HEADLINE NEWS
Scottsdale's budget: Your tax dollars at work. Scottsdale's city budget is the foundation for providing safe neighborhoods, beautiful parks and open spaces, and delivering on the city's mission statement: Simply Better Service for a World-Class Community. Watch to learn more about different elements of the city's revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2022/23. Dive deeper here where you’ll find Scottsdale’s award-winning budget book, citizen-friendly annual reports and more.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. Scottsdale was settled by and continues to be shaped by citizens of Hispanic heritage. Learn about one of those pioneers … Gerbacio “Harvey” Noriega.
-
Suicide was the 12th leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 45,900 people.
-
Suicide was the second leading cause of death among those 10-14 and 25-34, the third leading cause of death among those 15-24, and the fourth leading cause of death among people 35-44.
-
There were nearly twice as many suicides (45,979) in the United States as there were homicides (24,576).
Call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis and mental health support.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West’s Saddle Up III fundraiser set for Oct. 15. Make plans to attend this casual western evening amongst history and art aficionados. Proceeds will assist the museum with its vision of celebrating the West and its importance by informing, educating, inspiring and engaging museum guests. The museum offers high-quality exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach addressing regional history, particularly as reflected by the arts and the dynamic cultural exchanges that have marked the transition of the Old West into the New West. Learn more about this year’s stellar event and buy tickets.
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:
Preserve’s Educational Walk program explores desert flora. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve sits in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives there from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Learn more.
“Hamilton” and “In the Heights” Broadway stars Javier Muñoz and Mandy Gonzalez join voices at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Titled “Hitting New Heights,” the show will celebrate Broadway’s hottest composers, from Stephen Schwartz to Lin-Manuel Miranda. Songs from “Wicked,” “Hamilton” and more will be part of this tour-de-force concert event. The show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Tickets are $49-$89. Learn more and buy tickets.
-
Scottsdale ArtWalk: Internationally known as a mecca for art collectors, 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.
-
Second Saturdays @SMoCA: Make contemporary art a family tradition. Solve a puzzle, create a wearable art pendant and explore the museum. Noon-3 p.m.
Neighborhood College registration is open for fall series. We offer three tracks: HOA, Good Neighbor and History. Register for one, some or all! Some presentations are offered in-person and online. Get class descriptions and other details.
-
Legislative Update and Roles & Responsibilities of the Board: 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Sept. 15, Zoom. (HOA series)
-
When Neighbors & Boards Collide - Using the Arizona Department of Real Estate's administrative hearing to resolve complaints: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road.
-
Effective Board Meetings: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road.
Scottsdale arts presents fall workshop series, Memory Lounge. Memory Lounge is an arts program for people with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners. Engagement in the arts can improve your quality of life by:
-
Improving mood and outlook
-
Lessening the effects of depression and/or anxiety
-
Offering a comfortable social outing
The series runs 1-2:30 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 16, and Oct. 13 and 21. Cost is $45 per couple. Learn more.
Last fiscal year, Youth & Family Services’ diversion programs assisted 126 participants with 99% success rate. Scottsdale Youth and Family Behavioral Health Services began offering juvenile diversion programs in 1986 and introduced the Restorative Justice Intervention Program in 2016. This program is an alternative to arrest and court for eligible first-time juvenile offenders. It assists Scottsdale juveniles and families to follow law-abiding behavior, reduce risk of reoffence, avoid sentencing or convictions on a juvenile record, avoid probation and/or court involvement, and promote learning and growth. Program participants receive one-on-one psychoeducational sessions, life skills and decision-making classes, and complete community service.
A History Mystery – Camp Papago. During World War II, the U.S. built prisoner of war camps around the country, including here in the Valley. During that era, the federal government owned land around McDowell Road and 64th Street, and it decided to use the site to house Italian prisoners of war.
However, from 1942-1945, around 3,000 German U-boat sailors were housed there, including 25 prisoners who would go on to become fugitives after a bold escape. On Dec. 23, 1944, the men escaped through a 178-foot-long tunnel at the camp. It was the largest prisoner of war escape in the U.S. during the war. The escapees divided into groups and tried to flee to Mexico, where they believed they could make their way back to Germany. Most of the prisoners were captured or turned themselves in during the next few days.
Today, there are a few remaining signs of the camp, including the Elks Lodge at Oak and 64th streets, which was the Officer’s Club of Camp Papago. There also is an escape monument just north of Oak Street, on the west side of the Cross Cut Canal.
Deadline nears for Mayor’s “We the People” Constitution Day Contest. Mayor David D. Ortega is hosting a Constitution Day Contest to commemorate the Sept. 17, 1797, signing of the U. S. Constitution. Compose an essay; create a piece of art in any medium; write, perform and video an original song or act; or produce a podcast. Prizes will be awarded in different categories for various age groups. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Learn more.
