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 Community Newsletter
January 2025
Happy New Year Neighbors!
As we welcome 2025, we’re excited for another year of growth, connection, and positive change in our community. Reflecting on the accomplishments and milestones of the past year fills me with gratitude for your collaboration, passion, and resilience.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find information about the upcoming Council Swearing-In Ceremony, Merry Main Street festivities, and exciting updates happening in downtown Mesa. Be sure to check out the calendar of community events and workshops—there’s so much to look forward to!
City Council will resume with a Study Session on Thursday, January 9, and our next Council Meeting will take place on Monday, January 13. Tune in live on local cable Mesa 11, YouTube and Facebook.
Let’s make this year even brighter by continuing to support one another, embracing new opportunities, and working together to create a thriving, inclusive neighborhood.
If you have any questions, would like to discuss issues important to you, or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out at district4@mesaaz.gov or 480-644-3004. My door is always open.
Warm regards,
Councilmember Jenn Duff
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Mayor and Council Swearing-In Ceremony
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m., Ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m.
Mesa Arts Center, Piper Theater Stage
1 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201
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Christmas Tree Recycling is here! From December 26 - January 20, our annual tree recycling event will be open to Mesa residents! Stop by one of five sites and drop off your tree — we'll give it a second life!
All lights, ornaments, tree stands and nails must removed. Artificial trees, trees flocked with artificial snow, wreathes and trees from commercial vendors are prohibited.
Drop-off Locations:
- Dobson Ranch Library: 2363 S. Dobson Rd. Mesa, AZ 85202
- Fitch Park: 651 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201
- Mountain View Park: 845 N. Lindsay Rd. Mesa, AZ 85213
- East Mesa Service Center: 6935 E. Decatur St. Mesa, AZ 85207
- Superstition Springs Substation: 2430 S. Ellsworth Rd. Mesa, AZ 85209
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Join us as we come together to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with our signature parade and festival! Under the theme "Building Bridges: Cultivating our Community," this event will honor Dr. King’s legacy by highlighting the power of unity, inclusion, and community growth. We invite you to be part of this important day of celebration and reflection.
Do you or someone you know have a group that would like to participate in the parade? The application is now open! Participating in the parade offers a great opportunity to engage with the Mesa community and to showcase your community group, church, business, dance troupe, or band. Apply online today!
Monday, January 20, 2025
11:00 p.m. - 04:00 p.m.
The parade runs down Center St. and the festival is at the Plaza at Mesa City Center.
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Hey, Mesa Electric customers! There are only a few days left to register for our Shade Tree Workshop! Don't miss out on your opportunity to get up to two free shade trees for your home.
Visit our event website by January 9 to find out if you qualify, preview the tree choices and register for the workshop. Tree pick-up instructions will be provided when you attend the workshop.
We are excited to offer this program as part of our Trees Are Cool Initiative. ‘Trees are Cool’ challenges residents and businesses to help increase the City's tree canopy coverage to 15 percent by 2050.
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The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink will remain open daily at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St., from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. through January 11. Admission is $10 for one hour of skating, including skate rental. Tickets must be purchased online at merrymainst.com/icerink.
Bingles, our Gnome on the Roam, will stay in Mesa until the ice rink closes. If you find Bingles and take a selfie with him, you can still win prizes including a $250 grand prize gift card from Downtown Mesa Association merchants. Follow @CityofMesa on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter to keep up with his whereabouts and learn more.
Lastly, great news—Macdonald is open for through traffic!
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Sirrine House improvements are underway! Beyond mere historical restoration, the City of Mesa has embarked on a creative journey to reimagine the Sirrine House as a dynamic space for the community. This project will be integrated into the overall design with a keen eye on preserving the historic aesthetic of the Sirrine House. Check out the improvements design package for project details. |
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Beginning January 5, the Downtown Farm to Mesa Market relocated to 104 E. 1st Ave. Stop by and support local small businesses every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. You'll find fresh produce, delicious food and treats, beautiful handcrafted goods, live music and more! |
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Nestled in the back of Lonestar Music Depot located at 126 W. Main St., you'll find a newly added Lonestar Coffee Bar that serves locally sourced coffee and pastries in a relaxed and cozy setting. Stop by to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee!
Business Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Thursday: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Friday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
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Kick Off the New Year with Safety! Make sure your family knows how to detect and respond to a gas leak. If you smell a rotten egg odor, see any unusual changes to vegetation, or hear an unusual blowing or hissing sound from a natural gas pipeline, leave immediately and call 911 and our gas emergency hotline at 480-644-4277 to report it. Knowing how to recognize and respond to a gas leak is crucial in keeping everyone safe.
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Last month, I had the delightful opportunity to read A Flicker of Hope by Cynthia Harmony to a group of wonderful children at Merry Main Street during the Mesa Book Festival. It was such a joy to share this beautiful story and see their faces light up with curiosity and hope!
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I'm thrilled to announce that Mesa Community College has launched the EmpowerEd for Student Success campaign—a transformative three-year fundraising initiative aimed at breaking down barriers and opening doors of opportunity for students!
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It was an honor to have been a part of the Firefighter Memorial Park dedication last month. The newly redesigned park stands as a tribute to the brave firefighters who selflessly gave their lives in the line of duty. This space is a place of reflection and reverence for our community.
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Seeing the kids' faces light up with joy during the holiday season warms my heart.
Thanks to Amy in the Mesa Police Department, for everything she does for the kindergarten students at Mesa Arts Academy. Her kindness and effort go above and beyond, and it truly makes a difference!
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The Downtown Mesa Association hosted the inaugural Noon Year's Eve Celebration, kicking off the New Year with sparkling apple cider and a festive countdown with Mesa's iconic Diving Lady! |
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January 11 - Mesa Reads Kick-Off - Main Library
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join us in 2025 for a year-long celebration of books and reading! The Main Library will kick off Mesa Reads with storytimes, a read-a-thon, and other all-ages activities.
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January 18 - Historic Home Tour
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Join me for the Mesa Historical Museum's Annual Historic Home Tour featuring 14 homes, including my own, in the West Second Street and Evergreen districts. Admission is $20. Get your tickets today! |
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January 25 - Regional Unity Walk
4:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
In celebration of cultural diversity and community, Mesa will join Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Guadalupe, and host city Tempe in the Annual Regional Unity Walk and Festival at Tempe Beach Park. The one-mile candlelight walk will start at 6:00 p.m. Families, community organizations, scout groups, school clubs and church groups are all welcome to participate. Mesa walkers are encouraged to wear turquoise or teal-colored shirts. Free t-shirts will be available on a first-come basis. |
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January 28 - 2025 Point-In-Time Homeless Count
5:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Homelessness Count is an annual street and shelter count to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County during a given point in time. For volunteer opportunities and donations, contact Katie Pollack at katie.pollak@mesaaz.gov.
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Downtown Farm to Mesa Market @ 104 E. 1st Ave
Every Sunday - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 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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January Council Meetings
Monday, January 13 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, January 27 - 5:45 p.m.
January Study Sessions
Thursday, January 9 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, January 13 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, January 16 - 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 23 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, January 27 - 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, January 30 - 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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