding to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations throughout the Valley for projects that serve the Scottsdale community. Applicants may submit grant requests for activities that will take place between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 8. An all-volunteer committee of arts, community and business leaders will review the applications and make recommendations for funding to the Scottsdale Arts Board of Trustees. Learn more and apply.

Back to School program needs your donations. We're gearing up for this important program for when kids return to school in August. Students need new clothing, socks, underwear, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. Learn how you can donate items or money.

FYI

Arizona Department of Transportation survey crews will be working 9 p.m.-5 a.m. July 10-15, at the following locations on the Loop 101 Pima Freeway:

• Northbound Pima Road exit will be closed. Use Frank Lloyd Wright exit to northbound frontage road to Pima Road as a detour

• Northbound right lane closed between the CAP Canal and Pima Road

• Southbound right lane closed at Princess Drive

Sign up for ADOT travel advisories.

Watch the Scottsdale City Council Candidate Forum, hosted by the Scottsdale Independent. Scottsdale voters will elect three Scottsdale City Council members in the next election. The program airs on Scottsdale Video Network (Cox channel 11) Sundays and Fridays at 3 and 8 a.m.; and noon, 4, 7 and 10 p.m.; and Thursdays at 2, 7 and 11 a.m.; and 3, 6 and 9 p.m. Or you can watch it now.  

Investing in Our Scottsdale: Thomas A. Hontz Police & Fire Training Facility Renovation. First responders will have new training facilities thanks to three bond projects that will replace, modernize and expand the fire and police training buildings at the Tom Hontz Training Facility, 911 Stadem Drive, Tempe. Initial design, public outreach and the zoning hearing process are complete, which allows the final design to begin. Construction is expected to begin in early 2023. For more details, visit the project website.

Iconic Scottsdale Charros Carousel at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park will be out of service through early August. The 72-year-old attraction will undergo preventative maintenance. All other park amenities will remain open 8 a.m-1 p.m. daily. Learn more about the park.

“Bag & Tie” your garbage and grass to beat the summer heat. Reducing spillage during the summer heat minimizes odors and pest problems. It's more than a good idea, it's the law. Get more refuse tips. 

Arizona Department of Transportation invites public to virtual meeting on Electric Vehicle Plan. The meeting will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, to provide information about and gather input for the plan. Join the meeting. ADOT is developing the plan in response to funding made available through the recently approved federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers along alternative fuel corridors. ADOT’s plan seeks to create a network of EV fast chargers along the state’s interstate highways, facilitating long-distance EV travel and encouraging EV adoption by more users. Provide input via this survey.

For those unable to attend, a recording of the meeting will be posted to the ADOT Electric Vehicle Plan website.

View Scottsdale traffic restrictions in our map center.