Phoenix’s 2008 Urban Living Fair will be held on Tuesday, May 20th from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the Arizona Center, 455 N.3rd Street.

The fair will be a showcase of Central Phoenix’s urban attraction including displays and information about new residential projects and mortgage lending with major banking and financial institutions represented.

The Valley Youth Theatre, Great Arizona Puppet Theatre, Camden Copper Square, 215 E. McKinley, Portland Place, Downtown Phoenix Public Market, and the Valley Metro Light Rail, to mention a few, will be participating in the event. Downtown arts, cultural and entertainment venues will also be featured.

Gene & Clyde, local country pop singers, will perform live on-stage during the event. Everyone in attendance will also have a chance to win exciting prizes donated by area businesses through a raffle. This food, fun and live entertainment offers a creative way to learn about living and working in Phoenix’s emerging new urban environment.

The event is a collaboration between the Phoenix Community Alliance and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. Hosted by the Arizona Center, the 2008 Urban Living Fair is sponsored by Brede Exposition Services and Phoenix Convention Center.

Urban Connection Realty will have a table at the Urban Living Fair so stop by and get all your questions answered about prices, available properties, mortgages, etc.  If you need to reach us before the Fair, contact Lyle Plocher at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

Mayor Phil Gordon invites Downtown Phoenix businesses and those who work downtown to join him for coffee and discussion about initiatives to promote Downtown Phoenix, from 8:15 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, at Tom’s Tavern, One Renaissance Square (northeast corner of Central Avenue and Washington Street).

The monthly Downtown Business Coffee meetings will be hosted at various locations throughout Downtown Phoenix. Each meeting will provide updates and discussion on timely topics important to those conducting business and employed in Downtown Phoenix, followed by a question and answer session and an informal meet and greet with the Mayor.

Coffee will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, call 602-262-7111

Councilman Tom Simplot will host a Moonlight Movie in the Park on Saturday, May 17, at sundown (approximately 7:30 p.m.) at the Steele Indian School Park Amphitheater, Third Street and Indian School Road. The featured movie will be “Jurassic Park,” an adventure film about a visit to a dinosaur theme park that goes awry.

“Moonlight Movies are a great way for families to spend a summer evening together, so pack some snacks and a blanket and we’ll see you under the stars,” said Simplot.

Also, mark your calendar for the next Moonlight Movie featuring “Ever After” scheduled for Saturday, June 7. For additional information, call the District 4 office at 602-262-7447

MICROSOFT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WILL KEEP GUESTS CONNECTEDAT SHERATON’S NEWLY BRANDED SIGNATURE COMMUNICATIONS HUB:“LINK AT SHERATON EXPERIENCED WITH MICROSOFT”  WHITE PLAINS, NY – May 14, 2008 – Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft Corp. announced today a partnership to implement products and services at the “Link @ Sheraton,” its signature communications hub rolling out in Sheraton lobbies this year. Under the agreement, Sheraton will also co-brand and rename the space “The Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft.” The partnership is one component of a comprehensive effort to enhance and differentiate the guest experience at Sheraton’s 408 hotels across 75 countries, currently rolling out globally.   Sheraton’s Link is a unique virtual and physical lobby lounge space that meets the needs of Sheraton’s core guests by enabling them to work, relax and remain connected with friends and family during their travels. It offers a unique and convenient online experience, including free Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations, to allow guests to email, search the Web, review local attractions and even print up boarding passes. Through its relationship with Microsoft, the new, enhanced “Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft” will offer Windows-based computers providing visitors with search, maps, email and information. In addition, many Link computers will also feature webcams, allowing guests to have free video-chats or email video postcards back home. Guests will also have access to televisions, daily newspapers, and food and beverage offerings.

PHOENIX (April 7, 2008) – Still six months out from its official opening, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown has exceeded its projections for advance group bookings, reaching the $52 million benchmark – a goal that the hotel had hoped to reach by the October opening. “Downtown Phoenix has emerged as a first tier destination, and reaching this ambitious goal so far out is a testament to the quality of this city, this hotel, and those people who have represented us so well” said Steve Spivak, director of sales and marketing at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. “Despite what’s happening in the economy, we’re encouraged by not only the number of commitments we’ve secured, but also the continued inquiries we’re fielding from all different markets.” Since the hotel’s sales effort began in early 2006, in cooperation with the Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, the sales team has secured commitments from groups varying in size from 50 to 2500 attendees. Committed groups include European software giant SAP and National Automobile Dealers Association. And like other Downtown venues, the Sheraton anticipates a major boost when Phoenix hosts the NBA All-Star game in 2009. With a projected on-time opening of October 1, 2008, the highly anticipated 1000-room Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel will be Arizona’s newest and largest hotel, offering luxury accommodations in the heart of Phoenix. Located in Downtown Phoenix, Sheraton boasts more than 80,000 square feet of meeting space, 17 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 2,900 people, and three outdoor function areas. One of the more intriguing amenities of the new Sheraton is the Link at Sheraton, featuring the Link Café.  “The Link is a third place, we want our guest to have an option between the meeting room and their hotel room, an area that allows guests to connect with home or work or with each other.” said Spivak. The Link features complimentary Internet access, soft seating, flat panel TVs and a signature café experience that is social but not bar-like. Sheraton is rolling out the concept at all of its properties as part of Starwood’s focus on its largest and most recognizable brand.   The Sheraton’s 29,000-square-foot ballroom and 15,000-square-foot junior ballroom are an ideal location for annual fundraisers, training sessions or trade shows. High-tech presentations and business meetings can be held in one of two boardrooms offering state-of-the-art technology, video-conferencing capabilities and on-site audio-visual staff. Additional amenities include the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper^SM Beds, a 3,500-square-foot fitness center programmed by Core Fitness and a 4,000-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck.  The Sheraton is located in the center of the bustling Copper Square. It is the first hotel that has been built in Downtown Phoenix since 1976. It is owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It strives to be a place that is warm and comforting, second only to home, where visitors can come to connect and belong. For more information visit www.sheraton.com/phoenixdowntown.

May 21. A Unique Presentation/Performance on Flamenco Dance and History. Presented by Un Corazón Flamenco. Bring your lunch to The Mercado, ASU at the Downtown Phoenix campus, noon-1pm. Free. To RSVP and for information, call 602-496-1000 or email ASUlectures@asu.edu - The Mercado is located at 502 E Monroe.

May 16. “Cross-Cultural Communications Panel Discussion” with Kristi Dee Doden, communication coach. Kristi will facilitate a multiethnic panel. Phoenix City Council Chambers, noon-1pm. Free. For information, call 602 261 8242.       

I'm inviting downtown residents and anyone interested in downtown Phoenix to join me at a Community Coffee this Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Palette, 606 North Fourth Avenue (the corner of Fourth Ave. and Fillmore). This is the first in a series of Saturday morning meetings I'll be hosting quarterly at different locations throughout the downtown area. They are meant to give us all a chance to meet informally to talk about timely topics plus any topic on your mind related to downtown Phoenix. Plus, they are meant to give us a chance to drink coffee! This Saturday, Phil Richards, Chair of the Phoenix Parks and Preserves Board and Initiative campaign, will join me. He’ll provide information about the Initiative, also known as Proposition A, which is on the May 20, 2008 ballot. However, the majority of the hour will be devoted to Q & A. You’re welcome to buy your own breakfast from Palette (check them out at www.downtownbrunch.com) – but the coffee is on me!No RSVPs are required. Hope to see you there!

A free Seminar is taking place at Phoenix City Hall on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 from 9 AM to 1 PM. 

Resources Available to Help Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

• Morning panel with Q&A
• Individual Counseling Sessions in Spanish and English
• Informational exhibits and take-away materials

Credit and housing counselors, loan servicers, and lenders will be available for brief individual consultations throughout the day on a first-come, first-served basis. Please bring your loan documents and other financial information with you to the workshop.

Free Event. No charge for admission. Free parking at Third Avenue and Washington Street parking garage. Activities for children.

Register at fhlbsf.com

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop and counseling 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Phoenix City Hall
200 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Special Guest, Congressman Ed Pastor

May 7. Looking for Loss in All the Wrong Places. Presented by Bronwyn Marmo. Learn some secrets about successful weight loss.  Bring your lunch to The Mercado, ASU at the Downtown Phoenix campus, noon-1pm. Free. To RSVP and for information, call  602 496 1000 or email ASUlectures@asu.edu .