E: [email protected] 623.876.7169 T: Office: Public Information SCHOOL DISTRICT UNIFIED DYSART E: [email protected] Officer Public Information Dave Reuter, 623.583.4840 T: Office: Public Information CITY OFSURPRISE

A COMMUNITY ON THE MOVE . VOLUME 1 NO. 6 . FALL 2001 “Point ofLight” Help andHope Winner Offers Winner darkest moment Leslie Childers’ brought herto brought the light. 2 8 6 4 3 School students a real-life lessoninCitygovernment. School studentsareal-life High givingDysart Surprise CityCouncilmembers are Bringing theConstitution toLife Patrias. ofFiestas forannualobservance Surprise prepares Special Events coming totown. onallthenewbusinesses Get thelatestinformation Coming Soon surprise conference. September foraninternational works whentheymeetatWest Museumin Valley Art willbeexhibitingtheir World animalartists reknown Caution: Watch Art forWild As volunteer coordinator of congratulatory letters from Surprise’s Alternative Response senators Jon Kyl and John McCain, (AR) team, Surprise resident Gov. Jane Hull, and both Bush Leslie Childers was The Daily presidents. "Just to be recognized by Points of Light Award winner for these offices is pretty neat," she May 25. Given each weekday by said. how to the Points of Light Foundation, the national award was first instituted The New York native, with a master’s volunteer... by former President George Bush degree in public relations and a to honor an individual or bachelor’s in corporate Call Leslie Childers at organization making a positive communications, was on the fast- (623) 875-4319 or and lasting difference in the lives track - traveling the country as (602) 310-2438 of others. for a wireless communications company - when a A written application, The volunteer-staffed AR van Nov. 10, 1995 phone call forever oral board interview, accompanies fire and police altered the course of her life. "My fingerprinting and personnel to traumatic events, mom called to tell me my dad had background check is offering reassurance and been murdered," she said. resources to those left suffering required. Training in the wake of accidents, deaths For Childers, work became includes a ride-along and violent crimes. Explained increasingly difficult as she suffered with experienced team Childers, "We spend three to four from sleeplessness and memory members, and 24 hours hours with them on the worst day loss. "Literally, I thought I was losing of classroom of their lives." my mind," she said, until she instruction in crisis attended a meeting of Parents of intervention, domestic Though she knew Surprise Fire Murdered Children and found out her violence, grief, suicide, Captain Dan Gromer had symptoms were normal for homicide sexual assault, nominated her, Childers admits survivors. equipment operation, she was surprised by a voice mail informing her of the selection. Childers began researching victim’s first aid and more. rights, and increasingly realized she A page-long biography of recipient wanted to help other hurting people. One eight-hour shift number 1907 is posted on the She moved to Arizona to be with per month is the web site, www.PointsofLight.org, friends, and for two years worked as minimum requirement, (look under Past Winners, May a property manager while but volunteers may 25), and Childers has received volunteering as a victim advocate for work additional shifts. the Chandler Police Department. “Points of Light” Winner Offers Help and Hope Once again she left management - this time to pursue a master’s degree in social work at ASU. "I was going to be poor," she said with a laugh.

Subsequent stints with the Maricopa County Attorney’s office and Phoenix Fire Department’s AR program supplemented her experience and led her to Surprise last fall. Though she turned down a paying job to establish and coordinate an Alternative Response program to service the entire far West Valley, it wasn’t a tough decision. "This is where I wanted to be. It’s where my heart is," she said, "and it’s an important enough program not to get paid. I love doing what I do." (She’s since been hired by the Department to work as a part-time fire prevention educator.)

So far some 50 volunteers have been through the intensive AR training classes Childers established, yielding enough to staff the van Friday through Sunday, though the goal is round-the-clock service.

Leslie Childers holds up a letter signed by former President George Bush congratulating her on The Daily Points of pointsLight Award. of light2 Caution: Watch for Wild Art

Lions and tigers and bears, oh yes! This September, Maybe you’ve been Surprise is going wild. Watch for internationally known assaulted, your animal artists, and a few real-life zoo types, to invade the home burglarized, or City as "Art & The Animal" debuts at the West Valley Art your car stolen. The Museum Sept. 1 through Oct. 15. Surprise is the first stop last thing you need on a five-city national tour for the 41st Annual Exhibition of is to pay for a the 350-member Society of Animal Artists. police report. "This exhibition has something for everyone, from artists Thanks to a new who want to see how other artists portray the exotic and Surprise Police familiar creatures around us, to children who have a Department policy, natural curiosity about the fascinating world of animals," victims of a priority one crime are entitled to said Wally Steffan, director of the West Valley Art Museum. one free report. "Most agencies have fees, but usually only three or four are free," said More than 90 works in oil, watercolor, graphite, bronze, reports Lt. Mark Schott, "We’ve extended it to cover alabaster, and more will be featured in the exhibition. incidents where people truly are a victim – Admission is free to Museum members, $5 for non- it’s not by their choice." members, and $2 for students.

crime Those crimes include sexual assault, In conjunction with the show, a four-day educational aggravated assault, robbery, theft, arson, conference beginning Sept. 11 will culminate with a free burglary, auto theft and domestic violence. day of events for the family. The public is invited to meet The family of a murder victim is entitled to a the artists from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 15 at the Museum, free report, as well. then see the artists in action from 2 to 3:30 that afternoon at The Phoenix Zoo. Some of the artists include Reports on other incidents, including stone sculptor Charles Allmond, plein-air sketch artist John automobile accidents, may be requested for Banovich, watercolorist David Rankin and scratchboard a fee. Cost is $5 for less than 10 pages; artist Fran Sweet. $10 for 10 to 20 pages; and $15 for 20 pages or more. There’s an additional charge Reservations are required for a $15 gala artists’ reception for copies of photos or videotapes, and a Sept. 14, and $75 a plate Society of Animal Artists Annual $25 hand research fee for reports written Dinner on Sept. 15. prior to mid-1992. Live animals will visit the Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reports are usually available within a week Sept. 29 for Safari Fest. The event will also feature animal of the incident. To obtain a report: mascots from local sports teams, animal sculptor Scott McNeill, large outdoor animal sculptures by youth, Fill out a records request form at the environmental and wildlife groups – the animals they care Surprise Police Department, 12425 W. about - music and more. Multiple performances of "Peter Bell Road and the Wolf," performed by the Symphony of the West Pay any fees to the cashier in the nearby Valley and narrated by announcer Al McCoy Community Development Department, and are also scheduled. return the receipt to the Police Department A poster commemorating the event by Banovich, as well as You will be notified when the records are books and prints by other artists featured in the exhibition, ready. The department has seven to 10 will be on sale in the Museum store. working days to fill the request, however most are processed within a couple of The West Valley Art Museum is located north of Bell Road days. at (114th) Avenue of the Arts. For more information, or admission fees for the conference, call the Museum at For more information, call the Police (623) 972-0635 or visit the web site at www.wvam.org. 3 Department at (623) 583-1085. Get a gander at some future Texas Surprise Rangers - and help Surprise youth - by comingsoon attending "Surprise Day" Nov. 10 at the is in the . Take in an process of game between the Watch this column for and the Peoria building an businesses coming soon to Surprise. Javelinas. adult sports program, The Arizona Fall League showcases Surprise Towne Center (northwest corner of Major League teams’ top and we Grand Avenue and Bell Road): Brake Masters, prospects. "They’re the minor leaguers need your closest to making it to the Majors," Century 21 real estate, Discount Tire, Interstate said Adam Robinson, Surprise’s special opinions. Batteries, Linens’n Things, Pier 1 Imports, events coordinator. Players wear the Watch for Prestige Dance Studio, Ross Dress for Less, uniform of their Major League team, so Smoothie King, Van Metre Chiropractic. it’s easy to follow the prospects of your the adult Fry’s Plaza (15508 W. Bell Road): 2007 Nails, favorite team. sports Heritage Shutters, Kingswood Park Family survey in Chiropractic and Perfect Look Salon. For now, Texas Rangers’ prospects play the next Sun City Grand: An Osco at 19505 N. Sunrise. on the , along with Bell Road and Cotton Lane a Safeway is going prospects from the Yankees, Angels, edition of on the southeast corner and, on the northeast Padres and Mariners. ’ prospects are on the Surprise corner, another Walgreens. team, but when Progress. Church buildings in the works include Spirit of the Royals and Rangers Grace Lutheran Church on the northwest move to Surprise corner of Clearview and Rim Drive in Sun City permanently in 2003, Grand, Kingswood Parke Church in Kingswood it’s possible another Parke, and New Song Methodist Church at Fall League team will 16303 W. Bell Road. be formed featuring Other developments include Surprise Mini the teams together, Storage at 15701 N. Reems Road, a Quik Trip Robinson said. gas station and convenience store at 11420 W. The Nov. 10 game Bell Road and an Emissions Testing Station at begins at 12:05 p.m. 134th Avenue and Westgate. Tickets are $5, with half of the proceeds going to support Surprise’s contact us . contact us . contact us Youth Scholarship Program. The The clock CITY COUNCIL . 623.583.5899 program allows is ticking. To Joan Shafer, Mayor low-income youth Thomas Allen, Vice-Mayor to participate in find out how Don Cox sports and many days, Johnny Montoya recreation hours and Tucker Smith programs for Roy Villanueva discounted or minutes until Bob Vukanovich waived fees. For the opening more information, CITY MANAGER . 623.583.1080 or tickets, call the day pitch at Bill Pupo Surprise Parks, Surprise Recreation & Stadium, visit PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION . 623.583.1088 Library Martha Bails Department at the City’s web Janelle Blair Can’t wait until 2003 to head the ballgame? (623) 583-0002. site at www. Robert Gonzalez Daniel Morris surpriseaz. Antonio Segarra com Ken Senft Lyn Truitt 4 youthBOYS/GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL sports This team sport for boys and girls ages 5-12 is designed to encourage maximum participation and a basic understanding of the fundamental skills of football. Fun, teamwork and sportsmanship are priority! League rules guarantee equal playing time. Volunteer Coaches Needed!

Registration: Sept. 17 – Oct. 13, 2001 . Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Special Saturdays: Peter Piper Pizza: Oct. 6, 4 – 6 p.m. Parks and Recreation Administration Bldg. – Oct. 13, 8 – 11 a.m. Season: Games played Saturday mornings beginning late October Registration Fee: $25 Surprise Resident / $35 Non-Resident / $10 late fee after Oct. 13 Fee includes team T-shirt and awards

YOUTH GIRL’S VOLLEYBALL Youth Girls Volleyball is for girls entering grades 3 – 8 and is designed to encourage maximum participation and a basic understanding of the fundamental skills of volleyball. Fun, teamwork and sportsmanship are priority! League rules guarantee equal playing time. Volunteer Coaches Needed!

Registration: Sept. 17 – Oct. 13, 2001 . Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Special Saturdays: Peter Piper Pizza – Oct. 6, 4 – 6 p.m. Parks and Recreation Administration Bldg. – Oct. 13, 8 – 11 a.m. Season: Games played Saturday mornings beginning late October Registration Fee: $25 Surprise Resident / $35 Non-Resident / $10 late fee after Oct. 13. Fee includes team T-shirt and awards adultADULT SPORTS MEN’S & COEDsports SOFTBALL Registration for Men’s and Coed Softball is currently under way. Sign up your team now for a season of recreational fun. Men’s league games start Sept. 21, and include 12 games and a single elimination tournament. Coed softball league games start Sept. 23, and include 10 games and a single elimination tournament.

Registration: Deadline is Sept. 7. For more information, call Adam Robinson at (623) 815-5477. specialSPECIAL INTEREST CLASSES DANCE COMBOinterest 1 & 2 classes This continuation class is in response to parent’s request for longer classes. Participants will learn beginning ballet and tap steps and combinations and beginning tumbling skills and tumbling combinations. Instructor: Amy Hueser

Registration Fee: $30 per session.

Dance Combo 1 (6 Classes): 4-6 yrs begins 9/8/01 Saturdays 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Villanueva Recreation Center 7-9 yrs. begins 9/8/01 Saturdays 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Villanueva Recreation Center Dance Combo 2 (6 Classes): 4-6 yrs. begins 10/20/01 Saturdays 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Villanueva Recreation Center 7-9 yrs. begins 10/20/01 Saturdays 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Villanueva Recreation Center

DANCE 1 & 2 This continuous class is in response to parent’s request for longer classes. Participants will learn ballet, tap and jazz steps and combinations while developing muscle tone, strength, coordination, poise and graceful movement. Instructor: Amy Hueser Registration Fee: $30 per session Dance 1 (6 Classes): 10-13 yrs. begins 9/8/01 Saturdays 11 a.m. - Noon Villanueva Recreation Center Dance 2 (6 Classes): 10-13 yrs. begins 10/20/01 Saturdays 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Villanueva Recreation Center

STEP AEROBICS This effective and fun workout is designed to enhance cardiovascular conditioning and muscle toning with the use of benches. Class includes conditioning, stretching and cool down. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays. Instructor: Margaret Planeta Registration Fee: $20 per session

Session 1: Teen / Adult 9/5/01 – 9/26/01 M & W 7 – 8 p.m. Villanueva Recreation Center Session 2: Teen / Adult 10/1/01 – 10/29/01 M & W 7 – 8 p.m. Villanueva Recreation Center FALL HOLIDAY ART CLASSES Open to teens and adults. Make beautiful decorative pieces for your home, or gifts. One project each for Fall/Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Class limited to 15. Instructor: Misty Johnson Registration Fee: $20, plus $10 supply fee Fall Holiday Art Class Teen / Adult 9/27/01 - 11/1/01 Thursdays 1- 2 p.m. Surprise Youth Center 5 CITY CELEBRATES FIESTAS PATRIAS FIREFIGHTERS OFFER FREE BABY SHOTS The crowning of a Fiestas Patrias queen will kick Surprise firefighters will be immunizing children 9 off a weekend of food and fun celebrating a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 13, at the Surprise Fire Mexico’s independence from Spain. Department, 15616 N. Hollyhock St. The Baby Shots program offers free immunization clinics The City-sponsored event will open at 5 p.m. (the for City residents. The program provides all pageant starts at 6) Sept. 14, and again at 2 immunizations that are required for day care and p.m. on Sept. 15. All festivities are at Gaines school entry, including varicella and hepatitis A. Park, located on Nash Street in the Original Other immunizations offered are: polio, measles, Townsite. Admission and parking is free. mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, haemophilus influenza B and hepatitis B. For The festivities include live bands, Mariachi more information on the program, contact players, Folklorico Dancers, a car show on Surprise firefighter "Hap" Reitz at (623) 583- Saturday, train rides and games for the children, 8668, or Terry Ramirez at (623) 583-8225. along with craft, food, and beverage vendors. For more information, call Adam Robinson at CITY UPDATES TELEPHONE DIRECTORY (623) 815-5477 Don't know where to call to obtain a building permit? Need a phone number for the library? Check out the new, updated 2001/2002 Surprise Telephone Directory to locate most any FIREFIGHTERS OFFER CPR CLASSES City phone number. The eight-page guide directs Surprise firefighters continue to offer CPR readers to City departments, frequently called classes to City residents each month as part of numbers, social service organizations and county the City's on-going Pool Safety and Drowning phone numbers. The free directory is available at Prevention Program. CPR classes are scheduled Surprise City Hall, or any City of Surprise office. for Sept. 8, Oct. 13 and Nov. 17. The classes For information, contact Dave Reuter, the City's are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Surprise City Hall, public information officer, at (623) 583-4840. 12425 W. Bell Road. A familiarization CPR class, aimed at teaching CPR basics, is offered free to SAFETY FAIR SET FOR WAL-MART City residents. A CPR certification class, which Surprise police officers will conduct a Safety Fair requires students to pass a 50-question multiple- from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 13, at the Surprise choice test, is also offered to residents. A $7.50 Wal-Mart store. For information, contact Scott fee is charged for the certification class to cover Bailey at (623) 583-1122. the cost of the American Heart Association instructional book. Both courses are offered simultaneously. For more information, or to register for the certification class, contact the citynotebook Surprise Fire Department at (623) 583-8225. OPEN HOUSE SET FOR TRANSIT PLAN DOING BUSINESS IN SURPRISE? The City of Surprise will host a Transit Open GET A LICENSE House from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, at If you are thinking about doing business in the West Valley Art Museum, 17420 N. Avenue Surprise, plan on getting your City business of the Arts, Surprise. The open house will feature license before making your first sale. a presentation on the Surprise Long Range The Surprise Municipal Code states "It is Transit Plan followed by a roundtable discussion unlawful for any person, partnership, of regional transit issues with representatives association, company or corporation to from neighboring cities, Maricopa County and the commerce, transact or carry on any trade, Regional Public Transportation Authority. For business, game or amusement, calling, those who would like to come early, the museum profession or occupation ... without first having will open at 5 p.m. with displays from procured a license from the City of Surprise." - neighboring cities on their transit plans. Business license fees are based on a schedule Refreshments will be served. Transportation to of businesses and professional occupations. the meeting will be provided by Surprise Dial-A- For more information, call Marvin Carter, the Ride at no charge to Surprise residents. For City's Tax Auditor, at (623) 875-4259. more information, or to schedule a Dial-A-Ride pickup, call (623) 583-0653. 6 CITY OFFICES CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS Sharla: Surprise offices will be closed, and no City services provided, Saleswoman Sept. 3, in observance of Labor of Surprise Day and Oct. 8, in observance of Columbus Day. There will be no recreation programs or Dial-a-Ride Whether it’s answers or apparel, service. There will be no trash EMPLOYEE SINCE: Sharla Sanders is the one to see. collection service on Mondays. 1999 As secretary to the Public Residents who normally have Information Office, she regularly FAMILY: their trash collected on Mondays fields calls from residents and Husband Robbie & will have it collected on Tuesday reporters adeptly directing them 3 Children these weeks. Tuesday customers to the appropriate source, but her will have theirs delayed one day HOBBIES: favorite part of the job is until Wednesday. Thursday and Softball managing the Surprise City Store. Friday routes are not affected FAVORITE FOOD: during the holiday weeks. For The small shop occupies a corner Veggie Pizza more information, call the City's of the Public Information Office Public Information Office at (623) suite and features Surprise- FAVORITE MUSIC: 583-4840. insignia clothing and gift items. Aerosmith & Ozzie Osborne When Sanders joined the NATIONAL CONFERENCE department in 1999, it earned a HONORS MAYOR FAVORITE WAY modest $1,100 (money that goes TO RELAX: Cancer Information Exchange, an into the general fund) off the sale Watching Movies official publication of the Health of T-shirts, polo shirts, mugs and Programs of The United States GREATEST water bottles, but in just one Conference of Mayors, recently ACCOMPLISHMENT: year, the former concessionaire honored Surprise Mayor Joan ”My children. They boosted annual profits to $9,000. Shafer for her work with the have made me a The key, she said, is to constantly Arizona Legislature to recognize better person.” offer new items. "You’ve got to specific cancers as constituting keep it fresh and exciting." an occupational disease for firefighters and to extend Sanders large blue eyes shine as sales. In 1991, she and workers' compensation and she shows off the latest husband Robbie followed his survivors' benefits accordingly. merchandise: Blue, tan and sage- parents to Arizona. Settling in Her efforts were in memory of colored T-shirts emblazoned with a rural area near Wittmann, her late husband Richard, a a colorful new design, men’s Sanders took a job in the City firefighter who died of lung cancer denim dress shirts (long and of Surprise Public Works in 1990. short sleeve available in four Department and when the colors), women’s sleeveless golf secretary position opened up THE MAYOR IS IN RESUMES shirts, teddy bears with T-shirts, three months later, she Mayor Joan Shafer resumes her pens, lanyards and more. "And applied. monthly The Mayor Is In program look at these, she exclaimed as "I like dealing with all the on Sept. 8 at Albertsons on she whipped open a cardboard people; meeting all the Grand Avenue. The program box filled with white "The Surprise new folks," she said. "I’m continues on Sept. 22 at Fry's on of Arizona" license plate frames. a people-person." Bell Road, Oct. 6 at Target and Oct. 13 at Wal-Mart. The program And, Sanders is still ordering. On runs from 9-11 a.m. The Mayor Is City Hall Square is located the list are postcards and note In is a walk-in program where at 12425 W. Bell Road. cards and, in time for winter, residents can chat informally with The store is located in more sweatshirts. "They went like the Mayor. No appointments are Suite B-202. Look for the hotcakes last year," she said. necessary. For more information, turquoise colored sign with call the Mayor's office at Sanders grew up in West Jordan, black letters, "Surprise City (623) 583-5899. Utah - about a half-hour Store." For more southwest of Salt Lake City - and information, call Sanders 7 as a teen found her niche in retail at (623) 583-4840. CITY OF SURPRISE 12425 West Bell Road PRSRT STD Surprise, Arizona 85374 US POSTAGE PAID SUN CITY, AZ PERMIT #373

POSTAL PATRON

bringing the constitutionto life Surprise City Council members are "Our goal is to help the youth to realize how important it is for them to know teaming up with Dysart High School their government - and not just city government - and that their vote is very students to give them a peek into vital," said Mayor Joan Shafer. the political arena. Amator is equally excited. "This is a wonderful opportunity for students to In celebration of Constitution Week, learn about City government up close and personal, and to get to know the Jan Amator’s government class at people running the City," she said. "Simulation is better than textbooks and Dysart High School will elect a activities and this goes beyond simulation. It’s about as close to the real mayor and council, appoint a city world as you can get without getting elected." manager, city clerk and city attorney, draft an agenda, then Amator added that the experience would provide a framework for further study hold a mock council meeting at of the Constitution and the roles of state and federal government. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in City Hall Council Chambers. The three other In addition to the mock Council, students at all six Dysart elementary schools, government classes, taught by and Paradise Education Center in Surprise, are invited to write an essay on Martha Aranda and Melissa how the U.S. Constitution relates to government today. Deadline is Sept. 6. A Crandall, will get into the act by council member has been assigned to each school and will assemble a panel voting, researching issues, then of judges to select a winner. Winners from each school will receive a plaque at drafting a resolution to present to the Sept. 27 City Council meeting, as well as a pizza lunch for their class. their mock representatives. Real- life Council members and staff will Sept. 17 marks the 214th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of mentor students concerning their the United States by the Constitutional Convention. For more information, call roles in City government. the Mayor and Council office at (623) 583-5899.