The winter season activities begin with Farmers’ Markets, multiple auto auctions, Parada del Sol and rodeo, horse shows and soon the Tournament Players Golf Open. Thursday and Saturdays continue the Native Trails cultural sharing and dance noon to 1:30 pm on the Civic Center lawns. Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm enjoy the Singing Cowboy, Sharpshooter show and corner musicians in Old Town. The Arts District galleries open their doors on Thursday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm in the 43rd year of ArtWalk.  What a GREAT city to live in!

FOR YOUR CALENDAR:  Wednesday, 27th- is the deadline to comment on the proposed Special Events Ordinance DRAFT. Find it online at   http://scottsdaleaz.gov/special+Events-ordinance-update . On Feb. 16th city council will discuss edits in a work study session.

Also--SKYSONG SCOTTSDALE FARMERS MARKET at the SkySong Pavilions  Every Wednesday 3:30 pm to 6:30pm    1475 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite 200    Features: May include fresh, local, seasonal produce, herbs and flowers; locally made jams, jellies and salsas; fresh baked breads. Free admission, free adjacent parking. Accepts AZFMNP Vouchers, WIC, EBT/SNAP.

Friday 29th--The Hashknife Pony Express riders will be galloping from Holbrook, AZ for more than 200 miles to deliver 58th Annual Pony Express mail to Scottsdale. Be at the Pony Express  statue in the roundabout on the north side of the canal on Marshall Way by noon on Friday, January 29.. The Hashknife Gang continues to the Western Spirit: Museum of the West.   From 1:15 to 3 p.m you'll be able to take photos, get autographs and learn first-hand about the world’s oldest, officially sanctioned Pony Express mail delivery.  Click here for details about the museum event.

February 1st GALLERIA AREA BUSINESS ALERT-- The Downtown Parking Study for the Northeast Quadrant is on the City Council work study session.  http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/ScottsdaleAZ/Council/current-agendas-minutes/2016-agendas/020116WorkStudySessionAgenda.

February 13th, Saturday is the  Parada del Sol -- the annual western parade of horses, civic groups and Scottsdale school bands. The 10 am start goes south on Scottsdale Road just north of Indian School Road. The complete route is at this link http://www.paradadelsolparade-trailsend.com/parade.html   On this same link you can VOLUNTEER to help with the Parada events. This year the parade will go passed the Museum of the West and ends on Brown Avenue in Old Town. There will be several unique villages—Western, Hispanic, Native American and Kids’ Cowboy Country plus stages with entertainment. The small animal petting area is back along with family fun games and street activities.  Wear western clothes the week of the Parada, February 7th to 13th. School children are asked to wear available western shirts, hats, and boots on Friday the 12th.

FREE CITY SERVICES: (1) Schedule a safety check with the “Home Safe Home” program by calling 480 312 8000  (2) Get a police department security survey of your home by calling 480 312 0275. (3) Read the traffic collision reports online at www.TracView.com  (4) Find real-time information about construction activity, development requests, building permits, code enforcement notices, and crime activity. Simply enter an address or intersection and see all activity in the last six months .https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/eservices/myneighborhood/

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN to our Western Spirit: Museum of the West!  They are receiving an incredible Hopi Art collection. Today the Tourism Development Commissioners approved $500,000 from the bed tax fund to provide the transport, security and museum preparations to house this magnificent contribution. If you have not entered the museum doors be prepared for an astonishing first experience. Plan to visit soon.  It is appropriate for all ages!

LOCAL POLITICS: At this time (alphabetically) the following have filed papers to run for Mayor: Bill Crawford, W.Jim Lane and Bob Littlefield.   For City Council are Tom Giller, Suzanne Klapp, Virginia Korte, Guy Phillips, and Dan Schweiker.  There will be a primary election this spring.  There are 3 openings for city council and one for mayor.

COGS DUES: The Bylaws state that “ Annual dues shall be $10 to be paid in January. New memberships paid from September to December shall be considered paid through the following year. “  Thanks so much for supporting our volunteer work.  Because 2016 is a city election year, we will again be hosting nonpartisan Scottsdale Council Candidate Forums throughout the city.  Our expenses will increase as we must rent the buildings and senior center rooms. Thank you for renewing (or joining). Contact our COGS Treasurer, Patty Badenoch, if you are uncertain when you joined or renewed.  treasurer@cogsaz.net

For the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale (COGS) Board of Directors, 
 
     Sonnie Kirtley, Chair e-mail sonniek@cogsaz.net 
     Coalition of Greater Scottsdale
     7904 E. Chaparral Rd., Suite 110, PMB 127
     Scottsdale, AZ 85250