But Amtrak doesn’t even come through Phoenix
And The Boycotts of Arizona Continue…
Arizona Solar Fields
Strike 2 for Jan Brewer
As I said a few days ago, strike 2 was coming for the Never Elected Governor Jan Brewer. U.S District Court Judge Susan Bolton struck down the most controversial elements of SB1070. Jan Brewer said the ruling is “a little bump in the road.” Jan Brewer is also a moron.
The Arizona Republic reported that the elements of SB1070 that will not go into effect on Thursday are: Read more
Russell Pearce- a typical Mormon
“Facts are a stubborn issue” said Russell Pearce, the author of the recently struck down SB1070. Facts are a stubborn issue for most Mormons like Russell Pearce. For example, Russell Pearce believes that Native Americans are descendants of Jews who wrote in “reformed Egyptian” on golden plates while living in the Americas. Not only is there no evidence to corroborate the belief, there is actual evidence that refutes it. But to Brother Pearce, facts are stubborn.
Just listen to him in this video. He says Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon is an ” open border anarchist.” When asked for evidence to support that claim, Pearce says that Gordon “badmouths” people who support SB1070. Ah yes, Badmouthing=Anarchist.
The video is here
New Public Art in Tempe
My first post is now up on the New Times blog, Jackalope Ranch! You should read it!
Strike 1 for Jan Brewer, Strike 2 is Coming
In 2009 Jan Brewer signed HB2013, a bill that denied health insurance benefits to the domestic partners of state employees. Brewer said she signed the bill to help balance the budget, but the bill only eliminated $3 million from the annual $625 million the state already spends on providing benefits. $3 million is a drop in the proverbial bucket and reeks of anti-gay politics. Read more
4 New Businesses on Mill Avenue
My neighborhood is getting 4 new independent businesses next month and I fully support this return to the the “old” Mill Avenue.
While I wasn’t sad to see Borders go, per se, I do miss the space. The little coffee shop inside was a nice place to kill some time while hanging out on the south end of Mill. Now it’s just a big empty space with the ubiquitous “space available” sign in the window.
However, 4 different “space available” signs will soon be removed and filled with new people with new ideas. Read more
I’m writing for the New Times Blog Jackalope Ranch!
It’s official! I’ve known for about a week that I’d be freelancing for the New Times but I didn’t want to say anything until the ink on the contract was dry. (Just in case everything fell through.)
My posts will appear on either Mondays or Tuesdays. I’ll be writing about my true love: downtown Phoenix culture and how historic preservation is a necessary component of building the urban city we all want. Plus I’ll be writing about anything else that catches my fancy.
Make sure you bookmark Jackalope Ranch and use it as your “go to” page for all things Phoenix. It’s updated multiple times daily with lots of talented writers contributing. And how can you not love the New Times?!
Bye-bye Tempe Town Lake Dam
We knew it was going to happen. The dam was supposed to have been replaced in 2008 but we all know what a sucky year that was and the city had no money to do it. Then it was supposed to be replaced earlier this year, but we had so much rain that there was no way to repair anything until water levels lowered. So the dam was basically a ticking time-bomb until last night when the explosion shook the shore of Tempe Town Lake. Like a flash-flood reminiscent of the old days, thousands of gallons of water rushed into the riparian habitat just west of the dam and westward into Phoenix. No injuries have been reported but wildlife was seen dashing up the sides of the once dry river bed. Read more
Vote for Dugaldo at Gaytravel.com (And I’m in a YouTube Video!)
My blogger friend Dugaldo Estrada is applying to be the next gaytravel.com travel writer. He’s made it to round two so the race is on and every vote counts! Read more
Safe Sex Campaign ask us to Do the Math
This post talks about sex and gay sex. If you find that offensive please read something else.
Who knew sex was as fun as a good old fashion math test! A new safe-sex campaign from the Canadian Health Initiative for Men (HIM) feels like an SAT test, a test I never took by the way, but still managed to get into ASU. (Figure that out!) Read more
Mormon Involvement in Argentina
Leading up to Prop 8 in California, the First Presidency of the Mormon Church sent a letter to all the congregations in California requesting the members of the church to give of their time and money to defeat Prop 8. (A copy of the letter is in my possession.) Even though Mormons make up a small percent of the population in California, they responded to the request of their so-called prophet to help rescind rights from their neighbors. Surrounding states with high Mormon populations, namely Utah, also responded to the request and $22 million poured into California leading up to the election.
The Church sent a similar letter to congregations in Buenos Aires on July 6th, reminding members that current LDS belief (but not doctrine) is that marriage is between one man and one woman. Read more
Calling Artists for the Grand Avenue Trashy Sculpture Show
Attention all creative sculptors! The Grand Avenue Festival and the Grand Avenue Merchants Association (GAMA) are looking for artists to compete in the 2nd Annual Trashy Sculpture Show!
This is just one of the many events taking place during the day along the historic Lower Grand Avenue Corridor during the Grand Avenue Festival.
Entry fee is a measly $10 per piece and if your work sells, you get 70% of the profit, while 30% will go to benefit GAMA. The basic idea for this show is to find objects, trash, and other discarded material that can be sculpted into something unique and interesting. Call it adaptive reuse. For many years Grand Avenue was discarded by the city and looked like a place where garbage went to die, but over the years creative minds have found creative ways to use the funky brick buildings to bring life and culture to Downtown Phoenix.
They are not looking for “fine art” in this competition. They want whimsical and fun.
Work will be shown on Saturday, September 25 at Bragg’s Pie Factory and will also be on display during October and November First Fridays and 3rd Fridays.
If I have time, I may give it a whirl. I want to be in an art show!
For more info about the art show contact Beatrice Moore at 602-391-4016.
For more info about the Grand Avenue Festival contact GrandAvePhoenix@gmail.com
Condo in Tempe for Rent
Since my tenant just moved out I’m using all the resources I have to let people know about this condo. I used to live here and it’s a really great spot near all the best of Tempe: Mill Ave, ASU, Tempe Town Lake, Metro at 3rd and Mill, Orbit Venus, Papago Park, Sky Harbor and the 202 freeway. The unit is on the 2nd floor and has high vaulted ceilings in the living room and kitchen- which is furnished with stainless steel Frigidaire appliances, dark cabinets and granite counters. Cool tile greets you in the entryway and the kitchen and progresses to a dark Pergo wood floor in your living room and hall. Both well-sized bedrooms have just received new carpet and padding and the entire unit has been painted a crisp “Swiss Coffee” white.
If you like urban living this is a great place. Drive when you want to not because you have to. Walk or bike everywhere else. If you or anyone you know is looking for a new place to live, let me know.
LDS Teen Center on YouTube asks “Are You Really Gay?”
This is an honest to goodness video produced by the LDS Teen Center (which clearly has some affiliation with the LDS Church) and it’s pretty crappy. At least the makers of this video used the term “sex” and “gender” correctly, unlike the First Presidency when they issued their “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”
I especially love the part with Jack Black (about 1:30 into the video) because, yeah, he’s every gay man’s fantasy! The first guy that comes to mind when I think of a hot, sexy, masculine man is Jack Black in underwear. Read more
Gimme Back My Kombucha!
I went into the Tempe Farmers Market (where I currently hold the Mayorship on Foursquare) and walked over to the beverage section. I opened the door and reached in to grab a big bottle of kombucha when I realized the shelf was empty, and not just with the brand I usually buy, no, every bottle of kombucha was gone.
I tried to think through the possibilities: A kombucha rush moments before I arrived? Someone made a mistake on the inventory? Did they move the drinks somewhere else?
Where the hell is my kombucha?! Read more
