This weekend looks to be not only beautiful but packed with fun outdoor activities. The 3rd annual AZ Barbecue Festival has grown to a two day event with over 80 teams competing for the best BBQ. Enjoy $2.00 BBQ samples, craft beer and Whiskey Row.  This family friendly event will have live entertainment, a Cornhole tournament and kids zone for children under 12.  This event runs May 19th and 20th from 11am-7pm at its new location, Salt River Fields (Indian Bend & 101). For tickets go to, http://www.azbbqfestival.com/.
Saturday, May 19th you can enjoy the Ameri-CAN Beer Festival at Scottsdale Civic Center. This event is hosted by San Tan Brewing, from noon to 6pm, supporting and celebrating the craft beer movement. Berweries both national and international will be represented, along with live entertainment and craft food. Download a route map at, www.friendsofthetrolley.com and let the Scottsdale Trolley driving you to this fun event.

Starting at 4pm you can ride the Talking Stick Resort, Lucky Express from Old Town Scottsdale with pick up locations on the south side of Scottsdale Fashion Square and the east side of W Scottsdale. The Lucky Express will make a special run by the Ameri-CAN Beer Festival and the BBQ Festival before continuing on to Talking Stick resort.

Enjoy what could be our last nice weekend for outdoor activities and let Ollie the Trolley do the driving.

Seasonal Trolleys Experience Double Digit Ridership Increase

It has been a busy season for Ollie the Trolley! The Scottsdale Hospitality Trolley, in its second year, had 16,327 riders from Dec. 26 through April 1 - a 23 percent increase over last year's ridership. In March, the Hospitality Trolley ridership peaked with approximately 228 riders per day. This free trolley offered 15 stops mainly along Scottsdale Road from downtown Scottsdale to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Additional trolley service also ran from the resort to the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. The Scottsdale Resort Trolley, which was offered from Dec. 27 through April 1, achieved a 44 percent increase in ridership year-over-year with 5,914 riders this season. This trolley connects visitors from six hotels and one restaurant to Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Angles Baseball Spring Training Trolley

We are excited to expand the Spring Training fleet to include Tempe Diablo Stadium. Tempe is introducing the free Baseball Spring Training Trolley for the Angels during Cactus League Spring Training.

Beginning March 6 and continuing through April 1 on game days, fans will be picked up and dropped off at two locations in Tempe, the Mill Avenue District and Tempe Marketplace. The trolley stops are located on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Fifth Street, and on the north side of Tempe Marketplace, in between the Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill and Kabuki. Signage will mark each trolley stop. Fans will be dropped off just south of Tempe Diablo Stadium. This free trolley service will begin at 11 a.m. at both locations and continue until one half hour past the end of the game. The trolley will pick up fans every 40 minutes at Tempe Marketplace and every 20 minutes along Mill Avenue.

In the Mill Avenue District, fans can park for free at any of three Parkit locations, listed at www.millavenue.com/angels. Parking validation will be provided on the trolley.

For other Trolley route information go to http://www.friendsofthetrolley.com/.

WANT TO GET LUCKY?

Starting tomorrow, February 22nd the new Lucky Express will be rolling to the Talking Stick Resort. If you have not been to Talking Stick Resort it is the ultimate destination for entertainment. With 240,000 Sq Ft of gaming, 700 Slot machines and Non-Smoking poker room your gaming desires will be fulfilled and elevated.

From casual 24 hour dining at Blue Coyote to an international buffet or decadence and luxury at the fine dining restaurant, Orange Sky, Talking Stick Resort (TSR) has what you are craving. Located on the 15th floor, Orange Sky offers the best 360 degree views of the Valley’s beautiful orange sunsets.

Now you can enjoy TSR and let the Lucky Express pick you up and deliver you straight to the fun. With stops at the W Hotel, Scottsdale Fashion Square and Scottsdale Quarter, starting at 4pm and rolling until 12am, you can ride in style. No need to worry about parking or having a glass of wine. Simply sign up for the Players Rewards Club when you arrive and start earning great benefits and valuable discounts at both Casino Arizona locations.

Get lucky at Talking Stick Resort and let Dunn Transportation get you there safely on the Lucky Express.

Business spotlight – Hotel Valley Ho

Can you imagine the day when only 2000 people lived in the newly incorporated City of Scottsdale. That was the population when the Hotel Valley Ho was built in 1956. The Valley Ho was the first hotel in Scottsdale to have central air and be open all year. After many years of hosting celebrities, the property was sold to a local company who intended to bring it back to its original luster. Reconstruction was started in 2004 and Hotel Valley Ho reopened 49 years to the date of its original opening day. With an 80 million dollar restoration which included the addition of the Zuzu Lounge, a beautiful spa and Trader Vic’s, it quickly became the place to see and be seen in Scottsdale.

We are excited to have the Hotel Valley Ho as one of the stops on the City of Scottsdale Hospitality Trolley route. So take time for a date night or fun night out with friends and enjoy an evening at the Hotel Valley Ho.
Download a route map at, http://www.friendsofthetrolley.com/

Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction

The Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction starts on January 15th and what easier way to get there than the City of Scottsdale Hospitality Trolley. The Hospitality Trolley runs north and south on Scottsdale Rd with a transfer point at the Fairmont Princess Resort. From the Princess you will board the Barrett Jackson trolley to Westworld. To the Fairmont Princes, trolley rides start at 10:15am and run every ½ hour. To Westworld, trolley rides start at 10am and run every ½ hour.
Enjoy your time at the Auction and don’t worry about parking or if you want to celebrate your purchase with a cocktail or two, let the trolley take you to your destination. In additions to the exciting car auctions each day you can shop the hundreds or vendors for art and various unique items. Download a route map at, www.friendsofthetrolley.com.

Texting while Driving!

Texting while driving impairs your ability to drive! We all know it; you taking your eyes off the road, even for a brief moment, could result in an accident. We have all seen the headlines of fatal accidents as a result of texting while driving so why do you do it? Not all Arizona cities have laws restricting text messaging but do they really need to? Do we really need to stay connected every minute of the day? Take the twenty minutes in the car to enjoy some much needed time to breathe and focus on where you are headed. Or…..take one of the many free City of Scottsdale Trolley’s and text the entire way from point A to point B without leaving your fellow drivers anxiously waiting to proceed at a green light for you to finish your text message. Find a trolley route near you at www.friendsofthetrolley.com !

Hospitality Trolley Is On The Road!

Getting around Scottsdale just got a lot easier! The Hospitality Trolley started service December 26th and will run through April 1st , with daily service from 10am to 10pm. Hop on the trolley as far north as Fairmont Scottsdale Princess with stops at Scottsdale Quarter, Gainey Ranch, the W Hotel, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Valley Ho Hotel and various other locations along the way. Enjoy shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment without the worry of driving. Find a convenient stop close to you, download a map www.scottsdalecvb.com/transportation/resort-trolley/ and plan your next outing.

Holiday Lights

Ollie the Trolley has enjoyed sharing another year of holiday spirit with a busy season of holiday light tours and parties!

With a little over a week before Christmas you can still enjoy the beautiful Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
Take a train ride through many festive holiday lights and displays turning the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park into a winter wonderland. Holiday Lights runs 6:30 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 30, excluding Dec. 24 and 25. Santa will be at the park through Dec. 23. Train and carousel rides are $2 each with children younger than 3 riding free with a paying adult. The park is at 7301 E. Indian Bend Road. For more information, call (480) 312-2312 http://www.therailroadpark.com/

Spirit of Enterprise 2011 Finalist

On November 8, 2011, Dunn Transportation /Ollie the Trolley was honored to be the Winner of Arizona Lottery Overcoming Adversity Award at the 15th annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards presented by the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Margaret Dunn and the entire team at Dunn Transportation/Ollie the Trolley was selected from 50 applicants and honored as one of five companies that demonstrates energy, ethics and excellence in entrepreneurship.

Ollie the Trolley/Dunn Transportation is considered an ambassador to tourists and residents who ride the trolleys and executive coach service valley wide. The Ollie team is proud to have survived the city’s deep transit cuts during the recession without laying off a single employee. Ms. Dunn stated, "Our philosophy is when times are great, we don't go overboard and we don't go buying and getting into debt and when times are tough, we tighten up. You become more resistant to economic downturns with the length of time of being in business."

Margaret is currently a student of the MBA program at the W.P. Carey School of Business and continues to expand her knowledge in Sustainable living and achieving the balance between business and the environment.

Business Spotlight

The team at Ollie the Trolley/Dunn Transportation has a strong commitment to local business! What better way to support the many fabulous and creative businesses in and around Scottsdale than to give them a shout out!

The first of our Business Spotlight is The Cider Mill Gourmet Market & Sandwich Shop. If you are not familiar with this, somewhat hidden gem, you need to be. The Cider Mill is located at 7240 E. Main Street, Suite C-100, in the Frontier Town Shops. http://www.cidermillmarket.com/

Locally owned and operated by the Seiter family. This family business is a huge supporter of local food vendors for their breads, meats and organic produce, making their gourmet sandwiches and salads as fresh as they come. All of their delicious soups and salad dressings are homemade, nothing from a can!

There is a gourmet market selling any number of local products for cooking such as: various delectable’s from the Queen Creek Olive Mill, prickly pear everything, hot sauces, marinades, jellies, syrups as well as their own line of products.

Cider Mill also features a soda bar where they brew bottle and distribute Cider Mill Sodas including: root beer, vanilla cream, orange cream, and prickly pear. They have become quite popular for their root beer floats! It is a fantastic place for a children’s birthday party!

Hop on the Old Town Trolley and hop off at Del Sol on Main St. After shopping the unique boutiques in the front of Frontier Town Shops, head back to The Cider Mill for a treat worth writing home about and why not include a jar of Jalapeno Jelly from the market.

5th Annual Downtown Phoenix Pubcrawl

Who doesn't love a Pubcrawl? Hop on Ollie the Trolley and enjoy the 5th Annual Downtown Phoenix Pubcrawl.
5th Annual Downtown Phoenix Pubcrawl

Community Event

Jammin Fall Festival, October 23rd, 3-7pm. This is the second festival at this unique old town Scottsdale boutique. JAM (http://www.jam-az.com/) is located in the historical Charles Miller home in Charles Miller Square, 6938 E. First St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

This artisan boutique supports local and national artists making it the perfect place for one-of-a-kind gifts.

The fall festival will feature 40 local artists, as well as a percentage of the sales that day benefiting Doves Program, protecting seniors from domestic violence and abuse.

There is no better place to start your Holiday shopping.

Employee Spotlight - Lynn Gustafson

Lynn Gustafson, who recently celebrated her one year anniversary with the company, assists the President/CEO, Vice President of Operations and
Director of Operations at Ollie the Trolley/Dunn Transportation.

Lynn, a Scottsdale native, graduated from Coronado High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Purchasing and Logistics Management from Arizona State University.

In addition to working for Ollie the Trolley, Lynn manages a family business and is a talented artist! She took her first stained glass class in 2000 and still makes a piece from time to time. However, in 2002 her passion for working with warm glass, fusing and bead making, was ignited. "Fused glass
allows me to make functional art and bead making allows me to make miniature
pieces of wearable art".

Two years ago she and three fellow artists came together to
create opportunities in the South Scottsdale artist community to open their home studios
to show and sell their art. As a founding member of the South Scottsdale
Art Alliance, www.southscottsdaleartalliance.org she helps to organize the
Camelback Studio Tour & Sale. Mark your calendar for the next tour, October
21-23 from 10am-5pm. This self guided tour allows you to shop seventeen
local artists in an intimate, personal environment, their home studio.

Lynn's positive attitude and zest for life is a natural fit for our Be Happy
motto at Ollie the Trolley/Dunn Transportation. "My life is full of
wonderful people, and wonderful experiences, and overlaying all of it is my
art, bringing everything into sharper focus".

Scottsdale Business Tradeshow – September 27, 2011

Join us at the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase Tradeshow , Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 3-7. This free, open to the public event will be held at Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250. It’s a wonderful opportunity to network and support Scottsdale business owners with a cash bar, complimentary food and entertainment.

2011 Spirit of Enterprise Finalist

Ollie the Trolley/Dunn Transportation is honored to be a finalist for the 2011 Spirit of Enterprise Awards. The Spirit of Enterprise Center, at Arizona State University’s W.P Carey School of Business, is on a mission is to promote Ethics, Energy and Excellence in Entrepreneurship. As an Alumni of ASU and current student in the Master’s program at the W.P. Carey School of Business, Owner and CEO, Margaret Dunn is humbled and honored to be considered for such an illustrious award.

Arizona Taco Festival......

As we welcome cooler temperatures, it’s time to enjoy one of Scottsdale’s many outdoor festivals. Mark your calendar for the Arizona Taco Festival, www.aztacofestival.com, October 15, 2011. Valley restaurants to amateur competitors will compete in the 2nd annual taco battle. The Scottsdale Waterfront (7125 E. Via Soleri, the lot across from Olive & Ivy) will be turned into taco town with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Anne Rita Monahan Foundation, an organization that supports ovarian cancer research. Expect a huge VIP Tent, Lucha Libre wrestling, beer donkeys, a main bar, a Margarita Challenge, hot chile pepper eating contest, and a Boutique Tequila Expo Tent featuring over 30 different brands of premium tequilas, a kid’s zone, and so much more.
Enjoy this family friendly event and let the Downtown Trolley do the driving. Find your closest stop at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/trolley.

Mission Statement

We recently sat down with ten Ollie the Trolley team members to discuss our Mission Statement. The words are displayed on a poster above our door but does anyone really see it, read it, or make it part of their day? After a lively discussion we feel the team better defined our mission:
Be the Best Passenger Transportation Company in Arizona.

We exist to serve our customers, to drive safely, have clean and well maintained vehicles, show pride in our work, to be accountable for our actions and to be appreciated and valued by our leaders and team members. The Ollie the Trolley team is committed to be the most sought after transit contractor in the Valley. We exist to, Be the Best Passenger Transportation Company in Arizona.

Arizona Restaurant Week

It’s here, Arizona Restaurant week has started, September 17 – 25th with over 200 restaurant participating statewide. There is no better time to try a new restaurant or visit one of your old favorites and see what they have cooked up for the week Visit www.arizonarestaurantweek.com for a complete list of participating restaurants.

Welcome Back Students!

Welcome back ASU students! If you live at the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus be sure to take advantage of the FREE Downtown Phoenix Trolley! Runs Thurs 6-11pm & Fri/Sat 6pm-2:30am....travels all around Downtown for FREE and our friendly Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors are on-board to answer questions & help you along the way. More information can be found at http://www.downtownphoenix.com/getting-around