What is the only planet in our solar system that rotates clockwise?

Events for The Week

• Fall Symphony Orchestra Concert — Sunday, November 2, 3:00 p.m.

  Enjoy a performance by the Symphony of the Southwest at the Ikeda Theater at the Mesa Arts Center.

• Vertuccio Farms Fall Festival — Sunday, November 2 (Final Day)

  This is the last day to enjoy the fall festival, featuring a 5-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch, giant inflatables, a petting zoo, and other family-friendly farm attractions.

• Galactic Empire — Sunday, November 2, 7:00 p.m.

  The "Star Wars"-themed progressive metal band performs at the Nile Theater.

• Atreyu — Tuesday, November 4, 6:30 p.m.

  The popular metalcore band brings "The Beautiful Dark of Life Tour" to the Nile Theater, with support from He Is Legend and Zero 9:36.

• MYS Fall Concert — Wednesday, November 5, 7:00 p.m.

  The Metropolitan Youth Symphony presents its fall concert at the Mesa Arts Center.

• EDEN — Wednesday, November 5, 7:30 p.m.

  The Irish singer-songwriter performs at the Nile Theater.

• First Friday — Friday, November 7, 6:00 p.m.

  Head to the Booch Haus Plant & Gift Lounge and other participating downtown businesses for an evening of local art, music, and community.

• Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival — Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 9

  A short drive away, this popular festival in downtown Carefree features over 150 artists, wine tasting, and live music.

• Arizona Jazz Festival — Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 9

  Enjoy a weekend of smooth jazz and R&B performances at the Chandler Center for the Arts (nearby).

• Downtown Mesa Farmers' Market — Saturday, November 8, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

  Shop for fresh, local produce, artisan goods, and prepared foods in a vibrant community atmosphere.

• Motherfolk — Saturday, November 8, 7:00 p.m.

  The indie rock band performs at The Nile Underground.

Ongoing Events

• Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum Fall Exhibitions — Daily (Closed Mondays)

  Explore the new fall exhibitions at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, featuring a diverse range of works from contemporary artists.

• Organ Stop Pizza — Daily

  Experience a unique family dinner with pizza and a show featuring the "Mighty Wurlitzer," one of the largest theater pipe organs in the world.

• Arizona Museum of Natural History — Daily (Closed Mondays)

  Explore exhibits on dinosaurs, Native American history, and the natural history of the Southwest.

• Commemorative Air Force Museum — Daily

  See a wide collection of historic combat aircraft and learn about military aviation history.

• Mesa Public Library Events — Various Days/Times

  The Main Library, Red Mountain Branch, and others host regular events including Toddlertime (Mon), Tween Gaming (Mon), and Campfire Stories (Mon).

Quick Glance Summary

In 1947, a Halloween blackout plunged the Northeast into darkness, but families responded by gathering under candlelight, sharing treats and stories beneath the stars.

That night became a lasting symbol of resilience and togetherness.

Today, Mesa carries on this communal spirit each October, bringing neighborhoods to life with lively fall festivals and local celebrations.

At Vertuccio Farms, families explore Arizona’s longest-running corn maze and enjoy classic seasonal fun, while over at Schnepf Farms, the Pumpkin & Chili Party offers delicious food paired with music and games for all ages.

Downtown Mesa’s Haunting on Main Street transforms Main Street into a festive trick-or-treating destination for local families.

Meanwhile, the demolition of Fiesta Mall ushers in sweeping revitalization, underscoring Mesa’s focus on growth and community investment.

As Halloween nears, the glow of Mesa’s welcoming spirit will once again light up its neighborhoods, proving that unity and joy endure through every season.

🥗 “Maple Chai Harvest Salad with Pears & Toasted Quinoa”

This salad captures cozy autumn warmth in every bite — sweet pears, spiced dressing, and the unexpected crunch of toasted quinoa. It’s earthy, elegant, and full of texture — perfect for crisp fall afternoons or chic dinner gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups arugula
  
  

• 1 cup shaved Brussels sprouts
  
  

• 1 pear, thinly sliced
  
  

• ¼ cup toasted quinoa (adds a nutty crunch)
  
  

• 2 tbsp dried cranberries
  
  

• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  
  

• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
  
  

• Drizzle of chai-spiced maple vinaigrette

Chai-Maple Vinaigrette

• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
  

• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
  
  

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  
  

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  
  

• ⅛ tsp cardamom
  
  

• Pinch of nutmeg and sea salt
  
  

Whisk until creamy and fragrant.

Why It Works

Toasted quinoa brings a modern, healthy twist. The chai spices in the dressing echo cozy fall flavors without being overpowering, and the arugula–pear–blue cheese trio delivers a perfect sweet–savory balance.

Mesa, Arizona is turning Halloween into a vibrant spotlight for AI-driven fashion and maker culture.

Local teens are designing LED costumes that react to movement and sound, while bustling workshops at the Mesa Arts Center encourage do-it-yourself costume creation focused on sustainable materials.

This year’s Barbiecore trend is bringing playful pinks to the festivities, with residents putting a unique spin by integrating handcrafted details into their looks.

The Annual Downtown Mesa Haunting on Main Street gave creators a runway for their high-tech designs, and the spirited Boo’ze & Brews Halloween Bar Crawl brought adults together for festive fun in themed attire.

Anticipation is building for the Halloween Extravaganza at Mesa Community College’s Red Mountain Campus, promising games, music, and a dazzling costume parade.

Mesa’s creative fusion is redefining Halloween and inspiring new traditions citywide.

Interesting Facts

Mesa's retail scene is transforming, celebrating the city’s multicultural spirit and entrepreneurial energy.

New ventures are blending authentic experiences with offerings that reflect the community’s diversity.

Next Phase Mesa, a retail incubator from the Mesa Chamber of Commerce Foundation at Superstition Springs Center, gives local artisans and small businesses a high-profile platform.

Participants gain storefront exposure, collaborative workspaces, and business training, nurturing Mesa’s next retail leaders.

Downtown, Local First Arizona is building a 12,000-square-foot food hall by the Nile Theater, set for fall 2025.

This venue will feature Mesa restaurateurs and serve as a community kitchen, supporting new culinary talent with guidance and resources.

Mesa also marked its fifth year as the nation’s first Autism Certified City in November 2024, with thousands trained in autism awareness, showing strong commitment to inclusion.

Mesa is crafting a new model for inclusive, community-driven commerce in Arizona.

Quote Of The Day

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." — Eleanor Roosevelt

In Mesa, more residents are embracing vitamin IV therapy for fast hydration and energy boosts.

Local spas deliver tailored infusions like B12 boosts and energy drips, ideal for those seeking quick recovery and longer-lasting vitality.

Better Life Infusions leads the way, offering services from IV hydration to personalized health coaching, and highlighting the advantages of direct nutrient absorption.

Mesa’s commitment to wellness continues with the new City of Mesa Health and Wellness Center, set to open on October 15, 2024, to support community well-being.

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a Health & Wellness Expo on October 8, 2025, featuring the latest in health services and IV therapy.

These updates underscore Mesa’s emerging role as a modern wellness destination, providing residents with innovative ways to stay healthy and energized.

OpenAI’s new Atlas browser is reshaping how Mesa residents and businesses navigate the web.

Unlike standard browsers, Atlas does more than search — it understands your needs and helps accomplish tasks.

This means planning family outings or comparing local suppliers becomes seamless, as Atlas provides tailored suggestions, weather updates, and even handles scheduling.

For small businesses in Mesa, Atlas generates personalized marketing content and smart supplier comparisons, reducing routine work and amplifying growth opportunities.

Atlas’s launch mirrors Mesa’s momentum as a tech-forward city, especially with Waymo’s giant new factory bringing cutting-edge innovation and autonomous vehicles to the region.

Atlas isn’t just a tool — it signals a major shift toward the Agentic Web, where digital assistants collaborate and anticipate community needs.

For Mesa’s entrepreneurial and connected residents, Atlas streamlines daily life, ensuring more time for what matters most.

Venus — it spins in the opposite direction of most planets, making the Sun rise in the west and set in the east!