ASU State Press Discovers "Hidden Gems" Off The Light Rail

Your MesaZona blogger is happy to see anything that promotes the New Urban DTMesa - for example this article by freelance reporter Nicole Dusanek uploaded 10 hours ago in the first of three reports about taking Valley Metro Light Rail to each station on the Central Mesa Extension, inaugurated into service five months ago.
Any increase in light rail ridership at all in this travel direction along the route for the many attractions and destinations is appreciated in any way to reach the thousands of students enrolled at Arizona State University in Tempe.  
Yes, it's good "to get the news out" about  what's here, but there's nothing "hidden" in the three attractions close by the Center/Main Street station.

The article has a sub-heading: Uncover hidden gems all over the city with reporter Nicole Dusanek as she gets off at a different light rail stop each week to explore.
Except for "vision-challenged" persons, who can miss the blockbuster international award-winning main $98 million-dollar attraction in downtown?
It's been one beef of yours truly that what's missing in this central city is people - look hard Can you see any people?? 
This destination is not hidden at all, as you can see in this accompanying image of the Mesa Arts Center taken yesterday on Jan 24, 2016.

About one million people get attracted here each year! . . . most people "do their homework" to plan what to see and what to do here either picking up hardcopy materials at visitor information locations or accessing online resources like www.visitmesa.com or www.mesaaz.gov/thing-to-do or https://www.facebook.com/VisitMesa or Facebook or Trip Advisor or http://www.simplyrealmoms.com/posts/visit-mesa-family-friendly-activities/ or many other websites.

Maybe students, or student-reporters, are not too keen getting homework done. There is, however, something to be admired about just "winging-it" [or using public transit] with no particular agenda or plan when making a decision to take the time to travel here. Every person will have a different story in The New Urban DTMesa.

In a report titled
Gems off the light rail:
Art and antiques in downtown Mesa
how could anyone miss this?

Let's all give a shout-out to ASU State Press reporter Nicole Dusanek and encourage her and her readers to explore more around the other two light rail stops in Central Mesa.

Open Data: Real-Time Air Monitoring Data + Maricopa County Air Quality

Map of Air Monitoring Stations

Maricopa County Air Monitoring Division offers enhanced data from the monitoring network [23sites shown in map] including:

Real-time updates for PM-10

Hourly updates for other criteria pollutants

Real-time meteorology

National Weather Service radar

Satellite imagery

Air Quality Index ratings

 

The network provides an accurate and timely representation of the ambient air quality within Maricopa County - over 220 days per year of "moderate pollution" from carbon emissions.
Dirty air? Dirty fossil-fuels?
Real-time Air Monitoring Data here http://alert.fcd.maricopa.gov/alert/Google/v3/air.html

In cooperation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other governmental agencies, the division operates 23 air quality sites which measure for the following pollutants:  

• Carbon Monoxide
• Lead
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Ozone
• Particulates Matter (PM-10 and PM-2.5)
• Sulfur Dioxide

The data from these sites are used in a variety of different ways. This includes the ability to determine attainment status with the Clean Air Act, modeling for new sources and providing data to Air Quality Forecaster.

Here's a map of continental United States with average temperature ranks - it was the 3rd warmest in Arizona's history.
As you can see in a previous 2015 was a record-breaking year for breaking records of high temperatures.
Most people call it climate change and are taking actions to increase renewable energy sources and/of eliminate the use of fossil-fuels.
The 3 F's: Fossil Fuel Free



Some of the world's leading cities have been working to alleviate climate change for a while now. Extracts from Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlie-hales/these-major-cities-prove-going-green-is-not-only-possible-but-profitable_b_9051822.html

Mayor Charlie Hales, Portland
Portland, for example, has become one of the easiest and most enjoyable cities to live, work and get around sustainably and affordably by pursuing an aggressive Climate Action Plan and putting in place the strongest restrictions in the country on any new infrastructure that would transport or store fossil fuels within the city.
More than 7 percent of Portlanders bicycle to work each day
Portlanders recycle and compost more than twice what's thrown away.
Energy use across the city: - 22%  
CO2 emissions: - 14 percent from 1990 levels 
Population increase: + 26%
Job increase:  + 12 percent

Mayor Karin Wanngard, Stockholm
Stockholm takes climate change very seriously and has done so for a very long time.
We've set the ambitious goal of becoming completely fossil fuel free by 2040 and are on a path to meet it.
And most years, we show up on every list of the "most livable cities" in the world.
CO2 emissions: - 44% per capita
Increase in local economy: + 9 %
Population increase: + 6%.

Mayor Gregor Robertson Vancouver
Vancouver has also shown that going green is good for the environment and for the economy.
Last year, Vancouver became the first major city in North America to set the goal of getting to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 or sooner.
Already, more than 50% of all trips in Vancouver are done by bike, foot or transit, reducing congestion and improving people's health.
CO2 emissions: - 7% from 1990 levels [lowest carbon emissions/person in North America]
Job increase: + 30%
Population increase: + 34 %

M&A Here in Mesa: Textron Inc + Able Engineering & Component Services Inc. and Able Aerospace Inc.,



See update Tue 27 for a sudden dive in stock price.

Yipes ... down a cliff today

 

 

According to a report today in The News Journal amid  the topmost stocks in today’s market is Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT). The company founded in 1923 in Providence, Rhode Island is now an American industrial conglomerate, ranked 236th in the Fortune 500 with revenues of $12.1 Billion [as of 2013] with 33,000 employees, and facilities and presence in 25 countries.

 

The Federal Trade Commission granted  the approval for the Textron Inca acquisition of Able Aerospace Inc and  Able Engineering and Component Services Inc in Transaction #20160539 on January 6, 2016. Investors are closely tracking the movement of stock price, which commenced the trading session at 37.00 and was trading at 37.45. It has witnessed an average volume of 1911320 shares over the last three months. A number of brokerages have issued their earnings projections about the stock and its future stock movement. They expect the stock to touch 50.38 in near future.

Textron Aviation has expanded its component repair capabilities with the acquisition of Mesa-based Able Engineering & Components Service and Able Aerospace, a $70M international business and aerospace enterprise. Subsidiaries of Textron include Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, and other components. Primary revenue sources include the RQ-78 Shadow UAV and related contracts with U.S., foreign and global markets,

Able made the acquisition announcement in this press release

Textron Aviation acquires Able Engineering & Component Services, strengthens aftermarket customer support across Textron

January 21, 2016 by Able Engineering

WICHITA, Kan., (Jan. 21, 2016) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today it has completed the acquisition of Able Engineering & Component Services Inc. and Able Aerospace Inc., an industry-leading repair and overhaul company. Based in Mesa, Arizona, Able provides component repairs, component exchanges and replacement parts, among other support and service offerings for commercial rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft customers around the world.

The company has performed more than 8,000 proprietary FAA-approved component repairs. Its work covers a range of helicopter, commercial and military aircraft and engine components. Able, which employs 500 workers, also is a preferred provider for a number of helicopter operators and airlines.

Able Engineering CEO Lee Benson said Able had worked closely with Textron management over the past year “to ensure the acquisition by Textron is beneficial to all our stakeholders.”
Textron Aviation said it has no plans to make any organizational or operational changes to Able. “The team is doing a great job and we have no intention to disrupt the work they are doing with customers,” a spokeswoman said. 

Source: Aviation International News http://www.ainonline.com/

 

Other news on the site

U.S. Approves $1.9 Billion Sale of Bombs, Missiles to Iraq

by Bill Carey/ Jan 21, 2016 2:31 PM

Boeing and Raytheon Score $10.8B Weapons Sales to Saudis, UAE by Chris Pocock/

Oct 25, 2013 11:10 AM

 

The Future of Suburbia

People who live in Mesa don't need to be told that suburbanization is a contemporary global phenomenon or that we are living in a global suburban age.




The MIT School of Architecture and Planning Center for Advanced Urbanism is holding an event Mar 31, 2016 to Apr 1, 2016 Conference: Future of Suburbia

Phoenix 1892 : lots for $200

With the success, growth, and increasing global social and economic dependence on suburbs, the MIT Center for Advanced Urbanism believes it is time to explore how they may be improved through better design and planning.
What new land tenure models are needed to ensure that suburbs will become the frontier of innovation, tapping into flexible land-use to enable experimental economies, programs, and building?
What technological innovations and productive systems will be embedded within suburban development to allow for self-sufficiency, or even perhaps to become a net producer of food, water, and energy?
How do new forms of suburbs in these contexts evolve over time?
The Future of Suburbia conference will outline four design frameworks that project a future that is heterogeneous, experimental, autonomous and productive.
Each of these themes will be explored by panelists from a broad array of fields including: design, architecture, urban planning, history and demographics, policy, energy, mobility, health, environment, economics, and applied and future technologies.

Details +information >> http://cau.mit.edu/conference/future-suburbia

The Old West in The New Urban DTMesa > Ready 4 Prime Time @ Mesa Convention Center

Just about an hour left to preview items and lots up for the live auction starting at 5:00 p.m.
Exciting show your MesaZona tenderfoot went to earlier today.
It's the 26th Annual Brian Lebel's Old West Events High Noon Winter Antiques Show held here in Mesa.
Great crowds and good company.
Dude at bottom left is from North Dakota - he's a self-described "second-generation snowbird flocking to Mesa for the winter season.

Many of the vendors travel from all over the Southwest to show and sell and vend at this event. One traveled all the way from Connecticut and is worried about getting back. Why worry? Can'tdoanything about the weather so stay and enjoy downtown.
Image to the right from the auction preview where people got the opportunity to view items coming up for auction.
[see previous post for details]

This rug near the auction buyer registration table caught my eye after talking with Jayne Skeff about the show.

Details, time + other information >>
http://www.oldwestevents.com/mesa-schedule-location














LIVE AUCTION
http://bid.oldwestevents.com/auctionlist.aspx

Brian Lebel's High Noon Show & Auction

Auction Currency:USD Auction Location:200 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85201, United States

Auction Details

Highlights include: Blackfoot Man's Shirt; Buffalo Bill's Model 1860 Colt Army "The Scout"; Moreno Santa Barbara Parade Saddle Field Silver; Contents of the Carl Carlock (Phoenix, AZ.) Saddle Shop; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Poster for Capt. Bogardus; Goldberg/Staunton/Estrada California Bit & Spur Set; Pictorial Otoe Prairie Tobacco Bag; Carved Carousel Horse by Philadelphia Toboggan Co.; Rio Grande Pueblo Shield

This year boasts a strong selection of western art, including works by Bob Kuhn, Edward Borein, Ernest Icaza, Howard Post, Frank Hoffman, Will James, Eric Michaels, John Moyers, William Moyers, Lorence Bjorklund, O.C. Seltzer,

 

 

http://bid.oldwestevents.com/Brian-Lebel-s-High-Noon-Show-Auction_as39500

GO! > Future-Ready Or Not?

What makes a city well-equipped for the future?
And which communities are getting it right?  
Apparently, not one city in Arizona made the list compiled by Dell and IHS Economics during a week-long series of engagements that celebrate the amazing things their customers are doing.

25 cities on the list are all over the country, which tells us success is no longer just about location. It’s about embracing strengths and important opportunities in entrepreneurship, education and technology infrastructure. And by looking at these cities and their attributes, other cities – and even businesses and leaders – can create policies and strategies that will enable their region and people to prosper and achieve strong economic health.

They collectively identified the three pillars of a Future Ready Economy:

1. Human capital, or people equipped with the right skills to drive meaningful social and economic change;
2. Infrastructure that is prepared to support the people, businesses and technology needed to drive growth and change; and
3. Commerce or sustainable business opportunities to continue improving entire economies for years to come.

http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/direct2dell/b/direct2dell/archive/2015/11/09/is-your-city-future-ready

Good News For Mesa > Aviation & Defense Cyber Security Market = $61.85 Billion by 2020,

According to a New Study on ASDReports, the global aviation cyber security market is projected to reach $61.85 Billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 9.34% from 2015 to 2020. This growth is mainly attributed to rise in cyber-threats and cybercrimes by professional attackers on aerospace and defense organizations, thereby creating a threat to the national security.
The North America region dominates the global aviation cyber security market, as of 2015, followed by Europe. The Latin American region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is primarily attributed to the increased usage of internet in Latin America, which has further resulted in rise in number of cybercrimes and cyber-attacks in several Latin America countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. These countries have passed cybercrime legislation and created cyber defense systems. These initiatives made by governments in this region are expected to increase the demand for cyber security services and solutions at a rapid pace.

Other recent headlines
Boeing, Gulf Air Announce Order Conversion at Bahrain Air Show
Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Gulf Air announced the airline’s decision to convert its 16 787-8 Dreamliners on order to 787-9s as part of its long-term, twin-aisle fleet strategy and expansion.  The value of the airplanes is $4.2 billion at current list prices
http://www.asdnews.com/news-65338/Aviation_&_Defense_Cyber_Security_Market_worth_6185_Bn_USD_by_2020,_According_to_a_New_St.htm?hash=7e298000e4e33b052c450e8336305fd1&campaignid=22892&messageid=23037&l=3&utm_source=ASDNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ASDNews_Daily_Z1&utm_content=urbanmesaconnections@gmail.com
Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox Records Selected by Aeromexico
Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that Aeromexico has signed an agreement to implement Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox Records to support maintenance operations for its Next-Generation 737, 767, 777, 787 and non-Boeing fleets.
The announcement came during Aviation Week’s MRO Latin America 2016 conference and exhibition in Lima, Peru. Aeromexico is the sixth airline to sign up for the popular new module since its launch in October 2015More than 160 commercial operator customers currently use Boeing’s Maintenance Performance Toolbox suite. Boeing also offers access to records management capabilities for non-Toolbox customers through subsidiary AerData’s STREAM digital aircraft records application
http://www.asdnews.com/news-65339/Boeing_Maintenance_Performance_Toolbox_Records_Selected_by_Aeromexico.htm?hash=7e298000e4e33b052c450e8336305fd1&campaignid=22892&messageid=23037&l=3&utm_source=ASDNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ASDNews_Daily_Z1&utm_content=urbanmesaconnections@gmail.com
 
Read entire report here >> http://www.asdnews.com/news-65338/Aviation_&_Defense_Cyber_Security_Market_worth_6185_Bn_USD_by_2020,_According_to_a_New_St.htm?hash=7e298000e4e33b052c450e8336305fd1&campaignid=22892&messageid=23037&l=3&utm_source=ASDNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ASDNews_Daily_Z1&utm_content=urbanmesaconnections@gmail.com