A website called nofee2hikeaz.com is now online fighting the Phoenix government’s proposal to charge for parking at 5 of its most-congested trailheads. Check my earlier post for some of the details.
Let me get this straight: The people who launched this site have the time and resources – in both time and cash – to design, code, launch and administer a website complete with YouTube videos. Yet they don’t have an extra $60 for a yearly pass for unlimited usage of those five trailheads. And they can’t park anywhere else, either.
That is just risible.
I also love the name: nofee2hikeaz.com.
How disingenuous and misleading can they get?
This is about five trailheads in one city. Let me repeat that: five trailheads, one city. Not even an entire city. It has nothing to do with the state of Arizona. Classic scare tactic from some local with delusions of Karl Rove grandeur.
But hey, what’s a little misdirection when there are $60 at stake!
I can’t help noticing that the video shows some awfully slick SUVs and sports cars in the parking lot. Maybe they could just skip a latte or two a week and apply it to the park fee? Nah, that’s crazy talk.
And here’s an interesting addition to the equation: Two days earlier, I received an email from Councilman Sal DiCiccio, the same one who railed against the proposed park fees, two days ago.
I have no idea how the councilman acquired my information. And I have absolutely no idea how the Webmasters of nofee2hikeaz.com acquired my information. [...]
phoenix
How Did I Get on Anti-Park Fee Group’s Email List?
Forget Where You’re From – Be Where You Are
Let’s pretend the Phoenix Coyotes were playing the Chicago Blackhawks in this year’s playoffs rather than the Detroit Red Wings.
Before I go further, let me explain something: There was once a time when the Phoenix Coyotes were called the Winnipeg Jets. During that time, I was a Chicago Blackhawks fan. I was born in Chicago, and raised as a Hawks fan: Goulet, Larmer, Magnusson, Esposito, Lysiak, Grimson, Smith, Chelios (hell, even Bannerman!) – those were my boys. My Hawks love continued after moving to Arizona. I was one of the few kids in school who liked hockey, and the only one who liked the Blackhawks (damn Gretzky and his trendy black-and-silver LA Kings). Losses would ruin my day, especially since I knew the inbred Canucks fan in my algebra class couldn’t wait to give me crap as if I gave up a soft goal or missed an open net.
So, you probably think I’d root against the Coyotes if they faced the Blackhawks. After all, I’ve never bonded with the Coyotes as I did with the Blackhawks (I always preferred the minor league Roadrunners).
But you’d be wrong.
I am a Phoenician, and have been since 1980. When the Coyotes arrived in the late 90s, I offered the team my loyalty.
That’s because there are certain things I understand: My home is where I am right now, and the past is the past.
If I put the Blackhawks before the Coyotes, I’d feel like a false Phoenician. It is up to me to help give [...]
Taste of Tops Ups the Ante for Craft Brew
Late in 2009, Taste of Tops opened in Tempe attached to the venerable Tops Liquor. Despite being close to Arizona State University, this really isn’t a place to pick up a 24-pack of frat boy swill. It’s a place for for hardcore brew fans to find stuff to hit the taste buds hard.
Taste of Tops took the Tops inclination for craft brew further – they offer about a dozen taps, all connected to kegs of high-quality offerings. You won’t find Bud here. Ever.
You will find a somewhat high price tag, as noted in the Brew Dork Times. I differ from that post about ToT in a few ways: I’ve always found the service friendly, and I get recognized by the staff every time I visit (being a long-haired dude kind of helps). I’ve had great conversations with the staff, too. As for the “sterile” feel of ToT … well, it’s brand new. I don’t think anyone has a right to expect a place to feel lived in from the day it opens. And really, customers are a huge part of the atmosphere. I have no problem getting a good chat going with strangers, and that means more to me than decor.
Now, there’s been an unexpected consequence of ToT’s opening: It’s really forced Papago Brewing in Scottsdale to pick up its game. Before ToT started drawing people, I could often go to Papago and find barely anything interesting on tap. I’ve noticed a marked change in this. Now, I have a [...]
Photo Brings Back Some Great Flying Memories
Check out this photo! So you might be wondering why I’m showing you a picture of some skinny-legged kid. Well, that kid grew up to be none other than Wandering Justin! Pretty crazy, eh?
So aside from that being a much-younger me, there’s a bigger point here. Or really, several!
1. I’m having my photo taken with a pilot. This photo shows how the role of pilots has changed. Someone in 1979 snapped this photo of me, and I was clearly pleased to pose for a snap with a pilot. And he was clearly not put out by the effort. How many 5-year-old kids these days (incorrectly) view pilots as more than glorified bus drivers? I’m hoping a pilot will speak up on this point. Unfortunately for kids these days, the era of visiting the cockpit and posing outside the plane for a snapshot with the pilot is long-gone. It’s not like pilots’ skills have diminished – automation has changed things, but they still have to know how to fly and work all the flight management computers. Don’t believe me? Get yourself a copy of Laminar Research’s X-Plane simulator and just try getting the 747 to do anything. Multiply that difficulty times a thousand and you’ll get some small idea of what a pilot does.
2. We’re outdoors! I really love airports where you’re not confined to the indoors constantly. I love using the moveable staircase rather than the jetway. You get to see the outside of the plane. You feel the place [...]
9 Things To Know About Sumits Yoga – Review
A few weeks ago, I pulled a muscle in my back. I rested it for a few days to let it heal. As it was starting to get better, I figured some good, deep stretching would help it. I figured heat would be good, too.
That brilliant line of thought led me to Sumits Yoga in Phoenix, at 20th Street and Camelback. They have a “Two Weeks for $20″ deal, so I showed up, yoga mat in hand, and signed up. Here’s what you need to know about Sumits Yoga.
1. It’s a hot yoga class. The temperature is about 105 degrees. Show up with very cold water, and maybe even a sports drink. I have a 32-ounce H2O bottle and a 10-ounce bottle of Cytomax half-frozen, and topped off with their respective liquids.
2. Dress right. I find Under Armour HeatGear shirts work really well. I think they’re actually a little cooler than just going shirtless, which I also tried. They’re also fitted so they don’t get in the way. Not really happy with my pants situation. But I should probably keep wearing them, ha! The problem is that there are certain poses where I have to brace a foot against my leg, and the incredible gusher of sweat makes me slide all over.
3. Bring towels. The studio sells these fairly pricey towels that keep you from slipping on the mat. I like them a lot. But I also have a regular towel to mop the sweat off myself.
4. All the instructors [...]
A Customer Service Idea for the Yelp Age
It’s a tough time to be a business owner, especially one that’s opinionated and fiercely independent. Take Cartel Coffee Lab. A barista raised the hackles of a guy on Yelp.com. He wanted coffee with caramel in it – they don’t have caramel. So he ordered a cappuccino, and the barista allegedly said “Just so you know it’s a REAL Cappuccino [sic].”
That would irritate me, too. The negative Yelp drew the attention of Jason, the owner. This guy truly cares about coffee. He loves doing it right, and he absolutely hates adjuncts. He’s a purist. I respect that. He meticulously ensures that his crew meets his standards.
And most of his staff is as personable as they are skilled. There are a few bitter beans in there, and I’d bet this came from one of them.
It’s good that Jason has his employees’ backs. But I don’t think he should tell a customer in a public online forum:
“If only you actually understood coffee, you might have been able to actually promote better coffee in AZ! You shouldn’t be commenting about coffee since you drink it with caramel anyway. You should probably rethink that life decision!”
For the record, I’ve had many conversations with Jason, and he’s a very likeable guy. And I truly understand how he feels. I love good beverages of all stripe. And when someone who drinks Corona turns a nose up at a SunUp Brewing cask-conditioned IPA, I truly believe Buddha drowns a kitten. But I also realize that people have their [...]
