Things To Do

Echo Coffee Company

I admit it…I am not a BIG fan of coffee…but I love tea. Through many social media venues I have been hearing about Echo Coffee in Scottsdale. So I thought I would stop in and check it out.

Owner Steve Belt was a very early adopter of things like Facebook and Twitter. I first met him at RE Bar Camp Scottsdale in 2009. He is a friendly, non-assuming guy. I had no idea he would also prove to be a savvy business owner…but he sure is!

In a time when literally 100’s of local businesses are closing their doors, Steve’s place is seemingly thriving. Calling it a coffee shop is not doing it justice however. It’s like going to a friends house in many ways.

The first thing you will notice is that there is no menu board of coffee choices. They actually want to TALK TO YOU and ask what you like…and help you choose the perfect brew…for you! What a concept!

They do serve their coffee to go…but I do not recommend that. You MUST order “for here”. Why? Because you get an awesome, organic shortbread cookie. SOOOO worth it! Besides…it only takes a few minutes and it just “feels better” to drink out of a “real” coffee cup! And if you want to get some work done…no problem. Free wifi is provided.

Now..lets talk food. I have only been there a couple of times…but I want to go back. Are you the kind of person that orders the same thing when you go to particular restaurants? Well…I admit I can be like that. But do not do that here! There are too many awesome, affordable choices to try only one.

I like that they buy locally at places like Simply Bread and Queen Creek Olive Mill. They also roast their own meats on site. And everything is organic. My recommendation? Try the Turkey & Brie (only $8). SO YUMMY!

Last time I was there a woman was sitting next to me with her son. Maybe 10 years old or so….and he got the Peanut Butter and Jelly ($4). It was fun to listen to him order. Smooth or crunchy? What kind of jelly? You could tell this was unlike any PB&J ordering experience he had ever had! And it was HUGE…he could not finish it all…but commented on how good it was.

Finally, they sell their fresh roasted coffee online as well. You can order here. And they cater. If you have an event with 10-50 people give them a call. You will not be disappointed!

Look out Starbuck…Echo Coffee has arrived!

If you are looking for a GREAT agent to help with your real estate need please give me a call at 602-504-3898 or 888-897-7821 x 114. Plus, I have a GREAT search tool on my web site that gives you the ability to search the entire MLS…just like agents do. Very COOL! Go to Metro Phoenix Homes and check it out! If you save even one home as a favorite, you will be prompted to enter contact information. If you do this…YOU can create and save as many searches as you would like. It is THE BEST MOST ACCURATE SEARCH OF OUR LOCAL MLS!!

Tax for Tickets in Mesa, AZ…Really!

The City of Mesa has a brilliant program in place that offers everyone an opportunity to save on their visits to the Mesa Arts Center!

Look…we all have to shop…right? Groceries, gas, clothes and whatever. Well…in Mesa you can turn your receipts into what they call Mesa Bucks. According to their web site these “bucks” can be used for buy one get one free admission to select shows at Mesa Arts Center, as well as buy one get one free entry to Mesa Contemporary Arts, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Arizona Museum for Youth. This season has an exciting new addition; Mesa Encore Theatre and other resident companies, like the East Valley Children’s Company, who perform at Mesa Arts Center will be accepting Mesa Bucks for their shows.

The way it works is simple too. Just save your receipts for purchases made in the City of Mesa and bring them to the Mesa Arts Center Box Office. The sales tax price will be matched in Mesa Bucks from $3 up to $200 per visit. And it the TOTAL sales tax that counts…not just the 1.75% that goes to the City.

If you were looking to make a BIG purchase such as a new car…this could translate into an opportunity to take the family to see some GREAT exhibits and performances at an affordable price.

I am unable to find where on their site they spell out which performances are eligible for this special offer…but they have some really cool stuff coming up. For the younger crowd…Hanson will be there on September 14th.

For the country music lover…Vince Gill performs on October 19th.

And my personal pick? Well it would have to be Menopause The Musical coming next February! If you have never seen it…GO SEE IT! Funny to men and women alike!

So…go shop in Mesa and take in show!

Are you looking to buy or sell a home in the Phoenix Area? Give me a call at 602-504-3898 or visit my site at AdeleCoffman.com where YOU CAN SEARCH THE MLS JUST LIKE AGENTS DO!

I May NEED Your Help… Will You Be Ready?

If you haven’t yet been certified in CPR and First Aid, I would highly suggest you do.  You could save the life of someone you Love, or be the hero to someone you meet.

If you saw a complete stranger choking… what would you do? What could you do? Are you certified and trained to help save lives? Even if you’re not certified, would you lend aid?  Questions I never gave much thought to, until recently-

My wife and I were visiting a Mongolian BBQ restaurant we enjoy the other day. There was a small group of people there when we were visiting. A cook, a cashier, a busboy, and several patrons were bustling about.  I was in the line preparing my lunch and my wife was waiting for hers to be cooked when she noticed a young gentleman stammering around holding his throat and choking.  He was panicking, and no one was doing anything… just watching.  From where I was, I could not see or hear anything until my wife yelled out my name in a panic.  I didn’t know what to think when I heard her scream, she is usually quite to herself, and not so outspoken.  I thought the worst and that something was wrong with her… so I dropped what I was doing and ran to see what she needed.  She was heading to the aid of the young gentleman and began to perform the Heimlich maneuver.  He was too tall for her to do it with ease, so I stepped in… I had to give him several thrusts in his sternum, and then a few good thumps on his back, and…. He was breathing fine again.

My wife and I take first aid and CPR courses annually and maintain these lifesaving certifications for just such a reason.  But, I believe we would have helped this individual regardless of receiving training.  A fellow human being was in need of assistance.  So we stepped in and helped.  We were astounded however, that all the others in this restaurant did nothing… they stared, continued eating or working, but didn’t even bother to lend a hand.  As a matter of fact, my wife shouted for someone to call 911 and get emergency help for this person… NO ONE called, No emergency personnel showed up to help, this young man was lucky that someone took the initiative to help save his life, or he may have died.

Reflecting on the events that took place, I was shocked at the lack of help this person received, and I thought, what if a member of my family needed your help…  Would you be there to help my family?

PLEASE get certified… PLEASE Help when you see someone in need.

I am here to help you, your family, and your loved ones…

Do You Like to FISH? Then The Phoenix Area Just May Be For YOU!

Our GREAT STATE has many types of fishing in many beautiful places. There are several lakes within an hour or two driving distance from the Metro Phoenix Area. Since my hubby loves fishing as much as almost anything else (except family)…I thought I would write a little blog about fishing!

The lake we often frequent is Lake Pleasant. With over 10,000 acres of water, you can enjoy water skiing, jet skiing, boating and sailing..as well as fishing. Lake Pleasant also offers over 140 developed sites for RV and tent camping. The fish, which include some sixteen species, range from Florida-strain largemouth bass to crappie. The lake, with the only significant white bass population in Arizona, has produced state records for the species. The Arizona Game and Fish Department consider the bluegill fishing the best in the state.

East of the Valley of the Sun you can go to Saguaro Lake. A wide variety of fish are found there such as rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish and walleye.

Also in the East Valley you can take the Apache Trail up to three of the most AWESOME lakes in Arizona. Canyon Lake, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake. The “trail” is much like it sounds…at least part of the way. You can expect a curvy dirt road to get to Apache Lake…but WELL WORTH IT. It is one of the most beautiful places in our state.

We always think this formation looks like a man’s head laying down…can you see it? 

Apache Lake seems to be the place we have the most luck with bass fishing. (I use the term “we” loosely…as I normally am more of the observer reading on the boat or swimming) But we have always had a LOT of fun at this lake.

So…in conclusion…fishing is something many folks living in the Valley of the Sun love….and we can do it year round!

Would you like more information on our GREAT State? Just give me a call at 602-504-3898 or drop me an e-mail at Adele@adelecoffman.com. If you are looking for a home just visit my site and SEARCH FOR HOMES JUST LIKE AGENTS DO!! COOL!

Lake Powell… An Arizona Favorite!

About four hours north of Phoenix is a truly amazing place. Lake Powell. We are fortunate to have friends who live in Page, AZ which is 10 minutes from the lake. Therefore we make several trips a year up there to fish, swim, boat and generally have fun.

Our family has taken a number of houseboat trips up the Lake and we have always had a GREAT time. My hubby LOVES fishing…and typically has good luck. Here he is with our nephew and a bunch of stripers and catfish.

Because of the differing lake levels…you may have found a wonderful beach one weekend…and the next…it’s gone! But keep searching as there are many great places to get to shore and swim and hike.

The scenery is no less than spectacular. This is a photo of the light reflecting off the side of a canyon and the water. Awesome!

You can creep into the canyons like this one…

and find a great place to tie up and relax!

I can maybe guess what some of you are thinking. I was born and raised in Wyoming. WHERE ARE THE TREES?? Well…if you want a tree…here ya go!

And…well…one of my favorite parts of Powell trips…is how much our dog Andy LOVES IT! Take a look!

OK…I feel a little sorry for the fish…but I already knew it was to be our dinner that night…so I let my dog have some fun!

The Lake is actually a reservoir on the Colorado River, straddling the border between Utah and Arizona (most of it, along with Rainbow Bridge, is in Utah). It is the second largest man-made reservoir in the United States behind Lake Mead, storing 24,322,000 acre feet of water when full. The Glen Canyon formed Lake Powell. It took 17 years for the lake to rise to the high water mark, on June 22, 1980. Since then the lake level has fluctuated considerably depending on the seasonal snow runoff from the mountains. In the last few years it has been low…but recent snowfall and rain in the mountains have it higher this summer.

After living in Arizona for many years…I welcome the opportunity to share my love of this area with others. I also love being a full-time REALTOR in the Phoenix real estate market…and hope to help you buy or sell a home in the Metro Phoenix Area.

Give me a call at 602-504-3898 or SEARCH ALL VALLEY HOMES JUST LIKE AGENTS DO AT AdeleCoffman.com.

Bartlett Lake – Fun In Arizona

Want to get away from the valley for some quick fun, but think there’s no time? Think again. Bartlett Lake is a hop and skip just northeast of Scottsdale, only 45 minutes north of downtown Phoenix. Bartlett Lake is the second largest lake in the Phoenix Metro Valley area. It’s boatable surface area is 2,815 acres which is more than Saguaro and Canyon Lakes combined and is located in the Tonto National Forrest. And with our amazing weather…this is the perfect year round playground destination.

One day after showing homes to my clients, I was passing by the Bartlett Lake turnoff and decided to see for myself how far the lake was and what it had to offer.

I believe the first mile sign I saw said 14 miles….not far at all! Once I rounded the last bend there was a short coast downhill with a great view, then into the parking lot on the right.

Before the gate, I noticed a trailer that housed a little store; which I found out is the Upper Store at the Bartlett Lake Marina. I proceeded inside the small, cozy store and found myself drawn to the small freezer in front of the cashier filled with a variety of ice cream bars. While choosing my “sin” on that hot summer day, that’s where I met a sweet woman named Sara Church.

I began to ask Sara questions about the Bartlett Lake Marina’s facilities and amenities; which led me to ask her how she came to work there. Sara just happens to be one of the owners, along with her two sons Eric & Bryan. With personal triumphs, dedication and perserverance, it was quite a story to hear. Her family’s story is inspiring and one I would recommend you talk to her about as well.

A new upper store; which includes a restaurant, is in the planning stages. They hope to have approval to begin construction in the fall or early winter and open for business in the spring of 2011.

What’s available at Barlett Lake Marina?

Boat rental – Pontoons, Sea Rays & Kayak
Wake boarding & Jet skiing
Boat storage – Covered dry storage, Open slips and Covered slips
Boat Club – Why own when you can play without the expense and upkeep of a private boat.
Dock Store – Live bait and fishing supplies, snacks, beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic)
Dock Grill w/large floating covered patio – Serves brats and fresh grilled to order hamburgers
Gas Station
Camping
& More

So, when you are thinking of escaping the valley, take a trip to Bartlett Lake, stop in the Bartlett Lake Marina Upper Store and tell Sara I sent you. She only works a few days a week so be sure to call to see if she will be there…if you want to meet her personally. I know I would want to meet her all over again.

Be sure to visit www.bartlettlake.com for more information on rates and availability.

Please let me know if you have any questions, anytime!

Have you considered moving to the Scottsdale/Phoenix area or looking for a second home? Call Jamie at 480-451-1400 or email Jamie@TickledPinkHomes.com and let’s get started!

Jamie Sistek – REALTOR
“That Tickled Pink Girl”
eXp Realty
Email: Jamie@TickledPinkHomes.com
www.tickledpinkhomes.com
480-451-1400 – Direct
480-734-1971 – Cell
“Tickled Pink Is What You’ll be;
My Customer Service Is The Key”

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