Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Email Correction

You may have received two emails today regarding our fall classes and programs. These emails were scheduled to go out on July 17, 2009 and July 30, 2009. However, for some unknown reason, our computer program released them today! I am sure this causing some confusion.

The intent of the emails were to advise everyone that on July 17, 2009, the department will feature all its fall classes and programs on-line by accessing www.phoenix.gov.parks/ and then clicking on Classes and Programs. This would be a great time to review those programs and classes you may want to sign-up for. Then on Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m., you will be able to register on-line for those classes and programs featured on our website.

We certainly want to apologize to our loyal users, and if you have any questions, please contact me directly at (602) 261-8606 or email Steve.Turner@phoenix.gov

Source:

Steve Turner
Public Information
Parks and Recreation Dept.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

METRO July 4 service plan

What

METRO July 4 service plan

METRO will run all available trains to service event goers attending July 4th celebrations along the line.

System capacity will be maximized. Passengers should expect crowds on board the trains, at METRO park-and-rides and potential delays. METRO requests that passengers be patient and plan ahead. Post-event, expect to wait in a queue line.

One line that can be completely avoided this holiday is the line at the fare vending machine with the advance purchase of the July 4th pass. Purchase this special transit pass by visiting Central Station or the Tempe Transportation Center through July 3.

Service schedule

July 3 weekend is the start of METRO’s service extension on Friday nights/Saturday mornings and Saturday nights/Sunday mornings. July 3, 4 and ongoing on weekends, METRO will provide service until past 2 a.m.

Although Saturday, July 4, is a holiday, METRO will run normal Saturday service. Additional trains will be utilized to support event traffic.

A detailed service schedule can be viewed at
http://www.valleymetro.org/images/uploads/lightrail_publications/METRO_Rail_Schedule_07_09.pdf.

Phoenix event goers

METRO is a convenient way to attend the Fabulous Phoenix 4th taking place at Steele Indian School Park.

For arrival, eastbound passengers coming from the North or West Valley should de-board at the Campbell/Central Ave. light rail station. Westbound passengers coming from the South or East Valley should de-board at the Indian School/Central Ave. light rail station. Both stations are even walks to the park’s Central Ave. entrance at Glenrosa.

For departure, return to the station from which you arrived. If heading back eastbound, use the Indian School/Central Ave. station. If heading westbound, use the Campbell/Central Ave. station. Splitting passenger traffic between the two stations will keep shorter lines in each station’s queue.

For more on this event, visit
http://phoenix.gov/parks/jlymain.html.

Parking


METRO park-and-ride lots are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis:

Montebello/19th Ave.

19th Ave./Camelback

Central Ave./Camelback

38th St./Washington

Dorsey Ln./Apache Blvd.

McClintock Dr./Apache Blvd.

Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd.

Sycamore/Main St.

If any of the lots become full, please try the next closest park-and-ride. For example, if the park-and-ride at Sycamore/Main St. reaches capacity, try the Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd. park-and-ride – it typically has greater availability.


METRO and its city partners have identified overflow parking opportunities along the line for this date only:

Park Central Mall – Earll Dr., west of Central Ave.; designated “retail only parking” spaces

38th St./Washington – east of 38th St. and the METRO park-and-ride; Gateway Community College parking lot

Dorsey Ln./Apache Blvd. – north of Apache Blvd., west of Dorsey Ln.; behind retail building

Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd. – southeast corner of the METRO park-and-ride; accessible using the same entrance

Safeway – north of Main St., west of Sycamore and the METRO park-and-ride

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) – south of Main St., east of Sycamore; use entrance off of Longmore

Notes


Event goers should purchase an all-day pass for roundtrip service. An all-day pass costs the same as two one-ride passes and only requires one visit to the fare vending machine. Platinum Pass/U-Pass users, validate before each ride.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Food Network is coming to Phoenix!‏‏

I am a Casting Assistant for The Next Food Network Star, Food Network’s hugely successful culinary reality series, which is currently casting for its 2010 season.

We would like to inform you and the members of your organization that we are holding an Open Casting Call in Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday, July 8, 2009.

This is the first time we are coming to Phoenix for an open casting call and we can’t wait to meet all the potential candidates!

We are looking for people who are full of life, passionate about cooking, and knowledgeable about food to meet us in person at our open casting call.

Please help us spread the word to any chef, home cook, caterer or culinary enthusiast who might be interested in becoming the host of his or her own cooking show on Food Network.

The details of our event are as follows:

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

10am-4pm

Embassy Suites Phoenix - Scottsdale

4415 East Paradise Village Parkway

Phoenix, AZ 85032

Phone: 602-765-5800

Also, Embassy Suites is offering a $69 rate per night for anyone traveling from out of town to attend The Next Food Network Star open casting call.

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/PHXPVES-Embassy-Suites-Phoenix-Scottsdale-Arizona/index.do

Source: CBS News

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

METRO safety art contest for students

A key to METRO light rail’s success is a safe operation. METRO hopes to continue to educate Valley young people on light rail safety with a summer art contest titled “Picture Yourself Safe.”

METRO invites fourth through sixth grade students in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa to illustrate ways in which they stay safe around light rail with the “Picture Yourself Safe” art contest. This is a great opportunity for students to show their talent, understanding of important safety messages and to gain regional exposure for themselves and their school.

One winner will be selected from each city and receive 30 all-day transit passes. The three winning illustrations will be featured on METRO’s 2009 back-to-school safety posters and in a light rail station display case in each city.

Those interested may download an entry form at www.metrolightrail.org/safety
or pick up one at the METRO office. Completed entry forms and illustrations must be returned in-person or mailed to the METRO office before July 31, 2009. Only one entry per student is permitted.

Where

Pick up or submit entry forms to the METRO office at:

METRO
“Picture Yourself Safe” Contest
101 N. 1st Ave., 13th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003

More

The safety of pedestrians, motorists and passengers around light rail continues to be a METRO priority. Please help us share METRO safety tips including obey traffic signals, use the crosswalks, stay off the tracks and look and listen for the train.

For more METRO safety tips and how to ride information, visit http://www.metrolightrail.org/
.

For more on the “Picture Yourself Safe” art contest, contact Andrea Libey at (602) 495-8209 or alibey@metrolightrail.org.


Source: Metro Light Rail

Monday, May 18, 2009

2009 Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix 4th celebration

The event will be returning to Steele Indian School Park again this year. The event will start at 6 p.m. with the fireworks set to go off about 9:20.

We work hard each year to find new ways to minimize the impact the event has on surrounding neighborhoods. We have a few new options for 2009 that we wanted to share with you.

First, we’re working closely with Metro Light Rail to coordinate rail coverage on event day. Light Rail officials have indicated that they’ll be adding cars and increasing stop frequency during the event. With these modifications, Light Rail should be able to carry more than three times the number of people per hour than our bus shuttles have in years past. This will help to spread parking out over the entire rail line, reducing the number of cars on neighboring streets.

Police traffic control units also will be looking to close some streets later in the day than in previous years. Though we still haven’t finalized these plans, we hope it means less time in which traffic is restricted on streets around the park.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be mailing out notification cards with details on street restrictions related to the event. Please feel free to call in the meantime if you have any questions.


Source: City of Phoenix

David Urbinato, APR
Public Information Officer
Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
Office: (602) 262-4994
Cell: (602) 350-1506
Visit us online at phoenix.gov/parks

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Central singers earned two gold ratings at the Forum Music Festival

Central singers earned two gold ratings at the Forum Music Festival at Fullerton, Calif. March 20. Both Concert Choir and A Cappella Anonymous earned the festival’s highest rating following their performances. A rating of gold signifies that the judges believe that the performance should be rated in the top 10% of all choirs. In addition to the gold, the Men's Section for Concert Choir received the Outstanding Musicianship Award and Erika Lopez received the outstanding soloist award for her performance with A Cappella Anonymous. The concert choir was accompanied by school piano teacher, David Schmitz.

Source: Phoenix Union High School District

Grammy Foundation

Central and Maryvale music students got a first-hand insight into the music industry from professionals at a Career Day, March 25, brought to Phoenix by the GRAMMY Foundation.

Students heard from panelists Larry Batiste, a producer, vocalist, songwriter, publisher instrumentalist and arranger, Manny Marroquin, an engineer and four-time GRAMMY winner. Batiste has written and published over 300 songs and has worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Dweezil Zappa, Keyshia Cole and Al Jarreau. Marroquin has worked with Usher, Alicia Keyes; Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez and John Legend. About 80 students from Central, and over 100 at Maryvale asked questions about the recording industry, technology, performing and producing. It is part of the foundation’s efforts to enhance educational opportunities.

Central and Maryvale were two of 31 national finalists for a GRAMMY Foundation
grant.

Source: Phoenix Union High School District