Wingstock 2011 - Mesa, AZ

WINGSTOCK 2011 - Where Music and Chicken Meat

You won't want to miss Wingstock!  It is the hottest new festival in the Valley!

Local restaurants will be showing off their best wing recipes and competing for the title "Wingstock King of Wings!"

There will be local bands performing and contests will be held throughout the day.




WHEN:    Saturday, April 9, 2011
                 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WHERE:  Mesa Amphitheatre

Matta Family History - Matta's Mexican Food at Brown and Higley

I was in Matta's at Brown and Higley the other day and had an opportunity to talk with Chris Matta about his amazing family and Matta's history.  Chris is a great guy and he tells great stories!  The Matta family and Matta's Mexican Restaurant are an important part of Mesa history.

In 1950 Manuel and Marylou Matta hired a Bekins moving truck and driver, they packed all of their belongs, loaded their two children in the car and left Los Angeles. "Where were they headed?" you ask. Safford, Arizona!!? I bet you thought I was going to say Mesa. Manuel worked as a welder and part time at a dairy in Los Angeles. The dairy farmer he worked for convinced him it was a great way to make a living and told him about a great opportunity in Safford, AZ.  So, off they went. Well, as luck would have it, they decided to stop in Mesa for the night and continue on the next day. They stayed at Kohler's Kiva Lodge on Main. David, their youngest at the time, remembers the Kiva as "the coolest place he had ever stayed" in his 5 young years. Mesa left a very favorable impression on the young couple, but they were headed to Safford--so off they went. Well, Safford was a very nice town, but when all was said and done it just wasn't a good fit for them.  Mesa, they thought, was a little more their speed and looked like a wonderful place to raise a family. Small town enough, with lots of possibilities but without the crowding they were starting to see in Los Angeles. So they told the Bekins driver to turn around and head back to Mesa. Manuel found a job in Tempe welding metal door and window frames and Marylou set up housekeeping and settled the family into their new home, Mesa!! "Well, what about the restaurant?" you ask. Well that's still 3 years off. Maybe we can talk about that next time.........if you'd like. Or if you just can't wait that long, come down and see us at the Higley and Brown location. Just ask for Chris. We'll talk. Use the Four Square app on your smart phone to check in while at Matta's @ Higley and Brown and receive a free soft drink with a purchase of anything on the menu. (Not valid at the Riverview location)

The Dennis Sirrine Train Garden... A MUST See for The Christmas Season!

Dennis Sirrine's Spectacular Garden Railroad!

Dennis Sirrine, owner of the popular Rancho de Tia Rosa restaurant in Mesa, shares his train hobby with the public.

Open House Tours:

Where:  Dennis & Liz Sirrine's Home

                1929 North 24th Street, Mesa
                Between Gilbert Road and Lindsay Road
                Corner of McKellips and 24th Street

When:    December 11, 12, 18, and 19, 2010

Time:    5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Phone:  480 620-9459

Order Your Tamales for the Holidays

I've ordered mine! I love to have tamales in my freezer year-round, but even more so around the holidays. When I'm busy running errands, shopping, working, going to kids' concerts, OR just too tired to make dinner I pull some tamales out of the freezer and microwave OR steam them up for dinner. When it is a really busy evening e.g. kids' schedules conflicting, I like to steam them. Steaming the tamales keeps them hot and ready to eat any time throughout the evening.

A HUGE BONUS… All of my kids LOVE tamales!

Make sure you get your order in... call today!

Salsa Cabana (480) 854-8286
NE corner Brown/Greenfield

Red shredded beef tamales & green corn - $22 a dozen

My older kids and I love the red shredded beef tamales and my younger kids really like the green corn tamales - not so spicy.

Fundraiser to Save the Pioneer Park Train

A fundraiser will be held Saturday in Mesa’s Pioneer Park for the restoration and relocation of a 1912 steam locomotive. The decommissioned train was placed at the park’s playground in 1958, but has since been fenced off for safety concerns. The Save Our Train Committee is aiming to raise about $80,000 to move the train to a more visible location along Main Street and to restore it.


The fundraiser includes a classic car show, entertainment and food and access to the train. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the park, 526 E. Main St. More information is available at http://www.saveourtrain.com/.

I LOVED playing on that train when I was a kid!  Very fond memories!  Did you play on the train?  Do you want to save the train?

Freebies for Veterans!!!

Here are the top Veteran’s Day military freebies and discounts in honor of the November 11, 2010 holiday. Many, many free meals. Remember to bring proof of military status for the freebies!

Matta's @ Riverview for your FREE 2 item combo meal!

Applebee’s – Veterans and active duty eat free on Nov. 11, 2010. The freebie menu has seven options, including a burger, salad, chicken, sirloin, and shrimp. Dine in only. Beverages and tip not included. ID required.

Golden Corral – On Monday November 15, 2010 from 5-9 p.m. veterans, active duty, reserve, and national guard members can get a free dinner buffet. Last year they fed 335,000.

Hooters – Get a free meal from a special menu at participating restaurants when you purchase a beverage. Available for veterans and active military with ID. Dine in only. Cannot combine with other discounts. Up to an $8.50 value.

The Home Depot – Veterans get a 10% military discount year round. Show your military ID at checkout.

Krispy Kreme – Veterans get a donut of their choice for free at participating locations on Veteran’s Day.

Lowe’s – Just like rival Home Depot, Lowe’s offers a 10% military discount year round. Show your military ID at checkout.

Sam’s Club – Veternas can get a free cane from AMG Medical at participating Sam’s Clubs Nov. 10-12, 2010. They are giving out 36,000 canes total. Membership NOT required.

Sears – Veterans get an extra 10% off regular, sale, and clearance merchandise Nov. 11-12, 2010. The discount is also valid for policemen, teacher, hospital staff, and firefighters. Some exclusions.

Uno Chicago Grill—Get a free meal or pizza when you show up in uniform, have a picture of you in uniform, or have military ID. Nov. 11, 2010 only. No coupon needed.

PhoenixZoo Save $4 off reg admission for active military Veterans & everyone in party. See http://bit.ly/Vet2010 4 stipulations

FREE Taco Today at Salsa Cabana - Show your "I voted" sticker.

Salsa Cabana at NE Brown & Greenfield is giving away one FREE taco to anyone that has their "I voted" sticker.  Salsa Cabana's fish tacos were voted "Best in the East Valley" by Get Out Magazine!