Though we may need to drive to work if we don’t work in Downtown, or to take kids to school  – lets see how our average weekend may look like?

Within a walking distance we have, for example:

• Peace and tranquility at a cost of $3.00 ( Japanese Friendship Garden on 3rd Ave and Portland)
• Best coffee in town roasted on the spot ( Lola cafe  on Roosevelt and 3rd Ave.)
• One of the most beautiful libraries in the world (Central Ave. South Of McDowell)
• Fantastic pizza at Cibo – on 5th ave and Fillmore
• Modern Asian  and  open air bar with live music – Nine 05 – 3rd street and Roosevelt
• Downtown Public Market and Royal Coffee Bar- food grown, made locally.
• Sushi on Mckinley
• Historic Post office
• British pub
• Best bread in town – Roosevelt and 6th st – at Tammie Coe
• Few yoga places
• Symphony
• Science center
• Children museum
• Arizona Puppet Theater
• Orpheum Theater
• Herberger Theater
• Lightrail
• Arizona Center mall

A popular weekend destination – Home Depot- is not on my list – but we rather would drive there anyway.

Over at Phoenix Market Trends we’ve been knocking away post left and right.  Purposeful to our motive for REC was exploration of Phoenix, especially urban Phoenix: the central core: Downtown and Midtown Phoenix.

Urban Bike is the series through which this is being accomplished.  Some recent posts in the URBAN Bike series include:

Urban Bike: an adventure though some midcentury modern neighborhoods in Phoenix.

Urban Bike: on the Phoenix light rail.

Urban Bike: Willo Neighborhood Home Tour.

Urban Bike: Artisan Break Run.

What and where I purchased.

• >Coffee each day at local coffee shops like Hava Java, Lux Cafe…+

• >Bread at MJ Bread on Roosevelt and 7th St.

• >Chocolate at Catham’s Chocolates which is closing soon due to a lack of chocolate eaters.

• >Two Tacos at a local place on Camelback and 3rd St. but the name slipped my mind.  They were good though with organic ingredients: a real value.

Besides food I did buy a book but it was not local store – they did not have it and I wanted it now.

• >Ordered real estate signs from a local printer. bp-graphics

• >Got a bike repair at a local bike shop: Slippery Pig Bike Shop

• >Purchases a gift of art supplies at Arizona Art Supply

• >Had an awesome time with really good music on Thursday at Bomberos Wine Bar in Sunnyslope.

• >Purchased produce grown in AZ on Wednesday at the farmers market at 24th & Camelback.

I did buy some grips for my bike which were $49.95 but I later saw them at REI for $28.00.  Not a bit deal but it’s quite a difference and this is one hurdle with buying at locally owned independent stores but just the same things are often less expensive in independent stores plus for somethings it just makes sense to buy locally especially things that will need to be serviced or just if you care about the community, its growth and health.

Many of the farmers markets are closed during the summer and rightfully so.   What’s the pleasure of going through some fresh lettuce while your head is burning from the sun.

So just as with almost another activity in Greater Phoenix the living season is starting now.

There are quite a few farmers markets throughout the Phoenix valley and there are several new farmers markets coming in Glendale, Surprise and Buckeye.

See the additional links below.

Downtown Phoenix Public Market Food and more

Indeed, the sunsets, sunrises and the huge thunder clouds that often surround the valley are spectacular, especially during a sunrise.   The best way to view these clouds is either in the open desert or on a small hill.

Hiking in the Phoenix Mountains and seeing the glowing warm sky and the shimmering lights of the city makes for one inspiring and grounding moment.

 (Hoozdo #5)

This time Joanna had a photo she took of the Phoenix Symphony Building in Downtown Phoenix printed in Hoozdo.  It’s the one on the right in the photo above.

Read more about the current issue of Hoozdo.

“If Phoenix is just about the hottest spot in the U.S. right now, does that make hoozdo the hottest small-format magazine in the country? We think so.

As the sidewalks melt under your shoes and you start sympathizing with those fast-food patties being carbonized under the grill, Hoozdo 5 is here to drop ice-cubes down your neck.

In this issue Sean Bonnette tells you why you should not move to Portland even if your mom is, Larry Jankens gets weirded-out by Pancake Bunnies, Sal Paradise hikes the Chris-town Mall, Steve Patton considers Phoenix when it rains and we generally mention Lux Coffee every chance we get for absolutely no reason.

Hoozdo 5 comes perfectly formed, so no need for trinkets in this issue, but look out for our ultra-limited edition tee shirts, arriving by covered wagon across the prairie any day now!”

You can pick it up in many of the fine establisments in Downtown and Midtown Phoenix.

I have been in Arizona for over 20 years and summer here starts when the temperatures go above 85. which is basically the bulk of the year.  Then there are just greater and lesser summers.  If you think about when were in the midst of the summer here its like the winters in many other places. Extreme weather, lack of mobility due to atmospheric condition, it’s bloody blazing hot when it’s 115 like it was yesterday and will be many more times this year.

It’s the kind of heat that hurts so it’s extreme and dangerous.  Even the water in the pools is starting to get too warm for comfort.  A splash in the pool should be a relief.  Each year I try to prepare for the summer but its always difficult just as harsh winters are elsewhere.  So when you see a photo of a young couple having a picnic under a lush green tree on a flower covered meadow, to represent summer days, this does not apply to Phoenix.   Here is a list of things you can do during the Phoenix summer heat.

I really enjoy photography.  One thing I noticed years ago is that I enjoy the process of photogrphy more so then the results.  Good result are a satisfying by product of the process and I kinda like the results of the fashion photo above.

It’s not any specific style, it does not fit anywhere in the historic styles found in Phoenix; it’s unlike any I’v seen here.  Adobe built with hints of scandinavian design and southwestern elements.  Located in Downtown Phoenix of all places surrounded by offices and maybe one handlful of houses in the area.

I can see this place as small tavern, a local type restaurant, I see lots of potential and reason to keep it right where it is and in this condition more or less; with only the mechnicals, the presevation and cleanliness improved.  This could be a magnificent place, its already beautiful.  Do you know anything about it?  Let me know if you do.

Take a look at how two of the first trees got transported to their destination. Looks dangerous but it was a short one mile drive through some small street. The only thing dangerous was that a bird might have gotten confused.

(Photo by Artur Ciesielski of PhoenixMarketTrends)