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Alexandra Flamini Conspire, a Phoenix art cooperative, is a coffee bar, fashion boutique, book shop, art gallery, live venue and hang-out spot all in one. A teal bungalow tucked on the corner of Garfield and 5th streets is home to the collective. Twinkle lights illuminate the tree in front, acting as a beacon to bicyclists and windsurfers alike. Lock your bicycle to the homemade racks and take a seat with the regulars at the picnic bench out front. You may even fancy a vegan doughnut. Room 270 of Taylor Place is my home. Buddhist prayer flags line the top of the room, personal art pieces hang on the wall, my fish Monet swims on the windowsill in his bowl and a heavy scent of Plakka paint hangs in the air. My bookshelf holds existential novels, feminist magazines and my camera handbook, just to name a few. The spare bedroom is a design studio littered with sketches and paper scraps. I enjoy sleeping in my far-too-comfy bed, far too many hours a night. I’ve always loved fairy lights and nighttime bike rides through empty city streets. When I discovered Conspire one First Friday, it was packed. I honestly could not move. So, I left. But soon after, I returned. The place was quiet but welcoming, and a friend and I made our way to the back. The library, filled with anarchist novels and music zines, was overwhelmingly appealing to my taste. I am not sure how an artsy coffee shop serving my favorite food, doughnuts, in bike-riding distance from my dorm, could get a whole lot better. And, how could this converted home be any more similar to my bold, coffee-loving personality? My name is Alex Flamini, and I am a sophomore at Arizona State University. I am a first-year graphic design major. Being 19, the awe of living in the heart of the city keeps me well enough entertained. I frequently ride in Central Phoenix on my KHS, hunter green, Urban Soul, single-speed bike. Say hi if you see me. I’m looking for friends.
Email: alexandra@phoenixdowntownjournal.com
Website: http://www.phoenixdowntownjournal.com

    Get Your Boutique On: Central and Camelback

    - 11/06/09

    Locally owned Red Hot Robot, Frances and Smeeks sit neatly in a row on the corner of Central and Camelback. Each store radiates friendly intimacy.

    See the Suns, Ride the Rail

    - 9/18/09

    Starting October 1, US Airways Center tickets displaying the Rail Ride Event logo will be good for the event and rides on the light rail.

    CityScape Celebrates Topping Off

    - 7/17/09

    Downtown Phoenix’s newest addition, CityScape, celebrated the “Topping Out” of their 27-story Phase I office tower yesterday.

    Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer joined management leaders from RED Development and Hunt Construction Group at the ceremony to announce nine new tenants signing on for CityScape’s Phase I office tower. The tower is slated to open in Spring 2010.

    Meet Wayne Turner

    - 5/20/09

    Wayne Turner knows the ins and outs of living downtown. Turner, a 44-year-old dodge ball enthusiast, has an idea or two of what he would include in his personal guide to living in Downtown Phoenix. A trip to Portland, Oregon, taught Turner that it was possible not to drive a car everywhere you had to [...]

    Meet Kyle Hildebrant

    - 5/05/09

    Kyle Hildebrant: entrepreneur, bike commuter and Japanese chef.
    Hildebrant is the Principle Partner of the Phoenix branding company, Ovo. “We utilize things like design, and advertising, marketing, and interactive design all from like a branding perspective,” he explained.

    Meet Alex Flamini

    - 4/23/09

    My given birth name is Alexandra Flamini, but I am more commonly known as Alex. I’m a soon-to-be sophomore at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I live in Downtown Phoenix in the ASU Residence Hall, Taylor Place. I am currently an online journalism major looking forward to studying International Media and Covering Religion and Conflict in Europe this summer.

    Support The Downtown Phoenix Market at Fundraising Block Party

    - 4/22/09

    On April 22, from 4-8 pm, the Arizona Small Business Association is hosting a fundraising and networking block party.

    Scott Shapiro

    - 4/21/09

    Scott Shapiro came from Chicago to attend Arizona State University.
    He now lives in Downtown Phoenix.
    And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Civic Space Park Brings More Than Just A Little Green To Phoenix

    - 4/13/09

    The city of Phoenix, Arizona State University and community members will formally celebrate the grand opening of downtown’s newest park site, Downtown Civic Space Park, at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 16. The official dedication event will be part of a full day of informal activities from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to introduce the park to the public. The park also will host live music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 17 as part of Third Friday activities in and around downtown.

    Mark Dudlik

    - 4/09/09

    The fresh-faced, 25-year-old graphic and interactive designer came to Phoenix five years ago, and is now aiming to unearth the hidden Phoenix design community.