The application for the Surprise Small Business Relief Grant is now available. To apply, go to supriseaz.gov/smallbusinessgrant before Oct. 16. Applicants will need to create an account with Arizona Community Foundation as part of the application process and have their Surprise Business Registration License & W-9 form to apply. For questions, please email SurpriseRelief@azfoundation.org or call 623-222-3300.
Surprise Day of Service
If you are looking for an opportunity to help others in the community, the Surprise Day of Service is a great way to do just that. Volunteers are needed on Oct. 10 to help with revitalization and cleanup events to assist neighborhoods and homeowners who may not be physically or financially able to maintain their homes as required by local codes. Volunteers will help with landscaping, painting, trimming of shrubs, debris removal and more. To get involved, you can register as an individual or as a group, by contacting Larry.Garcia@surpriseaz.gov, or calling 623-222-1522.
Honoring Our Heroes
Thank you to Dysart Unified School District for their beautiful tribute to our first responders and military. On Sept. 11, students from Valley Vista High School police and fire programs placed 100 flags on the lawn of the school to honor first responders and military. The 100 is in representation of Dysart’s Centennial, which it celebrates this year. Dysart Unified School District has been a tremendous partner to work with and I am proud to have worked so collaboratively with them throughout my term.
Veterans Day Tribute
The city of Surprise Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting Veterans Day tribute submissions in the form of a video or sign. The city of Surprise will not be able to put on a parade for Veterans Day this year, due to COVID-19, but will be using signs and videos to create a virtual alternative. To participate, please record a video tribute, no more than 15 seconds, thanking our veterans. Videos can be uploaded to surpriseaz.gov/veteranvideo. This compilation of community messages will be featured on Veterans Day on the Surprise TV cable channel, our Parks & Recreation social media pages (Facebook and Instagram), and the City of Surprise website at surpriseaz.gov. Entries must be received by Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
You can also participate by making a sign to display your gratitude. Signs will be displayed on Bullard Ave. near Surprise Stadium on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 10 - Thursday, Nov. 12 until 5 p.m. Blank signs are available for pick up Monday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 30 at the Parks and Recreation Office, 15960 N. Bullard Ave, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and should be returned to the Parks and Recreation Office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 so that they can be included in the display. For more information, you can contact Steve Castillo at 623-222-2267, or by email at steve.castillo@surpriseaz.gov.
7th Annual Fiesta Grande goes virtual
Celebrate our city’s cultural heritage at the seventh annual Surprise Fiesta Grande-To Go style. This virtual celebration, presented by the city of Surprise Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with 101.9 FM Radio La Campesina, includes a line-up of fun all this week. Enjoy authentic Mexican food, cooking and dance classes, crafts, games and more. Please see the schedule of events below:
All day on Oct. 6, Let’s Taco ‘bout a Good Meal! Where local restaurants will be offering discounts.
Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m.: Nacho Average Virtual Bingo. Register at surpriserec.surpriseaz.gov by clicking on ‘Special Events’ by noon for a chance to win fun prizes.
Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m.: Virtual Arts and Crafts, featuring WHAM (to participate, pick up your craft kit at the Parks & Recreation office, Oct. 5 through Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 15960 N. Bullard Ave.).
Oct. 9, at 5 p.m.: Fiesta Food Truck Friday & Swag Bag (Villanueva Recreation Center, 15660 N. Hollyhock St. Register for swag bags at surpriserec.surpriseaz.gov by clicking on ‘Special Events’).
City Council Meeting Schedule
Our next regularly scheduled meetings for the month of October will be Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 20. The Surprise City Council meetings have reopened to limited in-person public participation. In keeping with CDC guidelines, in-person participants will be required to wear a facial covering when entering or exiting the chambers, but may remove it while seated, if they so choose. Capacity will be capped at 50 people, and physical distancing measures will be in place. Virtual participation options will remain available and instructions for that are posted on each meeting’s agenda at www.surpriseaz.gov/agendas.
As always, I am available via david.sanders@surpriseaz.gov or 623-222-1325. Please feel free to reach out. I always want to hear from my constituents.
