Smashburger opens Wednesday next to ASU

Smashburger opens Wednesday next to ASU: "

Smashburger, a Denver-based burger chain, opens its first Arizona location Wednesday on College Avenue north of University Drive next to Arizona State University.

The restaurant’s third- and half-pound burgers, made with fresh Angus beef, are smashed on the grill to sear and seal in flavor.

Beside Smashburger’s four standard burgers, the Tempe location features a special Arizona burger made with habanero cheese, jalapeños and chipotle mayo.

The menu also includes chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and salads.

Post from: The Dish with Jess Harter

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No Wait at Pizzeria Bianco? You Can Bid on It

No Wait at Pizzeria Bianco? You Can Bid on It: "

​Thanks to props from Oprah, Martha, and all the culinary mags, Pizzeria Bianco's wood-fired pies are about as famous as it gets.
But the wait at the restaurant is just as legendary. On ...

Continue reading "No Wait at Pizzeria Bianco? You Can Bid on It" >"

Open Mic keeps live music alive

Open Mic keeps live music alive

Tempegov: Tempe City Hall, Transportation Center and others win architecture awards http://www.tempe.gov/go/~s05 #tempe

Tempegov: Tempe City Hall, Transportation Center and others win architecture awards http://www.tempe.gov/go/~s05 #tempe: "Tempegov: Tempe City Hall, Transportation Center and others win architecture awards http://www.tempe.gov/go/~s05 #tempe"

Tempe Green Street Party

Tempe Green Street Party: "Downtown Tempe - Streets of Mill Avenue District The city of Tempe welcomes the 2009 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo attendees. Roll into downtown Tempe on the new light rail to experience Tempe’s urban green scene. Green Street Tempe is a free event for the true eco-enthusiast. Please join us and celebrate being green in Tempe. Below is a list of activities planned. Please check back often as additional activities are developing. Visit our website periodically for more updates."

What Are These Weird People Doing In the Arizona Desert? [Vehicles]

What Are These Weird People Doing In the Arizona Desert? [Vehicles]: "

Who are these guys and what the heck are they doing driving alien-looking vehicles in the middle of the Arizona desert? I can tell you two things: One, looking at the cool gallery, I wish I was one of them.

And two, I hope the fridges on their backs are full of cold beer.

These guys are NASA's Desert RATS, a team dedicated to test space vehicles like the Lunar Electric Rover or the Chariot, which will move astronauts across the Moon and Mars' terrains in the Constellation missions. They are now in the Arizona desert demonstrating the feasibility of the vehicles and the future astronauts' Extra-Vehicular Activities.

One of the many things they are testing is what you can see in the photo above: Suit Ports. The suit ports are located on the Lunar Electric Rover's aft. The are designed to let astronauts get in and out their suits very quickly, using a rear-entry hatch. They are equipped with alignment guides and electromagnetic mechanisms to lock and unlock to the hatch, so astronauts only have to get in, unlock, go do their thing, and then just lock to the LER again, and get out of the suit as quickly as they got in. Neat. [NASA]

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Crow: ‘We’ve weathered the storm’

Crow: ‘We’ve weathered the storm’: "Derek Quizon



Friday, September 11, 2009
ASU President Michael Crow said the University has endured the worst of a recession and state funding cuts, but needs to find new sources of revenue before stimulus funding runs out in two years.

ASU President Michael Crow said the University has endured the worst of a recession and state funding cuts, but needs to find new sources of revenue before stimulus funding runs out in two years.

Smaller cuts in state funding, economic stimulus money and the tuition surcharge have allowed the University to avoid furloughs and layoffs this academic year, Crow said in an interview with The State Press editorial board.

“We don’t anticipate any furloughs [and] we don’t anticipate any additional layoffs,” he said. “We’ve weathered the storm.”

Crow added, however, that the surcharge is “highly likely” to be renewed next year because of the cuts the University has received in state funding.

“The elimination of the tuition surcharge without a replacement revenue source would be the same as a budget reduction,” Crow said.

The University will also be working to bring in revenue to replace the stimulus funding, set to expire in two years, Crow said.

To do this, the University in 2011 would need the equivalent of $1,400 per student in additional revenue, he said. That money could come from the state, increases in tuition or increases in student retention, Crow said, but he does not want to cover the shortfall with further spending cuts.

“We can’t cut our way to success,” Crow said. “We’ve already cut $50 million from the base budget of the institution.”

Arizona Students’ Association spokeswoman Christina Rocks said she was disappointed by Crow’s assertion that the tuition surcharge would more than likely be renewed.

“It was meant to be a one-time charge to students,” Rocks said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to have a surcharge while we are receiving stimulus money.”

Undergraduate Student Government President Brendan O’Kelly, who is also a member of the ASA governing board, said he wants the administration to include students more in the decision-making process. This would mean more open forums between the administration and students discussing the possibility of increased tuition, fees or surcharges.

“I feel like it’s just President Crow and a few student leaders right now,” O’Kelly said. “We want to make sure students are actively involved in any conversations to increase tuition, whether it’s through a general increase or a surcharge.”

O’Kelly added that USG would work closely with the administration to advocate for other sources of revenue going into the University, reducing the need for increases in tuition and fees.

“Right now, a portion of the tobacco tax goes to K-12 education,” he said. “It’d be great to see a portion of another tax go directly to higher education,” he said.

Rocks said the rising cost of attending ASU violates the spirit of state law, which mandates that higher education be “as nearly free as possible” for in-state students.

“The cost of attendance is just too high,” Rocks said. “It’s just not in line with our state constitution.”

Reach the reporter at derek.quizon@asu.edu.

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Valley’s first indoor, secure bicycle parking facility to open Aug. 24.

Valley’s first indoor, secure bicycle parking facility to open Aug. 24.: "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2009

Contact:
Tanya Chavez
Community Outreach/Marketing Coordinator
480-858-2215
tanya_chavez@tempe.gov



Valley’s first indoor, secure bicycle parking facility to open Aug. 24.

TEMPE, Ariz. – The first facility of its kind in Arizona, The Bicycle Cellar is a full service bicycle shop that will offer secure bicycle parking and related services to make cyclists’ lives easier. Services include repairs, equipment and accessory sales, bicycle advice and education, bicycle rentals and restrooms and changing rooms. The Bicycle Cellar will offer daily, weekly, monthly and yearly membership plans. Members will have access to the facility from 4 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Located adjacent to Arizona State University and Mill Avenue District, The Bicycle Cellar will be in the heart of an area with the highest percentage of bicycle commuters in the state of Arizona. The Bicycle Cellar is an integral element of the Tempe Transportation Center, which provides connections to the METRO light rail, bus routes, popular bikeway corridors and trail linkages to Hayden Butte. Approximately 2,000 square feet of the Transportation Center will be dedicated for bike parking and related services.

The Tempe Transportation Center and The Bicycle Cellar are one of the first Leaders in Environmental Excellence and Design (LEED) certified “green” and sustainable municipal buildings in Tempe. The Bicycle Cellar is an integral part of Tempe’s mission, which is to promote a multi-modal transportation system and to construct transportation-related facilities that reduce air pollution and conserve water and energy.

For more information about The Bicycle Cellar, please visit www.thebicyclecellar.com or call John Romero at 602-312-5136. Visit www.tempe.gov/tim for more information about the Tempe bike program.

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Cherubini Coffee

Cherubini Coffee: "

Earlier this month a coffee shop opened in Tempe that a few of you have told me about. It is called Cherubini Coffee Co. and is located on McClintock and Broadway.

I haven’t been to visit but from what I’ve heard it’s worth the stop.

Cherubini Coffee Co.

1740 E. Broadway Rd.

Ste 101

Tempe AZ, 85282

Twitter: @CherubiniCoffee

Facebook: Facebook

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Bison Witches Bar & Deli – Tempe, AZ

Bison Witches Bar & Deli – Tempe, AZ: "

Yes, yes. I know.

Where have I been?

Well, the short of it is that sometimes you have to take a step back and focus on some other things in life including family, friends, health and prosperity (or lack of prosperity in my case). But, everything is fine, although there are still some rough edges. But if you are looking for someone to blame, blame Madge.

But, let’s move on to the food!

So, like this blog, I haven’t been keeping up with my evil, tree-hugging, vegetarian friend Angelica. We decided to catch up before she started more nursing classes on her way to being the next Nurse Ratchet. We went back and forth on where to meet and finally decided to take a chance on a restaurant near Mill Avenue in Tempe.

I had a bit of trepidation about this since the students at ASU were taking over since classes began this week and I worried that we would have a long wait. But my fear were unnecessary as Bison Witches was only slightly busy on a warm Sunday afternoon.

After parking in the subterranean garage, I met Angelica topside and we entered into the restaurant. The place was very much a bar and grill with the booths dotting the perimeter and the bar the hub of activity in the center of the space. We were told (via a sign) to seat ourselves and we took a comfortable booth overlooking Sixth Avenue.

We were presented with menus and our drink order was taken: water for Angelica and an Iced Tea ($2.25) for me. Angelica swore by the sandwiches and there were several that caught my eye. When our server returned with our drinks, we were set to order. Angelica, not surprisingly, had the Veggie Sandwich ($7.25) and I opted for the Tempe Sandwich ($7.25). I also wanted a side salad ($5.50) and asked for a recommendation on the dressings. I was told the Herb Vinaigrette and Parmesan Peppercorn were both good and was told I could have both. So I did.

The interior was fairly non-descript and it reminded me more of a bar than a restaurant, but it was comfortable. The music wasn’t blaringly loud which we appreciated.

We waited about 15 minutes and our order arrived. The Side Salad was not what I expected at all. The salad itself was a mix of greens, veggies and cheese and all of this was stuffed into a large bread bowl. It also came with a side of chips. The salad was fresh and crisp and I liked it very much. The dressings were okay, although I would have passed on the vinaigrette if I had known in was going to arrive in factory sealed plastic cup. If I had eaten the bread and the chips with the salad, it would have been a substantial lunch, but I wanted to make sure I had room for my sandwich.

Angelica’s Veggie Sandwich was huge and loaded with tomatoes, lettuce, olives, green peppers, onions, artichoke hearts, avocado, sprouts, cheddar cheese, provolone, cream cheese and mayo. This was all served on thick sliced wheat bread and served with Poore Brothers BBQ Potato Chips. She gobbled down the sandwich and kept reiterating that she loved how they made their sandwiches because they were so fresh.

My Tempe Sandwich was a combination of turkey, bacon, onions, lettuce, cheese and Parmesan Peppercorn dressing served on the same whole wheat bread. One taste and I was hooked. The bread was absolutely killer. Soft, robust, earthy and completely delicious. It was a perfect vehicle for the meats, cheese and vegetables. The insides were fresh and abundant and the flavors were all brought together with the dressing. While the dressing was good I wish there was more, so I did add some of my left over Parmesan Peppercorn dressing from my salad. Serving size wise, this sandwich was a monster. I could have easily foregone the salad and have been completely stuffed with just the sandwich. The Poore Brothers Salt and Vinegar Chips were a great accompaniment with their tangy bite. I normally am not a big fan of potato chips with sandwiches, but in this case I think it was perfect due to the size of the sandwich. French fried or coleslaw just would have been a bit too heavy for this one.

We finished our meals and chatter away until we both needed to return to our Sunday obligations. We both had high regards for Bison Witches and there were about a half dozen or so sandwiches that I still want to try. Service was friendly, efficient and helpful.

Our total bill was a meager $24.05 which included tax. It was a steal for the quantity of food.

We departed and said our goodbyes on the sidewalk before I walked Angelica to her veggie-mobile and then left for home.

I hadn’t been on Mill Avenue in ages and there are lots of new things there and plenty to explore. So, I am glad we ended up at Bison Witches. It was a great lunch, great conversation, and an opportunity to see how Tempe was doing these days.

I can’t wait to go back to Bison Witches.

Bison Witches

120 East Sixth Street

Suite 146

Tempe, AZ 85281

Dress: Casual, but ASU clothing always a plus.

Hours: Sunday through Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM (Bar open until 2 AM).

Alcohol: Full bar.

Notes: Entrance to the underground parking is just west of the restaurant.

Website: www.bisonwitches.com

feastgagglechadwick"

Still Alive but just barely!!!