Will you join Phoenix Mayor Stanton and Shine Coffee in giving urban Phoenix more shade, a hip pocket park right off Central and Vernon?

Watch the Kickstarter Pocket Park video below and hear why Mayor Stanton, Kimber Lanning, Kirby Hoyt, Aaron Kimberlin, and myself are all supporting this pocket park and why you’ll want to join in this urban Phoenix success story.

The amazing landscape architect Kirby Hoyt is designing the park and is contributing his services for free. The fundraiser tally is below and updated in real time. It’s easy to think 10 days is like two weeks, but it’s much less: just a week and a half. Will you help them reach their goal and give Vernon Avenue a pocket park of shade, that it might inspire others in Phoenix to make pocket parks, too?

If you want to buy or sell, or you’d like to meet me at Shine Coffee for a cup a joe and a glimpse of the future pocket park made possible by your Kickstarter contribution, please give me a call at 602-456-9388 or email me at ken@getyourphx.com.

The 4^th annual Grand Avenue Festival is this Saturday, October 20^th
and community involvement is a huge component!

The focus for this year’s celebration is the vibrant culture, art, history and adaptive re-use of the Lower Grand Avenue Arts and Small Business District and adjoining neighborhoods.

Opportunities abound!

Coffee, Cookies & Crafts

Hanging Gardens & Woven Fences & Trashy Sculptures

Grand Trashy Hat Promenade

Bands on Grand Performances (free)

Food

Free tours of the Historic Commercial Building and Adaptive Reuse, begin at 8 am and continue hourly until 11 am, courtesy of the Phoenix Revitalization Corporation (PRC), followed by Free screenings of “The Greenest Building,” shown at the conclusion of the tour.

Check out the Festival on Facebook

Official Festival Flyer [download, print, share!]

With widespread attention and growing support for a trolley on the Grand Avenue Rail Project to boot and a Final Report from Greening America’s Capitals, Grand Avenue is poised to bust open in a big way this year…but we need community support…your support to make it happen!

Recent developments along Lower Grand Avenue reveal an emerging, grassroots effort to revitalize the area. In 1998, a federally funded Weed and Seed project, which aimed to reduce violent crime by “weeding” out offenders and “seeding” community services, kick-started a partnership between city, federal, and state agencies, as well as the local faith community, residents, businesses, and nonprofits. This partnership has led to a 40 percent reduction in violent crime over the last 10 years. Artists have colonized the street, taking advantage of inexpensive vacant and underused warehouse and shop spaces.” ~ Greening America’s Capitals

(Greening America’s Capitals selected Phoenix in 2011 as one of five nationwide cities.)

“[Phoenix] asked for assistance to improve the Lower Grand Avenue streetscape, making it more environmentally, pedestrian-, and bicycle-friendly while also maintaining the neighborhood’s artistic character. The EPA design team will explore options that use green infrastructure techniques suitable for arid climates to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Design options might also include improvements to pedestrian crossings, transit shelters, bicycle paths, and trolleys.”

The Grand Avenue Festival is sponsored in part by the Grand Avenue Merchants’ Assoc.; Phoenix Revitalization Corp.; Oasis on Grand; Glass Lab Metal Lab; Abromovitz Grand Avenue Partners, LLC; Arizona Pedal Cabs; Phoenix New Times; Dunlap & Magee Property Management.

Devour Phoenix and Waste Not are joining forces together with local restaurants to raise money for hungry Phoenix children, July 17th – 31^st.

Devour Phoenix members will use local food producers such as Scheriener’s Sausage, Crooked Sky Farms, Chili Acres, Schnepf Farms, MJ Bread, The Meat Shop, Seacat Farms, Desert Blossom Honey, Queen Creek Olive Mill, McClendon’s Select,High Spirits Gin to raise funds for Waste Not.

Devour Phoenix is a city-wide, non-profit coalition of selected, independent restaurants operating under the umbrella of Local First Arizona. Waste Not works behind-the-scenes to rescue cooked, perishable foods that would otherwise go to waste and through a logistical marvel they get nourishment to those who need it most.

Believe it or not, 1 in 4 Phoenix children go to bed hungry. “By teaming up, [Devour Phoenix and Waste Not] hope to feed 100,000 people in the Phoenix area,” said journalist Danielle Verbrigghe in a  recent Phoenix Business Journal article.

“This is one pick up in my ride along. We picked up another 48 gallons of milk, 160 pounds of meat and about 300 pounds of bread, pastries and dry food,” said  Devour Phoenix Coordinator, Margaree Bigler.

“It was incredible. They are an amazing organization and the restaurants are happy to collaborate for such a great cause. I went on a ride along with one of the trucks and the sheer quantity of food rescued was incredible. It’s a very efficient operation– food is picked up and distributed the same day. The effects are immediate. ”

Check out this 3-minute video and see how every $1 of Devour Phoenix and Waste Not fundraiser will go to feed hungry Phoenix children.

Energize Phoenix (not to be confused with the ever creative Ignite Phoenix) and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton will unveil “Go Green Like Your Grocer“, a community energy efficiency showcase at AJ’s Fine Foods on Central Avenue and Camelback Road from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  this Saturday, June 30.

Why should you attend the Go Green Like Your Grocer event?

Other than hearing the Mayor’s announcement that rebates are doubled, up to $3,000, for the rest of the program?

“We are thrilled to showcase AJ’s commitment to energy efficiency and officially name them an Energize Phoenix Energy Saving Superhero,” said Mayor Stanton.  “Our goal is to encourage residents within the Energize Phoenix Corridor to complete a free home energy check-up so they can save money by saving energy and contribute to a sustainable community.”

What is Energize Phoenix?

“The city of Phoenix was awarded a $25 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to launch, in partnership with Arizona State University and Arizona Public Service, “Energize Phoenix,” a project that will save energy, create jobs and transform a diverse array of neighborhoods along a 10-mile stretch of the light rail line.” ~ energizephoenix.com

In addition to being a visible support of our great Phoenix community, applauding the energy saving efforts of Mayor Stanton, Energize Phoenix, and fine examples like AJ’s, you’ll be energizing your own awareness of the cool savings to be had this  monsoon season and through the year.

“Did I mention APS will be on-site giving away a free CFL bulb to attendees, as long as supplies last? Or that in a lot of cases double rebates will pay for 100% percent of energy efficiency project costs?” ~ Ken Clark 

(If you can quote yourself, you know you’re onto something good, right? 🙂

Energize Phoenix offers cash incentives and financing to help pay for energy saving projects for homes and businesses located within the Energize Phoenix Corridor, a 10-mile stretch (PDF) along the light rail line.

Get the full skinny in the Energize Phoenix Press Release.

Dog Lovers Unite!

If your and your pooch have been begging (pun intended) for an escape from your usual routine, The Hance Park Steering Committee has recently recommended that the redesign of Hance Park include an off-leash dog park facility. You may remember in early March when plans for a temporary dog park at Margaret T Hance Park were approved. There are currently two locations being scouted for a permanent dog park.

So as you and your pooch start to enjoy the dog days of summer (teehee), think about how dog parks provide a safe, friendly, positive community experience for their users. Not only would this neighborhood addition be a welcome fun spot for, you know, Spot!, but would be an asset to the community at large in the form of a safe, well lit park where neighbors can meet.

Community involvement is just as important as the park itself.  So if you are licking your chops for a dog park  (seriously, I can’t stop) you’re invited to attend the Parks Board hearing on Thursday, April 26^th at 5:00p @ PHX City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson.

We also encourage you to write an email of support to the following:

Our councilman:  Councilman Nowakowski at (602) 262-7492 or council.district.7@phoenix.gov

The Chair of the Parks Subcommittee: Councilman Simplot at (602) 262-7447 or council.district.4@phoenix.gov

Phoenix Actiing Parks Director: Jim Burke at james.burke@phoenix.gov or (602) 262-4986

Chair of the Parks Board:  Delia Ortega-Nowakowski at deliao-n@cox.net

SAMPLE copy for email:

I am a homeowner that resides in the downtown neighborhood (you can add your neighborhood here).

I encourage the Parks Board to move forward with the identified temporary location for a dog park in Hance Park between 3^rd & 5^th Avenues.

I believe this dog park will bring a much needed new energy to Hance Park, attract park users, while giving property owners a new amenity to tout for the area.  In addition, this new park use will attract responsible dog owners to Hance Park, giving more eyes on the park in deterring crime and the transient population, while building community.  The dog park will also increase safety for dogs, and non-dog owners as well.

Please move forward on this ideal location for a new downtown dog park and thank you for supporting this new park amenity downtown.

—Thanks to Kate Kunberger for tipping us off to this little treat.

You have to give it to them. Despite upcoming triple digit temperatures, the Phoenix Bike Community never stops peddling.

And why would they? All Valley Metro buses are equipped with bike racks and the city is finally expanding bike lanes to help support this very green form of travel.

And I have to say finally! I remember about 12 years ago I tried to ride my bike to work from the Willo neighborhood to downtown. I was certain every morning that I was going to die. The drivers would buzz me as if to say, “yeah, buddy, we’re gonna enforce this here no-ride zone.”

Anyway, in Celebration of the city’s growing bike scene, Twenty-five top local graphic designers will show their original bicycle-themed poster artwork for Third Friday festivities and through the month of April by appointment all leading up to Pedal Craft.

The one night event will feature lots of bikes, plenty of beer, and a bike themed poster show highlighting Phoenix bike culture. Throughout Phoenix, bicyclists, walkers, and pedicab riders will be visiting downtown Phoenix restaurants that have installed bike racks and are offering special menu discounts for PEDAL CRAFT PHX participants. Those bike racks were created in part by SideWalk Phoenix, a newly formed advocacy group for walkable, bikeable, and livable communities, will display a dozen one-of-a-kind bicycle racks designed by local artists and metal sculptors.

SideWalk Phoenix will be raising awareness and funds at Pedal Craft to create a temporary infill “pop-up” park at the quarter-acre Ro2 Lot at 1005 North Second Street. According to Pedal Craft Co-organizer, Jim McPherson,  “Fun, community-minded events like PEDAL CRAFT PHX help to raise awareness and, knock on wood, support for much needed bicycle transportation initiatives in the Valley.”

These are great community organizations and members working together for the great phoenix area. I’m inspired every time I see a new project like this come together.

THIS, my friends, is why people are flocking to Phoenix.

Over the years, brokers have gotten a bad wrap. I work with people everyday who want to go with big banks and credit unions for their loans (because they haven’t done anything wrong in the past few years, right?).

Just recently I had a client who went with a big credit union for her loan, and 7 days before close of escrow, they decided to pull the loan because the bank had issues with the HOA. Lucky for us, Jeanie Bolger from Nova Home loans came in and saved the day. I can’t tell you the number of times this happens.

Here is what I learn and I want to share with anybody who is thinking about finding a lender:

1. Big banks are just that BIG. They’ve got lots of red tape and work to get through everyday, before they even think about giving you a loan. On the other hand, a mortgage broker is a certified professional who seeks the best mortgage terms for you by accessing a network of lenders that includes major banks, trust companies, credit unions and finance companies.
2. Big banks and credit unions tend to be more conservative on loans. So, if you have something out of the ordinary going on, like a second property, a divorce or a spouse with bad credit, stay away from the big banks, especially.
3. Underwriters work fast with Brokers. Jeannie’s brokers are in the same office, so she can work with the underwriter to make sure everything they need and you need is in place. Jeannie can physically walk down a hall and ask an underwriter a question about a loan and get an answer right away. They can’t do that in the mega bureaucracies.

I recently worked with Lonna to find a home downtown. Lonna wanted to go with a credit union because they had given her pre-approval. One week from closing escrow, the credit union pulled the loan and we once again turned to Jeannie.

Lonna loved working with her. “Jeannie answered all my questions immediately and spoke to me like she was trying to help. It feels like your being interrogated when your with a Credit Union, like you’re just a case number, but with a broker it was like they cared.” Once Jeannie took over, it only took two days from when the underwriter received the application to approval.

So, let me be clear: from the time we started to the time we close, Jeannie swooped in and got it all done within 5 days! Its gotta be a record!

So if you’re thinking of buying a home in downtown phoenix, use a broker. Heck, Call Jeannie!

Or call me for more information about the market: 602-456-9388.

I’m sure y’all have heard that “broken window theory” of criminology, made popular by  James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in 1982. Basically, if law enforcement does not address small crimes like broken windows then it becomes harder to fight more serious crimes.

I’ve seen this in reverse since I moved to Phoenix in 1998. I’ve seen greater attention on the part of the city and police to things like graffiti and petty crimes. As a result, and along with hard work of urban pioneers, things have gotten much better here.

Well, as city budgets have been cut (thank you Grover Norquist and the like), we are not training new cops and we don’t have the ability to respond quickly to graffiti like we once could.

So, we citizens have to respond in new ways. That is why I am happy to see that Mayor Greg Stanton has created an advisory committee to advise him on current issues impacting phoenix neighborhoods. Mayor Stanton believes “our city is only as strong as our individual neighborhoods, so we must keep an open line of communication.”At Quarterly meetings the committee, comprised of 29 members, will discuss such topics as law enforcement, parks, streets, neighborhood services, etc. The first meeting is set for the end of this month.

On of the reasons we love and live in downtown phoenix, is because if it’s walkability and promise for future communities. It’s important to support the local community and neighborhoods, not only for our quality of life downtown, but our home values in the future.

This Friday the 25th is not only  Black Friday and/or the day to fully commit to your post turkey food coma. It  is the beginning of Buy Local Week! Local First wants to encourage you to bring your holiday spending to great local businesses for unique gifts and community support. You can visit the website to see special deals from local business from November 25th to December 4th.

We all know that shopping locally not only supports community, but boosts local economy, and weeks like these are a great reminder that you can choose local everyday.

But your Local spending doesn’t have to wait until this Friday. If you’re planning to have your thanksgiving out, why not eat at a local restaurant? There are a ton of locally-owned restaurants that are offering specials. This year Avanti, on E. Thomas Road, is offering a 4-course prix-fixe meal with an Italian twist, and classic thanksgiving pies or pumpkin Cheesecake . One of our favorites, El Chorro, will be serving up the classic Thanksgiving dinner. Not to worry, the sticky buns will be available for dessert. La Piccola Cucina, is having a great thanksgiving feast featuring an incredible desert that is getting a lot of attention. It is a spiced poached pear over cannoli filling in a deep red wine sauce. Who could say no?

When you’re done with dinner, visit the Local First site for Holiday Tips to help you spend locally this season. They’re even sponsoring a Holiday shift contest. E-mail  Erica@localfirstaz.com with a list of ways you’re shifting your holiday spending, and you will be entered to win a great prize from a local business.

Remember to spend you holiday with the community you love and support local businesses this season. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The downtown scene is an eclectic mix of cultures and communities that we’ve grown to know and love. For one important downtown organization, which helps homeless LGBTQ youth get back on their feet, there has been a quiet change in leadership.

1in10 has officially brought Linda Elliot in as the new executive director in July. Linda, a successful business woman, is well known for her work in the Human Rights Campaign. She is an influential person in AZ politics. She, and her partner, Carolyn Lane, a Maricopa Country Constable, are an inspiring couple.

In truth, 1in10 has been around since the early nineties. You may have known them as VOIT and Horizons, both of which specialized in LGBTQ youth. In 2002, these two fantastic organizations joined forces to create 1n10, which supports LGBTQ youth in Arizona as well as nationally through “positive self-acceptance through life enhancing programs.”

One of those programs is the OUTdoors camp which is one of the largest LGBTQ summer programs in the world.

(Does anybody else see the irony of one of the largest summer LGBTQ camps in the world being located in AZ? We should be proud.)

OUTdoors, which 1in10 describes as a youth leadership camp, is like many other summer camps, full of zip lining, horseback riding, and crafts, but works on developing leadership skills, collaboration and communication with campers to help better their community.

Two months into her new position, Linda has been a busy lady pursuing grants and new programs. In addition to the OUTdoors, 1n10 provides weekly group events in the Valley, and hopes to expand with a new leadership and training programs and guest speakers to inspire youth and create a “fun, safe, social space”.  She “hit the ground running,” according to Stacey Jay Cavaliere, Program Coordinator for this weekend’s Sources of Strength Celebration.

The event will be held this First Friday at the Downtown Civic Space Park. 1n10 is raising money to launch a new suicide prevention campaign by showcasing their musical talents, which includes the 1n10 hip hop squad, and youth art, displayed at the Fair Trade Cafe. Their hope is to get people and businesses all over the Valley to attend and show their support.

1n10 continues to reach out to the community for partners to help us in their efforts. If you’re interested in learning more information please visit www.1n10.org

Have a Charity you love. Visit My Charity Refferal Page to find out how you can help your favorite local charity.