Local Treasure - Olive Mill, Queen Creek, AZ

Local Treasure - Olive Mill, Queen Creek, AZ

25062 S. Meridian Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85242

Open Daily 9-5

The Olive Mill in Queen Creek, Arizona – located about 50 miles East from Phoenix is a destination that every year is more popular on most tourist itineraries.

The Queen Creek Olive Mill opened in 2005 is a family owned company that grows and presses olives and produces a high quality extra virgin olive oil. It is the only one working olive farm & mill in Arizona.

Visiting the Olive Mill in Queen Creek prepare yourself for a gourmet extravaganza.
Entering the Mill you will see the garden with organically grown herbs and vegetables that del Piero Marketplace uses for its gourmet dishes. Next to the garden there is outside covered sitting area and plenty of grass - great for a picnic. Just bring your blanket place and order at the del Piero and you are ready for an adventure. When you are finished with your meal (or before) you should sample varieties of olive oil, olives, tepenades (olive and olive oil spreads) and other locally produced products such as: nuts, honey, bread, gelato and crackers that Queen Creek Olive Mill store offers for its guests. After my visit today, I was most intrigued by the… chocolate olive oil (see a picture below).

If you have more free time you must do the olive mill tour. You will learn a few things about olives, for example: how they are grown, how the pressing room works and all the mill equipment. You will also learn how to keep olive oil fresh, friendly staff will explain what extra virgin olive oil mean and “lite” olive oil and which one is better for your health. Hope to see you at Olive Mill in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Laguna Cove-Gated Community, Homes for Sale at Ocotillo, Chandler, AZ

Laguna Cove-Gated Community, Homes for Sale at Ocotillo, Chandler, AZ

Laguna Cove at Ocotillo in Chandler, Arizona is a part of Balboa Way Community that comprises two other neighborhoods – Balboa Point and Catalina Shores located at Alma School and Queen Creek Roads just south of 202 Freeway.

Gated Laguna Cove homes at Ocotillo offer Privacy and Exclusive Living in Chandler, AZ. Properties at Laguna Cove provide the solution for all the buyers who value quiet and peaceful neighborhood, but also require community amenities and great natural surroundings including Golf Resort.

Laguna Cove at Ocotillo is an elegant master-planned subdivision in Chandler, AZ is located between South side of Ocotillo Rd and East of Alma School Rd. It features 90 luxury home sites on large lots. Built by semi custom builder-TW Lewis- that is right in line with other luxury developers like Toll Brothers or Cachet Homes. Year Built Range: 2002 to 2003.

Laguna Cove homes for sale in Chandler, AZ, offer homebuyers exciting floor plans ranging between 2,699 SF to 3,750 SF. 58 homes are one story, 32 are two levels. 82.2% of Laguna Cove homes are equipped with swimming pools.

Residential privileges at Laguna Cove at Ocotillo include golf, walking and/or jogging trails, shopping and dining. Major highways 101 and 202 give residents easy access to metropolitan Phoenix. Popular destination like Chandler Fashion Square Mall is only moments away.

Chandler, AZ residents enjoy a beautiful sunny climate, clear blue skies, and a relaxed Southwestern ambiance. Purchasing property at Laguna Cove in Ocotillo is a smart decision for homebuyers seeking upscale living in an excellent master-planned neighborhood.

The sales statistics currently show two active homes for sale, listed between $439,900 and $565,900 and one pending sale with asking price of $469,900. There were two properties closed in the last four months. The average sold price was $444,700 with an average $148.68 price per sq ft. Average days on the market - 91 days.

BALBOA POINT AT OCOTILLO

BALBOA POINT AT OCOTILLO

Gated Balboa Point at Ocotillo Properties Provide Privacy and Exclusive Living in Chandler, AZ.
Gated Balboa Point properties offer the solution for buyers who value peace and quiet, but also require exciting community amenities and great natural surroundings including Ocotillo Golf Resort with world leading Troon management. Balboa Point residents appreciate the extra privacy and premier lifestyle that homeownership affords.
Balboa Point is an elegant master-planned subdivision in Chandler, AZ is located between South side of Ocotillo Rd and East of Alma School Rd. It features 64 luxury home sites on large lots. Built by semi custom builder-TW Lewis- that is right in line with other luxury developers like Toll Brothers or Cachet Homes. Year Built Range: 2002 to 2003.

The selection of Balboa homes for sale in Chandler, AZ, offers homebuyers exciting options within four different floor plans ranging between 2,600 sqft to 3,300 sqft. Homes differ with variety of finishing’s individual options, and room arrangements and configurations. Usually modeled with four bedrooms, den and 3 car garages. Balboa Point at Ocotillo properties is great for homebuyers who value peace and quiet. For recreation and refreshment in the privacy of your backyard, Balboa Point private pool properties for sale are a good choice. Over 70% homes are equipped with swimming pools.

Residential privileges at Balboa Point, Ocotillo include golf, walking and/or jogging trails, shopping and dining. A perfect atmosphere for Close proximity to highway 101 and 202 gives residents easy access to metropolitan Phoenix. Popular destination like Chandler Fashion Square Mall is only moments away.

Chandler, AZ residents enjoy a beautiful sunny climate, clear blue skies, and a relaxed Southwestern ambiance. Purchasing property at Balboa Point at Ocotillo is a smart decision for homebuyers seeking upscale living in an excellent master-planned neighborhood.

The sales statistics currently show three active homes for sale, listed between $515,000 and $610,00 and one pending sale with asking price of $439,000. There were three properties closed in the last 6 months. The average sold price was $530,167. The average price per sq ft was $171,47. Average days on the market - 92 days.

A few facts about Historic Downtown Chandler, AZ.

City of Chandler, Arizona is a spectacular destination for visitors.

Located in the East Valley, in the southeast part of the Greater Phoenix area, about 20 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Chandler is the fourth largest city in Arizona in terms of population, with well over 250,000 residents.

Historic Downtown Chandler offers plenty of unique art galleries, trendy shops, a microbrewery, Arizona winery and award winning, independent restaurants making Downtown Chandler a favorite stop on your Arizona journey.
Throughout the spring and fall, numerous events take place in the historic square including a monthly art walk held the first Wednesday of each month and a year round farmer's market Thursday afternoons.
For musical and cultural performances, the Chandler Center for the Arts is conveniently located within walking distance.

Historical Facts:

• Chandler, Arizona was named after Dr. A. J. Chandler, a veterinarian who settled in the area in 1891.
• The town of Chandler began in 1912, with the opening of the Hotel San Marcos in 1913, Arizona's first resort.
• The Town of Chandler incorporated in 1920, with Dr. Chandler as its first Mayor.

1099 on Short Sale Transaction

A while ago I have posted a blog in reference of doing short sale with Bank of America (“Short Sale with Bank of America....again”). In result person in charge who did take a look at my file contacted me and I have successfully closed 30 days later. So, I thought that is it. Transaction closed, paperwork filed away.

But no, not so fast…Last week, I have received a phone call from my concerned Seller trying to file the taxes. My client, advised by his CPA, needs 1099 form that should be furnished by Bank of America. The COE occurred on 12/21/2009. The closing date that Bank of America has in a system shows 01/04/10, and based on that, 1099 will be sent in 2011.

I emailed back and forth to the negotiator the copy of city tax record (which is a public information) promptly showing sale date on 12/21/10, but without any positive outcome. Bank of America states that there is nothing they can do at this time, because they cannot override their system date, and it is up to my Seller and his CPA how they are going to address the issue.

Maybe I am missing something here (certainly I am not a tax accountant), but isn’t against the law? Bofa received and collected funds from the sale in December 2009, when closing has happened. By changing a closing date in their system (intentionally or not intentionally) Bofa has violated IRS rules.

I appreciate any input on if someone may have a piece of advice.

The Social Media - which one are the best for my business?

Everyday we spent a lot of time writing blogs, posting information on our facebook pages, tweeting, uploading videos on youtube and etc.

Recently I was questioning myself - which platforms are the best to grow our business? Let's face it it's impossile to use them all. So I did a simple comparable.
Let’s take a look:

1. Active Rain

• I connect with other professionals
• I learn something new everyday
• Helps me to implement different tools to grow my business
• Offers a lot of training
• Brings the google juice
• Great for SEO
• I’m seen as local expert

2. Tweeter

• Enables to send a very short messages (no more than 140 characters)
• Easy to monitor what others are saying about me
• Easy way to promote my business
• Help me engage with friends and customer
• Bring traffic to my website
• My tweets shows on google
  

3. Facebook

I can:

• Build my profile
• Connect with my friends
• Share my opinions
• Build my brand page
• Use different facebook application to grow my business
• Not to great for SEO
  
  

4. YouTube

• Enables a video sharing
• I’m seeing as an interent PRO
• Easy tool to brand my business
• Bring traffic to my website
• Great for my SEO

After writing this short summary I did some research and I came across this very visual scheme from cmo.com - CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE (it will enlarge so you can read). The diagram shows all the advantages of using social media including linkedin, digg, stumbleupon, reddit.

My only question is. Why Active Rain is not on the list?
Which are YOU using the most?

Counting Calories in Arizona during month of March won’t be easy.

March in Arizona is one of the busiest months in terms of food- and drink-related events. Every appetite should be satisfied.

Arizona Events:

1. Jazz, Wine, Barrel & Barrel Tasting:

Chandler – March 5 – 7
Surprise – March 12 – 14

Free admission

$10 for six wine-tasting tickets

Kokopelli Winery

35 W. Boston, Chandler

(480) 792-6927

www.kokopelliwinery.com

2. Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival

March 5 – 7

$3 admission (free for Carefree residents)

$10 for six wine-tasting tickets

Downtown Carefree

Easy and Ho Hum streets

(480) 837-5637

www.thunderbirdartists.com

3. Arizona State Open Chili Championship

March 6th, 2010 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Free admission

Ed Hooper Park, Pinal Avenue and Rodeo Road

Casa Grande

(520) 560-2256

Choice Chili Cups on Sale at 11:00 AM - $4.00
(Chili cup sales to benefit Pinal Counsel for Casa/Foster inc.)
Competition Chili Cups on Sale at 2:00 PM - $4.00

Arts & Crafts & Food Vendors - All Day
Live Entertainment - 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Car & Motorcycle Show - All Day
Chili Awards Presentations - 5:00 PM
"Live Music Provided by "Desert Cadillac's"

www.azchiliopen.com

4. Great Arizona Beer Festival

$40-$50 admission

Tempe Town Lake

54 W. Rio Salado Parkway

(480) 968-7559

www.azbeer.com

5. Aloha Festival

Free admission

March 13-14 (10am -5pm)

Tempe Town Lake

54 W. Rio Salado Parkway

(602) 697-1824

www.azalohafest.org

6. Devoured - Culinary festival

March 13-14

$65 admission for one day; $90 for both

Phoenix Art Museum

1625 N. Central Ave

(480) 657-7333

50 Valley restaurants will offer samples in the Phoenix Art Museum’s sculpture garden. There also will be wine samples, live music, seminars and cooking demos.

www.phxart.org/devoured

7. Downtown Chandler Barbecue Throwdown

March 20

Free admission

Downtown Chandler

www.bbqchandler.com

8. Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts/Arizona Wine Festival

March 26-28

Downtown Tempe

Free Admission

For $10 admission to wine portion, get a commemorative wine glass and six tasting of Arizona wines

(480) 921-2300 / www.tempefestivalofthearts.com

source: azcentral