HEADLINE NEWS
Scottsdale Water shares summer watering guidance. Most landscapes are overwatered. Desert landscape should be watered no more than twice a week. Landscape also should be watered between 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Watering during cooler hours maximizes plant care and limits evaporation. Get more landscape watering guidelines.
The city has been asking residents and businesses to cut water use by at least 5% — and Scottsdale Water can help:
Scottsdale celebrates Pride Month. Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity) Americans.
In honor of Pride Month, the rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride, will be flown at Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Pride Month commemorates those who paved the way in fighting for equal rights. Commemorations provide connection and a sense of community, validation and acceptance. Mayor David. D. Ortega issued a proclamation (pdf) to recognize June as Pride Month.
Scottsdale’s free Community Juneteenth Celebration, presented by Mayo Clinic, is back by popular demand June 17. Hosted by the city and Scottsdale Arts, the afternoon of culture, entertainment, music, wellness, presentations and career opportunities takes place from 2-8 p.m. at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Civic Center, 7380 E. Second St.
Parking and admission are free, including access to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Learn more.
Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery – more specifically the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas, who did not receive the news until two years after abolition. It is believed to be the oldest African American holiday, with annual celebrations in different parts of the country dating back to 1866.
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. Here’s what’s coming up:
Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.
Find more public meetings.
THINGS TO DO
June Days – a monthlong celebration you’ll wish was even longer! June Days is a celebration of all things that makes Old Town unique. Daily activities and events include wine tastings, art exhibits, crafting workshops, live performances and family-oriented outings. Plan your June Days at OldTownScottsdaleAZ.com.
This week’s highlights:
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Scottsdale Stories and Sweets – Scottsdale: Fact or Fiction Part 1. Fact or fiction – you decide! What year was Scottsdale established? What was the original name for Scottsdale? And finally, which Civil War veteran started our community? 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road: Register for this class.
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June Days Gold Palette ArtWalk: Guests are encouraged to enjoy a free cool event featuring live entertainment and art that evokes all the good vibes of summertime! Participating galleries will host their own in-gallery events. 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Scottsdale Arts area.
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June Days Starlight Movie Night: Take in a move under the stars in the outfield of Scottsdale Stadium. Bring a blanket and enjoy a free showing of “Top Gun: Maverick.” Refreshments and food will be available for purchase. Chairs, pets and outside food/beverage are not allowed except one sealed water bottle per person. The stadium is a cashless venue. Accepted forms of payment include credit, debit, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Play. 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10.
Detour Company Theatre doubles the fun with two shows June 9-11, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. They are:
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Little Shop of Horrors: Follow meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn as he stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, and 3 p.m. Saturday, June 10.
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James and the Giant Peach: The plot centers on a young English orphan who enters a gigantic, magical peach and has a wild and surreal cross-world adventure with seven magically altered garden bugs he meets. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 10, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 11.
Admission is free, but an RSVP is required.
This theater groups showcases the theatrical talent, courage and artistry of adults with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.
Scottsdale Public Library supports cultural activities with live music. Enjoy a variety of musical programs … from an interactive program where the audience chooses the songs, to going down memory lane with a Beatles tribute, to exploring jazz history. Here’s the schedule:
Celebrate fathers at Donuts for Dads. Honor all the fathers and father figures at Granite Reef and Via Linda senior centers. Drop-in from 9-10 a.m. Friday, June 16, at either Granite Reef or Via Linda senior center and enjoy some coffee and donuts. This is a free event and registration is not required.
Western Spirt: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West offers a variety of summertime programs. Tag along every Tuesday and Wednesday for an amazing lineup of seasonal activities for all ages. Spirit of Summer programs are included with museum admission. Free admission is available for those 5 and younger.
June Artist Tuesdays:
June Western Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:
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June 7: The Railroad – Rails that Built America. Learn about the historic Kimball Lake Branch known locally as the Peavine Branch Railroad and be inspired to design your own railroad company and plan your route on a map.
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June 14: Arizona Conversation – Grow your own cactus. Create a chain recycling link in the Sculpture Garden and watch a water resources video.
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June 21: Western Pop Art – Design your own “Western Soup Can,” as well as your own “Mega Dot” Western painting. Explore the art of Andy Warhol and Billy Schenck.
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June 28: Photography – Create a cyanotype and meet professional photographers. Participate in a scavenger hunt and choose which photograph deserves the Western Spirit: First Place award.
Ongoing:
Get more events information.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Paiute Neighborhood Center hosts free Fresh Start for Women Workshop. Learn about stability, education, employment and self-sufficiency. The free program begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the center, 6536 E. Osborn Road. Call Maria Padilla at 480-312-0108 for more information.
Applications due July 7 for Scottsdale’s Community Arts Grant Program. Scottsdale Arts is accepting applications for its Community Arts Grant Program, which 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 Sept. 1, 2023-Sept. 1, 2024. Information, guidelines and the application link are available at ScottsdaleArts.org/about/community-arts-grant-program.
FYI
Investing in Our Scottsdale – We need your input on two important Parks and Recreation projects:
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Indian School Park master plan: Your feedback will guide what amenities and services should be planned at Indian School Park over the next 10-15 years. Visit Indianschoolpark.com to take an online survey and leave comments on the interactive park map. You’re also invited to attend a virtual community workshop at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, to share your ideas. Register online.
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Thompson Peak Dog Park: A new 3.5-acre dog park consisting of three fenced areas is coming to Thompson Peak Park as part of the voter-approved 2019 Bond Election. The park will be designed and constructed like the off-leash area at Chaparral Park and provide pet owners a safe place to exercise their dogs. The project will include a footbridge to connect the off-leash area to existing park amenities and additional parking. Visit Thompson Peak Dog Park to view the presentation and submit your feedback.
Report emphasizes Scottsdale Airport’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Three federally funded projects at the airport saved energy and reduced waste:
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The runway electrical project avoided the use of 8,420 kilowatt hours annually and diverted 2.5 tons of waste from the landfill.
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The runway 3-21 rehabilitation project saved 4,130 gallons of gas.
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Taxiway lights and signs were replaced with LED lights between 2018 –2023, which avoids using 30,240 kilowatt hours annually.
Electricity use for the airport has been reduced by more than 50% since 2018. Looking ahead to future projects, the Perimeter Road, Airport Drive and Taxiway 4 rehabilitation projects scheduled for 2023 are focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction and other environmentally friendly technologies. Get details by viewing the PowerPoint presentation (pdf). Learn more about Scottsdale Airport.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve history added to the Scottsdale Heritage Connection. The Scottsdale Heritage Connection at the Scottsdale Public Library recently finished processing a donation of McDowell Sonoran Preserve material from Carla, former executive director of the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust/Conservancy.
This collection includes digitized material such as photographs, videos, and maps and documents, including a picture of the infamous "Save Our McDowells" t-shirt. In addition, the library inventoried five archival boxes of material, which included information on the citizen votes for the Preserve, the Arizona Preserve Initiative and newspaper articles. Search “McDowell Sonoran Preserve Pioneer collection” in the library catalog.
Job of the Week: Mayor’s Chief of Staff. This is an exciting career opportunity to provide expert assistance and support to the mayor on a wide range of highly complex issues with broad effect on city issues. Duties include planning, organizing, managing, directing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Mayor.
Benefits include: 12 paid holidays; sick leave; medical, dental and vision benefits; tuition reimbursement; participation in Arizona State Retirement System; and more. Learn more and apply.
QUICK LINKS:
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City Call Center – 480-312-3111
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Report things that need to be fixed, or submit other requests via Scottsdale EZ
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Traffic Restrictions Map – We update this map weekly to include most road improvement projects
