Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Happy February!

Thought of the Day:
"People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges." Joseph F. Newton
Celebrate Valentine's Day with These 4 Heart- Healthy Tips
February is the month of candy
hearts, heart-shaped boxes of
chocolate, and thanks to a
2015 federal initiative,
awareness of the health needs
of that vital organ. American
Heart Month aims to direct
attention to heart disease, the
primary cause of death for
Americans. Despite this alarming statistic, the specter of heart disease has a silver lining: it is often preventable through simple lifestyle modifications. This February, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of better health with these heart-conscious tips:

  1. When cooking, swap salt for spices. Spices enhance the flavor of food without the harmful effects of high sodium intake. Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric are particularly beneficial, as they are known to have anti- inflammatory properties. Limit your intake of red meat in favor of leaner meats, fish, and vegetables.
  2. Incorporate exercise throughout the day. Doctors recommend that you engage in activities that get your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes at a time five days per week. It is equally important to punctuate long bouts of sitting with mild physical activity. When at work, standing up from your desk and walking around the office, or swapping your chair in favor of a stand desk, will help you keep heart health a priority even in the midst of a busy day.
  3. Give your heart a break. During sleep, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease, allowing your whole body a chance to restore itself. Being well-rested also supports heart health by helping you manage stress more effectively.
  4. Designate some technology-free time each week. In today's digital age, persistent notifications from email, social media, and the news infiltrate every aspect of daily life and make it difficult to truly destress. By carving out a narrow space in your routine that cannot be penetrated by technology, you may regain some control over the noise and boost your heart health through lower stress and anxiety.
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Patty Fusco
GRI
What\"s Brewing in Real Estate? Fusco Realty
(602)370-4510 patty@pattyfusco.com www.pattyfusco.com

Spice-Rubbed Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Spinach
Ingredients
l 1/2 teaspoon salt, ground cumin, and ground cariander (each)
l 1/4 teaspoon paprika
l 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
and black pepper (each)
l 1 (2 1/4-pound) skinless salmon
fillet
l 2 cups thinly sliced onion
l 1 teaspoon olive oil
l 2 garlic cloves, minced
l 2 (6-ounce) packages fresh baby
spinach
l 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind l 1/4 teaspoon salt
l 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Directions
l To prepare salmon, combine first 6 ingredients; rub spice mixture evenly over fish.
l Place onion in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Place fish on top of onion; bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
l To prepare spinach, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add garlic to pan; cook 1 minute.
l Add half of spinach; cook for 1 minute, add remaining spinach; cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
l Sprinkle spinach mixture with rind and 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir in juice; remove from heat.
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Recipe from myrecipes.com
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Spring into Action to Sell Your Home during the Year's Strongest Real Estate Market
In the world of real estate, spring has a reputation as the busiest time of year for home sales. From families with children that are eager to complete their moves before the start of a new school year to buyers who have waited until the end of the holiday season and colder winter weather to begin their home searches, various factors contribute to spring's status as the year's strongest real estate market. However, along with the higher prices and quicker sales that generally occur at this time of year, sellers and buyers alike face increased competition.
If you are hoping to capitalize on the prospect of a home sale this spring, now is the time to ensure that your property is poised to attract buyers. Here a few strategies to ease the process:
l Consult with your realtor to learn about the market conditions in your specific area. Some "spring" markets begin as early as February, while others do not pick up speed until April or even May. Your agent will be able to advise you on the optimum time to list and will provide you with other information, such as predictions for the strength of the market in your area this season.
l Begin with the right listing price. At any time of the year, it is critical to set an initial listing price that accurately reflects your home's value in the current market. If buyers overlook your home because it carries an overly ambitious price tag, your listing may quickly grow stagnant and be surpassed in favor of the newest inventory on the market.
l List early, when competition is lower. The spring real estate market may quickly become saturated with homes for sale. By listing early in the season or just before it begins, your home will enjoy a greater chance of attracting buyers' attention.
l Give your yard a spring makeover. As the weather warms and the landscape blossoms, buyers will be most drawn to properties that enable them to picture themselves enjoying the outdoors. Facilitate this vision by adorning your property with brightly colored plants and well- maintained, ready-to-use outdoor living spaces.
l Consider obtaining an inspection before a buyer makes an offer or even before listing your home. If an inspection reveals problems with a house, buyers may become alarmed and back out of the sale, causing the seller to lose valuable time on the market. Therefore, it is best to be aware of, and rectify if possible, potential issues before an offer is at stake.
l Spring cleaning takes on a new meaning if you are trying to sell your home at this time of year. Remember that buyers will be deterred by clutter or less-than-spotless conditions. First impressions are key, so getting your home in prime condition early in the process will increase your chances of eliciting an offer.
l Prepare for a quick sale. While there are no guarantees about what the market will be like from year to year, some spring markets have been characterized by dizzyingly rapid sales and even bidding wars. As a seller, you may want to begin packing and planning your move while your home is still on the market. 

Friday, January 22, 2016

1/22/16 Have nothing to do? Here you go!

Events 

4th Annual Surprise Fine Art & Wine Festival 
Fri. 01/22 - Sun. 01/24, 10am-5pm
Surprise Recreation Campus
Thunderbird Artists and the City of Surprise will present 100 juried, fine artists, as well as Thunderbird Artists. Attendees can also enjoy an extensive collection of domestic and imported wines and microbrews. $3
more info   map 

Arizona Fine Art Expo 
Fri. 01/22, 10am
AZ Fine Art Expo, Scottsdale
Artists from across the globe create original one-of-a-kind pieces for sale in 120 studios. Patrons have a chance to meet artists, watch them in action, and learn about their inspiration. $8-$10
more info   map 

Barleen's Variety Show Two
 
Sat. 01/23, 11:15am
Barleen's AZ Opry Dinner Show, Apache Junct.
This show features a broad spectrum of music highlighting the "Opry Entertainer," featuring trumpeter, vocalist, and comedian Howard Schneider who will showcase the phenomenal horn section. $30-$39
more info   map 

Dog Day in the Garden 
Sat. 01/23, 8am-2pm
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Go for a walk on garden trails, meet other dog lovers, heel for family photos, learn about local nonprofits, and enjoy hands on activities. $4
more info   map 

Prickly Pedal Mountain Bike Race 
Sat. 01/23, 8:30am
Lake Pleasant Harbor Marina, Peoria
The race winds through the northern section of the Maricopa Trail, the Valley's emerald ring. All proceeds go to support the Maricopa Trail and Park Foundation. $25-$90
more info   map 

The Color Run 5k Tempe 
Sat. 01/23, 10am
Tempe Beach Park, Tempe
The Topicolor World Tour enhances the on-course experience that Color Runners already love with an all-new Topicolor Zone where runners will take a 5k vacay at the Finish Festival. $39.99
more info   map 

Master Gardeners Annual Citrus Clinic 
Sat. 01/23, 9am
Greenfield Citrus Nursery, Mesa
Maricopa County Master Gardeners and leading citrus experts from around the state share their experience and knowledge with home owners who struggle to grow citrus or who wants to add citrus to their gardens. $10
more info   map 

Mesa Historic Home Tour 
Sat. 01/23, 10am-4pm
Various Locations, Mesa
Mesa's 16th Annual Historic Home Tour will feature homes in the Temple, Wilber, and West 2nd Street Historic Neighborhoods. $20
more info   map 

Arizona Bach Festival 
Sun. 01/24, 3pm
All Saints Episcopal Church, Phoenix
The Arizona Bach Festival is the driving force in the musical offerings of the Valley. The mission of the Festival is to inspire, educate, preserve ,and elevate the appreciation of Bach through the highest caliber of performances. $23-$40
more info   map
 

ArcAttack 
Sun. 01/24, 3pm
Ikeda Theatre, Mesa
ArcAttack uses their high tech wizardry to generate a truly electrifying performance. The show perfectly combines ArcAttacks love of rock music and their love of science creating a show you will never forget. $27
more info   map
 
                     
MusicaNova Orchestra Concerts:
The American Originals
 
Sun. 01/24, 4pm
Central United Methodist Church, Phoenix
Stellar pianist Samuel Xu joins MusicaNova Orchestra for a delightful program of Gershwin and other fascinating 20th Century American composers. $15-$20       
more info   map
Movies 
 
Home showtimes and ticketsIn Theaters Rated
The 5th Wave    PG-13

Caged No More
    
    PG-13
The Boy    PG-13

New DVD Releases
 
     Rated

      Critics Say
Straight Outta
Compton
     R      
Everest      PG-13      
The Condemned 2      R       

Pro Sports 
 
Phoenix Basketball
  
vs Atlanta
01/23 
@ 7:00pm
Arizona Ice Hockey
          
 

vs Los Angeles
01/23 
@ 7:00pm
 
Golf Tour

         
 
              CareerBuilder
              Challenge
                
              La Quinta, CA
              01/21-01/24 @ times vary
              Golf Network
 
 
College Sports 
 
Arizona Sun Devils

    
 
Men's Basketball 
@ Stanford
01/23 
@ 9:00pm
Women's Basketball
 
vs Arizona
01/22
 @ 7:00pm 
Ice Hockey 
vs Ohio
01/22
 @ 7:30pm
01/23 @ 7:30pm
Wrestling 
vs West Virginia
01/23 
@ 11:00am
vs Stanford
01/23
 @ 3:00pm
Arizona Wildcats
  
     
Men's Basketball 
@ Stanford
01/21
 @ 9:00pm 
@ California
01/23
 @ 8:30pm
Women's Basketball 
@ Arizona State
01/22 
@ 7:00pm

Local Sports 
 
Senior Golf
     
          

@ Arrowhead
Country Club
01/25 
@ TBA
 

Weather
 Friday 
 Partly Cloudy
 75º/46º
Saturday 
Partly Cloudy
74º/48º
Sunday 
Clear
 
  71º/46º
   

                  

Thursday, January 14, 2016

1/14/16 Hope you can find time to enjoy!

Events 

Thunderbird Artists' Sculpture &
Wine Festival
 
Fri. 01/15 - Sun. 01/17, 10am
Sculpture & Wine Festival, Fountain Hills
Thunderbird Artists will host its inaugural "Sculpture & Wine Festival" featuring more than 60 acclaimed sculptures from around the globe. $3
more info   map 

Maricopa County Home & Garden Show, Phoenix 
Fri. 01/15 - Sun. 01/17, 10am
Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix
Attendees will be inspired by home, landscape, and DIY seminars, herb garden planting 101, and tips and tricks from Tiny House Expedition blogger, Alexis Stephens $2-$5
more info   map 

Electric Bike Expo 
Fri. 01/15 - Sun. 01/17, times vary
Tempe Diablo Stadium
The Electric Bike Expo is a no sales, no pressure event. Just come out and ride some of the newest bikes on the market.
more info   map 

Downtown Chandler Art Walk 
Fri. 01/15, 6pm-10pm
Downtown Chandler
The Art Walk provides a fun family atmosphere where you can browse the many different types of art available from talented artists.
more info   map 

Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 
Fri. 01/15, 8pm
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest running Jazz festival in the world, featuring an all-star lineup. $39-$69
more info   map 

Rock 'N Roll Arizona 
Sat. 01/16, 8am
Downtown Tempe on Mill Ave
The Rock 'N Roll Arizona 5k has a beautiful and flat looped course that finishes at Tempe Beach Park with a Finish Line Festival. $25-$50
more info   map 

MusicaNova Young Artists Recital 
Sat. 01/16, 4pm
Recital Hall, Arizona Piano Company, Phoenix
Start the new year right with music from two stunning young artists, oboist Alex Mayer and pianist Jessica Zhang. $10-$15
more info   map 

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 
Sat. 01/16, 8pm
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
The London-based Royal Philharmonic Orchestra enjoys an international reputation for bringing audiences first-class performances and the highest possible standards of music-making. $79-$149
more info   map 

The 26th Annual Celebration of Fine Art 
Sat. 01/16 & Sun. 01/17, 10am-6pm
Celebration of Fine Art, Scottsdale
This event brings in artists from across the United States to set up working studios and welcome art lovers to interact with or simply watch these artists as they create their work. $--$10
more info   map
 

West Valley Symphony Going for Baroque 
Sun. 01/17, 3pm
Valley Vista Performing Arts Center, Surprise
Hear the musicians of the WVS perform Bach's Brandenburg Concert #3, and his Suit in D which features "Air." $30-$35
more info   map
 
                     
                   
 
                   
Movies 
 
Home showtimes and ticketsIn Theaters Rated
Norm of the North       PG

Ride Along 2
    
    PG-13
Concussion    PG-13

New DVD Releases
 
 Rated

   Critics Say
The Martian PG-13         
Hotel Transylvania 2 PG         
Irrational Man R         

Sports 

 
Phoenix Suns
   
   
 
@ Boston Celtics
01/15 
@ 5:30pm
@ Minnesota Timberwolves
01/17
 @ 1:30pm
Arizona Sun Devils

 
 
Men's Basketball 
vs Washington
01/16 
@ 5:00pm
Women's Basketball
 
vs Utah
01/17
 @ 12:00pm 
Ice Hockey 
@ Bemidji State
01/15
 @ 6:37pm
01/16 @ 6:07pm
Wrestling 
vs Iowa State
01/15 
@ 8:00pm
Arizona Coyotes
 
vs Devils
01/16 
@ 12:00pm
Arizona Wildcats
  
Men's Basketball 
vs Washington State
01/16
 @ 7:30pm 
Women's Basketball 
vs Utah
01/15 
@ 7:00pm 
vs Colorado
01/17 
@ 2:00pm
PGA TOUR

   
 
              Sony Open in Hawaii     
              Honolulu, HI
              01/14-01/17 @ times vary
              Golf Network


Weather 

 
 Friday 
 Partly Cloudy
 65º/41º
Saturday 
Clear
65º/43º
Sunday 
Clear
 
  67º/43º
   

               
                    

              

Thursday, January 7, 2016

11914 N 74th Ln listing 1 07 16

Phoenix Market Update

Thursday, January 7, 2016
  
Phoenix better market for home buyers than renters
Maricopa County still is one of the best places to make a home purchase, according to new data from RealtyTrac combining stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Among counties with populations of 100,000 or more, Arizona is a better place to buy than rent. Only Coconino (Flagstaff) and Yavapai (Prescott) counties were rated as better for renters.
Read article - Phoenix Business Journal

Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year 1/1/16

Events 

Fiesta Bowl Fan Fest Pregame Party 
Fri. 01/01, 7:30am
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale
Fans of all ages can experience pre-game traditions like pep rallies and performances by marching bands and cheerleaders. $25
more info map 

Snow Week 
Fri. 01/01, 10am-4pm
Science Center, Phoenix
Celebrate the season with over 60 tons of snow blanketing Heritage and Scenic Park's grassy hill in white. Activities include Snowing Ping Pong Balls and Dinosaurs in Motion. $16-$20
more info map 

Paul Rodriguez 
Fri. 01/01 & Sat. 01/02, 8pm
The Laugh Factory, Scottsdale
See Paul Rodriguez, the original Latin King of Comedy, bring in the new year live on stage. $20-$30
more info map 

ZooLights 
Fri. 01/01 - Sun. 01/03, 5:30pm
The Phoenix Zoo
A magical experience guaranteed to illuminate your holiday season. $8-$18
more info map 

Zoppe: Italian Family Circus 
Fri. 01/01 & Sun. 01/03, times vary
Chandler Center for the Arts
Zoppe welcomes guests into their intimate 500-seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the best history of the Old World Italian tradition. $18-$30
more info map 

Dog Friendly Happy Hour 
Sat. 01/02, 4pm
32 Shea Cafe, Phoenix
You and your pooch are invited to join Puff & Fluff on the dog-friendly patio. This informal, un-hosted gathering is just for fun, laughs, great food, and drinks.
more info map 

NBAZ Fiesta Bowl Parade 
Sat. 01/02, 11am
Downtown Phoenix
Take in the pageantry of brilliantly colored floats, giant helium balloons, equestrian units, local celebrities and more as they make their way along the two-mile parade rout.
more info map 

Music of John Williams 
Sat. 01/02 & Sun. 01/03, times vary
Phoenix Symphony Hall
Best known for his iconic film scores and ceremonial music, John Williams is one of the most popular and successful American orchestral composers of the modern age. The Phoenix Symphony will perform highlights from over 60 years of John Williams scores.
more info map 

After Christmas Time Workshop 
Sun. 01/03, 1:30pm
Scottsdale Via Linda Senior Center
Bring your live, miniature Christmas tree, and begin experiencing the joy of growing miniature bonsai. Tools, supplies, and guidance will be provided.
more info map
 


 
Movies
Home showtimes and ticketsIn TheatersRated
SistersR 
The Hateful EightR 
Star Wars: The Force AwakensPG-13

New DVD Releases

Rated

Critics Say
HeistR
Hitman: Agent 47R
He Named Me MalalaPG-13
Sports 
Phoenix Suns

 
@ Sacramento Kings
01/02 
@ 3:00pm
@ LA Lakers 
01/03 @ 7:30pm
Arizona Sun Devils

Men's Basketball 
@ Creighton 
01/02 @ 7:00pm
Arizona Cardinals
vs Seattle Seahawks
01/03 
@ 2:25pm
Arizona Wildcats
Women's Basketball 
vs New Mexico State
01/02 
@ 7:00pm
Arizona Coyotes
@ Predators
01/01 
@ 6:00pm
@ Red Wings
01/03
 @ 5:30pm
PGA TOUR

 
Resumes next week Golf Network
Weather 
Friday 
Clear
66º/40º
Saturday 
Clear
68º/42º
Sunday 
Clear 

70º/47º