Insight Bowl and Tempe Block Party – Parking and Traffic Restrictions is a post from: Rail Life

Heading to the Insight Bowl or to the Tempe Block party? You know your best bet is to ride the light rail, right?

The City of Tempe has published their list of street closures for the Insight Bowl and Tempe Block Party festivities. Following is PART of the information from the city. Many other restrictions can/will be in place. They also have bus service changes and MUCH more information on their site. (no, I don’t have any other info and can’t make any changes)

STREET CLOSURES/RESTRICTIONS

• Westbound Rio Salado Parkway may be closed at McClintock Drive as needed to control traffic congestion.

For more information about the Insight Bowl or Block Party, visit www.insightbowl.com . For street restrictions and closures, visit www.tempe.gov/streetclosures. OR for more information about city services, call the City of Tempe Transit Department at (480) 350-2775.

If heading to the game or to the biggest party of the year, your best bet might be to use a Park and Ride lot and take light rail to the Mill Avenue station or to the Sun Devil Stadium station at Veterans Way and College Avenue.

If you are in to riding a bike, there is even a super cool place to keep it during the festivities… Check out what our friends at the Bicycle Cellar are doing… You can leave your bike with them until 2 am  Dec. 31 and offering special valet bike parking for $5 per bike. The fee includes access to secure, indoor bicycle parking, restrooms and a changing area to freshen up.   The Bicycle Cellar is located at the Tempe Transportation Center, Fifth Street and College Avenue in downtown Tempe.  We know a LOT of people are using bikes to get to light rail, this might make sense for a few of you.

Regular and discounted tickets still available.

Remember, if you are football fan from Minnesota or from Iowa, you won’t need to shovel any snow. Just go out, have some fun and rock the Rail Life!

Phoenix Suns Tweet Up – Round Two is a post from: Rail Life

The second annual Suns tweet up is almost here! If you remember last years Suns tweet up, you remember a rockin’ good time.

On Tuesday, December 15th, join a bunch of “tweeps” and the Phoenix Suns as they take on the San Antonio Spurs. Ticket prices are $32.00 for “upper-level” seats and “lower-level” tickets are available until November 28th at 10:00 p.m. for $64.00.

Tickets get you in to the game and get you:

• Early entry into the US Airways Center for a pregame gathering
• A cool Suns Tweet-Up t-shirt
• Grouped seating so you’ll be with your tweeps
• Plus an exclusive postgame event with a special guest appearance!

Buy your Suns tickets online using the password of “tweeps” as the discount code.

Remember, if you are heading to a Suns game, your light rail ticket is FREE! Just pick your favorite light rail park and ride lot and head to the game!

For any updates and current Suns information, follow them on Twitter.

ASU Homecoming, Railgating and SparkyCentral is a post from: Rail Life

Who’s ready for some RailGating action and a Homecoming showdown with the Cal Bears on Halloween?

Come hang out with Rail Life as we are joined by the cool AT&T SparkyCentral camera man before, during (if you don’t have tickets") and after the game. While there, you will have a chance to enter their “Grand Puba” contest to win a bunch of cool stuff. If you can’t make it or are not going to enter the contest, please make sure to VOTE FOR ME. <—yes, click that link and vote so that I win…

According to the AT&T Sparky Central site, these are some of the things up for grabs…

1. Free passes to home games.
2. Sideline seating.
3. FREE AT&T Sparky Central merchandise.
4. Exclusive V.I.P. Tailgating Railgating events.
5. More cool stuff that you can find on their site or ask em’ Saturday!

The Homecoming game against California has been picked up by ABC for a 12:30 PM kickoff. We will be there by 10:30am to hang out with friends before the game. (SparkyCentral will be there by 11:00am) The early afternoon kickoff time leaves plenty of time for RailGater’s to enjoy trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities that evening. Be there, be loud and in gold to carry on the home field advantage for the Devil’s.

ASU has a bunch of great stuff planned for Homecoming. Make sure you check it out and make sure you stop by and say “Hi!”

To come hang out with me and SparkyCentral, take the light rail to the station at 5th and College and head South on Forest to 6th street. At 6th street head west to where the street ends, we will be in the lot on the South side of the road at 101 E 6th Street. Here is a Google map for “RailGating” with us.

See you Saturday… Go Devil’s!

Light Rail brings RailGating to Tempe is a post from: Rail Life

ASU Football games are always a good time and tailgating is never a bad idea.

Now that we have light rail available to drop people off right in front of Sun Devil Stadium, many people are using it to get to the games and a new term has been introduced to light rail riding Sun Devils.

RailGating is here… Soon, it will be an art form. There is no right or wrong way to railgate, just have fun. There will be people that join existing tailgaters, people will use one of the FREE park and Ride lots and then stop at restaurants and bars near Sun Devil Stadium, downtown Phoenix students can take light rail to the game and meet up with friends, etc.

I know a ton of cool people that have some great tailgating parties. While the “traditional” tailgate can’t be beat, if you have friends that are doing it up right, it might be easier for you to take light rail to Sun Devil Stadium and join them!

In the future, I’ll try get some of our friends that own restaurants and bars along the light rail line to offer special discounts to our readers so stay tuned!

Make sure you follow RailLife on Twitter and watch the “hashtags” of #RailLife and #RailGating for fun things to do.

People are encouraged to share their experiences with us in the “official Flickr RailGating group” by taking photos of your Sun Devil pride.

** Update: Check out these two cool RailGating articles form the ASU State Press and from AT&T Sparky Central! **

View RailGating Map in a larger map
]]> http://raillife.com/blog/2009/10/03/railgating/feed/ 10 http://raillife.com/blog/2009/09/29/metro-rail-ride-event/ http://raillife.com/blog/2009/09/29/metro-rail-ride-event/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:51:27 +0000 Rail Life http://raillife.com/?p=1498 Metro Rail Ride Event Launches Tomorrow is a post from: Rail Life

Free light rail ride to US Airways Center is a post from: Rail Life

Transit-venue partnership builds light rail into downtown events:

PHOENIX — METRO light rail, US Airways Center and the Phoenix Suns have developed a unique partnership to build transit into downtown Phoenix events.  The “Rail Ride Event” program allows consumers who purchase a ticket to an event at US Airways Center to ride METRO light rail at no additional cost on the day of the event.

Under this one-year pilot program, METRO will recognize US Airways Center event tickets as valid light rail fare starting four hours before the event through the end of the transit day. The program begins October 1, 2009 and runs through September 30, 2010.  It is expected to generate up to $340,000 in revenue for METRO.

USAirwaysCenter hosts nearly 200 events each year, including the Phoenix Suns and Mercury basketball games, concerts and family shows.  All ticketed US Airways Center events are included in the Rail Ride Event program.
“This program will encourage use of the METRO system as a great way to get to and from events at US Airways Center,” said METRO Board Chairman and city of Phoenix Vice Mayor Tom Simplot.   “The new riders will soon discover how convenient, efficient and safe the system is.”

“Suns fans who used light rail to travel to games last year told us that being able to avoid traffic and parking issues, as well as the ease and convenience of the trip, resulted in an experience that enhanced their enjoyment of attending a game,” said Phoenix Suns President and CEO Rick Welts.  “We appreciate the willingness and creativity the leadership at METRO light rail demonstrated in developing this program for all US Airways Center events.”

METRO CEO Rick Simonetta called it a “perfect fit.”

“Special event and recreation-oriented trips are already a significant portion of our ridership, nearly 40 percent,” said Simonetta.  “Teaming up with the Suns and a great venue like US Airways Center just takes it to the next level.”

About METRO:

METRO is a non-profit, public corporation responsible for the operation of the 20-mile light rail system in metro Phoenix, and for design, construction and future operation of 37 miles of possible extensions.  Since opening in December 2008, METRO has posted ridership figures 30 percent above projections. www.metrolightrail.org

About US Airways Center:

US AirwaysCenter is owned by the city of Phoenix and managed by a subsidiary of Suns Legacy Partners, owners of the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA).  The 19,000-seat, award-winning venue hosts nearly 200 events a year including concerts, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice shows, other family shows, sporting events, and conventions.   More than two million guests attend events at the Center annually. www.usairwayscenter.com

Phoenix Suns Gorilla helps unveil the Rail Ride logo

“Gorilla” photo courtesy of and used with permission from Metro Light Rail

METRO “Get on Board with Baxter” news conference is a post from: Rail Life

METRO “Get on Board with Baxter” news conference – tomorrow at 7 a.m.

METRO light rail and special events are a natural pairing.  Arizona Diamondbacks home games are perfect opportunities to park free and ride light rail.

METRO, city of Phoenix and the Arizona Diamondbacks will get to show D-backs fans how easy and affordable it is to use light rail by “getting on board with Baxter” tomorrow morning.

Morning commuters will have a chance to win D-backs tickets for that evening’s game.  Afternoon game-goers will enjoy free D-backs merchandise.

When

Friday, September 18, 2009 at 7 a.m.

Where

19th Avenue/Montebello METRO park-and-ride plaza

The plaza is located on the southeast corner of 19th Ave. and Montebello; Montebello is just south of Bethany Home Rd.

Who

Phoenix Vice Mayor and METRO Board Chairman Tom Simplot

METRO CEO Rick Simonetta

Arizona Diamondbacks Vice President of Communications Shaun Rachau

And, of course, Arizona Diamondbacks’ mascot Baxter the Bobcat

More

Parking available in the Montebello park-and-ride.  Light rail also provides convenient access.

No Excuses – Flurry of Light Rail Activities is a post from: Rail Life

Without a doubt, people are riding the light rail after a Summer slow down. Yes, it’s still hot but, as we know, the recreational riders are rockin’ the Rail Life like crazy. If you are “bored” and looking for stuff to do, I’ll try to help with a few ideas:

Thursday, you should join me in checking out the “new” Market On Mill in Tempe. This weekly event is held on the plaza in front of the MADCAP Theater from 5-9PM and is being billed as a “carbon neutral” market. There will be local artisans, foodies, musicians, etc. I really believe this is going to grow into a great weekly event. Check it out! Conveniently, there is also a “tweetup” at BrandX tshirts that night to check out. For these, exit light rail at 3rd / Mill and walk South.

Friday, enjoy a ton of good stuff. Always check Phoenix Friday Night for cool stuff to do)

1) The inaugural Arizona Fall Frenzy comes to Tempe Beach Park running Sept 18th – 20th. Check out a wide variety of musical acts, water slides, arts and crafts booths, a gaming center, food vendors, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and much more. Take the 3rd / Mill light rail stop and head North.

2) Don’t miss “Night Rail” with the AZ Diamondbacks. This is going to be a LOT of fun. Come hang out in the super swanky Diamond Club at Chase Field for just $20.00 per ticket. This is a GREAT excuse to ride the light rail to a game and watch from an area where all of the “cool kids” will be hanging out. To purchase tickets for the game, just visit www.dbacks.com/groups and use the sign-in ID of rail and the  password – life. You will get the discounted price of $20.00.

3) Parking Day: PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, global event that promotes the importance of green and urban public spaces. The Park(ing) Day PHX spaces will be located adjacent to ASU Downtown, on 1st St. between Polk St. and Fillmore St. between 7 and 9 a.m. Easy access via light rail. Contact our friend, Yuri Artibise for more info.

4) NU ( Native + You) at the Heard Museum: Come hear local Latin/Jazz/Rock band Fatigo play at 7 p.m. in the main gallery at the Heard Museum. The museum is open with free admission from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Additional info

5)Rocky Horror Picture Show returns to Mill Avenue. WHEN: Friday, September 18th, 2009, seating at: 7:30pm (REPO!) and 10:30pm (ROCKY) WHERE: Madcap Theatres (formerly Centerpoint), 730 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85281 (Just north of University road) COST: $9/per show.

Saturday: more fun stuff!

1) Downtown Phoenix Public Market: The market is located at 721 North Central Avenue  which is 2 blocks south of the Central /Roosevelt light rail station. ( Actually, it is located between the Roosevelt / Central Ave and the Van Buren / Central Ave light rail stations.) I love this market… Check it out! Also, check out what they are adding in the future.

2) Another Diamondbacks game. This one has a Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers Concert afterwards. Kinda hard to say no to that. Well, it is hard to say no if your not going the night before or going to the Sun Devil’s game. Choices, choices!

3) ASU Football Game! Yep, the Sun Devils are home to face Louisiana-Monroe. The light rail just about drops you off at the front gate. ( Veterans Way and College station) Watch for some cool “railgating” events with Rail Life during upcoming games! This week, I think I’ll be hanging’ with the cool guys at BlueMedia.  (they wrapped the light rail cars for the Suns!)

These are just a few of the things that come to mind. I’ll be filling you in on some more super-cool events along the line soon. See ya around!

Another Busy Week – Light Rail Style is a post from: Rail Life

Looks like there are a ton of cool things to do along the line over the next few weeks. I’m sure that trend will continue, but I thought I’d mention a few fun things coming up in Tempe for this week.  Next week, I’ll fill you in on some of the cool stuff happening in Phoenix.

1. This Thursday, you can check out the new Market on Mill.  From an email I got today, I read: “The Market is a joint venture with the Downtown Tempe Community (DTC) and the Phoenix Permaculture Guild and will take place every Thursday from 5 – 9pm on the plaza in front of the MADCAP Theaters.

Unlike a traditional farmer’s market, the Market on Mill will be very community-focused (local growers, artisans, crafters, restaurants, bands) and also be the first carbon neutral, "green" community market in Arizona!  The Market opens with a soft launch this Thursday, September 3rd and will have its official Grand Opening on Thursday, October 15.”

I am looking forward to checking out the market, especially when the weather finally breaks. Take light rail to the 3rd/Mill station and walk south to the market.

2. EVFN at Studios 5C:  Once again, our friends at Lunchbox Collective are hosting East Valley Friday Nights. From them, I got this info:

This quarter’s featured artist is Logan Bellew, his show is titled Clean #2. The location is Studios 5C Gallery at 502 S. College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281 (the reception and gallery are on the third floor).  Studios 5C is located just south of the light rail station at 5th and College ( Sun Devil Stadium station). Lunchbox Collective will be providing beer & wine along with hors d’oeuvres. ( seriously! )

Date & Time: Friday September 4th 6-8 PM

3. ASU Football at Sun Devil Stadium: Saturday night, we get to watch some ASU Football.  In fact, this is the first season where light rail will drop people off right in front of the stadium. Talk about convenience. Take advantage of one of the free park and ride lots and head to the game! Go Devils!!

Enjoy the Diamondbacks – Night Rail style! is a post from: Rail Life

You asked for it, you got it!  Come join us for a fun Friday night at Chase field! RailLife.com is teaming up with a bunch of friends in the "Night Rail" spirit for a great time at Chase field on Friday, September 18th. Enjoy seats in the Diamond Level at our discounted rate of just $20.00 to watch the Dbacks vs the Rockies at 6:40 pm. All season long, Diamondback fans have embraced light rail, and light rail riders have enjoyed the convenience of taking light rail to the games. It’s the perfect venue for all of us to get together and have some fun. Here’s the scoop…

Game: D-backs vs Rockies, Friday September 18^th @ 6:40pm

Simple process to purchase tickets:

1. Click on the following link: www.dbacks.com/groups

2. Log in with the following information:

sign-in ID – rail 

password – life

Special discount ticket option includes:

$20 (reg. $30) in the Miller Lite Diamond Club

The Miller Lite Diamond Club is an upscale club located in right field on the main concourse level at Chase Field. It  is a PERFECT place for a bunch of people to hang out. No assigned seats, special lounge seating throughout the entire location, full service bar (cash bar), pool tables, and HD TV’s make for a great night where will have some of the best seats in the house. Plenty of standing / mingling is possible in the Diamond Club with it’s cool lounge style seating.

RailLife is glad to be working with some fun groups to make the night a great time for all. We’ll be joined by many of the ultra-cool Friday Night crews as well as friends from AZ Hardball, The Social Latte, CenPho.tv, The Downtown Phoenix Journal and others. I’m sure people will have plenty of ideas about other fun things to do after the game, should anyone be so inclined! :-)

Remember: To purchase tickets for the game, just visit www.dbacks.com/groups and use the sign-in ID of rail and the  password – life. You will get the discounted price of $20.00.