Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Press Pass: Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Wal-Mart Surging

One of the world’s largest businesses is not only surviving the recession but also thriving in it.  Forbes is reporting that retail giant Wal-Mart is recording record sales during the hard economic times.  While most retailers have been struggling to stay afloat Wal-Mart has seen a flood of customers attracted by low prices.  The retailer reported a company record of $108 billion in sales during the fourth quarter.  Wal-Mart stock has been going up in value, ending trading with a gain of nearly 4% today.

SiriusXM Saved

Satellite radio customers can breathe a sigh of relief; their radios won’t be going silent for a while.  Bloomberg is reporting that Sirius XM Radio narrowly avoided bankruptcy thanks to a $530 million loan.  The money is coming from Liberty Media Corporation in exchange for stake in the company.   Sirius XM has over $3 billion in debt that has increasingly put pressure on the company to act.  Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin said the company might have had to declare bankruptcy today if not for the last minute loan.

Trump Entertainment Goes Down

It seems like Donald Trump can’t win them all.  According to CNNmoney casino operator Trump Entertainment has filed for bankruptcy just four days after the Donald resigned as chairman.    The company is just one of many gambling companies facing trouble during the recession.  While gambling usually increases during rough times, analysts say consumers are unwilling to spend the money to get to casinos, which has cut into earnings.  Today’s announcement caused Trump stock to plummet 35% to 15 cents a share.

Starbucks Unveils Quicker, Cheaper Coffee

Good news for cash strapped coffee lovers.  Market Watch is reporting that Starbucks has announced the production of a new instant coffee.  Ready Brew is supposed to be just like fresh brewed Starbucks coffee, and will be sold for about one-dollar a packet.  The announcement is just the latest step in a campaign by Starbucks to reach out to consumers unwilling to pay for premium coffee during a recession.  Starbucks has also announced plans to add a value menu that will let customers pair lattes with select items.

Obama Coming To Phoenix

President Obama will be landing in Phoenix at 5:15 this afternoon.  The Arizona Republic reports that the president is coming to town to make a speech supporting his economic-recovery plan and its potential affect on the housing market.  The President will speak at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning at Dobson High School in Mesa.  Officials are asking the public to stay away from Sky Harbor as the President won’t be visible during his trip through the airport.  The President will leave Phoenix around noon tomorrow.

Wedding Bells Ring Once Again \

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Press Pass: Thursday, December 4, 2008

PTS TRAFFIC

-The ASU men’s basketball games tonight and Sunday and the ASU women’s basketball games on Saturday and Sunday will affect parking & traffic in the northern portion of campus. Permit holders in Lot 58, 59, and 59N are not required to leave their assigned lot these days. However, it is strongly suggested that you relocate your vehicle in an attempt to avoid the congestion that game day traffic can create. For your convenience, you may park in the Packard Drive South or Stadium Structures or in any lot south of University Drive with the exception of meters, reserved stalls, and visitor structures. You may park in these areas beginning at 4 p.m. today and at any time in accordance with normal cross-parking regulations on Saturday and Sunday.
-There is an event tomorrow evening at Gammage Auditorium. As a result, cross-parking will not be available in Lot 3.
-Several downtown Tempe streets will be closed later this week for the Mill Avenue Arts Festival. The following roads will be closed from 7 pm today until 5 am Monday: Mill Avenue between University Drive and Third Street, Fifth Street between Ash and College Avenues, and Seventh Street between Mill and Myrtle Avenues.
Several buses including the FLASH and Orbit will be on a detour during this time. For complete information about these closing and detours, please visit www.tempe.gov/streetclosures.
-The Rural Road on ramp at US 60 is closed nightly to westbound traffic today as well as Sunday through Thursday from 9 pm to 5 am for highway work.
-Mill Avenue at Washington Street is restricted to one lane southbound and the bike land is closed 24-hours a day through Saturday
-Curry Road at Miller Road is restricted to one lane eastbound from 7 am to 4 pm until December 12.
-Mill Avenue at the 202 Freeway is restricted to one lane northbound 24 hours a day until March 31, 2009 for an Arizona Department of Transportation project.
-Lakeview Drive just south of Washington Street is closed in both directions until March 31, 2009. Motorists should access Lakeview drive from Curry Road.
-Remember as you drive, bike or walk along the METRO light rail line, be aware that vehicles are undergoing testing. The test zone will be expanded west to downtown Phoenix by the end of September and up to the end of the line in Phoenix at 19th Avenue and Montebello in October. Vehicle testing in this new area will start slow, but will ramp up in the late fall and winter months. Simulated service testing will run right up until the grand opening weekend of December 27 – 28.
In order to stay safe, please keep these tips in mind when around the light rail:

* Light rail is quiet; always looks and listen for the train.
* Obey the traffic signals; turn only with a green arrow.
* Use the crosswalks and obey all signals.
* Stay off the trackway; never drive, bike, walk or skateboard on the tracks.


-Want more parking & transit information? Look for ASU transit on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to receive up to the minute communications to effectively plan your travel to and around campus.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Press Pass: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

PTS TRAFFIC

-Several downtown Tempe streets will be closed later this week for the Mill Avenue Arts Festival. The following roads will be closed from 7 pm Thursday until 5 am Monday: Mill Avenue between University Drive and Third Street, Fifth Street between Ash and College Avenues, and Seventh Street between Mill and Myrtle Avenues.
Several buses including the FLASH and Orbit will be on a detour during this time. For complete information about these closing and detours, please visit www.tempe.gov/streetclosures.
-Fifth Street between Priest Drive and Margo Drive is closed from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm until Thursday for water line work.
-Mill Avenue at Washington Street is restricted to one lane southbound and the bike land is closed 24-hours a day through Saturday
-Curry Road at Miller Road is restricted to one lane eastbound from 7 am to 4 pm until December 12.
-Mill Avenue at the 202 Freeway is restricted to one lane northbound 24 hours a day until March 31, 2009 for an Arizona Department of Transportation project.
-Lakeview Drive just south of Washington Street is closed in both directions until March 31, 2009. Motorists should access Lakeview drive from Curry Road.
-Remember as you drive, bike or walk along the METRO light rail line, be aware that vehicles are undergoing testing. The test zone will be expanded west to downtown Phoenix by the end of September and up to the end of the line in Phoenix at 19th Avenue and Montebello in October. Vehicle testing in this new area will start slow, but will ramp up in the late fall and winter months. Simulated service testing will run right up until the grand opening weekend of December 27 – 28.
In order to stay safe, please keep these tips in mind when around the light rail:

* Light rail is quiet; always looks and listen for the train.
* Obey the traffic signals; turn only with a green arrow.
* Use the crosswalks and obey all signals.
* Stay off the trackway; never drive, bike, walk or skateboard on the tracks.


-Want more parking & transit information? Look for ASU transit on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to receive up to the minute communications to effectively plan your travel to and around campus.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Press Pass: Tuesday, November 25, 2008

PTS TRAFFIC

-Mill Avenue at Washington Street is restricted to one lane southbound and the bike land is closed 24-hours a day through December 6
-Curry Road at Miller Road is restricted to one lane eastbound from 7 am to 4 pm until December 12.
-Mill Avenue at the 202 Freeway is restricted to one lane northbound 24 hours a day until March 31, 2009 for an Arizona Department of Transportation project.
-Lakeview Drive just south of Washington Street is closed in both directions until March 31, 2009. Motorists should access Lakeview drive from Curry Road.
-Remember as you drive, bike or walk along the METRO light rail line, be aware that vehicles are undergoing testing. The test zone will be expanded west to downtown Phoenix by the end of September and up to the end of the line in Phoenix at 19th Avenue and Montebello in October. Vehicle testing in this new area will start slow, but will ramp up in the late fall and winter months. Simulated service testing will run right up until the grand opening weekend of December 27 – 28.
In order to stay safe, please keep these tips in mind when around the light rail:

* Light rail is quiet; always looks and listen for the train.
* Obey the traffic signals; turn only with a green arrow.
* Use the crosswalks and obey all signals.
* Stay off the trackway; never drive, bike, walk or skateboard on the tracks.


-Want more parking & transit information? Look for ASU transit on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to receive up to the minute communications to effectively plan your travel to and around campus.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Press Pass: Monday, November 24th, 2008

PTS TRAFFIC

-Mill Avenue at Washington Street is restricted to one lane southbound and the bike land is closed 24-hours a day through December 6
-Lakeview Drive just south of Washington Street is closed in both directions until March 31, 2009. Motorists should access Lakeview drive from Curry Road.
-Remember as you drive, bike or walk along the METRO light rail line, be aware that vehicles are undergoing testing. The test zone will be expanded west to downtown Phoenix by the end of September and up to the end of the line in Phoenix at 19th Avenue and Montebello in October. Vehicle testing in this new area will start slow, but will ramp up in the late fall and winter months. Simulated service testing will run right up until the grand opening weekend of December 27 – 28.
In order to stay safe, please keep these tips in mind when around the light rail:
  • Light rail is quiet; always looks and listen for the train.
  • Obey the traffic signals; turn only with a green arrow.
  • Use the crosswalks and obey all signals.
  • Stay off the trackway; never drive, bike, walk or skateboard on the tracks.
-Want more parking & transit information? Look for ASU transit on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to receive up to the minute communications to effectively plan your travel to and around campus.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Press Pass: Thursday, November 20th, 2008

PTS TRAFFIC

-The presentation of “Happy Days” at Gammage Auditorium continues tonight through Sunday. As a result, cross-parking will not be available those days in Lot 3.

-The ASU men’s basketball game on Sunday will affect parking & traffic in the northern portion of campus. Permit holders in Lot 58, 59, and 59N are not required to leave their assigned lot this day. However, it is strongly suggested that you relocate your vehicle in an attempt to avoid the congestion that game day traffic can create. For your convenience, you may park in the Packard Drive South or Stadium Structures or in any lot south of University Drive with the exception of meters, reserved stalls, and visitor structures. You may park in these areas beginning at 11 am on Sunday.
-Rio Salado Parkway between Ash and Mill Avenues is closed for the Ironman Triathlon until noon on Monday. Several additional downtown Tempe streets are closed or restricted for the race on Sunday between 5 am and 6 pm. For detailed information on these closures, including bus detours, visit www.tempe.gov/streetclosures.
-Mill Avenue at Washington Street is restricted to one lane southbound and the bike land is closed 24-hours a day through December 6
-Lakeview Drive just south of Washington Street is closed in both directions until March 31, 2009. Motorists should access Lakeview drive from Curry Road.