In November we highlighted our "almost, but no cigar" contender for our national symbol, the turkey. It is most appropriate that now in the wintry month of "Oh Holy Night," we recall the "Flor de la Noche Buena," "the Flower of the Holy Night," the "Blazing Star" or "Flame Leaf" flower," commonly known here as the poinsettia. In Chile and Peru, it is called the "Crown of the Andes." It is indeed a bloom worthy of a king, or as a gift to the King of Kings. How this glorious plant came to be associated with Christmas is the stuff of legends, and is the focus of our other article on poinsettias. But before that story, here let's visit the plant’s humble origins.  Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they grow as a wild perennial flowering shrub reaching heights of ten feet. The Aztecs c... 12/04/2012

Sun City Grand homes under 200,000 Sun City Grand located in the Phoenix West Valley city of Surprise Az is a 45+ active adult community with 4 championship golf courses, 2 state of the art recreation centers, clubs and activities to fit your needs and resort style living at it's finest. Sun City Grand homes under 200,000 start at 135,000 with 1183 sq ft 2 bedroom 2 bath with a 2 car garage. There are 73 homes for sale in the range Sun City Grand homes under 200,000. To view these Sun City Grand homes under 200,000 click link below Sun City Grand homes under 200,000 Sun City Grand Tour Sun City Grand map View Sun City Grand Surprise Az Homes For Sale 85374 in a larger map 12/03/2012

Arizona Tradition Holiday Shopping December 21, 2012 Arizona Traditions is having a great local shopping event open to the public. There will be several vendors: Gold canyon Candles King of Bling clothing Country Cooking Live Plants etc. There will also be jewelry, homemade wooden toys/puzzles, home repair services and many more vendors. Food will be available to purchase for lunch.This event will be held at our Ballroom, so rain or shine, it’s a shoppers delight! Don’t Forget Arizona Traditions December 21, 2012 17221 N Citrus Road Surprise, Arizona 85374   12/03/2012

Pool or Golf Course Home in Sun City Grand? I was recently asked if I have a pool in my Sun City Grand home. My response was no. My buyer inquired which would be more desirable, a pool or golf course property.  Considering that the cost to have a pool constructed may be a little less than a golf course premium, I feel that a golf course property is more desirable. It’s not the cost involved to maintain the pool but the availability of the four Sun City Grand pools for the homeowners, tenants and guests to enjoy. My response to my prospective buyer was that in ten years you may be sick and tired of pool however in ten years you'll still  marvel, ooohing and aaahing about your beautiful golf course view. Oh yes, Sun City Grand golf course homes with pools are highly desired. Sun City Gran... 12/02/2012

Celebrating December 2012 in Del Webb's Sun City Grand One of the nicest things about living in Sun City Grand in Surprise, Arizona, is that it really is a community, not just a subdivision.  Now that the holiday season has arrived, and our winter visitors with it, we can celebrate by taking part in some of the fun activities planned for the month of December: The Sun City Grand Dance Club has the following dances planned: Line Dance, Thursday, December 6, 6:30pm at Cimarron Center Country Western Dance, Friday, December 7, 7:00pm at Cimarron Center Variety Dance, "Holiday Garland and Glitter," Friday, December 14, 7:00pm at Sonoran Plaza Ballroom Dance, "A Touch of Gold,” Thursday, December 20, 7:00pm at Sonoran Plaza And Sun City Grand residents and guests can ring in the New Year wit... 12/02/2012

Type in your SEO text here... 20253 N Sojourner Drive Surprise, AZ 85387 3 bedroom Hacienda model in Sun City Grand Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Life is good in Arizona Office:623-866-2677 Mobile:623-866-2677 Website:Visit Website Price : $3,000 Bedrooms : 3 Bathrooms : 2 Square Foot : 2,334 County : Maricopa Property Type : Detached Year Built : 2004 MLS Number : 4855187 click for more information and pictures Property Description Absolutely gorgeous 3 bedroom Hacienda model in Sun City Grand. From the travertine tile in all but bedrooms, to the elegant granite countertops and backsplash in the kitchen, this home has upgrades and amenities galore. For your enjoyment, there are: formal living dining areasa great room adjacent to the kitchen; ... 11/30/2012

Type in your SEO text here... 26835 N 176TH Drive Surprise, AZ 85387 4 bedroom 2 bath 2 car garage single level home Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Life is good in Arizona Office:623-866-2677 Mobile:623-866-2677 Website:Visit Website Price : $135,000 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 2 Square Foot : 1,950 County : Maricopa Property Type : Detached Year Built : 2006 MLS Number : 4855160 click for more information and pictures Property Description 4 bedroom 2 bath 2 car garage single level home in move in condition with new interior paint. This 4 bedroom 2 bath 2 car garage single level home is a Short Sale listing. Agent is a certified Short Sale Property Expert. We close 100%. We just cannot guarantee how long it will take. Only solid, qualified buyers ... 11/30/2012

 Sun City Grand Market report Oct. 2012 Sun City Grand in the Phoenix West Valley city of Surprise is a 45+ active adult community with 4 championship golf courses, 2 state of the art recreation centers with indoor/outdoor pools and spas. Sun City Grand is resort style living at it's finest and always a great place to escape those harsh winters to enjoy fun in the sun. Trade in those snow blowers for a golf cart and come on out to Sun City Grand.    Click here to view: Sun City Grand homes for sale MLS search   11/28/2012

Goodbye Sandy Utah, Welcome home to Sun City Grand Not long ago I sold a Sun City Grand golf course home to a lovely couple who lived in Sandy Utah. My buyers purchased their retirement home first, then returned to Utah to place their property on the market. Their home sold and they are presently driving to Arizona. It was zero degrees F the night before they left Sandy Utah; they sent me this picture the next day as they left their home of 30+ years. This is the view from their patio in their Sun City Grand golf course home. My clients are sure to enjoy their new retirement lifestyle that they have worked so hard to achieve. Surely they'll miss the blistery cold winter days, shoveling snow or mowing a lawn. I can picture them on the Cimarron Golf Course driving range, or talking to the... 11/28/2012

Sun City Grand Golf Course Homes Located in Surprise Arizona, Sun City Grand is a beautiful Del Webb Active Adult Arizona Retirement Community which consists of 9,550 single family homes and 252 condominiums.   Sun City Grand is a 45+ age restricted community.  15% of Sun City Grand homes may be occupied by the owners age 45-54.   85% of the homes must be occupied by a person age 55 or older. The 45-54 age group MUST BE owner occupied. So now that I have that out of the way.  Let's talk about what makes Sun City Grand such a special Arizona retirement community... Sun City Grand Floor plans-There are over 50 floor plans to choose from.  Search Homes for Sale in Sun City Grand.   Search Sun City Grand Homes for Sale by Floor Plan Sun City Grand Golf- 4 regulation courses- Desert Springs,... 11/28/2012

Just think if you could Drive out of your garage in your own golf cart to be playing golf within minutes on one of 4 championship golf courses in Sun City Grand. Along with the 4 courses you will find practice facilities at all 4 along with snack bars and pro shops. The prices on golf equipment and wears is very competetive with the major retailers in the area. The highly maintained courses of Sun City Grand have 5 sets of tees so you can play them from championship distance down to executive distance so all can enjoy. If you are looking for a little competition and fun the Sun City Grand mens golf club and Sun City Grand womens golf club are open to all residents. Just think if you could drive to your softball game on your golf cart and be there within minutes or your bridge game, pick... 11/27/2012

Beaders in Phoenix Arizona Retirement Communities If you are looking for a large selection of unique beaded jewelry and gifts at discounted prices, stop by the Sun City West Beaders annual Holiday Bling Fling. Distinctive gifts can be purchased just in time for the holidays.   Mark your CalendarsDecember 1, 20129 a.m. - 3 p.m.Beardsley Recreation Center 12755 Beardsley Road (Corner of 128th Avenue and Beardsley) in Sun City West       Retiring in Arizona? Retirees find it fun shoveling sun instead of snow. Considering a second or primary home in a Phoenix Arizona retirement community? Call me at 602-403-6865. Please allow me the opportunity to show you the Arizona West Valley retirement communities of Sun City Grand, Sun City West, Corte Bella, Sun City Festival, Trilogy at Vistancia, P... 11/27/2012

Sun City Grand Home for Sale Del Webb Juniper 17234 N FIRESTONE Lane Surprise, AZ 85374 Single Family - Detached - Surprise, AZ Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Josee-Marie Plant Realtor,e-PRO, GRI Office:602-524-6586 e-fax:623-505-4383 Website:Visit Website Price : $189,000 Bedrooms : 3 Bathrooms : 2 Square Foot : 1,495 Lot Size : 7,139 County : Maricopa Property Type : Detached Year Built : 2001 MLS Number : 4852624 click for more information and pictures Property Description Del Webb 3 bedroom Juniper on corner lot. Private fenced yard with covered patio. Landscaping is well maintained and plentiful both front and back. New landscape watering lines and systems installed May 2012. New security door on front door Nov 2012. Home is light and brig... 11/27/2012

Sun City West homes; Sun City Grand holiday home tour.Sun Health Foundation Holiday Home tour is once again here. This year there will be two homes in Sun City Grand and four homes in Sun City West. The holiday home tour is to benefit the orthopedic care at Banner Boswell and Banner De. E. Webb medical centers. This has been a tradition for over 30 years. When and WhereDecember 1, 201210 a.m. - 4 p.m.Tickets are $30 for a self-guided tour$35 for a roundtrip tour on a motor coachFor more information on the wonderful tradition, please call 623/832-7609. Call today to support the great fundraiser for the Northwest Valley. 11/25/2012

Sun City Grand homes for sale; Now is a great opportunity for home ownership.The interest rates on loans are at an all time low at this moment:   Here are just a few items that will help with getting the great loan for your Sun City Grand home:Income information:Supply the Bank of your choice, or Loan Broker, with pay stubs, tax returns, and any W-2’s.Credit information:Supply checking, savings, investment and retirement funds.Current Property information:Current tax statement, mortgage statement and HOA dues.Business information:If you own your own business you will be required to supply business federal, P & L statements along with other items.Personal information:Be ready to supply a copy of your current drivers license, Social Security card etc.Sun City Grand home ownership with go ... 11/23/2012

Just as a cherry completes that perfect ice cream sundae, a tangy slice or scoop of cranberry sauce finishes off a Thanksgiving plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing and marshmallowed yams. In fact, this little ruby of a berry has a rich American history, playing a key role in our diets, banquets, and even medicines from the dawn of our country to the present and even into tomorrow. Wherever sandy bogs or marshes can be found, cranberries seem to thrive. Native Americans ate them right off the vine. Cape Cod Pequots and South Jersey Leni-Lenape tribes called the berries "ibimi" or "bitter berry." The Algonquins of Wisconsin knew the fruit as "atoqua," and others called it "sassamanesh." All of the tribes found multiple uses for cranberries, from fiber dyes to healing potions... 11/21/2012

We have just completed one of our unique  American rites, the election of our President. Regardless of our politics, our freedom to vote is something we can all be grateful for on this Thanksgiving. Over the past few months we have been bombarded with political terms, sound-bites, and symbols, many so common we take them for granted. But where did they come from? Many have backgrounds quite different than what you might expect, some quite colorful. Here are a few of the most interesting. Let's start with the acronym GOP. Anti-slavery activists formed the Republican party in 1854. They referred to it as the "Gallant Old Party." This morphed into the "Grand Old Party," which was further shortened to GOP, the nickname used to this day. But how did the colors red and blue, or the animals do... 11/20/2012

Sun City Grand Homes for Sale - Homes for sale Sun City Grand Consider purchasing a home in Surprise, Arizona,  but didn't know where?  Explore the community of Sun City Grand. It is located in the Bell Road and Grand Avenue area. The Sun City Grand community has some of the better schools in the area.  Sun City Grand is only minutes from shopping and restaurants.  You may want to consider Surprise, Arizona, Sun City Grand for your next home purchase. Resale homes for sale in Sun City Grand are limited. Currently there are only 28 out of 253, traditional sales, Sun City Grand homes listed for sale.   The average home price is $280,609 with limited Surprise homes for sale in Sun City Grand offered for under $200,000.  If your looking to move to Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ and don't wan... 11/19/2012

Sun City Grand open house in Surprise AZ Active Adult Community 16128 W Eagle Ridge Dr will be open today 11/18/2012 from 10:30 to 2:00. This 2 bedroom luxury home with Den, Cholla floor plan home is furnished and ready for you to start enjoying the Resort style active adult community of Sun City Grand. A beautiful home in a central location of Sun City Grand has 20" tile on the diagonal throughout, plantation shutters, granite tile counter tops, upgraded fans and lighting plus so many more upgrades and features. Sun City Grand in the Phoenix West Valley is a Surprise Arizona active adult community with 4 championship golf courses, 2 state of the art recreation centers with indoor/outdoor pools and spas. If teniis is your game there are plenty of courts, maybe pickle ball fits is your g... 11/17/2012

Sun Village Homes for Sale Sun Village is an Arizona retirement community located in Surprise, Arizona.  Sun Village is an age restricted community for those age 55+ years of age.  Sun Village has more of an intimate feel to it as you proceed through the gated entry.   Sun Village is located within walking distance to shopping and dining. The Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals call Surprise Stadium home during spring training.   The Surprise Recreation campus is also less than one mile from Sun Village.  The campus features the Surprise Stadium, a library, tennis and racquet complex and aquatic center   Sun Village features single family homes and condominiums ranging in size from 600 sq ft to 2,400 sq ft.     Search Sun Village Homes for Sale Search Sun Village Golf Course Homes for ... 11/17/2012