Life as Edward Jensen

Organist and composer Paul Manz died Wednesday. As a musician who’s spent a little time behind the organ, I had the great privilege to play some of Mr. Manz’s works.

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Paul Manz was a church organist who took the liberty of being creative at the keyboard. He liked to introduce hymns that the congregation at Minneapolis’ Mount Olive Lutheran Church would sing with improvisations. Church members loved them, and word about his compositions eventually led to Manz playing at hymn festivals nationwide.

For 37 years, he led music at Mount Olive at 3045 Chicago Av. S., where his music will be played and prayer services will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to mourn and honor him. He died Wednesday in St. Paul following a long illness. He was 90. [source]

Now, he’s with the company of Bach, Handel, Buxtehude, Mozart, and the entire company of saints. He will be missed but his music lives on.

-Edward Jensen

Friend and colleague Kirsten Martin is embarking on a 30-day blog post series that chronicles a daily adventure in her life.

In her words:

I heard my friends recently talking about this project that they were doing where they were supposed to take a picture a day for 30 days and post it with a caption to share with their friends. I’ve decided to take on this project and start my own 30 day adventure.

Good luck, Kirsten, and we look forward to a fantastic series!

[Her blog is http://mssocialwelfare.blogspot.com/.]

-Edward Jensen

Without further ado, here are some pictures from today’s opening of the new Downtown Phoenix Civic Space:

-Edward Jensen

We’re just one day out from the opening of the new Downtown Phoenix Civic Space park.  Over the weekend, Janet Echelman’s “Her Secret is Patience” was installed.  Our friends from the City of Phoenix took this photo of lighting tests on the Echelman artwork that is too good not to share:

The grand opening is Thursday.  See you then!

-Edward Jensen

Earlier today, Barack Obama took the oath of office to become the forty-fourth President of the United States. In the First Amendment Forum of the Cronkite School building, students from across the campus gathered to take in history.

Here are some pictures from the day:

if you cannot see the pictures, stop by my blog to see them!

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

I know you’re all sad that this is the last weekend in Phoenix without METRO Light Rail. I am, too. [end sarcasm]

The thing that is extremely hard to believe is that it seems like yesterday when Central Avenue was still 3 lanes with the fancy bricks running down the center. Or when construction started in front of my house. Or even when we hit the 100-days-to-go plateau. But it’s here, and the grand opening celebrations are in ONE WEEK!

I’m probably going to be helping out that day at the Heard Museum (Encanto/Central Ave station) promoting the Midtown Museum District Neighborhood Association. I work with them as a community engagement partner for businesses, residents, and METRO Light Rail. So, if you’re going to be riding the rails that day (so to speak), stop by and say hello. (I’m the tall one.)

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

As of tonight, we’re 64 days out to METRO’s grand opening festivals and things down here are getting exciting. Tonight’s the first night where my station, Central/Encanto, has been lit up.

Naturally, this calls for a picture, right?

Isn’t she beautiful?

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Remember this? Central Avenue without METRO? This picture (from 11 December 2006) should refresh your memory:

11 December 2006 was 747 days before METRO opens up. We’re only 73 days out today, and if only the time could go by faster!

Remember now?

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Today marks 75 days to the opening of Phoenix’s METRO Light Rail! Are you excited?

As part of the grand opening weekend (27-28 December), METRO is planning festivities along the entire 20-mile route.

Anyway, in 75 days, we’ll be riding this:

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Today was a big day in downtown Phoenix history. Downtown Phoenix’s first new hotel in over 30 years opened. This is the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, located along 3rd Street between Taylor and Van Buren Streets.

I went inside and had a look around to see what was on the inside (after a couple of years of seeing construction on the outside!).

if you cannot see the slideshow, click here for the album

Cheers-
Edward Jensen