Resonance Vocal Ensemble

I dream of one day being able to sing like the choirs of angels, or at least be able to belt out a good National Anthem. But, singing is not one of my talents. So I am always impressed by the vocal talent in our area. Truly amazing. Here at iheartmesa, we like to support and endorse our local talent, so today I wanted to make sure you knew about an upcoming concert.

"Resonance Vocal Ensemble invites you to an unforgettable evening of musical entertainment.

Resonance Vocal Ensemble has delighted audiences all across America and Europe with their unique style and beautiful A Cappella sound. Through the creation of powerful harmonies and rich sounds, they perform an enjoyable and musically diverse program with selections ranging from jazz and folk to pop and sacred. Tap your toes, take a walk down memory lane, envision the lights of Broadway or imagine yourself in a French cathedral as they weave their way through a tapestry of music that will touch, energize and uplift you."

Friday, October 30th, 2009

7:00 PM at Shepherd Junior High School

1407 N. Alta Mesa Dr., Mesa Arizona 85205

$5.00 per person / $10.00 per couple / $4.00 for seniors / $25.00 per family

Come enjoy a beautiful evening.

***Don't forget, we still have some room at our Hubbard Swim Party. E-mail me today.

Boo Bash Dash

image and information from here

Make your Halloween a little bit healthier. Enter the 1st Annual Boo Bash Dash 10k and 2-Mile Family Fun Run on Saturday, October 31st, 2009.

"Start a new tradition and create a lifetime memory while helping support kids in your community. After your run, hang around to join the following: Halloween activity booth, face painters, music & games, community resources, raffles and prizes, T-shirts for all participants and much more!"

(Four-legged family members welcome!)

Schedule:

7:30 am: Check-In and On-Site registration open

9:00 am: 2-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk Starts

9:15 am: 10K Starts

9:30 am: After-Run Fun

Cost

Youth (under 18) - $10.00

Adult (18 & older) - $20.00

Adult On-Site Registration - $25.00

Register online here or call (480) 844-0963 by midnight on Thursday, otherwise you will have to pay $5 extra for on-site registration.

City Hall at the Mall

image from here

Taking the government to the people...City Hall at the Mall returns to Superstition Springs Center

Saturday, October 31st from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Superstition Springs Center

6555 E. Southern Ave.

"Several City of Mesa departments, including Library, Neighborhood Services, Transportation, Mesa Arts Center and Development and Sustainability, will have displays and information set up in the center court area. There will also be outdoor displays at the Plaza, Amphitheater and parking lot near The Cheesecake Factory. Mesa Police and Mesa Fire will have equipment including the police helicopter, SWAT Team armored truck, patrol cars, motorcycles and fire engine. A Valley MetroLINK bus will also be on display.

'City Hall at the Mall is a unique and very convenient way for Mesa residents to learn more about the numerous services we offer and meet the City staff,' Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said. 'They will get a chance to pick up information on everything from museum exhibits to getting building permits to opportunities to volunteer with the City.'

Along with the City displays, representatives from Superstition Springs Center will have a table in the center court area with information about the mall. Customers will also have an opportunity to sign-up to win a $200 Westcor gift card, as well as participate in a raffle for several prizes, including tickets from ASU, City museums and nearby restaurants. Picture Show will have a table on the Plaza during the event to offer movie passes that are good through November. Kids 12 and under in full costume will get to see a movie for free on Halloween."

A lot of stuff, a lot of info, a sure don't miss event.

(information from an e-mail sent to me from the city)

****Don't forget to e-mail me if you want to come to the Hubbard Swim Party. We have heard from several of you, but we still have room.

Hubbard Family Swim School Giveaway

So I said to check back on Friday for our second sponsor. Well, at the end of the week I found myself spending way more time than I had anticipated on two homemade witch costumes. So I made the executive decision to post it today, Monday. After all, Mondays need a little more spice.

Without further adieu....

Our second wonderful sponsor for iheartmesa is Hubbard Family Swim School. At Hubbard Family Swim School, they "work to build smiles, confidence and success in the water." Hubbard has a new location in the Theater District at the Mesa Riverview complex, complete with two indoor pools that are heated to 90 degrees. The air on the pool deck is also heated and kept at a higher than normal humidity level (at least for AZ!) all to make for a comfortable swimming environment. There is a large lobby and viewing area and family style changing rooms. Hubbard Family Swim School has lessons that are catered to "best meet your child’s needs and to fit your schedule."

(You can check out other Hubbard pictures here, but this one seemed pretty awesome.)

Hubbard Family Swim School can also host private parties. There website says, "Our 4 foot water depth, long entry steps, fun atmosphere, and fat green frog water slide make us a perfect location for parties. Time flies, everyone has a good time and 'you can never get them out of the pool!' What a great place for a party."

It does sound like a great place for a party doesn't it. So, as our giveaway, Hubbard Family Swim School is hosting a FREE party for us. Now how is that for spice on a Monday?

I would love if all of Mesa* could come, but I'm sure that would be against fire code. This giveaway is based on a first come first serve basis. If this sounds exciting and what your family would enjoy doing, then send us an e-mail at iheartmesa@gmail.com with how many adults and children will be attending. I will keep a running total of attendees and send you back an e-mail with your ticket to the event. Once we have reached our fire code limit, then I will regretfully send back an e-mail letting you know that you were a little too late. So hurry, check those calendars, and get back to us.

IheartMesa Family Swim Day

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

2:00 - 4:00 PM

Hubbard Family Swim School

1061 N. Dobson Rd. #101

Mesa, Arizona 85201

Round up your family, big or small, and come enjoy your chance to check out this brand new facility. There will be structured lessons set up for the first half hour to 45 minutes so you can get a sampling of lessons. Then the rest of the time will be free swim. Hubbard Family Swim School will provide lifeguards, instructors, a cool location, and of course yummy cupcakes.

Thank you Hubbard Family Swim School for this wonderful giveaway.

*You don't have to live in Mesa to be eligible to come. You don't have to look good in a swim suit. You just need to be in the mood for a fun family event.

Hall of Flame Open House

image from here

I have an older sister who is a non blogger. She doesn't even get onto the internet to check out any of her siblings' blogs. However, I do make sure she knows about any exciting events coming up and this year, the one event she has actually asked me about is the Hall of Flame Open House. She took her boys last year and they all loved it. It's free and they came away with some fun goodies. (And although she has all boys, I'm sure girls will love it too.)

Open House for families

Saturday, October 24th

from 9:00 AM to Noon

FREE admission

Located in the Phoenix Papago Park at:

6101 East Van Buren Street (across Van Buren from the Phoenix Zoo)

Fire Engine Rides, pumping demonstrations, games, silent auction, fire engines from Valley fire departments, free tours of the Hall of Flames exhibit galleries. Plenty of free parking.

For more information call the museum at 602.275.3473

information from here

***Make sure to check back Friday, we have our second sponsor. So exciting.

Free Out to Lunch Concert Series

image from here

The Out to Lunch Concert Series at the Mesa Arts Center are starting up again. Every Thursday, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM a FREE performance will take place in the Wells Fargo Garden. "Some chairs and lawn seating is made available - stadium cushions and blankets are welcome. Feel free to bring your brown bag lunch or picnic basket."

Start the Concert Series by enjoying a sneak peak at what you could enjoy at the Storytelling Festival. October 22nd features Sandy Oglesby and Friend with storytelling and music. "Sandy is the type of storyteller who makes you laugh out loud, yet her message reaches deep into the soul. Musical intervals between stories will allow listeners to 'refresh their ears' and think about the story before the next one begins."

Other Free concerts include:

October 29nd: Nosotrosound - Traditional music from Latin America

November 5th: Paul McDermand - Steel Drum

November 12th: That Kool Band - Rock and pop favorites from the 50s, 60s and 70s

November 19th: Chris and Lena Jacome - Flamenco guitar and dance

December 3rd: Pete Pangrazi Trio - Jazz standards and originals

December 10th: Carolyn Sill and the Poor Man's Roses - The music of Patsy Cline

December 17th: Salt River Brass Quintet - Classical, holiday and popular favorite

information from here

Mesa Storytelling Festival

This weekend is the 2009 Mesa Storytelling Festival. Come take advantage of the "valley’s largest storytelling event celebrating the art of storytelling, a love of reading, and the power of the imagination!" Because, everyone loves a good story.

October 23rd - 24th, 2009

Mesa Arts Center

1 East Main Street

Both concerts are at 7:30 PM in the Piper Theater and are $15 per person:

Tellers' Treasures

Friday, October 23rd

Humor Us

Saturday, October 24th

The festival is FREE on Saturday October 24th from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

"The FREE festival on Saturday includes food and vendor booths, live music and stories from Arizona and Youth tellers."

information from here

Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, A Man for All Times

image and information from here

I've always been fascinated by Abraham Lincoln, so when I drove past MCC and saw this being advertised, I thought more people should know.

Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, A Man for All Times

October 10th, 2009 - November 4th, 2009

Location: Southwest Reading Room, Library 3rd Floor

1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa

Free Admission

Exhibit Hours

Monday - Thursday: 6:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Friday: 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM

"A national traveling exhibit that examines Lincoln's life, accomplishments, and legacy. Abraham Lincoln, A Man of His Time, A Man for All Times is organized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The traveling exhibition has been made possible in part through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, dedicated to expanding American understanding of human experience and cultural heritage."

Other important dates for the exhibit:

- October 15th - Children's Storytime and Crafts about our 16th President

Noon in the Southwest Reading Room

- October 27th - Film Screenings: "Looking for Lincoln"

11:30 AM and 5:30 PM

LB245, Library 2nd floor

- November 3rd - Children's Storytime and Crafts about our 16th President

6:00 PM in the Southwest Reading Room

Rock Art of the Southwest

image and information from here

It's time for another family discovery series at MCC Red Mountain:

Friday, October 16th at 7:00 - 9:00PM

MCC at Red Mountain

RAP Centre of the Saguaro Building

7110 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, AZ 85207

Dr. Niccole Cerveny presents "Rock Art of the Southwest."

"Join us for an introduction to and discussion of rock art images of the Southwest. Learn about the exciting rock art research currently happening at MCC."

Haunted Historic Downtown Tour

image from here

In need of some more haunted tales of Mesa?

Come, take the "opportunity to visit historic sites and buildings in Mesa, exploring their histories and stories. Are these myths, rumors, legends? Does Mesa have tunnels? What floats down the stairs in the old jail? The tour will take visitors inside a variety of historic downtown Mesa buildings, and tour guides will share the history and spooky stories of those buildings."

Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Tour begins at 10:30 AM and last approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours (so wear appropriate walking shoes)

"The tour will depart from the corner of Pepper and Macdonald (in front of the Arizona Museum of Natural History), in downtown Mesa. Stay downtown after the tour to visit Mesa's great downtown museums and to use the coupon pack for participants. More information at the tour.

While the tour is not intended to frighten patrons, some content may not be appropriate for young children. Attending children must be accompanied by an adult."

Pre-registration required:$10 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12)

Register by calling 480.835.7358 or online here.

information from here

Lloyd Zeffler Winner

I know some of you could hardly sleep last night because of anticipation. But, the moment is here. Our winner, generated randomly, is.....

Kara Harper

I am excited to check the Lloyd Zeffler blog in the upcoming month to see how your shoot went. Congratulations.

Blissful Living Studio

Have you ever watched the show "What Not to Wear" on TLC? I have. And although I would love to get personal fashion advise, I doubt I will ever be chosen to be on the show (partly because I would be mortified to be on national television. I wouldn't be very entertaining to watch.). Luckily, personal fashion advise doesn't only come by appearing on national television. Some of you (okay, many of you) have probably heard of Reachel Bagley or of Blissful Living Studio. And if you haven't, you should.

Blissful Living Studio is "a place to find your creativity, learn skills and develop new talents. A place to share ideas and enrich the lives of your loved ones." Reachel Bagley is a fashion consultant who offers classes at Blissful Living Studios, like the one she is giving this Saturday.

Body Type Prescription

Saturday, October 10th from 3:30-5:00 PM

Class Fee: $25

Material Fee: $10 for Fashion Lookbook

"Cure your body insecurities with a personalized fashion prescription. Learn to love and dress your beautiful body. We'll identify your unique body type and prescribe the pants,tops, and ensembles that highlight your best features and downplay any awkward proportions. Walk away with a personalized fashion lookbook and a chic confidence!"

And if you sign up for the class and let them know iheartmesa sent you, you get a complimentary unassembled lookbook. Thank you Reachel for making this kind offer. Readers, don't miss out, take advantage. Call 480.733.5558 to sign up.

If you would like to learn about other classes offered and Blissful Living Studios, check out their blog here.

info from here.

***Thanks for everyone who has already commented, became a fan of us on Facebook or sent us an email. I really liked this e-mail from Emilia, "Mesa loved me first. I came here 2 years and a half ago from Brazil and was not sure what I came to do in a "brown" place. Today people and the atmosphere from Mesa make me feel welcomed and ... at home. I love Mesa because Mesa loved me first!!!!" I hope we all can be more like the good people who have made Emilia more at home. Let's do our part to make Mesa a place people like to call home.

So you have until Sunday at midnight to get in on our Lloyd Zeffler photo shoot giveaway. Don't miss out.

Railfair at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

image from here

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a unique park located in Scottsdale. There are playgrounds, a miniature train to ride, a carousel, a museum to explore, and places to have a picnic. I have enjoyed taking my kids to this quaint park.

This Saturday and Sunday October 10th & 11th, come experience railfair at the Park.

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

7301 E. Indian Bend Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85250

(480) 312-2312

"Railfair will feature model train displays and exhibits, moonwalks, and other entertainment from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM each day. The park’s railroad exhibit featuring the Roald Amundsen Pullman car, a former presidential car, will be offering free tours. Many of the parks’s seldom seen railroad equipment will also be on display. Admission to Railfair is FREE. Train rides are $2.00 and carousel rides are $1.00 each with children under three riding free with a paying adult."

If you haven't tried out this park, you should.

Information from here

***And don't forget the Lloyd Zeffler giveaway here! E-mail, become a fan on facebook or leave us a comment to enter.

Ghost Stories at the Library

image from here

Feel like getting spooked? In the mood for some real ghostbusters stories? Come hear ghost hunting stories just in time for Halloween at the Mesa libraries.

Saturday, October 10th from 11:00 AM to noon

Red Mountain Branch Library

635 N. Power Road

Saturday, October 17th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Main Library

64 E. First St.

"The East Valley Paranormal Society will be talking about their experiences investigating haunted locations in the valley. Video and audio findings will also be included. A question and answer session will follow the presentation."

information from here

***Don't forget to enter our Lloyd Zeffler giveaway here. Winner announced Monday the 12th, so you have until Sunday at midnight.

Mesa's First Oktoberfest

In my opinion, downtown Mesa is under appreciated. It's a great place for getting out and shopping, eating, and exploring. It's a place for art, being creatively inspired and for attacking bears. This Friday, October 9th, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, is Mesa's first Oktoberfest. Come visit downtown and enjoy some of the following:

- Shops, restaurants, and galleries that stay open late

- Live music

-Tastings for the whole family

-Mesa United Way Family Fun Van

-Events which include yodeling, best legs (for men), tug-of-war, the chicken dance, hair braiding and story telling for kids. Maybe you could even win gold, silver or bronze in the Oktoberfest Olympics.

-A Polka Line down Main Street

- 5 Beer Gardens

-Raffles and give-aways

You won't want to miss out.

Also, don't forget to enter the photo shoot giveaway. We couldn't have made it any easier. You have until next Monday.

Lloyd Zeffler Giveaway: Part 2

Blame it on allergies or on congested babies and one sick 3 year old (her twin is yet to catch it). Whatever it may be, I failed. When I posted the awesome Lloyd Zeffler giveaway I failed to recognize who actually looks at iheartmesa. Many of you have private blogs. Many of you have no blog at all. Do we discriminate? Nope.

Therefore, I am amending the rules for our giveaway. In order to have a chance to win you must either (not all, but either):

a) Post a link on your blog back to our giveaway post. In that post say one thing you love about Mesa. Then leave us a comment. Example: I love Mesa because the weather was fantastic today! Sat on my parents porch and rocked a baby while my older girls played in the sunshine.

b) Become a fan of I Heart Mesa on Facebook (Yeah, finally took the plunge. It's not fancy yet. Give it time.)

c) For those of you who don't blog and don't Facebook, just send us an e-mail at iheartmesa@gmail.com with a promise that you will tell at least one person in your life something that you love about Mesa. Let your conscience be your guide.

There. I think we have everyone covered. No excuses for not taking 2 seconds to have a chance at an awesome photo shoot. And yes, I have edited the previous post so that your link will have accurate information.

Lloyd Zeffler Giveaway

I am excited to announce a new chapter in iheartmesa history: sponsors. I'm excited because it means the possibility of more giveaways. I'm the type that when I walk in a store, I am secretly wishing that bells and whistles are going to go off and confetti will fall proclaiming that I'm the millionth costumer who gets a 10 minute shopping spree (one of my favorite game shows as a kid was "Supermarket Sweep". A classic.).

Well, we won't be giving away a 10 minute shopping spree, but we are giving away a mini photo shoot with Lloyd Zeffler- a single person or a couple in one location and 20 images on CD. It could be a fun date night, or a great present for a spouse. Is your senior needing senior pictures? Or maybe you've just been itchin for something with zing. And with Lloyd Zeffler, zing is what you will get.

Zane, the creative mind behind Lloyd Zeffler, has two goals during a photo shoot: "to have fun and create a photograph that takes the subject’s personality and amplifies it. All the way to 11, so to speak." And from viewing his work here, I can see just that. Zane will give you something different than the ordinary. Sometimes I'm a little of the "cutesy" type of picture liker and Zane can do that. But he can also add that creativity and "zing" that you don't always see, and that's what I like about Lloyd Zeffler.

So now that you are craving some new pictures yourself, just do ONE of the following:

a) Post a link on your blog back to this post. In that post say one thing you love about Mesa. Then leave us a comment. Example: I love Mesa because the weather was fantastic today! Sat on my parents porch and rocked a baby while my older girls played in the sunshine.

b) Become a fan of I Heart Mesa on Facebook (Yeah, finally took the plunge. It's not fancy yet. Give it time.)

c) For those of you who don't blog and don't Facebook, just send us an e-mail at iheartmesa@gmail.com with a promise that you will tell at least one person in your life something that you love about Mesa. Let your conscience be your guide.

You don't have to be a Mesa person to win. You simply have to do one of the above tasks and make sure that you can make it to the Mesa area for the photo shoot. Giveaway winner will be announced next Monday, October 12th.

Check out Lloyd Zeffler by using the handy button to the right. And I tried choosing just a few photos to show you what Zane can do, but my brain started hurting trying to decide. He is just that good.

Barnes and Noble Children's Storytime

I guess today is storytime post day. Children need to be read to. There is no disputing it. Books should be fun and exciting for children and Barnes and Noble has a cure:

Every Thursday and Saturday is Children's Storytime at the Barnes and Noble located at:

Dana Park Village Square
Village Square at Dana Park
1758 South Val Vista Drive, Mesa, 85204
480-545-8507

The word on the street (thanks to Beka P.) is that there is storytime followed by a craft and a snack. You can find a calendar of books to be read at each event here.

Baby Lapsit

image from here

Just making sure all mothers of babies remember about Mesa's Main Library Baby Lapsit
10:30-11:00 AM every Thursday in the Youth Activity Room

"Baby Lapsits introduce the rhythm and beauty of language to babies aged birth to 24 months, using rhymes, songs, and simple stories. This program, limited to one child per grown-up lap, helps enrich the bond between caregiver and child while building the foundation for a lifelong love of books and reading. No registration required."

Again, I think mother's of multiples are more than welcome to attend. The one child per grown-up rule is more for day-care groups.

library information from here