Rail Life Pic Of The Week – Phoenix Transit Security is a post from: Rail Life

I shot this pic as I was driving down Central Avenue the other day. Wait, I wasn’t actually driving when I shot it, I was parked at a stop light.

METRO and the city of Phoenix seem to take their safety issues pretty seriously.

Hopefully, none of you ever “get” to ride in the back of this car… :)

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

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Rail Life Pic Of The Week – Big Pink Chair is a post from: Rail Life

This past week, METRO kicked off their METRO Max Rewards Program along the Central Mesa extension.

It was a very cool night of meeting business owners, talking to METRO employees, meeting Mesa council members Somers and Kavanaugh and hanging out with the lovely Ms. Kimber Lanning of Local First! Arizona.

While I didn’t take a lot of photos, I did shoot this pic of a BIG pink chair in downtown Mesa. I’ll talk more about the METRO max program soon but I wanted to share the chair as the “pic of the week.“

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

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A Green Lunch A Better Future is a post from: Rail Life

Going Green. You hear about it all the time. For many people, it’s a complete lifestyle shift and for others it’s just trying to save a couple of bucks here and there.

This week, the City of Tempe is hosting a Green Business Expo at the 6th Street Park just east of Mill Avenue and just south of City Hall. ( the upside down building )

More than 50 businesses will be on hand to share tips and tricks with you on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Jewelry + Clothes – Electric Cars – Solar Energy – Green Cleaning Products – Eco Beauty Products – Off the Grid Home Tips – Food – Music & Food – Home Improvement – Eco-Business Tips

• Find home and healthcare products and services you need every day in environmentally-friendly solutions

• Visit more than 50 green business and environmental group booths

• Check out ASU green research that is saving the planet one idea at a time

Heck, you can even bring your old tennis shoes and old household linens for recycling. 

What: Tempe Lunch Hour Green Expo

When: Wednesday, April 11th from 11am-1pm

Where: 6th Street Park ( just east of Mill Ave )

Did you read the part about food, music and fun? Yeah, me too.

Sustainability comes in many shapes and sizes. Maybe you are just getting interested or maybe you are a green monster. Either way, there will be things for you at the Green Expo. Come lean about energy saving tips, recycling tips, green cars, bicycling, education, gardening and so much more. Remember… It’s cool to be green.

Do you want more information or do you want to learn about some other green events coming up? Check out Tempe.gov for the scoop. I’ll see you there!

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Tempe Business Forum is a post from: Rail Life

Tempe Business Owners For Michael Monti

Please join us for the Tempe Business Forum featuring Tempe Mayoral Candidate Michael Monti and Tempe City Council Candidate Dick Forman as we discuss the future of Tempe from a business owner’s perspective.

In my opinion, these two are, by far, the most qualified candidates to lead Tempe into the future. But, I am not asking you to simply take my word for it, I am asking you to find out for yourself as to why these two men are the best fit for Tempe. Of course, I am not alone in endorsing Michael Monti and Dick Foreman. Endorsements have come from many residents, business leaders, current and past politicians, and they have the endorsement of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. 

Please join hosts and long time Tempe business owners Nick Bastian and Beth Roth as we bring Mr. Monti and Mr. Foreman to the Tempe Business Forum.

Potential topics of discussion will be: Economic development, improving our neighborhoods, transportation issues, the future of Tempe, and much more.

What: Tempe Business Forum

When: Tuesday, March 6th

What Time: 5 PM – 6:30 PM

Where: 1400 E. Southern Ave. Tempe AZ 85282

Who: Tempe residents and business owners

As a business man, Michael Monti has employed hundreds of people and has been a very active participant in the community. Michael is also the co-founder of Local First! Arizona and is the clear leader among this year’s mayoral candidates.

In the city council race, Dick Foreman’s credentials and experience are more than impressive. Another community leader and consensus builder, he will impress you with his extensive qualifications.

Dick has been a tireless advocate for Tempe schools, businesses and the taxpayer. – Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman

As Tempe residents and business owners, we know that being different is not enough. We need people who are willing to work hard to bring our community together and to continue moving forward as we face tough economic decisions. Tempe needs leadership, Tempe needs you to be part of the process.

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Rail Life Pic Of The Week – 2012 Centennial Light Rail Pass is a post from: Rail Life

Today, METRO began selling the 2012 Commemorative Centennial Transit Pass online, at retail centers, transit centers and at seven of the light rail stations. The seven participating stations include:

• Montebello/19th Ave.
• Central Ave/Camelback
• Central Station (both platforms)
• 44th St./Washington
• Veterans Way/College Ave.
• Price-101 Fwy/Apache Blvd.
• Sycamore/Main St.

The Arizona Centennial tickets are limited in supply and are being sold while supplies last.

Happy Birthday, Arizona!

I must admit, the passes look pretty nice. Heck, if they can print a commemorative emblem, I wonder how long until they regularly start selling advertising on the ticket$ to offset some costs…

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

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Honor Veterans – Plan Ahead is a post from: Rail Life

Veterans Day happens to fall on 11-11-11 this year. As we know, honoring people that have fought for our freedoms is way more important than some number on a calendar.

In Phoenix and in Tempe, tens of thousands will celebrate by watching or participating in the 2011 Veterans Day Parades.

Heading to each parade is a piece of cake if you choose to ride the light rail. The park and ride lots are free, just be sure to purchase a light rail pass. If you are new to riding the light rail, you may want to use this map of the system.

If attending the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, you simply exit at the Camelback light rail station and the action will be right there.

For the Tempe Veterans Day Parade, Mill Avenue will be your best bet.

If planning to ride the train to the festivities, be sure to plan ahead as METRO will be  running a Sunday schedule. ( 20 minutes between trains, NO late night hours ) We all know that transit ridership is at an all time high, especially at large events. Hopefully, there will be some extra capacity added before and after the parades.

“Friday, November 11, is Veterans Day and a transit holiday whereby light rail and bus will run on a Sunday schedule. This means trains will run every 20 minutes and there will not be late-night service.” METRO Light Rail

I haven’t seen any notices from METRO concerning additional service delays ( other than the 20 minute schedule ) on Veterans Day, but the parade routes in Phoenix and in Tempe both run through or next to the activities. Plan ahead.

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Rail Life Pic Of The Week – Name That Building is a post from: Rail Life

This building along the light rail line in Tempe has become a popular spot, and it’s location is pretty darn convenient for ASU students and for people wanting to live car-free. Prior to the opening of the light rail line in 2008, Equinox was to be prime housing near ASU. In fact, I took this pic in the Summer of 2008, several months before the trains began running along Apache. One year later, in August of 2009, residents began moving into this building that had already been re-named.

Do you know the current name of the building?

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

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Shift AZ Rail Ride Rounds 2 And 3 is a post from: Rail Life

Tonight is another chance to get a tour of part of our “city within cities” known as the light rail line by none other than local rockstar, Kimber Lanning.  Last weeks Shift AZ event in Tempe was a huge success with dozens of people participating in a fun filled evening of learning from some super-cool people. ( see some pics from our friend, Ellen )

Here’s the scoop from METRO on what is happening tonight and on the 20th: You should check it out!

The "Shift the Way You Shop" light rail vehicle has arrived and we want you to join us for a ride through Phoenix!  Local First Arizona is planning two tours of Phoenix in the coming week to celebrate the "Shift" car and to visit some great businesses along the METRO light rail line. All are welcome!

The first Phoenix "ride along" will occur Oct. 18, with Phoenix Councilmember and METRO Board Chairman Tom Simplot. Guests will tour the uber-hip condominiums of One Lexington to get a feel for what it’s like to live along the light rail corridor. Other stops include Hanny’s, Cartel Coffee and more. Interested riders should plan to meet at Central Avenue/Camelback station at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

The final Phoenix "ride along" will occur on Thursday, Oct. 20, with local business hero Craig DeMarco. Some of the businesses on DeMarco’s tour include the Crescent Ballroom, Civic Space Park,Cowtown Skateboards and more. Interested riders should plan to meet at the Phoenix Public Market at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Local First Arizona Founder Kimber Lanning will play the role of tour guide on both of these tours. Prizes will be given away to a few lucky riders who join us to explore Phoenix and celebrate local businesses! If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Helene@localfirstaz.com or simply show up!

The "Shift" car is the result of an amazing partnership between Local First Arizona and METRO light rail to help promote the Shift Arizona campaign. Along with the light rail vehicle wrap, our team has created a mobile website that riders can use to find locally-owned retail stores, restaurants and entertainment within 1/2 mile of each light rail stop!

Shana Ellis, Kimber Lanning and Michael Monti ShiftAZ in Tempe

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An Apology To Some Very Good Friends is a post from: Rail Life

You may have noticed that I like to use Flickr to post photos of my life, my community, and, of course, pics of things along the light rail line. I began using Flickr a few years ago, shortly after I had the original idea for a Rail Life web site. I find it to be a fun and effective way to share and store images and videos.

Back when my Rail Life web site was very young, I was working with a developer that was gracious enough to set up the Rail Life Flickr account using a yahoo account that we would both have access to. Unfortunately, I was later locked out of the account, and I learned a very important lesson in working with people that you can not trust.  Rather than make a big deal out of this “transition” publicly, I moved my photos to a new account and continued to do my thing…

I want to sincerely apologize to those of you who received an email saying you were “banned” from my original Phoenix Light Rail group. THANK YOU so much for sharing your photos with me. Hopefully, you noticed that I set up a “Phoenix Light Rail Pics” group in 2009 and I have been actively using it ever since. This was a good lesson learned for me, however it has been pretty humbling, as well.

I continue to do my “pic of the week”, and I would be very grateful to those of you who received this email out of the blue yesterday to make sure you have joined us so that we can continue sharing our experiences of life along the line. http://www.flickr.com/groups/phoenixlightrail/

Life is a journey, I’m so thankful for the friends I have, and I hope you know how much this web site means to me. My goal is to have fun, share experiences, and to continue to meet new friends along the way.

Thanks for being along for the ride… :)

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Utes or Devils – Seems Like An Easy Choice is a post from: Rail Life

The Sun Devils are heading to Utah for a big Pac-12 game this Saturday. Watch the Devils on FSAZ at 12:30.

So, these guys are proud to call themselves “Utes.” What the heck is a Ute, anyway. Oh, never mind, no one cares…

"After the first quarter ASU is going to tap out?” Seriously?