Sports & Rec
Bike Chic | Kate Kunkel
Posted on 2/28/12 by Cortney Kaminski » No Comments
Bike Chic is a new DPJ series by Fashion interns, Cortney Kaminski and Thuy An Bui. Each week they will be scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Who: Kate Kunkel
Age: 20
Occupation: Journalism Student
Her Neighborhood: Downtown Phoenix
Where Spotted: Biking to church on Taylor Street
What do you enjoy about downtown? I like that it is close to my campus and that anywhere that I want to go to I can go by bike.
Where do you like to explore? I typically head north to try the unique restaurants. I like going to the Phoenix Public Library and the park over there; a lot of times I will ride on the bike path around there.
What is your typical biking ensemble? Most of the time I wear shorts or pants and a cute top and some flats, but days where I have to wear wedges or heel I just bring them to change into.
What she’s wearing:
• Target dress
• Lauren Conrad wedges
• Express purse
Her biking essentials:
• Over the shoulder bag to keep her hands free
• Gunmetal gray Mongoose (borrowed from her brother)
From the Wire | A Piece of the Farm Coming to Downtown Phoenix
Posted on 2/24/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
Farmer Woody and Valley Leadership Plan First Planting for Garfield Garden Park
Farmer Woody, a local farmer and chef, with the help of Valley Leadership, is bringing a community garden to Downtown Phoenix. A first planting ceremony is planned for Thursday, March 8 at 8 a.m.
The garden, called Garfield Garden Park, sits on two formerly blighted lots (14,000 sqft) in the heart of the Garfield District. Richard Melikian, owner of the Hotel San Carlos, has donated the lots.
Garfield Garden Park project rendering.
“This garden has been a dream of mine for many years,” said Farmer Woody. “Teaching area residents how to grow their own food improves not only the well being of the individual but of the overall community.”
Farmer Woody’s mission is to transform the Valley of the Sun into the Valley of Gardens. Valley Leadership is helping Farmer Woody with fundraising and general coordination for the project. The garden will be open to the public by April 2012.
The group is making a call to the community for in-kind donations including trees, fencing, gardening supplies and solar lighting. A Kickstarter account has been activated for monetary donations. Local companies including Sprinkler World, Superstition Springs Farms, Shamrock Towing and many others have contributed to the project.
About Garfield Garden Park:
The park will feature a growing garden along with an outdoor amphitheater for community gatherings. The two will be divided by a food truck drive. The amphitheater has a “kitchen” stage for teaching culinary arts, hosting local potlucks, giving public speeches, acoustical only musical performances and general education. A shipping container on-site will be transformed into a farmers’ market stand to buy, sell, and trade produce, as well as a Superstition Farms gardening supply center for the neighborhood.
What: Garfield Garden Park First Planting
When: Thursday, March 8, 2012
Where: Garfield Garden Park – 929 East Pierce, Phoenix
More info: Facebook, Kickstarter
Bike Chic | Katie Pham
Posted on 2/21/12 by Thuy An Bui » No Comments
Bike Chic is a new DPJ series by Fashion interns, Cortney Kaminski and Thuy An Bui. Each week they will be scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Who: Katie Pham
Age: 19
Occupation: Political Science and Global Studies Student
Her Neighborhood: North Phoenix
Where Spotted: Biking around Roosevelt Square in the Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood
What do you enjoy about downtown? I personally like all the boutiques because most of the stuff I wear is vintage. I shop here constantly to find little gems. I also enjoy drinking coffee and downtown has a number of great cafes. These cafes are just wonderful places just to meet up with friends or study.
Where do you like to explore? Galleries all around. There’s so many of them and every month there’s always a new opening or exhibition. I haven’t been able to see as much as I want to, but once I get the time, I will.
What is your typical biking ensemble? I like to wear anything that suits the weather and it has to especially be comfy. I don’t mind wearing dresses, like today, because the weather is beautiful.
What she’s wearing:
• Her boyfriend’s cardigan
• Vintage plaid dress
• Forever 21 braided belt
• Monk strap oxfords.
Her biking essentials:
• Woven basket
• 1960s Cherry Schwinn Breeze
Partnership Hosts ‘Pop Up Park’ at CityScape
Posted on 2/07/12 by DPJ Staff » 1 Comment
Want to enjoy the Phoenix winter during the workweek, but can’t fit a frisbee into your briefcase or backpack?
Head over to CityScape where they and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership are hosting a lunchtime “Pop Up Park” at Patriots Square. Lunch-goers can soak up the sunshine and socialize with fun – and free – activities each weekday from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
You can check out games like Scrabble, Jenga, and cornhole, or take a loan out from the lending library where books and magazines are also available, courtesy of the Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors. Filling out the picnic experience are lawn chairs, blankets and, yes, Frisbees. DJs William Reed and Sean Watson will provide the soundtrack every Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Scheduled to run through the spring, it’s the perfect opportunity to take your sack lunch outside or stop by a nearby eatery for a bite to go.
If you go
What: Pop-up Park at CityScape
When: Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Patriots Square (lending library is in the suite located east of Chipotle)
Who: Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors
Activities: Games, library books and magazines, DJ music
Cost: Free
For more information: cityscapephoenix.com.
D-backs Digest | Gearing up for a Banner Year
Posted on 2/06/12 by Kyle Maki » No Comments
Spring training is almost upon us and we’re getting ready to root for the hometown Diamondbacks.
When last we saw them, the D-backs were coming off an impressive National League West title and were only a few plays away from extending their playoff series with the Milwaukee Brewers. They definitely demonstrated that they belonged in the playoffs and would have matched up well against the eventual World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.
Considering last year’s success and the moves made so far this off-season, the Diamondbacks will be considered one of the favorites to represent the National League in the World Series this year.
If you are a fair weather fan and only inclined to jump on the bandwagon when things are going good, now if the time to climb aboard. The D-backs are built to win now, but also built to stay relevant for years to come. What more can you ask for? This may be the most realistic opportunity for the franchise to compete for a World Series Championship since the days of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson.
Retention and Addition
With the addition of Trevor Cahill and the re-signing of Joe Saunders, the D-backs have arguably their most complete rotation heading into a season. And that doesn’t even factor in the prospects that are capable of making an immediate impact if called on to play in the majors.
It was nice to see the D-backs retain newcomers Aaron Hill and John McDonald after the season. Both players contributed down the stretch, Hill will be counted on to fill the void at second and McDonald can be a key to the teams success this year if Stephen Drew struggles after off-season surgery. The health of Stephen Drew is one of the few question marks heading into the season.
Although the move likely sends Gerardo Parra into a platoon situation, the signing of Jason Kubel could prove to be a valuable acquisition. He has proven power and could really blossom playing everyday at hitter-friendly Chase Field. Having that consistent power from the left side of the plate should be a great fit, sandwiched between Justin Upton and Paul Goldschmidt in the middle of the lineup. Parra’s defense will be missed, but hopefully some increased offensive production can offset any defensive shortcomings.
FanFest
The success of the 2011 season should translate into increased anticipation to begin the 2012 campaign. For those that can’t wait until Spring Training gets underway or want to get up close and personal, the Diamondbacks 8th Annual FanFest is the perfect solution. FanFest is a free event held at Chase Field and gives fans access to players, coaches and the broadcast team. It’s a great way to interact with your favorite players and get an early glimpse at rising starts. FanFest will be held this Saturday, February 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Spring is in the air
Spring Training will take a different meaning this year. In recent years, Spring Training may have been looked at as a barometer for how well the team would compete in the coming year. There were obvious position battles and management hoped the pitching rotation would come together. This year, the rotation and opening day roster are more concrete. There’s always welcomed competition and you never know who will step up and impress, while others inevitably fall off the map. But for the most part, the plan will be to keep everyone healthy, get some reps and prepare to pursue back-to-back division championships.
