One of the newest and strangest dinosaur fossils from North America is the subject of a stunning new major exhibit that opened last Friday at the Arizona Museum of Natural History.
Paleontologists from the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff made this an once-in-a-lifetime find in 2000 in southern Utah.  The discovery led to the recovery of the most complete Therizinosaur skeleton ever found.
The exhibit includes fossil beds and a life-size Therizinosaur that is a free-standing skeleton, cast from the original bones of the 13-foot tall, one-ton sickle-clawed and feathered dinosaur.  It is the first mounted interpretation of the animal’s stance and posture.

While all dinosaurs lived on land, the Therizinosaur was found in a location that was the bottom of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway, an ancient sea that covered the middle of North America.  But how did the whole animal, 93 million years ago, get buried in a seafloor, 60 miles from shore?  Come find the answer.

Little Dino

Arizona Museum of Natural History
53 N. Macdonald, Mesa
(480) 644-2230
ttp://www.azmnh.org

…GoGoGinger

September Concert presented by Mesa Sister Cities

“The Colors of Peace”
A Free Concert – For EVERYONE!!
September 11, 2009
Mesa Art Center…Ikeda Theater
7:00 PM

The September Concert is a series of free concerts, organized by individuals, schools, businesses, and associations internationally  
• to bring communities together •  to reaffirm our hope for peace 
• to celebrate life and our universal humanity
Globally, we owe special thanks to our partner Sister Cities International and all our Global Affiliates whose commitment and tireless effort helped to spread our event to 33 cities, in countries ranging from Italy, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, India, Great Britain, Ghana, Germany, Haiti and the Czech Republic.
“Together we will fill the skies with music”

Mesa Arts Center:  1 E. Main St., 85201  (480) 644-6500

••GoGo Ginger••

Special event extended through October 2010, held on the first Sunday of each month

AZ Museum of Natural History

Arizona Museum for Youth’s feature hand on exhibits for the little ones.

The Mesa Contemporary Arts is open for the new 2009-2010 exhibition season.

For more information on 3-4-Free Series:  http://mesaartscenter.com/3ForFree.htm

Museums direct: 
AZ Museum of Natural History: (480) 644-2230 www.azmnh.org
AZ Museum for Youth: (480) 644-2467 www.arizonamuseumforyouth.com
Mesa Contemporary Arts: (480) 644-6560 http://mesaartscenter.com/mca.aspx

Have a great time….  GoGo Ginger.

By The Way the 2nd Friday Event is next week August 14th from 6pm-10pm and the theme is “Dog Days of Summer“.

Now back to things to do in Downtown Mesa on Friday or any other night…

The Cellar located just below Sun Devil Liquors has brought back wine tastings on Friday nights from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. This was my first time at The Cellar and the decor, artwork, and ambiance makes this a real jewel in the heart of Downtown Mesa. The friendly staff and local patrons added to an already enjoyable experience.

Then it was off to some poetry reading at Inside the Bungalow. I’ve never been to poetry readings nor did I know they were occurring right here in Downtown Mesa. This turn-of-the-century home is a pretty cool with two huge patio areas featuring coffees, teas, smoothies, and much more. It was amazing to see the passion of the different poets as the shared their art form with a packed audience on the front patio. Inside the Bungalow offers live music and even yoga!

Continuing with a Downtown Mesa Friday evening it was time for some food and karaoke at Kirk’s Sports Grill. Kirk’s is a fun neighborhood grill and bar featuring excellent food. Not to mention a bartender that can serve several patrons while singing his favorite song!

Downtown Mesa does have many unique treasures that can be experienced after the sun goes down, so next time Make it Mesa! And don’t forget your camera to take photos with the sculptures in the downtown area.

Here is a brief description about NCT that from their website: NCT Phoenix, recent winner of azcentral.com’s BEST of Phoenix poll in BEST Theater Company and BEST Live Theater Venue categories, is the premiere location for cutting edge improvisational theater and comedy. For two decades, the National Comedy Theater has been entertaining audiences of all sizes and types across the nation with our unique brand of interactive, Improv comedy.

3 - 4 - Free, First Sunday

http://mesaartscenter.com/3ForFree.htm

GoGo Ginger here… planning for my holiday Staycation.
I am excite to combine my favorite two things to do this weekend, #1=Free #2=Museums (staying cool in the summer).

We are mid-way through our wonderful year of 3-4-Free, 1st Sundays at the downtown Mesa museums, sponsored by Target (Noon-5pm).  The museums have tallied record numbers since January, and I received an insiders tip…since families are planning on going out of town to escape the heat on this long holiday weekend….they anticipate the crowds to be manageable.

I am planning on ”landing on” the Mars exhibit, seeing “My Favorite Monster” and “meeting” Sergei Isupov at our museums.  I am thinking I will head over to the new Il Vinaio Bar & Wine Bar and celebrate my independence with a toast to our country…with a Red, White, and Brew .  (

So, I stopped in last week to try the Pillsbury Wine Co.’s vinos at the Cellar Pub at Sun Devil Liquors.
Although I am a white wine drinker, the other tasters fell in love with the 2006 & 2007 vintages that were featured. (I even overheard an order for 2 cases)
I had fun talking with a few of the regulars, my bartender Kat and the owners.  They were extremely friendly and eager to share tips with me, I took lots of notes.

PillsburyDistributor - Wine Tasting 6/11/09

Weekly Specials -
Mon & Tues:  $1 off wine by glass/draft beer & 50¢ off bottle beer
Wed: No Cork Fee
Thurs: Wine Tastings (not avail july-aug) 6-8pm $5 per person, per tasting.  ($5 credit is put toward purchase of two featured wines during tasting, $2.50 for one bottle)
Fri: Beer Tastings (not avail july-aug)
Sat & Tues: discount wine cart
**Summer special $3 Sangria (red)

Over the counter/Bar:
Beer:  3 on tap, rotates when kegs are emptied, prices range $4-8 glass or can purchase items from coolers in cellar at printed price.
Wine:  About 20 “house” wines to select from, red, white, rose, and various varieties, prices range $7-9 glass

www.sdliquors.com • (480) 834-5050
235 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201

Tourist Tip:  Peanuts are available from the bartender on request.
For the connoisseurs: Wine Lockers available to rent

See you there tomorrow - This week, Argentinean wines featured!  GoGo Ginger (

Cellar Pub, downtown Mesa

Wii had fun peeking through the “knothole” fence to view various images from baseball’s past and reminiscing about Buckhorn Baths while viewing the treatment room replication.
BUT I had the MOST fun playing the Wii Basball game!! It was fun to challenge other players and when I left at the bottom of the 3rd, I was up 4 to 1!! 

Bottom of the 3rd

www.PlayBallExperience.com

 Mesa Historical Museum: 2345 N. Horne Rd. (480) 835-7358  www.mesahistoricalmuseum.org