City of Scottsdale issued the following announcement on Feb. 3.
HEADLINE NEWS
Be a part of the Scottsdale Tourism Strategic Plan’s community survey. The city, in partnership with Experience Scottsdale, is developing a Tourism Strategic Plan to determine and identify sustainable growth, expansion and management opportunities, while enhancing the city’s long-term quality of life for residents and visitors. In preparation, the city is conducting a survey about living, working and playing in Scottsdale. The responses will help us better understand the community experience, as well as identify how we can protect, improve and enhance Scottsdale’s economic prosperity. Help us by taking this 10-minute survey by Feb. 22.
Barrett-Jackson breaks records at WestWorld. This year’s auction was the most successful in Barrett-Jackson’s 50-year history, raising $8.8 million for charities. Barrett-Jackson earned around $195.9 million with a 100% sell-through rate on 1,841 cars and $7.3 million on 1,153 pieces of automobilia for a total of over $203.2 million. Additionally, thousands of fans attended during the nine-day auction and millions tuned in digitally for this record-breaking event.
Investing in our Scottsdale: The city completed a critical project in January to replace the aged battery backup system for Scottsdale’s Public Safety Radio Network. Despite the challenges created by COVID-19, the Information Technology Radio Engineering team completed this project, approved by voters in the 2019 Bond Election, within budget and on schedule. We use these batteries when there is a commercial power interruption; they provide the critical link between commercial power and generator power, ensuring police and fire radios continue to transmit life-critical and time-sensitive information during power interruptions. The city installed the old batteries in 2010 which had an average lifespan of seven years. The team maintained the health of these battery systems for 12 years through specialized maintenance and management providing considerable savings while ensuring these units were functional and not vulnerable to a power outages.
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 by the numbers. Maricopa County has been tracking COVID-19 cases since Jan. 22, 2020. Review the latest numbers.
Vaccines and boosters save lives, and we’re doing our part to help make testing and vaccinations more accessible.
- In partnership with Vincere Cancer Center, the city is administering rapid COVID-19 testing for active infection (PCR and antigen), Influenza A+B tests and vaccinations by appointment at the following locations. Testing is available to everyone, 3 years and older. PCR test results will be available by the end of the next business day via email. Antigen results will be available onsite. Appointments are required for vaccines and recommended for testing; walk-ups are accepted until 3 p.m.
- Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road: Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. COVID-19 testing only, no vaccinations; Fridays: 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. COVID-19 testing, vaccinations by appointment only
- Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.: Wednesdays: 9 a.m.-3:35 p.m. COVID-19 testing; vaccinations by appointment only from noon-3:45 p.m.
- In partnership with the Maricopa County Public Health Department, Scottsdale Community College offers testing 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through February. Testing is open to the public and appointments aren’t necessary.
- Free vaccine events continue through March at community centers. We’re offering the Pfizer vaccine (5 and older), and the Janssen and Moderna (both for 18 and older) vaccines:
- Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St.: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25.
- Eldorado Park and Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road: 1-4 p.m. Feb. 14 and 28, and March 14 and 28.
Find information about free vaccines, boosters and testing for Scottsdale residents.
Be aware of fake COVID-19 testing sites. Scammers have created fake and unauthorized at-home testing kits and fake COVID-19 testing sites. These sites can be hard to spot. They look real, with legitimate-looking signs, tents, hazmat suits, and realistic-looking tests. The damage they can cause is very real. The Federal Trade Commission is hearing reports of these sites claiming to have “free tests” — but then you’re later billed — and sometimes never receive the test that was promised. Representatives at fake sites are taking people’s personal information, including Social Security numbers, credit card information and other health information — which can be used for identity theft or to run up your credit card bill. Don’t be a victim – the city hosts several legitimate testing sites (see above).
The federal government shipped 400 million free non-surgical N95 face masks to distribution sites nationwide. N-95 masks are said to be more effective against the omicron variant of COVID-19 because they fit tighter against the face and the material used in them is more tightly woven. People may receive three masks per person. Check with your local pharmacy for availability.
FDA halts two antibody treatments; not effective against Omicron variant. The Food and Drug Administration has stopped the use of two COVID-19 antibody drugs because the treatments don’t work against the Omicron variant. Health experts say as the coronavirus changes and mutates so too do the treatments needed to prevent severe illness or death. When omicron infections started to outnumber the Delta infections, health care professionals had to figure out which antibody treatment worked best for the patient.
New Omicron variant vaccine is in testing. Pfizer and Moderna have both started clinical trials to test a new version of vaccine specifically designed to target the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Moderna administered its first dose last Wednesday to a Phase 2 study participant. U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which has been available through emergency use authorization since last December.
THINGS TO DO
Western Week: Old Town Scottsdale transforms into an authentic Old West experience for the entire family. Connect with Old Town's history through Western and Native American festivals, art walks, the Hashknife Pony Express and the Parada del Sol. We will be spotlighting specific events closer to the week. Western Week runs through Sunday, Feb. 6.
Highlights:
- Gold Palette ArtWalk: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, Scottsdale Arts District. This month’s Gold Palette ArtWalk is dedicated to the theme of Western Week with entertainment, music and special offerings at participating galleries.
- 64th Annual Hashknife Pony Express Arrival: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. This free event features the “Hashknife Boot Camp” for kids, free museum admission, live entertainment, family-friendly games, storytelling, crafts, face painting, onsite food trucks and more. At noon, the Hashknife Pony Express arrives in Scottsdale and delivers more than 20,000 pieces of mail to the U.S. Postal Service at the front steps of the museum. Come and witness the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world. Marshall Way will be closed north of Second Street from 6 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Parada del Sol and Trails End Festival: Parade - 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 5; Trails End Festival - noon-4 p.m., Historic Old Town. A celebration of the city’s past, present and future, the Parada del Sol Parade boasts more than 100 entries including colorful floats, mounted horse-riders, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, wagons and stagecoaches representing many cultures from Mexican to Native American to Arabian to Western. At the culmination of the parade, the Historic Old Town District becomes the setting for a Western-style block party with a kids’ area, pony rides, food and merchandise vendors, and multiple stages with live entertainment from today’s popular bands to traditional performers. Traffic restrictions will be in place. View the route map. Scottsdale Road, north of Indian School Road and south of Second Street closes at 4 a.m. and will reopen immediately following the parade and street cleanup at about 1 p.m. Streets within the Festival footprint, Scottsdale Road between Second Street and Indian School Road, remain closed until 6 p.m.
- Arizona Native Edible Experience: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, Western Spirit: Scottsdale Museum of the West. This event kicks off the Arizona Indian Festival. The evening presents a rich tapestry of Native Arizona through its history, food, people, music and culture and aims to bring together multiple Native communities to highlight and celebrate the contributions of Arizona’s Native peoples. A limited number of tickets are available for $25.
- Arizona Indian Festival: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, Old Town. The Arizona Indian Festival provides awareness of Arizona’s indigenous communities by creating an inclusive inter-tribal event celebrating culture, traditional arts, crafts and foods, as well as innovations and trends in cultural tourism experiences in Arizona. The event takes place between First Street and the Old Town Parking Corral parking lot at Brown Avenue and Second Street. The north half of the Old Town Parking Corral will close Thursday, Feb. 3; with the remaining half closing Feb. 4; First Street will close at 6 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4. The lot and streets reopen at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6.
City hosts gnarly Wedge Hangout event. Drop by Eldorado’s Wedge Skatepark at Eldorado Park from 1 – 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, for this free event featuring a live DJ, food, vendors, raffle prizes and more. The Wedge Skatepark, 7650 E. McDowell Road, features a 20,000-square-foot facility that has a fun box, amoeba bowl, launch box, quarter-pipe, pyramid, curbs and rails.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
- ArtWalk
- Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market: Important – The farmers market will not be held Saturday, Feb. 5, due to the Parada.
Protect your identity by bringing your personal and/or commercial documents to the shredding event Saturday. It runs from 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box. Learn more.
Plug into Electronics Recycling Collection Day Saturday. Scottsdale residents can recycle unwanted electronics from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at the city's Corporation Yard, 9191 E. San Salvador. Items accepted include computer, office and entertainment equipment.
Green Building presents free webinar: “Living an Edible Landscape Life for Homes & Neighborhood Schools.” Environmental artist and garden educator Joan Baron, along with outdoor educator Kelly Hedberg, will lead us on a virtual tour of the Rover Elementary School garden. They will share seasonal planting ideas along with valuable tips to help you grow successful edible gardens. The webinar begins at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. Register.
Drop the kids off and enjoy a parent’s night out. Bring the kids to Horizon Community Center for our annual Valentine's Day celebration from 6:15-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Recreation staff will provide supervised activities including a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, pizza, ice cream sundaes and much more. The event is open for those 6-12 years old. Cost is $18 per child. Registration is limited; sign up today.
Love is in the air at the Granite Reef Senior Center’s Valentine’s lunch. Dance to your favorite songs, and enjoy delicious food, fun and games. The event starts at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14. Space is limited, so make sure you register in advance. Register by calling 480-312-1700 or online. Cost is $7 for residents; $10 for nonresidents.
FYI
Make a splash and earn some cash. Scottsdale Aquatics is looking for lifeguards and swim instructors to work at our pools throughout the year. We offer classes if you need to be certified: Monday, Feb. 7, at McDowell Mountain Ranch and Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Eldorado. The cost is $115 for residents; $170 for nonresidents. We offer fee reimbursement to those who end up getting hired with the city. Sign up.
February is American Heart Month – Wear red tomorrow. Through the “Go Red for Women” movement, the American Heart Association encourages people to take action to improve their health. “Wear Red Day” Feb. 4 … crank up the tunes, get on your feet and wear red to raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year. Post a picture of yourself in red and tag @AHAArizona and use #PHXGoRed and #WearRedDay on social media.
Learn how to destress to decrease your risk of heart disease. Chronic stress has been linked to high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and other health issues. Help protect your heart and overall well-being by finding healthy ways to manage stress. Try these tips:
- Take a daily walk
- Make a heart-healthy meal
- Have a good laugh
- Unplug
- Set a timer for sleep
Original source can be found here.
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