City of Scottsdale issued the following announcement on Dec. 30.
Recycle your natural Christmas tree through Jan. 17. Large collection bins are available at these city parks: Eldorado, Chaparral, Scottsdale Ranch, Cactus, Horizon, Scottsdale Sports Complex and Thompson Peak. Live Christmas trees will be made into compost and save landfill space. We do not accept artificial trees, stands or ornaments. Single-family home residents can place Christmas trees in their green waste pile, separated from bulk trash, for collection on their scheduled brush/bulk service week.
Most city offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 31, and Saturday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s. Garbage and recycling collection will not be affected. Place your containers out by 5 a.m. the day of collection or the evening prior.
2022 brush/bulk and holiday schedule
Let's rally to make New Year's Eve celebrations COVID-19-free! Here are some tips to help ring in 2022 as safely as possible:
- If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
- Get tested ahead of your celebration. There's still time at most drive-through testing locations to get results and rapid home tests can be found for purchase at many retail outlets. Find a free, in-person testing spot.
- Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you're indoors.
- Choose an outside celebration instead of inside.
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 by the numbers. Maricopa County has been tracking COVID-19 cases since Jan. 22, 2020. Review the latest numbers.
CDC shortens recommended isolation and quarantine period to five days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new guidelines for those with COVID-19, reducing the isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five if no symptoms are present. Masks should be worn for five days after isolation is complete. According to the CDC, these guidelines align with science that shows transmission takes place one to two days prior to the onset of symptoms and two to three days after. Read more.
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for two new COVID-19 anti-viral pills, Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's molnupiravir. Both are believed to cut the risk of hospitalization by 89% if given within a few days of symptoms. In addition, both are expected to work against variants, including Omicron. The pills can be prescribed for patients who are at highest risk of severe disease.
The federal government has purchased 10 million doses of the anti-viral pills and distribution has already begun. Since these are the first at-home treatments for COVID-19, health officials hope these pills will help mitigate hospitalizations as cases continue to increase. According to the FDA, anti-viral medications are not a substitute for vaccines. The organization continues to encourage people to get vaccinated or boosted to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read how the pill works as well as its side effects.
The city is hosting another series of free vaccine events at community centers. We’re offering all three vaccination types at:
- Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St.: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28, Feb. 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25.
- Eldorado Park and Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road: 1-4 p.m. Jan. 17 and 31, Feb. 14 and 28, and March 14 and 28.
In addition, the city will host free second doses for those who received their first dose in mid-December at Scottsdale Stadium. They will be available from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, or Wednesday, Jan 12. All three vaccination types will be available – registration is not required; walk-ins are welcome.
THINGS TO DO
Scottsdazzle wraps up Saturday - don't miss out. There are only a handful of days left but still a lot of activities to celebrate the merriment and cheer of the holidays. There is something for everyone.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
- Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
- Old Town Farmers Market
- ArtWalk
A new year, a new you. Start the year off right with small, manageable changes to your lifestyle. Register for a fitness class or pick up a new hobby. Classes begin soon.
Take a jab at getting fit this year at Club SAR Boxing and Fitness Center. Scottsdale's Club SAR Boxing and Fitness Center is the perfect spot to meet your physical conditioning goals. Classes include Yoga, boxing, kickboxing, conditioning, spin, Tabata, Barre, rowing and weight training. Equipment includes a boxing ring, heavy bags, treadmills, bikes, stair climbers, rowers, elliptical machines, free weights, weight machines and full-court indoor basketball. Annual, three-month and one-month memberships are available at affordable prices.
Make a splash and earn some cash. If you're 15 or older, now's the time to become a certified lifeguard. The StarGuard lifeguard training certifies participants in rescues, basic first aid and CPR. Once you're certified, you're eligible to apply for a lifeguard position with the city and other places that use lifeguards.
Start your new year with a paper cleanse. Bring your personal and/or commercial documents to the "Shred It" event from 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box or bag.
FYI
Nonprofit Community Celebrating Diversity names 2021 Diversity Champions. Chris Haines, Angela Hughey and Alan “AP” Powell will be honored at the 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Wednesday, Jan. 12. Diversity Champions are individuals who exemplify King’s philosophy and “have enriched the community by empowering others.”
With 38 years in higher education, Haines has led educational initiatives to support marginalized and at-risk populations to reduce barriers to access, such as the Hannelly Center One Stop Enrollment Center at Phoenix College.
Hughey exemplifies leadership through her work within the LGBTQ+ community and the business and political communities in Arizona.
Powell is a serial entrepreneur, Gulf War veteran, philanthropist and a renowned strategic consultant developing relationships for Fortune 500 companies.
Learn more about the winners.
Motivational speaker Patricia Russell-McCloud headlines the dinner. She works to create an environment in which high achievement among young African Americans is the rule rather than the exception. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road. Learn more and register.
Original source can be found https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/news/scottsdale-update-dec-30-2021https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/news/scottsdale-update-dec-30-2021.
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