The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The holidays are once again upon us! For Kierland Commons, this means white lights strung from the palm trees with care, Santa in the Central Plaza, fabulous weather and increased traffic in the community as well as The Plaza Lofts sales office. Consequently, you have a few new Lofts neighbors, some of whom you'll get to meet at upcoming happy hour events. Speaking of events, here's a look at what's ahead for the rest of the year.

NOVEMBER THIRD THURSDAYS: The Nov. 19 happy hour will be an indoor/outdoor event that takes you into the homes of some of your neighbors for an evening of good times, food and drinks. Following the usual 6 to 8 p.m. program, resident Lindsay Borgendale of Loft 833 is hosting drinks, dessert and optional shopping. Lindsay will have Lia Sophia jewelry on sale for the Lofty ladies whose holiday shopping lists include fun, fashionable bling. You can check out the latest and greatest bejeweled goods here: http://www.liasophia.com/lindsayb. If you prefer shopping by catalog vs. Internet, you will be able to peruse the Lia Sophia collections on paper chez Lindsay. To learn more about the brand or to host a party in your residence, please contact Lindsay directly at 480.239.8272 or lindsayborgendale@gmail.com.

RESIDENT HOLIDAY PARTY: Come celebrate the season with your fellow residents in the Tower Club Room on Dec. 3rd from 6:30 to 9 p.m. (please note that the start time is 30 minutes later than our usual happy hours). There will be great food, fine wines, incredible desserts, rockin' music and, of course, good company. RSVP to amanda@olsoncomm.com.

DECEMBER THIRD THURSDAYS: Because of the hustle and bustle of the season and the holiday party at the beginning of the month, our December Third Thursdays has been cancelled. Please mark your calendars for our first 2010 meeting, happening Jan. 21, 2010 at 6 p.m. in the Tower Club Room. In February, we will be leaving the Lofts for an "off-campus" happy hour at one of the neighboring Kierland restaurants. Stay tuned for details!

Ruby Boutique: A Kierland Commons Gem

One of the many advantages of living at the Lofts is not only proximity to prime shopping, but the discounts exclusively available to residents at select restaurants and retailers. Recently, a few new boutiques have joined the Kierland Commons lineup, among them the splashy and fashion-savvy Ruby Boutique. This treasure features fashion-forward threads that are gorgeously on trend without being too trendy. Lisa, the owner, is a warm and welcoming style maven, as is the store manager, Sarah. Both will become your fast friends and serve as great assets to your shopping experience, helping you find the perfect gift or something fabulous for your live/work/play lifestyle. The bonus? The 15 percent discount exclusive to residents of The Plaza Lofts. Enjoy!

The Westin Kierland has nothin' but love for the Lofts

As some of you know, The Westin Kierland offers a special rate for residents and associates of The Plaza Lofts. This discount comes in handy for visiting family and friends as well as your own staycations! The discount varies from season to season, and the LOFTS rate code must be mentioned at the time of reservation and check-in. Click here to learn more.

Welcome Back Third Thursdays with Sportsman's

Fall is everywhere else and ALMOST here, thankfully. This week we enter into our monthly Third Thursdays ritual with cooler weather (and wine and cheese) on our minds. Appropriately, some familiar Lofts faces will be reappearing at our happy hour - those of residents who made a summer escape and are now making a fall retreat to seize the bliss that is winter in Scottsdale. Welcome back, everyone!

Our September happy hour will feature fine wine and gourmet cheeses from Sportman's, the local wine/spirits provider that has been our spirited Third Thursdays partner since last spring. In case you don't already know, the newest and nearest Sportman's is located on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Shea Roads. The outpost boasts a breadth of adult beverages, as well as events and educational programming perfect for folks for whom food and wine are hobbies.

And October? The plan is to host a progressive dinner across four Plaza Lofts residences during the evening of Thursday, Oct. 15. Please stay tuned for details.

Right now, it's all about food

For the next two weeks, it's all about food thanks to the dine-around deal. Through August 31st, those who spend $200 at any Kierland Commons restaurant or combination of restaurants can receive a $20 Westcor Gift Card. (This is especially easy for Lofts residents, who are just steps away from tempting eateries like Tommy Bahama's, Zinc Bistro and The Greene House, pictured left.) All diners have to do is present $200 worth of Kierland Commons restaurant receipts to Kierland Commons Concierge Erica Simon to collect their free gift. After hours and during weekends, redemptions can be made at Francesca’s Collections, just around the corner from the Management Office.

Hot Happenings & Cool Stuff

Happy summer, everyone! In case you haven't noticed, the heat is on here in Phoenix. Even so, there are plenty of cool happenings about town worth mentioning.

AROUND THE PLAZA LOFTS
The June Third Thursdays was a bit hit, with many residents turning out for "Island Time" in the Poolside Community Room. The July Third Thursdays on July 16 will be lower-key. The happy hour won't be a formal gathering, but we will be setting out some wine and snacks in the Poolside Community Room for those residents who wish to come together and keep the momentum of these events alive during this hot and busy month. Please feel free to BYOB and just relax in the company of your neighbors. Note: We'll resume our formal Third Thursdays schedule in August with a wine-and-cheese hour in the Tower Club Room. Stay tuned!

AROUND KIERLAND COMMONS
Summer Concert Series: On Saturday nights, step onto your balcony to get your sway on to the tunes coming from the Central Plaza. The music will keep on playing on Saturday evenings through the end of month.

Shopping Bonus: Spend $250 between July 13 and 27, and you will receive a $25 gift card for Fox Restaurants - including NoRTH, Greenhouse, Chloe's and others beyond the borders of Kierland Commons.

August Dine-Around Dollars: People who spend $200 at Kierland Commons restaurants (one eatery or a combination of them) during the month of August will receive a $20 Westcor gift card.

AND NOW, STAY COOL WITH A LITTLE EYE CANDY...
The Plaza Lofts exhibits a contemporary feel, with many residents embracing clean lines and modern elements in furnishings and artwork. In the event you're looking for a fridge to supplement your super sweet Sub-Zero, consider this chill option: http://blog.2modern.com/2009/07/the-perfect-fridge-for-roomates.html

Island Time Offers Oasis from Heat

Tick, tock! Island time is nearing! On Thursday at 6 p.m., come on down to the Phase I community room to enjoy tasty appetizers from Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe, and, of course, refreshing beverages like Crazy Cubans and Bahia Sangria. All attending residents will receive a coupon for $20 off your next visit to the Cafe restaurant! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Island Time at The Plaza Lofts

On June 25, we are partnering with Tommy Bahama for a Third (actually Fourth) Thursdays happy hour to be held poolside and in the Phase 1 community room from 6 to 8 p.m. Come on down from your loft to enjoy Bahia Sangria and Crazy Cubans, tasty appetizers and a little downtime with your neighbors. At the end of the night, be sure to pick up a coupon to use during your next outing at Tommy's cafe!

Summertime, and the music's easy...

...to get to from your Plaza Loft residence!

The Summer Concert Series at Kierland Commons will kick off on Saturday, June 6th at 7 p.m. with Apple, a Beatles Tribute band. These concerts are free and open to all, luring hundreds of guests to the Kierland community space. The 2009 series schedule is as follows:

June 6th: Apple: A Tribute to The Beatles

June 13th: Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns: Jazz, Rock & Blues

June 20th: The Rave: Variety Hits

June 27th: Groove Merchants: Variety Hits with Hot Horn Section

July 11th: Instant Classics: Variety Covers

July 18th: Otis & the Beat: Variety Hits from the 70’s to the 90’s

July 25th: The Hamptons: Hot Variety Cover Band

Livin' and livin' well

There's a difference in livin' and livin' well, sang George Strait, and at The Plaza Lofts, the community focus is on livin' well. That's why we offer monthly happy hours for residents (don't forget mojitos in loft 437 and live music and more at Barcelona on May 21) and discount cards for significant savings at Kierland shops and restaurants.

Why did The Plaza Lofts resident cross the road?

To get to The Westin Kierland.

Living at the Lofts also saves you money across the street. Signing up for The Westin's restaurant discount program is as easy as calling 480-624-1289. The sooner you make the call, the sooner you'll save on fine food at Deseo and other resort gems. Questions about this special offer? Please contact your Plaza Lofts concierge, Kelli.

May: A month for mothers and mojitos

Third Thursdays on May 21

Some residents have voiced a desire to start the monthly happy hour a little later, and their voices have been heard! From now on, Third Thursdays happy hour will go from 6 to 8 p.m. This month, we will meet in Loft 437 and on the adjacent tower recreation deck. The featured drink will be the mojito, and appetizers will be on hand for noshing. Also, a limited stock of wine and beer will be available for those whose tastes tend toward the tried and true. Please RSVP to amanda@olsoncomm.com.

Third Thursdays After-Party @ Barcelona
Why did the Plaza Lofts residents cross the road? ... To get to Barcelona! May 21's Third Thursdays will feature an encore: Barcelona has invited residents to a post-happy-hour outing in its newly renovated digs. The "field trip" – which will begin immediately after our gathering, between 8 and 8:30 – will include a tour of the renovated facility and a cover-charge-free evening with a special reserved area for residents, a great offering given that the Zowie Bowie band of Vegas fame will be making its monthly appearance to fill this hotspot with energy and live music. All residents are invited, and guests are welcome. RSVP required. RSVP to amanda@olsoncomm.com.

Mother's Day

A friendly reminder that Kelli, your Plaza Lofts concierge, is ready and willing to help you sort out your brunch, lunch or dinner plans for Mother's Day. She's also available to help you plan a fun outing or find the perfect gift for your dear mother. Contact Kelli at tpl@swconcierge.com, or pop down and see her in the Tower lobby.

Progressive Dinner Teaser

We are currently working to organize a progressive dinner for residents of The Plaza Lofts during the month of June. Like a pub crawl, this "loft crawl" will take you inside the dwellings of select residents who have graciously volunteered to open their homes and host you for a featured drink and appetizer selection. Details coming soon!

Happy Hours Galore and then some!

Thank Goodness for ... Goodness

Thanks to all who attended last night's wine/cheese/chocolate Third Thursdays happy hour! An even bigger thank you to Nathan Mears of Sportsman's Wine & Spirits who, at the event's close, graciously made a special trip to the store to get more vino for the sipping and snacking residents who wished to stay a little longer. (We're so glad you were enjoying yourselves!)

For more information about the wine, cheese and chocolate goodness served during the April 16 gathering, please contact Nathan at 480.922.9463. Also, a friendly reminder that Sportsman's is happy to deliver your favorite wine or spirit to your loft doorstep. Just something to think about as you plan your next dinner party...

Hosted Happy Hour

Capital Grille Scottsdale is hosting a complimentary happy hour for The Plaza Lofts residents on Thursday April 23, 2009. In addition to a wine tasting, residents will enjoy tasty appetizers made by Executive Chef Christine Noll. The special event is limited to 40 attendees, so be sure to RSVP to Kelli, your concierge, at 480.247.2707 or tpl@swconcierge.com.

Third Thursdays Time Change

By popular demand, the Third Thursdays happy hour will be falling back an hour. Instead of being held from 5 to 7 p.m., the rendezvous will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. to better accommodate residents' busy schedules. Please stay tuned for details about the May and June gatherings. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please reach out to Amanda Fier at 480.368.7999 or amanda@olsoncomm.com.

Get Your Discount On

Nudge, nudge! An additional discount card - yes, that little keycard thingy that helps you secure big deals on killer products from Kierland retailers - is available for each resident to pick up from Terra Gregory, your community manager extraordinaire. Please visit her office during business hours to pick up your card.

Wine, cheese & chocolate, oh my!

Every hour is fine for wine, so in honor of this evergreen, ever-appropriate drink, we'll be serving wine, cheese and chocolate to residents at our April 16th Third Thursdays happy hour. To refresh the palate between various sips and snacks, we will have fruit and nuts on hand to ensure excellence in decadence from taste to taste. Please come, kick back and raise a glass to spring in Scottsdale! We look forward to seeing you there!

Open House at The Plaza Lofts

As many of you know, The Plaza Lofts hosted an open house for Phase I residences - providing owners, prospects and brokers/VIP's about town a peek into the lovely lofts that are currently on the block. (To learn more about resale offerings, visit http://www.plazaloftsresales.blogspot.com/.)

The successful event pulled in about 250 people, and another similiar event is on the horizon for the tower. Set for April 13, the tower event will feature food, frosty beverages and, of course, lofts aplenty. Loft residences on show will include never-lived-in and resale units, thereby offering tour-goers a substantial showcase of the diverse and decadent living setups available inside the nine-story tower. Stay tuned for more details from Signature Properties.

Third Thursdays: Beer Tasting, Basketball and Noshing!

What: Resident Happy Hour featuring brews from Sportsman's, NCAA basketball and appetizers from Zipp's

When: March 26, 2009, 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: The Plaza Lofts Tower Community Room

RSVP: amanda@olsoncomm.com, 480.368.7999

Up with wellness in a down economy

If you're not putting much into your stock portfolio these days, you may consider investing in your health and wellness portfolio. Talk about a desirable ROI! After all, an overall sense of well-being, increased energy levels and a healthy body aren't things you can simply call in for a trade - they're things you have to train for. They involve a certain lifestyle - and lifestyle is something that's important to you as residents of The Plaza Lofts.

Sometimes the process of investing in your health and wellness portfolio is self-driven; other times it may require seeking professional guidance. Don L. Fairbanks has more than 20 years and 20,000 sessions of experience in health and wellness. He is a past collegiate and professional athlete, an ACSM certified Health/Fitness Instructor and certified Master Coach and Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line TherapyTM and Hypnosis. All told, Don has made a successful career of helping people determine and achieve their ideal health and fitness goals through effective, engaging and customized programming.

Don is offering residents of The Plaza Lofts the opportunity to establish their health and/or fitness objectives with a special two-hour consultation for $500 in the on-site professional-grade fitness center or in-residence. Following the consultation, you would have the option of ongoing training or coaching with Don with a program tailored to your lifestyle and your wellness goals (you would also receive a credit toward a package as a result of the consultation). To learn more about Don or to schedule a consultation, please call 480.212.2080 or e-mail donlfairbanks@gmail.com.

First Third Thursdays Happy Hour is happy and tequila-filled

The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons launched its Third Thursdays Happy Hour program on Feb. 19 as a means of fostering community among residents. Hosted by Woodbine Southwest, the inaugural gathering featured a Don Julio tequila tasting led by Sportsman's Fine Wines & Spirits. (To learn more about Sportsman's or to place an order for home delivery, please visit http://www.sportsmans4wine.com/.)

Tequila makes people do things they might not otherwise do, the least embarrasing of which may be forgetting what makes blanco and resposado different from anejo. To jog your memory, we have placed Wikipedia's entry on each tequila type here.

Blanco ("white") or plata ("silver") – white spirit, un-aged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in oak barrels

Reposado ("rested") – aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year in oak barrels
Añejo ("aged" or "vintage") – aged a minimum of one year, but less than 3 years in oak barrels

Finally, while sipping the good stuff, you may recall the copious amounts of chips, salsa, cheese crisps and guacamole surrounding you. You can sample more of all that Mexican goodness by visiting Blanco Tacos + Tequila, a Fox Restaurant Concept found at The Borgota.

Welcome!

Welcome to The Plaza Lofts at Kierland Commons, a blog dedicated to providing information for the residents of this Main Street-inspired community (www.plazaloftskierland.com). Stay tuned for more updates!