tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75645853247011188642024-03-05T09:10:59.657-07:00i heart mesa.iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.comBlogger844125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-67027819794609445292014-05-23T18:21:00.000-07:002014-05-23T18:21:38.998-07:00We are Back!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nearly two years ago
we stopped blogging here at I Heart Mesa. It was not a conscious ending,
but with a new baby for Marily, college classes for Kathryn, running and
teaching a preschool, volunteering in our church, and the day in and day out of
being wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters, there just was not any time left
for writing. Two years passed quickly and we thought of I Heart Mesa
often, never wanting to just abandon it, never feeling like we were finished.
We still love Mesa and our state. So, after some very busy years, Marily
and I are back at writing again. This time we are starting fresh at a new
address. We hope you join us at<a href="http://iheartaz.com/"> iheartAZ.com </a>for some Arizona pride, of
course written from a Mesa perspective.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for
waiting, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marily and Kathryn</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-1210374704109560772012-07-09T07:34:00.001-07:002012-07-09T07:34:14.927-07:00Strange Arizona<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes here in Arizona we have the strange and unique. Meet the Ectolimo.</div>
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Yes, we came across the Ghostbusters car at the <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2012/06/arizonas-celebration-of-freedom-in.html">Arizona Freedom Festival</a> (or at least a recreation of it). Apparently <a href="https://heyiknowthatcar.com/">you can rent this one of a kind limo for your next event</a>. C<span style="background-color: white;">ould you imagine this Ectolimo pulling up to the next local prom? </span><span style="background-color: white;">They even have a General Lee for rent too. I kind of want to rent a General Lee just to see if I could hop in the front seat via the window with as much finesse as the Duke brothers had.</span></div>
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Oh the fun I could have if my budget had a section for spending entitled, "just because it makes me laugh." </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-82909427926038763672012-07-06T20:03:00.002-07:002012-07-06T20:04:44.939-07:00Goodbye Duchess and Other Phoenix Zoo Activities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEmDPRBxCjwR0LpGwZv4-ucd2PnJKeqOtR7KT2-j2vQpzJTOfoN2-t0SeYOWmYaYxuRhCLai1OhhPDWhWkB2uFeHI7gh0yX1tAEXboWT6VMT18nDeGQS6s5ZT2HIMxlvGLkYQ4SNLi2k/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEmDPRBxCjwR0LpGwZv4-ucd2PnJKeqOtR7KT2-j2vQpzJTOfoN2-t0SeYOWmYaYxuRhCLai1OhhPDWhWkB2uFeHI7gh0yX1tAEXboWT6VMT18nDeGQS6s5ZT2HIMxlvGLkYQ4SNLi2k/s640/IMG_0423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On June 24, 2012, Duchess, matriarch of the orangutans on exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo lost her battle to lymphosarcoma. She was 52 years old and the oldest Bornean Orangutan on record. She has been a part of the Phoenix Zoo family since 1962 after she was orphaned in the jungles of Borneo at a very young age. We will miss her presence during our zoo visits.<br />
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If you are looking to visit the zoo this summer, don't forget about enjoying the zoo in the evenings. <b><a href="http://phoenixzoo.org/events/special_events/special_events_detail.aspx?ARTICLE_ID=100758">Prowl and Play</a> is from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM on July 9th, July 14th and August 11th.</b> Admission is $6 for members, $8 for non-members.<br />
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Or enjoy <b><a href="http://phoenixzoo.org/events/special_events/special_events_detail.aspx?ARTICLE_ID=100879">Winter in July</a> at the zoo on Saturday, July 21st from 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM.</b> The forecast calls for 20 tons of snow. Activities are free to members or those with a paid general admission to the zoo. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-53933010608950424412012-07-02T11:43:00.000-07:002012-07-02T11:43:03.593-07:004th of July Fireworks and Festivities in Arizona<div style="text-align: justify;">
We hope many of you were able to enjoy some of the Arizona Festival of Freedom in downtown Mesa this weekend. Because of some of the pictures from last year I was worried about huge lines and not being able to do much of the free activities with my kiddos, but my girls were able to enjoy everything without hardly a wait. They froze on the water slides while we sweated it out, they held exotic birds, danced with Barney, and of course enjoyed the fireworks. I hope that you add it to your calendar next year.</div>
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(Thank you <a href="http://www.cageworldaz.com/">Cage World</a> in Mesa for bringing all your beautiful birds to the festival again this year and being so kind to all those that wanted a chance to hold them. It was one of the highlights of my girls' day.)</div>
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If you are looking for things to fill the rest of your 4th of July week, here are a few events:</div>
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- <b>Wednesday, July 4th:</b> Fireworks at <a href="http://www.livingwordonline.org/home.asp">Living Word Bible Church</a> located on the north west corner of Val Vista and Brown. Show starts at 9:00 PM.</div>
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- <b>Wednesday, July 4th:</b> Patriotic ceremony, kid games, live music and fireworks in Payson, Arizona at Green Valley Park. Enjoy cooler weather and having a lake and the mountains as your backdrop for the fireworks. Go <a href="http://www.paysonrimcountry.com/Activities/www.paysonrimcountry.com/Activities/SpecialEvents/4thofJuly/tabid/286/Default.aspx">here</a> for all the details. </div>
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- <b>Wednesday, July 4th:</b> <a href="http://www.tempe4th.com/index.asp">Tempe Town Lake 4th of July Festival</a>. 5:00 - 11:00 PM. </div>
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- <b><span style="background-color: white;">Wednesday, July 4</span><sup style="background-color: white;">th: </sup></b><span style="background-color: white;"> Chandler’s 4</span><sup style="background-color: white;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white;"> of
July Fireworks Spectacular.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">4:00 – 10:30
at Tumbleweed Park.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Enjoy music, free
kid’s carnival, bike parade and more.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Go
<a href="http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=162">here</a> for all the details.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">- <b>Wednesday, July 4th:</b> Apache Junction 4th of July. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Fireworks start at 9:00 PM. Free watermelon while it lasts, bike decorating contest, games (for a small fee), kids zone, music, and more. Details <a href="http://www.ajcity.net/index.aspx?nid=714">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">- <b>Wednesday, July 4th:</b> <a href="http://www.gilbertaz.gov/calendar/eventDetail.cfm?recordID=4017"> Fire in the Sky at Central Christian Church in Gilbert</a>. 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert. Fireworks begin at 8:30 PM. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">- </span><b style="background-color: white;">Friday, July 6th:</b><span style="background-color: white;"> Astronomy Night at Mesa Community College. From 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM enjoy this free event and star show.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">-<b> Friday, July 6th:</b> <a href="http://artlinkphoenix.com/first-fridays/">First Friday ArtWalk</a> in Downtown Phoenix. While in downtown Phoenix enjoy Adult's Night Out at the <a href="http://azscience.org/who_are_you/adult">Arizona Science Center</a>. Adults get in free between 5:30-9:00 PM. Also, if you are an educator and need professional development hours (like me!) then educators earn one professional development hour for each lecture attended. </span></div>
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<b>- Saturday, July 7th and Sunday, July 8th:</b> Heber/Overgaard Fourth of July Celebration. Pancake breakfast, parade, arts and craft show, live music and of course fireworks. I hear this one is a favorite event of many due to the much cooler weather and the awesome fireworks that boom through the canyon. Go <a href="http://www.heberovergaard.org/events4thinfo.htm">here</a> for all the fun details. </div>
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<b>Tip: If you want to make your kiddos extra happy and don't want to spend much money, remember to head down to your local dollar store and pick up some glow-in-the-dark bracelets for your festivities. And make sure to start freezing those Otter-Pops today. </b> </div>
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Know of any other event this week? Please let us know! Enjoy and have a save week of celebrating our awesome country. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-46375519535666882732012-06-15T07:42:00.002-07:002012-06-15T07:43:13.335-07:00Arizona's Celebration of Freedom in Downtown Mesa: June 29th and 30th, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
Summer seems to be flying by! This next week is big in my family. We have Father's Day and then mine and my four daughters' birthdays all within 4 days. Everyone gets celebrated. For our birthday week, we started the tradition of taking our girls to stay at a hotel. They think hotels are fantastic. Last year we stayed at the <a href="http://phoenixmesa.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-phoenixmesa-place/place/index.jsp">Hyatt Place</a> in the Riverview complex and had a wonderful time. We loved the pool, the putting green and how they drove us in their golf cart to get our free birthday pancakes at IHOP. This year, with Arizona's Celebration of Freedom in downtown Mesa just the week after, we decided to go camping on our birthdays and take advantage of the downtown Mesa Marriott's buy one night get one free deal. I love the Celebration of Freedom and it will be great to be staying right by all the action during the two days. Besides, my girls have been begging for years to stay at what they call the "Library Hotel" since it's located right near the main library. We plan to enjoy the festival at our leisure, participate in the family fun run, watch a performance at the Mesa Arts Center, spend some time in the pool and then at the library (too bad they took out the carousel years ago), eat lots of yummy food, relax and take in the spectacular fireworks from our awesome seats (when we booked our room they promised us a top story room facing downtown Mesa). I don't know who is more excited, me or my girls! Besides, we get to feel like we are getting away without spending any money on gas.</div>
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(I sadly don't have any of my own pictures from past years, but I enjoyed <a href="http://www.ivanmartinezphotography.com/blog/2011/7/3/arizona-celebration-of-freedom-a-two-day-event-in-downtown-m.html">this photographer's blog and photographs</a>.)</div>
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So here is a rundown of all the weekend's events: </div>
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<b>Friday and Saturday, June 29th and 30th: <a href="http://www.azcelebrationoffreedom.org/Attractions.aspx">Arizona's Celebration of Freedom in Downtown Mesa</a> from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM nightly.</b></div>
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About a mile block of Main street is shut down to traffic so there are streets designated as wet zones with water slides, other streets have games and obstacle course bouncers, face painting, watermelon...all for free. One street will even have costumed American founders and blow up replicas of famous American history sites with patriotic storytelling . Food, vendors, music to dance to, and many patriotic exhibits. </div>
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Also held on these nights will be the High Octane Car Show and Motorcycles on Main. <br />
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<b>Several shows will be running at the Mesa Arts Center</b>. Friday, Actor/singer John Schneider (remember "Dukes of Hazard"...) will be performing at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $35/$75. Childsplay is performing Rock the Presidents at 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM and then Barney is on stage at 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 9:00 PM. Saturday is Barney again at 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM and Cartoon Network at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Besides John Schneider, all performances are free and no tickets are required. <br />
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Go <a href="http://www.azcelebrationoffreedom.org/music.aspx">here</a> for all the entertainment lined up for the weekend. </div>
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<b>Saturday June 30th at 7:30 AM is the Tie-One-On Family Fun Run</b> in downtown Mesa. This fun run will help honor veterans and is held in conjunction with the Celebration of Freedom. The race starts at the corner of Main and Center. Go <a href="http://www.govetsfoundation.org/funRun.php">here</a> to sign up. (From what I have read, this is a free race). Participants get a goody bag. </div>
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<b>Saturday, June 30th at 9:30 PM is the start of the fireworks show.</b> The best viewing is on the north side of Main. The first year of the festival we drove to downtown Mesa just before the start of the fireworks and parked in the dirt lot behind the Circle K on the south west corner of Mesa Drive and University. I don't know if parking will be different, but I thought we had an excellent view and we did not have to deal with congested traffic at all. </div>
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<b>If you would like to check out the deals offered by the Marriott Hotel</b> for the weekend, go <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phxmm-phoenix-marriott-mesa/?corporateCode=Ho9&app=resvlink">here</a>. They are offering a stay one night in a standard room for $119 and get the second night free or a stay one night in their standard room for $90 and receive a $25 food voucher at Café Azul Restaurant.</div>
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Of course an event of this caliber with so many free exhibits could not take place without the goodness of many volunteers. <b>If you would like to lend a helping hand, please go <a href="http://www.azcelebrationoffreedom.org/volunteer.aspx">here</a> to sign up.</b><br />
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(Also what I love about this festival is that you can celebrate the 4th early and leave the next week open for several other celebrations going on around the state.)<br />
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Hope to see you there. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-74877580025765545092012-06-05T14:25:00.002-07:002012-06-05T14:26:13.543-07:00Utah Summer Fruit from the AZ Fruit Lady<div style="text-align: justify;">
We already have an update for our food section of our Summer Guide. We just received this e-mail from the fruit lady. No, we are NOT the fruit lady. We just like to pass on her fruit information because we know many of you have asked in the past. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2q2dfr9aPbBNf74HGfCUEcN0pxbQac8b3CAIFccCRxDZhsB0p5UOYAiMLCwBep1KA4u0rz3ul-9wV225N8qIu71B2cIzcft73r1y85qxc-DH1JfEDg2q4pBM8TP4NdpBf4HoDepfPJ4/s1600/utah+fruit+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2q2dfr9aPbBNf74HGfCUEcN0pxbQac8b3CAIFccCRxDZhsB0p5UOYAiMLCwBep1KA4u0rz3ul-9wV225N8qIu71B2cIzcft73r1y85qxc-DH1JfEDg2q4pBM8TP4NdpBf4HoDepfPJ4/s640/utah+fruit+tree.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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(Utah Cherry Tree)</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Utah Fruit for the Summer of 2012</span></b></div>
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"I will have cherries. This year they didn’t freeze! Utah had a mild winter, so everything will be on schedule.
I am sending out this email early, so you can plan vacations around the fruit, if you would like. </div>
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CHERRIES: I will have sweet Bing cherries on Tuesday, July 3rd, the day before Independence Day. A 20 pound box is $28.00 </div>
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APRICOTS: I will have tree ripened apricots on Tuesday, July 10th. If they need a few more days on the trees, it will be Friday, July 13th. I CAN ORDER CHERRIES FOR THIS DATE AS WELL. A 24 pound box is $26.00. Prices reflect a 1.00 increase, because of the cost of fuel. </div>
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I will have peaches, tomatoes, blackberries, and raspberries, beginning the end of August. I will keep you posted! Nectarines, plums, and pears will follow. Next I will have apples and tomatoes, the end of October. Details will come before ordering. Please check your calendar, to ensure you will be in town, or make arrangements with someone to pick them up for you. </div>
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Cherries and apricots must be pre-ordered. I only bring in what you order. </div>
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To order please email at: azfruitlady@yahoo.com or call 480 844-9953. Be sure to include your name and phone number. All fruit is sold at the fruit stand, on the corner of Val Vista and Brown Road, in Mesa.</div>
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I will be collecting clothes again this year. Last fruit season, the clothes were distributed, and so appreciated. If you are cleaning your closets this summer, any donated shoes or clothing (any size) would be graciously accepted. Please bring them to the fruit stand when you pick up your fruit, or drop them by our doorstep any time. You bless the lives of so many with your donations. Helen Keller "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." </div>
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Thank You! </div>
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Barbie and Bobby Van Cott"</div>
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So there you have it. I can attest that this fruit is amazing and with every order I think a box will be too much but then it's gone before I know it. (Also, for those wondering if this is certified organic, it is not. It is delicious though.) </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-12467283050767390292012-06-04T10:24:00.001-07:002012-06-05T14:27:19.431-07:00A Summer with Heart: Your Guide to Summer Foods in the East Valley<div style="text-align: justify;">
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This year we will be posting our updated “A Summer with Heart: A guide to loving and living in AZ when the temperatures rise” as individual posts instead of an e-book. We want to make this more interactive this summer and hope that if you have an idea you want added, or you want to link to a post you have personally done on a particular venue or event, just leave us a comment or send an e-mail to iheartmesa@gmail.com. I will then update each section as needed and make a notation at the top of each post as to when the last update was. We know that this summer guide can be an even greater asset to our community with your input.</div>
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Read our Water Guide <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-with-heart-east-valley-water.html">here</a>.</div>
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Updated: 6-5-12</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Food</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.mpsaz.org/food/files/sites_for_webpage.pdf">Free Summer Meal Program at Mesa Public Schools</a>:</b>
Anyone 18 years of age or younger can eat breakfast and lunch for FREE. Adults can eat breakfast for $1.25 and lunch for $3.00 There are numerous locations participating from elementary schools, junior highs, high schools, even several parks will offer sack lunches. Most sites offer meals through the end of June, and a select few run through the beginning of August. So check out their website for a location near you. Last year for my oldest twins’ 5th birthday they wanted to eat lunch with all their cousins at school. Their favorite was the chocolate milk in a carton. <br />
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This is a state and federal program and therefore is offered at numerous locations throughout the state. See <a href="http://www.azsummerfood.gov/">here</a> for all locations. </div>
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<b>Kids Eat Free Restaurants:</b> There are many restaurants around town that offer free meals for kids (with a paying adult). Waldo’s BBQ (one of our favorites) at 4500 E. Main St. in Mesa offers 1 free kids meal with each paying adult Mondays through Thursdays. Check out these two sites for more options<a href="http://www.kidsmealdeals.com/"> here</a> and <a href="http://phoenix.about.com/od/foodanddrink/a/kidseatfree.htm">here</a>.</div>
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<b>Or several restaurants have special daily deals.</b> Thank you to the Facebook friends that offered suggestions for this section (Please call ahead to double check the location nearest you and to verify the promotion is still running.)</div>
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Monday nights if you ride your bike to <a href="http://zoyogurt.com/">ZoYo</a> Frozen Yogurt it's 25% after 5:00 PM. </div>
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Tuesday is Taco Tuesday at many places around town: $1 tacos at Filibertos, 3 Tacos for $1.09 at Del Taco, Cafe Rio Tacos are $1.50, Rubio's fish tacos are $1.50 after 3:00 PM, and <a href="http://www.twohippiesmesa.com/">Two Hippies Beach House</a> does 85 cent chef's choice tacos.</div>
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Wednesday get a kid's Wacky Pack for $1.99 at Sonic. Or wear your pajamas to <a href="http://zoyogurt.com/">ZoYo Frozen Yogurt</a> and get half off your frozen yogurt after 5:00 PM. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/waldosbbq">Waldo's BBQ</a> has plenty of daily deals including all you can eat ribs on Wednesdays. </div>
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<a href="http://serranosaz.com/">Serrano's</a> offers half off appetizers before 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. Some suggest a meal of just appetizers. </div>
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Sonic also has their famous happy hour everyday from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM with half off drinks and slushes and 50 cent corndogs. After 8:00 PM through the summer get half off shakes. </div>
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Little Caesar's has $1 breadsticks on Monday and Tuesday and if you use your debit or credit card, you will get a coupon for a free breadsticks on your next visit. </div>
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Or Taco Bell offers 3 free tacos with a large drink purchase the day after the Diamondbacks score over 6 runs in a game. Circle K usually has a deal if there were 9 strike outs. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">And because fresh is always best, check out these places to get homegrown food:</span></b></div>
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<b>The Freeman Corn Patch</b> is now open! Located at 945 N. Center (southeast corner of Brown and Center). Open Monday – Saturday from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM until July 4th. Enjoy fresh corn, watermelon and other homegrown produce.</div>
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<b>Every Thursday is <a href="http://superstitionfarm.com/">SuperFarm at Superstition Farm</a>.</b> Enjoy a farmers market right on a working dairy farm! From 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM enjoy the chance to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy. Also enjoy dinner from their SuperTruck food truck or reduced rates on hayrides, petting zoo, horse rides and more. Read about my personal visit to Superstition Farm <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/05/superstition-farm.html">here</a>.<br />
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I have also LOVED getting boxes of fruit from the fruit lady. This summer you can enjoy Utah cherries and apricots. Email her at azfruitlady@yahoo.com to ask questions or to place an order. To get all the details, read our post <a href="http://iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2012/06/utah-summer-fruit-from-az-fruit-lady.html">here.</a></div>
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Maybe you want locally grown fresh produce delivered right to your doorstep? Read our online review of <b>the Backyard Farmer</b> <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/02/backyard-farmer-brings-locally-grown.html">here</a> and see how you can simplify your summer with a yummy and fresh delivery.</div>
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One of my personal favorites of places to shop for inexpensive produce is the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/superstition-ranch-market-mesa-2">Superstition Ranch Market </a>located at 4755 E Main St, Mesa, AZ. I've been going here for probably over 20 years. Open 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM on Sundays. The summer is when I stock up on inexpensive fruits from here to freeze for smoothies. Just be wary, produce from here can spoil quickly, so don't overbuy. </div>
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You can also read our East Valley Farmer's Market guide<a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/04/list-of-east-valley-farmers-markets.html"> here.</a></div>
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Please let us know if you have anymore deals or info to add to this list. Enjoy!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-60066092779154146422012-05-31T13:52:00.004-07:002012-05-31T13:52:59.678-07:00National Doughnut day, Mountain High Games and Free FishingAs I work on events going on all summer, I thought I would quickly posts the events that I have found for this weekend:<br />
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<b>June 1st is National Doughnut Day.</b> Receive one free doughnut of any variety from Mesa’s Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. According to the e-mail from Krispy Kreme that I received, National Doughnut Day was established to commemorate the tasty treat the Salvation Army “doughnut lassies” would give soldiers during World War I. Information also found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/349799745086392/">here.</a><br />
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The <b>Mountain High Games in Payson are this weekend, June 1st – June 3rd.</b> If you want to participate in any of the trail runs, cook-offs, demolition derbies, pine cone toss, atv races, etc. you can still sign up to participate the day of the race onsite. If you just want to watch, it’s all free excepting the ATV rodeo and the demolition truck derby on Friday and Saturday night. For all the details, go <a href="http://www.paysonrimcountry.com/mountainhighgames/">here</a>.<br />
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<b>June 2nd - Free Fishing Day at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood</b> from 8:00 AM - Noon in recognition of National Fishing and Boating week. You must check in at park office, but this is free fishing – no license is required for this event. Fishing poles and bait will be available. Try to catch a catfish in the stocked lagoon. Event sponsored by: AZ Game & Fish, Prescott National Forest, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Information from <a href="http://azstateparks.com/parks/deho/index.html">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-71803758619001943072012-05-29T11:30:00.000-07:002012-06-04T23:00:54.397-07:00A Summer with Heart: An East Valley Water Guide<div style="text-align: justify;">
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This year we will be posting our updated <b>“A Summer with Heart: A guide to loving and living in AZ when the temperatures rise”</b> as individual posts instead of an e-book. We want to make this more interactive this summer and hope that if you have an idea you want added, or you want to link to a post you have personally done on a particular venue or event, just leave us a comment or send an e-mail to iheartmesa@gmail.com. I will then update each section as needed and make a notation at the top of each post as to when the last update was. We know that this summer guide can be an even greater asset to our community with your input.<br />
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For our Food guide go <a href="http://iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-with-heart-your-guide-to-summer.html">here</a>.</div>
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Last updated: 5-29-12 </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Water </span></b></div>
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<b>Golfland/Susplash </b></div>
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There is an online deal (maybe a limited time only) for a Sunsplash season pass for $64.99. Regular admission is $26.99, so it won’t take long to make a season pass worth it. This would be great for teenagers to give them something fun to do this summer. Golfland also offers FREE birthday parties for up to eight people. See website <a href="http://golfland.com/mesa/">here</a> for details. </div>
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<b>Salt River/Saguaro Lake </b></div>
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Mesa residents get to enjoy that the Salt river and Saguaro lake just minutes away. If you would like to enjoy some time at these bodies of water, make sure you stop by a gas station on your way out to the river to buy a Tonto Pass. The cost is $6 for the day. The Tonto Pass replaces the pay stations at the parks on the Salt River. The Chevron on Ellsworth and Brown sells them. Or you may purchase passes online <a href="https://secure.kinsail.com/partners/parks.asp?p=tonto&pt=store">here</a>. </div>
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How do you get to the Salt River? Go north on Power or Ellsworth. When you get about 5 miles out of town, you’ll start seeing faded brown signs with names like Coons Bluff or Phon De Sutton etc. Turn onto the paved road, park in the parking lot and enjoy some time on the Salt River. It’s really just minutes away. The river isn’t just for tubing down.</div>
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<b>Read about other Arizona lake visits:</b> </div>
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<a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/09/greater-arizona-willow-springs.html">Willow Springs</a></div>
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<b>Fish Hatcheries</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hatcheries.shtml">Arizona is home to 6 fish hatcheries</a>. They are fun to explore, learn and feed the fish (only at the Page, Canyon Creek and Tonto Creek hatcheries). My personal favorite is the <a href="http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hatcheries_canyon_creek.shtml">Canyon Creek hatchery </a>down the Young Road. Feed the fish and then take some time to play in the nearby Canyon creek. TIP: take quarters for the fish feed. Read about our personal visit <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/07/exploring-arizona-canyon-creek-fish.html">here</a>,</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Pools and Splash Pads </span></b></div>
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<a href="http://mesaaz.gov/parksrec/aquatics/"><b>Mesa’s Aquatic Centers</b></a></div>
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Pay $4 for adults and $2 for kids for the aquatic centers and $2.50 for adults, $1.25 for kids at the pools (Fremont and Taylor.) You can also get punch cards or season passes to reduce the price per visit. Most pools include splash pad, slides, diving boards and zero entry pools. Monday nights from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM is ½ price family night at the aquatic centers Tip: all Mesa pools have special event days throughout the summer. Make sure to call your local pool or go pick up a calendar of scheduled special events. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.mesaaz.gov/parksrec/aquatics/pools/rhodes.aspx">FlowRider </a></b></div>
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FlowRider is a place to get your surf on without leaving the city. Located at the Rhodes Aquatic Complex: 1860 S. Longmore in Mesa (Baseline and Longmore). Rhodes pool is complete with a zero depth (beach like) entry pool, diving boards, normal pool (8 lane lines), splash pad and of course, the FlowRider. Those over 42” can try their skills at boogie boarding and those over 52” can try surfing.
Tips: don’t wear jewelry and make sure your clothing will stay in place to account for the very fast moving water. Also, make sure to have your liability waiver signed and ready to go (especially for minors leaving their parents at home.)
Read our detailed post <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/06/flowrider-at-rhodes-aquatic-complex.html">here</a>. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=733">Chandler Aquatic Centers</a> </b></div>
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Admission of $1 for kids and $2.25 for adults with amazing facilities: waterslides, lazy rivers, and more. Check out dates and times for free swim or $1 family swim at the various Chandler pools on <a href="http://www.chandleraz.gov/content/Break-Time-brochure.pdf">page 18 of this brochure</a>. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ajcity.net/index.aspx?NID=219">Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center</a></b></div>
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Located on Southern between San Marcos and Ironwood Dr. Daily Fees are $1 for those 17 and under and $2 for adults. Slides, play area, lazy river and more. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=1957">Kiwanis Wave Pool</a></b></div>
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Indoor double spiral slide and wave pool. Admission is $5 for age 2-12 and $7 for those 13+.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hubbardswim.com/east-mesa"><b>Hubbard Family Swim School</b></a></div>
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Enjoy <b>free</b> baby splash classes at Hubbard Family Swim School for babies ages 4 weeks to 5 months. You can get your child used to the water early on and enjoy the benefits that water has on your baby’s development. Hubbard is located in the Riverview shopping center. Call to check on availabilities: 602-971-4044. </div>
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<b>Splash Pads (Free Admission) </b></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">TIP: We like to bring disposable plastic cups to splash pads to dump and throw water with.</span>
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<b><a href="http://www.fh.az.gov/fountain-park.aspx">Fountain Hills</a></b> has a splash pad at Fountain Hill Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd. It is open 9:00 AM til sunset. We love this one because the kiddos can watch the fountain erupt every hour from 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=1544">Tempe Beach Splash playground</a></b> located at Tempe Beach Park at Rio Salado and Mill Avenue. Open every day from 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. Lots of fun, but very busy. </div>
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<a href="http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=1544">These other three in Tempe are smaller splash pads</a> that are open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM: </div>
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Jaycee park (5th St and Hardy), Esquer park (101 and Apache) and Hudson park (Apache between Rural and McClintock.) </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=683">Chandler has three spray parks</a></b> open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily- </div>
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Chuparosa park Spray pad at 2400 S. Dobson Rd., between Queen Creek & Germann. </div>
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Desert Breeze park Spray animals at 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd. between Rural Rd. & McClintock Dr. and Ray Rd. & Chandler Blvd. </div>
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Espee park Spray pad at 450 E. Knox, between Arizona Ave. & McQueen
Road. The splash park is right next to the playground, so kids can go back
and forth between the two. </div>
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<b>Gilbert Water Tower Park</b>: In downtown Gilbert there is a splash pad by
the water tower at 45 W. Page Avenue. You could even go on Saturday and
check out the farmers market 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, bring the kids and let them play
in the water after you shop. </div>
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<b>Shopping Centers That Have Splash Pads</b></div>
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<b>Riverview shopping center</b> at Dobson and the 202 has a fountain to play in right in front of the Cinemark theater.
We’ve gone on a Friday afternoon and no one was there. Great for water
without worrying about other people. We've gotten yogurt from <a href="http://www.yodipityyogurt.com/locations.html">Yodipity</a> and then chips and salsa to go from <a href="http://www.mattas.com/">Matta's</a> and enjoyed watching the kids play. </div>
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<b>Tempe marketplace</b> also has fountains in the District, on the north side of
the marketplace. </div>
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Or, check out the children's water play area at<b> San Tan mall </b>at Williamsfield
Rd and the San Tan Freeway. Located near Dillards and open during mall
hours. Covered splash pad and soft play area. We like to visit the next door
Dairy Queen after a fun playtime. </div>
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Enjoy your water time and make sure to ALWAYS keep your eyes on those kiddos. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-65525727431101797482012-05-03T23:54:00.000-07:002012-05-05T15:42:45.832-07:00Things to Do This WeekendHere are a few events if you are looking for something to do:<br />
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On Friday night it's <a href="http://www.downtownmesa.com/index.php/mom">Motorcycles on Main</a> again. Head to downtown Mesa to check out the bikes, browse some shops, and have something to eat.<br />
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Of course there is the monthly <a href="http://artlinkphoenix.com/first-fridays/">First Friday Art Walk</a> in downtown Phoenix. Take shuttles around to tour art galleries, for free. There are multiple routes for you to choose depending on your style.<br />
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At Kiwanis Park in Tempe you can see their free monthly <a href="http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=20&recordid=2170">Movie in the Park</a>. This Friday night's feature is "Happy Feet 2." Movie will start at dusk, or about 7pm.<br />
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For some vintage shopping, head to Westworld in Scottsdale on Saturday for the <a href="http://junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com/">Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market</a>. You can get more details of this event and see some preview photos on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/junkinthetrunktrio">their Facebook page</a>.<br />
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And for Saturday, here are a few Cinco de Mayo Events:<br />
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<b>NOTE: The event posted for Cinco de Mayo in Mesa is NOT accurate. The information was from a previous year. Sorry for the confusion!</b><br /><br />
Check out the <a href="http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=161">Chandler Cinco de Mayo Festival and Chihuahua Races. </a><br />
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For other ideas, here are a couple of articles from AZ Central that you might want to check out: <br />
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<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/articles/2010/04/19/20100419top-cheap-taco-parlors-in-phoenix.html">Top Cheap Taco Parlors </a><br />
<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/articles/2012/04/23/20120423big-list-cinco-de-mayo-events-phoenix.html">Big List of Cinco de Mayo Events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/holiday1/articles/2011/04/25/20110425restaurants-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo-phoenix.html">18 Restaurants to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo</a><br />
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Have fun!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-66133531652770830562012-04-23T09:40:00.002-07:002012-04-23T09:53:51.894-07:00Earth Day and National Parks Week<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Earth Day yesterday. We may have had record heat, but, I hope you still found a way to show love for our Earth. I've always been an advocate of recycling and the last few years I have come to learn how to truly reduce and reuse. It takes some creativity, but, it's quite freeing to know we can live with less and use what we already have to create something new. Not to mention our budget loves it too. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also in celebration of Earth Day, last week at K-Mart (the one on Lindsay and Main) I picked up some small potted plants that were on sale for $1.60. I grabbed a few of these<a href="http://www.succulents.us/seneciofish.html"> Fishhook succulents</a>, because I love greenery but I knew we needed plants that required little watering. They would be replacing the <a href="http://www.320sycamoreblog.com/2012/03/how-to-grow-wheat-grass-for-easter.html#more">wheat grass pots</a> around our home that we grew for Eater, but had let die off. The wheat grass was beautiful and green for the holiday but needed to be watered everyday and we didn't master the water everyday skill. We planted the succulents in some terracotta pots I've had for years and now they make a great addition to my 5 year old twins' bedside table. (I got the bedside table for $1 at Goodwill and I spray painted it and let my girls put blue stickers on it. The headboard was from the second hand furniture shop <a href="http://www.theshabbyshack.com/">The Shabby Shack</a> in Mesa and I refinished it. We made the bed frame and my sister-in-law was getting rid of the pillow. How is that for reusing.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8te1JyLsLYrmynDKMNgEDK7Dw18WdzunebQFzj0woR72A7omp2qx8FoxbVFx781ZAUiXnYM6VJcXh3R9znzl_LEywa3jkFirZ5BK6J3jAS2nxpGyf6hExELeMPVt6fHG2lWmCauHmgw/s1600/IMG_20120423_093435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8te1JyLsLYrmynDKMNgEDK7Dw18WdzunebQFzj0woR72A7omp2qx8FoxbVFx781ZAUiXnYM6VJcXh3R9znzl_LEywa3jkFirZ5BK6J3jAS2nxpGyf6hExELeMPVt6fHG2lWmCauHmgw/s640/IMG_20120423_093435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Now, if you want to get out and enjoy nature, all this week, April 21st -29th, <b><a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm">National Parks are FREE</a>. </b>Check out nearby parks in Arizona <a href="http://www.nps.gov/state/az/index.htm?program=parks">here</a>.<br />
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Or help the community and reduce your library fines by donating canned foods to the Mesa Public Library through April 28th. Information <a href="http://www.mesalibrary.org/about_us/improving.aspx">here</a>.<br />
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(Thanks Zane and Rachel for the reminders)<br />
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Also, don't forget these events we have already posted about, going on during April:<br />
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Start looking ahead to summer by <a href="http://www.mesaaz.gov/parksrec/aquatics/">checking out classes</a> offered for adults and children from the City of Mesa. Registration is open. Here's a great idea--<a href="http://apps.mesaaz.gov/news/ArticleView.aspx?id=33196">Fit Kids</a>, a fun program for kids 9-12 designed with exercise and nutrition in mind.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mpsaz.org/community/files/funinthesunfestival.pdf%20">Fun in the Sun</a><br />
Bring your little one out to<a href="http://www.mpsaz.org/community/files/funinthesunfestival.pdf%20"> this free event</a> hosted by the City of Mesa next Wednesday morning, April 25th at Countryside Park. Includes activities, parachute play, storytime, Mesa Fire Department and more. Sounds like a fun way to spend the morning with your favorite preschooler.<br />
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Would you like an opportunity to volunteer for your community? City of Mesa is looking for people for <a href="http://app.volunteer2.com/Public/CommunityHub/06d078ce-1817-4e8c-bf5c-182697142b56/Organization/1d58474e-13bf-450a-b5c4-339324d9580c/Activity/5e6113c8-f53b-4776-ac67-0cb8613f3f82">this event</a> held Saturday, April 28th.<br />
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<a href="https://www.hemophiliaz.org/salsa-challenge/event-information.php">My Nana's Salsa Challenge</a> is Saturday, April 28th. For one reasonable price you get admission which includes all-you-can eat chips and salsa from over 80 contestants. Tickets are $10 at the event or $8 in advance from any Fry's store. Children 12 and under are free which includes a fun zone with free games. If you love chips and salsa you can't miss this event!<br />
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Have a great week!<br />
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Do you know of something going on not listed here? Please share it in the comments!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-85180072227277433182012-04-21T08:22:00.001-07:002012-04-21T12:18:17.310-07:00Two More Last Minute Events TODAY<div style="text-align: justify;">We have two more wonderful events going TODAY!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First off is a <b>dance festival featuring the popular dance styles of the last 100 years of Arizona history</b>. Held at Mesa High School's football field, over 1200 youth with be showcasing their love of our state and celebrate the centennial through dance. The festival performances will take place at 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Go <a href="http://dancentennial2012.org/about-the-event/">here</a> for all the details. It sounds amazing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Second is a performance at <b>Westwood High School celebrating their 50th anniversary</b>. If you are a fellow alumni who participated in the performing arts, it's not too late to come be a part of this concert. I wasn't a very good violinist. I loved hiding in the back of the 2nd violins with my friends. So, 12 years later I will still be tucked in the back of the 2nd violins. If you played for Westwood and want to come join me, practice is at 5:00 PM and the performance is at 7:00 PM. Music and more information can be found <a href="http://westwoodac.blogspot.com/p/orchestra-alumni.html">here</a>. AND, if you just want to come and listen to a great community concert for free, anyone is welcome to come and enjoy regardless if you went to Westwood. Performance schedule found <a href="http://westwoodac.blogspot.com/?spref=fb">here.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I hope you can add these events into your last minute plans. I'm thinking that if I perform at the Westwood Concert, I might still be able to make it over to Mesa High for the dance festival. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-31044978798520263272012-04-19T14:28:00.001-07:002012-04-19T14:36:36.044-07:00Spring Cleaning: JAWS cleaners<div style="text-align: justify;">Spring has come and seems to be leaving all too fast. But, spring cleaning has been on my mind and on my to-do list. I thought I would take a few posts to share some ways I've tried to add a dash of sparkle to my home, while saving a little money.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First up: <a href="http://www.jawscleans.com/">JAWS cleaners</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was asked if I would like to sample these cleaners in return for a review. When I heard the cleaners would be sold at Basha's, which I love is locally owned, I was in. I think the glass cleaner works just as good as Windex and I've been using the green cleaner on my counters and the orange cleaner to get the grime off my cabinets. They don't miraculously clean my house by themselves, but my favorite part is that these are a just add water line of cleaners. These 4 little cartridges will make 4 more bottles of cleaner. I keep the same spray bottle and reduce my cost and my waste. That sure beats the gallon bottle of Windex I bought from Costco and have been storing under my kitchen sink (not one of my smarter purchases). Now I have a good supply of cleaners and I'm not using up much space in storage. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you wanted to check out these cleaners for yourself, right now they are on sale now until the 24th at your local Basha's. The price is regularly $4.99 for the cleaner bottle with the included refill, and $3.99 for the two-pack of cartridges. The sale price is $2.50 for the cleaner bottle with refill and $2 for the refill pack of two cartridges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS8Y2EBJNzpghw8And2aJLWP_Xee3j90e8yLzPb_52cu1EXG93rEJrD8U66Jainfv9Hu3b84SWQ0-HtqcLwILcfnB7VB6DMupIj261WPZHRRUKZN1zZ0iVrI_OzTqr8f_durBuUBxuG0/s1600/IMG_20120419_135957+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS8Y2EBJNzpghw8And2aJLWP_Xee3j90e8yLzPb_52cu1EXG93rEJrD8U66Jainfv9Hu3b84SWQ0-HtqcLwILcfnB7VB6DMupIj261WPZHRRUKZN1zZ0iVrI_OzTqr8f_durBuUBxuG0/s640/IMG_20120419_135957+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div> These are the cartridges that will then make 4 more full bottles of cleaner. <br />
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The bottles came with the cartridge clip attached. I didn't really like it attached, so we just popped it off.<br />
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If you want to start with just one kind to test it out, I would go with the blue, the glass and hard surface cleaner. My next favorite is the green one which is used as a disinfectant and degreaser.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-29438606949602844572012-04-18T06:00:00.001-07:002012-04-18T09:46:43.317-07:00Things to Do This Week In and Around Mesa, AZWe are back with an event post this week. Here's our list:<br />
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<b>From Classical to Broadway </b><br />
This concert by the <a href="http://www.evmco.org/default.aspx">East Valley Mormon Choral Organization</a> is held this Friday, April 20th at the Mesa Arts Center at 5 pm and 8 pm. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased <a href="http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/shows/music-concerts/fromclassicaltobroadway">here.</a> Concert attire is expected and children 5 and up are welcome to attend. The choirs and orchestra are made up of over 700 members total, with several children's choirs and a massive 250-member adult choir.<br />
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<b>Ballet Under the Stars </b><br />
This is a local dance company's version of Ballet Under the Stars. Studio R Ballet is putting on this free community concert which will feature pieces from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Carmen, and Esmeralda. Production held at the Bella Via Community Amphitheatre near Warner and Signal Butte in Mesa. Check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Studio-R-Ballet/100990349997440">facebook page</a> for directions and more info.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Arizona’s Centennial Celebration at the Southeast Regional Library </b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Saturday, April 21, 1-4 p.m. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Grind corn, practice roping, play games from the 1800s, learn dances, and talk with costumed historians. There will also be an interactive living museum including original artifacts, period replicas, artisans and performers. 775 N. Greenfield Rd. in Gilbert. </div><br />
<b>Above the Influence </b><br />
There are a couple of events for kids on Friday, 4/20 to celebrate being drug free- You can check out the one hosted by the <a href="http://apps.mesaaz.gov/news/ArticleView.aspx?id=33193">City of Mesa</a> or this one at <a href="http://www.usa-skating.com/dynamic.asp?schimg=spev_sch.gif&sel=12&LinkID=6">Skateland.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bookmans.com/content/survive-hunger-games-bookmans-mesa">Survive the Hunger Games</a> event at Bookmans Mesa this Wednesday.<br />
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<a href="http://powwow.asu.edu/index.shtml">Native American Pow Wow</a> this weekend, Friday night through Sunday at ASU on the band practice field.<br />
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Try a picnic and some live music in <a href="http://www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/special_events_sunday_afair.php">Scottsdale this Sunday</a>.<br />
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Start looking ahead to summer by <a href="http://www.mesaaz.gov/parksrec/aquatics/">checking out classes</a> offered for adults and children from the City of Mesa. Registration for Mesa residents opened today! Here's a great idea--<a href="http://apps.mesaaz.gov/news/ArticleView.aspx?id=33196">Fit Kids</a>, a fun program for kids 9-12 designed with exercise and nutrition in mind.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mpsaz.org/community/files/funinthesunfestival.pdf%20">Fun in the Sun</a><br />
Bring your little one out to<a href="http://www.mpsaz.org/community/files/funinthesunfestival.pdf%20"> this free event</a> hosted by the City of Mesa next Wednesday morning, April 25th at Countryside Park. Includes activities, parachute play, storytime, Mesa Fire Department and more. Sounds like a fun way to spend the morning with your favorite preschooler.<br />
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Would you like an opportunity to volunteer for your community? City of Mesa is looking for people for <a href="http://app.volunteer2.com/Public/CommunityHub/06d078ce-1817-4e8c-bf5c-182697142b56/Organization/1d58474e-13bf-450a-b5c4-339324d9580c/Activity/5e6113c8-f53b-4776-ac67-0cb8613f3f82">this event</a> held Saturday, April 28th.<br />
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Personally, my calendar has been marked for months for next Saturday, April 28th. It's the <a href="https://www.hemophiliaz.org/salsa-challenge/event-information.php">My Nana's Salsa Challenge</a>. For one reasonable price you get admission which includes all-you-can eat chips and salsa from over 80 contestants. Tickets are $10 at the event or $8 in advance from any Fry's store. Children 12 and under are free which includes a fun zone with free games. If you love chips and salsa you can't miss this event!<br />
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Have a great week!<br />
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Do you know of something going on not listed here? Please share it in the comments!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-16930066122187427412012-04-15T15:24:00.003-07:002012-04-15T20:41:21.826-07:00I Heart Mesa: Best East Valley Bloggers<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Today I Heart Mesa was named the Best East Valley Blog by the East Valley Tribune. I was quite surprised because we never campaigned for this award. We are honored and appreciate all those that have supported us over the years. We look back at this last year as we were able to produce <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-with-heart-guide-to-loving-and.html">two guides to Mesa</a> that were viewed by thousands, we <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2011/09/diner-with-diving-lady.html">donated $350 to the Diving Lady fund</a>, remembered our <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-100th-birthday-arizona-100-years.html">state on it’s 100<sup>th</sup> birthday</a>, gave $50 away to two deserving families, and added to our vast resource of ways to love and live in Mesa, Arizona. We received notes from “snowbirds” thanking us for giving them the gift of memories with their grandchildren. A college student wrote to let us know that we help her in her job of providing respite care. Several moms have let us know that we have increased their awareness of family friendly activities going on here in the East Valley. We’ve seen young couples use our site to help plan date nights and so forth. My husband and I know first hand the impact of this economy. Our income is much less than it was 4 years ago. So we are pleased when we can pass on ways to enjoy living here, without spending oodles of money. We enjoy promoting local businesses and the local economy, not for profit, but simply because we know how important it is to bloom where you are planted. Happy citizens make for a happy, healthy and thriving community. We realize that Mesa might not have some of the historic buildings like Boston, or allure of the night life in New York City. We aren’t evergreen like Portland. This is Mesa, Arizona, our home. We are just your average citizens letting you in on ways we have found to enjoy loving and living here. We realize we might not post everyday like we once accomplished, recently we have missed whole weeks, but we hope you can still come to our site to enjoy the years of research we have done for our community. Thanks again for the honor.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">If you would like to check out other people, businesses and things to do that were voted the best, please check out the East Valley Tribune list <a href="http://bestof.eastvalleytribune.com/2012">here</a>. We love that <a href="http://superstitionfarm.com/">Superstition Farm</a> received three honors! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH_CsuiA_JPuc8jA3ZOIwl8zAIRbKEweSWfWl75LO-T7UbZnN6ZDCwJfMWm833Kl6SkOhSpWTaOm430oW38dR-OdAn6k9Lv2QFwOan4W1n4DCC0AEaqDftGWkxoI3uIJ5hU2WtGS0aOo/s1600/IMG_20120321_130101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH_CsuiA_JPuc8jA3ZOIwl8zAIRbKEweSWfWl75LO-T7UbZnN6ZDCwJfMWm833Kl6SkOhSpWTaOm430oW38dR-OdAn6k9Lv2QFwOan4W1n4DCC0AEaqDftGWkxoI3uIJ5hU2WtGS0aOo/s640/IMG_20120321_130101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This picture was taken on Saguaro Lake last month after a storm that brought snow to Four Peaks. My dad bought an old beat up boat several years ago and we often teased him that it would never float. Well, after years of work, it finally floated and my 4 girls and I had an enjoyable day on the lake fishing with grandpa. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-87432969173932153782012-03-27T16:43:00.000-07:002012-03-27T16:43:51.306-07:00Things To Do in Mesa, Arizona for last week of March<div style="text-align: justify;">We've rounded up a few more events going on this weekend:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>Falcon Field Open House</b> this Saturday, March 31st from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Admission and parking are FREE. Enjoy a aircraft displays and more. Information from <a href="http://www.mesaaz.gov/falcon_field/openhouse/">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>Powwow at Westwood High School </b>this Saturday, March 31st from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Enjoy dancing, drums, food and vendors. Admission is FREE. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- The <a href="http://royalfaires.com/arizona/">Renesaince Festival</a> ends this weekend, but have you heard about the <b>Estrella Wars</b> out at Schnepf Farms? It's "Medieval glory, honor, and chivalry." Read all about it <a href="http://www.estrellawar.org/">here</a>. The event runs now through April 1st. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Another HUGE annual event in downtown Mesa - the <b><a href="http://www.easterpageant.org/">Easter Pageant</a> located at the LDS Temple grounds</b>. Live performances of the Easter story start tomorrow night, March 28th, and runs every night, except Sunday the 1st and Monday the 2nd, until April 7th. The performances begin at 8:00 PM and last about 65 minutes. This Friday and Saturday night are the Spanish performances. Expect a crowd, so arrive early, bring some blankets to sit on if you would rather not deal with the provided chairs, and of course, bring a picnic and treats to enjoy. The performance is FREE and donations are not accepted. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjRf_TgTPN3CFFkvFuFekdpDpOGRVL5Ceqpf940_V7ELLDBGpNI3OWPia3UiaSHeGr996uaButAxl4TdZ3XyJvJTlxhN17Ky5uwsVnfWaLCAfDDqbwS7YxCuHEP2S46mjp6kjR6Cwu0I/s1600/IMG_3164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjRf_TgTPN3CFFkvFuFekdpDpOGRVL5Ceqpf940_V7ELLDBGpNI3OWPia3UiaSHeGr996uaButAxl4TdZ3XyJvJTlxhN17Ky5uwsVnfWaLCAfDDqbwS7YxCuHEP2S46mjp6kjR6Cwu0I/s640/IMG_3164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">- Or maybe you want to <b>check out a carnival</b>. Go <a href="http://www.mpsaz.org/news/articles/18094">here</a> to see all about Red Mountain High School's carnival running this Thursday to Sunday, complete with mini-motorcycles, tilt-a-whirl, ferris wheel, the zipper and more. Entertainment is free, pay for food and attractions. Or Ishikawa Elementary School will be having a carnival this Friday, March 30th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. It will be held at Ishikawa Elementary located at 2635 N. 32nd St. on the south fields. There will be food, games, bounce houses, prizes and tons of family fun!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-65746275441507035412012-03-26T09:55:00.001-07:002012-03-26T09:57:47.571-07:00Enjoying Arizona - Sunflower and Bushnell Tanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Honestly, sometimes I feel really sad for those people that say there is nothing to do in Arizona. What a miserable life they must be living. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These pictures are from a backpacking trip my husband took our older set of twins on over Spring Break. They went to Sunflower/Bushnell Tanks which is 45 minutes from Mesa. I think we have been enjoying our explorations, and maybe even inhaling too much orange blossom smell, to take the time to write lately. We hope you have been caught up in living life as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE00YXzErEoGalXxmV6ADRy5LpBdtcWHM7T3xeWExwiw2VXAgkQH5sjFhQDQhPmQoURLnZ6LajzTImZoaWTfEBBYFa4SeCOOHucmZ5kgbJUwQFSWJd49GtDZiXE3LYNsKHDJNJLrveA4/s1600/IMG_20120313_115052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE00YXzErEoGalXxmV6ADRy5LpBdtcWHM7T3xeWExwiw2VXAgkQH5sjFhQDQhPmQoURLnZ6LajzTImZoaWTfEBBYFa4SeCOOHucmZ5kgbJUwQFSWJd49GtDZiXE3LYNsKHDJNJLrveA4/s640/IMG_20120313_115052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-26511481557671457052012-03-09T10:26:00.002-07:002012-03-09T15:18:39.983-07:00More Things To Do During Spring Break<div style="text-align: justify;">We posted our March Things To Do Guide <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2012/02/things-to-do-in-mesa-arizona-during.html">here</a>, including events like Mesa's Creativity Festival, Gateway Open House and a Civil War Reenactment. Looks like we have a few more, especially for this Spring Break week:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- High School plays are such a wonderful way to bring the arts more into your life, without spending too much money. TONIGHT and tomorrow night at 7:00 PM, head down to Westwood High School, 8th Street between Country Club and Alma School Road, for their<b> production of Willy Wonka</b>. Kids 6 and under are free! It is 2 hours long with an intermission too, making this a perfect option families with younger children. Performance is in the Westwood Shepherd Auditorium. Tickets in advance are $5 and tickets at the door are $7-$10. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- The <b>Flow Rider</b> is open for Spring Break. We've tested it out ourselves and this is a sure hit with the young and the old(er) :) Spring Break is a great time to test it out for yourself as lines have historically not been as long. $5.50 for youth ride session, $11 for adult. Open this Saturday and all next week from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Go <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rhodes.MesaH2O">here</a> for more information. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Make sure to get your last hurrah at the old <b>Riverview Park</b> (Dobson and 8th Street) before it closes April 2nd for construction. Do some urban fishing, have a picnic.....I have made many memories here during my growing up years, fishing with my dad and watching my sister accidentally get a fish hook stuck in her foot, playing co-ed soccer, softball, and even some of my high school powder puff games. I think we are going to go and say one last goodbye to the place before it looks nothing like this anymore: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Riverview at night<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOySGbHjCivUPNWDM2fDDyr8a1O2O-bOgKmuHy4E0E6wSqVI0Ou7RQWh7jKwG0AnYDk-4zF0d6YM5-cZvU2ImoezxjDr3e_RbGynEz1_B3lPqeV9DswBNStuvFBWb-_625yROxpeUbyAs/s1600/IMG_7596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOySGbHjCivUPNWDM2fDDyr8a1O2O-bOgKmuHy4E0E6wSqVI0Ou7RQWh7jKwG0AnYDk-4zF0d6YM5-cZvU2ImoezxjDr3e_RbGynEz1_B3lPqeV9DswBNStuvFBWb-_625yROxpeUbyAs/s640/IMG_7596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>1/2 off Day at Riverview Golf Course</b> on March 17th-18th. Enjoy the 1987 price of $10.50 for a round of golf and 1/2 off range fees. Go<a href="http://riverviewgolfcourse.com/Home.aspx"> here</a> for details. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>Spring Training!</b> It's that time of year again. Go <a href="http://www.visitmesa.com/things-to-do/spring-training/">here</a> to see if you can catch a game. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-64277254470733800692012-02-29T21:47:00.002-07:002012-02-29T21:48:43.741-07:00Lehi Days 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I've received several e-mails asking for details on Lehi Days. Well I Heart Mesa reader Abbie came through big time for me on Lehi Days information. She e-mailed over the flyer and so I figured the best way might just be to post it here. I'm thinking one of these years I need to sign my girls up for the mutton riding or at least let them compete in the greased pig chase. Maybe this year we will just watch and then next year they can join in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">(Click to enlarge the image) </div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrueQtS-bZx2BBjxsgSZX60Q9Jv-slex4CKkuqGf4z7Q5Bjb2xKl6dhze6s4oSUgjeEUCgWrdyO6EPs_7dsw861tFOKHmkeikLX2p7rxxcYY65kdg-YL2AMbWh7V9muvrhnAiw9y-HAO8/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrueQtS-bZx2BBjxsgSZX60Q9Jv-slex4CKkuqGf4z7Q5Bjb2xKl6dhze6s4oSUgjeEUCgWrdyO6EPs_7dsw861tFOKHmkeikLX2p7rxxcYY65kdg-YL2AMbWh7V9muvrhnAiw9y-HAO8/s400/Image.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4syZFhfv_5GUvhUXiCimWIACs0NQHGTxMNy9x_nsQ62zMm67mji_agbl7gkolykyqz0zr_IFl08VYmD8SxXNPqXuqs01J-Oedl2RWEHtqYomKgUxOXUp8HnMqLShXj-X1cO82K4mxAs/s1600/Image+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4syZFhfv_5GUvhUXiCimWIACs0NQHGTxMNy9x_nsQ62zMm67mji_agbl7gkolykyqz0zr_IFl08VYmD8SxXNPqXuqs01J-Oedl2RWEHtqYomKgUxOXUp8HnMqLShXj-X1cO82K4mxAs/s400/Image+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-22498317714077825812012-02-29T15:04:00.000-07:002012-02-29T15:04:00.781-07:00Things To Do in Mesa, Arizona During March<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Leap Day everyone. I know a lady (she grew up down the road from me in West Mesa) who shares her leap day birthday with her daughter. Talk about one in a million! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So one extra day today and then we are already into March. Here are some events we have been hearing about around town:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Friday, March 2nd from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: <b>MCC's Southern/Dobson Campus Planetarium show</b>. Free tickets are handed out at the door on a first come, first serve basis. All the details <a href="https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/MES/event/showEventForm.jsp?form_id=117843">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Saturday, March 3rd from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: <b>Transportation Day at Little Light Preschool</b> located at 6659 E. University Dr. Explore a hot air balloon, police car, ambulance, fire truck, construction vehicles, motorcycles, speed boat....for free. You can pay to also enjoy games, bounce houses, food and there will be a rummage sale. Information from <a href="http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/events/free-events/MesaFestivalCreativity">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- March 1st - 3rd, 8th - 9th at 7:30 PM and March 10th at 2:00 PM: <b>MCC's performance of RENT</b>. Tickets start at $9. Details <a href="https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/MES/event/showEventForm.jsp?form_id=79976">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Saturday, March 3rd at 9:00 AM: <b>Auction at Auction Empire in downtown Mesa</b>. Check out their online catalog <a href="http://auctionempire.com/proxibid-auctions/">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Saturday, March 3rd : <b>Lehi Days Rodeo</b>. Sadly, there is no information online that I can find. I have put in some calls, but will have to post later when I hear back on all the details. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Thursday, March 8th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: <b>Home Schooling Day at Mesa Grande</b>. I don't home school, but my girls are done with Kindergarten by this time and it sounds like a wonderfully educational event. Learn about the Hohokam, learn from real archaeologists how to work a authentic site, enjoy games and crafts. Cost is $2 for members of the Arizona Museum of Natural History or $6 for non-members. Call 480-644-3553 for more information or to register. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- March 9th from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: <a href="http://2ndfridaynightout.com/2.html"><b>Spring Wellness Festival as part of 2nd Fridays</b></a> in downtown Mesa. Enjoy free yoga and back massages. Learn ways to help the environment. Over 70 vendors and stores stay open late. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- March 10th from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150577299348671&set=a.385942193670.167568.118097618670&type=1&theater">Gateway Aviation Day</a>.</b> Aircraft display, food and entertainment and Kids' Zone. A fun way to check out Mesa's expanding airport. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- March 9th and 10th: <b>150th Anniversary of the Engagement of Picacho Pass</b>. "Experience<b> three fascinating historic battle re-enactments</b> complete with lifestyles of the soldiers in the southwest during the 1860s. More than 200 re-enactors come from many states and will camp at the park with their authentic Civil War camping gear. Food and beverage concessions are also available. Vehicle Entrance Fee: $10 (a vehicle) up to 4 persons. Each additional person is $3. Individual Entrance Fee is $3 for walk-in or bike. Gate Hours are from 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM and entry to park is permitted only during Gate Hours. Event hours are from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM." Information from <a href="http://azstateparks.com/Parks/PIPE/downloads/PIPE_Civil_War_2012_poster_c.pdf">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- March 9th - 18th: <b>Mesa's Festival of Creativity</b>. Trying to figure out how spend spring break? This sounds awesome. Walk through MIRAZOZO - another creation by Alan Parkinson that is like walking through a world of stained glass. Check out sidewalk chalk art installation, interactive art displays, performances, workshops....you <i>must</i> go<a href="http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/events/free-events/MesaFestivalCreativity"> here</a> to get all the details. There will be a fee for some of the workshops and a $5 fee for MIRAZOZO, but everything else is free. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- March 17th from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: <b>3rd Annual Mayor's Cactus League Hot Dog Challenge.</b> Try out the best hot dogs, watch a Mesa vs. Glibert Polic and Fire department softball game and enjoy activities for the kids. More information <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150679933660622&set=o.367831289908788&type=1&theater">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Ongoing:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We just heard about the <b>Humana Guidance Cente</b>r in Mesa. They offer free Ballroom Dancing classes, movie days, Wii games, quilting, Tai Chi, Bunco....Check out their March calendar of events<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150585676463671&set=a.385942193670.167568.118097618670&type=1&theater"> here</a>. No need to belong to the Humana insurance group, these free services are available to anyone. Sadly they used to have bikes available on loan to the public, but they discontinued that service. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enjoy<b> family story time, Infant Lapsit and Toddler Time at the public libararies</b>. Or join the Lego club, take advantage of wellness classes, book clubs and more. Library calendar of events<a href="http://events.mesalibrary.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp"> here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are still plenty of <b>classes offered through Mesa Public School's Parent University</b>. All classes are free and you do not need to be a parent of an MPS student to attend. Class schedule found <a href="http://www.mpsaz.org/parentu/files/spring_12.pdf">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Thursdays:</b> <a href="http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/events/free-events/SpringOuttoLunchConcertSeries">Free Spring Out to Lunch Concert Series</a> at the MAC and <a href="http://www.superstitionfarmtours.com/farmers_market.html">SuperFarm Famers Market at Superstition Farm</a> from 4:30 - 7:30 PM. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fridays:</b> Yoga in the park. 9:00 AM at Rendezvouz Park (adjacent to the Mesa Farmers Market on Center St. and University). Free classes provided by <a href="http://flotusyoga.com/">Floating Lotus Yoga Studio</a>. Do some Yoga and then pick up some fresh fruits and vegis at the Farmers Market.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Saturdays: </b><a href="http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/events/free-events/macfest">MACFest</a> 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Enjoy this "made by me" cultural event.<b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And for your enjoyment, <a href="http://www.edtv99.org/video/10830">here is a video</a> of the Emerson Bell Choir performing at the Mesa Public School's board meeting. I was an Emerson Bell Choir member many years ago. So many good memories of performing in Downtown Mesa and Phoenix. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd7pPOff0SSqjPKqd3Xij4bmSS42NciZh7czYMWFLoGq9uZqMRd3iaVKRXUHEUKyzzZici4ySdEuqoTiWZC8giL-GWZmVnojzhjjA2PzrsTADzKht6W0B7mjpOnulHT9mCt-e7MabLBQ/s1600/IMG_6062a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd7pPOff0SSqjPKqd3Xij4bmSS42NciZh7czYMWFLoGq9uZqMRd3iaVKRXUHEUKyzzZici4ySdEuqoTiWZC8giL-GWZmVnojzhjjA2PzrsTADzKht6W0B7mjpOnulHT9mCt-e7MabLBQ/s640/IMG_6062a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(This is me clicking my heels after a fun outing in downtown Mesa last week. Hope you can plan some fun outings also.)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-30975561825231587492012-02-21T15:32:00.000-07:002012-02-21T15:32:45.051-07:00Presidential Debate in Mesa, Arizona<div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't really want to post last week after my Arizona post. I was too content just staring at beautiful pictures every time I logged on. But, new week, new posts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez0i2eOf6TtMOXV-s3_Z6qqpz0GXXOvOvc9UPLn7hgApLV9AhLfZJV5PJ0SbmOGaYe8KQMgFzzdFQrvA4XSGJ0dH02gyWpV0hbp-DatRjDwVWXCvpMSDycJwImKq1oDJGHgESTIKk2UI/s1600/IMG_9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez0i2eOf6TtMOXV-s3_Z6qqpz0GXXOvOvc9UPLn7hgApLV9AhLfZJV5PJ0SbmOGaYe8KQMgFzzdFQrvA4XSGJ0dH02gyWpV0hbp-DatRjDwVWXCvpMSDycJwImKq1oDJGHgESTIKk2UI/s640/IMG_9346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As you are most likely aware, there will be a Republican presidential debate at the <a href="http://www.mesaartscenter.com/">Mesa Arts Center</a> on Wednesday evening. We stay clear of getting political here at I Heart Mesa. We feel there is a time and place for politics, just not here where our main goal is to build a sense of community - not take sides. But, regardless of your political views, we feel it is pretty exciting to have an event with national attention such as this take place in downtown. Many businesses are excited and have special offers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The debate runs from at 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM and will be televised on CNN</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you plan to head to downtown tomorrow night, maybe check out:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- The city of Mesa will be setting up a 14' by 20' screen on Main between Center and Sirrine in order to view the debate. There will be music and food vendors. The event runs from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM. More information (though not much more) found <a href="http://www.mesaaz.gov/todo/debate.aspx">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Queen's Pizzeria and Evermore Nevermore are teaming up for a political art and debate event called the Republi-con 2012 from 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Enjoy pizza and politics presented in art form. You can also view the debate from Queen's. More information from <a href="http://evermorenevermore.com/republicon2012/">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sweetcakescafe?ref=ts">Sweet Cakes</a> has said Main and Center streets will be closed for safety and security, but there will be plenty of parking behind their store. They will have $1.00 hot dogs, their regular menu, and you can view the debate in their restaurant or on the nearby jumbo screen that the city is setting up. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">AND if you are curious about parking or just want to avoid the event and all the road closures all together, check out <a href="http://www.mesaaz.gov/todo/images/parking.png">this map</a>.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-36421757323579292532012-02-14T16:41:00.003-07:002012-02-15T08:59:30.075-07:00Happy 100th Birthday Arizona: 100 Years of BeautyI loved Saturdays as a kid for two reasons: This Old House and Martha Stewart. Even as a little kid I loved the idea of a good DIY project. But, This Old House and Martha Stewart were mostly filmed on the very green and historic east coast, which led my little mind to believe that Arizona was not beautiful, that the only kind of beautiful was rolling hills with oak trees. <br />
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And then I grew up and truly fell in love with Arizona. <br />
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I fell in love with the Superstitions where my husband and I were engaged.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVeJotwTk6q91-rDJL3ZL8EjKutl-HJ-ErPhV_3utFJNl_cAXdyGCRrj5AYOUZGWE4ftmNRRcizmW3t9Pzue4ELordPUI08puuIoT2OPEtSam3LvJ4b_KHDzls0KhHXdrc-YlBjNIDZ0/s1600/IMG_1161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVeJotwTk6q91-rDJL3ZL8EjKutl-HJ-ErPhV_3utFJNl_cAXdyGCRrj5AYOUZGWE4ftmNRRcizmW3t9Pzue4ELordPUI08puuIoT2OPEtSam3LvJ4b_KHDzls0KhHXdrc-YlBjNIDZ0/s640/IMG_1161.jpg" width="426" /></a> <br />
And ASU where we both graduated in 2004. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujCji71qcYb8PHm5UjkzWvM167AFJchRDl8sRluSSL6UVMlvQvz8MJsnvrTeQzFTC5sEYwCq3Lcta5f48-snRFRSgM-9hOuD31V64z6peuH0nic-zGg6opETaZYJFdF7hTXoKuaxdnA0/s1600/IMG_7703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujCji71qcYb8PHm5UjkzWvM167AFJchRDl8sRluSSL6UVMlvQvz8MJsnvrTeQzFTC5sEYwCq3Lcta5f48-snRFRSgM-9hOuD31V64z6peuH0nic-zGg6opETaZYJFdF7hTXoKuaxdnA0/s640/IMG_7703.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
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I fell in love with road trips that took me from saguaros to Ponderosa pines in just a little over an hour.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vGYIl-7TIg7cSQGabPeB2TwW8zoZa4Uy1muFjhssdu_0eiFQ5wD3XUcI0PDOHWpe9go7wiE4Jd74dDUVaiMTFRlv3nWzkHYkvmNgPwsN-AZdnNZW_nBtXT1IaNi8Qw2feGscYyD0XOQ/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vGYIl-7TIg7cSQGabPeB2TwW8zoZa4Uy1muFjhssdu_0eiFQ5wD3XUcI0PDOHWpe9go7wiE4Jd74dDUVaiMTFRlv3nWzkHYkvmNgPwsN-AZdnNZW_nBtXT1IaNi8Qw2feGscYyD0XOQ/s640/IMG_0011.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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And farms and valleys.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6UU2DGzIbefegWj5XEO0PSCN_YVJipTXvCwfqgdyMihtB7GcqdckTCtCsbdLqGWVbsKMfZCPIeIqRn7fGK9JH6-pjP4usCV8drBCHhSQPEGOBEumLdEX8J87Vi7jLmwR0AZjVvgfI3U/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6UU2DGzIbefegWj5XEO0PSCN_YVJipTXvCwfqgdyMihtB7GcqdckTCtCsbdLqGWVbsKMfZCPIeIqRn7fGK9JH6-pjP4usCV8drBCHhSQPEGOBEumLdEX8J87Vi7jLmwR0AZjVvgfI3U/s640/IMG_0952.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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I fell in love with the vast expanse of nothingness. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhy67Tfa8Sx6oeE8YsRP8IPTeHJprZME30zVNnUZb-SCvPbUnPtet9z9YCzK_wZ2O6WVzd_EnFOTqUyqsW4arEe4glPdYclfAcAs4c_OrrD0u3H5VhG0mV613F-J5xMU_qxLaiNYjMvI/s1600/IMG_9263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhy67Tfa8Sx6oeE8YsRP8IPTeHJprZME30zVNnUZb-SCvPbUnPtet9z9YCzK_wZ2O6WVzd_EnFOTqUyqsW4arEe4glPdYclfAcAs4c_OrrD0u3H5VhG0mV613F-J5xMU_qxLaiNYjMvI/s640/IMG_9263.jpg" width="426" /></a> <br />
And with the mountains to the north and south.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKn7lJ1I_BivRB1n3LWzmJeeN4b1z0BuSaAm2CfRM3MItAkhSPNpFKWEFmxe3zCqEjaD3iy-Th5u29K6Ut1wl4SMVLHTWWfK8X-Gh0zR3xZ0o7rcXXu6oTPgvJ9XYMCkgcjT3rIorllU/s1600/IMG_9743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKn7lJ1I_BivRB1n3LWzmJeeN4b1z0BuSaAm2CfRM3MItAkhSPNpFKWEFmxe3zCqEjaD3iy-Th5u29K6Ut1wl4SMVLHTWWfK8X-Gh0zR3xZ0o7rcXXu6oTPgvJ9XYMCkgcjT3rIorllU/s640/IMG_9743.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
I fell in love with the hot and the cold and the beautiful in between.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcSXWmw3LU7NI5ym7nMejDfCZahXdUy0JzGXznAniuIN6yRkJKk-1Y0YOEHMSERhY-UeBpyXAevtZj1S8pbtTDvW4LbBZDag7QYRO7lMNhYA1UIa5aNOSed3ZgP81_bvqSKt-s4fYpQY/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcSXWmw3LU7NI5ym7nMejDfCZahXdUy0JzGXznAniuIN6yRkJKk-1Y0YOEHMSERhY-UeBpyXAevtZj1S8pbtTDvW4LbBZDag7QYRO7lMNhYA1UIa5aNOSed3ZgP81_bvqSKt-s4fYpQY/s640/IMG_2335.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7Au1J3HqwD4ANYX_5RNgKQ7FXeUlY315P0XQHJeRzPl7vBUB9YgJgGF7tWO70QCfXgj11Plw74580ebgNrRe1wT5gJWPZ_wRsfNU8HXANnZcRRjBAh_DMquw3BDdihFd91L8_Ru-Abc/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7Au1J3HqwD4ANYX_5RNgKQ7FXeUlY315P0XQHJeRzPl7vBUB9YgJgGF7tWO70QCfXgj11Plw74580ebgNrRe1wT5gJWPZ_wRsfNU8HXANnZcRRjBAh_DMquw3BDdihFd91L8_Ru-Abc/s640/IMG_0004.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
I fell in love with taking the long route.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf6r60D99JKTAYELKVZ8rm1vqtnaO572PegyCN1-oo4qlNaS18bafmVraz-hHSGNp-qIIireutRwQZm2M7THcgP8JUCy1PmTB8KXA1ssTtucmK4EiSeGvB3CP11f74PiaasmUqSy3Zpc/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf6r60D99JKTAYELKVZ8rm1vqtnaO572PegyCN1-oo4qlNaS18bafmVraz-hHSGNp-qIIireutRwQZm2M7THcgP8JUCy1PmTB8KXA1ssTtucmK4EiSeGvB3CP11f74PiaasmUqSy3Zpc/s640/IMG_0298.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98o0xjY5657iAmxs2UzIfsU_LqjueFC9E-7DAQmCvd_4DWOdJ8-yeD2v7BjPk8GBZoHvlXwlBD91aFpYUiKEN8GPTep613Li8II2b0g5uUg0DzftfMk9zV18rx9SkfzyxnTuSD53LhSM/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98o0xjY5657iAmxs2UzIfsU_LqjueFC9E-7DAQmCvd_4DWOdJ8-yeD2v7BjPk8GBZoHvlXwlBD91aFpYUiKEN8GPTep613Li8II2b0g5uUg0DzftfMk9zV18rx9SkfzyxnTuSD53LhSM/s640/IMG_0553.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuarbXN1xO4jGKLZnfr3gktsx_tPaNGIuoKX3IfxYGecae2c3NSL74C684A6ciN51n0Hd5O17sGVwxRUGaKqwHMrCBi7nlDxktS3ES163gISAJmFhKSpRyldTCsUfLKb-AKaCjbRQPPo/s1600/IMG_6210s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuarbXN1xO4jGKLZnfr3gktsx_tPaNGIuoKX3IfxYGecae2c3NSL74C684A6ciN51n0Hd5O17sGVwxRUGaKqwHMrCBi7nlDxktS3ES163gISAJmFhKSpRyldTCsUfLKb-AKaCjbRQPPo/s640/IMG_6210s.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
And exploring old mining towns.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht-O99Im2PMVRo3bFQdSIpKG0AC9KdAXlbj7AdQ0bhLEVkvVSZ-gOImr8eWBT5w2xoRC37e-RtQy5Ux1HVqymMKUGA4c8Md0nm5w3ZrGlAUdA3WWrsvkihxX9_R6ffM1onTPltf-9kTU/s1600/IMG_9195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht-O99Im2PMVRo3bFQdSIpKG0AC9KdAXlbj7AdQ0bhLEVkvVSZ-gOImr8eWBT5w2xoRC37e-RtQy5Ux1HVqymMKUGA4c8Md0nm5w3ZrGlAUdA3WWrsvkihxX9_R6ffM1onTPltf-9kTU/s640/IMG_9195.jpg" width="426" /></a> <br />
<br />
I fell in love with this view of where my dad grew up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSIDZnKUNiB-1X_6rW2HXbBivdq5c-JthQAtHRgptJ_75tjFoTGoRi2oiWnRXE7sJ0yBpBTQSphLdz9EW1Jb_vB53t1L27knTQv2WHFhBZuFLdd6Dc-7Ii4_nID4I88yDYmwAKfP-Ymc/s1600/IMG_0042+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSIDZnKUNiB-1X_6rW2HXbBivdq5c-JthQAtHRgptJ_75tjFoTGoRi2oiWnRXE7sJ0yBpBTQSphLdz9EW1Jb_vB53t1L27knTQv2WHFhBZuFLdd6Dc-7Ii4_nID4I88yDYmwAKfP-Ymc/s640/IMG_0042+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
And watching my little girls make new memories of Arizona.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91TBs7f5ooqWUy3QPivm9Y3o0sU7cGiMiWO4p2v2-SGPHSo05TEGtr9YIjd5HdYrKG_do14JYS4eOKp3eKNKEf0BQEZwNm4G8XXIvMcALQAmKASgf9HLP3MNHlAtaHEFyjxtz3L1LFqU/s1600/P1050345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91TBs7f5ooqWUy3QPivm9Y3o0sU7cGiMiWO4p2v2-SGPHSo05TEGtr9YIjd5HdYrKG_do14JYS4eOKp3eKNKEf0BQEZwNm4G8XXIvMcALQAmKASgf9HLP3MNHlAtaHEFyjxtz3L1LFqU/s640/P1050345.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfkbPNyDRevP-1CekhNxMuk6fqChhZkRRdSgvDq6mIMjSNJ5cZhbKe6FC7t3HBFx2pDLoaKSz33BlT7J8ain2hsoCUnFCTSSfkNM7zp1ZJkiFqClZj-OSG4_zYG6dnNZRNd9u0VLzej8/s1600/IMG_9253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfkbPNyDRevP-1CekhNxMuk6fqChhZkRRdSgvDq6mIMjSNJ5cZhbKe6FC7t3HBFx2pDLoaKSz33BlT7J8ain2hsoCUnFCTSSfkNM7zp1ZJkiFqClZj-OSG4_zYG6dnNZRNd9u0VLzej8/s640/IMG_9253.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
I fell in love with Arizona sports teams and rejoiced during those winning seasons.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vI8BL-75wgCu_5Tmx7cxqnCzDlWlJmgz56AF5lnNh3xAmp1a_0w_-ukUiq-4T-osclQQtzHROvvI9nE8rF80nzieJ7J4ki2X_eQWoBolL4Gmu0SrfspDz-Qe4cYETrKexlpplw3ruZg/s1600/P1000226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vI8BL-75wgCu_5Tmx7cxqnCzDlWlJmgz56AF5lnNh3xAmp1a_0w_-ukUiq-4T-osclQQtzHROvvI9nE8rF80nzieJ7J4ki2X_eQWoBolL4Gmu0SrfspDz-Qe4cYETrKexlpplw3ruZg/s640/P1000226.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDaXDhJi4pd9l0qEZHWViyTqLe_t_51JTV2cAcxhK7l3Qi9pO-zuFDDWamAECLqYkuMTS3XPGS3c1a7QKMdRa-G0Pv0B-nrZDi_2g3USPVQSEBVRjd0jXkLw0MtoACD-4_1Ku6CHUW6Q/s1600/Upton3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDaXDhJi4pd9l0qEZHWViyTqLe_t_51JTV2cAcxhK7l3Qi9pO-zuFDDWamAECLqYkuMTS3XPGS3c1a7QKMdRa-G0Pv0B-nrZDi_2g3USPVQSEBVRjd0jXkLw0MtoACD-4_1Ku6CHUW6Q/s640/Upton3.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
I fell in love with camping on the Mogollon Rim for weeks at a time.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y5iTLcAqnSKqQB7gRATLh0ZlFfMig97jRW8wZUi0P6fpslLKbijtoGAFO9-oMyczhFP7XjrEKN08jEYjopi-tofhj3Zv3XhKUiAsbsw_pPHO88FFRCZiugD1E_o3hVUW0tqUmehKqCY/s1600/IMG_8734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y5iTLcAqnSKqQB7gRATLh0ZlFfMig97jRW8wZUi0P6fpslLKbijtoGAFO9-oMyczhFP7XjrEKN08jEYjopi-tofhj3Zv3XhKUiAsbsw_pPHO88FFRCZiugD1E_o3hVUW0tqUmehKqCY/s640/IMG_8734.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPE2k7TWvimqEK8pe44hyphenhyphenfsGGZA48D333DdBpJjRhWAKYs4ny9DfXPfQuZv-thL9yuU8SDBM5FcEX1zxhK3FcDou1O-4n_nJ4JOHrzfeNrUHlHrK3HeCSgD1cWV58xy9VBRvJHfHKuTo/s1600/IMG_9665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPE2k7TWvimqEK8pe44hyphenhyphenfsGGZA48D333DdBpJjRhWAKYs4ny9DfXPfQuZv-thL9yuU8SDBM5FcEX1zxhK3FcDou1O-4n_nJ4JOHrzfeNrUHlHrK3HeCSgD1cWV58xy9VBRvJHfHKuTo/s640/IMG_9665.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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And I well with anger every summer there is a new forest fire. <br />
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I fell in love with odd structures.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mkc57N3LxelVpEFsOUS8Z5U1WTCL8dLoefvnZpLMT_RAev5p8Fun-YDx9ll7VwEV0bn1lH1jZxOX5ELI_CgVExK8DSRi2DN-FCZNYgIYuEmWWEezCHQ04sFW-GFpFKLXX2VN-RNUfBU/s1600/IMG_6759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mkc57N3LxelVpEFsOUS8Z5U1WTCL8dLoefvnZpLMT_RAev5p8Fun-YDx9ll7VwEV0bn1lH1jZxOX5ELI_CgVExK8DSRi2DN-FCZNYgIYuEmWWEezCHQ04sFW-GFpFKLXX2VN-RNUfBU/s640/IMG_6759.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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And jungles in the desert. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiEVvP3Ru9o1sVX5QgOgicefgYPxZRJKZPRjWht-sN7gVFtnIudc-o5LXxfRhlW-_nPPOEcRwHTHt1C4xpNoirhvS0ekCa_yMRMFyz0SB2cKepd0MM_i5Z7ruwcuV-7Utjmr1oD7v9z0/s1600/IMG_6966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiEVvP3Ru9o1sVX5QgOgicefgYPxZRJKZPRjWht-sN7gVFtnIudc-o5LXxfRhlW-_nPPOEcRwHTHt1C4xpNoirhvS0ekCa_yMRMFyz0SB2cKepd0MM_i5Z7ruwcuV-7Utjmr1oD7v9z0/s640/IMG_6966.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
I fell in love with fishing and playing in creeks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7ESPmnb8SrsTN8LUmJwGPd_URucdOEhWt5ibVWB3wTs25RhHYwALwSWDxNKZQYz5Fj3r4v6seR350tak2ASPDpA6daNuTRGIRAZ6dWwYVXQ_-roTEr5mWRYCWmhDSxojz0HZn9L0Rrc/s1600/IMG_9763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7ESPmnb8SrsTN8LUmJwGPd_URucdOEhWt5ibVWB3wTs25RhHYwALwSWDxNKZQYz5Fj3r4v6seR350tak2ASPDpA6daNuTRGIRAZ6dWwYVXQ_-roTEr5mWRYCWmhDSxojz0HZn9L0Rrc/s640/IMG_9763.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjXEoJqMmWobJW4zAboo9oAq8m8ou-A85Tiwo5hl3ximlXLjM0LL8bdLQtBkIDEDZ0i_aVhCT_PcHFuXilESl4i-Gz_9N1NOPdn6ReHQDHuJ_UNjLfCgA8ZAAM-5bayRk3UowoyPf8fM/s1600/IMG_8336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjXEoJqMmWobJW4zAboo9oAq8m8ou-A85Tiwo5hl3ximlXLjM0LL8bdLQtBkIDEDZ0i_aVhCT_PcHFuXilESl4i-Gz_9N1NOPdn6ReHQDHuJ_UNjLfCgA8ZAAM-5bayRk3UowoyPf8fM/s640/IMG_8336.JPG" width="426" /></a> <br />
<br />
I fell in love with cabins by the lake.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2gn0yaXG3mzpFuRtGUVV6a38AG5xF-ypEZQICSULFCoPQfVtQmBYrKKx_JYVRMXiNGMkjAuAEHzhffgU0FnsFW5ZTcb2BDxIiSKNSXt8Xm7Z6Jgaw57BX9lHe3PGmuTXY2F4HMP1lRA/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2gn0yaXG3mzpFuRtGUVV6a38AG5xF-ypEZQICSULFCoPQfVtQmBYrKKx_JYVRMXiNGMkjAuAEHzhffgU0FnsFW5ZTcb2BDxIiSKNSXt8Xm7Z6Jgaw57BX9lHe3PGmuTXY2F4HMP1lRA/s640/IMG_0428.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
And a view from above the desert.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeXk2y1iBQAgjKLPPZorLduNw-z5R54To3Ssa4dcZI0r3S8Fpbb-G8HJkwqRcMci1e6ABtCxuJAFl0Aja0l8c_khEWkJBlD8VUsjUltIlOBX_8adtXyAp2J0Vh_9eCAKrsEYfcI840JE/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeXk2y1iBQAgjKLPPZorLduNw-z5R54To3Ssa4dcZI0r3S8Fpbb-G8HJkwqRcMci1e6ABtCxuJAFl0Aja0l8c_khEWkJBlD8VUsjUltIlOBX_8adtXyAp2J0Vh_9eCAKrsEYfcI840JE/s640/IMG_1455.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I fell in love with monsoons.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gmObmtm8UTpyy0RDI7RmfX6Ilpyc4lCmaYiE0ue3Qy4jW2WaWYM6NfQLw4NCqiPoDu4LJys0eeMJvC0pB1ln_8Zc2oOpAap78gQrshcaarIQmx63f7A24J-ws3Od_5ZliTyNOeJioWs/s1600/9112009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gmObmtm8UTpyy0RDI7RmfX6Ilpyc4lCmaYiE0ue3Qy4jW2WaWYM6NfQLw4NCqiPoDu4LJys0eeMJvC0pB1ln_8Zc2oOpAap78gQrshcaarIQmx63f7A24J-ws3Od_5ZliTyNOeJioWs/s640/9112009.jpg" width="516" /></a><br />
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And sunsets.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_edBSABro0Xz4eWoQrq8kbtzTzVXPOri1n8sfZWaOam87pc00x_uay11pljOfi6bmhXCtrAdvHGkrMqxHh_BK73Z1PEmJwqbCTEnv3lk5WUzD3ofy4RzBkjyQss5_sTdYrr9IPHTyAbc/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_edBSABro0Xz4eWoQrq8kbtzTzVXPOri1n8sfZWaOam87pc00x_uay11pljOfi6bmhXCtrAdvHGkrMqxHh_BK73Z1PEmJwqbCTEnv3lk5WUzD3ofy4RzBkjyQss5_sTdYrr9IPHTyAbc/s640/IMG_0148.JPG" width="426" /></a> <br />
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Oranges and blossoms.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf8zOcZ4nOD2Gk1qXCIBKy-Y2LNUOfYYza3PBa6ZjdBHJMcXi9XLp2ErdfanEC5Lfw5D6N4UlCPAB1VOi1gVkqCYWUJwHvNaitm788854R2mSFS5mtolPo8_IFhPHXcNQQ2Zjf-G35PY/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf8zOcZ4nOD2Gk1qXCIBKy-Y2LNUOfYYza3PBa6ZjdBHJMcXi9XLp2ErdfanEC5Lfw5D6N4UlCPAB1VOi1gVkqCYWUJwHvNaitm788854R2mSFS5mtolPo8_IFhPHXcNQQ2Zjf-G35PY/s640/IMG_1264.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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I fell in love with rolling hills and even oak trees.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq8eESpihVrnxXQzphyDmUzHFeGdKLM0NoRPLoVvpyEM0QW7CvZvpFW5BEEqpOCHfIGkHS0BZkPO0tqp7jIFUQGgCFlH7FCEBybcsKkgFKmJOyb1oYCWpmJ0EPHQGkDr_uOjNDOsuSQg/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq8eESpihVrnxXQzphyDmUzHFeGdKLM0NoRPLoVvpyEM0QW7CvZvpFW5BEEqpOCHfIGkHS0BZkPO0tqp7jIFUQGgCFlH7FCEBybcsKkgFKmJOyb1oYCWpmJ0EPHQGkDr_uOjNDOsuSQg/s640/IMG_0130.JPG" width="426" /></a> <br />
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I fell in love with historic, and <i>really</i> historic.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQLSFXiYyG17UHeLgCmuHLKDCl8OCNvfyyX9REgWW9i_eujwodk1wHqlzTm3loESFPnIkRSBDQ86BQwC026QMEdE9VDe-nBptRNaKJZxw2S0Zmt5CCqP-Ytxo84t9sTArVzx58r7zxkU/s1600/train.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQLSFXiYyG17UHeLgCmuHLKDCl8OCNvfyyX9REgWW9i_eujwodk1wHqlzTm3loESFPnIkRSBDQ86BQwC026QMEdE9VDe-nBptRNaKJZxw2S0Zmt5CCqP-Ytxo84t9sTArVzx58r7zxkU/s640/train.bmp" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oEd63nzloMHjZXfRMsWfOTxZrQgq6IR8XO2dPP-hSouDU3DUEVSXvSz-eMYo7ME_-abj7AajZk0cX9TKo7RbMI83ou0tTVlyfox4Q_LMmEkRS-wMEKUVFx5BNVwUBE0_M1HXaq-ClXs/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oEd63nzloMHjZXfRMsWfOTxZrQgq6IR8XO2dPP-hSouDU3DUEVSXvSz-eMYo7ME_-abj7AajZk0cX9TKo7RbMI83ou0tTVlyfox4Q_LMmEkRS-wMEKUVFx5BNVwUBE0_M1HXaq-ClXs/s640/IMG_3607.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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I fell in love with the Grand Canyon State.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKQTT-CmvkjAQS7GK71mcLo1nCQLyBaiBG3zcSIpQX_o1dywO4ZIDOzbgsXPK2_VpzTTmaIwi8U9vLJGowHIRp4DUdIo7marFpMPu8xCjYqs0NGy4FSd66A2cGoQ_UcAOfgEyk1ONW3Y/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKQTT-CmvkjAQS7GK71mcLo1nCQLyBaiBG3zcSIpQX_o1dywO4ZIDOzbgsXPK2_VpzTTmaIwi8U9vLJGowHIRp4DUdIo7marFpMPu8xCjYqs0NGy4FSd66A2cGoQ_UcAOfgEyk1ONW3Y/s640/IMG_0042.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y1jLwVozkzUkaWkrEaS66NUSEv3w-c7y2OzmyklFelo2Xon6l4LYTS1xcOlmvpCYWXqJPEUbXuUEMfTAgH4i2vfLNCW-WXndiSCDJj3ox4kzfecrPuZZgCwfSG8KBHymAOttHj81lsg/s1600/IMG_0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y1jLwVozkzUkaWkrEaS66NUSEv3w-c7y2OzmyklFelo2Xon6l4LYTS1xcOlmvpCYWXqJPEUbXuUEMfTAgH4i2vfLNCW-WXndiSCDJj3ox4kzfecrPuZZgCwfSG8KBHymAOttHj81lsg/s640/IMG_0700.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Yes, I love visiting other places, but I'm thrilled to call Arizona home.<br />
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We hope you found a reason to celebrate today. We will continue to celebrate 100 years of Arizona the entire year through!<br />
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(I am yet to fall in love with these though.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG7oxCSUcwcTamEewQGFk-knl5Hy31laHsyaSvUu7rM2rvxHFijCWSvw0xJLXP2WiciuBgsI-DihOYiKa5pZTy26qNj6szSDtO7MaqhMJvTi_jsiWLB3mMtumdRIgSTlkd2wKllwLUeA/s1600/scor6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG7oxCSUcwcTamEewQGFk-knl5Hy31laHsyaSvUu7rM2rvxHFijCWSvw0xJLXP2WiciuBgsI-DihOYiKa5pZTy26qNj6szSDtO7MaqhMJvTi_jsiWLB3mMtumdRIgSTlkd2wKllwLUeA/s640/scor6.jpg" width="426" /></a> </div><br />
Happy 100 years Arizona!<br />
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(All of the pictures were taken by either me or my husband since we were married 10 years ago. It was hard not posting even more.)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-16282142376562702672012-02-09T21:35:00.001-07:002012-02-10T14:45:58.964-07:00Oh Wait...There are Even More Events This Weekend<div style="text-align: justify;">We couldn't forget these events also going on in Mesa this weekend:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>Mesa Takes Flight:</b> Friday, February 10th - Sunday, February 12th, 2012 at the Mesa Arts Center. There will be a paper airplane contest, an original play about the Wright Brothers, concerts, an interactive art show, mobile game truck....go<a href="http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/events/free-events/MesaTakesFlightFestival"> here </a>for all the good details. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you plan to head to downtown Mesa, don't forget that it's<a href="http://2ndfridaynightout.com/2.html"> <b>2nd Friday in Downtown</b></a>. Swing dance lessons, sweetheart photos, artwalk....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Also the <b>Centennial Ride</b> with the unique Copper Chopper leaves Mesa Riverview at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 11th. If you would like to witness thousands of motorcycles, or even be a part of this ride, go <a href="http://www.az100years.org/centennial-ride/">here</a> for the details. I bet the sound of all those motorcycles revving at once would be pretty awesome. Watch the motorcycles and then check out <a href="http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&appID=94&storeID=55">Bass Pro</a>, or even grab yogurt at <a href="http://www.yodipityyogurt.com/locations.html">Yodipity</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-If you plan to spend the weekend cleaning, take advantage of <a href="http://mesaaz.gov/waste/Document_Shredding.aspx"><b>Mesa's shred-a-thon</b></a> at the Center Street Facility, 2412 N. Center St. from 8:00 AM - Noon. <br />
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And finally, the <a href="http://royalfaires.com/arizona/">Renaissance Festiva</a>l starts this weekend. Maybe this will be the year I finally get out there. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enjoy! I know I will. We are celebrating my grandmother's 86th birthday (she was born and raised in Mesa) and our designer, Angela Hardison's, soon to arrive bundle of joy. And of course I will see what events we can make it out to. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-27480380823855951832012-02-08T10:41:00.000-07:002012-02-08T10:41:57.125-07:00Arizona's Centennial CelebrationsThroughout the year, we will keep you posted on events celebrating 100 years of Arizona statehood. <br />
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This weekend is the <b><a href="http://www.az100years.org/arizona-best-fest-series/">Arizona Best Fest</a> held Saturday, February 11th from noon to 10:00 PM and Sunday, February 12th from noon to 6:00 PM</b> at the Arizona State Capitol Mall and surrounding area along Centennial Way. There will be music, educational pavilions, food, family zones, arts and crafts and more. This is one of the main events of the celebration, so it should be fun. Besides, it's kind of sad to say I haven't been down to the Capitol in years and it's time I took my girls!<br />
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On <b>Statehood day (and Valentine's Day) from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM</b>, there will be a few activities at Phoenix City Hall and the Capitol. Entertainment including Wayne Newton, food trucks, birthday cake, reenactments.... Go <a href="http://www.az100years.org/happy-birthday-arizona-2/">here</a> for more details. <br />
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Also, on <b>February 14th, National Parks will be having a fee free day</b> to celebrate. Go <a href="http://www.nps.gov/state/az/index.htm?program=parks">here</a> to find a park you would like to visit. I know we have enjoyed visiting several parks this year, including Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIrlVomLoXpI2e0rE-GBsRfMLJogmOdpe78Dbwnp92PeV6rh3Eo9ydqSaWMQiEmlb0PZD4NZiQ7ntvCBjb7ulAbYHsegOiYTAJr7Gn4ukAbGWUk6gad021eXKZWIqvT0Pgy5VpJqh2fA/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIrlVomLoXpI2e0rE-GBsRfMLJogmOdpe78Dbwnp92PeV6rh3Eo9ydqSaWMQiEmlb0PZD4NZiQ7ntvCBjb7ulAbYHsegOiYTAJr7Gn4ukAbGWUk6gad021eXKZWIqvT0Pgy5VpJqh2fA/s640/IMG_3607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564585324701118864.post-32154915888659692022012-02-07T17:00:00.002-07:002012-02-07T17:00:05.374-07:00Flor De Michoacan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElracoHqkQ_rYVSgnA5DB6q4QdMweIhmvfRu2x_HlksOb1fGeLdqRO2WpNHtZUVg_shtxLVuyh4EQA9Nh8xvh7Nu_SdbvuStki5STthl0QbEUjN-yxPqQo218cnyxB5kP35Z7DaEhZ5w/s1600/IMG_7010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElracoHqkQ_rYVSgnA5DB6q4QdMweIhmvfRu2x_HlksOb1fGeLdqRO2WpNHtZUVg_shtxLVuyh4EQA9Nh8xvh7Nu_SdbvuStki5STthl0QbEUjN-yxPqQo218cnyxB5kP35Z7DaEhZ5w/s640/IMG_7010.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Remember this mystery picture from a few weeks ago?<br />
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One of <a href="http://www.iheartmesa.blogspot.com/2012/02/locally-made-cupcake-toppers.html">Julie's</a> favorite spots to enjoy in Mesa is <b>Flor de Michoacan located at 734 E. Main St</b>. Julie said she goes, "for their Mexican ice cream bars. Whenever we go there the husband and I stock up by buying a huge bagful. I think the owner recognizes us and gets a big kick out of it!"<br />
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I've passed this store multiple times and always wanted to try it out. So, after Julie's recommendation, I knew it was time to finally stop in. I loved the clean store with the bright colors. Of course we enjoyed the Mexican popsicles with a wide variety of flavors, guava, mango, jamaica, and bought a few extra for family that were visiting for the holidays. I hear the ice cream is also fantastic so we will have to get that next time. Another highlight for my girls was getting to meet this dark haired Rapunzel. They couldn't take their eyes off that beautiful long hair. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpGfk76_I16xVTEX4v6FKgxn1eLOqfO14S-JRJzUfrSLT7IG6DRI52F54x85q7mb3p-b3Jw1BRN4fVlrM0_Kbs7gNorVeoztvmsL8Ew7-1QvW-tL6zPjXQBYsrqgICX3mOVySoDJxQ_E/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpGfk76_I16xVTEX4v6FKgxn1eLOqfO14S-JRJzUfrSLT7IG6DRI52F54x85q7mb3p-b3Jw1BRN4fVlrM0_Kbs7gNorVeoztvmsL8Ew7-1QvW-tL6zPjXQBYsrqgICX3mOVySoDJxQ_E/s640/IMG_7012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Do you heart Mesa? If you like what we do, please share with your friends! Forward this email, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Mesa/182461073135">suggest to friends on Facebook</a>, or any other way you know to spread the word.</div>iheartmesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08688180158940840463noreply@blogger.com0