From the category archives:

Around Scottsdale

“You’ve got to remember to get out from behind the camera and experience life”

by Dru Bloomfield on February 27, 2010

White Heron (Large)

I started a photography class, offered through the City of Scottsdale, earlier this month.  The instructor, Mary Gulino, has done an exceptional job helping me find my way around my new Canon Rebel.

One of the comments Mary made to our class was not to get stuck behind the camera and miss the beauty of life as it passes by.   A simple comment that hit home for me.  Especially now, at this time of year.

Scottsdale has so much going on in the winter months.  In January, it was the Barrett-Jackson and Russo and Steele car shows.  During February, Scottsdale hosted the Arabian Horse Show, and this week, the Phoenix Open was held at the Scottsdale TPC.  Cactus League spring training starts March 3rd.  The Renaissance Fair is on-going.  Bike paths are filled with runners, walkers, and riders. The skies are blue, and the weather is fine.  Life is good.

When you live in a place like Scottsdale that has so much going on, I think it’s easy for residents to forget to take time off and play along with our winter visitors.  Mary prompted me to think a bit bigger, and I’ve taken her comment to heart.

Yes, I’ve making time to get out and “experience life”, and definitely feeling “At Home in Scottsdale“!

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Get ready for the 2010 P.F. Chang Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon: Travel tips for getting around Scottsdale

by Dru Bloomfield on January 14, 2010

Coach-Depot-pf-chang-marathon

This coming Sunday (1/17/2010) is going to be a big day for the 30,000 runners who descend on the Phoenix landscape for one of the biggest parties in Arizona.  My son couldn’t resist volunteering at one of the water stations with a bunch of his high schools friends. I’m thinking that I’ll be somewhere along the route with my camera in tow, being very glad that I prefer to run much shorter races!

If you aren’t running in the race, you will want to know a few things about getting around town.

The City of Scottsdale has provided the following traffic update:

Traffic restrictions on several major streets in Scottsdale will be in effect beginning at 6:30 a.m. and will last until early afternoon. Drivers are strongly encouraged to use the freeway system to maneuver around the marathon route.

Major streets affected include:

  • Eastbound closure of Indian School Road from Scottsdale’s western boundary to Goldwater Boulevard
  • Southbound closure of Goldwater south to its intersection with Scottsdale Road
  • Complete closure of Main Street from Goldwater Boulevard to Marshall Way
  • Complete closure of Marshall Way between Main Street and Goldwater Boulevard
  • Southbound closure of Scottsdale Road from its intersection with Goldwater Boulevard (near Osborn Road) south to McDowell Road
  • Eastbound closure of McDowell from Scottsdale Road east to Hayden Road
  • Southbound closure of Hayden Road from McDowell south to the Tempe city line

On Sunday, you will also be able to get updates on current traffic condition via the state’s “511″ phone system.  Dial “511″, press the key for this event and hear the update.  You can also get information on the current Scottsdale traffic and parking conditions by calling the city’s information phone line: (480) 312-CITY.

For more details on the race course that travel from Phoenix to Scottsdale to Tempe, you can visit arizona.competitor.com, and check out the race course map.

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Now I’ve heard it all: Fish Herding – Yes, in downtown Scottsdale!

by Dru Bloomfield on January 8, 2010

I’m sure you’ve all heard the term “herding cats“. Well, now, it’s time to learn about “herding fish“!

canal-view-scottsdale-waterfront

Direct from the City of Scottsdale:

FISH HERDING BECOMES ART SATURDAY IN THE DOWNTOWN

Canal dry-ups and fish round-ups are an annual occurrence in the Valley, but you’ve never seen one quite like the event that begins Saturday morning, Jan. 9, in Scottsdale’s Downtown.

The fish will be there and so will performance artists, new public art installations and an opportunity to watch it all from the Marshall Way Bridge or one of the restaurants along the canal bank.

Salt River Project begins the roundup of its canal-cleaning white amur fish early that morning, and the fish gathering should be well underway by 8 a.m.  Two artistic events start at 8 a.m. — a live art performance by Transfix and the installation of Fausto Fernandez’s Flowing Overlapping Gesture, a temporary, 100-foot-long art piece designed for the canal.  Fernandez and his crew will continue working on the installation through the weekend.  Other public art installations are scheduled, as well, while the canal through downtown Scottsdale remains dry for routine maintenance.  The dry-up lasts for roughly one month.

More detailed information on the Saturday roundup and art event is available on the Scottsdale Public Art Web site or by calling (480) 634-6850.

For more information on the canal maintenance project and historical information on Valley canals, visit: SRP.

Sounds like a bike ride down the canal bank to the Waterfront, with camera in tow, will be in order for Saturday morning.  See you there?

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First Responder Card for Scottsdale Citizens with Special Needs

by Dru Bloomfield on January 5, 2010

The City of Scottsdale is offering an orientation program for their First Responder Smart Card Program.  Last I heard, Scottsdale was one of only three communities in Arizona that offers this program.

The Scottsdale Police Department, in conjunction with its partner organizations, has a program to provide safe and efficient service to individuals with special needs such as mental illness, developmental disabilities or medical conditions with behavioral implications.

Called the First Responder Smart Card Program, it encourages individuals and families to register so the first responder to an emergency knows there is an individual with special needs in the home.

Orientation classes for the program will take place at 10 a.m. on Jan. 9, Jan. 23, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27 at Scottsdale Police and Fire Headquarters, 8401 E. Indian School Road.   The class will provide training for parents and providers on when to call first responders and what happens when they call.

For more information, contact Cheryl Berkson or Natalie Summit at (480) 312-2273 or by email at smartcard@scottsdaleAZ.gov.  More information is also available on the  City of Scottsdale’s Smartcard web site.

I have a First Responder card for my son.  As he’s matured so much in the past year, I’m not sure that I need it any longer, but do think it’s good insurance for anyone who has someone in their care with special needs, or other problems communicating.  I attended a one hour orientation several years ago, and now update the card we keep at the house annually.  The card can be kept on the front of the refrigerator or in the freezer in a visible location.  There’s a record in the police/fire database so that if there’s ever an emergency call to our house, the first responders know to look for the card. On our card, I have a bit info about my son, his potential reaction to sirens and other loud noises, plus suggestions that would be helpful to a first responder.  I recommend the program.

UPDATE: Date of Feb. 12th was corrected to the 13th, after I got a call from a volunteer for the program. All orientations are on Saturday.

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Six Scottsdale Solar Homes on Tour This Weekend

by Dru Bloomfield on October 24, 2009

The City of Scottsdale’s Green Building Program emailed me the following info on the Valley of the Sun – Phoenix Metro 2009 Solar Home Tours this weekend, where several Scottsdale homes will be open to the public this weekend, from 9 am to 3 pm.  It’s a great opportunity to see some of the latest green building techniques, as well as the variety of the applications.  

The addresses and schedule of the six Scottsdale open houses, along with a brief description of techniques used follow the city’s announcement.

ARIZONA JOINS NATIONAL SOLAR / SUSTAINABLE HOMES TOUR – OCT. 24-25 – VALLEY OF THE SUN

Arizona joins the 2009 National Solar Home Tour, the 14th annual tour coordinated nationally by the American Solar Energy Society (ASEA). The national tour is the world’s largest grassroots solar event with more than 150,000 participants, taking place in nearly every state across the U.S.  This fun event offers open-house tours to show how you can use solar energy and energy efficiency to reduce monthly utility bills, to live more comfortably within your local environment, and to help tackle climate change.

The Arizona tour, “Living with the Sun – Arizona Style” features tours across our State.  Specific information on locations, times, and types of sustainable technology applications can be found on the Arizona Solar Center web site: www.azsolarcenter.com.

The Phoenix Valley the tour will be held on Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th, from 9 am to 3 pm each day. Most locations on the tour are free. The tour provides an informal way to meet people who are using a whole range of approaches to make living in the desert more comfortable, affordable and environmentally friendly.  The tour will also include several green certified homes under the Scottsdale Green Building Program and national LEED certification program.

New for this year are homeowners who have used some of the latest technologies such as thin film photovoltaic panels, micro inverters, and rain and water capture and re-use systems.  Chuck Skidmore, ASEA chairman explains, “The sun’s energy falls on your roof every day.  It can work for you, or against you. This event is a great way to learn how it can work for you.”

You can also talk with people who have made “going sustainable/solar” more affordable by taking advantage of the latest financing methods, utility rebates, and higher tax credits.  Some systems can now be easily expanded as funds become available over time.  ASES recently noted that solar costs have decreased by close to 30% in the last year and federal incentives have increased significantly.

The tour Guide will be available on-line at www.azsolarcenter.com.   The guide contains all the information you will need for this self-guided tour.  Specific locations, sustainable/solar features, presentation times, and maps will be provided. You can also learn about other Arizona tours and upcoming events.

Scottsdale Solar / Sustainable Homes on Tour

Open Saturday, October 24th, Only

8502 E. Cactus Wren – This 30+ year-old passive and active solar residence shows shows that good ideas, design and applications withstand the test of time.

Open Sunday, October 25th, Only

8243 E. Monte Vista Road – This green remodel includes energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting, resource-efficient construction, and site landscaping as a food garden.

Open Both Saturday and Sunday

11458 E. Christmas Cholla Drive – The Solar Energy Greenhouse is used for growing orchids and utilizes the glass as the collector glazing and embodies a solar thermal collector system composed of 144 movable collector louvers. The greenhouse embodies a compact evaporative cooler and an aquaculture cell, with fish, that provides water with nutrients for the orchids.

10875 E. Bahia Drive – Located within an existing planned community, this recently renovated 11-year old residence incorporates numerous Sustainable strategies while keeping with the homeowner association guidelines.

8151 E. Smokehouse Trail – Completed in 1999, the Edwards Residence in North Scottsdale incorporates many Green Building elements in its construction. Its Southwestern design blends with the surrounding desert with an emphasis on sustainability. The Edwards residence was also the first straw bale home to be permitted in the City of Scottsdale.

25227 N. Roping Road – This currently-under-construction home is designed to optimize the passive and active solar advantages Arizona has to offer. The main building materials are autoclaved aerated concrete block (AAC), rammed earth, wood, steel and glass.

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Scottsdale Hosting a Free Landscaping Class

by Dru Bloomfield on September 13, 2009

8-15-09 031 (Small)

Interesting in getting outdoors now that the weather is starting to cool off?   Here’s info on another free class from the City of Scottsdale:

There’s no time like the present to think about planting a beautiful landscape and conserving water. 

Register now for any of the city’s 10 fall landscape workshops, such as vegetable gardening, wildflowers, or drip irrigation!  These free workshops are held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda.

Classes are held throughout October, but advance registration is needed.  Simply call (480) 312-5690 for all the details and to reserve your spot in one or more of these popular workshops.

And while, I was digging around trying to find the titles and dates of the ten workshops, I found this little gem:  Residential Revitalization Landscape Workbook.  It’s 44 pages of ideas and a step-by-step process for planning your landscaping project. 

Step 3 jumped out for me.  Check out these imaginative design theme ideas!

  • Birdscape
  • Colorscape
  • EZscape
  • Flutterscape
  • Nativescape
  • Shadescape
  • Verdescape

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