Earth Day and National Parks Week

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.  

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 Fishhook succulents, because I love greenery but I knew we needed plants that required little watering.  They would be replacing the wheat grass pots 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 The Shabby Shack 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.)

Now, if you want to get out and enjoy nature, all this week, April 21st -29th, National Parks are FREE.  Check out nearby parks in Arizona here.

Or help the community and reduce your library fines by donating canned foods to the Mesa Public Library through April 28th.  Information here.

(Thanks Zane and Rachel for the reminders)

Also, don't forget these events we have already posted about, going on during April:

Start looking ahead to summer by checking out classes offered for adults and children from the City of Mesa.  Registration is open.  Here's a great idea--Fit Kids, a fun program for kids 9-12 designed with exercise and nutrition in mind.

Fun in the Sun
Bring your little one out to this free event 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.

Would you like an opportunity to volunteer for your community?  City of Mesa is looking for people for this event held Saturday, April 28th.

My Nana's Salsa Challenge 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!

Have a great week!

Do you know of something going on not listed here?  Please share it in the comments!

Two More Last Minute Events TODAY

We have two more wonderful events going TODAY!

First off is a dance festival featuring the popular dance styles of the last 100 years of Arizona history.  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 here for all the details. It sounds amazing.

Second is a performance at Westwood High School celebrating their 50th anniversary.  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 here. 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 here.

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.  

Spring Cleaning: JAWS cleaners

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.

First up:  JAWS cleaners

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.

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.

 These are the cartridges that will then make 4 more full bottles of cleaner.

The bottles came with the cartridge clip attached.  I didn't really like it attached, so we just popped it off.

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.

Things to Do This Week In and Around Mesa, AZ

We are back with an event post this week.  Here's our list:

From Classical to Broadway 
This concert by the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization 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 here.  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.

Ballet Under the Stars  
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 facebook page for directions and more info.

Arizona’s Centennial Celebration at the Southeast Regional Library 

Saturday, April 21, 1-4 p.m. 

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.

Above the Influence 
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 City of Mesa or this one at Skateland.

Survive the Hunger Games event at Bookmans Mesa this Wednesday.

Native American Pow Wow this weekend, Friday night through Sunday at ASU on the band practice field.

Try a picnic and some live music in Scottsdale this Sunday.

Start looking ahead to summer by checking out classes offered for adults and children from the City of Mesa.  Registration for Mesa residents opened today!  Here's a great idea--Fit Kids, a fun program for kids 9-12 designed with exercise and nutrition in mind.

Fun in the Sun
Bring your little one out to this free event 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.

Would you like an opportunity to volunteer for your community?  City of Mesa is looking for people for this event held Saturday, April 28th.

Personally, my calendar has been marked for months for next Saturday, April 28th.  It's the My Nana's Salsa Challenge.  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!

Have a great week!

Do you know of something going on not listed here?  Please share it in the comments!

I Heart Mesa: Best East Valley Bloggers

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 two guides to Mesa that were viewed by thousands, we donated $350 to the Diving Lady fund, remembered our state on it’s 100^th birthday, 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.

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 here.  We love that Superstition Farm received three honors!   

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.   

Things To Do in Mesa, Arizona for last week of March

We've rounded up a few more events going on this weekend:

- Falcon Field Open House this Saturday, March 31st from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  Admission and parking are FREE.  Enjoy a aircraft displays and more.  Information from here.

- Powwow at Westwood High School this Saturday, March 31st from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM.  Enjoy dancing, drums, food and vendors.  Admission is FREE.    

- The Renesaince Festival ends this weekend, but have you heard about the Estrella Wars out at Schnepf Farms?  It's "Medieval glory, honor, and chivalry."   Read all about it here.  The event runs now through April 1st.

- Another HUGE annual event in downtown Mesa - the Easter Pageant located at the LDS Temple grounds.  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.  

- Or maybe you want to check out a carnival.  Go here 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!

Enjoying Arizona - Sunflower and Bushnell Tanks

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.

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.  

   

More Things To Do During Spring Break

We posted our March Things To Do Guide here, 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:

- 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 production of Willy Wonka.  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.  

- The Flow Rider 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 here for more information.  

-  Make sure to get your last hurrah at the old Riverview Park (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:  

 Riverview at night

-  1/2 off Day at Riverview Golf Course on March 17th-18th.  Enjoy the 1987 price of $10.50 for a round of golf and 1/2 off range fees.  Go here for details.    

- Spring Training!  It's that time of year again.  Go here to see if you can catch a game.  

Lehi Days 2012

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.  

(Click to enlarge the image)  

Things To Do in Mesa, Arizona During March

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!  

So one extra day today and then we are already into March.  Here are some events we have been hearing about around town:

- Friday, March 2nd from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM:  MCC's Southern/Dobson Campus Planetarium show.  Free tickets are handed out at the door on a first come, first serve basis.  All the details here.  

- Saturday, March 3rd from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM:  Transportation Day at Little Light Preschool 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 here.   

- March 1st - 3rd, 8th - 9th at 7:30 PM and March 10th at 2:00 PM:  MCC's performance of RENT.  Tickets start at $9.  Details here.    

- Saturday, March 3rd at 9:00 AM:  Auction at Auction Empire in downtown Mesa.  Check out their online catalog here.

- Saturday, March 3rd : Lehi Days Rodeo.  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.  

- Thursday, March 8th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM:  Home Schooling Day at Mesa Grande.  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.   

- March 9th from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM:  Spring Wellness Festival as part of 2nd Fridays in downtown Mesa.  Enjoy free yoga and back massages.  Learn ways to help the environment.  Over 70 vendors and stores stay open late.

- March 10th from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM:  Gateway Aviation Day.  Aircraft display, food and entertainment and Kids' Zone.  A fun way to check out Mesa's expanding airport.

- March 9th and 10th:  150th Anniversary of the Engagement of Picacho Pass.  "Experience three fascinating historic battle re-enactments 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 here.

- March 9th - 18th:  Mesa's Festival of Creativity.  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 must go here 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.  

- March 17th from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM:  3rd Annual Mayor's Cactus League Hot Dog Challenge.  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 here.

Ongoing:

We just heard about the Humana Guidance Center in Mesa.  They offer free Ballroom Dancing classes, movie days, Wii games, quilting, Tai Chi, Bunco....Check out their March calendar of events here.  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.

Enjoy family story time, Infant Lapsit and Toddler Time at the public libararies.  Or join the Lego club, take advantage of wellness classes, book clubs and more.  Library calendar of events here.

There are still plenty of classes offered through Mesa Public School's Parent University.  All classes are free and you do not need to be a parent of an MPS student to attend.  Class schedule found here.

Thursdays:  Free Spring Out to Lunch Concert Series at the MAC and SuperFarm Famers Market at Superstition Farm from 4:30 - 7:30 PM.

Fridays:  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 Floating Lotus Yoga Studio.  Do some Yoga and then pick up some fresh fruits and vegis at the Farmers Market.

Saturdays:  MACFest 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  Enjoy this "made by me" cultural event.   

And for your enjoyment, here is a video 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.

(This is me clicking my heels after a fun outing in downtown Mesa last week.  Hope you can plan some fun outings also.)