Garfield
City Council to Review Liquor Application
Posted on 12/18/12 by Cory Kincaid » No Comments
Guest contributor Cory Kincaid requests the community’s attendance at a City Council meeting where a liquor license application will be considered for the property on the southeast corner of Roosevelt and 7th Streets. The resources shared provide insight into the community’s position.
The Garfield Neighborhood has declared their opposition to a liquor license application submitted to the City of Phoenix by Circle K. Photo by Jason Garcia.
As you may know, Circle K is attempting to secure a liquor license for a proposed development of a 16-pump station on the Southeast corner of 7th St and Roosevelt. Impacted community organizations have spoken out in unified concern and opposition to this liquor license. This includes the Garfield Organization, Evans Churchill Community Association, Downtown Voices Coalition, Thunderdome Neighborhood Association, Roosevelt Row CDC, Concord Eastridge (developers of Roosevelt Point), Phoenix Community Alliance, St. Croix Homeowners Association and numerous other residents, property owners, and small businesses. The Artisan Village Board of Directors has also vigorously opposed this on behalf of our concerned homeowners.
A key City Council meeting is coming up this week and you can help in a very simple, but specific, way.
The City Council will making a recommendation either FOR or AGAINST state approval of the liquor license at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19.
Circle K, concerned over the outpouring of community opposition, has begun pumping corporate money into a campaign they call “Friends of Circle K.” This lobbyist-run campaign has brought in people to canvass our neighborhoods, generated misleading marketing materials, and has offered free food, t-shirts and transportation to the upcoming city council meeting to anyone interested in an effort to give an appearance of community support.
Our community organizations do not have the resources to mount a costly corporate campaign. We are relying on the presence of our friends and neighbors like you at the Council meeting.
The most important action you can take is to attend, sign in using one of the green comment cards (I suggest you note “Opposed to the Circle K liquor license”), and stay through this agenda item. Filling out a card does not require you to speak.
Phoenix City Council Meeting
When: 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19th
Where: City Council Chambers , 200 W. Washington (the small round building)
Please share this message with as many friends and neighbors as you can. We need to make it clear this is the wrong development in the wrong place in the wrong community.
If you would like additional information about why the community so stridently opposes this development, please refer to the below.
References:
• Garfield Organization Implores “Save Our Downtown Neighborhood”
• ASU - A Multi-City Report on Crime and Disorder in Convenience Stores
• AZCentral study on the ASU study
• Garfield Neighborhood’s Urgent Bulletin (PDF download)
• Garfield Neighborhood’s Letter of Opposition (PDF download)
Bike Chic | The New Guy
Posted on 11/20/12 by Nathan Simpson » 1 Comment
Meet Nathan Simpson, new DPJ contributor, and now designator of all that is Bike Chic. You may see him scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
When I first saw Bike Chic, I spent the next few weekends dressing in my sharpest duds, hopping from coffee shop to coffee shop searching for someone with a camera who would ask me what I was wearing. For a sharp-dressing, car-free, downtown-dwelling Phoenician, it seemed like a pretty cool thing to be a part of.
When asked to take over the feature for DPJ, vanity ensued. I have decided to take this opportunity to feature myself, for introduction purposes only of course.
Who: Nathan Simpson
Age: 30
Occupation: Writer (who makes a living working at the Amazon.com warehouse)
My Neighborhood: Garfield
What do I enjoy about downtown? It’s a strong community where everyone is connected in a small town way with a big city energy.
Where do I like to explore? You will find me cruising downtown coffee shops, especially Lola.
What is my typical biking ensemble? On my work days, I make the 12 mile trek in a ratty t-shirt so I like to get my hipster-chic on on my days off.
What I’m wearing:
• Cole Haan wingtips
• Bow tie from Last Chance
• Owned the vest since junior high knowing they would eventually come back in style
• Coat from my favorite thrift store Maggie’s Thrift
• I have prescription glasses for when I need to see good and fake hipster glasses from Urban outfitters for when I need to look good.
My biking essentials:
• I own four bikes. I chose the old beater Free Spirit for the photos because DJ William F****ing Reed once said to me, while I was on it, “Nice bike, man.”
• I almost always have a bandana tied to my wrist when riding. It’s good for sopping up sweat, or wiping tears from the face of a damsel in distress, and you never know when you might have to tourniquet someone.
Look for me all over downtown, but be on your fashion A game if you want a shot at Bike Chic glory.
Photography by Tyson Crosbie
DL-Couture Bridges Black-Tie and Humanitarian Efforts
Posted on 6/28/12 by Cortney Kaminski » No Comments
The Garfield Galleria is home to many talented artists, including three fashion-forward designers. I sat down with a T-shirt creator, jewelry maker and a gown seamstress and got an up-close look at their operations.
Danell Lynn brings humanitarian work and high-end fashion together with her one-of-a-kind brand DL-Couture and her new bridal collection, Wednesday Wedding. Lynn’s designs feature cultural influence from the countries she travels to, along with a little bit of the Downtown vibe.
Downtown Phoenix Journal: What type of fashion do you produce?
Danell Lynn: I do high-end couture and black-tie affair gowns under the DL-Couture label. I am also launching a wedding label called Wednesday Wedding. That is a more affordable, reach-everybody label whereas with DL-Couture I only make 13 custom gowns a year.
DPJ: Did you always aspire to becoming a gown designer?
DL: I have been sewing since I was a kid. My mom used to make my clothes, so I have been dabbling in it for a while. In high school I was a varsity track athlete and a really good sprinter. At the end of my junior year I tore my hamstring and broke my foot and so the colleges that offered scholarships my sophomore year were no longer interested. I had to kind of rethink my plans of what I wanted to do. I had always gravitated towards the arts and design and so I just went for it.
DPJ: Where did you study fashion design?
DL: I went to Miami International University of Art and Design in Florida and I interned, which then turned into an assistant designer position with Gerry Kelly Couture, which is how I found my love for one-of-a-kind, hand-detailing work.
DPJ: How long after graduating and working under other designers did you start your own brand?
DL: I worked for others for a while and probably four years after graduation I began to build the framework for what I wanted DL-Couture to be. Then it took about a year to get it into launch mode, so probably five years after college I launched my brand. And I based it in humanitarianism. That is what is a little bit different with us than a regular fashion line. Ten percent always goes to humanitarian aid. A lot of it goes to Smile Train but I also own two humanitarian companies under my company called Threading Hope and High Wire, but that ten percent doesn’t fund us. It goes to the other humanitarian aids I believe in.
DPJ: Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
DL: It’s hard to really know where it comes from. I live here in Downtown Phoenix, but I also travel all over the world. Quite a few times a year I go out of the country. I travel around the U.S., see clients in LA and New York. This is my home base. It doesn’t hinder my designs, but isn’t the only inspiration.
DPJ: You don’t follow the typical fashion year of creating a collection each season. Why?
DL: Because I only do 13 custom gowns a year, I pretty much believe the designs are timeless. Once we make a pattern we never use it again. We never do mass production for any of the gowns. For the Wedding Wednesday line, I will be designing six dresses a year, and we only make 10 of each of those gowns. Those are specific to stores, and we only have one store that will carry these in Arizona.
DPJ: What is the typical process when beginning a new gown?
DL: The first thing we do is a consultation. During that we do an entire sketch of what they are wanting, the fabrics they are looking to use and then I take their measurements. They come back for the first fitting in a sample dress and then I create the entire gown, except for closing major seams and zippers, for the second fitting. Then it all gets closed up and they come back for a final fitting. As long as there are no changes then they leave with their gown. I do have to contract seamstresses that I work with. We are very much a small company. So, if two orders overlap and I can’t get them done by myself I do bring in my seamstresses.
DPJ: What are your favorite fabrics and detailings to for the gowns?
DL: Lots of gowns tend to go back to silks, so I use a lot of those. I use fabrics bought direct from global merchants, so I buy them when I am traveling in a foreign country and bring them home to make gowns with. And I really enjoy working with trims; the little details on the sides, the ribbons, the beads, the pearls. They are like the finishing touches on a painting, all done by hand.
DPJ: What type of gown do you love to make most?
DL: I love gowns that challenge me. I had a company once come and bring me decks of playing cards and they wanted a gown for their expo. So I created a gown with an accordion type of skirt and it was literally a dress made from their cards. It was fun and a mix of engineering and design in that sense. So I really do enjoy the challenge.
DPJ: In a normal situation, how long does a gown, from start to finish, take to make?
DL: Anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, depending on the gown. I actually flew out to DC to make the Ambassador of Haiti’s wife, Lola Poisson, a dress for her 25th wedding anniversary party. The night I flew out we did the measurement and I started sketching and sewing in my hotel room. The next day it was completed, so it was within a 24-hour turnaround. That was definitely my fastest ever!
DPJ: How do you meet new clientele?
DL: A lot of it is just getting out there; it’s doing the fashion shows, attending the black-tie events and meeting people there. It is a lot of word of mouth and constant networking, truly being involved in the fashion community as well as the community in general. I was a nominee for the Governor Arts Award here in Arizona last year, so I wore one of my gowns to that – so it is really word-of-mouth marketing.
DPJ: How do you share your passion with others?
DL: I offer private sewing lessons; these can be booked over email. They are $25 an hour and they must have their own machine and supplies.
From the Wire | Pro’s Ranch Markets Phoenix Soccer Ball Give Away
Posted on 6/11/12 by Kate Kunkel » 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.
Kick-off the summer with some recreational fun. Pro’s Ranch Markets will offer children free soccer balls to encourage them to get out and play!
Event: Pro’s Ranch Markets Phoenix Soccer Ball Give Away
When: Tuesday June 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 1602 E. Roosevelt St. Tuesday June 12th
Phoenix, AZ – Pro’s Ranch Markets and the Provenzano family are pleased to support children’s sports activities by providing the ingredients for fun to the children in the community.
Beginning last Wednesday, Pro’s Ranch Market has been giving away 600 soccer balls to the neighborhood kids at each of their 7 Phoenix area locations.
“Sometimes a friendly soccer game with neighborhood kids is what can bring a community together,” said Rick Provenzano, the company’s VP of Operations.
Pro’s Ranch Market has a variety of community-driven, family-oriented events almost every month,” Mike Provenzano, the CEO said of the Pros Ranch Markets community events. “This is how we say thank you for being great customers, neighbors and friends.” Mr. Provenzano further added, “We want to thank the community we serve.” The events vary and range from Easter Egg Hunts, Back-To-School-Backpack Giveaways, Health-Care Fairs and Christmas Toys Giveaways.
15 Volunteers are also needed to help give out soccer balls, give out food samples and help with the charity work in the community.
Pro’s Ranch Markets has stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas, and 7 locations in the Phoenix area. More information is available on Facebook and on the Pro’s Ranch Markets website.
May First Friday | The MAP
Posted on 5/04/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Hi Phoenix! Here is a map of arts and biz destinations that will make your First Friday a bit more fun.
These are the spaces that participated in the recent Art Detour 24, so you may find a few that are closed this evening – and then there a few that have popped up since Detour:
• Pedal Craft PHX – if you missed this the first time around now is the time to check it out in person. Kitchen Sink Studios, 828 N. 3rd St.
• bIGGY Art Sale – First Studio will be filled with iggyart paintings and artwork from the last 7+ years. First Studio, 631 N. 1st Ave.
• Fenix PCG – an open house at the Westminster Apartments on the corner of 2nd Ave. and Roosevelt St. (BTW, we’re calling it…2nd Avenue is the next big thing to hit Downtown. Keep your eyes/ears peeled.)
Check out the map below or download the First Friday Map here
Click to enlarge.
