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 Community Newsletter
October 2024
Happy October Neighbors!
As we welcome the beautiful fall season, we're excited to embrace the great weather and family-friendly fun it brings! This month's newsletter highlights upcoming events, the launch of the new Family Resource Center, important details about the General Election, and much more.
Earlier this spring, we asked for help identifying safety issues on our roadways. Now, we are asking you to help us prioritize safety strategies. Please share your thoughts and take the Mesa Safer Streets Survey by November 15!
Additionally, we are developing our 2025-2029 HUD Consolidated Plan to identify the top affordable housing, community development, and supportive services for low- and moderate-low-income Mesa residents. The funds support programs and services that impact the overall health and well-being of Mesa's children, youth, families, older adults, persons experiencing homelessness, Veterans, disabled and foster youth. Attend the VIRTUAL Public Meeting on Wednesday, October 9, from 2-3 p.m. or complete the online survey.
Lastly, the City of Mesa has placed 4 key questions on the General Election November 5 ballot that'll impact the future of the City.
If you ever have any questions, want to share about issues that are important to you, or if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at district4@mesaaz.gov or 480-644-3004. My door is always open.
-Councilmember Jenn Duff
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We need YOUR input! We're launching a Micromobility and Parking Study to enhance your transportation experience as our vibrant downtown area grows.
This study will dive into our current and future parking needs, and what we need to do to create a more walkable, sustainable, and multimodal network. We want to explore ways to connect our neighborhoods with downtown businesses seamlessly!
Please take a moment to review existing conditions, identify challenges, and share your ideas. You have until October 18 to make your voice heard!
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The City of Mesa, in partnership with First Things First, has opened the Mesa Family Resource Center at the Main Library, located at 64 E. First St. The Family Resource Center is designed to provide caregivers and families with children from newborns to age five with a wide range of free parenting and child activities, referrals to community resources and parenting education classes. As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First is committed to the healthy development and learning of young children.
The Resource Center will be open the following days and hours:
- Mondays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Fridays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Saturdays: community activity once a month - schedule varies
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Mesa Arts Center is pleased to celebrate Día de los Muertos with an annual event created in collaboration with the community. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of Latin American art and culture related to the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The annual free event offers a variety of features, performances and more in celebration of the memories of the deceased.
There is still time to enter the Día de los Muertos Altar Contest! Apply by Friday, October 4 at 5:00 p.m. Families, artists and community organizations are invited to take part!
Saturday, October 19
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 20
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mesa Arts Center @ 1 E. Main St.
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Would you like to get up to two free trees that shade your home, cut cooling costs, and clean the air? Yes, it’s true! We have beautiful, desert-adapted trees waiting for you.
Attend a free workshop on October 19 hosted by our partner Trees Matter, a nonprofit that knows all about trees. They'll teach you how to select the perfect spot for your trees and plant them correctly. Check to see if you qualify and preview the tree choices by visiting our Mesa Neighborhood Shade Tree Program event page.
Registration deadline is October 9 for the October 19 program.
Saturday, October 19
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Charles K. Luster Building @ 640 N. Mesa Dr.
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Located at 126 W Main St., Lonestar Music Depot celebrated their grand opening this past weekend! Join me in welcoming this new local business to our downtown! |
Congratulations to The Nile for celebrating their 100th Anniversary! It was exciting to witness the lighting of their new marquee last month. I'm looking forward to many more years in downtown! |
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Meet Debra Jones, a talented portrait artist and a resident in Downtown Mesa! Join us at the Residents Gallery at Mesa Artspace Lofts, located at 155 S. Hibbert, on Saturday, October 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. for the grand opening of this stunning art exhibit. |
Adding shade trees along Main St. in Downtown Mesa is underway! This project will include the stretch from Country Club to Center St. The first phase of the project is in progress and includes the area from Country Club to Robson. |
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The Downtown Transformation Office is finalizing designs, and has begun presenting them to the Design Review Board and the Historic Preservation Board for review. I can’t wait to see these projects move into the construction phase! |
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Carbon Monoxide Safety
If you use gas as your energy source, whether it be your stove, fireplace, furnace, or any gas-fueled appliance, you are at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Always follow manufacturers' instructions for installing, maintaining, and using gas appliances to protect your loved ones. Consider installing CO detectors for added safety. If you suspect CO is present, get fresh air immediately, seek medical attention for symptoms, and call 911 and our emergency line at 480-644-4277.
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Last month, I joined Ono Hawaiian BBQ for their Grand Opening Luau! They celebrated with a ribbon cutting, exciting giveaways, and vibrant Hawaiian dancer performances. Located at 1008 E. Southern Ave., this fast-casual restaurant offers an authentic selection of Hawaiian 'Plate Lunch' and a variety of island-inspired dishes. Don't miss out on a taste of the islands!
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It was an honor to have been part of the El Grito celebration at Pioneer Park!
I was proud to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and the beautiful culture that diversity brings to our city!
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Mobilize Recovery, a national nonprofit organization that focuses on substance use and mental health recovery and advocacy, brought their nationwide bus tour to Mesa on Sunday evening.
I had the honor of joining Arizona Department of Corrections Director Ryan Thornell and Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer to discuss one of the most pressing challenges our community faces—the opioid crisis.
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I had the privilege of joining Mesa's future leaders to celebrate the launch of our Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund projects. Congratulations to all the grant recipients! I am confident your projects will make a meaningful difference in Mesa. Thank you for your commitment to the planet!
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October 12 - Celebrate Mesa - Free Fall Festival @ Red Mountain Park
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun-filled evening at Celebrate Mesa! This FREE family festival has something for everyone! Enjoy a variety of exciting activities including free bounce houses, kids games, live entertainment, and delicious food trucks!
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October 25-26 - Jim Bob's Burgers Pop-Up at Worth Takeway
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Jim Bob's Burgers is taking over Worth Takeaway once again! Enjoy this fun Halloween pop-up with burgers, beer and Bob! |
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October 26 - Haunting on Main Street - or until all candy is claimed!
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Inviting all boos and ghouls to float down to Main Street for some Halloween trick-or-treating! Downtown Mesa merchants are handing out individually wrapped treats to costumed children! This is a FREE event for the whole family to enjoy!
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October 26 - Boo'ze & Brews Bar Crawl
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Whether you're a creature of the night, a witch with a wicked brew, or just here for some spooky fun, join us as we take over Downtown Mesa for a night of chills, thrills, and delicious boo'ze & brews.
Join us for exclusive drink specials at participating bars and restaurants, a costume contest with prizes for the scariest, funniest, and most creative outfits.
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October 31 - Halloween Boo! at the Main Library
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Be sure to wear a costume and bring your treat bag to this special preschool Halloween event. We'll be joined by Kids Need to Read and other special guests.
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November 8-9 - Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Get ready for the ultimate BBQ experience at the 2nd Annual Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic! Interested in participating as a BBQ Competitor? Contact Michael at Michael@azbarbeque.com to participate in this portion of the event.
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Downtown Mesa Farmers Market
Every Saturday - 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Located in Downtown Mesa, you'll find fresh produce, delicious food and treats, beautiful handcrafted goods, live music and more! Stop by and support local small businesses. |
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Downtown Mesa Sunset Market
Every Third Thursday - 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
A variety of 30+ local vendors specializing in fresh grocery products, tasty hot food, artisan goods, and so much more! Including live music and demonstrations every market! |
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October Council Meetings
Monday, October 7 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, October 21 - 5:45 p.m.
October Study Sessions
Thursday, October 3 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, October 7 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 10 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 17 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, October 21 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 24 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 31 - 7:30 a.m.
*Meetings subject to start time changes
The Mesa City Council holds two Council meetings a month, in addition to weekly study sessions. Learn more about the process for public participation in meetings.
Mesa broadcasts its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook.
Council agendas.
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