Big Band Hangar Dance and WWII Musical Show, March 17th

The Commemorative Air Force Aircraft Museum (CAF) and presenting sponsor Hensley and Company invite you to take a Sentimental Journey back to 1943 with “A Night in the 40s” Big Band Dance. This glamorous event features a WW II 1940′s musical show followed by a big band orchestra playing sounds of the era to dancing men and women dressed in period styles – all in the shadow of the vintage B-17 WW II Flying Fortress bomber “Sentimental Journey”!

“A Night in the 40′s” benefits a worthwhile cause – a fund raiser for the non-profit volunteer CAF Aircraft Museum, 2017 N. Greenfield Rd at Mesa’s Falcon Field, a organization dedicated to keeping aviation history alive for current and future generations.

“A Night in the 40′s” will be held Saturday, March 17. Entertainment begins at 5:30 pm with The Kathy Donald Jazz Ensemble. At 7:30 pm, the Sonoran Swing Big Band Orchestra plays favorite music from the war years. There will be a costume contest for the best-dressed 1940′s costume and a swing dance contest.

Tickets for “A Night in the 40′s” are $35 per person purchased in advance and $40 the day of. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or online at www.bigbanddance.com. All admission fees and donations are fully tax deductible.

480-924-1940, www.bigbanddance.com, www.azcaf.org

Spring Training Packages and More

Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau is your one-stop travel resource when planning your getaway to the Southwest. Exclusive vacation packages and deals are offered from several hotels and resorts for Chicago Cubs Spring Training. In addition, Mesa CVB has gathered deals from across the city and posted them online. Guests can click on a variety of e-coupons for discounts and specials in Dining & Nightlife, Accommodations, Shopping, Golf and more.

Catch spring fever as the Chicago Cubs settle in at Hohokam Stadium and make Mesa their spring training location. This season, the Cub’ 35-game schedule begins March 4, 2012. Each year, the Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau offers exclusive Chicago Cubs Spring Training Hotel Packages available in two price zones, Premium and Value; they include upgraded seating for Cubs’ home games held at HoHoKam Stadium. Participating hotels include Arizona Golf Resort, Best Western Mezona Inn, Country Inn & Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Dobson Ranch Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hyatt Place Phoenix-Mesa, Phoenix Marriott Mesa, Marriott Residence Inn and Quality Inn & Suites.

View a complete list of Spring Training rates and offers at this link: http://www.visitmesa.com/baseball/

Learn more about deals at www.visitmesa.com/deals/

Free, Fun-filled Event for Canadian Snowbirds, Feb. 14-15

Medipac Travel Insurance is proud to present the Canadian Snowbird Celebration in Mesa on February 14th and 15th, 2012. Come out and join the fun as we help the Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) fulfill its mission to inform, educate and entertain!

Taking place at the Mesa Convention Center, this two-day celebration showcases the products and services that are designed to suit the unique snowbird lifestyle. This is an invaluable opportunity for you to get informed about a variety of interests, such as travel, health care and recreational activities. Our sponsors and exhibitors are excited to speak with you and to help fill your show bag with informative tidbits and goodies!

This year’s line-up of talented entertainment includes Canada’s Polka King Walter Ostanek, side-splitting comedy duo Bowser and Blue, the “funny guy who juggles stuff” Sean Emery, Canada’s “Ambassador of Good Cheer” Jimmy Flynn, and Celtic balladeer Tom Leadbeater. And be sure to catch the keynote speakers, Medipac’s Dr. Robert “Bob” Macmillan and CSA president Bob Slack, as they discuss recent health issues and CSA initiatives, respectively.

The Canadian Snowbird Celebration is a full-day event that begins at 10 am and ends at 4 pm, both days. Lunch is available for purchase in the courtyard at noon. Parking and admission are FREE.

Snowbirds are encouraged to bring their friends out to join the Canadian Snowbird Association and to take part in an enjoyable day.

CSA: 1-800-265-3200, www.snowbirdextravaganza.com