Well, I think we can officially say patio season has arrived! After a stretch of rain, breezy days, and some wonderfully cooler temperatures, today was about as beautiful as it gets around here. Hopefully you've had a chance to open the windows, get outside, and enjoy a little fresh air.

We've got plenty to cover in this week's Scoop, including some questions about who's footing the bill for APS electricity costs, a look back at Sun City's early days, and a glimpse into the future of Sun City West. Plus, with outdoor concerts, fall festivals, and plenty of other activities on the calendar, the timing couldn't be better to get out and enjoy our communities.

Thanks for being here, and as always, thanks for reading the Sun City Scoop!

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~ A Little Relief on Your November APS Bill. APS customers will receive a one-time credit of approximately $14.70 on their November electric bills following an October 8 vote by the Arizona Corporation Commission. The usual Environmental Benefits Surcharge, about $2.49 for residential customers, will also be skipped that month. The credit comes from surplus funds in APS’s renewable-energy program, offering NW Valley residents a little relief after summer cooling costs. APS’s proposed rate increase remains a separate, pending decision. (link)

~ Are APS Customers Footing the Bill for Data Centers? Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is calling for an investigation into whether APS shifted nearly $600 million in electricity costs from data centers and other large energy users onto everyday customers between 2023 and 2025. APS disputes the allegations, but with the utility already seeking a $608 million annual rate increase, the question of who's really paying for all that electricity could have major implications for Sun City area residents and their monthly bills. (link)

Wondering when Arizona’s fall colors will hit their peak? The Discover Flagstaff Leaf-O-Meter makes it easy to follow along, with regular status updates showing where the leaves are changing and which areas are getting close to prime viewing time.

Visit their website to see the color status of the leaves in several different locations.

To learn more, visit Woodtaneous.com

If you've driven past the Sundial Recreation Center at 103rd Avenue and Boswell Boulevard, you've probably noticed the enormous sundial standing outside. But did you know it was deliberately designed to outdo another famous Valley landmark?

When the Sundial Recreation Center opened on April 14, 1973, it was one of Del Webb's most ambitious additions to Sun City. The $2.8 million facility featured an indoor swimming pool, miniature golf, lawn bowling greens, arts and crafts facilities, and plenty of space for residents to gather. But its most distinctive attraction was outside: a giant working sundial.

At the time, Carefree was home to one of the country's largest sundials, built in 1959. Its sloping pointer, known as a gnomon, stood 35 feet high. John Meeker, the executive who helped guide Sun City's development, wanted something even bigger. The Sun City sundial was designed with a 36-foot-high tip and a pointer stretching 67 feet, 8 inches, making it one foot taller than Carefree's landmark.

The sundial wasn't just decorative. Like traditional sundials, it uses the sun's position and the shadow cast by its pointer to indicate solar time. Its enormous scale, however, made it as much a statement about Sun City's ambitions as a functioning timepiece.

The dedication was also significant for another reason. Del Webb attended the April 14, 1973 ceremony, which would be his final visit to Sun City before his death in 1974.

Over the decades, the sundial became a beloved local landmark. After years of exposure to the elements, it underwent a major restoration in 2011 and was formally rededicated that October.

More than 50 years after its unveiling, the giant sundial remains a reminder of an era when Sun City wasn't just reinventing retirement. It was determined to do things on a grand scale.

DID YOU KNOW? When Sundial Recreation Center opened in 1973, residents paid just $20 per person per year to use Sun City's recreational facilities. That's quite a bargain for a $2.8 million recreation center!

Ever wonder what Sun City looked like before it became the community we know today? The Arizona Republic has put together a collection of historic photographs offering a nostalgic trip back to Sun City's early years, when Del Webb's retirement community was just beginning to take shape.

AZCentral.com has a post this week with many historical photos of Sun City.

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre Join them for a matinee showing of DISCLOSURE DAY, on Thursday, October 15th, at 6pm (link)

[Sun City] This week’s movie is ‘SHE WALKS IN DARKNESS’. Showtimes are Wednesday 10/14 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 10/17 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location). See the OCTOBER movie lineup here.

[Sun City] Sun City’s Sun Bowl Fall Concert Series is underway, with the next show happening on Sunday, October 18th. Come see THE DONNY GRUBB BAND, which entertains crowds with a unique blend of country and rock roots infused with furious guitar stylings. (link)

[Sun City West] Sun City West's Concerts in the Park series returns October 15th and 22th, featuring the Western swing sounds of Desert Knights and the high-energy rock, pop, and country hits of HiFi Allstars. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m., food concessions available, and tickets just $10 per show. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a couple of evenings of live music under the stars! (link)

[Sun City West] What's next for Sun City West? The Recreation Centers are unveiling their completed Master Plan on Friday, October 16, with a community celebration from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the R.H. Johnson Social Hall. Residents can get a sneak peek at potential projects, view concept renderings, ask questions, and enjoy refreshments and raffle prizes before the Governing Board votes on adopting the plan October 22. (link)

[Glendale] If you’re looking to celebrate Oktoberfest locally, Haus Murphy in Historic Downtown Glendale is a great option, and they have a bunch of dates to suit your schedule. Learn more at their website.

[Surprise] Who says you need changing leaves and chilly weather to celebrate fall? The Desert Fall Festival brings a taste of autumn to the Valley with seasonal activities, festive attractions, and plenty of opportunities to get into the fall spirit.

Located near Greenway and Bullard in Surprise, the festival runs through November 1st, making it an easy outing for local residents looking for something different this season. (link)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Friday Farmers Market has moved indoors for the summer, at the Sun City West Foundation. The market is open from 10a-2pm each Friday. (link & map)

[Sun City] The Sun City Farmers Market is sticking around for the summer, with new hours designed for early birds. Stop by Bell Recreation Center on Thursday mornings from 9am-1pm. to browse fresh produce, baked goods, and offerings from local vendors. (link)

Have an event you want listed here? Please reach out!

[Sun City] 🎶 Sun City’s Fall Concert Series is almost here! The 2026 Sundial Fall Ticketed Concert Mini-Series kicks off November 4th, and individual tickets are available for sale now. (link)

🏡 Home of the Week:

See all the pics & details here.

Property listed by Brenda Miertschin with eXp Realty

J.D. Manning, the publisher of the Sun City Scoop, is also a local Realtor. If you have questions about the market or your specific real estate situation,
you can reach J.D. at (480) 797-8975

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Some of the images you see in the newsletter are created using modern AI image tools. Whenever possible, I use my own photos from around Sun City and the West Valley, but sometimes it is helpful to generate an image that better illustrates a story or historical topic. These images are used simply to supplement the articles and help tell the story visually, not to mislead or deceive readers.