Skateboard decks to the rescue

Posted on 08. Oct, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

A popular First Friday gallery recently put the call out to Phoenix artists and other public figures.  The owners of After Hours Gallery asked the local celebs to design a skateboard deck for an exhibit and auction to benefit families with autistic children here in Arizona.  You may recall, I volunteered my friend Kyle to [...]

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The cost of living carfree

Posted on 08. Oct, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

How much do people really save living carfree?  You might want to consider how much you’re spending using alternative modes of transportation.  This way you can compare the amount you spent owning a car and the amount you spend using alternative modes of transportation.

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Tell a friend about the Phoenix lightrail crash

Posted on 06. Sep, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

METRO lightrail and rescue crews in Phoenix responded to the worst crash since the system started carrying passengers eight months ago.  According to the Arizona Republic, four people were transported to a local hospital after an SUV ran a red light and slammed into the side of a train at 32nd Street and Washington early [...]

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The Bicycle Cellar inside the Tempe Transit Center

Posted on 28. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

I did not have time to roll on down to Tempe today but wanted to alert my readers to the Bicycle Cellar inside the Tempe Transit Center.  What is it? Click here and find out.

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Demolition along the Phoenix light rail part 2

Posted on 11. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

A Phoenix police spokesperson confirmed there were no reports of fight clubs taking place in the old abandoned storage building currently being demolished along Central Avenue at Indian School Road.
Over the weekend, crews were starting the demolition process which you can read about here.  There’s no confirmation yet on what will happen with this prime piece [...]

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Video 2

Posted on 09. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

Crews demolish a decades old Phoenix landmark along the light-rail, but are they making room for more development?

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Crews demolish Phoenix landmark

Posted on 09. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

UPDATE: link to story on teens and fight clubs
A nudge from the heavy equipment knocks debris five stories to the ground sending a cloud of dust blowing onto Central Avenue in Midtown Phoenix.

Many people may recall the old abandoned storage building behind the lottery sign at Central and Indian School, directly across from the light [...]

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Ollie the Trolley and a skateboard

Posted on 08. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

First Friday in Phoenix felt like a race to beat the clock.
My neighbor and I started late and only had and hour and a half to hit three places in different parts of the art walk. Jordre Studio on Grand Avenue, the Phoenix Art Museum to see the exhibit Phantom Sightings and After Hours Gallery.
You would think [...]

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How to support late-night-light-rail service

Posted on 07. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

Looking for places to go and things to do tonight on First Friday?  I’ve put together a list of what some railfans in Phoenix are doing along the light rail.  Is there a hip and happenin’ spot along the light rail that you don’t see below?  Go ahead and post a comment below.  You can [...]

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Phoenix restaurant wants to see local farms grow

Posted on 06. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

My carfree experiment using the Phoenix light rail has introduced me to so many fascinating people, places, and events.  The following story is about a local business along our transit system trying to make a difference in the community.
The owner of Gallo Blanco Cafe at the Clarendon Hotel (Indian School light rail station) is reaching [...]

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The new bike gets a makeover

Posted on 05. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

Thanks to my friend Phoenix Cycle Chica, I bought this vintage new ride pictured above, on the trip home from Tempe.
‘Vern’ is in the process of getting some much needed TLC at Slippery Pig on Central Avenue just north of Camelback.  New wheels, new chain, and maybe even some hip new handlebar pads in fashion [...]

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How I helped support late-night-light-rail service

Posted on 01. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

Light rail fans from all over the Valley turned out for Night Rail, an event to help promote late night train service in the Phoenix area.  Check out my previous post on the subject here, a story reported online here by the local paper, and find out what you missed at one of the Night [...]

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Have you seen me?

Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

The man experimenting with living carfree in Phoenix is now bike-free as well.
I can’t believe someone stole my bike!  This happened the other night and, in retrospect, I only have myself to blame on many levels.
1. I parked my bike in a high theft area
2. at night
3. with a sucky lock
Exactly where this happened is [...]

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Tell a friend about Phoenix light rail extended hours

Posted on 28. Jul, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

Railfans and business owners along the new light rail system in Phoenix got their wish – trains running until 2 a.m. on the weekends.  However the extended hours haven’t brought the crowds once expected.  OK, so, now what?
“Late night ridership has been light,” says METRO spokesperson Hillary Foose.  ”We look forward to it picking up with people [...]

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Random acts of kindness and the blogger living carfree in Phoenix

Posted on 25. Jul, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.

My carfree adventures almost came to a screeching halt the other day.  How does one live carfree in Phoenix – walking to light rail stations or using his bike to get around town – with an injured foot?
This all started early Thursday morning.  I woke up and let the dogs out for a second when [...]

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