Hazardous Waste Recycling

Mesa residents looking for a way to get rid of old cans of paint, batteries, pesticides, electronics, tires and prescription drugs are invited to bring these and other household hazardous waste materials to City sponsored collection events.

The next event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 20 at the Center Street Facility, 2412 N. Center St. (Center Street, north of McKellips).  There is no cost to take advantage of this service.  Household hazardous waste will only be accepted during the event dates and times and residents are asked to remain in their vehicles and refrain from smoking at all times while at the collection site.

Waste should be sealed in its original container if possible, and unmarked containers should be labeled if the contents are known.

Acceptable items:

• Paint, polishes & varnishes
• Fuel additives
• Pool chemicals
• Paint-related materials
• Smoke detectors
• Aerosol cans
• Adhesives
• Motor oil
• Antifreeze
• Appliances (limit 2)
• Gasoline & propane tanks
• Batteries
• Mercury
• Pesticides
• Electronics – TVs, computers, etc.
• Transmission fluid
• Automotive tires (limit 5); rims are accepted if the tire has been removed
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Prescription & non-prescription drugs

For more information, call City of Mesa Customer Service at (480) 644-2221 or visit www.mesarecycles.org.

Help Elevate Life for Pets

This is an update to a posting I made in 2010.

H.E.L.P has moved to Las Vegas.

H.E.L.P. is a non-profit, no kill, no cage animal shelter. They are now located at at 4008 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 U.S.A  tel: 702-238-4638. Their Nationwide H.E.L.P. Office is also located at 4008 N. Decatur Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89130.

Their website is available to answer common questions that the public may have regarding pet adoption, their facilities and mission. At the FAQ’s page you will find useful answers and information to help you decide what pet is right for you and what you should know before you decide to adopt. Once you have gone through the FAQ’s you can move on to the Adopt a Pet Page where you are sure to fall in love with one of the many pets available.

If you or your friends have pets that you cannot keep for any reason whatsoever but they are healthy and easily adoptable, they have created a match up service where people are looking to adopt good and healthy pets. Please call 623-934-5406 where you can list your pet for adoption or to find a good and loving pet for yourself.  You may also add your pet to the Adopt A Pet page by submitting your info and a photo when you click here.

There are a number of alternatives available for spaying, neutering, vaccinations, and in the adoption of dogs and cats. Check out the Spay/Neuter Hotline here.

For feral cats, check www.adlaz.org for help with capturing and having them spayed and neutered.

April Landscape Watering Reminder

Aprils watering reminder from the City of Mesa:

April seems to be jumping ahead to our typical May temperatures of the lower 90's for the highs and 60's overnight.

April through June is typically our dryer period with low humidity and little chance of rain as temperatures warm up. It is a critical time to be providing irrigation as many plants are flushing out with new growth. Find our checklist for the month, Prepare Your Landscape for Summer's Sizzle!

There is so much happening in April – be sure to check out the bonus tips below.

These recommendations are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).

Lawn watering:
                Summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 7 days
                Overseeded cool season grass (rye) - once every 4 days

If trees and shrubs are on the same valve:
                Desert Adapted – once every 20 days
                High Water Use – once every 10 days
Tree watering:
                Desert Adapted – once every 24 days
                High Water Use – once every 12 days

Shrub watering:
                Desert Adapted – once every 16 days
                High Water Use – once every 8 days

Groundcover and vine watering:
                Desert Adapted – once every 16 days
                High Water Use – once every 8 days

Cacti and succulent watering – once every 28 days

Annuals watering – once every 4 days

Native wildflowers – once every 7 days

Note: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.

Citrus collection to benefit United Food Bank

The Groves Neighborhood is partnering with City of Mesa Neighborhood Outreach for a volunteer-driven citrus collection from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 9 and Saturday, March 23. You can donate the extra fruit as part of a citywide effort to benefit the United Food Bank.   

If you have an abundance of grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, please bring the ripe fruit in a box or sturdy container and drop it off at Mountain View Park, 845 N. Lindsay Road (enter off Adobe). Volunteers will be gathered to assist in set-up and tear-down, greet residents and help unload citrus from vehicles.

           

For additional drop-off opportunities or for assistance contact the United Food Bank at www.unitedfoodbank.org.  

For more information contact City of Mesa Neighborhood Outreach Coordinators Susan Frabotta at (480) 644-5432 or Cynthia Ezcurra-Garza at (480) 644-5889.      

Gluten Free - Chef Brad

Several of my friends require gluten free diets. They are challenged by what they can and cannot eat. Chef Brad has taken the challenge and is preparing great gluten free food. He will be posting about it throughout the year on his new blog, Third Sunday Dinner Blog.

He posted his recipe for gluten free WonderFlour on January 4th. You can read it here. Make sure you check out his cooking show, Fusion Grain Cooking, on BYUtv.

Trains in the Garden

Just found about this year's event. This is a lot of fun for the family. Get more information at azbigtrains.org.

The tours are 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9 and Dec. 15-16. The exception is one at 1929 N. 24th St., Mesa, where tour times are 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15.

Here is a list of locations, but check the website for more details:

Cardon Children’s Medical Center, Dobson Road at U.S. 60. 

1708 W. Dixon Circle, 1861 E. Fountain St., and 6130 E. Colby St., all Mesa. 
4141 W. Corona Drive and 739 E. Prescott Drive, Chandler. 
861 W. Emerald Island Drive, Gilbert. 
9401 Jadecrest Drive, 25025 S. Lakeway Drive, and 9636 E. Mossy Rock Drive, all Sun Lakes. 
7097 E. Cuernavaco Way, Gold Canyon.
1149 E. Saddleback Place, Santan Valley area.

Breakfast DOG

Come join us for a Breakfast Dutch Oven Gathering on Saturday, November 10th. Serving time will be 8:30am and it will be at the corner of Barkley and Southern Ave. Specifically, in the east parking lot of the LDS Church building at 1415 E. Southern Ave, Mesa.

I don't know about anyone else, but I plan on cooking Chile Relleno Souffle.

Keep your coals hot!

Yes it is

Watering Guidelines for July

July's reminder from the City of Mesa, the web version can be found at  www.mesaaz.gov/conservation/LWR.aspx

July started with high temperatures and heat advisories but increased humidity is easier on plants.

Rains have been hit or miss. Shop for a rain gauge if you don't have one (empty the dust out if you do) as these storms are localized. Turn your irrigation off if you get at least 1/2" of rain. See our tips below to
learn about grass removal and rainwater harvesting - both will save you water!

These recommendations are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).

Lawn watering:
        Summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 3 days
        Overseeded cool season grass (rye) – grass dies out

If trees and shrubs are on the same valve:
        Desert Adapted - once every 14 days
        High Water Use - once every 7 days

Tree watering:
        Desert Adapted - once every 16 days
        High Water Use - once every 8 days

Shrub watering:
        Desert Adapted - once every 12 days
        High Water Use - once every 5 days

Groundcover and vine watering:
        Desert Adapted - once every 12 days
        High Water Use - once every 4 days

Cacti and succulent watering - once every 21 days

Annual & vegetable watering - once every 2-3 days

Note: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.

Why Scouting

Ever wonder why my family does Scouting? Watch this video for your answer.

Free Trees

SRP has invited Phoenix area customers to participate their Shade Tree Program, enabling you to save up to $50 a year on your energy bill. Planting trees will reduce your cooling costs and improve air quality.

You are required to attend a workshop to teach you how to best select, plant and care for your trees. They will provide up to two desert-adapted trees for homes built in 1980 or later, and three for homes built before 1980.

Check out Free Trees for more information.

Gilbert Arizona Temple

The Angel Moroni is put into place.

Arbor Day

Did you know that Mesa has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation for the second consecutive year?
.
The first official Arbor Day was created by J. Sterling Morton and celebrated in Nebraska in 1872. In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton's idea spread beyond Nebraska and today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day.

Arbor Day 2012 is Friday, April 27th. Check out your landscape and decide where a tree should be. Then use this Tree Planting and Tree Care Guide from the City of Mesa.

For more information about Arbor Day activities in Mesa, check out the City of Mesa website.

April Watering Schedule

From the City of Mesa:

Windy days and fluctuating temperatures have been the norm the last few
weeks but temperatures will increase through the month until we settle
into the 90's. April through June is typically dryer as temperatures warm
up. It is a critical time to be providing irrigation as many plants are
flushing out with new growth. Find our checklist for the month, “Prepare
Your Landscape for Summer's Sizzle” at www.mesaaz.gov/conservation.

These recommendations are for plants that are established in the landscape
(in the ground about 2 years).

Lawn watering:
Summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 7 days
Overseeded cool season grass (rye) - once every 4 days

If trees and shrubs are on the same valve:
Desert Adapted – once every 20 days
High Water Use – once every 10 days

Tree watering:
Desert Adapted – once every 24 days
High Water Use – once every 12 days

Shrub watering:
Desert Adapted – once every 16 days
High Water Use – once every 8 days

Groundcover and vine watering:
Desert Adapted – once every 16 days
High Water Use – once every 8 days

Cacti and succulent watering – once every 28 days

Annuals watering – once every 4 days

Native wildflowers – once every 7 days

Note: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to
be modified for your specific site conditions.