Tough Competition in Women’s Water Polo

Posted on March 21, 2011 by admin

Tough Competition

by Lynlee Smith, ASU Intern

It has been a tough year for the Arizona State Women’s waterpolo team. However this has not stopped the spirit of the team and their focus on fulfilling their dreams in making the NCAA championships held in Michigan in May. Currently ranked 7th in the nation they are confident they can still fulfill their ultimate goal.

“We have improved every week, although some of our results have been unlucky we are still playing great waterpolo”, Captain Sarah Harris said.

The Sun devils are half way through their season having played Cal Berkeley, UCLA and USC. To date there has been some unlucky results for the Sun devils, loosing to Cal Berkeley 11-7, UCLA 8-1 and USC 12-3.

“Currently we haven’t won a conference game, however have had some very big competition to come up against first up. Cal Berkeley are very strong this year as well as USC”, Senior Candice Phillippe stated. “We were unlucky in our game against UCLA, we created a lot of great opportunities however couldn’t seem to put the ball away in the cage, our shooting has improved since then and I am confident that we will put up hard competition for our up and coming opponents”.

The team is still working hard and very focused on their opportunity to still make the NCAA championships at their all conference tournament MPSF at the end of April. MPSF conference is the hardest conference in the United States for waterpolo however this hasn’t busted the spirits of the Sun Devils. “We have a great group of girls who are constantly working hard and wanting to improve every aspect of their game each week, there is no reason why we can’t take out the top teams at conference championships at the end of April”, Harris said.

The team is scheduled to play ranked 9th San Jose Spartans at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center next weekend as their last home game for the season. The Mona Plummer Aquatic Center is located just off the Lightrail on Veterans Way, across the road from Sun Devil Stadium. Get down and support your local Sun devils.

Posted in ASU, News & Information, Sports | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fun in the Sun Tempe Style

Posted on March 21, 2011 by admin

Fun in the Sun Tempe Style

by Lynlee Smith, ASU Intern

Looking for fun affordable activities to do in Tempe? With the change of seasons and summer coming up, a great place to check out is the Tempe Beach Park. Located just off the Lightrail on Mill Avenue this is a great place to have some fun in the sun with family and friends.

Whether you are looking for a quiet place to have a picnic with the family, play some beach volleyball or fun water activities Tempe Beach Park offers all these options for all ages. This is a great area to have a picnic or barbeque with the family, with playgrounds available for young children and large grass areas to play sports. From May through till September this is a great place to bring the kids. The Splash Park allows kids to play and cool off in a safe environment. This playground sprinkles kids with mists as they play. Tempe Beach Park is located right on the lake, with paved footpaths and fantastic views at sunset, it is a great place to go for a scenic walk at any time of the day. This area has a rich history, although the lake has only been officially full since 1999, the history goes back centuries.

If you are interested in water sports visit the Tempe boat rentals. This facility hires out Kayaks, 2 person and 4 person pedal boats, Hydro bikes, Pontoon bikes, Stand up paddle boards and Electric Skiffs all at affordable prices. Kayaks and Pedal Boats start at $15 an hour or if you feel like going solo single hydro-bikes and Stand up Paddle boards start at $20 an hour.

If you’re feeling more adventurous take a walk up Arizona State Universities famous landmark, A mountain to take in the view of Tempe. A mountain has a rich history and is a large part of Arizona States culture. In 1955 the A was installed on the side of A mountain. Standing 60 feet tall this landmark is built of reinforced steel and concrete. There has been multiple attacks on the A being painted by rival school University of Arizona. During the week leading up to the ASU vs U of A football game the A is guarded to protect the beloved gold Arizona State stands for. This steep mountain hike is short, however offers stunning views at the top overlooking ASU and Tempe Town Lake.

These activities are great, affordable ideas to do with family and friends during the summer months. Enjoy Tempe at its best in these locations.

Posted in ASU | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Calendar of Things To Do along Light Rail

Posted on March 18, 2011 by admin

Looking for fun things to do along the Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa light rail?
Want to find entertainment, shows, sports, and theater? We have it for you!

Search the Calendar at LightRailConnect.com for updates on events near light rail. There are more than you think!

Event Calendar – Along light rail in Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa corridor

Posted in Event Calendar | Leave a comment

Q4 2010 LightRailConnect.com Market Report

Posted on March 8, 2011 by admin

Q4 2010 LightRailConnect.com Market Report

Q4 2010 LightRailConnect.com Market Report

Click to view and download the current Market Report

Posted in Market Report, News & Information | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Microsoft makes a move to Tempe Town Lake area

Posted on March 8, 2011 by admin

by Luci Scott – Mar. 5, 2011
Arizona Republic

Microsoft has opened an office at Tempe Town Lake.

The company has taken the top floor of Hayden Ferry Lakeside II, the 12-story building at 60 E. Rio Salado Parkway.

About 150 sales, marketing and service employees have moved from Phoenix Plaza, at 2929 N. Central Ave., into 23,535 square feet in Tempe, 1,500 square feet larger than their Phoenix space.

Four other tenants recently signed leases for the building as well. Details aren’t being disclosed, but Bryan Taute, senior vice president of CB Richard Ellis, indicated that the soft commercial market helped promote the deals.

The tenants wanted to upgrade their facilities, and they took advantage of landlord willingness to negotiate.

“Even though, for example, Microsoft probably could have renewed for less than they’re paying at the new facility, it’s less than they were probably previously paying,” Taute said.

“It was an opportunity to take advantage of the market and upgrade their facilities. That’s probably true for all tenants.”

The four other recent leases:

• Citrix Online, subsidiary of Citrix Systems of Goleta, Calif., will occupy 19,919 square feet and will expand its space when it moves in May from Fountainhead Corporate Center. Citrix Online provides the Web conferencing tool Go To Meeting, among other products.

• The New York-based Guardian Life Insurance Co. moved its sales office in November from Airport Technology Center, at 44th and Van Buren streets in Phoenix. It took 8,092 square feet.

• Financial advisers Ronald Blue & Co. of Roswell, Ga., located from Mesa Financial Plaza in December. It occupies 7,842 square feet.

• Solium Capital LLC moved its U.S. headquarters from Southfield, Mich., in August into 6,740 square feet in Tempe. Solium Capital provides software for stock-plan administration.

The building’s occupancy stands at more than 90 percent.

The building’s owner, New York-based Sumitomo Corp. of America, was represented in the deals by Taute and Brad Anderson, also of CBRE.

Hayden Ferry Lakeside II is part of a mixed-use project of 1.6 million square feet of office, retail and residential condos. Built in 2007, the building was awarded the Energy Star label in 2010 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for operating efficiency.

Posted in News & Information | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Arizona CityFest

Posted on March 8, 2011 by admin

Two Full Days, One Big Celebration

By: John Kelly

In the closely connected world of Evangelist Christians, two names (three if Jesus counts) stick out: Billy Graham and Luis Palau Jr. Billy Graham is, of course, the famous Christian preacher with radio and TV broadcasts who’s sermons are said to have reached over 2.2 billion people as of 2008. Luis Palau, however, is an equally impressive celebrity preacher who has captured the attention of many of the younger Christians around the world. He is said to be Billy Graham’s successor and was actually funded by Graham to start his own ministry.

Palau will being coming to Tempe Town Lake from March 19-20 hosting a free festival to celebrate and share “The Good News” about the big man upstairs. It is said that Palau has brought spiritual enlightenment to more than 25 million people in over 48 countries, and will do so again during his festival.

There will be an impressive amount of free entertainment present. Besides being serenaded by Palau’s ultra-holy voice and godlike presence, artists such as Toby Mac, Skillet, Mat Kearney, The Band Perry, Marisol and Phil Wickham will be rocking the crowd all day and night (imagine a KISS concert, now the exact opposite). The party doesn’t stop there, however, with the likes of Vic Murphy, Brian Sumner, local rider Chris Weigele and the Riders for Christ performing BMX, Freestyle Motocross and Skate exhibitions all weekend in an attempt to draw the younger crowds. There will also be face-painting and characters from the VeggieTales present to entertain the youngest of festival-goers.

Although this festival probably won’t rival that of Woodstock, Coachella or Bonnaroo, I’m sure God will be pretty stoked.

Posted in News & Information | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Apache American Sign Language Center

Posted on February 28, 2011 by admin

Apache American Sign Language Center

by Lynne Smith, ASU Student

Soon to be re-opening along the light rail is the American Sign Language Center. This establishment has been closed and under construction since May 2010 and is due to open again this summer 2011. This facility has been designed for def seniors who wish to leave their lives of lonely living and isolation for a habitat amongst other users of American Sign Language. For people whose first language is American Sign Language there is now no longer a reason to be left out of a conversation or to be living in a world where people find it difficult to understand you. The center offers the comforts of safety and security for the elderly. Living in a home like this is ideal for people with this difficulty as it caters specifically to their needs and offers comfort and security.

This complex holds 75 apartment units designed for the deaf and the deaf and blind. The amenities include flashing light signalers for the phone and doorbells; videophone equipped lobby as well as videophones in each apartment. The ASL center looks out for the thorough care of their clients with light fixtures and windows designed to minimize glare, high contrast interior finishes and amplification systems for hearing aids.

All management staff members use American Sign Language to communicate to their clients and American Sign Language is incorporated into the centers culture amongst client activities and social events. This helps break down any barriers clients may have when communicating with others and ensures a relaxed, safe and happy environment.

Development of this apartment complex began in 2006 however due to the credit crisis at the beginning of 2009 it has prevented the completion of construction due to financial difficulties. Now with the help of Federal stimulus money distributed by the Arizona Department of Housing the renovations are near completion.

For more information on the center see http://www.apacheasltrails.com/news.html

Posted in Apartments, News & Information | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Beer Was Strong With This One

Posted on February 28, 2011 by admin

By: John Kelly

The Beer Was Strong With This One

On Saturday, February 19, 2011, a gathering of biblical proportions, along with beers with equally amazing alcohol contents, assembled at Steel Indian School Park in downtown Phoenix for the 11th Annual Strong Beer Festival. As the name and tag line of this article allude to, the beers served here were specially crafted to subtract one’s sobriety at an alarming rate. They were, of course, craft beers and being such, had the utmost respect for taste, body, texture and fragrance, but the brewmeisters who concocted these deadly libations were in a bit of a contest to test the physical limits of yeast’s ability to convert malted barley into alcohol. Between this and the fact that the beer gods decided it was a good day for wind and rain made the Strong Beer Festival resemble the original Woodstock by the time 4:30pm rolled around. The Festival also featured an eclectic mix of local food and musical entertainment for the patrons to enjoy, and was a welcome compliment to the quality of beer being consumed. Unfortunately, the Festival is over but listed below are just a handful of the brewery’s that participated this year. Hopefully this list will entice many of the loyal readers to join in the ruckus next year:

Four Peaks                                                                   Widmer
SKA Brewing                                                                 Rogue

Arizona Society of Homebrewers                                   Stone
Sierra Nevada Brewing                                                   Odell
Grand Canyon Brewery                                                  Dave’s Electric

Big Sky Brewing                                                            Nimbus

Sam Adams                                                                  Left Hand
Breckenridge                                                                 Full Sail

Deschutes                                                                    Dogfish Head

The Steele Indian School Park is located directly next to the Light Rail station located just north of Indian School Rd. and was a short walk into the park. This convenience made the Festival a huge success this year and it will probably re-take the title of “Best Beer Festival” for the year 2011. The plan for all festivals down the will be to follow suit and plan their location very close to a light rail station. The convenience of the newest addition to our public transportation system cannot be overlooked.

Posted in News & Information | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Connect to Sky Harbor Airport with Light Rail

Posted on February 26, 2011 by admin

Courtesy of Metro Light Rail


METRO connects to Sky Harbor International Airport at the light rail station at 44th and Washington streets using the PHX Airport Shuttle.

From the 44th Street/Washington METRO station, passengers can cross Washington Street heading south and board the free airport shuttle bus. The airport shuttle buses travel to all terminals and parallels METRO’s service schedule.

Click on the map to the right to download
the airport shuttle map.

The PHX Sky Train™ will soon replace the existing PHX Airport Shuttle. Stage one of the PHX Sky Train will transport airport visitors and employees between METRO light rail, east economy parking and Terminal 4, which serves 80 percent of Sky Harbor’s passengers. Construction will be complete in late 2013. Stage two, which will continue through the airport all the way to the Rental Car Center, will be up and running in 2020.

A new gateway to Sky Harbor will be created at 44th St and Washington. This station is just a short walk in an air conditioned pedestrian walkway from the 44th Street / Washington light rail station. The elevated train will help relieve traffic jams, reduce wait times, provide hassle-free travel in climate controlled vehicles and connect to the Valley’s light rail and bus systems. Equally important, the PHX Sky Train™ will accommodate our region’s future growth and be a welcomed addition to Sky Harbor’s renowned customer service.

The PHX Sky Train™, free to the public, will run 24-hours with predictable travel times—arriving at stations every three minutes during peak periods and delivering passengers to their destinations within about five minutes of boarding.

For more information on the PHX Sky Train™, please visit the Airport Automated Train website. For more information on the PHX Sky Train™, please visit the Sky Harbor International Airport website.

Posted in News & Information, Valley Metro, light rail corridor | Tagged | Leave a comment

Metro Light Rail Rates and Fares

Posted on February 26, 2011 by admin

Provided as a Public Service Announcement
From Metro Light Rail news page

For $1.75 you can take one ride on light rail or any local bus route. One ride on an express or RAPID bus costs $2.75. If your trip requires changing routes, or if you want to make a round trip, we have other options which may save you money.

There are several pass options to choose from, depending on how you use transit. These include All-day, 7-, and 31-day passes, as well as semester passes for college students. Check our RATES & OPTIONS page for details.

Posted in News & Information | Tagged | Leave a comment