I hope that you're enjoying your fave morning beverage of choice! Today I offer you an interesting list of best places to live in AZ according to Money magazine. A couple of the cities on the list may surprise you!

All my best,

~Celia

No, not shocked, but saddened that a guy like Alexander, a man who went to war for his country and worked hard all his life, must now be ashamed of the street where he lives.  Saddened and surprised that such a thing would occur in the city run by North America's best mayor.  Surely the pride of the continent would notice that his city has a problem.  And put up a fight.

While it's great to work on boosting downtown, most people's views of their city come from the place they live.  Their street.  Their neighborhood.  And frankly, the view isn't so good in whole sections of this town.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

First, it was encouraging to see all the work Luke and Sabrina put into their newly built BIG house in Prescott.  I'm all for closure when it comes to big projects like a house.  That was a very quick Sunday trip up and back from Phoenix.  Then we visited the next morning with my two aunts in Mesa along with seeing my cousin Mike and Maradel for breakfast.  Thanks Aunt Eleanor!!! 

Later we drove south of Phoenix to visit with Laura and Steve at Casa Grande (the BIG house) National Park.  Laura gifted Ken with a senior lifetime pass for the National Parks, he has reached that golden age of 62.  We lingered over many lemonades and Mexican food in Coolidge (close to Casa Grande) and looked and laughed at the great photos Laura took with her fancy camera.  Also, we watched on my laptop some of Laura’s course projects she had accomplished for her graduate studies.  We hope to be able to celebrate her graduation with an M.A. degree in landscape architecture next spring, the Lord willing.

Finally, we stopped in on some friends of ours from over 15 years ago on our way back through Chandler. Todd and Sally are responsible for being OUR matchmakers while we lived and worked in Kazakhstan the summer of 1993.  We have come full circle with being successful matchmakers ourselves after participating in the Houston wedding of two friends of ours who met in Ukraine eight years ago.

So, as they say, a good time was had by us even though some of our visits were on very short notice.  Thanks to all who made our dropping in a fun time after our arduous time of slogging away at our teaching assignments in a foreign land such as Kazakhstan.  It really is WONDERFUL to be home on U.S. soil again!!!

From June 30 - July 9, we all flew out to Arizona to visit the husband's family. Arizona is hot. Only crazy people live there. And also people who can't drive. I think Virginians should move to Arizona so they can all compare their shitty driving with the Arizona folks. Then for 4th of July we went to Chula Vista for 2 days and enjoyed the best weather I've ever experienced in my 15+ years that I've lived in this country. California, I heart you. Gov. Arnold wasn't bulshitting me with his California ads.

There aren't a lot of pictures but they capture the best moments which were all compacted in probably 3 days. After the trip from California and staying in the Arizona heat for 3 more days, I think I may have turned into an alcoholic.

The non-profit Arizona Preservation Foundation and the State Historic Preservation Office, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office, announced the winners of the 2008 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Awards at a luncheon ceremony at the Sixth Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Partnership Conference, “Preservation on the Line.”  Each year, 10 awards are given to individuals, businesses, organizations, and projects in recognition of outstanding achievements in preserving Arizona’s prehistoric and historic patrimony.  This year’s Honor Award winners are:

• Brunenkant Bakery Building, Florence
• Central Commercial Company Building, Kingman
• City of Glendale’s Department of Planning
• Curley School, Ajo (Grand Award)
• Franklin Police and Fire High School, Phoenix
• James A. Walsh Federal Building, Tucson
• McCullough-Price House Restoration, Chandler
• Noel Stowe, Arizona State University
• Santa Cruz County Courthouse, Nogales
• Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Affairs Office

A panel of judges representing the fields of archaeology, architecture, history, and preservation, as well as a representative from the Governor’s Office, selected the winners from nominations submitted from across the state.  Click here for more details and photos of this year's award recipients.  To view past Honor Award recipients, click here.

Search Cooper Commons Homes

Cooper Commons is a master-planned community in South Chandler. The community is located just South of Riggs Road between Cooper and Gilbert. There are over 1650 homes in Cooper Commons built by over five different builders. Homes in Cooper Commons range from the mid $200's to over $500k.

The community boasts its own elementary school and a City of Chandler Park with miles of walking and biking paths. There are also numerous greenbelt areas with playground equipment and shaded ramadas. Adjacent to the community is a shopping complex with all the modern conveniences for Cooper Common residents.

Contact Brandon Hunt with RE/MAX at 480-247-7244 if you have any Cooper Commons real estate questions. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your real estate needs.

Search Ocotillo Homes

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Ocotillo, I would welcome the opportunity to interview with you and consult you on the current real estate market.

Ocotillo is a master-planned community in Chandler. Ocotillo has become a hotbed for Intel executives and other individuals who work in Chandler's lucrative High-Tech Industries. Ocotillo has 138-acres of lakes and a 27-hole championship golf course.

The community consists of four gated neighborhoods that each have their own parks, ramadas, and water-features. Additionally, Ocotillo has a community restaurant called "Bernards" which has been acclaimed as one the best restaurants in the Southeast Valley.

Ocotillo is located in the vicinity of Alma School Road and Queen Creek Road in Chandler. It is just south of where the Loop 101 meets the 202 (San Tan Freeway). It is about a 25-minute commute to downtown Phoenix.

here's a little video from me to kick things off on this here blog! ]]> http://azsearchforhomes.wordpress.com/?p=9 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:50:42 +0000 Brandon Hunt http://azsearchforhomes.wordpress.com/?p=9

Search Valencia Homes

Valencia is a master planned community built by TW Lewis in South Chandler. The community consists of six gate neighborhoods with 40 acres of open space adjacent to a planned 10-acre neighborhood park and a proposed elementary school site.

There are currently four neighborhoods that offered different features and amenities. The first neighborhood, Andorra at Valencia, has six floorplans with options for basements on four of the models.

The all single-story Finesterra at Valencia neighborhood has six floor plans ranging from 3,000 - 3,500 square feet. The Finesterra neighborhood with offer 72 homes, with a typical lot size of 80 x 135 feet wide.

Alicante at Valencia is an all single-story and will offer five unique floorplans. There is be a total of 54 homes, each with an option to add a basement.

Lastly, San Sebastian is the most exclusive neighborhood in Valencia. It offers five single-story floorplans ranging from 3,500 - 4,400 square feet.

Some of architectural themes offered at Valencia include Tuscan, Spanish Colonial, Ranch Hacienda, Desert Prairie and French Country. All of these design elements feature Old World Sophistication, making Valencia a beautifully articulated and refined community.

Cyrus has been with me for the duration of The Zen of South Park, and though sometimes his incessant meowing can be annoying and distracting, he has always been a faithful friend and acted as encouragement since I have to provide him with a good home off of my monstrous writing salary.

His name, Cyrus, comes from the Persian King in the fifth century BCE. He is mentioned in the Bible in the book of Ezra-Nehemiah and also in Herodotus' works. In the latter he seems to be a mischievous person (and that's where that connection lies with Cyrus the cat), and in the Bible he is the emperor who allowed the Jews, who had been dispersed by the Babylonians, to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. Since he comes from Israel, it's a most fitting name.

Without further ado, here are some pictures of Cyrus.

Botox News and Honors at Derma Health Institute.

DERMA HEALTH INSTITUTE of Mesa and Chandler was just honored as a Diamond Level provider for BOTOX® and JUVEDERM™ by Allergen (the company that produces BOTOX and JUVEDERM)

Derma Health Institute is one of the largest providers of BOTOX® and JUVEDERM™ in Arizona. What this means to the consumer is that you receive a higher level of experience and service from the doctors at Derma Health Institute because they are consistently and effectively filling wrinkles, lips & scars with JUVEDERM™ and relaxing facial lines and wrinkles with BOTOX® for the women (and men) of the Valley every day.

• Staycation B&B (Breakfast & Botox) this JULY!

Saturday July 19th - Chandler Derma Health Institute from 9a-2p (2905 W. Warner Rd., #17)

Saturday July 26th - Mesa Derma Health Institute from 9a-2p (4140 E. Baseline Rd., #110)

Customers can come in and get their walk-in Botox which will be only $10/unit all month.  For that day only they will also receive an additional 10% off all current specials running, including Botox (which makes it only $9/unit (almost unheard of).

We will also be providing demonstrations to everyone that attends of the new VelaShape body contouring laser that literally melts fat.  And, anyone who attends will be added to a drawing for a Free body contouring laser package.  Don't forget, anyone who attends is also eligible for an additional 10% off that day of the already currently running specials, including the VelaShape body contouring laser treatment.  The procedure is pain-free with no downtime and completely safe to treat over tanned summer skin. 

We will provide breakfast muffins, pastries, flavored coffees, orange juice and mimosas.  Swimming suits will be on display from the store What Women Want.

• Another NEW and TIMELY beneficial use of BOTOX® is for excessive sweating. BOTOX® has been proven to decrease the amount of sweat under the arms for up to 12 months.

For details or questions, call (480) 539-0777 Mesa/Gilbert or (480) 730-9000 Chandler/Tempe or go to http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/.  

Of course, every shot can't be perfect. You set up the shot, and the backlighting is just right, mom's hair is blowing softly in the breeze and then...

...somebody is just not feeling the moment.

I, however, crack up hysterically. My job, it is so much fun.

I was pleasantly surprised when this family agreed to meet me in Chandler, thereby shaving off about an hour from my usual commute to Tulsa. I also brought my daughter as an experiment. Kids love kids, they are absolutely fascinated by them. My daughter, however, was fascinated with the little toy car that she has claimed as her own even though Whitecotton Studio claimed it first...on last year's tax return. But we had a good time, and no one was run over on main street Chandler, OK.

And this one was fun to edit with a funky texture. I love the surrealism of it...like stepping back in time.

And finally, a little bit of history to share with you. This gazebo was erected as part of Oklahoma's Centennial celebration of 2007. It was such a beautiful little, peaceful spot...even right there in Chandler, OK.

Cast:

Jennifer Aniston: Rachel
Courteney Cox: Monica
Lisa Kudrow: Phoebe
Matt Le Blanc: Joey
Matthew Perry: Chandler
David Schwimmer: Ross

Now? No.

Let me add that I can't bring myself to mention the name of this movie, and that I would have only viewed it as a mandatory work assignment or to make up for some horrible transgression against my lady friend.

In the distance, there seems to be a chance for Hollywood to redeem itself, though.

Actually, there are two.

First, there's Friends, the 90s mainstay of NBC's "Must See TV."

Britain's The Guardian reported yesterday that Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross, and Joey will reprise their roles in theaters. This is a project in the early stages of preproduction, but if Marta Kauffman or David Crane happen to read this, please remember one thing. These characters aren't twentysomethings any more. As you develop the story, you'll have to keep that in mind of there's any chance of success.

It is unclear if T.L. Hanna High School's and Clemson University's James Michael Tyler will return as Central Perk's Gunther.

The second television-to-movie adaptation is the critically-acclaimed (see: "smart") but prematurely-cancelled Arrested Development.

It's still early in the production process, but the Bluth family patriarch told an Entertainment Weekly staffer from the Hellboy 2 premiere that the movie has been greenlighted, and the award-winning cast seems to be on board.

Either of these would be a welcome change from the Boniva-bunched SATC cougars punishment already heaped on the American public.

-- Alan Wofford

Fãs de Friends: segurem o coração!

Depois do sucesso de Sex and the City nos cinemas, o elenco do extinto seriado Friends se animou para finalmente chegar às telonas. Segundo o tablóide inglês Daily Mail, Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Courteney Cox (Monica), Matthew Perry (Chandler), Matt LeBlanc (Joe), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe) e David Schwimmer (Ross) se reuniram e estão prontos para encarar seus personagens mais uma vez.

O projeto está bem no começo e deve ficar pronto só daqui a 18 meses – ou seja, para 2010. Apesar de ainda ser muito longe, já dá para esperar cliques do sexteto e histórias das filmagens. Aliás, a primeira delas é que foi Jennifer Aniston quem mais demorou para topar reviver sua Rachel...

Enfim, Friends again!

C.