As the Mesa MLK Celebration Committee prepares to unfold five wonderful events this weekend for the East Valley to reflect on the life, legacy and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our hearts are filled and plates aren't as full.

On Feb. 18, one of Forbes magazine’s most boring city in America was rocking and rolling as we were honored to have President Barack Obama in the house at Dobson High School to share with us and America his plans to address the growing number of home foreclosures that’s become an albatross for many.

As the Mesa Martin Luther King Jr. Committee prepares for the annual 2013 Celebration of Dr. King’s life, Legacy and dreams this weekend, my thoughts are not only on Dr. King but also on President Abraham Lincoln.

Last week I joined Arizona Democratic delegates and delegates from across America in Charlotte, N.C. at the DNC convention as we raised the roof off of the Time Warner Cable Arena with enthusiasm supporting President Barack Obama and officially nominating him as our candidate in November. What a 4-day ride filled with passion, excitement and energy! We’re anticipating and bracing for “The Thrill of Victory.”

Hear ye, hear ye, for whom this bell tolls, it’s time to rise like the spirit of the mighty Phoenix and answer this call to action. Dust off the boxing gloves, put on the war paint and let’s get ready to rumble. This call is to all Arizona mules and donkeys of the mighty Democratic Party. If you’re old enough to remember the 60’s song “Time” by the Chambers Brothers, well, “Time has come today.”

The heralded holiday movie season is marked by big-budget extravaganzas, Oscar hopefuls and family films suitable for post-Thanksgiving or early Christmas viewing and for filling that luxuriously open week (for some lucky workers and students) before New Year’s Day.

Sadly we’ve lost a wonderful, magnificent human being. A great husband and father to some. A leader in the community and business world and a dear friend to so many, including myself.

We’re hastily approaching the countdown to both political parties’ National Conventions. The Republicans will meet in Tampa, Fla. on Aug. 27-30 and the Democrats gather on Sept. 3-6 in Charlotte, N.C. I’m thrilled, excited and honored to be attending the DNC in Charlotte as one of Arizona’s 76 Democratic Delegates as we join with delegates from across America to nominate current sitting President Barack Obama.

I’ve heard quite a bit lately about how “our grandpa and grandma’s guns don’t cut it anymore.”

Mesa’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade has managed to survive for a decade despite many hurdles. But now the man behind the parade is calling it quits.

Fired up about what, really?