The Clark Report
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News, Culture, Tweet-Free
August 2010
In This Issue
August Get Your PHX
Restaurant Review: Giant Coffee
In Other Market News...
CenPho Community
A Note from the Author
Get Your "PHX-ture" at MacAlpines Soda Fountain

MacAlpines

The goal of Get Your PHX is to show up, en masse, to support those who pioneer new restaurants, stores, bars and event spaces. We want to provide them a boost as they put their sweat, tears and wealth on the line to make life great downtown. Plus, we want to provide a chance for you to meet others like you, who want to get the most out of Phoenix.

Thanks to Jenny Poon and Odeen Domingo of CO+HOOTS for hosting a lively July Get Your PHX. In the days leading up to the event, I was really expecting a light crowd, being summer, and all. But we had over 60 people join us. It might have been the excitement about the CO+HOOTS concept, the wonderful art by Brian Boner, Christine Cassano and Chelsea Glass or the exclusive catering by Verde Restaurant. I dunno. But it was a HOOT! (Sorry, I just had to.)

So, for those of you who are old hat at this whole Get Your PHX thing, you know that our mission has always been to support those folks who just opened in CenPho somewhere. Well, we are breaking the mold just this once.

This month is Get Your PHX-ture at MacAlpine's Soda Fountain. We thought it would be great to celebrate an old fixture in the community. Get it, "PHX-ture"?

This old standard was built in 1928 and has been serving CenPho ever since with consistently good standards. Me, I'm partial to the old standard, the chocolate malt.

Owners Cary and Monica Heizenrader have been slinging burgers and jerking soda at this location for about the last 8 years. They have kindly offered a "Get Your PH-loat" special on an ice cream float and other items for those our guests. (See how we rock with all these "PH+word" combos?)

We will have Rob Melikian, Phoenix historian and author of Vanishing Phoenix, on hand to share a little background on our history here in the desert.

August Get Your PHX
Thursday, August 19th from 5:30 to 7:30
MacAlpine's Soda Fountain
2303 N 7th St.
Phoenix, 85006
Map here

Please RSVP to me via email or through Facebook so I can get an accurate count.

Restaurant Review: Giant Coffee

Gian Coffee













1437 N 1st St

Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 396-7215

As a fan of Matt's Big Breakfast and The Roosevelt Tavern, it would be difficult to believe that I wouldn't like Matt and Erenia's latest adventure. Matt's Big Breakfast and The Roosevelt are staples in the community because they are just good solid product. They don't try to be something they are not. They don't over-reach. That is why they get so much good attention.

It is more difficult with coffee. Coffee shops are a dime a dozen in Phoenix now. With so many shops of good quality, you have to stand out in another way to keep people coming. I like Giant for just that reason. The shop is modern, but still functional. They gave thought to the people who want a desk to get some work done and those who are there to socialize. Plus, they know enough to make certain that the pastries and goodies are quality. This is where most coffee shops fall flat.

The Good: Comfy but modern. I could see me getting some work done here, or just meeting to socialize.

The Bad: Cancer Survivor Park does not offer much in the way of parking. I can easily envision a ticket in my future for not constantly feeding the city's voracious Meter Beasts.

The Ugly: Cash only.

In Other Market News...

Crash

Two Witnesses, One Crash
Last week, I posted a quick note about how the Arizona Republic took a national report and drew some sweeping conclusions about the Arizona market. See how two interpretations of the same data can be so different.

Great Deals in the Hood
Here are three properties that you really should see if you want to live La Vida CenPho.
Renovated Ranch Along Light Rail
Lawson

Speaking of Short Sales
We were speaking of short sales weren't we? Well, if you missed it here is the perspective you need to get before you think about buying a short sale.

HAFA Great Day
For those of you who are thinking you might short sale your home, you need to know about HAFA, Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives.

A Note on Tax Credit and Foreclosures
Post $8,000 tax credit, the number of foreclosures is down and the number of short sales is up. Find out what this means to you.

CenPho Community

The Most Important Issue in Arizona
Finally, a little coverage from the Arizona Republic! You may have seen me address this issue in past. See January and February  2009 Clark Reports for more. Legislative redistricting is the cornerstone, the keystone, the foundation of how government works. We did it poorly in 2001 and look what we got. Stay tuned later this year for news on how we will get it done right in 2011. And read a little here to get ready.

Locavores Galore
Here's a nice little list of valley restaurants that attempt to support locally-grown and produced food. Not all of them are in CenPho. But with our economy the way it is, we should remember that dollars spent locally remain local.

Partners Against Crime
The Phoenix Community Engagement and Outreach Task Force will be holding a series of public hearings and youth summits to take input from the community. The Task Force has scheduled six general hearings and two Teen/Young Adult Summits, all in August.

There's an App for That
In case you missed it, there is an iPhone app that helps you find locally owned businesses based on where you are geographically. Now, if only they had an iPhone app to make the AT&T signal not suck.

More Small Wonders
Sticking with the local theme, did you know that the new Small Wonders map from Local First Arizona is out? They also have them for Glendale, Tempe and Scottsdale. Clearly, the committee chose not to do one for Wasilla, Alaska.

Look for more recent posts on www.GetYourPHX.com.

A Note From the Author

August is a big month. Something big is happening this month. I can't quite put my finger on it. But I know I'll be really busy.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been so kind as to send me referrals over the last years for your friends who are buying or selling a home.

Like many of you who are also in business for yourself, I don't have a huge marketing budget.

So, I appreciate your referrals even more.
I specialize in Central Phoenix, but I work all over the valley.

Now, go vote.

Final Words, Compliance and Other Legal Stuff

As always, I respect your right not to be bothered with annoying spam email. If you would like to be removed from my email list, just let me know. Thanks!


Sincerely,
 
Ken Clark

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