Scottsdale Update - Feb. 26, 2024

Attend a Police Department-hosted town hall to address dinnertime burglaries. In last week’s Scottsdale Update, we provided information about these burglaries taking place during the early evenings when residents are not home. Learn how to protect your home from police crime prevention staff in this interactive discussion, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road. If you're attending, secure your home by locking your doors, turning on lights and setting your alarm, if you have one. Please submit questions ahead of time to [email protected]. The meeting will stream live on YouTube for those cannot attend in person.

Take note of ADOT’s Loop 101 closures happening this week: 

• The northbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and off-ramp at Pima Road/Princess Drive will be closed 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb 27. Detours: Drivers heading to northbound Loop 101 may use the northbound Loop 101 frontage road to access northbound Loop 101 at Pima Road/Princess Drive. Drivers on northbound Loop 101 heading to Pima Road/Princess Drive may exit northbound Loop 101 at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and use the northbound Loop 101 frontage road to access Pima Road/Princess Drive. 

• The southbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Pima Road/Princess Drive will be closed 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 until 5 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29. Detour: Drivers may use the southbound Loop 101 frontage road to access southbound Loop 101 at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.  

This is part of Arizona Department of Transportation’s two-year project to add lanes and improve interchanges on Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road. “Stay in the Loop” by subscribing to project updates on ADOT’s website. 

Students have until Friday to apply for Mayor's Ability Awards scholarships. This initiative underscores the importance of encouraging education and fostering inclusivity for students living with disabilities, recognizing their potential and empowering them to achieve their academic and professional goals. Get detailed scholarship information and eligibility requirements.   

Scottsdale Fire is removing hazardous vegetation around critical infrastructure and along various rights-of-way to reduce wildfires. These efforts are supported by a grant that allows fire mitigation in high-risk areas. Learn about completed and upcoming projects that support this work. Check out the map of this year's area of concentration (PDF). 

Residents can help prevent wildfires by removing the fast-growing invasive Globe Chamomile plant. Explore your property and be diligent about pulling it now before yellow ball flowers develop mature seeds and dry out in our summer heat. Just one pull will prevent the spread of thousands of seeds. Invasive plants upset the sensitive and natural ecological balance of the surrounding area and can also disrupt the habitat for desert wildlife. In addition, they could become a major fire fuel source during the hot weather when these weeds dry out. Learn more.   

Learn a new hobby … or brush up on an old one. Registration for Scottsdale Parks and Recreation spring programs began today for Scottsdale residents. Nonresidents can register beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29. Programs take place during April and May. View Scottsdale Life online (PDF). Or browse classes and register here. 

PUBLIC MEETINGS 

Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host. 

Week of Feb. 26:   

• City Council Work Study Session: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27

• Industrial Development Authority: 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 

• Neighborhood Advisory Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28

• Planning Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 

Week of March 4: 

• City Council Special Meeting: 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, March 5 

• City Council Regular Meeting and Work Study Session: 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 

• Loss Trust Fund Board: 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 

• Board of Adjustment: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.  

Find more public meetings. 

THINGS TO DO 

Persian New Year Festival returns to Scottsdale Feb. 28-March 2, in celebration of the ancient holiday, Nowruz.  Attend these events: 

• “Desert Dreams” Persian Fashion Show, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, Western Spirit: at Scottsdale’s Museum of The West, 3830 N Marshall Way: The show is produced by Mahsa Page, a designer who has been featured in Redbook and Arizona Fashion Week.  

• Voices Unveiled, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 29, Stagebrush Theater, 7020 E. Second St.: This three-part original musical composition by Ehsan Matoori features Iranian traditional music, folk with fusion elements, and Iranian female vocalists, Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris.  

• The Waterfront Fest, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 2: This event includes Persian food and culture. 

Learn more and buy tickets. 

Experience the rich Native American culture at the Scottsdale Gallery Association’s Gold Palette ArtWalk. This special ArtWalk includes activities, entertainment and exhibits. It runs 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, in the Old Town Arts District. Learn more.

Attend the Navy Band Southwest 32nd Street Brass Band concert. This band brings Bourbon Street to Scottsdale with its energetic performance. The show begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Civic Center East Lawn. It’s free, but RSVPs are required. 

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West offers entertaining March programs: 

• Western Horizons – Legacy Gallery: Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2. This museum benefit brings together 35 of the top Western artists for a new and unique two-day event.   

• Author Chris Enss: The Doctor Was a Woman and Along Came a Cowgirl: noon, Friday, March 1:  Just in time for Women’s History Month, Enss will delve into her newest book, “The Doctor Was a Woman,” which explores the fascinating female practitioners of the Wild West. The next portion of the program highlights the women of the rodeo through Enss’s book, “Along Came a Cowgirl.” 

• Two-day seminar with artist Erin Hanson: Wednesday and Thursday, March 6 and 7. Hanson’s rare demonstrations delve into her unique approach to each new painting, where she goes for inspiration and digs deep into her views on color and color alchemy. 

• Author Dr. Larry Len Peterson celebrates the life and works of Edward S. Curtis: 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. Peterson will showcase how Curtis created thousands of images, audio recordings, and motion pictures of Native Americans, all while making tremendous contributions to the art and science of photography. Come experience a scholarly study of Curtis work through over 100 slides depicting the photography and story of an epic life well lived. 

Glow Up – Family fun at Horizon Park. This free event runs 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at 15444 N. 100th St. Enjoy a D.J., foam party, glow games and more!   

WestWorld hosts Sun Circuit, March 1-10. The annual Sun Circuit is the largest American Quarter Horse Association circuit event in the west, and there is a class for every exhibitor at every level. WestWorld is home to three indoor, climate-controlled arenas along with multiple outdoor arenas with plenty of extra space for warm-ups.  

Calling all Swifties! Enjoy a night of music, dance and unforgettable vibes at Rhythm & Rails. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park hosts “Reputation – A Taylor Swift Experience,” from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, March 2. You can also indulge your taste buds with some of Arizona’s finest food trucks – from savory delights to sweet treats. Cost is $15 per person. Learn more and buy tickets.  

Experience the action and excitement of a professional rodeo with two and four-legged athletes competing in various events. Rodeo Scottsdale takes place Thursday –Sunday, March 7-10, at WestWorld. The Thursday night event is dedicated entirely to the bull riding event. Friday through Sunday events include bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing. There are different riders and stock each performance, so you never see the same action twice!  

Ongoing: 

• Black History Month events (PDF): Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This year's theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” 

• Spring training continues through March 23, at Scottsdale Stadium. Catch the San Francisco Giants in Cactus League action before beginning their regular season. Get a schedule (PDF). Buy tickets. Learn about Scottsdale Stadium.   

• Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival – 12 days. 21 films. Three theaters: Movies show through March 3, at Harkins Theaters in Scottsdale, Chandler and Peoria. The festival celebrates diverse Jewish storytelling while exploring themes of culture, history and the human experience. 

• Scottsdale ArtWalk: 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. 

• Old Town Farmers Market: Find a variety of organic and pesticide-free produce, and seasonal specialties such as cider and apples, flowers, natural pork, beef, fish and free-range eggs. Th market runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through June at 3806 N. Brown Ave.  

• Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: Immerse yourself into the unique story of the greater Western region with unique exhibits and events. 

• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, diverse events throughout the year. 

• Find McDowell Sonoran Conservancy events. 

Get more events information.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES  

Neighborhood College Spring 2024 Series continues with “Treasures of Scottsdale: The Extraordinary Ellis Family.” The family behind this one-of-a-kind home for the arts traces its Scottsdale roots back to just a few years after the founding of the State of Arizona. The free tour and presentation run 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Cattletrack Arts Compound, 6105 N. Cattletrack Drive. Learn more and register.

Other classes:

• HOA/Condo Series track: Rentals, Animals & Disabilities - What You Need to Know. 

• The Stories of Scottsdale History Series track: Murder in the First Degree; and The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree.

Get class descriptions, times, locations and registration information. 

FYI

Watch the latest episode of Veterans AZ. We sit down with Shawn Banzhaf and Michelle Loposky from the Pat Tillman Veterans Center at Arizona State University — a center providing connections and assistance to active-duty veteran and veteran-dependent students. Watch now.  

Now on Podsdale: Scottsdale's Grand Slam Prep for Spring Training. Step into the dugout as host Holly Walter and Operations & Events Supervisor Kyle Urban take you behind the scenes to uncover the meticulous planning and passion that go into making Scottsdale the ultimate destination for Spring Training. What’s more, Citizen Advisor Bruce Wall is back on the show to share some fascinating facts and milestones that shaped Scottsdale's deep-rooted connection with America's favorite pastime. This episode is your all-access pass to the heartbeat of Scottsdale's Spring Training preparation. Listen now. 

Job of the Week: We're looking for a dynamic part-time Public Information Officer to join our Office of Communication and Citizen Service team. Are you a master of crafting compelling messages that captivate and inform? Do you thrive on promoting transparency and telling impactful stories? You'll play a crucial role in facilitating communication between the city and the public. We're seeking a talented individual who can cut through the clutter and inspire our community through creative messaging. If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to be part of a team dedicated to serving our city, this opportunity is for you! Learn more and apply. 

QUICK LINKS 

• City Call Center – 480-312-3111    

• Report things that need to be fixed, or submit other requests via Scottsdale EZ

• Traffic Restrictions Map – We update this map weekly to include most road improvement projects. Stay in the loop for Pima Freeway construction.     

• Brush and Bulk Schedule    

• Scottsdale Weather