Last night, around 9.45pm, one of the rubber retaining dams that contains Tempe Town Lake catastrophically failed emptying the lake into the downstream Salt River. The lake, which opened in 1999, was created by damming up a two-mile stretch of the Salt River and filling it up with water.
Listen to the press conference held this morning:
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Nick Bastian, the owner of the ever-popular RailLife.com, has some interesting pictures from today’s press conference that feature the now-drained Tempe Town Lake.
It’ll be interesting to see how the recovery takes place. We shall see!
Si Robins over at The Downtown Phoenix Journal shares the news that the Downtown Phoenix Partnership (DPP), the group in charge of the 90-square-block Enhanced Services District that comprises Downtown Phoenix/Copper Square, is publishing a Dining Guide featuring the eateries within the 90-block radius.
This is good and well as it highlights the great culinary scene in Downtown Phoenix. But it misses out on the full picture.
Read for yourself:
Yet, strangely, despite noting in the guide that it covers the area from 7th Street to 3rd Avenue and Fillmore to Jackson streets, the pull-out map spans from 7th to 7th, all the way up to McKinley, leaving the fringes of the map looking noticeably empty. Is the map doing a disservice to many restaurants within the map’s confines?
Likewise, a feature story on the Urban Grocery & Wine Bar, a block outside of this radius on Pierce Street, is one of the main sections of the guide. But the cluster of restaurants on 1st and Pierce streets do not even receive a spot on the map, let alone a mention in the guide. [source]
One certainly can’t begrudge the DPP for promoting shops, restaurants, venues, and events in its defined area; however, the DPP must realize that it is a mutually beneficial relationship between shops/venues in its formal area and the greater downtown community. A downtown area whose marketing model is to bring people to big events–sports games, concerts, and other big festivals–must realize that the little shops in the area’s periphery keep people in the area. Whilst Roosevelt Row, Grand Avenue, and these areas’ shops/restaurants aren’t within the Downtown Phoenix Partnership’s boundaries per se, they are a part of Downtown Phoenix and are a significant part of the Downtown Phoenix tapestry.
I’m not going to go as far as to say “shame on the DPP” for excluding these peripheral shops. Most tourists to Downtown Phoenix, and most likely most students at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, will receive the Downtown Phoenix Dining Guide and think that nothing exists outside of those ninety blocks. This unfortunately paints an inadequate picture of Downtown Phoenix as a place where one goes to participate in big events instead of a place to be.
If Downtown Phoenix is to thrive, it must become a place to be.
Those who know me know that I love music. And one of the best ensembles in Phoenix is the Grammy-winning Phoenix Chorale. Here are some upcoming events for the Phoenix Chorale:
Phoenix Chorale Third Friday Open Rehearsal
When: Friday, April 16 at 6:30 PM
Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (100 W. Roosevelt)
The Phoenix Chorale continues hosting its free Open Rehearsals during downtown Phoenix’s monthly Artwalk. These events are FREE and open to the public and take place inside Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, located on Roosevelt Row. Take Metro Light Rail to the Roosevelt Arts District stop.
The Chorale will hold a raffle at the rehearsal for great prizes from local organizations, including tickets to the Phoenix Symphony. Arrive early—the first 50 visitors to the rehearsal will receive a goodie-bag that includes a free raffle ticket and music download!
Ola Gjeilo in Concert with Ted Belledin
When: Monday, April 26, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (100 W. Roosevelt)
Phoenix Chorale Composer-in-Residence and pianist Ola Gjeilo performs a special concert in April with special guest, saxophonist Ted Belledin. The concert features the two musicians in a duet creating new music, completely improvised on the spot, and in the stylistic vein of improvisers like Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek. The hauntingly beautiful music will be just as informed by classical and world music as by jazz and unlike a lot of free-improv jazz, it will be melodic and unabashedly lyrical.
Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased by calling the Phoenix Chorale office at 602-253-2224. Please note: “25 & Under Free” is not eligible for this concert.
[source: Corey Schubert, media manager, ASU College of Public Programs] ASU will host a Civil Rights Forum featuring Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, and internationally recognized civil rights leader Raul Yzaguirre, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Friday, April 2, at the A.E. England Building at Civic Space Park.
The forum, hosted by ASU’s Center for Community Development and Civil Rights, offers an intimate dialogue on contemporary civil rights. The event will feature an interactive question-and-answer session in which guests can engage with the panel to lend their voice in shaping a national debate.
“The Civil Rights Forum is an opportunity for the community to lend its voice to a broader national discussion of today’s civil rights issues,” says Raul Yzaguirre, executive director of ASU’s Center for Community Development and Civil Rights. “We look forward to a stimulating conversation on what the future of civil liberties will look like on both the local and national fronts.”
The forum is the eighth in a lecture series featuring the nation’s most widely recognized figures in contemporary civil rights issues.
Romero took the helm of the ACLU, the nation’s premier defender of liberty and individual freedom, just four days before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Shortly afterward, the ACLU launched its national Safe and Free campaign to protect basic freedoms during a time of crisis. Under Romero’s leadership, the ACLU gained court victories on the Patriot Act, filed landmark litigation on the torture and abuse of detainees in U.S. custody, and filed the first successful legal challenge to the Bush administration’s illegal NSA spying program.
Romero is the ACLU’s sixth executive director, and the first Latino and openly gay man to serve in that capacity. In 2005, Romero was named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America, and has received dozens of public service awards and an honorary doctorate from the City University of New York School of Law.
Raul Yzaguirre was nominated by President Obama in December 2009 to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic. He established the Center for Community Development & Civil Rights in ASU’s College of Public Programs. Among the Center’s many offerings is the American Dream Academy, which is dedicated to advancing education for youth. The Center also addresses the Latino male education gap, offers civil rights dialogue and education, and uses research and education to advance financial knowledge in underserved populations. Yzaguirre served as president and chief executive officer for National Council of La Raza from 1974 to 2004, growing it into the preeminent Hispanic policy organization in the United States.
Additional Panelists include Matthew Whitaker, Ph.D., associate professor of history in ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Kathie Gummere, attorney focusing on lesbian and gay legal and political issues.
The forum is among the highlights of a daylong community event, “Action, Advocacy and Arts,” focusing on the power of community at the Downtown Phoenix campus. Other activities on April 2 include the 5th Urban Gallery Exhibition from 6 to 9 p.m., celebrating the arts and community as ASU joins the Artlink First Friday Art Walk to showcase mixed media works on display at University Center, 411 N. Central Ave.
Admission is free and tickets are not required. For information, visit http://copp.asu.edu/aaa.
[author's note: Yes, this is the third theme for the Blog of the Week series. But whereas my colleagues, I'm sure, are going to interpret this prompt as what physical place makes Downtown Phoenix special, I'm taking it a bit more in the abstract. How is this possible? Read on, friends; read on...]
There are hundreds and thousands of places in Downtown Phoenix that are intriguing. The last time I was approached with this writing theme, I discussed the Phoenix Symphony and the amazing things that they do. But this time around, I’m taking it from a different lens. Downtown Phoenix is special because of the people of Downtown Phoenix. It’s special because of the memories I have made in the area. It’s special because as I have grown and learned more about myself, Downtown Phoenix has grown and learned more about itself.
Consider Fair Trade Café at the Civic Space. It’s special not just because of the fact that they serve amazing coffee and have amazing food. It’s special because of the people that are there behind the counter. I know them, they know me, and they know what my favorite coffee drink is and that I always want a bit of room left in the cup for some cream.
Or consider the greater entity that is the Civic Space Park. There are people from the community that sit and chat, there are students studying for classes, there are kids playing football (or football), and there are just people being there enjoying the park and its surrounding urban environment.
Or consider the people at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus. When I had to first talk to a staff person on the campus, I was immediately surprised at how friendly they are. Coming from the sea of humanity that is the Tempe campus, where one is not a name but a number, this was a huge culture shock. Stepping inside to a classroom, one would be surprised that it’s not a lecturer preaching from the altar in a lecture. There’s discussion, discourse, and even disagreement happening in those classrooms.
What’s special about Downtown Phoenix? It’s the people. It’s the memories. It’s what you make it to be. Downtown Phoenix is that blank canvas on which one paints one’s memories.
[source: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Center for the Arts] The season of Lent is a particularly important time in the life of the church. Lent gives each of us pause in our yearly pause in our yearly cycle for a period of reflection and meditation within the Christian community. The arts, and music in particular, have frequently been used to enable and enhance these two disciplines. This season, Trinity Cathedral in Downtown Phoenix offers a special Lenten series of musical events to mark this important season of the church year.
Friday 5 March 12.15pm: James Gerber (director of music and worship at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Phoenix)
Friday 12 March 12.15pm: Ilona Kubizczyk-Adler (music director, Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Scottsdale)
Friday 19 March 12.15pm: Skye Hart (director of music and liturgy, St Maria Goretti Church, Scottsdale)
Friday 26 March 12.15pm: Erik Goldstrom (Canon Musician, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix)
Sunday 14 March 4.00pm: Choral Evensong for Mothering Sunday
Trinity Cathedral is at 100 W. Roosevelt St., in Downtown Phoenix. It is readily accessible from the Roosevelt/Central Ave light rail station and the Downtown Phoenix DASH. All these concerts are free of charge. For more information, visit azcathedral.org or call 602.254.7126.
So for some, the benefits of being car-free are enough to take public transportation. There’s that feeling one gets that one is helping the environment. There’s also that feeling that one is contributing to creating walkable cities. But if that isn’t enough incentive, there’s a contest with prizes to ASU sporting events, whose stadia are located close to the light rail line. More details:
This February, Valley Metro is asking residents to “Try 1 in 5” , share the ride via carpool, vanpool, bus or light rail at least one day a week. It reduces pollution, eases traffic congestion and saves money. They also want to help residents find a commuting partner using their new Share The Ride ride-matching system.
As a thank you to residents who are sharing the ride, Valley Metro will be giving out pairs of ASU Baseball and Basketball tickets to their fans and followers this month. They will announce via Twitter (@ValleyMetroRPTA) and Facebook (Valley Metro RPTA) ways that fans can win the tickets, and where they will be to give them out. Valley Metro staff will look for people with transit passes on hand or who are tweeting pictures of themselves on the bus.
I’ll be seeing you on either the light rail or the bus!
The National Weather Service is predicting a large storm to descend into the valley tomorrow, 1-21-10, bringing up to 5″ of rain, possible thunderstorms and gusty winds. The prediction calls for light rain to begin to fall after 11pm tonight and pick up around 11am tomorrow. The Downtown Phoenix Partnership is working closely with police and city staff, and will provide current information throughout the day based on the severity of the storm.
Please be aware of unscheduled road closures put in place due to flooding, debris in the roadway, and traffic signals that may be out due to a power outage.
Contact the Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors at 602-495-1500 to report power outages or debris – we will contact the correct department at the City. Also – call if you have questions about travel conditions in the downtown area – they are your Go-To-Resource!! Remember – the Ambassadors provide Umbrella Escorts – so if you need to go out during the day…they are equipped with large umbrellas and can escort you to your destination.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. [the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, emphasis added]
Thus begin the Amendments to the United States Constitution. As anyone who’s taken a civics course knows, the US Constitution is the “supreme law of the land” (cf. Article VI par. 2; also see the 14th Amendment).
Consider also the late developments happening with Crossroads United Methodist Church. As preface, they had a homeless ministry at their church, Central Avenue and Northern in the quasi-upscale North Central neighborhood. Then the neighborhood didn’t like seeing homeless people in their posh neighborhood, complained, got the city involved, and the city made a decision that Crossroads had to stop this ministry. After an appeal made by Crossroads, the city still stood by its decision.
Depending on your angle, it’s NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) at its finest or its worst.
Granted, when one thinks of the neighborhood around Central and Northern, one doesn’t really think about homeless ministries. Most of the homeless reside in and near Downtown Phoenix. I would think that if Crossroads wanted to do this in a more effective (whatever this means) fashion, then doing outreach and meal service would be more effective there. There’s a fantastic human services campus at 12th Ave and Jefferson–maybe a partnership there should be in the works.
But that’s irrelevant to my argument. I am, however, reminded of something from Scripture:
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” [excerpted from "The Judgment of the Nations," Matthew 25:31-46 NRSV]
As The Rev. John Petty (All Saints’ Lutheran Church, Aurora, Colorado) noted in his blog Progressive Involvement,
In liberation theology circles, this is called the “preferential option for the poor,” which is supposed to be controversial, but, for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. All four gospels state very clearly, one way or another, that Christ is a friend of the poor, identifies with them, is found with them. It’s not for nothing that Jesus was born to a poverty-stricken Jewish family from a hick little town. [source]
Jesus was a friend of the poor. Christians – followers of Christ – should be friends of the poor as well.
This brings me back to the original crux of this entry, taken from the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
Let’s make a few assumptions here. First, that the Gospel of St Matthew is accepted canon in Christianity. Second, Christianity is accepted as a religion. In essence, the city is redefining Christianity. Christianity by city policy.
If a church wants to reach out to “the least of these” in a homeless ministries program, then it has its Constitutional rights to do so. NIMBY-ists can complain until they’re blue in the face, but it should be a Constitutional right. Wait: it is.