Mayor challenges kids to read 1,000 pages this summer

Mayor Daniel Alemán invites all Mesquite kids ages 5-12 to join the Mesquite Mayor 1,000-Page Reading Challenge this summer. The challenge, which coincides with the Mesquite Public Library System’s Summer Reading Club, will run from June 1 to July 31. Kids who read 1,000 pages or more will be invited to a pizza party on Aug. 5 with the Mayor to receive a certificate and prizes. Kids can read the pages independently or have the pages read to them. To be a part of the Mesquite Mayor 1,000-Page Reading Challenge, register for the Summer Reading Club in person at the Main Library, North Branch Library, or online at mesquitelibrary.readsquared.com. Visit www.cityofmesquite.com/library to learn more.

Spread the Love campaign launched

The City of Mesquite has launched its annual Spread the Love campaign to help feed children in need over the summer break. Residents are encouraged to donate jars of peanut butter and jelly during the collection campaign which runs through Labor Day, Sept. 4. This year, the City also is calling for donations of alternative butters that are safe for kids with nut allergies, such as sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter. Donations are being collected at four locations:

• George A. Venner, Sr. Municipal Center, 1515 N. Galloway Ave.
• Mesquite City Hall, 757 N. Galloway Ave.
• Main Library, 300 W. Grubb Drive
• North Branch Library, 2600 Oates Drive

The City partners with Sharing Life Community Outreach to distribute the food collected. Visit www.cityofmesquite.com/SpreadTheLove for more information.

Mesquite Community Band concert to be held on June 12

Mesquite Community Band will perform “Pop in the Park” at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 12, in front of the Mesquite Arts Center, located at 757 N. Galloway Ave. This performance is part of their annual summer concert series “Music in the Park.” Bring your own cooler and chairs and come out to enjoy the show. Find out more about this free concert at www.mesquiteartscenter.org.

Mesquite Juneteenth Festival and City closures

Mesquite’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Festival will be held on Sunday, June 18, from 2 to 6 p.m. The festival will be held at Paschall Park, 1005 New Market Road. National touring blues artist and Dallas local, Fat Daddy, will be the headliner at the event. The festival will also include vendors, food, entertainment, and a KidZone. Visit www.mesquitenaacp.org for more information or to register as a vendor.

Also, all City offices and facilities with exception of the Mesquite Metro Airport and Recreation Centers will be closed on June 19 in recognition of Juneteenth. No trash or recycling collected. Collection will resume on residents' next scheduled collection day. For more details on City services impacted during holidays, please visit www.cityofmesquite.com/Holidays.