Open 7 days a week, Boomers! Family Fun Park features three 18 hole miniature golf courses, batting cages, go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, games pavilion, and more. 67-700 E. Palm Canyon DriveCathedral City, CA 92234Phone: 760.770.7522 boomersparks.com/park/palmsprings/index.html   Hours of OperationOpen 7 Days a Week, Including Holidays Monday - Thursday 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Miniature Golf & Video Games   3:00 pm - 11:00 pm Entire Park Friday 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Miniature Golf & Video Games   3:00 pm - 11:00 pm Entire Park Saturday 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Entire Park Sunday 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Entire Park   Hours are subject to change without notice due to weather or other related issues. Boomers! Palm Springs 67-700 E. Palm Canyon Dr.Cathedral City, CA 92234(760) 770-7522Yahoo Map        ... 08/13/2008

33700 Date Palm DriveCathedral City, CA 92234 Phone: 760.324.5600   Big League Dreams is the premier developer and operator of amateur recreational sports facilities in the country. Built in 1997 for $4.4 million, the Cathedral City Big League Dreams Sports Park is a sports complex that replicates Yankee Stadium. The park also offers inline hockey, softball, basketball, indoor/outdoor soccer, flag football fields, batting cages, sand volleyball courts.      www.bigleaguedreams.com 08/13/2008

Most often, a move represents an important step forward for the adults in the family because of a new job, promotion, transfer to a different office, or financial success has allowed them to buy a more comfortable house in a different neighborhood. Moving from one house to another is seldom easy and enjoyable for adults (who chose to move), and can be especially troubling for children (who prefer to stay where they are).  But if parents are mindful of their children's concerns and needs, they can minimize distress and discomfort.   A Move Affects Children Differently from Adults People typically live in a house for about five years and then move on as their jobs and incomes allow.  Five years is a small percentage of an adult's life, but it's half the lifetime of a 10-year old:  it incl... 08/13/2008

Sooner or later, most homeowners will be in a position to sell their home. This report summarizes the top five mistakes that home sellers make, simply because the experience is new to them.    Mistake #1.  Using a Real Estate Agent Instead Of a Realtor When you're looking for help buying or selling property, it's important to remember that the terms "real estate agent" and "Realtor" are not synonymous. •–         To be a Realtor, you must be a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).  The equivalent organization in Canada is the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).  Both are non-profit trade organizations that promote real estate information, education and professional standards. •–         NAR and CREA members adhere to a strict code of ethics founded ... 08/13/2008

Putting the proverbial Band-Aid on your problems might feel better, but not for long.  It takes diligent investigation to root out the underlying cause of problems before you can apply a real remedy.  Yet sometimes we get so focused on addressing the symptoms of a problem that we lose sight of looking for a solution.   That's what happened to some folks one day as they were picnicking.  It was a popular place to spend an afternoon - a quiet, picturesque landscape that included a winding river.  But suddenly, the pastoral scene was pierced with the cries of a baby.   As the picnickers looked around for the source of the cries, another cry could be heard - from a different infant!   "It sounds like they're in the river!" called out a woman as she ran toward the water's edge.  The other pi... 08/12/2008

No Pedal To The Metal Aggressive driving costs you - at the gas pump.  Speeding, rapid acceleration, and last-minute braking can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town, according to www.fueleconomy.gov.  Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.   08/12/2008

Patriot Day was signed into law on December 18, 2001 as a day to remember the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  You're encouraged to fly your flag at half-staff and observe a moment of silence to remember the people who lost their lives, and to honor the sacrifices of the firefighters, rescue and law enforcement personnel, military service members, and other citizens.   When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won.  There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall.  Think of this.  Always. - Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) 08/12/2008

You see them everywhere:  on the beach, in the street, beneath the bleachers at the ball park, floating in the lake, in waste baskets at work, in sidewalk trash cans.  What are they? Plastic water bottles. Bottled water consumption is growing at a rate of 10% a year, faster than any other beverage including coffee and milk.  And while it is a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, there are many who suggest that tap water is actually held to higher quality standards than bottled water.  And of course, it costs a whole lot less.   The tap vs. bottled water cost to the environment is a lot less, as well.  Annual estimates of unrecycled plastic water bottles reach as high as 90%, more than 30 billion bottles whose production:   •·        Required the equivalent of more than 17 million barre... 08/12/2008

It was the final examination for the freshman biology course at the local university.  The examination was two hours long and exam booklets were provided.  The professor was very strict and told the class that any exam that wasn't on his desk in exactly two hours wouldn't be accepted and the student would fail.    Thirty minutes into the exam, a student came rushing in and asked the professor for the exam booklet.  "You won't have time to finish this," the professor snapped as he handed the student a booklet.   "Yes, I will," the student replied.  He took a seat and began writing.    After two hours the professor called for the exams, and the students filed up and handed them in - all except the late student, who continued writing.  An hour later, he came up to the professor, who was si... 08/12/2008

Do you have a child who's starting school this year?  Is he or she suffering anxiety about school?  If so, you can help reduce that anxiety, according to the American Psychological Association's Web site:   •·        Let children know that feeling the way they do is OK, and that lots of people get nervous when they do something for the first time.   •·        Make sure your child has a regular routine at home to get ready for school.  You'll also want to let her make some choices, about what to wear, for example.   •·        Make sure your child has a chance to participate in fun activities with school friends after school.  Having friends always makes things easier and less stressful.   •·        Spend time every day talking to your child about her school day.  Listen to their stories ... 08/11/2008

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.    One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.  Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.  All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday.  We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said.  Yesterday is gone forever.   The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance; Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.  Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.  Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it ... 08/11/2008

The color red is associated with mistakes and failures, experts say.  And now researchers at the University of Rochester and University of Munich say that the color red can affect how people perform on tests.  The study, which was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, found that people's associations with colors are so strong and deep that people are predisposed to certain reactions when they see that color.   Red has been traditionally associated with errors in schoolwork.  Therefore, says Andrew Elliot, lead author and professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, when people see even a flash of red before being tested, they associate the color with mistakes and failure, and in turn perform poorly on the test.   The researchers say the study shows that care mu... 08/02/2008

That Moment Of Infinite Promise I had an almost intolerable awareness that every morning began with infinite promise.  Any book may be read, any idea thought, any action taken.  Anything that has ever been possible to human beings is possible to most of us every time the clock says six in the morning.  On a day no different from the one now breaking, Shakespeare sat down to begin Hamlet. - Ralph Waldo Emerson The Leader Attitude As a leader, it's important to project the correct attitude to those who spend their days working for and with you.  Here are some sage words from Napoleon Hill in The Law of Success in 16 Lessons:   "Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you - until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind word of those whom you ... 08/02/2008

Do you consider yourself an educated person?  We're not talking about where you went to school or how many Jeopardy answers you can come up with.  We're not even talking about everything you've learned from your experiences in the world.  What we're asking is, are you educated?  Do you know what you do and don't know?  That is the true definition of an educated person.  Being educated means this:  First, you recognize and admit what you don't know and what you need to know.  Once you've admitted to yourself and the world that you don't know something, the next piece of being educated is knowing where and how to get what you need.  Once you've got everything you need, the real trick is knowing how to use what you've gone out and gathered up. Author/publisher William Feather seemed to hav... 08/01/2008

How do you know if you have too much debt?  Even if you earn a high income and are currently making your payments on time, you could be in trouble if your debt-to-income ratio is too high, says personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox (www.themoneycoach.net).  Here are some warning signs:   •·        You have maxed-out credit cards, or cards that are pretty close to their limits.   •·        You use your credit card checks to pay your credit card bills.   •·        You can't afford some of your payments, so you skip them.   •·        You're not sure what your total debt is.   •·        You switch credit cards to get a lower rate because you can't afford to pay the minimum on the card you have.   •·        You and your partner argue about bills.   •·        You're stressing out or l... 08/01/2008

Did you even know you had one?   A reticular activator (RA) is that part of your brain that heightens your awareness of certain things.   You buy a red Volkswagen and suddenly you start seeing cars like yours all over the road.  Pregnant women notice other pregnant women.  That's the sort of thing your RA makes you aware of.   What does this have to do with your real estatetransaction?  Well, your RA is "turned on" already.  You're going to find yourself talking to other people who are thinking about buying a home/selling a home all the time!  And when you're having those conversations, I'd ask that you think of me, and call me with their names and numbers.   My goal is to spend my time serving great clients like you, and those you refer to me, rather than advertising to the general pu... 08/01/2008

The key to success in buying a home is similar to the key to success in anything:  planning and organizing.  The process will take you through the four steps that will help you remember the homes you've seen and help you choose the best one for you.   1.  Map it out.    Step one in the planning process is to find a map of the area or town where you're looking.  Mark  the places that are important in your decision-making process -schools, parks, grocery stores, malls, or if you commute - where the train stations are or the best way to get to get to the interstate.   Then, as you visit each home, place a mark on the map, and see how it fits in with your overall plan of location, location, location. 2.  Keep the listing sheets.   For each home you visit, the real estate consultant should g... 07/31/2008

1.  Begin with the end in mind.   Have an ultimate scenario of where you're trying to be.  What will life be like when you get there?  How will it be better than where you are now?  Dwell on that picture and write it out, fill up at least a page about how it feels in the new place.  This is imperative.   Having the goal in front of you at all times energizes you to achieve it, in spite of setbacks and frustrations.  Emotions will run high and you need an anchor.  You must focus on that future goal when anxiety threatens to get the better of you.    2.   Be flexible.   In your monetary calculations, overestimate by a thousand dollars.  In this market, anything can happen between contract acceptance and closing.  It could be the inspections reveal areas of concern that the seller is unwil... 07/31/2008

1.  Do you have a variety of loan programs to fit my cash flow and expected length of ownership needs?   If you're going to live in your new home for less than five years, you may want to consider an adjustable rate mortgage or "ARM."   With an ARM your payments will be lower, but they will go up according to the terms of the loan.   If you're going to live in your new home for over five years, a traditional fixed-rate mortgage may be a better plan.   2.  Do you offer written mortgage pre-approvals, not just pre-qualifications? A pre-qualification is usually a Lender's opinion of your eligibility for a loan.  If you ask to be pre-approved, the Lender will actually submit your job and credit history to an underwriter and get a conditional approval for a loan and a loan commitment.   The ... 07/31/2008

1.  Don't Get Pre-Qualified.   Get pre-approved.    Do you want to get the best house you can for the least amount of money?  Then make sure you're in the strongest negotiating position possible.  Price is only one bargaining chip in the negotiations, and not necessarily the most important one.   Often other terms, such as the strength of the buyer or the length of escrow, are critical to a seller.  This process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your situation.  It's VERY POWERFUL and a weapon we recommend all of our clients have in their negotiating arsenal.   2.  Sell First, Then Buy.    If you have a house to sell, sell it before selecting a house to buy!   Let's pretend that we go out looking for the perfect house for you.  We find it and you love it!  Now y... 07/30/2008