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Register early for Cookies and Crafts with Santa, hosted by the city of Surprise.

things to do

Surprise presents cookies, crafts with Santa

The Nov. 18 presentation will address how artificial intelligence is part of everyday activities, from searching the internet and using smartphones, to shopping online and finding directions.

COMMUNITY

Sun City West church hosts class on AI

Child Care Coordinator Amy Benton reading “The Dot” to Growing Minds Preschool students for International Dot Day. Dysart Schools' recently approved capital funding will help to maintain safe, functional learning environments, support growth by building an elementary school in the Northwest Asante area, and get land for a future high school.

education

Dysart voters approve Prop. 421

St. Mary's Food Bank got a boost Nov. 10 from EPCOR water company, which donated 500 turkeys and will provide water for volunteers during the Nov 23-25 turkey distribution at the St. Mary’s Surprise Neighborhood Food Center.

community

St. Mary’s Food Bank needs more turkeys

Members of The Grand Garden Club nurture the Butterfly Garden, Nov. 12.

NEIGHBORS

The Grand Garden Club tends butterfly garden

HEALTH

Sun Health brings 2nd LiveWell Conference to Midwestern's Glendale campus

Sun Health's second annual LiveWell Conference is coming to Glendale starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20 at Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, This year's conference will …

education

Dysart begins open enrollment Nov. 20

Dysart Unified School District will begin accepting open enrollment applications for the 2027-2028 school year on Friday, Nov. 20. A choice in school enrollment is available to parents or …

neighbors

Army warrant officer with Surprise ties serves on Navy aircraft carrier

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mellysa Payne has family ties in Surprise and serves as a liaison officer alongside the U.S. Navy aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego.

COMMUNITY

Cycling group gives more than 100 bikes to Surprise center

For more than a decade, members of the Sun City West Cyclists Club have been proving that a bicycle can be much more than a mode of transportation.

City of Surprise Veterans Day parade November 11

The City of Surprise annual Veterans Day parade took over Bullard Ave. the morning of Wednesday Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., featuring floats, bands, and food trucks. An estimated 8,000 …

things to do

Live Like Lou Foundation pitches College Baseball Series in Surprise

The Live Like Lou Foundation is the presenting partner of its College Baseball Series tournaments in Surprise and Nashville, Tenn.

things to do

Surprise residents can register for Winter Break Camp

The city of Surprise Parks and Recreation Department offers a two-week Winter Break Camp with daily activities, including arts and crafts, games and sports for youths in kindergarten through seventh grade.

NEIGHBORS

‘Black Wings Over Arizona’ author speaks at The Grand Connection event

Ret. Col. Richard “Dick” Toliver remembers graduating with a mechanical engineering degree from Tuskegee Institute University in 1963, learning from the Tuskegee Airmen, becoming a project …

Veterans

Take a Veteran to School Day has Surprise mayor among panelists

About 120 students gathered with veterans in the Shadow Ridge High School Fine Arts Auditorium in Surprise, and among them was Mayor Kevin Sartor. A room full of juniors met for Take a Veteran …

Cactus senior outside hitter Laila Long hits a kill off the block of ALA-West Foothills junior right side Aileen Nimijan during a 4A girls volleyball playoff quarterfinal Nov. 10 at Cactus High School in Glendale.

WEST VALLEY PREPS

Cobras warm up, win volleyball quarterfinal in Glendale

Cactus has proved itself as one of the top teams in 4A girls volleyball this season. It just needs a little time to warm up. The #4 seed Cobras fell behind 19-14 in the first set of Tuesday’s …

A voter and her children stop for candy at William Coniam’s table across from the Surprise City Hall polling station.

education

Everett, Coniam chosen to govern Dysart Schools

As humble as William Coniam was about the numbers not being final enough for him to be declared a winner for one of two seats on the Dysart Unified School District governing board, the numbers consistently showed him in second place.

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OPINIONS WITH CIVILITY

Surprise Veterans Day parade a celebration of community, patriotism

OPINION — The city of Surprise Veterans Day parade was a huge success. Thousands of residents lined the streets to celebrate our veterans, enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather and experience what makes our community so special.

Vets Forward urges Senate to reject gutting veterans’ benefits after House vote

OPINION — Following the U.S. House of Representatives’ controversial Veterans Day “voice vote” on H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, Vets Forward calls on the U.S. Senate to reject the legislation in its current form.

340B drug pricing program needs to return to its roots — serving vulnerable patients

OPINION — No older adult should have to choose between filling a prescription and paying for groceries or keeping the lights on. Yet that’s precisely the choice too many older adults in the United States face, especially Hispanic adults.

Boy Scouts in past Surprise Veterans Day parade.

community

Plan for the Surprise Veterans Day Parade

The city of Surprise Veterans Day Parade parade begins 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, along Bullard Avenue, to honor and celebrate those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Removed from his grandparents' home at 10 years old, Matthew Baker, found the courage to speak up and has released his book: “Just Knock: A Memoir of Surviving Childhood Abuse and Finding the Courage to Speak Up.”

neighbors

Surprise author releases memoir to help children speak up

Matthew Baker, a husband, father of two, mediator and former middle and high school teacher, speaks from experience when he encourages children to speak up.

George Garcia (right) trains his son, WBC Latino, WBA Intercontinental Champion Elijah Garcia, in the ring while he shadow boxes at Las Vegas Fight Club in Las Vegas, on Nov. 2.

Community

Retired boxer George Garcia building Wittmann gym to serve community

LAS VEGAS – The air is thick with heat and sweat. Reggaeton, Latin pop and rap songs pause every two to three minutes as the workout bell rings. Speed bags ricochet off their holders under fervent …

DATA DRIVEN

Phoenix, Tucson among U.S. cities with highest motorcycle death rates

New data shows Phoenix is one of the nation's most dangerous cities in which to ride a motorcycle. Motorcycle crashes claimed 424 lives in Phoenix between 2015 and 2024, giving the city the …

In addition to meals for veterans, Outback Steakhouse in Surprise had a table set for all to see their display honoring the fallen soldiers on Veterans Day.

things to do

Veterans Day deals for those who served

Each year, U.S. veterans and active duty military are thanked for their service at various business establishments throughout the Valley on Veterans Day.