I’m thrilled and honored to be listing 90 West Virginia, historically the Fairhope School.

This 4,183 square foot Spanish Revival home is THE flagship Willo Neighborhood property, sitting on just about 3/4 of an acre. There is no other parcel of this size in Willo, as this home was once the Fairhope School.

This recently-renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath property includes a guest house, pool and incredible features, which you must see to believe.

Owning this property is like owning a piece of Phoenix history.  Built in 1930, the Fairhope school was a private academy for young ladies. It was billed as a modern marvel because it had the amenities to actually heat lunches for the children to eat.

In 1949, the school was remodeled in to a bed and breakfast called the Yum Yum Tree. It stayed that way until the 1970s when it was traded to a local attorney named Neal Roberts. Who is Neal Roberts you might ask? Well, this is where the history gets truly amazing.

He was one of the individuals implicated in the famous assassination of Arizona Republic journalist, Don Bolles at the Clarendon Hotel in June of 1976. Roberts owned the property and lived and worked there.

Sad history, yes, but this is the stuff that lovers of historic homes live for.

Later still, there were attempts to make it a bed and breakfast again. In fact, you can still see it listed on Trip Advisor.

The current owner and his wife lived at the Yum Yum tree for a short time in the early 1990s. So inspired by the history of the building and their memories, they bought the property and renovated it in 2008 with the help of well-known Phoenix Architect, Jerry Cook. Their work earned them the 2009 Phoenix New Times “Best Historic Renovation” honor.

I will have more “before and after” photos for you soon. For now, enjoy the “now” photos, below.

This is the kind of property that a true lover of history and architecture will naturally seek out. Viewings of this home are by appointment only. Please contact me at 602-456-9388 for more information.

Some features include: solar panels, bamboo flooring & tankless water heaters, fully restored 1950’s O’keefe & Merritt stove, Paperstone counters, walk-in pantry and an 800-bottle wine room.

Beautiful glassed gate doors attach structures to make one seamless property.

The veranda is classic Spanish Revival.

How did the know this was my dream kitchen?

Now, kids, repeat after me, "O'Keefe & Merritt stove."

They put the "master" in bathroom.

Naturally-lit master bedroom.

This is living!

The way a Phoenix pool SHOULD look.

Christmas has come early! Statistics and Graphs galore! If you’re looking for a home here in Phoenix, here is a trend that you might want to know about.

As a general rule, fewer  people buy houses between October and February. With the beautiful winter weather here in the valley, you would think sales would rise. But, most home buyers move in the late spring and summer in order to change schools. So, what does that mean for real estate agents….other than that we should probably go out and get second jobs waiting tables or pre-stocking for Black Friday?

What does it mean for you? Well, it’s great news if you’re a soon to be home buyer. As you can see by the graphs, sales per month is down between October and February while the monthly supply stays relatively the same. Aren’t graphs amazing?

Continue for more witty comments, below the graphs.

So, follow me here. If the sales per month are down and the inventory stays largely the same that is great for you if you are a buyer. It means that sellers are more desperate to sell. Not only are you going to have a greater selection, you might have an opportunity to negotiate the price!

So, get out into the beautiful weather and buy! If  you have any questions I’d be happy to help, just give me a call 602-456-9388

At the November Get Your PHX we get to celebrate a whole list of new beginnings. We will visit the new dog park at Steele Indian School Park, learn about new plans for our largest CenPho public park and hear about how the downtown Margaret T. Hance Park is being re-imagined.

Our fine sponsors for this event will be Wag n’ Wash and Noble Beast. In addition to the food and libations, our sponsors will have goodies for your pooch! Please certain to visit with them when you come. We can’t do it without them!

So, we will have three fun and informative presentations for you.

Tom Byrne, Landscape Architect with the Parks and Recreations Deparment, will tell us about the evolution of CenPho’s first dog park.

Bryan Flanigan, Indian School Park Manager with the Parks and Recreation Department, will tell us about the history, future and planned renovations to the old Indian School buildings at the park.

Our own Kate Kunberger will give us a presentation on the very newsworthy plans for changes to Margaret T. Hance park, downtown.

We are also proud to announce that long-time park advocate Councilman Tom Simplot will join us for this event, too.

Further, this will be an interactive show and your opinions count.

The event will be broken in to two parts. We hope that you will join us with your pooch at 5:30 for some playtime at the park.

At about 6:00, we will begin the program at a ramada directly to the west of the dog park. Feel free to bring your dog over on a leash.

Keep an eye on our Facebook Fan Page for updates. As you know, there are always surprises.

November Get Your PHX
Thursday, November 17th from 5:30 to 7:30.
300 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85013 Map here

NOTE: We suggest you enter the park through the 7th St entrance which is immediately north of the VA hospital property.

For anyone looking to live downtown knows, safe and affordable housing is a commodity. As downtown Phoenix experiences a renewed interest and cultural growth, we as a community need to think about ways to pursue reasonably priced housing options for the increasingly diverse population. Native American Connections has come up with a great housing option, that maybe you didn’t even know existed.

For over 40 years, Native American Connections has built community for our growing, city-dwelling Native American populations. In January, they will be opening mixed-use, mixed-income apartments, Devine Legacy, just across from the Campbell & Central light rail station.

For those of you who don’t know, mixed-income and mixed-use housing is pretty common place across major US cities, but is a fairly recent development in Phoenix.  So what does it mean? Mixed income housing is the idea that increasing diversity of the residents will improve the overall standard of living for the community. In Phoenix, we’re probably more familiar with mixed-use housing which is simply property which is used for both commercial and residential use. Commercial uses can help subsidize projects to allow for affordable or low-income housing.

One of the biggest problems facing mixed-use projects, both nationally and locally, is they require significant public subsidies. Through an IRS program and Arizona Department of Housing allocations, Devine Legacy has been funded through a unique low income tax credit system which allows support from the public as well as the government. This is only one of many projects Native American Connections is pursuing in Phoenix.

Devine Legacy, in addition to it 12000 square foot commercial space, will feature 65 units, ranging from studio apartments to town homes and lofts.   The Apartment includes  artist elements from local artists Randy Kemp and David Montour, high end appliances, ground floor parking, and a public court yard fully equipped with a sound system for community events, not to mention convenient access to the light rail.  The complex is also a part of the LEED Platinum community, which means Devine Legacy homes are  beautiful and safe at an affordable price.

If you’re interested in learning more about the project or units available you can visit their website. Applications are now being accepted for January and February move-ins.

For those of you who were at last month’s Get Your PHX event, you saw the beauty of the Audubon Center first hand. This Friday the Audubon Center will be holding River Nights, a fundraiser party featuring music from Sergio Mendoza y la Orkestra, Four Peaks Beer, and delicious street tacos from Taqueria Guadalajar, to benefit their education and conservation program.

The customarily free-admission Audubon Center offers interactive exhibits, an interpretive loop trail, connections to the Rio Salado Habitat’s sixteen miles of hiking and riding trails, which draw in local students year round as well as veteran members. The center hopes to bring in a young professional crowd for future support with this Fridays chic, lounge-themed evening.  Valerie Ramos, who is coordinating the event, wants to engage and education the “next generation of leaders” through events and activities at the center.

The Arizona Audubon Center believes exposing urban young people to the beauty and complexity of the natural world is existential, in hopes that they are inclined to protect it as adults. The center believes there is ample habitat for birds and other wildlife, even amongst our urban sprawl. They work daily to promote interaction and appreciation of the natural environment and   educate and motivate local youth to become the conservation leaders of tomorrow.

River Night will be this Friday, November 4 from 5:30-9:30 pm at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center at 3131 S Central Ave. Admission will be $25 advanced admission or $30 at the door. For more information, visit www.riosalado.audubon.org or call 602-468-6470.

You probably know about our up-coming second annual open air holiday market, the Phoestivus market.  You know about it, especially if you are a vendor or own a food truck.

Well, this year, it wil be expanded to 2 nights: December 14th and December 21st.

Here is the information for vendors from our planning committee vendor point person, Monika Woolsey.

WHO:  Local creators of arts, crafts, and foods!

 WHAT: Second Annual Phoestivus (New this year!  Pheats of Strength, Airing of Grievances, and a Phoestivus Pole!)

 WHERE:  Downtown Phoenix Public Market

 WHEN:  December 14 and 21, 4 to 8 pm

 WHY:  Because we’re all just super cool and want to celebrate that. 🙂

HOW:  Please visit this link to apply to be a vendor.  If you are not a regular vendor, the annual fee does not apply.http://foodconnect.org/phxmarket/?page_id=7212  Please note, if you are on this email list you’re getting first dibs at available spaces.  Please, if this event is important to you, submit your application ASAP.  I’m sending a general call for vendors this coming weekend.

We’re encouraging all vendors to be phoestive with their booths as well as having wares to sell.  Decorations of all kinds are encouraged!

A special note:  The Clarendon Hotel will be offering a special Phoestivus room rate for all of December.  We hope for those vendors coming in from a distance, this might be a nice evening for you to stay in town and kick back, instead of hurrying home.  More details later!

You will eventually be connecting with myself and Troy Benjamin as the vendor coordinators but until we receive word from the Downtown Market that you’re on the official list, we are officially out of the loop.  So be sure to get  your application in!

Monika Woolsey

Phoestivus Committee

You’ve probably noticed by now that I am a huge fan of reuse and re-purposing in Phoenix. With all the available space downtown, why not?

The Cathedral Town homes are a great example of adaptive reuse. This building, which used to be owned by the church across the street as rental property, has transformed in to elegant and (actually spacious) urban condos.

The developer, Metro West Development,  took an historic 1913 building and converted it into four modern townhouse-style condo’s ranging in size from 1,674 to 1,886 square feet. Located about 200 feet away from the Arts District light rail stop, the condos are just a short walk from dozens of local restaurants, markets, large entertainment venues, as well as Hance and the Downtown Civic Space Parks.  And though the neighborhood surrounding is great, it’s what’s inside that really gets me excited.

Metro West Development has a history of great work in downtown renovations. The Cathedral Townhomes have been stripped to the bone and rebuilt.  While these homes have been updated, the developer has gone the extra mile to maintaining a historical feel. Homes come with new Kohler fixtures, quartz kitchen countertops, double hung windows (many original that have been restored), and historically accurate high baseboards.

Through the years, I’ve seen many renovations and I’m genuinely impressed by this one. Three of the units are still available. The condos are currently priced in the $200s with a 140/mo HOA fee.

I don’t represent these homes, but I’m happy to show you. Please contact me at 602-456-9388

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As you may have realized from the festive pink everything and Komen walk earlier this month, that October is breast cancer awareness month. One group, Don’t be a Chump! Check for a Lump! stays active all year round.

Next Friday November 4th from 5:30 to 8:30 Don’t Be a Chump will be holding their second annual Fall Fling Shopping Extravaganza. The event will support local artists and vendors while reminding men and women to examine themselves for lumps monthly and schedule their next mammogram.

I went to this event last year. It was amazing. Lots of very cool stuff. For instance, if you are a fan of Amy Love’s Love Buttons, then you need to be there.

In addition to their nearly monthly events, Don’t Be a Chump sends out monthly reminders through e-mail to anyone who signs up on their website. The goal of organizations like this, as well as Breast Cancer awareness month, is to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. If you haven’t done your monthly exam and scheduled your next mammogram make sure you do it today!

The Fall Fling Shopping extravaganza will be held at 528 W. Lynwood, Phoenix, AZ 85003. More info can be found on the Don’t Be a Chump’s Website 

For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month visit their website and to find a certified mammography provider visit the National Cancer Institute.

I’m sure you have all heard about the wonderful G.A.I.N events going on in local neighborhoods all over Arizona.

This past weekend marked Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhood (G.A.I.N) day celebrating the success of crime prevention in Phoenix through community involvement.  This weekends GAIN event included block watches, apartment complexes, neighborhood groups, parks and business across Phoenix who participated in block parties to show their support.

Recognizing the local community’s commitment and involvement in the Block Watch programs throughout Arizona neighborhoods is a valuable way to better our community. The G.A.I.N event is connecting the local law enforcement with the neighborhood citizens that support their day-to-day efforts to keep the neighborhoods safe. As Downtown Phoenix grow, we need to stop and appreciate those who help keep our community safe and strong.

Remember it’s never too early to start thinking of ways you can help make G.A.I.N a successful event in your neighborhood.You can find out more about G.A.I.N and ways to plan your own event at the phoenix.gov website.

This list there is of the events from last weekend, but bookmark the site for future reference.

You know that Phoenix continues to “grow up” when it develops a healthy sketch comedy community. Enter stage left: First Friday Night Live.

Amongst the hustle of the First Friday art walk lies the Firehouse, a gallery which plays host to provocative exhibits, musicians, and local fire dancers all month long. After the First Friday vendors pack up and the art walk teens return home before curfew, the firehouse continues to burn the midnight oil. This Friday, the cast and crew of First Friday Night Live will kick off their second season of sidesplitting sketch and stand up on the stage behind The Firehouse.

The cast of seventeen local actors and comedians along with a group of dedicated writers collaborate all month long creating, writing, and practicing original scenes. In addition to the six nightly sketches, the hour and a half performance will include stand up from the cast, musical guests, as well as the firehouse’s signature fire dancers.  In total, the cast and crew are more than 60 dedicated members strong.

Michael23, a local artist and show founder is looking forward to the second season and the knowledge that comes with it. The first season ran September to March, with two “uncomfortably cold nights,” in January and February that changed the course of this season. To avoid the cold Arizona nights, FFNL has decide to split the season, staging shows October to December and then March to June with two FFNL events in between.

The show is put up every month on a “shoestring budget,” says Michael, “We hope to break even at the end of this season.” Tickets are available pre-sale for five dollars online or the Firehouse Gallery and Lawn Gnome Publishing Bookstore on first Friday. Tickets at the door are seven. You can even buy season tickets for forty dollars on their website which comes with a free t-shirt to boot. The show also streams live online, for those who need there FFNL fix in bed.

If you’re interested in finding out more about FFNL or joining the production you can find information on their site.

First Friday Night Live’s first show of the season premieres at 11pm this Friday at the Firehouse.