Scottsdale Update Newsletter, July 21

update banner
Thursday, July 21

 

Headlines

Apply to serve on a city board or commission

Convention and Visitors Bureau opens new center in Fashion Square

 

Events

Library hosts Phoenix Conservatory of Music concert

Hula to the Safety Luau Aug. 6

Check out these ongoing activities and events

 

For Your Information

City delivers nearly 200 “Beat the Heat” care packages

Enjoy Downtown Scottsdale with free trolley rides

Water – Use It Wisely … and keep an eye on that garbage disposal

 

Programs & Services

Here’s refreshing news on swim and aquatics programs

It’s the new rage – coloring for adults, Saturdays in August

Attend class in your PJs

Dispose of your brush and bulk

 

Headlines

Apply to serve on a city board or commission

More than 150 Scottsdale residents volunteer their time and expertise on one of the city’s 25 boards, commissions, task forces and committees. Openings are available on the Airport Advisory Commission, Building Advisory Board of Appeals, Human Relations Commission, Human Services Commission, Loss Trust Fund Board, Neighborhood Advisory Commission and Tourism Development Commission. Information about the functions of these boards and commissions, as well as the application can be found at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Boards and Commissions.” We can email the application or it can be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 12. The Council will nominate candidates from the applicant pool Monday, Aug. 29. Those nominated will be interviewed at a City Council meeting beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Following the interviews, the Council will appoint residents to three-year terms. All board and commission members must comply with the city’s Ethics Code and attend training before serving their terms.

 

Convention and Visitors Bureau opens new center in Fashion Square

Beginning in early August, the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau will move to a new location inside Scottsdale Fashion Square. The Scottsdale Tourist Information Center will be the bureau’s primary visitor center, open year-round, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Located in the former Harkins Theatres’ box office near the food court, the center will feature visual technologies that provide travel inspiration, expansive signage and a brochure wall highlighting member businesses. The bureau’s Galleria Corporate Centre office will no longer function as a visitor center. Learn more about the bureau at ExperienceScottsdale.com.

Events

Library hosts Phoenix Conservatory of Music concert          

Attend a free mini-concert by the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. The program begins at 2 p.m. Friday, July 22, at Civic Center Library, 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd. An information session follows the performance. The Scottsdale Cultural Council is funding the one-hour program. Learn more by calling 480-312-READ (7323).

 

Hula to the Safety Luau Aug. 6

Help celebrate water safety and keep our children safe around water! You’re invited to the city’s annual Safety Luau from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug.6, at Eldorado Aquatic Center, 2301 N. Miller Road. This event features fun games and activities for the whole family, plus a mock rescue demonstration with the Scottsdale Fire Department. We’ll close the night with live hula and fire dancers. Regular pool admission fees apply. For more information, call 480-312-2484 or visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “safety luau.”

 

Check out these ongoing activities and events:

  • ArtWalk – Visit many of the roughly 70 art galleries in Downtown Scottsdale, 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, year ’round, Scottsdale Arts District.
  • 365 Live – Live and local performers take to the streets of Downtown Scottsdale 365 times throughout the year, bringing an exciting new energy to the heart of the city. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 480-980-6202.
  • Free Downtown Trolley – New & improved service! Runs every 10 minutes from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
  • Downtown Cultural Trolley Tours – 10:30 a.m. second Saturday of the month, Old Adobe Mission, Downtown Scottsdale. 480-634-6850. Free.
  • McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Hikes and educational programs – ongoing.
  • WestWorld hosts various horse shows and other events.
  • See more on the events by visiting the city’s Event Calendar.

 

For Your Information

City delivers 200-plus “Beat the Heat” care packages

Scottsdale city staff and volunteers delivered nearly 230 “Beat the Heat” care packages to seniors in recent weeks. Every June, the Via Linda and Granite Reef senior centers provide bags of summer goods for isolated, frail and homebound senior citizens. Residents donated supplies, which included reusable bags and water bottles, nutritional supplement drinks, small snack items, personal hygiene items, stamps and grocery gift cards. Besides bringing relief to those in need, the program allows city staff to meet with and check the well-being of homebound seniors. There is still time to help – the centers accept donations year-round.

 

Enjoy Downtown Scottsdale with free trolley rides

Did you know Downtown Scottsdale features free trolley service? The trolleys run daily, every 10 minutes, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Downtown trolleys connect with Scottsdale’s free Neighborhood Trolley and the Valley Metro bus system. More information on the city’s trolley routes is available by calling 480-312-3111 or at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “trolley.”

 

Water – Use It Wisely … and keep an eye on that garbage disposal

Switch off your garbage disposal. Even with a 2.5 gallon-per-minute low-flow kitchen faucet, running the garbage disposal for just two minutes equals 5 gallons of water down the drain. For more water conservation tips, visit WaterUseItWisely.com or call 480-312-5650.

Programs & Services

Here’s refreshing news on swim and aquatics programs

There are a lot of cool things to do in August:

  • Registration continues for August swim lessons, which begin on the eighth.
  • McDowell Mountain Ranch, Cactus and Eldorado aquatic and fitness centers are open for adult lap swim, water exercise classes and fitness center activities. Regular pool admission fees apply.
  • Need a location for a large event or celebration? McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center offers private facility rentals Saturday evenings.
  • McDowell Mountain Ranch, Cactus and Eldorado aquatic centers are open Saturday and Sunday. Fees and hours vary by location.
  • McDowell Mountain Ranch offers an exciting sports camp Aug. 1-5. Kids will learn the “FUNdamentals” of different water sports including swimming, diving, water polo and water basketball.

Get details on all these programs at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “aquatics.”

 

It’s the new rage – coloring for adults, Saturdays in August

Coloring is good for you! It engages both hemispheres of the brain, improves fine motor skills and vision, and helps us to relax. Join us as we explore the benefits of this fun activity. The free programs will be at 2 p.m. Saturdays in August at Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive. Coloring pages and supplies will be provided. Learn more at ScottsdaleLibrary.org or call 480-312- READ (7323).

 

Attend class in your PJs

The Scottsdale Library offers online access to more than 500 free classes. Universal Class provides continuing education classes taught by dedicated instructors sharing their knowledge on almost any topic imaginable. Library cardholders can enroll in up to five courses. “Attend” class and do assignments on your schedule. Classes are noncredit and provided for personal enrichment. Learn more at ScottsdaleLibrary.org or call 480-312-READ (7323)

 

Dispose of your brush and bulk

The city provides monthly brush and bulk item collection offering residents a convenient way to dispose of items too large for refuse containers. Place brush and bulk items out for pickup by 5 a.m. Monday the week of scheduled service. Here’s when we’ll be in your neighborhood:

  • Service Area #4 – Thomas Road to McKellips Road; and Pinnacle Peak Road to Thunderbird Road (including McDowell Mountain Ranch): Week of July 25.
  • Service Area #1 – Thunderbird Road to Indian Bend Road, east of the 101 Freeway; and Dynamite Boulevard to northern city limits: Week of Aug. 1.
  • Service Area #2 – Bell Road to Indian Bend Road, west of the 101 Freeway; and Dynamite Boulevard to Happy Valley Road: Week of Aug. 8.
  • Service Area #3 – Indian Bend Road to Thomas Road; and Happy Valley Road to Pinnacle Peak Road: Week of Aug. 15.

Learn more at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “brush and bulk collection.”

Get a complete list of Scottsdale events and public meetings. Get Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts events or call 480-499-TKTS (8537). Get Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art events or call 480-874-4666. Get Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West events or call 480-686-9539. Reach Scottsdale Update by emailing Jan Horne or call 480-312-2636.

 

The Peak invites you to share your thoughts about this article by using the “Submit a Comment” box at the bottom of this page. Your email address will not be published. All comments are reviewed based on The Peak’s Comment Policy prior to publishing.

 

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.

Share This Post On
468 ad

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.