Here in Tempe, there’s always a ton of talk about what is happening “on Mill.” There’s no explanation needed, there are no directions to be given if you say you are going to a bar, restaurant, shop or event on Mill. EVERYONE knows exactly what you are talking about.

While some might not be huge fans of Mill Avenue and people in south Tempe whine about north Tempe getting all of the attention, resources and favor of our leaders, the reality is, the economic engine that is ( or was ) the Mill Avenue District paves the way for more growth in the city and in the region.

Last night, we heard city leaders talk about plans and the vision to re-brand the Mill Avenue District. A new logo, new marketing blitz and a fancy new web site have been put in place to tell people about Downtown Tempe. No longer will they market the Mill Avenue District. The future is all about the larger area of Downtown Tempe. They have been using the #TempeRising tag on all of the major social sites for you to follow along.

Recently, we’ve seen some activity east of Mill Avenue where the House of Trick’s has been rocking it before anyone else really could. Some of this development may be in anticipation of the massive plans that ASU has for the area. For years there has also been talk of stretching the Mill Avenue District west over to the Farmer Arts District, but that has been SLOW coming. Sam Fox and a few others hope to change that as they open the super-cool Culinary Dropout at the Yard in Tempe. Fox restaurants is making an $11 million investment in getting people to come to the “other side of the tracks” west of Mill Avenue. The new venue opens next month joining The Madison and Over Easy. The Madison is a spin and yoga studio that is already open, and Over Easy is another great breakfast addition to the area that opens later this year. The venue will also have The Coop and The Showcase Room as places to hold special events.

Change is coming:

Like it or not, there’s a ton of change coming to the Downtown Tempe area. Thousands of new jobs are being added, BILLIONS of dollars are being invested in and around the area, and we’ll soon see a ton of new residents looking to enjoy the valley’s most urban lifestyle. The new Marina Heights and USA Place will certainly have an impact on Downtown Tempe, but they aren’t alone. We’ve seen a lot of other investment large and small. Soon our past will make way for other future projects. I shot this photo recently of a crane flying in the air near Monti’s La Casa Vieja. I thought it was a bit ironic since the famed restaurant has recently been sold, and cranes will soon be circling the air at 100 S Mill Avenue, where this historic building has stood for a VERY long time. Yes, part of the building is being preserved, but the future site will have some big shiny new additions.

So, Mill Avenue is the new Downtown Tempe. 40 is the new 30 and life goes on. Call it what you want, change is constant and we’ll be watching. What do you think about re-branding of the new Downtown Tempe?

Here’s an example of a home for sale at Villagio:

280 S Evergreen #1369 – The home has 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 2 car garage and is a great looking home for under $200k.

With over 700 units at Villagio, the place has plenty of room for people of many life stages. With units ranging from 2-4 bedrooms, Villagio can be a good choice for professionals, families, singles and more.

Other than being close to ASU, here’s a few more reasons to consider Villagio:

1:  Sports fans: With the new Cubs Spring Training home being built directly across the street, you’ll soon have more neighbors from Chi’ Town to meet.

2. State Farm Employees: State Farm and the Marina Heights project mean more jobs and more people moving to Tempe. The Marina Heights project is located on Rio Salado, just West of Villagio. More professionals will certainly be looking here.

3. FHA Loans? In Tempe, close to campus, it is pretty hard to find a condo complex that is FHA approved. For some, that’s no big deal. For others, it’s huge. For students, the “Kiddie Condo loan” can be a great way to go. Basically, a Kiddie Condo loan is an FHA product that allows “a non-occupant co-signer to qualify for the loan. The actual occupant of the home does not have to have employment, income or assets. However, the occupant’s credit must meet FHA’s qualification standards.”

Think about it. The Kiddie Condo allows Johnny or Suzie student to buy a home with mom and dads help. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be a condo. Single family homes work, too. With a down payment as low as 3.5%, mom and dad aren’t even out a whole lot of cash. The popular 85281 zip code near ASU offers many choices. We just happen to think Villagio seems to make $ense for a wide range of people.

Tempe and 28 communities, universities launch ultra high-speed network effort

A group of 29 universities and communities across the country, including the City of Tempe and Arizona State University, are seeking to accelerate the deployment of ultra high-speed networks to stimulate innovation and research through a new venture, Gig U.

Gig U: The University Community Next Generation Innovation Project believes that improvements to these networks drive economic growth and stimulate a new generation of solutions addressing critical needs, such as health care and education.

Believing this to be an important mission, the City of Tempe and ASU participated in the effort to bring Google fiber to the community last year. Thousands of people from the community sent Tweets, emails, videos and notes to Google encouraging them to pick Tempe. Check out the video message below that ASU and the city of Tempe sent to Google.

While Google chose another city, neither Tempe nor ASU gave up on the quest for ultra high-speed.

“This might be the most important effort for our community,” said Councilmember Onnie Shekerjian, Chair of Tempe’s Technology Committee. “Innovation drives today’s economy. This kind of connectivity would be enticing to new technology businesses looking for a corporate office as well as to researchers everywhere. Faster speeds will ensure that Tempe stays at the forefront of innovation and creativity.”

Beyond research at ASU, Tempe is home to a significant number of technology companies, such as Medtronic, First Solar, and Limelight Networks. These could benefit from increased speeds, as could those people who do research out of their home or in coworking spaces and tech incubators like LaunchSpot.

“We know that our researchers have helped to improve solar energy technology and created devices of galactic importance, like some of the features on the Mars Rover, said Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman. “What we don’t know is how many great ideas and revolutionary products wait to see the light of day while network bandwidth and computer resources play catch up.”

Communities like Tempe increasingly depend on high-speed networks to educate, collaborate and share large amounts of information instantaneously. Research in real time has fueled the growth of the global information economy, yet today’s market for bandwidth services does not address the particular needs of university communities.

“Access to reliable and consistent high-performance computing is increasingly important at a research university. Enabling high-speed access to advanced computing resources enables Arizona State University to expand research in a broad variety of disciplines including the life sciences, aerospace, sustainability and national security. As a member of Gig U, ASU continues to power transformational discoveries and practical innovations that solve problems affecting our community, the region and our nation,” said Gordon Wishon, ASU Chief Information Officer.

Gig U universities and their surrounding communities have the most favorable conditions for a market-based, ultra high-speed broadband strategy, including dense populations and high demand from institutions and residential customers. These communities have long served as partners and test-beds for advances in market segments ranging from healthcare and education to technology and energy.

Through an open Request for Information (RFI) process, Gig U will gather data on these specific segments with an intent to inform high-speed service providers of new implementation approaches, and to enable competition to bring high-speed networks to research communities. The group aims for the RFI process translating into tailored Requests for Proposals for deploying cutting edge networking technology to campuses and communities in a matter of years, not decades.

The membership of Gig U includes:

Arizona State University

Case Western Reserve University

Colorado State University

Duke University

George Mason University

Howard University

Indiana University

Michigan State University

North Carolina State University

Penn State University

University of Alaska

University of Chicago

University of Florida

University of Hawaii

University of Illinois

University of Kentucky

University of Louisville

University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of Missouri

University of Montana

University of New Mexico

University of North Carolina

University of South Florida

University of Virginia

University of Washington

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

Wake Forest University

West Virginia University

According to the press release below, you and I can win cool stuff just because you “Like” the City of Tempe. How cool is that!?! Once you like them, just tell them that Nick said you would find cool stuff on their page. In a way, we both get brownie points. Hey, my kids LOVE the water and if I help get the most likes, I get to take them boating on Tempe Town Lake. Seriously, my boys LOVE Tempe Town lake, they DESERVE to win this dang contest. You won’t let them down, will you?

Here’s the scoop from Tempe.

2,011 in 2011 Facebook contest starts on Social Media Day

In celebration of Social Media Day, the City of Tempe is hosting a contest – and you can win a free boat ride on Town Lake and concert tickets!

We’re hoping that someone will be our 2,011^th Facebook fan sometime this year – 2011.

All our Facebook fans are special and we really appreciate it when people share the information we post and recommend us to their friends. So, if you happen to recommend the 2,011^th fan, not only will that lucky new fan get a prize, so will you!

Here’s how it works:

We’re at www.facebook.com/cityoftempe. If you aren’t a fan, please like us. If you are, tell people about the page. When they ‘like us’ have them drop a note on our wall that lets us know that you are the reason that they are on our page. Who knows? They may even say something nice about you!

That’s it!

The more people you recommend, the more likely you are to win a prize, because the person who recommends the most people (and remember, your name has to appear in a post) will win a prize, too!

Each winner will receive a free boat rental large enough to hold three of their friends or family members from Tempe Boat Rental on Tempe Town Lake and a pair of tickets to the Songwriters’ Showcase at Tempe Center for the Arts.

I am already a fan of Tempe, you should be too! Heck, they are only trying to get to 2011 and they are almost there so HURRY! Just like the City of Tempe on Facebook and tell them that Nick Bastian sent you.

C’mon, do it for my kids!

“Members of the Diablos devote their time and energy to the youth of Tempe by promoting, organizing and supporting community-based programs.” – Tempe Diablos

Tonight is the annual Casino Capers fundraising event that has become a “can’t miss” for many people. If you want to have a LOT of fun, eat some great food, and hang with some of the “cool kids” in the neighborhood, you need to have this annual event on your radar. The 2014 Casino Capers event is really something you should come and see for yourself.

Tickets for Casino Capers are just $250.00 per couple. I can assure you, it is money well spent. This event is top notch, the silent and live auctions are something you don’t want to miss. Please don’t let my wife bid on a “cute” puppy this year!

Give back to our great city, have some fun, and meet some great people.

Michael Monti, Jack Smith, Jim Mack and Nick Bastian – 2010 Casino Capers.

Casino Capers at Tempe Diablo Stadium

2200 West Alameda Drive

Tempe, AZ 85282

Casino Capers will be held at the Tempe Diablo Stadium again this year. Yeah, some of the other venues they’ve used in the past are not so spread out but this works ok. d I suppose I won’t complain about it being outdoors and having to walk so far from one end to another. 

Lori and I hope to see you there!

*sorry for the blurry pics, they are the only ones I have from years past. Maybe I can do better this time. *

Each year the Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade draws approximately 45,000 people looking to get into the holiday spirit. While we always enjoy Thanksgiving with our family and I typically think of turkey day as the beginning of my holiday season, this parade should excite the kids even more. Immediately following the parade people are invited to watch the lighting of the holiday tree located in front of MADCAP Theater on Sixth Street and Mill. Santa Claus will be riding in the parade and then will be hanging out in the MADCAP theater lobby where we can take photos ( at no charge ) with St Nick.

The Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade begins at Third Street and Mill Avenue and ends at Fifth Street and Maple. Directly across from the starting point of the parade is the METRO light rail station for Mill Avenue. The boys are excited to “ride the train” to the parade!

The map below shows the parade route, the starting and stopping point, the location of the holiday tree, and the MADCAP Theater where Santa will be providing family photo ops. The portion of the route outlined in red shows the “pedestrian viewing areas.” More information about the Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade is available on this Fantasy of Lights page.

View Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade in a larger map

* Parking note * If you are not riding the light rail, the city of Tempe says that you can bring a can of food for the less fortunate and park for free at the lot on Fifth Street and Farmer and at the Tempe City Hall garage on Fifth Street and Forest. The Tempe Kiwanis will deliver the goods to Tempe charities in need. Other area parking info is located at:

http://www.millavenue.com/transportation

If you are heading to Tempe for the parade, “Just Call Nick” and let us know. It would be fun to see you. We hope to see you there!

Below is a pic of the Arizona Smashburger which happens to be my favorite!

If burgers aren’t your thing, you can try one of their chicken sandwiches or salads. See the Tempe Smashburger menu here. They also make a shake that is worth a try! So, if you have been looking for a good excuse to go grab some lunch with friends, please join us on the 27th at 11:30am. If you can’t make it for lunch, stop by after work. The food is good and you will help a cool Tempe school at the same time. Cheers!

Smashburger Tempe is located at:

815 E. Baseline Road E. Suite B115

Tempe, Arizona 85282

480-838-9933

According to a Google Fiber web page: “We plan to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Our networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections.”

Tempe has a ton of technology companies, an amazing research community at ASU along with a huge student population and is a very mobile community. Google Fiber seems like a great fit. I am pretty excited to have been asked to help the City of Tempe with this fun project. Please join us in helping to spread the word about the Google Fiber contest. Complete details and information on how you can help can be found on the City of Tempe’s Google Fiber page.

If you have any questions on how you can help, please feel free to give me a call!

Here’s the deal… Shop Wednesday February 24th at Whole Foods in Tempe located at 5120 S Rural ( at Baseline ) and 5% of the proceeds will benefit Shower Power.

Shower Power is a project that will provide showers to homeless individuals who participate in the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP), which provides overnight shelter to the working homeless. Basically, it is a mobile-shower facility that will enable working homeless in our community to take showers and help them to get and retain jobs while moving towards self- sufficiency.

Learn more about this awesome project at the Tempe Leadership class XXV web site. Oh, and don’t miss the salad and hot food bar on sale today at the Tempe Whole Foods for just $5.99! I hope to see you there!