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Guest Commentary
Chris Judd: District 6 Newsletter — March 2023
Posted
Chris Judd
By Chris Judd
Be sure to add this event to your list of amazing things to do in Surprise! Check out Bases and Brews Fest, March 24-26. This family-friendly festival is at Mark Coronado Park next to Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave., and will be featuring national and local award-winning entertainment, thrilling performers, exhilarating midway rides and games, classic festival food and interactive activities for all ages.
Saturday, March 25: Andy Grammer co-headlining with Chris Lane
Sunday, March 26: WALK THE MOON with special guest lovelytheband
Bases and Brews Music Fest hours are as follows:
Friday, March 24: 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Saturday, March 25: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Sunday, March 26: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
For more information on ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities and the festival schedule, please visit BasesandBrewsFest.com.
White Tank Mountain Conversancy update
The Arizona Game and Fish Department was successful in tagging Bighorn sheep within the White Tank Mountains. Check out the photo below that was captured during the mission.
Surprise Stadium special events & promos
Resident Appreciation Days courtesy of Fat Cats: now through March 11
College Days – college student discount during Spring Break! March 5 - 19
Sunday Funday Family Four Pack for $44 (Every Sunday)
Kids Run the Bases presented by Uptown Alley (Every Sunday)
Military & First Responder Appreciation Days (Every Sunday)
For Spring Training tickets and more information on the events listed above, head to SurpriseStadium.com
Sprouts ribbon cutting
Friday, February 3, Mayor Hall, Councilmember Patrick Duffy and I joined Store Manager Michael Kidd, in celebrating the grand opening of the new Sprouts Farmers Market near Waddell Road and Loop 303 in Surprise! We are so excited to welcome this wonderful addition to our community!
Eggstravaganza
The City of Surprise invites residents to participate in our Eggstravaganza event this spring! The event is free and features fun for the whole family. Residents will enjoy inflatables, face painting, a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Bunny and a series of egg hunts filled with fun toys and treats. Eggstravaganza is Saturday, April 8, from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Surprise Recreation Campus located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave.
Family Movie Night
On Saturday, March 25, there will be a free family movie night. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and will be held at Marley Park Elementary, 15042 W. Sweetwater Ave.
Free Parenting Seminar
On Wednesday, March 29, Marley Park Elementary school will be hosting a free seminar from 6 -7 p.m. This seminar will be focused on creating a media safe home. Media is one of the strongest influencers of our kids and many parents feel ill-equipped to build a media safe home.
The Grand renaming ribbon cutting
On Thursday, February 2, Mayor Hall, Councilmember Aly Cline and I joined Bob Aiken, President, and Rene Mitchell, Vice President, of The Grand for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the new branding of their community, formerly known as Sun City Grand. Congratulations!
Surprise Youth Council recruitment
The City is recruiting new members for the Surprise Youth Council (SYC) – a group of trailblazing teens who are making a difference in their community! SYC members serve the community by collaborating with local leaders, including Mayor and City Council, to give a voice on City issues and help solve youth issues through awareness campaigns, service projects and community-building events. Students who are currently in grades 7-11 may apply, as long as they reside in or are attending a middle school or high school within Surprise city limits; or are attending a Dysart Unified School District high school.
Applications are being accepted through April 14 and consist of a video submission, no longer than 90 seconds, and a Parent Acknowledgement Form.
Your video should include the following information:
Your name, current grade and school you attend
Why you want to be on the SYC
If you could bring one thing to this city or change one thing, what would it be? What can you and a group like SYC do about it?
Of these three words: fearless, creative, hardworking – which one best describes you and why? Briefly tell us about a time you were fearless, creative or hardworking.
Applicants can submit the Parent Acknowledgement Form and completed video at surpriseaz.gov/SYC.
For questions or more information, please contact Teen Programs at 623.222.8336 or visit surpriseaz.gov/SYC.
Top 25 Champion School
Mayor Hall, Councilmembers Haney, Cline, Hastings and I had a great time on Monday, February 6, supporting the Valley Vista High School Special Olympics Unified Team at an event held by the NFL and ESPN. This team was named a Top 25 Champion School in the nation. Congratulations!
Surprise restaurant list
Are you looking to discover new places to dine in Surprise? In a community growing as quickly as ours, there are frequent updates to the ever-expanding list of restaurants in the community, so we’ve compiled a list to help you spot your new favorite joint! Check out the latest list.
HealthyU Clinics ribbon cutting
On Thursday, February 9, Mayor Hall, Councilmember Aly Cline and I joined Trase Barney, CEO, for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of a new HealthyU Clinics location in Surprise. We are excited to welcome them to our community!
Library card design contest
With the launch of a new Surprise Public Library System, Surprise is asking residents of all ages to help design the new library cards! Submit a design in one of three age categories: Youth (10 and under), Teen (11-17) and Adult (18 and over). One winner will be chosen from each category.
Beginning, July 1, library patrons will be able to choose from one of the winning card designs, or a standard logo card, for use at the three City of Surprise libraries – Asante, Hollyhock and Northwest/Surprise Regional. Download the design template and submission form at surpriseaz.gov/library and then submit your card design in one of the following ways:
In person: Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz., Surprise, AZ 85374; Attention: Kelsey Lamphier
By email: library@surpriseaz.gov (If selected, winner will be asked to provide original artwork.)
For questions about the library card design contest, please email library@surpriseaz.gov or call 623.222.2900
Poetry, art and more!
Are you ready to discover arts and culture events in Surprise? From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, make sure to mark your calendar to attend!
MARCH EVENTS:
March 9 ● 10 - 11 a.m.
Public Art Tour of City Hall
March 16 ● Noon
Lunchtime Theater – West Valley Symphony Jam Session | Arts HQ, $15
APRIL EVENTS:
April 6 ● 12 - 1 p.m.
Lunchtime Theater – Salty Dawgs Calypso and Folk Music
April 11 ● 11 - 12 p.m.
AZ Speaks - “Growing in the Desert: The History & Culture of the Tohono O’odham”
April 15 ● 11 - 3 p.m.
Public Art Bus Tour to "Cowgirl Up!" exhibit
April 21 ● 6 - 8 p.m.
Poetry Slam at WHAM
All dates and times are subject to change. All events are free unless otherwise stated. To register for Public Art Tours and AZ Speaks presented by Arizona Humanities, head to surpriseaz.gov/artssignup. For Lunchtime Theater, contact Arts HQ at 623.584.2626 or visit westvalleyarts.org/theater. To learn more about Poetry Slam, contact WHAM at 623.584.8311 or visit wham-art.org/poetry. Want to see what else is on the 2022-2023 arts & culture calendar? All events are listed online at surpriseaz.gov/arts.
Council Meetings and Agenda
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting will take place on March 21 at 6 p.m. and will be open to the public for in-person attendance. You can also watch live at surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv or the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise. Cox channel 11 also carries the meetings live. Agendas are always posted online at a minimum of two days prior.
If you see something on the agenda that concerns you, please reach out before the meeting so I have time to address your concern. I may even ask your questions during the City Council presentation. The best way to reach me is chris.judd@surpriseaz.gov.
Community Meeting
Please join me for my Monthly Meet and Greet on April 8 at 9 a.m. at Total Wine & More, 13440 N. Prasada Pkwy., in the meeting room in the back. Join me for my D6 Community Meeting on March 16 at 6 p.m. at Tap House Sports Grill, 13699 N. Litchfield Rd. I look forward to discussing the latest City issues and answering any questions you might have.
