- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave.(Technical Workshop)

- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Sunnyslope Community Center, 802 E. Vogel Ave.

- 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, South Mountain Community Center, 212 E. Alta Vista Road

- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, Maryvale Community Multi-purpose Room, 4420 N. 51^st Ave

- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, Maryvale Community Auditorium, 4420 N. 51^st Ave. (Spanish-language only)

- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, Cesar Chavez Branch Library, 3635 W. Baseline    Road

- 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, Deer Valley Community Center, 2001 W. Wahalla Lane

- 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, Pecos Community Center, 17010 S. 48^th St.

- 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, Devonshire Senior Center, 2802 E. Devonshire Ave.

- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15^th Ave

- 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, Paradise Valley Community Center 17402 N. 40^th St.

- 1 p.m. Friday, Feb 17, Burton Barr Central Library Auditorium, 1221 N. Central Ave.

January 27th & 28th 7:30 p.m.
January 28th 1 p.m.
January 29th 2 p.m.

For tickets call 602.266.7464
For more information visist www.azopera.com

Phoenix Community Alliance’s very own “Chief Culinary Officer” Larry Lazarus went around and dined at three local gems here in Phoenix and took the time to write a review for each restaurant.  Barrio Café, Breadfruit, and Gallo Blanco each bring a unique flavor toPhoenix and since reading Larry’s review, the team at PCA has become incredibly hungry.  Is it time for lunch yet?

Taste of the Town – Downtown that is…
by: Larry Lazarus (Not just a zoning attorney)

Barrio Café

Barrio has excited our pallets with its “Comida Chingona.” Chef Silvana’s impressive and original southern Mexico cuisine is fiercely distinctive in flavor.  Guacamole Casero tableside is unique! Pomegranate seeds not only give it a pop of color, but an impressive sensation in your taste buds.  The Red Pepper Soup is the best I have ever had.  Enchiladas Del Mar – the shrimp, scallops and crab work in concert on top of the blue corn tortillas with queso de cabra to accentuate a seafood dish like no other.A must try, Barrio’s famous Cochinita Pibil – 12 hour slow roasted pork with achiote rojo. Rightfully so, Barrio is famous for this dish.  Finally, visit the restroom and thank the “power to be” for this “hot” little restaurant.

 Breadfruit

Craving an urban eatery like New York or San Francisco? Step into this quaint little restaurant in Downtown Phoenix.  This Jamaican dining experience is innovative using ingredients locally grown organic produce and naturally raised meats. Need I say more?  From Passion fruit daiquiri to my favorite carrot juice with organic carrots, coconut milk, vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg. It’s like tasting Christmas.  If you want more alcohol content try the assorted rum tasting.  Crispy mango fish rolls with red pepper calyso sauce adds a little kick to them but very flavorful. Appleton Rum Sea Scallops Grand, were not so grand. However, Jerk Prawns off the Grill is off the charts. Seasoned with spicy jerk rub and grilled over pimento wood. Great taste.  Sustainable, fresh, organic…

 Gallo Blanco

This hip eatery, located at the Clarendon Hotel on 3^rd Avenue and Clarendon, has magnificently captured the street culture of Mexico.  Although one may think the food is unassuming, the food is down to earth and very clever.  Taqueria Cochinita made from local pork and marinated slow braised in achiote is far from a conventional taco.  Carne Asada Beef Torta grilled ribeye w/avocado and charred tomato salsa benefits our mouths as well as the community by using local meats & produce.  Chicken Chilaquiles w/queso Oaxaca & green chile sauce topped w/sunny side up egg is a much appreciated regional southwest influence.  Guacamole citrus spices & cotija is far from simple in flavor.  This cafe prides itself on innovative, regional southwest foods. They have nailed it. Gallo has taken “Old School” to a “Hipper” “New School” experience.

Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress

Shaping of Phoenix’s Urban Landscape

Ed Lebow, Director of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Public Art Program, will speak to the evolution of Phoenix’s public realm on October 11 at 4:30pm in PCA’s conference room. Phoenix’s urban form zoning ordinance calls for a “connected oasis” to create the kind of street vibrancy, hospitality and interesting landscape that Phoenicians place as a high priority for a greater Downtown Phoenix. Downtown’s public realm is a critical component of PCA’s Action Plan 2011-2016.

In 1996, Mr. Lebow wrote the essay for the accompanying catalogue “Following the Water: Historical and Contemporary Photographs of the Salt River Valley Canals”, organized by the Metropolitan Canal Alliance for their “Desert Canals: At the Confluence of History, Art and Culture exhibit. His work has advised this important visual presentation about Phoenix’s evolving landscape. The photograph above depicts a view of what Phoenix once was. We hope you can join us! Please register by clicking on the event link below:

http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=dpgkp4cab&oeidk=a07e4vw9ay35dff674a

GreenTRIP has successfully certified five projects in the San Francisco Bay-area which helped provide more walkability, did not limit resident mobility, and decreased traffic and air pollution. Please sign up on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195376523856329

The webcast is organized by LISC Green Development Center and TransForm.

President Michael Crow is being recognized for transforming Arizona State University (ASU) into one of the nation’s leading public metropolitan research universities.  Crow created for ASU a model of academic excellence that he terms the “New American University.”  Under his direction ASU pursues teaching, research, and creative excellence focused on the major challenges of our time, as well as those central to the quality of life, sustainable and economic development of Arizona and the nation.  He has committed ASU to sustainability, social embeddedness, and global engagement, and championed initiatives leading to record levels of diversity in the student body.

There is no adequate way to estimate the impact that President Michael Crow has had on the emergence of Downtown Phoenix as a 21^st Century City.  The expansion of major colleges into the downtown area, such as the College of Nursing and Health Innovation and Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with their state-of-the art facilities located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix have created a renaissance of new academic energy to the city.  Martin L. Shultz, PCA’s current Chairman, was the Chair of the ASU Alumni Association when Dr. Crow came to ASU regarding the award, “Michael’s leadership in bringing ASU Downtown, a vision that works, has added a young enthusiastic dimension to Downtown’s new critical mass.”

Every First Friday of the month, up to 12,000 people gather in our Central City to explore the many art galleries, studios, restaurants, and retail businesses. The all-volunteer organization Artlink supports the popular event by providing free information and courtesy shuttles to key downtown locales. Because of the tough economic times, it has been difficult to keep up with the costs of the shuttle service which helps to transport thousands of visitors.

It has been Phoenix Community Alliance’s mission to promote the revitalization of Greater Downtown Phoenix. This event is a catalyst to the vibrant downtown that we want. We are focused on assisting the efforts of Artlink and our arts community. PCA encourages contributions toward keeping the shuttles running. Our next First Friday event is September 2nd and our goal is to provide courtesy shuttle service. As an incentive, I will match your gift dollar-for-dollar (up to $500 cumulatively).

Donations can be sent by mail to:

or visit our website at: http://phoenixcommunityalliance.com/Artlink.php to donate online using Paypal or a credit card.

Thank you for your support!

Donald Keuth

PCA is proud to partner with University of Arizona-Sarver Heart Center and SHARE (Save Hearts in Arizona Registry and Education) program, which promotes a comprehensive, standardized system of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care throughout Arizona.

SHARE offers FREE one-hour class to help Arizona employers and employees learn about compression-only CPR and the use of an the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The goal is to make Arizona and our city the best place to survive a sudden cardiac arrest. The classes are taught with the help of the University of Arizona Medical Students.

To schedule your on-site class, call Carol Gibbs at (480) 322-1129 or by email to cgibbs@shc.arizona.edu.

PCA members who attended our membership orientation earlier this year, received a taste of the compression-only training. To learn more about compression-only CPR, revisit the blog post, When in Doubt, Compress!

Linda Hunt was honored for her role in the expansion of the hospital and her efforts in creating partnerships with educational establishments and other health care institutions to benefit and expand health care services for the community.  Last month, St. Joseph’s Hospital completed the collaboration with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, combining the two pediatric services and creating one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country. When accepting the award, she shared the recognition with the men and women who work at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center and thanked the neighbors and residents who look to St. Joseph’s for service. Ms. Hunt has a strong vision to make things a better place for all. We congratulate her and thank her for her leadership.

Please see the youtube video highlighting Linda Hunt’s award and acceptance speech in May at the Center City Starr reception ceremony.

Other highlights from this year’s Center City Starr reception can be found on our youtube channel, phxcommal.

About the speaker: Phil Allsopp, former President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Vice President of the
Board of the Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce, is a writer, speaker and activist about improving the resilience of our habitats, communities and commerce, which is the issue at the core of Transpolis Global, an organization he co-founded in 2009. Phil also serves as a Director of the Sonoran Institute and is on the board of Local First Arizona Foundation.

Buzz Event Details:

When: August 8, 2011, 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Where: Phoenix Community Alliance (map it!)

234 N. Central Avenue, Suite M1100, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Cost: FREE (Please RSVP for accuracy with catering)

Parking: Validated parking is available at the parking garage located on the Southeast corner of Van Buren and 1st Avenue (Entrance off of Van
Buren). Our office is also conveniently located off of METRO light rail (Stations: Central and Van Buren & 1st Avenue and Van Buren) and bike racks are across from our office at Central Station.

To RSVP or for further details, contact Tonya Gray at 602-254-7477 ext. 25 or email tonya@phoenixcommunityalliance.com.