It's time for Dia de los Muertos! Otherwise known as The Day of the Dead. But don't let the name fool you, because no matter who you are or where you're from, you'll discover the Day of the Dead is a very-not-scary, even joyful event. If you've never understood the meaning and significance of this special holiday, you've landed in the right spot....

Forget the bearded Dos Equis pitchman with his thick shock of salt and pepper hair. The most interesting man in the world might be a clean shaven, bald dude named Russell "Rusty" Bowers. A fourth generation Arizonan, Rusty is as Mesa as it gets. Growing up he was a devoted boy scout and then a committed Mesa High Jackrabbit - a God-fearing gym rat who made a habit of fouling out of most basketball games. But he later became a renown painter and sculptor. Eventually, he put his creative skill and sharp elbows to work as a politician, representing Mesa for almost two decades as a member of both the Arizona House and Senate. He loved it. And then came the test of a life time when he was pressured by a sitting president - the man he campaigned for - to participate in overturning the results of the 2020...

Mesa is known for many things, but for a lot of people across our country, Mesa is synonymous with one thing. Spring Training. Every February and March, Mesa hosts both the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park and the Oakland A's at Hohokam Park. You might think that's just how it's always been. But the story of how once-sleepy Mesa became the epicenter of the Cactus League will surprise you. At the center of the story is Dwight "Pat" Patterson, a quiet cattleman-turned community champion. The story behind Spring training is just one more reason we can say, "It's Always Cool in Mesa""....

On the Friday evening after Thanksgiving, we kick off the holiday season here at the Mesa Arts Center with a theatrical retelling of The Man Who Killed Santa Claus. Audiences love it. But never so much as this last year when it was performed for the first time as a musical. Mayor Giles sits down with the show's creator and writer, Brian Nissen, the producer, Mark Arnett, and the musical director Emily Susan Pack, and asks them how they did it. If you've only heard the non-musical version, you haven't really heard this true Mesa story. Disclaimer: No actual Santa Clauses were harmed in the production of this musical....

Compete Sports Diversity’s mission is to "Unite the World Through Sports.” Follow along through this six-part mini-series as we talk about various aspects of advocacy, education and inclusivity for one and all.In this episode, host Eric Carlyle and featured guests Mashonda Gilmore, John Deffee and Lance Fite discuss the Lynn Lewis Foundation and how this organization supports Breast Cancer Awareness through their all-women's sporting events!...

Compete Sports Diversity’s mission is to "Unite the World Through Sports.” Follow along through this six-part mini-series as we talk about various aspects of advocacy, education and inclusivity for one and all.In this episode, host Eric Carlyle and featured guest Lance Fite discuss increased LGBTQ+ visibility in the sports industry, and the importance of Familiarization Tours of not only the facilities but the host city itself to ensure full accessibility for players on and off the field!...

Compete Sports Diversity’s mission is to "Unite the World Through Sports.” Follow along through this six-part mini-series as we talk about various aspects of advocacy, education and inclusivity for one and all.In this episode, host Eric Carlyle and featured guest Rhonda Rajsich along with John Deffee and Lance Fite discuss gender inclusivity and equity within sports and the strides being made to increase the visibility of female athletes.To learn more about our efforts, go to www.competenetwork.com and www.visitmesa.com....

We have a rock star in our midst. A culinary rockstar.  His name is Roberto Centeno. At just 27 years old,  he’s been nominated for a James Beard Award, has won a popular cooking show competition, and his new downtown Mesa restaurant, Espiritu, keeps racking up local, regional and national recognition. ...

If you were in downtown Mesa on the third weekend in April this year, you certainly weren’t alone. Over three days, the seventh annual Mesa Music Festival drew thousands of people to see more than 250 artists on ten different stages.  Enjoy this conversation with the Festival's creator, José "Indian" Anteo and Marcus Reardon, the front man for Mesa's hottest new band on the rise, This Modern....

In the full version of our "Always Cool" theme song, there's a line that goes, "If you say Venice makes you wistful, Well, we've got canals by the fistful!" And it's true - miles and miles of canals that deliver water to every reach of the city. They also provide a place to walk, bike, and enjoy our Arizona sunsets. The story of how the canals came to be is an epic and sacred one....