ROX Magazine by ROX Media Group

EVERYTHING ABOUT ARIZONA’S GOLDEN CORRIDOR OCTOBER

2013

ARIZONA CITY • CASA GRANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

M A G A Z I N E

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

Complimentary

BIZ

OCTOBER 2013

YOU HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

rox interview: Pinal County Supervisor Steve Miller

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

l a n o i g e r s goe

2 Golden

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

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OCTOBER

2013

EVERYTHING ABOUT ARIZONA’S GOLDEN CORRIDOR ARIZONA CITY • CASA GRANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

M A G A Z I N E

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

Complimentary

BIZ

OCTOBER 2013

YOU HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

rox interview: Pinal County Supervisor Steve Miller

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

l a n o i g e r s goe

4 Golden

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

OCTOBER 2013 PUBLISHER Rock Earle

Editor-in-Chief Bea Lueck

Editor

Roxy Rox

MEDIA COORDINATOR

MAGICA MEDIA provides effective print and online media delivery solutions to customers in many businesses, including:

Angela Johnson

MARKETING/ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Saundra Anderson Jamie Wagner

GRAPHIC DESIGN Kyle Bogan

CHIEF OF OPERATIONS & FINANCE Elaine Earle

Advertising Inquiries Info@raxxdirect.com

Comments & Ideas editor@raxxdirect.com

(520) 426-2074

3151 N Piper Ave., Suite B117 Casa Grande, AZ 85122

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gcROX is published by RaxxDirect. Editorial content is provided by affiliates of Raxx Direct, community members and local organizations. The publishers of gcROX assume no responsibility for errors or omissions of any advertisement beyond the actual cost of the advertisement. In no event shall the publishers be liable for any consequential damages in excess of the cost of the advertisement. gcROX shall not be liable for inaccuracies, errors, omissions, or damages from the use of information contained herein. Submitted articles do not reflect the opinions of the owners or management of gcROX. Information contained within submitted articles had not been verified for accuracy and readers for forming their own opinions. Real estate listing are accurate as of September 13, 2013 and are subject to prior changes or withdrawn from the market.

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OCTOBER

L E T T E R FROM

2013

THE EDITOR

Wow!

Roxy Rox, ROX SpokesToon

What a Magazine! And what a time to be the editor! Mine is the enviable job of talking about what this issue of ROX! Magazine is about, and that’s a mouthful, so let’s get started: New geographical focus: there is so much happening in the entire Golden Corridor (the area between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona) we just couldn’t stop ourselves from broadening out to include it all!

tep away from the computer and the ‘toon takes over! Roxy is correct however in her comments about ROX! Magazine. It IS an exciting time to be involved in the rebirth of the publication. It was great before and it is only going to get better as it grows and evolves. Many of the changes you see in this edition come from suggestions from you the reader. Keep those comments and suggestions coming. What began as a way to market the ROX Group businesses has evolved into it’s own entity in the community, filling an untouched need in our area. Let me know what you think of the all-new Golden Corridor ROX! Magazine. It IS about LOCAL

New name: (Arizona’s) Golden Corridor ROX! Magazine New features: a myriad of new coverage in three basic sections, BIZ!, YOU! and FUN! (which should be self-explanatory!) New advertisers: businesses and institutions across the entire spectrum of Golden Corridor life, including real estate, insurance and travel agencies New sister publications: Smart Shopper and Property Previews Magazine New people: Kyle Bogan (art/graphic design), Angela Johnson (Media Coordinator), Saundra Anderson and Jamie Wagner (Golden Corridor sales), Don Johnson (southern Arizona sales management), Kristy Belly (western US sales management) Barbara Foster, Joni Sudweeks, Ron Strasberg (northern Arizona sales), Danyea Gillard, Kathy Castillo (northern California sales management) New management: Bea Lueck (General Manager, Editor-in-Chief) New distribution: US Mail, high-traffic retail and service locations, inside and outside (racks) across the entire regions New capabilities: ?????? New in-magazine organization: Color-coded tabs to get you quickly to the features you enjoy most New format: More convenient dimensions, more pages, better binding and even heavier cover than before

Same old ROX insistence on quality and informative-ness. Is that a word?! Look for us everywhere you go now. At the doctor’s office, at the bea@raxxdirect.com store, in the day care center and on the floor. Haha just couldn’t re- Bea sist the rhyme! Indoors, outdoors, in racks and on coffee tables. And find everything you want: merchants, services, opportunities, information and stuff … cars, houses, haircuts and blouses … there I go again. Horses, copies, courses and poppies. Stop me. It is just too good here at ROX. When management sees an opportunity, they jump on it. We are having fun and feel that we are a very valuable part of the community: hope you agree!

It‘ s about LOCAL

6 Golden

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

F E A T U R E S INSIDE

IN EVERY ISSUE

5 Letter from the editor 7 ROX TALK "Notice what you notice. 14 ROX REPORT It will become a feature 15 Spotlight of your future."

8 COMMUNITY Calendar

ROX INTERVIEW:

Steve Miller

THE TRUTH According to Wilson B Dedman

BIZ

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

YOU

HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

FUN

TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

OCTOBER

R O X TALK I

t’s a wonderful world. As our friend Wilson B Dedman says, “Magick is everywhere”. I say “Magic is all that is.” We at ROX continue to ignore the impossible political and economic crisis environments in favor of bustin’ out all over, willy-nilly, across the landscape! Amidst all the inevitable economic devastation, explosive technological creation and concomitant creative destruction, we have chosen to challenge the adage that “Print is dead”; we say “Long Live Print”. So this summer has seen an incredible explosion of our print media offerings, reformulating and expanding and cloning ROX! Magazine and manifesting two new sister publications, Smart Shopper and Property Previews Magazine. Although our production and creative staff are headquartered in Casa Grande, we now publish multiple titles statewide and even in northern California, and we see no end to how far we can go or how fast we can grow. While this little advance is fun and lets us exercise our creative bent, real estate, our traditional bastion, is back, and we are doing a land-office business, if you will pardon the pun. Even as long-term permanent mortgage rates rise steadily, market prices and inventory are both stabilizing, which is a welcome development. Not that we did not prosper in the weird times, just that a little normalcy now and then is OK too. Which leads me to one of the most potentially rewarding policy revisions ever in the ROX world: our publications are now open to any businesses in our core areas of real estate, insurance and travel. We think that competition is healthy, and welcome our competitors to the great advertising and marketing opportunities in these publications. For more about all of the great new features in the ROX! Magazine family, check out our Letter from the Editor(s). And for a glimpse of our aspirations in media, think beyond print, and stay tuned LOL! 

- Rock Earle

2013

The Summer of

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OCTOBER

CALENDAR

Community

10/01 • Oktoberfest - Art In The Alley 5:30PM-9:00PM Historic Downtown Casa Grande (520) 836-8744 10/03 • Eloy Chamber Luncheon 12:00PM-1:00PM Robson Ranch Grill in Eloy 10/03 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 10/04 • Silent Witness Anti-Crime Night 6:00PM-9:00PM Carr-McNatt Park (520) 421-8711x6140-Wendy 10/04-10/06 • Coolidge Days 12:00PM San Carlos Park Coolidge, AZ 10/06 • Hot Wings For History 11:00AM-3:00PM Casa Grande Valley Historical Society $2.50-$15.00 (520) 836-2223 10/08 • Visual Arts Gallery Opening Reception 6:00PM-8:00PM M Building Gallery at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/08 • Satin Slippers Ballroom Dance Club 7:00PM-9:30PM Dorothy Powell Center $5-$7 (520) 421-8760 10/09 • Rocktacular 11:00AM-2:00PM M Plaza at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/10 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 10/12 • Ballet Folklorico Costa De Oro 7:00PM-9:00PM Pence Center at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/12 • Roping Club 9:00AM-12:00PM Ed Hooper Rodeo Grounds (520) 421-8600 10/12 • Dirt Track Car Racing 7:00PM Central Arizona Raceway $12 (520) 875-8515

10/13 • Fall Harvest-Boys & Girls Club of Casa Grande 6:30 PM-9:30PM Dillards (520) 876-5437 10/16 • CG Chamber 22nd Annual Business Showcase 5:00PM-7:30PM The Property $5 (520) 836-2125 10/17 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 10/18 • Party in the Park Concert Series-Rhythm Edition 6:00PM-8:00PM 350 E. 6th Street (520) 421-8677 10/19 • Dirt Track Car Racing 7:00PM Central Arizona Raceway $12 (520) 875-8515 10/19-10/20 • Gun Show at Pinal Fairgrounds 9:00AM-5:00PM (928) 848-0070 10/20 • Car & Bike Show 2:00PM-12:00AM Native New Yorker Call for reservations (520) 350-7769 10/22 • Muffin Talk 9:00AM-10:00AM N Culinary Arts Café at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/23 • CAC Palooza 8:00AM-12:00PM M Plaza at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/23 • Trunk R' Treat 10:00AM-11:00AM 405 E. 6th Street, Casa Grande (520) 421-8677 10/24 • Student Art Gallery Opening 3:00PM-4:00PM N Building Gallery at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/24 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 10/24-10/25 • 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 7:00PM-10:00PM Pence Center at CAC (520) 477-7469

10/25 • CGRMC-Annual Golf Tournament 12:00PM San Miguel Golf Course, Eloy (520) 381-6571 - Karen 10/26 • Pancake Breakfast & Fly In 8:00AM-11:00AM The Casa Grande Airport (520) 426-3616 10/26 • March of Dimes March 8:00AM Peart Park (520) 298-5490 10/26 • 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 3:00PM-6:00PM Pence Center at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/26 • Dirt Track Car Racing 7:00PM Central Arizona Raceway $12 (520) 875-8515 10/26 • An Evening of Radio Mystery 7:00PM Performing Arts Center, Coolidge $9 (520) 370-8132 10/29 • Sounds of Signal Peak 7:00PM-10:00PM Pence Center at CAC (520) 477-7469 10/31 • Halloween Carnival 6:00PM-9:00PM Carr-McNatt Park (520) 421-8677 10/31 • Florence Halloween Carnival 6:00PM-8:30PM Florence Little League Field (520) 868-7589 10/31 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990

2013

October - November

11/01 • CG Chamber Annual Fall Golf Tournament 8:00AM Francisco Grande (520) 836-2125 11/02 • Santa Cruz Valley Historic Museum 10th Annual Dinner Dance 5:30PM-10:00PM The Property $50 (520) 705-0910 11/02 • Zontas Annual Community Gala Robson Ranch Golf (520) 421-3125 11/02-11/03 • Queen Creek JR Rodeo Ed Hooper Rodeo Grounds (520) 421-8600 11/05 • Harvest Fair-Art In The Alley 5:30 PM-9:00PM Historic Downtown CG (520) 836-8744 11/06 • Waters Brown Bag Speaker Series 12:00PM-1:00PM 820 E. Cottonwood Lane #C (520) 836-5221 x210 11/07 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 11/07 • Yellowbird Dancers 7:00PM-8:30PM Pence Center at CAC $5 (520) 477-7469 11/9-11/10 • Louie and the Duke Roping Ed Hooper Rodeo Grounds (520) 421-8600 11/12 • Visual Arts Gallery Opening Reception 6:00PM-8:00PM M Gallery at CAC (520) 477-7469 11/12 • Satin Slippers Ballroom Dance Club 7:00PM-9:30PM Dorothy Powell Center $5-$7 (520) 421-8760 11/14 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 11/14 • Swingin the Night Away 7:00PM-9:00PM Pence Center at CAC (520) 477-7469 11/15-11/17 • 9th Annual Wes Hurst Memorial 7:00PM Central Arizona Raceway $12 (520) 875-8515

11/16 • Roping Club 9:00AM-12:00PM Ed Hooper Rodeo Grounds (520) 421-8600 11/16 • Grande Valley Republican Women’s Scholarship Fundraiser 11:00AM The Property (520) 709-1371 11/16 • Eloy Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament 8:00AM Robson Ranch Golf Course (520) 466-3411 11/16 • Building a Better Foundation-Fundraiser 6:00PM 1251 W. Gila Bend Hwy. (520) 705-2359 11/17 • Car & Bike Show 2:00PM-12:00AM Native New Yorker Call for reservations (520) 350-7769 11/21 • Thanksgiving Boogie/Skydive SkyDive Arizona, Eloy, AZ (520) 466-3753 11/21 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 11/26 • Whole Food Nutrition 9:00AM-10:00AM N Culinary Arts Café at CAC (520) 477-7469 11/26 • CAC High School Band & Wind Ensemble Concert 7:00PM-9:00PM Pence Center at CAC (520) 477-7469 11/28 • Toastmasters 6:15PM-7:30PM Sun Life Family Health Center (520) 705-7990 11/30 • Pancake Breakfast & Fly In 8:00AM-11:00AM Casa Grande Airport (520) 426-3616 11/30 • Craft Show, Bake Sale & Art Display 9:00AM-12:00PM Ho Ho Kam Mobile Village, Coolidge (586) 871-7453 11/30-12/1 • 81st Annual Florence Junior Parada 10:00AM Charles Whitlow Rodeo Grounds $5 (520) 868-7589

OCTOBER

2013

NOVEMBER

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THE TRUTH

ACCORDING TO WILSON B DEADMAN

FAERIESGONE?

WHERE HAVE ALL THE

o, not Provincetown. Those are pixies of an altogether different persuasion. Nope - I’m talking about the lack of magick in our daily lives. Those subtle tremors in the air - the dragons, genies, wizards and dreams that were a real feature of our world aeons ago. Ever wondered where our collective pseudoprotean-memory of now entirely imaginary but once utterly real magick comes from? We are magical beings who find ourselves without any magick: do you talk with angels on your way to work? In the definitive rush that is modern life we have forgotten the magic that IS Life, which is an unfortunate waste of a magnificent opportunity. Worse, we have forgotten that we have forgotten, which is unfathomable, egregious and unforgivable. Why are we having this conversation? Cuz it’s my job to point out the obvious, whether it is or not. Kinda like sanctioned complaining, and right now my complaint is that modern life is barren, devoid of … something. What do we live for? Day to day drudgery in pursuit of a Krispy Kreme … Instagrams on Facebook ... death on the way to Walmart … ? Might as well be zombies … living - but not grateful - dead. So where did the magick go? Kicked to the curb in favor of knowledge? Sure, knowledge got us to the moon, but there are other ways to get there. Or was it left at the dance by the ultimate magick-killer: organised religion? Why does religion sanction only certain types of big-time saint-level magick as miracles, but not do-it-yourself street corner tricks? I thought “ … if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) Tricky little question. All of which is borne of the simplistic propensity of humans to see things as simply as possible: binary - on/ off, yes/no, black/white, good/bad, miracles/magic - the root of magick’s little identity problem. And yet, other societies with different philosophies and other creation myths routinely embrace duality - the tao, for example - and the paranormal without needing to classify such into either divine or demonic. Good and evil are not a true pair - merely the human

results of positivism and negativism. So when humans get involved in spreading the Spirit, power politics inevitably follow, scripture begets stricture becomes dogma from which arise dangerous tactical issues stuff like Inquisitions, Jihads, Satans and sin and such. Dogma is the barbed wire of the Spirit, and western religions have succeeded mainly in herding their flocks into fields fenced with it. Distill off the top layers of dogma from any religion’s holy book and you will be left with pure magick. Do you notice and recognize miracles? Seriously, would you recognize one if it hit you in the face? I doubt it. Personally speaking, absolute impossibilities that I remember recognizing as such at the time have now dwindled in memory to nothing at all; I remember a miracle but I do not remember the miracle. But that was then and this is now, and NOW is all that matters; there is no past or future, only ever-unfolding NOWness. If we were able to be fully immediate in every moment, we could see that there exists NOTHING but miracles - little ones, big ones, one at a time, and millions at once, every single cell in your body, every single atom that we create with our imagination, one infinitesimal moment of now at a time; existence itself is pure magick. Magick is everywhere - there’s just too much background noise to recognize its melody. Now, that’s a sin, with the Devil’s tracks all over it. Magick does exist, if we know where and how to look for it. You can’t see it, but it’s there. And it is not available to be used or exploited in any way, and yet it is possible to beckon, recognize and even expect it. So empty yourself of your petty crap; either stop telling stories to yourself, or stop listening to them. The noise will start to moderate, and it will be easier to be quiet. The quieter it is in your head, the easier it becomes to make room for something - anything - other than YOU; a thimbleful at first, then perhaps a casserole dish, maybe someday a file drawer, at which time perhaps a smaller you will be introduced to Now, and magick will ensue. THE TRUTH is that any odd bit of magick is not just a sooty miracle. Magick and miracles are one and the same, both simply manifestations of a certain common yet rare type of attention, neither inherently good or evil. Where did magick go and why did it leave? It’s no longer here, for sure, but IT didn’t leave; WE did. And God wants us to return to it: insist on magick in your daily life. 

OCTOBER

ROX INTERVIEW: I

2013

STEVE MILLER

have known Steve Miller for a long time. We lived on the same street, our children grew up together and attended the same schools, graduated, left home and have all come back to some extent. Steve is the epitome of “old school”. Meaning he does what he says he will do, when your actions deserve it he will, as my old father-in-law used to put it, tell you how the cow ate the cabbage. Steve does not mince words. He is straight forward and I certainly think it’s quite refreshing in today’s world of truth dodging. Rock and I sat down with Steve at our Kortsen office for an hour of stimulated conversation about Steve’s beginnings and how he progressed to where he is today, Pinal County Supervisor. We asked some pointed questions about both City and County government and what he sees in our future. As I said, Steve Miller is “old school” and I believe you will enjoy his candidness and his honesty. - Brett Eisele

GCROX: Where did life begin for you? MR. MILLER: I was born in Arizona at Mesa Southside Hospital, but grew up in Tempe. Mesa was the only place that had a hospital at the time. GCROX: When did you come to Casa Grande? MR. MILLER: I moved here 41 years ago. I was 19 and my dad was a contractor that had come down to build homes. He was the Miller of Miller and Snap Construction for the old folks that have been here a long time. They were building homes for the Farm and Home Administration, all of Western Manor, Stanfield, Maricopa, Eloy, and Florence. GCROX: That’s where you learned the construction trades? MR. MILLER: Yes, I started when I was 12 years old finishing concrete and nailing off roofs. GCROX: When did you earn your contractor’s license? MR. MILLER: I went to work for the old Mi Casa Builders after the Farm and Home Administration money dried up. I loved Casa Grande because it reminded me of growing up in Tempe. I commuted for a short time and then moved here when I went to work for Harlyn Griffiths at Mi Casa.

I ran his framing division for a number of years and later I became the commercial sector superintendent. Another reason I moved was my wife grew up here and has lived in only two houses in Pinal County and they’re two blocks apart. GCROX: When did you venture out and start your own business? MR. MILLER: I bought a truss manufacturing plant in the Valley Industrial Park west of town. I owned it for eight years and sold it to a lumber company from Phoenix and ran it for them another eight years. Eventually, I left and went to work for the City of Casa Grande as a building inspector and code enforcement officer for two and-ahalf years. GCROX: What prompted you to run for City Council? MR. MILLER: That was back when I had left the City and was working for Country Walk Homes. I was regularly at City Hall applying for building permits and while there interacting with the City employees, so I knew the drill. I knew how to maneuver the maze. Everybody would call me -- and I say EVERYBODY. Many people would call and say: “Steve, I’ve got a problem with the City”, which could have been anything from a pothole to “I can’t get my kid in the

recreation program”. I would tell them to call this person or call that person. All the time I’m doing that, people would say: “You ought to run for City Council”, and I’d always been kind of a political animal. I still have my Barry Goldwater campaign sign from the 1964 election! GCROX: So your interaction with the City wasn’t because of inadequacies in what you saw? MR. MILLER: No, no! I just thought I could represent the citizens. So I ran. GCROX: And the next thing you know, you won? MR. MILLER: I did win! Interestingly, the bet on the street was I would be in a runoff with Vernon Hancock, the incumbent, and maybe one other person, but for sure with Vernon. GCROX: Did you expect the result? MR. MILLER: I did not. I did not expect that. GCROX: Of the 11 years in office, what are the big issues that stand out for you? MR. MILLER: Well, I’ll tell you, and this is the sad part about politics, the thing you’re always remembered for as a politician is your NO votes. You’re never remembered for all those YES votes and all the good things you’ve done, only the NO’s.

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GCROX: Did you vote no on the shredder? MR. MILLER: No. I don’t remember how I voted on the shredder. GCROX: How about your involvement with the City’s Capital Improvements Program committee? MR. MILLER: One of the biggest things I instituted at the City and probably one of the items I’m most proud of is when we instituted a vehicle replacement program. We depreciate every vehicle. I think they’ve got it down to where we even depreciate the lawnmowers, so when it comes time to replace an item because it’s worn out, we have money to buy one. We set money aside. GCROX: It wasn’t that way when you went in? MR. MILLER: NO. I was seated on the Capitol Improvements Program committee and at the first meeting I attended, they handed me a big thick notebook and I’m thinking: we haven’t the money to do all these projects. When we got to a specific department, be it building, waste water, whatever, here would come the director for that department who says I need this and I need that, I’m thinking: “Why are we doing this?” That’s not a capital improvement. If we need a pickup, I’ll agree with that, but why do you have it in the CIP? A capital improvement would be expansion of the waste water system or building another fire station. About two weeks into this Larry Rains was named the finance director. As Larry and I we’re walking out of the meeting, I’m chewing on his ear and ask: “What in the heck is all of

this about? This is crazy. We shouldn’t be in there listening to someone whining about how they need a new pickup. We need to fix this” and with Larry’s help -- and the fleet department staff, we did implement a vehicle replacement program. During the housing boom we made a very conscious effort to say one time revenues from the sales tax from all these new homes would go for only one time expenditures. We would never use those expenditures on something that would be ongoing, because you only get the revenue that one time. GCROX: Having been contractor and then a City Council member, how did you feel about impact fees? MR. MILLER: I certainly understand the need and the concept, but I had some ideas I wish would have been put in place, but I never had the support from staff or other Council members. I understand if we’re going to build a subdivision at the outer edge of town that has an impact because now I have to run a police car out there. I have to run a fire engine out there. I have to run a sewer line out there. Granted, but my thing was, and it always used to bother me, if I had a vacant lot here in town, why do I pay that same impact fee as the lot at the edge of town? GCROX: Good point. MR. MILLER: I wanted rings. I wanted zones. I thought that would help stimulate infill at some level and it kind of balances what the impact is. GCROX: Plus, it’s logical.

MR. MILLER: Well, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good decision and it sure happened a few times. GCROX: Was the new Wal-Mart one of those problems? MR. MILLER: I don’t know. GCROX: Was it made a problem? MR. MILLER: Yeah, it was ginned up. They said: “it’s going to be easier for people to drive to”. I said: “You could put a Wal-Mart on the moon and people would get there”. It doesn’t really matter where you go for WalMart. Put it North or West, which made more sense, actually. GCROX: Did you ever get tired of fighting? MR. MILLER: No, I enjoy the fight. GCROX: Here’s the real question: why is staff always obstructionist and negative and why do Councils and boards always hook into that negativity and fear? We ask you that from our perspective. MR. MILLER: I understand -- it’s all about power, let’s be truthful. If they exercise some power or constraints on you or as a developer, it’s so that they can keep their little -- keep you in your box. GCROX: But there’s got to be a fine line where it begins to stifle development, which we’re running into right now on a major project. That project is going away because of the demands of the City, ridiculous demands from the City. Where does it stop? How do you change it? MR. MILLER: Well, you know, I always tried

OCTOBER

to fight for you guys whenever I could or needed to. And did I prevail all the time? No, but I tried to stand up for what I thought was the best. GCROX: But you were a lone man? MR. MILLER: I was alone a lot of times. GCROX: I have a feeling there were a lot of six-one results on votes. MR. MILLER: Not a lot, but there were enough. GCROX: Were you ever disappointed with the lack of citizen turnout at meetings? MR. MILLER: No. It was a classic example one night. We always did the presentations, the plaques, the thankyou’s and the awards in the very beginning of the meetings. We usually recessed so all these people could exit if they wished. The place was packed and we gave out the plaques. Somebody retired or whatever it was. So we kind of let the crowd filter out and Jim Norris says -- I just love Jim – “Hey, we’re about ready to spend about $6 million dollars, do you want to watch that?” It was a classic! Here we are spending millions of dollars and there are maybe ten staff members and two citizens left at the meeting. GCROX: When did the subject arise as to the possibility of you running for supervisor? Who put the bug in your ear? MR. MILLER: Citizens. Same scenario as with the City Council. GCROX: The citizens saw changes coming? MR. MILLER: Going to the five supervisors, I think there were enough people that thought that. They said “here is an opportunity, Steve, and we’ll back you and we’ll support you”. GCROX: Did anybody mentor you as Jimmy Kerr did David Snider? MR. MILLER: No, I had my ace in the hole campaign manager, Tom Ramsdell. That was my guy. GCROX: So the election is held, you win and now it begins. What was your first meeting like? MR. MILLER: I guess because of the 11 years at the City it wasn’t that intimidating. It was a great day, the memories, and friends. GCROX: You’re immediately elected chairman of the board! MR. MILLER: First Republican ever in Pinal County history and I take that position with a lot of responsibility and humility! Maybe I rule a little bit strongly for the other supervisors at times, but I try to do my best. GCROX: What about the controversy of the ex-City of Casa Grande employees now employed by the County getting in trouble? I ask because past City Manager Ken Buchanan retired and went to work for the County. Almost immediately

certain City upper echelon employees leave the City and are hired to work in Ken Buchanan’s department at the County. Did that make you wonder if the same improprieties were going on while these people worked at the City? MR. MILLER: Oh, no. The stealing of staff is not a new art. It’s done all the time. GCROX: I’m not talking about stealing staff. MR. MILLER: Okay. I don’t know enough about the discrepancies that took place. Again, I don’t micro manage. We had an investigation, the investigation came forth, Fritz Behring (County manager) made the decision and that’s his job. They’re working for him. They’re under him. As a supervisor, I knew if there was a problem Fritz would handle it. GCROX: Were you disappointed when Fritz resigned and went to Scottsdale? MR. MILLER: I didn’t blame him a bit. If I was getting my ass sued every time I turned around and I had Tim Gaffney and Paul Babeu slandering me and making up false accusations about me, why would I stick around? He was County Manager of the Year. He was named that honor this year and now he’s gone. GCROX: What do you see in the future for the County? MR. MILLER: My long-term goal would be property taxes lowered and I would like to shrink departments at some point. I’d like to privatize some of the services we provide because I really believe there are ways to save money. That’s a long-term goal. GCROX: How about the UP rail yard? Is that going to happen? MR. MILLER: I think it’s going to happen, I really do. GCROX: Is it State politics holding up the project? MR. MILLER: Yes its politics. And you know, one day the planets will line up just right and then all of a sudden BOOM! We will have a rail yard down there. It will happen just like that. We’ll almost forget about it and then one day it will happen. GCROX: What are your personal longterm goals? Do you see yourself in this position for a while? MR. MILLER: I hope so. I hope I’m doing a good job. At least I like to think I am. GCROX: Are there any interesting anecdotes that you wish to share from your career in politics? MR. MILLER: I was at a conference one time and they were talking about homeowners associations and I thought: “This ought to be fun.” I stood at the microphone in front of all those people and I said: “You want to know why you have homeowner’s associations? Because you cities don’t want to do the

2013

code enforcement” (laughing). That was like throwing a wet blanket on them. I just laid it out! I can’t remember all the stuff I said, but that’s when I was building houses and all the terminology was right there, bang, bang, bang. I walk out of there, everybody is shaking my hand and they’re telling me: “We’ve been waiting for somebody to say that.” That was kind of funny, GCROX: It’s become obvious your sheriff is seeking higher office. What about you? MR. MILLER: I doubt it. I enjoy what I’m doing. I really do. I really enjoy helping people and the County Supervisor job is a more hands-on job than the City Council was. Besides, I have to respect my wife and her thoughts on the subject. If I had told her when we got married I was going to run for public office, she wouldn’t have walked away -- she would have run away! Politics, she doesn’t have anything to do with it. GCROX: She’s smarter than we are. MR. MILLER: In closing, folks should remember Government is different than building houses or building widgets. If you were building widgets you would factor how much material you had in it, how much labor you had in it, how much to sell it for, and how much profit you want to make. With government, you don’t have that. The only thing we do is service. We don’t build anything. We’re not a product. You can’t hold what we do. You can’t cut it. You can’t taste it, but people want a level of service and I want to deliver a level of service. You don’t want to go down to record a document and have to stand in a 50 foot line. You want to be able to get to the window and get it recorded at some point. However, I don’t need 50 recorders when there’s only half a dozen being recorded every day. So, how do you find that balance? GCROX: Speaking of the Recorder, and before Brett gets to the wrapup question, I want to go on record as saying the County web sites are fantastic. One of our primary businesses is real estate and if you look at the Assessor’s web site, the Recorder’s web site, the Treasurer’s, they’re better than Maricopa County. MR. MILLER: I appreciate that and I will share that with staff. I will share that with the IT department and managers. I will, because I like that kind of feedback! GCROX: So it’s been a fun ride? MR. MILLER: It has. I was told by a City employee once, “You’re the most principled politician I’ve ever seen, but I’m so afraid you’ll fall on that sword of principle and die.” I said, “Don’t worry about that”. GCROX: Perfect ending. MR. MILLER: Thank you. 

14 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

R O X REPORT

What ROX & What SUX MULTI-PURPOSE SERVICE BUSINESSES

SUX

magica-media.com

DIRECT.com 520-426-2074 raxxdirect.com

M A G A Z I N E

520-426-2074 roxmagazine.com

Do NOT get your oil changed at a facility that does other, shall we say, “non-mechanical, yet auto-related service facilities.” Our latest experience was a total failure, even though we expected the failure and took steps to prevent it.

SINGLE-PURPOSE SERVICE BUSINESS

ROX On the other hand, after leaving the aforementioned, we pulled right into the Jiffy Lube at 1509 E. Florence Blvd, to be met with immediate service by a smiling technician, who not only was very personable, but also very aware, of us and our magazine, saying he liked it and his clientele did, too, seeing as how there were none left in the waiting room. Nice chitchat is nice, but no sooner had we finished our little tête-à-tête than the vehicle was pulled out of the bay with all services requested completely finished in yeoman fashion. Jiffy Lube ROX!

OCTOBER

2013

S P O T LIGHT

THE VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY (VHS)

Dillard’s Promenade at Casa Grande and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley proudly present the

5th Annual Fall Harvest Sunday, October 13th, 2013 6:30-9:30PM

he Valley Humane Society (VHS) is a local non-profit organization located off of Trekell Rd. & I-8 in Casa Grande, AZ dedicated to serving the Pinal County pet population. VHS receives no funding from the government or national animal welfare groups, and relies on donations and fundraisers to care for hundreds of homeless pets every year. Our volunteers, are soliciting donations of items to be used as raffle prizes for three major upcoming fundraiser events: Hogs for Dogs and Cats, Shelter Open House and “Build a better Foundation” dinner and auction. These events and others like them are important sources of funding for pet adoption and rescue programs. Any items that you would like to donate would be greatly appreciated. VHA also operates a small thrift store and gratefully accepts gently used items which can be resold or used at the animal shelter. Receipts will be issue for donations upon request. Please see “wish list” at www.vhs.petfinder.org. The animal shelter is located at: 15699 W. Aniceto Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85193 For more information contact Mary Jane Radel at (520) 560-0072.

8:00PM Fashion Show

All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley!

ome join us for an exclusive night of food, music and SHOPPING. Enjoy refreshments provided by Chickfil-A, Culver’s, Mimi’s Cafe, Olive Garden and Rubio’s; experience the soft sounds of Noel Kirkland; check out the latest fashion trends during the fashion show; and receive huge deals and discounts on Dillard’s merchandise. Beer and Wine Garden sponsored by Golden Eagle Distributors. Donate $40 to the Boys & Girls Club and receive a special shopping pass. Dillard’s will provide you with a ‘key’ for a chance to win fabulous prizes! You will receive your “key” the evening of the event when you present your shopping pass at Dillard’s Promenade East Entrance! For more information or to purchase tickets, call (520) 876-5437.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood P .E.O. is an International Philanthropic Educational Organization and 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping women celebrate the advancement of women through education and motivation to achieve their highest aspirations; with the help of scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College. The P.E.O. Sisterhood was founded January 21, 1869 on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. It is an international organization which bases its principles on philanthropy, providing educational opportunities for women, love, and friendship. P.E.O. began in Arizona in 1912 when Faith McKee, known as the “Mother of Arizona P.E.O.”, organized the cornerstone of Arizona P.E.O., Chapter A, in Phoenix. The Arizona State Chapter was organized at the first Convocation of Arizona Chapters in 1931 with eleven chapters. Today, Arizona State Chapter has over 6,000 members. P.E.O. supports 6 amazing international women’s educational project: The P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund, the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund, Cottey College, the P.E.O. Scholar Awards, and the P.E.O. Star Scholarships. These projects assist women in need and foster excellence. October 26, 2013 P.E.O will be hosting Shawn Morton, owner of Morton Appraisals of Scottsdale for an antique appraisal event. The event will be held at the United Methodist Church fellowship Hall, 1515 N Trekell Rd. from 9:30AM-11:00AM. For additional information please contact Marrily Ridgeway at (520) 421-1376 or merrilynridgeway@gmail.com 

16 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

BIZ NEWS YOU CAN USE!

BUSINESS

17 Affordable Care Act & You

30 Come On In...

Tierra Palmas Custom Homes

Features:

25 WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UP DOWNTOWN?

19 21 22 23 26 28 29 32 33

LEGAL ROX Messages from your Chambers Meet Jim Dinkle with CAREDF REAL ESTATE ROX INSURANCE ROX Golden Corridor Real Estate Stats Practice Safe Driving: Rain-Soaked Roads Top 10 Stolen Cars of 2012 A Winning Game Plan for Tailgating Season

OCTOBER

2013

s a Certified Public Accountant who specializes in small business and personal income tax preparation, I get to have great conversations with people about how they feel about taxes. I have to say, some of the questions that I get are pretty interesting. This particular year most of the questions that I am receiving are with respect to The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 (affectionately known by most as Obamacare). While scores of people have very strong feelings about this legislation, it is the current law of the land, and everyone needs to be aware of how it will affect their personal situation. This legislation effectively ties taxes and healthcare together for the foreseeable future. In the near future, taxpayers are going to have to disclose their healthcare coverage on their tax returns, and depending on the coverage, or lack thereof, there will be tax consequences. Thankfully, since we currently have very little guidance about how this will happen, it is still over a year away from being required to be reported. This legislation requires that every United States Citizen obtain healthcare coverage. If your employer does not provide coverage, or the offered coverage is not deemed affordable, you will have the option of purchasing coverage at a health care exchange (Arizona will be using a federally-facilitated exchange). If you can afford health coverage, and do not have it, you are going to be subject to a penalty (or tax, depending on whose semantics you are using) on your income tax return. If you cannot afford coverage, there will be subsidies and tax credits available. This is when we all realize that the Internal Revenue Service is now responsible for monitoring the healthcare coverage of Americans and determining who gets credits and subsidies, as well as who will be paying to make this coverage affordable to everyone. Based on the legislation that Congress passed, it is obvious that the burden of making healthcare coverage affordable is going to be borne by high-income households. For a significant number of taxpayers, there will be no major impact for 2013. However, there are substantial changes in tax rates this year for high-income households, as well as the return of itemized deduction phase-outs. This means that even if you

have a similar year operationally and financially, to the prior year, you will likely have a higher tax bill. Here are the main items that are going to contribute to a higher tax bill:

1) The maximum tax bracket for 2013 is 39.6%, up from 35%. 2) The maximum long term capital gains rate for 2013 is 20%, up from 15%. 3) The 3.8% surcharge from the Affordable Care Act takes effect in 2013. 4) Itemized deductions and personal exemptions are subject to phase-outs.

These are just a few of the items that can cause you to pay more federal taxes than last year. The nature of your income (for example, earned vs. investment income), as well as your involvement in the business operations of an investment, can affect the rates the income is subject to. While the increases mentioned above will only affect “highincome” households, your definition of high-income is not likely to be the same as how Congress has defined it as. Of course, these are only a few of the tax law changes resulting from the ACA, it is a good idea to get in contact with your tax advisor and discuss how your specific tax situation may be affected by the tax law changes that are in effect for this year.  Daniel Mace, CPA is a manager in the Casa Grande office of Henry & Horne, LLP specializing in individual and small businesses. He can be reached at danm@hhcpa.com or 520-836-8201.

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

BIZ

Affordable Care Act & You

By Dan Mace, CPA

18 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

10 Most Expensive States To Own A Car

According to Bankrate.com, the national average to own and operate a vehicle is $3201 per year. Unlucky for us, Arizona makes the top ten list. Oregon comes in as the least expensive state at $2204 per year.

1. Georgia 2. California 3. Wyoming 4. Rhode Island 5. Nevada 6. ARIZONA a. Repairs: $362 b. Taxes/fees $1,724 c. Gas: $937 d. Insurance: $862 e. Total: $3,886 7. Kentucky 8. Massachusetts 9. Virginia 10. Nebraska

ctober 1st is the day when five major health insurers in Arizona will launch. Health insurance quotes under the Affordable Care Act or ‘ObamaCare’. Consumers will be able to choose from a variety of plans and rates during the six-month enrollment period. Federal subsidies are available for consumers who earn up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level - maximum income is currently $94,200 for a family of four. Documents filed with the Arizona Department of Insurance suggest the individual monthly premiums will range between less than $100 to over $1700 depending on level of coverage selected. Lower premium plans will require the consumer to pay a larger percentage out of pocket for prescription drugs, doctor’s visits and hospital stays.

inal County unemployment is trending downward. July 2013 is at 8.8%, down from 9.5% in 2012 and

a high of 13.3% in 2009 but still higher than the long term average of 6.77%.

State average is 8.0 and

national average is at 7.4% (source ycharts.com)

ccording to a recent W.P. Carey School of Business report (July 2013) the City of Maricopa

remains the #1 community in the State of Arizona with highest percentage increase in the price per square foot at $72sf – an increase of 45% over the past 12 months.

Casa Grande ranks 12th

in the state at 25% at $66sf average sales price.

Arizona City is 14th at

24% at $50sf. Foreclosure starts continue to fall drastically with 144 reported for Pinal County

for

the

month.

New home starts continue to grow with 9 closings in Casa Grande with an average price of $198,388 and 42 in Maricopa

with

price of $186,273.

average

OCTOBER

2013

elcome! This article is a new addition to the GCROX Magazine. Each column will feature current, relevant topics in the law. Over the next few issues, this column will explore the various legal frameworks one can use to form a business entity. This edition, we feature the various types of entities that can be formed to operate a business, how to form them, and, generally, how they operate. During the coming editions, we will examine each of these entities in greater detail. If there are any topics you’d like to see us address, feel free to email me at denis@fitzgibbonslaw.com. Now, let’s take a look at business entities. Choosing which type of entity to form is one of the most important decisions to make when starting a business. Arizona law provides for a variety of business entity options, and each entity works differently to protect assets and determine tax, debt, and legal liability. There are benefits and disadvantages of each type of entity that should be considered in determining which would be most appropriate for your business venture.

TYPES OF BUSINESS ENTITIES IN ARIZONA INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Sole Proprietorships • Joint Ventures • Partnerships • Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) • Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) • Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs) • Corporations • Non-Profit Corporations (NPOs) A sole proprietorship is a business in which one person owns all of the assets, owes all the liabilities, and operates in his or her personal capacity. No legal distinction exists between the owner and the business and no formal steps are necessary to create or operate such an entity. A joint venture is a business undertaking by two or more persons engaged in a single defined project. The necessary elements for creation are: (1) an express or implied agreement; (2) a common purpose; (3) shared profits and losses; and (4) each member’s equal voice in controlling the project. Whether or not you intend to form a partnership, a general partnership is formed whenever two or more people associate to run a business. To reduce the liability of the partners, a limited liability partnership may be formed. Limited liability partnerships are intended to combine some of the liability protections of a corporation or limited liability company with the ease of maintaining a partnership. To form a limited liability partnership, a Statement of Qualification must be filed with the Secretary of State setting forth the name and address of the partnership and information for the

statutory agent. The partners determine how the business will operate after formation. A limited liability company is a separate and distinct entity from its members and managers. A limited liability company is a statutorily authorized company characterized by limited liability, management by members or managers, and limitations on ownership transfer. To form an Arizona limited liability company or professional limited liability company, Articles of Organization must be filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission for approval followed by publication in an approved newspaper. The Articles of Organization provide basic information about the company. Maintaining a limited liability company in Arizona is relatively easy but formalities include filing Articles of Amendment when necessary and securing necessary licenses from federal, state and local jurisdictions. Members may also consider entering into an Operating Agreement regarding the operation and management of the business. A corporation is an entity separate and distinct from its owners that has most of the rights and responsibilities that an individual has. A corporation can enter into contracts, loan and borrow money, sue and be sued and own assets. In order to form an Arizona corporation or non-profit corporation, Articles of Incorporation and a Disclosure Statement must be filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission for approval followed by publication in an approved newspaper. The Articles of Incorporation provide basic information about the corporation. To maintain a corporation after formation, directors and officers are appointed, by-laws are entered into, stock may be issued, annual and special meetings are held and annual reports must be filed. From what we see in our practice, the most popular choice of Arizona business entity is currently the limited liability company. Corporations and limited partnerships, however, are also common choices for individuals starting a business. Our attorneys are knowledgeable about the benefits and disadvantages of each type of entity, and can advise you on which would be most appropriate for your business venture. We can assist with formation, organization, governance and disputes as well as negotiating, reviewing and drafting contracts to protect the interest of the business.  Fitzgibbons Law Offices P.L.C. 1115 E. Cottonwood Lane, Ste 150 • Casa Grande, AZ 85222 Tel: 520-426-3824 (Casa Grande) (520) 723-9300 (Coolidge)

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

BIZ

L E G A L ROX

20 G o l d e n

Meet the Coldwell Banker Corridor | ROX! Magazine

ROX REALTY Agents

Allyson Sarauer

Annalisa Tapia

Cathy Taylor

Brett Eisele

Bea Lueck

Charlie Weaver

Colleen Gunderson

Connie Rush

Cynthia Perry

Dawn Zimbleman

Dave Grangaard

Dave Streicher

David Schlagel

Dennis Callahan

Elaine Canary

Enrique Viezcas

Georgia Schaeffer

Gretchen Slaughter

Jim Beck

Joyce South

Kay Kerby

Keith LaVoo

Ken Hsu

Linda Pixler

Pam Behrens

Rock Earle

Robin Armenta

Sandy Wascher

Sarah Campbell

Sherry Balentine

Sue Pittullo

1919 N. Trekell Rd., Casa Grande

520-423-8250

Each office is independently owned and operated. Colleen Gunderson, Designated Broker

TJ Lipson

OCTOBER

2013

By Helen Neuharth, President/CEO, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce

n the years that I have been President/CEO of the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, we have built and continue to build partnerships with various businesses and organizations, as well as the City of Casa Grande. If a business or organization expects to survive and be prosperous in any economic environment, creating and seeking partnership plays an important role. Almost everything the Chamber does is a partnership through sponsorship opportunities that are available for most functions and events: Business Before Hours, Business After Hours, Biz Outlook Luncheons, annual Business Showcase, annual Home, Health & Garden Show and various workshops. The Casa Grande Workforce Development Partnership is a great example of how several partners have come together with the mission to: Produce a globally competitive workforce for Casa Grande. Representatives from the

following businesses and organizations include: the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, City of Casa Grande, Casa Grande Elementary School District, Casa Grande Union High School District, Central Arizona College, Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, Small Business Development Center and Arizona Workforce Connection. Recently, the Chamber coordinated a job fair on September 5 with Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona and LINKAGES. The Chamber has also been partnering with Central Arizona Human Resource Management Association and cross-promoting their new award recognition program with the Chamber’s award program. We continue to strengthen our partnerships with the City of Casa Grande, Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, educational institutions and a large number of businesses and organizations.

Another example of community partnership was the creation of the conference called Celebrating Women of Today and Tomorrow, to heighten the communication and understanding of sixth-grade girls and their mothers. The founding partners of this group are the United Way of Pinal County, Casa Grande Elementary School District and the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce. The conference on Saturday, September 20th will mark the fourth year of holding this conference. There are many businesses and organizations that help bring this conference to fruition, which we could not do without their support. Whether you are a business owner, employee, member of an organization or a retiree, I encourage you to be open to opportunities to create or join in partnership with others as we continue to work together to build a stronger local economy. 

HELPING THE BUSINESSES OF MARICOPA BE SUCCESSFUL! By Dave Moss, President/CEO, Greater Maricopa Chamber of Commerce

he Maricopa Chamber of Commerce exists to help the businesses of Maricopa be successful. When businesses are successful, jobs are created and local community economic resources are increased, which in turn increases the quality of life for ALL residents. Part of creating an environment in which businesses can succeed is helping to build a spirit of community and civic pride.

The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce is excited to be launching a community-building initiative called Chamber for Good. The purpose of Chamber for Good is to promote the idea that a strong community provides a great climate for a strong business community. And a true sense of community is fostered when residents are made aware of local community needs and are provided a tool that makes it easy to support local charities and causes that are serving residents right here in our own backyard. Chamber for Good is all about making it easy for residents to GIVE LOCAL FIRST and support Backyard Causes right here in Maricopa. As we launch our Chamber for Good program this fall, we will be providing our local non-profits and community causes a way to make the community aware of their financial, item and volunteer needs. But it’s not just about the non-profits… Residents often want to support local causes but do not have the time to research who and where they are, then determine what financial, item and volunteer needs they have. We’re about to change that. Chamber for Good provides residents a single location where they can view all the local charities and browse their various financial, item and volunteer needs. Furthermore, residents can make item and volunteer offers to our local charities. A resident can go to our Maricopa Chamber for Good website (www.ChamberForGood.com/Maricopa) and click on the link to make a ‘volunteer offer’, type in that they’d like to do some volunteer work on a certain date at a certain time that works for the resident, then send it off to all the local charities at once (or just to those charities within in a certain category). From there, the resident chooses from the various replies as they come in from the charities wanting their help. It simply makes volunteering for a local cause EASY. The last way a resident can engage with local charities and causes is by taking 1 minute and going to MaricopaChamber.org, clicking on the Give Local banner, and then entering their email address at the bottom of the page. Each Monday, you’ll receive a single email listing the most recent 15 item needs and most recent 15 volunteer needs as posted by our local non-profits right here in Maricopa. Whether you act on that information or not is entirely up to you, but please be willing to at least be made aware of the very real needs that exist in our own community. Maricopa is a growing, dynamic community. As residents become aware of local needs and are provided an easy way to be engaged in a great cause in their own backyard, the community grows stronger. Please join the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce as we promote the Chamber for Good-Give Local cause. It’s the cause that lifts all other causes and strengthens Maricopa one resident at a time. 

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

BIZ

Building Partnership/Building a Strong Local Economy

22 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

MEET JIM DINKLE,

CAREDF’s EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A

fter almost a year on the job as Executive Director of the Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation (CAREDF), Jim Dinkle answers questions about economic development and gives readers his take on the future of Pinal County: MANTRA: “The greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more,” Dr. Jonas Salk, inventor of the polio vaccine. YEARS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: 25 years in the public, private and non-profit sectors. FAVORITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT READINGS: The Rise of the Creative Class, Cities and the Creative Class, and The Flight of the Creative Class, all by Dr. Richard Florida; Boomtown USA: The 7½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns, by Jack Schultz; and Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America, by Patrick Carr and Maria Kefalas. THINGS I LIKE ABOUT PINAL COUNTY: The rich history, the genuineness of its people, the unique character and identity found in each of its communities,

its equidistant location between Phoenix and Tucson and the beautiful desert landscape. WHAT WILL PINAL COUNTY LOOK LIKE IN 20 YEARS? A population well in excess of a million people; a thriving business center for trade, distribution and logistics by planes, trains and trucks; a transportation corridor for moving people, freight and data; and I predict by then or soon thereafter that the corridor between Phoenix and Tucson will be a megalopolis. THE ADJECTIVE, NOUN AND SYNONYM THAT BEST DESCRIBES PINAL COUNTY: Ideal. IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS I WANT TO: Find users/tenants for the Mesa Fully Formed building in Coolidge; find users for the Sunshine Industrial Park in Eloy and for the Central Arizona Commerce Park and the Airport Industrial Park in Casa Grande; and be part of the groundbreaking for PhoenixMart. IN A CHICKEN SALAD THROWDOWN WHO WINS, CREATIVE CAFÉ or CHICKFIL-A? No contest, Creative Café! 

OCTOBER

2013

By Colleen Gunderson, Coldwell Banker ROX Realty

any people believe that with today’s online information resources that they can go it alone and do perfectly well purchasing without any representation. What could go wrong… right? The reality of the matter is that to most home buyers, this is the largest, most significant investment they make in their life time. Picture yourself as a defendant going into a court room, no attorney but no worries. You have a copy of the Statues and you have read up on similar cases. Are you really prepared to present yourself to the Judge/Seller, Plaintiff/Seller, and the Plaintiff’s Attorney/Listing Agent? Real Estate is a complex transaction, and it can also be emotionally charged. It becomes even more challenging when a buyer and a seller are dealing directly with each other. Neither of them have a professional involved and they don’t want to “offend” one another, yet there are issues that should be addressed!

Here are the top 5 reasons that representation is a good idea 1) Licensees have a legal fiduciary to the client and must act in their best interests using reasonable skill and care. Probably the greatest value an experienced and knowledgeable agent can give to a buyer is their interpretation of the value in the current market based on condition, buyer concessions from seller, and trending sales. A buyer will view several homes before deciding which to offer on, but an agent will see many more properties than any individual buyer and has a much broader understanding of current home sales values and seller concessions. 2) Negotiation strategies are part of an experienced agent’s arsenal. Buyers without representation often feel awkward negotiating it isn’t easy to be neutral when you want something. It is equally as hard to be assertive and frankly it goes against our social norms to appear pushy or rude. Sales is about the art of negotiation. Everybody needs to get some of their needs met, or there won’t be a transaction! 3) Disclosure matters. In Arizona, sellers have a duty to disclose known material defects. A material defect is a factor that would cause the buyer to reconsider, renegotiate price, or cancel. Your agent will request and require from the seller proper resources, like a Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement, CLUE reports, Mold and Lead Base Paint information and other valuable tools to do a more extensive look. These resources If you are going to purchase a new build home, the builder and their on-site agent do not represent you or your interests; and the home sales price will be the same with or without your own agent. Would you be surprised to learn that roughly 80% of For Sale By Owners end up working with either a listing agent, or paying a buyer’s agent to bring a buyer so… It is only a myth that buyer’s get a “better deal”; and that sellers will reduce the “value” of the home by what a buyer’s agent typically gets in commission. After 22 years in home sales, the process has not gotten less complex with less legal considerations and less paperwork. It has gotten increasingly more complex, but in all of that buyer’s no longer operate under a “buyer beware” environment, but more of a “buyer prepare” world. An experienced, reputable REALTOR® is one of your best resources! 

provide the buyer significant value in ensuring they know as much as possible about the area, and conditions of the surrounding area before making that final step to close 4) Most buyers are unaware of their own obligations to the seller. Having someone represent you includes ensuring that you know your critical dates or deadlines for responses and reviews of numerous documents throughout the process. For example: HOA disclosure packages, including HOA financial reports, preliminary title reviews, and reviewing disclosure statements from the seller. Purchase contracts on average are 9-12 pages not including counter offers, addendums, contingencies, and reports and inspections. An average file size in my office is 65 pages or more! That’s a lot of tracking and buyers are obligated to disclose any known reason they have that they may not be able to perform. Agents are coaches that help buyers know when a task needs to be completed. 5) In most sales transactions, the buyer’s agent compensation is paid as part of the seller’s costs to sell! This alone compels most buyers to want their own representative. Why not if there is no additional cost? If the home is offered on the Multiple Listing Service, a commission or fee has already been approved by the seller to be paid to cooperating agents who bring a buyer.

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

Do I really need a REALTOR® to buy a home?

BIZ

R E A L E S T A T E ROX

24 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

UXURY ROPERTIES 1919 N. Trekell Rd., Casa Grande

520-423-8250

Each office is independently owned and operated. Colleen Gunderson, Designated Broker

380 E QUAIL CT, Casa Grande - $350,000

This beautiful Coyote Ranch home is on over 1/2 acre on a quiet cul-desac. A spacious entry way divides the formal living room and dining room. The great room is next with a most spacious kitchen complete with breakfast bar, newer Bosch appliances and pantry. The informal dining area is enhanced with a bay window featuring the backyard view. This spacious 3,381 sf home has four generous bedrooms. The heated, saltwater Pebble Tec pool features a swim up beverage bar, sparkling waterfall and artfully inlaid tile mosaics. There is a tranquil Koi pond and secluded gazebo for quiet moments at the pond. The basement is finished. There are recently installed solar tubes in the kitchen and hall bath. An “all house’’ exhaust fan is wonderful in the spring and fall or any time.

11409 N BRAIDWOOD TRL, Casa Grande - $699,500

Southwestern contemporary mountainside beauty on 2.5 acres surveys the Casa Grande Valley. Incredible views of the city lights & mountains in every direction! A private, screened entry leads to the magnificent, custom -crafted knotty alder front door. Dramatic 12’-18’ ceilings have exposed vegas. The formal living/dining room has a Venetian plastered fireplace. Lovely niches are located to showcase your art. Ceramic tile floors throughout. Exits from every room to private outdoor patios. The gourmet kitchen is amazing...with granite counters & cherry cabinets, huge island, copper farm & prep sinks, wrap-around breakfast bar, an elevated dishwasher, walk-in pantry, 6 burner Wolfe gas range & Bosch double ovens, utility pantry & dining area. The spacious resort-style master suite features custom mesquite vanities, a free standing jetted garden tub & walk-thru shower with etched glass windows for a view, his ‘n her water closets & a large walk-in closet with built-ins. Guest will sleep in Ronald Reagan’s former bed frame which will remain in the 3rd bedroom! Incredible views from the 20’ x 26’ Ramada has an outdoor kitchen & overlooks the fenced pool! The 3 car extended, over height garage has 220 & a walking deck over the garage. All you could imagine in your dream home & more!

14227 N RIVER RIDGE RD, Coolidge - $870,000

Absolutely fit for royalty! This elegant home has everything. On 4.3 acres with 5 bedrooms and 4 baths, guest quarters, formal living and dining overlooking the large private lake with water fall and a spectacular panoramic view of the mountains beyond, this home is designed for fabulous living and outrageous entertaining. The entire acreage is landscaped and the 24’x44’ heated pool and spa is fenced. The master suite is truly over the top. The bedroom features a sitting area, his and her huge walk in closets and a second laundry room. The bath has a double entry marble shower with 2 shower heads plus jets, a Jacuzzi tub, and his & her private water closets. The kitchen is designed for a Chef with all commercial grade stainless appliances. The amenities in this palace give new meaning to EXTENSIVE.

OCTOBER

2013

WHAT’S 2013 - 2014 SEASON

owncene Fir t n st S Tuesdays Dow reet St 1 ber fest o t Oc ober Okt

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Every Tuesday Downtown Bazaar and Farmer’s Market

December 7, 2013 Electric Light Parade January 18 - 19, 2014 13th Annual Street Fair/Car Show March 8 - 9, 2014 Fine Art Explosion (Peart Park)

November 5 Harvest Fair

December Winter Wo3n d

erland

February 4 Western Heritage

First Saturdays Main Street Patio • Comedy Improv featuring Exit 185 Second Saturdays Heritage Hall, GCV Historical Society and Museum • Event info: www.cgvhs.org

pm 5:30to pm 9:00

March 4 Art and Jazz Fest April 1 Feria May S6plash Summer

all Str e

tre

visit www.cgmainstreet.com for the latest calendar of events!

tre

Florence Boulevard

dS 2n

In addition to our established events, Main Street is pleased to announce new opportunities to enjoy all the historic downtown has to offer. Successful collaborations within the downtown community during the summer have led to a fall season filled with venues and variety for your entertainment pursuits. We call these “experiences” rather than events, as they will be smaller gatherings appealing to those patrons seeking cultural exchanges in a more intimate setting. First Saturdays starting October, the Main Street patio will be open once again for performances in partnership with the Blackbox Foundation. Our local comedy improv group, Exit 185, will be delivering family friendly laughs and light refreshments will be available for sale during the shows in Space 108, adjacent to the patio area. Berlin Loa, Director of Casa Grande Valley Historical Society and Museum, is extending her popular Second Saturday events into the fall with performances at the beautifully restored Heritage Hall. You may know it as the Big Stone Church that graces Florence Boulevard. Visit their website at www.cgvhs.org for a complete calendar of events and convenient online ticket purchasing. Our newest entertainment venue is the Western Heritage Room at Western Trading Post on historic Florence Street. Monthly events promoting the Western lifestyle and culture range from local favorites to nationally recognized music and artists. Check out their calendar at https://www.facebook. com/WesternTradingPost#!/WesternHeritageCelebration. Another alternative music scene has found its way to the

Historic Downtown… nce e r fe if D e th e c n ie r e p x E

Ma rsh

THE DOWNTOWN “EXPERIENCE”

Alternative entertainment venues abound in the downtown. See the add on this page and visit our website at www. cgmainstreet.org for the latest calendar of events. While at our homepage, click on our Facebook link to stay connected and “like” us for impromptu announcements.

Str e

Downtown Street Scene will continue to keep the Art in the Alley tradition alive with its trademark car show, arts and crafts exhibition and alley entertainment. The season will kickoff October 1st and continue every first Tuesday through May. January will be dark as our focus will be on the 14th Annual Street Fair and Car Show on January 18th and 19th. We captured new and enthusiastic audiences last spring with themed events that engaged our most supportive community partners, merchants and volunteers. Continuing in that spirit, Oktoberfest will open our season with authentic music, food and fun for all ages. The Bouncing Czechs will be performing traditional Oktoberfest music and a food court will include brats, broasted chicken and a biergarten complete with sampling stations. Our community partners for Oktoberfest include Golden Eagle Distributors, Inge’s Fashions, Western Bank, Elks Lodge and First American Credit Union. Each month will feature a unique theme, exploring new collaborations as the theme dictates to ensure every month offers a variety of both fresh and familiar activities.

DOWNTOWN STREET SCENE

downtown area. The Haven welcomes all ages for free or low cost concerts on Saturday evening featuring a variety of youth oriented music. In the fall, The Haven will be expanding their calendar to include Friday night offerings. Stay tuned by liking their page at www. facebook.com/thehavencg. Finally, look for Main Street to be expanding our Day Out Downtown concept to include promotions and walking tours planned to coincide with our Downtown Bazaar and Farmers Market on Tuesdays. More details will be announced as plans progress. Casa Grande Main Street is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization working on downtown revitalization and historic preservation. The Main Street program is designed to improve all aspects of the downtown experience. Strengthening public participation and making downtown a fun place to visit are as critical to Main Street’s future as drawing new business, rehabilitating structures and expanding parking options. Visit our website at www.cgmainstreet.org for more information on our mission, memberships and upcoming events. 

Flo re nc eS

ur fall season is taking shape and promises new and exciting venues and entertainment options for those looking for an alternative arts and culture experience. One of Main Street’s challenges was to come up with a new identity for Art in the Alley. The brand needs to encompass how the event has evolved into what can best be described as a monthly downtown block party. I am pleased to announce our 2013/2014 monthly events will now be promoted under the new name “Downtown Street Scene”.

Sa ca to

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

By Rina Rien, Director, Casa Grande Main Street

BIZ

WHAT’S UP DOWNTOWN?

26 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

I N S U R A N C E ROX

Home Away From Home By Lisa J. Atkinson

A SNOWBIRD is: A. A little dark eyed junco . B. Someone who spends a large portion of winter in a warmer locale. C. An unincorporated area of the Rocky Mountains near Salt Lake County, Utah?

In this moment . . . It doesn’t matter if you saved money in 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter if your neighbor has the same insurance you do. What matters right now is that you get to enjoy this moment feeling completely at ease - because your independent insurance agent and the company that stands behind them have you covered. Call or visit us:

ROX INSURANCE 520-836-7660

roxinsurance.com

12781 (7-12)

s you’ve guessed, there is no wrong answer. However, “snowbird” is the term most of us here in southern Arizona refer to when speaking of our winter visitors that come to us from a cold spot to soak up some warm sun. Apparently, this non-agricultural, seasonal human migration has been going on for a very long time. As early as colonial times, wealthy Bostonians traveled by sea to fairer weather in Charleston or Savannah, GA. Today, southern Arizona is one of the fortunate areas in the Sun Belt to reap the benefits that come with this influx of yearly visitors. However, we boast not just winter visitors, but also seasonal visitors. Those folks who’ve bought second homes and visit sporadically during their holidays or vacation times. Since by nature this lifestyle has its focus on fun and leisure, it’s a shame to bring up the practical need for insurance. However, regardless if home away from home is a stick built house, a park model, or a stationary RV, an unplanned loss could turn good times into stressful unhappy times. What are your options? The first step is to find a knowledgeable agent who is familiar with the secondary home market. ROX Insurance CG, LLC dba Casa Grande Insurance Agency, has been taking care of Arizona visitors since the 1980s. The scene of insurance is constantly changing and it can be difficult to whittle down what’s important, especially since the insurance market here in Arizona is uniquely different from your home state or country. No one wants to feel like they’re being taken advantage of. At times, the secondary home market can make you feel that way. Many insurance companies only allow a policy on a secondary home if the home owner already has their primary home insurance with the company. That narrows down the options. That gap may close further if your ideal home away from home is a park model. In the state of Arizona, a park model is registered as a recreational vehicle and many companies offer limited coverage or have no option at all. Owning a stationary RV nets further challenges. Fortunately, there are A+ rated carriers who want your business and our team is eager to aid you to find the best fit. As we kick into our fall and winter season, I urge you to give some thought to your insurance. If you’re new to the market, we will be happy to supply some guidance. If you’ve been a visitor for a while and already have insurance, why not let us review your policy? Then you can rest easy and get back to what you came here for… Welcome! 

OCTOBER

igns of the future economic recovery are going vertical all around western Pinal County. One of the key indicators of financial strength and confidence is construction starts. Not much has been under construction in the past few years. People are holding on their money - if they have any to spend. Even government projects have been on hold. Not so anymore! A quick tour of the area shows two significant government construction projects in Maricopa getting closer to completion. For the past ten years, Maricopa City Hall has been a series of modular buildings - not so any more. The new City Hall is scheduled to open on Sept 17th. The photo on this page was taken the week prior. Another multimillion dollar project - $20,000.000 to be exact, that is getting close to completion is the voter approved Parks and Recreation multi-generational facility, aquatics center and regional park. The 52,000sf gymnasium has been topped out and construction on the other structures has begun. Lighting on the fields can be seen in the distance. Estimated to open mid-2014. Central Arizona College recently dedicated the first phase of the Maricopa Campus. Stunning architecture, unlike other buildings in the area frame the entrance. This expansion of the new campus in Maricopa is part of the nearly $100,000,000 voter approved expansion and campus renovation bond. In Casa Grande, in-fill is BIG. The walls are up at the only warehouse-type shopping destination in Casa Grande - Sam’s Club, located on Florence Blvd and I-10. Several free-standing stores and strips have sprung up in various shopping centers around town, including the anticipated opening of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches. C-A-L Ranch Stores is opening any day now in the former Albertson’s store on the corner of Florence Blvd. and Trekell Rd. Single family housing! Builders are building and the sales office flags are once again flying. It’s encouraging to see growth once again in Pinal County. 

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

BIZ

2013

28 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

SOLD JANUARY 2013-AUGUST 2013

CURRENT ACTIVE LISTINGS

GOLDEN CORRIDOR ACTIVE & SOLD LISTINGS Casa Grande, 718

Casa Grande, 289

San Tan, 466

San Tan, 1772

Current Active Listings

Units Sold January 2013-August 2013

Maricopa, 1443

Maricopa, 457

Florence, 259

Coolidge, 65

Eloy, 35

Florence 391

AZ City, 74

Coolidge 146

Eloy, 71

AZ City, 212

Municipalities Average List Prices

MUNICIPALITIES AVERAGE LIST PRICES

COUNTY STATISTICS Residential Homes Average List Price

$180,000

Residential Homes Sold & Currently Listed

$160,000

2510 Residential Homes Listed

$140,000

as of Sept 13, 2013

$183,324 Listed as of Sept 13, 2013

10339 Residential Homes Sold Jan 2013 - Aug 2013

Current

$120,000

List Price

$161,825 Sold between Jan 13 - Aug 13

Jan13-Aug13

$100,000 $80,000 $60,000 $40,000 $20,000 $0

AZ City

Casa Grande

Maricopa

Axis Title

Lakeshore Village

remier Professional

Office Location in Casa Grande

For Sale or for lease 1800 sq ft and up Competitively priced & affordable Beautiful views • 1.1 Acre Shovel Ready Restaurant/retail site available

Executive Suites Available

$450 Per Month • Includes Utilities Common Area Reception, Conference Room & Breakroom Contact: Roy Pittullo 520-251-0349 • Vernon Barnes 520-705-0196 Reta Land – Roy Pittullo, Designated Broker

OCTOBER

2013

BIZ

Practice

s a truck driver, there are many things you can control. You can control your steering and where you stop for the night. One thing that is out of your hands is the weather. Rain, sleet, hail and wind will all present themselves on different days to make your job more hazardous. The most often encountered adverse weather condition is rain, so learning how to drive safely in it, and prepare your vehicle for it, is vital. Take Preventative Measures Before the Rain Your vehicle should be prepared for all kinds of weather, before you actually encounter that weather. Here are some tips for readying your vehicle for rain: •Keep your windshield wipers in good working condition. Old windshield wipers do not provide you with a clean windshield that you can safely see through. •Make sure your tires are properly maintained. Tires that are properly filled and have deep tread will make rainy day driving much safer. •Test your headlights, turn signals and brake lights, and make certain all are working as they should. A nonfunctioning headlight is dangerous both at night and when it rains. The same applies to your brake lights and turn signals. How to Drive Safely in the Rain At the onset of rainy conditions, you should immediately change your driving style. Follow these guidelines to keep yourself and those around you safe: •Slow down and follow the three-second rule. Wet roads can impair the speed with which your vehicle comes to a stop. Take the extra time to slow down, and don't follow the car ahead of you too closely. To begin slowing down, try taking your foot off the gas pedal rather than braking. •Choose the middle lane to avoid puddles in the left and right lanes. •Never drive through a puddle unless you can see the ground beneath it. If you have no choice but to go through a puddle without knowing how deep it is, make sure you go slowly and never go through a puddle deeper than the bottom of your doors. After driving through the puddle check your brakes before you begin travelling at faster speeds to

Cindy Garcia

ROX Insurance • 520-836-7660 roxinsurance.com

Roads

Rain-Soaked

make sure they were not adversely affected by the water. •If the rain becomes heavy and your visibility is severely limited, pull over and wait until conditions are better. •Try to drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you. •Always use your headlights and windshield wipers. If your visibility is restricted due to windows fogging inside the cab, turn up your defroster. You should also open your windows to improve the air circulation. •Use extra caution when driving through oil patches in the road since these can be especially slick. How to React to Hydroplaning There are times when the amount of water on the road accumulates and your vehicle can't push it away from the tires. When this occurs, you lose connection with the pavement and end up riding on top of the water. This dangerous situation is called hydroplaning. Since you are driving on water there is no traction to be gained and you are simply gliding. This is extremely hazardous and requires immediate action: •Slow down by taking your foot off the gas. If you are driving slowly enough, the chance of hydroplaning is reduced. If you end up hydroplaning, further speed reduction is necessary. •Avoid using your brakes when hydroplaning since that could force your vehicle to skid and possibly jackknife. •Avoid turning your steering wheel. This too can cause a skid. •As you begin to slow down, your vehicle should come back into contact with the road. When this happens, you will feel more firmness in the steering wheel. At that point you can start pumping your brakes gently to slow down and you can also begin steering your vehicle to gain control. 

Complete Pest Control & Termite Services

Branham’s

Exterminating Co., Inc. 820 W. Cottonwood Lane, Casa Grande

520-426-1160 520-316-0502

Serving Casa Grande, Arizona City, Coolidge, Eloy & Maricopa Since 1982 Locally Owned & Operated ROC Lic. #15238BC

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

Safe Driving on

30 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

Come On In... Tierra Palmas Custom Homes

xperience Tierra Palmas! This private gated community is a jewel conveniently located in the heart of Casa Grande. The community consists of 24 home sites with only three vacant lots still available. Enjoy these photographs of a new custom home that was just completed in June. The home was designed by Aline Architecture Concepts in Scottsdale and Jacobs Development in Casa Grande was the contractor. The design of this 2,300 square foot home has been described as “soft industrial…..European sleek….. warm contemporary”. The stained concrete floors, soft gray and white with shades of lavender color scheme combine to make this home exceptionally inviting and attractive. The living room with fireplace is open to the

OCTOBER

2013

BIZ ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

KORTSEN RD.

dining room and the kitchen and 59 affords beautiful views of the patio and landscaped common area and community pool. The kitchen and adjacent walkthrough pantry can best be described 129 as an entertainer’s dream come true. The large, Available lots highlighted in custom designed yellow and spec home location island with marble countertop houses highlighted in pink a microwave drawer. The contrasting cabinetry with poured concrete countertops and the stainless steel appliances and range hood contribute to the contemporary design elements of the home. Additionally, a guest bedroom and bath, office and generous laundry room are located on the first floor. The master suite on the second floor is private and very spacious--it’s a hideaway overlooking the beautiful common area. The custom designed bathroom with free standing tub, walk-in shower, and huge vanity with double sinks is reminiscent of bathrooms in luxury resorts and hotels. And the walk-in closet with window provides space for the largest wardrobe. ––– Construction will begin shortly on a new custom designed 1,800 square foot single level home on Lot 11 in Tierra Palmas. The home has been professionally designed and will be constructed by Jacobs Development. It will be available for purchase and prospective buyers will be able to select the finishing materials. There are three vacant lots still available in Tierra Palmas. What a perfect opportunity to build your dream home and live in this beautiful community. Please feel free to contact me for details and additional information regarding the new home construction and the available lots. Sandy Wascher 520 251-1930. sandywascher@coldwellbanker. com  126 127

TOP 2012

TOP10 VEHICLES 32 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

STOLEN

By Chad Hemenway, PropertyCasualty360.com, and Caterina Pontoriero, PropertyCasualty360.com

NICB says the FBI is predicting a slight uptick in 2012 vehicle thefts with nearly 725,000 total. But that’s still a 50 percent decrease since 1991, which was the peak year for stolen cars at 1,661,738. 10. Nissan Maxima – Theft Total: 6,947 9. Nissan Altima – Theft Total: 9,169 8. Acura Integra – Theft Total: 9,555 This model is no longer produced. Honda made it from 1985-2006. But it remains popular in auto racing. 7. Dodge Pickup – Theft Total: 11,755 Apparently thieves dig pickups, which occupy 4 of the top 5 spots and 6 of the top 10 on the Highway Loss Data Institute list because many pickup claims involve the theft of equipment from the truck bed. 6. Dodge Caravan – Theft Total: 11,799 The pioneer of the family minivan, in production since 1984, is apparently a favorite of thieves. Older cars typically make up the majority of the list because they are easier to steal and their parts are more valuable. 5. Toyota Camry – Theft Total: 16,251 This model is also No. 4 on the list of Top 2012 models stolen last year. The 1991 model was also on NICB's 2011 most-stolen list. 4. Chevrolet Pickup – Theft Total: 23,745 NICB says one layer of protection to prevent theft is common sense. Lock your doors. Many thefts happen because owners make it easy for thieves. 3. Ford Pickup – Theft Total: 26,770 Ford pickups also appear on the list of most-stolen 2012 models, with 595. The model is sixth among all 2012 models. 2. Honda Civic – Theft Total: 47,037 Though vehicles made by Honda are often stolen, the cars are typically older. New models are rarely stolen due to anti-theft technology. 1. Honda Accord – Theft Total: 58,596 The 1996 Accord led the list with 8,637 thefts. Accords and Civics occupy the first 16 spots of most-stolen cars (model years 1990-2000).

INDUSTRIES using Mobile Apps: Lawyers • Realtors Restaurants • Bars / Clubs Fitness Gyms • Churches Golf Courses Professional Services Hair Salons Event Marketing Non-profit Organizations

Create a complete mobile marketing strategy for your business. No matter what size your business is, we have a mobile app marketing solution for you!

Ask us how to receive your free mobile app!

(520) 426-2074

MOBILE ROX

2013

s Fall quickly approaches, the air grows cooler and the leaves begin to turn, many sports fans look forward to their favorite time of year—tailgating season. For some fans, tailgating simply means sitting on the bumper of their car with friends, enjoying a few snacks and drinks before the game. But for the more devoted tailgaters, football season calls for elaborate, well-organized tailgating events that often include a dedicated tailgating vehicle. If you’re thinking about joining the ranks of these enthusiastic tailgaters and purchasing a tailgating vehicle of your own, here are a few tips you may want to keep in mind: Buy wisely Even if you plan to buy a relatively inexpensive tailgating vehicle to be used only on game days, you should still make smart choices about your purchase. Some vehicles may seem like an incredible deal, but oftentimes there’s a catch—such as no car title. You should never buy a vehicle if the seller does not possess the title. This could be a sign that the car was stolen, badly damaged or even declared a total loss. To make sure you don’t get stuck with a lemon, you should consider requesting a CARFAX Vehicle History Report on the vehicle. These handy reports include an abundance of valuable information, such as title information, flood damage history, lemon history, odometer readings, lien activity, vehicle use and total loss history. After reviewing the report, you may discover that the vehicle you’re considering isn’t worth the expense—even if it does seem like a bargain. Tailgating vehicle alternatives While RV’s are always a popular choice for many tailgaters, some fans opt for another type of large tailgating vehicle, like a school or church bus. While these giant vehicles are a great way to transport all your friends, family and supplies to the game, there are a few things you should know before purchasing one. First and foremost, you’ll have to apply for a Commercial Driver’s License with your local DMV office if you want to buy and drive a bus. (Nothing more than a normal driver’s license is required to drive an RV.) You should also contact the manufacturer of your bus or other large vehicle and find out how many people can safely fit in the vehicle. Additionally, take your bus or other tailgating vehicle to professional who can ensure that all the seat belts, the air brake system, airbags and tires are in proper working condition. This will ensure that your friends, family members and any other passengers make it to the game safely. Play it safe Although tailgating is all about having fun, you’ll want to take a few precautions to make sure you and your guests are completely safe throughout the event. In particular, you should be extremely cautious when it comes to transporting your tailgating equipment to and from the game. If you plan to tow items behind your vehicle, make sure that the weight is distributed evenly throughout your trailer. Secure or tie down all of the cargo to ensure that nothing falls

out of the trailer during the trip. Make sure that all of your trailer’s tires are the same size and type, and check the pressure on each tire before your trip. Also ensure that your trailer brake lights are functioning properly. Each state has different towing laws, so be sure to check with your DMV about the requirements in your area. You may need to obtain a special permit or license depending on the size and weight of your trailer. Additionally, you should call your insurance company to make sure you have enough coverage for your trailer and any expensive tailgating equipment you are towing. Of course, you should also take measures to make sure everyone is safe during the actual tailgating event. Be sure to pack a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and plenty of water in your tailgating vehicle. If you plan to serve alcohol to friends during the tailgating event, make sure that no one tries to drive home if they’ve had too much to drink. Call a cab or ask another friend to drive them home. Get it insured With countless vehicles coming and going from a big sporting event, accidents are bound to happen. That’s why it’s so important to insure your tailgating vehicle. Even though you may drive your tailgating vehicle just a few times a year, comprehensive auto insurance is well worth the cost. If your vehicle is severely damaged or totaled, insurance coverage could prove to be priceless. 

Irene Rayrao

ROX Insurance • 520-836-7660 irene@cginsrox.com

Associates in Pediatric & Internal Medicine Michael P. Ridge, M.D., F.A.A.P., A.B.I.M. Darryl Brown, M.D. LaTrecia M. Herring, M.D., F.A.A.P., A.B.I.M. Douglas E. Parkin, M.D., F.A.A.P. Craig W. Connor, PA-C Kevin G. Hall, PA-C Derral E. Hawthorne, PA-C Denise Sarsam, RN, MSN, FNP C. Marlene Hoeft, RN, MSN, FNP-C

560 N Camino Mercado, Suite 7 Casa Grande, AZ 85122 www.cottonwoodmedical.com

(520) 836-5538 (800) 895-5538 Fax (520) 876-0878

ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE

Tailgating Season

BIZ

A Winning Game Plan for OCTOBER

34 G o l d e n

Corridor | ROX! Magazine

ALL ABOUT YOU

MAN UP : THE TRUTH ABOUT

ANDROGEN

ASK

ELAINE

Stand Up for Our Schools

37 Breast Cancer Screening Features: 38 39 40 43 44 45

Finding Good Exercise Info Online Is Combining Aerobic & Anaerobic Exercise Best For Burning Fat? Borrowers Improving Financial Health, Making A Home Purchase Easier. education rox Cacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Performing Arts Season How To Get Kids Interested In School Work

MAN-UP:ANDROGEN OCTOBER

2013

THE TRUTH ABOUT

Continued on page 36

HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

measured. There are a number of medical reasons for under production of the hormone, and your doctor can best determine if a hormone supplement is necessary. The medical condition of low testosterone production is known as hypogonadism and a simple blood test can determine if your body is producing a sufficient amount. Managing acceptable levels of testosterone can help men enjoy healthy, productive lives for many decades. Unfortunately, the natural decrease in testosterone can have adverse affects as men age. There are some simple solutions, a testosterone supplement, for example. While the hormone can be applied to the skin with a cream or patch, the most acceptable form of replacement therapy is to take a supplement orally, or injected directly into the blood stream. Testosterone is not soluble in water, so it is important to find a supplement that is based of testosterone and carbon, which makes the hormone soluble and easy for the body to absorb. When looking for a supplement always read the ingredients to make sure that carbon is one of the ingredients. Testosterone supplements have many applications. Many body builders, or men that work out frequently, will take testosterone supplements to build muscle mass or increase endurance. Older men can also use testosterone supplements to create a positive mood or help with increasing the libido. Physicians also prescribe testosterone supplements for men that test positive for less than average levels of testosterone. There are many clinical studies regarding the positive effects of testosterone supplements. Several studies show that men with low testosterone levels, mostly men over the age of 55, could benefit from the use of testosterone supplements. These studies show that these supplements help lower bad cholesterol while boosting good cholesterol. Studies have also shown that men with low levels of testosterone are two-and-a-half times more likely to die within the next ten years than men with normal levels. While more studies are needed, younger men with healthy testosterone levels report that testosterone supplements increase mental and

YOU

e’ve all seen the commercials—a beautiful young woman, usually scantily dressed with a big smile on her face proclaiming how happy she is since “her man” started taking testosterone supplements. While that might make for great advertising, there are a number of things that should be considered before picking up the phone and ordering a bottle. First of all, men, let’s be honest--as we age our bodies undergo quite a few changes—and most of them aren’t chalked up in the positive category. Bone strength begins to deteriorate, we lose muscle mass and strength, and our sex drive might not be what it once was. We can blame it all on testosterone—or rather the lack of. Testosterone is an androgen—a male hormone—that helps regulate a man’s reproductive functions, along with muscle building and muscle mass retention. As we age, our body begins to produce less and less testosterone. Produced in the testes, the amount of testosterone is controlled by a brain function that monitors the levels of production. Like blood pressure and cholesterol, the amount of testosterone can be

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THE TRUTH ABOUT ANDROGEN Continued from Page 35

athletic abilities while increasing the libido. Like most supplements and medications we take to improve a certain aspect of our life, they do come with some risks. In the case of testosterone supplements, hair loss, aggression, and the growth of breast tissue has been noted. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, they usually subside by simply stopping the supplement. However, the National Institute on Aging cautions that preliminary studies indicate that testosterone supplements may increase the odds of prostate cancer or stroke. When taking testosterone supplements, it’s a good idea to be regularly examined for signs of elevated blood pressure and for prostate cancer. It should also be noted that if you are over 55 years of age, regardless of whether or not you’re taking testosterone supplements, you should routinely be checked for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prostate cancer. If you’re thinking of taking a testosterone supplement at any age, it is best to have your testosterone levels checked to see if you need to be doing so. Your doctor can also help prescribe the proper dosage and keep track of any effects— positive or negative. 

DHT and ME DHT determines whether a fetus will develop into a male or female. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a very important androgen that is closely related to the testosterone family. Not only does it play a very important role in appearance, it also determines our gender. DHT is found in the womb before we are born, and based on the concentrations, determines whether a fetus will develop into a male or female. This hormone is responsible for determining all of the male's secondary sexual characteristics: deepening of the vocal chords, male hair patterns on the body, facial hair, and sexual drive and function. Scientists have also determined that DHT is responsible for hair loss. DHT plays a major role in determining if you have the gene responsible for male pattern baldness. DHT can over-stimulate the hair follicles, causing the root to die, leading to the hair follicle falling out. The more DHT present in your system, the more likely you are to develop hair loss. That is another reason to be careful with testosterone supplements. Have your levels checked by your doctor. Testosterone plays an important role throughout all stages of a male's development. While it’s normal for levels to decrease as men age, it’s important to find a proper balance in order to stay healthy, physically and emotionally.

A comprehensive center offering women exactly what they need to maintain optimal breast health.

Services Include:      

Digital Screening Mammograms Digital Diagnostic Mammograms Bone Densitometry (DEXA) Breast Ultrasound Breast MRI Breast Biopsy including  Stereotactic Biopsy  Ultrasound Guided Biopsy  Needle Localization The Breast Center also provides coordination of care for patients requiring additional testing or surgical referrals due to suspicious results.

Funding is available for screening mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women through a grant from Susan G. Komen Call (520) 381-6744 Central and Northern Arizona. for more information

Request us for your next referral! Call (520) 381-6700 to schedule an appointment. Physician orders may be faxed to (520) 381-6038. 1828 E. Florence Blvd. Bldg. B, Suite 128 Casa Grande, AZ casagrandehospital.com

OCTOBER

2013

Breast Cancer Screening By Karen Karr-Osman, Director of Community Relations & Foundation CGRMC

very 29 seconds, someone is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every 69 seconds, a woman dies  Talk to your family to learn about your of breast cancer. In 2013, family health history April 2013. As the only 4,660 women in Arizona  Talk to your doctor about your personal facility of its kind in this will get breast cancer and risk of breast cancer area, the Breast Center 790 women or 17% of them  Get screened provides comprehensive will die from this disease.  Ask your doctor which screening tests are breast services without White women have the right for you if you are at a higher risk requiring patients to highest rates of new breast  Have a mammogram every year starting at travel to Phoenix. These cancer cases, while African age 40 if you are at average risk services are delivered in American and Black women  Have a clinical breast exam at least every a comfortable spa-like have higher mortality rates, 3 years starting at age 20, and every year environment designed to often indicating that their starting at age 40 put patients at ease as cancer is detected at a later  Put an annual screening reminder on your they experience routine calendar stage. Native American mammograms or the women are also less likely  Know what is normal for you more difficult process of to be diagnosed in the early  See your health care provider if you notice breast cancer detection. stages of the disease. any of these breast changes: The center also provides These statistics are  Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the navigation services for startling in a time when breast or underarm area patients who experience medical science has made  Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of abnormal results on so many advances. And the breast their mammogram. Last while a cure for breast  Change in the size or shape of the breast year, over 5,000 patients cancer is still the ultimate  Dimpling or puckering of the skin had digital screening goal, it is important to  Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple mammograms and the help all women know what coordinator navigated  Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of they can do to protect the breast another 633 women. Of themselves through early  Nipple discharge that starts suddenly these, 68 were diagnosed detection, which leads to with breast cancer  New pain in one spot that does not go away better long term outcomes. and assisted by the The first step in educating  Make healthy lifestyle choices navigator in connecting to women is to encourage  Maintain a healthy weight resources and treatment them to become breast  Add exercise into your routine options. In order to self-aware. This is more  Limit alcohol intake diagnose breast cancer, than simply completing a patients complete a range  Limit menopausal hormone use monthly breast self-exam. of tests and procedures There are four important  Breastfeed, if you can including digital steps to self-awareness as diagnostic mammograms, recommended by Susan G. breast ultrasound, breast Komen for the Cure: MRI, and breast biopsy in For many women, a lack of the form of stereotactic, health insurance and financial ultrasound guided or needle resources may present a localization when necessary. barrier to seeking annual All of these services are screening. Fortunately, available on-site at the the Casa Grande Regional center, strengthening the Medical Center Foundation patient’s continuity of care through Central Arizona if faced with a potential Breast Center at Desert diagnosis. Reflections has a grant from The center maintains high Susan G. Komen Central and standards by providing Northern Arizona to conduct same day results to the screening mammograms for ordering physician for uninsured and underinsured women. To find out if you qualify, call the center’s both screening and diagnostic tests (as long coordinator at 520-381-6744. There are several as prior mammogram images are available programs available to help, so she will help for comparison). Diagnostic appointments are scheduled within 48 hours or even completed the determine which program can best help you. Central Arizona Breast Center completed its same day following an abnormal screening with second full year serving Western Pinal County in ordering physician approval. 

KNOW YOUR RISK

YOU HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

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Finding By Lamar Johnson

Good

don't know about you but finding actual good exercise and health information on the web stinks. The two main problems are commercialization and flat out lunacy. And not the lunacy you may think.

CRITICAL THINKING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONVENTION

In my quest to become a healthier person I found a few important rules to follow. Critical thinking is way more important than fancy sites. The bells, the whistles and the incessant insistence on creating a profile are all big red flags. Find a site that gives helpful advice,

FOLLOW A SELECT FEW

The next thing I found out was pick a few and that's it. Someone's voice is going to speak to you. When you find it, quit looking. Trust me, trying to follow a list of 20 sites that are all talking about essentially the same thing can drain you. Instead, you can just look forward to the few times per week when your favorites are updated. It becomes a treat!

PEOPLE I LIKE

I love sites that have real results. They are great. And just as important are sites that talk about real problems and real issues. So without further ado, my top three sites.

NED KOCK'S HEALTH CORRELATOR

Ned Kock's Health Correlator is one of the best site's I've read. I love the function over form approach and the real world examples. In addition to plenty of self-experimentation and introspection, there are plenty of other examples and analysis. Ned's site says "This blog is about statistics, evolution, nutrition, lifestyle, and health issues. A combination of these issues. The focus is on quantitative research and how it can be applied in practice. But you may see other types of posts here (e.g., recipes, ideas, concepts, theories) from time to time." And I would have to agree with all of that but it really doesn't do it justice. Plenty of the math is outside the reach of the layman but that is the wonderful thing about the site. It doesn't matter. http://healthcorrelator.blogspot.com/

MARK SISSON'S MARK'S DAILY APPLE

Looking for an encyclopedia of information, head over to Mark's Daily Apple. A former long distance runner he has a unique, researched and tested prospective. I guess you could cut to the chase and buy one of his books from Amazon but the site is so much better. From which fish is best to his Workout of the Week this site has a ton of archived and searchable information. And in case you think he is going to tell you start running marathons, guess again! http://www.marksdailyapple.com

FINALLY SOME FOOD

Kevin Lynch decided he was eating too boring so now he spends his free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in his closet sized kitchen. Let me tell you, he does a bang up job. Beautiful photos of deliciously prepared food, it is really worth a try. http://www.closetcooking.com ď Ž

Exercise Info Online

OCTOBER

2013

Is Combining AEROBIC + ANAEROBIC Exercise Best For Burning Fat? A

HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

is the better choice. And you might be asking, “Why do you say combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is best? Why not just do anaerobic exercise?” Combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is necessary because it is impossible to exercise at the high intensity level of anaerobic exercise for the entire workout. Even if you try to work at such a high intensity, you eventually become fatigue and drift back into the aerobic zone. So, while it is possible to exercise in the aerobic zone for the entire workout, it is impossible to exercise exclusively at an anaerobic pace. This is why combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is a must for an optimal fat loss workout! Here is the bad news. Most people that want to lose fat and build a muscular body ARE combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise. They are just combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise all WRONG! The sad fact is, most workouts claiming to burn fat by combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise are doing “bodybuilding” style weight training followed by an aerobic activity. And unless you plan to spend hours a day in the gym (like bodybuilders do), then you won’t get the results they do. Think of it this way. There should be two “types” of exercise you perform... resistance training and energy system training. And when you are combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise, it is not just in the energy system training portion. You should be intelligently combining aerobic and anaerobic activity during the entire workout. So, combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is key to your fat loss success. But how you combine the two is even more important, if you’ve been combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise with bodybuilding weight training followed by aerobic exercise and failed to get the fat loss results you wanted... you’re not alone. Combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is not enough... you need to combine both to get maximum fat loss results. 

YOU

erobic exercise is normally the first thing that comes to mind when people think about burning fat. While most people dread the thought of endless, boring hours working in the aerobic heart rate zone, it is normally what people turn to lose fat. But the good news is, combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is the best for burning fat. But before I tell you why combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is better than aerobic exercise alone, let’s talk about what “aerobic” and “anaerobic” means. Aerobic means in the presence of oxygen. Any activity performed at a low to moderate intensity for more than 90 seconds, allowing oxygen to release energy through metabolism, is called an aerobic activity. The benefits of aerobic activity are... Increased Cardiovascular Function Decrease in Body Fat BUT PROLONGED AEROBIC EXERCISE HAS ITS NEGATIVES... Decreased Muscle Mass Decreased Strength Decreased Power Decreased Speed Decreased Anaerobic Capacity You should start realizing why combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise is a better option. Anaerobic means in the absence of oxygen. Any activity performed at a medium to high intensity for less than 2 minutes, where energy is derived without oxygen, is usually called an anaerobic activity. The benefits of anaerobic activity are... Increased Cardiovascular Function Decrease in Body Fat Increased Muscle Mass Improved Strength Improved Power Improved Speed Increased Aerobic Capacity AND THE NEGATIVES OF ANAEROBIC ACTIVITY ARE... ANAEROBIC ACTIVITY REQUIRES AN AEROBIC FOUNDATION As you can plainly see, anaerobic activity

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Borrowers improving financial health, making a home purchase easier.

ortgages are easier to get these days. Buying a home can be quite a daunting task. You have to save enough, assess your mortgage options, then find the right home. However, according to a recent LendingTree report, becoming a new home owner might have become a little easier. The report showed that based on average credit scores, loan-tovalue ration and overall lendability, U.S. borrowers are improving their financial health. The data indicated that prospective buyers have increased their credit scores by an average of 10 points and reduced loan-to-value ratios by 1.6 percent, helping them qualify for a mortgage. "It is encouraging to see a shift towards more responsible borrowing. Higher credit scores and improved LTVs are a sign that borrowers are working to improve their financial health," said Doug Lebda, LendingTree founder and CEO. "As the housing market bounces back,

credit is becoming more accessible, making it easier for consumers to qualify for mortgages. But consumers still need to monitor their credit scores and understand their financial situations when looking to purchase a home in order to qualify for the lowest rates and maintain long-term financial health." The report showed that the states with buyers with the healthiest finances were Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Hawaii and California. Advice for homebuyers: Stick around for three years. A report by Zillow released earlier this year should serve as good advice for any prospective buyer. The report showed that in 64 percent of metropolitan areas across the nation, it's a smarter financial move to buy a home when compared to renting if the buyer plans on staying for at least three years. This information is based on all costs associated with buying and renting when compiling the information, including upfront payments, closing

costs, anticipated monthly rent and mortgage payments, insurance, taxes, utilities and maintenance costs. "Locally high home value appreciation in many areas, combined with historically low mortgage rates and low home prices relative to recent peaks, has made buying a home a more advantageous financial decision than renting for many would-be buyers," said Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries. "The decision to buy or rent should always take into account a number of factors, one of which is how long a buyer or renter plans to stay in a property. Even in areas with relatively low breakeven horizons, buyers should resist the temptation to buy and sell properties based only on short-term goals." Academy Mortgage is the #1 Independent Purchase Lender as ranked in the 2012 CoreLogic Marketrac Report. Visit www.academymortgage.com to find a loan, get a rate, or calculate your payment today. ď Ž

Source: CoreLogic Marketrac Report for 2012, published in January 2013.

Dawn Svoboda

Sales Manager / Loan Originator 442 W Kortsen Road #103 A / Casa Grande, Az 85122 P.520-421-1171 F.520-421-0131 C.480-221-9826 Email: dawn.svoboda@academy.cc http://www.academymortgage.com/dawnsvoboda NMLS # 177235 AZ BK LO # 0913936 ACADEMY CORP # 3113 AZ ACADEMY BK # 0116181 Corp State License number:BK0904081

ASKELAINE Should I invest in residential rental properties?

OCTOBER

2013

By Elaine Earle, CPA

I am interested in buying a property with the intentions of renting it out.

To ask Elaine a question about personal finance email your question to: cfo@roxco.com

HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

Whatever you do, understand that buying an investment property is an entirely different experience than buying your primary residence.

capital gain tax rates upon sale. While this is primarily the case, rental properties could also provide cash flow during the time that the property is held for rental. This cash flow is dependent on the amount financed, interest rate, repairs and rent charged to the tenant among many other factors. Many real estate agencies provide property management services. A firsttime investor should consider consulting with a financial advisor or a real estate agency with a property management division to help you determine your expected net cash flow. Investors should plan to have enough cash on hand to handle the ups and downs that could come with investing. Even if you plan to rent out the property, count on paying the mortgage whenever there is a vacancy. If you can have about six months of mortgage payments saved up, it is there if you need it, and you can use that money for unexpected repairs. Even if you are planning on fixing up a home and selling it, plan to hold it and pay the mortgage and related bills for several months before it sells. Whatever you do, understand that buying an investment property is an entirely different experience than buying your primary residence. Achieving favorable capital gains tax rates on appreciation can make the investment well worth it in a climbing market. Achieving some cash flow while holding the property and shielding some of that income earned from income taxes through allowable deductions is beneficial as well. ď Ž

YOU

Elaine Earle, CPA

ental real estate can be a great investment when handled wisely. Home prices and interest rates are still at historically low levels. When money is cheap to borrow and house prices are reasonable, it is absolutely the best time to invest. While the timing may be right, first-time investors should educate themselves on a few things first. First-time real estate investors may want to start with residential housing since commercial real estate and land development are more complicated and still face challenging market conditions. Investors should find a real estate agent experienced in investment properties to help you locate promising properties. Besides the potential for ongoing cash flow; such investments offer deductions that can reduce the income tax on this income earned. Income earned from rents can be offset by allowable expense deductions. These include but are not limited to: (a) mortgage interest; (b) property taxes; (c) property management fees; (d) advertising costs; (e) cleaning, maintenance, and repair costs; (f) homeowners insurance and HOA dues; (g) losses from casualties (flood, hurricane, etc.) or theft; (h) tax return preparation fees; (i) various other expenses, such as utilities, landscaping, garbage, and so forth that are sometimes paid by the investor. Keep in mind that repairs that add value to your property such as a new roof, patio or garage are generally not deductible expenses in the year paid but rather are added to the cost basis of the property. You recover the cost of these improvements by depreciating the expense over the life expectancy of the property. The examples of allowable deductible expenses listed above are actual cash out-of-pocket expenses. The most advantageous aspect of allowable tax deductions is in the form of depreciation, which in theory is real over the long term, but is not necessarily accompanied by real out-ofpocket cash expenses in the current period. The depreciation tax deduction reduces your taxable income in the current period and also reduces your cost basis of the property. When the property is sold, the difference between the purchase price and the cost basis of the property will yield your capital gain or loss. Capital gains are taxed at a more advantageous capital gains tax rate. Capital losses generally can be carried forward to future tax periods to offset future capital gains. The calculation of capital gains may be complicated by depreciation recapture rules. In these tax matters, you should consult with your tax professional. Investors often buy rental property for the appreciation alone which is followed by favorable

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Casa Grande Elementary and High School Districts,

Stand Up for Our Schools By Ralph Varela

ew issues are as important to our community as a quality education system. Although we can be very proud of the work done each and every day in our elementary, middle, and high schools, the fact is that they are in desperate need of our support. Recent years have brought ongoing budget cuts, resulting in the elimination of programs and positions that directly serve students. If voters reject the continuation of the budget overrides for the Casa Grande Elementary School District and the Casa Grande Union High School District, local schools in Casa Grande will face another $5 million in cuts. Voting yes on the budget overrides would continue the current level of funding. Voting yes would not increase taxes. Your yes vote will help to support the quality education our children so richly deserve. A yes vote would ensure that

funding for our schools remains at current levels. Our local schools offer some of the most highly-regarded programs in the state of Arizona. This spring, the Casa Grande Elementary School District earned its fourth and fifth A+ Awards since 2007, when McCartney Ranch and Village were designated as A+ schools by the Arizona Educational Foundation. The band programs in the middle and high schools consistently receive state and even national recognition. Our schools are consistently recognized for their performance in meeting the needs of all students. This November's election is a time when we must all stand together in support of our schools. This is a very important issue for our community. I will vote to continue the overrides in our two school districts, and I urge you to join me in supporting these measures. ď Ž

OCTOBER

2013

EDUCATIONROX

CASA GRANDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

LEGACY TRADITIONAL SCHOOL

By Dr. Shannon Goodsell, CGUHSD Superintendent

By Pamela VandeZandschulp, Enrollment Specialist

oin Legacy Traditional School, where

are

“A”

ranked!

At Legacy Traditional School, it is our mission to provide motivated students with the opportunity to achieve academic excellence in an accelerated, back to basics, safe learning environment taught by caring, knowledgeable, and highly effective educators in cooperation with supportive, involved parents. We were founded on the principle that parents and staff should work

Casa Grande Union High School

together as partners to provide an

dents to pursue academic excel-

By Christian Paulson, Principal

asa Grande Union High School is a comprehensive high school of 1,500+ students. We are very proud to offer numerous Advanced Placement courses for students to early college credit and nine different Career and Technical Courses. Many of these courses are recognized for their quality on the state and national level. In addition to excellent academics, we are also very proud of our award-winning band program-“The Pride of Casa Grande.” Students are very active and engaged in many clubs around campus. In addition to Student Council, Key Club, and National Honor Society, we also offer such clubs as SADD, hiking, bowling, and Youth Alive. Casa Grande Union High School is home to one of the most active JROTC programs in the state.

The JROTC color guard presents colors at sporting events, assemblies, and community events. Our students take great pride in this program. Our athletic programs have excellent participation and annually, many of our students are recruited to play college level sports. Casa Grande Union High School has a very diverse population with a very rich tradition of community pride. The community of Casa Grande supports our school in many ways. In return, our students greatly enjoy giving back to the community through service projects and other volunteering. When you enter our campus, you will appreciate the beauty of the design and helpfulness of our students and staff. Casa Grande Union High School is an excellent comprehensive high school. 

education that encourages stulence to the best of their abilities. Legacy students typically perform one year ahead in comparison to their peers statewide. Our curriculum focuses on mastery in reading, writing, and math but also includes social studies, science, physical education, music, computers, and art for all grade levels. If you and your student are willing to dedicate the time and effort, your student will benefit from a “Legacy of Learning” as they prepare for the world ahead. 

Mission Heights Preparatory High School By Matthew Chesney, Principal

our child deserves the very best education possible. If a college prep high school that boasts a small, family-like environment is the right choice for your student, we invite you to consider Mission Heights Preparatory High School, a free public school which serves grades 9-12. Mission Heights Prep is located at 1376 E. Cottonwood Lane and is currently accepting applications for enrollment. The school is a proud member of The Leona Group LLC, one of the nation’s largest charter school management companies. The Leona Group operates over seventy

schools nationwide and all of Leona’s Arizona high schools hold AdvancED accreditation, including Mission Heights. Our vision at Mission Heights Prep is to prepare all students to succeed at the nation’s top institutions of higher learning. As part of our 24-credit graduation requirement we have a core curriculum composed of language arts, reading, mathematics, social sciences and foreign language, which includes advanced placement and concurrent enrollment courses. A broad range of elective courses is also provided in accordance

with student needs and interests. Mission Heights also encourages students to participate in a wide range of clubs and sports offered on campus. Transportation is available to most students. If you, or someone you know is interested in a smaller, more focused environment that will support learners of all abilities achieve their maximum potential, we would encourage you to stop by the school today for a tour and information. You can also check us out online at www. mhprep.com or on Facebook at www. facebook.com/mhprep 

HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

our students who need a deviation from the norm. The District’s desire is to graduate well-rounded students through rigorous involvement via academics, career and technical training, activities, athletics and service to the community. It is a fully technological school district with opportunities for students to be involved in a multitude of 21st Century learning applications. The academic courses offered range from College Board Advanced Placement to Regular to Exceptional Student Services. The District is proud to boast that our graduating seniors receive millions of dollars in scholarships on a yearly basis! The District invites the community to become part of Casa Grande Union High School District. For more information, call (520) 316-3360 or visit www.cguhsd.org. Dr. Shannon Goodsell CGUHSD Superintendent 

YOU

GUHSD has an enrollment of approximately 3,500 students and is divided into four distinct high schools. Both Casa Grande Union High School “Cougars” and Vista Grande High School “Spartans” offer students a comprehensive educational experience boasting multiple course offerings and expansive extracurricular activities. Casa Verde High School “Panthers” is the District’s charter school offering smaller class sizes and a familiar family atmosphere. Beginning with the 20142015 school year, Casa Verde High School is expected to be one of the few high schools in the state offering a definitive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or STEM diploma. It is a very accelerated and rigorous curriculum designed to challenge our students at their highest academic level. Desert Winds High School “Eagles” serves as the District’s credit recovery program and alternative high school, providing flexible scheduling and learning opportunities for

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Season tickets currently on sale for CAC’s 2013-2014 Performing Arts Season at the Pence Center P

INAL COUNTY, Ariz. – In its second year since the completion of its major renovation, Central Arizona College’s Don. P. Pence Center for the Visual and Performing Arts is set to embark on another season packed with a variety of shows sure to entertain guests of all ages and interests. CAC is offering two distinct season ticket packages for the upcoming 2013-14 performing arts season. The Premier Season Ticket gives guests access to all six of the premier shows that the Pence Center has lined up this season, including Ballet Folklorico Costa De Oro, Tony Kenny Irish Christmas, The New Christy Minstrels, New Shanghai Circus, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and Dublin’s St. Patrick Celebration Cabaret. Individual tickets for these shows would normally cost $22 per show. The Premier Season Ticket gives its buyers access to all six shows for a total of $114, which represents nearly 14 percent in savings. Orders for this package must be submitted by October 4. The Universal Season Ticket offers buyers more freedom to select the specific shows they would like to see. Guests who

purchase this ticket select at least 10 shows they would like to attend (including special engagements and CAC Creative Arts productions) that are scheduled for this season. Three of those 10 shows may be selected from the six premier shows listed above. Once the buyer selects their 10 (or more) shows, 20 percent will be taken off the price of all of the tickets, which range in price from $5 to $22. Included in the Universal Season Ticket are two charity events. Proceeds from Letters Home will benefit veterans attending CAC while Baxter Black will support CAC’s rodeo team. Neither of these season ticket packages is available for purchase online. Those wishing to buy season tickets must complete the order form, which is available at www. EventsAtCAC.com. The order form must then be mailed in or dropped off at CAC with the option of having the tickets mailed to guests or made available for pickup at the college’s Signal Peak Campus. 

OCTOBER EVENTS AT CAC: Oct. 4 Maricopa Campus Astronomy Night and Open House Oct. 10 CAC Palooza at Aravaipa Campus Oct. 12 Ballet Folklorico Costa De Oro Oct. 16 CAC Palooza at Superstition Mountain Campus Oct. 24 CAC Palooza at Signal Peak Campus Oct. 24-26 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Oct. 26 Dia De Los Muertos Altares

Educational, Cultural, and Personal Growth Opportunities Nine locations throughout Pinal County to serve you.

www.centralaz.edu

or call...

520-494-5111

Oct. 29 Sounds of Signal Peak For a complete listing of upcoming community events, please visit our website at www.EventsAtCAC.com.

OCTOBER

2013

How to Get KIDS Interested in School Work By Harvey Mcewan

Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051608529-1-how-to-getkids-interested-in-school-work/

HEALTH, WEALTH, EDUCATION

Harvey McEwan writes on a variety of topics from holidays to science experiments. Read his articles online.

YOU

hildren can be hard to convince of the importance of attending school, doing additional reading and completing their homework. Most kids will go through a stage of being generally uninterested in pursuing an education with some getting really rebellious. As parents, guardians and teachers, it's our job and challenge to ensure this phase isn't long-lasting. The best way to get kids interested in school work is to show them that learning can be fun. This will usually mean having to get involved, leading some activities and taking part hands-on in your childrens' experiments and discoveries. All subjects can be approached with a touch of creativity, and some lend themselves particularly well to experimentation. Languages Languages can be a good way to get your kids interested in school. They open up a whole new world in terms of literature and movies, which are some of the routes you can use to get the young ones intrigued. Organize a European film night, for example. Invite some of your child's friends over for an evening of movies and popcorn but instead of opting for a well known blockbuster, choose foreign language cinema with subtitles. When it comes to books, opt for translated foreign literature and make a point of explaining that literature in its original language can be even more exciting. History and Geography History and geography can work wonders to encourage kids to start learning more actively. Try to tie them in with your own family's history. A fun task for the whole family is to put together a family tree. Go to the local branch of your national archives to dig around for interesting information about your ancestors. It's a great day out. Once home, piece together the information. In terms of geography, invest in a world map or a globe and use pins to mark places where members of your family have lived or travelled. Dig out old photos as well, to inspire your kids to discover more about the many different countries of the world. Science and Maths Science and maths can seem dull in a classroom environment if no practical element is involved. But these subjects are made for experimenting! Science experiments aren't always tricky and don't all require a large amount of preparation. Lots of items found in the home can be used to carry them out. For example, you can use fruit to make a battery, and you can use cabbages to test acidity. Tennis balls and other items can be put to good use too. The weather is an excellent way to start talking about science. Go out and measure the level of rainfall or run out in the snow and explain how snowflakes are formed. ď Ž

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FUN STUFF 50

The Gateway To Russia

BBQ. BAR-B-QUE. BARBECUE! Features: 47 48

59 I Ate Pumba!

49 51 52 53 54 55 62 64 66 66 66

Dining Reviews A Beginners Guide to Wine Tailgate Madness Tailgating Recipes Meet Mark White! Needles, Ink & Dreams Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hot on Fashion Runways To Thrift or NOT to Thrift Jamaica! A Woman of Vision -

Lillian Cordelia Weaver Peart

Time for a Tesla? Local College/High School Sporting Calendar (Home Games) Dog Days of Summer In a Pear Tree

OCTOBER

2013

hen ROX! asked me to write a guest column for the magazine, I was thrilled at the prospect of visiting restaurants in Casa Grande to share what I found (ate) with our readers. With ROX! expanding its frequency of publication to 6 times a year (starting with the November issue), I needed to write reviews on three local restaurants to carry our readers until Thanksgiving-time. Below are the results of my "food fest".

The Creative Cafe

During the summer, The Creative Cafe is open for lunch (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Come October, The Creative Cafe extends its hours to also serve dinner. A pleasant atmosphere awaits all diners, with friendly service guaranteed. The menu is diverse, although that does not hamper their ability to serve all items as if they were the house specialty. The only place in town that serves Gyros, one doesn’t need to travel to a large city’s “Greek town” to experience a first-class Gyro. You can’t go wrong in choosing from

a variety of wraps, sandwiches, and salads. The Southwestern Chicken Tortilla soup is a must! Everything served at The Creative Cafe is made fresh, allowing for an enjoyable dining experience and personal “tweaks” to the menu. The staff is friendly and attentive. The Creative Cafe also serves beer and wine, should you choose an alcoholic beverage with your meal. With great food, service, and prices - no need to travel to Chandler, The Creative Cafe is located right here in Casa Grande!

Autumn Dining Reviews By The Traveling Gourmand

Tom’s BBQ

A lot has been made in the Valley about Portillo’s (from Chicago) coming to Scottsdale and Tempe. Well, the reality is that Tom’s BBQ plays second fiddle to no one. Awesome Italian Beef and Sausage sandwiches, along with Chicago’s Vienna hot dogs, make a trip up north totally unnecessary. And, I haven’t even mentioned their name-sake BBQ. Indulge in BBQ ribs, pork, and chicken - you won’t go hungry.

Located next to Barro’s Pizza in the Villago Shopping Center, Brownie’s is quite the treat. Yes, they do serve brownies (and ice cream) but also a lot more. Breakfast at Brownie’s will make anyone’s day get off to a great start. Fresh eggs, sausage, bacon, and ham served on a bagel with cheese, leads me to question why anyone would settle for a “fast food” breakfast sandwich. If it’s coffee that you want, possibly while you access free WiFi, Brownie’s serves up a great cup of “Joe”.

Brownie’s wraps and panini’s are excellent - fresh and made to order. Soups change daily, with their Italian Wedding Soup rating an A-plus. Like many restaurants in town, Brownie’s hours are extended come fall. I recommend all three restaurants for family, friends, and acquaintances. Great (fresh) food and service (something not to be taken for granted), combined with reasonable prices, makes The Creative Cafe, Tom’s BBQ, and Brownie’s worth dining at (regularly). And, they’re all located right here in Casa Grande!

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

Brownie’s

Tom’s manager, Cheryl, makes sure that all food is fresh and the service impeccable. During the height of football season (starting in October), Tom’s BBQ expands its service to include Sunday’s. It’s hard to beat sharing Tom’s BBQ with friends while watching the Cardinals play (the Cards will be better this year). In fact, if your party is large, have Tom’s BBQ cater it - luau style.

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Beginners

http://www.wineinvestment.com

Wine

Guide

OCTOBER

2013

TAILGATE MADNESS! Easy Tailgate Buffalo Wings

INGREDIENTS 3 pounds trimmed chicken wings 5 tablespoons Hot Sauce of choice 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon paprika, smoked if possible ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground pepper ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper PREPARATION Preheat oven to 450°F. Rinse chicken wings. Pat dry. Mix hot sauce, melted butter, honey, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until blended. Place the chicken into a 9” x 13” glass baking dish. Drizzle ½ cup of the sauce over the chicken. Use tongs to roll the chicken pieces around until evenly coated. Cover with remaining sauce, cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 15 minutes. Broil the chicken for 3 minutes each side, or until the chicken is no longer pink.

Beer-Batter Fried Pickles

Tailgating Sangria Serves: 20 to 24 servings INGREDIENTS 24 cups ice 4 apples, sliced 4 peaches, sliced 3 cups pitted cherries 24 lemon wheels 24 lime wheels 24 ounces light rum 4 bottles white wine

(recommended Sauvignon Blanc)

12 ounces peach schnapps 12 ounces sour apple liqueur 24 ounces fresh lime juice 16 ounces fresh lemon juice 2 cups simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves; cooled) 24 ounces lemon lime soda 24 ounces soda water PREPARATION In a 2 1/2 gallon bottled water container or other large vessel, add the ice, then the fruit and follow with the liquids. Cover the top and shake well. Invert onto the dispenser and serve immediately.

Beer Shrimp Boil Serves: 4 servings INGREDIENTS 3 (12-ounce) bottles lager beer 1 cup water 1 tablespoon shrimp boil seasoning 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 1 lemon, juiced, halves reserved 1 stick unsalted butter 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, head and shell left on, rinsed well PREPARATION In a large pot, bring the beer, water, shrimp boil seasoning, salt, peppercorns and the juiced lemon halves to a boil over medium heat. Allow mixture to boil covered for 10 minutes. In the meantime, melt butter in a small saucepan and add the lemon juice. Add the shrimp to the pot of boiling beer, cover, and turn off heat. Check shrimp after 3 minutes for a pink color throughout. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp and transfer to serving bowls. Add 1/2 cup of the beer boiling liquid to the butter and simmer for 2 minutes, then transfer to small serving bowls. Serve the warm shrimp with the butter dipping sauce on the side, and don't forget the empty bowls for the shrimp shells.

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Fry: 4 Minutes Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings INGREDIENTS 2 (16-oz.) jars dill pickle sandwich slices, drained 1 large egg 1 (12-oz.) can beer 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon seasoned salt 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Vegetable oil Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce PREPARATION Pat pickles dry with paper towels. Whisk together egg and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl; add 1 1/2 cups flour, and whisk until smooth. Pour oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches into a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven; heat over medium-high heat to 375Â°. Dip pickle slices into batter, allowing excess batter to drip off. Fry pickles, in batches, 3 to 4 minutes or until golden. Drain and pat dry on paper towels; serve immediately with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce.

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BBQ.

BAR-B-QUE.

BARBECUE! By Bea Lueck

owever you spell it, the name is enough to cause aficionados and connoisseurs to salivate. Each 'cue chef is secretive on their recipes, be it sauce, rub or marinade. Competitions are fierce and tempers flare with the flames. Opinions on what makes a Master are many: smoker vs grill, hardwood vs charcoal, fast/high temp or slow/low temp - delicious decisions! True barbecue is about slow cooking a tough (ie inexpensive) cut of meat by using smoke at a low even temperature - usually 225 to 275 degrees. This low heat, slow cooking process allows the tough connective tissues in meat to breakdown while the fat is slowly melted, providing internal moisture and preventing the meat from drying out. Cooking times range from many hours to days, depending on the size and cut of the meat. The equipment can range from the lowly homemade 55 gallon drum (hopefully the contents have long since burned off!) to the ultimate Traeger auger fed pellet smoker. Not to mention the custom commercial units costing $100,000 or more. Once you have selected the cooker of choice now comes the choice of WOOD. And plain 2x4s will not do! The selection of woods available ranges from the aromatic apple to the pungent mesquite to the nutty pecan or fruity cherry. Culinary 'Q' experts pair the wood to the protein: alder or oak with fish, pecan or hickory with turkey, apple with pork or cherry or maple with beef to create mouthwatering creations that appeal not only to your taste buds but to your sense of smell. The meat shown in this article, THE MANLY BRISKET, cooked for about 22 hours. The

Chef and family - along with the entire Acacia Landing neighborhood, woke to the aromatic smell of cooked beef. This aroma is particularly appetizing during a low pressure system that creates a spectacular inversion cloud that surrounds the house and yard with smoke. The secret to the burnt ends (the charred appearing outer edge) is the rub, a secret blend of seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and brown sugar) that caramelizes the outer edge of the meat, sealing in the juices and flavors. Once you pierce the outer crust, the juices ooze out and the meat literally falls apart on the platter. To me, true pulled pork is about VINEGAR and crushed red chili peppers for that flavorful tang North Carolina style. Don't you dare destroy pulled pork by drowning it in a BBQ sauce! Others prefer a more traditional Kansas City style - with its thick tomato and molasses sauce that completes the flavor. The adventurous should try an Alabama White BBQ sauce which uses mayonnaise and lemon juice or cider vinegar as a base, suitable for chicken or pork. Whichever your preference, saucing is best done at the end of the cooking time to prevent burning. Many cooks choose one or use a combination of marinade or brining to prepare the meat, a wet or dry rub to cook the meat and sauce to finish the flavors. Whatever your method, BBQ is personal and is all about the choices. DISCLAIMER: While a better than average indoor chef, the author of this article admits to lacking the specific genetic marker that allows one to properly, adequately or even marginally cook anything on a grill or smoker. This author admits to cremating what was to be dinner on more than one occasion. It seems having the temperature more suitable to a pizza oven is NOT the best for outdoor cooking of anything.

OCTOBER

2013

Meet Mark White! By Kirstin Jeffers

“

black and white, and make it work, I will be successful when I do the same subject in color. Once I do several drawings of an object, I completely understand how it works and how it is constructed. Sometimes the original renderings in ink or graphite turn out to be very successful and it doesn’t go any further.” Throughout his art career, Mark has taken workshops in several mediums from many artists, including Wendy Hill, David Drummond, Nancy Peterson, Mary Deloyht-Arendt, David Flitner, John Horejs, Judy Durr, and Becky Joy, as well as numerous workshops at the Scottsdale Artists’ School. He is a member of Oil Painters of America, Sonoran Arts League, a signature member of Southwestern Premier Artists, and a founding member of the Casa Grande Valley Fine Art Association (CGVFAA). It is through his association with Southwestern Premier Artists and the CGVFAA that Mark was able to collaborate on the Casa Grande Fine Art Explosion, now planning its seventh annual event for March, 2014. Mark has displayed and sold his work at a variety of juried Fine Art Shows promoted by Southwestern Premier Artists, Thunderbird Artists, Vermillion Promotions, Bell Rock Art Shows, Sonoran Art League and Casa Grande Valley Fine Art Association. These encompass shows in California, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska and New Mexico. Much of his work is commissioned and is in private collections. “My art and the ability to create have filled a personal void that most people never get to experience. What a blessing to be able to do what you love. My philosophy, and part of my statement is, “If you appreciate my art, let me know. If you like my work, I want you to have it to enjoy. It is not about the ‘sale’, it is about the Art.” 

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

I consider myself very fortunate to do what I love to do, and it is a very fulfilling experience. I hope I can leave something in this world to make it a better place.” This is the ultimate goal of Casa Grande’s own Mark White. Mark earned his Bachelors of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He then went on to a career in Engineering, Marketing & Sales for the railroad industry. Throughout his career, art, drawing and sketching were an important part of Mark’s life. Upon finishing his lengthy career, Mark took a more serious approach to art and decided to pursue it full-time. Partnering with three other area artists, Mark opened Gallery 1 in old town Casa Grande in 2002. Gallery 1, a gallery and working studio, operated for six years. Currently, his studio is located in his Casa Grande home. “Painting in watercolor or oil and drawing allow a wide range of types of artwork, both detailed and loose. I enjoy doing both, and I feel one compliments the other.” Mark works in a variety of mediums including graphite, ink, watercolor, and oils. His current focus is on oils. His work consists of lively and ambient Southwestern and Midwestern landscapes, still-lifes, and intricately detailed automotive and motorcycle portraits. “My current interests lie in Southwestern landscapes and still-lifes, as well as images from the West and Midwest. Consequently, my current work is comprised of representational oil paintings featuring pottery, desert scenes and old structures. This is very fulfilling and it allows me to work in different modes. My detailed paintings generally start with several graphite drawings and sometimes I will include an ink rendering. I feel if I can illustrate an object in

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By Angela Johnson

attoos were once a cultural expression often associated with rites of passage, status symbols, religious and spiritual devotion, bravery, fertility, protection, and marks of outcasts. Today tattooing has become a popular mainstream form of expression. From girls to grandpas, everyone is getting in on the trend. Tattoos have become mainstream for self-expression and vanity, although some still have reasons similar to those of our ancestors, which in my opinion, makes tattoos a lot more interesting. If you're considering getting a tattoo, here are some things to consider beforehand. The design is the biggest part of getting a tattoo for me. Is the design something that you will be comfortable with twenty years from now? Or is it a passing phase? If you typically get tired of a certain style or look, more than likely you will eventually outgrow it. By far the best approach to tattoo design is to first spend some time contemplating and developing a basic idea. Be careful with scripts and other languages! I knew of a lady who went on her honeymoon and got a very romantic gesture in an Asian dialect. Someone that knew the language had to break it to her that her ‘love’ tattoo actually said “big toe”! The placement of the design is imperative. A design can be taken many different ways depending on its placement. For example, let’s say, a star tattoo, when it is placed on the arm, it may portray you as tough. When placed on the ankle it may can come across as sweet and innocent. However when the same star tattoo is placed on the belly, it becomes sensual. If you work in a professional workplace the placement may need to be easily concealed depending on your employer’s rules. Facial tattoos on men are a definitely no-no, however there are many men out there that are fine with them, just not my thing. For women, it is acceptable if they are cosmetic, such as permanent eyeliner. Many artists are apprehensive when asked about facial ink! Always take a little bit of time to get to know your tattoo artist. When you speak to him or her, be sure to ask questions and find out anything you can about your new tattoo. Find out about their background, and other important bits of information that will assist you in your decision. Find out how long they have been in the business, if they are true artists or just follow the lines. Finding out how much experience and qualifications a tattoo artist has will tell you quite a bit about what you can expect from them. No Pain. No Gain. How is your pain tolerance? It's going to hurt, there is no other way around it. Some people enjoy the pain, others…not so much. If you have a very low threshold of pain then you may want to reconsider. The tattoo should symbolize something meaningful in your life that you are willing to go through some amount of pain to get it. After it is all said and done, hopefully the momentary pain will bring happiness. Are you prepared to deal with the consequences once you have the art on your body? This is a question for all ages. As parents, are you ok with your children seeing your tattoo choices? As young adults, will you still enjoy seeing that woman’s face or name on your body when you’re 40? There are many things to consider here. If you have thought through it, then you should proceed. If not, then fight the urge! Tattoos are permanent, and they can change with time. They can fade, become blurred and change shape as your body changes. Some tattoos cannot be removed. Even with advancements in technology, tattoo removal remains an expensive and painful process. I know many people with tattoos, and only a few that have had them removed. So, when considering getting a tattoo, everything matters. It is a lifelong decision. Altering the natural look of your body is an important matter. The process can be an extremely rewarding and life-changing experience. Clearly it has the potential to be a lasting imprint and expression of yourself. If you make the right decision, all the rest is history! My greatest advice for anyone is to NEVER walk into a tattoo shop and just ask to get what is available on the posters or in the parlors notebooks. You will wind up with a thoughtless “stamp” which will ultimately look just like that – a thoughtless stamp.  Want to feature your business here? Call 520-426-2074

OCTOBER

2013

What’s HOT on the New York & Paris fashion

runways for this fall? What goes around…comes back around in the World of Couture! (And what’s best left in the back of your closet for another year)

By Bea Lueck

ifty Shades of Grey is not just a bestselling novel series.

Fall 2013 – BE DARING! 

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

Grey is this seasons black - from the barest-fairest of winter whites to deep, almost black but not quite with underlying tones ranging from lavender to rose. This seasons MUST have colors are the jewel tones: amethyst, garnet and sapphire are the runners up with emerald the #1 Pantone Shade of the Year. Patterns and textures are in, especially when combined! Think plaids, pinstripes, and animal prints combined with patterns you swear you once saw on your grandmother’s drapes. The classic hounds tooth is a MUST have and it goes with everything. Menswear patterns and style but with a feminine fit and flair is once again popular. Military look is good as long as it is not feminine foo-fooey. Avoid the florals and kaleidoscope prints from spring. Go seasonal for warmth with chunky and layering, avoid flounces. Remember as a kid when you teased the kid wearing “highwater pants”? No teasing allowed now! Dressy trousers that end just above the ankle are wow. Fabrics with a STATEMENT - metallics that shimmer, velvets that shine and heavy, stiff brocades are seen in never seen before colors (think hot PINK leopard print) Combine statement garments with LEATHER: pants, skirts, even dresses. Avoid the biker chick leather on leather look. Imagine red flannel plaids with delicate lace and thigh high leather boots! Or a leather skirt paired with a chunky knit top and wispy scarf. Accessories: HATS! Think beanies with PIZZAZZ , fedoras with FUNK or a statement ballcap. Even gloves are making a comeback. And we’re not talking dainty cotton gloves from the 40s. Bold, daring mid arm to opera-length gloves are all over the catwalks.

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THRIFT

T O N T

or I

T F I THR o

By Angela Johnson

f you picture grimy floors, bad lighting, and torn clothing piled together, you might be in for a surprised. There are a few like that in town, but for the most part, the ones that I have visited are a plethora of unclaimed treasures. If you haven’t visited a local thrift shop, why not? With at least 6 in town, what do you have to lose? A few points that I would recommend are: Many local Goodwill and Salvation Army stores have half-off days or $.99 days. A $4 shirt is cheap, but when its $2 – even better! Know what you need versus what you want. Going in looking for specifics in a thrift shop can get rather stressful. If you are open minded, the hunt is much more fun! If you really need something, just ask! If you let them know you’re looking for a bright pink wool scarf, and then see one come by, they may remember you or know of one hanging in the back Look for quality brands, but be open to trying new ones as well. You have to dig for it, but many name brand items can be found. There might also be some quality pieces in brands you’ve never heard of, sometimes the brands you don’t know are actually high end brands, well worth their money. Always try things on. Just like any regular store, sizes can be different. You can’t assume anything by the size on the tag. Refashion! Think creatively when you thrift shop. I follow an awesome blog (refashionista.net). It is of a SC women who gets all of these great deals at her local thrift shop and makes the most awesome clothes out of the pieces. I, however, cannot sew, so I need to be a bit more creative. For instance flat bed sheets make for good curtain liners (really useful in AZ), mismatch dishes come in handy for picnics and camping, or old artwork can be dismantled to use the art and/or the frame for something else. Try and try again! If you don’t find something today, try again next week. Thrift stores have a huge turnover, so the inventory changes constantly. You might strike gold at any time, and come up empty the next. I make thrift store shopping a regular part of my Saturday routine. I’m often asked how I “find the best pieces” or “how I get so lucky” when thrift store shopping. I have 8 years of thrift shopping experience to fall back on, I honestly believe that anyone interested in learning how to thrift can pick up the tricks fast and be a thrift pro in no time! Happy thrifting! Recent Finds: Item: Ikea painting by Michele Patrizio. $39.99 Beautiful color, perfect condition on canvas. $129 originally. Outcome: Pass! I love art, especially bright colors. The price was just more than the norm that I would pay for something of this caliber. If it were $20, I would totally rearrange my living room for it. Item: Diva DNA Rhinestone Heels. $4.99 Very blingy, not an everyday wear. They fit as though the size was mislabeled. They look brand new never worn. $25.99-65.99, new depending on the place. Outcome: Purchase! I love heels, rarely wear them, but the shelves in my closet are beautiful! Item: Lenox Dolphin Vase. Crystal, very sturdy. $3.99. And its Lenox, a bigger name brand in glassware. $35$149.00 on the web. Outcome: Purchased! It’s a great deal and my sister loves dolphins. Keep others in mind while thrifting. 

OCTOBER

2013

HAVE YOU SEEN...THE ISLAND OF

JAMAICA By Peg Eck

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

hristopher Columbus landed on the island of Jamaica a few years before I did (May 1494, to be exact). He described it as “The fairest island that eyes have beheld”. I couldn’t have said it better! The history of Jamaica is as fascinating as it’s people and it’s landscapes. In the 1600’s the town of Port Royal, near Kingston, was a haven for pirates. In 1690, the town was destroyed by a massive earthquake. The country has been excavating the underwater ruins for years, and has amassed thousands of artifacts for a museum they are building. Jamaica is also famous for it’s Blue Mountains (hence the wonderful “Blue Mountain Coffee”, it’s Reggae music (see the Bob Marley Experience in Kingston), as well as many other musicians and top athletes. And of course, the famous Jamaican Bobsled Team! The cuisine is primarily based on old, traditional ways of cooking from the days when slaves were prominent on the island. It has evolved to become the world-famous “jerk sauce” used to flavor pork, chicken and fish dishes. Of course, there are many other types of delicious food to be had if you don’t like your insides to melt. To go along with the jerk seasoning, you can also find Jamaica’s world famous Appleton Rum, made on the island. You can even tour the factory! Most of the prime tourist areas are on the north and west shores of Jamaica. The pristine beaches and wonderful hotels are prime attractions, but there is so much more to do in Jamaica! There is golf, horse-back riding on the beach, rafting on the Martha Brae River, climbing to the top at Dunn’s River Falls, you can even take a ride on that infamous bobsled! They have every type of water sport imaginable, and if you are a certified diver, Sandals and Beaches Resorts offer free dive packages! If you have been to a Sandals or Beaches Resort, I don’t have to tell you how great they are. You can literally go to one without a dime in your pocket and never have to worry! Everything the property offers is included in the up-front price…..all meals, beverages (yes, even alcohol), water sports at the property, and best of all………..NO TIPPING! Of course, there are exceptions to the rules. If you splurge for a “butler category” room, yes you will tip the butler. But he is your butler for your stay and he will even bring you a drink when you are sunbathing, go to the room and fetch your sun hat, anything you need. He’s yours for the duration. Excursions off property are extra cost, but there are so many to choose from and at very reasonable costs, may I add! And then there is the shopping! Each property has boutique shops, the usual gift shop where you can buy a quick snack or teeshirt for Uncle Johnny. But the cities have great stores, duty-free shops and craft markets galore. Yes, Jamaica is a wonderful, tropical paradise, but it’s so much more! The people are warm and friendly, the music is lively, the entertainment is wonderful………. Pack your swimwear and your passport and come to Jamaica, mon. Everything is Irie there! 

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The Gateway To Russia By Jo Anne And Bill Doughty

or several years now, we have uttered the words, “this is our last year for travel overseas.” But, when the brochure or catalog arrives, we are leafing through it with gusto to see where our next adventure will take us. Thus, we considered a river cruise down the Volga River in Russia from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Now, Moscow and Russia were never in our plans during earlier adventures. But, having traveled most of Europe starting in 1961 with the military and now in retirement, we have seen quite a bit, sometimes two and three times over. Our travels included Canada, Iceland and the North Sea to the Black sea, from Amsterdam in the North to Basel and Zurich, Switzerland and Italy in the South, and West to Prague and Poland. Not to be forgotten, our adventures also took us to Japan, Korea, Laos, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the South Pacific French Polynesia Islands, and Mexico. So, why not try this great adventure. Jo Anne’s read dozens of positive travel reviews on traveling in Russia, so, let’s go for it. We plan early to take advantage of discounts and frequent traveler credits if we pay within two weeks of booking a reservation. When booking this river cruise, we decided to include a pre-trip of two countries nearest to Russia, namely Finland (Helsinki), and Estonia, along with three extra days in St. Petersburg. What do we know about Russia? Strange, but we have been hearing about this country since grade school and reading it’s involvement in two world wars, but, still we know very little about the culture. Jo Anne knows from her childhood that the Russian lady on the corner made the best Russian cookies. A VISA is required to enter Russia, which we had to obtain at an additional cost of over $180 each. This VISA is granted by the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and requires sending in a current passport with at least six months remaining before expiration of the passport. The process takes at least 45 days, if not longer, to receive the VISA. We used a processing company recommended by our travel agency for expediency and familiarity of the process. Travel day finally arrived. We were prepared for various kinds of weather, from heavy rain to summer days. We arrived in Helsinki and met our program director, Violetta, who would remain with us all the way to Moscow. After spending a few days in Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia, we traveled by bus to St. Petersburg, an 8-hour ride. Violetta shared that sometimes it takes several days for trucks to get through customs and across the border from Estonia into Russia. However, she said we should make it across in 90 minutes or less because they are not going to search the luggage for all of us, through some agreement between our travel company and that cus-

OCTOBER

tom point. However, we still had to surrender our passports and have them reviewed for exit. We then passed from the Estonia side of the border into the Russian side by our own bus. We walked through another checkpoint within the Russian Customs Building to wait outside until our bus passed inspection. We cheered when the bus appeared; we could board it and continue on our trip. The whole immigration and customs process plus bus inspection took only about an hour. As we drove away I was thinking of all of those hundreds of Russian and other countries’ trucks on both sides of the border awaiting inspection. That process actually could take a few days. This article will only share our visit to St. Petersburg, Russia, since we spent five wonderful, sightseeing filled days there, and even went back a year later for more sightseeing. Along the road into St Petersburg, we made good time and the sights were quite interesting. We saw a lot of “lonely” looking houses along the road, most of which had never had a coat of paint in this century. The strangest thing to me is we saw a lot of houses but never did see any signs of human habitation. The houses looked all the same. Not one house differed from the other, and were prefabs, no doubt, built during the communist era. Our first impressions of St Petersburg was that it looked semi-modern. There were a lot of very old, multi-apartment buildings. This area looked very clean and tidy, unlike some of the cities we’ve passed through both in Europe and the United States, that were littered or had poor landscaping. A word about our guide, Violetta. She was a card-carrying, die-hard, communist Russian national but a real loving type woman who would give the shirt off of her back to make this trip memorable for all of us on the tour. Getting close to our hotel Violetta gave us a very stern lecture pertaining to pickpockets in St Petersburg, as well as the rest of Russia. It

seems St Petersburg attracts the best of them, and they can be found wherever there is a crowd-like tourist attraction. After her lecture she made a believer out of me. We were happy to finally get to our hotel, the Hotel Ambassador, listed as a five star hotel. The lobby and dining facilities, were impressive, well worth the 5-star rating. However, the rooms were small but clean and adequate. During our first day of touring we learned a little of St. Petersburg through Violetta’s expert commentary. Founded by Peter the Great, the former home of Czars and the center of Russian culture, St Petersburg was known as “The Venice of the North” in the its heyday. Renamed Petrograd in 1914, the city was renamed again in 1924 after Lenin’s death. Bombed, besieged and starved during World War II during the Communist era, the city took a back seat to capital, Moscow. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, the St Petersburg has been rapidly making up for lost time and is by far the most cosmopolitan of Russia’s cities. Now formally known by its original name again, most Russians call it what they always have, the friendly diminutive Piter. We spent the first part of the morning at the very colorful Church of the Resurrection (Savior of the Spilt Blood). This church is a monument in the Old Russian style which marks the spot assassination of Alexander II. We did not have the opportunity to visit inside but Jo Anne and I would visit it another day. We then moved on to Saint Isaac’s square which contained Saint Isaac’s Cathedral and the Emperor Nicholas I monument. The cathedral is the largest in the city. It was built over a 40 year period (1818-1848) and has the largest gold-plated dome in the world. We were told it was copied from Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The interior was most impressive and beautifully adorned with many icons of various saints. We learned that in the Orthodox church-

2013

es, there are no seats, just standing room only, for services that last more than two hours. By this time the sun was high in the sky, and made for a beautiful touring day. This was quickly dispelled when looking at the very dark clouds moving in from all directions. We moved on, across the Neva River, for lunch. St Petersburg is built on what originally were more than 100 islands created by a maze of rivers, lakes and ponds and other bodys of water that flow into the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Neva river. While the rest of the tour had lunch, Bill walked around taking riverfront pictures of the various sites and buildings. He was able to take in a feature that is only shown two days a week, and he lucked out being there with his camera. It was a musical water show, starting off with the National Anthem and musical themes from some of their greatest composers. Really enjoyed it. After the lunch break, we went to the Hermitage Museum for our last visit of the day. By this time the black clouds let loose and we entered the museum, soaking wet, with thousands of other wet visitors. The most famous of St Petersburg’s museums, the Hermitage is one of the world’s largest and richest collections of Western European art. It’s vast holdings were originally exhibited in the Greek Revival building now called the new Hermitage. Previously, this building was the Winter Palace (1754-1762), a vast stately building with over 600 rooms and dazzlingly luxurious interiors. Our tour of the Hermitage was three hours, led by Violetta. There was so much to see and so little time to see all of it. I understand it would take almost 21 years to see and study every exhibit within this museum. (Our travels took us to the port of St. Petersburg again in 2010, and again we booked a tour of this Hermitage Museum and tried to see more of what we couldn’t see on the first trip.) Continued on page 58

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THE GATEWAY TO RUSSIA

Continued from Page 57

We spent almost the whole next day at Catherine’s palace at Pushkin, not far from St Petersburg. On our way to the palace we passed an impressive World War II monument as we departed the city. We could not stop to take pictures, but learned these monuments on the major thoroughfares entering major cities are to remind people of the great struggle during the war years. A little history is needed prior to visiting the palace. The residence originated in 1717 when Catherine I of Russia engaged a German architect to construct a summer palace for her pleasure. In 1733, Catherine’s daughter, Empress Anna, commissioned other architects to expand the Catherine Castle. Later, Empress Elizabeth, however, found her mother's residence outdated and ordered another architect to demolish the old structure and replace it with a much grander one in a more flamboyant style. Construction lasted for four years and the architect presented the brand-new 325-meter-long palace to the Empress, which dazed courtiers and stupefied foreign ambassadors. More than 40 pounds of gold were used to gild the sophisticated stucco façade and numerous statues erected on the roof. Although the palace is popularly associated with Catherine the Great, it was actually built for Catherine the First. Catherine the Great regarded its “whipped cream” architecture as old-fashioned and had nothing to do with it. The castle was impressive both in size and grandeur! Upon entering the palace visitors are to put little booties on over their shoes, so as not to damage the original hardwood floors. Like the Hermitage Museum it was too large and the artifacts too numerous to mention. We started our visit in the “grand Hall” or the “Hall of Lights”, with painted ceilings, and various other decorated smaller rooms, including the reproduced Amber Room, which was totally covered in amber. The Great Hall was intended for more important receptions such as balls, formal dinners, and masquerades and covered an area of approximately 1,000 square meters. In the evening, 696 lamps were lit on 12-15 chandeliers located near the mirrors. Next was the Portrait Hall, another large room. The room’s walls were covered with large formal portraits of Empress Catherine I, as well as other members of royalty, past and present. The inlaid floors of the hall contained precious woods. (Now we understand why they wanted us to wear little booties over our shoes). After leaving the building site we took a short tour around some of the palace grounds which were as impressive as the inside. Catherine loved to come to these gardens to relax and enjoy the flowers. On the grounds of the palace proper we visited a small chapel, one of the most colorful of churches – candy stripes, of all things. We did not stay at these gardens too long, though. Old man rain, who never really left us, was coming back with some very high winds. Upon our return to St Petersburg proper we paused for a photo stop at the memorial dedicated to Alexander Pushkin (1799 –1837) who was a Russian author of the romantic era, and is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature. The evening was spent at the Russian Ballet

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral

performance of Romeo and Juliet. The theater was quite impressive, with velvet curtains befitting a palace, highly decorated and colorful box seats where royalty and nobility enjoyed the performances. Although the dancers were at their finest, this particular performance was a modern dance ballet, which took away from the beauty of the traditional ballet we expected. Our last full day was spent at another beautiful Palace, a lot smaller than Catherine’s--the Yusupov Palace. This palace was owned by the wealthiest family of Russia – the Yusupov’s, who possessed some of the best art collections in Russia. There was a waxworks exhibition in the lower rooms where Gregory Rasputin was murdered. This area was too crowded with tourists to spend any amount of time there. We spent the rest of the day on our own visiting the inside of the Church of the Resurrection (Savior of the Spilt Blood). This church is a monument in the old Russian style in the spirit of romantic nationalism. The walls and ceilings inside the Church are completely covered in intricately detailed mosaics — the main pictures being biblical scenes or figures — but with very fine patterned borders setting off each picture. The rest of the day was spent at the many shopping stalls adjacent to the church and canal where Jo Anne purchased several sets of nesting Matryoshka dolls. Our final day in St Petersburg began with high and blistery winds and a lot of rain. We visited the Peter and Paul Fortress to which there was a 300 yard walk from the parking lot, every inch in a soaking rain. The Peter and Paul Fortress was established by Peter the Great in 1703 on small Hare Island by the north bank of the Neva River. It was built at the height of the northern War in order to protect the projected capital. The citadel was completed with six bastions in earth and timber within a year, and was rebuilt in stone from 1706 to 1740. From around 1720, the fort served as a base for the city garrison and also as a prison for high ranking or political prisoners. The fortress contains

several notable buildings clustered around the Peter and Paul Cathedral (1712-1733), which has a 123.2-metre bell tower (the tallest in the downtown) and a gilded angel-topped cupola. The cathedral is the burial place of all Russian tsars from Peter I to Alexander III. The remains of the Imperial martyrs, Nicholas II and his family (wife and five daughters) and entourage, were also interred there, in the side Saint Catherine’s Chapel, on the 80th anniversary of their deaths, July 17, 1998. The remains of Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna were brought from Roskilde Cathedral outside Copenhagen to finally rest next to her husband, Alexander III. A lot of history here but the weather kept us indoors and stopped any outdoor sightseeing. One last tour of the day was to Peterhof. Peterhof is the gathering of palaces and gardens situated on the Gulf of Finland west of St Petersburg, designed and built by Peter the Great to be a summer residence. It is also the name of an adjacent town of 82,000 people. The town was built to house workers who were building the Palace and ground fixtures. The area was extensively damaged during World War II during occupation by Nazi Germany. Reconstruction efforts began almost immediately following the war, and they are still underway. Basically, the grounds are broken down into two areas –the Upper Garden and the Lower Garden where we would have landed had we arrived by hydrofoil. Fountains galore, everywhere one looked there were fountains. And, everyone operated by gravity and hydraulics, no electrical power whatsoever. Our four days in St Petersburg are over. We learned that during the communist era practicing religion was not openly permitted, but the Russians did take care to preserve the cathedrals. Most of them are now museums, some with beautiful icons, and tapestries, and fine carvings. During these last four days we saw a lot, ate some Russian pancakes, some Russian meals and learned how to drink the Russian vodka. We knew at this point, we wanted to return to St. Petersburg some day. 

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2013

I Ate Pumba! By Colby Carter

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have a pact with a few friends, every four years we travel together. This time it was Africa, all four of us proud to summit Kilimanjaro, witnessing the view and wrath from the Roof of Africa. A safari, the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and a glimpse into the Cradle of Mankind at Olduvai Gorge filled three weeks in Tanzania. My friends returned home, I moved on to Mozambique with a little sidetrip to Victoria Falls. I wrote in my journal just twice in five days, unusual for me. I probably say it best there, so I'll just give you a condensed peek inside: Wednesday, 7/3/13 17:51 Wow, what a wild day!!! I'm at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, perched on a hill overlooking an African water hole as I write these words. The sun is sinking. First thing this morning I did the Gorge Swing, what a rush! A tiny wooden platform 120 meters above the Zambezi River on the bend of a horse-shoe canyon, I was customer #1. It was cool and peaceful with one amazing view. Once attached, the weight and elasticity of the ropes were pulling me towards the edge; I braced my legs. Wow! My heart was thumping! The sun is setting beyond the water hole now; a herd of Cape buffalo arrived. Guinea fowl and Nile crocodiles decorate the edges. A few seconds of anticipation then over the edge, pure free fall for 72 meters with 90 meters of swinging, bouncing and spinning. Four shots of adrenaline rolled into one. My only company down there was a dead hippo; he had the bad luck of coming over the falls. Now and then a hippo or crocodile gets caught in the current, even elephants I’m told. It never turns out good. Smiling and shaking, I went directly to Victoria Falls Bridge for a Bungee Jump, there was a crowd. I weighed in at 83 kg, and would be jumper #11. What a drop, 111 meters straight down! Adrenaline from the swing had worn off; my heart thumping watching others go first. The crowd cheered, nervous people talked, one guy pacing, wringing his hands, rubbing his face and power breathing. Two jumpers in front of me and I started to shake. Twenty years ago I bungee jumped from a crane, it looked nothing like this. You could hang 10 cranes under that bridge and still have room for a pile of dead hippos at the bottom! I heard my name. I crawled under the rail and sat with my back to the drop off, a man made small talk while binding my ankles. I asked how he was, "I'm doing fine, I'm not the one about to jump off a bridge, I'm staying right here. Now stand up and turn around." Oh man! My hair stood on end and electricity shot through my body. He told me to shuffle forward, right up to the edge. "A little more, keep going until your toes are hanging over. Look up at the horizon. Hold your arms straight out. Take a deep breath. 5,4,3,2,1…GO!" Holy Smoke that Thunders! Instructions were to jump out far, some people’s knees just buckled as they collapsed off the edge...followed by a long, lost scream before the crowd went crazy. I was proud of that one, a giant swan dive, eyes wide open, hurling down, down, down, I mean way down, face-first towards the rushing rapids. My heart

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Peggye arranged tickets for my first big trip to Perú back in the year 2000, and I’ve been asking her for help ever since. I like to arrive in one country and return home from another, working my way over land, figuring things out as I go. I dislike shopping for tickets on the internet, so Peggye arranges for my dropoff and pick-up. She’s done a superb job of helping me visit some 26 countries on six continents. We still have one to go, Peggye. This year I also had the pleasure of working with Roxanne, she sorted out the details for my little side trip from Mozambique to Victoria Falls. I replied several times requesting changes to my itinerary and she made it happen. Everything ran like clockwork when I arrived…tickets, airport transfers, lodging, activities, park fees, transportation…all taken care of from beginning to end. Thank you. - Colby Carter

rushing rapid, stomach in my chest, scream trapped somewhere inside. What an amazing feeling, then spinning and bouncing and spinning and bouncing, whiplashing like a rag doll. Finally just hanging upside down high above the river, the spinning was never going to stop, all the blood rushed to my head. I bought my video and T-shirt, then took off walking towards Zambia. A big elephant just came to the water hole below, he's bossing those buffalo around. More elephants should show up soon. I toured the falls here in Zimbabwe, I wanted to see the other side. After immigration and 30 minutes walking in the sun I was soaking in the spray of the falls. A few hours later I was tired, hot, hungry, and thirsty, my double dose of adrenaline long gone. It was a long walk back, there were taxis, but I earned my wings today! A baboon tried to steal my ice-cold Snickers Bar, first the Pringles and now this! Back on the bridge a brute of a young man was about to bungee, in a wedding dress. I was too tired to stop and stare. Besides, the dress was looking shabby, torn at the shoulder, he wasn’t the first to wear it. Come on pal, if you´re going to jump off a bridge buy a new wedding dress. That’s just tacky! I kept walking, thinking about him hanging upside-down in that dress. It´s getting dark, the elephant is bathed in the soft glow of the lodge lights; his profile perfectly reflected in the water. This lodge is more high class than what I'm used to, but I'm splurging for five days and savoring it. No more searching for animals, now I sip

cold drinks while they come to me. Guests armed with cameras and binoculars fill the decks, except early in the morning, I have the sunrise all to myself. The elephant is now belly-deep in water, enjoying a big drink. The Falls are impressive. The spray feels good on a hot day, but protect the camera. The entire falls might hide behind a curtain of mist; a light breeze brings them back into view again. The breeze changed and it was suddenly raining on me, from all directions. The view constantly evolves. I heard Zimbabwe had the better vistas, but the wind just happened to favor me on the Zambia side today. It's hard to compare, I'd probably rank Iguaçu Falls in Brazil slightly better. Now I’ve seen both falls from both sides, the drama depends on so many factors-water levels, time of year, time of day, angle of sun, wind direction. Victoria Falls span the length of 17 football fields; I missed the full moon tour by a week. The elephant is meandering around the waterhole, his lower half wet and dark, he just disappeared into the trees. During the day marabou storks stand around like undertakers with guinea fowl shuffling about. I’m greeted outside my room by warthogs and varieties of antelope grazing just feet away in the lawn, this evening a hornbill said hello. There are warnings about leaving doors and windows open, monkeys and baboons can be a nuisance. Yesterday morning a never-ending herd of buffalo passed my room heading for the water hole, so I met them here for breakfast. Last night I did a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, drinks and snacks with

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2013

FUN TRAVEL, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

hippos and crocodiles doing their thing. More elephants arrived below, approaching cautiously with babies tagging along under their heels. A giraffe waited 15 minutes before daring to bend down and drink, in no hurry to be eaten by lions. Dinner is as exotic as the view! I went for the Grilled Warthog my first night. White wine and bush herbs marinated warthog fillet served with a sage scented potato strudel slashed with homemade BBQ sauce and flamed maple glazed baby apples. Sorry about that Pumba, but my compliments to the chef! Night two was Guinea Fowl Hen...semi-deboned oven cooked guinea fowl topped with stewed wild berry fruits, accompanied with open fire roasted butternut squash, wild rice and a shallot-peanut butter sauce. I loved the Kudu Antelope Fillet…sweet lemon and garlic venison on a butternut squash puree with pickled red cabbage cup and toasted walnuts accompanied by a tomato fondue. Finally, Burmese Crocodile…chunks of Zambezi Crocodile tail fusion in Thai red curry served with cumin basmati rice, crispy poppadum garnished with sambals and cucumber raita. I don't know what half of that is, but it went down very well. They assured me the meat comes from game farms, not the wild. I'm off to dinner now as someone lowers my mosquito net, turns back my blankets, fluffs my pillow and leaves a fresh bottle of water on my night stand. They’ll prep my coffee pot so I can grab a cup in the morning to enjoy with the sunrise, all by myself. I like watching the guineas fly down from the tree tops to congregate around my private African water hole. Our fancy dinner comes with a live serenade of African acapella, but who needs three different knives, forks and spoons? I just grab the biggest and sharpest, pushing the rest aside. A waiter brings a tiny appetizer and says something in French. I scarf it down and it’s mighty tasty. Another waiter approaches with an extensive and impressive wine list. I wave that away; I'll have a cold Zambezi beer with my warthog. And please clear away the crystal glasses before I knock one over reaching for a fist-full of that bread, I'll just swig from the bottle. I know when I'm in classy company, no burping or foam out the nose. Even been shaving once a month to blend in; and take off my lucky hiking hat when I catch people staring. I inform them politely it´s not for sale. All in all it's been a day to remember, as they'd say in Tanzania, it's been “crazy cool like a banana in the freezer." Enough for now, dinner time! Friday 7/5/13 11:20 a.m. I'm now sitting in Victoria Falls airport. Yesterday I did the half day canoe trip on the upper Zambezi River. Elephants crossed the road surrounding our jeep, we saw troops of mongeese (mongooses?). Breakfast on the riverbank came with an extensive orientation about hippos and crocodiles. If a hippo territorially tips us over; or just feels curious and lifts us 3 feet into the air. Don't dangle fingers in the water even if it is cool and refreshing, crocodiles are opportunistic! We saw both, but steered clear. We paddled downstream 10 miles, ran some small rapids, then lunch along the river. Nice day! Enough for now, back to Mozambique, time to catch an airplane. 

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By Georgia F. Schaeffer

ivility does not come immediately to a newly developed town and that certainly was the case in young Casa Grande! In the late 1800's, times were rough in the desert of central Arizona. Casa Grande was a service and support center for the area's mines. Wagon trails came into the town from all different directions. Agriculture was replacing mining as the major economic source. It took hardy men and women to survive and thrive. One such woman was Lillian Weaver Peart. Lillian Cordelia Weaver was born May 6, 1869 in Minneska, Minnesota to Daniel and Celestia Weaver. She had one older sister, Lola. The Weaver family moved to North Dakota where the girls received their education. Lillian

taught school there for a while. Lillian met Thompson Rodney (T.R) Peart (pronounced Peert), who was twenty years her senior and married him on December 1, 1888. While living in North Dakota, Lillian and T.R. had three children: Daniel, Harry and Alice. Prompted by the excitement of the development of Arizona, the Weavers along with their older daughter, Lola, left North Dakota for Casa Grande in 1894. The Pearts followed, arriving in Casa Grande in 1907. Lillian and T.R. were successful entrepreneurs and civic leaders, unafraid of hard work. Main Street in 1907 was the hub of commerce. T.R. became a partner in Peart & Armenta Merchantile. The Pearts owned and operated

From the collection of the Casa Grande Valley Historical Society. Copyright and/or publication rights for all photographs in this collection are retained by this institution. Number:1978_137_042.

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Peart's Hotel and Restaurant and Lillian ran a coffee shop in the heart of it all. By 1913, the nature of settlement in Casa Grande had significantly changed. The freighting village had grown into a farm trading center with several hundred resident farmers and trades people as well as railroad families. The automobile was displacing muscular teamsters with mechanics and technicians. T.R. took the lead in promoting improved roads. He mobilized local citizens in a mass meeting to go the county seat in Florence to demand an increase in a bond issue to finance road construction. One result was a good quality highway connecting Casa Grande and the county seat. The shallow surface mineral lode deposits in the mountains near Casa Grande tended to play out in the early years of the Twentieth Century. The automotive age created entrepreneurial opportunities for some of those who had lived in the disappearing mine camps around Casa Grande. Some of the wives of the different sorts of men living in Casa Grande recognized that they shared common intellectual concerns far from the life and death struggles of the town's first decades. They reached the point of organizing themselves to pursue wider interests than their own families, as other women had been doing elsewhere in the United States as the country moved toward ratification of a constitutional amendment extending franchise to women. Lillian along with her mother, Celestia, her sister, Lola, friends, Angela Hammer, Sarah Wilson, Edith Wilson, Ethel Travis, Sena Davies, Mabel Bayne, Genevieve Hutchinson, Sarah McMurray, Minnie Smith, Viola Vance and Margaret Zimmerman organized what they called a "Current Events Club". The members clearly were not satisfied with the relatively limited horizons of their small desert town. They were literate women who had their household chores and children well under control so that they enjoyed leisure time for

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visiting one another, for conversation and self-improvement. They shared the national penchant for reading to improve their minds. From the beginning of their association, they defined one of the goals as acquiring "literal and artistic culture". They also felt very strongly their need for more knowledge of the world, and for entertainment to be gained from reading. Consequently, they envisioned from the beginning of their association pooling their books and raising funds with which to purchase additional volumes. They planned to share their books with others in a free reading room and library. In 1914, they renamed their organization the "Woman's Club of Casa Grande". The expressed goal of the group was the establishment of a public library for Casa Grande. The reading room was located in the home of Lillian Peart on the northwestern outskirts of Casa Grande. The Woman's Club encountered a roadblock in 1916 when fire ravaged the Peart home and with it the club's books and all of its records. The fire forced members of the young organization to search for a suitable place to house their books as a new collection grew. They met in the public school auditorium which led to the building of a good relationship between teachers and parents culminating in a Parent Teachers Association. World War I found the club investing some of their funds in Liberty Bonds and raising funds for the Red Cross. Toward the end of the year, the club members joined the city council in sponsoring a community Christmas tree. Their long range objectives were to build a clubhouse and library on a wedgeshaped block at the corner of Sacaton Street and Florence Boulevard. In 1919, Lillian and Angela Hammer purchased additional lots for $125 for the club's building. The members of the Woman's Club throughout the years shared a selfless goal of community service. Club members began a hot lunch program for hungry school children who brought their own bowls and spoons to Central School. They campaigned for home delivery of mail, clearly numbering houses and erecting standard mail boxes at curbsides throughout Casa Grande. In 1949-1950, they campaigned during the cotton harvesting season against open gambling, prostitution and street sales of narcotics. Finally on January 25, 1924, the cornerstone of the Woman's Club was laid. Michael Sullivan, a skilled local stonemason was charged with the construction. The plans were drawn for the Hopi Indian style building of dark-colored local stone, much of which was hauled from the Casa Grande Mountain. Papago Indian workers performed much of the stone-hauling labor. Since the opening in 1924, the Woman's Club has been in constant use by the community. For 80 years, most organizations in town were launched either by the Woman's Club or in their building. Some of those include: Casa Grande Public Library, Casa Grande Ruins Pagent, Pinal County Fair, Casa Grande Christmas tree, Casa Grande Garden Club, Soldiers' Recreation Center, Jr. Womens' Club, Mothers' Singers, Zonta, Casa Grande Community Hospital, Casa Grande College Club, Senior Citizens' Club, Casa Grande Museum, Casa Grande Valley Historical Society, Mobile Meals, Telephone Circle of Concern, Reach for Recovery, Talking Books, Rotary, Lion's Club, Kiwanas, Business & Professional Womens' Club and the American Legion. Lillian Weaver Peart is remembered as the "Mother of the Woman's Club". She died on January 7, 1953 and was laid to rest in the Weaver Cemetery on South Peart Road. One hundred years after its inception, we not only celebrate the Woman's Club, but the legacy of the women of vision who brought gentility to our community and our lives. Resources: Casa Grande Valley Historical Society, Casa Grande Main Street, Arizona State Historic Preservation Commission. 

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By Lamar Johnson

ou may have heard the Tesla, the electric car guys, outsold Porsche, Land Rover, and Jaguar over the first six months of 2013 in California. They even outsold the Lexus GS. So in the land of surf and sun, in the rolling hills of Napa valley and golden coast that sports the Golden Gate it looks like a new player is in town. Me thinking. Is the age of the electric car finally here? I mean this is really important to me, and it should be to you too, because as we all know after the electric car we get the flying car. I am pretty sure this is stated in law somewhere. NO PLUGS AT THE PUMPS The first thing you have to think when you go electric is where do I fill up. We are not talking hybrid here. There is no internal combustion engine. Battery or bust! And since 1905 Americans have been filling up with gasoline at service stations. It only took a mere 98 years later that the first alternative fuel filling station opened. Wow. I am not exactly sure that is progress. In 1900 Arizona had a population of 122,931. That jumped to 5,130,632 in 2000. Progress!!! Take heart, a quick bit of research reveals that there are already over 200 electric charging stations in Arizona with almost all of them between Anthem and Tucson. If you are in or between the Tucson and Phoenix area your charging issues are over. Especially given the fact that electric car owners typically charge their cars at home overnight before any trips. It should be no surprise that charging stations are clustered where the majority of the cars are. Additionally, both the greater Phoenix and greater Tucson areas have established wealthy populations. You know, the folks that love to drive Porsche, Land Rover and Jaguar. But You Can't Go Out of Town So now it comes to range. Driving across town is one thing. Taking a road trip is another. Tesla has a beautiful website and it is clearly designed to confront the concerns of owning an electric car and trying to put them to rest. So if you are interested in a Tesla and have concerns about how far you can drive on charge, head there. I know, that is a bit of a tease. But their site is so extensive and well thought out it would be a waste to try and describe it all here. 5 BEST WAYS TO FIND A CHARGING STATION Having decided that figuring out my effective driving range in a Tesla probably wouldn't help you much I tackled a much more useful endeavor, finding charging stations in Arizona. I found three websites and a few apps that were pretty helpful in identifying charging stations. In each you

can enter an address, a state or a zip code and it will show you station locations on a map. 1. ALTERNATIVE FUELS DATA CENTER First up, the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. It's not bad. Not only can you find charging stations, it lets you search for any "alternative" fuel filling station. So you propane converts and hydrogen users, rejoice. Additionally, you can plan a trip. Set your origin and destination and it will show you all the fuel stations along the way. One thing I noticed was this site had the fewest stations listed. I figure that is a good thing, better to be conservative since it is not like AAA can bring you a 5 gallon can of electrons if you run out. http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_ locations.html 2. PLUGSHARE Next was Plugshare. Their charging station numbers are significantly higher than the Dept. of Energy site in part because you can add your personal charging stations to the site. Heading to Flagstaff? Give Ken S. a call! Just kidding. Don't do that. But there are a significant number of home chargers on the map, additionally this site lets you filter by charger type and claims to show which chargers are in use. http://www.plugshare.com/ 3. CARSTATIONS I don't normally dig ad driven websites but Carstation is a notable exception. I love the way their map creates clusters. So when you zoom in or out you can very quick see how many stations are in an area. Zoom out to a state wide view and see that according to Carstation there are 47 stations in the Tucson area, 135 in Phoenix, 2 in Sedona and 3 outside of Flagstaff. http://carstations.com/ 4. ON THE ROAD AND NEED A STATION? ChargePoint is an app for both Android and iPhone users. It uses your phone's location to show you charging stations. I tested it briefly and it missed some stations that have been around for at least a year. So keep that in mind. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chargepoint/ id356866743?mt=8 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com. coulombtech&hl=en 5. PLUGSHARE All of the stuff above is true about the Plugshare mobile app as well. Plus the filtering on the mobile is easier to use. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plugshare/ id421788217?mt=8 ď Ž

OCTOBER

COMING

2013

520-426-2074

SOON TO

Prescott  Flagstaff  Sierra Vista 

info@raxxdirect.com USASmartShopper.com 3151 N. Piper Ave. Suite #B117 Casa Grande AZ 85122

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Local College and High school Sporting Events. Come out and Support your local teams! Join the band, cheerleaders and dance teams root them on!

VISTA GRANDE HOME GAMES

Volleyball 4-6pm Oct 03 vs Maricopa Oct 10 vs Mountain View Marana Oct 15 vs Catalina Foothills Oct 29 vs Marana Freshman Football 6pm Oct 03 vs Tucson Magnet Oct 10 vs Mountain View Marana Oct 31 vs Ironwood Ridge High Junior Varsity Football 6pm Oct 17 vs Salpointe Catholic Oct 24 vs Rincon Varsity Football 6pm Oct 04 vs Tucson Magnet (Homecoming) Oct 11 vs Mountain View Marana Nov 01 vs Ironwood Ridge High Varsity Boys Golf 3:30pm Oct 03 Westwood/Casa Grande Union @ Dave White Cross Country Girls/Boys 4:30pm Oct 16 Marana/Pueblo

Casa Grande Union Home Games Junior Varsity Football 6pm Oct 03 vs Oct 24 vs Varsity Football 6pm Oct 11 vs Oct 18 vs Nov 01 vs Swim Team 4pm @ CAC pool Oct 15 vs Oct 24 vs

Flowing Wells Maricopa Mountain View Marana Catalina Foothills (Homecoming) Canyon Del Oro North Florence & IPC

Central Arizona College

Volleyball 7:00pm 10/2/2013 vs Phoenix College 10/11/2013 vs Yavapai Community College 10/16/2013 vs South Mountain Community College 10/23/2013 vs Chandler Gilbert Community College 11/6/2013 Division I Region Tournament - TBD 11/12/2013 Division I District Playoff - TBD

In a Pear Tree FALL HOURS:

Tues-Friday 10am-2pm • Saturday 10am-2pm • Sun-Mon- Closed *Some classes may be offered after hours. Location: 412 N. Florence St., Casa Grande, AZ 85122 Contact: ladies@inapeartreecg.com 520-252-9530 Kirstin Jeffers • 520-510-9464 Dira Reeves

Classes and Workshops offered in the "TREE" Registration: http://www.inapeartreecg.com/classes--workshops.html October 11 10:30 am Creating Painting with Carlos Jimenez $35 October 19 5:30 pm Din-Din & Grins catered by Lazy Dog Party Rentals featuring Black Box Productions "Not Burnt Out, Just Unscrewed" Improv Troup from Tucson $25.00 October 26 10:00 am Stipple Baby Can Flowers with Cindy Patterson $38 November 16 10:00 am Tin Can Flower Server with Cindy Patterson $75 November 21 5:30 pm Recipe Painting with Diane Cornish November 22 10:00 am Tin Can Flower Server with Cindy Patterson $75

Dog Days of Summer!

By Gigi McWhirter

aking your dog out for a walk during the warm - no hot - summer months in our area can be a great way to spend time with your furry friend and it can help burn off some of that extra energy they may have. But remember, warmer days, also mean hotter sidewalks, pavement, and the blacktop on the streets, parking lots, and driveways can get dangerously hot and do damage to your dog's paws. Experts remind us that concrete usually runs 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature while blacktop is a scorching 45 degrees hotter. A good and simple rule is "If it is too hot for your hands, then it is too hot for their paws." A dog's paws were designed to protect their feet, but they cannot protect them from extreme temperatures. Your dog's pads can and will burn. Damage to their feet can also occur from debris such as broken glass, thorns or foxtails. In 2008, the police dogs in Duesseldorf, Germany were issued plastic shoes to protect their feet from broken glass or other dangerous ground debris. How's that for Paw Enforcement? The best way to protect your dog's feet from the elements, scorching hot pavement, chemicals, broken glass, and other sharp objects would be dog shoes. Not all dogs like wearing shoes, and they can be difficult to keep their feet in while keeping the shoes secured. The best shoe, no matter which brand you select, should have a hard rubber sole like a running or tennis shoe. These soles offer the best protection from the hot pavement, glass, rocks, slippery floors and other dangerous debris. Look for a shoe that has a tall upper with Velcro straps that wrap around the dog's leg which will help the shoes stay on their feet better. Remember, a dog regulates their body temperature through panting and their paws - so be careful keeping their paws wrapped too long in extreme heat. Wiping paw wax on the dog's paws can also provide protection. "Musher's Secret" is an all season barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog's paws. It was developed in Canada for sledding dogs. It is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration to escape through the dog's toes. It is safe and made from 100 % natural waxes. It can help provide a shield against extreme heat, debris, and chemicals. It also helps keep your dog's paws from slipping out from under them on slick surfaces like ice or freshly waxed floors. You may also purchase disposable boots made of neoprene. These are easy to get on and off. They can do a great job but were solely designed for short term use. There are also "peel and stick" pad protectors. These can reduce harm from hot pavement and can also provide a non-skid surface to aid in getting around on slippery floors. During the "Dog Days of Summer" the pavement can get hot enough to cook an egg. It can and will burn your dog's feet and can cause serious injury. Before putting anything on your dog's feet, always check first to see if their paws are healthy and free from burns, blisters, cuts or any debris between their pads. If you suspect your dog's feet have been injured in any way, contact your veterinarian. Before you grab your dog's lead and head on out making him the happiest dog in town, think about the following points: "If it is too hot for your hands and feet, it is too hot for your dog's paws". Do not guess at how hot it is, go outside and touch it with your hand. If you cannot tolerate it, it is too hot. If you are walking your dog and it becomes too hot, look for a shady spot or grassy area and let their feet cool off. If you have a towel, soak it with water and place it on the pads of their feet. Do not let them walk on the hot surface with wet feet. Do not force them to walk on the hot surface. If you must, carry them home in your arms or call for a ride. Happy Trails make Happy Tails! 

OCTOBER

2013

CONVENTIONAL THINKING: Basic training will make you a good agent.

COLDWELL BANKER® THINKING: THE INDUSTRYS BEST TRAINING will make you a GREAT agent. Training magazine evaluated the top companies in the world on training quality for their 2011 annual Top 125 list, Coldwell Banker Real Estate was awarded the top spot among UHDO HVWDWH EUDQGV DQG ÀQLVKHG QLQWK RYHUDOO ,Q fact, the Coldwell Banker brand was 64 places ahead of the next closest real estate company.

So if you’re looking for the kind of training that will put you head and shoulders above the competition and prepare you for greater earnings on fewer transactions*, you need look no further than Coldwell Banker ROX Realty. CDOO XV IRU D FRQÀGHQWLDO DSSRLQWPHQW or email callcolleen@coldwellbanker.com and learn more about opportunities to work with a company that works for you.

According to Wall Street Journal / REAL Trends “The Thousand” Top Real Estate Professionals list, among top 250 teams and individuals”

COLDWELL BANKER ROX Realty 1919 North Trekell Road, Casa Grande, Az 85122 callcolleen@coldwellbanker.com 520-423-8250

© 2012 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Ofﬁce Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker ®, the Coldwell Banker Logo and “We Never Stop Moving” are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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License # MLO-0912939 License # AZBK 0918451 NMLS# 478688

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Call Gencor today, get pre-qualified SAME DAY with level of service you deserve!  Wide Range of Refinance & New Home Purchase Mortgage Products Available  Commercial Mortgage Products Available  In House Underwriting -with 24 hour turn times for approvals!  Up to 20 Financed Properties per borrower -25% down (perfect for investors)  FHA/Conventional Flips-no overlays  FHA with scores down to 580  USDA with scores down to 620  VA Loans for our valued Veterans  Manufactured Home Purchases and Refinances

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www.gencormortgage.com/rbenitez Mobile: 602-481-3967 * Office: 520-836-7776 * eFax: 602-324-0800 * 211 North Florence St. Ste #102-103, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 * Email: rbenitez@gencormortgage.com