Phoenix City Living

For all those that feel the rage when a dent appears on your car door

REPOST: back by popular demand

Most of the time we find the "parking lot" dent only when far from the scene and without a hope of finding the perpetrator. But what of those moments, which many of us has had once in a lifetime, when the opportunity exists to immediately right a wrong, to change the course of history, and finally stand up to the evildoers that trash our treasured cars. But is life ever really that simple?

Suns put some spice into new online push

Suns revamp Web site, launch social network:

The Phoenix Suns relaunched the team's Web site and will introduce an expansive social network for Phoenix fans.

Suns.com was named the NBA's Web site of the Year in January. The new-look features a wider layout and streamlined design to better organize and showcase content for fans, including podcasts, blogs and behind-the-scenes video.

This week, the Suns will invite fans to become citizens of "Planet Orange," the team's new online community named after its 2007-08 marketing campaign.

Fans will be encouraged to build profile pages, where they can write blogs on the Suns, participate in message board discussions and upload Suns-related photos, artwork and videos.  more

SRP's passing on the pain

SRP raising prices 4.7 percent:

Salt River Project is increasing customer prices by an average of 4.7 percent.

The decision by the company's board of directors results from increased natural gas prices and elevated purchase prices from other energy companies.

About $30 million will be placed in SRP's rate stabilization fund, which suffered a hit due to rising fuel costs and increased peak demand this summer. Residential customers will see an increase of 4 percent.

Arizona Public Service Co., also raised its rates recently. Unlike SRP, APS had to receive approval from the Arizona Corporation Commissioners, who allowed an increase of 11.1 percent to offset fuel costs.

The Biltmore grows a King & Duck

The Biltmore Fashion Park brings on some new additions post-facelift. King & Duck brings exclusive, hip clothing, sneakers to Biltmore:

In New York and Los Angeles, teenage sneaker fanatics line up for days to purchase limited-edition releases. Some of the sneakers sell for up to $5,000 on eBay.

Now, so called "sneaker heads" can find edgy sneaker fashions at King & Duck, a store that opened in August at the Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th Street and Camelback Road. The grand opening will be Nov. 18.

The store features one-of-a-kind sneakers that sell for up to $200 a pair.

"It's a boutique, a high-end Nike boutique, with lots of custom independent clothing lines that no one carries," said Brandon Howard, 22, manager of the Phoenix store.

In addition to sneakers, the store carries T-shirts, hooded sweat shirts, custom shoes, hats and more. The styles are inspired by skateboard, graffiti, hip-hop and basketball cultures.

"It is city-urban in style. The clothing is more like hip-hop but not main-stream hip-hop," Howard explained. "You don't see baggy jeans and what not. It's more underground clothing."  King & Duck

Phoenix's Points of Pride looks for company

Phoenix seeks nominations for new Points of Pride:

From the Wrigley Mansion to Papago Park's Hole in the Rock, Phoenix is proud of its attractions and is looking for help to expand its Points of Pride list.

Nominations are being accepted through Nov. 9, after which the Phoenix Pride Commission will select 10 locations to be voted on by the public early in 2008. The commission will evaluate the sites receiving the most votes and consider designating one or more as a Phoenix Point of Pride.

... A Point of Pride is a landmark or attraction unique to the city of Phoenix that evokes a sense of pride among area residents. Events and people are not eligible. The first 25 Phoenix Points of Pride were selected by more than 10,000 area residents in 1992. Cricket Wireless Pavilion and the Deer Valley Rock Art Center were added in 1996 and 2000, respectively. In 2004, the Japanese Friendship Garden, Thomas J. Pappas School and the Ben Avery Shooting Facility were added.

What Point of Pride motivates you to take the next step?

For all those that feel the rage when a dent appears on your car door

Most of the time we find the "parking lot" dent only when far from the scene and without a hope of finding the perpetrator. But what of those moments, which many of us has had once in a lifetime, when the opportunity exists to immediately right a wrong, to change the course of history, and finally stand up to the evildoers that trash our treasured cars. But is life ever really that simple?

It's official: Keep your thumbs on the wheel!

Pushing through on its recent threats to get tough in the face of increasing accidents and tragedies caused by "thumbing" messaging devices while driving, Phoenix City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting such use. Specifically:

1. The ordinance will prohibit the use of personal digital assistants to send or receive a written message while operating a motor vehicle.
2. Personal digital assistants refer to a wireless electronic communication device that provides for data communication other than by voice.
3. This ordinance does not apply to law enforcement and safety personnel; drivers of authorized emergency vehicles; holders of commercial driver licenses while driving within the scope of their employment; public transit personnel; a person who is reporting reckless or negligent behavior; a person who believes they are in physical danger and is the only adult in the motor vehicle; or those communicating with the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a provider of ambulance services; a provider of firefighter services; a law enforcement agency.
4. Violation of the ordinance is a nonmoving civil traffic violation.
5. If a person found in violation of the ordinance is not involved in a traffic accident, the person is subject to a civil penalty of $100, plus any other penalty assessments authorized by law.
6. If a person found in violation of the ordinance is involved in a traffic accident, the person is subject to a civil penalty of $250, plus any other penalty assessments authorized by law.
7. Peace officers are empowered to enforce the ordinance as a primary offense.
8. A 30-day warning period (Sept. 20 to Oct. 19) will begin once the ordinance is adopted to inform and educate drivers, however due to public safety implications and the risks associated with text messaging while driving, an emergency clause is requested to allow immediate enactment of the ordinance to initiate the warning period and enforcement.

When shadows start their long crawl

I took this shot yesterday on Osborn near Crystal Point. What a joy it is to have cooler weather and ......... CONTRAST! You know, the feeling that everything isn't this bleached out glare in your eye. That color and shapes and shadows matter. The "cool" life begins anew in Phoenix.

Phoenix Mercury wins WNBA title

Three cheers for Phoenix's Mercury as they beat up on Detroit to win the WNBA championship. Mercury deliver Phoenix a championship:

There was only a championship for the Mercury and a city that has long believed that basketball titles were fated to wind up somewhere, anywhere, other than Phoenix.

The Mercury swept aside all of those suspicions in spectacular fashion Sunday in winning their first WNBA title with a 108-92 rout of Detroit at The Palace.

Sorry Sheraton. This ugly duckling will never be a swan.

This is a recent article posted in the Arizona Republic. For more on my opinion, check out my recent blog in the link at the bottom. Well, at least we have a pretty rendering for our $350M government allocation! Downtown hotel eye-catching or eyesore?

The design is supposed to echo Arizona's breathtaking landscape and rich history.

But when Scottsdale resident Terrence Hanson looks at the 1,000-room Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel rising on Third Street, a less flattering image comes to mind: a 1950s-era Las Vegas hotel ready for implosion.

"This is not acceptable," said Hanson who's served on Phoenix arts boards. "Let's have something more inspiring."

It's not finished yet, but the largest hotel in the state is already generating sharp opinions about how it looks. While some rave about its innovative design, others dislike the rows of burnt gold and rust-colored squares on the building.

It's the first hotel to be built downtown since 1976 and is a key part of plans to revitalize downtown Phoenix. It's expected to open in October 2008.

The $350 million hotel is bound to draw passionate responses because it's financed by public money, experts say.

While the project has some fans, they may be in the minority.

The Sheraton Downtown Phoenix - uninspired?