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Community Corner

🌱 Civic Center Plaza Rehab + Afghanistan Refugees To Attend SUSD

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Scottsdale.

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Geoff Campbell, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Hello, neighbors! It's me again, Geoff Campbell, your host of the Scottsdale Daily.

First, today's weather:

Sunny; nice in the afternoon. High: 69 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories today in Scottsdale:

  1. According to Scottsdale Independent reporting, Scottsdale City Council is considering a Civic Center Plaza rehab to create a new modern venue. "If approved, plans for the open space area around City Hall, near Old Town Scottsdale, includes public Wi-Fi, playground equipment, and infrastructure for performances," the article stated. The $16,744,212 project will be considered on Jan. 31 to replace "aging infrastructure and improve public and event spaces on Civic Center Plaza." (Your Valley)
  2. Scottsdale School District is welcoming an undetermined number of refugee children from Afghanistan. According to Your Valley reporting, some parents are not pleased that class sizes will increase while teacher shortages caused by the pandemic continue. The district has responded by acknowledging the federal requirement to accept Afghan refugees of families that supported the U.S. in the war. In addition, Superintendent Scott Menzel said, "Some in our community are questioning whether SUSD should be serving these refugee children. In addition to the fact that we are required by federal law to do so, it is important to reiterate two of our core values: Empathy — we welcome all with kindness, love, compassion, and joy; and Inclusion — we create an equitable environment where everyone is respected, is treated with dignity, and has a sense of belonging." (Your Valley)
  3. Scottsdale is one of the Arizona cities where Afghan refugees would live as part of the Refugee Resettlement Program following the Afghanistan war. Recently, the refugees moved off their first home, a military base, and into a Scottsdale hotel. According to KPNX reporting, Rep. John Kavanagh reacted negatively to the news of their arrival — he later admitted to missing the August announcement by the governor regarding the plan to take on the 300 new residents. In the August announcement, Gov. Doug Ducey and House Speaker Rusty Bowers stated that the refugees "were vetted and approved by various national security agencies and received special immigrant visas because they served the U.S. during the 20-year war, according to the statement." (12news.com KPNX)

ICYMI And In Other News:

  • Wow House: $2.2 million Scottsdale home is in pristine condition. (Scottsdale Patch)
  • Famed LA architect brings a new caliber of home to Paradise Valley. (AZ Big Media)
  • Chicago's Belgravia Group will develop Portico in North Scottsdale. (AZ Big Media)

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Today in Scottsdale:

  • Laurie Trygg Dance Lessons — Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place. (3 p.m.)
  • Ribbon Cutting for Jolt PEMF Lab — Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce. (4 p.m.)
  • Jewish Ensemble Theater — Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place. (5:30 p.m.)
  • Aizuri Quartet — Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Want to make a difference — apply to join a civic committee or board by Jan. 27. (Facebook)
  • Barrett-Jackson Collector Auto Auction through Jan. 30 is one of Scottsdale's premier events! (Facebook)
  • 68th Annual Scottsdale Parada del Sol Parade & Trails End Festival Feb. 5 in Old Town Scottsdale. (Facebook)
  • Waste Management Open activities will shut down the Scottsdale Sports Complex from Feb. 7–13. (Facebook)
  • Join the Granite Reef Senior Center Valentine's Day Luncheon on Monday, Feb. 14! Call 480-312-1700 to register or go to Recreation.ScottsdaleAZ.gov; enter the keyword "valentine." (Facebook)


    More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

    Events:

    • Mike Massé in Concert: Epic Acoustic Classic Rock — Desert Stages Theatre. (Jan. 29)
    • Social Security Seminar. (Feb. 1)
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    Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

    — Geoff Campbell

    I live in Scottsdale, and I am a freelance writer, published in print and on the web. Following a 40-year career as a teacher, administrator, and coach, now committed to education in the broadest possible sense.

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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