Scottsdale Update Newsletter: November 17

Thursday, November 17

Enjoy your holiday! We will not issue Scottsdale Update on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 24. We’ll be back Thursday, Dec. 1.

 

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

The Scottsdale Philharmonic is a professional symphony orchestra that performs free concerts to promote the culture in Scottsdale. Enjoy this performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6.

HEADLINES

Most city offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, for Thanksgiving.

  • The city will not pick up trash or recycling on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. Thursday’s collection moves to Friday, and Friday’s collection moves to Saturday.
  • Getting injured while cooking Thanksgiving dinner is the No. 1 cause of urgent care visits during the holiday. If you’re planning on cooking a turkey in a fryer, take these precautions.
  • Make sure to follow these simple tips to avoid costly and stinky grease-related blockages in your sewer lines.

 

Scottsdazzle holiday celebration kicks off Nov. 25. The holiday season will be significantly more festive this year as the city debuts Scottsdazzle, a monthlong holiday celebration starting the end of November through December. The celebration kicks off with a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at the Soleri Bridge in Downtown Scottsdale.

 

Small Business Saturday adds to the “Scottsdazzle” spirit Nov. 26. Scottsdale is a gift-givers wonderland, filled with unique, one-of-a-kind stores. You’ll find many along Downtown’s 5th Avenue, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary Saturday. Stop by the Kiva Plaza, 7121 E. 5th Ave., at 1 p.m. for some birthday cake, a gift wrap station and more.

 

Register for Nov. 30 Desert Discovery Center Community Workshop. This workshop is an important step in determining what the center concept would cost to build and operate. With this information in hand, the Scottsdale City Council can determine if it wants to move forward with the project. Seating is limited; register here.

 

Council to decide on 2016 major General Plan amendment request. The public is invited to attend and provide comments on the lone request at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

EVENTS

Witness WestWorld turn from horses to horsepower. The Goodguys Fall National Hot Rod Show runs Friday-Sunday, Nov. 18-20. The event showcases hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, classics and sports cars. Stop by various exhibitors and enjoy live entertainment.

 

Senior centers are hosting gallery-themed art shows Dec. 2 & 9. Artwork by the Granite Reef and Via Linda senior centers’ students and instructors will be on display. Admission is free with one canned food item to benefit the Vista del Camino Food Bank.

 

STARS is hosting “Movie Under the Stars.” This free event is from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road. STARS is a Scottsdale nonprofit whose mission is to improve the lives of people with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

 

Browse the city calendar for more events.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The City Council will continue its search to find Scottsdale’s next city manager. The Council voted unanimously last week to interview additional candidates, which could occur as early as December. The three finalists interviewed last week remain in in the job pool.

 

Welcome Kenyan Sister Cities high school delegation. Sister Cities will host a community gathering from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at Chaparral Park’s Central Ramada. Learn about these students’ lives and culture in Kenya.

 

Enjoy a meal at Empty Bowls and help fight hunger in our community, Nov. 30. When you buy a bowl of pasta at the “Alli Ortega Empty Bowls” event, proceeds benefit the Vista del Camino Food Bank. Empty Bowls commemorates Ortega who died in 2014. Her selfless dedication to the community and her spirit of volunteerism continue to inspire.

 

Donate a toy and get a free truck ride Dec. 3. The Rides for Toys holiday donation program runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Target store, Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.

 

Scottsdale named among the top 10 “digital cities” for the fourth consecutive year. The city earned sixth place in its population category for participation in the What Works Cities program. Reasons cited: ongoing push to improve open data, data-based performance management efforts and several information technology initiatives to standardize hardware, streamline processes and improve outcomes.

 

Get City Council meeting and agenda information.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Get a head start on holiday shopping at Arts and Crafts Fair. Find a combination of high quality original art and handmade crafts at the Granite Reef Senior Center’s annual Arts and Crafts Fair – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19.

 

Learn about legendary entrepreneur of the Southwest Fred Harvey, Dec. 1. In the late 19th century the Santa Fe Railway began serving the “Indian Southwest” with the Grand Canyon at its heart. The Fred Harvey Company created the hospitality for visitors. Learn more at this free program – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Civic Center Library.

 

Free Green Building Program takes place Thursday, Dec. 1. Find out about the latest strategies to safely detox your home and workplace using eco-healthy products, fresh air ventilation and organic pesticides to achieve a chemical-free environment.

 

Scottsdale residents can recycle their electronics. This program takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the city’s Corporation Yard, 9191 E. San Salvador. Items accepted include computer, office and entertainment equipment.

 

The library is hosting free craft workshops in December. Nothing says love like a homemade holiday gift. Kids 10 to 18 years old can create a cute snowman vase to give as a gift.

 

Popular Services: brush & bulk collection | passports | utility billing

 

Author: Les Conklin

Les Conklin is a resident of north Scottsdale He founded Friends of the Scenic Drive, the Monte de Paz HOA and is the president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. He was named to Scottsdale's History Maker Hall of Fame in 2014. Les is a past editor of A Peek at the Peak and the author of Images of America: Pinnacle Peak. He served on the Scottsdale's Pride Commission, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, the boards of several local nonprofits and was a founding organizer of the city's Adopt-A-Road Program.. Les is a volunteer guide at the Musical Instrument Museum.

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