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Saturday, December 6, 2008, is the 52nd annual Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony in Chandler, AZ. Come early and also enjoy entertainment, traveling performances, Santa's House, and of course the beautiful Parade of Lights. The event kicks off the Holiday Season, and will take place at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park at 3 S. Arizona Avenue.
Event Schedule:
For more information, please contact the City of Chandler Special Events Hotline at 480-782-2735. |
Arizona has three tax credits that allow taxpayers to get their contributions back when they file their tax return, but donations need to be made by December 31st to qualify for the credit. You can get a dollar-for-dollar Arizona tax credit (please consult with your tax accountant for specific information).
1. The Charitable Contributions Tax Credit - Individuals can claim up to $200 ($400 married filing jointly) for cash gifts above what you have typically given in the past to organizations that help the needy. For more information about which organizations qualify, and instructions on how to file for the credit, go to www.azdor.gov or call 602-255-3381.
2. The Public School Tax Credit - Individuals can claim up to $200 ($400 married filing jointly) for cash donations to public schools to help pay for extracurricular activities and character education programs. You can choose the program you want your contribution to go to. You can choose a public, traditional, or charter school, and the school should provide you with a receipt.
3. The Private School Tax Credit - Individuals can claim up to $500 ($1,000 married filing jointly) for a cash donation to pay for scholarships awarded to qualifying families. You can go to www.azdor.gov, or call 602-255-3381 to find a list of qualifying organizations.
It is estimated that one in four homeowners will be affected by forecosure in Arizona. Fred Karnas, director of the Arizona Department of Housing has written about a FREE Arizona Foreclosure Help Line. This help line is available to anyone seeking guidance regarding foreclosure.
If you are unable to make your mortgage payment for any reason, the Arizona Foreclosure Help Line will refer you to housing counselors who will provide you with information for FREE. They will help you understand the law and any options you may have. They can also help you organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender.
If you are at risk of losing your home, or are in fear of missing a mortgage payment, please contact the Arizona Foreclosure Help Line at 1-877-448-1211 (toll free).
*I have no vested interest in this business, but am sending this message in hopes that this can help someone get out of a tough situation. I personally hope and feel that this could be very beneficial to many homeowners throughout Arizona, and it is a free service that is being offered, so what is there to lose. Please feel free to comment.
Gilbert Days 2008 began Saturday, November 8th, and will continue through Sunday, November 23, 2008. The celebration kicked off with the re-enactment of the historical Pony Express ride on November 8th, and ended today at the Gilbert Post office on Elliot Road.
Saturday, November 15th:
The Gilbert Days Parade takes place at 9:00am, and is a dazzling spectacle for the whole family. It runs down Gilbert Road between Juniper Street and Gilbert Town Square. It will be followed by an "After Parade Party" from 11:00am to 5:00pm outside Gilbert's Town Hall at 1025 S. Gilbert Road. There will be entertainment, vendors, arts & crafts, a Chili Cook-Off, and lots of FUN!
Wednesday, November 19th:
The start of the showcase events for the cowboys and cowgirls that come from all over the country to participate in the Gilbert Days Budweiser IPRA Rodeo, starting with Jackpot Roping at 7:00pm.
Thursday, November 20th:
Right next to the Gilbert Rodeo Park arena is the Gilbert Days Carnival, complete with rides, games, prizes, and mouth-watering concessions. The Gilbert Days Carnival is open from 3:30pm to 10:00pm. Gilbert Days IPRA Rodeo will continue with Barrel Racing starting at 7:30pm.
Friday, November 21st:
Gilbert Days Carnival continues from 3:30-10:00pm. The little ones get to compete in the Lil' Dudes Rodeo beginning at 5:00pm, held before the adult rodeo competition. The Gilbert Days IPRA Budweiser Rodeo, begins at 7:00pm. There is a Calf Scramble, held during the IPRA Rodeo Performance. It's FREE for ages 4-12, but they must sign-up inside the ticket gate. In the evening, you can rock out with the Family Classic Rock Dance from 9:30pm to 12:30am. Admission is FREE with Friday night rodeo ticket or $5 at the gate. The band rocking out will be ‘2 Knuckles Deep'.
There is also the Gilbert Days 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run that will be celebrating its 25th year in 2009. The 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run take place Friday, November 21, 2008 within the boundaries of Freestone Park utilizing sidewalks, equestrian trails and the main entrance to the park. At 4:45pm the 1 Mile Fun Run begins, and at 4:55pm the 5K run begins. Approximately 1,200 runners participate each year with a crowd of 1,500 spectators cheering them on. At the finish line runners are provided with drinks, a sampling of food products and an opportunity to visit sponsor booths. The event ends with prize giveaways and an awards ceremony.
Saturday, November 22nd:
The Gilbert Days Carnival continues from 12:00pm to 12:00am. The Lil' Dudes Rodeo begins at 12:00pm, with the IPRA Gilbert Days Rodeo beginning at 2:00pm. Another Calf Scramble will be held during the IPRA Rodeo Performance, and is FREE for ages 4-12. They must sign-up inside the ticket gate. There will be a Gilbert Days Dance in the evening from 8:00pm-12:30am. Admission is$15.00, and you must be 21 years old to enter.
In conjunction with the festivities, Gilbert will also be hosting it's 19th Annual Gilbert Days Adult Softball Tournament. The tournament will be held Saturday November 22nd and Sunday November 23rd at Big League Dreams, Freestone Park, and Red Mountain Softball Complex.
Sunday, November 23rd:
Gilbert Days Carnival continues from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. The Lil' Dudes Rodeo begins at 12:00pm, followed by the IPRA Gilbert Days Rodeo beginning at 2:00pm. Another Calf Scramble will be held during the IPRA Rodeo Performance and is FREE for ages 4-12. Participants must sign-up inside the ticket gate.
Gilbert Days has been a celebration of the Town of Gilbert's Western heritage since the late 1950's!
In a report released by RealtyTrac on November 13th, it showed that more than 279,500 homes received at least one foreclosure related notice in October. This number grew 25% nationally over the same month in 2007, and was 5% over the September 2008 numbers. More than 84,000 properties were repossessed in October.
Arizona was number two amongst the states with the highest foreclosure rate, and Phoenix was number 6 among the top 10 cities with the highest foreclosure rates. Arizona saw one in every 149 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing. At the end of October, there were 27,874 foreclosures pending in the Valley. The number of trustee sales (the number of people losing their homes) in October jumped to 4,587 from 4,378 in September.
Other states hit the hardest in foreclosure rates include California, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, and Ohio. The top three states are Nevada, Arizona and Florida.
By the end of the year, RealtyTrac expects that more than a million bank-owned properties will be on the market. That will represent about a third of all properties for sale in the United States. What do you think is going to happen by the end of the year?
This is not a Top 10 List you want to be included on!
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When it comes to Real Estate, we are your "Home Team". We specialize in working with buyers and sellers in the East Valley. We only want to do what's best by you, and are here to answer all questions.
Mia and I have lived in Chandler for 12 fantastic years. We have 2 wonderful children who make life worth living. Our daughter is 22, and is still trying to figure out what she wants to be in life. She has been going to Chandler/Gilbert Community College, and is in the process of applying for beauty school. She has been singing in Choir since I don't know when, and was singing with the Chandler/Gilbert Choi
r the past two years. Our son is 9, going on 25. He wears a men's size 9 shoe! He is your typical boy who loves to be active. He has tried everything from Gymnastics, to BMX biking, to flag football, and he is currently trying out Club Soccer to bring out the competitive side of him. We just recently had a new addition to our family, a boxer puppy. We named her Gracie. We got her this past Easter, and we love her to death.
Prior to moving to Arizona, I lived in many states throughout the country, as well as Okinawa. My father was in the military, and we lived in Florida, Idaho, and Kansas (to name a few places), before moving back to Oregon when I was in the fifth grade. I guess you could say I knew a lot about being the new kid in school. Mia had lived in Oregon her whole life. Her father was an educator, and her mother worked for the post office before they both retired. She, however, had traveled extensively, including trips to Japan and Costa Rica. We both come from households with great work ethic and good family values.
In our spare time, we love activities, whether it is riding quads or jet skiing in 
Lake Havasu, attending Broadway shows and sporting events, or visiting new places like Bisbee and Jerome, AZ. We enjoy spending time with our families, and try to get together as often as possible. I especially like to play softball, as I am too old to participate in just about any other sport (The knees are giving out on me). Mia loves to create things, as she designs her own jewelry, and can be very artistic when she has the time. She can also create a meal out of nothing in less than 10 minutes, and that's an art all in itself. Mia is also fluent in Spanish, which has come in very handy with our trips to Ensenada, Costa Rica, and Cabo San Lucas.
We are very civic minded individuals as well, and at one time or another have both worked for County and/or City Government. Mia has also been on the Board for the school PTO, as well as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, and Hands Across The Border. I have been a youth sports coach and official for so many years, I can't remember how many. We have also served on Youth Councils, the Little League Board, volunteered for the United Way and the City of Chandler Youth Enhancement Program. We believe in giving back to our community, and that it really does take a village to raise great children.
We are Residential Real Estate experts in the East Valley, and we focus on neighborhoods in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe, Scottsdale, as well as other cities within Maricopa County. My wife and I have been in Real Estate for over 7 years, and we enjoy the opportunity we have to work together to help others. Whether it is buying your first home, investing, or helping you sell your home so you can move, we are here to help, and available 24/7.
I have an additional 15 years experience in finance and accounting (including 3 years as a Loan Officer), and Mia has 10 years in corporate business, and another 10 in the public sector. Mia, at an earlier time in her life was an EMT4, riding around in Ambulances saving people's lives. Mia is fluent in Spanish as mentioned above. We are all about service, and together our experience and skill set are second to none.
We got into the Real Estate industry to help people. There have been many ups and downs in the real estate market (as to be expected), and we have stayed true to ourselves and our clients. Whether it is a buyers market or a sellers market, we do what's best for our clients, and we always offer our dedication, expertise, and full service.
Mia and I hold memberships with NAR, National Association of REALTORS®, AAR, Arizona Association of REALTORS®, and SEVRAR, South East Valley Association of REALTORS®, and are members of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. Please visit our websites at http://troyandmiaerickson.point2agent.com and www.arizonarealestatehometeam.com. We are in the process of enhancing our websites, so please stay tuned.
Sheila Kofahl is our Designated Broker for Terra Solis Realty, LLC. She has over 13 years in the industry, is part of our team, and she holds the prestigious CRS, Certified Residential Specialist, the GRI, Graduate REALTOR® Institute, the ABR, Accredited Buyer Representative designation, and the e-PRO certification.
In addition to this, we only work with the best in the industry when it comes to home inspectors, lenders, appraisers, title companies, and home warranty companies. We want to work only with businesses that have the same integrity, values and morals that we have, and people who are the best at what they do.
Just a note of thanks for all of your hard work and patience. I know that it wasn't easy to get us into a house, but your efforts have made us feel that you care about what's best for us and not your respective careers. If you continue to do your jobs this way - there is no doubt you will find great success. Thanks Again! - Mark & Elaine Foster
Troy Erickson handled my mortgage refinance loan and provided very good service. Upon learning of my desires to refinance, he kept me posted on interest rate levels. I compared his rates against a few other banks and mortgage brokers, and found them to be quite competitive. Troy made himself available at all times to answer my questions and was very quick to follow up. He is an extremely honest individual whom I can trust, and he goes to great length to deliver good service. - Shari Fujii
Hello we are Daniel Maples and Brianna Joyner. Let us start out by saying that we love our new home and you could too! We were desperate to find a house in less than a month and received a number through a close friend. Our friend had told us these guys were great, just give them a call. This number that was given to us was the number for Troy and Mia Erickson. We needed a house fast, so we called them and they told us they could get it done. We gave them our criteria for what we were looking for in our new house. They were very thorough in their search for our perfect home! We were given a list of homes to pick what we would like to go and look at with them. We made a selection and shortly after we went to look at them....and found this big beauty. It was exactly what were wanted and so much more. We were told that Troy and Mia were great realtors, and now we can say that they are GREAT realtors! You can rely and trust them in the stressful situations while moving. You have plenty of things that you need to worry about when moving, let them help you by taking the most important thing off your shoulders...finding your new home! - Daniel Maples & Brianna Joyner
More references and testimonials available upon request.
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Come celebrate a unique southwestern tradition that draws over 12,000 visitors from far and wide during the holidays. Look for me and my family on the San Tan Soccer float during the parade! 