Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
Guest Commentary
Patrick Duffy: District 3 Newsletter — March 2023
Posted
By Patrick Duffy
Just one more thing to add 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.
Sprouts ribbon cutting
Friday, February 3, Mayor Hall, Vice Mayor Judd 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!
Marshalls ribbon cutting
On Thursday, February 23, Mayor Hall, Councilmember Haney and I joined Marshalls District Manager, Scott Doepke, and General Manager, Phillip Anderson, at a grand opening/ribbon cutting event in celebration of the brand-new Surprise Marshalls at the Village at Prasada. As part of the Grand Opening ceremony, a $10,000 check was donated by Marshalls to St. Mary's Food Bank in support of the local community. We are so excited to welcome this Top Ten Most Desired Retailer based on resident surveysto our community!
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.
Care & Share Expo
The third annual Care & Share Expo will be held this Saturday, March 4. This year’s all-ages event will be from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Surprise Aquatic Center Parking Lot, 15831 N. Bullard Ave. This free community event helps create connections to human service organizations, health resources and medical checks. Here’s a look at some of the services and activities you can expect:
Health screenings
Pet wellness services and supplies provided by Chance Shelter (dogs & cats only)
Dental screenings provided by First Teeth First and Midwestern Dental
Utility assistance for Surprise, El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Waddell and Wittman residents (must qualify; funds are limited)
Veteran & Disability Services Info
Kids’ Zone with activities
Free lunch (while supplies last)
Raffle prizes and more!
This event is hosted by the City of Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission.
Backpacks/bags: In an effort to enhance public safety, Surprise Stadium has modified its security policy by limiting the size and style of bags allowed in the stadium.
Approved Bags:
Clear Tote: Plastic, vinyl and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
Small Clutch Purse: No larger than 5" x 8" with or without a handle or strap
Plastic Storage Bag: Clear, one (1) gallon, re-sealable
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection upon entering. Please limit the number of items you bring to the stadium on event days.
Tickets for the 2023 Spring Training season are available at SurpriseStadium.com, at the Surprise Stadium Box Office - 15850 N. Bullard Ave., or by phone at 623.222.2222. Service charges and processing fees may apply to online and phone orders. For questions or information, please call 623.222.2222.
Eggstravaganza vendors wanted
The City of Surprise invites interested outreach organizations, promotional vendors and local businesses 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. The promotional booth fee is $500 for business vendors and $150 for non-profits. This includes a 10x10 vendor tent, one table and two chairs. Please note space is limited!
To reserve your spot, go to surpriseaz.gov/surpriserec where you can create an account for your organization if you haven’t already, then click the ‘Special Events’ tab where you can register. You can also call 623.222.2000.
State of the City
I’d like to invite you to attend the 2023 State of the City event, including a video presentation sharing the story of Surprise. From the chapters already written to the ones yet to be penned, this plot is worth turning the page for! Stay afterwards for a celebration that includes a showcase of the City’s programs and services, including police and fire vehicle displays!
We will also have entertainment from some of our Dysart Unified Schools and City-run specialty classes, as well as complimentary refreshments.
Here are the event details:
Thursday, March 30
Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plz. Parking Map
6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. State of the City Video Premiere, Council Chambers*
6:30 - 8 p.m. City Showcase, City Hall First Floor & Outside Courtyard
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
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
Pup Nights at Surprise Stadium: March 8 & 23 Purchase here
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
It's budget building season!
The City of Surprise FY2024 budget building process has begun. The Recommended Budget is scheduled for release in April, followed by Council and public review that will result in the adoption of a balanced FY2024 budget in June. All meetings are carried live on Surprise TV for cable customers and streamed online at surpriseaz.gov/surpriseTV. Additionally, each of the staff budget presentations will be linked at surpriseaz.gov/budget the day following the talks. Learn more here.
National Community Survey
What do you love about living in Surprise? What services do you value most? What can the City do better to improve the quality of life in our hometown? You can share your thoughts in the 2023 National Community Survey! What you tell us helps to identify priority projects for Surprise and indicates where limited City funding should go in order to provide the services you most desire.
This scientific survey examines residents' responses on topics ranging from traffic flow to public safety to senior and youth services. Paper surveys were mailed to 2,800 randomly-selected Surprise households and there is an online survey available for all Surprise residents to participate through March 2. Survey responses are anonymous.
Results are expected in April and will be shared online at surpriseaz.gov/NCS. We thank you in advance for your participation, as you help to make Surprise an even better community.
Parks and Recreation events
Cookies and Crafts with Mrs. Bunny – April 1
Eggstravaganza – April 8
To register, head to surpriseaz.gov/surpriserec and click on “Special Events & Programs” or contact 623.222.2000.
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.
Community Meeting
My next meeting will be on March 4 at 9 a.m. at Total Wine & More, 13440 N. Prasada Pkwy., in the meeting room in the back. Please check surpriseaz.gov for updates to my Meet and Greet schedule. As always, feel free to email me at patrick.duffy@surpriseaz.gov with any questions or concerns you may have.
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meetings are on March 7 and 21 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise or on Cox channel 11.
Please continue to check the City of Surprise website, at surpriseaz.gov for updates to meeting schedules and other important announcements.
