Drayage Brokersin Mesa, AZ

As the mercury rises in May, Mesa residents are reminded to adjust their watering habits to keep their gardens thriving without wasting precious H2O. The season's spike in temperature - back into the low- to mid-90s - coupled with low humidity and windy days, quickly saps moisture from both soil and flora. The city's official bulletin advises folks to give their plants a good drink of water, especially during a breezy day, while cautioning against using sprinklers during gusty periods to avoid unnecessary water loss.

According to guidance aiming to prevent residents from over or under-watering, grass varieties like Bermuda should be watered once every four to five days, while overseeded cool season grass needs hydration once every three days. The city also offers a vital incentive program, providing up to $1,100 for homeowners ready to swap grass for desert landscapes, which is part of their initiative to conserve water in the face of rising temperatures and prolonged drought conditions.

In what could be seen as a green revolution for commercial enterprises, Mesa announced an incentive of up to $70,000 to aid businesses in replacing their grass with xeriscapes, thanks to a recent grant. In a list that reads like the roster of a horticultural heavyweight match, the city detailed watering schedules for trees, shrubs, cacti, and even the blooming Foothills Palo Verdes. For the uninitiated, landscaping tips from the likes of AZ Plant Lady—aka Noelle Johnson—are featured in a series of informative videos on efficient water usage available on the city's website.

A mid-May announcement highlights the importance of proper watering techniques and commends the beneficial shade provided by trees. Every desert dweller has experienced how much cooler it feels on a hot day when standing in the shade of a tree rather than in the full sun, the city's blog states, promoting the 'Trees Are Cool' initiative. Furthermore, residents are encouraged to conduct a simple sprinkler test to ensure they are not drowning their lawns in their effort to keep them green.

The city doesn't stop at lawncare; the practical advice extends to pool maintenance as well, urging pool owners to check for leaks and offering pointers on keeping water where it belongs. Residents inclined to jump into the pool during the scorching heat can find these tips along with other water conservation strategies on Mesa's website. These tips and guidelines aim to slash landscape water usage by 30 to 50 percent, making it clear that, even in dry land, responsible stewardship of water can flourish.

Phoenix/ Community & Society

Many homeowners may be unaware that the gas lines they rely on for cooking and heating are actually their responsibility once they cross a certain threshold. As detailed by the City of Mesa, the municipality only maintains the gas piping up until the meter, which typically sits just outside a residence or business establishment. From that meter onwards, all the gas pipelines that snake their way to appliances both inside and outside are under the property owner's jurisdiction. This setup means that the onus falls on the homeowner to ensure these lines are in safe working order.

Considering the potential hazards, it's critical that these pipelines are regularly inspected for leaks, corrosion, and the insidious creep of rust, which can undermine the integrity of the gas supply and pose serious risks. The municipal guidance suggests, much like with other home systems, that vigilance and proactive maintenance are key. Despite the pipes being buried out of sight, they should never be out of mind—especially since, as discovered through an announcement on the City of Mesa's website, many homeowners are often not cognizant of these underground responsibilities.

Any hint of an unsafe condition with the gas piping should prompt homeowners to enlist the help of a licensed professional. Beyond mere suggestions, this is about safety, as even a small oversight could lead to significant dangers. The Mesa advisory is emphatic about this reality: "If you suspect an unsafe condition and need repairs," they state, homeowners should not hesitate to get expert assistance.

And it’s not only about passive checks; Mesa officials stress that any excavation, no matter how small, should be preceded by a call to Arizona 811. This simple act can prevent accidental damage to subterranean utilities, which not only protects the individual doing the digging but also safeguards the community's infrastructure. After calling Arizona 811, the safe practice is to proceed with caution, ensuring the use of hand tools when navigating the vicinity of buried piping—advice that aims to protect more than just the gas lines themselves. Learn more about these necessary precautions on Mesa's official website.

Maricopa County Department of Public Health is beefing up its heat relief campaign for the coming summer months, pushing to prevent the rise of heat-related casualties that have hit record numbers in recent years.

With a cash infusion from the American Rescue Plan, initiated by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, vital cooling centers across the region will see expanded hours, including weekends, to offer a reprieve from the sweltering Arizona heat, according to the Maricopa County announcement. “The number one thing we learned from our cooling center assessment in 2023 is that people need cooling centers to be open longer and on weekends. The other important piece we learned is that people need help finding cooling centers and other heat relief resources,” Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, the medical director for MCDPH stated, acknowledging the gaps in the existing heat relief efforts.

Building on these insights, MCDPH has put together a detailed plan to extend support for the community. This includes forging Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with cities like Phoenix and Mesa, ensuring at least one facility in each will stay open until 7 p.m. on weekdays and be available at least one weekend day. These centers give citizens a chance to cool down, and some also offer respite services where individuals can rest undisturbed.

Moreover, MCDPH has partnered with the AZ 2-1-1 call center, where community health workers, known as promotoras, are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily to guide residents in both English and Spanish to nearby facilities, water distribution, and aid like utility assistance or A/C repair services. This initiative aims to streamline access to support for those beaten down by the heat, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, people with medical conditions the homeless, and drug users, who stand at a higher risk.

Since 2016, records show each year has seen a grim new milestone in heat-related deaths in Maricopa County. Breaking this streak is a community-wide initiative, as Dr. Sunenshine puts it. “Preventing heat deaths comes down to three things: know your risk, protect yourself, and protect others.” Information on the risks, how to stay safe, and how to help others are widely promoted, including urging locals to check on neighbors, stay indoors at peak hours, and donate to the Heat Relief Network.

More details on the symptoms of heat illnesses, protective measures, and available services can be found on Maricopa County's official website, where residents and visitors are also directed to a map of heat relief centers and information on how to contribute supplies to those in need.

The summer of 2023 was the deadliest in Maricopa County since tracking fatalities began, and public health officials are expanding the region's heat response effort beginning May 1.

The Maricopa Association of Governments launched the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network in 2005 bringing together public, private and nonprofit volunteer organizations with the goal of limiting the number of heat-related deaths.

This year, in part due to an investment of American Rescue Plan funds by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health is coordinating cooling and respite centers throughout the county along with ensuring that residents know how to access these centers, according to a release.

“The number one thing we learned from our cooling center assessment in 2023 is that people need cooling centers to be open longer and on weekends. The other important piece we learned is that people need help finding cooling centers and other heat-relief resources,” Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for MCDPH, said.

“With this in mind, our team has been working tirelessly all winter with our heat relief partners to refine our current heat relief system’s hours of operation and ensure that we have a system in place for people to find these resources.”

In response to the assessment, MCDPH has developed a plan that includes:

Every year since 2016, Maricopa County has set a record in the number of heat-related deaths confirmed.

“The bottom line is that we know all of these deaths can be prevented, and it is going to take every one of us in Maricopa County to do our part,” Sunenshine said. “Preventing heat deaths comes down to three things: know your risk, protect yourself and protect others.”

For more on heat illnesses, prevention tips and data: Maricopa.gov/heat.

For the map of heat relief centers and to find out where to donate supplies: https://azmag.gov/heatrelief.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.

Las Sendas Elementary School in Mesa prides itself on introducing students to string instruments early on to provide them with life skills.

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MESA, Ariz. — Music and maturity tend to go hand in hand. Multiple reports show the positive impact music can have on child development and you don’t have to look far when it comes to a special program here in the Valley that’s devoted specifically to its students.

Las Sendas Elementary School in Mesa prides itself on introducing students to string instruments early on to provide them with life skills to carry well beyond the classroom.

Director of Orchestra Julie Willis is a longtime music teacher at the campus. She was emotional when talking to 12News about the impact of the PTO-funded program.

"These young students learn so many skills like discipline, fine motor skills, teamwork, they pay attention to small details and learn overall good work ethic," she explained.

Willis also said seeing her students find success makes everything worth it.

"The whole reason I became a teacher was to help students succeed with music and become great human beings and seeing them continue on is so rewarding and makes me happy," she said.

The program has been offered for the past 20 years and has introduced kids as young as 7 years old to instruments like the violin.

"It’s fun and the teachers help you learn how to be creative, and it is really fun," a few students shared.

Some sixth graders now mentor the younger classes, encouraging them to stay persistent. Willis added that thanks to the ongoing support of staff and parents, the students will continue to get first-hand experience with music, making their own decision to continue to the next level with it.

The rehearsal went well, and the students were excited to get the performances underway.

More details: https://lassendas.mpsaz.org/

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