April is Water Awareness Month. Celebrate Water Awareness Month by learning how to save water inside and outside your home. Request free landscaping and leak brochures, explore the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park and visit Arizona Water Facts to learn what’s real and what’s myth when it comes to our water supplies. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “water”
*Parks & Rec’s spring classes start in April. Get details on various recreation programs and classes, special events, senior programs, afterschool programs, facility and pool schedules, park listings and more. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “recreation classes”
Sunday A’Fair outdoor concerts continue on the Civic Center through April 7. Listen to the Valley’s top musicians and experience an arts-and-crafts market. The free afternoon events take place from noon to 4 p.m. most Sundays through April 7, on the Scottsdale Civic Center. Bring a blanket and picnic basket, or buy food on-site. ScottsdalePerformingArts.org, search “Sunday A’Fair”
*Enjoy Scottsdale ArtWalk – an American original. Stroll at your own pace, wander into galleries through a festive area enjoying dramatic statues, bubbling fountains, tree-covered courtyards, famed restaurants and live music. ArtWalk runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, year-round in Old Town. ScottsdaleGalleries.com
*Veg out at the Old Town Farmers Market in April. Buy fresh vegetables, fruits and creative crafts at Scottsdale’s Old Town Farmers Market. It’s held 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through May. The market is in the public parking lot at 3806 N. Brown Ave. ArizonaCommunityFarmersMarkets.com
Throttle the thrill … at Arizona Bike Week, April 3-7. Attend the biggest motorcycle event in the Southwest at WestWorld. Highlights include hundreds of world-class vendors, stunt shows, live music, demos, exhibitions, contests, flat track racing, auctions and bike shows. Each night ends with a concert featuring big names in the rock world. AZBikeWeek.com
Learn how to stay cool with radiant cooling at April’s Green Building Lecture. Forty-three percent of all electricity consumed in metro Phoenix homes is used for air conditioning. Learn efficient ways to remove heat while improving thermal comfort and saving energy. The free program runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at the Granite Reef Senior Center. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Green Building”
Protect your identity by attending “Shred It” event, April 6. Bring your personal and/or commercial documents to the “Shred It” event from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $4 per box. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “shred”
Big things are in store for the Exclusively Little Expo, April 6. Families are invited to this one-of-a-kind event to learn about programs, services, education and products for families and children. The event, designed for kids 10 and younger, runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “events”
*Run the Runway race offers “plane” old fun for a great cause. This unique race takes flight Saturday, April 6, on the Scottsdale Airport runway with 5K, 10K and Kids Dash options. A vendor fair with fun-for-the-whole-family activities will follow. Event proceeds benefit the nonprofit, Playworks Arizona. Use code “TakeFlight” for 25 percent off. RuntheRunwayAZ.com
Is the library haunted? Sonoran Paranormal Investigations, Inc. discusses the scientific methods used to investigate paranormal activity. Representatives will divulge why they think the Arabian and Mustang libraries are haunted. This free program runs from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, Arabian Library. ScottsdaleLibrary.org
Library presents “Cannabis 101 – A Safe and Effective Pain Management Alternative.” Are you considering cannabinoid therapeutics as an alternative to narcotics? If so, attend this free presentation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Civic Center Library. Discussion focuses on science over stigma. ScottsdaleLibrary.org
Gold Palette ArtWalk features “Sip of Scottsdale,” April 11. In partnership with the Scottsdale Wine Trail and Sonoita AVA, this event features tastings of local Arizona wines throughout various Old Town galleries. Great art and great wine – the perfect mix! Visitors can stroll the galleries from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 11. ScottsdaleGalleries.com
*Scottsdale Adopt-A-Road needs your help, April 13. Celebrate the Keep Scottsdale Beautiful event Saturday, April 13, by organizing a group of friends to clean a road. Registered groups receive free trash bags, safety vests and cotton gloves. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Adopt a Road”
Please your palate at the Scottsdale Culinary Festival April 13 & 14. Expert chefs, scrumptious food creations and enthralling entertainment are all part of the mix, culminating with the Great Arizona Picnic. ScottsdaleFest.org
*Put your pedal to the pavement for Cycle the Arts, April 14. Hop on your bike and get an up-close look at some of the Valley’s best public art. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the ride at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 14, at Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Helmets are required for this family-friend 10-mile ride. Information available soon at ScottsdalePublicArt.org
*Entertainment Extravaganza showcases senior talent, April 17. Scottsdale Senior Services’ signature variety show returns at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Free admission with a canned food donation for Vista del Camino’s Food Bank. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “talent show”
Commemorate Earth Day, April 22. Celebrate the earth with these tips to help keep our environment clean: Use reusable shopping bags and water bottles; participate in curbside recycling; and recycle all acceptable items. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “recycle”
*Drowning is no joke – get pool safety information. “April Pools Day” features drowning prevention information, a mock rescue, interactive booths, games and raffles. The free event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s Concert Series runs April 28-June 30. Enjoy a variety of local bands from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays at the park. Bring a blanket, chairs and snacks – or buy munchies on-site. Train and carousel tickets are $2 each with kids younger than 2 riding free with a paying adult. TheRailroadPark.com
City information is just a phone call away by dialing 480-312-3111. Live operators provide the information you need or will forward your call to the correct department – from where to pay a traffic fine to where to park at a city event. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Caution … native wildlife active in spring. Bobcats, coyotes, javelina, raccoons and skunks can sometimes be seen in neighborhoods this time of year. Discourage wildlife from living in your area by removing habitat essentials such as water, food and shelter. Call the Arizona Game & Fish Department at 602-942-3000 for more information.
Library looking for summer teen volunteers. Those 14-17 years old can apply to volunteer at libraries. Participants will help with the Summer Reading Program. ScottsdaleLibrary.org
City can pick up appliances. Once per month, the city can haul away major appliances such as washers, dryers, stoves/ovens, water heaters, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers. Appliances containing Freon will not be collected unless the compressor has been removed and the Freon recovered by a certified technician. Schedule a pick up. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “EZ”
100+ ways to conserve water. Small adjustments can have a big impact on your water use. Find simple and easy-to-do tips for reducing indoor and outdoor water use. You can download, print or share the tips on social media. Spread the word! Wateruseitwisely.com, search “100+ tips”
Try these turf watering tips for April. Inspect your irrigation/sprinkler system to ensure it’s working properly. Water your turf areas deeply and thoroughly for best results. This time of year, Bermuda grass needs water only once a week and rye grass once every four to five days. Use the interactive watering guide or online leak guide for more watering and leak discovery tips. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “water”
Scottsdale Family Resource Center provides a variety of services to help families. Located at the Paiute Neighborhood Center, this center provides access to resources, referrals to support services and information to educational programs to ensure healthy growth and development for young learners and their families. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Family Resource Center”
