Information - A Peek at the Peak Magazine

City of Scottsdale
CALENDAR OF EVENTS – JULY 2015
July 2015 events, activities and information Media contact: Mike Phillips, public affairs manager, 480‐312‐7825
Public: call phone number or visit website attached to individual items
July is Parks and Recreation Month
This July, Scottsdale is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Park and Recreation Month and the enduring importance of parks and recreation for the world. Help us celebrate the past, present and future of parks and recreation by using hashtag #JulyPRM30 when posting your pictures on Instagram while at one of Scottsdale’s beautiful parks! Make 2015 the year you go outside and enjoy the delightful open spaces in our community! Learn more about Scottsdale parks and recreation at www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Topics/Recreation.
Think safety ‐‐ fireworks prohibited in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The threat of fire increases dramatically during the summer months and often peaks around the 4th of July holiday. When you keep away from fireworks you keep our preserves and deserts safe. Although state legislation limits Scottsdale’s ability to ban the total use and sale of certain consumer fireworks, it is still against city ordinance to use them in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. A state law also imposes a $1,000 mandatory minimum fine for anyone who uses them in the Preserve or Pinnacle Peak Park. For more information, visit www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/fire/Fireworks.
Most city offices closed July 3 to commemorate Independence Day
Most city offices will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. Trash collection will continue as scheduled. Simply place your container in the usual collection spot by 5 a.m. that morning. Call 480‐312‐5600 for details.
Scottsdale’s WestWorld hosts Valley’s “coolest” Fourth of July
Enjoy a cool, family‐friendly, patriotic Fourth of July celebration at Scottsdale’s WestWorld. The fun unfolds from 2 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, inside the massive air‐conditioned North Hall at WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road. A super kid’s play zone, delicious food, live entertainment, traditional fireworks, patriotic music and much more are planned at this unique event. General admission tickets are $10 in advance; VIP tickets are $30 in advance; Children six and under are free, as are military and their family members. Scottsdale residents receive $5 discount online. Get tickets and more information at www.WestWorldAZ.com or call 1‐866‐977‐
6849.
Get moving with Scottsdale traffic information
There are a variety of ways to access Scottsdale traffic information. Get details on road construction projects and traffic restrictions at www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/traffic/restrictions. To receive a weekly email of the information, go to: https://eservices.ScottsdaleAz.gov/listserve/. For up‐to‐the‐minute Scottsdale traffic information, join Twitter and follow “DriveScottsdale.”
Celebrate Fourth of July at Scottsdale aquatic centers
Scottsdale’s Cactus, Eldorado and McDowell Mountain Ranch aquatic centers will be open for public swim from 1 to 5 p.m. July 4. Bring the whole family and celebrate your independence by enjoying the cool water and pool‐play features. Regular pool admission fees apply. For more information call 480‐312‐POOL or visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/sports/aquatics.
City Council summer schedule
The Scottsdale City Council will not conduct City Council meetings from July 3 until members reconvene for a Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting. However, if necessary, the Council could set special meetings and is available to citizens throughout this time. To confirm meeting dates, check the city’s website at www.ScottsdaleAz.gov or call the City Clerk’s Office at 480‐312‐2412.
July is Smart Irrigation Month
You could save water and money with a free irrigation audit. Scottsdale offers free irrigation audits to its single‐family residential customers. An irrigation audit could reveal system leaks and inefficiencies that, when fixed, can help you save water. Contact Scottsdale’s Water Conservation Office at 480‐312‐5650 to request an irrigation audit. Limit one per property.
Summer reading program continues at Scottsdale libraries
Scottsdale Library’s summer reading program is a great way to dive into books. The program runs June 1 through Aug. 1 and includes opportunities to earn free prizes and a book. This year’s program is run online, so it’s more convenient than ever to log your minutes. Programs are available for everyone in the family, so sign up today: www.scottsdalelibrary.org/SummerReading.
Afterschool program registration starts July 6
Ninety‐nine percent of parents using Scottsdale afterschool programs would recommend them to a friend. See why they’re so pleased. The city offers afterschool programs for youth in grades 1‐8 at multiple locations. Program dates run concurrently with the Scottsdale Unified School District calendar. Programs start immediately after school release including early release days. Residents can register online starting at 7 a.m. July 6. Registration for non‐residents starts July 7. For more information, visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/parks/asp.
Water – Use it Wisely … and keep an eye on that garbage disposal
Switch off your garbage disposal. Even with a 2.5 gallon‐per‐minute low‐flow kitchen faucet, running the garbage disposal for just two minutes equals 5 gallons of water down the drain. For more water conservation tips, visit www.wateruseitwisely.com or call 480‐312‐5650.
Enjoy Downtown Scottsdale with free trolley rides
Did you know Downtown Scottsdale features free trolley service? The trolleys run daily, every 15 minutes, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays until 9 p.m. for ArtWalk. Downtown trolleys connect with Scottsdale’s free Neighborhood Trolley and the Valley Metro bus system. More information on the city’s trolley routes is available by calling 480‐312‐3111 or at www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/trolley/downtown.
Get up to $250 for your old water heater
July begins the second year of Scottsdale’s rebate pilot program to encourage removal of inefficient, salt‐
based water softeners. Added salt in wastewater from softeners is harmful to our desert ecosystem and expensive to remove. A water softener can also waste up to 30 gallons of water a day (imagine running your shower with no one in it for 15 minutes … every day!). Visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/water/unsalted to see if you are eligible for one of the three rebates.
Adapted Recreation Services provides summer programming
These activities are taking place this summer through Scottsdale’s Adapted Recreation Services program. Visit www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/sports/adaptive for more information on each:

Summer Teen Connection – A program for teens with intellectual disabilities aged 12‐22. Activities include creative expression, indoor games, sports, weekly swimming, music, fitness, excursions and social skill development. Adapted Recreation’s Multi‐Sensory room and fully accessible kitchen are also part of summer programming. 
Inclusion summer services ‐ Staff assists children with disabilities as they participate in integrated city recreation activities including summer rec programs, aquatics lessons and leisure education classes. Smaller staff ratios, activity accommodations and emphasis on social and leisure skill development with non‐disabled peers are unique aspects of these programs. Monsoon is upon us, be prepared Most fatalities during storms occur in motor vehicles. Your home is generally one of the safest places to be during a severe storm. Plan ahead and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary during heavy rains or high winds. At home, make sure you have a “ready kit” packed with a 72‐hour supply of food, water and other basic needs. Such a kit is important to have during a power outage or if you are unable to leave your home for an extended period. For more information, visit www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/emergencies/monsoon.
Summer Spectacular ArtWalk takes place July 9
Celebrate summer in style – the Scottsdale Summer Spectacular ArtWalk takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in the beautiful Scottsdale Arts District. For more information, visit: www.scottsdalegalleries.com.
You’re never old enough to swim alone!
Drowning only happens to children, right? No. Adults drown, too. In fact, more adults than kids drown in Arizona. The strategies for preventing drowning among teens and adults are simple:

No one is old enough to swim alone. Always swim with a buddy, or at the very least, tell someone you are going swimming. 
Know your limitations. Being under the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or prescription medications can severely impair your ability to swim or recognize dangers.

Get trained. Attend a class to learn CPR and if you don’t know how to swim, consider registering for an adult swimming lesson through the city’s aquatics program. For more information about water safety, visit www.scottsdaleFD.com.
Summer can mean earlier refuse collection – have containers ready
Summer brings earlier hours for refuse collection. If you have curbside refuse collection, please have your container at the curb by 5 a.m. the day of your scheduled collection. You can also help minimize spillage ‐‐ please make sure the lid on your container opens toward the collection vehicle. For more refuse tips, contact Solid Waste Management at 480‐312‐5600 or visit www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/recycle.
Volunteer for the city of Scottsdale
You can make a difference in our community by being a volunteer. Volunteers play a critical role in supporting the city's mission to provide "Simply better service for a world‐class community." Volunteers perform services in the libraries, parks and recreation, police and fire departments, senior centers, human services, food bank, Paiute neighborhood center, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and many other areas. Check out the opportunities to volunteer in Scottsdale by visiting www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Volunteer.
Register for July and August swim lessons
Don't forget to sign up for swim lessons this July and August! Statistically, they are the hottest months of the year. Stay cool in a Scottsdale pool. Swim lesson registration for the July and August sessions is going on now. See you at the pool! For more information or to register, call 480‐312‐POOL or visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/sports/aquatics.
July watering tip – Make adjustments for monsoon humidity and rains
Summer storms and muggy weather are on the way. The higher humidity during monsoon season means plants lose less water to evaporation, making it easy to overwater them. Remember to skip a watering cycle if storms produce a half inch or more of rain. Visit www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/Water/Conservation for more watering and landscape tips.
Vista del Camino Center serving as hydration station this summer
Scottsdale’s social service agency Vista Del Camino, 7700 E. Roosevelt St., is serving as a water hydration station and heat relief site through Sept. 30. The station’s purpose is to protect the vulnerable during summer by providing heat relief and bottled water. Vista is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. In addition to bottled water, Vista is also seeking donations of sun protection supplies such as sunscreen wipes, lip balm and hats, plus light‐colored T‐shirts, socks, underwear and prepackaged snack items. For more information, call Vista at 480‐312‐2323.
Food bank needs your support
Don’t forget the Vista del Camino Food Bank this summer. Food supplies for families in need can run very low in the summer when kids are home from school and household expenses, such as food and utility bills, are higher. Please drop off your unexpired non‐perishable food items between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to the Vista del Camino Center, 7700 E. Roosevelt St. Items most needed include canned goods such as tuna and meats, peanut butter, boxed cereals, baby food and formula, diapers and toiletries. Call 480‐312‐
2323 for more information.
Watch for signs of overwatering plants and grass
Up to 70 percent of all household water use occurs outdoors. Plants and grass can easily be overwatered, especially during a heavy monsoon season. Here are a few ways to tell if you’re using too much water outdoors:

Plants: Leaves turn a lighter shade of green or yellow. Young shoots are wilted. Growth is excessive. Algae and/or mushrooms are on or around plants.

Grass: Water constantly puddles in areas. Turf has a musty odor. Soil is extremely soft and mushy. Algae or mushrooms are present.
Visit www.ScottsdaleAz.gov/Water/Conservation for more watering and landscape tips.
Mike Phillips
Public Affairs Manager
City of Scottsdale
(480) 312‐7825
Web I Facebook I Twitter I Speak Up Scottsdale I You Tube I Google+