Under the Gloom, Mesa Spring Fest Fun Goes On
Fog and clouds blanketing this coastal neighborhood is an all too familiar thing. It keeps the area cool and its residents even cooler.
And at the 3rd Annual Mesa Spring Fest spearheaded by Mesa Business Association on May 12, the gloom was certainly there. It was typically Mesa!
Event planning was headed by Debra Babai, MBA president, and Hillary Dulien, Art on the Mesa coordinator, event chair.
There was early morning bike ride this year to highlight Mesa’s green advocacy, and with help from SB Middle School’s Bike Monkeys and SB Bicycle Coalition, encouraged neighbors and visitors to bike to the event.
Santa Barbara Bank &Trust-Mesa branch, celebrating its 25th year milestone in the area, won this year the Earth Day Wreath contest, which promotes the worldwide eco-observance.
Former Mayor and long-time Mesa resident Marty Blum and Stan Martinez, store director of award-winning green-advocate Mesa Albertson’s, the prize donor, gave the award to the bank’s new manager Daniel Estrada and his senior teller Jessica Gonzalez who designed the wreath.
Art and crafts vendors had many to offer for Mother’s day. Many enjoyed the visual offerings as well as the promos from Mesa businesses.
And while the shops had to temporarily stop (and for some it meant closing time) due to a power outage, the event which ran on solar power, courtesy of California Solar Electric, went merrily on.
There was fabulous music from boybands –Stolen Thunder, 50 Below and Technical Technical Difficulties — and songs for children by Spencer, the Gardener, and Grandpa Guy. Dances from McKinley’s Cinco de Mayo group plus Monroe’s Drill Team added to the family fun, aside from the bounce house, courtesy of Mike Richardson Realtors, and the face painting for the kids. Add to that, Emily Wryn’s fantastic vocals as well as Agile Strum’s, a duo of talented dads. Then Witches’ Play rocked the place with funk, hip hop, reggae rock and all upbeat rhythm.
DJ Dover emceed with guests KTYD/KLITE radio personalities Lin Aubuchon and Bill Pesso. Mayor Helen Schneider honored the event with her presence.
On the side, Mesa leaders gathered signature from neighbors to persuade City council to take over Cliff Drive aka SR 225 now on the scheduled special session on May 21.
There was also registry for the upcoming summer events and group projects which include Art on the Mesa summer series for talented Mesa youth and crafts artists; Mesa Bazaar, the annual coordinated yard sale; and the end-of summer get-together A Day at La Mesa Park, as well as, civic involvement in its Historical Society with its Mesa Rats Group and the Mesa Mouse Club; M-CUBB (Mesa CleanUp& Beautification Brigade)’s Gateway project; and M-PVO (Mesa Parks Volunteers Organization)’s survey of the flora and fauna in Mesa’s parks.
OMN also hosts a forum on Measure Y on May 29, 7-9 pm at its Village Hall in Holy Cross Parish.
The sun finally played a bit of peek-a-boo just before the event wound up at six with everyone feeling the strong spirit of community among the Mesa neighbors.
