Today is the day to post about the Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens.  I've been wanting to this post for a month or two, but "stuff" has just been getting in the way. This was my husbands and my first time to the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona.  Sad thing is my husband is a native of 40 years and I've been here for 15 years.  It took my sons first field trip to get us there.  Wow, what and experience...4 classes of 25 first graders.  The best part was the kids were more excited about the bus ride then the field trip. Here are some of our pictures..... The Butterfly Pavillion exhibit...absolutely beautiful!   The Butterfly Pavillion exhibit...there were so many. And my sweet 7 year old Konrad with his buddy Sydney...oh to be young with no worries but looking at butterflies.  :0)   We... 06/03/2008

The Phoenix Arizona has many major metropolitan parks. The major ones offer variety and something for everyone. There is something for all ages and family members. Dreamy Draw Recreation Area 2421 E. Northern Avenue Phoenix 602-262-7901 www.phoenix.gov/parksConvenient metropolitan address offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, dirt biking, playing volleyball, nature study, or enjoying a picnic under a shady ramada. Echo Canyon Recreation Area McDonald Drive at Tatum Phoenix 602-256-3220 www.phoenix.gov/parksThe city's most prominent landmark, Camelback Mountain, offers a recreation area of sheer red cliffs crowned by the Praying Monk rock formation as well as miles of challenging trails. Encanto Park 2605 N. 15th Avenue Phoenix 602-261-8993 www.phoenix.gov/parksAmusements, e... 05/31/2008

Are you looking for places to take the entire family this summer in the Phoenix Arizona area? There are attractions and adventures for the entire family and all interests. Here is a partial list. (Note  - there are also some family activities listed that take place later in the year.) Educational & Nature Centers Arizona Doll & Toy Museum Seventh Street & Monroe Phoenix 602-253-9337 www.ci.phoenix.az.us/parksOne of many attractions in Heritage Square, this wonderful and intimate museum is convenient to the Arizona Science Center. Arizona Science Center 600 E. Washington Street Phoenix 602-716-2000 www.azscience.orgMore than 750 interactive exhibits combine with world-class traveling displays, a giant-screen theater, and a planetarium. Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting 6101 E. Van Bur... 05/31/2008

In addition to museums, Phoenix Arizona area has many facilities that would be considered "landmarks" of the city. They have various venues and all are interesting to explore. If you are looking for something to do this summer with the family or planning a visit to the Phoenix area, you may want to check these out. Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa 2400 East Missouri Avenue Phoenix 602-955-6600 www.arizonabiltmore.comThis facility is inspired by the timeless beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. Built in 1929, this Valley landmark retains its status as one of the world's finest resorts. Known as the "Jewel of the Desert," it offers an oasis of gardens, sparkling swimming pools, a famous golf course, and fine dining. Burton Barr Central Library 1221 N. Central Avenue Phoenix 602-262-463... 05/31/2008

Summer is a perfect time to explore museums. The Phoenix Arizona area has no shortage of interesting museums. Perfect as places to take the family or to visit while you are in the area. Here is a partial list. Arizona Historical Foundation Arizona State University Hayden Library Tempe 480-965-3283 www.arizonahistoricalfoundation.org Arizona Historical Society Museum 1300 N. College Avenue Tempe 480-929-0292 www.tempe.gov/ahs Arizona Mineral Museum 1502 W. Washington Phoenix 602-255-3791 www.admmr.state.az.us Arizona State Capitol Museum 1700 W. Washington Phoenix 602-542-4675 www.dlapr.lib.az.us/museum ASU Anthropology Museum Arizona State University Department of Anthropology Tempe 480-965-6213 http://archaeology.asu.edu ASU Museum of Geology Arizona State University Physical Sciences ... 05/31/2008

Interested in more about golf in the Phoenix Arizona area?Then check out these Internet golf course directories. There is someone place for everyone to play golf in the "Valley of the Sun". Arizona Golf Association www.azgolf.org Arizona Golf Courses www.arizonaguide.com Arizona Women's Golf Association www.awga.org Golf Southwest www.golfsouthwest.net Phoenix Municipal Golf Courses www.phoenix.gov/parks If you are thinking of a second home in the Phoenix area give us a call and let us help you find it. Call us at 480-201-3001. We look forward to assisting you. 05/31/2008

Phoenix Arizona is a popular golf destination, both for a vacation away to play golf, and as a second home destination. Many people buy second homes in the Phoenix area and are therefore able to come to the "Valley of the Sun" during months when it is less pleasant in their primary home. What can be better than coming to Arizona to play golf and being in the sun when it is rainy, snowy and freezing where you now live? Here is a partial list of public golf courses in and around the Phoenix Arizona area. Daily-Fee Golf Courses Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria Adobe Dam 623-581-2800 www.phoenixgolfschool.com Arizona Biltmore 602-955-9655 www.arizonabiltmore.com Bellair 602-978-0330 www.cactusgolf.com Club West 480-460-4400 www.clubwestgolf.com Country Meadows 623-972-1364 www.cactusgolf.com El Ca... 05/31/2008

If you are in the Phoenix Arizona area and looking for casinos and vegas type entertainment, here is a partial list. Arizona Casinos Apache Gold San Carlos 800-APACHE8 www.apachegoldcasinoresort.com Blue Water Casino Parker 928-669-7777 www.bluewaterfun.com  Bucky's Casino Prescott 800-SLOTS-44 www.buckyscasino.com Casino Arizona Scottsdale 480-850-7777 www.casinoaz.com Casino of the Sun Tucson 520-883-1700 www.casinosun.com Cliff Castle Casino Campe Verde 928-567-7660 www.cliffcastle.com Cocopah Casino Somerton 800-23-SLOTS www.wincocopahcasino.com Desert Diamond Casinos Tucson Area 520-294-7777 www.desertdiamondcasino.com Fort McDowell Gaming Center Fountain Hills 480-837-1424 www.fortmcdowell.com Gila River Casino-Wild Horse Chandler 520-796-7777 www.wingilariver.com Golden Ha: San C... 05/31/2008

If you are in the Phoenix area here are some sports and hobby websites that may be of interest to you. Arizona has a lot of outdoor activities, wonderful weather and a feeling of being out in the "open". American Birding Association www.americanbirding.org Arizona Sports Guide www.accessarizona.com/sports Arizona Tennis Association www.arizonatennis.org Arizona Trail Association www.aztrail.org Greater Arizona Bicycling Association www.sportsful.com/gaba Phoenix Arizona has a lot of offer. If you are thinking of relocating to the area, give us a call. We look forward to helping you find a home here. Call us at 480-201-3001.   05/31/2008

Phoenix Arizona is home to a number of professional sports teams. Because of the sunny climate, it is also home to spring training for a number of out of area teams as well. Below is a list of many of these pro teams, along with some of the out of area teams that also call Phoenix Arizona their home. Arizona Cardinals NFL Football Games: Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix 602-379-0102 www.azcardinals.com Arizona Diamondbacks NL Baseball Games: Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix 602-514-8400 www.azdiamondbacks.com Arizona Rattlers Arena Football Games: America West Arena, Phoenix 602-514-TDTD www.azrattlers.com Phoenix Coyotes NHL Hockey Games: America West Arena, Phoenix 480-563-PUCK www.phoenixcoyotes.com Phoenix Mercury WNBA Basketball Games: America West Arena, Phoenix 602-252-WNBA www.phoenixmercur... 05/31/2008

Rockies 12, Angels 7 (Arcadia Minors) All good things come to an end.  The Angels had a great run against some tough odds, but the Rockies up-ended them 12-7 Thursday night to end their season and Championship hopes. The Angels played a pretty good game, looking especially sharp in the field, until the late innings when our pitching tired and the Rockies bats came to life.  Max Siegel started on the mound and got one strikeout, then Grady Ottomeyer and Brandon Rosvall both made great cross-the-diamond throws to Parker Walton at first for the last two outs.  Beau Kelly and Max led off the bottom of the first with base hits, and Beau quickly scored on a double by Grady.  Two batters later, Tanner Semple knocked an RBI single scoring Max to make the score 2-0 Angels. In the top of the seco... 05/30/2008

Project is located next to the Willow Historic District of Phoenix. Three-building, 280-unit community high-rise is on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Encanto Boulevard directly across the street from the Heard Museum and one block north of the Phoenix Art Museum. Tapestry on Central is in the financial district, adjacent to the central business corridor and minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport and government offices. The Heard Museum is just across the street and the Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix Art Museum, Civic Plaza, US Airways Center and Bank One Ballpark are only blocks away. Tapestry on Central offers two-story cityhomes, executive  loft style penthouses and expansive flats in a wide variety of one, two and two  bedrooms + den  floor plans , ranging from... 05/29/2008

  The article, Fannie Mae payment rules eased from the Arizona Republic dated May 17th, reports that lending Fannie Mae is doing away with higher minimum down-payment requirements for borrowers in parts of the U.S. where home prices are dropping. When Fannie Mae tagged metro Phoenix a declining housing market in January, the residential market suffered.  As if it needed any help in this manner!!  Dozens of homes fell thru because borrowers couldnt come up with the extra cash required for a down payment, and the status of buying in a "delining market" spooked potential buyers. The government-sponsored mortgage finance company said it will require down payments to be between 3 and 5 percent for all loans that it guarantees. This is wonderful news for the Phoenix Metropolitan market!  For ... 05/29/2008

Angels 11, Cubs 0 (Arcadia Minors) The Angels continued their roll through the lower bracket of the Arcadia Minors Playoff race last night with a convincing 11-0 victory over the Cubs. Grady Ottomeyer struckout the side to get out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first.  In the bottom of the first, Beau Kelly led off with a single on the first pitch, followed by Max Siegel who did the same, with both stealing a base in the process.  Grady knocked in the Angels' first run of the night on a sacrifice grounder.  Parker Walton followed with a base hit, Tanner Semple walked, then Matthew McCartin hit an RBI single scoring Max.  Parker tole a couple bases, and Matt and Tanner each stole one apeice.  Brandon Rosvall scored Parker on a sacrafice, and Tanner scored on fielding errors befo... 05/29/2008

Angels 14, Red Sox 3 (Arcadia Minors) In the make-up game from this weekend's rain out, the Angels jumped out to commanding early lead and never let up for a 41-3 victory over the Red Sox in tournament play. Beau Kelly led off the game hitting the first pitch for a single and stolen base.  Max Siegel followed with the same, scoring Beau.  Grady Ottomeyer walked, but got forced out at 2nd on a fielder's choice RBI hit by Parker Walton, who went on to steal 2nd and 3rd and score.  Tanner Semple walked, stole two bases and scored.  Matthew McCartin got a single, and eventually stole 2nd and 3rd.  Brandon Rosvallwalked and stole second, scoring Matt on the throwing error.  This capped our 5-run first thanks to some shakey pitching and fielding on the Red Sox.  Grady pitched the first, getti... 05/28/2008

Being a small business owner, I always appreciate finding other small businesses in the community who take good care of their customers.  Today I visited Cartridge World at 46th St & Thomas looking for some ink refills for my HP printer.  This was not my first visit to Cartridge World.  In fact, I have purchased ink refills there quite a bit over the years.  However, over a year ago my previous printer self-destructed right after I stocked up on about $80 in refills.  The previous owner was kind enough to allow me to return the then just purchased ink, however, they did not yet stock the new HP cartridges that my new printer used.  Therefore, she gave me a store credit for the unused amount that I returned. The problem arose when, over the past year, they failed to stock the new ink (so... 05/28/2008

Through the first quarter of 2008,  Phoenix home sales are down approximately 50% in volume and 14% in value compared to the quarter 1 of 2007. While the median home value has dipped in the range of the prices not seen since2005 and 2006, home sales volume has diminshed at a much greater rate.  Phoenix home sales volume has not been below 5,000 sales in a singe quater since 2003.  Based on the data is a clear that Phoenix is currently in a declining market, also know as a "Buyer's Market". Phoenix consumers looking to purchase a home in are certainly in the driver's seat. The difficult market conditions have made sellers much more flexible and willing to work buyers. Many buyers have decided to wait until the market bottoms out, but the only way to know when the market has hit rock bott... 05/28/2008

Apparently, I am an "event" cleaner.  I have been cleaning the house this evening and both of my teenage boys asked me "Why are you cleaning"  my response "The house is dirty"  With 4 dogs and 2 days of rain- there is dirt tracked in from the dogs and the weekly dust bunnies that have collected- It is time to clean, vacuum and remove the dust that collects very rapidly when you live in the boon docks- with dirt roads leading to you house.  ..More.. 05/24/2008

This diary of moving to Arizona has made it's way around emails and the Internet thousands of times. I have seen so many versions for so many cities (even a snowy version for Wisconsin) that I'm sure it can no longer be attributed to any author. I certainly didn't write it! People who move to Arizona, though, can easily identify with it. You'd better read this--this could be your diary! I tought this is a good time to post it. Folks, this weekend is probably the last " cold"  weekend in Phoenix until October. It actually was raining and in the 60's yesterday. I met some people from Orlando that were complaining about being too cold here....huh, too cold in Phoenix. Arizona Diary May 15th: Now this is a state that knows how to live! Beautiful sunny days and warm balmy evenings. Mountains... 05/24/2008

Phoenix School of Law Elated Students from Across the Valley Receive Law Degrees from Phoenix School of Law Phoenix School of Law, Arizona’s only privately-owned law school, is proud to announce that after three years of hard work, volumes of reading, numerous written papers, and difficult exams, 34 graduates received their Juris Doctorate degree at 6 p.m. on May 20th. The medley of graduates included many working professionals, who without a part time program to attend, would not have been be able to pursue a law degree. The next hurdle for the new graduates will be sitting for the Arizona State bar exam in July. More about Phoenix School of Law student graduation. About Phoenix School of LawPhoenix School of Law is Arizona's only privately owned law school, and the only Arizona law s... 05/24/2008