#vivamesa

[jongarzadraws]

Make empanadas not war! #vivamesa #chicano #cacti #az #puravida (at Republica Empanada)

[extraordinarylegend]

☝🏽Mesa Folks - Follow this account!☝🏽 From @WeAreVivaMesa - We are Mesa. We are a diverse city made up of many colors, backgrounds, religions, political leanings and beyond. Viva Mesa strives to gather our community together in the these times of division for conversations, education and actions that seek changes needed now and in the future for a more safe and equitable Mesa for ALL our valuable residents. ❤️ #weareVivaMesa #vivamesa #iheartMesa #mesaarizona #commUNITY #knowledgeispower #unitedwestand #lovewillprevail (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBjyHsrD6rT/?igshid=98glzg3ra540

[jongarzadraws]

Do Good. Just me and a skull guy from the old west I painted recently for the new @nicosbarbershopaz in Mesa. #vivamesa https://www.instagram.com/p/B5opaBHnslX/?igshid=ptccqdinhwhi

[extraordinarylegend]

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Every 2nd Friday in Downtown Mesa, Az is a fun adventure with creative themes. Its fun thinking about how Main St has and hasn't changed over the years. I often laugh at the funny way our downtown crew met and how things came about. I always have fun and see a lot of people I know. I feel great seeing such a large crowd walking up and down main and knowing that it was all driven by a small groundswell of us who showed up and tried. Thanks to all that have put themselves out there. Thanks to: All the small businesses that extended their hours and hosted events and artists. All the residents and neighbors that collaborated on projects and gave your time. All those who believed in our grass roots placemaking efforts that is breathing life into Mesa's Downtown. Thanks to Suzanne Woodford for continually organizing this event on your own time. http://2ndfridaynightout.com Video link: https://youtu.be/q3T0Zfk_wcE #VivaMesa #iheartmesa #commUNITY (at Downtown Mesa, Arizona)

[extraordinarylegend]

Today has been somewhat introspective for me. I might even call it retrospective. While walking around and cruising the east mesa light rail extension I thought about my beginnings in commUNITY development in Mesa. The Mesa Urban Garden in Downtown Mesa. RAILmesa. Neighborhood Economic Development Co. (NErDCO) Movies on Main St, #iheartmesa campaign, the Consolidated Plan, the General Plan, The local first Mesa Small Wonders Map, the downtown mesa google inside view, organizing in Washington Escobedo, light rail opening, art space, downtown business meetings, art happenings, etc. So much happened from 2012-2014. As the light rail moves east, I think about the small businesses and neighborhoods that are affected. What guidance of the have? Are they working together? Do they have a leader who can stand up for them? Is Valley Metro engaging them? What is Friends of Transit doing to celebrate the existing businesses on the line? What is the City of Mesa doing for small business as they proudly tout an aggressive play for the Amazon headquarters? I am excited for the future of west mesa and Redevelopment along the light rail line. The details of how we do it are what will set us apart and make us unique in a long term plan. #vivamesa #iheartmesa #commUNITY (at El Rancho Del Arte)