Channel Change-Up: BBC News Magazine Minor League Baseball Season Here in Mesa



Scanning news from around the world, your MesaZona blogger was surprised by the Brits - with favorite national sports like cricket, rugby and football [soccer] - would even bother to write about minor league summer baseball here at Hohokam Stadium.
"Minor" league? And rookies? And that sends the North American reporter for world broadcaster BBC News here to Arizona where the average temperatures for over 100 days is over 100 degrees and teams are practicing and sweating.

And how many "locals" even know about the 10-week season for the Arizona League that started in July? In a report September 5, 2015 BBC says that "And yet in Arizona, this is baseball weather. Every June, hundreds gather in spring training complexes run by Major League Baseball (MLB) franchises on the outskirts of Phoenix to play . . .  It's the bottom rung of professional baseball, the farthest point from the big leagues one can inhabit while still drawing a paycheque.
The League of Fire, as it's sometimes called, is populated by a collection of teenagers fresh out of high school, former university-level players, recent arrivals from overseas teams and veterans working their way back from injury."

Read the whole article with this link: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34110560

BBC's North American reporter Anthony Zurcher was here for a game  between the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics  with these remarks: "There are no cheering crowds. Although admission is free, few area residents know about the games - and those who do aren't particularly interested in braving the evening heat when there are no food vendors, no public address announcers and no jumbo-sized scoreboards showing player names or instant replays.
Often the games look more like a community softball match than the proving ground for future stars."
More than half the 37 players on the A's hail from Latin and South America, so Spanish often is the primary language in the dugout. In the major leagues 29% of the players are Latino.
There are stories of success mentioned:
Dakota Chalmers - an 18-year-old from Georgia - is just starting to learn about the endurance test that is a professional baseball season. During the evening's game, he sits at a table behind home plate, jotting down information on the night's starting pitcher, Xavier Altamirano.
Just a few months ago, Chalmers was pitching in high school. Now, as Oakland's third selection in the 2015 player draft, he's the second-youngest player on the A's team. He's also a millionaire.
Although the standard pay for Arizona League players is meagre, high draft picks are offered a one-time signing bonus. Chalmers, who can throw a baseball 94 miles per hour and mix in slower pitches that swerve and dive as a batter swings, pocketed $1.4m to play for the A's.
The City of Mesa and the teams using Hohokam Stadium are seeing a $99 million dollar investment paying off.
 

What Works: Housing First for Homeless Veterans

Just received about an hour ago via email from City of Mesa Newsroom:
Homeless Veteran gets home
thanks to Housing Mesa's Heroes Program
Post date: 09/02/2015 @ 11:55

Connect to the city newsroom with this link for more details, information, images and speeches http://www.mesaaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/456/

Group image from Mayor's Challenge

Since 2010, there has been a 33 percent reduction on homelessness among veterans following the federal government’s launch of Opening Doors, a strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. This reduction has been achieved through a partnership between the federal government, local governments, non-profit organizations and the private sector – making the elimination of veteran homelessness an achievable goal.

Anyone interested in donating to help end veteran homelessness through the Housing Mesa’s Heroes program should contact Lori Eastin at Community Bridges, Inc.at LEastin@cbridges.com or (480) 831-7566.

We Are A What Works City! > Now Is The Time for Open Data in Mesa

Open Gvt Voices

A guest opinion piece on Sunlight Foundation OpenGov Voices blog by Alex Deshuk [Chief Innovation Officer for City of Mesa] on August 10, 2015 @ 12:01 a.m.

[Excerpts included here. Please read here for complete post.]

Mesa is excited to be involved in Bloomberg’s What Works Cities initiative because of the way it engages the public in discussing the data behind key strategic decisions . . . We plan on using Sunlight’s open data principles and guidelines as we build our strategic priorities and open data strategy to improve where we work, live and play in Mesa. We want to build an open data portal that provides a visual around our strategic goals to increase understanding internally and externally. In addition to the visual charts or maps, we’ll provide the full dataset for the public to use and expand upon.
Aligning with mayoral, council and city manager priorities, we will begin this process concentrating on three citywide strategic efforts: 

• Increase the prosperity of Mesa residents
• Reduce blight in Mesa
• Increase the vitality and vibrancy of downtown Mesa. 

Much more to come on the specifics! . . .  [left blank, but a promise] . . . 
Open data is about transparency, yes – but it’s also about better decision-making. An open data portal should be the way citizens see clear demonstration of progress (or not!) with specific goals or performance using data, not rhetoric; a dialogue to discuss what’s important among the noise; another way to identify gaps or new areas of interest. 

Twitter and Facebook counters from site as of today

Alex Deshuk at center in image
from City of Mesa Newsroom

Who is Alex Deshuk? Alex Deshuk is the chief innovation officer for the City of Mesa, Ariz., and is a direct report to the city manager. He oversees a combined team of 400 employees and an operating budget of approximately $50 million. He is responsible for championing new and existing initiatives that streamline operations and improve customer service, as well as overseeing complex organizational change projects including technology and vertical business applications. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the guest blogger and those providing comments are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Sunlight Foundation.

Another First for Mesa: MultiMedia Gaming Convention > GameON Expo

WHAT IS THE GAME ON EXPO?
The Game On Expo is a gaming convention that focuses on all aspects of gaming including: both modern and retro gaming, arcades, board games and card games.
Here's a link to a more details article from Phoenix New Times 
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/game-on-expo-in-downtown-mesa-a-field-guide-to-this-weekends-event-7597834

The new Game On Expo brings you the first ever multimedia gaming convention in Arizona. 
Video games, card games, RPGs, board games and all of the pop culture and art that inspired them! Play in our interactive museum! Buy and test new exclusive games! Shop our awesome vendor hall! Attend panels with industry designers and pro players! Play in tournaments, challenge others at our Retro Championships and win prizes! All that and much more... this is just the beginning!

ARE YOU READY FOR AN EPIC ADVENTURE?

Arizona’s first ever multimedia gaming convention, and it will be happening HERE Friday thru Sunday at the Mesa Convention Center.

Some of the main attractions at the Game On Expo are the RetroFest, which will be a reimagining of Nintendo’s famous 1994 tournament, PowerFest.
One of the other main highlights of the event will be the debut of the RETRO Video Game System, which will be the first cartridge based video game system made in nearly twenty years. This will gave Arizona gamers some early, exclusive access to brand new games and hardware long before they are made available to the public. 
Saturday at the Game On Expo will feature a video game auction where people can bring their video game related items and auction them off. The auction will also be helping to benefit the Extra Life charity. 
For more information, visit the event's website
http://azgameonexpo.com/

Social Snacks Via Mesa Channel 11: Light Rail Extension in Mesa

2:11 You Tube video . . . only 18 views on YouTube at the time of making this post on MesaZona.
Fast moving and quick-edit transitions, and another interview with the mayor who seems to appear wherever there's a microphone. 
Stay on the alert to catch it - an actor from the Southwest Shakespeare Company in costume, with featured talent Holly Smith asking "Who are you?"

Here in Sub-Urb Mesa: Arizona Prepares for its First-Ever Green Apartment Community??

Hip-hip Hooray! . . . [or is it??]
NOT in the new urban downtown Mesa, but in "suburban sprawl" on the east side of Power Road just north of McKellips near Red Mountain in the 202 Loop.
Sounded so confused with all its claims, and then digging into stuff, it got even more confusing
The 5.30-acre site abuts the Red Mountain campus of Mesa Community College and is the northern neighbor of a charter school called the Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center.

Scan this code with your smartphone or tablet to access driving directions

QUESTION: What's the take-away here?

ANSWER: Nice headline, but beware of press releases

Go to this link to read about Verde Dimora, with an excerpt after the link
 http://www.multihousingnews.com/news/kauffman-aims-for-first-sustainable-multifamily-community-in-arizona/1004126485.html

That's an astounding claim in the headline from the press release published in MultiHousing News on August 25, 2015 from a mid-market new home builder that follows the usual suburban planning patterns.

In an earlier press release for July 11, 2015 the new development was only called "sustainable/multi-family"  adding a sustainable preschool [compared to what? an unsustainable preschool?] and also incorporating a Veteran Center! and, hmmm a firepit and a dog-washing station! 
Link here for more details: Kauffman Development and Allison-Shelton proudly announce… Verde Dimora Apartment Homes! Verde Dimora/July 2015

Mesa, Ariz.—Kauffman Real Estate and Development is developing the Verde Dimora Apartments, a multifamily community in Mesa, Ariz., which aims to be the first sustainable multifamily community of its kind in the state.
Did that headline just change from "first ever green apartment community???"
Does the image to the image of Verde Dimora look any different from the hundreds of other 3-story suburban constructions you see everywhere? And it's been more than three years to start this after getting approval? 
The wording in the press release is clumsy and vague to say the least - take a look:
“Verde Dimora Apartment Homes offers sensible, development and construction techniques that improve the development’s economic viability while providing broad-based economic and community benefits,” Dan Kauffman, principal of Kauffman Real Estate and Development, told MHN. “ . . Verde Dimora will offer incentives to residents not to have a car and will allow the use of bicycles provided by the developer during the resident’s lease terms. There will be secured and enclosed bicycle storage areas on each floor, including bicycle workstations.By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor/August 25, 2015

Digging into the history of this development, two articles written by Gary Nelson pop-up, one beginning like this opening paragraph:
"A controversial apartment complex in northeast Mesa won unanimous City Council approval this week despite neighbors' objections, a legal protest and misgivings by council members themselves . . . The Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-0 against the complex in March, largely because of concerns over parking . . . 87 out of 89 neighbors signed a petition against the project when asked to do so. . . . Council members were not enthused about the project, but noted that it comports with Mesa's voter-approved general plan and said Kauffman himself would bear the consequences of the complex flops. . . "I do like this project," Councilman Dave Richins said. "I think it's got all the right elements in entirely the wrong location."

By that, he meant that the site is probably more suited to suburban-style apartments than the "sustainable" urban model Kauffman proposed.
Read more http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2012/04/24/20120424housing-okd-despite-neighbor-complaints.html#ixzz3kECRd5Sw
The City Council voted unanimously Monday, Arpril 23, 2012 - more than three years ago - to introduce a zoning ordinance to accommodate Verde Dimora apartments

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2012/04/02/20120402ne-mesa-apartments-proposal-moves-ahead.html#ixzz3kED9h42U

Long Time Back-to-Mesa American Master : Photographer Pedro Guerrero Has His Story Told

Documentary will narrate the life and works of under-appreciated photographer

There is a lot to say about photographer Pedro E. Guerrero. 
Yet little has been said - your MesaZona blogger wants to make sure you recognize a talent from Mesa now getting the overdue recognition he deserves and overcoming obstacles that, hopefully, we've turned the pages over for fair and equal rights.

Growing up in “Mexican only” schools in Arizona, Guerrero was not a stranger to segregation or social injustice – something that would manifest itself in the latter part of his career – but he also did not allow those injustices to keep him down. 
Information from this link La Voz Colorado >

Pedro Guerrero, age 95

http://www.lavozcolorado.com/detail.php?id=8236
Mr. Guerrero was born in Casa Grande, Ariz., on Sept. 5, 1917, to Rosaura and Pedro W. Guerrero, and grew up in Mesa, Ariz., where his father established a sign painting business. He attended the Mexican-only Webster School until the fourth grade and graduated from Mesa Union High School. 
When discussing photography names such as Mario Testino (Vogue, Vanity Fair), Steve McCury (National Geographic) and Annie Leibovitz (Rolling Stone) are a few of the more talked-about individuals. They, however, never had the opportunity to chronicle the artistry of Frank Lloyd Wright, Alexander Calder and Louise Nevelson. 

Pedro E. Guerrero did have that opportunity and now the Mesa, Arizona native will have his story told on the PBS’s American Masters series and Latino Public Broadcasting’s VOCES series. 
Mesa Arts Center, VOCES and PBS American Masters collaborate in home-town honors

Film Screening Preview of Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer's Journey 
Wednesday, Sept 9, 2015 (7pm)
A special co-presentation of VOCES and American Masters
Tickets are FREE and Limited
Click here to reserve your ticket or contact Box Office at 480-644-6500.
Piper Repertory Theater

Opening Reception
Friday, Sept 11, 2015 (6-11pm)

FREE and Open to the Public
• Artists in Attendance
• Cash Bar

• Season Kick-Off Activities on Mesa Arts Center Campus

More extensive details about his life can be found in this link to his obituary

Obituary: Pedro E. Guerrero, 95, famous photographer, longtime resident

By New Canaan Advertiser on September 19, 2012 

http://ncadvertiser.com/12646/obituary-pedro-e-guerrero-95-famous-photographer-longtime-resident/