News and observations compiled by the Tribune’s Mesa reporters and editors
January 8th, 2009, 11:56 am by Sonu Munshi
When Mesa Mayor Scott Smith heard about Forbes magazine dumping the city with the “most boring” title, his reaction was, well, all tongue-in-cheek:
“I thought the biggest shocker is that Forbes is still in business,” Smith said.
He added:
“When that highly intellectual study came up, we called the hospitals and checked all death certificates. The greatest cause of death, it turns out, is people are bored to death.”
The dullsville title seems to be in complete contrast to a recent article in the Economist, which named Mesa ‘The city of the Future.’ That credit went in large part to a much-anticipated and headlined deal with Gaylord Entertainment Co. which plans to build a 1,200-room resort and a massive convention center in southeast Mesa, which could put the city on the national map. The project, if built, will go up on the GM Proving Ground site, part of which is owned by developers DMB Associates of Scottsdale. DMB has been using the moniker 21st Century Desert Urbanism, to describe its development vision for their landholding.
In light of that, Smith said:
“Forbes was probably upset because The Economist scooped them on the 21st Century Desert Urbanism title and they were scooped on it. They were behind on the scene about this thriving metropolis and they had to somehow get even.”
Posted in: Mesa • Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
January 7th, 2009, 2:45 pm by Sonu Munshi
All three Mesa public libraries are participating in an adult reading program organized by the Maricopa County Library District.
The idea is to attract and encourage those 18 years and above to read and review books.
The program runs from Jan 12 to March 15.
Those interested can register at www.mcldaz.org. A library card is not required to take part in the program.
There will also be a weekly drawing for those who send a review. Prizes include Arizona State Park passes, annual Maricopa County Park passes, coffee cups, and recycled writing implements, according to a news release.
Posted in: Mesa • Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
January 7th, 2009, 2:28 pm by Sonu Munshi
Mesa or Gilbert school students in 4th, 5th or 6th grade who can make a case for someone they look up to in their daily lives can enter the “Every Day Heroes” writing contest.
Students can write about why they believe their parent or a teacher or neighbor, for instance, is a hero.
The contest is being organized by the Mesa and Gilbert fire department and the Phoenix Coyotes.
The winner takes home four tickets to the March 14 Coyotes game against the Nashville Predators.
Tickets for the student’s classmates and a chaperon for each classmate to the same game also is part of the prize package, along with a party with the Coyotes mascot.
Entry form can be accessed at:
http://www.mesaaz.gov/fire/FLSE/pdf/EssayContest-EntryForm.pdf
Mesa students can send their essays to Marrisa Ramírez-Ramos, 13 W. First Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
Gilbert students can send entries to Jean Machnicki, GFD 85 E. Civic Center Drive Gilbert, AZ 85296
Contest deadline is Wed, Jan 14. The winner will be notified by Mon, Feb 2, 2009.
Posted in: Education • Mesa • Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
January 6th, 2009, 9:28 am by Michelle Reese
This news came into the Tribune today:
Starlight Children’s Foundation, with the assistance of the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, will help dedicate a fun center for the children’s hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center, sponsored by the Phoenix Suns Charities. The Fun Center includes a state-of-the-art Wii video game system programmed with all the newest video games, as well as a DVD player and movies.
The dedication will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 1400 S. Dobson Road.
Starlight Children’s Foundation is a national, 501(c) 3 organization founded in 1983 with the goal to empower and improve the quality of life for seriously ill children. Last year, Starlight Children’s Foundation Arizona touched the lives of more than 50,000 children and their families, statewide.
VISUALS: PHOENIX SUNS GORILLA and STARRY interacting with kids at the hospital in their rooms and playing games on the new Fun Center.
Soundbites about how this new Fun Center will make the stay of a child and their family at a hospital in 2009 and beyond a little brighter, from our Starlight Ambassador Family, who has first-hand knowledge as well as
organization and hospital representatives.
Posted in: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
January 5th, 2009, 4:54 pm by Michelle Reese
Chicago Cubs spring training game tickets go on sale 9 a.m. Tuesday. The first home game of spring training at Mesa’s HoHoKam Park is 1:05 p.m. Feb. 25 when the Cubs meet the L.A. Dodgers.
For tickets, see chicago.cubs.mlb.com/spring_training or tickets.com. For information, call (800) 905-3315.
Hohokam Stadium box office at 1235 N. Center St. opens 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. For information, call (480) 964-4467.
Tickets range in price from $7 lawn seats to $29 for premium dates.
Posted in: Mesa | 1 Comment »
January 2nd, 2009, 1:01 pm by Michelle Reese
 Ashley Carrell was born Dec. 31 at Mountain Vista Medical Center. There has been much ado about the first babies of 2009. A tax preparation company took time this week to honor the last babies of 2008.
The agency partnered with Iasis Healthcare to recognized the last babies born Dec. 31 at both Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital and Mesa’s Mountain Vista Medical Center. The lucky parents – along with welcoming their little tax deductions - received gift baskets from H&R Block that included baby goodies.
Ashley Nicole Carrell was born at 1:41 p.m. Wednesday at Mountain Vista Medical Center to Billy and April Carrell. She weighed 8 pounds, 1.3 ounces.
Brianna Rodriguez Grey was born 8 p.m. Wednesday at Tempe St. Luke’s to Brian Grey and Maria Rodriguez.
Posted in: Mesa | 2 Comments »
December 30th, 2008, 3:55 pm by Sonu Munshi
Mesa’s Main Library will be closed Sundays and the library hours will shorten Monday through Thursday. The changes take effect starting this Sunday.
The Dobson Ranch and Red Mountain branches will remain closed Mondays. Earlier this month, the City Council approved the changes as part of the city’s plans to deal with a $62 million budget shortfall.
New Hours:
Main Library, 64 E. 1st St.:
Mon to Thurs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fri to Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday closed
Dobson Ranch Library, 2425 S. Dobson Road, and Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road:
Sunday and Monday closed
Tue to Wed 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thurs to Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Information: www.mesalibrary.org
Posted in: Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
December 30th, 2008, 11:58 am by Sonu Munshi
Mesa is hosting a recycling event for electronic items Jan 10. According to a Mesa news release, computers, televisions, PDA phones, audio equipment and printers, among others, will be accepted.
A document shredder also will be available, for anyone interested. Residents can bring a maximum of five boxes of documents to be shredded. The event is open for residents, not for business establishments.
If You Go:
When: Jan 10, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: 2250 W. Broadway Rd. Mesa.
Information:(480) 644-2222 or www.mesaaz.gov
Posted in: Mesa • Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
December 26th, 2008, 11:39 am by Sonu Munshi
With all the gifts taken from under the Christmas tree, Mesa residents wishing to recycle the trees can do so for free through a city program. Before dropping them off, residents would need to remove any lights, ornaments and nails, among others, according to a city news release. Flocked trees will not be accepted.
The following 24-hour drop-off sites will be open Dec 26 to Jan 11: City of Mesa Solid Waste Management Department, 730 N. Mesa Dr, East Mesa Service Center, 6935 E. Decatur St., Superstition Springs Police/Fire Substation, 2430 S. Ellsworth Road, Mountain View Park, 845 N. Lindsay Rd., Dobson Ranch Park, 2363 S. Dobson Rd.
For more information, contact (480) 644-2688 or visit www.mesaaz.gov/waste
Posted in: Mesa • Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
December 25th, 2008, 5:58 pm by Sonu Munshi
Officials at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport have tied up with a homeless shelter to help raise funds for the homeless courtesy a New Year’s Eve charity event. The proceeds will benefit the House of Refuge, a shelter in Mesa.
The House of Refuge is located close to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, the former Williams Air Force Base.
The IMPACT New Year’s Eve Charity Gala will be held at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix Dec 31.
Reservations cost $89 and have to be made by Dec. 29. The evening includes dinner and a champagne toast, live band entertainment, a performance by comedian Mark Cordes and a silent auction, among others.
To buy reservations, visit www.impactcharitygala.com
To know more about House of Refuge, visit http://www.hreast.org/
Posted in: Mesa • Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
|
|
