I think my mind is slipping. This was meant to be posted earlier in the week to get everyone excited and ready for it, but sadly you are only getting a few hours notice. Sorry for the delay, but hopefully you can clear your schedule and enjoy this unique event.

Help celebrate Blissful Livings latest project (a 1920's bungalow). "There will be clothing, jewelry, baby & children's items~ Vintage Clothing, Furniture, Antique treasures & more. If you love the unique~ this is your venue. This is the don't miss event of the year!"

Friday, May 15th 7:00-10:00 PM: Bohemian Bliss Soiree~ TICKETS are $30 per person or $15 if dressed in your fancy schmancy bohemian attire. Includes: Bohemian Light Fare & Libations, Preview Party, Live Music, Home Tour & Shopping

Saturday, May 16th 7:00 AM- Noon: The vintage market is FREE & open to the public & Home Tours will be from 10:00-Noon @ $5 per person.

Information and tickets sold here (plus, go and check out some of the unique finds you will see at the event)

Toddler Cruise

It's another Toddler Cruise at Usery Mountain Regional Park tomorrow - and with Arizona weather, you might want to take advantage of the outdoors while you can.

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
9:00 AM

Meet at Area 6 in Usery Park
3939 N. Usery Pass Road
Mesa 85207
(Ellsworth, north of McDowell Rd.)

Cost: The usual $6 per car entrance to the park fee

"This one-mile hike is designed for parents and grandparents with small children ages 3 - 6 years old. Along with Ranger B, the kids will howl like coyotes, do the “bobcat crawl” and learn how to hydrate by counting gulps of water on their fingers. We will explore the desert from the comfort of the well- manicured Merkle Trail, designed to be barrier-free and offer universal access. The hard-smooth surface of this trail will accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. After completing the hike, kids will receive a Junior Ranger badge. Please bring water and hats."

Information directly from here

Spicy Friday

Okay, I have to admit that some of the 2nd Friday festivities seem a little ordinary, but this month they added a little spice - literally. We are talking chef competition (sure to please the Iron Chef watchers out there and a chance to get to know some local chefs), chips and salsa and open mic, an outdoor Beatles tribute concert and face painting and balloons for the kids, plus much more all for FREE.

And like usual, the Arizona Museum of Natural History is having their own celebration. This month celebrate the new “Night at the Museum” movie at the museum!

To help celebrate the opening of the movie “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa, will be open Friday, May 8th from 5:30 PM to 8 PM with a special showing of the original “Night at the Museum” movie. Popcorn will be provided. Please plan to come in costume as your favorite character from “Night at the Museum” for a fun night at the museum! There will be seating for 120 people in the theatre on a first come, first serve basis.

“Nights at the Museum” will also allow you to enjoy the Mars! exhibition, along with PSI: Poop Scene Investigation and Hohokam! Ancient Monuments of the Salt River Valley. Special admission is $4 for those 18 and under and $7 for everyone else. Museum members and children under three are admitted free.

Poster from here and information from an e-mail sent out by the museum.

Fiddler

image from here

Through blogging on iheartmesa I have met an amazing woman who has been through some amazing things and still finds time to share her amazing talents. She has currently been working on the production Fiddler on the Roof. I read her post on her personal blog and thought it sounded perfect, so I hope you don't mind the cut and paste job Emily.

"Last night I was astounded at the Fiddler opening night.
These kids just amaze me.

They rehearsed HALF the hours it normally takes to put this show up and it is still the best production I've seen of Fiddler. They were attentive and professional every moment, making my job so enjoyable. Choreographers pine to work with this kind of cast.

The best part is that they continue working hard and will not settle for mediocrity. Ever. I love that I can know tonight's show will be even better, and tomorrow's will be better than that. We are sold out for every evening, but there are still tickets for Saturday's 2:00 PM matinee, which is great if you have elementary kids you would like to expose to the theater. Please know, Fiddler is a 3 hour experience, and you get your money's worth! Come join us. You will not be disappointed!"

Heritage Academy

32 South Center

Mesa, Arizona 85210
(across the street from the Mesa Arts Center)

$5 adults
$3 kids

call for ticket reservations (480) 969-5641

Thanks Emily for letting me share.

Bike It Up

Need a bike? This Royal Blue beauty could be yours and plenty of other fun ones just by checking out Craigslist. You still have a day to get yourself ready for the event.

"It’s time to ride! April is Valley Bike Month and the perfect time to be outside. Save money on gas, reduce air pollution and stay healthy by riding your bike to work, school, on errands or just for fun. In celebration of Valley Bike Month, the City of Mesa is having two events for bike riders. Our first Bike4Life free family bike ride is on Saturday, April 18th. It starts at O'Connor Elementary School and is a seven mile out-and-back ride to Mesa Multigenerational Center. Registration begins at 8:00 AM and the ride starts at 9:00 AM. There will be free t-shirts and backpacks for riders, while supplies last, along with a raffle for prizes donated by local bike shops. Raffle tickets are$1 and the grand prize is a TREK Cruiser Classic beach cruiser donated by Pat’s Cyclery. All of the raffle proceeds will benefit the Not One More foundation, whose goal is to stop collisions between cyclists and vehicles. Helmets are required for all bike ride participants. More information about the ride, including a printable registration form, is available online at http://www.mesaaz.gov/transportation.

On Wednesday, April 22 join the City of Mesa in celebrating Bike2Work Day. Stop by the north entrance of Mesa City Plaza while biking to work or school for refreshments to pick up a free Mesa Rides! water bottle and to enter into a raffle for more prizes donated by local bike shops. We’ll be out there from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM. If we are not on your route please ride safely. Thanks for riding to work on Earth Day because every trip counts. More information about Bike2Work Day is available online at http://www.mesaaz.gov/transportation."

Thanks city of Mesa for the e-mail and fun events.

And really, don't forget those helmets. I've learned just how thankful I am for them - they keep those carefree rides going.

Cooking With Whole Grains

Image from here


I've never claimed to be a great cook. So a cooking class like the one featured today would probably help my family out a lot - healthy and yummy foods - who can complain? Kara, the cook, is committed to making food healthy and yummy with whole grains. Her philosophy, if it's not yummy then who is going to eat it anyways?

Cooking With Whole Grains with Kara Bagley
Saturday, April 11 at 12:00 to 2:00 pm

"This is a hands on, in-kitchen learning experience where you will get to be involved in the cooking process all the way though, taste the results and take samples home to pass by household members. Registration is $35.00. Due to short notice, registration will be collected at the start of class. Please understand these classes are a lot of work to put together, so I would appreciate firm commitments only. Comment or email me with questions."

Go here to check out the cook and to get e-mail information. Information taken directly from Kara's blog.

I know it is late notice and just a quick little post, but I figured people need to be aware of these wonderful classes.

Helicopter Day

image from here

Do you want to check out displays of helicopters, warbirds (like the one pictured above), and other military vehicles? Then get down to Falcon Field tomorrow.

Saturday, April 11th, 2009
Gates Open 9:00AM — 4:00PM

Falcon Field, Mesa, AZ
Higley Rd, North of McKellips, South of Loop 202

Cost:

Children to age 15: Free

16 & Older & Adults: $5

- Helicopter Rides will be available all day at an additional cost
- Special performance by the Mesa City Band

Thanks Nikki for the info.

For flyer go here

Mother Nature's Farm Egg Hunt

pic from here

Let the fun begin at Mother Nature's Farm

1663 E. Baseline RD.Gilbert, AZ 85233

Saturday April 11, 2009

The fun starts at 9:30 am

Included in admission price for children will be an egg hunt, a yummy bag of candy, face painting, hayride, air bounce, farm animals and plenty of fresh air and space to run around and play. Other extras will include: Photos taken by the old tractor with Peter Cottontail. Fun foods like snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn and more. Food carts with lunch items to enjoy a family picnic.

The Egg Hunt will start at 10:00 am and run until 1:00 pm.

0-3 yrs continuously 10:00 – 3:00

4-6 yrs at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00

7-8 yrs 10:20, 11:20, 12:20

9 and up 10:40, 11:40, 12:40

Admission price: Children $5.00 Adults $2.00

Information directly from Mother Nature's Farm's website

2nd Friday

I bet my egg decorations can beat yours. Okay, not really, but it would be fun to try. Head downtown to check out this 2nd Friday's events at "Spring Fling on Main" and bring your egg for the contest.

And as always, included in the 2nd Friday festivities is special pricing at the Arizona Museum of Natural History (or I bet you could get in free if you go check out a culture pass for this museum at the library). To make the night egg-tra special, the museum is hosting some prehistoric egg-periences.

"Celebrate spring the prehistoric way. Come egg-perience an egg-citing prehistoric egg hunt! It’s the theme of the next “Nights at the Museum” at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa, Friday, April 10th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Learn about dinosaur eggs, search for hidden eggs around the museum and make your own nest to take home. You can also enter for a chance to win a set of four tickets to see Dinosaurs Alive! 3D at the IMAX Theatre at Arizona Mills. “Nights at the Museum” will also allow you to enjoy the Mars! exhibition, along with PSI: Poop Scene Investigation and Hohokam! Ancient Monuments of the Salt River Valley.

Special admission is $4 for those 18 and under and $7 for everyone else. Museum members and children under three are admitted free.

For more information on “Nights at the Museum,” contact Arizona Museum of Natural History Curator of Education Kathy Eastman at 480-644-5662."

Info from here and here

Riverview Carnival

image from here

Alright, I don't have many details. All I know is basically the words CARNIVAL and THIS WEEKEND. But my imagination is telling me cotton candy and fried goodies, huge ferris wheel and other spinning rides (that I would love to take pictures of while the rest of my family enjoys because me and spinning do not mix), and a whole lot of pack-em-and-go carnival funness*. Why is it that the thought of a carnival just brings out the kid in us all?

Thursday, April 9th - Monday, April 13th 2009

MESA RIVERVIEW CARNIVAL

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM Weeknights

12:00 Noon - 11:00 PM Weekends

Location: Loop 202 & Dobson
Bring the family and have fun!

Information from here.

*I'm allowed to make up words and to have grammatical errors.

Real Easter Bunnies

Afraid that your child might be a little scared of the man sized Easter bunny at the mall? Or you are just looking for that special place to hunt Easter eggs? Superstition Farm has the answer...

Superstition Farm

3440 South Hawes Rd

Mesa, AZ 85212

"Come get your Easter pictures taken with REAL bunnies and chickens! We will be taking reservations for April 8th-April 10th from 12:00 PM-3:30 PM and April 11th from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM. Please call Jason at 602-509-6865 for details and to make your reservation. Be aware...our bunnies and chickens are very photogenic so your portraits are sure to be adorable!

We will have a Special Easter Egg Hunt for those taking our Farm Tour on Saturday, April 11th. Kids will get to search for Easter eggs on the farm as part of the tour. Be careful... you might find some real eggs!

Tours at 10:00 AM & Noon.
(Regular Tour Rates Apply)"

So if you haven't checked out the farm, now is your eggciting chance.

Oh, and while you are out there, pic up some fresh farm eggs. "The weather has been nice and our girls have been busy! Help us clear out our fridge in Mooster's MOO-tique. One dozen fresh eggs, either chicken or duck is now only $3.50 (chicken reg. price $4.99 and duck reg. price $5.50) while supplies last."

Image and information from here and more information on Superstition Farm here.

Easter Pageant

image from here

For weeks my kiddos have be talking about the Easter Bunny. He's going to bring candy and he's coming in April is all that their little 2 year old minds know right now. However, a lot of families are like ours and also try to teach the reason behind the Easter celebrations - more than just the Easter Bunny. Mesa is known for it's presentation of the Easter Pageant Jesus the Christ, a live depiction of the life of Christ. And tonight, this Easter celebration begins.

Tonight is the public invited dress rehearsal at 7:00 PM. This is actually the show that I prefer to take my children to because it is less crowded and it starts an hour earlier.

Regular show times are as follows:

English Performances

April 1st-2nd and April 7th -11th at 8:00 PM

Spanish Performances

April 3rd-4th at 8:00 PM

ASL Performances

April 1st-4th at 8:00 PM

Location: North lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center

525 East Main St.

These shows are free and donations are NOT accepted. Tickets are not required, but seating is based on a first come first serve basis, so pack your dinner and get their early.

Information from here.

Swimming: Part 1

Swimming season is upon us. With that comes issues of water safety. Teaching children to swim is one of their best defensive in water safety. This upcoming week we will focus a few posts on options that parents have for teaching children to swim and be safe around water. We realize that we are a little late in posting this (Nikki got us the info in plenty of time, however, this week was full of non-blogging things for me) but, tomorrow EVO swim school is offering a solution.

"We are celebrating warmer weather and raising awareness of water safety by hosting a mini swim competition for kids of all ages. Join us this Saturday, March 28th from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Friends and family alike are invited to come and participate. There is a $5 entry fee for any child entered in the swim races and you don't have to be enrolled in classes to race. Come on down and enjoy the day with us!

-SWIM RACES

-FREE FOOD

-RIBBONS & PRIZES

-WATER SAFETY MATERIALS

-GIANT BOUNCER

-FREE SWIM FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

-GILBERT FIRE TRUCK TOURS"

EVO Swim School

868 N. Gilbert Road

Suite 100

Gilbert, AZ 85234

They are located on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe, next to the Good Will shopping center.

Thanks Nikki for the info.

2nd Friday

Yep, another 2nd Friday is upon us again.

Oh, and we are looking for any and all ideas for Spring Break. Thanks to a friendly reminder from Roccy, we are working on some good posts for ideas to make your Spring Break special. I personally do not have kids in school, and both my husband and I are all done with ASU, but that doesn't mean I don't look forward to Spring Break every year. It's an excuse to celebrate. So let us in on any secrets that you have for the week and e-mail us at iheartmesa@gmail.com. (And don't think that because budgets are tighter this year, that you still can't celebrate - Disneyland isn't the only place on earth to create lasting memories.)

Family Day at Mesa Grande

Thanks everyone for finding out the good info on Lehi Days. I've been so busy juicing and juicing and juicing (I think I might be juicing for the rest of my life) all the oranges from my backyard that I didn't have time to go into super sleuth mode when I couldn't find any information. So for those of you wanting info on Lehi Days, just check out the previous posts comment section - Emily and Jill came to the rescue.

image from here

Now for something else exciting this Saturday. It is Family Day at Mesa Grande.

"Family Day at the Mesa Grande archaeological site is being held Saturday,March 7th from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM. The free event will give you the chance to tour this large prehistoric Hohokam temple mound, view prehistoric technology demonstrations and participate in ancient games at the third annual open house held at West 10th Street and Date/Brown, across from the former Banner Mesa Hospital. A free pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Mesa Grande Community Alliance, will be served from 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM."

This one intrigues me because since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to go explore that big mound of dirt across from Mesa Lutheran (Banner Mesa). My mom told me stories of when she was a little girl they would sneak onto the land to find Indian artifacts but an old lady with a shotgun would come out and chase them away. That was over 50 years ago, so hopefully there aren't any ladies with shotguns at this event :)

information from here

Lehi Days

It is rumored that "Lehi Days" are this weekend and a few of you have asked for more details. However, I have been unable to track down any information about this event. So I'm turning it over to iheartmesa readers. What details do you have on Lehi Days?

Now for those of you confused, I consider Lehi the section of Mesa that is "down the hill" or the most northern part of Mesa. It is an area of Mesa that is rich in farmland and history. To celebrate, every year there are Lehi Days. And like many people, I've heard of this event for many years now, but don't have any details because I myself do not live in Lehi. So I leave it up to you. Hopefully we have some Lehi dwellers in our midst who can bail us out. I don't even have a cool picture to post here to show you the beauties of Lehi - so please let us know what you know.

Shamrock Farms Day at Children's Museum of Phoenix

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

Children's Museum of Phoenix

215 N. 7th Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85034

Phone: 602.253.0501

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

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

Regional Festival

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

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

Mountain View High School

NW corner of Lindsay and Brown

2700 E. Brown Rd. 85213

Admission: About $5

This is for Band, Orchestra, and Choir concerts

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

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

picture from here

The Price of Freedom

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canstruction

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

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

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