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Get Your PHX at The Duce (Part Deux)
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 Jackson Kelly and the other owners of Bliss/reBar for hosting Get Your PHX in September. We had a blast and I know the party went on long after this old man took off. I dropped by on First Friday last week and I'm confident that Jackon, et al. will have no problem thriving at this location.
In keeping with the indoor/outdoor theme, we are going to revisit The Duce. For those of you Get Your PHX Long-Timers, you will remember that we were at The Duce last June, before it was open.
We were promised that we would see a restaurant, bar, ice cream shop, coffee bar and more shopping options. Well, Steve and Andi Rosenstein have delivered with what The New Times has called "The Best Retail Vision, Realized." I could play for hours in this place. I spent far too much time there a couple weeks ago, hanging around the original 1920s ice cream bar, which made its way to Phoenix from back east via four or five cities.
Folks, this is a unique place that will serve as an anchor to south central downtown.
Being cognizant that we have already visited The Duce once and that y'all are a tough crowd to please, we are bumping it up a notch. Or rather, boxing it up a notch.
The Rosensteins have installed an elevated boxing ring at the Duce, for reasons I don't quite understand. Then again, I don't claim to be a visionary.
 | | My great, great, great grandfather, Albert "Punchy" Clark |
We will take advantage of this with a boxing fundraiser to benefit Check for a Lump, a non-profit group that seeks to help prevent breast cancer. See them also on Facebook here.
For $10, you can get three minutes in the ring with me (using cartoonishly large inflatable boxing gloves), or with another sparring partner of your choice. Take this opportunity to get even with me for anything you want: political opinions, excessive use of real estate market statistics, whatever.
Steve and Andi are helping by donating 10% of all proceeds of anything you buy from R&R Surplus on October 21st. Amy Love is joining the cause, as she will donate 20% of her proceeds from the sale of her now-infamous Love Buttons.
Our goal for the night: raise $1,000.October Get Your PHXThursday, October 21st from 5:30 to whenever.The Duce525 S. Central Ave Phoenix, 85004
Map herePlease RSVP to me via email or through Facebook so I can get an accurate count.
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Don't Fear the Gerrymander
"As a map maker, I can have more of an impact on an election than a campaign. More of an impact than a candidate. When I as a mapmaker have more of an impact on an election than voters, the system is out of whack."
-Consultant David Winston who drew House districts for the GOP after the 1990 U.S. Census.
I didn't sit around very long after the primary election. One major reason I ran still needs some attention: Gerrymandering.
Every ten years we take a census and every ten years we re-draw the congressional and legislative district boundaries based on that count. Every political decision that is made about taxes, education, the environment, etc., is directly connected by these districts.
And every ten years in Arizona and America we make fewer competitive districts so that more power flows to party extremes and lawmaking becomes more divisive.
Don't be daunted by the seemingly complex nature of this issue. It is actually not as complicated as some people in power would have you believe. (Hint: Some in power know that if it seems complicated, you are less likely to get involved.)
Creating more competitive districts is important for registered voters, regardless of party, and is most important if you've given up hope in our current political system.
This is the most important issue that you could grapple with this decade. Yes, it's true. I'm not exaggerating.
Further, we have an opportunity starting in November to fundamentally change the power dynamic in the redistricting process. More on that later...
I have secured an Arizona premier screening of Gerrymandering, the movie, for November 12th at the Harkins Valley Arts Theater. Please save the date. Exact start time TBA, but expect early evening, around 6 or 7pm. Watch the preview here.
I promise a great time for this event. Please join us. This is step one in reforming our republic.
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In Other Market News...
My Three Listings
By the time you read this, my Sunday open houses will be finished. But check out this article to learn more here about the homes pictured below. Click on the pictures to see the actual listings, with virtual tours.
I'm Gonna Crow a Little
There will probably NOT be a  flood of foreclosed properties, and here is why.
If we all think the economy is not going to recover, then it won't recover. Learn more.
A Study in How to Renovate
I've seen some frightening renovations and some good ones. Here is a study in how to do it in style.
So, you Think I Geek-Out on Stats
This little video clip is from my broker, Jim Sexton, who is describing what is happening in the market, despite talk of a "double dip" recession (of which I am skeptical).
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CenPho Community
Kiwanis, Joining and Social Networking
Let me tell you why I joined Kiwanis and why I don't wear a Waterbuffalo hat.
Be a Redistricting Commissioner
I've made the case for more competitive districts, but here his how you could be one of five commissioners who will draw our congressional and legislative boundaries. The End of Arizona State Parks?Ideologues in the State Legislature can't see past their narrow dogmatic talking points to remember that our state parks actually help our economy. Your action is requested. Come out for the Sunnyslope Artwalk, October 9The folks in Sunnyslope are doing an incredible job of building community and their local arts scene. There will be 150 artists, 24 bands and musicians and local food in the restaurants along the art walk. See the Facebook page here.
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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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Organizations Worth Supporting
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