I stopped in Blossom Boutique to get some flirty feather earrings and a cocktail ring for my sister’s gift for under $20! For those wanting to book a holiday hair-do, be sure to check out the stylists in the Blossom Salon.

Next stop on Main was Domestic Bliss – a store full of surprises and inspiration for anyone that wants to spruce up their digs. Trendy knick-knacks everywhere, from wall art to candles, clothing, jewelry, house wares, bedding, even unique iPhone and Ipad, and laptop cases which are great for gift giving! Fun odds and ends, couture baby clothes, really cute aprons, is just the place if you are planning to be home for the holidays especially since they have online store as well.

My last stop was to take a peek at Contagious!  I would prefer to keep this place my own little secret.  Here, I picked up five one-of-a-kind holiday home accent pieces. This way I have a little something to give to all the hosts this season, and may end up with a left over one for myself. For mom’s and anyone shopping for little girls, you will find adorable tutu’s and affordable trending casual apparel and accessories for little ones. Think ribbons and curls! And pink! Plus, they have holiday décor [see photo] and shabby chic accent pieces for the home. A little something for everyone, but the kicker is the price tags! You will be amazed at the deals to be had at this Main Street Mesa boutique.

 Shoppers….Start Your Engines!

September: Block Party

Second Friday Night Out in DowntownMesa– Theme: Block Party

6-10pm

Free

Shopping, Dining, Entertainment and more, on and aroundWest Main Street.

(480) 890-2613, http://2ndfridaynightout.com
Friend us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mesa.secondfriday

Additional event activities include: fire equipment display and 9-11 tribute, Classic Car Show and a Fantasy Fashion Show.
[ENCREDICON (Evermore Nevermore's Comic Review of Enlightened Drawing & Inscribing Convention!) And ENCREDICON means it’s time again for the 2nd Friday Sci-Fi & Fantasy Fashion Show with outrageous original costumes and character origins!
The 2nd Friday Sci-Fi & Fantasy Fashion Show is sponsored by Evermore Nevermore, the OneOhOne Gallery and Enchanted Touch, and will take place at 8:00 PM, 9/9/11 in the OneOhOne Gallery showroom (101 W. Main Street) during the 2nd Friday Block Party festivities! Join us for September’s 2nd Friday to see some of the craziest costumed characters ever created!]

Dog Days of Summer

Second Friday Night Out in DowntownMesa– Theme: 2nd Annual Dog Days of Summer

6-10pm

Free

Shopping, Dining, Entertainment and more, on and aroundWest Main Street.

(480) 890-2613, http://2ndfridaynightout.com

Event activities include: several dog rescue groups on
board, a dog psychic, hot dog booth, dog caricatures, dog photos, several art
gallery exhibits with related art, lots of our regular activities such as live
bands, art booths, entertainment, and more.

Admission to the Community Day of Play is $6 per child for unlimited access to rides, carnival games, obstacle courses and a petting zoo. 

Adults are free.  Check your Mesa Utility bill for a $1 off coupon or visit this link to download one: http://www.mesaaz.gov/parksrec/PDFs/DayofPlayflyerMar19.pdf 

All games are geared towards children from preschool to 8th grade.  Other fun activities include three performances by Arizona Disc Dogs, All YoYo, arts and crafts presented by Michael’s, music provided by X103.9 and Police and Fire vehicles will be on display.  Food and vendors will also be available.

Mesa’s official “Day of Play” was proclaimed by Mayor Scott Smith on February 26, 2011.  This is the second year in a row that the City of Mesa was awarded “Playful City USA” by KaBoom!, a national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play for America’s children by creating playspaces in the community. 

“Bringing play back to our local parks is what it’s all about,” Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities Director, Marc Heirshberg said.  “I encourage our residents to come out and play and enjoy what our department has to offer to you.”

All proceeds from Community Day of Play events go towards awarding scholarships to children who cannot afford summer recreation programs.

City of Mesa: Day of Play - 3/19/11

Community Day of Play 3-5-11

There will be two chances to win a pair of Cubs Spring Training tickets at the next Community Day of Play on Saturday, March 5 at Skyline Park, 655 S. Crismon Road from noon to 4 p.m.  A raffle drawing for the tickets will be held at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Admission has also been reduced to $6 per child for unlimited access to rides, games and the petting zoo.  Parents are free.  Save even more money by downloading the $1 off coupon at:  http://www.mesaaz.gov/parksrec/PDFs/DOPMAR11.pdf

All games are geared towards children from preschool to 8th grade.  Other fun activities include three performances by Arizona Disc Dogs, All YoYo, arts and crafts presented by Michael’s and Police and Fire vehicles will be on display.  Food and vendors will also be available.

All proceeds from Community Day of Play events go towards awarding scholarships to children who cannot afford summer recreation programs. 

…GoGo Ginger…

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is hosting Gateway Aviation Day!!

The event, last held in November 2008, returns after two years of significant passenger service growth. “Gateway Airport is currently the 60th busiest airport in the United States and has an annual economic impact of $685 million,” said Airport Executive Director, Lynn Kusy. “In addition to offering non-stop travel to 28 destinations via discount airline Allegiant Air, there is much to see and experience. We’re excited to open the Airport to the public.” The family event gives kids an opportunity to crawl around the cockpits of planes, helicopters, and municipal vehicles – and the public a glimpse of the recent development projects at the bustling airport. Admission and parking are free. Canned food donations will be accepted at the gate, benefitting United Food Bank.

Gateway Aviation Day activities will include:
• Aircraft displays – over 30 aircraft will be on display
• Aviation exhibits
• Kids’Zone
• Food

PMG Airport Aviation Day

….GoGo Ginger…

Saturday October 30, 10am-5pm
Sunday October 31, Noon-5pm

Join Mesa Arts Center for its fourth annual Dia de los Muertos Festival! Mesa Arts Center ignites in a celebration of departed loved ones in the traditional manner observed for centuries in towns across Mexico. The Mercado features vibrant colors, an assortment of traditional and contemporary merchandise, jewelry, Mexican arts & crafts and more from local artisans and vendors. Live entertainment, food, family and fun will be abundant! You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind cultural tradition!

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & PERFORMANCES
The public is invited to attend special performances, featuring live music and dance.

MARKET
Winner of the 2008 Phoenix New Times Best-of Award, the Market features an assortment of traditional and contemporary Day of the Dead merchandise, jewelry, Mexican arts & crafts and more from local artisans and vendors.

And don’t forget to visit the Store at Mesa Arts Center for more one-of-a-kind shopping!

FOOD AND BEVERAGES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Featuring a variety of culinary delights from local restaurants and vendors.

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

Mesa Ghost Tour & Historical Walk

Tickets Available Now
**This year there are two dates to select from**

This unique tour gives you the opportunity to visit historic sites and buildings in Mesa, exploring their histories and stories. Are these myths, rumors, legends? Does Mesa have tunnels? What floats down the stairs in the old jail? Come find out on this docent-led tour of historic downtown Mesa.

Visitors for the tour should wear appropriate walking shoes, as the tour will last approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours. The tour will take visitors inside a variety of historic downtown Mesa buildings, and tour guides will share the history and spooky stories of those buildings.

 Friday, October 22 (7-9pm) and Saturday, October 23 (10am-noon)
Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children (ages 3-12).

Tickets are available online (payment via Paypal on the website below), or by phoning 480-835-7358 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am-4pm).

For more information or to order tickets:  www.mesahistoricalmuseum.org or (480) 835-7358.

….bbbboooooooooo….. GoGo Ginger

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