We've got quite a few world-class things in Mesa. A world-class Arts Center, Asian District, and sunsets, to name just a few. Add this to the bunch: The Hawes Trail System. A network of desert trails attracting mountain bikers from across the country. Hikers and horseback riders enjoy it, too. The story of how Hawes Trail came to be (and almost didn't come to be) is one for the ages.

When Mesa resident Fred Engstrom was eighteen he enlisted in the Army Air Force and learned how to fly. Two years later he flew twenty-five missions over Germany in the plane that some people say won the war - a B-17 bomber. Today you can take a ride in a B-17 (and other vintage warbirds) at Falcon Field operated by the Arizona Commemorative Air Force. That’s where I met Fred. It was an honor to ride along with him on his 26th mission.

This year, legendary guitar-rocker Alice Cooper, who Rolling Stone called, "the world's most beloved heavy metal entertainer" opened his second Solid Rock Teen Center right here in Mesa. The goal is to help young people find purpose in creativity. Turns out "No More Mister Nice Guy" is a really nice guy.

The city of Mesa may have started a new holiday tradition. The day after Thanksgiving, we lit the city Christmas tree as usual, but then afterwards we went into the Mesa Arts Center to enjoy some holiday entertainment - including the retelling of a true Mesa story - The Man Who Killed Santa Claus.

Every American city has an iconic piece of architecture. Seattle's skyline would be incomplete without its space needle. St. Louis has its Gateway Arch. And one of the most iconic buildings in Mesa is its Latter-Day Saints Temple. It was built almost a century ago and just recently underwent a major restoration.

Before Ronald Reagan told his team to "win one for the Gipper", and long before Winston Churchill told England to "be calm and carry on", Mesa’s very own Zedo Ishikawa inspired generations with his final words. What Mesa High has done with those words, in the near-century that's followed, is just one more thing that makes Mesa, very, very cool.

Who'da thunk it? Downtown Mesa has the finest Pub Crawl in Arizona! The story of how the craft beverage scene helped a historically dry town roar back to life is filled with long odds, a lot of hard work, and a collection of the finest people you'll ever meet.

If you’ve been to downtown Mesa lately, you realize big things are happening. But you might not realize this: Part of the reason lies three miles to the east. The Diving Lady sign. What’s she got to do with Mesa’s downtown renaissance? You’ve have to listen to find out. Here’s a link for Mayor Giles 2016 campaign video on the same topic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7eJi32KznA

If you drive down Dobson Road in Mesa, Arizona you'll quickly see that we have the most vibrant center for Asian culture in the entire Southwest. It's called the Asian District, and it all started in 2008 with MeKong Plaza. The story of the man behind MeKong Plaza, Peter Quach, is one for the ages - from his escape from communism to his battle against all odds to live the American dream.

Sarah Williams gets a lot done. A lot. If she gets a good idea, even if it’s a little crazy like paddle boarding in the desert, or a lot crazy like goat yoga, she goes for it. Her two winning attitudes are, she doesn’t overthink things and she’s not afraid of failure. Did we mention her Guiness world record? Be brave, people.