July Festivals and Events in the DC Area

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few, for a full list and detailed information, visit dc.about.com.

Hip Hop Theatre Festival
July 7-12, 2008. Enjoy a variety of performances of both new and established hip hop music by national and international artists.

Alexandria Birthday and Independence Day Fireworks
July 12, 2008, Oronoco Bay Park. The annual event includes children’s activities, a concert performed by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake and a fireworks extravaganza.

White House Summer Garden Tour
July 12, 2008, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit the White House grounds and explore the beautiful gardens. Free tickets are required.

Screen on the Green
Mondays, July 14-August 11, 2008. See free outdoor movies on a gigantic screen on the National Mall.

Occoquan River Festival
July 27, 2008, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Occoquan Regional Park and surrounding attractions in Occoquan, Virginia. The first annual event will include a Taste of Occoquan, live music, family fun walk and other events focusing on the 400th anniversary of John Smith’s initial journey on the Occoquan River with a re-enactment of his landing and culminating with a parade of lights along the river.

Loundoun County Fair
July 28 – August 2, 2008. Family fun includes a carnival, rodeo-bull riding, dairy show, goat show, horseback demonstrations, magic acts, pet shows, floral exhibits, obstacle courses, tug-of-war, live musical entertainment and more.

July Festivals and Events in the Phoenix Area

The Phoenix area and its surrounding communities host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few, for a full list and detailed information, visit phoenix.about.com.

Latin Rhythms Festival
Live music, wine tasting, food sampling at Kokopelli Winery & Bistro. Downtown Chandler.  July 18 – 20

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Free Concerts
July 6, 13 from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in Scottsdale. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music. Train and carousel rides are available throughout all concerts for a small charge.

Monsoon Madness
July 12 in Queen Creek. Inflatable bounce-houses, water slides, dunk tank, the Queen Creek Mud Pit, and more. 

Starry Safari Friday Nights at the Phoenix Zoo
Select zoo trails will be open as will gift shop and snack bar. Animal encounters, water play activities, carousel rides and more. Bikes and boats available to rent.

Summer Concert
July 12, 19, 26 All concerts are free and start at 7 p.m. Held at Kierland Commons Plaza.

Summer Splash Festival
July 19 Family-friendly day of water-related activities, with water slides, dunk tanks and cyber maze water tag. Aqua-Tots will be on hand to give free tot swimming lessons. There will also be arcade games, food and entertainment. Free admission. Historic Downtown Chandler.

4 Criteria for Cash Out Refinancing

Until a few years ago, it was a common practice among homeowners to pull money out of their property through a cash out mortgage refinance.  But the practice of bankrolling one’s dreams by tapping home equity has slowed dramatically due to slips in home prices and a tough economy.  Even so, there are still many homeowners with plenty of equity.  But in this time of economic upheaval, is it prudent to look to your home as a source of cash?  The answer depends on your overall financial picture and your plans for use of the money.

Here are four pointers for those considering mortgage refinance to take cash out of their home:

1. Get a grip on the present value of your property – contact a local Realtor who can prepare an market analysis for you that will let you know roughly what your home is worth.
2. Take your future financial needs into account – a trusted financial planner or accountant can help you decide if you should preserve the equity in your home or use it for other purposes.
3. Think through your intended use of proceeds from a mortgage refinance – buying a new car (not a good idea as a car is a depreciating asset),   down payment for a second home or investment property or underwriting your children’s college education are much better uses.
4. Make judicious use of home equity as a way out of credit card debt – this may be a sensible plan as most mortgage loans carry much lower interest rates than do credit cards.  Another advantage is that mortgage interest is tax-deductible, unlike credit card interest.

Source:  Ellen James Martin, Universal Press Syndicate, AZ Republic 7-6-08

Rounding out the Red Mountain Freeway – Loop 202

The final segment of the Red Mountain Freeway Loop 202 is opening on July 15, 2008!  The completion of the segment between Power Road and University Drive in Mesa represents an important milestone in transportation improvements in the Valley.  The Arizona Department of Transportation  is celebrating the grand opening on July 15, 2008 from 5-8pm

• Opening Ceremony with Governor Napolitano
• Road Show
• Video Interview Booth
• 5K Fun Run / 5K Bike Ride
• Hula Hoop Contest

For more info on the opening celebration, visit azdot.gov/loop202opening

Win a Dream Home from Taylor Morrison

Enter to win your dream home at tmdreamhomegiveaway.com inspired by the recently unveiled Innovations Dream Home at Disneyland in Anaheim, the contest is sponsored by Taylor Morrison, a homebuilder with numerous communities in Arizona, Florida and throughout the Southwest.  The winner will choose a Taylor Morrison home in one of the builder’s communities and participate in the design and selection of high-tech amenities.  Registration in online through August 20.

Downtown Living in Phoenix! Stunning 3 Level Corner Townhouse $585,000

DOWNTOWN LIVING! Sleek & Contemporary 3 Level Corner Townhouse. 1st level spacious office & half bath. 2nd level living room, dining room, fireplace, kitchen, half bath & 2 balconies. 3rd level 2 master suites each with walk-in closets & balconies plus full size laundry. Kitchen features granite tile counters, SS appliances and high-end gas range. Designer window treatments and ceiling fans in all rooms. Hardwood floors on 2nd level and plush carpet on 3rd. 2 car garage. Community pool and gym. 1 block to light rail and walking distance to all that downtown has to offer! Minutes to airport, seconds to I-10. Pet friendly neighborhood. Don’t wait – this one won’t last!

More info and pics.

June Festivals and Events in the DC Area

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of May, for a full list and detailed information, visit dc.about.com.

Alexandria Waterfront Festival
June 14 & 15, 2008. Oronoco Bay State Park in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The event includes historic tall ship tours, live entertainment, arts & crafts exhibits and a children’s sea hunt adventure.

Reston Town Center Taste of the Town
June 14, 2008, noon-10:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of food from the region’s finest eateries, live music, activities and games. Admission and parking are free. Tastings start at $1.

National Capital Barbeque Battle
June 21 & 22, 2008. If you love barbecue you’ll love the food samples, cooking demonstrations, interactive displays and children’s activities at this sizzling summer festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 9th & 14th Sts.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 25-29 and July 2-6, 2008. Celebrate cultural traditions from around the world. The Festival includes daily and evening music and dance performances, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues. This is one of Washington, DC’s most popular summer devents.

DC Caribbean Carnival
June 28-29, 2008. Enjoy the colorful parade and festival with live performances from local and international artists, food, crafts and entertainment.

Montgomery County Heritage Days
June 28-29, 2008, 12-4 p.m. More than 30 historic sites in Montgomery County, Maryland showcase the county’s rich history with free music, dance, food, and children’s activities.

June Festival and Events in the Phoenix Area

The Phoenix area and its surrounding communities host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of June, for a full list and detailed information, visit phoenix.about.com.

Big Boys and Their Toys
Classic cars, collector cars, RV and off-road, boats and sports cars, and lots of other toys at the Phoenix Convention Center.   June 14, 15, 16 .

Firebird International Raceway Summer Spectacular
Robosaurus makes his only Arizona Appearance. Jet Cars, Funny Cars, fireworks. 
June 21.

Grand Canyon State Games
Olympic-style competition in judo, weight training, baton twirling, table tennis and more. 
June 19-22.

Jazz in the Garden
Friday evenings starting at 7 p.m. Enjoy listening to a variety of jazz styles under starry skies on the Garden’s beautiful Ullman Terrace. Gourmet picnic dinners, bar, wine tasting for an additional charge. Desert Botanical Gardens. Tickets must be purchased. Ticket price includes admission to the garden.
Every Friday evening in June .

Miss Arizona Pageant
During the last week of June you can see some of the brightest and most talented young ladies in the state compete for the Miss Arizona crown. The winner will get to represent Arizona at the Miss America Pageant. June 19 – 21.

Starry Safari Friday Nights at the Phoenix Zoo
Select zoo trails will be open as will gift shop and snack bar. Animal encounters, water play activities, carousel rides and more. Bikes and boats available to rent. Every Friday night in June .

Check Commute Costs Before Buying

When you’re stuck in traffic, you have time to think.  Should I have left home earlier?  How bad will my commute be in five years?  Would life be easier and cheaper if I found a job someplace the roads aren’t as crowded and the homes aren’t so expensive.

These are all things you should consider when buying a new home.  Always do a trial commute during rush hour before you make an offer on a home.  Time the ride and estimate your gas consumption.  If you’re thinking about taking public transportation, price out the weekly expense.

As you size up neighborhoods, take the time to figure out whee you will worship, buy groceries, go to the movies, enroll the kids in dance class or pick p an extra gallon of milk.  Is bus or rail service available, even if only as a backup for days when your car is in the shop?  Will your children be able to ride bicycles to the pool, or does a six-lane highway make that too dangerous?

It’s easy to underestimate your total transportation budget when you househunt on a quiet Sunday afternoon.  And misjudging your travel needs can derail your after-purchase budget.

Source:  Elizabeth Razzi, The Arizona Republic 6-8-08

Rent a Vacation Home and Save

High fuel costs and a shaky economy aren’t causing all travelers to cancel their summer vacations, but they are prompting people to look for ways to stretch their dollars.

One way of getting more for your money: hit the Internet to find a vacation rental instead of a hotel room, gaining space and possibly saving a couple of bucks. 

Renters have a variety of sites to consider when looking for a rental: Zonder.com, VRBO.com, CyberRentals.com and craigslist.org.

Here are three ways travelers can ensure they’re getting the best rental:

• Ask for more photos. While many of these Internet listing sites offer several photos of the property, you may want to ask for more of them 
• Ask specific questions. Ask the owner for recommendations of nearby supermarkets, where to get breakfast, the proximity to area attractions or any other features you’re interested in 
• Do more investigating. Web tools such as Zillow.com can give you an idea of the property’s value, and Google Earth can help confirm the area’s surroundings. 
• Know what is included. Some rentals provide necessities such as linens, others don’t. Know exactly what is provided so you’re not caught off guard when you arrive.

Full Article

Source: Amy Hoak, The Wall Street Journal, 5/25/08