Join the residents and businesses of the Coronado Historic District for a Holiday celebration, Sunday night, December 7th.  Stroll 7th St from Coronado to Sheridan, 5 to 7 PM.  Participating businesses include Coronado Cafe, America's Taco Shop, La Picola Cuccina, Olive Annie's MacAlpines, Salvador Calvano, Drip Coffee Lounge, Trente Cinq 35, The Art of Soup and Lisa G's Wine Bar.  There will also be live seasonal sounds by the North Valley Chorale and the Emerson Elementary Choir.

Bring a Canned Food Item to donate to the Jewish Family Children's Services Food Drive.

More info at www.gcna.info

If you like Johny Chu's "Fate" (Asian cuisine and wine gallery) you have to try his new downtown place "Sens" that opened about a month ago.  It's urban-hip, portishead music playing, cool lighting having, modern cozy and reminds me of a cool place I went to in Vancouver, BC.  We ordered four tapas and a desert and everything was outstanding.  I also tried two drinks off of Sen's exotic drink menu, japanese vodka, (I forget what it's called, not sake) one infused with lychee and one with logan fruit, both on the rocks.  If you've never tried the fruit you can find them at most Asian markets canned or fresh when they are in season.  My trick with tapas places is to eat something before I go so I don't spend more than I can afford.   It is upscale quality food and therefore not cheap.  Four tapas, two drinks and one desert came to 54 bucks plus tip.  I could easily spend twice that with my appetite if I arrived on an empty stomach.  Sen's is going on my list of downtown phoenix favorites.  Keep going Mr. Chu, what is next? 

http://www.sensake.com/

November 22 - December 31. From now until New Years, donate any non-perishable food items (Tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, rice, cereal, pasta, beans & juice) to the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Inc., located at 541 E. Van Buren Suite B-1. Your donation goes to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

For Information call 602 495 1500 or ask an ambassador (one of the people in the Orange shirts)

In November 1983, the Roosevelt Neighborhood became the first Phoenix area neighborhood to receive official "historic neighborhood" designation from the National Register of Historic Places. 

The public is invited to join Roosevelt neighborhood residents on Saturday, November 15th from 5 pm to 11 pm as they celebrate 25 years as the first historic residential neighborhood in Phoenix.

The anniversary bash will be held at Cibo and Palatte restaurants on Fillmore between 4th and 5th Avenues.  These two neighborhood icons are joining together to host the celebration.  

Admission is free - a portion of all food & drink proceeds will benefit Roosevelt's Neighborhood Association (RAA).

Join them for live music, great food, delicious beverages and the company of friends - both new and old.  There will be prizes for raffle and to top off the night - each guest will have a chance to participate in the creation of a large scale mosaic painting commemorating the event.

MacAlpine's Soda Fountain Is where all of the fun will take place for the Coronado neighborhood's November 7th on 7th Party.  Enjoy a bite to eat and some outrageous fountain drinks PLUS sample all of the delectable sweets from the Dessert Contest! 

MacAlpine's is located at 2303 N 7th St.

The Dessert Contest - Just bring your entry to MacAlpine's on the 7th.  Judging begins at 6:30 PM so get there early. 

Judges: Councilman Michael Nowakowski; Danielle Librera, Chef & Owner, Sweet Pea Bakery; and MacAlpine's very own Monica

Channel 3's Good Morning Arizona will be broadcasting live from Tom's Restaurant & Tavern on Election morning, Tuesday, 11/04. 

Join the staff at Tom's from 6 to 9 AM for an All American breakfast or just a cup of their organic shade grown coffee.

Prepare for your star performance on live TV (no makeup or costume required) and alert your family and friends to watch and record your talent.  Breakfast guests will receive an AMERICAN FLAG while they last and a valuable coupon.

Rise early & shine on CHANNEL 3

www.tomstavernphx.com

All of you Krispy Kreme doughnut lovers will be happy to hear that there is a new Krispy Kreme location in Downtown Phoenix, 7th St & Roosevelt - NW Corner. 

Map & Website

So today was the first time that I actually went exploring by myself in Downtown Phoenix on foot. I ventured away from the campus in order to do a review on The Sweet Pea Bakery and Catering. Instead of taking the bus, I walked from around Central and Van Buren to 2nd Avenue and Jackson Street, where the bakery is located.

Let's just say that this wasn't the best part of town--but not as bad as I expected. I was fine up until the point where i passed the Madison Jail--which is sad to say, but I never knew it even existed. I guess I'm learning a few things myself, as I'm not extremely knowledgeable of the Downtown Phoenix area. Anyways, I eventually made it to the bakery, which was rewarding in itself. It was in a remote, rather dead location, but hopefully that will change soon. Right next door is the Royal Coffee Bar as well---what's better than sweets and drinks?

I was the only person inside the bakery at first, so I was given a lot of friendly attention by one of the owners and chefs, Danielle Librera. She explained the ingredients for some of the most popular goodies, and I tried four of them. I will eventually post the story that I do for the State Press Magazine on here, but for now I'll save the rest for later. More information on the bakery can be found at http://www.sweetpeaaz.com . By the way, the food is amazing and the decorations and art are lovely! And they make cute specialty cakes!

On my walk back to the campus, I witnessed a protest against Joe Arpaio on the corner of 1st Avenue and Washington around noon. This was to be expected of Downtown, but it was a little surprising nonetheless. And reassuring. Glad I'm not the only one that disagrees with what's been going on...but that's enough of that.

Hopefully this won't be my last experience! I plan to travel around Downtown during my free hours a bit more---hopefully when I have more money as well---to enjoy those sweet treats of course :)

Pictures: http://www.sweetpeaaz.com/ (gallery and home page)

Many Arizona State Students, even locals, are feeling a little bit lost in Downtown Phoenix. Between all the construction and high-rise buildings, we aren’t venturing too far off-campus. Just yesterday, I was in a part of Downtown that I have never been before. Why? Because I haven’t had any reason to go beyond the Cronkite Building, Taylor Place, or UCENT.
Well, students, Downtown Phoenix wants to get to know you! The Downtown Phoenix Public Market is hosting a welcoming event this Wednesday to get students, faculty and neighbors together to get a feel for the real Downtown Phoenix. Come for free to listen to music and get to know your neighbors from 4 to 8pm. This event is for YOU!

2 blks S of Roosevelt - and just 2 blocks north of ASU!)
For more information:
http://www.urbanaffairaz.com/pages/section-view/67/index.html
http://www.phoenixpublicmarket.com/

The details about Bar Smith that I promised is yet to come, keep a good eye out!

Yours Truly,
Erin Browner aka Browntown

The Sweet Pea Bakery offers a variety of baked goods and delectable desserts for you to enjoy. 

All goodies are baked on site in small batches with custom recipes. They strive to make quality goodies from quality ingredients, using local, farm fresh and organic whenever possible. 

In addition to goodies, the Sweet Pea serves lunch and also does catering.  Check out their website Press page, it's pretty impressive. 

The Sweet Pea occupies a renovated industrial space on the ground floor of one of the oldet buildings in Downtown Phoenix at 209 W Jackson, right next door to the Royal Coffee Bar.  Local Architect Hayes McNeil, designed the space for the Sweet Pea. 

The Sweet Pea is stop # 11 on the "First Ever" Explore SoDo Tour, taking place on Saturday, September 27th from 1 to 5 PM.

Read about the Explore SoDo Tour