Community Corner

🌱 Emergency Housing Under Consideration + Blue Zones Project

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

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Hey, Scottsdale! Don't be fooled! It's Megan Moreno, your host of the Scottsdale Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know that's happening in town. Today's briefing includes...

  • Emergency housing is being considered in south Scottsdale.
  • Blue Zones Project rooted in health and longevity launched in Scottsdale.
  • Scottsdale Physicians Group external audit reveals evidence of infraction.

But first, today's weather:

It will be a very pleasant, mostly sunny day with a high of 79 and low of 51.

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Here are the top stories today in Scottsdale:

  1. The City of Scottsdale is in the initial phase of creating a plan for residents in need of emergency housing. On March 27, an open house was held in south Scottsdale to evaluate purchasing "a two story 6-plex at 7602 E. Polk Street, near the intersection East McKellips and North Miller roads." Public opinion is a consideration, before the city enters negotiations for the property. Nearby residents voiced concern about individuals with substance abuse problems accessing this housing, but the city intends the bridge housing to assist families and individuals between homes as a result of rising rent prices. (Free: Rose Law Group Reporter, Subscription: Scottsdale Independent)
  2. Blue Zones, an initiative to improve the well-being of communities by transforming their local environments, is launching in Scottsdale! HonorHealth, Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, and Cigna Healthcare are partnering to support this launch in collaboration with the City of Scottsdale. The initiative is based on research of world cultures and areas, referred to as blue zones, with the longest-living and healthiest populations. The goal of the project is to optimize social connections, improve public policies and improve the spaces and places where community members spend the majority of their time. Previous participating communities saw significant decreases in smoking and obesity rates, increased economic investment and improved healthcare funding and savings. Planning for this multi-year effort is set to begin in May, with a kickoff event to be scheduled later this year. (Arizona Big Media)
  3. Remember the DOJ investigation into Scottsdale Physicians Group? A recent external audit found evidence of "upcoding, billing for medically unnecessary services, and cloning health records." SPG's companies are currently in bankruptcy court, and the DOJ is investigating them for at least three different scheme allegations. Cloned medical records were identified during the audit, including an example of a patient chart with conflicting, identically phrased notes throughout the duration of a 10-day inpatient stay. "Billing irregularities," such as high coding levels that didn't align with medical necessity, were also identified. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
  4. Banner Health shared its plans for a new project at the southwest corner of Loop 101 and Hayden Road. The $400 million plan includes building a new cancer center, medical office building and acute care hospital. Set to open in 2026, the project is expected to provide 1,000 jobs in healthcare and over 2,500 jobs in construction and ancillary services. (Free: Arizona Foothills, Subscription: Daily Independent)

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Today in Scottsdale:

  • Don't forget about the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market! (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
  • Taliesin West is offering Desert Walk – Stewards of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Guests will "take a short walk through the Historic Core that leads out into the desert, walking on a path against the McDowell mountains. Along the way, we will see how the desert landscape shaped Wright and his Apprentice's work and how nature has changed over time." (9:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
  • Taliesin West is also offering Brownie Badge Workshop: Outdoor Art Creator. During the workshop, scouts "will use their senses in nature, make a special type of nature art print called a cyanotype, create their own wind chime, and design a geometric abstract nature drawing." (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
  • The Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Places is offering Tango Practica Workshop with Daniela Borgialli (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
  • The Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts is hosting The ARTrageous Gala | Bloom! "Join us for a one-night, ultra-sensory celebration, blooming with radiant living art experiences and fantastical creations within the newly renovated Scottsdale Civic Center." Tickets must be purchased. (6:30 PM)

The Scottsdale Public Library is offering:

Nearby Events:

  • The Bierman Autism Centers in Tempe at 1729 West Greentree Drive is hosting a sensory-friendly Easter "Egg-Stravaganza." Guests can enjoy egg decorating, a bubble truck, and an appearance from the Easter Bunny. RSVP at Eventbrite. (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
  • The Fountain Hills Music Festival is taking place at Fountain Park, 12925 N Saguaro Blvd. Guests can enjoy three musical acts, food trucks and a beer garden. Bring chairs or blankets! (5:00 PM - 9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Fancy some flapjacks? Butters Pancakes & Cafe in Scottsdale was awarded the NY Daily News designation of best pancakes in Arizona! (Daily News)
  • Heading out and about this weekend? Be sure to review how the weekend freeway closures and restrictions may impact your travel. I-10, I-17, U.S. 60, and Loop 303 are all impacted. (KTAR.com)
  • "Mark your calendars and gather those old electronics! Scottsdale residents can recycle unwanted electronics from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the city's North Corporation Yard, 9191 E. San Salvador. Items accepted include computer, office and entertainment equipment. See the full list of recyclable items and all the info you need to know before stopping by: ScottsdaleAZ.gov/solid-waste/electronics-recycling." (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)
  • Episode 2 of Firewatch, the Scottsdale Fire Department's podcast, is now available on Libsyn! (Scottsdale Fire Department via Facebook)
  • The Scottsdale Police Department "recently celebrated numerous Scottsdale PD employees for awards and promotions at our Spring Awards Ceremony. We were honored to have several Scottsdale City Council members in attendance as well. Congratulations to the award winners and promotees!!" (Scottsdale Police Department via Facebook)
  • Professional organizer Angie Dunbar from Bee Organized Scottsdale will share tips and tricks to help you clear your clutter for spring cleaning. 5:30 p.m., Monday, Apr. 3 at Appaloosa Library. For more information visit scottsdale.libnet.info/event/8024087
  • "Bring your family and friends to Trivia Night at the library as a part of the Hometown Happy Hour series! Test your Scottsdale and local knowledge with this trivia game. Meet other community members and be grouped to form teams to compete for a prize. The program will be held at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, Apr. 3 at Civic Center Library. Register here: Scottsdale.libnet.info/event/7892077" (Scottsdale Public Library via Facebook)
  • "Did you know you can follow the Office of Diversity, City of Scottsdale on Facebook and Instagram @ScottsdaleForAll? This month, in honor of Women's History Month, we've featured the stories of several remarkable women in Scottsdale. Throughout the year, the Office of Diversity is your source for information about Scottsdale's anti-discrimination ordinance, the work of the Human Relations Commission, events and programs that celebrate the many cultures and people who have an impact on the city and more! Check out ScottsdaleAZ.gov/diversity to see what #ScottsdaleForAll means in our community." (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you again tomorrow!

— Megan Moreno

About me: Megan Moreno is a registered nurse, leader, cancer survivor, wife, and mother of two. Megan loves spending time with her husband, who is an Army combat veteran, and their children exploring the beautiful city of Scottsdale.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Scottsdale Patch newsletter? Contact me at meg_n_more@outlook.com

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