Summer is here in Downtown Phoenix!
After an extended spring, we’re finally seeing triple digit temps on a regular basis. While staying indoors during extreme heat is always a good idea, there are ways to protect yourself when venturing out on your bike, bus or light rail during the day.
Wear appropriate warm weather clothing like light colored, loose-fitting cotton shirts and pants. Consider using sunblock for the parts of your body that aren’t covered with clothing. The style of shoe you wear is also important. Tennis shoes are always a good choice for hoofin’ it in the urban core, however you should avoid wearing shoes that will expose your feet to the harsh urban elements (i.e. sandals and flip flops). You might also want to think about wearing a ball cap or other type of hat to shade your face as much as possible.
Bring some water along for the ride. Staying hydrated is always important, but it’s especially crucial when you’re commuting by bike, bus or light rail since your body is always active and on the go! If you forget to bring a water bottle, be sure to take advantage of the water fountains on light rail platforms. TIP: let the water run for a couple seconds before taking a sip!
Plan ahead to minimize your exposure to the sun by using Google Transit. No one wants to wait for a bus or train in 115F weather! If you map out your trip indoors, then you won’t have to so long for the bus or train when heading out for your commute. This is especially important on the weekends when the train intervals are 15 minutes. If you do get caught waiting, be sure to take advantage of the design features of the platform shelters to shield you from the sun.
Riding a bike will keep you cool as opposed to walking to your destination. Although it might seem like you’re exerting more energy on a bike, you can actually save energy by coasting or cruising. Plus, you get the added bonus of having a breeze on your face!
Carry an umbrella if you want shade on the spot. Take a tip from our Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors - have you seen how cool they look? You’ll often find them using an umbrella as they walk around assisting visitors (and residents!) navigate our urban core. Our Ambassadors know best!
Don’t let the sun keep you shacked up inside all day! Go out and explore the city, just be sure to follow these simple steps to stay cool during your trip to downtown Phoenix!
With all the (welcomed) hullabaloo surrounding the impending opening of CityScape’s retail phase, news of other restaurants opening Downtown seem to be lost in the shuffle. Looking to build on the landmark’s paranormal past, the owners of the nearby 
Our urban core is bustling with activity these days. Not only does Downtown Phoenix have some great restaurants and entertainment options, but the city also has a growing number of amenities for people who live and work in the heart of the city. Especially when it comes to having options for working out near the light rail. Whether you live Downtown, midtown or uptown…working out is just a quick train ride away!
Is your teen interested in being a doctor or doing scientific research in a lab? The 
We want to be the most valuable resource for Downtown Phoenix. But in order for us to reach that goal it’s essential that we hear from our visitors and friends.
The 268,000-square-foot facility will be built in accordance with LEED standards, house classroom and lecture space, and allow the UofA College of Medicine in Phoenix to expand its class size to 110 students. Currently there are 48 students per class.
Mayor Phil Gordon, City of Phoenix District 8 Representative Michael Johnson, Cigna executives, and other Downtown notables attended an on-site ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning [See photo, left].
Second City alums include Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Bill Murray, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner. Saturday’s Opening Night performance included hilarious performances from Ryan Archibald, Amanda Blake Davis, Cody Dove, Lauren Dowden, Martin Garcia, and Andel Sudik.
Spotlight Shines on Downtown Warehouse District
Thursday, April 29th, 2010Friend and fellow blogger Yuri Artibise is organizing his second Jane’s Walk this weekend in Downtown Phoenix. The nationwide (free) event, named after urbanist Jane Jacobs, is meant to draw attention to walkable neighborhoods within your city. This year, Artibise is focusing on the warehouse district in our urban core. According to the Jane’s Walk Phoenix website, Artibise points out that our warehouse district has been neglected. Buildings have either been razed or boarded up. In most cities, warehouse districts are epicenters of the arts and culture scene, in addition to being a great place for young entrepreneurs to see their business grow. That’s not the case here in Phoenix, and Artibise quotes Jane Jacobs as to why our city people should change their mindset when it comes to adaptive reuse of buildings in this part of town.
You can learn more about the Downtown Phoenix warehouse district by joining Yuri and dozens of others this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The walk will start at AmenZone, located at 106 E. Buchanan, which is just a couple of blocks south of the 3rd Street and Jefferson light rail station. Information on the event can be found here and instructions on how to ride the light rail can be found on my website here.
Tags: Jane's Walk Phoenix, Light.Rail.Blogger, phoenix light rail, Tony Arranaga
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