New Interactive Map Offers Customer Convenience

Tempe, AZ July 5, 2007 - Downtown Tempe Community, Inc. officials today announced their launch of a new interactive online map to help Mill Avenue District visitors locate merchants and businesses quickly and easily. The Map Network feature is a new collaborative project between DTC, Inc. and the Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB) who both have posted individualized versions of the new maps on their websites.

The Mill Avenue District website (www.millavenue.com) provides links for online visitors to access the District’s interactive Map Network feature which offers retail, restaurant and bar, business, and parking listings. DTC, Inc. and TCVB are offering the interactive online map to provide customers with easy access to detailed information and to provide additional visibility for Tempe and Mill Avenue District businesses.

"We are pleased to offer this new service for the convenience of connecting customers quickly and directly with Mill Avenue District businesses," said Pam Goronkin, president and executive director of the Downtown Tempe Community, Inc. By clicking on a business category and business name, the map automatically locates the business and a pop-up screen gives detailed information including address, phone, business description, and a link to the business’ website.

Navteq, The Map Network’s parent company located in Chicago, Illinois, is a creator of navigational maps linked strategically with 90 destinations through Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Its technology uses an interactive, Flash-based interface that can be updated in real time. The new interactive Tempe maps eventually will provide point-to-point directions in Tempe as The Map Network adds that function to its interfaces in the coming year. Tempe is one of a handful of Arizona cities (including Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Lake Havasu) to partner with The Map Network, which is the first network of official maps created by and for destination marketing organizations, events, and venues.

About Tempe CVB:
The Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization devoted to marketing Tempe, Arizona as a desirable visitor and group destination site. To learn more about Tempe, call 480-894-8158 or visit www.tempecvb.com.

About DTC, Inc:
Downtown Tempe Community, Inc., the private, non-profit organization that manages the Mill Avenue District and is responsible for the vibrancy and excellence of the cultural, lifestyle, and commerce experience in the District.

Tempe Festival of the Arts Offers Artistic Flare And Gourmet Fare

Tempe, AZ March 20, 2007 - For the 4th consecutive season, the Tempe Festival of the Arts presenting sponsor - Centerpoint Condominiums - will showcase its signature real.life.style® program through their Resident Chef, Troy Thivierge, who has become a "must see" attraction at the event. Providing a little "taste" of the upscale culinary fare Centerpoint will offer future residents, Chef Troy will perform cooking demonstrations and provide complimentary food samplings at the Centerpoint exhibit - located at 6th Street and Maple Avenue, during the festival, March 30 through April 1.

"During last year's fall festival, I served a bisque soup that became very popular. In fact, it generated so many calls that we had to place the recipe on our website," says Chef Troy. "For my spring menu, I chose a treat that is delicate and flavorful; although this time I guess you'll just have to wait to see if I'll reveal my 'secret' dressing."

Chef Troy's spring festival menu includes Mediterranean salad of frissee, roasted peppers, olives, feta cheese with a balsamic and extra virgin olive oil dressing blend; served with a rosemary baguette and a refreshing Blueberry Spritzer.

The exhibit literally gives festival patrons a "taste" of the multitude of amenities and services that will be exclusive to residents of the highly anticipated Centerpoint Condominiums, in which the first of four towers opens in Spring 2008. The exhibit will feature a fully functional kitchen setup on-site, where Chef Troy will display his culinary techniques and a fresh flower stand to invoke the feel of future displays at the new gourmet café grocery planned for the site, called Centro. The signature 3-dimensional model of the Mill District upon final build-out of Centerpoint Condominiums will be located at Avenue Communities' second festival booth, located at 7th Street and Mill Avenue, which will feature an impressive 12th floor eastern view shot that future Centerpoint residents can look forward to.

As owners of the project, Avenue Communities' distinctive real.life.style program is geared toward creating vibrant and authentic communities. "We are the only developer in North America that design and develop our projects with lifestyle consideration as a key component," said Ken Losch, principal of Avenue Communities. "We are excited to demonstrate the uniqueness of Centerpoint Condominiums at the Tempe Festival of the Arts."

About the Tempe Festival of the Arts
Encompassing nearly five city blocks, the Tempe Festival of the Arts is staged between 3rd Street and University on Mill Avenue from Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1. Surrounding streets will be filled with arts and entertainment. While many of the streets along Mill Avenue will be closed to through traffic, patrons can use the festival's free parking and shuttle service available at Rio Salado Parkway and Hardy Drive, between Ash Avenue and Priest.

The Tempe Festival of the Arts is produced by the Downtown Tempe Community, Inc., the private, non-profit organization that manages the Mill Avenue District and is responsible for the vibrancy and excellence of the cultural, lifestyle, and commerce experience in the District. Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts sponsors include APS, The Arizona Republic, Casino Arizona, Coca-Cola, Infiniti of Scottsdale, KMLE 107.9, KOOL 94.5, KTAR-AM, The Peak, KYOT, KEDJ, Eight-Arizona Public Television, SRP, Burt's Bees, Qwest, Verde Canyon Railroad, Hill's PetFit Tour, American Laser Centers, Zone Perfect and Strategic Marketing Alliance. For complete listings of artists, performers, and schedules visit the official website www.tempefestivalofthearts.com.

About Centerpoint Condominiums
Tempe's emerging skyline is quickly taking shape as the first tower is projected to open in Spring 2008. The second tower is also under construction and will open approximately six months after tower one.

The first phase will include Avenue Communities' distinctive real.life.style® program, an amenities-rich living experience unique to North America. At Centerpoint, real.life.style will be incorporated in the entire seventh level of the community, encompassing 23,000 square feet. The seventh level is known as the Great Room and will feature a professional demonstration kitchen with full-time resident Chef Troy Thivierge, an intimate wine lounge, a spacious fitness center designated for free weights, stationary equipment, as well as studios for yoga and Pilates classes, lavishly furnished men's and women's locker rooms complete with steam room and showers, an 'electronic lounge' to showcase popular games such as Xbox, PlayStation and Game Cube, two private theaters, an in-house spa, a business center and concierge services.

In addition, the ground level will feature a 23,150 square-foot public plaza and 20,000 square feet of retail. The retail portion will include a gourmet-café grocery, called Centro, and signature Italian Trattoria restaurant in partnership with Chef Michael DeMaria, of Michael's at the Citadel, as well as a partnership wine-making facility, called PurVine, in conjunction with Signorello Vineyards in Napa, Calif.

Tower one, at 22-stories, will also include the construction of 176 condominium residences, with floorplans ranging from innovative studio-style plans averaging just under 500 square feet, to three bedrooms, three-and-one-half bath homes with over 2,800 square feet of living space. Tower two, at 30-stories, will include an additional 188 condominium residences for a total of 364 homes.

Centerpoint Condominiums is a mixed-use development featuring one 22-story and three 30-story residential buildings. The development is located on approximately five acres bordered by Ash Avenue to the west, Maple Avenue to the east, Fifth Street to the north and Centerpoint Plaza to the south in the heart of the Mill Avenue District.

Upon completion, Centerpoint Condominiums will feature over 800 condominium homes and over 2,000 residents.

About Avenue Communities, LLC
Headquartered in Phoenix, Avenue Communities was established by principals Ken Losch and David Dewar, as well as construction principal Jamie Dawson, the team behind the remarkably successful Third Avenue Lofts in downtown Scottsdale, VENU at Grayhawk and EDGE at Grayhawk in North Scottsdale, as well as Centerpoint Condominiums in Tempe.

Avenue Communities provides superior real.life.style® residential and recreational opportunities. real.life.style is a brand standard that uniquely characterizes an Avenue Communities residential property. At its essence, real.life.style provides residents with a multitude of amenities and services for vibrant and authentic living, and, as such, offers them the means of reclaiming a true sense of community.

Losch and Dewar have been business partners for over 18 years, with Dawson having joined them for the last 10 years. With more than 55 years of combined real estate experience and $1.8 billion in projects in Metropolitan Phoenix and the Southwest, Avenue Communities is a visionary force in developing vibrant, innovative environments for living. For additional information, please visit the Web site at www.reallifestyle.com or call 480-294-6333.

Avenue Communities and its Centerpoint Condominiums project are the Presenting Sponsor of the Tempe Festival of the Arts.

365 Artists Announced For Upcoming Tempe Festival of the Arts

Tempe, AZ February 15, 2007 - The Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts, Presented by Centerpoint Condominiums, today announced the final lineup of 365 fine artists, crafts persons, and culinary artists who have been jury selected to participate in the 30th annual festival, scheduled March 30th, 31st, and April 1st in the Mill Avenue District. The Tempe Festival of the Arts will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. daily. Admission to the festival is free.

The festival accepted more than the 350 openings originally planned. Artists representing 13 categories of original fine art and fine craft will display and sell their work in the event's street festival atmosphere. For a complete list of artists, go to www.tempefestivalofthearts.com, which includes booth location listings. Photos of art are available upon request for every category.

Categories of fine art and craft include the following:

CERAMICS: Thirty-seven artists will present their work, ranging from terra-cotta vessels to fine raku and clay pottery.

GLASS: Twenty-one glassmakers, presenting everything from flameworked pieces to mouth blown and original furnace-made art glass, will be on hand.

JEWELRY: Fifty-two jewelers will present an array of jewelry that includes everything from inexpensive handmade costume jewelry to gold, silver, and platinum pieces studded with fancy-cut precious stones.

LEATHER: Nine artists who work with skins, feathers, fur, and other leathers will present original designs including hats, bags, wearables, and other delights.

METALWORK: Thirty-three metalworkers will display and sell everything from geckos to garden art, sculptures to horseshoes, and fountains to gateways and wall art.

MIXED MEDIA - TWO DIMENSIONAL: Thirty artists working in mixed media will present works including batik, woodcuts, decorative switch covers, and other originals.

MIXED MEDIA - THREE DIMENSIONAL: Twenty-one mixed-media artists will present three-dimensional works of art such as stone sculptures, mosaics, bamboo creations, butterfly art, and glass and metal spinners.

PAINTING: Thirty-three painters will present everything from watercolors to oils, gouache to painting on silk, and represent an array of styles from whimsical animals to still lifes, landscapes, and bold graphics.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Thirty fine photographers will display and sell their works from small to lobby-sized original prints. Images of Africa, the Grand Canyon, Venice, and the desert will join shots from the wild of migrations and elegant flowers, including vibrant color as well as black and white images.

WEARABLE ART: Thirty-two artists will present works created for wearing, such as hand-sewn jackets, woven shawls and vests, smart fashions, hats, and children's togs.

WOODWORK: Twenty-two woodworkers will present their best, including furniture items, wood sculptures, walking sticks, inlayed wood art, and more.

OTHER ART: Thirty artists comprise the "other art" category, which includes such things as hand-made puzzles, music, dog hats, potpourri, and miscellaneous original handmade art.

COTTAGE EDIBLES: Seventeen vendors comprise the Cottage Edibles area, located along Maple, between Fifth and Seventh Streets, where original and home-made culinary delights are featured such as jams, seasonings, candies, soup mixes, salsas, and other tempting treats.

Tempe Festival of the Arts is the largest festival of its kind in the state. The Mill Avenue District expects to host as many as 250,000 festival visitors over the weekend, and to contribute more than $11 million of economic impact to the City of Tempe. The artists come from throughout the state and the nation. Nearly 35% of the festival's spectators come from outside the Phoenix metro area.

Encompassing nearly five city blocks, the event is held between 3rd Street and University on Mill Avenue, and surrounding streets also will be filled with arts and entertainment. While many of the streets along Mill Avenue will be closed to traffic throughout the weekend, there will be ample parking available in the surrounding areas. Free parking and a free shuttle that circulates approximately every 15 minutes are available at Rio Salado and Hardy.

The Tempe Festival of the Arts is produced by the Downtown Tempe Community, Inc., the private, non-profit organization that manages the Mill Avenue District and is responsible for the vibrancy and excellence of the cultural, lifestyle, and commerce experience in the District.

Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts sponsors include APS, The Arizona Republic, Casino Arizona, Coca-Cola, Infiniti of Scottsdale, KMLE 107.9, KOOL 94.5, KTAR-AM, The Peak, KYOT, KEDJ, Eight-Arizona Public Television, SRP, Burt's Bees, Qwest, Verde Canyon Railroad, Hill's PetFit Tour, Zone Perfect and Strategic Marketing Alliance. For complete listings of artists, performers, and schedules visit the official website www.tempefestivalofthearts.com.

Tempe Festival of the Arts Names Spring Featured Artist

Tempe, AZ January 25, 2007 - The Tempe Festival of the Arts, Presented by Centerpoint Condominiums, has chosen San Diego artist Marna Schindler as its featured artist for the 30th annual spring festival. Free to the public, the event is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily on March 30, 31, and April 1, 2007 in Tempe's Mill Avenue District.

Schindler's 48-inch square, bright red acrylic painting, Funky Chicken, was chosen to become the official image for the spring festival's promotional materials. Funky Chicken exhibits a whimsical and fun style, which Schindler describes as organic, colorful, playful, and also meditative. "When working on a painting, I find the best results come from a careful combination of focus and detachment. I think it is very important not to stifle the piece, and let it become what it wants. Somehow, I believe I am tapping into something deeper, revealing the image that is already there. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but the fun is in the process, and when things are 'clicking', there is no better place than to be holding a brush in front of a canvas."

Schindler began drawing animals at the San Diego Zoo as a child, encouraged and instructed by artist Joe Nyiri. Through his encouragement, Schindler was inspired to become an artist. After studying graphic design at San Diego State University and illustrating for San Diego State's Daily Aztec, she worked as a graphic artist. Schindler now is a full-time painter living in San Diego, California, Schindler accepts commissions and is well known for her portraits of family animal companions.

Funky Chicken has been installed in the Mill Avenue District's gallery, which exhibits the most recent Featured Artists' works from the fall and spring festivals. It is on display during gallery hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A juried show and sale, the Tempe Festivals of the Arts present 350 - 450 artists in a street-festival atmosphere of booths. The range of fine art and fine craft features unique, handmade pieces in 13 categories that range from woodwork to ceramics, from photography to wearable art, from painting to jewelry---along with other traditional and non-traditional forms of visual arts.

In addition to shopping for the festivals' consistently high quality of fine artwork, guests enjoy a full schedule of entertainment including street performers, a main stage programmed with popular local musicians and presentations, a jazz stage featuring nationally-prominent mainstream jazz, an array of food and beverage vendors, Kids Innovation Station (where kids experience hands-on arts and education through a curriculum developed by the ASU Art Museum, the ASU Art Education Department, and the Herberger College for Kids), the Arizona Wine Festival garden and sales, and a limited selection of sponsor booths.

In 2006, the Tempe Festivals of the Arts were awarded "Best Arizona Event" by the AZTec Awards program, which is affiliated with the International Festival and Events Association. The festival is ranked among the nation's Top 100 fine art festivals by the art festival industry's publication, Sunshine Artist, and also won prestigious awards in 2006 from the International Festival and Events Association, and the International Downtown Association.

The Tempe Festival of the Arts is produced by the Downtown Tempe Community, Inc., the private, non-profit organization that manages the Mill Avenue District and is responsible for the vibrancy and excellence of the cultural, lifestyle, and commerce experience in the District.

The Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts sponsors include APS, The Arizona Republic, Casino Arizona, Coca-Cola, Infiniti of Scottsdale, KMLE 107.9, KOOL 94.5, KTAR-AM, The Peak, KYOT, KEDJ, Eight-Arizona Public Television, SRP, Burt's Bees, Verde Canyon Railroad, Hill's PetFit Tour, and Strategic Marketing Alliance. For more information, visit the official website at www.tempefestivalofthearts.com.

MILL AVENUE DISTRICT FINALIZING FUN, HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

Tempe, AZ October 9, 2006 - With the holiday season just around the corner, the ficus trees that line the world-renowned sidewalks of Mill Avenue await adornment with hundreds of thousands of twinkling, glittering lights. Festive banners are about to fly, and lampposts are being prepared to shine with glowing snowflake ornaments. It's all part of preparation for the month-long APS Fantasy of Lights celebration events in the Mill Avenue District, which step off on grand opening night, November 25. Here are the details of the planned activities:

APS FANTASY OF LIGHTS OPENING NIGHT & PARADE
Date: Saturday, November 25
Cost: Free
Location: Mill Avenue, 3rd Street to 7th Street

On the Saturday night following Thanksgiving, the APS Fantasy of Lights Opening Night and Parade will set the tone for holiday celebration in the Mill Avenue District. The event opens with the lighting of hundreds of thousands of festive holiday lights that festoon the trees along Mill Avenue. Opening Night proceeds with the APS Fantasy of Lights Parade (produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe), the official community tree lighting ceremony, fireworks, and the arrival of Santa Claus.

Because of their organization's dedication to serving youth, Kiwanis has themed this year's parade "Celebrating The Children of the World." From it's step-off at 3rd Street, the parade snakes its way down Mill Avenue and through Centerpoint Plaza, where the festively decorated holiday tree---nearly 50' high---awaits lighting. Nearly fifty units comprise the parade, including floats, balloons, novelty units, marching bands, and brightly decorated cars carrying community dignitaries.

Santa makes his way from the parade to the stage to assist the tree lighting ceremonies via a red carpet. "Snow" magically dusts the crowd and fireworks over A Mountain conclude the ceremonies, followed by a special holiday concert by "Turning Point." Santa takes a seat to hear gift requests from boys and girls, and for photographs provided free by Centerpoint.

New this year, event organizers have planned six "Parade Warm-Up Block Parties," each boasting special themes and pre-parade entertainment from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.. Special prizes will be awarded to spectators who come dressed to match a block's theme. Themes include the following:

• 3rd to 5th On Mill Avenue - Western Theme - Entertainment by String Gravy
• 5th to 6th On Mill Avenue - Grinch Theme - Featuring strolling costumed character of The Grinch
• 6th to 7th On Mill Avenue - Hawaiian Theme - Performance by Tausala
• 7th Street From Mill to Maple - Santa Theme - Features all Main Stage entertainment
• 5th to 7th On Maple - Reindeer Theme - Entertainment by balloon artists Luv & Pic
• Maple to Ash on 5th Street - Snowflake Theme - Performance by saxophonist Todd Sisk

The APS Fantasy of Lights Opening Night is open free to spectators. Parade entries are available through Russ Plieseis, Kiwanis Club of Tempe, at (602) 266-1989.

38TH TEMPE FALL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS PRESENTED BY CENTERPOINT CONDOMINIUMS
Date: Friday, December 2 - Sunday, December 3; 10:00 a.m. to Dusk, daily
Cost: Free
Location: Mill Avenue, 3rd Street to University

The Tempe Festivals of the Arts have been named the 2006 Best Events in Arizona. Held annually for the last 38 years, the Fall event attracts more than 250,000 guests during its three days on world-famous Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe, Arizona. Each Tempe Festival of the Arts contributes in excess of $11 million in economic impact to the City of Tempe.

450 Fine Artists and Craftspersons, coming from throughout the country---and around the world---present their original works, covering the gamut of creative visual categories including painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, folk craft, glass, leather, metalwork, wearable art, woodwork, mixed media (2-dimensional), and mixed media (3-dimensional) at this juried show. The festival features only original art, and all of our 450+ artists are present on-site to greet you. Works of art range from collector masterpieces to affordable art and craft for enthusiasts on small budgets! The Fall Festival differs from the Spring Festival, offering hundreds of unique and affordable holiday gifts.

In addition to shopping for the Festival's consistently high quality artwork, guests enjoy a full schedule of entertainment including street performers, two local stages programmed with popular local musicians and presentations, an array of food and beverage vendors, and a limited selection of sponsor booths with products or services that complement the Festival and are of interest to our guests.

Casino Arizona Native American Artists Area, on Mill Avenue north of 6th Street, will exhibit authentic works of art that represent the rich cultural heritage of their peoples. Alexander Youvella, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, won the prestigious APS Best of Show Award at the Spring 2006 Festival for his intricate one-piece Kachina woodcarving.

The Qwest Main Stage, in 6th Street Park adjacent to City Hall, features top local and regional artists ranging from Hans Olson to Chicago Power Revival Orchestra, from the Chris Putrino Band to Doc Rolland and the Night Riders, and from Axe Capoeira to Think Horses, the Energy Trio, and more. Performances from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. For artists listing and performance times, go to www.tempefestivalofthearts.com.

Jazz Stage, Presented by Smooth Jazz 95.5 KYOT, the Festival's newest addition at 6th & Maple, presents Vicki McDermitt, Margo Reed, Denise Martin, Daryl Chryst, Shery Roberson, Patte Williams and others. Performances from Noon - 5:00 p.m. daily. For artists listing and performance times, go to www.tempefestivalofthearts.com.

Qwest Food Court, on 6th Street east of Mill Avenue, offers fast festival food and comfortable seating with shade in 6th Street Park. Festival Food is available throughout the Festival, with Mill Avenue District restaurants, cafes and bars ready to serve you by offering special menus of quick and easy food and drink.

Kids Innovation Station, Presented by Eight - Arizona Public Television provides cultural and educational entertainment for children. Located on 4th Street adjacent to Mill Avenue, this interactive experience offers arts activities for children's interactive entertainment---and education! Presented in collaboration with Arizona State University's Education Department, the ASU Art Museum, and Herberger College for Kids, kids at the Festival get a hands-on opportunity to learn about art---and robots!

Arizona Wine Festival
The newest addition to the Tempe Festivals of the Arts is the ARIZONA WINE FESTIVAL. Arizona wine growers will be on hand for tastings at a nominal fee, and will be selling their fruits of the vine on-site. Participants must be 21 years or older to enter.

APS FANTASY OF LIGHTS BOAT PARADE
Date: Saturday, December 9th
Cost: Free
Location: Tempe Town Lake & Tempe Beach Park

Light Up The Night...and be dazzled at the APS Fantasy of Lights Holiday Boat Parade. Join the 6th year of the most unique holiday event in the Valley---a lighted boat parade!

This year's APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake will be even more unique because the event will feature the first-ever grand illumination of the METRO Tempe Town Lake Bridge! The 1,645-foot span, which connects the East Valley and central Phoenix portions of the light rail system, also constitutes METRO's largest art installation. As vehicles pass over the bridge, an LED display of lights will create changing patterns and colors. The grand illumination of the METRO Tempe Town Lake Bridge will feature a unique design by bridge artist Buster Simpson and will be a once-in-a-lifetime kickoff to the 2006 APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade.

The event also offers daytime exhibits, activities, and entertainment at Tempe Beach Park, starting at 4:00 p.m. to make a fun, festive daylong celebration! Radio Disney will provide special entertainment on a kids-only stage.

Hundreds of luminaria illuminate the sidewalks and paths of Tempe Beach Park, a special display provided by Tempe South Rotary. The public is invited to purchase luminaria for $10 each to be commemoratively labeled for the celebration's display. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Orphans and the Rotary Foundation.

After dark, boats of all sizes and makes are festooned with lights and holiday decorations as they show off for spectators gathered at Tempe Beach Park. Both motorized and human-powered, they parade and entertain the crowd.

Fireworks conclude the light-filled night following the conclusion of the boat parade. Spectator admission is free to the public.

APS FANTASY OF LIGHTS HOLIDAY STREET ENTERTAINMENT
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, December 8, 9, 15 & 16 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Mill Avenue District

The APS Fantasy of Lights events and the Tempe Festival of the Arts are produced by the Downtown Tempe Community, Inc., the private, non-profit organization that manages the Mill Avenue District and is responsible for the vibrancy and excellence of the cultural, lifestyle, and commerce experience in the District.

DOWNTOWN TEMPE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SELECTION

Tempe, AZ - Following several months of a national executive search, Downtown Tempe Community, Inc. today announced its selection of Tempe businesswoman Pamela Goronkin to be their new president and executive director. She will succeed Rod Keeling, who has announced his retirement following 13 years with the organization. She starts her new duties on Monday, October 23.

"I'm thrilled and honored to accept this opportunity," said Goronkin. "I look forward to providing leadership, along with the Board, in creating the roadmap for decision making about how to prepare and position the Mill Avenue District to compete successfully in the region for our share of technology, residential, retail, and entertainment development opportunities."

Until earlier this year, Goronkin served as an elected city council member of the City of Tempe. She also chaired the City's Finance/Diversity, Technology Advancement, Tourism and Redevelopment subcommittees. She was a member of the Community & Economic Development Steering Committee of the National League of Cities from 2003 to 2006, served two years as a director of the East Valley Partnership's Economic Development Committee, and was a Steering Committee member for the new Tempe Center for the Arts. Goronkin served on the successful 1996 initiative campaign Tempe Citizens for Transit.

"Pam Goronkin brings an exciting combination of leadership, knowledge, and strategic skills" said Mike Jennings, DTC chair. "She's already known as one of the most vocal champions of business interests in our community. We look forward to working with her to meet the significant development, marketing, and business challenges the Mill Avenue District faces," he said.

Goronkin enjoyed a 14-year career in progressively demanding administrative/management positions for Motorola (now General Dynamics). She was the president and founding partner of Abbey Gardens, Inc. a successful retail/restaurant business in Mesa, in which she sold her business interest in 2000.

According to municipal code, Goronkin is precluded from Tempe City Council lobbying until July 1, 2007, one year following her previous council membership. DTC board members and senior staff are prepared to step in during the interim. She resides in Tempe with her husband, Herbert.

Downtown Tempe Community, Inc., the private, non-profit organization that manages the Mill Avenue District and is responsible for the vibrancy and excellence of the cultural, lifestyle, and commerce experience in the District.

Downtown Tempe Company Aids in Tsunami Relief Efforts

In response to the recent devastation of the earthquake and tsunamis that hit the coastal regions of Asia, a downtown Tempe-based company stepped forward to offer aid to the disaster victims. MedAire, Inc., located at 80 E. Rio Salado Parkway in suite 610, immediately deployed a team to help with medical efforts and has continued to provide assistance since then.

MedAire specializes in providing fully-integrated medical and health services to remote destinations all over the world, including 24-hour emergency assistance, evacuations, training and education programs, resources such as medical and security kits, as well as offering an extensive network of medical clinics throughout Asia. Since 1986, MedAire has become the industry’s standard for medical preparedness and care, servicing more than 70 of the world’s major airlines, along with maritime operators, government agencies, military branches, and business travelers and expatriates all over the world.

Within 24-hours of the natural disaster in Asia, MedAire sent a team to Phuket, Thailand, a popular tourist destination, to provide assistance at local medical facilities, help communicate information to and from the region, and to work on local evacuation logistics. Evacuations coordinated from the U.S. and Beijing centers transported victims to a wide variety of destinations, from Australia to the U.S., with most of the injured being transported to Bangkok. Medical personnel at MedAire’s Global Doctor Bangkok clinic worked around the clock at the clinic and at local hotels administering aid to the wounded.

“We organized all available resources to assist those affected by this tragedy,” said Joan Sullivan Garrett, MedAire chairman and CEO. “We managed everything from complex evacuations and telemedicine support to simply lending a little peace of mind.”

With the utilization of commercial aircraft to airlift large groups of injured victims out of areas such as Sri Lanka, MedAire was called upon to provide medical supplies for the aircraft. In addition, the company monitored flights to provide support for any medical complications that may have occurred while they were in the air.

MedAire continues to support the relief efforts by coordinating the collection, delivery and distribution of urgently needed medical supplies and spearheading company fundraising. For more information on MedAire, Inc., visit www.medaire.com.

Free Wireless Internet in Downtown Tempe

Arizona State University and the City of Tempe have joined forces to provide the public with free wireless Internet access for mobile computer users in downtown Tempe. This makes Tempe the first city in Arizona to provide this service.

Free wireless Internet access has been made available at many locations along Mill Avenue and adjoining side streets for all outdoor Internet users. This service allows laptop users to connect to the Internet for web browsing while relaxing in the popular outdoor venues and dining establishments in downtown Tempe, including Tempe Beach Park.

“Tempe has all the ingredients to make it our nation’s premier college town,” said Milton Glick, Executive Vice President and Provost, Arizona State University. “Joining together to create a wireless downtown is one more element of creating a seamless interface between downtown and ASU and reinforcing Tempe and ASU as a destination point for the creative class.”

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman agrees that the free wireless Internet access will only make downtown Tempe more attractive. “This will further invigorate our downtown as we attract more full-time residents and highly skilled employees,” Hallman said.

Mobile computer users who want to connect to the wireless network (http and https access only) will need a laptop computer with any compatible 801.11b or 801.11g wireless card. The SSID of the network is asu_tempe.

Free wireless access in the downtown area is just the first phase of a vision for wireless Internet access in Tempe. For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/downtownwireless. Better yet, head outdoors with your laptop and log on for free!

Empty Bowls Feed Hungry Kids

The Tempe Empty Bowls event, now in its fourth year, will return February 25 & 26, 2005 to raise money for and awareness of hunger issues in our community. Empty Bowls is a volunteer initiative of Tempe Community Council, and is a unique event that helps feed Tempe’s needy children. Throughout the year, hand-crafted bowls are made by local artists and by Tempe area high school and middle school students. These bowls are then made available to buy at the event for a minimum donation of $10. A complimentary meal of soup, bread and water will be provided with every purchase.

Proceeds from the Tempe Empty Bowls event will benefit the United Food Bank’s Kids’ Café Program. United Food Bank anticipates that nearly 300 children per day will receive a meal or nutritious snack at their Kids’ Café host sites in Tempe, with help from the Empty Bowl event proceeds. Last year’s event raised $8,000, and with the recent expansion of the event to two days, organizers hope to increase that number significantly this year.

The Empty Bowls event continues to bring together all facets of the community. The volunteer planning committee has partnered with Tempe Community Council and the City of Tempe to provide logistical and staff support, and has received generous donations from Marjon Ceramics, Motorola, SRP and Whole Foods Market. Among the committee members are representatives from several different faith organizations, including University Presbyterian Church, the LDS Tempe Stake Centers, Temple Emanuel, Desert Palm United Church of Christ, the Newman Center and University Lutheran Church. This group enlisted the talents of several local potters and relied significantly on Tempe schools to make ceramic soup bowls for the event. Contributing schools include: Corona del Sol, Desert Vista, Marcos de Niza and McClintock High Schools, as well as McKemy, Connolly, Gililland and Fees Middle Schools. Various church youth groups also made bowl for this event.

“Tempe’s Empty Bowls event is a celebration of diversity, community and the arts, as we all come together to help those in need,” said Dan Abbott, Chair of the Tempe Empty Bowls Volunteer Coordinating Committee.

The event will be held Friday, February 25th at the Sixth Street Park (just south of City Hall in downtown Tempe) and Saturday, February 26th in Tempe Beach Park at Tempe Town Lake (northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway). Both days’ events will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For additional event information or to volunteer, please contact Tempe Community Council at 480.858.2300 or visit www.tempe.gov/TCC.

AVENUE COMMUNITIES, LLC OUTLINES CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE FOR CENTERPOINT CONDOMINIUMS

PHOENIX (November 3, 2005) - Avenue Communities, LLC, which designs and develops innovative urban living communities with a strong focus on unique lifestyle considerations, announces its construction schedule for Centerpoint Condominiums.
“Centerpoint Condominiums is a complex construction site,” said Ken Losch, principal of Avenue Communities. “We wanted to establish a process and outline the scope of work to better understand the intricate nature of this job.”

The site is currently under construction. Presently, all parking on the site is being moved to the far north half of the development and the west end of the property is being graded and prepared for re-stripping to accommodate 316 amount of parking stalls. Yesterday, Avenue Communities began wet utility construction. Starting December 1, the highly-anticipated excavation and shoring is slated to begin and projected to end 70-90 days following the start date. Once the excavation concludes, the site will be active with construction cranes preparing for concrete and steel structure development.

Tempe’s emerging skyline will take shape over the next 22 to 24 months, when phases one and two are estimated for completion. The first phase will include several distinctive features including a 23,150 square-foot public plaza, multi-level public parking with 1,829 spaces, as well as, almost 20,000 square-feet of retail including a gourmet-café grocery in partnership with Chef Michael DeMaria, a signature restaurant and a bakery.

Phase one will also include the construction of 176 condominium residences, with floorplans ranging from innovative studio-style plans averaging just under 500 square feet, to three bedrooms, three-and-one-half bath homes with over 2,800 square feet of living space. Phase two will include 188 condominium residences pending application approvals from the City of Tempe to 30-stories.

About Avenue Communities, LLC

Headquartered in Phoenix, Avenue Communities was established by principals Ken Losch and David Dewar, the team behind the remarkably successful Third Avenue Lofts in downtown Scottsdale, VENU at Grayhawk and EDGE at Grayhawk in North Scottsdale, as well as Centerpoint Condominiums in Tempe. Founded in 2003, Avenue Communities provides superior real.life.style® residential and recreational opportunities. real.life.style is a brand standard that uniquely characterizes an Avenue Communities residential property. At its essence, real.life.style provides residents with a multitude of amenities and services for vibrant and authentic living, and, as such, offers them the means of reclaiming a true sense of community.

With more than 30 years of combined real estate experience and $1.8 billion in projects in Metropolitan Phoenix and the Southwest, Avenue Communities is a visionary force in developing vibrant, innovative environments for living. For additional information, please visit the Web site at www.reallifestyle.com or call 602-333-3700.

Dewar and Losch are also partners in Trillium Residential, a leader in multi-housing development, construction and property management. The partnership owns Trillium at Rio Salado, a 466-unit, award-winning property in Tempe.