NE Valley Times

HEADLINE NEWS 

Remember to cast your ballot for general election. Maricopa County offers "vote anywhere" Vote Centers that are open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. , Election Day. Find a Vote Center. You also can download a list of Scottsdale sites (PDF). The city share election results after 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Scottsdale. Vote. 

Veterans Day events and information:

Scottsdale Veterans Day commemoration features Rose Mattie, combat veteran and Blackhawk pilot. The commemoration will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road. It is free and open to the public. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band kicks off the program with a half-hour of patriotic music. Community historian and Air Force veteran Joan Fudala is also part of the program along with the Scottsdale Police and Fire Honor Guard; bugler and Army veteran Gil Gifford; and members of Scottsdale Mayor’s Youth Council. Learn more about keynote speaker Rose Mattie and other local Veterans Day commemorations and information.Civic Center Library hosts Top Gun Larry Ernst. Ernst flew more than 100 combat missions from the deck of the USS Kitty Hawk as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War. During more than 25 years of military service, he accumulated more than 4,500 hours of flying time in 36 different aircraft and served as both a test pilot and as a fighter pilot instructor at the Navy’s famed TOP GUN program. 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9. Learn more: ScottsdaleLibrary.org, search “events” We’re honoring 30 veterans through the Scottsdale Salutes program. The Veterans Advisory Commission initiated the program as part of its charge to elevate awareness and appreciation for veterans in the community. More than 50 local veterans and service members – people from Scottsdale along with current and former residents, were considered. The inaugural group of honorees was selected to represent each service branch and each service era to the extent possible. Learn about the honorees. Banners honoring the selected veterans are flying through Nov. 21, along Drinkwater Boulevard from Osborn to Scottsdale roads. Most city offices are closed for Veterans Day. Recycling and garbage collections are not affected. Place your containers in their typical spot by 5 a.m. the morning of collection or the evening prior.Mayor Ortega proclaimed November as National American Indian Heritage Month in Scottsdale. Native American Awareness Week began in 1976, and the recognition was expanded by Congress in 1990, designating a full month of recognition each November. Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized Tribal Nations. Nearest to Scottsdale are the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Gila River Indian Community. We recognize indigenous peoples as the original inhabitants of the Americas and as rich cultures who have contributed a great deal to the world we know today. Read the proclamation.

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. Here’s what’s coming up: Planning Commission – 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9

Housing Governing Board – 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10Human Services Advisory Commission – 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve. Find more public meetings.

THINGS TO DO

Canal Convergence continues through Nov. 13 at the Scottsdale Waterfront to celebrate 10 years of Water + Art + Light. This year’s event presents light-based public art and programming with themes from the past and present to provide an authentic and immersive art experience. Hours are 6-9 p.m. through Thursday, Nov. 10; 6-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, and Saturday, Nov. 12; and 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 (closing night).

Highlights: Canopy is a grove of six, illuminated, tree-like sculptures that continuously transform in shape and color as participants power them through bike-driven generators. The artwork provides a firsthand experience with green electricity generation.

The Herberger Stage at Soleri Plaza will feature nightly music and spoken word performances. Get details about this year’s event.Around the world in 80 minutes: “Travel” to all eight Scottsdale Sister Cities through a multi-media presentation. Visit Kingston, Killarney, Interlaken, Marrakech, Uasin Gishu, Cairns, Haikou and Alamos with spotlights on tourism, culture, member trips, and economic and student exchanges. The free program takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Get details.SMoCA debuts ASU partnership project addressing air quality issues: “The Air Around Us.” This arts and engineering initiative aspires to increase the visibility of poor air quality across the Valley. The project features a series of glass sculptures shaped like organs — brain, heart and lungs — that illuminate from within. The color displayed within the organs will visualize real-time air quality conditions from a network of sensors. The exhibit is on display through Feb. 12, 2023. Learn more.

Scottsdale Library presents Hometown Happy Hour – unique and entertaining stories about our community. The 2022 series includes: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, Appaloosa Library: “Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Program” by award-winning architect Doug Sydnor. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, Mustang Library. Scottsdale as a “Mecca for the Fabulous and Fashionable of the Southwest” by community Historian Joan Fudala. 

Registration isn't required, but space is limited. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Get details for each program on the library’s online calendar. 

Scottsdale Stadium continues to host “fall ball” with the Scottsdale Scorpions. Operated by Major League Baseball, the Arizona Fall League emerged in 1992 to bring together some of the top minor league prospects during the off-season. Fun fact: NBA great Michael Jordan played on the Scorpions squad in 1994. The championship game will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Scottsdale Stadium. Get the schedule and learn how to buy tickets.

Day of the Dog – head to the “ulti-mutt” event for you and your pup. Events include Running of the Bulls (French and English Bulldog races); wiener dog chihuahua and corgi races; and a puppy stampede. The festival takes place 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13, in Old Town Scottsdale. Get details.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts gears up for the holiday season with a bunch of incredible performance. Here’s what’s happening in November:

Alan Cumming is Not Acting His Age – 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12: He has won a Tony, hosted the Tonys and been nominated for an Emmy for doing so. He made back-to-back films with Stanley Kubrick and the Spice Girls. Vienna Boys Choir – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15:  It has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and diverse repertoire, which includes everything from medieval to contemporary to experimental music. Matthew Whitaker – 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19: WBGO jazz radio describes pianist Matthew Whitaker is the winner of the 2019 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award.Altan: Donegal to Scottsdale – 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20: With a Celtic spirit culled from the rich musical traditions of their native County Donegal, Altan explores the expanse of Irish music, from lovely old tunes to lively jigs and reels. 

Jake Shimabukuro’s Christmas in Hawai’i -- 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26: ‘Ukulele master and jolly ambassador of aloha Jake Shimabukuro will bring joy to the world this upcoming holiday season by delivering a special gift for all with his eclectic holiday show.

Learn more and buy tickets.McDowell Sonoran Conservancy offers November programs: 

Raptor Rehabilitation – 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, Pima/Dynamite Trailhead: Wild at Heart, a local raptor rescue organization, will provide an up-close encounter with several rescued birds of prey. 

Nature's Medicine Cabinet Educational Walk – 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, Brown’s Ranch Trailhead: Take a global look at the importance of plants and their physical properties and how they were used throughout the centuries to aid human well-being. Nature as Therapy Walk – 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, Brown’s Ranch Trailhead: Learn how to use nature as a prescription to improve your overall well-being.Preserve Origins Educational Walk – noon Sunday, Nov. 27, Fraesfield Trailhead: A Scottsdale preserve pioneer will walk and talk about the history of this Preserve.The Full Story of Pueblo Grande (or at Least a Few Chapters) – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, Virtual: This presentation will combine a brief history of the archaeology of Pueblo Grande, its role in the surrounding archaeology, and its value as a resource for preservation archaeology. Zoom link available on our website calendar.Get more information for all the program listed. 

Civil War Roundtable features author and historian David Dixon, discussing “August Willich’s Civil War: Radical International Revolution.” Dixon's free lecture will examine the career of Willich who was prominent in the German war of revolution in 1848-1849 and a superb general during the American Civil War. Dixon will highlight Willich's transformation from his Prussian aristocratic life to revolutionary and later a citizen. The Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable meets Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. The lecture starts at 5 p.m.; doors open at 4 p.m. for book sales and speaker meet and greet. You can also join virtually: https://scottsdale.libnet.info/event/6680625.

“The Arizona Native Edible Experience” takes place at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. This event features traditional and contemporary Native cuisine, art, a silent auction, curated films and live performances. Attend 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the museum. Learn more and get ticket prices.

Ongoing: 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 Scottsdale Farmers Market: The market features more than 100 local growers and specialty food producers. It runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through June at 3806 N. Brown Ave.

Second Saturdays @SMoCA: Make contemporary art a family tradition. Solve a puzzle, create a wearable art pendant and explore the museum. Noon-3 p.m.Get more events information.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Club SAR, the city’s stand-alone fitness center, provides affordable options. Club SAR provides fitness classes such as yoga, spin, barre, kickboxing and rowing, as well as free weights, weight and cardio machines, locker rooms and showers. Annual, three-month and one-month memberships are available for those 14 and older, and daily drop-in use. Learn more about Club SAR.

Neighborhood College offers November programs. Register for one or all! Some presentations are offered in-person and online. 

'Til Death Do Us Part: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road, and on Zoom. Scottsdale Fact or Fiction: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15; or 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. Protect your identity by bringing your personal and/or commercial documents to the shredding event Saturday. It runs from 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box. Learn more.    

FYI

The chilly weather has finally arrived. Scottsdale Fire reminds you to prep your fireplace. Now that there’s a chill in the air, people are lighting their fireplaces. Be aware that fireplaces and chimneys account for 42 percent of all home heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Keep your holidays and winter season from getting smoked out by following these simple steps before lighting the logs:

Clean out the chimney at least once a year.  Check the structure for cracks, loose bricks or missing mortar.

Cap the chimney with wire-mesh covers to keep out animals, weather and debris.

Select dense, seasoned wood to burn. Green wood can build up creosote that can cause chimney fires. Keep fires small so they don’t burn too hot and crack the chimney.

Use kindling rather than flammable liquids to start the fire.Use a spark guard to keep errant embers from shooting out of the firebox.

Reminder: Leave no trace in the preserve. With the holiday season upon us and more people throughout Scottsdale, we remind everyone to leave no trace in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Protect it as a natural space for people and wildlife to enjoy. The obvious items not to leave include dog waste, litter and graffiti. Please don’t leave holiday decorations either. While festive and fun, these items can be hazardous to wildlife and go against our leave no trace policy. Enjoy the desert's natural decorations such as the occasional quartz rock, a late blooming cactus or a special glimpse of a happy cardinal.

Original source can be found here.