June newsletter

Patty Fusco GRI What's Brewing in Real Estate? Fusco Realty (602)370-4510 patty@fuscorealty.net www.pattyfusco.com "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards" - Soren Kierkegaard 5 Unique Ideas for a Father’s Day Celebration On June 17 this year, families across the country will honor the dads in their lives for Father’s Day. As with any holiday, the most meaningful way to celebrate may not be with a card or gift, but rather an experience that the whole family can enjoy together. Still making your Father’s Day plans? Here are a few unique ideas for a day that Dad is sure to remember: Check out a local museum. Whether the special man in your life is into art, science, or history, your city may have a museum to pique his interest. Taking the family for a day at the museum is an educational way to spend time together while escaping the summer heat. Take a cooking class together. If Dad is an aspiring home chef (or you would like him to become one!), enrolling in a cooking class would be a fun and productive bonding activity. Many specialty grocery stores and kitchen retailers offer classes with menus suited for various palettes, and some even feature kid-friendly classes. Take a day trip. Even if it’s not time for your summer vacation yet, a quick getaway can provide a dose of escapism and an exciting opportunity for family bonding time. See if there are any destinations that Dad would enjoy within a two-hour drive of your home, and consider surprising him by not telling him where you are headed. Treat Dad to a day at the spa. Massages and facials are not just for women. If your special guy could use some pampering, consider booking him an appointment for a luxurious day at the spa—or accompany him for a relaxing and romantic couple’s activity! Have a “mandatory” relaxation weekend at home. For many dads, weekends get taken over by household chores—and sometimes, the best gift is to simply shred the to-do list, cancel all plans, and enjoy some leisure time at home. This Father’s Day, consider telling Dad that he is prohibited from working around the house and the weekend is his to just read a book, watch the game, and unwind. Source: rd.com Frozen Hot Chocolate Ingredients: 3 cups crushed Ice 2 cups milk 4 sachets (or 2.5 heaped tbsp) of hot chocolate cocoa powder (the sweetened kind) 4 tbsp chocolate sauce Whipped cream 2 tbsp chocolate shavings Directions Place the ice, milk and hot chocolate powder into a blender. Blend for 1 minute until thoroughly combined. Drizzle 1 tbsp of chocolate sauce around the rim of two large glasses. Pour the frozen hot chocolate into the two glasses. Top with whipped cream, then drizzle on the remaining chocolate sauce. Sprinkle on the chocolate shavings. Serve immediately. Source: centercutcook.com Avoid These Common Staging Mistakes When Selling Your Home In the past several years, home staging—or the process of arranging factors like furniture, lighting, colors, and decorative items to boost a home’s appeal—has emerged as a powerful way to attract buyers. Statistics indicate that staged homes sell more quickly and for up to twenty percent more than their unstaged counterparts. However, staging must be done properly, as there are several common pitfalls that could actually have a negative effect on buyers’ perceptions. Are you thinking about staging your home for a successful sale? Whether you are doing it on your own or working with a professional, be sure to avoid the following mistakes: Faking it. Fake flowers, bowls of fake fruit, and even fake computer monitors are commonly used in model homes as a way to create the illusion of a functional living space. However, if your goal is to make your home look warm and inviting to buyers, displaying these artificial items could backfire. At best, they will make the home look obviously staged, and at worst, they may appear tacky and impersonal. Not staging appropriately for the size of the room. While keeping your home free of clutter is essential for attracting buyers, it’s a common misconception that adorning rooms with minimal amounts of undersized furniture and décor is the key to making the home appear more spacious. In reality, the most important factor is to decorate proportionately for the size of the room. In a sprawling room with high ceilings, small furnishings would look dwarfed and awkward—and on the other hand, overstuffed couches and other large items would make a smaller room appear cramped. As you choose items to place or keep in your rooms, strive to create spaces that are comfortable and practical, yet open enough to allow “room to grow” in accordance with buyers’ imaginations. Closing doors. While it may seem obvious that you do not want to cordon off important sections of your home to buyers, doors may be closed before showings out of habit. However, this may cause rooms to appear unnecessarily small or could result in buyers missing entire spaces, like impressive closets or basements. Before a scheduled showing, perform a final walk-through to ensure that all doors are open (unless they are hiding an unsightly feature) and that buyers will be able to explore the home seamlessly. Excessive use of neutral colors. It’s true that a neutral color scheme is generally recommended for homes on the market. As opposed to bold and distracting hues, neutral colors—such as variations on beige, gray, and white—will help buyers picture themselves living there. However, too much of a good thing can harm buyers’ perceptions of your home, making it appear bland and unmemorable. Instead, spice up your neutral palette with some vibrant accent walls or boldly colored pieces of furniture. Ignoring the outside. First impressions count, and potential buyers begin to form theirs as soon as they pull up to your home. Therefore, be sure that your staging efforts extend to the yard. Ensure that the landscaping is well-maintained, fences and gates are freshly painted, and the driveway and walkways are in good repair. Consider putting out a new welcome mat or planting some colorful flowers to greet buyers before they even set foot in your home. Sources: realtor.com & nwitimes.com

5-31-18 Things to do feel free to share

Events Mesa Encore Theatre: Rock of Ages  Thu. 05/31 - Sun. 06/03, times vary Mesa Arts Center This jukebox musical, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, features the music of Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe among other well-known rock, glam, and metal bands. $28-$32 more info   map Bike Night  Fri. 06/02, 5pm-9pm Westgate Entertainment District, Glendale Cose to 1,000-1,500 bikes and attendees will come roaring into Westgate for the biggest bike night in the Valley brought to you by CycleRides.com. more info   map  Improv Comedy Show  Fri. 06/01 & Sat. 06/02, 7:30pm National Comedy Theatre, Phoenix Laugh, shout and enjoy as two teams of comedians compete for your laughs in comedy scenes and improv games made up on the spot based on suggestions from the Audience. $12-$14 more info   map DeRay Davis  Fri. 06/01 - Sun. 06/03, times vary Stand Up Live, Phoenix DeRay Davis is quickly killing Hollywood with his hilarious humor and persona. His film credits include Jumping the Broom, Semi-Pro, Old Dogs, Life as We Know It, and more. $30-$40 more info   map  Bath Day with the Clydesdales  Sat. 06/02, 8:30am-11:30am USA Clydesdale Preservation Foundation, Gilbert Learn to bathe and care for a Clydesdale. Wear your summer attire and tennis shoes, and enjoy this fun hands on activity for adults and youth over age 6. $25-$45 more info   map Edible Desert Plants: Walk & Taste at the Arboretum Sat. 06/02, 8am Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Superior Desert plant enthusiast Jim Shepherd guides a one-hour Saturday walk where you'll see prickly pear cacti, the towering stalks of native Agave chrysantha, and mesquite trees, with a chance to taste a few ‘desert edible’ samples. $5-$12.50  more info   map    Ballet Etudes: Student Showcase Sat. 06/02, 7pm Chandler Center for the Arts Students of Ballet Etudes School of Dance, ages 3-18, will present an evening of ballet, jazz, and contemporary works as they showcase their training. $10 more info   map   A Free Movie & Monthly Food Truck Festival  Sat. 06/02, 4:30pm Goodyear Community Park Enjoy the free big-screen outdoor movie night featuring Moana and a Food Truck Festival. There will be a kids dance party, face painting, balloon twister, music by DJ Jonny, and non-stop entertainment. more info   FB   map  Legends of Guitar Featuring Anthony Mazzella  Sat. 06/02, 7:30pm Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix Anthony Mazzella is a professional recording artist, concert guitarist, and producer. Billboard magazine describes him as “the new generation of guitar hero,” and Guitar One magazine voted him “one of the top ten guitarists in the country.” $23.50 more info   map  Virtuoso Violinist Jonathan Leviim Presents "Violin with Love"  Sat. 06/02, 2pm Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix Virtuoso Violinist Jonathan Leviim will perform his spectacular program of musical arrangements by such brilliant composers as Bach, Paganini, Dvorak, Massenet, Schubert and Mozart. $20 more info   map   Felix Sainz Quintet  Sun. 06/03, 3pm The Nash, Phoenix Felix steps out from behind the bass and up to the microphone to pay homage to the great baritones of the golden era by singing his renditions of the songs made famous by Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman, and Billy Eckstine. $10-$20 more info   map    Keys to the Classics - Russian Extravaganza  Sun. 06/03, 2pm First Christian Church, Scottsdale Pianist Tavit Tashjian will perform and discuss masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. $15 more info   map                                           More To Do

Movies   In Theaters      Rated Adrift      PG-13 Upgrade            R On Chesil Beach          R New DVD Release    Rated   Critics Say The Party      R   Wonderstruck     PG   Annihilation      R         Pro Sports   PHOENIX MERCURY         @ Minnesota Lynx 06/01 @ 5:00pm @ Atlanta Dream 06/03 @ 12:00pm Schedule ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS       vs Marlins  06/01 @ 6:40pm 06/02 @ 7:10pm 06/03 @ 1:10m Schedule ARIZONA RATTLERS          @ Iowa Barnstormers  06/02 @ 5:05pm Schedule PHOENIX RISING FC    Next Week  Schedule 2017 SPRINT CUP SERIES    Pocono 400 06/03 @ 12:00pm Pocono Raceway FOX Sports Schedule GOLF TOUR      The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide   05/31-06/03, times vary Dublin, OH Golf Network Schedule SENIOR GOLF                   Schedule    Weather     (Extended Forecast)                           Friday         Sunny        101º/71º          Saturday      Sunny/Wind         104º73º            Sunday          Sunny         106º/76º

Have a Safe and Happy Memorial Day Weekend,. Here are some things to do, enjoy!

Events Mesa Encore Theatre: Rock of Ages Thu. 05/24 - Sun. 05/27, times vary Mesa Arts Center This jukebox musical, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, features the music of Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe among other well-known rock, glam, and metal bands. $28-$32 more info   map Little Shop of Horrors Thu. 05/24 - Sun. 05/26, times vary Phoenix Theatre One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a household name. $36-$86 more info   map Star Spangled Celebration Fri. 05/25, 5-9pm Cesar Chavez Park, Phoenix Honor our fallen police officers, firefighters, and veterans. There will be a water play area, bounce houses, live music, police and fire demonstrations, fireworks, and more.  more info   map James Sallis and the  Three Legged Dog Band Fri. 05/25, 7pm Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale Three-Legged Dog is today’s version of the string bands that existed all about the country in the Thirties and Forties, groups that played everything – oldtime mountain music, blues, ballads, devotional and dance music, jazz, pop tunes of the day – on acoustic instruments. more info   map Phoenix Amplified Jazz Experience Fri. 05/25, 8pm Tempe Center for the Arts A great evening of smooth jazz, soul and funk music. Featuring nationally acclaimed recording artist and Urban/Contemporary Jazz Trumpeter Willie Bradley. $32 more info   map Phoenix Symphony: Music of John Williams Fri. 05/25 - Sun. 05/27, times vary Phoenix Symphony Hall Hear The Phoenix Symphony perform highlights from over 60 years of John Williams scores, including Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Schindler’s List, Born on the Fourth of July and many more. $38-$115 more info   map Cave Creek Balloon Festival Sat. 05/26, 5:30pm-10pm Rancho Mañana Golf Course, Cave Creek Cave Creek's biggest single day event continues to be streamlined for a carefree experience of great live bands, massive glowing balloons, everyone's favorite fireworks show and a celebration of a red, white and blue Memorial Day weekend. $10-$15 more info   map Wish Upon a Star Sat. 05/26, 2pm & 6pm AZ Ice Peoria An ice skating show for the whole family with special guest skater, Olympian Adam Rippon. $20-$25 more info   map Butterfly Walk with Laura Miller Sat. 05/26, 9am Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Superior A walking tour to see, photograph and learn about colorful species ranging from Empress Leilia to Queen, Spring Azure and more. $5-$12.50 more info   map Moonlight Walks Sat. 05/26, 7:30pm South Mountain Environmental Education Center, Phoenix Enjoy a family-friendly stroll along our half-mile Judith Tunell Trail by the light of the full moon, featuring our South Mountain Storytellers and fun facts about the desert night. $3 more info   map Plein Air Painting Festival Sat. 05/26, 11am Desert Ridge Marketplace, Phoenix Twenty artists will produce artworks live in the open air that are inspired by Desert Ridge Marketplace. Plus, guests can enjoy additional art activities and classes throughout the afternoon. more info   map Butterfly Wonderland’s Birthday Celebration Sat. 05/26 - Mon. 05/28, 9am-5pm Butterfly Wonderland, Scottsdale Guests will enjoy complimentary face painting, life sized reptile and butterfly characters onsite, a caricature artist, live musical entertainment and more. more info   map Mermaid Magic Sat. 05/26 - Mon. 05/28, 8am-6pm OdySea Aquarium, Scottsdale Mermaid themed activities will include: SeaTREK’s Stingray Bay mermaids will be speaking and interacting with guests while in the water or while perched on the ledge. $24.95-$34.95 more info   map Avondale Sunset Memorial Day Service  Mon. 05/28, 6:30pm City Hall Amphitheater The evening commemorative program will include musical performances, speeches, tributes, and a candlelight vigil. Free admission. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. more info   map                                          More To Do

Movies In Theaters      Rated Solo: A Star Wars Story      PG-13 Champion         NR Beast          R New DVD Release  Rated   Critics Say Game Night       R   Early Man     PG   I Kill Giants     NR   Pro Sports ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS      @ Athletics 05/25 @ 6:35pm 05/26 @ 1:05pm 05/27 @ 1:05m Schedule ARIZONA RATTLERS       vs Nebraska Danger 05/27 @ 3:05pm Schedule PHOENIX RISING FC    @ Swope Park Rangers 05/26 @ 2:00pm Schedule 2017 SPRINT CUP SERIES   Coca-Cola 600 05/27 @ 3:00pm Charlotte Motor Speedway FOX Sports Schedule GOLF TOUR      Fort Worth Invitational 05/24-05/27, times vary Fort Worth, TX Golf Network Schedule SENIOR GOLF             Schedule College Sports ARIZONA WILDCATS       Baseball @ Oregon 05/25 @ 7:00pm 05/26 @ 3:00pm Track & Field vs NCAA West Preliminary Round 05/25 @ 10:00am 05/26 @ 11:00am ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS   Baseball vs California 05/25 @ 7:00pm 05/26 @ 6:00pm Softball vs NCAA Super Regionals 05/24-05/27    Track & Field vs NCAA West Preliminary Round 05/24-05/26 Weather     (Extended Forecast)                         Friday         Sunny        100º/70º       Saturday      Sunny/Wind          98º71º         Sunday          Sunny          98º/70º                                                                                      Monday, May 28                                           Memorial Day Events Near You!