Light rail testing during ASU
football game
LightRailToday.com
METRO will be running light rail
trains on Saturday, October 25th in Tempe before, during and after the ASU vs. U.
of Oregon football game. METRO is performing the test to improve light rail
awareness with event goers. If you plan to attend the game, remember to stay off the tracks, only use
designated crosswalks, obey all traffic signals and to look and listen for the oncoming
trains. Those who jaywalk across the light rail tracks can be fined $156.
METRO Light Rail will be free for five
days
LightRailToday.com
According to Rick Simonetta, METRO’s
C.E.O., the public will ride the new light rail system for free from December
27-31. Light rail fares will not start until January 1st. In addition,
light rail will stay open late on New Year’s Eve to accommodate the late night
crowds. The system will operate until around 3 am in an effort to encourage
people to stay off the roads on one of the Valley’s largest party nights. Also,
many people are pushing for later weekend operating hours and METRO’s
considering running the trains until after 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The
current plans are for operating hours to be from 4:45 am to midnight.
This week’s events: a trip back in
time
LightRailToday.com
Thursday at the Tempe Center for the
Arts: Clare Bridge of Tempe Variety Show Fundraiser. Support the Alzheimer’s
Association as the Ultimate Elvis Experience hits the stage with the Silver
Foxes “Dance Troupe” and Two for the Show “Singing Duo”. All proceeds benefit
the Alzheimer’s Association. Show starts at 6:30. Visit tempe.gov/tca for
ticket information.
Friday at Dodge Theatre: Gordon
Lightfoot, the 1960’s and 70’s signer/songwriter, will be performing at 8:00
pm. Visit livenation.com for ticket information.
Friday at Phoenix Symphony Hall: The
famed 1950’s group Sha Na Na joins the Phoenix Symphony at 8:00 pm. Visit
phoenixsymphony.org for ticket information.
Saturday at Celebrity Theatre:
America, the 1970’s folk rock band, will be performing at 8:00 pm. Visit
celebritytheatre.com for ticket information.
Light Rail Countdown: 100 days
LightRailToday.com
Light Rail is only 100 days from
opening! METRO and its member cities will celebrate the milestone with special
announcements and a new promotion. A media event will be held on Wednesday,
September 17th at 9 a.m. at the Central Ave. and Van Buren Station. Once details are
released we will make them available here.
Regular testing begins in Downtown
Phoenix
LightRailToday.com
Expect to see light rail trains
operating daily in Downtown Phoenix from now on. Light rail testing will occur on
a regular basis up to McDowell Rd. and Central Ave. Testing will extend north
of McDowell Rd. in the near future. METRO asks that people obey all traffic
signals, watch for oncoming trains, only use designated crosswalks when crossing
the light rail tracks and stay alert at all times. Do not walk, ride your
bicycle, skate or park your vehicle on the tracks.
Robert Schimmel at Tempe Improv
LightRailToday.com
Comedian and writer Robert Schimmel
will be performing at Tempe Improv tonight through Sunday, Sept. 14th. Schimmel once
wrote for the t.v. show In Living Color and
wrote material for comedian Yakov Smirnoff. Schimmel is known for his
controversial and often X-rated comedy. A cancer survivor, he wrote a book
entitled Cancer on $5 a Day (chemo
not included). Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online at tempeimprov.com.
Jackson Street Entertainment
District still alive
LightRailToday.com
The proposed Jackson Street Entertainment
District is apparently moving forward. The project, lead by DDB Ventures, W
Developments and Michael Hallmark, recently presented the city of Phoenix with
a rezoning application. The new application details plans to redevelop 12 acres
along the south side of Jackson Street between First and Fourth Streets and
between Third and Fourth Streets south to Lincoln.
The plans include new retail,
office, residential, hotel and entertainment development. The plans call for
378 new residential units and 685 hotel units. According to the plans, a cinema
club and retail will be located near First Street with a boutique hotel and a
House of Blues built between Second and Third Streets. A second boutique hotel would
be built on Third Street just west of the existing Summit at Copper Square
condo tower. South of the Summit condo tower would be a large, third hotel and
retail. No construction timeline is included in the new plans.
Hall & Oates and B.B. King performing
this weekend
LightRailToday.com
Hall & Oates will be at the U.S.
Airways Center this Saturday, Sept. 6th. The “rock and soul” duo achieved fame in
the late 70’s and have six number one hits to their name. Tickets start at
$18.50 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.
Legendary Blues artist
B.B. King will be at the Celebrity Theatre this Sunday, Sept. 7th. B.B. King was
named by Rolling Stone as the third greatest guitarist of all time. At 82, King
is a true “Living Legend” - The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center
in Indianola, Mississippi is scheduled to open on Sept. 13th. Tickets start at
$60 and can be purchased online at celebritytheatre.com.
Postino Winecafe opening near light
rail
LightRailToday.com
The owner of the popular Postino
Winecafe in Arcadia plans to open a second location near light rail in January.
The new venture, to be called Postino Central, will be located at 5144 N.
Central Avenue. The current Postino Winecafe is located at 3939 E. Campbell
Avenue and is adjacent to two of the company’s other ventures, La Grande Orange
Pizzeria and La Grande Orange Grocery.
ASU students will ride light rail
for free
LightRailToday.com
The ASU U-Pass is available free of
charge to current students. The pass is accepted on all Valley Metro bus routes
and will be accepted by METRO light rail when the service begins operating on December
27th. The U-Pass is valid from July 1st, 2008 to June 30th, 2009. To receive your free
ASU U-Pass, visit the Permit Sales office on your campus.
This week in Tempe
LightRailToday.com
With the return of college students
to Tempe, there’s no shortage of things to do this week. Dave Mason, former
guitarist for the band Traffic, will be performing on Wednesday, August 27th at
the Tempe Center for the Arts. Comedian Frank Caliendo will be at the Tempe
Improv Thursday, August 28th through Sunday, August 31st. The OCB AZ: Natural
Bodybuilding & Fitness event will be at the Tempe Center for the Arts on
Saturday, August 30th. Also on Saturday, the ASU Football season begins when the
Sun Devils play NAU at 7pm. Go Devils!
Monkey around at the Phoenix Zoo
LightRailToday.com
The Phoenix Zoo is hiring part-time, seasonal
Exhibit Guides to work at Monkey Village, Wallaby Walkabout and other high
profile exhibits. Guides must be lively, outgoing and knowledgeable about the
Zoo and its animals. Guides are responsible for conducting presentations and
demonstrations, answering questions about exhibits and animals and assisting
visitors and volunteers. There are four Exhibit Guide positions available at 20
hours per week and the pay rate is $9.50 an hour. The Phoenix Zoo is located at
455 N. Galvin Parkway. Visit phoenixzoo.org for more information.
John Edward at Celebrity Theatre
LightRailToday.com
Psychic medium John Edward will be
performing Friday, August 22nd at Celebrity Theatre. He is best known for his
television show Crossing Over with John
Edward, which ran from 1999 to 2004. His current show, John Edward Cross Country, is aired on the WE, the Women’s
Entertainment Channel. Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased online at
celebritytheatre.com. Celebrity Theatre is located in Phoenix at 440 N. 32nd
St.
ASU key to revitalizing Downtown
Phoenix
LightRailToday.com
Despite the economic slowdown,
construction at the ASU campus in Downtown Phoenix has been ongoing. Thanks to
a $233 million bond approved by voters in 2006, Downtown Phoenix is being infused
with new academic life. Beginning this week, thousands of students, faculty and
staff will be arriving at the newly expanded ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus. Over
6,000 students will be attending ASU Downtown Phoenix this Fall. The campus now
includes the College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, the Walter Cronkite
School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Barrett, the Honors College, the
Phoenix Urban Research Laboratory, the School of Community Resources &
Development, the School of Public Affairs, the School of Social Work, the Schools
of Letters & Sciences and the School of Extended Education.
New academic buildings, student
housing and civic space are changing downtown’s landscape. Taylor Place, a new
student dorm with 744 beds, is opening its doors this week. The new six-story,
233,000 sq. ft. Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
building will welcome students when it opens next week. The new ASU Civic Space
Park along Central Avenue is currently under construction and is set to open
next Spring. The space will feature artist Janet Echelman’s “Sky Bloom” shade
sculpture along with trees, grass areas and seating for students and visitors.
D.L. Hughley is in Tempe this
weekend
LightRailToday.com
Comedian and actor D.L. Hughley is performing
at the Tempe Improv this weekend. Known for his starring role in the sitcom The Hughleys, D.L. was also in the hit
docu-film The Original Kings of Comedy. He will perform for three nights beginning
Friday, August 15th. Tickets cost $27 and are available online at
tempeimprov.com. Tempe Improv is located at 930 E. University Dr.
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel update
LightRailToday.com
The brand new, 1,000 room Sheraton
Phoenix Downtown Hotel is currently hiring for all positions. Due to open on
October 1st, the 31-story hotel has an employee recruitment office at the
Arizona Center, which is located at 3rd St. and Van Buren. The recruitment
office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Job postings are
listed on their website at starwoodhotels.com.
The hotel is currently accepting
reservations and has several special offers. From October 1st to December 31st,
when you stay for two consecutive nights, the third night is free. Must arrive
on Thursday, Friday or Saturday to receive this offer. There are also special
rates and packages for teachers, school administrators, government employees,
families and newlyweds. The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel is located at 340
N. 3rd St.
Frank TV star Frank Caliendo coming to Tempe Improv
LightRailToday.com
Frank Caliendo, the former MADtv cast member and current Frank TV star, will perform for four nights beginning Thursday, August 28th. Appearing recently in Dish Network’s commercials, he is well-known for impersonating President George W. Bush,
John Madden, Al Pacino and Dr. Phil. Tempe Improv is located at 930 E.
University Dr. For tickets, visit frankcaliendo.com.
2008 Arizona Restaurant Week
LightRailToday.com
Some of the Valley’s best culinary
destinations will be participating in the first annual 2008 Arizona Restaurant
Week. Sponsored by the Arizona Restaurant Association, Diageo, US Foodservice, Hensley and American Express, the
seven day event will include dozens of the Valley’s best restaurants. Diners
will have the option of ordering from the three-course prix-fixe menu for only $29
per individual or $58 per couple. This year’s event begins on Saturday,
September 20th and will end on Friday, September 26th.
Some participating restaurants
in the light rail community include 1130 The Restaurant, Cheuvront, Kincaid’s, Sam’s
Café, The Bamboo Club in Tempe and Z’Tejas in Tempe. More restaurants may be
added to the event in the coming weeks. Visit arizonarestaurantweek.com for a
list of all participating restaurants. Reservations can be made online at
opentable.com.
Cottage Living announces
Top 10
LightRailToday.com
In 2006, the Willo historic
neighborhood in Downtown Phoenix made the list on Cottage Living magazine’s Top Ten Cottage Communities. This year,
Agritopia in Gilbert is the only Arizona community to make the Top Ten. Agritopia
consists of 460 homes, narrow, tree-lined streets, a grill and coffee shop and is
built around a 15 acre urban farm. Like many new communities in the Valley,
Agritopia was built to resemble historic Phoenix neighborhoods from the 1930’s
and 40’s. Agritopia is located at the 202 Freeway and Higley Road in Gilbert. The
city of Gilbert is not a member of METRO Light Rail and there are no current
plans to extend light rail to Gilbert.
Melissa Etheridge at Dodge
Theatre 8/18
LightRailToday.com
Oscar and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter
Melissa Etheridge will be performing at Dodge Theatre Monday, August 18th at 8
p.m. Her Revival Tour kicked off in June in Clearwater, Florida with a three
hour and fifteen minute concert. Tickets start at $38.00 and can be purchased
online at livenation.com. Dodge Theatre is located in Downtown Phoenix at 400
W. Washington St.
