Happy Hour in Desert Ridge

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desert ridge makretplace signDesert Ridge is one of the most popular shopping areas in north Phoenix.  Desert Ridge is also bumping during happy hour thanks to its plethora of popular restaurants.  Here are some from which you can choose . . .

  1. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse offers happy hour specials such as half-off mini deep dish pizzas, $1 drink specials (draft beer, cocktails, bottled beer, wine) and $2 off certain appetizers.  Happy hour at this location is from 3:00 to 7:00 pm Monday-Friday, and 10:00 pm to close Sunday-Thursday.
  2. California Pizza Kitchen offers various monthly happy hour specials.  Details are on the restaurant website.
  3. Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks hosts happy hour Monday-Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, and features various drink specials as well as 6 appetizers under $5.
  4. Romano’s Macaroni Grill offers $5 pizzas, 2 tapas plates for $9, $3 draft beer and house wine and $5 cocktails every day from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm to close.
  5. Majerle’s Sports Grill is one of the newer options at Desert Ridge and offers various appetizers for $5 as well as $3 draft beer, $3.50 well and house wine, $4 premium draft, $4.50 margaritas.  Happy hour is Monday-Friday, 3:00 pm to close, with reverse happy hour 10 pm to close.
  6. Nori Sushi hosts a daily happy hour Monday-Friday, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Nori Sushi offers several sushi and small plate specials as well as sake, cocktails, beer and wine from $2-$5.
  7. Sandbar Mexican Grill features a $6 happy hour appetizer menu, $3 domestic bottles, $4 well drinks, $5 craft beers and house wines.  Happy hour is Monday-Friday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturday-Sunday from open to 7:00 pm.
  8. The Keg Steakhouse and Bar features a cocktail happy hour Monday-Friday 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with various drink and food specials.
  9. Yard House hosts a happy hour Monday-Friday 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and a late night happy hour Sunday-Thursday from 10:00 pm to close.  Check their website for details on that day’s specials.

Learn more about Desert Ridge neighborhoods

 

Fire Safety Tips 

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Keeping your home safe from fires is of paramount importance when it comes to safety in your residence, but it may not be something that is in the forefront of your mind.

aviano club photoFirst and foremost, do you have a home fire safety
evacuation plan?  Does every member of your family know what to do when there’s a fire?  Are there are two ways out of every room?  And does each member of the family know where they are?  Can all windows be easily opened?  Can the window screens be removed quickly?  Does everyone know how to check doors to see if they are hot, and if so, how to find another way out?  Fire safety experts recommend using towels if they are handy, for handling, touching or grabbing items to avoid burns, and also they can be used as a cover to protect faces and cover mouths.

If you have a second floor, do you have an escape (rope) ladder in a central location, near windows?  And does every family member know where it is, and how to use it if there is a fire?  Also, have you designated a meeting spot outside of the home where everyone can meet if there’s a fire?  Everyone needs to understand that once they exit the home, they can’t go back inside for any reason (even if there are pets inside).  Finally, do the adults have a plan to find and transport any pets in the home if there is a fire?

Another fire safety tip, while a bit more obvious, is to make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home are in full working order.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that you change batteries in these devices at least once a year. If you have children or older individuals in your own, you may want to change these batteries twice a year.  Following a replacement schedule is the easiest way to remember to do this (ie, on New Year’s Day and on Fourth of July, every calendar year).

However, changing the batteries alone isn’t sufficient.  Setting a monthly schedule to test each detector is also critical.  (You can write it on your family calendar to remind yourself).  Oftentimes, fire departments discover that fires occur in homes with smoke detectors that weren’t operational, either because the battery wasn’t working, or because they were disconnected temporarily (ie, after a smoky cooking incident).

We hope you find these tips to be useful!

Contact Chris and Cheryl Park

Popular Halloween Haunted House Attractions-2016

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happy-halloween clip artCan you believe it’s already October?  While the chill of fall may not quite be in the air, the time for ghosts, goblins and glittery princesses will be here before you know it.  To that end, here are some upcoming Halloween haunted houses that will be around the Valley of the Sun this year.

First up is AZ Field of Screams, a maze in a haunted corn field, which was planted over an old cemetery.  Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and this attraction is not recommended for children under 10 years old.

Next, is Fear Farm, which features 30 acres showcasing 5 different haunted experiences, including: Mouth of Madness, Legends: Goatman, Undead, Slaughterhouse and The Bunker.  This year there is also a Haunted Hayride attraction.  This is considered a PG-13 attraction, so is not recommended for small children.  (Located at 2209 N. 99th Avenue in Phoenix, beginning September 23.)

The Crypt offers a trio of haunted attractions: The Asylum, Chaos Maze and The Crypt.  These are not recommended for children under 10.  (Located at Fiesta Mall, 1445 W. Southern Avenue in Mesa, beginning September 23.)

Consider checking out 13th Floor Haunted House, with two attractions spread out over 60,000 square feet.  This haunted house is not recommended for small general, and sports a PG-13 general guideline.  (Located at 2814 W. Bell Road, beginning September 23).

Scarizona Scaregrounds is home to two different haunted houses: Epic Fear and Slayer’s Slaughter House.  An interactive paintball attraction, Operation Zombie Storm, features 16-passenger military trucks which are driven through a wave of zombies.  Scaregrounds also hosts live music on the weekends, as well as a beer garden and other entertainment.  (Located at 1901 N. Alma School Road in Mesa, beginning September 23.)

Jack and Jill’s Haunted Hill is an indoor, two-story live interactive experience, with parental discretion advised.  (Located at 3401 W. Greenway Road, beginning September 30).

The Gauntlet at Golfland Fright Nights features a terrifying maze, and a multi-level haunted house featuring animatronics and skilled actors, all mostly indoors.  This attraction isn’t recommended for children under 13 years old.  Children may enjoy  Spooktacular Golf, a miniature 18-hole golf course full of spooky and festive decorations.  (Located at Golfland, Mesa, beginning September 30).

Finally, Zombie WarZ is a zombie apocalypse where you fight off zombies in a Zombie Assault Vehicle using “flesh-eating” Zombie paint slugs   This attraction is recommended for adults and teens, but parents may choose to bring younger children (minimum age is 5).  (Located near Rawhide in Chandler.  GPS directions given on the website).

Map of East Valley Neighborhoods

Wine and Painting 

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mellow-mushroom sign Looking for something new and fun to do, instead of the usual dinner and a movie?  How about drinking wine (or your beverage of choice) while painting a beautiful canvas?  If you’re missing that crafty gene, no worries as part of the activity is learning how to paint, step by step, from an instructor who will lead you through each step.  There are a few different venues here in the Valley of Sun at which you can try out this fun new activity . . .

  1. Pinot’s Palette has one current location in Paradise Valley, but has three more upcoming locations.  Check out their calendar and click on the canvas you’d like to paint, and then click on the day you’d like to paint it, and you can reserve your spot to create your very own masterpiece.  This location also offers date nights (where you can paint one canvas half of a painting while your significant other paints the other half) as well as open studio times where you can create a canvas of your choosing, under the guidance of an instructor.  This studio is BYOB and food, and children are permitted so long as they are over the age of 5.
  2. The Brush Bar features a mixture of Open Studio nights as well as nights featuring certain paintings you’d like to create. This studio offers Mimosa mornings on Sundays, $30 Thursdays and Family Days.
  3. Paint Party and Wine hosts private events at locations in Gilbert and Ahwahtukee.   For private events, you can choose the canvas size and time it takes to paint, and the price is set based on the number of participants.
  4. Carrie Curran Art Studios offers several types of painting events, from family events, couples events as well as after school and home school art classes for the kiddos.  There is even a Paint Your Pet class where you email in a photo of your pet, a sketch is created on canvas, and then you learn how to fill it in with paint in a group setting.
  5. The Painter’s Lounge in downtown Phoenix on Roosevelt Row in the Arts District.  Guided by instructors, you will create the masterpiece of the day (chosen from their calendar online), and you are permitted to BYOB as well as any snacks or food you’d like to enjoy while painting.  This location is next door to locally-owned Pita Jungle.

Learn about Scottsdale Homes and Neighborhoods

First Time Homebuyer Programs

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Congratulations!  You’ve decided you’re tired of renting and you’d like to look into purchasing your first home.  If you’re an Arizona resident, Arizona has some great programs to assist you with this process, specifically with the down payment portion of your home purchase.  The Arizona Department of Housing offers two different programs to assist you with your down payment, dependent on your own personal and financial circumstances.

scottsdale home photoFirst, the HOME PLUS Home Loan Program features a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance grant that can be used toward the down payment and / or closing costs.  This grant and mortgage are applicable to the purchase of a primary residence here in Arizona, and your income cannot exceed $92,984.  The purchase price of the home is limited to $371,936 with this program.  Finally, you’d be required to complete a homebuyer education course before closing.  This course can be completed through an approved Internet-based program.

Second, the Pathway to Purchase down payment assistance program offers a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with a down payment assistance second mortgage equal to 10% of the purchase price. The second mortgage is a five–year forgivable lien against the subject property at a 0% interest rate and no required monthly payments.  This program applies to homes purchased in targeted areas in 17 specified cities.  The income and purchase price limit are the same as the HOME PLUS home loan program.  This program also applies only to existing, previously occupied properties only, so new construction and spec homes are not permitted to be purchased under the parameters of this program.  Finally, this program applies to Fannie Mae HFA Preferred mortgages only.  As with the HOME PLUS program, the homebuyer must complete a homebuyer education course before closing.

We hope these resources offer a good starting point for you to explore the home buying process.  We’d be happy to walk you through any specific questions you may have, and would be happy to show you homes that meet the qualification parameters.

Contact Us

Dog Friendly Hiking Trails

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pinnacle-peak-cactus photoIf your best friend is of the canine variety, you likely are a fan of dog-friendly destinations.  Here in the Valley of the Sun, Fido can join you on a hike through the gorgeous Sonoran Desert only in those areas where dogs are permitted.  To that end, here are a few hikes where you can enjoy the companionship of your pooch . . .

Starting at the southern end of the valley, South Mountain Park and Preserve features 51 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.  There is absolutely a hike for every skill level.

Widely considered to be one of the most difficult hikes in the Valley of the Sun, Camelback Mountain, with its Cholla and Echo Mountain summit hikes should definitely be reserved for those possessing high fitness levels and hiking abilities.  But if you and Fido are determined to try it, the views at the top of the 2,704-foot peak are absolutely worth the exertion.

While the Circumference Trail is 5.73 miles, there are other shorter hikes at Deem Hills.  This beautiful spot located at 51st Avenue and Deem Hills Parkway is open from sunrise to sunset, with the parking lot opening at 5:30 a.m.

Shaw Butte/North Mountain are in North Mountain Park and are landmark peaks in Phoenix, both offering popular day hikes.  There are five different mapped trails of varying lengths and difficulty, so be sure to consult the park map before heading out with your pet to see which is the best fit for both of your fitness levels.

Check out Lookout Mountain Preserve which is home to Lookout Mountain and Shadow Mountain, and is located just north of North Mountain Park.  These peaks are at a lower elevation and are fun for children and those who are looking for a more leisurely hike.

Papago Park is adjacent to the popular Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden.  The hiking trails in Papago Park are relatively smooth and easy, and offer another great option for family hikes.

As always, remember to keep your pet safe by avoiding hikes during the hottest part of the day, and always carry plenty of water for both of you.  Laws require that your pet’s waste must be picked up immediately, placed in a secure plastic bag, and disposed of in a solid waste container. Phoenix leash laws apply on all trails, and pets must be leashed at all times.

Learn about Scottsdale Homes and Neighborhoods

Farmers’ Markets in North Phoenix and Scottsdale

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carefree-shoppingWith summer drawing to a close, and the air presumably growing cooler as we inch our way into fall, it’s also time for more outdoor activities, such as farmers’ markets which are opening back up in September.  Scooping up local produce and confections at farmers’ markets is a fun and economical way to spend your day as well as fill your belly, so consider checking out some of these options around the Valley of the Sun.

  1. Old Town Farmers’ Market in Scottsdale is open on Saturday morning and features both local growers as well as specialty food makers.  Products include flowers, natural proteins (pork, beef, fish) plus local cheeses and free range eggs.
  2. Anthem Farmer’s Market in Anthem is located in Anthem Community Park and is another Saturday morning market.  With many vendors offering fresh breads, jams and jellies, pickles, organic and seasonal fruits and vegetables, and grass-fed beef, lamb, and pork, plus local eggs, butter and cheeses, there is something for everyone!
  3. Roadrunner Park features a very popular Saturday morning market from 7 am to 11 am during the summer.  This farmers’ market showcases a wide range of products from local vendors including fruit and vegetables, baked goods, natural proteins (beef, pork and fish), jams, jellies and honey, as well as booths with hand-crafted wares.
  4. Singh Farms is a long-running farmer’s market in Scottsdale, on Thomas Road just west of the 101 Freeway.  Open on Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm and located on an actual working farm, this market is also a destination, thanks to the tree-shaded market, beautiful gardens and walking paths.
  5. Phoenix Public Market in downtown Phoenix (Central Avenue & McKinley) is open Saturday mornings from 8 am to noon.  This open air market features a variety of vendors from ranchers to farmers showcasing local produce, meats and local products.  Food trucks are nearby in case you want to stop for a meal.

Browse our interactive map to learn about Scottsdale neighborhoods.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Scottsdale

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It’s fair to say that people generally can be grouped into dog lovers and those who aren’t as fond as dogs.  For the former group, many people love to be able to bring their furry family members out to eat with them, to enjoy these social outings much as their owners do.  To that end, here are a few canine-friendly restaurants to check out in Scottsdale.

ice cream shopFirst, Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers (with locations in Grayhawk and Old Town Scottsdale) features outdoor patios perfect for Rover.   They have an extensive beer menu, naturally, and have many specials from happy hours to days when kids-eat-free, all updated on their website.

Another dog-friendly restaurant is AZ88, located in Old Town Scottsdale in their outdoor Civic Center park area.  People will enjoy the view from the patio, overlooking the green areas of the outdoor mall, and if there’s a jazz concert, even better!  Your canine companion will receive a fresh bowl of water, and plenty of attention from the wait staff.

For always healthy lunch and dinner options, dog lovers can also check out Flower Child, located near McCormick Ranch.  With its covered patios, complete with misters, and attentive wait staff who will bring Lassie a fresh bowl of water, and its consistently delicious food, Flower Child will keep everyone happy.

This restaurant OHSO Eatery & Distillery, has three locations in the Valley of the Sun.  With their outdoor patio, this eatery is one of the most pooch-friendly restaurants in Scottsdale.  Tables are outfitted with carabiner hooks for leashes, and wait staff will bring a bowl of fresh water and a bag of treats to your table, for Fido to enjoy.

In North Scottsdale, an interesting breakfast/brunch restaurant to check out is the Pinnacle Peak General Store with its soda fountain interior and generous outdoor dog-friendly patio complete with fountain and pretty views.  It’s also a one-stop shop thanks to its onsite post office, gift store and gas station.

Sports Leagues for Kids

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School is starting up again, and the dog days of summer are wrapping up.  With the eventual decline in high temperatures also comes the beginning of many sports seasons for kids.  Here in the Valley of the Sun, children have many different sports leagues from which to choose.  One such option is your city’s parks and recreation department.  For example, Phoenix Parks and Recreation department offers a multitude of sports leagues for children, including basketball, soccer and swimming.

Scottsdale sports complex photoAnother option to consider is checking out any of the local Boys and Girls clubs in the Valley.  With dozens of locations, there’s sure to be a club near you.  The Boys and Girls Club which serves Scottsdale and north Phoenix hosts several different leagues including girls’ volleyball, flag football, soccer and basketball.  These leagues require a reasonably-priced annual membership to the Boys and Girls club, but said membership entitles your child to play in any of the associated leagues.

There are a multitude of privately-owned sports leagues throughout the Valley of the Sun.  Two of the more popular options are HUB Sports and i9 Sports.  HUB Sports, formerly Simply Sports, features many different programs from swimming lessons and swim teams, multi-sports activity camps and soccer leagues (from age 2 and up).  Another privately-owned sports program is i9 Sports.  This company features a multitude of locations as well as sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball and flag football.

Finally, your child’s school will offer various sports programs, giving them the opportunity to try out different sports at a lower-price point.  Oftentimes these programs are hosted directly by the school district itself, and other times a private company is brought in, along with their coaches and equipment, to conduct a mini-sports league program for various ages and grades.

Dine-In Movie Theatres

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Scottsdale Phoenix statueOne of the best parts of going to the movies often is the ability to enjoy snacks while you watch the latest thriller on the big screen.  But gone are the days of stale popcorn from the concession stand, thanks to the advent of dine-in movie theatres.  Here in the Valley of the Sun, moviegoers can enjoy a few fantastic theatres that combine movies and meals, in luxurious settings.

iPic Scottsdale, located in the Scottsdale Quarter outdoor shopping mall, is one of the more upscale dine-in movie theatres.  With the ability to reserve specific seats ahead of time, iPic also gives moviegoers the options of choosing between two different types of seats: Premium (oversized leather seats) or Premium Plus (oversized leather recliners with blanket and pillow).   The former seat owners have the option of purchasing snacks beforehand from the iPic Express stand, to eat on the attached tables.  The Premium Plus moviegoers can order food from the onsite restaurant to be delivered during the movie itself.

Another nearby option in Scottsdale is the Studio Movie Grill, which features a full-size bar in its lobby, so patrons can enjoy alcoholic beverages before and during the movie.  This theatre also gives you the option of reserving specific seats online ahead of time, or just before the movie using a self-service kiosk in the lobby.  All patrons may order food from menus and wait staff before and during the movie, with the help of a service call button, and can enjoy the food on tables affixed to the studios’ chairs.

A third option is the AMC Dine-in Theatres Esplanade 14, located in on Camelback Road in Phoenix.  This megaplex movie theatre has several different dining options, one for adults only and a few more family-friendly options.  This theatre also permits reserving specific seats online beforehand, and service in the theatre itself is also summoned via a self-service button.  A full concession stand, café and bar are also onsite at this location.

Finally, you can still watch a movie the old-fashioned way, in your car!  The West Wind Drive-In in Glendale, Arizona, features digital projection, using state-of-the-art technology, on multiple screens with double features each evening.