Robert Luce | Verrado Homeowner

LUCE

VERRADO

Hitting it Out of the Park for His Clients...

623.521.6647 Rob@LuceSignatureProperties.com Robert Luce is an expert Phoenix Realtor® with expertise in representing sellers in short sales, and guiding pre-qualified buyers for home purchase.

Robert Luce 20954 West Cora Vista | Buckeye | Arizona

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

Lighten Up!

Robert launched a full-time real estate career in 2003. In 2006, he received the prestigious President’s Award for real estate sold, selling over 50 homes in the Verrado community alone. Robert’s recent accolades include the 2008 Presidential Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers.

Prior to becoming a Phoenix Realtor®, Robert was selected in the 9th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft. Robert excelled as a professional baseball player through 2003, receiving attention as The Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Seattle Mariners, being selected for the Seattle Award for professional conduct within the community, as well as winning a championship in 2003.

Robert’s lucrative involvement within professional baseball and as a licensed pilot has no doubt contributed to a progressively flourishing social and professional network.

Robert’s devotion to both worlds, in addition to his family, are something for which others hold him in the highest esteem.

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Mood Enhancing Ambiance

Hit the Road Great Escapes Cover Photography | Candelaria Design

Robert Luce

Vol. 2 Issue 5

Modern Margarita Magical Guacamole

Showplace of the Valley Sahuaro Historic Park

LOCAL VENUE

Lighten Up!

GREAT escapes

Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area GlendaleAZ.com | 623.930.4200

The time is right to head out of town and explore all the natural beauty our country has to offer. Grab the kids or a group of friends, your camera, and hit the road to explore some nearby national monuments and parks you won’t soon forget. This is how to make long-cherished memories with loved ones. Happy trails!

Road trip #1: Colorado Must-see spots: When traveling to Colorado, the ultimate draw is undoubtedly the Rocky Mountains. Be sure to stop at Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. One of the state’s most accessible 14,000 foot mountains, Pikes Peak was the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful.” You can reach the summit by railroad, car, or foot. While in Colorado Springs, head to the nearby United States Air Force Academy, and visit the famed modernist Cadet Chapel. Another landmark worth the trip: Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez, where visitors can explore ruins of cliff-side homes built by the ancient Pueblo people. Also on the must-see list: Historic mining towns that are scattered throughout Colorado, among them Georgetown-Silver Plume, Leadville, Silverton, and Telluride.

Want to create the perfect mood in any room of your home? Focus on the lighting … it’s one of the most effective ways to reinvigorate your space. Whether you’re in the bath or the boudoir, the den or the dining room, lighting sets the scene for whatever is at hand.

The secret is getting the right mix of natural, ambient, and task lighting.

Historic Main House Museum Tour Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Must-see spots: Traveling south from Wyoming, Utah brings numerous outdoor destinations. Home to five national parks, the Beehive State is a paradise for hikers, bikers, campers, and climbers. Start your journey near Moab in Southeast Utah at Arches National Park, home to the world’s largest number of natural stone arches (there are thousands of them— including the breathtaking Delicate Arch). In southwestern Utah, check out Bryce Canyon National Park, filled with brilliantly colored rock formations, spires, and pink cliffs, and Zion National Park, the state’s oldest and most frequented park. Zion is best known for its incredible hiking trails and vistas.

Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park round out the list. Salt Lake City also offers Temple Square a 10-acre complex owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site attracts 3 million to 5 million visitors annually which is more than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park.

In the bathroom, use lighting to enhance what is often a smaller space and perhaps lacks abundant, if any, natural lighting. Chandeliers—once denizens of the dining room alone—now find themselves at home in the bathroom, and look lovely and appropriate when in-scale to the room. After all, spa-like bathrooms should be well lit, bright, and sparkling clean. To complement a chandelier, consider targeted recessed lighting above the vanity and soft, subtle sconce lighting for nighttime and to help set a soothing scene. A large, decorative mirror can also help reflect light to further brighten up smaller spaces.

Of course, for other rooms, ambiance is more the goal than anything else.

Rooms that come to mind: dining rooms and dramatic entryways, where chandeliers traditionally rule the roost. Consider dimmers to get the ambient lighting just right for meal times and opt for additional recessed lighting when the room is used for other purposes. Sideboards are perfect spots for lamps that will help set the scene at parties and during buffets.

When a room is perfectly lit, you may not even notice it. But you do notice when you’re in a dimly lit room with no lamp in sight. The perfect mix and balance of natural and ambient lighting brings a house to life and creates a productive and soothing place to live. So go ahead, lighten up!

YOUR HOME

Must-see spots: Heading north to Wyoming, the numberone destination is of course Yellowstone National Park, which lies mostly in Wyoming, and extends into Montana and Idaho.

Covering some 3,468 square miles, the Park—the first National Park in the world—is home to hundreds of species of animals including grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of bison and elk. Don’t miss seeing the ever-popular Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts about every 91 minutes. Another U.S. National Historic Landmark is Independence Rock, near Casper. This large granite rock (it’s 130 feet high, 1,900 feet long, and 850 feet wide) was a well-known landmark on the Oregon and California emigrant trails. More than 5,000 early emigrants traveled the trail and left their names etched in the massive rock.

Road trip #3: Utah

House-made Fresh Guacamole

INGREDIENTS 8 c Avocados (ripe) 2 Limes juiced 1 tbsp Kosher salt ½ Small red onion, diced 3 Small jalapeno, seeded and diced ½ bunch Cilantro, minced ½ tsp Ground cumin 2 tbsp Cotija cheese, grated 1 Small Roma tomato, seeded and diced

LOCAL FLAVOR!

Preserving one of the Valley’s oldest and most magnificent ranches, the 17-acre Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area features 13 original buildings, a rose garden, barnyard and historic orchards. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places and known as the “Showplace of the Valley,” the Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area offers activities, exhibits and guided tours—keeping the history of early settlement in the Valley alive. Enjoy a trip back in time! Learn about the house built between 1891 and 1898, the history and the people who lived there.

The first thing to consider is the purpose of the room. Work spaces—think kitchens and office spaces—should be well lit from above so cooking, cleaning, or computer work can be done with ease. Let as much natural light into these spaces as possible to help invigorate your mind while working. Install plenty of overhead lighting, with recessed, under-cabinetry lighting for specific tasks in the kitchen. In the den, make sure desks have ample task lighting for reading, writing, and computer work. In living rooms, be sure to place lamps near cozy chairs made for curling up with a good book.

Road trip #2: Wyoming

DIRECTIONS Slice each avocado in half and remove the seed. Scoop out the meat of the avocados into a mixing bowl, and top with the juice of 2 limes and the tablespoon of kosher salt. Using a potato masher mash the avocados to a smooth consistency.

Add the diced red onions, jalapenos and spices. Mix to combine adjust the seasonings as needed. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. To serve top with the diced Roma tomato and grated Cotija cheese. Serve with tortilla chips.

Yield: 4 Cups

Watermelon Honey Margarita 3 oz Tequila 1 oz Honey syrup

Modern Margarita ModernMargarita.com | 602.795.8111

2 oz Watermelon water 1 oz Fresh lime juice, strained

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice in a margarita glass. Garnish with a watermelon rind peel.

LOCAL VENUE

Lighten Up!

GREAT escapes

Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area GlendaleAZ.com | 623.930.4200

The time is right to head out of town and explore all the natural beauty our country has to offer. Grab the kids or a group of friends, your camera, and hit the road to explore some nearby national monuments and parks you won’t soon forget. This is how to make long-cherished memories with loved ones. Happy trails!

Road trip #1: Colorado Must-see spots: When traveling to Colorado, the ultimate draw is undoubtedly the Rocky Mountains. Be sure to stop at Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. One of the state’s most accessible 14,000 foot mountains, Pikes Peak was the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful.” You can reach the summit by railroad, car, or foot. While in Colorado Springs, head to the nearby United States Air Force Academy, and visit the famed modernist Cadet Chapel. Another landmark worth the trip: Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez, where visitors can explore ruins of cliff-side homes built by the ancient Pueblo people. Also on the must-see list: Historic mining towns that are scattered throughout Colorado, among them Georgetown-Silver Plume, Leadville, Silverton, and Telluride.

Want to create the perfect mood in any room of your home? Focus on the lighting … it’s one of the most effective ways to reinvigorate your space. Whether you’re in the bath or the boudoir, the den or the dining room, lighting sets the scene for whatever is at hand.

The secret is getting the right mix of natural, ambient, and task lighting.

Historic Main House Museum Tour Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Must-see spots: Traveling south from Wyoming, Utah brings numerous outdoor destinations. Home to five national parks, the Beehive State is a paradise for hikers, bikers, campers, and climbers. Start your journey near Moab in Southeast Utah at Arches National Park, home to the world’s largest number of natural stone arches (there are thousands of them— including the breathtaking Delicate Arch). In southwestern Utah, check out Bryce Canyon National Park, filled with brilliantly colored rock formations, spires, and pink cliffs, and Zion National Park, the state’s oldest and most frequented park. Zion is best known for its incredible hiking trails and vistas.

Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park round out the list. Salt Lake City also offers Temple Square a 10-acre complex owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site attracts 3 million to 5 million visitors annually which is more than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park.

In the bathroom, use lighting to enhance what is often a smaller space and perhaps lacks abundant, if any, natural lighting. Chandeliers—once denizens of the dining room alone—now find themselves at home in the bathroom, and look lovely and appropriate when in-scale to the room. After all, spa-like bathrooms should be well lit, bright, and sparkling clean. To complement a chandelier, consider targeted recessed lighting above the vanity and soft, subtle sconce lighting for nighttime and to help set a soothing scene. A large, decorative mirror can also help reflect light to further brighten up smaller spaces.

Of course, for other rooms, ambiance is more the goal than anything else.

Rooms that come to mind: dining rooms and dramatic entryways, where chandeliers traditionally rule the roost. Consider dimmers to get the ambient lighting just right for meal times and opt for additional recessed lighting when the room is used for other purposes. Sideboards are perfect spots for lamps that will help set the scene at parties and during buffets.

When a room is perfectly lit, you may not even notice it. But you do notice when you’re in a dimly lit room with no lamp in sight. The perfect mix and balance of natural and ambient lighting brings a house to life and creates a productive and soothing place to live. So go ahead, lighten up!

YOUR HOME

Must-see spots: Heading north to Wyoming, the numberone destination is of course Yellowstone National Park, which lies mostly in Wyoming, and extends into Montana and Idaho.

Covering some 3,468 square miles, the Park—the first National Park in the world—is home to hundreds of species of animals including grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of bison and elk. Don’t miss seeing the ever-popular Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts about every 91 minutes. Another U.S. National Historic Landmark is Independence Rock, near Casper. This large granite rock (it’s 130 feet high, 1,900 feet long, and 850 feet wide) was a well-known landmark on the Oregon and California emigrant trails. More than 5,000 early emigrants traveled the trail and left their names etched in the massive rock.

Road trip #3: Utah

House-made Fresh Guacamole

INGREDIENTS 8 c Avocados (ripe) 2 Limes juiced 1 tbsp Kosher salt ½ Small red onion, diced 3 Small jalapeno, seeded and diced ½ bunch Cilantro, minced ½ tsp Ground cumin 2 tbsp Cotija cheese, grated 1 Small Roma tomato, seeded and diced

LOCAL FLAVOR!

Preserving one of the Valley’s oldest and most magnificent ranches, the 17-acre Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area features 13 original buildings, a rose garden, barnyard and historic orchards. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places and known as the “Showplace of the Valley,” the Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area offers activities, exhibits and guided tours—keeping the history of early settlement in the Valley alive. Enjoy a trip back in time! Learn about the house built between 1891 and 1898, the history and the people who lived there.

The first thing to consider is the purpose of the room. Work spaces—think kitchens and office spaces—should be well lit from above so cooking, cleaning, or computer work can be done with ease. Let as much natural light into these spaces as possible to help invigorate your mind while working. Install plenty of overhead lighting, with recessed, under-cabinetry lighting for specific tasks in the kitchen. In the den, make sure desks have ample task lighting for reading, writing, and computer work. In living rooms, be sure to place lamps near cozy chairs made for curling up with a good book.

Road trip #2: Wyoming

DIRECTIONS Slice each avocado in half and remove the seed. Scoop out the meat of the avocados into a mixing bowl, and top with the juice of 2 limes and the tablespoon of kosher salt. Using a potato masher mash the avocados to a smooth consistency.

Add the diced red onions, jalapenos and spices. Mix to combine adjust the seasonings as needed. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. To serve top with the diced Roma tomato and grated Cotija cheese. Serve with tortilla chips.

Yield: 4 Cups

Watermelon Honey Margarita 3 oz Tequila 1 oz Honey syrup

Modern Margarita ModernMargarita.com | 602.795.8111

2 oz Watermelon water 1 oz Fresh lime juice, strained

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice in a margarita glass. Garnish with a watermelon rind peel.

VERRADO Hitting it Out of the Park for His Clients...

Robert Luce 623.521.6647 Rob@LuceSignatureProperties.com Robert Luce is an expert Phoenix Realtor® with expertise in representing sellers in short sales, and guiding pre-qualified buyers for home purchase.

Robert launched a full-time real estate career in 2003. In 2006, he received the prestigious President’s Award for real estate sold, selling over 50 homes in the Verrado community alone. Robert’s recent accolades include the 2008 Presidential Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers.

Prior to becoming a Phoenix Realtor®, Robert was selected in the 9th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft. Robert excelled as a professional baseball player through 2003, receiving attention as The Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Seattle Mariners, being selected for the Seattle Award for professional conduct within the community, as well as winning a championship in 2003.

Robert’s lucrative involvement within professional baseball and as a licensed pilot has no doubt contributed to a progressively flourishing social and professional network.

Robert’s devotion to both worlds, in addition to his family, are something for which others hold him in the highest esteem.

Robert Luce 20954 West Cora Vista | Buckeye | Arizona

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

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Vol. 2 Issue 4

CLUB ON THE GREEN

Fore!

The Coolest Room in the House Get Your Garage in Gear

Queen Creek Olive Mill Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Two Claws Up

OHSO Brewery’s Blue Crab Dip