Good morning, Mesa. The World Cup is on, and the library is handing its big screen over to it this weekend.
- ⚽ World Cup viewings at the library. Norway vs France Friday, free, on the big screen.
- 📚 A full Saturday at Dobson Ranch. Recycled crafts, dinosaur STEAM, and teen gaming.
- 🏨 A four-star hotel eyed for downtown. Developers are looking at the convention market.
- 🏠 The June housing numbers. 546 homes sold, prices about flat from last year.
- 🎆 July 4 at the Convention Center. The Celebration of Freedom is a week out.
- 🌆 Four shows worth leaving Mesa for.
Watch the World Cup at the library
The Mesa Public Library is hosting free World Cup public viewings on the big screen at the Main branch downtown, starting this weekend.
Key facts:
- Norway vs France kicks off Friday, June 26 at noon at the THINKspot inside Main Library, 64 E. 1st St.
- A second viewing follows Monday, June 29 at 10am at the Main branch.
- Both are free and open to all ages. No registration listed.
- Giant screen, other fans in the room, full match.
Watching at home works fine. Watching a tournament like this with a room full of people is the part you can't stream. The library is the rare downtown spot doing it for free with the air conditioning cranked.
What to watch: the viewing schedule runs through the tournament. Details on Friday's match.
The weekend
Most of the weekend lives at the library, and Saturday leans hard on the Dobson Ranch branch.
Friday, June 26
- 📖 Manga book club at Main. Between the Panels meets at 3PM. This month's sample is The Apothecary Diaries. Details.
Saturday, June 27
- ♻️ Recycled Creations at Dobson Ranch. Family craft session, 10am to noon, supplies provided. Details.
- 🦕 Dinosaur STEAM at Dobson Ranch. Hands-on activities at 2PM, ages 6 to 12. Details.
- 🎮 Teen gaming at Dobson Ranch. Super Smash with other teens, 2PM, ages 12 to 18. Details.
- 🗣️ ESL conversation class at Main. Drop-in practice at 1PM. Details.
Around Mesa
🏨 A four-star hotel for downtown. ABC15 reports developers are eyeing a new four-star hotel downtown, betting on Mesa's convention business as the draw. Specifics on size and timing have not been released yet. Details.
🎆 July 4 is a week out. The Willmeng Arizona Celebration of Freedom returns Saturday, July 4 at the Mesa Convention Center, with patriotic programs inside and entertainment outside. It is built as more than a fireworks show. Details.
🎉 Juneteenth downtown. Downtown Mesa hosted an East Valley Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration last week, drawing a crowd to the city center. Details.
🏠 The housing market. 546 homes sold across Mesa last month at a median price of about $452,500, roughly flat from a year ago. Homes took a median of 55 days to sell.
From the schools
Mesa Public Schools is into the summer stretch. Westwood's governing board meets Thursday evening at 6PM at 549 N. Stapley Dr., and the Dobson front office is closed Friday. Most buildings stay quiet until the new year ramps up.
Around the valley
A few picks worth the drive out of Mesa this weekend.
🎤 Gabriel Iglesias. Thursday, 8PM, at Gila River Hotels and Casinos, Wild Horse Pass in Chandler. Arena-sized standup in a casino showroom. Tickets.
🥊 LFA 236. Friday, 4:30PM, at Arizona Financial Theatre in downtown Phoenix. A pro MMA fight card if you want a loud Friday night. Tickets.
🎸 The Ultimate Doors. Thursday, 7PM, at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix. A faithful Doors tribute in one of the best small rooms in town. Tickets.
🎶 Taj Farrant. Thursday, 8PM, at The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. A teenage blues-rock guitar phenom up close. Tickets.