Light rail would link 79th Ave., I-10 and downtown Phoenix

by | Apr 2, 2011 | light rail corridor, light rail expansion, News & Information

by David Madrid – Apr. 1, 2011 The Arizona Republic The Southwest Valley is in line for light rail that would move riders to and from downtown Phoenix along Interstate 10 to the 79th Avenue Park-and-Ride. The line is scheduled to open in 2021, but a reduction in Proposition 400 tax money due to a bad economy could push that date back a year, said Hillary Foose, a spokeswoman for Metro Light Rail. Foose said half the money for the light-rail route comes from Prop. 400 and half is federal funding. “The time frames are directly related to available funds, so every year we rebalance that (light-rail) map with updated funding forecasts,” she said. “We’re in the process of doing that right now, and we’ll be sharing that with our board in coming months. . . . Over the last couple of years we’ve seen some of those dates get pushed out by a year or two.” Prop. 400, passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004, extended a voter-approved half-cent-per-dollar sales tax by two decades. That money funds the Regional Transportation Plan, which includes buses, light rail and roads. Avondale just wants transit options. “As many modes of transportation we can get to move people and get them out of their cars is always welcomed and needed,” Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers said. The city has a long-term transportation vision. It is preparing a circulator route to move residents to key points around the city. The circulator will consist of four vans that hold 11 passengers. “One of those ways is to increase the circulator so that people aren’t waiting an hour to...

Tough Competition in Women’s Water Polo

by | Mar 21, 2011 | ASU, News & Information, Sports

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...

Microsoft makes a move to Tempe Town Lake area

by | Mar 8, 2011 | News & Information

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...

Arizona CityFest

by | Mar 8, 2011 | News & Information

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...

Apache American Sign Language Center

by | Feb 28, 2011 | Apartments, News & Information

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...