Broken Hearts at Downtown Phoenix Market is a post from: Rail Life

The news hit me hard… I was reading through my Google+ page late Friday night and saw a link posted by my friend Edward Jensen that said, “The Downtown Phoenix Public Market is closing.” My first thought was that this was a mistake, maybe a bad joke. Was it April Fools Day? I clicked the link and read the article in disbelief. From there, I went to Facebook and found more information and more confirmation that the Market is indeed closing its doors May 12th.

Within hours of the news, there has been an outpouring of love for this downtown gem. The new “Save Downtown Phoenix Public Market” Facebook page already has people looking for answers and looking for ways to save the market. Natalie Morris from the Market left the following comment:

“Hi guys- its Natalie Morris from the market. Everything is true- the Urban Grocery is indeed closing its doors on Saturday May 12th at 5pm. The outdoor market on Saturday mornings and Wednesday nights is still going strong and will remain open ALONG WITH ROYAL AT THE MARKET inside. Community Food Connections, the non-profit we operate under, will also continue to remain strong and aid in our community.

I would like to say to the community that the grocery has been a wonderful place to work. I have met so many people, created so many new relationships and established so many, many friendships.

Thank you again…”

A couple of years ago, Verde closed its doors after a short time in business, many remember that well. It sucked, it hurt and it brought about many questions about the entire area. As bad as losing a few downtown places has been, there have been some great spots open up and many are doing fine. The loss of the market seems to be different than a restaurant or place of business. While the Market IS a restaurant and a business, the Market really does mean a lot to loyal followers and to fans of the entire downtown Phoenix area.

More Than Food – A Symbol:

Doors to the Market are scheduled to close on May 12th at 6PM. People are wondering what went wrong, what they can do, how they can help, how they can Save The Market.

The chicken and the egg discussions continue. Everyone I’ve ever talked to about the Market loves it. They love the idea, they love the “local” flavor and many people know that Cindy Jensen and Natalie Morris have put countless hours along with their blood, sweat and tears into the Downtown Phoenix Public Market. Unfortunately, there may not be enough people in the area to support the cost of operating the Market. 

Please note! The Wednesday and Saturday outdoor markets will continue and the super-awesome Royal at the Market coffee bar will still be open!

It is Saturday and I hope to see a BUNCH of people at the Market this morning. Please join me and a bunch of cool people to celebrate this community treasure.

We don’t yet know what is next, but it is time to pay attention.

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Learn More about METRO West Valley Extension is a post from: Rail Life

Public meeting to review recommendations for West Valley light rail connection

In particular, feedback needed on downtown route to meet I-10 freeway

PHOENIX, AZ — After several years of study and community feedback, METRO has reached recommendations for the route and transit mode for the Phoenix West high-capacity transit extension.  METRO welcomes the community to review study recommendations and provide, in particular, feedback on the route that could take light rail from downtown Phoenix, through the State Capitol area to eventually connect with the I-10 West freeway.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

6 – 8 p.m. (presentation at 6:30 p.m.)

St. Matthew Catholic Church and School

320 N. 20th Dr., Phoenix

The Phoenix West study was initiated in 2007 and has evaluated a range of alternatives to provide enhanced transit service to the West Valley.  In 2008, light rail was approved in the I-10 West freeway corridor.  Further evaluation was conducted to determine where in the freeway corridor and how does the service then connect to the existing light rail line.  The recommendations being presented perform the highest in such categories as improving regional mobility, supporting local neighborhoods and stimulating economic development.

For additional information or to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities at this meeting, please contact Alex Albert at (602) 980-0913/TTY (602) 251-2039 or aalbert@metrolightrail.org.

More information on Phoenix West can be found at www.metrolightrail.org/phoenixwest.  

About METRO 

METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system.  The first 20-mile light rail line opened December 2008 and served 13.2 million riders in 2011, exceeding the prior year by four percent.  METRO serves an average of 40,000 riders per weekday.  It is also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031

Tons Of Saturday Fun Coming Up! is a post from: Rail Life

Saturday, April 21st is going to be a BIG day for Tempe and for Sun Devil fans with ( at least ) three BIG events scheduled in and around the Mill Avenue and Stadium Districts.

1. Pat’s Run – Saturday, tens of thousands will gather to honor a fallen hero. It is our understanding that the event has sold out. Hopefully, you got your ticket. I believe tickets for the kids run are still be available.

2. Randomonium – A don’t miss event by one of our very favorite places on earth, Four Peaks Brewery. They will be at Tempe Beach Park from 11am – 11pm. Music, food, beer, entertainment. Yes, really!

“April 21, Four Peaks celebrates the tapping of A Mountain with Randomonium, a festival fit for the gods and their nectar, local craft beer. Randomonium is a celebration for the creatures that first came to drink from the fountain of craft beer. It’s a concert for the craft-beer army that has been fighting

for us for 15 years. It’s a party for you. All of you. Even the little yous.”

Entry to Randomonium is FREE up until 2PM. After that, thickets are needed. I think they are $40. Check their site for details.

3. The ASU Spring game – The Sun Devils have been practicing hard and the annual Spring Game is always a lot of fun. The game starts at 1PM, fans can also use this as an opportunity to select your seats for the upcoming football season.

As you can imagine, there will be a ton of people in and around these areas on Saturday. Take advantage of FREE parking lots from METRO and hop on the train to the nearest light rail stations. The map below should help guide your way.

Have a GREAT weekend, rockin’ the Rail Life…

View Phoenix Valley METRO Light Rail Map in a larger map

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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Rail Life Pic Of The Week – Ready To Run is a post from: Rail Life

The 8th annual Pat’s Run at Sun Devil Stadium will be held on Saturday, April 21st 2012. Your calendars should already be marked.

The pic of the week for this week is from our friend Sheila who attended last years run. It’s a great event, one that brings people together from all walks of life.

For an easy way to get there, you can take the METRO light rail line to Pat’s Run. It’s quick and easy.

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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More People Walkin The Walk is a post from: Rail Life

Remember WAY back in 2009 when our friend, Yuri Artibise kicked off the first Jane’s Walk in Phoenix talking about some of the cool areas downtown? Yeah, so do I. It was a nice day of exploring the city with a great group of people. Yuri has since moved to Canada, but the Jane’s Walks will continue in the valley.

Central Mesa / Tempe Tour

METRO is hosting a bus and walking tour of central Mesa along with a light rail / walking tour in Tempe to discuss aspects of the proposed Tempe Streetcar project.

From the Jane Jacob’s Walk web site, we learn that the tours will be quite the fiesta, happening on the 5th of May!

In Mesa, participants will learn about the project and the art and architecture concepts that have been proposed. From Sycamore and Main, people will be bussed  to Country Club /Main Street and walk to Center Street/Main Street to discuss station identity, sustainable development, transit as a placemark, and downtown Mesa as an arts and cultural district. If you haven’t taken the time to learn more about this area, I highly recommend it. Check out what is there and get a feel for the potential of this area.

After returning from the Mesa walk, people will have an opportunity to hop on a train and head to the Mill Avenue station in Tempe to get an overview of the new streetcar project. While there they will discuss station identity, urban design, transit as a placemaker, and transit-oriented development along Mill Avenue and along the Ash Avenue loop. Some cool stuff, for sure.

Time: 9:00am-11:30am

Date: Saturday, May 5th

Event Start and End: Sycamore/Main Street Transit Center

Host Organization: METRO

Registration: Please RSVP to Lisa Procknow at lprocknow@metrolightrail.org.

Accessibility: This event is accessible and welcoming to wheelchairs, bicycles, seniors, and children.

METRO has also created a Facebook invite for the Jane Jacob’s Walk. Check out this info from their invite:

“Discover the value transit can play in helping to create “place.” Rail has proven abilities to generate interest and development in areas where it is constructed. It is also means to creating a pedestrian-friendly, urban environment and a sense of community. An expert team of city officials, transit-oriented development (TOD) professionals and arts connoisseurs are coming together to provide a transit and walking tour of the Central Mesa light rail extension and Tempe Streetcar. Attendees will learn about station identifies to enhance the existing environment, art and architecture concepts and future development opportunities along these routes” – METRO light rail

This will be a great opportunity for people to learn more about the projects, talk about transit-oriented developments, and to see what living, working and playing near public transit has to offer.

I’m looking forward to checking out this walk and hope to see you there, Rockin’ the Rail Life! :)

Transit Riders Striking Out – Only Updates Available is a post from: Rail Life

The threat of transit strikes in the Valley have been ringing loudly for a long time. Last week, the plug was pulled on a bunch of bus services in the Phoenix and Tempe areas. Thankfully, for light rail riders, the METRO light rail service has not been yanked.

Unfortunately, many of the people counting on bus rides today are hearing that it probably isn’t getting much better real soon. Need to get to work or to school via the city bus? Sorry. No bus for you.

The Cities of Phoenix and Tempe have been doing a good job updating people as has METRO rail, Valley Metro RPTA and the transit agencies.

I have listed a few links to places where you can follow more information about the bus strikes.

City of Phoenix

City of Tempe

Phoenix Metro Bus on Twitter

Valley METRO Facebook

Valley Metro RPTA on Twitter 

Valley METRO press release page

City of Phoenix Facebook page

City of Tempe Twitter updates

Here is a press release from METRO today:

Bus service disruption in effect

Light rail not impacted and running regular service

Fifty percent of the Valley’s 100 bus routes are currently being impacted by a bus strike.  Discover if your route is impacted and, if so, if it is running or running on a limited frequency online at www.valleymetro.org.  Please visit the website first prior to calling Customer Service at 602-253-5000. 

If your route is impacted, prepare to make alternate travel plans during these early days of the strike.  Routes not impacted by the strike are running regular service, including METRO light rail.

Information is regularly updated online, but you can also stay up-to-date using Valley Metro’s social media channels:  ValleyMetroRPTA on Twitter and ValleyMetro on Facebook.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this challenging time.

For all of the people that count on bus service to get them where they are going, transit agencies seem to be asking them to find alternate transportation. Use light rail, carpool, ride a bike, invent a jet-pack etc.

Hang in there, we hope this fiasco will be over soon.

**PLEASE note: Rail Life is NOT associated with ANY transit agency. If you have questions or complaints, please contact the people listed in the links above.++ 

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Another CEO Gig for Steve Banta – Congrats Steve is a post from: Rail Life

Wow, it’s already been over 2 years since METRO hired Steve Banta as CEO, replacing former CEO Rick Simonetta. A lot has happened in the Arizona transit world since then and a lot looks to be happening in our future. It seems to make a lot of sense for these agencies to tag Steve with this dual role given his vision of a “Total Transit Network” for our region.

Good luck Steve. You’ve got your hands full and lots of people are watching. :)

Transit Boards Select METRO CEO to Run Both Agencies

Citing efficiency and expertise, Steve Banta is chosen for dual role

Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 16, 2012)  Today, two separate boards of directors representing the regional bus and rail transit agencies have selected Stephen R. Banta to lead Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) and METRO light rail as the single chief executive officer. Banta has been serving as the METRO light rail CEO since January 2010, following a national search in 2009.

“We are delighted with the decision to have Steve Banta as the single CEO that will lead both RPTA and METRO,” said Tempe Councilmember Shana Ellis who serves as a Board member for both agencies. “It speaks to greater efficiencies as we continue to deal with budget challenges.” Ellis led the working group that developed the plans for establishing a dual leadership role that will be governed by two separate Boards of Directors.

According to the 2012 RPTA Chair, Peoria Vice Mayor Ron Aames, “The selection of Banta was optimal due to his current knowledge of the Valley’s transit environment and extensive bus and rail transit experience at agencies such as TriMet in Portland and the Port Authority in Pittsburgh.”

“I am pleased to have this opportunity and the confidence of both Boards to serve as the single CEO,” said Steve Banta, newly selected CEO for RPTA and METRO. “This is a positive step forward in creating a more efficient and robust transit system, which will result in benefits to our regional customers and communities.”

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton approved today’s decision. “Cities can think and act regionally on critical issues,” said Stanton. “Delivering an efficient and effective transit system crosses city boundaries and impacts the entire region. This is a step in the right direction.”

Mesa Councilmember and Vice Chair of the METRO light rail Board, Dennis Kavanaugh, stated, “Steve Banta has been an effective leader for METRO light rail and, with his multi-modal transit experience, is the right person to also serve RPTA.” Kavanaugh also served as a representative on the working group with Councilmember Ellis.  “The METRO Board has long-been an advocate for a single CEO.  It is the best business decision for how we advance transit in the Valley and in this economy.”

Banta will begin serving in his new role as CEO of both transit agencies on March 1, 2012.

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Geek. Out. is a post from: Rail Life

Geeks love trains, right? Well, this one does and he will be riding the train with his three little geeks tomorrow night to check out Geeks Night Out. You should join us!

Geeks Night Out is happening at the MADCAP Theater in the Mill Avenue District Thursday night as part of Arizona SciTech Festival.  This geek-fest combines science, technology, food, fun and beer. Yes, beer. As in, there are 50 million places on Mill to wet your whistle. ( see the map below ) Always some serious fun for all!

Geeks' Night Out in Tempe

Rather than re-invent the wheel, I’ll direct you to these three sites for a bunch of information about Mill Avenue’s ultimate geek-fest. After all, they are where I stole borrowed my information.

Geeks Night Out from the City of Tempe page.

Geeks Night Out from the College Times.

Geeks Night Out from the Mill Avenue District.

When: Thursday, February 16th 5-10 PM

Where: MADCAP Theater, 730 S. Mill Ave. Tempe

Here is just a sample of some of the cool stuff going on tomorrow night:

Phasers vs. Light Sabers?

Square off in the Pop Culture Paradise Beat the Geek competition. Topic: Star Trek vs. Star Wars. Win cool prizes with your supreme knowledge.

Ghostly Fun

The Allied Paranormal Investigations Team will be at MADCAP showing the equipment they use in researching potential hauntings. They’ll lead a tour of Monti’s Restaurant, reported to be haunted, at 8 p.m., if you sign up with them at their booth.

Makerville for Kids of all Ages

Bring the kids for Makerville, sponsored by Tempe Maker Bench, where they can try out tools used in manufacturing and building gadgets.

Food n Beverage

Like to eat? From beans and bananas to brews, we’ll show you how food happens – from compost in the field to groceries on the table. And listen to music by bands with science backgrounds while you chew.

Aligning the Stars

Get your numerology or astrological readings. Don’t forget to cross the palm of your reader.

Smart.

LaunchSpot Rapid Pitch presented by ASU Venture Catalyst

If you’re an inventor, you can show off your idea to someone who might help you bring it to market. A team of high-powered entrepreneurs, attorneys and marketing gurus will award expertise and potentially venture capital to the best

inventions and concepts to help bring them to market.

What goes around comes around…

Learn about the science of composting and how Tempe is working with Singh Farms to turn the community’s green waste into nutrient-rich compost to enrich our neighborhood parks and gardens.

Robots!

The Fulton School of Engineering at ASU is adding to the celebration with events at the Brickyard that are guaranteed to intrigue and could include a sampling of the many programs the school is known for, such as robot building and the Decision Theater.

R2-D2 Builders Club

Check out full-size replicas of R2-D2 and other Astromech Droids with the R2-D2 Builders Club. 

Phoenix Comicon Costume Contest + Photo Booth

Dress like your favorite inventor, invention, science project gone wrong, whatever. Show off your Star Trek and Star Wars gear. We want to see your favorite SciFi costume on Mill Avenue! Strut your scientific stuff in front of MADCAP Theater and we’ll post your photo online. Costume contest at 8 p.m.  Prizes and trophies.

Much, much more! 
See the city of Tempe’s web site for more details.

Of course, the Twitter hashtag for Geeks’ Night Out is #GeekTempe

Geeks’ Night Out is Tempe’s tribute to all things science. From medical breakthroughs to science fiction, gadgets, entrepreneurship, hardware, software and research. It’s all going to be here.

There will be business geeks, social geeks, technology geeks, food geeks, beer geeks and more. Yes, geeks of all ages. You’ll fit right in.

View Light Rail Drinks in a larger map

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Rail Life Pic Of The Week – Deal of the Century is a post from: Rail Life

So, we’ve talked a little bit about the Arizona Centennial celebrations happening all around our great state. Have you heard about the “deal of the century” happening on Valentine’s Day at Monti’s La Casa Vieja? How about a steak dinner for just 75 cents, just like they served them 100 years ago?

Here’s the scoop…

“On February 14th, 2012 when the state celebrates its 100th birthday, the oldest restaurant in Tempe will give Arizonans something more to cheer about by offering one of their legendary steaks at a price you would find in 1912.

Starting at 9:12 a.m. the first 100 people in line will be able to buy a sirloin steak dinner with choice of two sides and Monti’s Roman Bread for just 75 cents plus tax. The price reflects what a steak dinner would have been sold for in 1912. The legendary establishment, now known as Monti’s La Casa Vieja has sat on the corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado since the late 1800′s.

The Centennial Steak Special will run until the first 100 people have been served. The rest of the menu and drinks will still be available at regular price.”

The pic of the week this week is one I shot of some friends while we were at dinner at Monti’s. I think we spent a little more than 75 cents for our steaks that night. :)

Where is the best deal on Valentine’s Day this year? I vote Monti’s. :)

If taking light rail to Monti’s, exit at the Mill Avenue station and head one block North.

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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