Oh Yeah! Comic + Media Expo Here for 3 Days



For three days, the Mesa Convention Center transforms into one of the nation’s most fun gatherings of artists, cosplayers, and comic-book aficionados. This awesome event features celebrity panelists, workshops, art exhibitions and more.

Heroes, villains, and all sorts of pop culture characters alike are well represented at this fun convention, as well as the movies, TV shows, and comic books they populate.

Three days filled with panels, workshops, interactive events, artist alley and more! You can buy art from awesome artists, take photos with your favorite guests and get an autograph too!

October 16-18, 2015.
Mesa Convention Center
Building C
263 N Center St
Mesa, AZ 85201

Friday: 2:30pm-12am (Exhibit Hall 4pm-9pm)

Saturday: 10am-12am (Exhibit Hall 10am-7pm)

Sunday: 10am-5pm (Exhibit Hall 10am-5pm)

 

http://www.comicmediaexpo.com/

                                 

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POP-UP! BIZ > TATTOO PARLOR NIGHT

Body Art -get skin in the game- at five locations  1-9 pm

Go to facebook link after poster

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1657831914460965&set=gm.774030662719264&type=3

What Works in Mesa is NOT Good 'Ole Boys Crony Politics

All in good faith: There was just a short-lived blip in local media a couple of weeks ago about a new candidate running for election to the Mesa City Council who was immediately endorsed by both the present and previous mayors - did anyone else think these politicos are trying to do a "quick fix" by  a certain political machine to maintain its decades-long monopoly of the City Council.?

A political machine is a organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters in wards and districts and businesses where the stakes are high and who receive rewards for their efforts.
Are these two mayors trying to "jumpstart" the political machine in an upcoming election to the Mesa City Council? Fair question - it's probably safe to say that for over 125 years those elected have been very male, very white, and very Mormon

from FoxLatinonews

8-Building Development Planned for Mesa

Slight delay in retrieving some news feeds - this  one about Planning and Development in Mesa from Arizona Builder's Exchange available 06 October by Roland Murphy for Arizona Builder’s Exchange. The unique design of the development’s structures will feature extensive use of re-purposed ISO containers in six of the buildings with the intent to create a unique visual presence that integrates into the Main Street cityscape.

On the right is a rendering from the City of Mesa of the construction

A breakdown of the planned buildings includes an interesting mix of uses - architect office, auto repair, golf cart sales, a restaurant and a pet crematory ... call that compatible

• 1,600 SF, two-story architects office and gallery combined with a 7,100SF shop and storage building to be built later
• 6,495 SF commercial building suitable for auto repair
• 6,346 SF suitable for golf cart sales and repair
• 10,512 SF suitable for tire sales
• 4KSF restaurant space
• 2,200 SF suitable for automotive-related business
• A second 2,200 SF suitable for automotive-related business
• 3,757SF expected for use as a pet crematory

Read more >>

http://azbex.com/8-building-development-planned-for-mesa/?inf_contact_key=http://azbex.com/8-building-development-planned-for-mesa/?inf_contact_key=c1d1f624ca7600ae428e62e82fc4c65bbe4ea119a34233cc8a6c416798688612

 

Where Is The Public in Mesa Politics?? . . . Missing In Action

American Foreign Policy pushes establishing "democracy" all over the world, but what about democracy here at home - in Mesa?
We all pay taxes, but how many people exercise their right to vote?
We have what's called a representative democracy where the mayor and city council members are elected by voters in Mesa; other city office holders, like the city manager for one example, are appointed.

Question: Do those elected to represent the interests of the people reflect the diverse population here in Mesa?
For example:
How many women have been elected to and served on the City Council?
Is there a fair share of different and diverse backgrounds inside City Hall?
Does one minority-majority monopolize power in city government?
Here's Food for Thought -  a term the mayor likes to use featuring himself - with a TEDCity 17:15 2.0 talk filmed in Sept 2013 that's been watched by over 1,518,589 people.
Time to bring it to Mesa
http://www.ted.com/talks/eric_liu_why_ordinary_people_need_to_understand_power#

FTA Announces New Transit-Oriented Development Initiative

FTA Announces New National Transit Oriented Development  (TOD) Ladders of Opportunity Technical Assistance Initiative.    

Federal Transit Administration sent this bulletin at 10/09/2015 11:19 AM EDT

As a complement to the Administration’s ongoing Opportunities Agenda Program, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced this week that Smart Growth America, a national nonprofit organization, has been selected to lead a team of experts to support transit-oriented development (TOD) activities that will benefit economically distressed communities across the country.

In the near future, the new National TOD Ladders Technical Assistance Initiative will bring together resources and training on

• public transportation,
• transit-oriented development,
• land use,
• urban planning,
• affordable housing, and
• community-based economic development
to help local governments get the most out of transit investments.

Through this initiative, FTA will provide TOD technical assistance, which will include on-site visits to selected local governments, a new comprehensive website, and toll free call lines for individual assistance. FTA will make a formal announcement once the website and toll free lines are launched.
Readers may be interested in
Core Values: Why American Companies are Moving Downtown
Hundreds of companies across the United States are moving to and investing in walkable downtown locations. As job migration shifts towards cities and as commercial real estate values climb in these places, a vanguard of American companies are building and expanding in walkable downtown neighborhoods.
Why are companies choosing these places?
What are the competitive advantages they see in these locations?
And what features do they look for when choosing a new location?
Read more >> http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/core-values

Here's a 6:11 YouTube upload from Smart Growth America  featuring Mesa councilmember Richins



Much More Than Meets The Eye > Sparking A Conversation

There was a September 20 post on this blog about the renamed Indie Lens Pop community cinema series . . . more details were offered yesterday in press release 549 from the City of Mesa Newsroom:

National screening series seeks to spark conversations in Mesa

Post Date:10/08/2015 10:33 AM

The first event of the 2015-2016 season is the screening of “Stray Dog” Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dobson Ranch Library, 2425 S. Dobson Road. “Stray Dog” is from Debra Granik, director of the Oscar-nominated movie “Winter’s Bone” and is the portrait of a motorcycle-riding Vietnam veteran. But there is much more to Ronnie “Stray Dog” Hall than meets the eye. Behind the tattoos and leather vest is a man dedicated to helping his fellow vets and immigrant family as he also comes to terms with his combat experience . . .
Following the 80 minute screening there will be a panel discussion led by Brett Petersen, a social worker and counselor at Marc Community Resources in Mesa, and Mike Pappa, U.S. Navy/U.S. Air Force Retired Veteran.
Blog Note: City of Mesa offers free locks for bikes [donations asked for] while this first event is all about a discussion of many issues including vets, immigration, relationships.
In support of Veterans who may suffer from PTSD, we will be holding a bike lock donation drive at the screening. Ride 2 Recovery is a non-profit organization who donates refurbished bicycles to those Veterans that may benefit from their use. If you would like to help, bring a lock to donate. All locks collected will go to the local Ride 2 Recovery programs.