HEADLINE NEWS
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Scottsdale selects Fritz Behring as city manager
The Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously Wednesday, May 22, to hire Pinal County Manager Fritz Behring as Scottsdale’s next City Manager.
Behring will begin his duties around July 1, pending completion of an employment contract.
“I look forward to working with the staff and citizens in Scottsdale to make this an even better community,” said Behring. “I am confident that working together, we will accomplish the community’s goals.”
He has more than 20 years of experience in government administration. He has previously served as city manager of Central City, Nebraska, Fort Meade, Florida and Deltona, Florida and county manager of Clay County, Florida. Behring holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Dakota.
Behring was one of three finalists interviewed by the City Council. The others were former Tempe City Manager Charlie Meyer and Tom Wilson, an assistant city manager for development services in Palm Springs, Calif., and a former Scottsdale city attorney.
Dan Worth, Scottsdale’s public works executive director, has been serving as acting city manager since July 2012, following the resignation of David Richert.
Most city offices closed Monday for Memorial Day
Although most city offices will be closed Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day, the city will still pick up your trash. Simply place your container in the usual collection spot by 5 a.m. the morning of pickup or the evening before. Call 480-312-5600 for more information.
Scottsdale asking for the public’s help via new smartphone app
Scottsdale is enlisting residents in the fight against cracked sidewalks, broken street lights, graffiti and other problems via a new smartphone app. “myScottsdale” marks Scottsdale’s first foray into the mobile application arena. With a simple interface, users can upload pictures that show the exact problem and report precise locations through the device’s GPS. After reporting problems, users can opt to receive a follow up when the city has corrected the issue.
The app is free and available for both Android and Apple devices.
Scottsdale Bobcat honored as Special Olympics “Most Inspirational Athlete”
The Scottsdale Bobcats Special Olympics Track & Field Team recently closed the season with the 2013 Summer Games. Bobcats’ very own Martha Baracy was crowned Special Olympics “Most Inspirational Athlete,” and as such, was invited to light the torch at the Opening Ceremonies and officially open the Summer Games. The Summer Games included three days of Special Olympics competition, the Scottsdale leg of the Special Olympics Torch Run down Scottsdale Road and the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies. For more information on the city’s Special Olympics programs, contact Adapted Recreation Services at 480-312- 2234 or Adaptedrec@scottsdaleaz.gov.
Water Resources captures nine safety awards
The Arizona Water Association presented Scottsdale with the Burke Safety Award for outstanding, ongoing safety initiatives and comprehensive safety programs. In addition, eight Water Resources facilities were recognized for continued safety performances and operating practices. This recognition means that each facility operated at least one calendar year without a disabling injury accident. The Arizona Water Association is an independent organization that also serves as the Arizona section of the American Water Works Association and the Arizona member association of the Water Environment Federation.
City’s online auction “bears” good news for resident
Scottsdale has made $160,000 in the nine months it’s been selling unclaimed property via online auctions. That’s money that helps pay for city services.
The auctions – or at least the publicity surrounding them – have also made for an unusual reunion.
When resident Ken Dennison saw a recent Arizona Republic story on the auctions, a photo nudged his memory. It was of a bearskin rug, one that looked just like the one stolen from his home a decade earlier.
Read what happened next in this Arizona Republic article. 
Read the original auction article.
Visit the online auction site and learn how you can participate.
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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE
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Railroad Park concert continues with ’80s retro band Rock Lobster
Retro ’80s band Rock Lobster plays this week at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park concert. The event runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at the park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road. Bring a blanket or chair and hear a variety of favorite local bands. Train and carousel rides are available during all concerts. Tickets are $2 each and children younger than three ride free with a paying adult. Food will also be available for purchase. Concerts run through July 7. For more information, call 480-312-2312.
Veterans groups will commemorate Memorial Day on Monday
Residents are invited to commemorate Memorial Day at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Chaplain Statue at Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Activities will include the reading of General Orders, a eulogy, wreath-laying and remarks by several dignitaries including U.S. Rep. David Schweikert and Scottsdale Councilman Robert Littlefield. This annual event is hosted by several local veterans groups. For more information, call 480- 941-0130 or visit www.post44.org.
Check out these ongoing activities:
** Singing Cowboy & Dusty – 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays, Old Town.
** Old Town Farmers Market – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., First Street and Brown Avenue. 623-848-1234.
** ArtBridge – Art exhibitions, local craftsman, entertainment. Every Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
** ArtWalk – Visit many of the more than 100 art galleries in Downtown Scottsdale, 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, year ‘round, Scottsdale Arts District, just west of Scottsdale Road along Main Street and on Marshall Way north of Indian School Road to Fifth Avenue.
** Free Downtown Trolley – Runs daily, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays until 9 p.m. for ArtWalk.
** Downtown Cultural Trolley Tours – 10:30 a.m. second Saturday of the month, Old Adobe Mission – Downtown Scottsdale. 480-634-6850.
** McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Hikes and educational programs, ongoing.
** WestWorld hosts various horseshows and other events.
** Downtown Update – Get details on all the goings-on in Downtown by subscribing to the Downtown Update enewsletter.
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GET INVOLVED: OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR GOVERNMENT
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Tell us why you love our parks
Let us know why you love our parks and you could win 50 percent off a recreation class, get tickets to ride the train and carousel at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and be featured in our spring brochure. Get details and fill out the survey.
Operation Fix It/For Our City cleanup efforts aid community
Nearly 170 volunteers recently gathered for the city’s first Operation Fix-It/For Our City cleanup. They performed property maintenance and enhancements on 11 single-family residences and cleaned three multi-family properties in the Paiute neighborhood. Crews also painted bridge crossings and railings, replenished sand in volleyball courts, replanted plants and spread rock for landscape at local parks. Family Promise, a nonprofit that provides shelter for families with children, led cleanup efforts on Belleview Street. Check out event photos on our Facebook page. For more information about Operation Fix-It or For Our City, contact Michelle Bruce at 480-312-8703 or visit Fix it.
Applications available through May 31 for tourism and marketing task force
Scottsdale is seeking applicants to serve on a new task force overseeing the 2012 Tourism Development and Marketing Strategic Plan. The plan was recently adopted by the City Council and includes strategies to enhance local tourism and ensure Scottsdale remains competitive as a visitor’s destination. The nine-person task force will advise the City Council on the status of the plan, its objectives and milestones. Members will be selected who represent or have expertise in areas addressed by the plan such as tourism, business development, arts and culture and civic engagement. More information and an application are available here under the tourism and lifestyle section.
Help seniors “Beat the Heat” this summer
Every June, the Via Linda and Granite Reef senior centers provide a care package of summer goods for isolated, frail and homebound seniors. Donations are being accepted for these items: reusable water bottles, nutritional supplement drinks, bottled water, small snack items, personal hygiene items, stamps and grocery story gift cards for a minimum of $35. Drop off your donations at the Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, by Friday, June 7. For more information, contact Human Services Specialist Leslie Lory at 480-312-8465 or llory@scottsdaleaz.gov or visit adopt.
Neighborhood Watch programs reduce crime
Put the neighbor back into neighborhood! A Neighborhood Watch Program can help by creating a sense of community. It brings law enforcement and citizens together to reduce crime. Don’t have a Neighborhood Watch program in your area? Getting started is easy. Simply contact Citizen Advisor Joy Racine at 480-312-2342 or jracine@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. For more information about the program, visit Neighborhood Watch.
Get the latest City Council meeting agenda
Access this website for the latest City Council agendas.
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AT YOUR SERVICE - UTILITY SCHEDULE AND MORE
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Vista del Camino serves as hydration station
Scottsdale’s social service agency Vista del Camino, 7700 E. Roosevelt St., is serving as a water hydration station this summer. The station’s purpose is to protect the vulnerable during summer by providing relief from the heat and sites where they can get free bottled water, sunscreen wipes, lip balm and hats. Vista del Camino is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Scottsdale Healthcare is partnering with the city to provide the supplies, plus information on the dangers of extreme heat. The public can donate water or other items, including light-colored T-shirts, sunblock, socks and underwear, hats and pre-packaged snack items. For more information, call Vista at 480-312-2323.
Document shredding available Saturday
Don’t be the victim of identity theft – shred your unneeded documents. The Police Officers of Scottsdale Association will hold a shredding event from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. There is a $3 per box suggested donation. Proceeds will benefit the “Shop with a Cop” program. Get more information.
Upcoming brush and bulk pickup schedule
The city provides monthly brush and bulk item collection, offering residents a convenient way to dispose of items too large for refuse containers. Residents are asked to have brush and bulk items out for pick up by 5 a.m. on Monday the week of scheduled service.
Here's the upcoming schedule:
** Service Area #4 – Thomas Road to McKellips Road; and Pinnacle Peak Road to Thunderbird Road: Week of May 20.
** Service Area #1 – Thunderbird Road to Indian Bend Road, east of the 101 Freeway; and Dynamite Boulevard to northern city limits: Week of May 27.
** Service Area #2 – Thunderbird Road to Indian Bend Road, west of the 101 Freeway; and Dynamite Boulevard to Happy Valley Road: Week of June 10.
** Service Area #3 – Indian Bend Road to Thomas Road; and Happy Valley Road to Pinnacle Peak Road: Week of June 17.For more information, contact Solid Waste Management Division 480-312-5600.
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PROGRAMS FOR YOU
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Senior Center hosts “Coffee with a Cop” Tuesday
The Granite Reef Senior Center hosts “Coffee with a Cop,” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 28. Scottsdale Police Crime Prevention Officer Toni Moag will meet with attendees to answer questions, provide crime prevention tips and assist with citizen requests. “Coffee with a Cop” occurs the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Senior Center, located at 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. Contact Officer Moag at 480-312-0275 or tmoag@scottsdaleaz.gov for more information.
Explore innovative projects at June 6 Green Building program
Are you ready for the future? Explore innovative and trendsetting projects that excel in energy efficiency, material resources, water reuse, and unique building design solutions. Residents can learn about local innovative projects at the last in a series of Green Building programs. The free lecture is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. Participants will discover the synergistic benefits of energy efficiency, renewable resources, water efficiency and climatic responsive design. For more information, visit lectures or call 480-312-3111.
CityCable 11 airs new shows
Watch these new programs produced by CityCable 11:
** Mayor and Council Breakfast: Scenic Drive 50th Anniversary: Speakers share the history of the Scenic Drive and what its future holds. This program won’t air until June on the channel, but you can watch it now online anytime at here.
** Heavy Metal: ARFF: The Scottsdale Airport is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the country. The Scottsdale Fire Department has a special apparatus for emergencies there - ARFF: Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting. Learn more about ARFF here.
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FUTURE EVENT SCHEDULE
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Jump into Mighty Mud Mania June 8
Mix dirt, water and fun for all ages and what do you get? Scottsdale’s Mighty Mud Mania. The 38th edition of this slimy celebration takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road. Activities are planned for all age groups -- 6 and younger, 7 to 13, over 13 and adults too! The younger group can enjoy the mini mud obstacle course, mud pits, sand castle building and an area dubbed “Mudville.” Children up to age 13 can try their skills in the original mud obstacle course, waterslides, sandcastle building and mud pits. New this year is the Extreme Mud Course, recommended for ages 13 and older. A $10 course fee is required for participants 18 and older. The fee supports Scottsdale youth programs. Entry into other Mighty Mud Mania events is free, but participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Vista del Camino food bank. For registration and more event information, call 480-312-0217 or email ccassano@scottsdaleaz.gov or visit Mighty Mud Mania.
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