Richard Florida

Andrew Ross' Bird on Fire Outlines Phoenix's Fundamental Problems and How We May Fix Them

Closed for Business: My Florist Cafe

​Word about My Florist Cafe's sudden closure on Friday trickled in through text messages while I was away from Phoenix and away from the blog. Various sources told me they'd seen appliances being carted out of the restaurant at 7th Avenue and McDowell, and that employees were essentially ... More >>

Indie Music Fans Beg for Some Play on Phoenix NPR Station KJZZ 91.5, Get Smackdown from Music Director

KJZZThis is the woman who doesn't want you to hear Animal Collective on the radio.​There's an interesting facebook battle shaping up over the future of Phoenix's NPR affiliate, KJZZ 91.5.The instigator is a guy named Greg Ensell who likes to listen to . . . well, umm, pretty much what I listen to: ... More >>

A Statewide Sales Tax Hike for the Arts — In This Economy? Are They Insane?

KJZZThis is the woman who doesn't want you to hear Animal Collective on the radio.​There's an interesting facebook battle shaping up over the future of Phoenix's NPR affiliate, KJZZ 91.5.The instigator is a guy named Greg Ensell who likes to listen to . . . well, umm, pretty much what I listen to: ... More >>

New Long Wong's Music Venue: What Does It Mean?

​OK, by now you've perhaps read on our food blog that there's a new Long Wong's planned for Apache and McClintock. "Big Deal," you may be thinking, "those wing joints are everywhere."Not so fast. A close inspection of the zoning documents reveals that this Long Wong's is planning to have music up ... More >>

Modified Arts “Goes Gallery” Just as Yucca Tap Room Makes a Move

​OK, by now you've perhaps read on our food blog that there's a new Long Wong's planned for Apache and McClintock. "Big Deal," you may be thinking, "those wing joints are everywhere."Not so fast. A close inspection of the zoning documents reveals that this Long Wong's is planning to have music up ... More >>

Matt's Big Hassle

Three years ago, Mayor-elect Phil Gordon promised to make it easier for small businesses to renovate old buildings. But the problems faced by one indie restaurateur show that, if anything, it's harder than ever

The Devil Went Down to Phoenix

. . . will it be any better than downtown Tempe?

Tear Down Town

It's a knock-down, drag-out for the city's soul

Raising Arizona

Okay, Janet, you won. Now what?

Load of Crappioppoli

Maverick state Senator Jack Harper and shady Clinton administration bureaucrat Henry Cisneros are back and bitchin', which's ruffling tail feathers

Phoenix Has an Inferiority Complex

Or maybe you do

Letters

Letters from the week of May 20, 2004

Big Scam Theory

Downtown Phoenix has always had its high points, but the Civic Center boondoggle isn't one of them

Letters

Letters from the week of December 11, 2003

The Cool Index

Phoenix has always been hot. But can it ever be cool?

Cool Tips

Phoenix has always been hot. But can it ever be cool?

Letters

Letters from the week of November 13, 2003

Speech Therapy

Richard Florida jump-starts downtown dialogue

Letters

Letters from the week of October 23, 2003

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Letters from the week of October 23, 2003

The Gay Blade

Tom Simplot and his sexuality are exactly what Phoenix needs

Letters

Letters from the week of October 9, 2003

Creative Class Act

Richard Florida knows exactly what's wrong with Phoenix

Us vs. Them

Make downtown attractive to locals, not to outsiders wearing knee socks and nametags. It only makes sense.