Tempe! the podcast

The holiday season is here and we've got a preview of all the festive events and joyful happenings to come. We're coming to you from the historic Petersen House, where holiday transformations are currently underway. Plus, meet a very special guest visiting us all the way from the North Pole. Jen Sweeney from the Tempe History Museum tells the stories of Petersen House and the seasonal events it hosts, and Kim DeMeritt from Downtown Tempe fills our calendars with holiday happenings while co-hosts Jess and Kris muse on their favorite wintertime traditions. Win fun prizes by entering our giveaway at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek.

Join us to hear about the amazing work local nonprofits are doing to support those in need in Tempe – and get ideas for how you can support them during the Giving Season and beyond!  

This week, we're talking trash. You heard that right. What happens to your trash after you throw it away? Why should you care? Listen to the ~tea~ this week as we unravel what happens to your trash after you toss it. We'll be sipping tea at the green-certified Drink Me! Tea Room while we discuss green business models, food waste, the importance of eating local and waving “hi!” to our garbologists.   Enter our trivia contest at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek.

Explore the Tempe sound as we talk about the past, present and future of local music. Meet Yucca Tap Room's owner, Rodney Hu, who will discuss Yucca's five decades of support for local acts. Get a sneak peek at what's in store for this year's Tempe Jam from Tempe's head of Arts & Culture Brendan Ross. Hear from Tempe Playlist artist Haley Green about her journey as a musician. Plus, she performs a song off her new EP!   Enter our trivia contest at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek.

Tempe has a great number of staff members who have been employed with the City of Tempe for 25, 30 even 35 years, growing their skills and their careers. What has changed since 1993? What compels people to stay? Can you get a job here? (We have openings!) Meet Michael Martin of Tempe's IT department, former Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Chief and now Deputy City Manager Greg Ruiz, Deputy City Manager Keith Burke, who started helping kids at Escalante Community Center, and City Manager Rosa Inchausti, who started as a diversion counselor. Historian Jared Smith will tell us a little about our podcasting location, the Rose Eisendrath House.   Listen anywhere you typically get podcasts or at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek, where you can enter to win a Jasmine Jo/Rowen Tree gift card, see historic photos and dive deeper into Tempe's way back with library recommendations.    

As the weather cools off, the fun amps up in Tempe. Get the inside scoop from guests: Mike O'Hara, Four Peaks Oktoberfest Event Producer Jenny Leon, Tempe Special Events Kim DeMeritt, Downtown Tempe Director of Events Listen for a chance to win a Hackett House gift card and festive dachshund hat. Get all the details at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek. Prost!

Join us for a VIP Sun Devil Football experience! Guests include: Sun Devil Football Coach Kenny Dillingham Stadium guru and fan experience expert Graham Rossini Tim Healey, the Voice of the Sun Devils Fifth-year Sun Devil Drumline member Brett Bell Defensive End Mike Matus Former Sun Devil football player and Tempe Deputy City Manager Keith Burke Win ASU swag and tickets to the Sept. 16 game by entering our trivia contest at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek.  

DJ Akshen keeps the party going with more music and summer fun. Brendan Ross of Tempe Arts and Culture explains why summers are so important for keeping kids engaged and people healthy. He'll also talk about the great activities happening inside the Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts, like the Draw-a-thon. Libraries have hosted summer reading programs since the late 1800s. Tempe's summer reading program has everything from wild animal shows to dance parties. Oh, and there are books. Tempe Public Library's Jessica Jupitus shares the events for all ages happening this summer.  Josh Roffler of the Tempe History Museum jumps into the Tempe Time Machine, the museum's free Wednesday summer program. See Ballet Folklorico and other entertainers at no cost, explore the exhibitions and have fun with craft activities.  We've been talking all season long about the overnight stay at the new Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU that you can win just for listening. General Manager Todd Gagnon gives us a rooftop view of the new hotel from restaurants to pool cabanas. Find all the fun at tempe.gov/familyfun! Listen for your chance to win at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek  

DJ Akshen of Furious Styles Crew gets the party started with music to keep your feet moving. Councilmember Joel Navarro is a third-generation Arizonan. He grew up in Tempe and shares stories about his summers in Tempe. He'll also talk about youth sports programs and his love of live, local music.  Brendan Ross of Tempe Arts and Culture, Jessica Jupitus of Tempe Public Library and Savannah Harrelson of the Tempe Communication and Marketing Office will talk about the great summer events that are coming soon, like the July 4th celebration, the three Juneteenth events and the Pride Party on Mill Avenue on June 3. Get the details on where to go and what to do.  Chhaya Tan from Donut Parlor brings sweet treats for the podcast crew and you can win some! The sweet shop makes light, fluffy and creative donuts in your favorite traditional flavors along with some that reflect pop culture or Tan's Asian heritage. Donut Parlor has been an active member of the Tempe community since it opened. Giving back has been part of the Tan family philosophy since they left Cambodia and came to Tempe as refugees in the 1970s. Hear the story of how the Tempe community came together to help and how Donut Parlor got started. Listen to win a $50 gift card to the Donut Parlor! Go to tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek to enter.  

Summer is on the way. Hear about a variety of ways you can have fun and stay cool. We'll also take a walk down Mill Avenue. Guests include Susie Steckner for Tempe Human Services and Savannah Harrelson for Tempe Community Services. Listen to win amazing prizes! Enter now at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek! Answer the FIRST trivia question correctly by May 23 to win a Hundred Mile Brewing gift certificate! Answer them all right and you could win an overnight stay at the Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU.

Somewhere over the rainbow, or at U.S. 60 and Rural Road, is a coffee shop where love is the secret ingredient in every beverage and caring for the community is the company's key value. This week, we are podcasting from Brick Road Coffee.  Featured in this episode of Tempe This Week: the podcast: Councilmember Berdetta Hodge shares her journey from single mom to school board and city council Brick Road Coffee owners Gabe Hagen and Jesse Shank tell Brick Road's story and talk about their love of community Neighborhood Services Brenda Clark shares details about the draft General Plan 2050 Lisa Groom, Tempe Police, shares what's fun and happening in Tempe this week.

Even if you don't have a student in your family, new graduates are a reason to celebrate. They become vital new members of our workforce. Hear heartwarming graduation stories from Penny Walker of ASU News. Maria Laughner of Tempe Economic Development talks about the value of new graduates to our economy and two of our City of Tempe staffers are taking an accelerated master's program. Hear how Nikki Ripley and Alex Chin balance school, work and family. We're also going to chow down on some traditional college food – Chuckbox burgers. This joint is the longest-standing business in downtown Tempe. Listen to win gift certificates for your own burgers and ASU swag. Visit tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek.

Eating delicious food and wearing beautiful clothes can help our planet. It's podcast time! Hear ideas that will make both you and the planet happy. Green New American Restaurant chef/owner Damon Brasch, FABRIC co-founder Angela Johnson, Jessica Jupitus from Tempe Public Library, Madeline Mercer from Sustainability and Brenda Clark from Neighborhoods round out our guest list.

April 19 episode: Featuring Councilmember Arlene Chin with her dog Finn, Lost Our Home Pet Rescue, Bubba Bites dog treats and Mango Rabbit Councilmember Arlene Chin brings her dog, Finn, to the podcast for some locally-made treats. Bubba Bites are Finn-approved, delicious dog treats, produced by people with special needs. Hear about Lost Our Home Pet Rescue's work to help people keep their pets even when times are tight and find out how you can help. We also try out some Mango Rabbit boba tea.  Guests include: Councilmember Arlene Chin and her pup Finn Lost Our Home Pet Rescue Founder and executive director Jodi Polanski Tanya Chavez, City of Tempe Mayor and Council Chief of Staff Hosts: Roy Tatem and Kris Baxter-Ging

How many people can fit in a donut boat? Are there beavers at Tempe Town Lake? Get the answers to these questions during this episode of Tempe This Week: the podcast. We're on location at Tempe Town Lake!  Hear about boating and recreation on Town Lake, Pat's Run and more. We'll also talk about how Kettle Heroes Popcorn and the Pat Tillman Foundation are connected while we try a variety of flavors.  Guests include: Councilmember Doreen Garlid Maria Laughner, Tempe Economic Development Emily Burkett, Tempe Parks and Recreation Boating Savannah Harrelson, Tempe Communication and Marketing Boat Rentals of America Your hosts: Roy Tatem and Kris Baxter-Ging, City of Tempe

Across the nation and including Tempe, people honor Dolores Huerta Day to remember the accomplishments of the civil rights leader in helping farm workers make a livable wage and healthy working conditions. We talk with Human Relations Commission Chair Dr. Hugo Tapia, who was a migrant farm worker as a child, Judith Aram, owner of Tempe-based Midge Chocolate, who also has ties to Dolores Huerta, Dr. Velicia Humes, Tempe Chief Diversity Officer and discuss climate justice with Brianne Fisher, Tempe Office of Sustainability.

Nearly 400 booths, 50 musicians, a couple dozen food vendors and a giant sunflower mural painted live - all in one place during one weekend! It's the Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts!  Twice a year, the Tempe Festival of the Arts covers Mill Avenue with inspiration and art. Guests are all taking part in the festival, including DJ Justin Stewart, artist Kyllan Maney and festival organizers Kate Borders and Kim DeMeritt. Food vendor Salted Knot Pretzels brings a yummy twist to the episode.  Enter to win some pretzels at tempe.gov/TempeThisWeek

March 24: South Tempe Vibes  Guests: Vice Mayor Jennifer Adams shares her love of south Tempe and what makes it special. Spaghetti Shack owner Joey Palomarez gives the why not? behind his famous spaghetti tacos. Water Resources Manager Craig Caggiano shares information about the water flowing through Tempe Town Lake and the Salt River. 

Join the crew this week as they visit not only the most Irish place in Tempe but also the most haunted.  Come down to Casey Moore's Oyster House for the best oysters in town!

March 10: So hot!  2nd Sundays on Mill Guests: We're celebrating the 2nd Sundays on Mill market. Join Mayor Corey Woods and Councilmember Randy Keating Jas they chew their way through this week's conversation with wings prepared by Word of Mouth Grill using Big Red's Hot Sauce. And DJ Akshen of Furious Styles Crew is in the house! It's our hottest episode yet!  Listen to win amazing prizes! Enter now!  Win our season one grand prize! We're giving away a night at the new Omni Tempe at ASU Hotel, Tempe gift cards and lots of swag valued at more than $300! We'll have lots of smaller prizes along the way, too.  Enter anytime before June 1. 

Join our Tempe This Week team on location at Tempe Diablo Stadium for opening day of MLB Spring Training.  Find out what's happening in Tempe this week as we discuss everything from local events to the economic impact that Spring Training has on the City of Tempe.  The crew even chimes in about what food goes best with baseball.

Become a Tempe know-it-all in just 30 minutes, every Friday. Mark your calendars for our first episode this Friday, March 3.