[Source: Si Robins, Downtown Phoenix Journal] — When DPJ’s Phoenix Suns blogger and I paid a visit to US Airways Center last week to interview guard Goran Dragic, we didn’t know what to expect. The guy is in his early 20s and from Slovenia, and before arriving in Phoenix via the NBA Draft a year-and-a-half ago, he spoke very little English. So, we weren’t sure he’d be able to give the DPJ crowd much insight on what he likes about Phoenix culture. We were right, in some respects. Dragic, who lives in a condo overlooking Tempe Town Lake, really only ventures into Downtown Phoenix for practice and games. He spends the rest of his time perusing the East Valley. It brings up a question that we at DPJ ask ourselves a lot: How do we get people from over there to come over here? When I take a look at the content we featured this past week on the site, there are plenty of reasons to spark a trip Downtown for those that live in outlying areas. I compiled a list of unique Grand Avenue locales worth checking out on a First Friday. There’s a growing Scrabble night at Urban Beans for those looking for a mellow, fun school night out of the house. And there is a whole plethora of nightlife fun, including the massive martini list at FEZ. These are just a select few. Keep telling your friends and family to venture Downtown. There is something for everyone, and there’s a whole lot of it.
Downtown Voices Coalition 