You would have to be deaf, dumb, blind & locked up somewhere to not know that our country is going through and has been going through a "housing crisis" in large part due to the large amount of "lousy mortgage programs" that proliferated during our country's real estate "run up". 

In the midst of all the craziness, a "recovery" has begun, led by "first-time homebuyers" obtaining 30 year fixed rate loans at very low interest rates.  Just as we were gaining some momentum, Congress and our President, recently passed some legislation that will discontinue what we call DPA or Down Payment Assistance programs.  Programs like Ameridream, allowed first-time buyers who have to meet all normal underwriting guidelines but who did not have "down payment" money set-aside, to obtain FHA loans.  These programs are scheduled to end on October 1st because of the recent legislation that was passed.

Having realized that they may have been wrong, a new bill called H.R. 6694, the FHA Gift Downpayment Reform and Risk-Based Pricing Authorization Act of 2008 has been introduced by Congressman Al Green, (Texas).

You can help the Housing Recovery by contacting your Congressman and Senator and letting them know that you are in favor of H.R. 6694 and in continuing the Down Payment Assistance programs and that you would like to see them pass H.R. 6694 on or before September 26th, 2008.

If H.R. 6694 is not passed prior to September 26th, as many as 25,000 FHA qualified homebuyers monthly, including many first time homebuyers, minorities and women, will lose access to homeownership opportunities,

Find out more about the urgency to act

It's high time for high fashion.

Finally, a Phoenix area fashion show is going to be held in downtown Phoenix.

Phoenix Runway will make its run of October 3-4, 2008 at the Herberger Theatre. Sponsored by the Art Institute of Phoenix, PR is a 501(c)3 formed to raise money for Alice Cooper's Solid Rock charity. 

The week leading up to PR will feature a bevy of fashion design, photography and merchandising classes at AiPX, with the show kicking off on October 3 with a celebrity fashion show. Confirmed guests include local reporter and former Apprentice contestant Jenn Hoffmann, Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon, Sean Connery impersonator Dennis Keogh, with more on the way, all hosted by AZCentral entertainer of they year Scott Shapiro.

The second night will feature nationally-acclaimed designers looking to make their mark on our adolescent market. Clarissa Burt will host the Saturday evening affair.

For more information, check out phoenixrunway.com. kontakt magazine will also be giving out VIP passes for their green room, check out kontaktmag.com/blog for details.

Phoenix Runway

October 3-4, 2008.

Herberger Theatre

Burton Barr Central Library will host a free reading and discussion with author Matthew C. Whittaker from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 1221 N. Central Ave.

Whittaker will discuss his new book, “African American Icons of Sport: Triumph, Courage and Excellence,” offering an examination of African Americans in sports from a variety of perspectives and through a lively range of rhetoric styles. It also explores the extent to which modern mass media and popular culture have contributed to the rise, and sometimes fall, of these powerful symbols of athletic, individual and group excellence.

Whitaker is associate professor of U.S. History, African and American Studies, and Justice and Social Inquiry at Arizona State University. He is also the author of “Race Work: The Rise of Civil Rights in the Urban West

A hard to find, 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home in a Downtown Phoenix Historic neighborhood.  This charming Brick Bungalow on a nice street in Coronado, was professionally remodeled earlier this year adding a dining room, family room and master bedroom suite with stained concrete floors.  The original part of the home, features hardwood floors, living room with fireplace, interior french doors, baseboards and crown molding. There are ceiling fans and cable hook-ups throughout the home.  Exterior features include historic double-hung windows and shade trees in both front and back yards.  All the major items in the home have been updated either in 2008 or in 1998.

Asking price is $269,900.

For more information or to arrange a viewing of this home, contact Lyle Plocher with Urban Connection Realty at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

See additional photos of this home on our website's Properties Page

Although the big move-in days are Wednesday & Thursday of this week, some students apparently are already moving in to the new 13-story Dorms (south Tower) in Downtown Phoenix.  Many of the 1500 new students for this year will be living Downtown, unlike the last 2 years where many students commuted.  School starts on August 25th. 

More to come this week I'm sure.

Read an extensive article by Jahna Berry at azcentral.com

Photo is courtesy of Cheryl Evans/The Arizona Republic

A historically designated building at 441 W Madison in South Downtown Phoenix is being transformed into an Event Center.  Malcolm and Pearle Marrs who own the building and operated a business at the property for nearly forty years are turning the 12,000 sq ft, single story, brick building into an Event Center. 

read more about the new Venue at azcentral.com

to inquire about renting the facility, send an e-mail to madisoneventcenter@gmail.com or call 602 258 1189

Top Photo is courtesy of Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic

Bottom Photo is courtesy of Lyle Plocher/Downtown Phoenix Journal

Can't say that I remember any of their songs but anyway Poison along with special guests Dokken & Sebastian Bach will be at the Dodge Theatre on Sunday, August, 24th.

Doors open at 6 PM, Show starts at 7 PM

info and tickets online

Poison website

Ride your bike to work or take the bus or in a few months, the Light Rail, then if you need a car for an hour or two or for a day, grab a Zipcar.  A car-sharing service called Zipcar is expanding to the ASU Downtown Campus this month which allows members to rent a Zipcar by the hour for $9 or by the day for $65. 

read more about it at azcentral.com or visit www.zipcar.com

Rumor has it that Hotel San Carlos, now fairly well-known for the all-age pool parties it hosts every weekend and a few nights per week, is planning to add to its repertoire with bigger events to be held in other areas of the hotel.

Perfect opportunity for those who like to meet and greet new people downtown, but prefer to stay both dressed and dry.

Rooms are still $79/night.

Stay tuned for more details.

Hotel San Carlos
202 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004