Downtown Phoenix Journal -

Welcome to the Downtown Phoenix Journal

Lyle Plocher — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:14:22 +0000

Our goal is to be a source of interesting information for you regarding Downtown Phoenix News, Events, Real Estate and anything else that will assist in enhancing your Downtown Phoenix experience.

2008 is going to be an eventful and exciting year for Downtown Phoenix. Hope you visit us often. Don't be afraid to comment on posts, give your feedback, etc.

Your host,

Lyle Plocher

Dback's Brandon Webb gets ninth win out of nine starts

Mark Shinkonis — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:18:01 +0000

This is the first time this has been accomplished in 25 years. If you missed the game read the story on dbacks.com: Here

Mark’s Street Beat

Have Coffee with the Mayor in June

Lyle Plocher — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:53:42 +0000

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

Dancemotion presents "Clueless" at the Orpheum Theatre

Lyle Plocher — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:45:02 +0000

Spent some time tonight trying to find out who "Dancemotion" is. Walked by the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Phoenix yesterday and saw a billboard for a show called "Clueless" being performed Saturday, May 24th at 7 PM and again on Sunday for a matinee performance. After doing several google searches, the only thing I could find out is that Dancemotion is a local, non-profit youth arts organization with more than 100 dancers age 7 through 19 who perform throughout the Valley. This is the 20th anniversary of DanceMotion Performing Company which was founded in 1987 by Kevin and Meri Bender. Their contact phone # appears to be 602 971 9170.

Tickets are available at ticketmaster

If you go, let us know how the show was!!

Councilman Simplot Hosts Moonlight Movie in the Park

Lyle Plocher — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:28:51 +0000

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

Home sales are up County Wide

Lyle Plocher — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:25:42 +0000

According to an article in today's Arizona Republic, written by J. Craig Anderson, the sales of existing homes in April was the first year-over-year increase in Valley re-sale home transactions since July 2005. Anderson's source of info was a report compiled by ASU's Realty Studies at the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness.

The monthly report, listed 5,585 sales in April 2008 compared with 4,855 sales in April 2007.

In our monthly "Downtown Phoenix Neighborhood News" e-mail Newsletter, I recently pointed out that the number of transactions in 7 Downtown Phoenix Zip Codes has been on the rise every month since January of this year.

A lot of the recent activity has been spurred on by aggressive pricing on "lender owned" and "short sale" properties.

If you are interested in making a Real Estate purchase in the Central Phoenix area and would like a free list of properties in your price range e-mailed to you, contact Lyle Plocher with Urban Connection Realty at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

Real Estate Happenings

Steel Train @ Modified Arts

Mark Shinkonis — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:01 +0000

Ever been? Very small venue, gotta love that. I'm going next month to check out "Steel Train", Jun 24th. Check 'em out on Myspace. This will be my first time seeing a show there. Seems like a pretty cool place to see a band. Have a tasty, frothy, adult beverage at the Lost Leaf and walk around the corner to see a band. Sounds like a good Tuesday night to me. http://www.modified.org/

Mark’s Street Beat

SHERATON® HOTELS & RESORTS PARTNERS WITH MICROSOFT TO KEEP GUESTS CONNECTED ON THE ROAD

sheraton — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:28:05 +0000

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.

Sheraton Downtown Phoenix

SHERATON PHOENIX DOWNTOWN REACHES PRE-OPENING GOAL OF $52 MILLION

sheraton — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:19:39 +0000

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.

Sheraton Downtown Phoenix

2br Downtown Bungalow for rent - Walk to Dbacks games

Mark Shinkonis — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:03:27 +0000

This is where I was living but I've moved next door. Here's the craigslist link: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/apa/677794637.html

Mark’s Street Beat