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December 2024
Season's Greetings, District 5 Neighbors!
As we embrace this festive season, I’ve been reflecting on my journey as your Councilmember over the past two years. It has been an incredible honor to serve our vibrant community and champion initiatives that enhance the unique character of our district.
This December, I’m excited to share updates on a variety of programs and events that showcase the magic of our city. From the progress on SARRC’s Kathryn G. Bosco Campus to the 10th anniversary of Mesa’s beloved Merry Main Street celebration, there’s so much to enjoy and explore. Be sure to check out highlights like the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, the Holiday Sunset Market, and the Reindeer Roll & Stroll for festive fun for all ages.
In addition, this newsletter includes valuable information on upcoming volunteer opportunities, such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and the Point-in-Time Homelessness Count. You’ll also find important city updates and ways to support literacy through programs like the Mesa Public Library’s Winter Reading Challenge.
As always, I’m here to support you. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out at District5@mesaaz.gov or call 480-644-3005. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright beginning to the new year!
Warm Regards,
Councilmember Alicia Goforth
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Joey Goes to Arizona Brings Smiles to District 5
We recently celebrated the dedication of Joey Goes to Arizona, a delightful new children’s book co-author by Steve, the owner of Cup of Joey, and other local community members. This heartwarming story, beautifully illustrated by a talented young local artist, takes readers on Joey the kangaroo’s unforgettable adventure through Arizona’s stunning landscapes. What makes this book even more special is its dedication to Stevenson Elementary, highlighting the vibrant connection between our schools and community creativity.
To share this joy with even more young readers, I’ve been donating copies of Joey Goes to Arizona to local elementary schools in District 5. We’ve also started hosting story readings – stay tuned for future readings!
Experience the Magic of Mesa's Merry Main Street: Holiday Fun for All Ages!
Mesa’s beloved holiday tradition, Merry Main Street, is back for its 10th year, running through Jan. 11 with exciting new attractions and activities in downtown Mesa.
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Winter Wonderland Ice Rink: Enjoy a 6,005-square-foot ice rink under the stars at the Plaza at Mesa City Center (56 E. Main St.). Tickets are limited, so reserve online at merrymainst.com/icerink.
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Santa Visits: Stop by The Post (26 N. Macdonald) for free visits with Santa on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Don’t forget your camera!
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Holiday Sunset Market: On Dec. 19, shop for unique gifts and enjoy local food and live music at Main and Macdonald from 5-8 p.m.
Visit the link below for a full schedule of events and make this holiday season unforgettable!
Breakfast with Santa Expands and Moves to New Location
Make this holiday season extra special with Breakfast with Santa, a festive family event now at a new location—The Post (26 N. Macdonald), as part of Mesa’s Merry Main Street celebrations.
Enjoy a light breakfast, a holiday craft station, and a photo-op with Santa himself on December 14th, or 21st. Choose from two timeslots each morning: 8:30-9:30 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults and children over one year old and must be purchased in advance at mesaamp.com. Don’t miss this cherished holiday tradition! For details, visit mesaparks.com or call 480-644-PLAY.
Mesa Public Library Winter Reading Challenge
Take part in our Winter Reading challenge through the Beanstack platform! The goal is to read 600 minutes for the month for a chance to win prizes. Along the way, you'll earn a digital badge for each 30 minutes of reading, and fun rewards at 200, 400, and 600 minutes. Download the Beanstack app (available in the Android or iOS app stores), or use the web-based version at: mesapl.beanstack.com to log your minutes.
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Festival
The 2025 Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is on Monday, January 20, in Downtown Mesa. This annual event offers multiple opportunities to volunteer. The City of Mesa Community Services Department is looking for individuals or groups to help with check-in, staging, parade route assistance and de-staging.
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Host a drive for cold weather kits.
The City of Mesa joins the annual Point-in-Time Homelessness Count in Maricopa County, providing cold weather kits with essentials like gloves and socks. We’re seeking organizations to host donation drives for these items. for more information, contact katie.pollak@mesaaz.gov or click the link below.
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I had a fantastic time connecting with District 5 neighbors during last month’s GAIN event. Special thanks to Mesa PD, and all the city departments and residents who came together to organize these gatherings. Looking forward to next year's event already!
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Councilmember Mark Freeman and I had the privilege to stand alongside our community to commemorate the incredible bravery of those involved in the Halyard Mission during WWII. Thank you to the Halyard Mission Foundation for organizing this meaningful event and honoring the sacrifices made to protect freedom.
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It was an incredible honor to participate in this year’s Veterans Day Parade, celebrating the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes. To all the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve in uniform, thank you for your unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms and ensuring our safety.
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Last month, I stopped by Turkey Tuesday at Falcon Field Airport to contribute to the City of Mesa Engineering’s annual donation event. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible community members and stakeholders who came together to make this event a success! Thanks to your generosity, we collected an impressive total of 1,496 turkeys, along with additional monetary donations.
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Councilmember Jenn Duff and I had the privilege of joining the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) and Salt River Project for a tour of the Santan Generating Station in Gilbert. With our region experiencing a significant increase in energy demand, SRP is preparing to nearly double its generation resources over the next decade to keep pace with demand while addressing challenges like sustainability and reliability.
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I had the privilege of hosting Jessica Sarkissian as part of the Mesa Leadership Training and Development Program. This nine-month initiative nurtures emerging leaders through educational sessions, community tours, and guest lectures from experts across various fields, providing participants with an in-depth understanding of Mesa’s civic and business landscape. Jessica, a proud District 5 resident and experienced Land Planner, has over 23 years of expertise in public and private sectors. Her dedication to our city includes seven years on Mesa’s Planning & Zoning Board and her current role on the Historic Preservation Board. It was inspiring to collaborate with such a passionate advocate for our community’s growth and history.
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I had the pleasure of joining Cup of Joey for the second reading of Joey Goes to Arizona at Las Sendas Elementary School. It was such a joy to engage with the students and see their excitement as they explored the adventures in the book. I can't wait to share more stories with our young readers! Stay tuned for futures readings!
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SARRC's Kathryn G. Bosco Campus in Mesa
The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is excited to announce the opening of its fifth campus, right here in Mesa! This new location will provide essential resources for families with children aged 0-13, with innovative programs launching throughout the year.
Construction is progressing smoothly, and the facility is shaping up beautifully! The campus will feature four Community School classrooms, one flex classroom, six private offices, three conference rooms, two assessment/therapy rooms, a spacious breakroom, two touchdown spaces, a multipurpose room, and a thoughtfully designed playground for clients to enjoy.
SARRC is on track to open in January 2025, starting with two Community School classrooms. Enrollment is now open for SARRC’s Community School Mesa Campus—an inclusive preschool program for children with and without autism, aged 15 months to 5 years.
If you know a family who might benefit, please spread the word!
Location: 2165 N Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215 (Power and McKellips).
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Looking for Information on New Developments?
Mesa has projects in all stages of the development process from planning to construction. Our Active Development Map offers you the chance to take a look at the latest Mesa projects coming to a street near you. Each project overview includes the location, project acreage, and the planned use. Take a tour today by clicking the map below.
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December 6 - Free Admission Day at AZMNH
As part of Merry Mainstreet, the Arizona Museum of Natural History will be a Merry Museum with special evening hours and free admission today, December 6th, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm!
December 7 - Mesa Book Festival
Celebrate the literary arts at the 6th Annual Mesa Book Festival, around the iconic Mesa Christmas Tree. Organized by Anthology, Inc., a Mesa-based literary nonprofit, this free, family-friendly event is part of the Mesa Merry Main Street Celebration. With 70 +vendors and over 100 local authors spanning all genres, you're sure to find the perfect read-or meet your next favorite writer! Saturday 12/07 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Mesa Christmas Tree - 1 North Macdonald, 85201.
December 7 - Reindeer Roll and Stroll
Walk, bike or roll as you participate in a festive scavenger hunt in Downtown Mesa for a chance to win great prizes, including a new bicycle! Be sure to show off your holiday spirit in your most cheerful and fun team costumes. Saturday 12/07 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main Street.
December 11 - Hand-Made Pet Toys: Adults
Discover how to transform everyday household items into fun, festive toys that your pets will love. Ages 18+. Wednesday 12/11 10:30am to 11:30am at the The Mesa Red Mountain Library THINKspot.
December 24 & 25 - Holiday - City Offices Closed
The City of Mesa offices will be closed for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Holiday. Please note: Refuse and recyclables will be collected, but there will be no bulk-item pick-ups. Police, Fire and 9-1-1 emergency services will be available.
All month of December – New & Like-New Book Sale
Get gift-quality books at amazing prices! The New & Like-New Book Sale at the Main Library runs through Saturday, December 28. All money raised from our book sales goes to supporting library programs, improvements, and services. Cash and cards are accepted.
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December Council Meetings
Monday, December 2 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, December 9 - 5:45 p.m.
December Study Sessions
Monday, December 2 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 5 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, December 9 - 5:15 p.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. City Council and advisory board meetings will operate on a hybrid system.
Mesa broadcasts its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook.
Council agendas.
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