RadiatePhx
RadiatePHX Invites You to a Mayoral Debate on Sustainability
Posted on 10/20/11 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
RadiatePHX is a monthly get-together that celebrates Downtown people and places while conversing about topical issues.
This month there is nothing more topical than the Phoenix mayor runoff election on November 8.
So, why stage a separate event when we have a Mayoral debate right here in our backyard, with a theme that hits close to home?
ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability is sponsoring the debate next Tuesday, October 25, in partnership with the Green Chamber of Greater Phoenix, and is extending a special invitation to RadiatePHX fans and the Downtown community to attend.
Candidates Wes Gullett and Greg Stanton will discuss the gains Phoenix has made in sustainability over the last ten years and lay out their visions for the future. The debate will be moderated by Executive Dean Rob Melnick.
Refreshments from Fair Trade Café will be served.
Space is limited, so please RSVP!
If You Go
What: Phoenix Mayoral Debate: Advancing Sustainability
Where: A.E. England Building, 424 N. Central Avenue
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
RSVP: Here
Parking/Transportation: Parking is free for those arriving after 4pm at the University Center Garage (on Polk between Central and 1st Street). METRO Light Rail, Van Buren/Central Ave station.
Lessons on Being a Good Neighbor from TEDxPHXDC
Posted on 1/28/11 by DPJ Staff » 1 Comment
I’ve had a tough time feeling inspired lately. The sometimes daily struggle of making ends meet, getting paid for what I do and changing my diet and somewhat lethargic lifestyle has taken its toll on me.
This is no one’s fault. I’ve made more than a few decisions that have made my life immeasurably harder and I’m paying for each and every one of those in nearly anything I do. But that’s cool.
I went to TEDxPhxDC last night with high hopes. I wanted to be blown away by designy people and I wanted to be impressed. I made it through three presentations and then left because I was very tired. But I didn’t leave disappointed or empty handed. I left feeling a bit validated. I left feeling that at least some of my more questionable decisions actually made sense. I left feeling inspired.
Being a good neighbor is extremely important to me. Not just the obvious things, like keeping your stereo down and not planning late-night parties during the week, but a sense of looking out for some greater good, even if that requires a short-term sacrifice.
Most people don’t really know each other. We’re polite and we’re cordial and we’re seldom forced to work together. We usually don’t have to, as the sprawl of Phoenix metro allows each of us to escape from whoever they want every single night. This NIMBY philosophy has always infuriated me, but I know that changing it first means it must be recognized.
I tried to do that at November 2009′s RadiatePHX meeting at Local Breeze. I wanted to force people to reconsider what was actually happening in the city, what really needed to be done and how hard it was going to be. An unhealthy amount of liquid courage, a few shots of espresso and a remixed rant later, I felt like an absolute failure. I ranted on stage, I bitched on Twitter and unleashed a level of vitriol that, while completely true, didn’t do anything to help. I’ve always regretted that night.
But that was yesterday. That was before Jim McPherson showed me his list. Before Jim got on stage at TEDxPhxDC last night and talked about what we can all do to leave our mark. If Jim, who has a track record of getting things done, can manage to check off even a quarter of what he’s set out to accomplish, then my personal failure was worth it.
While I definitely would have liked to convey my points more eloquently and, if you’ll forgive me, less confrontationally, it worked. I traded something I had plenty of (confidence) for something Jim lacked at the time (inspiration to make a list) and we’ve now both been rewarded.
Being a good neighbor means a lot more than keeping within yourself and sharing a cup of flour. It also means making do of what you have, who people are and how things come together. It means being okay with being wrong, but always striving to be right.
I can’t say I’d do it all the same way again, but I can tell I’m glad I did.
A note from the publisher:
This is my account of a night long ago, and it’s long, so feel free to skip it and comment to Tyler below.
I read the above post last night and it brought back memories of a night that many of our readers experienced first-hand. To me, it is a profound testament to Time, not just as a wound healer, but as a key ingredient for growth and connections.
It was November 2009, and a special edition of RadiatePHX. As host, I had contacted Tyler a few weeks before to ask a favor: would he please moderate a discussion about what is wrong with Downtown Phoenix?
This was 180-degree change of perspective for this monthly gathering, and I knew Tyler was just the person to take this on. Not because he’s a “hater,” as some people lazily believe, but because he actually cares a great deal, and is stronger than most to pose the questions and challenges that most of us shy away from. Albeit, sometimes that is because most people edit their thoughts more appropriately, but I digress.
One of the people who questioned me directly about Tyler leading the discussion was, yes, Jim McPherson. I have known Jim for almost as long as I’ve been Downtown. Kevin Bacon has nothing on Jim. He is the most amazing connector I have met in my lifetime.
Yet, this question from someone of Jim’s caliber only seemed to reaffirm my brazen notion that this Tyler-led discussion would be an iconic, disruptive moment that would meld Downtown’s veteran advocates with the newer voices of the Downtown scene. It would engender understanding of one another and fuse us together as we tackled the challenge of elevating Downtown, while enticing more people to experience this place we love! (See also Braveheart and Animal House)
I believe in balanced problem-solving: listening to voices from opposite ends of a given spectrum and calibrating (what I believe to be) the best approach from there. For me, Tyler and Jim are the personification of that approach. They are very smart individuals, yet opposite in many ways, and I respect each of them.
A few minutes before the event, I asked/stated to Tyler, “You know people don’t believe you can do this, right?” We laughed and plunged ahead, not realizing a fuse had been lit.
In some circles, that night has become known as “Tyler-gate.” Our fearless moderator had what is commonly referred to as a meltdown and proceeded to shout over anyone and everyone’s attempt to contribute to the discussion. I was in awe, as it became the worst version of lightning in a bottle. Publicly I’ve looked back with an involuntary laugh. It was simply an astonishing downward spiral display, and I had an unobstructed front-row seat.
The memories of that night live on for many, one person reminisced to me about it just earlier this week. What they and Tyler don’t know is how much I blamed myself. I was stunned, but surely I could have done something – anything – to mitigate the damage. I should have broken through to help a friend, one who had weeks before agreed to my challenge without hesitation. Tyler will undoubtedly brush that notion aside, I am sure.
But, from there he moved on to develop CenPhoCamp with Yuri Artibise, and his love for Katie Charland, among other things. He seemed to have reached the peak (nadir?) of his disenchantment and strived for a better…life.
And now this post above. Full circle, from Tyler to Jim, two of my favorite people.
Catrina Kahler
February/March Issue of DPJ
Posted on 1/21/11 by DPJ Staff » 1 Comment
The second issue of DPJ magazine hits the streets of Central Phoenix on Tuesday, January 25, and there are plenty of reasons to pick up a copy at January’s Radiate PHX or one of 300 or so locations nearest you:
- Find out how light rail is fueling a pedestrian culture in Downtown Phoenix, from First Friday to running daily errands
- Utilize a four-page pull-out Artlink map to visit some new places on your next First Friday adventure
- Discover how Encanto Park has evolved over 75 years
- Uncover a 100-year-old hidden gem in Garfield that draws in visitors from all over the world
- Take a look at CASS’ operations on the Human Services Campus and how it is sculpting the makeup of Downtown
- Hear what Downtown spot is Phoenix Suns power foward Hakim Warrick’s weakness
- Check out the evolution of PHXRailFood.com
- Read restaurateur Sam Fox’s thoughts on Downtown as he readies The Arrogant Butcher at CityScape
- Stay up to date on all of the latest Downtown buzz and events
- …and more!
Sneak a Peek of Vitamin T at RadiatePHX
Posted on 11/29/10 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
RadiatePHX has a habit of visiting the newest culinary destinations in Downtown Phoenix and this month is no exception.
Tuesday night, Chef Aaron May will open the doors to Vitamin T, and you’re invited.
The menu features a delectable selection of tortas, tamales and tacos, in homage to its street food inspiration. And yes, another ‘T’, tequila, is also in house.
Space is limited, so please RSVP. Oh, and all who purchase one of those mouth-watering eats mentioned above get a cerveza on the house. Enticed yet?
RadiatePHX runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Vitamin T is located at 1 E. Washington St. at CityScape. RSVP at radiatephx.com or on Facebook.
Phoenix, You Look Good! | Photos from July’s RadiatePHX
Posted on 8/03/10 by DPJ Staff » 1 Comment
If we learned one thing at last week’s RadiatePHX event at Durant’s, it’s this: Wow, we’re a good looking bunch. We schmoozed, we introduced ourselves, we nibbled on cheese and salami on a stick. Most importantly, we got together to celebrate Phoenix and create a more cohesive sense of community. Steve Weiss of Candid Landscapes was kind enough to take a few moments to snap some photographic evidence. Enjoy!
All photos by Steve Weiss/Candid Landscapes
