Her secret is patience

I just returned from an interesting lecture given by Janet Echelman, the designer of the art installation that will move above the Civic Space park in downtown Phoenix.

Until now, the working title for the piece was "Sky Bloom". Tonight, she revealed her official name for the project:

"Her secret is patience"
(adapted from Emerson, "Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.")



Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Art, Space, and the City: Public Art and Why It Matters

Students of Public Affairs Network (SPAN), in association with Barrett, the Honors College at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, proudly present a forum on public art.

The forum explores the process of how public art can be a change agent for the community, enhances community identity and impact economic development. Come and find out why public art matters.

Thursday, February 19, 2009, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, room 202
(555 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004)
Free.

Panel:
Introductory Remarks: Dr. Robert Denhardt, Director, ASU School of Public Affairs

Moderator: Dr. Betsy Fahlman, Professor of Art History, School of Art, Herberger College of the Arts and Member, Tempe Municipal Arts Commission

Speakers:

• Mary Lucking, M.F.A., Public Artist, Tucson, Arizona
• Dianne Cripe, Public Art Specialist, City of Goodyear
• Ed Lebow, Public Art Program Director, City of Phoenix
• Valerie Vadala Homer, Director Scottsdale Public Art Program & Vice President Scottsdale Cultural Council
• Nancy Levinson, Director, Phoenix Urban Research Laboratory, College of Design, Arizona State University
• Cyd West, Director of Research and Economic Partnerships, Maricopa Partnership for the Arts

Faculty, students, staff and members of the community are invited to attend, offer feedback, and discuss the importance of public art in the community.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

An open letter to METRO's persistent naysayers

Every time I read an article on METRO Light Rail, I am shocked at all the negative (and naive) comments that readers post. I offer this open letter to everyone who is still vehemently opposed to METRO.

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but METRO Light Rail is here and it's slated to open up in 13 days. I know that many of you are opposed to METRO and think that through your persistent complaints on it that it's going to go away and the investment will suddenly make Arizona's budget crisis disappear. I know that $1.6billion is a lot of money, but it was spent when the economy was in fine shape.

First, some history. METRO was originally going to be a project just within the City of Phoenix. When the Transit 2000 bond in Phoenix passed on 14 March 2000, the original route was just over 13 miles long would have been METRO's alignment from Christown (19th Ave/Montebello) to the Airport (44th St/Washington). Through many iterations, the process became a regional effort and METRO Light Rail (as we know it today) was born. The Transit 2000 bond called for a 20-year, 0.4% sales tax (or $0.04 in tax on a $10 purchase) with a federal match of $600million to METRO and $200million to the bus system. That bond passed and we are here today. In 2004, Maricopa County voters approved Proposition 400, allowing for a regional sales tax of 0.5% ($0.05 in tax on a $10 purchase).

Second, the art. Phoenix city ordinance requires that 1% of the capital construction costs of all publicly-financed buildings/projects go to art. For METRO, the artwork goes to the stations. In addition to the architecture of the station, each station has its own identity that individual artists have put into that station. The Heard Museum (Central/Encanto) station, for instance, has artwork inspired by the cultures represented inside the Heard Museum. The Downtown Phoenix/City Hall (1st Ave/Jefferson southbound) has a mosaic of Arizona's own Sandra Day O'Connor because it is near the seat of Phoenix government. You say that the artwork will be defaced. There have been reputable studies by many institutions that artwork at a public gathering point decreases crime because it increases microregional (the area nearby) pride.

Third, the future. I know that the economy isn't all that great now, but nobody projected this back in 2000 when METRO started. For every $1 put into capital improvements like light rail, the return is $3-$4. As a result of METRO, investment in the 20-mile corridor has been significant. When the economy rebounds soon, you watch what will happen along the route. When the price of gasoline goes back to record levels, won't you want to be where you can live, shop, work, and play along the line? Or now: is sitting in traffic congestion to commute from the far exurbs of Phoenix to downtown Phoenix fun? I look at traffic congestion maps of the Valley during rush hours and I see more red than yellow or green. If your commute is 60-90 minutes each day one way, that's 2-3 hours per day stuck in traffic doing nothing and breathing toxic fumes. If you lived and worked along the METRO line, that is an extra 2-3 hours per day with the people you love.

A quick note on crime: you say that light rail and public transportation will bring crime into your neighborhoods. Evaluate that statement. If I was a criminal, I probably wouldn't take public transportation as my getaway vehicle! First, they're not all that fast; second, you would be in close quarters with other people watching what you're doing. This argument makes little sense.

I leave you with this: You say that public transportation is subsidized by taxpayer dollars. This is true; no system is completely self-sufficient. But aren't your roads also subsidized by taxpayer dollars? What return do we get from those? Aren't your schools subsidized by taxpayer dollars? What financial return do we get from those? What about your police and fire departments? Do we get a financial return from those?

I probably cannot speak for you, but I can speak for myself and all of my fellow residents who choose to live the urban lifestyle: we cannot wait for METRO to open up in 13 days.

METRO is reality and it is coming on 27 December 2008.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Discover Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix has a lot of interesting places.

My favorite place is Symphony Hall when the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra are performing. I've been to a couple of PSO performances - Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra on 11 September and Haydn's Creation on 4 October - and there are a lot of great performances to follow in this season.

The PSO have an incredible student tickets program. For advance sales, students can get 25% off any ticket price from the Phoenix Symphony box office (1 N. 2nd St.). For those seeking some adventure, students can get $10 rush tickets starting an hour before the performance. And new this season is the College Club Card, where $30 gets you access to all of the Classics 16 concerts.

For the uninitiated to the symphonic repertory, there are a lot of great works left this season. I recommend Brahms Symphony 1 on 13 and 15 November, Beethoven Piano Concerto 4 on 5 and 7 February 2009, and Stravinsky's Firebird on 19 and 21 November. (All of these concerts are available on the College Club Card, too!)

The full PSO schedule is online here and the Classics 16 series schedule is online here. If you want a recommendation, e-mail me.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

METRO starts regular testing on the entire 20-mile line Monday

[source: azcentral.com] METRO Light Rail will expand testing across all 20 miles of the line starting next week.

Until now, tests have been limited to the track south of McDowell Road, in downtown Phoenix, along Washington Street and through Tempe and Mesa.

Vehicles will now begin regular testing on Central Avenue. In addition, some trains will go all the way to the end of the line in Phoenix at 19th Avenue and Montebello.

Testing primarily occurs during the day; however, in coming weeks, testing will also take place at night to simulate service.

Expect a train anytime, from either direction, according to Hillary Foose, spokeswoman for METRO. She says testing will continue to ramp up and become more recurring in the weeks leading up to the system's grand opening on Dec. 27.

Testing will become so regular, in fact, it will appear as though METRO is in service, she said.

Each train is required to travel 1,000 miles during testing before it can be placed into regular service. Testing also helps Metro coordinate the various systems needed for light rail to run.

With trains testing at such a regular pace, Metro offers these guidelines to staying safe around light rail:

• Light rail is quiet; look and listen for the train.
• Obey the traffic signals; stop on red.
• Use the crosswalks and obey all signals.
• Stay off the trackway; never drive, bike, walk or skateboard on the tracks.
• Stay clear of the overhead wires; they are energized.

So far, Metro has not had a serious accident. For more on how to ride and ways to be safe around light rail, visit www.metrolightrail.org.

Monday will mark 61 days to the grand opening of METRO on 27 December 2008. Stay tuned to this blog for more information as we get it in.

The excitement, as I've said before, is palpable.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

METRO is back in Downtown Phoenix!

As reported in this blog in September, METRO Light Rail has been back in downtown Phoenix since 15 September 2008. Here is a collection of pictures of the first few weeks of METRO's testing here in downtown Phoenix:


if you cannot see the album, click here

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown grand opening pictures

Today was a big day in downtown Phoenix history. Downtown Phoenix's first new hotel in over 30 years opened. This is the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, located along 3rd Street between Taylor and Van Buren Streets.

I went inside and had a look around to see what was on the inside (after a couple of years of seeing construction on the outside!).


if you cannot see the slideshow, click here for the album

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

The Phoenix Symphony 2008-2009 season

The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is, in my opinion, the region's best symphony orchestra. Led by music director Michael Christie, the ensemble has transformed from a sleepy municipal orchestra into one of the nation's best symphony orchestras.

Last night, I had the privilege to attend the opening of the Symphony's Classics 16 concert series, featuring traditional symphony orchestra music - Béla Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra - and world folk music - led by Romashka, a gypsy folk music troupe from New York City.

I think that the PSO is Phoenix's greatest secret. They're so good, but yet very few people go to their exciting concerts. Even if you're not a fan of heavy Classical music (like I am), still go and support their efforts. We're not in Europe, so you don't have to don the dinner jackets or evening dresses, just come as you are!

The PSO has some great student ticket opportunities available. You can get a 25% discount on advance ticket sales purchases by showing your student ID, and there's also a student rush program: $10 tickets available starting one hour before the concert starts.

Go check out the PSO's calendar of events online. If you need recommendations on what concerts might be good to the Classical music novice, send me an e-mail. I'll be more than happy to offer recommendations. Or check out the booklet of all PSO events from all different series - Classics, Pops, Family, and Favorites - online.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

METRO returns to Downtown Phoenix starting September 15th

this is from the Downtown Voices Coalition blog, online at http://downtownvoices.org/

[Source: Valley Metro] — Beginning the week of September 15, as early as Monday, you can expect a train anytime from either direction in downtown Phoenix. The vacant tracks you may be used to walking or biking on will soon be busy with activity. METRO light rail will expand vehicle testing to downtown Phoenix this month and the rest of the Phoenix alignment in October. Testing will move in slowly, but will ramp up in the later fall and winter months. So now as you move around the METRO system, please take note of these simple guidelines to staying safe:

• Light rail is quiet; look and listen for the train
• Obey the traffic signals; turn only with a green arrow
• Use the crosswalks and obey all signals
• Stay off the trackway; never drive, bike, walk or skateboard on the tracks
• Stay clear of the overhead wires; they are energized

METRO light rail is a 20-mile system that connects the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa set to open December 27, 2008. The in-road system will have 28 stations, eight park-and-ride facilities, and 50 trains. Trains will operate 20 hours a day and stop at stations every 10 minutes during daytime hours. Sharing the same fare structure as the Valley’s bus service, fares begin at $1.25 for a single ride. For more information on how to ride and ways to be safe around METRO light rail, click here.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

know99 at Taylor Place

As part of its 99-second story series, Phoenix educational access channel know99 interviewed Jennifer Shea, director of operations at Taylor Place, the Downtown Phoenix campus's new residential hall.


if you cannot see the video, click here

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

METRO enters Downtown Phoenix, part II

As promised, here are still images from today's historic METRO test in downtown Phoenix.


The images are presented in a Google Pictures slideshow. To see larger versions of these images, click here.

Isn't this exciting?

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

METRO enters Downtown Phoenix, part I

Earlier today, METRO made its grand march into Downtown Phoenix and turned north onto Central Avenue. I'm working on getting the pictures uploaded, but I have a couple of videos that share the exhilaration of the moment:


if you cannot see the video of METRO turning onto Central Avenue, click here


if you cannot see the video of METRO departing the Central/Washington station, click here


if you cannot see the video of METRO departing the Central/Van Buren station, click here

I'm working on a slideshow of the pictures I took. That is to come later today!

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

DPCP: City Hall Grill at Phoenix City Hall

[Author's note: this entry is from 'The News from Downtown Phoenix', and I encourage you to check it out.]

For the latest installment of the Downtown Phoenix Cafeterias Project, Sam and I went to Phoenix City Hall's 10th floor cafeteria, the aptly-named City Hall Grill to sample a long-established Thursday tradition, Mexican Food Day. Known to City Hall staffers and the ASU folk as some really good Mexican food for really low prices, it was definitely worth the walk in 105F+ daytime heat.

The present Phoenix city hall is the fourth incarnation of the civic seat. Although the first building has been torn down (was located where Central Station is presently), nos. 2 and 3 still exist as a county courts building and the Calvin C. Goode Municipal Building. Phoenix's newest City Hall was approved by the City Council in May 1990 and the twenty-storey, $83mln tower opened January 1994. Of interesting note is that the Orpheum Theatre was renovated as part of City Hall's construction. For more information and a lot of photos, check out this website.

While architectural history makes for interesting conversation, let's get to the real reason we're here: food.

As mentioned before, the cafeteria is on the 10th floor of City Hall. To get there from street level, find the elevators that service floors 2-10 (the north bank). Once off the elevators, find the signs that direct you to the cafeteria. (On one side of the elevator bank at the 10th floor is the Fire Prevention Office and the City Photographer's office. If you enter those offices, turn around.)

Since it was Mexican Food Day, I opted to have a chicken taco salad with all the fixin's - rice, beans, salsa, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, olives, and everything else. The food was as good as it was reasonable - a rather large portion for $5.49. With drink, I was out the door for $6.50. In addition to the specials, the usual cafeteria fare is there - salads and grilled hamburgers are specialties of the house. The view was as good as the food: the seating area has north, east, and south views (and everything else in between) so you can see the Maricopa County complex, CityScape construction, Chase Field, South Mountain Park, and Midtown.

The cafeteria is open from 8am-4pm with lunch being served in the middle of those hours. Aside from city employees eating, a lot of county court jurors were eating there. Which is for a good reason - good food for a good price brings everyone out!

So in short, the cafeteria is in Phoenix City Hall, 200 West Washington Street (at Marvin Andrews Way) on the 10th floor. Go eat there and enjoy!

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

To stay abreast of the Downtown Phoenix Cafeterias Project information or to recommend cafeterias for us to try out, e-mail cafeterias@edwardjensen.net and thanks!

A Downtown Phoenix phoenix

Yes! The Downtown Voices Coalition has republished an article from the Arizona Republic (date uncertain) that a restaurateur believes Downtown Phoenix is going to be a phoenix and is on the road to rebounding.

See the article here!

Cheers -
Edward Jensen

Light Rail safety

Our friends at RailLife and LightRailAZ are reminding us all of light rail safety. Something that the Phoenix light rail authorities have failed to do is to start an aggressive safety campaign to tell people how to drive, walk, or bike around the tracks.

Anyway, go check out "Don't cross that line!" at http://raillife.com/blog/post/2008/05/11/Dont-cross-that-line!.aspx.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

The Downtown Phoenix Cafeterias project

I am starting a project identifying all the cafeterias of various downtown Phoenix buildings. We all know that the Chase Tower (at 201 N. Central Ave.) has the Coin Room Café in its basement and that Phoenix City Hall (200 W. Washington St.) has their cafeteria on the 10th floor, but there simply has to be more in downtown Phoenix. If you know of any cafeterias, or would like to stay abreast of what's going on with the cafeteria project, send an e-mail to cafeterias@edwardjensen.net.

Thanks! -EJ

El Portal at Cronkite/Eight?

The Downtown Phoenix Journal is reporting that El Portal, a Mexican restaurant presently at 2nd Avenue and Grant, will open up a second restaurant at the new Cronkite/Eight building (adjacent to University Center).

Their present location is at 2nd Avenue and Grant south of downtown Phoenix. They're open 7:00am-2:00pm every day of the week.

More information: DPJ article and Google Maps review

Cheers! - Edward Jensen

101 Bistro and Breadfruit

Okay, if the blog entries are correct, it appears that the 101 Bistro at the US Bank tower has closed. This is sad, because it was one of the few places in downtown Phoenix that was open after lunch during the weekdays and even on the weekends. What I don't understand is why it would be closed down considering its popularity and niche market - being open after hours - that it filled. Oh well. I'm sure something else will open up there. (Here's the blog entry from Life in Downtown Phoenix.)

But on an incredible new note, Jamaican cuisine has a new (read: fewer than two weeks) home here in downtown Phoenix at The Breadfruit. I went to dinner there last night before the D'Backs' game with my friends and was blown away by the food. With this being my first encounter with Jamaican cuisine, I decided to try the Jerk Chicken off the Grill, and my taste buds were blown away. The spicy heat was one thing, but the flavor and the accompaniments were so tastefully thought out that I never really forgot about the heat. Go try it out for yourself: it's at 108 E. Pierce Street, which is on the north side of Pierce between 1st and 2nd Streets. Here's a map and here's a review of the restaurant from Phoenix Rail Food.

Cheers -
Edward Jensen

The Coin Room Café and graduation well-wishes

Finals have finished and now summer begins! Before that, however, I have lots to do. I'm working on a research project with two professors that will eventually become key to my honors thesis. I'm excited for that!

Anyway, when you're in downtown Phoenix and you're looking for a quick lunch, I encourage you to (at least once!) try out The Coin Room Café at the bottom of the Chase Tower (southeast corner of Central Avenue and Van Buren). The food is excellent and you won't shell out many coins for it!

The food offered is diverse. You can get salads, sandwiches, burgers, and whatever else the chefs and maître d's decide to cook up. And it's reasonable! A typical lunch costs under $5, including drink!

Take my advice - you'll be glad you did!

Finally, to all those graduating this day from the College of Public Programs, my thoughts and best wishes are with you as you embark on the best adventure that life will give to you! This includes fellow Student Ambassador Danielle Coniglio, whose service to this endeavor has been of the highest quality and whose contributions have been endless. We will miss you, but we know that you will do extremely well in whatever you decide to do!

Edward Jensen

Cronkite/8 building tour

Yesterday, 30 April 2008, I was privileged to see the inside of the new Cronkite/8 building directly north of ASU University Center.


if the slideshow does not work, go here

Cheers! - Edward Jensen