Nature in the Heart of the City

Posted on 11/29/12 by Katrina Becker » No Comments

Far more than a friendly group of birdwatchers, Audubon Arizona offers a surprising range of outings for all ages from its little-known home on Central Avenue near the Salt River.

Audubon Arizona’s Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Center

The opening of Audubon Arizona’s Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Center in October 2009 was the culmination of seven years of fundraising efforts, says Valerie Ramos, the organization’s development and marketing associate. “A lot of people still say, ‘I never knew this was here,’” she explains, so a primary goal is greater awareness of the Center’s existence.

Part of the 600-acre City of Phoenix Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, which stretches over a five-mile former industrial dump site, the Audubon Center welcomes visitors to a riparian region of astonishing natural wealth. More than 200 species of birds have been spotted, along with beaver, muskrat, coyote, jackrabbit, and javelina.

“It used to be a flowing river, and over time it became a landfill,” explains Ramos. “Then the federal government and the city were able to build a flood control channel…they restored the area by planting 70,000 plants and trees.”

The Center itself is certified Platinum LEED, which means that the United States Green Building Council considers it a high-performance, sustainable green building. Rooftop solar panels, wastewater reclamation, and recycled building materials all contribute to the rating.

Offering free admission year-round, the Center not only maintains interactive exhibits and acts as a gateway to 16 miles of trails through the Habitat, but also provides classes. “Our mission, in a nutshell, is to connect people with nature,” Ramos says, “primarily through children’s education programs. A lot of the kids who come for one-time field trips come back with their families and stay engaged with Audubon.”

Multiple after-school sessions like River Keepers and the high school program called River Pathways, in which teens collect field data for the Bureau of Land Management, encourage kids to think of the Habitat as their own beloved resource.

Ramos smiles enthusiastically. “We really are building a community of stewards, developing a love of nature — we’re getting them when they’re young. How can we expect people to care about the environment,” she asks, “unless we expose them to these experiences when they’re at an impressionable age?”

Adults have been finding their way to the Center through events like Birds and Beer, a monthly Thursday evening program. “We sell Four Peaks beer,” says Ramos, “and we recruit a wildlife biologist to give a punchy, enlightening, entertaining talk that usually involves some aspect of mating and wildlife reproduction.”

She laughs. “So you can see how that program would draw the professional audience — we’re just two miles south of downtown Phoenix.” It’s sort of a naturalist’s happy hour, a wilderness getaway in the heart of the city.

Hummingbird feeder by Caren Gomez

Financial support for the Center continues through innovative fundraising events like this weekend’s Gifts from Nature, an annual art sale and festival. “It’s an opportunity for Audubon Arizona to engage art lovers,” says Ramos. “With every item that’s purchased, a portion of the proceeds benefits our nature education and conservation programs.”

30 artists offer jewelry, wearable art, home décor, photography, paintings, ceramics, and garden pieces, all chosen through a juried process – if you’re an artist interested in participating, contact the Center next July.

The $25 ticketed kick-off event Friday night gives guests a preview of the exhibits and an artist meet-and-greet plus wine and hors d’oeuvres. Admission on Saturday and Sunday is free, and this year’s event features food trucks like Luncha Libre, Pizza People, and Burgers Amore as well as live music performed by students from Arizona School for the Arts, acoustic guitarists, and Ensemble Indigo (full disclosure: I’m a member of this chamber group).

Kristel Nielsen is one of the show’s newest artists, bringing a connection to nature through ceramic bells and wind chimes. “I want my work to look as though it belongs in the natural world,” she says. “I enjoy making forms that are organic and have a splash of color.”

Nielsen continues, “My style is slightly ‘Arizona primitive,’ very folkloric…some bells look archeological, as though they came from a temple ruin.” Along with outdoor art, she creates plates, jewelry, and holiday ornaments, including terra-cotta angels.

Bells and wind chimes by Kristel Nielsen

“I use a one-step firing process,” she explains. “It’s an environmental practice to not use that much energy, to not have to fire twice on one object.” Nielsen developed her technique when Taliesin West opened its clay studio for employees to use after work, and began selling her creations at the Desert Botanical Garden and Southwest Gardener.

The show’s artists, including Allison Shock, Caren Gomez, and Nathaniel Smalley, are all local. “The bottom line is that you’re contributing to a non-profit whose mission is to connect people with nature and provide opportunities for inner-city kids,” says Audubon’s Valerie Ramos emphatically. “Every dime spent at the event contributes toward our programs.”

If you go

Event: Gifts from Nature

When: December 1 & 2

Where: The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, 3131 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 85040

Artists participating in Gifts from Nature: Joan Baron — Jacqueline Benard — Cynthia Eral — Dos Damas Designs — Julius Forzano — Lynn & Mark Gardner — Caren Gomez — Wendy Goodma — Nora Graf — Pam Harrison — Sue Laub — Mary Lavan — Michael LiPira — Regina Lord — Brenda Lovejoy — Devon Meyer — Daniel Moore — Kristel Nielsen — Barbara Pohan — Arlene Powers — Rebecca Rush Profeta — Walter Salas-Humara — Christina Scherer — Amanda Scheutzow — Allison Shock — Nathaniel Smalley — En Chuen Soo — Vivian Stearns-Kohler — Genie Swanstrom

All photos courtesy of artists and/or Audubon Arizona.

Tags: art, Audubon, beer, food trucks, Rio Salado, Salt River
Posted in Arts, Arts & Culture, Culture, Districts, Engage PHX, Families / Kids, Festivals, Live Music, South Phoenix |

An Explorer’s Guide to the Grand Avenue Festival

Posted on 10/17/12 by Jill Bernstein » No Comments

Recycled Rubbish Fashion

Grand Avenue has long been known for its edgy arts spaces, innovative adaptive reuse of old commercial buildings, and a funky, whimsical sensibility unlike any other neighborhood in downtown Phoenix.  The Grand Avenue Festival provides a great opportunity to experience the old, the new, the wacky and the wonderful elements of this unique corner of our great city. For the uninitiated it may seem a bit daunting: Where to start? What to do? Will I know where I’m going?

DPJ has put together some tips to guide you to the best Grand Avenue Festival experience for the whole family.  The festival and all events are free. There are basically two different experiences to be had at the festival – the daytime and the nighttime versions.

Grand Avenue Merchants Association President, Tim Sprague is excited about the free, guided tours of vintage commercial buildings that are integral to the history of the area. “Grand Avenue is home to some of the great buildings that served the growing Phoenix community during the early and mid-twentieth century,” said Sprague. “This tour will give you an inside look at how vintage buildings can be transformed for contemporary use.”

The tours, which begin at 8:00 am (and leave hourly at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.) at the Milum Textile Services building at 333 N. 7th Avenue, are led by knowledgeable local history experts, visit three separate spaces and last about 2 hours. Visitors are encouraged to wear a hat and comfortable walking shoes.

From 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. you can visit the Coffee, Cookies and Crafts Fair in the Bragg’s Pie Factory parking lot (1301 NW Grand Ave. – near the corner of Grand and McKinley). The fair will feature more than 40 booths of local artists and crafters selling their wares; an info booth with event brochures; free coffee and cookies in a relaxed sitting area; and some food trucks on hand for heartier appetites.

Don’t miss the Hanging Gardens, Woven Fences and Trashy Sculpture Show – a Festival mainstay. Pick up a map at any of the information booths and embark on your own treasure hunt to find these urban gardens along Grand Avenue and vicinity.

Mods & Rockers

Beatrice Moore, secretary of the Grand Avenue Merchants Association and owner of Kooky Krafts wants to make sure to get the word out about the line-up of live music at the event. “We’re excited to have over thirty local, indie bands, including Peachcake, playing at three main stages and various venues all along Grand Avenue,” said Moore.

Starting in the late afternoon, Grand starts to show off its quirkier side, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with the Modern Era Renaissance Fashion Show at Soul Invictus Gallery and Performance Space at 1022 NW Grand Ave. The show includes live music and features a sampling of the latest jewelry and accessories from Grand Avenue jewelry designers from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

At 6:00 p.m., join in the Grand Trashy Hat Promenade. This quirky traveling fashion show begins at Kooky Krafts Shop, 1500 NW Grand Ave. at 6:00 p.m.  All ages are, including kids, are invited to participate and model their creations along the street, returning to Kooky Krafts for the final judging, where cash prizes will be awarded

At 7:00 p.m., Days of Future Past: the Recycled Rubbish Fashion Show takes place at {9} The Gallery at 1229 NW Grand Ave. GAMA Board Member and co-owner of Recycled Rascals, Milissa Koehler says, “We’ll be showcasing fashion ranging from the practical to the theatrical. This is a ‘don’t miss’ event designed to celebrate unique approaches to recycled couture.”

Trashy Hat Promenade

After Hours events continue from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 pm.  Music and performances continue at venues all along Grand Ave., and the parking lot behind Bragg’s Pie Factory will be converted from the crafts fair to an outdoor movie theater.

Info Tables

• On the north end of the route at the Oasis on Grand, 1501 NW Grand Avenue
• At Bragg’s Pie Factory, 1301 NW Grand Avenue
• At Funk Lab, 1007 NW Grand Avenue

All Festival information will be available at the these locations, along with free water.  Pedi-cabs will be stationed at both the Oasis on Grand and Funk Lab. You can also download a festival program.

Parking

Grand Avenue has a lot of free on street parking available all day from the intersection of Grand/Roosevelt/15th Avenue, and extending south along both sides of the street. There are also free parking lots at Oasis on Grand (1501 NW Grand), behind the La Melgosa building (1023 NW Grand), and at the Grandevelt complex (1500 NW Grand).

Transportation

Visitors are encouraged to ride their bikes if they live close by. All participating spaces are within walking distance of one another. Free pedi-cabs will also be located at the Oasis on Grand (1501 NW Grand) and at the Funk Lab (1007 NW Grand).

Photography courtesy of Grand Avenue Merchants Association

If you go

Event: Grand Avenue Festival

Date: Saturday, October 20

Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with activities pre- and post-event)

Admission: FREE

Information: grandavephoenix.com/grand-avenue-festival Facebook

Band Line-up:

Location: The Groove at 1028 Grand/MC Kevin Patterson
1:00p – 2:30p Boris Bon Bon – DJ
2:30p – 4:00p Djentrification – DJ, World Beat/Turntablism
4:00p – 6:00p Poets/Performance: Deborah Berman, Rich-ard Bledsoe, Bill Campana, Jack Evans, Neil Gearns, Judy Green-Davis, Joe Montano III, Shawnte Orion, Heather Smith-Gearns
6:00p – 7:00p The Caligans, 90′s Acoustic
7:00p – 8:00p The Regretting Man, A whirlwind of emotion
8:00p – 9:00p Where Are All the Buffalo, Folk music
9:00p – 10:00p Bill Walton, Classic rock, blue grass

Location: Bragg’s Pie Factory at 1301 Grand
12:00p – 1:00p World Class Thugs, Americana mish mash
1:00p – 2:00p Biologia, Galactic disco funk
2:00p – 3:00p Simon Wong, Ambient folk music
3:00p – 4:00p There There, Nugaze, trip-hop, indie rock
4:00p – 5:00p Betsy Ganz, Alt country with/a little cabaret
5:00p – 6:00p Man-Cat, Twisted regurgitated pop music
6:00p – 7:00p Snail Quail, Indie fun punk
7:00p – 8:00p Orchestra Exile, Ambient improvisation
8:00p – 9:00p Liam and the Ladies, 2tone ska
9:00p – 10:00p Treasure Mammal, Furries & skin tight suits

Location: Oasis on Grand at 1501 Grand /MC Andrew Benson
(Lot South of Building)
12:00p – 12:45p Waxman, Soul & Funk
12:45p – 1:30p DJ Chow Fun, Funk & Latin
1:30p – 2:15p DJentrification, World beat/Turntablism
2:15p – 3:00p DJ Sean Watson, House & Pop
3:00p – 3:30p James Mulhern & Danny Godbold, Acoustic
3:45p – 4:25p Mikel Lander & Meredith Moore Duo, Blues
4:55p – 5:35p Some Magical Animals, Dishwasher pop
5:55p – 6:35p TBA
6:55p – 7:35p Tobie Milford, Indie folk with a classical bent
8:00p – 8:50p Peachcake, Electronically charged pop music
9:15p – 10:00p Man-Cat, Twisted regurgitated pop music
Deux Ex Machina at 1023 Grand Ave 2:00p The Dry Surfinis

Location: The Trunk Space 1506 Grand Ave

8:00p until Close Kevin Greenspon, Christian Filardo, James Fella, Treasure Mammal, and more!

Other spaces that have music scheduled during the day:
{9} The Gallery at 1229 Grand Ave
The Bikini Lounge at 1502 Grand Ave
Galllery Marsigilia-Art in Jewelry at 1018 Grand Ave
Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery at 1012 Grand Ave
Rusty Spoke at 1023 Grand Ave

Tags: Beatrice Moore, Coffee, Cookies and Crafts Fair, food trucks, Grand Avenue Arts Festival, Grand Avenue Merchants' Association, Grand Trashy Hat Promenade, Hanging Gardens, Kooky Krafts, Milissa Koehler, Modern Era Renaissance Fashion Show, Recycled Rubbish Fashion Show, Tim Sprague, Wven Fences and Trashy Sculpture Show
Posted in Arts, Arts & Culture, Culture, DPJ Blogs, Families / Kids, Fashion, Grand Ave, Live Music, Neighborhood Orgs, Shopping |

Healthy Snack Company Brings Truck-Load of Kindness to Phoenix

Posted on 4/26/12 by Kate Kunkel » No Comments

A popular health-food company recently arrived in Phoenix to spread some KINDness.

KIND Healthy Snacks started up in 2004, and the company’s marketing team just stepped into the city with a stylish food truck and a whole lot of free samples. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to stop by the truck and try out some delicious snack bars and the new KIND granola products.

Field marketing manager Marguerite Singson said the goals of KIND go beyond simply selling snack bars.

“We hope for a greater awareness of not just our products, but of health,” Singson said. “We don’t want everyone to necessarily buy a KIND bar—although that would be great—we want to educate them and let them know that healthy snack options are available out there.”

The KIND team also advocates for spreading kindness through both small acts and large. According to Singson, for “KIND Tuesday” on April 3, the company challenged people across the nation to send thank you notes to educators, mentors or teachers. Because enough people completed the mission, KIND will donate new textbooks to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital for patients who cannot attend school due to illnesses.

Singson said the company plans to drop off the new books at the hospital on tomorrow, April 27, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“The whole idea behind KIND is that we want to make it meaningful, so we partner with like-minded companies that are in tune with what we focus on, such as health and wellness,” Singson said.

Not only does it spread acts of kindness, but the company also provides the nation with nutritious snacks that are especially desired by the “foodie” crowd.

Rather than a long list of complicated ingredients, KIND snacks contain all-natural, nutritious products that consumers can easily pronounce. Singson said people love the fact the company uses “real food.”

“There are a lot of energy bars or snack bars with tons of added ingredients, and people don’t really know what they’re eating,” Singson added. “Our first ingredients are always fruits and nuts, not some kind of sugar or filler, providing quality products.”

Because numerous Phoenix residents already rave about KIND products, Singson said the food truck decided to tour in the city to introduce some new delicious flavors and products.

“And of course,” she added, “To spread kindness.”

Cindy Gentry, executive director of Community Food Connections, the nonprofit that runs the Phoenix Public Market, said she plans to do more with the KIND marketing team in the future, such as partner up for tasting events and even pair the bars with different types of wine to sample.

“The team is absolutely as fun as could be, and as nice as could be,” Gentry added. “They are high-energy people who give out a healthy product, and it has been great having them.”

The truck already made some appearances throughout the downtown area, and it plans to park its wheels at various upcoming events, including Come Play with Yelp at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix today from 6 to 10 p.m., and Food Truck Fridays at the Phoenix Public Market, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Tags: food trucks, healthy foods, healthy snacks, KIND, Phoenix, Phoenix Public Market
Posted in Districts, Eats & Drinks, Evans Churchill, F&B, Innovate, News, News & Events, Top 5 |

Weekend Fun on Grand Ave and Beyond

Posted on 10/21/11 by DPJ Staff » No Comments

(Jill Bernstein and Courtney McCune contributed to this article.)

Here is the rundown of activity that will get your feet strolling Downtown Phoenix streets this weekend.

Third Annual Grand Avenue Festival

The creative spirit will be alive and kickin’ on Saturday, October 22 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., when art galleries, local businesses, vendors, and musicians will be out en masse to celebrate neighborhood sustainability on Grand Avenue.

Featured events of the day include the ReDapt Commercial Building Tour, which will visit some of the neighborhood’s adaptive reuse projects and historic buildings; tours of Oasis on Grand, an old motel that has been remodeled and reborn as colorful live/work/retail spaces for artists; and the Grand Mural Love Map, which will be available for self-guided tours of the Grand Avenue murals.

Other highlights include the Recycled Rubbish and the Local Boutiques Fashion Shows and the always popular Hanging Gardens & Woven Fences & Trashy Sculpture show.  In addition, local Latino and Indigenous arts organization, CALACA, will celebrate the upcoming Day of the Dead with their “Dia de los Muertos Exchange Project” exhibit at Bragg’s Pie Factory.  Mobile food vendors, including Chichi’s Tacos will be on hand to keep you fortified for the day.

Bike riding to the festival is encouraged! Street parking is free along Grand Avenue between Van Buren and Roosevelt. Additional free parking is available in the lot just south of Bragg’s Pie Factory, at Grand and McKinley, and in the lot next to Oasis on Grand at 15th Avenue and Grand. Find out more about all of the Grand Avenue Arts Festival events.

First Annual Evans Churchill Interesting Interiors Tour

Earlier in the day, witness downtowners in their natural habitat and take a peek behind the doors of some of the coolest pads in the Evans Churchill neighborhood, from urban loft apartments to cozy historic bungalows.  Tours will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

Go “green” and tour the neighborhood on Ollie the Trolley, pedicab, bicycle, or foot. Mile High Challenge will create a special walking tour map for the event. Tickets are available online or the day of the tour at MADE Art Boutique, 922 N. 5th St., and the Phoenix Public Market, 14 E. Pierce St. Admission is $10 adults, $8 for seniors and students (with valid ID), and free for children six years and younger. Receive $1 off the ticket price by bringing a canned food item to the event to benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank. Proceeds from the tour will benefit public improvements in the Evans Churchill neighborhood.

Arizona Humanities Festival

Downtown’s Civic Space Park (easy to access by light rail!) will be home to a day-long celebration of the diverse cultures that surround us and will include presentations of Chinese Lion Dancing, Ballet Folklorico, the history of Hip Hop, Corridos in Arizona, Taiko Drumming, FourWheelWarPony (a film about an Apache skateboard team), and much more. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free to the public.  Get the full program and download a parking map.

First Annual Phoenix Food Truck Festival

Move on from drool-worthy homes and culture to drool-worthy food at the Phoenix Food Truck Festival, taking place at the A.R.T.S. market space on Roosevelt Row. Celebrate the mobile cuisine revolution by sampling the goods from over 30 different food trucks.  Hosted by Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation (CDC) and the Phoenix Street Food Coalition, this event will bring together the valley’s finest fare on wheels along with a beer and wine garden and live music.  The festival runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., tickets are $30. Event info at phxstreetfood.org.

Fifth Annual Downtown Phoenix Pub Crawl

Finish the night with “One Crawl to Rule Them All” visiting some of Downtown Phoenix’s most beloved bars, saloons, pubs, lounges, clubs and restaurants from 9 pm to 3 am. Spend the night collecting beads from various Crawl stops and cap your evening with a post-Crawl breakfast and dance party at Steve’s Greenhouse Grill ($6.95 + gratuity). Giveaways for all who make it to the finish line! The Crawl starts at 9 p.m. with Trolley buses available until 2 a.m. to move participants from pub to pub. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the Crawl.

Heard Museum Annual Benefit Gala – Moondance

Performances by Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard will cap an evening of cowboy boots and bolo ties as the Heard honors longtime museum trustee and scholar Carol Ann Mackay and her husband Harvey Mackay, author, Arizona Republic columnist and renowned businessman. Food for the event will be presented by Arizona Taste Fine Catering in collaboration with renowned Barrio Café chef Silvana Saloido Esparza. Slap on your spurs and join the fun to help  provide critical funding to meet the Heard Museum’s educational mission.

Tags: Arizona Humanities Festival, art exhibits, cultural events, Dia de los Muertos, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Evans Churchill neighborhood, fashion shows, food trucks, Grand Avenue Festival, Heard Museum, historic tours, interior tours, pub crawl, Roosevelt Row
Posted in Arts & Culture, ASU Campus, Culture, Districts, Downtown District, Eats & Drinks, Evans Churchill, Families / Kids, Grand Ave, Live Music, News, News & Events, Roosevelt |