Posts filed under 'Family Fun'
Wait for it…wait for it…
Ok – I know that patience is a virtue but all the winter rains we had in Mesa this year have made me as anxious as a school girl to go hiking and frolic among the wildflowers (truly!). This entire week we’ve had temps in the high-70s and I return home every night to a house with an internal temp of 80 so that must mean that spring is coming…quickly!
So, I checked the Arizona State Parks Ranger Cam and the official word on the street is “No Flowers Yet”. But trust me…they are coming! So, I wanted to share this website with anyone waiting (like me) so they, too, can check online and get updates on what flowers are blooming and where. It’s a great resource (one that I hope doesn’t go away like park access is going to…!) and they cover parks all across the state of Arizona. You can see images directly from the trails and plan accordingly. So, if you are like me and love fields of yellow, red, blue and purple – start your daily checks now because it is going to be one wild wildflower season. Check out this image of Awesome Blossoms by Melissa Sarver at Lost Dutchman State Park.
2010 Az State Park Ranger Cam Website: http://www.pr.state.az.us/rangercam/index.html
Add comment February 18, 2010
The Fair has arrived!!
GoGo Ginger here again….
Ok, so I know that we focus on Mesa and the East Valley, but one of my favorite times of years just started last weekend…. The Arizona State Fair!!
Why?? You name it, but my faves include indian tacos, fresh corn dogs, cotton candy and FREE CONCERTS!!!
The highlight for me at the fair this year is that they are helping me save money. You can purchase a season pass for $21, which if you got at least 2 times it’s paid for itself. Just pay for your regular admission to the fair and then go to customer service to have it applied to the season pass price, they also give you a coupon book that includes a play one-get one free on the midway as well as food and drink discounts. Don’t forget about unlimited ride wristband days, a new “happy hour” discount of $1 on Fridays from Noon-6pm.
Arizona Stat Fair - Cotton Candy Lady
I went to the Lady Antebelum concert last night and they played for just over an hour. I am now counting down to Saturday night to see John Michael Montgomery & The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party 2009 Featuring: Mark Wills, Jeff Bates, and Trent Willmon.
www.azstatefair.com
(602) 252-6771
19th Ave & McDowell, Phoenix
Now thru November 8th (closed Mondays)
Oct. 22 • The Black Crowes 7pm
Oct. 23 • ABBA: THE MUSIC 7pm
Oct. 24 • John Michael Montgomery & The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party 2009 7pm
Oct. 25 • NWA Wrestling Showcase 5pm
Oct. 28 • Raven-Symone 7pm
Oct. 30 • Old School Jam Presents Freestyle Explosion 8pm
Oct. 31 • Creation Festival: The Tour Featuring Jars of Clay 5pm
Nov. 1 • Rodney Atkins with Julianne Hough
Nov. 3 • David Cook 7pm
Nov. 5 • Arizona Derby Dames all girl roller derby 7pm
Nov. 6 • Little Big Town & Billy Currington 7pm
Nov. 7 • Kelly Clarkson 7pm
Hope to see you there!!! ….GoGo Ginger
Add comment October 22, 2009
Therizinosaur – Who’s that???
“Therizinosaur-Mystery of the Sickle-Claw Dinosaur”
- Therizinosaur – Skeleton
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
Add comment October 7, 2009
Remembering 9/11 – In Mesa!
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••
Add comment September 10, 2009
Free Time at Mesa Museums
GoGo Ginger, here again! Need something free to do with the family ????
Come downtown Mesa and take part in 3–4–Free!!
Special event extended through October 2010, held on the first Sunday of each month
Not only can you visit the dinosaurs and pan for gold at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, but you can experience their current exhibits where you can learn about Mesa’s first residents in “Hohokam! Ancient Monuments of the Salt River Valley”.
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.
Add comment September 2, 2009
♬ ♪ Happy Trails To You ♪ ♬
Usery Mountain Regional Park Opens New Nature Center
UseryVisitorCenterFront
GoGo Ginger here again!!
Sorry it’s been a while, but I was actually out exploring the desert….braving the heat!!
I spent 2 hours at Mesa’s Usery Mountain Regional Park last Friday morning getting to know “the lay of the land”. Usery Park just opened its brand new Nature Center last month and there is more to this building than meets the eye! The nature center is just before the pay station, so visitors can utilize the facilities at no charge!
Ranger Jennifer gave me a complete tour of the BRAND NEW Nature Center and drove me around the park to get acquainted with all the offering and amenities. I took pages of notes, but here are a few of the highlights about the NEW Nature Center…
Retail store offers snacks and cold beverages, souvenirs and outdoor necessities like sunscreen, hats and water bottles available for purchase; Cactus garden & boulders are all relocated from original site (prior to construction); Garden rooftop; 12 Solar panels for sustainable energy; Restrooms utilize waterless urinals and low flow toilets and an outdoor amphitheater (that will seat at least 100ppl)
UseryVisitorCenterBackPatio
General Park amenities: 4,000 acres, 4 playgrounds w/canopies, 75 campsites with hookups, Ramada sites to be reserved, Merkle Trail – Barrier Free (wheelchair/stroller accessible, via “paved” path), Vista Trail – has a sundial located at top of trail, great trail for toddlers and Equestrian Staging area and trails available, There are many monthly ranger lead programs to choose from, complimentary with regular park admission.
Now Ranger Jennifer & Ranger B are working on getting me out on the Merkle Trail, to get me away from this computer (
So plan a visit with Ranger Jennifer or Ranger B soon…..Free guided tours the New Nature Center now available in Mesa! August dates include the 19th and 27th. The official public Grand Opening ceremony and festivities are scheduled for Saturday, September 26th, so plan on visiting in August to beat the rush!
With the opening of the new center, they have implemented a new onsite Yoga classes, three times a week. You can register as a regular participant and drop-ins are always welcome.
Usery Mountain Regional Park
(part of the Maricopa Country Parks & Recreation Department)
3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa 85207
(480) 984-0032
www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery
Park Hours: Sun-Thu: 6am-8pm & Fri-Sat: 6am-10pm – 365 days a year
until later, Hiking, Camping….Blazing New Trails with GoGo Ginger
Add comment August 4, 2009
Get Ready Laugh with Your Entire Family!!!
National Comedy Theater is a great place to enjoy Improv Comedy with your entire family. After learning about NCT on twitter @nctphoenix I decided to give them a try a few weeks back. Me and my 3 kids went to the Friday 7:30pm show and were pleasantly surprised by the talented comedians. And yes, comedy can be family fun with their “House Rules” NCT doesn’t allow the comedians to be vulgar or disrespectful. If live comedy, laughing, and family time are things you like to do I would recommend checking out NCT Phoenix right here in Mesa. They are located at 1111 Longmore Road near Fiesta Mall. Give them a call to make reservations 602-374-5638.
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.
Add comment July 17, 2009
