The American Express Foundation recently awarded $250,000 to four local non-profit organizations in celebration of American Express’ 50th anniversary of operations in Phoenix as well as the Arizona Centennial.

Tovrea Castle

Tovrea Castle, Maricopa County Old Courthouse, Great Arizona Puppet Theatre, and the Winship House/Japanese Friendship Garden each received funding as part of American Express’ historic preservation and conservation giving theme, which is about saving and sustaining historic places – preserving them for future use and protecting them for all to enjoy.

• Tovrea Castle will receive $100,000;
• Maricopa County Old Courthouse will receive $50,000;
• Great Arizona Puppet Theatre will receive $50,000; and
• Winship House/Japanese Friendship Garden will receive $50,000.

Maricopa Co. Courthouse & Phoenix City Hall

“American Express is proud to be celebrating 50 years of service to customers and the community,” said Tammy Weinbaum, senior vice president and general manager for American Express. “We could think of no better way to celebrate than to contribute thank-you gifts from our employees to the Arizona community. From more than 7,500 Phoenix American Express employees to our community, thanks for making this a great place to work and do business.”

Great Arizona Puppet Theatre

American Express’ philanthropic program strives to bring to life the company’s value of good citizenship by supporting diverse communities in ways to enhance the company’s reputation with employees, customers, business partners and other stakeholders. This is done by supporting visionary not-for-profit organizations that are:

• Saving and sustaining historic places
• Developing new leaders for tomorrow
• Encouraging community service where American Express employees and customers live and work

Winship House

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights, and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more about the company on the web, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

The five C’s of The Arizona economy, once used to be a part every Arizona youngster’s education from the 1950’s though 70‘s. Can you name them?

Before delving into them

I want mention a very special C that’s time is a coming and for limited time. Centennial! Feb, 14 2012 will be 100 years of  Arizona State Hood.

There are special events happening across the state to celebrate. How can you find out about them? The official list of events,also check your favorite museum, visit a library or other cultural institutions to see the array of events they are hosting. I know I have a few libraries booking Marshall Shore: Retro Spectacular shows and also talking with a venue outside of the valley. I have a few things in the works to bring Arizona to you with a unique twist. More on those later!

Five Cs of Arizona

The first time that Five Cs appeared in print was in 1939 in an issue of Arizona Highways. The research and finding  this came from a Valley Leadership as part of a project to talk about the Historical Five Cs and update them to match what is going on in Arizona, now. Let’s talk about the Historical 5 Cs, the next post will be on their findings of modern  5 Cs and then I’ll wrap up this trio of post with a list of my own Cs for Arizona .

Copper: People have been digging in Arizona for precious metals for a long time. Native Americans used them for tools, weapons,  for jewelry and in paint for pottery. People started to come to the state to seek riches and settle in the 1700 and 1800s. Copper ore is still mined in the state for many different uses. Copper is used in mostly in wire or coins, such as a penny.  See how Youth got involved in collections Pennies for the Arizona CENTennial Penny Drive

Is it live or plastic?

Cattle: People began raising stock in Arizona around 1690. Spanish ranchers settled, around the same time, Jesuit missionaries gave the O’odham Indians livestock after they agreed to live in mission communities.

Ranching began in growing in the 1730s around the time of the mining boom. The Arizonian countryside was converted into a large livestock ranch in a short amount of time.

Ownership of the Cattle was identified by brands. Brands are supposed to be used on livestock – not as logos – but that doesn’t stop folks from owning them. It costs $75 to register a new brand with the state, and it’s good for five years.

Citrus: Citrus refers to agriculture and farming in the state. Grapefruit, lemons, limes and oranges are among the most popular citrus grown.

 Climate: Climate refers to the weather in the state.  Because it is sunny most of the time many people like to visit the state. Spending money on hotels, food and sight-seeing. As well as many folks using the outside as an extra room or playground almost year around.

Cotton: The Arizona Cotton boom occurred during World War I. The boom was a result of it’s use in making wartime products such as making tires. The town of Goodyear established in by the tire company specifically for its factory and employees there. By 1920, cotton was so profitable, that almost all other crop productions were ceased to grow cotton. However, after World War I many of the government contracts for cotton dried up, since there was no longer a need for it. The resulting glut in the market resulted in the eventually end of the boom of cotton in Arizona.

Which leaves me preparing additional post on updating these historical Cs to reflect a more modern Arizona economy of a 100 year old state. In the mean time go Celebrate the Centennial.

Today’s guest post is by Reid Butler, president of Butler Housing Company and developer of Roosevelt Commons, an award winning housing project that combined historic preservation, new construction, and urban infill in Phoenix’s Roosevelt neighborhood.  Citizen Architect, described below, is the first of six “Building Community Cinema” films, sponsored by Roosevelt Commons/Butler Housing Company, to be presented at central Phoenix public spaces with issues common to preservation, protection, and growth of communities. You can reach Reid at 602-315-5031 or by email.

The public launch of “Building Community Cinema” will be held on July 28, 2011 at the Lexington Hotel, 1100 N. Central Ave., with the screening of “Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio.” The film will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. Food and drink will be available for sale before and after the film in the Lexington’s CYCLE Restaurant. For anyone interested in architecture, community revitalization, and citizen engagement, this is a film to see and then to discuss with other film-goers in a pleasant, informal setting.

Citizen Architect is a documentary on the late architect Samuel Mockbee and the radical educational design/build program known as the Rural Studio. Hale County, Alabama is home to some of the most impoverished communities in the U.S. It is also home to Auburn University’s Rural Studio, one of the most prolific and inspirational design-build outreach programs ever established. Citizen Architect is a documentary film chronicling the late Samuel Mockbee, artist, architect, educator, and founder of the Rural Studio. Noted Phoenix architect, Will Bruder, new Mockbee very well.

Citizen Architect explores Mockbee’s effort to provide students with an experience that forever inspires them to consider how they can use their skills to better their communities. Revealing the philosophy and heart behind the Rural Studio, the documentary is guided by passionate, frank, and never-before-seen interviews with Mockbee himself.

The film follows Jay Sanders, a young, first-time instructor at the Rural Studio as he leads a group of students in the process of crafting a home for their charismatic client, Jimmie Lee Matthews. Known within the community as Music Man because of his passion for soul music, Jimmie Lee maintains a healthy zeal for life, blasting R&B from his vast collection of used stereos and boasting that he “ain’t never met a stranger!” Over the course of the project a powerful bond forms between Sanders, the students, and Music Man.

Citizen Architect supplements Mockbee’s words and the students’ experiences with perspective from other architects and designers who share praise and criticism of the Rural Studio, including Peter Eisenman, Michael Rotondi, Cameron Sinclair, Steve Badanes, and Hank Louis. Their dialogue infuses the film with a larger discussion of architecture’s role in issues of poverty, class, race, education, social change, and citizenship.

The film follows up with Music Man, Sanders, his students, and other Rural Studio graduates to see how the program has affected their lives. Through scenes with architects such as Hank Louis of Design/Build Bluff in Utah and Cameron Sinclair of Architecture for Humanity, Citizen Architect captures the ripple effect that the Rural Studio continues to have throughout the profession. Above all else, this film offers a dialogue about what it means to be both a successful professional and a responsible member of society.

Kevin Kellogg

Here’s one of those good-bye emails you knew was coming, but hoping it wouldn’t…

Kevin Kellogg – yes the guy with that wacky title of ASU Urban Laureate – is going back into private practice, but fingers crossed will still spend time and energy on interesting projects that need to get done… here.  Kevin has been a pleasure to get to know, work with, and run into at the various coffee shops around town (and along light rail).

Hi Everyone,

June 30, 2011 was last day of the Urban Laureate program for 2010-11. The next UL has not been chosen, but keep an eye on the ASU stardust website for future announcements.

It has been an immense pleasure to have worked with all of you in this capacity, and an honor to have served the Valley for the past 18 months. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity, and I thank everyone for your help in this project. I will refocus my attention to my consulting firm, Kellogg+Associates, and continue to split my time between the Valley and the Bay Area. Local contact info: kk@kellogg-associates.com

Kellogg + Associates – architecture|urban design|planning
4200 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
707-291-8342
http://www.kellogg-associates.com

My Best,

Kevin

Dr. Raymond Thompson

TUCSON, AZ (June 24, 2011) – Dr. Raymond Thompson, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Arizona and director of the Arizona State Museum for 34 years, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission. The book, “Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix 1945-1975,” was selected from a field of ten to receive the Governor’s Heritage Preservation Grand Award. Both honorees and fifteen other individuals and projects were recognized at 9th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference held at the University Park Marriott in Tucson on June 24.

"Midcentury Marvels" book cover

Presenting the awards were Renee Bahl, executive director of Arizona State Parks; James Garrison, Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer; Dr. Connie Stone, vice chair of the Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission; and Jim McPherson, board president of the Arizona Preservation Foundation.

Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission Awards in Public Archaeology

These awards are presented to individuals and/or programs that have significantly contributed to the protection and preservation of, and education about, Arizona’s non-renewable archaeological resources.

• Scott Wood (Professional Archaeologist)
• Cherie Freeman (Avocational Archaeologist)
• Roger & Lesley McPeek (Site Steward)
• The Hopi Tribe (Tribal Archaeology)
• Kim Savage and the Archaeological Research Institute (Government Agency)
• The Redemptorist Society (Private Non-Profit Entity)
• Dr. Raymond Thompson (Lifetime Achievement)

Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Awards

These awards recognize people, organizations, and projects that represent outstanding achievements in preserving Arizona’s prehistoric and historic resources.

• Randy Oden, Oden Contruction & Michael Sellers, Sellers & Sons, Tucson
• Modern Architecture Preservation Project (MAPP), Tucson
• Douglas Mansion Rehabilitation Project, Jerome
• “Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix 1945-1975” (Grand Award Winner)
• El Tiradito & La Pilita Museum Rehabilitation, Tucson
• Florence Townsite Preservation Design Guidelines
• Florida Station Adaptive Re-Use & Rehabilitation Project
• Tovrea Castle Rehabilitation Project, Phoenix
• Poster Frost Mirto – Fort Lowell Master Plan & Preservation Plan, Tucson
• John Madsen (Lifetime Achievement)

Detailed descriptions of each of the award winners, plus a representative photograph, are available for review and download here.

Look at a Valley  map and you’ll notice that it is designed on a grid, with an exception. Because every rule has an exception, such as Grand Ave. Grand Ave is the home of

Phoenix's Obscured Past Revealed

Trunk Space which has been doing a city theme show for over a decade and what better name than The Grid Show and This year subtitled Phoenix’s Obscured Past Revealed. What does The Phoenix New Times say about the show and the special events such as a Phoenix Obscura by Marshall Shore: Retro Spectacular on First Friday, July 1st at 7:30p and the debut of Perry Allen’s film, Phoenix, Appropriated on July 15 at 7:30. Come see works of art and learn about the some obscured Phoenix  history:

Back of Trunk Space, 2011 Grid Show, postcard

Masque of the Yellow Moon, Security Building Brothel-Casino, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Powder Puff Derby, Gold Spot Bowling Alley, Phoenix Rodeo, UFO Crash At Dreamy Draw Dam, Winnie Ruth Judd, Phoenix Lights

Today’s guest post is written by Diane Brossart, president of Valley Forward Association, a top-notch organization (in our humble opinion) that brings business and civic leaders together for thoughtful dialogue on regional issues, like the environment and livability of metro Phoenix communities. You can contact Diane at 602-240-2408 or by email.

Sometimes it seems wherever you go, there you are. And everywhere you go looks just like where you’ve been. So where am I going with this? Walk with me and see!

What excites us most about a place is what’s different about it, what sets it apart. And we have an unrealized opportunity in our metroplex to create a unique sense of place. We could link communities, create gathering spaces for people, facilitate recreation and enhance livability through an initiative that has the potential to transform and revitalize neighborhoods.

It’s called Canalscape.

"Before" shot of a potential Canalscape project along the Arizona Canal looking east.

With more than 180 miles of canals, Phoenix has more waterways than Venice and Amsterdam combined. However, all too often we treat canals like hidden alleys. The idea of embracing our canal system and using the waterways to create more exciting developments in which to live work and play is not a new concept. It dates back to the Hohokam and in our region encompasses a long, rich history of fits and starts.

The possible "after" shot of a Canalscape project along the Arizona Canal.

Most recently, the Canalscape project, originally developed by former Arizona State University professor Nan Ellin, envisions ways to face our communities towards the vast network of canals, instead of away. The concept brings nature into the city, keeping the ground level spaces public to attract visitors. Every Canalscape would have a unique look and design that’s compatible with the surrounding environment. Developments could range from naturally landscaped recreation areas to small urban hubs complete with retail options.

Valley Forward Association is now the lead organization promoting Canalscape. The vision closely aligns with the organization’s principles and mission to create healthy, sustainable communities. It also parallels Valley Forward’s Pedestrian Freeway project, a vision for a regional trails system in the Valley that fosters connectivity between communities.

Canalscape presents a significant opportunity to boldly shape our built environment. It uniquely intersperses urban vitality into our majestic landscape, offering an alternative to sprawl, quality places to gather, beautiful and comfortable recreational corridors, alternative transportation routes throughout the region (walking or biking instead of driving), and homegrown non-polluting energy for local use.

Selected as an Arizona Centennial project, Canalscape was the focus of an exhibit at the Countdown to Centennial kickoff event on the State Capitol lawn last February. Let’s commemorate the 100th birthday of our state in 2012 by enhancing what gave birth to our region – a water management system that connects our communities and sets us apart.