Message from Interim Valley Metro CEO: Riding Transit

Just retrieved this from email inbox on 26 Feb 2016 - days three days ago. Guess yours truly might have been "behind schedule" but no more so than others. It's 01 March now with everything going Fast Fwd.

Message from the Interim CEO – Riding Transit

I have long been a supporter of light rail as an engine to spur economic development and revitalization, but even more importantly it moves people, myself included. Taking public transit from Mesa to downtown Phoenix eases my commute. It is stress free, allows me time to prepare for the day ahead and observe our daily operations. I'm especially looking forward to March 19, when we'll be able to ride light rail an additional three-miles to 19th Avenue and Dunlap. 

Valley Metro has done so many good things for the Valley and connecting light rail to new communities is just the beginning. The Valley Metro RPTA Board of Directors approved a plan that will make significant improvements to paratransit services in the Valley. It will eliminate Dial-A-Ride transfers, making connections seamless for riders. 

I look forward to using my experience as a private sector chief executive officer, accountant, attorney and mayor to strengthen Valley Metro and continue the good work already accomplished. Many more good things from Valley Metro are just down the road. –Scott Smith, Interim CEO

Blogger's note:

"down the road" looks like this

Here's a map of proposed Valley Metro corridor east of the Central Mesa Light Rail Extension proceeding past Mesa Drive to Gilbert Road

How Awesome Are "Master-Planned Community" Real Estate Investments In Suburban Mesa?

How does DMB's newest Arizona master-planned community continue to grow and sell itself just a few years after getting approvals and starting construction for new housing in a large tract of open land formerly the General Motors Proving Grounds [.   acres] It's proving to be fertile ground for real estate developers - an investment that's paying off. Approvals from Mesa City Council came so fast there was no time for shock.

The vision for Eastmark as a major economic core for Phoenix’s East Valley is already coming to fruition.  Apple’s Arizona Global Operations Center resides at Eastmark and DMB’s Operations team is working to bring more high-quality jobs to the area. Buyers appreciate living in the heart of the region’s transportation system with direct connection to employment, schools and parks,
Eastmark saw strong traffic and sales in its neighborhoods last year - 550 with an average of fifty per month.
In response to the rapid sales pace, Eastmark launched its next phase.Residents enjoy a rich community life that will continue to expand in 2016:

• Resort style pool for residents coming in 2016
• Recreation center for residents opening in 2016
• The Eastmark Great Park including Event Pavilion, Splash Pad and The Orange Monster – growing each year
• More than 25 neighborhood parks
• 100+ community and resident programs throughout the year

Two world-class elementary schools in the heart of Eastmark educate more than 1,000 students today. 
BASIS, one of the leading charter schools in the nation, operates their only Mesa campus at Eastmark 
Sequoia Pathfinder Elementary focuses on STEM education for their students. 
A new A-rated public school opened this year to serve the community and it is just a short walk from Eastmark neighborhoods.
Today, Eastmark’s 10 national and local homebuilders are offering more than 80 different home floorplans in 23 neighborhoods.  This includes the Encore community, which offers buyers 55+ a unique neighborhood with exclusive amenities within the master-planned community.
Here's a video produced by Eastmark that show you

 February 25, 2016What's NewEastmark

The Community Life Team and alumni of Eastmark Leadership Class 1 welcomed 20 residents to Class 2 on Feb. 18. Eastmark Leadership is an initiative launched in 2015  to provide residents a valuable opportunity to engage with one another and their community in an enriching way. The goal of the 10-month program is to establish a strong foundation and tradition,
The core program focuses on personal leadership development; gaining a deeper understanding of the Eastmark vision and community plan; learning about economic development strategies in the East Valley; and exploring other current issues that impact Eastmark, the region, and the state. Additional special activities offer opportunities to experience points of pride in our community and be introduced to leaders in a variety of public, non-profit, education, and business arenas.

Awesome enough for sure - Find out at Eastmark’s AwesomeFest 2016 on April 9.
If you missed it last year, Eastmark’s inaugural AwesomeFest welcomed 6,000 people for a free gathering where artists from around the country delighted audiences for one spectacular night.
For one night only, Eastmark’s Great Park will be transformed into Eastmark AwesomeFest featuring a feast for the senses with roaming entertainers, interactive arts and fun, music, technology and food for guests of all ages.
If you missed it last year, you DON'T want to be left out this year!

Watch video! http://www.eastmarkawesomefest.com/

RSVP now and enter to win custom Eastmark cruiser bike! http://www.eastmarkawesomefest.com/

#Eastmarkawesomefest







http://www.swabackpartners.com/projects/community-planning/eastmark-dmb-mesa-proving-gounds.html

The TED Institute > So change your perspective. Invest in the change you want to see in the world

Published on Jan 12, 2016

Can global capital markets become catalysts for social change? According to investment expert Audrey Choi, individuals own almost half of all global capital, giving them (us!) the power to make a difference by investing in companies that champion social values and sustainability. "We have more opportunity today than ever before to make choices," she says. "So change your perspective. Invest in the change you want to see in the world."

What's Next Mesa? The Way Forward + How

Two different visions from two different guys:

- John Giles, after one year in office, former personal injury-law attorney, admittedly "learning-on-the-job" and needing new ideas
- Michael Rubinger, retiring after 17 years as CEO of Local Initiatives for Sustainable Communities

Maybe it's time to get the two together - at least in virtual reality or on the page of this post.

Data-Driven? Follow The Money // Fertile Ground For Investment > Hey! Get A Clue: Real Estate

Ever wonder what's pushing property and real estate investments here in Mesa?

Hotels, offices, retail, and apartments? Where does all that BIG MONEY go?
Why isn't it happening more to move investments downtown? [yet] . More "master-planned communities" and retail in the suburbs, sure. Cashing-In and Cashing-Out, sure. Buy-and-sell, again sure. Re-invest and expand business corridors, sure. Retail, hospitality and entertainment . . . How do we get there?

State Farm Shares The Wealth > Financial Opportunity Centers

2.25.2016 - Press Releases

Building economic opportunity in struggling communities
State Farm® provides support to LISC with new $4 million grant
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., February 25, 2016 —  State Farm and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have announced an expanded effort to build economic opportunity in struggling communities through programs that encourage business development among entrepreneurs and skills development among low-income workers.
A new, two-year $4 million State Farm grant will expand LISC Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs) in under-resourced neighborhoods—helping people improve their incomes, credit scores and savings through education and long-term financial coaching.
At the same time, these efforts will help lift up commercial areas and provide safer and more vibrant places for business owners to set up shop, create jobs and grow local incomes.



Michael Rubinger LISC President/CEO

Take Me Out To The Ball Game > Sloan Park Hits The Headlines

So-called "beat reporters" arrived here in Mesa days ahead of The Cubs Spring Training, writing about everything from a smashed windshield hit by a fly-ball homerun hit out of the ballpark to foul balls lobbed by Donald Trump against the "secret money" thrown into the game of politics by secret super PACs funded by the family members of the Cubs owner - Play Ball!
That's $PORTS + $HOW BU$INE$$

 I may not be a fan of baseball, but I sure hope that the Cubs can break their 100+ year old curse someday
Here's a video that's been viewed by over 1,295,360 people that will show you how the national anthem of baseball happened way-back-when

https://youtu.be/q4-gsdLSSQ0