Today: DaVita Partners Group Volunteers Filling-In Mesa Urban Garden

Very few people were out on the streets today, but 50 or more DPG volunteer pitched in on and shoveled many cubic feet of soil into the raised plant beds on a day of service in the new Urban Downtown Mesa.
Here in the image to the left you can see Davita Partners Group Arizona regional manager with a group looking at plantings of Milkweed in a butterfly garden.

Here's a  quick shot of the whole group getting ready to shout out - hope to get a video of this to add to this post.

During an outdoor lunch provided by Republica Empanada a generous donation of $1,000 was gratefully received and acknowledged.
Members of the MUG Board - shall we call them "Muggles"?? - are shown with Ryan Winkle and Donna DiFrancesco liaison with the City of Mesa Living Green

If you want to find out what's happening in here come and see + take a walk around all the new fall garden plantings: it's a new garden season!







See the November newsletter in this link http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=eb5c18d28b8ba18f9d16b362b&id=2fc01ee8b3&e=9d9382c8a4

Boeing Rolls Out New AH-64E Apache Guardian Helicopters For South Korea

Nothing reported in local news about this - it's a big deal, a very big deal worth $1.6 BILLION DOLLARS.
It was noted here with other reports from United Press International, ExecutiveBiz, and Stars & Stripes.
A report [hit underlined link]
in ExecutiveBiz has this to say: South Korea intends to procure a variant of the Boeing-built AH-64 Apache attack helicopter for its military to defend the country against threats from North Korea, United Press International reported Monday.
Previously on August 27, 2015 Aerospace & Defense News reported  United Kingdom - AH-64E APACHE GUARDIAN Attack Helicopters
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for AH-64E APACHE GUARDIAN Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $3.00 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 26, 2015...The United Kingdom will use the Apache helicopters to conduct various missions, including counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations. The materiel and services under this program will enable the United Kingdom to become a more capable defensive force and will also provide key elements required for interoperability with U.S. forces. . . This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
Elizabeth Shim writes Boeing unveiled its AH-64E platform during a ceremony held Monday at the company’s facility in Mesa, Arizona, and attended by South Korean government officials.
Stars and Stripes reported a South Korean defense official said the government could place orders for the helicopters between the first half of 2016 and early 2017.
The U.S. Army has used the AH-64E to support tactical missions in Afghanistan last year and has recorded more than 3.9 million flight hours for its Apache fleet since 1984.
Boeing designed its Apache helicopters to carry Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and Stinger air-to-air missiles as well as 30-millimeter or 1.18-inch M230 automatic cannons.
 A press release dated Wednesday, November 4, 2015 @ 01:40 PM
The Republic of Korea DAPA signed a US$1.6 billion contract with the U.S. in a Foreign Military Sales program in 2013 to buy 36 AH-64Es, an upgraded model of the AH-64D Longbow.
The AH-64E[seen in the image to the left] is a heavily armed helicopter featuring more powerful, fuel-efficient engines and enhanced rotor blade technology, as well as improved aircraft handling, performance and agility at higher altitudes.

It is also equipped with improved systems for pilots' situational awareness and strikes on smaller targets.
Read more >> http://www.defenseworld.net/news/14505/Boeing_Rolls_Out_New_AH_64_Apache_Helicopter_For_South_Korea#.VjoImJVdFjo

Residents and visitors in Mesa can see a bronze sculpture of two kids playing Boeing's Apache combat helicopter in  front of City Hall Plaza   AH-64E Apache Guardian advanced attack helicopters were unveiled in the United States, Monday, months before their delivery to the ROK Army, the Defense Acquisition Procurement Administration (DAPA) said Tuesday. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/11/116_190121.html DAPA said Boeing, the manufacturer of the helicopters, held a rollout ceremony in Mesa, Arizona, attended by some 50 officials from the nation's arms procurement agency, Army and defense firms. A total of 36 Apache Guardians will be delivered to the ROK Army beginning in the middle of next year after first being delivered to the U.S. Army, DAPA said. DAPA said the Guardian, the upgraded model of the AH-64D Longbow, is considered the best attack helicopter available with state-of-the-art fire control equipment, more powerful, fuel-efficient engines and improved systems for pilots' situational awareness and strikes on smaller targets.   Related News: US Army’s Apache helicopters Will Fire Laser Guided Rockets In Afghan, Iraq Ops Source : http://www.defenseworld.net/news/14298/US_Army___s_Apache_helicopters_Will_Fire_Laser_Guided_Rockets_In_Afghan__Iraq_Ops#.VjoQtpVdFjo

Mesa Arts Center Swings Into High Gear

 
 
 



Mesa Arts Center is proud to announce the launch of their new website! Finding all of your favorite fantastic shows, exhibits, events and classes has never been easier. You’ll never miss out on another MAC event with the new, customizable calendar. Get the scoop on what’s happening on campus in every creative corner with the social media wall, featuring YOUR best snapshots and memories with #mesaartscenter . . . thanks to Casey Blake for sending

 

 

 

LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES STARTS UP TOMORROW - Last year over 1200 people showed up for just one

November 5
Curtis Knox
Singer/Musician Extraordinaire

November 12
Remember When
Vocal Doo Wop

November 19
Rocksmith
Classic Rock & Roll

November 26
NO CONCERT--THANKSGIVING DAY

December 3
The Fairlanes
Rock n Roll Oldies Band

December 10
Robby Roberson Quartet
Acoustic Stringed and Percussive Quartet

December 17
The Blues Review
Classic Blues

 

 

El Rancho del Arte Increasingly Praised in National Media

A report on November 2, 2015
Arizona TOD Blended Affordability, Arts and Activism
Community Development Partners is benefiting from motivating residents with artistic components in the community.
Creative Place Making and Transit-Oriented Development with the collaboration of public and private interests is regenerating the New Urban Downtown Mesa.
Last night Valley Metro held a Meet-and-Greet in the community room for the planned expansion of light trail transit to Gilbert Road [subject of earlier post on this site]

Two Guys Make Their Case Directly To The Public

In a special for The Arizona Republic published at 05:03 a.m. last Thursday October 29, 2015, mayor John Giles and Steve Banta, CEO of Valley Metro, did a a contributed joint promotion for the benefits of Valley Metro Light Rail

Mesa driving its future with light rail

The 23-mile light rail corridor that connects Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix continues to showcase the transformative power of transit-oriented development.
[See addendum after for TOD MetroCenter in Phoenix, investment by Carlyle Group]

Seismic News: Did You Feel It? Did You Get Rattled?

 
Not one but three sizeable earthquakes - the largest with a magnitude of 4.1 - were reported north of Phoenix just before midnight. There were some reports of rolling and loud booms

Here's a link to a report from the U.S. Geological Survey from today November 2, 2015 http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000419p#impact_dyfi

New Team On-board for Valley Metro Light Rail Extension



Press Release Thu, Oct 29, 2015

                                          

Meet the Team on the Gilbert Road Extension

Open House Meet & Greet

Tue, Nov 3, 2015|| Public MeetingLight Rail Extension Meetings

                    

-Meet the contractors: Stacy and Witbeck/Sundt and Jacobs Engineering

-View initial project design and roadway concepts

-Meet the station artists

 

Time:6-8 p.m.

Location:El Rancho Del Arte Gallery, 719 E. Main St., Mesa

See more at: http://www.valleymetro.org/event/calendar_detail/gilbert-road-extension-open-house-meet-greet#sthash.USa7I9Tv.dpuf

 

Phoenix, AZ – The Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors approved a contract with Stacy and Witbeck/Sundt to begin the pre-construction phase of the Gilbert Road Extension.

 

 "We look forward to building the next segment of light rail with Stacy and Witbeck/Sundt and Jacobs Engineering,” said Steve Banta, Valley Metro CEO.

"Both firms have a strong track record building light rail in the Valley as part of the team that constructed the original 20 miles.”

The Valley Metro Rail Board also authorized a contract in August with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for Gilbert Road design services at $7 million. The project will expand light rail nearly two miles on Main Street from Mesa Drive east to Gilbert Road and includes two light rail stations, a transit center and park-and-ride.

 

 

The Gilbert Road Extension is an important link that will connect our neighborhoods to downtown Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “The East Valley has embraced the growth of light rail as a transportation option along with the economic development revival that comes with this type of investment.”

 

The Board also approved contracts to the following station artists:
• Hans Van Meeuwen, Stapley Drive Station  
• Behar & Marquardt, Gilbert Road Station    
• Matt & Maria Salenger, Gilbert Road Park-and-Ride
• John Randall Nelson, Traction Power Substation    

The public is invited to learn more about the project and members of the project team at an open house. 

Meet & Greet Open House
Tuesday, November 3
6 – 8 p.m.
El Rancho Del Arte Gallery
719 E. Main Street, Mesa
• Meet the contractors: Stacy and Witbeck/Sundt and Jacobs Engineering
• View initial project design and roadway concepts
• Meet the artist

- See more at: http://www.valleymetro.org/pressreleases/detail/design-and-construction-teams-on-board-to-build-gilbert-road-extension#sthash.kUJDm2Yy.dpuf-