SPOTLIGHT: Other Blogs About Downtown Mesa

1. Very nice to see a new posting from May 1, 2015 on the Build a Better Mesa blog ... the previous one was way back on December 31 of last year.
The article features a downtown business owner, Amy Del Castillo who is the co-owner of Lulubell Toy Bodega Lulubell Toys with both a brick-and-mortar retail store on Main Street and an online presence for toy manufacturers and distributors: 

NEDCO's (Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation) business assistance helped Lulubell Toys during the light rail construction. She says, "being a small business with no staff, the NEDCO assistance was a lifesaver!"

Her business mission is to bring art of all kinds to Downtown Mesa and have a place for all kinds of artists to be.

Here's a link to Love Letter To Mesa❤️: Amy Del Castillo 
http://buildabetterdowntownmesa.blogspot.com/2015/05/love-letter-to-mesa-amy-del-castillo.html 

2. The mayor of Mesa, John Giles, has his own blog called Next Mesa

 According to the blog and answering the question, What is NextMesa?, the mayor writes:

"I'm an old Mesa guy. I love reminiscing about the small city I grew up in. We live in a different Mesa now. It's changed and I'm okay with that. The Mesa our children will inherit will even be different from this one. It will be the one we plan and create now. I want us to continue to improve . . ."

On the average of about twice per month he has entries called "what's next food for thought" featuring going to Mesa restaurants usually with City officials, and details about the owners and the reason for the visit. In the posting for April 29, 2015 he had lunch at Orchard Eats with his wife Dawn, with personal, business and family details usually reserved for privacy for those  holding public office. The wife of Mesa's mayor is shown in an image prominently featured on the mayor's blog.

The mayor says the food, prices, location, decor and service at Orchard Eats were all excellent and rated Two thumbs up! by the mayor.

But if you look at the hand gesture in the image it's not two thumbs up .... and it's a gesture that in some cultures is vulgar and offensive. 

3. Mesa Arts Center, the city-owned $98 Million Dollar economic engine currently driving development of the New Urban Downtown Mesa, has its own blog that people may not be familiar with - it's great!
BlogSpot for Mesa Arts Center

Older image from 1EMain Blog

Your MesaZona blogger was particularly impressed with their report from April 16, 2015 about downtown artist Bill Barnhart, with an exhibition "Seattle Series" now on exhibit in the Mesa Contemporary Crafts Museum that runs until August 16th.
Entrance is free to MCAM - please take advantage of the opportunity while you're visiting downtown Mesa.

The New Urban Downtown Mesa is home to artists like Bill Barnhart who live and work downtown from a ‘work of art’ building [image to the right] that he created from scratch. It is located on Center Street just above University Drive on the west side. I've always wondered what that building was all about - it's his studio. 

Here's a 3:45 You Tube Video that was uploaded by the artist on January 18, 2012 of his new art studio that was built over two-and-half years. He says, "It was an amazing learning experience and a test of personal fortitude and determination to see the project to completion......well.....it is NEVER really complete," as he keeps adding new things to it - like the monumental sculpture installation in the left side in the front that was recently photographed.

 

Bill strives to make artwork that will lift, and inspire the hearts and minds of man.

Here's a link to his website: http://www.fineartist.com/home.html

The Science of Cannabis Summit @ MAC Piper Theater

What better place is there in the  New Urban Downtown Mesa  than The Piper Theater @ Mesa Arts Center for an educational exploration into the world of cannabis?

 Sunday 17 March 2015 11 AM - 5 PM

[Check-in & Coffee opens @ 10:30 AM]

Learn about what’s happening in the rapidly growing world of cannabis from industry specialists, medical professionals, growers, scientists, and families involved in it every day. 

Open to the general public, 18+ with advanced ticket purchase.
Before May 10th: $99/person • After May 10th: $149/person
  
8 OF THE BRIGHTEST MINDS IN CANNABIS SHARING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION IN A SERIES OF SHORT-FORM EDUCATIONAL LECTURES
 Click-on Read More for Agenda & Speakers >>> 

Helen's Hope Chest Ribbon Cutting: Escobedo @ Verde Vista Facility for Foster Children

 New update with images on Thu April 30
The Mesa Chamber of Commerce has announced a Grand Opening for Helen's Hope Chest that there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of a new building built by Gorman Construction Company as part of Phase II for an affordable housing initiative on the north side of University Drive directly across the street from the headquarters for Mesa United Way's Save the Children.
NEW UPDATE ON THU APRIL 30 images taken today

 First with Breaking News: AZ Governor and Mrs. Ducey arriving just before the 11:00 start time in image to the right for today's dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at 126 E University Drive

Governor Ducey & Mayor John Giles

The Verde Vista location in the Washington Park-Escobedo neighborhood replaces what once were segregated public housing units and buildings to house military pilots training here in the 1940's during World War II. 

On-site Gorman Construction staff

Mesa has come a long with Fair Housing - it was once acceptable to discriminate on the basis of color or race.
Your MesaZona blogger posted an earlier article about Gorman Construction's donation of this new building on March 2, 2015 that you can either scroll down for older posts or find a link here http://mesazona.blogspot.com/2015/03/clear-snapshots-out-of-murky-downtown.html
 

New building & Invitation

The New Urban Downtown Mesa is regenerating affordable housing opportunities, rooting out old segregated public housing in a blighted area, with expanding growth in new construction that incorporates amenities and services for family needs and foster children.

Speaking of foster children, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who won office with significant help from some of the state's most socially conservative leaders, took many by surprise this week with an order that the State of Arizona immediately resume allowing married same-sex couples to foster and adopt children

We start this report with hope and end with hope: fair housing, equal rights and equal protection under the law with no bias and no discrimination . . .

Public Notice: Central Mesa Extension Community Advisory Board (CAB) Final Meeting

That's right - Final Meeting

A key component of Valley Metro’s Construction Outreach Program for the Central Mesa Extension is the formation of a citizen board to serve as the voices for the community during light rail construction. The board is known as the Community Advisory Board (CAB) and is comprised of residents and business representatives from the community adjacent to the light rail route. - See more at: http://www.valleymetro.org/event/detail/central_mesa_extension_community_advisory_board_cab_meeting#sthash.c6WdJAWh.dpuf

When: Thursday, April 23, 2015

Time: 3-5 p.m.
Where: Central Mesa Extension Project Office @ 200 S Center Street 

What: CAB members will review and evaluate the performance of Valley Metro's contractor as it relates to minimizing impacts to the community.
CAB members will make a recommendation to Valley Metro whether to award a quarterly incentive  to the contractor for going "above and beyond" Valley Metro's contract specifications.
As far as "going above and beyond" the installation of the public station art along the line is gaining attention for its uniqueness and visual impact [as noted in older posts on this blog].
 The four station artists incorporated the community’s history and culture as a part of the theme “Old Roots New Growth.” 
 
You can find more details in links for a Contact List of the 16 members of the Community Advisory Board and the CAB Meeting Agenda by clicking on the Read more link below

Fun In The Sun: Surf's Up for Water Sports & Pancakes

This just in from Randy Policar:  
Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh hosts annual Pancakes and Surfing event on April 25

Date: April 20, 2015

Contact: Randy Policar
Tel. 480-644-4750

Randy.Policar@mesaaz.gov

@MesaCityCouncil

FUN! 2 Years Strong

“This event has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years and it just keeps getting better and better,” Vice Mayor Kavanaugh said.  
Mesa's Bravest & Finest hit the Flow Rider for an intense surf battle

See below for more details and a link to a Mesa Channel 11 1:55 You Tube video from last year

SCHMOOZA PALOOZA? : A Building with A History

TASTE OF MESA:  

FireFighter Grillas Do Dogs & Burgers

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

52 S Center Street 

Please Click-on Read More for details

Another Point of View: Light Rail doesn't create new economic growth

According to a report with a link here dated April 14, 2015 that was published by The Arizona Republic and reported by Robert Robb, data from both Valley Metro and the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey indicate than less than 5% of Valley of The Sun commuters use public transportation and 80% of Valley Metro's passengers use the bus.

Click on image from Valley Metro to enlarge

As Robb reports, " . . . light rail doesn't do much to get people from Point A to Point B and costs a lot to not do it . . . the bus system, not light rail, is the public transportation workhorse . . . Over a billion dollars of local money has gone to building light rail . . . To the extent light rail causes economic activity to be relocated, that does increase property values along the routes. Perhaps light rail should be financed with a special tax district so those benefiting from that effect pay for it . . . The attempt to justify a tax increase for light rail based upon claimed regional or city-wide economic benefits, however, is an exercise in misdirection."

Whoa! Your MesaZona blogger invites comments from readers . . .