Surprise District 2 City Councilmember Aly Cline
City of Surprise
By Aly Cline
Spring is in full motion, and with scattered showers we embrace the beauty and renewal that this season brings in Arizona. Our desert landscape comes alive in a symphony of color and scent, offering a truly unforgettable experience for anyone lucky to enjoy it. It's a season of growth, both in nature and within our community. We're excited to share with you the wonderful happenings and opportunities to come together with our community this month.
CURRENT EVENTS
Community Meetings
My next monthly Community Meetings will be at 10 a.m. on April 23 at The Grand in the Agua Fria Room, 17100 W. Clearview Blvd., and at 10 a.m. on April 26 at Arizona Traditions in the Ballroom, 17221 N. Citrus Rd. As promised, sign language interpreters will be at all my Community Meetings at The Grand this year. I look forward to discussing the latest City news and answering any questions you have.
Surprise Founders Day
The Surprise Original Townsite Stakeholders Committee, in partnership with the City of Surprise, is bringing Founder’s Day back to the Original Townsite, a long-time celebrated tradition that occurred from 1970 through 1990. This event will take place Saturday, April 13, at 2:30 p.m. at Bi-Centennial Park, 16705 N. Nash St.
A parade will start at the Senior Center, head north to Paradise Lane, west to Nash Street, then north to finish at the park. Activities will include recognition of the longest tenured residents, food booths (items for sale), car show, games and prizes for the kids, resident softball game and so much more!
We hope you join us in celebrating our heritage and traditions of the oldest section of our city. For more information, please call Sherry Simmons Aguilar at 602.319.5008 or email otschair@gmail.com.
Surprise Talent Show
The Surprise Talent Show is on Saturday, April 27, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Vista Center for the Arts located at 15660 N. Parkview Pl. The event promises a night of diverse performances spanning three age groups: youth, teens and adults. Join us for entertainment that will leave you in awe! Tickets for the talent show can be purchased in advance for $5 per person or at the door for $7 per person. For information, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec or call 623.222.2000.
Summer Camp Sign Ups Now Open
The City of Surprise is thrilled to announce our Summer Break Camp, an engaging program tailored for youth entering 1st through 8th grade. Summer Camp 2024 will be held May 28 through July 31; Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Countryside Recreation Center, located at 15038 N. Parkview Pl. for children entering grades 1st through 4th and Sierra Montana Recreation Center, located at 14861 N. Spring Ln. for participants entering grades 5th through 8th.
Fees for Summer Camp
Registration fee: $30 per child (resident) | $50 per child (non-resident)
Daily fee: $30 (resident) | $34 (non-resident)
Weekly fee: $150 (resident) | $170 (non-resident)
We have a limited number of spots available, and they will fill quickly, so please register early. For more information about Summer Break Camp, please call 623.222.1031 or email shelby.fenwick@surpriseaz.gov.
Sunday in the Park
Come enjoy this fun family event on Sunday, April 7, from 3 - 7 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park with live music from Host and Mahogany & Steel and delicious food. Event admission is free; food and drink are available for purchase. Also, support local vendors by shopping at the outdoor market!
City Council Meeting
The next City Council Meeting is April 16 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.
Arts & Culture Events
The City has many ways you can enjoy the arts and culture scene in our community. From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, there is something for you to explore!
*Outdoor Art Sketching Tour
April 6 • 10 a.m. - noon
*Lunchtime Theater | New Carpa Theater: Right Turns
April 11 • 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
*AZ Speaks - “Indigenous Signs and Symbols: Pee-Posh/Kwatsan” by Yolanda Hart Stevens
April 24 • 11 a.m. - noon
Surprise City Hall Art Gallery | Charter Schools Exhibit
Runs through May 17 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
*Registration required. Find details and sign-up information at surpriseaz.gov/ArtEvents.
MARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Read Across America Week
With National Read Across America Day on Saturday, March 2, I had the privilege of reading to several classes of different grade ranges at two schools in honor of Read Across America Week. Thank you to Freedom Traditional Academy and Countryside Elementary for inviting me!
Out of the Park Music Fest
Out of the Park Music Fest was one for the books! This festival featured local and national headlining music acts, food trucks, yard games, cornhole and more! It was truly the best way to close out the Spring Training season here in Surprise. Thank you to Sports & Tourism Director, Kendra Pettis, and her team for putting on such an incredible event. Follow Out of the Park Music Fest on social media to see a wrap up of the event and be the first to know about details for next year!
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Smoke Alarm Walk
On March 14, the Surprise Fire-Medical Department partnered with the Arizona Burn Foundation and American Red Cross to educate the community, reduce the risk of house fires and save lives! During this walk, deaf and hard of hearing smoke alarms were installed at no cost in low-income, high-risk homes. Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in this essential event in our city.
Surprise Fire Crews Save Home
Thanks to the quick action of the Surprise Fire-Medical team, a fire at an Arizona Traditions home on March 14, was controlled and prevented from spreading and destroying the interior of the house. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and the homeowner was able to evacuate safely with his family and pets. It is stories like these that prove why our firefighters are some of the best!
Community Outreach Program
The City of Surprise is excited to announce the Community Outreach Program is now accepting applications for grant funding up to $10,000. The purpose of the program is to provide funding assistance to organizations in Surprise for programs, events and activities that enhance the overall lifestyle of the community. This City Council-led initiative was created to help support community organizations working to enhance the quality of life for Surprise residents through programming and events.
Find the application and complete program details and eligibility requirements by May 3, at surpriseaz.gov/CommunityOutreachProgram.
For more information, please contact 623.222.1330 or jodi.tas@surpriseaz.gov.
Fix-A-Leak Week Proclamation
On Monday, March 18, at the City Council Meeting, Mayor Hall issued a proclamation recognizing March 18 - 24 as Fix-A-Leak Week. The annual campaign reminds residents about the importance of checking for leaks and helps to stop more than one-trillion gallons of water wasted annually by household leaks nationwide!
NEWS & UPDATES
“Safe Speeds Save Lives”
In an effort to save lives on our roadways, West Valley law enforcement agencies created a West Valley Speed and Aggressive Driver Task Force. It will focus on enforcing Arizona’s speed and aggressive driver laws and will also produce a “Safe Speeds Save Lives” traffic enforcement campaign.
Despite widespread efforts to educate drivers about the importance of safe speeds, motor vehicle collisions continue to be the leading cause of death and serious injuries in Arizona. The “Safe Speeds Save Lives” campaign will deliver high-visibility traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance approach towards speeding and aggressive driving on West Valley roadways.
The enforcement mobilization is in effect through July 31, 2024.
Participating agencies include:
- Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Avondale Police Department
- Buckeye Police Department
- El Mirage Police Department
- Glendale Police Department
- Goodyear Police Department
- Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
- Peoria Police Department
- Surprise Police Department
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me anytime at aly.cline@surpriseaz.gov or by calling 623.222.1322. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for frequent notifications. To receive my newsletters by email each month, please visit surpriseaz.gov/Subscribeand sign in or create an account. Then select text and/or email for “District 2 Council Updates” and any other news you may want to receive.
