Hey, all. Don’t forget that we have two big events this week.

First, drop by the Artist and First Time Home Buyer Workshop tomorrow night at the Alwun House. I will be on a panel discussion with lots of other great people who will help you or somebody you love make that first, all-important home purchase.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148132137657&index=1

Second, Get Your PHX at NINE|05 is on Thursday. The good folks at NINE|05 have created a special Get Your PHX cocktail, just for us! I’m told it will or may include rum, strawberries and soda –but they are still playing around with it.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141614765792&index=1

This is a friendly reminder that the Grand Ave. Festival is happening on Sept. 26th, and there will be a special walking tour of many of the adaptive reuse buildings around Grand Ave.

Check out this reminder press release with great details about all of the buildings on the tour:

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:  IMMEDIATE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Beatrice Moore
602.391.4016
muppetsrealmom@earthlink.net

Phoenix, AZ  (September 14, 2009) — The Grand Avenue Festival, an all day event on September 26, will be highlighting the history of the Lower Grand Avenue area and the many interesting adaptive re-use projects there as part of the day’s many festivities. Tickets are $ 10 per person and can be purchased by calling 602.391.4016 or by visiting the festival website at www.grandavenuefestivalaz.com. Proceeds from ticket sales for the guided walking tours will go to the Grand Avenue Merchants’ Association (GAMA).

Grand Avenue has a long, and storied history which continues to be added to today with the many new uses that have been popping up in the Lower Grand Avenue district (from Van Buren to the 1-10 Freeway overpass) – with many buildings reverting from industrial uses back to the original small retail and office uses that once lined this important connector to Wickenburg, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and points west. An influential factor in this renaissance has been the many innovative commercial adaptive re-use projects in the neighborhood: new owners have preserved parts of the existing vintage structures while making modern conversions that allow for more practicality in today’s world, including a myriad of hybrid uses.

Adaptive re-use of commercial buildings in older commercial districts is an important factor in creating true neighborhood sustainability, and for nurturing the small business community, particularly the arts. Many small, entrepreneurial businesses are attracted to the character these older structures lend to a neighborhood – and rents are more affordable than new construction.

This tour will focus on celebrating the unique history of Grand Avenue, as well as the wonderful adaptive re-use projects in the neighborhood, highlighting six projects along the street. Tour stops will include the following:

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