July 17, 2011

What’s All the Haboob About?

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet The haboob last week was a sight to see! Thankfully it didn’t do much damage, but it did start me thinking about the intensity of the dust storm and the fact that so little rain was associated with it here in Phoenix. I wrote a series exploring the haboob and its possible connections to urbanization for Firefly Living. Take a look: What’s All the Haboob About? Part I and What’s All the Haboob About? Part II Photo Credit: Photo of the July 2011 haboob by Daniel Bryant.

July 12, 2011

3 Fallacies About Scottsdale Followed by 3 Possibilities

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet I’m currently reading Jill Bolte Taylor’s book, “My Stroke of Insight” about her experience with a stroke that left her with only the right side of her brain functioning. Having lost the use of her left brain, she found out first hand what it was responsible for. One of the things the left part of our brains does is judge whether something is good or bad, right or wrong. For example, Jill, since her childhood, hated squash. But because of her stroke, she sort of forgot that and tried squash again in her adulthood and now she loves it….

July 11, 2011

Getting to Know Phoenix’s Roosevelt Neighborhood

by: Ryan Glass

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Ryan Glass. Last month I discussed the ideas behind meeting all your needs in a hyper-local environment, specifically with transit-oriented development areas in mind. At the end, I challenged everyone to give it a whirl: “See if you can get everything you need, and some things you don’t really need, without ever getting in your car. I bet you’ll like what you find, and your local business-owners will love the support. “ Feeling a need to put my money where my mouth is, what follows is a case-study in doing just that within…

July 10, 2011

11 Bicycle Films

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet A few weeks ago I watched To Live and Ride in LA at Filmbar, a brand new film about aggressive urban cycling in LA. I walked away from the movie entertained but feeling under-represented. It was all about young men, mostly in their early 20s, who ride fixed gear bikes in traffic in LA and in urban races often without breaks. It was thrilling to watch and the accompanying music was great, but what does that reckless kind of biking have to do with me? Plus all the riders profiled in the movie were men, not a single woman…

July 06, 2011

6 Strategies at Red Mountain

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Red Mountain is a duplex that Paul and I just purchased located near 11th Avenue and Indian School. It is a new project in the development arm of Blooming Rock. Here’s a photo: Here are the specs: 1. Originally built in 1959 2. Constructed of 4″ block. Yes, it’s block even behind the board and batten. My favorite part – check out the weeping mortar which adds a very mid-century flair to the place. 3. Red Mountain is composed of 2 units that are roughly about 950sf, with each unit having 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths. Here are 6…

June 29, 2011

10 Reasons Why Fast, Simple Ethnic Restaurants Create Urban Vibrancy

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet As I drove into my parking spot at the surface parking lot adjacent to the Marriott in Tucson for the Arizona Historic Preservation Conference last week, I noticed a slew of ethnic restaurants across from me. Right off the bat I saw an Afghani restaurant (Sultan Palace) next to a Vietnamese restaurant (Saigon Pho). And from their signange I could tell they weren’t very fancy, and were more over-the counter sort of places. I was absolutely delighted and started devising ways to hit both spots in the short two days I was in Tucson. But seeing these various fast,…

June 27, 2011

The Arizona Organizing Project Gives Phoenix Homeless a Hand Up

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet The urban garden at the Arizona Organizing Project put in place by the Urban Farm’s Greg Peterson. And urban garden, a bike repair shop and a sewing and mending depot in the heart of Downtown Phoenix might sound like a wonderful entrepreneurial cooperative. That it is, but not for who you might think. These are all enterprise training modules for the homeless in Phoenix who are looking to get out of their current situation. Scott Jacobson, along with partners George Roundy and William Black started offering services to the homeless about a year ago. They began with offering survivorship…

June 23, 2011

South Phoenix Mayoral Debate

by: Jennifer Gunther

Tweet Today’s post is by Jennifer Gunther, a young woman who was introduced to me by Modern Phoenix‘s Alison King. It turns out that Jennifer is contemplating becoming an architectural writer! Well, how wonderful is that? We need more women in the field and in general more critical thinkers and writers in the world, especially around the topic of the built environment, so kudos to Jennifer. Jennifer and I attended the South Mountain mayoral forum on Tuesday held at South Mountain Community college and below is her recap of it. Jennifer Gunther is a Tempe native and a sophomore journalism…

June 22, 2011

Is it time for Phoenix to Change its City Government?

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by Blooming Rock contributing writer Will Novak: With the Phoenix Mayoral elections coming up in the fall and debates happening around town between the candidates, one begins to ponder about Phoenix City Government. The vast majority of Phoenicians don’t bother to vote for Mayor, perhaps in part due to the fact that currently the Mayor of Phoenix is little more than a glorified Council Member. Now is the time to consider switching our City Government to a system that will allow for a bold Mayor with great vision to lead Phoenix. Phoenix’s current system of City…

June 20, 2011

Who Should Be the Next Mayor of Phoenix?

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Today I’d like to tell you who I think would make the best next mayor of Phoenix. But first, I’d like to talk a little bit about respect. It’s so easy for us, when we’re passionate about what we believe in, to let ourselves get angry at those who don’t espouse the same opinions we do and then attack them. What I’ve learned by sitting down with the major mayoral candidates and interviewing them is that each one of them is a dedicated public servant trying to do their best for our city. I have no doubt whatsoever that…