HEADLINE NEWS
Rio Verde Foothills: Superior Court rules in favor of Scottsdale. In the first ruling on the litigation brought against the city by some Rio Verde Foothills residents, Maricopa County Superior Court ruled in the city's favor, denying the requested temporary relief against the city.
The city remains confident in its legal position and continues to encourage Maricopa County — the elected local government for the residents of Rio Verde Foothills — to implement a solution on behalf of their constituents. The city issued this Jan. 16 statement that includes additional facts and information.
Scottsdale Civic Center reopened this weekend. The first phase of improvements, the western two-thirds of the project, was the first to open including the West Paseo from Old Town Scottsdale, West Bowl, 360 Stage, Civic Lawn and Marshall Gardens. The entire project will be complete in late March, and the city is planning a community celebration in April to showcase the newly renovated public space. Scottsdale voters approved most of the $33.5 million project funding through the 2019 Bond Election. Learn more.
Serving on a city board or commission is a rewarding way to give back to your community. Promoting diversity and inclusion. Honoring veterans in our community. Examining policies that keep Scottsdale Airport safe. These are just some of the ways volunteers serve on boards and commissions to make Scottsdale a great place to live work and play. Openings are available on the Airport Advisory Commission, Development Review Board, Human Relations Commission, Library Board, Neighborhood Advisory Commission, Tourism Development Commission and Veterans Advisory Commission. Learn more and apply by Thursday, Feb. 9.
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:
The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction continues through Jan. 29 at WestWorld. The auction features an exhibitor marketplace and hours of live worldwide television coverage. Get details.
Fun-filled theater productions are coming to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. From geriatrics to Jesus, with a little bit of Lucy thrown in, expect plenty of laughs from theater offerings at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts this month and next. Performances take place at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St. Ticket prices vary by show. Visit ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/events or call Scottsdale Arts Guest Services at 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.
Western Week: Old Town Scottsdale transforms into an authentic Old West experience for the entire family. Connect with Old Town's history through Western and Native American festivals, ArtWalks, the Hashknife Pony Express and the Parada del Sol. Western Week runs Jan. 28-Feb. 5.
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Gold Palette ArtWalk: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, Scottsdale Arts District. This month’s Gold Palette ArtWalk is dedicated to the theme of Western Week with entertainment, music and special offerings at participating galleries.
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Annual Hashknife Pony Express Arrival: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Come and witness the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world. This free event features the “Hashknife Boot Camp” for kids, free museum admission, live entertainment, family-friendly games, storytelling, crafts, face painting, onsite food trucks and more. At noon, the Hashknife Pony Express arrives in Scottsdale and delivers more than 20,000 pieces of mail to the U.S. Postal Service at the front steps of the museum.
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Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Celebration: Parade - 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 4; Trails End Festival - noon-4 p.m., Historic Old Town. Traffic restrictions will be in place. View the route map. A celebration of the city’s past, present and future, the Parada del Sol Parade boasts more than 100 entries including colorful floats, mounted horse-riders, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, wagons and stagecoaches representing many cultures from Mexican to Native American to Arabian to Western. At the culmination of the parade, the Historic Old Town District becomes the setting for a Western-style block party with a kids’ area, pony rides, food and merchandise vendors, and multiple stages with live entertainment from today’s popular bands to traditional performers.
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Arizona Indian Festival: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, Scottsdale Civic Center. The Arizona Indian Festival provides awareness of Arizona’s indigenous communities by creating an inclusive inter-tribal event celebrating culture, traditional arts, crafts and foods, as well as innovations and trends in cultural tourism experiences in Arizona.
Join the 2023 Regional Unity Walk. Help promote mutual respect and understanding at this year’s Regional Unity Walk (pdf) Saturday, Jan. 28, at Tempe Beach Park. The festival, featuring refreshments and entertainment, starts at 4:30 p.m. The one-mile walk begins at 6 p.m. Call the city’s Diversity Office at 480-312-7616 for more information.
Crime Laboratory and Crime Scene Unit earn re-accreditation. The Crime Laboratory has been accredited since 1996, with the Crime Scene Unit being accredited since 2002. The Scottsdale Police Department Forensic Services Division now holds accreditation under one certificate. “This was achieved after a rigorous assessment process. The Digital Forensics Unit was newly accredited in this process, making them the first accredited digital forensics unit in Maricopa County,” said Police Chief Jeff Walther.
Arizona Game and Fish officials will provide tips on how to live with wildlife in our neighborhoods and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. These opportunities can be either direct or indirect but almost always related to available food sources. Wild animals are simply reacting to these opportunities. Two “Living with Urban Wildlife” programs are available: 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, Civic Center Library Auditorium, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., or 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
Neighborhood College registration is open for the spring series. We offer four tracks: HOA\Condo, Scottsdale 360, Good Neighbor and History. Register for one or all! Some presentations are offered in-person and online.
Here are the remaining January classes:
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HOA/Condo Symposium: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. This new event is designed for those new to serving on the board of their HOA or condominium community. It would also be helpful to those interested in serving on their board or needing a "refresher." Seating is limited.
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Understanding Financial Obligations, Budgeting and Fraud Prevention: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. As an HOA board member, understanding your financial, statutory and budgeting obligations are crucial components for the financial health of your association and to ensure you remain in compliance with state requirements. This class will also cover HOA fraud prevention, including industry fraud trends/statistics, tips for avoiding fraud and various fraud indicators.
A muralist is replenishing the iconic cowboy sign in Old Town. The sign will be returned to its historical likeness from the 1960s. The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce commissioned the sign in 1952, and Artist Dee Flagg created it. The sign has remained in its original location at the northeast corner of Main Street and Scottsdale Road since its installation. Today it’s one of the most recognizable landmarks — and a popular spot to take a selfie — of the bustling nightlife and shopping area. Painting takes place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Help save lives by sharing the suicide and crisis lifeline. While the new year can be a time of renewal and optimism, it can also be challenging and overwhelming. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988.
Job of the week: Digital Media Designer. Are you a brand-oriented designer looking for a challenge? If so, we’re looking for you! This position oversees the city's overall brand as well as produces a variety of projects from annual reports and flyers to posters for Solid Waste trucks and street banners. Take a look and apply or pass it on to someone who fits the part.
Know your ABCs of water safety. Scottsdale Police share a #SundaySafetyTip every week and recently featured Scottsdale Fire’s Lori Schmidt to talk about best practices to be safe around water. Share to help save those you know and love from the tragic heartache of losing someone to drowning. Watch on Facebook.
Engaging Local Government Leaders recognizes three Scottsdale employees as top local government influencers for 2022. Scottsdale Police Department’s Director of Strategic Initiatives Cassie Johnson was named the No. 10 Top Local Government Influencer for 2022. Chief Information Officer Bianca Lochner and Business Intelligence Manager Kari Johnson made the list of ELGL’s Top 100 Local Government Influencers in 2022. Focused on all levels of local government … from analysts to mayors; librarians to planners; and everyone in between … ELGL’s mission is to engage local government to foster authentic and meaningful connections that are grounded in practices of equity and inclusion. Learn more about its vision, mission and strategic goals in its first-ever strategic plan.
The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s model railroad building had a monumental day Jan. 14 when it reached the 2 million visitor mark! The honor went to the Machnee family. Thank you to everyone who visited over the years and to all the club members that volunteer their time. View photos on Facebook. Learn more about the park.
