·  ArtBridge Thursdays
Artists, crafters and jewelers exhibit and sell items in a family-friendly, festive environment. SouthBridge, Downtown Scottsdale. Free admission.  Every Thursday in May

·  Astronomy Evenings
A talk (novice level) explaining facts about the solar system and the galaxy around the planet earth followed by observing the moon, several planets, star systems through a celestron telescope. Weather permitting. Registration required. Ages 8+. Pinnacle Peak Park, Scottsdale. May 11

·  Birds in the Garden
Join expert birders for a morning bird walk along the Garden trails. Everyone, including first-time birders, is welcome. Wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. Bring binoculars if available. Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix at 7 a.m. This activity is included in the regular admission fee.  Every Monday in May

·  Blues, Bruise and BBQs
Blues bands, body-painting competition, beer gardens, entertainment. Goodyear.May 5

·  Cabela's Kids Kamp
Free programs on topics related to hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities for ages 9-13 at Cabela's in Glendale. Every Monday evening (except when store is closed for a holiday)

·  Carefree Sundays at el Pegregal
Free musical entertainment from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee but food must be purchased. el Pedregal, Scottsdale.  May 6, 13

·  Centerline Artwerks | First Saturdays
Features live performing artists, local painters, sculptors, dancers and musicians. Just east of Murphy Park at 58th Avenue north of Glendale Avenue, event goers will have the opportunity to watch artists at work as well as tour the historic area. Free to attend. May 5

·  Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Neighborhood and community Cinco de Mayo celebrations are free or very reasonably priced. You'll find lots of Latino music, dance, Mexican food, games--it's fiesta time! First week in May

·  Community Cinema
Free movie and post-show discussion, presented by City of Mesa Office of Diversity, City of Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board, Mesa Arts Center, ITVS Community Cinema and Eight Arizona PBS. Dobson Lecture Hall at Mesa Arts Center. Free. May 17

·  Desert Botanical Garden Butterfly Pavilion
Walk among the beautiful butterflies at this special springtime event located at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. March 5 - May 13

·  Farmers Markets
Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, breads, jams, cheeses, juices, local specialty foods and crafts. Several locations. Various dates in May

·  Fiesta Mall Entertainment
Mariachis, magicians, dancers, bands -- several entertainers each Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Center Court at Fiesta Mall in Mesa. Family friendly. Free. Every Saturday and Sunday

·  First Friday
Visit more than 100 downtown Phoenix art galleries, studios and art spaces. Free. First Friday of the month

·  Flashlight Tours at Desert Botanical Garden
See, hear and feel the desert night including, nighthawks, tortoises, insects and night-blooming flowers. Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes. Tours begin at 7 p.m. Recommended for families and children of all ages. Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. every Saturday evening in May

·  Free Art Friday
Preschoolers and their parents participate in an activity involving art and/or music. The theme varies from month to month. No registration required. Free. Tempe. May 20

·  Friday Night Franks
A unique outdoor cookout experience in the Sonoran desert. Live entertainment, Native American storytelling, horseshoes, wagon rides, and an old fashioned wiener roast. Free admission, charge for food and beverages. Fort McDowell Adventures.
every Friday night in May until Memorial Day

·  Gilbert Art Walk
Fine art in different mediums, all price ranges. Artists qualify to be part of the event through a jury selection process. All art items are original creations. More than 30 booths. Water Tower Park, Gilbert.  May 25

·  Lake Pleasant Adventure Day
Clubs, organizations, dive shops, and more will be on-site with freebies, goodies, drawings, demonstrations, and activities for you to try. Water activities for everyone. Lake Pleasant, west of the 10-lane boat launch.
In 2012: May 19

·  Lucky Ducky Derby
Quacktivities start at 11 a.m. Duck Drop at 1:30 p.m. All of the proceeds from the Arizona Lucky Ducky Derby benefit local children's charities. Scottsdale Waterfront.
In 2012: ??

·  Friday Night Drag Racing
Legal street drag racing at Firebird International Raceway. Race or just be a spectator.
In 2012: Various dates in May

·  McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Free Concerts
Scottsdale. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Train and carousel rides are available during all concerts for a small charge.  Sunday nights in May

·  Memorial Day Observances and Events
There are community events, concerts, and observances on Memorial Day weekend.
In 2011: Memorial Day Weekend

·  Montelucia Summer Concert Series
Cover bands take the stage and perform live in Cortijo Plaza. 6:30 p.m. Free. Scottsdale.
In 2012: ??

·  Mother's Day Events
Each year there are a variety of events, activities and dining specials to celebrate that special Mom in your life.
In 2012: Various dates in May

·  Motorcycles on Main
The streets of downtown Mesa are closed to all but bikers and people who love motorcycles. Music, food, beer garden. Free admission.
In 2012: First Friday of the month

·  Movies at the Museum
Phoenix Art Museum. Independent and classic cinema and documentaries relating to art, artists, and works on view in the Museum, usually followed by discussion. Free with paid museum admission. First come, first seated.
In 2012: Various dates in May

·  Movies at the Park                         
Free admission. Bring a blanket, snacks, and water. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 7 p.m.). Movies are shown by the fire pit on the west side of Kiwanis Lake at Kiwanis Park, Tempe.
In 2012: May 4, 11, 18, 25

·  Movies in the Park
Family friendly movies will be shown at Pacana Park in Maricopa. Bring your own snacks and a blanket and enjoy the show. Snacks will also be available to purchase. All movies are free and begin at about 7 p.m. Call for info 520-316-6961.
In 2012: ??

·  Museum Day
May 18 is International Museum Day. Participating museums offer free admissions and gifts on Museum Day.
In 2012: May 18

·  Music in the Garden
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Ullman Terrace. Ticketed event. Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
In 2012: May 4, 11, 18, 25

·  Music in May
Free concerts at Anthem Community Park amphitheater at 7 p.m. Bring your picnic and your blanket or lawn chairs. Concerts are about two hours long.
In 2012: Every Friday in May

·  National Train Day
Free admission to the Arizona Railway Museum. These are real trains in various stages of restoration by volunteers. Special opportunity to go inside of many of the trains. Chandler.
In 2012: May 12

·  Pandora Festival
New and provocative plays by women playwrights at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
In 2012: May 18 - 20

·  Phoenix Bridal Show
Vendors for products and services for all your wedding needs. Downtown Phoenix.
In 2012: May 20

·  Phoenix Children's Chorus Spring Concert
Chorus members ages 9 - 18 are joined by guest artists for their performance.
In 2011: May 21, 22

·  Phoenix Comicon
Presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency, downtown Phoenix.
In 2011: May 26 - 29

·  Phoenix Mercury WNBA Basketball
The women of the Phoenix Mercury play professional basketball at the US Airways Center.
In 2012: Various dates in May

·  Phoenix Symphony in Goodyear
Phoenix Symphony will take the stage at 7 p.m. Estrella Lakeside Amphitheatre, Goodyear.
In 2012: May 20

·  Queen Creek Peach & Art Festival
Enjoy peach picking, recipes, sampling, and entertainment at Schnepf Farms.
In 2011: May 14, 15, 21, 22

·  Railbirds                                                                 
Bird scavenger hunt. Teams led by bird experts identify birds seen along METRO Light Rail. Followed by awards fiesta at Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center.
In 2012: May 5

·  Science Saturdays
Combines science experiments with historic home tours. Different science projects at each session. Historic home tours and garden walks will also be available. Free. Tumbleweed Park, Chandler.
In 2012: May 12

·  Scottsdale ArtWalk
Every Thursday evening the Scottsdale Art District invites you to spend a casual evening walking downtown and enjoying fine art. Free.
In 2012: Every Thursday evening

Now to update you with current statistics…According to the Cromford Associates, LLC, as of May 1, 2012 from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (Maricopa County):

There were 20,781 Active Residential Listings- Same time last year we had 34,594

Of these Active Residential listings:

1,304 were Lender Owned- (6%) - same time last year:  5,520 (16%)

7,703 were Pre-Foreclosure/Short Sales (37%)- same time last year: 13,259 (38%)

10,460 were Normal Listings (50%) – same time last year 14,430 (42%)

There were 11,996 transactions pending- same time last year 13,326

There is just over 2 months supply of residential inventory currently on the market, whereas last year at this time we had over 3 ½ months of residential inventory listed. Inventory of homes for sale in many price ranges remains EXTREMELY LOW!! 

Please know that as a licensed REALTOR I have access to the most up to date information available- and can help you determine what your home might sell for in today’s market- I can also provide you with data specific to your area or for your particular situation. Just let me know if you have questions and remember….

Real Estate is my FULL TIME career. I can help you navigate through all of this information to find answers that make sense for you- to make your best real estate investment decisions.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions on the information I send, or if I can help you or someone you know, with your real estate investment goals.

Best regards

Joe Bourland, REALTOR

........Next are a couple of excerpts from recent articles you may find interesting…

From the Arizona Republic on April 26^th, 2012

 “Mike Orr, director of the Center for Real Estate Theory at ASU, doesn't expect home prices to continue to climb as fast as they did in March over the next few months. But he projects metro Phoenix's housing appreciation for 2012 to reach 25 percent by September.

Orr credits the turnaround to steep drops in foreclosures and in the number of homes for sale, coupled with an increase in sales.

Fewer foreclosures means fewer inexpensive homes for buyers. The number of homes taken back by lenders in metro Phoenix is down 60 percent from March 2011.

Housing inventory has dropped steadily during the past year because of a record number of investors snapping up properties out of foreclosure.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------

And from Michael Orr in The Cromford Report- May 1 2012

 “In Maricopa County, the number of residential properties that reverted to the beneficiary through a recorded trustee deed in April 2012 was 751. This was the lowest number since July 2007… The number of residential properties purchased by third parties at the trustee sale was 961. This was the lowest number since December 2010 (which was during the Bank of America moratorium)… Although third parties now dominate the trustee sales, taking 56% of the residential properties auctioned, the trustee sale is clearly in decline as a significant source of residential real estate. However foreclosure notices (notices of trustee sale) remained at a fairly constant level over the last 3 months. This indicates that short sales will survive as a major supply channel of residential real estate for a considerably longer time than foreclosure auctions. Because short sales generally take longer to complete than foreclosures, the number of homes in the foreclosure process has stabilized and even increased over the last month.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2012

Bourland Receives Platinum Service Recognition

Joe Bourland of RE/MAX Professionals in Avondale, AZ has repeated the previous year’s achievement of being granted the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified® Platinum.  The award is in recognition of earning 100% client service satisfaction in 2011 as measured by Leading Research Corporation (LRC).

A Quality Service Certified (QSC) award status is the only recognition in the real estate industry based on independently validated customer satisfaction survey results.  After the conclusion of real estate transactions, clients of QSC agents receive a survey, asking them to rate the agent on various aspects of the service process.   The surveys are administered and the results are received and compiled by LRC.

Client feedback from the surveys becomes part of the agent’s credentials.  An overall satisfaction rating is displayed on a consumer website (www.QualityService.org) where sellers and buyers have the ability to select a real estate professional based upon each agent’s validated record of service satisfaction.

“Nothing is more important to a prospective client in selecting a professional than the service results achieved with past clients,” says Larry D. Romito, President and CEO of QSC.  He adds, “Consumers have greater confidence in service reliability, results and satisfaction with a Quality Service Certified real estate professional because they know that the agent’s service record has been validated by an independent third party.  100% service satisfaction record like Joe Bourland has achieved is just awesome.”
 

February 24, 2012

Homeowner's Rebate Affidavit – Update

Those that have been following the various articles and warnings on the impending Homeowner's Rebate Affidavit may have noticed when they received their property valuation notice that no such affidavit was present. As you may recall, the affidavit provision was part of last year’s “Jobs Bill,” which required homeowners to return the affidavit declaring that the property is the homeowner’s primary residence. If the homeowner failed to do so, the property would automatically be reclassified as Class 4 property and their taxes would go up as much as $600/year.

Two bills moving through the legislature, HB 2486 and SB 1217, are the primary reasons the affidavit has not been sent out this year, as required in current law. As stated by Tom Farley, CEO of the Arizona Association of REALTORS®, “Our advice to homeowners right now is to sit tight. We’re hoping this provision from last year’s law will be repealed and a more targeted notice will be put in its place.” Both bills, which are now identical, made significant progress through the legislature this week. On Monday, HB 2486: Homeowners’ Rebate Affidavit, sponsored by Representative Steve Court, was voted on in Third Read in the House of Representatives and received a unanimous vote in favor of the bill from the members present. The bill has been transmitted to the Senate where the process will once again be repeated.

Only a half hour after the successful vote on HB 2486, the House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony on SB 1217: Class Three Property Tax; Affidavit, sponsored by Senator Andy Biggs. Due to the fact that the members present had just voted on an identical version of this bill, SB 1217 sailed through committee. The next stop for this bill will be House Rules Committee, Caucus and then Third Read.

The bills in current form would eliminate the current affidavit requirements and establish that the county assessors are required to mail a notice every four years (beginning in 2013) to each Class 3 property owner if the owner has a mailing address outside the county in which the property is located, has a mailing address that is different than the situs address or property (excludes post office boxes), has the same mailing address listed for more than one parcel of Class 3 property, or appears to be a business entity.

Copyright © 2012 Arizona Association of REALTORS®.

All rights reserved.

It's those times that I have found myself at Ground Control in Goodyear, Arizona.  It seems that lately it has become a second office for me.   On Monday of this week I was there 3 separate times meeting clients.  When I went back on Tuesday to meet with another set of clients, I saw clients there that I had just met there on Monday.  They must have enjoyed it there too.  The atmosphere is great, it's comfortable, there are private seats, the coffee is hot and food is delicious. 

If you're looking for a place to meet clients and haven't tried Ground Control...give it shot.

http://www.groundxcontrol.com

Joe ~

Next, to give you some current statistics on where we’re at with home sales:

According to the Cromford Associates, LLC, as of Feb 1, 2012 from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (Maricopa County):

There were 24,762 Active Residential Listings- Same time last year we had 42,522

Of these Active Residential listings:

1,818 were Lender Owned- (7%) - same time last year:  8,258 (20%)

8,787 were Pre-Foreclosure/Short Sales (35%)- same time last year: 15,999 (38%)

13,093 were Normal Listings (53%) – same time last year 17,015 (40%)

There were 10,611 transactions pending- same time last year 10,565

There are LESS than 4 months of residential inventory currently on the market, whereas last year at this time we had over 6 months of residential inventory for sale.

Inventory of homes for sale in some price ranges is still EXTREMELY LOW!!  Sometimes homes are even selling for MORE THAN the list price. If you or someone you know is interested in selling or buying or simply finding out more- it would be my pleasure to help. 

Remember, as a licensed REALTOR I have access to the most up to date information available- and can find data specific to your neighborhood or for your particular area of interest. Just let me know if you have questions and remember….

Real Estate is my FULL TIME career.  We have seen lots of changes and some turbulent times in recent years- but as you can see, good news appears to be on the horizon and the opportunities for investing in real estate are still endless.  I can help you navigate through the sea of information to find answers and help you make your best real estate investment decisions.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions on the information I send, or if I can help you or someone you know, with your real estate investment goals.

Sincerely,

Joe ~

Homeowners will have to "opt-in" for a credit available on primary residence homes - by completing an Affidavit every other even-numbered year, starting in 2012, attesting that they or a family member occupy the home.  Homeowners will have 60 days to complete and return the affidavit.  If they fail to submit the affidavit, on the 61st day that property may be taxed at a higher rate and their tax bill could increase by as much as $600.

So when you receive your Notice of Full Cash Value typically sent out in February, make sure to complete and return the affidavit - attesting that you or a family member occupy the home for your primary residence.

I am committed to letting you know regularly - what's really happening out here in real estate world!  Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions on the information I send, or if I can help you or someone you know, with your real estate goals.

Respectfully,

Joe~

Now as a father of 2, I find myself thinking about what it would have been like to raise your kids alone.  I have the benefit of a spouse at home to help take the kids to baseball, band, their friends house, to help with homework and life in general.  I have a partner who can carry half of the burden.  And I still think parenthood is hard.

I admire my mom for the life she created for me and my sister and I want to honor her by helping those in her same situation.  It's my pleasure to be able to walk side-be-side with a single mom as she goes through the process of homeownership.  It's my honor to help. 

I am always touched by single moms and dads.  And I appreciate how hard it can be.

Joe~

December 24, 1814 The Treaty of Ghent is signed ending the War of 1812.

December 24, 1818 "Silent Night" composed by Franz Joseph Gruber; first sung next day

December 24, 1905 Howard Hughes born

December 24, 1914 World War I: The "Christmas truce" begins.

December 24, 1919 John D. Rockefeller, the world's richest man, gave away one-hundred million dollars and I missed it

December 24, 1943 FDR appoints General Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces

December 24, 1953 NBC's Dragnet becomes the first network-sponsored television program

December 24, 1964 Shooting begins on "The Cage" the pilot for Star Trek

December 24, 1966 Luna 13 lands on Moon

December 24, 1968 Apollo Program: The crew of Apollo 8 enters into orbit around the Moon, becoming the first humans to do so. They performed 10 lunar orbits and broadcast live TV pictures that became the famous Christmas Eve Broadcast, one of the most watched programs in history.

December 24, 1970 Walt Disney's "The Aristocats" is released

December 24, 1973 Ferryboat capsized off coast of Equador, drowning 200

December 11, 1975 : An Icelandic gunboat opens fire on unarmed British fishery support vessels in the North Atlantic Sea, as part of the ongoing COD WAR caused when Iceland extended its control over fishing rights from 50 to 200 nautical miles from its coast .

December 24, 1979 The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan to support the country's Marxist government.

December 24, 1980 Americans remembered Iran hostages by shining lights for 417 seconds

December 11, 1985 : The Unabomber kills his first victim, Hugh Scrutton who is killed in his computer store in Sacramento, California, by a mail package that explodes in his hands. The Unabomber had detonated his first bomb in May 1978 on the Chicago campus of the University of Illinois

December 24, 1989 Panama's dictator, Manual Noriega seeks asylum at the Vatican embassy

December 24, 1986 French hostage Aurel Cornea, held in Lebanon for 9 months, released

December 24, 1990 Saddam says Israel will be Iraq's main target

December 11, 1993 : One block of the Highland Towers apartment building collapses killing 48, the cause of the collapse was through structural failure caused by improper construction of the pilings. Following the collapse the other 2 towers that made up Highland Towers are closed and abandoned due to safety concerns.

December 24, 1997 The Sid El-Antri massacre (or Sidi Lamri) in Algeria kills 50-100 people.

December 24, 2000 The Texas 7 hold up a sports store in Irving, Texas. Police officer Aubrey Hawkins is shot during the robbery

December 24, 2003 The Spanish police thwart an attempt by ETA to detonate 50 kg of explosives at 3:55 p.m. inside Madrid's busy Chamartn Station.

December 24, 2009 A suicide bomb attack kills at least eight people in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

December 24, 2009 Bomb attacks in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Hilla leave 23 dead.

December 24, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI is knocked down by a woman during a procession before the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. He is uninjured, but Roger Cardinal Etchegaray suffers a hip fracture. (Sky News)

December 24, 2009 The United States Senate passes a health-care bill expected to extend insurance coverage to 30 million additional Americans, in a party-line vote, 60-39.

December 24, 2009 Thousands of Christian pilgrims gather in Bethlehem in the West Bank to mark Christmas.

RE/MAX Professionals is excited to announce a merger with RE/MAX Integrity, which will pair elite agents and strong leadership to create one of the most successful and productive real estate brokerages in the area. The two firms combined will remain RE/MAX Professionals and will service all areas of the Valley.

RE/MAX Professionals was founded in 2001 by Owners Nate Martinez and Frank Russo, while RE/MAX Integrity has been in operation since 1992. The two combined will have over 200 professional and experienced real estate agents.

In addition to an increase in market share, this merger furthers the outstanding reputations of two premier groups offering world class service to Arizona homebuyers and sellers. Both Martinez and Russo previously worked with RE/MAX Integrity prior to founding RE/MAX Professionals 10 years ago. RE/MAX Integrity Broker/Owner Ed McCloud is a mentor and friend to both Nate and Frank, and all parties are excited for this opportunity.

“We took a long look and saw that a merger of these brokerages would create a win-win situation for all parties involved,” said Russo. “Our offices share similar philosophies and creating an even stronger alliance is in everyone’s best interest. The RE/MAX agents in both firms have provided outstanding service to their clients for years and with even more resources, we’re confident we’ll continue to build on our current success in this market.”

Martinez added, “This is a great day for both groups. We respect Ed (McCloud) and we have worked with the many outstanding Integrity agents over the years. We’re excited to merge the talent from both sides and serve an even greater population of homebuyers and sellers in Arizona.”

In 2010, agents from the two offices participated in a total of 4,528 closed which ranked them No. 8 nationally and No. 1 in Arizona, among all RE/MAX Affiliates, for closed transactions sides, according to the recently released Real Trends 500 report.

The new RE/MAX Professionals will consist of seven offices located in Surprise, Avondale, Glendale (2), Sun City West, Anthem, and Central Phoenix. To learn more about joining REMAX Professionals, please call or email me today!

1054 Brightest known super-nova (Crab Nebula) starts shining (23 days)

1520 La Noche Triste: Joint Mexican Indian force led by Aztecs under Cuitlhuac defeat Spanish Conquistadors under Hernn Corts.

1187 The Crusades: Battle of Hattin - Saladin defeats Guy of Lusignan, King of Jerusalem.

1712 11 slaves are executed in New York for starting an uprising that killed 9 Caucasians

1776 American Independence Day . The United States Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress declaring itself free of British rule. Signed in Philadelphia.

1776 The 13 colonies in America met in Philadelphia to sign their Declaration of Independence, declaring themselves free of British rule and taxation. 1802 US Military Academy officially opens (West Point, NY)

1777 John Paul Jones hoists first Stars and Stripes flag on Ranger at Portsmouth, NH.

1817 Construction on Erie Canal begins

1826 Former American presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson die, fifty years to the day after the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence.

1832 "America" first sung publicly

1859 Balloon covers a record 809 miles over St Louis

1861 First public schoolhouse opens at Washington & Mason St, SF

1862 Day 7 of the 7 Days-Battle of Malvern Hill

1862 Russian State Library is founded.

1863 Battle of Gettysburg begins ending Juy 3

1881 Brooker T Washington establishes Tuskegee Institute

1885 United States terminates reciprocity and fishery agreement with Canada.

1889 Frederick Douglass named Minister to Haiti

1910 African-American boxer Jack Johnson knocks out white boxer Jim Jeffries in a heavyweight boxing match sparking race riots across the United States.

1931 Ice vending machines introduced in LA

1932 NY Gov FDR nominated for president at the Dem Convention in Chicago

1946 After 381 years of near-continuous colonial rule, the Philippines is granted full independence by the United States.

1952 Actor Dan Akroyd (Ghostbusters, Saturday Night Live) was born.

1958 The St Helena General Workers Union is formed.

1961 Jamestown Recreation Centre is opened.

1967 Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," goes #1 for 15 weeks

1968 John Lennon's first full art exhibition (You are Here)

2002 The International Criminal Court is established to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

2007 Smoking in England is banned in all public indoor spaces. With the ban already in force in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, this means it is illegal to smoke in indoor public places anywhere in the UK.

0575 Benedict I becomes Pope.

1215 Beijing, then under the control of the Jurchen ruler Emperor Xuanzong of Jin, is captured by the Mongols under Genghis Khan, ending the Battle of Beijing.

1495 The first written record of Scotch Whiskey appears in Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. Friar John Cor is the distiller.

1539 Hernando De Soto claims Florida for Spain.

1792 Kentucky admitted as the 15th state of the United States.

1796 Tennessee admitted as the 16th state of the United States.

1813 The mortally-wounded Captain James Lawrence, commander of the U.S. frigate Chesapeake, coins the phrase "Don't give up the ship," during a losing battle with a British frigate.

1831 James Clark Ross discovers the North Magnetic Pole.

1835 P. T. Barnum and his circus begins their first tour of the United States.  

1851 The first baseball uniforms worn. Knickerbockers wear straw hat, white shirt & blue long trousers.

1855 US adventurer Wm Walker conquers Nicaragua, reestablishes slavery.

1861 The first skirmish in the Civil War, Fairfax Court House, VA and the US & Confederacy simultaneously stop mail interchange.

1892 Macadamia nuts first planted in Hawaii.

1923 Checker Cab puts its first taxi on the streets.

1963 Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 Mission, Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.

1873 Ground broken on Clay St (SF) for world's first cable railroad.

1897 Mark Twain, responding to rumors that he was dead at age 61, is quoted by the New York Journal as saying: "The report of my death was an exaggeration."

1916 The National Defense Act is signed into law, increasing the size of the United States National Guard by 450,000 men.

1916 The ROTC is established by the U.S. Congress.

1918 Supreme Court rules child labor laws unconstitutional.

1925 Birthday - Tony Curtis [Bernard Schwartz] is born.

1932 New York Yankee great Lou Gehrig hits four home runs in one game against the Philadelphia Athletics. Final score 20-13 in favor of the Yankees.

1933 The first Great Lakes-to-Gulf of Mexico barge trip completed, New Orleans.

1939 Doctors reveal Lou Gehrig has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

1940 World War II: The Luftwaffe bombs Paris and Winston Churchill gives his "Finest Hour" speech.

1952 Wilfred 'Wop' May pilot, World War I air ace, died on this day.. May was being pursued by German ace Manfred von Richthofen when the Red Baron was shot down.

1957 Howard Cosell's first TV show.

1963 3,000 blacks boycott Boston public school.

1965 For 21 minutes, Edward H. White floats free outside the space vehicle Gemini IV for the first time.

1976 Apartheid: A non-violent march by 15,000 students in Soweto, South Africa turns into days of rioting when police open fire on the crowd and kill 566 children.

1980 Jimmy Carter wins enough delegates for re-nomination.

1981 The AIDS epidemic is formally recognized by medical professionals in San Francisco, California.

1982 The Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom, Shlomo Argov, is shot on a London street. He survives but is permanently paralyzed.

1989 Troops in China shoot & kill 100s of students demonstrating for democracy in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.

1989 4 golfers shoot a hole-in-one on the same hole at the US Open are made all on the 6th hole (Weaver, Wiebe, Pate & Price).

2006 The union of Serbia and Montenegro comes to an end with Montenegro's formal declaration of independence.

2010 Campbell Soup Co. recalls nearly 15 million pounds of canned SpaghettiOs with meatballs because of possible under-processing.

Contact: Matt Wimpress, Customer Service Manager

Quality Service Certification, Inc.

Matt@QualityCertified.org

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2011

 Bourland Receives Platinum Service Recognition

Joe Bourland of RE/MAX Professionals in Avondale, AZ has repeated the previous year’s achievement of being granted the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified® Platinum.  The award is in recognition of earning 100% client service satisfaction in 2010 as measured by Leading Research Corporation (LRC).

A Quality Service Certified (QSC) award status is the only recognition in the real estate industry based on independently validated customer satisfaction survey results.  After the conclusion of real estate transactions, clients of QSC agents receive a survey, asking them to rate the agent on various aspects of the service process.   The surveys are administered and the results are received and compiled by LRC.

Client feedback from the surveys becomes part of the agent’s credentials.  An overall satisfaction rating is displayed on a consumer website (www.QualityService.org) where sellers and buyers have the ability to select a real estate professional based upon each agent’s validated record of service satisfaction.

“Nothing is more important to a prospective client in selecting a professional than the service results achieved with past clients,” says Larry D. Romito, President and CEO of QSC.  He adds, “Consumers have greater confidence in service reliability, results and satisfaction with a Quality Service Certified real estate professional because they know that the agent’s service record has been validated by an independent third party.  100% service satisfaction record like Joe Bourland has achieved is just awesome.”

I read something very interesting the other day, something that actually surprised me a little. 

I read that Freddie Mac reports more than half of homeowners who lose their homes to foreclosure never answer their lenders' phone calls or letters. Instead, homeowners feel embarrassed about being in default, don't believe their lender can help, and erroneously assume that contacting their lender will cause them to lose their home more quickly.

Do you fit into this category of people?

My son has had a heart condition since birth and the amount of time my wife has had to spend on the phone with insurance companies is nauseating.  She often tells me of endless holds, endless transfers, of repeatedly being disconnected and when she finally gets a live person on the phone they seem extremely disinterested in actually helping her.  The simple thought of having to make a call to an insurance company gives her instant anxiety. 

Is this how you feel about talking to your lender?  Can't say as I blame you.

Having worked for years with lenders, short sales and foreclosures and having sat of the phone for hours on end trying to get through the 'gate keepers' at these banks and get to the correct person who can help .....can understandably give people anxiety.

I want you to know that I am more than willing and capable to help you in this situation.  Even if you want to talk to me about the correct questions to ask, numbers call, paperwork that you need in front of you, things not to say, etc.  I would be very willing to talk with you.

You are not alone.

Joe ~

1822 Boston is incorporated as a city.

1840 American Charles Wilkes discovers Shackleton Ice Shelf, Antarctica.

1852 Studebaker Brothers wagon company, precursor of the automobile manufacturer, is established.

1861 President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrives secretly in Washington, D.C., after an assassination attempt in Baltimore, Maryland.

1883 "Ladies Home Journal" begins publication.

1887 Congress grants Seal Rocks to San Francisco.

1904 For $10 million the United States gains control of the Panama Canal Zone.

1905 Chicago, Illinois attorney Paul Harris and three other businessmen meet for lunch to form the Rotary Club, the world's first service club.

1913 New York City's Grand Central Terminal opens as the world's largest train station.

1920 Royal Canadian Mounted Police forms as Royal Northwest Mounted Police merge with Dominion Police.

1926 Land at Broadway & Wall Street sold at a record $7 per square inch .

1938 Joe Louis KO's Nathan Mann in 3 for heavyweight boxing title.

1940 Walt Disney's 2nd feature-length movie, "Pinocchio," premieres (New York NY).

1948 Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower resigned as Army chief of staff and was succeeded by Gen. Omar Bradley.

1952 The United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria) is formed.

1954 First TV soap opera "Secret Storm" premieres.

1958 US satellite (Explorer I) launched.

1962 President Kennedy begins blockade of Cuba.

1964 Baskin-Robbins introduces Beatle Nut ice cream.

1964 Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand," first #1 hit & stays #1 for 7 weeks.

1978 Director Roman Polanski skips bail & fled to France after pleading guilty to charges of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl.

1978 Harriet Tubman is first black woman honored on a US postage stamp.

1979 Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 15 years in exile.

1979 Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst leaves federal prison when her sentence for bank robbery is commuted by President Jimmy Carter.

1965 US begins regular bombing & strafing of North Vietnam.

1969 Al-Fatah-leader Yasser Arafat becomes president of PLO.

1984 U.S. space shuttle astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert Stewart perform the first untethered space walk.

1985 "New York, New York" became the official anthem of New York NY.

1986 Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier flees, ending 28 years of rule by his family.

1986 Philippine Corazon Aquino defeats incumbent dictator Ferdinand Marcos but fraudulent returns gave the election to Marcos.

1994 Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding's ex-husband, pleads guilty to taking part in an attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.

2001 My first son, Levi Truett Bourland was born in Phoenix, Arizona

The hardest part about resolutions is not making them, it’s keeping them.  I have found a website that I like to use to help keep me on track of my goals:   www.habitforge.com.  You provide the goal and they will send you a customized daily reminder to help you stay the course.

One of my resolutions this year is to better communicate to my past clients and sphere what is going on in the market place.  With the revolving lender requirements, short sales, bank owned homes and ever changing deficiency guidelines, I want to make sure you are getting the most recent information from a real estate professional who has actually worked for the past decade in the real estate industry. 

Have you seen the movie “The Perfect Storm” with George Clooney?  It’s a great movie where a combination of events, (in this case weather patterns) that when they occur individually don’t have real significance, but when they occur together produce a dramatic outcome.  Well that’s what we are in now!  A “Real Estate Perfect Storm”!  Never in my life have I seen a more perfect set of circumstances to purchase real estate.  Interest rates are at a historic low while home prices are half of what they were 4 years ago.  It simply does not get better than that.  Regardless if you are a first time buyer, investor, someone who wants to become an investor or a veteran homeowner it is a fabulous time to buy.

And I haven’t forgotten about “struggling homeowners”, you are not alone.  You really do have options, options that I can assist you with.  So give me a call.

I look forward to hearing from you in the coming year and I look forward to assisting you with your real estate needs.  Here’s to a great 2011!

I have set up a facebook fan page, linkedin page, twitter account and a youtube channel.

Of course you can always reach me at 623-322-8588 & www.JoeArizona.com

www.facebook.com/joearizonahomes

Ÿ  Become a fan Ÿ  I post my listings, interesting real estate articles and industry news

http://www.youtube.com/user/JoeArizonaHomes

Ÿ  You can look at videos of listed homes Ÿ  For my out of state buyers I film homes and post them for you

Ÿ  There are also videos of my kids doing kid things….a little view into my personal life

http://twitter.com/JoeArizona

Ÿ  I post my listings, interesting real estate articles and industry news

http://www.linkedin.com/in/joebourland

Ÿ  Do you have a linkedin page?  Send me a connection invite

• D-backs Fan Fest   February 13
  the Arizona Diamondbacks fan appreciation day at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix is a free event, with clinics, autograph and photo opportunities, ballpark tours and giveaways.
• World Championship Hoop Dance Contest  February 13 & 14
  Native American dancers from the U.S. and Canada compete at The Heard Museum.
• Fairgrounds Antique Market  February 13, 14
  at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix.
• Arizona Fine Art Expo January 14 - March 28
  A 10 week event in north Scottsdale. See designers, painters, sketchers and sculptors at work. Demonstrations and workshops, fine wines and cuisine.
• Sunday A'Fair February 14, 21,28
  Musical mini-festival that takes place outdoors on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall adjacent to the Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
• Celebration of Fine Art January 16 - March 28
  Scottsdale hosts over 100 artists from Arizona and elsewhere in it's big white tents.
• Western Avenue Art Walk February 19
  Food and wine, music, special events, and the unique blend of artwork by local artists. Free parking, free admission. Old Town Avondale.
• His & Hers Luxury Experience February 19 - 21
  Hundreds of exhibitors with a range of luxury products and services for both men and women. City North on High Street, Scottsdale.
• NHRA Arizona Nationals February 19-21
  The National Hot Rod Association come to Arizona every year. Firebird International Raceway.
• Mardi Gras February 19 - 24
  Music, food and beads at various events in the Phoenix area.
• Parada del Sol Parade February 20
  By the Scottsdale Jaycees. The parade is followed by a festival in downtown Scottsdale.
• Junior League of Phoenix Annual Rummage Sale February 21
  Thousands of new and gently used items for bargain seekers. Baby items, furniture, designer handbags, clothing, sporting goods, collectibles, jewelry, housewares, electronic equipment, home office equipment, and more. Proceeds benefit Junior League of Phoenix community programs. Arizona State Fairgrounds.
• Waste Management Phoenix Open Golf Tournament  Feb22-28
  In North Scottsdale the pro golfers will get together for the first PGA tournament of the year. The PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open Golf Tournament, formerly known as the FBR Open, is held at the TPC Scottsdale course at the Fairmont Scottsdale. This tournament attracts the largest crowds of any PGA event.
• Fountain Hills Great Fair  February 26 - 28
  A three day event in Fountain Hills with live entertainment and more than 400 artists and artisans. Free admission.
• Arizona Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Gathering Feb 27 - 28
  Steele Indian School Park is the location for the games featuring entertainment, competitions, demonstrations and more.
• Crossroads of the West Gun Show February 27, 28
  at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. The shows offer hundreds of tables of interest to both the once a year hunter and the avid collector.
• Parada del Sol Rodeo  February 27 - March 1
  By the Scottsdale Jaycees. The Parada Del Sol Rodeo is a PRCA sanctioned rodeo and consists of 5 sessions over a period of three days at WestWorld in Scottsdale.
• Downtown Chandler Art Walk First Wednesday of the month
  Visit more than 40 artisans set up along the streets in front of the unique shops and cafes of Historic Downtown Chandler. Free.
• Fountain Hills Public Art Walk Tour  First Saturday of the month
  Docent led tours of the Fountain Hills public art collection including more than 70 artworks in parks, plazas and public buildings. Tours are in the morning, take approximately one hour and begin in the Community Center Sculpture Garden. There is a charge for the tour which includes a commemorative gift. Reservations required. 480-816-5100.
• Glendale's Live at the Library One or two Thursdays per month
  Musical entertainment from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Main Library. Concerts are free. Call 623-930-3573 for more details.
• Movies at the Museum  Various dates in February
  Phoenix Art Museum. Independent and classic cinema and documentaries relating to art, artists, and works on view in the Museum, usually followed by discussion. Free with paid museum admission. First come, first seated.
• Native Trails Select Thursdays and Saturdays
  Native Trails celebrates Native American society and focuses on the individual cultures of these Southwest tribes. A variety of Native American performers will present musical performances using traditional instruments. Native foods, arts, crafts, and jewelry. Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. free admission.
• Phoenix Coyotes Hockey  Various dates in February
  Our professional NHL hockey team hopes to howl its way to the Stanley Cup. Jobing.com Arena.
• Scottsdale ArtWalk Every Thursday evening
  Every Thursday evening the Scottsdale Art District invites you to spend a casual evening walking downtown and enjoying fine art. Free.
• Thursdays on Mill  Every Thursday evening (excluding holidays)
  Local musicians performing on the streets for Music on Mill. Market on Mill involves an eclectic mix of area businesses, growers, artisans, restaurants and chefs and local musicians. MADCAP Theaters hosts musical entertainment and films. Mill Avenue District, Tempe from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Valentine's Day Guide  various dates in February
  Dinners, dances, chocolate and many other ways to celebrate with your sweetheart.

Jason Robinson volunteered to coach my son’s soccer team this season.  It is obvious he has a passion for the sport and a high skill level and knowledge level to share.  As I previously wrote he was the parent volunteering to steer the ship with help from parents.  He donated his precious time to help our kids.  Little did I know how precious his time really is.

He is a small business owner that I can image is taking hits in this slow economy, as most of us have.  The stress of slower times will turn lots of us grey.  But adding to this commitments are matters of true survival.  Jason’s brother in law was diagnosed with a life debilitating illness.  Jason has the unenviable task of assisting him while he undergoes treatment.  Many hours a week are spent in the service of others.

The story of Jason really made me appreciate what I can give.  Truly the most precious gift of all: time.

Background:  The rectangular survey system, which was first proposed by Thomas Jefferson and enacted into law by the Land Ordinance of 1785, forms the backbone of the Nation's land surveys.  The first step in implementing a survey system in a given area is the establishment of an initial point.

This point is the basis for all government surveys in the area it controls, and its latitude and longitude are fixed by astronomical observations.  From this initial point, a Principal Meridian runs north and south on a line that would intersect the poles, and a Base Line is run east and west on a parallel of latitude.  In Arizona, the point in which east-west "baseline" and a north south "meridian" intersect is Arizona's initial point and that point is where the Gila and Salt Rivers meet.  This initial point - where surveys for the state first began is named Monument Hill.

Historical Significance:  In 1851, Monument Hill was  built by the U.S. Boundary Commission, while making a reconnaissance survey for the United States-Mexico boundary under the 1848, Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo,  In 1865, John A. Clark, Surveyor General for New Mexico and Arizona selected Monument Hill as the initial point for surveys in Arizona.

The first survey from the initial point was a survey of the base line to the east, which began January 19, 1867, by William H. Pierce, Deputy Surveyor.  With a crew of seven men he surveyed 36 miles east in five days.  He was using a Burt's Solar Compass to determine direction and a chain 33 feet long made up of 50 links, each 7.92 inches long to measure the distance.

In the last 141 years some 62 million acres of land have been surveyed from this point.  Nearly all of the unsurveyed land lies within Military Reservations, National Parks and Forest, and Indian Reservations.

Benefits:  Designating Monument Hill as a National Heritage Area has ecological, cultural, social and historical benefits.  Preserving the integrity of the natural landscape and local stories means that future generations will be able to understand their relationship with the land.  The area would provide educational and inspirational opportunities which encourage residents and visitors to recreate in a place that offers habitat conservation and preserves long-standing traditions.

Location:  Monument Hill (initial point) is located in Avondale Arizona's Planning Area, Arizona Maricopa County:  Avondale Boulevard (Principal Meridian) and Baseline Road (Base Line).

Partners:  The City of Avondale is working to assemble government and private sector partners of this historic point in an effort to work together seek the NHA designation.  Partners include:  Arizona Professional Land Surveyors, Maricopa County, Phoenix International Raceway, the Gila River Indian Community, the Salt River Project, the State of Arizona Land Department, the Arizona Centennial Committee and the Arizona State Office, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Courtesy of The City of Avondale, Arizona  www.avondale.org