Two Central Phoenix Restaurants made Arizona Republic restaurant critic, Howard Seftel's top 10 valley wide, great Sandwich list.  The recipients of this coveted recognition are: 

1. Pane Bianco at 4404 N. Central Ave.  Howard liked their home-baked pocket loaf, just out of the hearth, filled with creamy homemade mozzarella, vibrant tomatoes and fresh basil. 

pane bianco website            yelp.com reviews

2. Lisa G's Wine Bar at 2337 N 7th St.  Here's what Howard had to say about his experience at Lisa G's. "If you want to unlock your inner Italian-American, Lisa Giungo's killer meatball hero turns the key. Her meatballs come from a secret family recipe, a coarse-ground mix of beef, pork, veal, egg, parsley and seasonings. They're topped with cheese, lightly dabbed with sauce and piled into terrific ciabatta from MJ Bread."

Lisa G Cafe' and Wine Bar website         yelp.com reviews

Howard's article at azcentral.com

2 pretty cool spots.  Anyone else have a favorite "sandwich spot" Downtown?

Burton Barr Central Library will host artist Marlys Kubicek for a presentation and discussion of her work at 7 p.m. Monday, July 7th, in the Pulliam Auditorium, 1221 N. Central Ave. The free program is part of Phoenix Public Library’s FirstMondays Art Salon.

Kubicek creates artwork in a variety of media. Her main interest has always been drawing and painting the human figure. Over the past 10 years, Kubicek has taught numerous classes at universities and community arts centers.

July 13th, 2008 - 6 to 9 PM

Phoenix Museum of History - 105 N 5th St

Event is sponsored by Phoenix Sister Cities, Tempe Sister Cities and International School of Arizona

Live French music, French food & beverages to celebrate the tradition of Bastille Day

(Wine sponsored by Alliance Beverage Distributing Company of Phoenix, Arizona)

RSVP Required by July 7th - $35 in advance, $40 at the Door - For more info call 602 534 3751

Bastille Day festivals - held in cities all around the world – commemorate the beginning of the French Revolution, and its first official event: the storming of the Bastille Prison on July 14, 1789, symbolizing the abolition of privileges of the aristocracy. Bastille Day is the National Day of France.

The Phoenix City Council will vote today on whether or not to adopt the "Urban Form Project" recommended Downtown Plan which would affect the area from McDowell to Buckeye, 7th St to 7th Ave.  The Plan calls for defining "character areas" within the plan boundaries and making sure that the planning/zoning that gets implemented stays consistent to the "character areas".  The plan will also address things like future shade required for new construction, define where to emphasize pedestrian traffic and layout the framework for what's being referred to as a "connected oasis".  The vote today just deals with adopting the plan.  The actual work on the re-zoning involved to implement the plan will then be worked on/finalized and brought back to the City Council in the Fall.

more info about the Urban Form Project

azcentral.com article about the vote today

As of July 14, 2008, FHA will be pricing their Zero Down FHA loans at tiered pricing for UFMIP, or up front Mortgage Ins premiums.  So, the higher the credit score, the lower the UFMIP.  Actually a a good thing for higher credit scores, but a slightly higher premium for credit scores that are lower.

For more info on the scoop on UFMIP changes, please call me.  For information on the 0 down FHA purchase money being offered up to $355,000 for single family homes, please email me.

Enjoy the 4th of July Holiday and remember that as the stock market falls, so do rates.  Remember what happened last week in stocks.

Andrew Schmidt, Nations Home Funding, Inc. BK0905991

ACSchmidt4@aol.com

Better yet, ever heard of the Air Guitar Regional Championships?  I guess there is some kind of competition for everyone.  For those of you who don't know what playing the "Air Guitar" is, I'll give you the Wikipedia definition:

"Playing air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar solos. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching. Air guitar is generally used in the imaginary simulation of loud electric guitar music."

Anyway, the 2008 Cuervo Black Air Guitar Regional Championships were held last Saturday night at our very own Brickhouse Theater on Jackson Street in SoDo Phoenix. 

check out a video slide show of the performers at azcentral.com

Brickhouse website

This has been a great summer for Concerts at the Dodge Theater.  Hippiefest 2008 looks to be "one of the best", with Eric Burdon & The Animals, Jack Bruce of Cream, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Janis Ian, Jonathan Edwards and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland.

Friday, July 11th - Doors open at 6 PM, Show at 7 PM

Info and tickets online

Here's a great idea for those of you who might want to watch the Fourth of July Fireworks from the comfort of a revolving, air conditioned restaurant atop the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix. 

more info

If you have been considering the thought of moving to a Loft in Downtown Phoenix, this is an excellent time to do so.  There are currently 6 "lender owned" units at the Orpheum Lofts with asking prices under $180,000.  This is an incredible 1935 former office building, renovated in 2005 in Art_Deco style and converted to residential lofts.  Some of the features include exposed brick interior walls, exposed ductwork, hardwood floors in some units.  Common area amenities include, recreation room, heated pool & spa, sauna, fitness room, conference room and 2nd floor courtyard.  Walk to evverything downtown from this fantastic location near 1st Ave & Adams.

For more information about available units at the Orpheum, contact Lyle Plocher with Urban Connection Realty at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com .