Scottsdale Update Newsletter, July 7

Thursday, July 7

Headlines

Loop 101 weekend closures

Scottsdale tops in nation for recreation

Have a #SUPERJULY by celebrating National Park and Recreation Month

July is Smart Irrigation Month

Volunteers needed in July to help with Back-to-School Program

Events

Attend a star-studded event … at July Moonlight Swims

Check out these ongoing activities and events

For Your Information

City Council on summer recess through Aug. 29

July watering tip – Make adjustments for monsoon humidity and rains

Must see TV — Scottsdale Video Network

Library offers low-cost meeting room rentals

View fall and winter Parks and Recreation classes online starting Sunday

Programs & Services

Library presents free program on UFOs July 17

You’re never old enough to swim alone!

Vista del Camino Center serving as hydration station this summer

Dispose of your brush and bulk

Headlines

Loop 101 weekend closures

The Loop 101 will be closed for restriping from 10 p.m. Friday, July 8, to 5 a.m. Monday, July 11, southbound from McDonald Drive to McKellips Road. The following southbound ramps will be closed:

• Via de Ventura on
• Indian Bend Road/Talking Stick Way on
• McDonald Drive on
• Chaparral Road off and on
• Indian School Road off and on
• Thomas Road off and on
• McDowell Road off and on
• McKellips Road off

This project will widen the Loop 101 between the Red Mountain 202 north to Shea Boulevard. Construction is expected to be completed this fall. Learn more at AZDot.gov.

Scottsdale tops in nation for recreation

Scottsdale ranks third for recreation among the 100 largest U.S. cities, according to an analysis by WalletHub. The personal-finance website compared cities across 35 key metrics ranging from the price of a movie ticket to the number of tennis courts per capita. Scottsdale ranked high for its high percentage of parkland. Scottsdale also offers year-round recreation opportunities including tennis and swim lessons, fitness classes and various adult and youth sport leagues. The city has 30,165 acres of preserve land, 42 parks encompassing 975 acres, four urban lakes, 70 athletic fields, 11 trailheads, four aquatic and fitness centers, six community centers, 36 playgrounds – and more! Get more information about Parks and Recreation at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “parks.” Learn more about the ranking at WalletHub.com.

Have a #SUPERJULY by celebrating National Park and Recreation Month

This July, Scottsdale is celebrating National Park and Recreation Month and helping residents work toward better health and wellness. The opportunities are endless – from learning a new hobby to improving an old one. Help us spread the word by using #SUPERJULY when posting your pictures on Instagram while visiting one of Scottsdale’s awesome parks or participating in one of our classes. Get details at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Parks and Recreation.”

July is Smart Irrigation Month

You could save water and money with a free irrigation audit. Conduct your own audit with the free Find & Fix Leaks that are Draining your Budget guide at SmartHomeWaterGuide.org. Or if you prefer, Scottsdale offers free irrigation audits to its single-family residential customers. An irrigation audit could reveal system leaks and inefficiencies that, when fixed, can help you save water. Contact Scottsdale’s Water Conservation Office at 480-312-5650 to request an irrigation audit. Limit one per property. Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “mini-morning audit” for more water saving tips.

Volunteers needed in July to help with Back-to-School Program  

We need your help during July to help sort, organize, distribute and inventory donated supplies for the Back-to-School Program. Up to 1,000 students will receive clothing, socks, underwear, a pair of shoes, a backpack and school supplies. Distribution takes place Wednesday, July 27, at Scottsdale Stadium, northeast corner of Osborn Road and Drinkwater Boulevard. For more information on how to volunteer or donate items, contact Vista del Camino Center at 480-312-2323 or visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Back to School.”

Events

Attend a star-studded event … at July Moonlight Swims

Swim under the stars this July at Eldorado and McDowell Mountain Ranch aquatic centers. McDowell Mountain Ranch will host moonlight swims from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, July 8 and 22. Eldorado will also host one from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 16. Regular pool fees apply. Learn more at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “aquatics.”

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 Council on summer recess through Aug. 29

The Scottsdale City Council will not conduct City Council meetings until members reconvene for a Tuesday, Aug. 30, meeting. However, if necessary, the Council could set special meetings and is available to citizens throughout this time. To confirm meeting dates, go to ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “council agendas” or call the City Clerk’s Office at 480-312-2412.

July watering tip – Make adjustments for monsoon humidity and rains

Summer storms and muggy weather are here. The higher humidity during monsoon season means plants lose less water to evaporation, making it easy to overwater. Remember to skip a watering cycle if storms produce a half inch or more of rain. Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “water” for more watering and landscape tips.

Must see TV — Scottsdale Video Network

Watch interesting and entertaining programs you won’t find on any other station. Tune into Scottsdale Video Network at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “SVN.”

Library offers low-cost meeting room rentals

Does your group need a place to meet in Scottsdale? You can inexpensively rent space at any of the five Scottsdale Public Libraries. Room sizes vary. Get details by calling 480-312-7946 or emailing LibraryRoomRentals@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.

View fall and winter Parks and Recreation classes online starting Sunday

Time flies – fall is fast approaching! We’ve got incredible classes and sports activities for the entire family to enjoy. Check out our fall and winter class schedule online beginning Sunday, July 10. Class registration starts Monday, Aug. 8, for residents, and Tuesday, Aug. 9, for nonresidents. Visit Recreation.ScottsdaleAZ.gov for details.

Programs & Services

Library presents free program on UFOs July 17

The Mutual UFO Network’s Arizona director will talk about how the organization’s data are used by researchers worldwide. And, yes, he’ll even share stories of UFO sightings! The free program is at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Palomino Library, 12575 E. Via Linda. The network is the world’s oldest and largest investigative and research organization comprised of individuals who seek the truth about the subject of UFOs. Register or get details at ScottsdaleLibrary.org or call 480-312-READ (7323).

You’re never old enough to swim alone!

Drowning only happens to children, right? No. Adults drown, too. In fact, more adults than kids drown in Arizona. The strategies for preventing drowning among teens and adults are simple:

• No one is old enough to swim alone. Always swim with a buddy, or at the very least, tell someone you are going swimming.
• Know your limitations. Being under the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or prescription medications can severely impair your ability to swim or recognize dangers.
• Get trained. Attend a class to learn CPR and if you don’t know how to swim, consider registering for an adult swimming lesson through the city’s Aquatics Program.

For more information about water safety, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “pool safety.”

Vista del Camino Center serving as hydration station this summer

Scottsdale’s social service agency Vista Del Camino, 7700 E. Roosevelt St., is serving as a water hydration station and heat relief site through Sept. 30. The station’s purpose is to protect the vulnerable during summer by providing heat relief and bottled water. Vista is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. In addition to bottled water, Vista is also seeking these donations: sunscreen wipes, lip balm and hats, plus light-colored T-shirts, socks, underwear and prepackaged snack items. For more information, call Vista at 480-312-2323.

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 #3 – Indian Bend Road to Thomas Road; and Happy Valley Road to Pinnacle Peak Road: Week of July 18.
• 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.

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