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March 25, 2010 ===== HEADLINE NEWS ===== -- Budget process and schedule -- Scottsdale PD now posting weekly crime reports -- Former Mayor Jenkins' memorial to be dedicated, March 27 -- Check your mailbox for Census form -- Appaloosa Library named "Most Sustainable Project" -- Saturday is last day for Citrus Drop-off Program ===== UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE ===== -- Friends of the Library host Cocktails and Cookbooks, March 26 -- Eldorado Park hosts Wedge Skate Park Competition, March 27 -- Spring Training continues through March -- Scottsdale Arts District presents Saturday Sounds concerts -- Sunday A'fairs continue on Civic Center Mall -- Scottsdale's Singing Cowboy strolls downtown through March -- Downtown offers free stagecoach rides this month -- Canal Concert Series takes place Sundays through March -- Celebration of Fine Arts continues through March 28 -- Party Before ArtWalk music series takes place Thursday evenings -- Native Trails continues through April on Civic Center Mall -- Attend Downtown Scottsdale's Farmers Market -- The Scottsdale ArtWalk takes place Thursdays -- LocalMotion Cultural Trolley Tours continue ===== GET INVOLVED IN YOUR GOVERNMENT ===== -- Water Safety Walk, March 27 -- Register for Neighborhood College Classes -- Public input on Greater Airpark Character Plan coming to a close ===== AT YOUR SERVICE -- UTILITY SCHEDULE AND MORE ===== -- March/April brush and bulk pick up schedule -- City offers roll-off containers at competitive prices -- Idling is a turn off! -- Call the city before you drain your pool -- Scottsdale Police remind us to Focus on Safety ===== PROGRAMS FOR YOU ===== -- City offers free landscape workshops -- AARP offers free tax assistance for eligible residents -- Scottsdale Parks and Recreation offers variety of classes -- Mediation available to Scottsdale residents -- Start or join a Neighborhood Watch -- Scottsdale accepting Environmental Design Award entries ===== FUTURE EVENT SCHEDULE ===== A listing of city events and programs scheduled in the coming weeks =============== HEADLINE NEWS =============== BUDGET PROCESS AND SCHEDULE Residents are invited to comment on the proposed city budget for the new fiscal year which begins July 1. The budget sets the maximum amount that can be spent on city operating expenses and capital projects over the next year. The budget will be discussed at Budget Review Commission and City Council meetings in April, May and June. All meetings begin at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. ** Thursday, April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 - Commission meetings to review operating and capital budgets and develop recommendations ** Tuesday, May 4 - Joint meeting to discuss Budget Review Commission recommendations ** Tuesday, May 18 - City Council budget hearing and tentative budget adoption ** Tuesday, June 8 - City Council Truth in Taxation hearing and final budget adoption For more information, or to review the proposed budget, go to www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov and click on the "Budget and Finance" link under "City News." The proposed budget will be available on April 1. Comments? Send them to budget@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. --- SCOTTSDALE PD NOW POSTING WEEKLY CRIME REPORT The Scottsdale Police Department is now posting a weekly crime report that can be found at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Police/newsPIO.asp. When viewing the document, please note: ** Addresses where incidents have occurred have been generalized to the hundred block and street name. ** Data is not comparable to official department Uniformed Crime Reporting counts. It is simply a list of crime reports completed by Scottsdale officers in the prior week. ** Only the following crimes are in the report: burglary, robbery, assault, trespass, theft, auto theft, shoplifting, beer run, criminal damage, sexual assault/abuse, indecent exposure, and murder. ** Due to reporting delays, not all crimes may be included in the weekly summary. If you have a question about a specific incident, contact the police Public Information Office at PIO@scottsdaleaz.gov. --- FORMER MAYOR JENKINS' MEMORIAL TO BE DEDICATED MARCH 27 The public is invited to the dedication of a memorial bench honoring former Scottsdale Mayor Bill Jenkins at 11 a.m. March 27 in front of City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Jenkins served as Mayor from 1974 to 1980 and as a City Council member from 1966 to 1974. During his tenure, Mayor Jenkins also taught social studies at Scottsdale High School -- just a short walk north from City Hall. Family and friends will honor Jenkins at the event. Mayor Jenkins guided Scottsdale through an era of rapid growth and challenging economic times. He witnessed the ground breaking and dedication of the Civic Center Mall and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Scottsdale garnered national attention for its innovation under Mayor Jenkins' leadership on the cost and administrative benefits of the city's fire protection contract with the Rural/Metro Corp. Mayor Jenkins passed away in July 2008. His tenure and community service are commemorated through a photo collection available at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/education/mayorjenkins.asp. --- CHECK YOUR MAILBOX FOR CENSUS FORM You can provide a great service to our community this year by filling out a quick Census survey. Start looking for the form in your mailbox. The 2010 Census form is the briefest questionnaire ever - only 10 questions - and takes about 10 minutes to complete. It's critical to get surveys returned for two reasons: local governments miss out on about $1,500 per person for every person missed, and the federal government saves about $90 million for every 1 percent increase in the response rate. For more information on the Census, visit http://2010.census.gov. --- APPALOOSA LIBRARY NAMED MOST SUSTAINABLE PROJECT The Arizona Commercial Real Estate Magazine recently named Appaloosa Library the winner of its Most Sustainable Project award. Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Dr., is a 21,500-square-foot full service branch library that features a teen center, early learning and story room, a café/newsroom, quiet lounge and study rooms. The library is designed to merit a LEED Gold rating with the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is a national standard for "green" buildings that use environmental techniques to conserve materials and resources, and reduce energy consumption while contributing to the health of its occupants. Environmentally-friendly features include low-water-use fixtures and the use of photovoltaic cells to provide some of the building's electricity. For more information about the award, visit http://azbigmedia.com/red/arizona-real-estate-development-awards. For more information on the Appaloosa Library, visit http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/main/appaloosa_facts.cfm --- SATURDAY IS LAST DAY FOR CITRUS DROP-OFF PROGRAM Scottsdale and Phoenix Arcadia residents are joining forces to remove citrus from area properties to help control the roof rat population. Saturday is the last day for the program. Residents are encouraged to drop off all viable/edible fruit from 8 a.m. to noon; commercial drop off will be from 8 to 10 a.m. and those wanting to pick up citrus can do so from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The program will be at the Elk's BPOE Scottsdale Lodge parking lot, 6398 E. Oak St. In addition, volunteers will be on site from 9 to 11 a.m. to provide information about rodent eradication, home-proofing and landscape care. Personal Use Bait Stations (PUBS) - used to house rodenticide - will also be available for $5 each. For more information about this program or roof rat mitigation, residents should contact the Arcadia NEIGHBORtoNEIGHBOR Campaign at (602) 273-0435, www.roofrat.net or the City of Scottsdale at (480) 312-3111, www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/health/roofrats/general.asp. To report a rat or for answers to health or safety questions, contact Maricopa County Vector Control at www.maricopa.gov/envsvc or (602) 506-6616. =================================== UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE =================================== FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY HOST COCKTAILS AND COOKBOOKS, MARCH 26 Attend Cocktails and Cookbooks, an evening to promote literacy in our community and in the kitchen. Presented by Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library, the event is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive. It features speaker Robin Miller, host of Food Network's Quick Fix Meals and author of Robin Rescues Dinner. Cost is $30 in advance or $40 at the door. All event proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization. Pre-register at www.foodieslikeus.com or call (480) 312-2420 for more information. --- ELDORADO PARK HOSTS WEDGE SKATE PARK COMPETITION, MARCH 27 Check out great board tricks Saturday, March 27, at Scottsdale's 11th Annual Wedge Skate Park Competition. The competition is for all ages and takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Eldorado Park skateboard facility, located east of Miller Road and just north of McDowell Road. There is an $8 pre-registration fee for those who want to compete. There will be a live DJ, giveaways and prizes for winners in each age group. For more information, call (480) 312-0217 or e-mail: dmiller@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. --- SPRING TRAINING CONTINUES THROUGH MARCH The San Francisco Giants have returned to Scottsdale for the 2010 Cactus League season. Tickets can be purchased by going to the Scottsdale Stadium box office, going online to www.sfgiants.com, or by calling (877) 473-4849. To purchase group tickets, season tickets or to reserve the press box suites, ramada or patio, call (415) 972-2209. To purchase tickets for the Charro Lodge and Pavilion, call (480) 990-2977 or visit www.charros.com/lodge. For a game schedule and shuttle information, go to http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/stadium/springtraining.asp. --- SCOTTSDALE ARTS DISTRICT PRESENTS SATURDAY SOUNDS CONCERTS Saturday Sounds Concerts are from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays through March on the northwest corner of Main Street and Marshall Way. The concerts are free and spotlight the best of the Valley's up-and-coming pop, rock and jazz musicians. Concerts are presented by the Scottsdale Arts District in conjunction with the Scottsdale Gallery Association and the city. For more information and a list of performers, visit www.scottsdalegalleries.com. --- SUNDAY A'FAIRS CONTINUE ON CIVIC CENTER MALL Grab a blanket or lawn chair and relax at an upcoming Sunday A'Fair from noon to 4 p.m. on March 28; and April 4 and 11. This free afternoon mini-festival takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, adjacent to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The event features concerts and performances by the Valley's top entertainers, a diverse selection of arts and crafts available for sale, hands-on activities for children and families and free docent-guided tours of the sculptures on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. For information on specific performers, call the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at (480) 994-ARTS or visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org. --- SCOTTSDALE'S SINGING COWBOY STROLLS DOWNTOWN DURING MARCH Singing Cowboy Gary Sprague and his trusty steed Dusty are in Downtown Scottsdale from 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday to serenade shoppers with Western classics and local folklore. Gary rides throughout Old Town, concluding his performance at the Rusty Spur Saloon, 7245 E. Main St. Call the Downtown Office at (480) 312-7750 for more information. --- DOWNTOWN OFFERS FREE STAGECOACH RIDES THIS MONTH You're invited to take a free stagecoach ride through Downtown Scottsdale from 1 to 4 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in March. You can catch the Stagecoach at Brown Avenue and Second Street, and while there, check out the Carriage Museum, a wonderful display of old carriages. Call the Downtown Office at (480) 312-7750 for more information. --- CANAL CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES SUNDAYS THROUGH MARCH 28 The Sunday Canal Concert Series continues in Downtown Scottsdale from 2 to 5 p.m. each Sunday through March 28. Performances are on the Stetson Plaza at the east side of the Marshall Way Bridge. For scheduled performances or more information, visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/downtown.asp or call (480) 312-7750. --- CELEBRATION OF FINE ARTS CONTINUES THROUGH MARCH 28 Watch art as it's being created as more than 100 artists set up working studios at Celebration of Fine Arts through March 28. Housed in the big white tents on Scottsdale Road, just south of Loop 101, Celebration presents a variety of art in all styles - from traditional to contemporary. For times and admission fees, call (480) 443-7695 or visit www.celebrateart.com. --- PARTY BEFORE ARTWALK MUSIC SERIES TAKES PLACE THURSDAY EVENINGS THROUGH APRIL The Party Before ArtWalk Music Series is from 6 to 9 p.m. each Thursday at the Metro Stage on Stetson Plaza at Southbridge near the Scottsdale Waterfront. Concerts spotlight the best of the Valley's up-and-coming pop, rock and jazz groups. The free series is presented by the Scottsdale Arts District in conjunction with the Scottsdale Gallery Association and the City of Scottsdale. For more information or a list of performers, visit www.scottsdalegalleries.com. --- NATIVE TRAILS CONTINUES THROUGH APRIL ON CIVIC CENTER MALL Native Trails, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, continues on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The series of free festivals runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. on most Thursdays and Saturdays through April and includes memorable musical performances and traditional dances. Tribes represented include Yavapai, Zuni, Pima-Maricopa, Hopi, Apache and Diné (Navajo). The event celebrates Native American society and focuses on the individual cultures of these Southwest tribes. Performers present their history, pottery, textiles and more to introduce attendees to the diverse lifestyles. Each performance ends in an audience-participation round dance that draws in the crowd and completes the educational journey. Visit www.ScottsdaleNativeTrails.com for a complete schedule. --- ATTEND DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE'S FARMERS MARKET The charm and convenience of a farmers market is available in at the Old Town Farmers Market. It's held 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through May, on the southwest corner of First Street and Brown Avenue. The market features a wonderful selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, organic produce and socializing. Call the Downtown Office at (480) 312-7750 for more information. --- THE SCOTTSDALE ARTWALK TAKES PLACE THURSDAYS The Scottsdale ArtWalk takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday in the Scottsdale Arts District, Main Street and Marshall Way. For more information, call (480) 945-8475 or visit www.scottsdalegalleries.com. --- LOCALMOTION CULTURAL TROLLEY TOURS CONTINUE Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours provide free Cultural Trolley tours of Downtown Scottsdale take place at 10:30 a.m. the second Saturday of every month. The tours begin at the Old Town Farmer's Market parking lot on the northwest corner of Brown and Second Street. From there, attendees tour the Old Mission and then board a trolley for a two-hour guided tour of the arts district, Civic Center campus, Hotel Valley Ho, Southbridge and the Waterfront. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (480) 634-6850. =============================================== GET INVOLVED: PARTICIPATE IN YOUR GOVERNMENT =============================================== WATER SAFETY WALK, MARCH 27 The Fourth Annual Walk for Water Safety will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27. Scottsdale Fire Department has partnered with Cardon Children's Medical Center and other Valley fire departments for the program. These agencies are united to educate the community about drowning prevention and to work toward a common goal: zero drownings in 2010. Organizers are targeting visits to 60,000 homes Valleywide to distribute information about water safety. Besides Scottsdale, this year's event also will include walks in Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Apache Junction, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek. For more information about water safety, visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/fire/preventdrownings. --- REGISTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD COLLEGE CLASSES Registration is ongoing for Scottsdale's Neighborhood College, a series of free classes where residents and homeowner association board members can receive the information, resources and tools needed to become effective neighborhood leaders. Pre-registration is required. The remaining March and April class schedule follows. For a complete schedule, class description or to register, call (480) 312-2342, e-mail jracine@scottsdaleaz.gov or visit http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/departments/planning/NeighborhoodServices/college. ** HOA Budgeting, Financials and Reserves: Monday, April 5, 6 to 7:45p.m., Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St. ** What Can the City do for You?: Wednesday, April 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Room #4 ** Insurance for You and Your HOA: Monday, April 12, 6 to 7:45 p.m., Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St. ** Managing HOAs During Tough Economic Times: Thursday, April 15, 6 to 7:45 p.m., Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St. ** Self-Managed or Professionally-Managed...Selecting the Right Management Company: Monday, April 19, 6 to 7:45 p.m., Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St. ** What does the Fair Housing Act mean for an HOA?: Wednesday, April 21, 6 to 7:45 p.m., Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St. --- PUBLIC INPUT ON GREATER AIRPARK CHARACTER PLAN COMING TO CLOSE The city is hosting an open house to update residents and get feedback about the Greater Airpark Character Area Plan. This is the last phase of public outreach before the Planning Commission and City Council consider adopting the plan later this year. The Open House will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, at WestWorld's Brett's Barn, 16601 N. Pima Road. City planners have been working with community members for the last several months on this plan. Topics to be discussed include wayfinding, land use changes, types of development, expansion of regional use overlay, neighborhoods, design and aviation. For details, visit www. ScottsdaleAZ.gov/planning/areaplans/GreaterAirparkCAP.asp or e-mail airparkplan @ScottsdaleAZ.gov. ================== AT YOUR SERVICE ================== MARCH/APRIL BRUSH AND BULK PICK UP 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: ** Bell Road to Cholla Street and Dynamite Boulevard to northern city limits: Week of March 29. ** Cholla Street to McDonald Drive and Dynamite Boulevard to Happy Valley Road - includes Sundown Drive between Cactus Road and Shea Boulevard: Week of April 5. ** Happy Valley Road to Pinnacle Peak Road and McDonald Drive to Thomas Road: Week of April 12. ** Pinnacle Peak Road to Bell Road and Thomas Road to McKellips Road: Week of April 19. For more information, contact the city's Solid Waste Management Division (480) 312-5600 or visit http://www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/recycle. --- CITY OFFERS ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS AT COMPETITIVE PRICES Did you know the city offers competitive rates on 20, 30 and 40-yard roll-off containers? If you are planning a remodeling or a large yard project, call (480) 312-5600 for an estimate. --- IDLING IS A TURN OFF! Today's cars burn more fuel in just 30 seconds of idling than they do during a restart. So turn off your car, then restart it. For more information about air quality or city environmental programs, go to http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Topics/EnvironmentPreservation.asp or call the Environmental Hotline at (480) 312-7899. --- CALL THE CITY BEFORE YOU DRAIN YOUR POOL If your home has a swimming pool and needs to be drained at any time for repairs or maintenance, contact Water Resources at (480) 312-5650 before doing so. Your home's sewer system drains into a sewer main that must first pass through one of the city's sewer lift stations on its way to the wastewater treatment plant. Notifying the city first will allow sewer system operators to prepare for the increase in flow. --- SCOTTSDALE POLICE REMIND US TO FOCUS ON SAFETY The annual number of automobile collisions in Scottsdale dropped last year from the previous 10-year average of 4,900 collisions to nearly 4,000. Fatalities dropped 70 percent from the 10-year average of 17 per year to five in 2009. Though the numbers have decreased, one preventable fatality is too many. So far this year Scottsdale's roadways have seen five serious collisions, four of which involved pedestrians walking across the street and one involved a bicyclist riding with traffic. Please remember to Focus on Safety, whether you are walking, riding a bicycle or driving your car. All travelers must be aware of their surroundings, obey traffic laws and be visible to every other type of user on the road. It's everyone's responsibility to know the rules of the road. For safety tips, visit http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/traffic/GOHS.asp. ================== PROGRAMS FOR YOU ================== CITY OFFERS FREE LANDSCAPE WORKSHOPS Help get your garden off to a good start by attending free Water Conservation Spring 2010 Landscape Workshops. From pruning to edible gardening to drip irrigation design and maintenance, there is a class for everyone. Workshops are held evenings at the Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E Via Linda, and some Saturdays at the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden, 5601 N Hayden Road. Advanced registration is required for all workshops and can be made by going online to www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Water/Conservation/workshops/WorkshopReg.asp or by calling (480) 312-5690. Confirmations will be provided. The remaining workshops include: ** March 25 - Landscape Makeover: This new workshop teaches you how to properly turn your grass yard into exciting outdoor living spaces for your family. ** March 30 - Program Your Irrigation Timer: This hands-on workshop will provide you with step-by-step instructions for setting and adjusting your irrigation timer. For more water conservation tips or information on the free landscape workshops, visit http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Water/Conservation.asp. --- AARP OFFERS FREE TAX ASSISTANCE FOR ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS The AARP Tax-Aide program is available to help individuals, families and elderly taxpayers of low to moderate income prepare and file their income tax returns - free of charge. Electronic filing is available at each site. These free AARP tax preparation sites are open through April 15: ** Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road, (480) 312-1700 ** Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, (480) 312-5810 ** Paiute Neighborhood Center, 6535 E. Osborn Road, (480) 312-0040 Bring the following information: ** Last year's tax return ** SSA-1099 form if you were paid Social Security Benefits ** W-2's and 1099-R's from any and all employment, pension, or IRA distribution ** All other 1099's for interest, dividends, and brokerage statements ** Your COST BASIS on any stocks or bonds you sold in 2009 ** If you bought a home, condo or co-op in 2009 or 2010 and think you may be eligible for the home-buyer credit, bring the closing statement ** If you paid property taxes in 2009, bring the tax statement even if you don't itemize ** If you bought a new car or motorcycle in 2009, bring the purchase document even if you don't itemize --- SCOTTSDALE PARKS AND RECREATION OFFERS A VARIETY OF CLASSES You can preview upcoming recreation programs online before the printed brochure is out. The summer catalogue covers classes, events and programs taking place June through August, as well as the upcoming fall after-school programs. View these programs and more online starting April 4 at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/sports/brochure. From billiards and salsa to golf and dance classes, you'll find something to please everyone. Get out, get fit and get active with Scottsdale Parks and Recreation! Questions? Call (480) 312-7957. --- MEDIATION AVAILABLE TO SCOTTSDALE RESIDENTS The city's Mediation Program can help residents solve neighborhood issues, providing a way for community members to resolve conflicts themselves, in a peaceful and civil manner. Assisted by a skilled mediator, people are able to talk to each other in order to seek a mutually satisfactory solution. The mediator will not make decisions, but will guide the disputing neighbors toward a resolution. The process is free, private and voluntary. If you have an issue with your neighbor that you would like to resolve, call (480) 312-2342 or access a mediation request form at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/departments/CNR/Mediation_Program.asp. --- START OR JOIN A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH 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 Neighborhood Watch program, visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Police/events/Neighborhood_watch.asp. --- SCOTTSDALE ACCEPTING ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AWARD ENTRIES The city is inviting interested parties to submit entries for the Scottsdale Environmental Design Awards (SEDA). The goal of SEDA is to encourage and recognize aesthetically expressive, sustainable projects. The awards program serves to educate the public and acknowledge design quality that engages in the challenges of our environmental climate. The program will be held every other year. The city's Environmental Quality Advisory and Development Review boards (EQAB & DRB), Scottsdale Section American Institute of Architects - Phoenix Metro Chapter (Scottsdale and northeast section), American Society of Landscape Architects - Arizona Chapter, and Sources+Design Publications are sponsoring the program. Members of these organizations will serve on the selection panel. They are not eligible to submit projects. Program Timeline: ** Through May 20: Call for entries ** May 20, 4 p.m. (MST): Entry deadline ** May 20 - 30: Selection process ** June: Notify award recipients ** June 17: Winners recognized at EQAB and DRB meetings ** Summer: Winners recognized at City Council meeting Projects eligible for consideration can be residential, commercial or environmental and must be located in Scottsdale. There are no entry fees. For specific eligibility and submission requirements, visit http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/departments/planning/OEI/SEDA.asp, or call city staff Tim Conner at (480) 312-7833 or Steve Venker (480) 312-2831. ======================= FUTURE EVENT SCHEDULE ======================= CROSS CULTURAL FILM SERIES PRESENTS "A DREAM IN DOUBT" Frank Roque gunned down Balbir Singh Sodhi at his Mesa gas station four days after the 9/11 attacks. To Roque, Sodhi's beard and turban-articles of his Sikh faith-symbolized the face of America's new enemy. "A Dream in Doubt," the final in the city's Cross Cultural Film series, follows Rana Singh, Sodhi's brother, as he attempts to fight the hate threatening his family and community. The free program will be at noon Tuesday, April 6, at Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., and 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8, at Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St. To register or for more information, go to www.scottsdalelibrary.org, or call (480) 312-7323 (READ) or the Office of Diversity and Dialogue at (480) 312-7772. --- SLOW FOOD PHOENIX FEATURES SCOTTSDALE SCHOOL GARDENS, APRIL 10 Scottsdale Community College and the Arcadia Learning Center will be featured in the Slow Food Phoenix School Garden Open House and Tour from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10. In addition to the Arcadia Learning Center garden, 11 other Valley school gardens and Roots & Shoots, a community garden at Scottsdale Community College, will be showcased. Each garden is unique, and tour participants can choose from gardens specializing in edible plants to others that feature desert adapted plants. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak to the gardeners, teachers and students, and participate in interactive gardening activities at each location. They also will learn how a school garden can compliment and enrich the educational process. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children, and are available at www.schoolgardentour.eventbrite.com. One ticket entitles tour participants to visit as many gardens as they choose. For more information, e-mail info@slowfoodphoenix.org or contact Lindsey Burke at (602) 703-3725 or LindseyLeeBurke@gmail.com. --- NATIONAL BARBECUE COMPETITION TO TAKE PLACE IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE The Arizona Barbecue Festival will set Downtown Scottsdale aflame April 9-10 as 50 BBQ teams ranging from world champions to eager first-timers will compete for $20,000 in prize money. Kicking off Friday, April 9, is the opening night VIP dinner featuring local celebrity chefs. Dinner will be paired with fine wines and spirits as well as entertainment. Saturday, April 10, is the main event. Beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m., guests will enjoy $2 samples (half to charity) of the competitive barbecue while listening to live music, browsing the on-site farmer's market and watching cooking demos by celebrity chefs. Attendees can enter a Texas Hold-Em contest, vote on a beauty pageant, walk through the expo of green exhibitors and let the kids loose in the Kid's Zone. Guests can also visit the BBQ expo for any BBQ equipment needs. Tickets to the VIP Dinner are $150; general admission to Saturday's main event is $10 (free for kids younger than 12); access into VIP tent is $50. To enter the competition or to purchase tickets, visit www.azBBQfestival.com. Select proceeds from all profits will benefit Operation Homefront, www.operationhomefront.net, a nonprofit that provides aid to the families of enlisted American military. --- CYCLE THE ARTS, APRIL 11 Hop on your bicycle and get an up close, personal look at Scottsdale's public art at the Fifth Annual Cycle the Arts Sunday, April 11, beginning at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. It's free, fun for the entire family and features over a dozen works of art. Learn interesting facts about each public art piece along the 10-mile route. There also will be a 21-mile route option for more ambitious cyclists. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. with riders departing at 9 a.m. on this self-guided tour. Designated ride leaders also will be available. For your safety, helmets are required. For more information, go to www.scottsdaleaz.gov/traffic and click on "Bikeways." -- CULINARY ARTS FESTIVAL ON THE CIVIC CENTER MALL Scottsdale Culinary Arts Festival is set for April 13-18 on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. Enjoy wine, food and music at the Great American Picnic. As the longest running festival of its kind in the United States, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival draws more than 40,000 visitors looking to enjoy fabulous food, fun and festivities. Visit www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org for more information. --- DESERT DOG REGIONAL POLICE K-9 TRIALS, APRIL 17 & 18 Watch a lively police dog competition featuring police K-9 teams from around the Southwest. The Desert Dog Regional Police K-9 Trials take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, at Scottsdale Stadium, northeast corner of Osborn Road and Drinkwater Boulevard. A $1 donation is requested for public entry. For more information, visit www.desertdogk9trials.com or call (602) 509-2498. --- SENIOR CENTERS' VARIETY SHOW MOVES TO CENTER FOR THE ARTS It'll be bigger and better than ever! The Senior Centers' annual variety show, Entertainment Extravaganza, moves to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts this year. The event starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at the Center, 7380 E. Second St. Valley favorite jazz and blues vocalist Margo Reed will make a special guest appearance at the event. Inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2004, Margo brings the spirits of Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith onto the stage with every performance, and has brought joy to Phoenix listeners for nearly 40 years. The event features seniors singing, dancing, performing comedy skits and acts of bravery. Admission is free with a canned food donation. Anyone interested in participating or needing more information can call (480) 312-1700. --- For a complete list of Scottsdale events, visit http://www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/events/. For Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts events, visit http://tickets.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/tickets/calendar.aspx or call (480) 994-ARTS. For Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts events, visit http://www.smoca.org/ or call (480) 874-4682. =============================================================== You can view a video version of Scottsdale City Update each day at 7:55 a.m., 3:55 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. on Cox Channel 11, the City of Scottsdale municipal cable television channel. To reach Scottsdale Update, mail to: jhorne@ScottsdaleAZ.gov ______________________________________________________ For information on requesting disability-related accommodation for events, meetings or programs, to request print materials in alternate format, or other necessary accommodations, please visit http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/accessible/accommodations.asp. Requests should be made of the contact person for that particular activity or program, or by contacting the City of Scottsdale ADA Coordinator at dlabrecque@scottsdaleaz.gov. ______________________________________________________