Joe Janus | Valley of the Sun Lifestyle | July 2022 Digital Newsletter

VA L L EY O F T H E S U N

MAY | JUNE 2022

EVENT CALENDAR

The Perfect Pool

MAY | JUNE 2022

Ballet Arizona: An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix | May 17-June 2 balletaz.org Running Tuesdays through Saturdays, this outdoor event blends the beauty of ballet and nature. IB Andersen has re-imagined choreography from his 2016 world premiere “Round,” and brings it to life against the backdrop of Desert Botanical Garden. Contemporary ballet fans may recognize Andersen’s other works such as Eroica, Topia, and The Four Seasons.

Stars on Ice Glendale | May 20 gilariverarena.com The best of the U.S. Figure Skating team is coming to Arizona straight from the 2022 Winter Olympics. The all-star cast comprises an impressive lineup, including three-time and reigning World Champion Nathan Chen as well as medalists and champions Alysa Liu, Jason Brown, Vincent Zhou, and many more.

Arizona Spring Restaurant Week Phoenix | May 20-29 arizonarestaurantweek.com The Arizona Restaurant Association will once again host the annual Arizona Restaurant Week. Over the course of 10 days, diners can taste exclusive menus showcasing the state’s culinary talent. A variety of food will be included from a diverse group of participating restaurants, from fine dining to local favorites.

Phoenix Mercury VS Los Angeles Sparks Phoenix | June 5 mercury.wnba.com Watch the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury take on the Los Angeles Sparks at Footprint Center. The Phoenix team had an incredible 2021 season, with players ranking among the top 25 WNBA players on the list curated

by ESPN.

Always… Patsy Cline Phoenix | June 8-30 phoenixtheatre.com This stage production is based on the true story of legendary country-pop singer Patsy Cline and her unlikely bond with one of her biggest fans. The two kept up regular correspondence throughout their friendship until Cline’s untimely death. The story follows Patsy’s life on the road and is infused with her lively, beloved music. .

Y

earning to put in a backyard pool this year? A family swimming hole is the ideal way to get your clan together and keep things cool and fun.

But gone are the days of the cookie-cutter rectangular or kidney-shaped pool. Today, homeowners want personalized pools tailored to their needs.

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to creating your ideal outdoor retreat. So go ahead … dream on.

One thing is certain: If you’re putting in a pool, you want it to be the centerpiece of your home and landscaping. Today’s homeowners want their pool to be visually appealing so even when they aren’t swimming, their pool is a beautiful and calming focal point of their home. At night, LED lighting shows off their outdoor oasis. However, bigger isn’t always better when it comes to today’s pools. Many homeowners are putting in lap pools and plunge pools, the latter also known as cocktail pools or “spools,” as they are almost a combination spa and pool. These stylish plunge pools are small enough to be heated quickly but large enough for swimming. Classic rectangular lap pools are always popular as they are visually appealing and cost less than a wider more traditional style pool. Considering not everyone has space for a large swimming pool, this smaller trend makes sense. Petite pools are also more eco-friendly, so there’s a win for the planet.

Today’s spas, however, are getting bigger while the pools sometimes get smaller. Turns out, lots of people like to fit in the spa, so why not accommodate them? Many times a spa will now run the width of the pool and are integrated or sunken into the pool, allowing swimmers to go back and forth between cool and warm water with ease.

While the shape of today’s pools varies (hello, circular pools!), homeowners are also becoming more adventurous with the interior color of their pools, sometimes choosing mosaic patterns and lagoon-like dark bottoms to give their pool unique looks. Rimless or knifeedge pools, where the water is flush with the decking, are also trending, giving the pool a seamless look with the surrounding landscape.

Infinity pools that seem to extend forever continue to be in demand. And manicured green-grass surrounds continue to be popular, whether pool shapes are classically rectangular or more organic in nature. With so many design options, we don’t know which style we’d choose. What about you?

REAL ESTATE

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CHARLEVOIX, MICHIGAN Population: 2,338

S

mall towns across America offer a unique charm and sense of community. Many are abundant in independent shops, historic sites and architecture, scenic parks, and “hidden gem” local eateries. Often, these small towns also are filled with friendly people ready to welcome visitors and tourists. If you’re thinking of hitting the road this summer, take a look at these top-ranked small towns that check nearly all the boxes of small-town appeal.

NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA Population: 3, 144

IN GOOD TASTE

Victorian-style architecture carries throughout the town in homes with lovely balconies and a main street lit by gas lamps. Entertainment can be found at the Nevada Theatre, an historic building that hosts live performances, films, and art exhibits. Downtown is the go-to shopping district where visitors can browse a range of shops offering one-of-a-kind jewelry, art pieces, and other goods as well as tour several wine tasting rooms (a must in northern California). Outdoor activities aren’t forgotten, either. Tourists can try panning for gold in the river, hiking, or biking along a cyclist trail.

Also known as “Charlevoix, the Beautiful,” this resort town is truly picturesque. The striking South Pier Light Station marks the convergence of a natural harbor and channel that connect the bright blue waters of Lake Charlevoix with Lake Michigan. The historic, boutique property of Hotel Earl has been modernized for comfort and style while maintaining the town’s history.

It is named after local legend and selftaught architect Earl Young, whose distinct “mushroom houses” can be rented or viewed on walking tours. Hungry Ducks Farm offers sweet nostalgia with a petting zoo, carousel, train ride, and displays of antique toys and quilts. Boutique shops selling local goods and products line the walkable downtown.

NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI Population: 14,981 Considered the oldest continuous European settlement on the Mississippi, this small town is full of fascinating history. Pre-Civil War mansions, historic religious buildings, and National Park sites are easy to spot in Natchez, “The Jewel of Mississippi.” A 444-mile scenic drive along Natchez Trace Parkway follows the route of the Old Natchez Trace that Native Americans used as a travel corridor for centuries. Nature-lovers can enjoy the area through hiking trails located along the path as well.

During the summer season, the town’s diverse origins are celebrated in the Soul Food Fusion Festival and Natchez Festival of Music.

HONEY CREAM PIE INGREDIENTS 7.6 oz.

NESTLÉ Media Crema

1/4 cup

Boiling water

1/2 cup

Condensed Milk

1 envelope (7 g) Unflavored gelatin

8 oz.

Cream cheese

1 9-inch (6 oz.)

3 tbs

Honey

Graham cracker pie crust

DIRECTIONS Beat media crema, sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese in large mixer bowl until smooth.

Dissolve honey in boiling water. Vigorously mix gelatin into honey water with a fork until gelatin is completely dissolved. Immediately beat into cream cheese mixture with handheld electric mixer until combined.

Pour into crust; gently smooth top. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Serve with fruit if desired.

GoodNes.com

VANN

Maricopa County By The Numbers MAY 2022 3/15/22 – 4/15/22

8,982

AVG SOLD PRICE

352,368

$

TOTAL #

CLOSED

99

[

AVG DAYS ON MARKET

LIST/SELL PRICE RATIO

Owning is the New Renting

[

60

Homeownership is trending upward – currently at 64.2% -- as U.S. loses renter households. Rising wages, loosening credit standards and demographic shifts are all creating this momentum.

Source: Realtor.com

Your La Solana neighbor and property expert.

Joe Janus

If you or someone you know is thinking selling, call Lesley today!

Certified Negotiation Expert, Marketing Expert of buying or Realtor ®

Lesley Vann Distinctive Metro Phoenix Homes

M.Ed., PLLC, Realtor® HomeSmart

SA566914000Direct 480.599.1119 Lesley@LesleyVann.com Mobile | 602.620.6267 LesleyVann.com • La Solana Email | joe@joejanus.com www.joejanus.com 33107 N. 25th Drive | Phoenix | 85085 Call CallLesley Joe today todayif ifyou youare arethinking thinkingabout aboutaanew newhome! home!

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

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