with Scott Kellogg - author of "Toolbox for Sustainable City Living - a Do It Ourselves Guide".

Wednesday, August 27th, 6 to 8 PM at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market meeting room. 

Requested Donation: $10. This event has been opened up to accommodate 100 people - Those with RSVPs are guaranteed a spot.

For more information visit:  http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/events/event/show?id=2008067:Event:14064

Books will be available for purchase during the event

Central Phoenix now has it's very own Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market at the SE Corner of 7th Ave & Indian School. 

The Central Phoenix location is the 67th U.S. store to open and Fresh & Easy CEO Tim Mason as well as several City of Phoenix dignitaries were on hand this morning for the Grand Opening. 

At roughly 10,000 square feet, Fresh & Easy markets are smaller than the typical supermarket to give customers a faster, easier shopping experience. In addition to fresh, prepared meals and produce, Fresh & Easy offers everyone’s favorite national brand products and household items, all at everyday low prices.

Each store employs approximately 20 to 30 people. All Fresh & Easy employees are given the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, which entitles them to comprehensive and affordable healthcare. Entry-level positions start at $9 an hour in Arizona, with similarly competitive salaries in other states, and offer a quarterly bonus of up to 10% and a 401(K) with company match.

I was able to roam around the store today before they opened to the public and take some photos, check the place out, etc.  I have to say I was impressed.  The phrase "neat and tidy" comes to mind in referring to the Fresh & Easy store.  Everything was so well organized and convenient.

Fresh & Easy's parent company is UK Based Tesco PLC.

Fresh and Easy website

Fresh and Easy Blog

This sounds pretty cool, a free class every Saturday if you got "what it takes" or don't mind looking stupid until you get it.  The Class happens at the Eastlake Park Recreation Center at 1549 E Jefferson St.

Each week, seven to 15 drummers and 18 to 30 dancers of all shapes, colors and origins participate in the lively 90-minute class. Even though participants must focus to learn the technical dances, smiles and laughter are abundant throughout the class.

Read a great article about the Dance Class at azcentral.com

more info about the Dance Classes

Photo is courtesy of Bettina Hansen/The Arizona Republic

Bravo’s “Top Chef: The Tour,” a nationwide promotional tour featuring a customized traveling “Top Chef” 18-wheeler semi-truck, will visit the Market on July 26 on its eighth city-stop. Bravo and Cox Communications will bring Phoenix’s “Top Chef” fans and foodies the ultimate culinary experience, complete with cooking demonstrations and food tastings hosted by former chef’testants “Top Chef” Season Two’s Betty Fraser and Season Four’s Richard Blais. There will be 3 live interactive shows: 8:30-9:30 AM; 10:00-11:30 AM MST; and 11:30–12:30 PM – first come, first served. The Chefs will be signing autographs, selling cookbooks and promotional items. To learn more about “Top Chef: The Tour” visit www.bravotv.com/thetour.

Local Chef James Porter from Tapino Kitchen and Wine Bar www.tapino.com will be at the Market this Saturday, July 26 as part of the Top Chef event at 9:30. He will be making luscious fruit smoothies on a bicycle the Bravo Network has created especially for this purpose!

In addition to the whole chef thing happening, there will also be some Gardening Classes happening.  Check www.downtownphoenixpublicmarket.com for details.

In preparation for its fall opening, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel is opening a recruitment unit in the Arizona Center.

Called the Sheraton Recruitment Center, it opened on Tuesday, July 15th, in the retail, movie and restaurant complex located across the street from the hotel at Third and Van Buren streets in downtown Phoenix.

"This is an incredible opportunity for people looking to work in the downtown area. With the opening of the light rail at the end of the year and all of the new residential developments in the area, we're excited about the impact this will have in breathing some life into downtown Phoenix," said Cindy Radamaker, director of human resources at Sheraton Downtown Phoenix.

The Sheraton Recruitment Center will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Candidates may also visit www.sheraton.jobs/phoenixdowntown and apply electronically.

The 1,000-room Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, scheduled to open in October, will feature a 3,500-square-foot fitness center and a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck.

10:30 to Noon - Saturday, July 19th
Introduction to Permaculture with Don Titmus 

$10 Requested Donation.

Learn about sustainable design for your home site.  Learn what "Permaculture" means, what a "systems approach" is and more.  Bring your questions and learn about responsible living.  Leave empowered with dynamic information that will save you money, make you more self-reliant, build community and benefit the Earth.

Oh, yeah, before the class starts, why not grab a breakfast burrito and listen to some music by John Diaz.

The Downtown Phoenix Public Market is at the corner of Central Ave & McKinley

 www.phoenixpublicmarket.com

Obviously, you should go by the Downtown Phoenix Public Market this coming Saturday from 8 AM to Noon to browse, have coffee or breakfast and buy your veggies and other locally made stuff, but an additional benefit to the Saturday scene at the Public Market is all of the really "low cost", high quality education being offered with special classes at the Meeting Room, right across the alley from the Outdoor Market.  Check out these offerings for Saturday.

Sustainability Book Club Meeting - 8 AM to 10 AM - suggested donation of $2 to the Public Market.

Designing a Vegetable Garden - Part 1 of 4 with Heather Welch - 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM - suggested donation o $10 -   RSVP to info@phoenixpermaculture.org

Bermuda Grass Removal - A double-edged sword with Don Titmus - 10:30 AM to Noon - $10 requested donation  RSVP to info@phoenixpermaculture.org

The Downtown Phoenix Public Market is located at Central Ave & McKinley

Downtown Public Market website

Remember, the Downtown Phoenix Public Market is open from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesdays.  Stop by this Wednesday, grab some produce or other goodies and catch a class at the Market Meeting Room, just across the alley.  This Wednesday’s Phoenix Permaculture Guild class is “Lawn and Garden Care Straight from the Kitchen” with Doreen Pollack 6:30 to 8:00 PM http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org

The Downtown Phoenix Public Market is located at the SE Corner of Central Ave & McKinley.

Market website

June 7. A person’s health is not only about diet but also exercises, well-being, safety and so much more. Arizona Science Center, 10am-4pm. Free with general admission. For information, call 602 716 2000 or visit www.azscience.org

June 4. Now open every Wednesday! Experience the best in Arizona agriculture, cooking and creativity as vendors from across the state offer fresh flowers, fruits & vegetables, meat & dairy products, roasted coffee, mouth watering jams & honey, baked goods & prepared foods. Wednesdays, 4pm-8pm. Saturdays, 8am-1pm. You can find the market at 721 N. Central Ave., on the southeast corner of Central Ave. & McKinley St. Admission and parking are free. For information, call 602 493 5231 or visit www.phoenixpublicmarket.com .