The heat, the trip, the opening event

Phoenix will be nothing like the photo above (my old street in West Orange, N.J.) when you arrive. The long-term forecast for Sunday, June 12, is 106 degrees. I've added some links to the lower right rail, including the 10-day forecast and an institute agenda, to help you prepare.

The good news is the temperature is supposed to dip after that. In fact, it may be in the high 90s on Thursday when you're gathering string for the group multimedia project on coping with the Phoenix heat.

I hate logistics and am grateful that Anita Luera is so capable at handling those. But I wanted to share some tips as you get ready to travel to Phoenix and head to the Cronkite School for our opening reception and dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 12:


-- The extreme heat in Phoenix can be dangerous but can be managed by limiting your time outside during the hottest hours and staying hydrated. A wide-brimmed hat would serve you well. The rationalization among Arizonans is, "But it's a dry heat," meaning there's little humidity. But once the mercury surges past 105 it helps to make jokes about it. Here's a link to some suggestions.

-- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is convenient to downtown and easily accessible by shared van ride or cab. If you're a lover of public transportation, however, there's an excellent shuttle-to-light rail option that can get you to the hotel in fairly short order and for just $1.75. Here's official information on using it, and I was playing with my iPhone and threw together this video primer when I used the airport the other day. Ride the light rail to the Downtown Phoenix Transit Center stop and walk east for three blocks on Van Buren Street. But keep in mind that it will be wicked hot.

-- Here is a map with pegs marking key places around the Cronkite School, including the hotel and Taylor Place, where you'll get most of your meals. The Cronkite School is at 555 N. Central Ave. and is a five-minute walk or less from the hotel. Quick directions: Walk a little north of the hotel and head west on Taylor Place until the pedestrian mall T-bones at Central. You'll know you're on the right track if you see a giant hanging sculpture in the distance. When you see a giant scrolling news ticker on the building just north of you, you're home. The security guard in the lobby will have your names. Take the elevator to the second floor and you can't miss us. We will start building tours promptly at 5:30 p.m.


View Getting Around in a larger map

By the way, Google Maps is a free and excellent way to add interactivity to your website. Here's a guide to using it.

-- Broken record time: I need you to establish a Google Account and let me know the email address associated with it so I can set you up to feed the institute blog, which is a required part of this experience.  Please follow this link to instructions on setting up a Google Account. If you haven't done this by the time you arrive, I'll have an optional session Monday night to get everyone set up.

-- If you haven't already, please share three story ideas for the institute's online publication. If I've suggested that you reformulate your ideas, please do that before you arrive. You'll want to get off to a running start on your stories.

-- You're also going to be required to use Twitter at the institute. Here are instructions for setting up an account. I don't need to know your Twitter handle until you get here. Mine are @CN_SteveElliott and @irewrite. The institute's hashtag is #reynasu.

Steve Elliott
Arizona State University
Phoenix