NE Valley Times

Scottsdale has been recognized for its environmental efforts, with the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's Fraesfield and Granite Mountain trailheads receiving Crescordia awards from Arizona Forward. These accolades were awarded in the categories of "Natural Environment Preservation" and "Civic Buildings, Structures, and Landscape Design." The project aimed to restore disturbed trailhead sites while expanding access to the preserve. The design incorporated sustainable amenities using desert-appropriate materials to minimize environmental impact.

In other news, Scottsdale Police are seeking public input on proposed amendments to the Public Safety Plan ordinance. Originally approved by the Scottsdale City Council in 2013, this ordinance requires certain businesses to maintain a public safety plan and mandates security personnel training. Proposed changes include defining significant bodily injury, updating submission requirements for safety plans, adding a line management plan requirement, and disclosing surveillance equipment locations. Feedback can be submitted via email or phone by May 2.

Arizona Bike Week is set to return from April 6-10 at WestWorld, featuring entertainment for riders and music fans. The event will include concerts at The RockYard and various activities at the outdoor PowerYard. Attendees can expect vendor villages offering motorcycle parts and custom jewelry, bike shows, factory demo trucks, freestyle stunt jumpers, and more.

The Scottsdale Sister Cities Association is hosting an Alamos Art Show and Artisans Exhibit opening reception on April 7 at the Phoenix Mexican Consulate’s Office. Participants include artists Ana Anaya with Alamos landscape oil paintings, Meztli Estrada with pen and ink graphics, Peg Franken with whimsical Southwest art, and Katherine Rink Callingham with Alamos art.

Additionally, Scottsdale Community Historian Joan Fudala will present “Hometown Happy Hour,” a new library program focusing on local history. Sessions will cover topics like water history on April 7 and parks development on May 19.

For families seeking adventure, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park offers "Tents by the Tracks," an overnight camping event from April 9-10 that includes dinner, a movie night, breakfast, train rides, carousel rides, and treats from Hartley’s General Store.

Residents can find real-time information about local projects through "My Neighborhood," which provides updates on construction activity, development requests, building permits, code enforcement notices, and crime activity within a six-month timeframe.

Scottsdale is also participating in the 2022 Smart Cities Council Readiness Challenge to enhance its technological capabilities over the next year. A workshop is scheduled for April 6 at Scottsdale Stadium to discuss technology solutions that address community needs.

Lastly, residents are reminded of smoke alarm safety guidelines: replace alarms every ten years as older devices take longer to detect fires. Statistics show that half of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms or where alarms fail due to missing or dead batteries.