15. March 2012 by Teri Ellis.

I enjoy providing useful information to those residing in and around Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona. Typically I just write specific and individual posts; however, this time around, I’ll include more than one tidbit in one blog post:

First: SRP is offering “The Great Fridge-a-Thon Roundup. To save energy costs on that old fridge or freezer that is sitting in your garage, and you are an SRP customer, and to have someone pick up your working fridge or freezer (they will even mail you a check for $30), then visit fridgeathon.com for instructions, and save money each year.

Second: Call 602.374-6808 to get a check up on your new or old cooling system. For $29.95 per unit (excluding tax), a licensed, bonded and insured contractor will perform a 16-point checkup on your cooling equipment. This is a savings of 50%. To take advantage of this offer, call the SRP Certified Contractor Program at: 602.274-6808. For more details, go to savewithsrp.com. Offer expires April 30, 2012!

Third: If you have been putting off replacing an older central air conditioner, don’t risk an expensive breakdown during the hottest time of the year. Stay cool this summer with the SRIP Cool Cash Rebate Program. Cool Cash provides as much as $400 back when you install a new, qualifying high-efficiency system by April 30, 2012! For more information, call 602.264-3108 or logon to savewithsrp.com.

I hope this is helpful to many of you. When you are ready to buy or sell a home in the Phoenix and Mesa Valley, give me a call at: 480.382-8711 for answers to questions or the opportunity to list your home or help you find one.

Posted in Real Estate, Blogs, Homes Arizona, Out and About in Town | Print | No Comments »

7. March 2012 by Teri Ellis.

Every year, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce hosts the Ostrich Festival! Lots of attractions such as Ostrich races, thrill rides, monkey shows, reptile adventures, magic and variety shows, freak show, dock dogs, high flying dog shows, bubble thrill show, cowboy shows, exotic petting zoo, and most important of all? FOOD!!!

Location: Tumbleweed Park, in Chandler, Arizona - (SW corner of Germann and McQueen) Days/hours: Friday 2 pm-midnight ~ Saturday 10am-midnight ~ Sunday 10am – 11pm.

All festivities included in price of admission. For more information log on to: Ostrich Festival,
or call: 866.993-2477.

Posted in Chandler, Arizona, Day Trip from Mesa, Arizona, Arizona, Out and About in Town | Print | No Comments »

1. February 2012 by Teri Ellis.

I share my personal musings on Valentine’s Day and what “special” attention can be given to those you love!

Funny how this differs with men than for women. As a woman, I “personally” DO like flowers.  Since I’m married, I tend to be a bit frugal about spending lots of money on flowers -  but flowers are still welcome!  Chocolates (really good ones) are indeed something wonderful! I prefer See’s, but have been known to enjoy less expensive candy. One rose would do as well…actually the thought really DOES count. Remember your woman on Valentine’s Day with a thoughtful card and a single rose, or box of candy. If you listen – really – well, you’ll know just what would please her.

Now, as for my hubby, I just get him a card with lots of love ‘cause that’s exactly what he likes. Over the years, I would choose a red shirt and a card, but always something red along with chocolate for him.

When my children were small, I would select a red article of clothing and place that along with a heart-shaped box of See’s candy by their plate at dinner. They always liked that. My daughter has continued that tradition with her family.

Posted in Teri's Musings, Arizona, Homes Arizona, Out and About in Town | Print | No Comments »

5. December 2009 by Teri Ellis.

Image via Wikipedia

The City of Mesa provides recycling for all sorts of items including: computers, televisions, PDA phones, audi-video equipment, printers, appliances and other electronics. The City’s first express drop-off recycling gathering will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at 2412 North Center Street, Mesa. No charge for this service, but only Mesa residents are eligible.

I”ve provided a link to the recycling website! Let’s all clean out our garages and get rid of all of those phones, cords, electronics, and make room for all of the new stuff we will be purchasing or receiving as gifts.

Posted in Arizona, Mesa, Out and About in Town | Print | No Comments »

24. November 2009 by Teri Ellis.

Since I am particularly fond of checking out our local Farmer’s markets, I thought it would be useful for my readers if I provided a list of the Farmers’ Markets in the Southeast Valley including Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Ahwatukee and Casa Grande.

Where possible, I’ve included any website information as well as time and dates of the Farmers’ Markets.

• Downtown Chandler Farmers Market – Open on Thursdays fron 3–6 p.m. Located at the southwest corner of Chandler Boulevard and Arizona Avenue.
• Farmers Market at Solera Community Center – open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the Month from September-July. Located at 6360 South Mountain Boulevard, Chandler.
• Farmers Market at Trilogy-Power Ranch - open 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the Month from September-July. Located at 4369 East Village Parkway, Gilbert
• Agritopia Farm Stand – open from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturdays from November – May. Located at 3000 East Ray Road Gilbert.
• Mesa Community Farmers Market – open 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Fridays. Located at the Rendezvous Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa
• McDonald Street Farmers Market – open 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays from October 24–May 1. Located at the northeastern corner of Main Street and MacDonald, Mesa
• Ahwatukee Farmers Market – open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays from October-April and May-September. Located at 4700 East Warner Road, Phoenix
• Farm at South Mountain – open 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturdays October through May 16. Located at 6106 South 32^nd Street, Phoenix
• Market on Mill – open 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Thursdays. Located at 730 South Mill Avenue, Tempe
• Mill Avenue Farmers Market – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sundays. Located at 24 East Sixth Street, Tempe
• Casa Grande Farmers Market – open 8 a.m. – noon on Tuesdays. Located at the Christian Church of Casa Grande parking lot, 1510 North Casa Grande Avenue, in Casa Grande

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; Phoenix and Mesa Real Estate Blog; Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

Posted in Arizona, Mesa, Out and About in Town | Print | No Comments »

20. November 2009 by Teri Ellis.

Image via Wikipedia

Our day trip on the Light Rail from Mesa to Phoenix and Back was such a kick! On November 11, Veterans’ Day, we boarded the Light Rail in Mesa at Dobson and Main. I love to take day trips to better appreciate the beautiful Phoenix Valley. I wanted to stop by the Tempe Farmer’s Market, walk along Mill Avenue in Tempe, and enjoy the sights all of the way to the end of the line and back.

The price of an all-day ticket is so reasonable.  We purchased them at Safeway in East Mesa. There were very few people traveling today, and we witnessed ongoing Veterans’ Day parades in Tempe and in Central Phoenix. It was so cool! The trip took about 30-40 minutes to the end of the line at the Metro Center - 19th Avenue. We changed trains and headed back!

Since I grew up in Phoenix, I loved traveling through downtown Phoenix and being able to see how “modern” Phoenix has become. The Light Rail route is so nicely designed and maintained, there is a feeling that I could get off at any of the stations and feel “safe.” We passed by the Westward Ho, a skyscraper hotel located on Central Avenue built in 1928 that was famous in the “day” and the tallest building in Phoenix until the year 1960. Anyone who has seen Al

fred Hitchcock’s movie, Pschyo, will remember that it was filmed in Phoenix in 1960. As a child, my mom would drop us off in downtown Phoenix to watch movies, and we got in for a quarter. ;-)Then, there’s my high school, Phoenix Union, which has been torn down now, but the memories are still there of the “good old days! Very nostalgic for me. The City has certainly “grown” up.

There is more to this story - I’ll share photos of Mill Avenue, where we ate, and more photos in another post.

Be sure to stop by my new Blog Site: AzLadyInRedRealEstateBlog.com for photos and more!

Posted in Day Trip from Mesa, Arizona, Out and About in Town, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

8. November 2009 by Teri Ellis.

Now that the weather has cooled down, my husband an I decided to check out our Mesa Farmers’ Market this morning. Mesa is also celebrating its Old West Days Festival today (November 7) and tomorrow (November 8).

There were shootouts, people dressed in their “old west” garb, and plenty of food. Rides on the train for little ones, jewelry booths, and a wide assortment of opportunities to purchase goodies or just walk and enjoy the music and the sights.

Winter visitors are back!! These events continue until May when visitors return to their cooler climates. There are plenty of these Farmers’  Markets, festivals, craft shows, and celebrations going on all winter.

It was a balmy 78 degrees this morning around  11:30, and we stopped by and tried out a homemade tamale. LOVE tamales! We purchased six, and will be having them for dinner soon. The Tamale Store is located in north Phoenix, but you can call and order your tamales, or go online at www.thetamalestore.com, and pick them up at the farmers’ markets in town. I do recommend them.

The McDonald Street Market is located in the center of Old Mesa at McDonald and Main. I’ve included a link to their website which provides dates, times, and other useful information for those who like to keep up on the local news.

Posted in Out and About in Town, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

5. October 2009 by Teri Ellis.

It’s that time again!! Time to clean out your garage, backyard, sheds, etc.  BUT this year, instead of just dumping those old cans of paint, antifreeze, and other hazardous waste and liquids into your garbage cans, gather all of your half empty cans of paint, your old computers,  pool chemicals, and take them to the Solid Waste Management location on October 15-17 at Paradise Valley Park, 17648 North 40th Street, and November 19-21 at North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 North Central Avenue.

A current water bill and picture ID “may” be required to prove residency.

Accepted at the above locations: batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, pesticides, pool chemicals, computers, and household appliances that use refrigerants, including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and heat pumps.  Commercial loads and large residential loads (more than five car or pickup tires per household, 20 gallons of paint or five gallons of other types of hazardous fluids) WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!

The City will also pick up household appliances at your home for a fee. Call for a collection appointment. For more information, email to pwserve@phoenix.gov, or visit phoenix.gov/publicworks or call 602.262-7251 or click on this link:  Phoenix Hazardous Waste Schedule

Posted in Out and About in Town, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

5. October 2009 by Teri Ellis.

Four times a year, the Phoenix city crews collect bulk trash. Some items are not acceptable for bulk trash collection!!!

I’ve provided a link to the map and to the schedules for 2009 and 2010. Phoenix Bulk Trash Pickup Schedules and Maps. Great information on this site.

   The above link will direct you to where to put your trash, when to put out your bulk trash, schedules and more.

Posted in Out and About in Town, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »

2. October 2009 by Teri Ellis.

For information on the City of Phoenix crime statistics, the Phoenix Police Department has provided information on the website at: Phoenix Police Crime Stats.

I believe it to be important to know what the crime statistics are in the neighborhood we choose to move into. It is for this reason, I’ve provided this information for my readers.

Those coming in from out of town have no idea at all, and those of us residing in the area for many years only know “generally” which areas might be less preferable than others. I like to provide my readers with the information so they can make the choice themselves.

Posted in Out and About in Town, Blogroll | Print | No Comments »