My Fit Foods Healthy Take-Out Restaurant Coming to Scottsdale

By Laura Hahnefeld Wed., Jul. 13 2011 at 8:30 AM

​My Fit Foods, a take-out operation for fresh, healthy, pre-portioned meals and snacks, is opening its first location in Arizona at The Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. The Houston-based company, with over 33 locations in Texas, is owned by personal trainer and certified nutritionist, Mario Mendias.
So what's on the menu, what's the popular weight loss program about, and when will My Fit Foods open?
To-go entrées like lean lemon turkey, Denyse's Killuh Chili, and a light mac and cheese called My Fit Mac range from around $6.75 for a small portion to $10.25 for a large; however, it appears most customers opt for a program called My Fit Foods 21-day Challenge, which includes a consultation, three weeks worth of food for around $500 to $750, and claims, "The average client loses 6-12 pounds and reports feeling higher levels of energy after as little as 3 days on the program."
I spoke to Courtney Montez, Customer Relations/Receptionist at My Fit Foods, who confirmed the Scottsdale location and told me the company plans to open in October.

Now Closed: Parc Central and Spitfire Grill & Tavern

By Laura Hahnefeld Tue., Jul. 26 2011 at 8:30 AM

​Oh my, looks like we lost two Valley restaurants as of late. Parc Central, home of progressive American cuisine in the Scottsdale Quarter and only open since January, posted on its Facebook page last Wednesday that it was closed for the day and to make reservations for a future date. Unfortunately, it looks like that date will be never.
Spitfire Grill & Tavern, the neighborhood eatery in Tempe open since April of last year, has a "Notice of Retaking Possession" document on its window with a date of last Friday. Citing the property takeover by the landlord as a "result of a default by tenant under terms of lease," looks like the Spitfire has sputtered out (sorry).

What's new in home decor color?

Home decor color trends for 2012

Posted: 07/25/2011

• By: Haley Madden, ABC15.com

Yellow, purple, blue...what is next? Every season we see a new color hit the fashion world and for many it's hard to keep up! With some tips from Owner of Jay B's Interior Design Jewell Blair, you will finally get a good idea on what works well with your style.
First, Blair introduced us to the Colormix 2012, "Colormix is an entire spectrum of colors that are neutralized," she said. " This makes them easy to mix and match." By creating different palette, creator Sherwin Williams helped us to see colors how they appear in nature. Blair says, these natural colors are generally not one dimensional and because of that many colors blend very closely on the color wheel.
With a high focus on keeping things "eco-friendly", Blair says the Colormix 2012 encourages us to use soothing colors that "can be mixed across the quadrants and create enviornments that are soothing in the busy world."
For more information on Jay B's interio design visit askthedesigner@live.com or for information the Colormix 2012 www.sherwin-williams.com
they are located at 5612 W Bell Rd Glendale, AZ 85308-3868. Phone: (602) 978-8771.

Don't fall for real-estate myths in this market

You're not going to get 50% off the asking price on a home, and the good houses in the good neighborhoods go fast.

Posted by Teresa at MSN Real Estate on Monday, July 25, 2011 1:30 PM

It’s easy to think that because we're in a buyers market, buyers can call all the shots: Wait weeks before deciding whether to make an offer on a particular house, find grateful acceptance of lowball offers or scoop up homes for 50% of the asking price.

• Your worst real-estate enemy? You

Good luck with that. Clinging to those and other popular myths may keep you from getting the house you want.  Read article

Arizona Taco Festival is Back October 15, 2011

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Mark your calendars Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit

PHX Art Museum is Getting it Wright

July 25, 2011 | 12:52 PM | Art & Entertainment | By Alanna Watson

Another day, another amazing exhibit coming to the Phoenix Art Museum. This time, architecture and art buffs can join together in celebration of on one of the world’s most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright. The exhibition, entitled Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century, will open on December 18 in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Wright’s former residence and studio, Taliesin West and aims to offer “fresh perspective” on the celebrated architects seven-decade career. The exhibition will include never before seen drawings, scale models and photography in addition to videos of the man in action.
The look back on Wright’s expansive work will focus on his triumphs in the architecture world and will delve into the details of Living City. While the project never made it past the blueprint stage, fans of Wright will be able to see the beginning stages of a 1958 urban utopia which aimed to blend the natural environment with everyday life. Sounds like Wright was “going green” before anyone ever knew the meaning behind it. Mark your calendars for the release date, Wright’s Arizona legacy lives on.

Tips for finding best home loan

Ellen James Martin: Tips for finding best available mortgage

By Ellen James Martin
Smart Moves

Posted: 06/26/2011 12:00:00 AM PDT

It's both a favorable and unfavorable time for homebuyers seeking mortgage financing. Rates are still relatively low. Yet it's often tough for buyers to get their financing lined up in time to buy a property, especially if they're working with an unseasoned lender.

"A pro shouldn't have to torture you to process your loan," says Dale Robyn Siegel, a mortgage broker and author of "The New Rules for Mortgages." Read article

Secrets to getting a mortgage with so-so credit

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By Les Christie July 5, 2011: 2:40 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Getting a mortgage can be tough these days -- even people with near-perfect credit have been rejected for loans. But for some lucky borrowers, things aren't as bad as the doom-and-gloom crowd says.
At a recent press conference, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said lending standards for mortgages have tightened so considerably that "the bottom third of people who might have qualified for a prime mortgage in terms of, say, FICO scores a few years ago -- cannot qualify today." Read more

This weekend: AZ Culinary Institute hosts open house

Open House

July 23, 2011

Join Arizona Culinary Institute on Saturday, July 23, 2011 for our OPEN HOUSE. Chef Instructors will be giving tours of the facilities and will be available to answer your questions. Special cooking demonstrations will be given by ACI Chefs. Admission and Financial Aid Representatives will be available to answer questions. Check in begins at 9:00 with tours beginning at 9:15 am and going through 1:00 pm.

Enter for a chance to win knives from Dexter and other door prizes.

20 chores to do for the monsoon season

by Rosie Romero - Jul. 16, 2010 11:38 AM
The Arizona Republic

It's time to stock up on drinking water and flashlight batteries. And it's time to prepare your house and yard for an onslaught of wet, windy weather to protect them from damage. Here are 20 chores to do before, during and after the monsoon rains to prevent water from creating problems that can turn into emergencies:

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/decor/articles/2010/07/16/20100716monsoon-prep-advice.html#ixzz1SV6QzAbf

Prime Bar at Scottsdale Quarter

Great Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4pm-7pm, daily food specials, great cocktails and a Beer of the month for just $3 all day everyday.

House of the day: Peterson Architecture Designs Largest Home in AZ

Arizona Foothills

Peterson Architecture strikes again, but this time they are working on a project of epic proportions— the architecture firm has designed the largest home in Arizona. Ground-breaking has just begun and you wouldn’t believe us if we told you how large this home is actually going to be: 100,000 square feet under roof, of the most creative and innovative home-design the Valley (and maybe the world) has ever seen!

Six months ago, this project was just an idea. Today, it’s a masterpiece being brought to life in the hills of Silverleaf. After weeks of intense brainstorming and collaboration, plans were drawn and decisions were made. The end result resembles a Mediterranean castle and Italian hillside village in one home, with unmatched features and fun.
This ‘smart house’ has everything from an indoor bowling alley, basketball court and pool to underground caves, secret passages and staff quarters. It will have the first residential IMAX movie theater, multiple interior garages, zip lines across courtyards from one part of the house to another, multiple pool complexes with waterfalls, hidden grottos, a lazy river and a three-story night club for the cherry on top. Erik Peterson AIA, president of Peterson Architecture said, “This is such an exciting project for us to be a part of because we don’t usually get to do grottos and zip lines and things that are over the top!”

James Bond and Iron Man effects will be the main inspiration and theme of the home. Some parts of the home will look like a reclaimed castle, while other parts will exhibit a contemporary feel. The home will also be surrounded by amazing Berghoff Design Group-landscaped gardens, including an intricate hedge maze.
Peterson Architecture faced a time crunch with a six-month deadline to design the home and get it approved. With hard work and dedication, Peterson Architecture, and the team led by architect Scott Carson AIA LEED, made that deadline with time to spare. The goal is to have the home complete in a record-breaking 2.5 years led by contractor Tom Argue, Argue Custom Homes.  Peterson said, “We are up for the challenge. All of our other projects thus far have prepared us for this major project.”
With extensive experience designing night clubs, restaurants and clubhouses, Peterson Architecture is taking their business to an extreme level without compromising their quality and integrity. “We listen to what our clients want and that’s the strength of Peterson Architecture.”

Scottsdale: One of six surprising U.S. cities for a car-free vacation

Photo: Jason CorneveauxScottsdale, Arizona
You can add car-free to this city's list of celebrated C's -- citrus, cattle, cotton, copper, and climate. Out here in the Sonoran Desert, red rocks, richly preserved history, and fierce Wild West beauty inspire tourists to keep their carbon footprint light. For those who've packed a ready sense of adventure, Scottsdale has successfully figured out how to facilitate an effortless ecological vacation. Guests staying at mid-century landmark Hotel Valley Ho will have access to classic cruisers ($15/hour, $50/day, includes helmet, bike lock, basket, water) and a great location; the 25-mile Greenbelt, free downtown trolley stop, art galleries, newly erected Soleri Bridge, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and much more are all within a two-mile radius. After biking (or taking a Clean Air Cab) to climb Camelback Mountain's humps -- less than five miles from Hotel Valley Ho --return to the heart of Scottsdale for lunch at FnB, Petite Maison, or Arcadia Farms, some of the city's star restaurants offering sustainable fare and state-sourced wines. For travelers eyeing the saguaro cactus-studded horizon, consider a revelatory day trip with professional outfitters My Arizona Guide or 360 Adventures.
How to get there: From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, take a taxi three miles along a scenic road to Scottsdale. Old Town is just 15 minutes away. Bike Emporium is a more budget-friendly bike rental option at $15/hour or $35/day.

For other destinations, click here

AZ Republic: Phoenix-area foreclosures are down again

Figures in June showed drop for 4th month in row, ASU report says

by J. Craig Anderson - Jul. 13, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

There was more good news for the hard-hit Phoenix-area housing market in June, according to a report from Arizona State University issued Tuesday: The rate of foreclosures continued to drop for the fourth consecutive month.
However, the report's author cautioned that he has seen the same seasonal pattern recur for the past two years without any significant recovery in the home-resale market overall.
Foreclosures represented 31 percent of the existing-home transactions in the Phoenix-area market in June, according to ASU, down from 35 percent in May, 36 percent in April, 38 percent in March, and 43 percent in January and February.
"It's following a pattern not that much different than last year or the year before," said report author Jay Butler, professor emeritus at the W.P Carey School of Business.
He said economic fundamentals such as the employment rate and average wage remain weak.
"Investors like the low prices now because they know they can sell in several years for a profit," he said.
"But most people buy a home because they have confidence in their future, in their jobs, in their families.
"Until the economy really starts to recover, that confidence is lacking."
The Phoenix-area housing market had 3,280 single-family home foreclosures in June, according to the report, down from 3,505 foreclosures in May and from 3,835 in June 2010.
The median price for a single-family home resold in the Valley market in June was $126,500, it said, up from $125,000 in May but still down significantly from $143,000 the previous June.
Home-resale transactions increased in June to 7,195 from 6,885 in June 2010, the report said
"Deep down in my intestines, my thinking is that we are on the way out of this," Butler said about the housing slump, provided that there is no more serious bad news about the housing market.
For example, a sudden jump in homes listed for sale on the market could cause another decline in prices, he said.
"Even though the number of foreclosure pre-filings has been declining for the last year, foreclosures continue to be the dominant force in the market," he said.
"Recovery is moving at a glacial pace."
In the townhouse and condominium market, there were 405 foreclosures in June, the report said, compared with 480 foreclosures in May and 585 foreclosures in June 2010.
The median resale price for a townhome or condo in June was $75,950, down significantly from $94,600 the previous June.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2011/07/13/20110713phoenix-foreclosures-down-again.html#ixzz1S6KHB1zK

Phoenix Business Journal: Phoenix cracks ‘Forbes’ top 10 potential boom cities

Phoenix Business Journal

Date: Monday, July 11, 2011, 1:53pm MST - Last Modified: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 4:00am MST

Despite its recent woes, Phoenix ranked ninth in Forbes magazine survey identifying the top potential boom towns in the U.S.

Phoenix is still a good bet to become a boom economy, despite its troubles in the recent recession, according to a Forbes magazine survey that labeled the next big boom towns in the U.S.
Phoenix ranked ninth on the list, mainly because it still has more jobs than it did in 2000 and its population has become much larger and more diverse than its reputation as a retiree haven.
The study, conducted by Praxis Strategy Group, looked at the 52 largest U.S. metro areas and based one-third of the score on job growth, particularly in the past two years. The other two-thirds of the score was based on a variety of demographic information.
Austin was No. 1 in the survey. Phoenix has found itself in competition with Texas’ capital city over the past few years for high-tech companies, particularly solar manufacturers.

Foreclosures drop in the West as filing slows

by KERRY CURRY

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011, 10:28 am

Foreclosure filings dropped in June from the previous month and it takes less time to foreclose in California, Arizona and Nevada compared to May. But on a year-over-year basis, the growing trend of extending the foreclosure process continued, according to ForeclosureRadar.  Read more

For those young or young at heart!

New Additions Turn Up the Heat on Downtown’s Nightlife Scene

Posted by Christy Naughton

Described as “a desert version of Miami’s South Beach” by The New York Times, downtown Scottsdale’s nightlife and entertainment district is getting hotter by the minute; and we’re not talking about the weather. New additions are spicing up the scene and presenting more eclectic bar, nightclub and lounge options.
Inspired by the dark and gothic, yet glamorous Medieval era, Wild Knight released its drawbridge to the public in June 2011. Brought to life by the group behind Scottsdale’s Jackrabbit Lounge, the area’s newest “knightclub” boasts no list, no paper menus and no flash photography; all that’s required to enter is a “vouch.”
Ultra lounge and Asian-inspired restaurant The Mint made its debut in May 2011 and has quickly become known for its crafty mixologists serving up modern twists on classic cocktails – even in the bathrooms.
Former Phoenix Sun Dan Majerle opened Majerle’s Sports Grill in March 2011 and with its chic lounge atmosphere, this one-stop-shop is perfect for catching the big game and relaxing with a classic cocktail in hand.
Also new to the scene as of March 2011, El Hefe is a self-proclaimed super macho taqueria featuring a food and drink menu loaded with Mexican munchies complete with in-table kegs and over-sized margarita glasses.
Scottsdale Beach Club is on the horizon and will be the first of its kind when it opens in summer 2012. Not only with it have private plunge pools, a poolside taco bar and Arizona’s largest LED video screen, but also a floating stage overlooking the pool to play host to deejays and live music. And the best part of all? The club will be open to the public – no membership and no hotel affiliation required.

Aahhh Kierland in the Summer!

Summer Concert Series

Now through July 30, 2011

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Presented by Schumacher Mercedes-Benz and 99.9 KEZ.

Join us every Saturday from 7 - 9pm to hear Arizona's best bands!

June 4 - Apple: a Beatles Tribute Band
June 11 - Chuck E Baby: Pop, Rock & Jazz
June 18 - Groove Merchants: Variety Hits
June 25 - Rondavous: Country & Crossover Hits

July 9 - Otis & the Beat: Hits from the 70's - 90's
July 16 - The Rave: Variety Covers
July 23 - Raun Alosi: Classic Rock Hits
July 30 - Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns: Jazz, Rock & Blues with Horns

Series excludes July 2, 2011.

Please note: the fountain/splash pad will be off on Saturdays during the Summer Concert Series.

Trends in Housing Design

Homes built for families may not make the buyer's cut

by KERRI PANCHUK

Friday, July 8th, 2011, 10:11 am

A staggering 39.2 million American households consist of people living alone or with nonfamily members, changing the outlook for real estate professionals who want to design and sell homes to this demographic, John Burns Real Estate Consulting said in a report Friday.

As the old saying goes "times are a-changing," and the consulting firm believes the real estate community has to embrace the incoming tide of nonfamily households in some shape or form.

So who are these trend-breakers who have increased their ranks from 7.9 million to 30-million plus in the last 50 years?

These households are more likely to prefer homes under 2,500 square feet, while families in the recent past desired 3,000-square-foot homes.

This emerging demographic desires no more than three bedrooms and forget the size of the home, in reality they want proximity to work and entertainment. While this segment still values a sense of community, they are less likely to praise the virtues of media rooms, community pools and tot lots, the John Burns report says.

This is not the first time John Burns Consulting has pointed to demographic data to help builders and sellers figure out today's homebuyer. The firm told the real estate industry earlier this year the rental market is about to explode, with some cities in line to see a 25% growth in rental demand within the next three years. That trend also is expected to be driven by younger, less-traditional home dwellers.

Are you ready? MLB All-Star comes to Phoenix!

Major League Baseball All-Star Summer comes to Phoenix

Batter up! This summer Phoenix welcomes baseball’s midseason showcase - MLB All-Star Summer July 8 - July 12. This is the first time that Phoenix has hosted the MLB All-Star Game and we're ready to bring the heat with fun events for everyone leading up to the big game happening at Chase Field on July 12.

Schedule

July 8 - 12: Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest at Phoenix Convention Center

During the five days leading up to the big game, All-Star FanFest will transform the Phoenix Convention Center into the world's largest interactive baseball fan experience. Exhibits at this family-friendly event include life-sized video batting and pitching cages, clinics taught by Major League legends, and free autograph sessions with MLB legends and Hall of Famers.

Get tickets for All-Star FanFest.

July 10: Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Chase Field featuring XM All-Star Futures Game & Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

The Taco Bell All-Star Sunday features a double-header at Chase Field beginning with the XM All-Star Futures Game showcasing some of baseball’s best young prospects from the U.S. and all over the world. The day concludes with the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

Get tickets for Taco Bell All-Star Sunday.

July 11: Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Chase Field featuring State Farm Home Run Derby

Watch the top hitters from the American League and National League in an exhilarating contest to see who can hit the most home runs!

Get tickets for Gatorade All-Star Workout Day featuring the State Farm Home Run Derby.

July 12: 82nd MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field

Come watch baseball's biggest stars at the 82nd MLB All-Star Game at our very own Chase Field!

Get your tickets for the 82nd MLB All-Star Game.