What famous aerospace company helped shape Mesa’s economy in the mid-20th century and still operates a major facility there today?

Events for The Week

Toddler Story Time — Tuesday, October 7, 10:00 am–11:00 am Bring your little ones (ages 2-5) to the Main Branch of the Mesa Public Library for a morning of stories, sing-alongs, and simple crafts. This program is designed to build early literacy skills in a fun and interactive environment.

Senior Social & Game Day — Wednesday, October 8, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm Join friends new and old at the Mesa Active Adult Center for an afternoon of classic card games, board games, and friendly conversation. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. It's a perfect way to stay connected and active.

Downtown Mesa Farmers Market — Thursday, October 9, 8:00 am–12:00 pm Head to the Mesa Arts Center campus to explore a vibrant local market. Discover fresh, seasonal produce from Arizona farms, artisanal bread, local honey, fresh-roasted coffee, and unique crafts from local vendors.

Concerts in the Park: Classic Rock Night — Friday, October 10, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm Enjoy a free concert at Red Mountain Park Amphitheater. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a family-friendly evening featuring a local band playing classic rock hits. Food trucks will be on-site for snacks and dinner.

Mesa Market Place Swap Meet — Saturday, October 11 & Sunday, October 12, 7:30 am–3:00 pm Explore the massive open-air market on E. Baseline Rd. With hundreds of merchants, you can find everything from home goods, clothing, and tools to collectibles, delicious food, and fresh produce in a bustling, lively atmosphere.

Dino Discovery Day — Saturday, October 11, 10:00 am–4:00 pm Take the family to the Arizona Museum of Natural History for a special event celebrating all things prehistoric. Enjoy guest speakers, see real fossils up close, and participate in hands-on activities and crafts perfect for young paleontologists.

Ongoing Events

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum Exhibitions — Open Tuesday-Sunday, various hours Located at the Mesa Arts Center, the MCA Museum features rotating exhibitions of compelling contemporary art from local, national, and international artists across five galleries. Admission is always free.

Usery Mountain Regional Park — Daily, 6:00 am–8:00 pm Escape into the Sonoran Desert at this beautiful regional park. Enjoy miles of trails for hiking and biking, from the easy Merkle Trail to the challenging Wind Cave Trail. It’s an ideal spot for birdwatching, picnicking, and enjoying stunning desert views.

Quick Glance Summary

Mesa’s coffee culture is evolving as local cafés and community groups make sustainability a priority.

Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea & Gallery is teaming up with GreenLight Solutions to cut its environmental impact, focusing on energy savings and reducing waste.

Beanchain Coffee is swapping single-use cups for reusable ceramics, aiming to save over 1,500 disposables each month.

Beanchain also now composts organic waste, including coffee grounds, keeping valuable materials out of landfills.

Backed by the Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund, projects like Ready, Set, Grow at Benedictine University bring together indoor gardening and community composting.

Mesa’s Climate Action Plan further supports clean water, better resource management, and smart food systems.

Locals are invited to engage in farmers’ markets and community gardens, encouraging sustainable, mindful choices.

These green efforts are nurturing a sense of community pride and aiming for a brighter, more responsible future.

🥗 Maple-Roasted Beet & Citrus Salad with Spiced Pepitas

Ingredients:

• 2 medium golden or red beets, peeled and cubed
  
  

• 1 tbsp maple syrup
  
  

• 1 tbsp olive oil
  
  

• ½ tsp sea salt
  
  

• 4 cups baby kale or mixed greens
  
  

• 1 orange, segmented
  
  

• ½ avocado, sliced
  
  

• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
  
  

• ¼ cup roasted spiced pepitas (see below) 

Maple-Lime Dressing:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
  

• 1 tbsp lime juice
  
  

• 1 tsp maple syrup
  
  

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  
  

• Pinch of cumin
  
  

• Salt & pepper to taste

Spiced Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds):

• ¼ cup raw pepitas
  
  

• ½ tsp smoked paprika
  
  

• ½ tsp coconut sugar
  
  

• Dash of cayenne (optional)
  
  

• Toast in dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant (2–3 min)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss beet cubes with maple syrup, olive oil, and salt. Roast for 25–30 min until tender and caramelized.
   
   

2. Whisk all dressing ingredients until smooth.
   
   

3. In a large bowl, combine greens, orange segments, avocado, pomegranate seeds, and roasted beets.
   
   

4. Drizzle with dressing, toss gently, and top with crunchy pepitas.

Why It’s Special:
This salad layers earthy, citrusy, and nutty flavors with a vibrant color palette. It’s packed with antioxidants, fiber, and heart-healthy fats — a true fall beauty that nourishes and impresses.

Mesa residents are embracing healthier, non-toxic living environments amid the city’s iconic sunshine and desert scenery.

Families are switching to glass jars, non-toxic cleaners, and other eco-friendly habits to prioritize wellness at home.

This shift supports Mesa’s Climate Action Plan for carbon neutrality by 2050, which highlights renewable energy and smarter materials use.

Local businesses like those at Arrebol Villas’ Health, Wellness & Home event are championing this change, unveiling energy-efficient homes with EV charging and sustainable insulation to meet growing demand.

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s Healthcare Committee bolsters the trend, hosting expos focused on holistic health and sustainable living.

Mesa’s Downtown Forward plan also offers incentives for mixed-use, adaptive reuse projects that integrate sustainable design.

These citywide efforts are strengthening community well-being while advancing a more vibrant, sustainable Mesa.

Interesting Facts

Luxury design once meant bold statements—crystal chandeliers, gleaming marble, and opulent gold that caught every eye.

Today, quiet luxury leads the way, favoring subtle materials and fine details that exude calm rather than extravagance.

Tiny homes are perfectly suited for this trend, transforming compact living into a showcase of thoughtful restraint.

Understated color palettes—like soft ivories and gentle eucalyptus—create a serene backdrop without crowding the eye.

Touches such as a matte black fixture or brushed bronze accent add just the right amount of sophistication.

Hidden storage solutions, like built-in cabinetry, elevate these homes by keeping clutter tucked away and lines clean.

Warm lighting filtered through linen shades completes the inviting atmosphere.

This approach proves that, in tiny homes, true luxury is rooted in intention and refinement—not in size or cost.

Quote Of The Day

"Mesa’s strength lies in its roots — built by innovation, sustained by community, and inspired by the desert’s endless horizon." 🌅

In the heart of Arizona, Mesa demonstrates the true power of vision fusing with hard work.

While many embrace trends like money manifestation, locals focus on a growth mindset and determined daily action.

This spirit drives Mesa’s vibrant business scene, supported by initiatives like the Mesa Business Builder.

Last year alone, the program aided 165 small businesses and invested over $349,000 in critical services, from web design to business planning.

Strong educational partnerships, such as the Educates U program with Mesa Community College, further boost local talent by covering tuition for business certificates.

Recent changes, including Jarrod's Coffee, Tea & Gallery moving into a historic bungalow, reflect how Mesa honors tradition while embracing growth.

Downtown revitalization fuels local pride, transforming the area into a lively business hub where aspirations turn into action.

In Mesa, dreams thrive through persistence and community spirit—proving that with grit and vision, anything is possible.

In Mesa, Arizona, a new wave of digital storytelling is taking root as locals embrace longer, more authentic content that bridges tradition and innovation.

Arizona State University students lead this movement, crafting immersive campus tours that capture the spirit of university life and the surrounding community.

Families are documenting special occasions and gatherings in extended videos, preserving memories while highlighting Mesa’s rich heritage.

Entrepreneurs share behind-the-scenes stories, revealing the heart and challenges of their businesses, which forges deeper bonds with residents.

Downtown, teens showcase skateboarding tricks in vibrant clips, proving that creativity and energy often outshine polish.

Initiatives like the Cronkite Content Creator Challenge and Student-Made Arizona fuel youth creativity and support emerging entrepreneurs.

Mesa’s blend of tradition and digital innovation is forging a dynamic storytelling culture that celebrates local pride and connects the community.

Boeing’s Apache helicopter plant in Mesa has been a cornerstone of local industry and innovation since the 1980s.