Game night with family or friends: I’ll be heading over to a friend’s house where we’ll play board games till the break of dawn, well, probably not that late–I’ll be lucky to make it to midnight–but you get the picture. Find some friends, gather your favorite games, sport some food and drinks on the kitchen island or countertop, and play the night away. If you’re into video games or Wii, do that, instead. But make it a fun night for all by just spending time together doing something you all really enjoy. Anyone up for some Trivial Pursuit? How about this new game called Partini? I gave a copy away to friends for Christmas. You have to hum, mold clay figures, act out a scene or a word, and make up sentences. Fun stuff.

A movie marathon: Two years ago, my boyfriend and I decided we’d spend the evening at the movie theater catching up on the new releases we never seem to see before they get released on video. It was a quiet blast. We enjoyed an early dinner out before the crowds shuffled in. And then we headed over to a Harkins Theatre to watch a few movies on which we both agreed. We amazed ourselves that we made it to midnight. It was a fun way to say hello to the new year. I’d do it again if asked. Heck, I’d even suggest it again.

The theatre awaits: If tickets are still available, “Let the Sunshine In” with a 40th anniversary production of Hair by Arizona Theatre Company. It shows at the Herberger Theatre in downtown Phoenix on New Year’s Eve. The special production includes dinner. Tickets are priced between $64 and $99. There’s also a special Broadway Tribute show being conducted at The Phoenix Symphony. Tickets for that range from $26 to $76.

Got any other ideas? Post them here.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

The last light rail service is regularly scheduled to end at 11 p.m. nightly; however, the schedule’s been extended on New Year’s Eve to 2 a.m. I have plans to go to Mesa that evening, and now I’m going to do it via the Metro–And it’s still free until the first service of the day on January 1, 2009.

Who else plans to use light rail for their New Year’s Eve celebrations? Post a comment if your plans include it.

RESTAURANT ROW: You can continue to read updates on restaurants opening up along the rail line at PHX Rail Food. For the past few years, this blog has run restaurant reviews, photos and updates, complete with rail stop location information. Now, the blogger is expanding his reports, he writes, to include the 3.2-mile expansion to Dunlap already under construction at the first station at Christown on 19th Avenue. TRAVEL TIP: If you want to know where to find a good restaurant along the rail line, as well as the future rail lines, check there first. 

CAR FREE: Could you go car free and ride the Metro Light Rail for an entire month? LightRailBlogger is doing just that. Visit his blog to see how it goes; he’s posting regular updates. I don’t think you’ll be able to contain his excitement. He’s already posted about Day 1. Scroll down a bit to watch the YouTube video from his Saturday Grand Opening Day ride. I think the music in the background is from a band I wrote about a few months back. Cool.

If you have any light rail news to share, be sure to post a comment. I’d love to hear about your first ride. And let me know if you’re hauling your bike with you. I’m curious to know how convenient Metro has made that. I’m wondering if I shouldn’t consider getting a folding bike myself.

Ummmmm.

(Photo used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

A day pass to ride on the new light rail costs $2.50. That’s a lot cheaper than driving a car to work, and it’s a safe alternative to getting around if you want to visit the bar scene in Tempe or downtown Phoenix.

The Arizona Republic calls the new light rail system a milestone for Phoenix. And if you’ve been around the Valley of the Sun since the 80s, when the light rail idea was first introduced but never made it past the voters, it’s been an idea the country’s fifth largest city has needed since way before then. This article notes that Phoenix once operated a trolley system, but that was 60 years ago. Today’s grand opening marks four years of construction and more than three times that in planning.

A local refrigeration school is celebrating the grand opening with a very “cool” event, according to an article in the Phoenix Business Journal. The Refrigeration School, located near the Sky Harbor rail stop at 44th Street and Washington, brought in 12 tons of snow, hot chocolate and live music to celebrate this special occasion. Valleywide, more than 100,000 people are expected to celebrate the grand opening.

An Associated Press article called the city “car crazy.” I guess Phoenix is. The metro area includes enough urban sprawl that it’s spread so far out, it has become impossible to get from here to there without reliable transportation: the car. Maybe light rail will help ease the pollution. If nothing else, it’s a start.

If you’re new to Phoenix, if you’re visiting, if you’ve lived here for a while now, what’s your view on the new light rail system? Will you ride it–for fun, to get to work, for entertainment purposes? Do you think it’s going to have an impact–on what? Go ahead and post your opinion here.

(Photo used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

At first he resisted–it was pretty cold outside this morning, 50 degrees, probably less, and he was still in his running clothes. But he relented, and we headed off to what used to be called the Christown Mall at Montebello and 19th Avenue. It’s now known as Spectrum Mall and is home to Stop #1 of the new Metro Light Rail in Phoenix.

My boyfriend predicted crowds, but I didn’t think it would be that bad. He was right. It was too cold to wait in line for too long, and the parking lot was packed–with people, portapotties and even ATM machines. 

Hundreds and hundreds of people were already there by 10 a.m., waiting for their turn to get a free ride on the first day. Luckily for us, all Metro rides are free till the end of 2009, so we opted not to ride today after all.

I did, however, snap several photos so you can get a taste of what we experienced on grand opening day, even without a ride on the rail car…

We first picked up the handouts. The city of Phoenix handed out free posters, a ride guide, the program, and a Passport booklet to discounts and savings at restaurants, shops and businesses located on the rail line.

The Passport includes offers from 144 Downtown Phoenix destinations, so you might want to pick a copy up at one of the venues listed. You can save on the cost of theater seats, meals, museum admission, and other purchases from participating vendors, including Chez Nous, Melrose Pharmacy and Curves.

The APS volunteer clown troupe was on hand to entertain the kids and distribute literature about environmental programs and new technologies being used by the utility company.

Live music entertained the adults.

The city of Phoenix had the bike patrol in place on their Cannondales to police the area and help keep everyone safe.

The food booths were a hit. Apparently, cheese steak tastes good even way before noon.

This was part of the line–You can see the rail cars behind the people–but I couldn’t tell which way it was going. We opted, as I said, not to get in it. There will be less crowded days ahead, and the ride won’t be any less exciting that first time out.

Each of the stops that I’ve seen so far in Phoenix are shaded with these triangular shaped canopies. All 28 stations include some kind of art installation, including sculpture, mosaics, photographs, tiles and paintings created by 31 artists from all over the country.

And here’s what all the fuss is about–the rail car. It takes an hour for each of the cars to travel the 20-mile route, from Phoenix to Mesa.

If you want to brave the excitement yourself, there’s still time today. Festivities, centering around different themes, take place not only at Station #1 but also at these stops as well:

Thomas & Central Avenue (Station #8)–Just outside Park Central Mall, north of the light rail stop, entertainment and venues highlight health and wellness.

Encanto & Central Avenue (Station #9)–The arts help celebrate grand opening day at this location near the Heard Museum.

Third Street between Jefferson & Washington (Station #14)–Find out what’s new in Downtown Phoenix at the various booths, listen to live bands, watch street performers and celebrate the grand opening also of the new convention center at this location.

44th Street & Washington (Station #18)–Take a shuttle ride to the airport and learn how Metro Rail can connect you easily with Sky Harbor.

Priest & Washington (Station #19)–SRP hosts the celebration here where you’ll learn about water and electric safety via interesting and fun exhibits.

Mill Avenue & Third Street (Station #21)–This is the gateway to Hayden Ferry and the Mill Avenue District where you’ll find theaters, restaurants and the urban shopping experience.

Veteran’s Way & College Avenue (Station #22)–Fireworks, festival booths, a farmer’s market, eco-minded education, archaeology displays and live music make this one of the more diverse places to celebrate light rail today.

Sycamore & Main Street (Station #28)–The last stop on the rail line includes a full day of music, food and fun for the whole family in Mesa, which includes a classic car show and live music from the 70s rock band, Grand Funk Railroad.

Several communities also have planned celebrations, including Central Avenue & Campbell in Phoenix, Dorsey & Apache boulevards in Tempe.

If you get a chance to go to any of these celebrations, be sure to come back and leave a comment about your experience.

For more information about Phoenix Metro Light Rail:

Visit the web site: www.MetroLightRail.org. Or call 602-254-RAIL.

(Photos used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

It seems the Phoenix winters were created especially for this outdoor activity. And homes that back up to the preserve make the perfect starting point.

Just ask Gene Urban and his wife Amy. They are known to schedule regular hike and brunch days. I was lucky enough to be asked to participate in one of them last weekend.

Take a look at the photos:

We set off on foot from the trail just outside the Urban’s backyard gate. Nice!

We passed a few shady views of big saguaros along the way.

At mid-point, we stopped for the group photo. Reindeer in the middle.

Afterward, we gathered outside for the potluck meal. Just look at that view from the patio. And, yes, we are eating outside under the sun…in December.

Our host is not only a realtor but also a Valley magician. When he says, “Pick a card,” you do it.

Trust me.

What a great way to spend a holiday season weekend.

I hope you’ll make time to do some of the same.

Merry Christmas!

(Photos take and used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

In my former north Phoenix neighborhood, the homeowners’ association distributed to all the homeowners the items you’d need for your Christmas luminarias. I’d step outside one afternoon to find at my front door a plastic bag filled with sand, ten votive candles, and ten paper bags–the kind used for school lunches.

On Christmas Eve, you’d see all the neighbors outside at the end of their driveways filling those paper bags with the sand, setting the candles inside the bags, and then lighting the candles at dusk. Entire streets would be lined up and down with the luminaria glow. My whole family participated in this annual tradition for more than 10 years, and I really loved taking part in the luminaria festivities.

In my new neighborhood that tradition doesn’t exist, but I did snap a picture (see photo aove) of a neighbor who put up his electric luminarias, with chile pepper lights, a few weeks ago.

Then, driving around downtown last night to see what the light rail line is looking like less than a week before its grand opening day (December 27), I spotted more luminarias, also called farolitos (a Spanish word meaning little lanterns). I discovered something I didn’t know before–The entire Willow Historic District does exactly the same thing my old neighborhood used to do. And it looks beautiful. It’s a larger neighborhood, so if you happen to be driving around downtown, north of McDowell Road and east of 7th Street, turn into the neighborhood and see for yourself.

The tradition is based on the Hispanic ritual of lighting a pathway to church for the festival of Las Posadas–a re-enactment of the story of the birth of Christ, and Joseph and Mary’s search for an inn. It usually takes place nine days before Christmas. 

If you’ll be in town and would like to visit other holiday light displays, these Web sites will direct you. Some may have luminarias as well:

AZ Family

AZ Central

(Photo used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

I turned in my photos today to my publisher for my upcoming travel guide book. With your help, I chose for my tenth photo suggestion the Prescott trail shot. It was taken at Lynx Lake. I wrote about it earlier in the year.

If you went up there today, you’d have to dress warmly. It’s cold enough, in fact, that one news report I read mentioned the city may get snow in time for Christmas.

Can you imagine this trail lined with snow? Wouldn’t that make an even better cover shot?

(Photo used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

• a free week’s worth of yoga classes in Phoenix (Shelly).
• a bottle of pillow spray (Geoff).

To claim your prize, please contact me by sending an e-mail with your full name and address. To find me by e-mail, just click on the e-mail icon on the right-hand side of the home page.

The third contest remains open for participation until December 31. All you have to do is post your comment for a chance to win the prize listed below. To go directly to the contest page, click on the link below. In order to be included in the giveaway drawing, you’ll have to answer the question posed:

• a travel wallet by Leeds.

Good luck, and thanks for visiting The Phoenix Traveler.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

I’m running three separate contests this week. They’re easy. All you have to do is post your comments for three chances to win three different prizes. Click on the links below to find out specifically what you need to do for your chance to win:

• a travel wallet by Leeds.
• a free week’s worth of yoga classes in Phoenix.
• a bottle of pillow spray.

Thank you for visiting, and good luck!

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Of the three photos I’ve copied below, which would you think represents an Arizona backroads guidebook? Keep in mind that I’m writing about places you won’t see in Arizona, unless you get on some back roads to get there.

If you’ll help me pick this final choice, I’ll put your name in a drawing to win a free bottle of aromatherapy pillow spray from The Westin Kierland Resort. The lavender scent comes in a little blue bottle with a copper satin pouch.

To respond, post your comment as follows (photos are in a-b-c order):

a) Aravaipa Canyon Trail

b) Prescott Lake Trail

c) Young Windmill 

Thanks for your help.

(Photos used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler