there’s gold in those hills!Myths, Legends And Folklore Of Arizona

unlock your garage’s potentialWith Floor Finishings And Custom Cabinets

whet your appetiteBaja Style Shrimp Ceviche From Chelsea’s Kitchen

Arizona HomeownerMay / 2008

Realty ExecutivesKarrie Law4435 E. Chandler Blvd. Suite 200Phoenix, AZ 85048

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Featured ListingsWHEN BUYING OR SELLING A HOME, YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF…WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY REALTOR?

Is Experience a Priority? I have been in the real estate business for more than 12 years and have been an Arizona resident for 30 years. I’ve sold single-family homes, condos, town homes and land in various price ranges all over the Valley. Time spent in the real estate industry has made me familiar with market trends and my sales experience is a valuable asset to my clients.

Is My Realtor Working Full Time on My Behalf? I am a full-time Realtor; this is what I do for a living. I’m on top of the ever-changing inventory and market conditions which allow me to properly assess the needs of my clients. I am available, as well as accountable, during every transaction, especially the more challenging ones. I love my job and my clients benefit from my enthusiasm!

Will My Realtor Be an Effective Communicator? I connect with my sellers at least once a week with helpful feedback, support and updates in market conditions. My buyers receive constant updates when new listings are available and guidance through the contract timelines and transaction process. I am proactive to ensure a stress-free closing for my clients.

Will My Realtor Be Professional? As a Top Producer with Realty Executives, I negotiate and work with fellow Top Producers in the industry on a daily basis. I maintain a high standard of ethics and professionalism. As your representative, I have a fiduciary duty to you that requires honesty, disclosure and confidentiality. Ninety percent of my business comes from repeat clients and/or referrals from those happy clients.

So many questions…one answer:

4435 E. Chandler Blvd. Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85048 Office 480.961.5800 Cell 602.679.9100 karrielaw@cox.net www.myrealtorkarrie.com

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

1964 E. Brentrup Dr., Tempe, AZ 2,769 Sq. Ft. • 4 Bed / 2.5 BathOffered at $500,000Meticulously cared for home in The Oasis at Anozira. Remodeled interior with fresh two-tone paint, window coverings and upgraded light fixtures and fans. Large 18” tile throughout, upgraded counters and cabinets. Shows great!

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 ISSN-1939-9693

CONFUSED BY ALL OF THE SHORT SALES YOU’VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT?

Call me for the details and benefits to both buying and selling Short Sales. I am your foreclosure and Short Sale specialist and have

extensive knowledge to help guide you through the process.

14211 S. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 4,057 Sq. Ft. • 5 Bed / 3.5 BathOffered at $1,100,000Tastefulness radiates throughout the backyard with unimpeded views of hillside and South Mountain Park. Garage boasts two foot extension, chip resistant epoxy floors, 24 inch deep built-in cabinets on two walls and work bench. Beautiful interior features including white plantation shutters on most windows, gourmet kitchen with sub-zero refrigerator, double ovens, 17 inch tile floors laid on the diagonal with granite inlays and tile backsplash. Open floor plan with soaring ceilings and crown moldings in living and dining rooms, designer faux finishes throughout. Front and back yard redesigned with pavers, flagstone, raised flower beds, waterfall pool and spa. Great Home!!

8100 E. Camelback Rd. #104, Scottsdale, AZ 1,857 Sq. Ft. • 2 Bed / 2 Bath • Offered at $479,000This home has been loved! The sellers took excellent care and put so many extras into this lovely Scottsdale home. Granite countertops, roll out shelves in kitchen cabinets, Bavarian oak flooring, new brass fixtures, towel racks, and lighting in bathrooms. Security roll down shade, wood blinds, carpet is two years old, shutters, dimmers throughout security system, satellite dish, garage roof replaced February 2008, water heater is two years old, storage cabinets in garage. Quaint patio with two fountains. The HOA maintains front yard and community pool, gated/guarded community with dog park two blocks away. A must see!

JUST SOLD!

Event CalendarMay 2008

The Governor’s BallArizona Grand Resort, May 3rd480.345.1811 or thegovernors.orgIndulge yourself in a five-course gourmet meal, complete with wine, music and dancing, while helping at-risk infants thrive. The 22nd Annual Governor’s Ball, which benefits Healthy Steps, a program providing guidance to families with at-risk infants, also includes a silent auction, raffle and complimentary photographs.

Mad Mud RunKiwanas Park, May 3rdmadmudrun.comDon’t be afraid to get down and dirty at this year’s Mad Mud Run, benefiting the Arizona Burn Center. The race consists of five miles of fun and excitement where participants will be passing through many obstacles such as the low crawl, five-foot wall and hay hurdles all on the way toward the giant mud pit.

Cinco de Mayo Salsa FestivalEl Pedregal at The Boulders, May 5th480.488.1072 or elpedregal.com Can you take the heat? Head down to the 2nd Annual Salsa Festival held at El Pedregal at The Boulders where chefs from all over the Valley will compete to create incredible salsas. Some of the other festivities include live mariachi bands in the courtyard, tequila tasting, and salsa tasting. Of course, no Cinco de Mayo festival would be complete without Mexican cuisine, which will be provided by The Spotted Donkey Cantina and The Bakery Café.

Big Screen Legend: Music of John WilliamsSymphony Hall, May 9th-10th602.262.7272 or phoenixsymphony.orgCinema classics come to life with the help of world-renowned conductor and historian Loras John Schissel. With a salute to John Williams and the genius composers before him, you’ll hear music from Prince Valiant along with the themes from E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter and, of course, Star Wars.

Emily Center Fashion ShowThe Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, May 10th602.546.2652 or pchemilyfashionshow.comJoin in on the fun at the19th Annual Emily Center Fashion Show and luncheon. There will be a fabulous fashion show featuring both children and adults, along with boutique shopping, a luncheon, silent auction and raffle. This is a great family event with all proceeds going to the Emily Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Mother’s Day Lunch and Concert with EstebanDesert Botanical Garden, May 10th480.941.1225 or dpg.orgTreat mom to a day of music and fun at the Desert Botanical Garden’s 6th Annual Mother’s Day Lunch. Relax and enjoy the beautiful garden scenery while you listen to the musical talents of Esteban out in the garden. A fabulous catered lunch will be available at an additional cost.

Featuring Chelsea’s Kitchen5040 N. 40th Street • Phoenix

602.957.2555 or www.chelseaskitchenaz.com

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Shrimp Ceviche Baja Style

Your Home

“Nothing screams pride of ownership louder than a clean, bright, organized garage,” says Marc Loberg, founder and CEO of PremierGarage, a company specializing in garage floor coatings, custom garage cabinets and organizers. Whether you plan to sell your home and are looking for ways to differentiate your house in the market, or just want to better organize and simplify your life, you should consider a garage makeover. The first step in a garage makeover is to take stock of what you have in there already. You’ll want to categorize and prioritize each item. Which articles do you want to keep? Which are seasonal and used only once or twice a year? Are there any belongings that you can either donate or throw away? There are two emerging trends in garages, says Loberg. One is that they are getting bigger – 20% of new homes built today have a three-car garage, which is up from 11% just five years ago. The other is that they are becoming more organized and clean. People are taking better care of their garages and treating them as an extension of their home – not just a warehouse to store stuff. The old cement floor that cracks easily and is difficult to keep clean is losing ground to a variety of sturdy, heat-resistant and easy-to-clean surfaces and coatings. You can now install a hybrid polymer composite coating that is not only spill resistant – oil and other auto fluids pool up and are easily mopped away – but also doesn’t crack or blister and keeps its color for a long time. Remember those makeshift shelves made from two-by-fours and plywood? Now homeowners are installing custom shelving that protects their stored possessions from dust and makes them easy to access. “Can you imagine a kitchen without cabinets?” says Loberg. Garage cabinets act in the same manner, helping you organize and store your seasonal and low-use effects in a clutter-free manner. If you’re planning on selling your home, an upgraded garage can not only improve your chances of selling at a good price, but also may help you sell more quickly. If someone is on the fence about purchasing your house, they’ll look at your backyard and garage for that extra bit of information. A nice yard and organized garage will tell them the home has been well cared for and makes a great impression.

Preparation: 1. In a bowl, combine shrimp, lemon juice, garlic and salt. Set aside and let brine for two hours. (Do not let it sit in the brine overnight!)2. Drain and remove garlic. Set aside.3. In a bowl, combine jicama, orange juice and lime juice. Let sit for about 15 minutes.4. In a blender, mix brined shrimp, pico de gallo and hot sauce until evenly blended.

Serving:1. Put one cup ceviche mix in a glass and place on a plate.2. Drain marinated jicama.3. Top ceviche with olives, jicama, avocado and olive oil.4. Garnish with cilantro leaves.5. Serve with lime slices and tortilla chips.

Maybe it’s the desert sun playing with the mind, but Arizona is home to a wide variety of myths and legends. From hidden treasure to haunted inns, tall tales abound within the borders of this state. Here are just a few of them.

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral One of the most famous legends of the West takes place in Tombstone. Here, in 1881, the Earps and the Clantons shot it out over what was probably a mixture of arrogance and misunderstanding. Many people believe that the gunfight took place at the O.K. Corral, but it didn’t. It actually took place in an empty lot between Fly’s Photograph Gallery and the Harwood House, which is near the Corral. Also, many people believe that Wyatt Earp was the town marshal. However, he was temporarily deputized the day of the gunfight by his brother, Virgil, who was the town marshal.

The U.F.O. of Dreamy Draw In 1973, the Army Corps of Engineers built the Dreamy Draw Dam to help control flooding in Maricopa County. There are those who believe this is not the real reason it was built. Legend has it that in 1947 a U.F.O. crashed in the area and the dam was built around it to cover it up. Supposedly, two bodies – each about 4.5 feet tall – were found at the crash site and stored in a refrigerator before being carted off by the military.

Another story has the U.F.O landing in Dreamy Draw then taking off and crashing near Cave Creek. Neither story explains why it would take the Army almost 30 years to cover up the crash site. Interestingly enough, a plot point very similar to this story showed up in one of last summer’s action blockbusters. In Michael Bay’s Transformers, Hoover Dam, which sits on the Arizona/Nevada border, was built to cover up the All Spark and the frozen body of Megatron.

The Ghost City: Jerome Jerome was once a thriving copper mining town, but is now a small artists’ community. Local lore says that ghosts from the past haunt several buildings in the town. The Community Center is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young prostitute. People who have stayed or worked at the Inn at Jerome claim to have seen the ghost of Jennie Banters and her cat. When Jennie was alive, she ran a brothel and was said to be the richest woman in Northern Arizona. Today, she is said to move furniture about the inn and her cat leaves imprints in the sheets where it has napped. The Jerome Grand Hotel was once the United Verde Hospital. People claim to hear the moans and groans of past patients, as well as the creaking of the elevator moving up and down – even when there is no power! And then there is “Headless Charlie.”

This poor chap lost his head in a tragic accident in the mines. His head was found, but his body was never recovered. It is said that you can still hear him walking around in the dark of the now deserted mine shafts.

The Lost Dutchman’s Mine Arizona has more lost treasure tales than any other state in The Union, the most famous of which is the tale of the Lost Dutchman Mine hidden somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. In 1891, Jacob Waltz, a German immigrant mistaken for Dutch, was prospecting in the Superstitions. The tale goes that he found a mine rich in gold. He came out of the mountains carrying as much as he could. Before he could return for more, he fell ill. On his deathbed, he told his friends of the treasure, hidden somewhere “in the shadow of Weaver’s Needle.” To this day, treasure hunters still try to find this mine.

Of course, this isn’t the only hidden treasure yet to be found in the Superstitions. Throughout the years, plenty of Spanish gold has been found and lost in those hills. Many believe that there is a curse protecting the treasure and that people often disappear mysteriously, never to be found again – unless dead – after attempting to find the gold.

These are just a small sample of the myths, legends and folklore of Arizona. If you would like to learn more, you might consider visiting the Arizona Folklore Preserve (arizonafolklore.com) in Sierra Vista, where Arizona’s songs, legends, poetry and myths are collected and presented for today’s audiences, as well as preserved for future generations. If you’d like to learn more about Wyatt Earp and other Old West icons, visit the Bison Museum (bisonhomes.com) in Scottsdale.

Ingredients:15 cups cooked shrimp2 quarts fresh lemon juice10 cloves garlic, crushed2-1/2 tsp. kosher salt3 cups jicama, 1/4-inch diced1 cup orange juice1/2 cup lime juice

1 quart pico de gallo2 Tbsp. Cholula hot sauce1 Tbsp. picholine olives, pitted and chopped2 Tbsp. avocado, diced1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil3-4 leaves cilantrolime slicestortilla chips

The Organized GarageHere are a few tips for organizing your garage so that you make the best use of this space in your home.•Storeitemsthatareonlyusedonceortwicea year, such as holiday decorations, on the top-most shelves. Yes, you’ll have to use a ladder to access them, but that won’t be very often.•Storeitemsyouusemoreoftenonthemiddle and lower shelves. This makes them easy to access and put away, which will help you keep your space organized in the long run.•Hangbulkyitems,especiallythoseyouuse often, from racks designed for them. There are racks made especially for hanging gardening appliances, workshop tools and sports equipment. Hanging these items on racks not only keeps your garage clutter-free but can also protect your valuables from getting tangled, dirty or damaged.•Installingcabinetswithdoors,ratherthanopen shelving, helps protect your belongings from dust and spills, and can discourage insects and other pests, too.

Event CalendarDecember 2008

Glendale GlittersDowntown Glendale, Fridays & Saturdays in December 623.930.2000 or glendaleaz.com/eventsHistorical Downtown Glendale is in the holiday spirit all through December! Each weekend has a special event planned such as Glendale Glitters Spectacular, Gingerbread Nights, Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights and the Spirit of Holiday Giving. Each night includes festivities such as live musical entertainment, great food, horse-drawn carriage rides and visits from Santa Claus.

Celine DionJobing.com Arena, Dec. 6th623.772.3200 or jobingarena.comStepping away from her four-year run at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Celine has decided to take her show on the road to promote her new album Taking Chances. Throughout Celine’s career, this talented songbird has been honored with more than 1000 awards and is the top-selling female artist of all time!

Las Noches de las LuminariasDesert Botanical Garden, Dec. 11th - 23rd480.941.1225 or dbg.orgLooking for an alternative to a typical holiday light display? Then visit the Desert Botanical Garden and stroll through their paths lined with glowing luminarias. Many performers, including international recording artist Khani Cole and the Dickens Carolers, are on hand to put you in the holiday spirit throughout the night.

The Nutcracker Symphony Hall, Dec. 12th - 28th602.381.1096 or balletaz.orgThis classic ballet comes to life through Ib Anderson’s revered interpretation, and the unforgettable music by Tchaikovsky. This wonderful story enchants audiences as a little girl, Clara, falls into a magical dreamland in which her nutcracker comes to life. A battle with the Mouse King and the dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy are highlights. What a treat for the whole family!

21st Annual Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon / 5KScottsdale Civic Center Plaza, Dec. 14th602.277.4333 or raceplaceevents.com Put your athletic training to use at this annual half marathon and 5K event. Runners will wind through scenic Old Town Scottsdale and the community of Gainey Ranch. The top three winners in each division will receive awards and every participant will receive a unique commemorative medal.

POP!Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Dec. 31st602.253.0501 or childrensmuseumofphoenix.comThe ultimate New Year’s Eve extravaganza may be at a children’s museum, but this night is all about adults! Celebrate the beginning of a New Year and dance the night away on Phoenix’s largest dance floor. If dancing’s not for you, make your way to the swanky jazz lounge for some soothing music or enjoy the entertainment from a multitude of performing artists!

Featuring Avanti2728 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix • 602.956.0900 or avanti-az.com

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Avanti Tiramisu

Your Home

Procedure:Soak lady finger cookies in a mixture of the espresso and liquor. In a long baking dish or aluminum half pan, layer the bottom with soaked lady fingers. In a bowl, whip egg whites and sugar with mascarpone cheese until fluffy. Fold in egg yolks. Layer on top of soaked lady fingers. Begin second layer of lady fingers and repeat process. Top with whipped cheese and shaved chocolate. Refrigerate to set. Garnish with fresh berries or berry sauce.

Serves: 8-10

During the holiday season, many of us travel “back home” to visit friends and family. If you find yourself planning an out-of-town holiday this year, take some extra time to secure your home while you’re away.

•Unplugappliancesthatwon’tbeused.Notonlywillyoureducetheriskofdangerous malfunctions while you’re away, unplugging appliances that aren’t even turned on will save you money on your energy bill.•Double-checkthattheovenandrangearen’tlefton.•Ifyouhaveagasfireplace,rangeorBBQ,itmaybeprudenttoturnoffthepilotlightsifyou’llbe gone for an extended period.•Cleanouttherefrigeratorofanyfoodthatmayspoilandturnyourautomaticice-makertothe “off” position.•Turnyourhotwaterheaterdownorto“vacation”mode.•Makesureallfaucetsareoffandthatnotoiletsarerunning.Ifpossible,turnthewatermainoff completely. If pipes leak or burst for any reason, the water damage will be minimal as opposed to catastrophic.•Adjustthethermostattosaveonenergybills.•Closetheflueinfireplaces.•Disposeofallgarbagefrominsidethehomeandmakearrangementsforafriendorneighbor to take your trash cans out and back in on pick-up days.•Runthegarbagedisposalonelasttimetoavoidanyunpleasant“surprises”uponyourreturn.•Checkyourcalendarandchangeorcancelanyscheduleddeliveries.•Stopyournewspaperdeliveryandputaholdrequestonyourmail.•Deleteoldmessagesfromyourvoicemailsothereisroomfornewones.•Checkyourirrigationsystemintheyard.Isthetimersetappropriately?Arethereany underground water leaks or sprinkler problems? Better to address them now.•Arrangetohavesomeonewateryourindoorplantsandmowyouryard.•Ifyoudon’thaveapoolservicecompanytocareforyourpool,makearrangementsforsomebody to make a special trip to your home in the event of a storm. Too much debris from fallen trees, etc. can clog up your pool’s cleaning elements and leave you with a broken pool pump and a big problem when you come home.

Just as you may be anticipating your travels, so might the local burglars! So take some precautions to keep criminal minds at bay:

•Ofcourse,lockandsecureallentrypointstothehome.Don’tforgettolockthedoorfromthe garage into your home. Also, if you have a garage door opener, lock the actual garage door itself or disable the opener.•Secureslidingglassdoorswithametalrod.•AttachtimerstolampsandtoyourTVorradio.SetitforthehoursyoutypicallywatchTV.•Adjustblinds,shadesandcurtains.However,ifyounormallyhavethemopen,completely shutting them down tends to alert a burglar that you have shuttered up the home in your absence.•Ifyouareleavingacarbehind,besureitislockedaswell.Evenifit’sinthegarage.•Neverleaveamessageonyouransweringmachinenotingthatyouareoutoftown.Thatapplies to your work voice mail too!•Don’tdiscussyourvacationinpublic.Anddon’tleavea“vacationmailstop”tobepickedup from your mailbox- deliver it to a postal carrier yourself.•Contactpoliceandtellthemwhenyouareleavingandreturning.Theywillofteninitiatedrive-bys of your property. Leave them with names and numbers of people to contact in case there is an emergency.•Ifpossible,askaneighboriftheywouldn’tmindparkinginyourdrivewayeverynowandthen. Particularly at night.

Wrapping a gift in beautiful papers and bows is like putting a beautiful thought into words. The first pleasure that comes with gift giving is handing a striking package to the recipient. Next, there’s the shared pleasure of watching someone enjoy untying bows, pulling off paper, unfolding tissue, and finally seeing the gift, say gift-wrapping experts at Hallmark. Here are some tips to make your packages really shine:•Usetissue. White, colored or patterned tissue enhances the element of surprise, dresses up a gift and creates a pleasing rustle when removed or opened. Be sure tissue is fresh and crisp. (Tip: Combine two coordinating colors of tissue for a dramatic effect in a handle bag.)•Finishwithribbons.Cut ribbon ends at a slant or use a “v” cut. Elegant wire-edged ribbon with pre-tied bows add a rich flavor to boxes and bags. Cascades of stick-on curled ribbons turn an ordinary package into a spectacular one.•Useadd-ons. A silk flower, a charm or a miniature orna-ment are examples of surprises that can be tucked into bows. Add a fun pipe cleaner that’s been curled around your finger or even a photo of you and the gift recipient in a small frame attached to the gift.•Stockpile. Keep on hand in a special drawer, box or plastic container; a variety of plain and patterned papers, handle bags, tissue, tags and ribbons, as well as scissors, tape and boxes. A gift as simple as a bag of candy becomes extra special when tied with a bow or wrapped in tissue tied with ribbon. •Choosewrapandaccessoriesasyoudoclothing. Apply the same principles to gift wrap as to your wardrobe or home decor. Match or coordinate patterns, colors, textures and accessories to present a finished, pulled-together look. Stay in the same family (casual, elegant, whimsical, contemporary, etc.) for ribbon, wrap and add-ons.

•Letthewraphintaboutwhat’sinside. Attach a useful hint to the bow on the box or bag: a loofah or bath brush on a gift of bath accessories; a bottle opener tied with ribbon to the handle of a wine or champagne bottle bag; a rattle or cuddle toy nestled in a fluffy bow on a box for baby.•Letthewrapreflectpersonality. Gift wrap can reflect the personality of the giver or the recipient. For someone who likes black and white contemporary styles consider patterned paper tied with a fabric ribbon and a hot pink flower. Gifts for men look handsome in textured papers in plaids and printed craft papers.•Matchthe setting. If a gift is to be displayed in your home or someone else’s home, choose wrappings that reflect the decor, mood or colors of the home.

Ingredients:35 lady finger cookies1 pound mascarpone cheese 6 egg yolks4 egg whites1/2 cup sugar2 cups very strong brewed coffee or espresso, set aside2 Tbs. rum or Marsala wine1/2 cup ground dark chocolate

traveling over the holidays?Keep Your Home Safe And Sound

release your inner gourmet!Avanti’s Luscious Tiramisu

‘tis the season for gift giving

Tips For Stand-Out Packages

Arizona HomeownerDecember / 2008

Realty ExecutivesKarrie Law4435 E. Chandler Blvd. Suite 200Phoenix, AZ 85048

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 ISSN-1939-9693

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

KARRIE LAW

4435 E. Chandler Blvd. • Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85048

Office 480.961.5800 • Cell 602.679.9100 karrielaw@cox.net • www.myrealtorkarrie.com

WISHING YOU THE BEST OF THE HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. We all know 2008 was a tough year for real estate but I, and many local economists, are optimistic for 2009. There are so many great investment and move-up opportunities and I am excited to help my clientele take advantage of the historic values. If you’re still on the fence about making a move, let me provide you with comparable sales in your neighborhood so you can make an educated decision.

I’m also a great source for those of you staying put, by offering referrals to contractors, decorators, and handyman services. Count on me for advice and support when it comes to real estate investments, home improvement, and home values. I’m here for you, regardless of market conditions, and am happy to help.

One more thing…thanks to so many of you who were instrumental in my Fall Food Drive for St. Mary’s Food Bank. Your contributions were plentiful and I know they will be appreciated.

From My Family to Yours, Happy Holidays! Karrie, Darren, Megan and Hannah Law