Impact Gymnastics

(image from here)

Awhile ago, Lindsey K. tipped us off to Impact Gymnastics. I called to get more details, and it sounds like a great place to take young ones to get in a little exercise and fun play time.

For $3 per child you get open use of 3,000 square feet of gym equipment:

- bars and beam and floor equipment

- over and under rings

- blow-up slide

- trampoline

- exercise balls

- vault

Open gym is available for children 18 months to 7 years on Fridays from 11:30 AM -1:00 PM. They seem to be a small locally owned gym and from the sounds of it, I'm pretty sure my girlies would love it.

Impact Gymnastics
3725 E. Southern Ave.

Mesa, AZ
They are on the south east corner of Southern and Val Vista

480-277-7339

480-603-5838

Education

Educating our children is so very important. We all have different views of what should be expected, what age formal education should begin, what the role of the parents are in education, etc. etc. I've come to learn through my experiences in education that there is no one right way to educate everyone. And that is the beauty of being a parent, you have the ability to decide what is best for your child. So if these issues have been on your mind, here are a few more things to think about (even if your child is still a baby):

Laura Modrell will be starting a preschool in her home this fall. She has a bachelors degree in early childhood education and has 4 years teaching experience in kindergarten. This upcoming year she will focus on using the Zoo Phonics Program, which uses multiple learning styles to teach the letter sounds. In addition to literacy, she will also focus on science, math, art, music and socialization. Check out her flyer here. She will also have summer classes that are 2 weeks long for preschoolers.

Holly Spilsbury-Eddy is a Montessori teacher and is in process of opening a Montessori Nido. She is associated with the Montessori International School in Mesa. One of her main objectives with the Nido is to provide parent education about the importance of the first three years of life. February the 24th and 26th she is offering a 2 session complimentary Mommy and Me course and wanted to invite anyone in the community that might be interested. The course times are 10:00-11:00 AM (morning session) or 6:30-7:30 PM (evening session). She will focus on ways we can create an environment in our homes that will help your child towards independence and confidence which will unlock your child's learning potential. Please call 480-264-7195 to reserve a spot. This course will be beneficial for parents of those up to 3 years of age, but the Nido is only set up for children up to 14 months, so leave children older than 14 month at home. For more information about the Nido visit her blog.

Shamrock Farms Day at Children's Museum of Phoenix

"The Museum will be open to the general public FREE on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, as Shamrock Farms unveils its new Essentials to Grow On milk line. Try some free product samplings, get your questions answered by a dietitian, make a milk jug igloo in the Art Studio PLUS meet Shamrock's ROXIE THE SPOKESCOW , AND Sesame Street's ELMO and GROVER!"

Children's Museum of Phoenix

215 N. 7th Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85034

Phone: 602.253.0501

Now doesn't that sound fun for the young ones and wonderfully free!

Information from here and thanks to Marisa for our friendly reminder.

Regional Festival

If any of you did music in high school, you know regionals are a big deal. Just to audition for regionals takes hours and hours of practice. I remember quite vividly the stress and worry that would come from going to these auditions. Then for those chosen, regionals was an honor, but came with more and more hours of practice. So as you can see, regional concerts are from top notch kids who have worked very hard to provide a top notch performance for us.

AMEA High School All-Regional Festival
The Festival is tonight, February 20th and Saturday, February 21st

Mountain View High School

NW corner of Lindsay and Brown

2700 E. Brown Rd. 85213

Admission: About $5

This is for Band, Orchestra, and Choir concerts

This is a little message from Dallin S (one of the top notch performers):

"These students, including myself, have been working hard to prepare not only our performance pieces, but even our audition pieces for many months to make this the best concert it can be. Please come and support our school's fine arts groups!"

picture from here

The Price of Freedom

This weekend and next, a local production is being held at the Mesa Arts Center. "The Price of Freedom" will be at the MAC Saturday, February 21st, Thursday the 26th, Friday the 27th, and Saturday the 28th. This is a wonderful production written by two good ole' Mesa boys (okay, now they are men). I've been to this production in the past and there were tears, so I can only imagine the emotion from watching this performance at a venue like the Mesa Arts Center. Don't miss your chance.

(My grandpa and grandma, also Mesa natives, became engaged while my grandpa was on a 3 day furlough before going to war - WW II.)

"The Price of Freedom," by Rob Gardner and McKane Davis fuses film and original music to tell the stories of 4 soldiers in World War II and the families they left behind. It combines actual archival war footage, still photos, and letters with original songs, orchestrations and live vocalists. The stories are based on actual letters and events that transpired during World War II.

You can see a video preview, learn more, and purchase tickets here

If you purchase tickets for opening night, or for the 26th, you can use the coupon code "friend" to get the friends and family discount (tickets for $8 instead of $10).

This event is being put on by the non-profit organization Spire Music. This is a wonderful message and it's for a wonderful cause. Cast Includes: Jordan Bluth, Linsey Maxson, Jenee Prince, Tyler Maxson, Michael Sackett, Aaron Ballard and Kaitlynn Kleinman."

Canstruction

Sorry we are overloading you with things to do this weekend, but I ran across this event and couldn't help myself.

In an effort to raise canned provisions for the poor, teams made up of architects, engineers, contractors, designers and students participate in "Canstruction". This is a design/build competition in which canned foods are used to construct giant objects. The Arizona results from 2009 are on display at Fiesta Mall through Saturday, February 21st. You can vote on your favorite, donate your own cans or simply enjoy some interesting 'art'. All canned food will be donated to the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance at the end of the competition.

Go here to read more about Canstruction and see some of the previous items constructed across the nation. Or, go here and read about the contestants from Arizona for 2007 and 2008. There are some pretty creative ones that made me laugh.

Cookies & Music

My favorite graphic designer has a husband. And that husband has a band. That band is playing Saturday at Sweetcakes in downtown Mesa at 7:00pm. The cost is $5, but they are going to have free cookies. Have you had the cookies from Sweetcakes? They are well worth $5. Add live music and you've got a lovely night awaiting you.
Thank you Angela for lending me this flyer without your knowledge or consent.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

The Gilbert Fine Arts Youth Theater presents Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Musical, starting tonight. I really enjoy plays, but for some reason, I very rarely go see them. I'd really like to see this one because a boy I know is Ching Ho and will be speaking and singing in Chinese. Perhaps this is my chance (and yours!) to get more exposure to the fine arts.

The dates and showtimes are as follows:

Thursday, 19th 7:00pm
Friday, 20th 7:00pm
Saturday, 21st 3:00pm (Matinee)
Saturday, 21st 7:00pm
Monday, 23rd 7:00pm
Wednesday, 25th 7:00pm

It is at Mesquite Jr. High (130 W. Mesquite St., Gilbert, AZ 85233). Doors open 30 minutes prior to show and seating is 1st come, 1st serve. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gfaa.org or by calling 480.505.6205. They are $7 if purchased in advance or $10 if purchased at the door. I know a lot of time and money is put into these productions, so I'm sure they are worth the small entrance fee.

Family Fun Van

Awesome van clipart from here.

I am not exactly sure why, but the phrase "family fun van" makes me laugh. However, I hear this is a really great thing to do. There is a van that visits a different Mesa park each day of the week (Monday through Thursday) from 10:00 - 11:30am. It offers free educational entertainment for parents and children ages 0-5. Go here to see the schedule, what parks it will be at on what days of the week and to read more about what it is. Sounds pretty cool, even if they don't have a van that looks similar to the one pictured above.

The Orange Patch Too

Aren't these decorations cute? You can find Spring sunshine on a rainy day like this over at a little store called the Orange Patch Too . The Orange Patch Too has been operating in East Mesa for over 20 years. (Their blog has lots of pictures of cute decor, I tried to choose just one.)

Join them, Wednesday, February 18th and 25th for their very popular "It's in the Bag" Sale.

Receive a bag when you come into the store and get 21% off everything you can fit into the bag plus one item that doesn't fit. Some restrictions apply. See store for details.

The Orange Patch also has their own citrus grove where they pick their own fruit and sell it right there in the store. Check out their blog for citrus pricing. They do ship the citrus all over the U.S., customers simply need to call the store to have this done.

The Orange Patch Too is located at:

3825 E. Mckellips Road in Mesa.

Phone: 480-832-0230

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Red White and Brew

Our restaurant review for today comes from Kara B. She reminded me of a wonderful place to eat, Red White and Brew. My husband and I frequented this establishment often when we lived farther out in East Mesa. After moving inland a bit and having our first set of twins, we lost contact with our good friend. But after reading what Kara B. had to say, I think it's time to get reacquainted.

Red White and Brew

Hours: Daily - 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday - 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

6740 E. McDowell

Mesa 85215

(Power and McDowell)

Phone: 480.807.9393

"High quality American dining with everything from fish to steak, sandwiches to pizza, salads, pastas and much more. Their portion sizes are big and prices are about $12 to $18 for most entrees. To start off, their bread is DIVINE! They keep bringing it and we keep eating it : ) They have a fabulous marinara sauce that we request for dipping-YUM. My favorite menu item is the Bourbon Glazed Pecan Crusted Salmon with Sweet Potato Raviolis in a Creole Mustard Sauce, but I have had great experiences with the daily specials as well. You can check them out before you go on their website, but be sure to bring your reading glasses because the specials menu is in 6pt font.

Also impressive is the kid's menu. All 9 items are $5 and includes side, drink and ice cream. You can get really healthy like broiled fish with vegetables or fancy like coconut shrimp and applesauce. This is my favorite restaurant in Mesa, hands down. I have taken numerous guests and we always love the food. It is usually quite busy though, so expect to wait."

Thanks Kara. Likewise, I have never been disappointed with Red White and Brew. It is worth the wait, but if you are in a hurry, just call ahead and get take-out.

Now let us know your opinion or share a review with us.

Family Day at Cinemark

image from here

I heard through the grapevine that Mesa's Cinemark has a family day with reduced ticket prices. If you still haven't planned a President's Day outing, this may be it.

Every Monday tickets are $5.50 each for family parties of 3 or more. With your ticket purchase you also get a free junior popcorn. The fine print says it excludes special engagements and 3-D movies unless you add a $2 premium. I also heard that they accept Harkins cups for refills, but I have not verified that information. (Let us know if any of you have tried it.)

Cinemark Mesa 16 is located at:
1051 N. Dobson Rd.

Mesa 85201

(in the Riverview complex)

Enjoy a day or night out at the movies.

2nd Friday Sock Hop

It's time for 2nd Friday in Downtown again - TONIGHT. The flyer says it all, but the main attraction this month is free swing dance lessons "on the sidewalk in front of 101 W. Main St. The free lessons will be taught by Trevor and Heather Woodford who have been teaching East Coast swing and Lindy Hop dance lessons to adults and children for the past five years." Don't miss this opportunity to expand your dancing talent (or start some in my case).

information from here

Arizona Museum for Youth Valentine's Event

I love the Arizona Museum for Youth. My children love it. We wrote a post about it here proclaiming iheartmesa's love for it, so thankfully Emily reminded us about this event coming up on Saturday.

Arizona Museum for Youth

Saturday, February 14th

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

- Face painting

- Cookie decorating

- Giveaways

- Art activities

- Special 2 for 1 pricing

The cost to get in is regularly $5.50 for ages 1 and older. But remember, they are having the 2 for 1 pricing deal, so a family of 4 will get in for $11, not $22. However, if you are thinking about getting a membership, now may be the time. The memberships are well worth it. Just by going 4 or 5 times, I had already gotten my monies worth. I have let my membership lapse so it is time for me to renew. If I renew, I will get in for a special "member's only" hour and will have an extra month added to my membership just by attending this event. I plan to get down there within the next few days to get my membership going again because I imagine they will be busy on Saturday and I don't know how long it would take to start or renew a membership on a busy day. Memberships starts at $50 for a family of 2, $70 for a family of 4 and $120 for a family of 6 and so forth. Last year I got the family of 6 pass because it was nice to invite other friends and family to attend with us without them having to pay.

Guru Palace

Last Monday we asked for your food reviews. Thank you Nik for the following review. I didn't even know about this place and it sounds VERY interesting. So without further ado, please check out Nik's thoughts on the Guru Palace:

Guru Palace
2048 E Baseline Road

"A year ago, my friends and I had our 1st visit to an Indian Food Restaurant called Guru Palace. It was a big hit.

We sat on cushions on the floor and enjoyed dishes like curry chicken, daal maharani (thick spicy lentil soup), tandoori chicken (charcoal clay-baked chicken, marinated in yogurt, garlic, ginger, herbs and spices), vegetable pakoras (fried veg), chicken masala (tandoori chicken in a mild sauce), palak paneer (curry-style spinach with homemade cheese, cream and aromatic herbs), and zeera rice (basmati rice with spices). One of my favorite things is their garlic naan (Indian flatbread), which they continuously place, freshly baked, on your table. For dessert, we had gulab jamun (round cake-like balls in sweet rose syrup) and kheer (Basmati Rice Pudding sprinkled with almonds and Pistachio). The food, service, and atmosphere were all great. (Guru Palace has a dining room with regular tables if you're not into the whole floor thing. They have 2 tables that supposedly accommodate 8 people set off to the side for the floor diners, you probably have to request these seats--we thought it was fun!)

We had our kids with us and they were a bit overly rowdy--perhaps the excitement of sitting on the floor to eat was just too much for them. My daughter decided the food was too spicy for her, but I didn't find it spicy at all. Thankfully 3 and unders eat free. I've chosen to leave the kiddos at home for subsequent visits. The lunch buffet is about $9 per person, but if you check your Value Clipper or Savvy Shopper mailers, they frequently have coupons for a couple dollars off. I don't think they do a buffet for the evening meal, but I've never tried it. They're located in the complex on the NE corner of Baseline and Gilbert Rd in Mesa (near Trader Joe's) . Phone number 480.558.9300. Try it! You won't be disappointed!"

Wow, that sound like something I need to try. A double thanks to Nik. Also if you didn't notice, when you click on the name Guru Palace, it will take you to their website and you can check out their menu and pricing on your own.

So if you have tried out Guru Palace and would like to tell us your thoughts, please comment. Plus, we are still accepting food reviews at iheartmesa@gmail.com. Happy eating.

For the Love of Chocolate

Thanks Sharisa for this yummy looking activity:

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire

Today and Tomorrow

Saturday, February 7th from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and

Sunday, February 8th from noon to 5:00 PM

Located in historic Downtown Glendale at Murphy Park

58th and Glendale avenues

Okay, the name pretty much sums it up. However, it you need more enticement:

This event is FREE to get in with FREE parking. I also saw it on the news tonight and wow, my tastebuds are drooling - chocolate with pretty much anything you can think of. And if you want more, there will also be live musical performances and Southwest romance novelists out to greet their fans. You can also participate in free writing workshops. For the young ones there are crafts, face-painting and a rock-climbing wall. Horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic Catlin Court district will be available. And if you want a tour through a real chocolate factory, the "Cerreta Candy Company will offer tours all weekend. It is about 8 blocks from the the site of the Glendale Chocolate Affaire. Sometimes there is a shuttle service, but if not, and it is a nice day, it is worth the walk!"

information from here and more from here

First Friday at Children's Museum of Phoenix

image from here

This info comes from my good friend Marily. Silly me - she sent the info earlier in the week, but I thought the first Friday had already passed. Sorry about the confusion, but TODAY is the first Friday of the month, so here is a last minute deal of the day: (plus I know Marily will forgive me for the error, she's been my good friend since junior high, so obviously she has had to forgive me of a lot of errors.)

Tonight, February 6th from 6:00 - 10:00 PM

Get in FREE to the Children's Museum of Phoenix

This special will take place every first Friday for the rest of 2009 thanks to TARGET.

Children's Museum of Phoenix

215 N. 7th Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85034

The Museum is located in the historic Monroe School Building. You will find it on the SE corner of 7th Street and Van Buren in downtown Phoenix.

Read more about this museum here. I've never been, but FREE is a good time to try.

Astronomy Night at MCC

image from here

Sorry, I haven't found anymore great festivals or new activities for this weekend. If you have heard of one and I've just missed it, let us know. However, Astronomy Night at MCC is back. We have posted about this one in the past. I've gone, but am still yet to see the planetarium show. (My little Lucy doesn't really like crowds and gets a little scared of the dark.)

So once again, here are the details:

Friday, February 6th

Free event

Explore the universe and solar system in the new planetarium and rooftop observation deck. Planetarium shows take place every half hour from 6:00 - 9:30 PM.

Mesa Community College

Southern and Dobson Campus

1833 W. Southern Ave.

Making Saturday Blissful

It's time to start planning the weekend. Not only can you hit the MACFest in Downtown, but why not check out Blissful Living's Valentine's Soiree this Saturday, February 7th from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.

Just in time for the forthcoming Valentine's Day, Blissful Living will be hosting this free event, complete with refreshments, a complimentary style class from stylist Reachel Bagley as well as a fabulous trunk shows, etc. It will be a fun event. Crafting kits and materials will be available for sale while supplies last. It's make and take, so no class fee will be applied. Just check out their site here and you'll be sure to get there before they're gone.

Blissful Living is located at:

166 W. Main St.

Riparian Institute of Gilbert

image from here

Roccy, a devout iheartmesa reader, recently suggested the Riparian Institute in Gilbert. She says, "Just went there today - LOVED it! And it's free and close!" I myself have been to part of the facility and enjoyed a little fishing with my family, but had not realized the size and other activities the institute has to offer.

The 110-acre Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is located at:

2757 E. Guadalupe Road

in Gilbert

(East of Greenfield Road, next to the Southeast Regional Library)

In addition to urban fishing, the preserve also offers bird watching and has an observatory. Fishing is available from dawn to 10:00 PM with the rest of the preserve open from dawn to dusk. The observatory is only open on Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting. The hours of operation will be from sunset to about two hours after nautical twilight. The cost for the observatory is free, however, a donation of $3 per person is suggested.

From what I have heard and read, this preserve is one of the best for bird watching. Roccy says, "When I've gone - I've just walked around. There's a nice path - some of it is paved and that circles around a lake - for fishing and stuff. But for me, the coolest part was the marshy land/lake toward the back of the property off a hard packed dirt trail FILLED with awesome birds - like herons. Honestly, I think it's better than Desert Botanical Gardens. Also, when we went in the late afternoon/early evening, we saw burrowing owls - little owls that live in the ground. So cool. I'm sure any nature enthusiast will enjoy it - especially if they get off the paved path and venture on the other dirt paths (still well marked and well traveled). "

Most activities are free, however, there are some extras that require registration and a fee. Things such as Dino Digs, Beginning Bird Watching, and Gardening for Wildlife. Go here for a list of events that you can sign up for. For a fee you can also camp or reserve a ramada.

For more information, go here.

Thanks again Roccy. This sounds like a fun place to go. Especially with our beautiful weather.

February

February is here. Hopefully January wasn't too rough without regular postings, but I did give fair warning. Arizona is beautiful. The weather is wonderful. The Cardinals lost, but still made it to the Super Bowl. In all my years of hearing of Cardinal loses I never thought I would see old Bill Bidwill and that bow tie of his make it to the Super Bowl. Something magical just seems to be in the air in Arizona and it's time to celebrate, whether you are a football fan or not.

Okay, because of the loss, there is no victory parade (darn), but you can find some things around town to make your own celebrations.

Why not try out a new restaurant this week or find a great place to get treats? Then let us know what you found. Did you like it or hate it? Was your experience grand or drab? One thing that I would love to see on this little blog is more restaurant reviews, but you just won't get that many if it is only up to me. I need helpers in order to increase the variety of reviews. So from now on, iheartmesa is now accepting all dining out reviews. Just drop us a few lines or more via email (ihearmesa@gmail.com) about your experience. Give us menu recommendations if you have a favorite or pass along tips that you may have to increase our dining out satisfaction. We can't promise much for your help (seeing as how this little blog isn't exactly a money maker) but you will get the satisfaction of knowing you did your part. It's like a gold star for your heart :) And if you are the shy type, we can withhold your name.

So to jump start the action, I will share a place that has stayed on my good list through the years:

Waldo's BBQ

located at:

4500 East Main St.

Mesa, 85205

or

2743 S. Market St. #111

Gilbert, 85296

Prices range from about $8 to $22 for individual meals.

Waldo's is not your health food dining out experience, but for BBQ, they get it right. I always enjoy "The Pig" (a pulled pork sandwich) with the spicy fries as my side, but my husband usually goes for the baby back ribs with fried corn on the cob and horsey spuds (mashed potatoes with a little horseradish I believe. Sound weird, but good). And I can't forget that the sides with dinner specials are never ending because one corn on the cob is just never enough. Then if we haven't stuffed ourselves enough, the Skookie is the thing to get to finish off the meal. Who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie with ice-cream in a skillet?

As for the environment, it is more layed back. It is a place I can take my kids. There is already wood shavings on the floor, so I'm not as worried about messy 2 year olds. It's not a quiet romantic place, so don't plan this one for that special night out, but if you go with kids, they can make a little noise and not be a bother. Go in your jeans and t-shirt with your hair in a ponytail and you'll be just fine.

So, if you have been to Waldo's share your comments with us. Do you like it? What menu items would you suggest?