Maybe this month is more of a crawl into fall than a slip. It’s been a year, hasn’t it? The elevated temperatures won’t give us a break, and the pandemic has kept us at home and unsocial for far too long.
The following is a list of unique local businesses that provide some refreshing ideas to help you move cautiously forward into activities we all once considered normal. These businesses are striving for safe, socially distanced amenities.
It’s time to turn over the leaf of a new season. Here’s what’s happening locally. Keep striving to find ways to create joy and keep living safely!
Fat Cats, 5846 E. Longbow Parkway — (480) 498-3323
Family Bowling Special — all day, every Monday for $45:
- 1.5 hours of bowling, shoes included
- Up to six people
- 1 large (one topping) pizza
- Unlimited soft drinks
Also, every Wednesday is half-price arcade day, all day.
Saguaro Lake Paddle Boarding
Get outdoors, despite the temperature, while cooling off in the water and improving your overall health. Paddle boarding provides a low-intensity total body workout and improves balance. Burn calories, get in touch with nature and reduce stress by paddling around on our local beautiful lake.
Paddle boarding launch points include Saguaro Marina and Butcher Jones Beach. Saguaro Lake does not offer paddleboard rentals onsite but, during the summer months, Riverbound Sport Paddle Company offers lakeside rentals at Butcher Jones Beach. Non-motorized watercraft rentals, such as paddleboards and kayaks, are available to rent in Mesa at:
- No Snow Stand Up Paddle Board Shop
- Redline Rentals and Sales
- Riverbound Sport Paddle Company
Don’t forget, an $8 Tonto Daily Pass is required. Day passes are available online and locally. For an online pass, visit USDA Forest Service — Tonto National Forest: fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/passes-permits.
Passes are also available at Circle K, located at the corner of Power and McDowell roads and at the Mesa Ranger District office, located at 140 E. Ingram St.
What’s Crackin Cafe, 6663 E. McDowell Road — (480) 264-6832
What’s Crackin Cafe hosts Trivia Night every other Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. This month’s themes are:
- Sept. 5 — Quentin Tarantino movies trivia
- Sept. 19 — 80s music trivia
What’s Crackin Cafe also participates in national days that pertain to food and drinks. This month they will be featuring:
- Sept. 16 — National guacamole day
- Sept. 17 — National Monte Cristo day
- Sept. 26 — National pancake day
Every weekend they also have a different food special that is posted on Instagram and Facebook. Follow
@whatscrackincafe so you have up-to-date information about future events.
Hava Java Las Sendas, Craft Beer & Wine and Gourmet Coffee House, 2849 N. Power Road, Suite 103 — (480) 912-5282
This neighborhood chill spot is a great place to grab one of your favorite gourmet coffees or meet with friends for craft beer and wine for Happy Hour. Each week there’s something to love at Hava Java.
- Wednesdays — Kick the Keg Beer Special from 3 to 9 p.m. $3.50 gets you a pint of the bartender’s choice.
- Thursdays— Thirsty Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m., and it’s Ladies Night with half-price glasses of wine.
- Fridays — Happy Hour 3 to 7 p.m. Grab an Affogato dessert — this Italian goodness consists of vanilla ice cream with espresso pour over, then drizzled in chocolate — for just $3.50. Pair all this goodness with a snack from their upgraded small bites menu, which consists of tortilla chips and spicy homemade salsa, green chile quesadillas, hummus with pita and mixed olives, or spiced popcorn. All snacks are specially priced during Happy Hour.
Pacino’s Restaurant, 2831 N. Power Road, Suite 104 — (480) 985-0114
Stop by on Saturday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. to hear the vocal talents of ten contestants auditioning for Pacino Idol. This vocal talent competition continues through Sept. 26 and your vote could help choose the winner who will take home the $2,000 grand prize.