Councilman Tom Simplot's
North Central News Column

October 2004

Outdoor Movies are Great Family Entertainment

Many of us moved to central Phoenix because of historic homes and neighborhoods that take us back to the good old days. Unique architectural styles, mature landscaping and a sense of neighborliness are some of the reasons families have returned to our central city neighborhoods.

Everyone can have that "small-town" feeling by spending an evening out with family and friends at a free outdoor movie in the park. Last spring, more than 1,000 movie fans attended a "Movie Under the Stars" event at Steele Indian School Park. The response to this family entertainment event was fantastic, leaving everyone who attended asking for more.

As promised, another "Movie Under the Stars" event is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, Oct. 30, the day before Halloween. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween outfits, and the first 300 little ghouls and goblins who do will receive a free candy bag.

With early sunsets in the fall, there is time for two movies. All the kids in the audience will enjoy our first feature: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," the classic animated half-hour film with Snoopy and the gang celebrating Halloween. Our second feature is Alfred Hitchcock's classic, "The Birds." Because of the story content of the second feature, there will be a short intermission between films to accommodate parents with small children.

Throughout the summer, I have been meeting with corporate sponsors about purchasing the giant outdoor screen. We have already raised almost half of our $60,000 goal. Once the screen is purchased, it will be housed permanently at Steele Indian School Park in the heart of central Phoenix so that Movies Under the Stars can become a tradition.

Don't miss the next "Movie Under the Stars" event at Steele Indian School Park on Oct. 30. We plan to have a frighteningly good time!

Councilman Simplot represents District 4, which encompasses central and west Phoenix. He can be reached at 602-262-744 or tom.simplot@phoenix.gov.