Treecycle

It's the day after Christmas and time to start thinking about what to do with that Christmas tree.


Here you go, straight from the City of Mesa website:


"Mesa residents can help the City of Mesa give the environment a present this holiday season by recycling their Christmas trees. Residents are encouraged to bring their tree to any of the free drop-off locations [listed here.] Residents are asked to remove all nails, stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments from trees. Flocked trees will not be accepted because the flocking does not break down in the environment and wreaths will not be accepted because of the metal wiring." The city also takes donations of live potted trees which can be dropped off at any fire station.


While we're talking about city services, just a little FYI: Did you know that trash and recycling barrels should be left in the gutter now instead of the curb? This makes the streets available for pedestrians. For more information on the new regulation for placing barrels click here.

Museum Membership Sale

Need a last-minute gift idea for someone with kids?

The Arizona Museum for Youth is having a membership sale. Each membership is 20% off. It's rare that they ever go on sale, so if you need to get a gift or would like a membership for yourself, or need to renew your membership, purchase it while you can! Offer expires January 8th. You can buy a full membership or you can buy a 10-visit pass for only $32 making admission about half off the regular price.

If you are not familiar with the Arizona Museum for Youth it is one of the best places in town to take kids of any age, all the way down to infants. You might like to go for a visit during the holidays to check it out and if you purchase a membership the same day your admission price will go toward your membership price. Check out their website for more information about the museum.

Info and image from Arizona Museum for Youth website.

Having a Happy and SAFE Holiday Season

We are fast approaching Christmas day. Streets, shopping centers and places for Christmas entertainment are getting more and more crowded. For me, with 4 kids under the age of three, it's getting to the point that it's best to enjoy our family at home. As I was thinking this morning about what I could post for fun at home activities, the thought about CPR came to my mind. Random, yes, but with the holidays, I think it is important now more than ever to refresh ourselves on this life saving technique.

I found this great website with simple instructions and videos. We probably don't all have time to sign up for a CPR class right at this moment, but we probably have at least 2 minutes to refresh our knowledge. Here is to a happy and SAFE holiday season.

Go here to remember how to save lives.

images also from this website.

A Visit From Santa

Here's a last minute idea for a fun family activity. Food, Fun, and Santa!

Tonight Junky Trunk Boutique at 3458 East Southern in Mesa presents a visit from Santa.

Santa will arrive via helicopter at 5:30pm

Junky trunk is in the shopping center at the northwest corner of Southern and Val Vista.

Make sure to get there on time if you want to see Santa arrive in the helicopter.

The store is also having a promotion of a free gift with any $50 purchase.

Picture taken from here.

Reflections of Christ

Many of us try to balance the whimsical and the religious aspect of the Christmas season. So when I heard about this exhibit, I thought it would be good to share for those looking for another way to bring Christ into Christmas.

Mark Mabry is an artist who has brought his imagery of Christ to life through photography. The LDS church located at 1550 N. Val Vista, 85213 is hosting an exhibit of his work, called the "Reflections of Christ." From now until December 20th, any who would like to see this exhibit may come any night between 6:00 and 9:00 PM.

A sampling of images can be seen here

Happy Holidays at Dana Park

Dana Park at Val Vista and Baseline in Mesa is hosting a holiday event.

Wednesday through Friday, December 16th to 18th

4pm to 7pm

Get your free picture with Santa when you donate to the cause for the evening. Check out Dana Park's website for wishlists of the charity organizations benefited each night.

Other events include live music, crafts, a car decorating contest, and of course plenty of shopping. For a full schedule of each night click here.

Photo found here.

Holiday Art and Music Festival

Head down to the Mesa Arts Center today and tomorrow for the Holiday Art and Music Festival.

"The festival features original works of art for sale from nearly 100 local, regional, and national artists in 13 mediums, live entertainment showcasing local talent on two stages, live artist demonstrations, a variety of children's activities, and a plethora of culinary delights from local food vendors and restaurants!"

Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December 13th

10am to 5pm

Admission and parking are free. Enjoy music and other performances like breakdancing and live artist demonstrations like mask-making and glass-blowing. Bring the kids to see Santa from 11am to 3pm both days.

Click here for more information including the schedule of bands and activities for the weekend.

Image taken from here.

Arizona Big Train Operators Open Houses

Arizona Big Train Operators are a garden-scale train club (large-scale) whose members open their backyards for the public twice a year for viewing of their trains and setup including intricate landscaping, buildings, and other architecture. There are several open houses throughout the valley and four within Mesa. Here are the dates:

Saturdays and Sundays,
December 12th and 13th 4:00- 8:00pm
December 19th and 20th 4:00-8:00pm

Click here for the maps.

Times may vary by location so make sure to check the schedule before you go to a specific house. And if you only get out to one train open house, go to Dennis Sirrine’s. It’s number thirteen on the link above, or click here for the map to this specific home.

Here is how the ABTO website describes Sirrine’s train setup:
“There are 3,500 feet of track on his 4 acre in northeast Mesa to run his model locomotives, which number 300. Borders of deep violet alyssum flowers, manicured green areas, rocky pathways and myriad touches such as light posts, tunnels and viewing platforms combine to make a realistic model railroad. Add to that his more than 4,000 freight cars and 400 passenger cars parked in a structure built especially for the collection, and you have the "Palo Verde & Southwestern Railroad" - or what is believed to be the third-largest garden railroad layout in the United States.”

Viewing the trains is fun for both kids and adults. Most locations accept donations for children’s hospitals so bring some cash if you’d like to donate.

Pictures of Dennis Sirrine taken from ABTO website.

Dickens on Main

Make sure to check out downtown Mesa this Friday for "Dickens on Main" from 6:00 - 10:00 PM. Get FREE gift wrapping for anything bought downtown, decorate cookies, storytelling at Inside the Bungalow, Santa's arrival on a vintage firetruck, strolling musicians, gingerbread and Christmas tree displays and much more.

Raising a Smarter Preschooler

If you have or work with young children you may be interested in this event hosted by the Mesa Public Library. From the library website:

"Mike Mosiman, Mesa co-author of the book The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential, will share how to make the most of a young child’s reading time, how to bring learning to everyday activities, and how to use play to teach valuable skills. Parents and care-givers wonder how to help young children develop their intelligence – come learn some useful, easy to implement strategies! Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing, with co-author Renee Mosiman, M.A. also on hand. "

The local author will be presenting at two library locations:

Red Mountain Branch

Saturday, December 5th

1:30 to 3:00 pm

Program room (190)

Main Library

Friday, December 11th

10:30am to 12:00pm

Saguaro room (125)

For more information, check out the library's calendar here. And while you're looking, you may be interested in the "Holiday Crafts for Sprouts," at the Red Mountain library on Thursday or at the main library on Tuesday mornings. These holiday craft activities take the place of their regular storytime.

Desert Club Christmas Idea House

Here is a great way to find unique Christmas décor and gifts while helping out a great cause. Come see the Desert Club’s Christmas Idea House in Gilbert, even if it’s just to get some great inspiration for gift-giving and home-decorating this holiday season.

Public Tour of the Christmas Idea House
Friday, Dec. 4 - 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM &

Saturday, Dec. 5 - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Tickets: $7

An excerpt from their website:
Desert Club is a non-profit, all-volunteer women's organization whose members work throughout the year making and purchasing fabulous holiday decorations, home decor, unique gifts and gourmet goodies. These items are displayed in a beautiful home that has been generously "loaned" to Desert Club by a family in our community. The home is open for tour over a 3-day period of events, where each of the items can be purchased. All of the proceeds from the Christmas Idea House are given back to the community in the form of educational scholarships and community grants. To date, Desert Club has raised more than $2 million to benefit those in need.


For more information including photos of previous years' homes and a map to the location click here.

Holiday Boutique

Tis the season for boutiques. When you are out and about this Friday and Saturday, make sure to stop by and check this one out.

Friday, December 4th - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday, December 5th - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Located at University and Val Vista (just follow the signs)

One stop shopping for everyone on your list, including yourself! Purses, jeans, jewelry, vinyl, custom baby items, dresses, toys, Pampered Chef, Gold Canyon candles, baked goods and more.

3rd Annual Festival of Trees

This summer I had my second set of twins 7 weeks early. By the next day I was already released from the hospital, but my babies had to stay for 9 days. I traveled back and forth between home (and my older twins) and Banner Gateway (and my younger twins). Not exactly what I had in mind for the first week of their life. One great comfort during those first 9 days was knowing the capable hands that were taking care of 2 of my most prized possessions. I truly owe Banner Gateway a thousand thank-yous.

So make sure you check into this fundraiser, benefiting Banner Gateway Medical Center:

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Rome Towers

1760 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert

"Banner Gateway Medical Center is proud to present the third annual Festival of Trees benefiting Banner Gateway Medical Center. Proceeds from this year's festival will support breast cancer screening services at the hospital's Women's Imaging Center. You can be a part of this growing holiday tradition!"

On Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa, have photos taken with Santa, and watch local entertainment!

Price: $5 for Adults

$3 for Children 12 and Under

Order tickets here or call 602.230.2273 to register.

On the registration page, please click on the check box next to FESTIVAL OF TREES BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - GATEWAY and then click on the "Finished - Complete Registration" button. This will take you to another screen to sign up for the number of adults and children 12 and under who will be attending, along with your name. You can then pay at the door.

AND...

If you can't make it to breakfast with Santa, come to the free open house viewing of the beautifully adorned Christmas trees. Bid on trees, have you picture taken with Santa, and enjoy the entertainment.

Saturday, December 5th

Noon - 5:00 PM

image and information from here