HEADLINE NEWS
Get a short-term rentals overview: City staff recently presented an update to the City Council. The detailed report includes information about the number of rental properties in Scottsdale, licensing, police calls for service and other enforcement efforts at short term rentals. It also provides a summary of actions taken by adjoining jurisdictions as well as discussion and possible Council action regarding additional or increased enforcement mechanisms and/or efforts related to short term rentals. View the presentation. Learn more about short-term rentals in Scottsdale.
Help the city address the critical challenge of food waste. In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that 66.2 million tons of wasted food was generated in the food retail, food service and residential sectors. Residents across the nation account for about 349 pounds of food waste per year, with the majority ending up in landfills.
As part of our commitment to halve food waste by 2030, we are turning to you for actionable solutions. Over the next few weeks, we will gather your input and perspective on food waste management and ways to reduce food waste and keep it out of the landfill. Your participation is key to forging a sustainable path forward for our community. Share your views on food waste, composting and recycling on Speak Up Scottsdale.
We’re committed to continuing and improving ways you can learn about and engage in decisions that impact life in Scottsdale. Learn more.
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:
Monthlong holiday celebration Scottsdazzle continues through December in Old Town Scottsdale. Attend new events and old favorites! Get all the dazzling details.
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Holiday Lights Tour: Celebrate the season by traveling through Old Town Scottsdale and immerse yourself in the festive holiday lights. With your choice of music playing, snuggle up and let your expert tour guide cruise you along in an electric / gas vehicle pointing out the sites and stopping to take photos along the way. Your personal guide will provide an authentic and immersive fun holiday experience in and around Old Town Scottsdale.
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Scottsdazzle Stroll: Stroll along the canal banks surrounded by the sounds of the season! Live music anchors this sprawling celebration filled with public art installations, holiday décor and a 40-foot Scottsdazzle tree that lights up the night with dazzling holiday spirit. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, Scottsdale Waterfront Canal Bank, free.
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Spirited Dueling Pianos: Music, whiskey, holiday cheer…and pianos! That's what you'll get when talented musicians hit the stage at Belle's Nashville Kitchen for a dueling piano show. This is a 21 and older event and reservations are required. Ticket price covers the show only; food and beverages are not included. Various times, Nov. 30, and Dec. 7, 14 and 21, Belle’s Nashville Kitchen, 7212 E. Main St., $20 per person.
Commemorate Native American Heritage Month with "Where Our Elders Arrived.” Learn about the historical contributions and connections of the Pascua Yaqui People to Scottsdale. The event runs noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way. The city’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion is sponsoring the event, which is free and open to the public. Register.
View “ART is Culture, Culture is ART,” a film chronicling the life and legacy of Lloyd Kiva New as an innovator, entrepreneur and educator who left an indelible mark on Scottsdale. Join us at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, for an extraordinary cinematic experience and a magnificent night of Indigenous fashion. The experience begins with the debut screening and discussion at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The evening turns glamourous with a ticketed VIP fashion showcase featuring two prominent Indigenous designers at 7:30 p.m., at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. The event also will feature a silent auction with one-of-a-kind designs from Indigenous designers. Learn more and get tickets.
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Holiday Lights: Hop on board McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s Paradise & Pacific Railroad 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.
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Old Town Farmers Market: Find a variety of organic and pesticide-free produce, and seasonal specialties such as cider and apples, flowers, natural pork, beef, fish and free-range eggs. The market runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through June at 3806 N. Brown Ave.
Register for Scottsdale Parks and Recreation winter programs. Winter programs take place during January, February and March. These include swim lessons, water exercise classes, youth activities, adult programs and more! Browse all offerings online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “recreation classes.” You can register via the city's Activenet page.
Help Chase and Rocket make their birthday wishes come true by donating to the Arizona Humane Society. Scottsdale Police Department’s crisis response canines have December birthdays, and they are putting their paws together to host a toy and supply drive (pdf) for their four-legged friends. Drop off new items to any library through Dec. 20. Chase and Rocket thank you for your support!
Watch: Veterans AZ – Military Assistance Mission. This episode features an interview with Margy Bons, the founder of Military Assistance Mission – an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to helping military service members and their families. Bons founded MAM in honor of her son, Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Adam Marzano, who died in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom. MAM strives to provide financial assistance annually to 120 Arizona active duty, guard and reserve military service members. Each year approximately 2,500 military members and families benefit from MAM’s morale/event programs such as Operation Holiday Giving, Seats for Soldiers and Baby Bundle Bash.
Scottsdale by the numbers:
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More than 3,000 people attended the annual Fall Festival that included costume contests, game booths, mini golf, food trucks and live entertainment.
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The Scottsdale Bobcats Special Olympics golf and bowling teams brought home 40 medals in November: 18 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze.
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Scottsdale Aquatic Club hosted its annual Maryanne Graham Keever Invitational meet at Cactus Aquatic Center, welcoming more than 400 athletes from around the Valley to compete in various events.
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WestWorld hosted the Arizona Pinners Conference and Expo featuring 110 classes taught by leading presenters from across the country. The event included more than 200 vendors offering diverse options for DIY projects including crafts, cooking, self-help, photography, beauty and more.
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About 250 tattoo artists participated in the Tattoo Festival at WestWorld. The expo introduced a new element of entertainment this year with a captivating reptile exhibit.
Burn cleaner, burn better. We all know how comforting a fireplace can be on cool winter nights especially during the holidays. However, during the winter Maricopa County has a problem with smoke. If the issue is not corrected and the levels remain near the federal health standards, Maricopa County could face burdensome federal regulations, possible fines, and a substantial health risk for our residents. Please “Burn Cleaner, Burn Better,” and don’t burn wood on "no burn days.” If possible, use a gas or electric fireplace, convert your wood burning fireplace to natural gas, or retrofit your fireplace with an air pollution reduction device. Maricopa County Air Quality Department offers a free fireplace retrofit program. Call 602-372-9663 or visit Maricopa.gov/AQ.
Job of the Week: Communications Supervisor - Community Services. The successful candidate develops and manages marketing plans, marketing strategies, social media content and analytics for the Community Services Division. He/she also manages citizen, media and employee communications, including media relations, web and publications content, communication materials, promotions, special events and oversees the marketing/communications budget. 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.
