🌱 Free Swim Lessons In August + Scottsdale Grad Honored + B2S Success

Hi neighbors! It's Megan Moreno, your host of the Scottsdale Patch newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right with a quick review of the most important things going on around town, including:

• The city is offering free swim lessons in August to raise drowning awareness.
• A Scottsdale graduate received a national scholarship.
• Back-to-School program success.

But first, your local weather: It will be partly sunny and very hot, with a high of 116 and low of 88.

Here are the top stories today in Scottsdale:

1. August is Arizona's Drowning Impact Awareness Month, as "back-to-school distractions" make it a high-risk month for child drownings. Scottsdale is offering free learn-to-swim lessons throughout August courtesy of a grant from USA Swimming. These free lessons are offered for children starting at age 6 months and up through adult swim and stroke refinement lessons. Residents can sign up starting Tuesday, July 25. Check out class times and locations here! (City of Scottsdale)
2. Noel Steinbeck, a Desert Mountain High School graduate, has been awarded the American Legion Auxiliary's Children of Warriors National Presidents Scholarship! The $5,000 award will assist Noel with her actuarial science studies at ASU this fall. Fifteen of these scholarships are awarded to "children of active and former military personnel who excel in academics and volunteer in their communities." Congrats, Noel! (scottsdale.org)
3. The city of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Community Partners' 2023 Back-to-School program was a success! This past Wednesday, over 900 kids participated in the program and received back-to-school essentials. You can find more information about the program here. (Subscription: Daily Independent)
4. An exclusive showing of “Oppenheimer After Trinity," a Cannes World Film Festival winner for Best Historical Documentary, will take place at Harkins Theater Shea 14 starting July 28 through Aug. 3. The film was created by Phoenix resident Larry L. Sheffield, and it "features rare and intimate views into the mind of Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer." Tickets will be available after July 25 and can be purchased at https://www.harkins.com/theatres/shea-14. (Subscription: Daily Independent)

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Tomorrow in Scottsdale:

Saturday, July 22

• Scottsdale For All Storytime - Sensory Storytime at Civic Center Library (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
• "Barbie"-Themed Activities at Scottsdale Quarter. Several retail stores will offer different "Barbie"-themed activities, and there will be an opportunity for a "Malibu Barbie photo op in the Quad." Check out more details at the link. (10:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
• Mustang Poets at Mustang Library (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
• The Great Brown's Ranch Land War at Mustang Library (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
• Knowasis Writing Club at Civic Center Library (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
• Sunset Swim at Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center, 2301 N. Miller Road. Costs for residents are $2 for children and $3 for adults. (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• "We are proud to announce that Karen Sutherland was recently named as the state's Communications Manager of the Year by the Arizona Chapter of APCO (Association of Police Communications Officials)/NENA (National Emergency Number Association.) Karen was presented with the award at their annual conference held in Tempe... Congratulations and thank you, Karen for the incredible work you are doing in the emergency communications industry in Scottsdale and across the State of Arizona!" (Scottsdale Police Department via Facebook)
• "Only a few more weeks until school courtyards will be filled with giggles and chatter. Today, we spent the day with numerous other city departments and community partners to supply some lucky families with the back-to-school basics. For now, we enjoy the last days of summer." (Scottsdale Police Department via Facebook)
• "Swim for free, now through Friday, in celebration of the Chaparral Aquatic Center pool renovations... Chaparral Aquatic Center is located at 5445 N. Hayden Road. Learn more: ScottsdaleAZ.gov/sports/aquatics/chaparral-pool" (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)
• "Teens in the TAB program at Arabian Library created 60 affirmation cards (30 in English, 30 in Spanish) for Free Arts of AZ to include in their programs benefitting children living in foster or out-of-home care." (Scottsdale Public Library via Facebook)
• "Slide the Rails at @therailroadpark and hop on board for a wet n' wild ride on Aug. 5 with inflatable water slides, obstacle courses, a bubble foam pit and more. Visit https://therailroadpark.com for additional information and details to purchase tickets." (Scottsdale Parks & Recreation via Facebook)
• "Our #ChooseScottsdale featured job of the week is courtesy of Axon US. As Axon’s Revenue Accountant, you will be part of a highly collaborative team which partners with Sales Operations to ensure the monthly, quarterly and yearly revenue numbers are complete and accurate. https://bit.ly/3PVCR2w" (Scottsdale Economic Development via Facebook)
• "Here are five things residents need to know this month in Scottsdale:"
  (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Megan Moreno

About me: Dr. 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