SANITARY DISTRICT RAMADA CONSTRUCTION ON SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION
Construction of the new control building for the well is progressing and is on-schedule. MGC Contractors is working toward having most of the lawn area restored and open to the public by this fall. Work inside the well control building will extend through the end of November. Fount Rushmore statues will be relocated in a better arrangement for park visitors to experience. The existing sidewalk will be relocated for better access to the ramada and designated view spot by meandering around the ramada.
The well is one of five Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells the Sanitary District uses to balances the supply and demand of recycled water. In the winter when the supply of recycled water is abundant, but demand is low, the excess recycled water is pumped and stored underground. In the summer, when supply is low but demand is high, the recycled water is recovered and delivered for irrigation of Town parks and local golf courses. The ASR wells have been successfully operating since 2001. They are a critical component which allow the Sanitary District to “recycle every drop”. Visit the project website www.FHRecyclesEveryDrop.com for more information.
FOUNTAIN PARK MAINTENANCE PROJECTS ... SO YOU ARE AWARE
As many residents know, September at Fountain Park means scalping the summer Bermuda grass and preparing for overseeding (see page 6 Overseeding). However, this period involves much more than just mowing turf lower and creating dust. It’s also a time for essential maintenance and testing of the park’s equipment.
This year, an evaporation test will be conducted, requiring the fountain to be shut down and all lake filling to be paused for one week. This test is crucial to ensure that the lake liner is functioning properly. During this shutdown, the switch gear that supplies power to the fountain will undergo preventative maintenance (PM) to ensure safe and reliable operation. Additionally, each of the pumps and motors will receive PM service including oil changes and calcium removal.
The specific week for this maintenance and testing will be announced once it is determined. Updates will be posted on the Town’s website at www.fountainhillsaz.gov, and Facebook page @TownofFountainHills.
WATERCOLORS SHOWCASED AT COMMUNITY CENTER
September 4 to October 30 | Community Center | 13001 N. La Montana Blvd. Enjoy the beauty and creativity of the Arizona Watercolor Association’s members display. The AWA members include beginners as well as those who have been painting for many years, in traditional watercolors or experimenting in various water media.
4TH ANNUAL PEACH MARKET A FRUIT LOVERS DELIGHT
The 4th Annual Peach Markets are Saturdays through September 28th at Tractor Supply Company, 17130 E. Shea Blvd. The hours 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The FH Peach Market will feature over 22 Food and Health/ Wellness Vendors, so you can still pick up your eggs, bread, dog treats, baklava, tamales, and more while getting those amazing Peaches!
A publication by the Town of Fountain Hills
TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS
FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Ginny Dickey
Vice Mayor Brenda Kalivianakis
Councilmember Gerry Friedel
Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski
Councilmember Peggy McMahon
Councilmember Allen Skillicorn
Councilmember Hannah Toth
To review previous and upcoming Town Council agenda items, go the www.fountainhillsaz.gov/agendas.
NOTABLE
TOWN COUNCIL ACTIONS
All meetings start at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chamber 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains.
Note – The Town Council was on summer recess following the June 18 Regular Council Meeting and have resumed meetings on Tuesday, August 20.
June 2024
Council voted to discontinue Valley Metro’s 515 Express bus service
Approved the proposed FY 25 Pavement Management planning and funding
Mayor and Town Council Elections
The upcoming general election on Nov. 5, 2024, will include the Fountain Hills Mayor and Town Council runoff candidates. There was only one Town Council seat elected outright in the Maricopa County July 30 Primary Elections.
Election results can be found at https://elections.maricopa.gov/results-and-data/ election-results.html
All meetings may be watched live on Cox Channel 11 and the Town’s YouTube Channel.
See the Town Council agenda at www.fountainhillsaz.gov/agendas for more information on how to participate and submit comment cards.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY CALLING ALL STORYTELLERS!
Do you have An Unforgettable Vacation to tell? Would you like to share it in the fourth presentation of Stories in the Hills? The event is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 3-5pm, Ballroom 2 at the Community Center. Send your story first to Carol Kubota, 2ndLifeTravel@gmail.com, by Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Rehearsal: Thursday, Oct. 3, 3-5pm, Yavapai Room, Community Center. There you will share your story with FHFL Board members with suggestions for changes. We look forward to hearing your story!
T-SHIRT HIKING CHALLENGE
Challenge Yourself and Your Friends
Disconnect from technology and join the Fountain Hills hiking challenge, where you will gain physical fitness and mental well-being, explore new places, and connect with family, friends, and yourself through nature. There are TWO ways to complete the Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge:
Complete 6 of the hikes OR complete hikes totaling 35 miles. Register online at FountainHillsAZ.gov/REC
All registered participants will receive a commemorative Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge t-shirt. Complete all 6 hikes or 35 miles and share your pictures on social media to be entered to win a $50 gift card and a Fountain Hills Swag. Share your hiking pictures by tagging us on Instagram (@FountainHillsRec) Facebook (@fhparksandrec), or email sthomas@fountainhillsaz.gov.
STAY SAFE AT HOME AND ON THE GO
Thieves are opportunistic, looking for the easiest targets. It may be a handbag left in an unlocked car or luggage left unattended at an airport. During the holiday season, thieves are most active when many people travel to visit family or friends and race from store to store for holiday shopping.
At the Fountain Hills Cares program on Thursday, October 24, you will learn from experts how to protect yourself from harm and not be a victim of crime this holiday season.
Fountain Hills Cares Thursday, October 24 | 4:30 to 6:00pm | Community Center
Town of Fountain Hills Town Council, front row left to right: Councilmember Peggy McMahon, Mayor Ginny Dickey, and Councilmember Gerry Friedel. Back row, left to right: Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski, Vice Mayor Brenda Kalivianakis, Councilmember Allen Skillicorn, and Councilmember Hannah Toth.
Celebrate Fall and Winter Events in Fountain Hills
BALLET UNDER THE STARS
FOUNTAIN PARK, NEAR THE AMPHITHEATER
SEPTEMBER 19 I 7:00pm
Enjoy a relaxing evening with Ballet Arizona’s performance featuring classical and contemporary works. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy this free event.
SPOOKY BLAST FOUR PEAKS PARK
OCTOBER 26 I 5:00 - 8:00pm
Get ready for Halloween fun with Spooky Blast! Enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, and food trucks. Perfect for families looking for festive activities.
FARMERS MARKETS AND ARTS ON THE AVENUE
AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS
NOV 06 - DEC 18, 2024 AT 10:00am - 3:00pm
Visit the weekly Farmers Market and Arts on the Avenue for fresh produce, handmade crafts, and local art. It’s a great way to support local vendors and enjoy a leisurely Wednesday.
FOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OF FINE ARTS AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS
NOVEMBER 8-10
Explore the Fountain Festival of Fine Arts with over 500 artists showcasing their work. Enjoy live music, food vendors, and a vibrant atmosphere filled with unique art pieces.
34TH ANNUAL TURKEY TROT AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS
NOVEMBER 28 I 7:15am
Join the 34th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run! Over 2,000 people come out for some exercise before the big feast!
40TH ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS
NOVEMBER 28 I 9:30am
Kick off your Thanksgiving with the festive parade featuring floats, horses, marching bands, and community performances. It’s a wonderful start to the holiday season.
STROLL IN THE GLOW AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS
DECEMBER 7 I 5:00 - 8:00pm
Celebrate the holidays with thousands of twinkling lights. Join the Mayor for the “Lighting of the Avenue” at 5:45 p.m., including the official Town of Fountain Hills Christmas Tree. Plus, Santa Claus himself will make an appearance!
HAVE YOU CAUGHT THE PICKLEBALL CRAZE?
Article provided by Fountain Hills Medical Center
While relatively new in the net game landscape, pickleball has been rapidly gaining in popularity with players of all ages, and for good reason. Those who play say they appreciate that it is easy to learn, provides a good workout, improves hand-eye coordination, and can be safer than other competitive aerobic sports.
If you’re interested in joining the pickleball trend, here are the basics that you need to know:
• Pickleball players use a paddle and a lightweight plastic ball with holes, and the game incorporates elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong
• It qualifies as a moderate-intensity exercise, meaning that players benefit from increased heart rate and increased calorie burn. Because of its aerobic properties, benefits of playing also include regulated blood sugar, lower blood pressure, improved heart health, decreased levels of stress, and positive moods
• Communication with your teammate and a positive attitude will help your experience to be much more enjoyable
Most importantly, don’t let the senior citizen crowd fool you – pickleball can be a physically demanding sport, and all players must take care to avoid common injuries.
A few of the most common pickleball-related injuries seen at Fountain Hills Medical Center – Emergency room include: shoulder strain, falls, sprains, elbow tendonitis, and Achilles tendonitis.
To avoid game-related injuries, we recommend the following steps for new beginners and novices alike; regardless of age:
• Wear proper footwear – Opt for a tennis shoe, which has firmer sides to accommodate quick movements back and forth, over a typical running shoe.
• Stretch, stretch, stretch – After a brief warm-up and before your game starts, take a few minutes to stretch your calves, Achilles tendons, shoulders, back, and hamstrings. Unstretched muscles are much more likely to get strained, often requiring long periods of rest.
• If you do get hurt, get help – There’s no wisdom in “toughing out” an injury. It’s important to seek medical care and/or advice when hurt. Fountain Hills Medical Center can help diagnose the issue and screen for more serious injuries. Our top-rated medical staff in Fountain Hills can provide advice for preventing injury, treatment for existing injuries, complete any needed scans and tests, and make recommendations for how to practice pickleball safely.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – Our medical team recommends that when you’re being active in the heat, you should be drinking 7-10 ounces of water every 10-20 minutes of exercise.
• Recognize and respect your personal limitations – While all players should be mindful of not overdoing it, those who are older, those who are new to pickleball, and those who play many times per week are particularly susceptible to game-related injuries.
HERE ARE 10 SIMPLE RULES THAT FIRST-TIME PLAYERS SHOULD LEARN BEFORE THEIR FIRST MATCH:
1. Volley serves must be underhand
2. Scoring in doubles includes three sets of numbers
3. Sides alternate serving in doubles
4. There’s a method to remove the advantage of serving first in doubles
5. The ball must bounce once per side after the serve
6. Volleying isn’t allowed within the kitchen (7 feet on either side of the net)
7. Rallies are commonly lost in three ways: out-of-bounds balls, the ball bouncing twice on a side before being hit, and kitchen violations
8. Only the serving team can score points
9. Games are commonly played to 11, but sometimes 15 or 21
10. Games must be won by a margin of 2 points
This website will provide more detailed information about the sport: https://www.paddletek.com/blogs/news/10-pickleball-rules
EXPERIENCE OUR COMMUNITY WITH A RIVER OF TIME ADVENTURE
The mission of the River of Time Museum & Exploration Center includes going outside of the museum walls to encourage visitors to explore the vast culture and history of the Lower Verde Valley region. The River of Time offers on site programs and events throughout the year. The season kicks off in early October and continues through June. The best way to keep up to date is by joining as a member or registering on the email list. Information can be found on the website at www.riveroftime.center
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tours
The extremely popular Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation/River of Time Exploration Tour will launch its sixth season in the fall of 2024. This four-hour, in-depth, guided cultural tour of the Fort McDowell Yavapai reservation includes stops at the FMYN Cultural Center, the H’man ‘shawa Early Development Center, a tour of the tribal industries and a wonderful lunch at the WeKoPa resorts Ahnala restaurant.
Reservations and more information can be found on the River of Time website at www. riveroftime.center. Reservations can also be made in person at the River of Time Museum & Exploration Center, or by phone 480.837.2612.
Milestone Sculpture Tours
“Milestone Sculpture Tours” are the latest Exploration Experience launched in the Spring of 2024. At a staggering 150 pieces, the “Milestone Sculpture Tours” guided walking tour provides participants the opportunity to learn about the artist, the production techniques and the story behind some of the most interesting from the collection. Tours run October through April, and are offered on
the 2nd Wednesday and 4th Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m.
NOVEMBER 2, 2024
10:00am - 3pm
Roots & Remedies, Native Plants as Food & Medicine
The Indigenous Food & Culture Day will also launch the River of Time’s new pop-up exhibit, “Roots & Remedies, Native Plants as Food & Medicine” highlighting the diverse uses of Arizona native desert plants as sources of food and medicine. The exhibit will be on display through December 31, 2024.
Indigenous Food & Culture Day at the River of Time
An event designed to kick off Native American Indigenous Peoples month in November and to celebrate the history and culture of the local Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation (FMYN) tribe, this day long celebration will feature artist and
musicians from the local FMYN tribe and native food vendors from regional tribal businesses.
Holiday Mart 2024
November 19 – December 14, 2024
This well-loved annual fundraiser will return bigger and better due to an incredible amount of high end, well cared for holiday decorations donated by a generous Fountain Hills community. Holiday Mart will run from November19th through December 14th on Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, or until sold out.
THE INTERNATIONAL DARK
SKY DISCOVERY CENTER
Construction to build the International Dark Sky Discovery Center officially started last month on July 8th. The first phase of work has been focused on laying underground utilities and earthwork that will prepare the site for the pouring of the foundation. The project is expected to take 15 to 18 months to complete.
The Town of Fountain Hills was recognized as the world’s 17th Dark Sky Community in 2018 and the delivery of the IDSDC will cement the town’s reputation as a leader at the forefront of the global effort to preserve dark skies. Once open, the IDSDC will educate people of all ages about the impacts of light pollution on plants, animals and human beings.
“While the start of construction is an exciting step, we still have important fundraising milestones that need to be reached,” said Board Member Geoff Yazzetta. “Currently we have raised $21 million of the $28 million needed to complete the entire project.” The remaining funds will be used to complete the interactive exhibit hall, install furnishings throughout the building, and hire staff.
There are a variety of ways to donate and join the effort to bring the IDSDC to life. To learn more about the IDSDC and how to donate, visit darkskycenter.org.
CURIOUS ABOUT OVERSEEDING?
What to know for the Fountain
Park Overseeding set to begin in October
October is overseeding time at Fountain Park and that requires many changes to the irrigation scheduling for about a month. The shorter days and cooler temperatures of the fall and winter months cause Bermudagrass to go into hibernation. By overseeding with Ryegrass, we enjoy green grass within Fountain Park all winter long.
What is overseeding?
Here in the southwest, we grow two types of grasses to maintain that beautiful green year-round. During the hot, hot summers we grow a warm season turf called Hybrid Bermudagrass, then during our cool winters we grow a cool season grass, Ryegrass. Ryegrass is most commonly found in established lawns in the north half of the country.
What does the overseeding process look like?
With more than 30 acres of grass, this process takes several weeks to cut back the Bermudagrass to make room for the Ryegrass to grow in. A process called scalping occurs on the existing Bermudagrass, with the spreading of Ryegrass seed and fertilizer to
plant the seed in the soil. Sufficient watering must occur to germinate and allow the Ryegrass to become established since we see very little rain. During overseeding, the Ryegrass seed must remain moist during the day to optimize germination in the warm sunshine, if allowed to dry out the tender seedlings will die.
How will overseeding impact my daily walks around our beautiful fountain? For successful grow-in of the Ryegrass, our overseeding watering schedule operates throughout the day, beginning just after sunrise at 7am and continues through the afternoon until 7pm. With more than 30 acres of turf to keep wet, our irrigation system operates four cycles per day through more than 200 valve zones that run over 1,000 sprinklers which takes multiple hours per cycle. As a result, it is likely irrigation will be in operation during peak park usage times and will cause the walking path to be wet and potentially slippery.
During overseeding, the Town encourages park users to walk carefully, remembering that wet sidewalks can be slick. This
FOUNTAIN HILLS STUDENTS TRAVEL TO SISTER CITY DIERDORF GERMANY
Fountain Hills High School Students Travel to Europe As Part Of Their Student Exchange Program With Sister City Dierdorf Germany.
During a two-week run from the end of May into June, students from Fountain Hills High School participated in a magical and educational trip to Europe. They traveled to several well-known and historical places with an ultimate destination of our Sister City Dierdorf Germany. The students also experienced Amsterdam The Netherlands and other cities in Germany, Bonn, Nürburg, Koblenz, and Hachenburg. The students’ immersion into the culture, history, cuisine, education, and lifestyle of their German counterparts represented a spectacular manifestation of one of the basic principles of the Sister Cities movement.
Read more about the student activities and see the amazing photographs at https://fountainhillssistercities.org/fountain-hills-students-travel-to-sistercity-dierdorf-germany/
schedule is only temporary, and staff will resume standard nighttime irrigation cycles by early November. Signage is posted around the park with the irrigation information. Rest assured staff will be keeping a close eye on progress with the hope that this temporary inconvenience is offset by the green grass we enjoy year-round.
MORE FOUNTAIN HILLS HISTORY – THE ARTS
This article has been edited from the original, which ran in the Fountain Hills Times (Independent) on Oct. 21, 2020, as part of Fountain Hills’ 50th-anniversary recognition – originally written by Bob Burns of the Fountain Hills Independent, who is now part of the Fountain Hills History and Cultural Advisory Commission.
It is impossible to walk into a public building in Fountain Hills or even the outdoor public spaces and not be amazed by the amount of artwork –sculptures and flat pieces – that brighten the town.
The expansion of the public art collection was driven by Jerry and Jackie Miles, a couple who arrived in town just about the time of incorporation.
The Fountain Hills Civic and Cultural Association (FHCCA) is a community non-profit that has evolved over the years. It began in late 1978 as the Fountain Hills Civic Association, with an early focus on cultural activities.
Soon after, in 1979, the Fountain Hills Community Association was formed when then Chamber of Commerce President Fay Gridley asked Harlan Collins to form the non-profit group. Collins’ goal was to have a non-profit that could serve as a vehicle to accept support from the community developer. This would include land donations for community use, the first Community Center (now Fountain Hills Theater) site, and a site for civic facilities. There was a trade of land involved along the way, but that is the site where the Town Hall, the Community Center, and the Library/Museum are located.
Gridley’s idea was to merge the Civic Association and Community Association in 1982 to become the Fountain Hills Civic Association. The group operated the Community Center and, until incorporation, interacted with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors as a de facto community government.
The Civic Association branched into the cultural aspects of the community, initially with the formation of the Community Chorus in 1991. Originally part of the newly incorporated town’s Parks and Recreation Department, the chorus came under the wing of the Civic Association in 1993.
Since its formation, the chorus has been an important part of the community and its celebrations, performing holiday and spring concerts and, for a time, performing at the Mormon Temple in Mesa for its annual Christmas celebration.
In 1994, an ad hoc committee that included Jackie Miles, Community Center Di-rector Evelyn Breting, Joan Behrens, and Sara Hammond formed to consider the possibility of an Arts Council to promote the work of local artists, musicians, writers, thespians, and dancers.
The Arts Council was formed in March 1995 and became a committee of the Civic Association. The Arts Council took on the challenge of managing the acquisition and promotion of the arts in the Fountain Hills Community. Over the years, the Public Art Committee has managed the acquisition of one of the largest public art collections in the nation for a community the size of Fountain Hills. As of this writing, there are now 150 pieces that stretch from the Civic Center, with art inside and around Town Hall and the Community Center, around the Centennial Plaza between the Community Center and Library, down the center median of the Avenue of the Fountains Plaza, and around Fountain Park, including the Veterans Memorial.
There is also the collection of sculptures of six U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, and Franklin Roosevelt, dubbed “Fount Rushmore.”
In 2007, the Town Council adopted a policy of a “percent for the arts” in which developers of commercial projects became involved in the public art collection by either installing an approved art piece with their project or paying 1 percent of the project cost to the Public Art Fund. This policy was recently modified.
Visitors to Fountain Hills can enjoy examples of these private art pieces around Plaza Fountainside or the miner’s burro outside the local Bashas’ store.
Theater
Fountain Hills Community Theater was first established in 1987 to bring live theater to the stage in the community. Under the leadership of Val Sta-sik and a group of dedicated volunteers, the first show came to the stage at McDowell Mountain Elementary School in 1989.
Since its inception, the theater has become one of the state’s most awarded non-contract theater groups. They have received more than 1,000 Arizona Award nominations, winning hundreds of awards.
In 1995, the theater obtained a permanent home in a building adjacent to the Community Center on Saguaro Boulevard at Rand Drive. That was expanded in 2003 when the town moved to the new Community Center on La Montana and leased the entire space to the theater group.
The facility now houses a fully dedicated youth theater and Mainstage. Peter J. Hill is the full-time artistic director, and Ross Collins serves as the youth artistic director.
The Mainstage offers six shows annually during a regular season and draws about 10,000 people annually.
Collins has encouraged youth to participate in all aspects of theater production, and the local theater has launched several talented young people to move on to theater careers.
As a community, Fountain Hills has drawn many artistic people over the past 50 years, and they have had a hand in making this a unique, vibrant community with their vision and talents.
• Your waste/recycle collection pick up timeframe is from 6am- 6pm on your service day
• Your recycle will be picked up FIRST on your collection day
• Opt in for service alerts via text/phone/email at www.republicservices.com or call 602.237.2078 to get assistance in setting up
• Please ensure that your waste/recycle carts are not obstructed by parked cars, boats, etc.
• Recycle items are as follows: Plastics #1, #2 and #5, Metal cans, Cardboard/Newspapers/Magazines, Paper food containers & cartons, paper envelopes, office paper, junk mail etc., glass.
• Please make sure your recyclables are EMPTY, CLEAN, and DRY before placing in your recycling cart.
• Mark your calendars for the Hazardous waste event on November 2nd and the Touch a Truck event on November 16th!
