Archive for the ‘Real Estate’ Category

Entertainment and Performing Arts in Nashville

posted by Frank Stevens 3:29 PM
Monday, October 19, 2009

Entertainment and Performing Arts in Nashville

They don’t call Nashville “Music City USA” for nothing. Nashville is the hub of one of the most influential music scenes in the country. Its city is home to a multitude of concert venues, recording studios and live music clubs. The city is rich with performing arts theatres and music.

Many don’t think of performing arts when they think of Nashville. In the center of the city you will find the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. It is home to the Tennessee Repertory Theatre. The Nashville’s Children’s Theatre is also housed in the center. The Nashville Opera is a professional opera company and currently offers four fully staged opera productions during an annual season. The production of Puccini’s La Boheme was a favorite among attendees last year. In addition, the center is home to the Nashville Ballet. The company is Middle Tennessee’s second largest performing arts organization and an accomplished ensemble in demand locally and internationally.

Just a few short years ago, another large performing arts center, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, opened and is where you can come to enjoy the classics with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing a broad range of classical, pops and jazz concerts, and children’s concerts, music education is a top priority for the Symphony. In 2007, they create the Music Education City, a four-year initiative to help bring together local school districts, community leaders and residents to increase music education in the community. These programs include visits to the areas schools for performances for 4,130 students this past year alone.

Nashville is best known for their country music. Millions of tourists come each year to delve into their passion and to learn about country music’s rich history. Many popular places to visit are the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Belcourt Theatre and of course the Ryman Auditorium, and the Grand Ole Opry House. One of the largest annual events is the CMA Music festival that brings thousands of country music fans to the city. The Texas Troubadour Theatre offers free midnight jams that feature Opry acts and country music newcomers. Audiences also can attend the live broadcast of the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree on Nashville’s WSM AM 650 each Saturday night, one of America’s second longest-running radio shows behind the Grand Ole Opry.

Enjoy live music at the local clubs in Nashville. Some of the most popular is the Bluebird Café, Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, Douglas Corner Café, Exit/In, Layla’s Bluegrass Inn, Station Inn, 3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill and 12th & Porter. 12th & Porter, is one of the country’s premiere and legendary clubs and is said to have the best sounding rooms in Nashville.

Some trivia that not many people know is that the TV show, Hee Haw, was filmed right here in Nashville. It’s visible throughout Nashville how the music and the performing arts have impacted the landscape.right

Reasons to Live in Carlsbad

posted by Frank Stevens 3:24 PM
Monday, October 19, 2009

Reasons to Live in Carlsbad

Deciding to settle in a new city can be a daunting task. From packing your old home and belongings to finding a new home in the new city. Not to mention changing addresses, finding a new school for kids, if you have them, and transferring to a new job can all be a huge challenge to say the least. But, if you have all the right reasons to move or transfer to another place; then the decision is easy. Once you have made the decision of where to live, then the first step is to learn all you can about your new city.

A decision to move to Carlsbad now can be a lot easier than you might think. Carlsbad, known as the Village by the Sea, has the charm of a European village and is one of Southern California’s beautiful seaside cities. Located only 35 miles from downtown San Diego, Carlsbad offers residents and visitors alike beautiful sandy beaches and access to world-class entertainment and restaurants. Carlsbad was also named one of the ‘Best Places to Live in America’ by Money Magazine in 2006.

Carlsbad encompasses every aspect of living well, from weather, to breathtaking beaches and lagoons and easy access to entertainment. The median price for a home in Carlsbad is $555,000. Carlsbad homes are representative of the casual lifestyle Californian’s enjoy today. Some of cities advantages is its incredible climate, quality of life, entertainment opportunities and fabulous restaurants.

One of the biggest attractions in Carlsbad are their beaches. Carlsbad has two beaches: Carlsbad State Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach. Carlsbad State Beach extends four miles long and is a favorite beach for beachcombers to spend the day exploriing. Close by the beach is Carlsbad Village where you can grab a bite to eat at a sidewalk café or shop at its many antique stores and boutiques. South Carlsbad State Beach has campsites on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Carlsbad also has many public parks to enjoy and the city offers free concerts in the parks in the summer..

There are plenty of attractions to visit and explore while in Carlsbad. For family entertainment, Carlsbad is home to Legoland California. It is the only LEGO theme park in the United States. The original resides in Denmark, the birthplace of the famous toy building blocks. Only thirty mintues away is the world famous Sea World San Diego. Plan on spending an entire day watching Shamu’s spectaular show and seeing marine life like dolphins, penguins, sea lions, and even some Polar Bears. The San Diego Wild Animal Park is another adventure to share with your family. Downtown San Diego offers a large selection of entertainment options like museums, shopping and access to world class hotels and professional baseball and football teams.

California living is alive and well in this beautiful seaside city.

Learning about Temecula History

posted by Frank Stevens 4:25 PM
Friday, June 26, 2009

Learning about Temecula History

When visiting Temecula California, it is difficult to not think about the history of the land when looking out over the valley and the rolling hills. Not much has changed in the area’s landscape in hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The hills are now covered with the vibrant green of grape vines rather than native grasses but the feel of the breeze, the shadows cast by the sun and often breathtaking views remain the same.

The Temecula Valley has a long and storied history. The Luiseno native tribe has lived in the area for centuries before encountering the Spanish missionaries who would change their way of life forever. The Pechanga band of Luisenos still resides on a reservation just outside of Temecula. Since European settlers first set foot in California, the town has grown slowly, retaining much of its original character.

There is much to learn and experience about Temecula’s history. There are several ways to learn more about Temecula’s history:

The Temecula Museum at 28314 Mercedes Street is a useful repository of the history of the Valley. The museum offers up many exhibits from many points in Temecula’s history including the native American era, the coming of the Spanish missionaries, and the building up of the community. The museum houses many authentic artifacts from each of these periods such as tools, native jewelry, equipment and photographs. There is a children’s interactive area to help kids get a hands-on look at life in the Temecula Valley. Children can explore a typical 1800’s street scene with a dress shop, a general store and other shops and exhibits. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm.

Often, the best way to learn about the history of a place is by seeing it first hand. Old Town Temecula (www.temeculainformation.com/oldtown) provides maps and information on historic buildings and sites in the town. You can spend an afternoon walking through the historic sections of the town. Your discoveries may include the Wine Cellar that also became the town’s jail. Or cruise past the Welty Hotel, originally built in 1882 and rebuilt in 1981 after a fire ravaged the building. It has since been restored to its former state and is a private residence. The First National Bank of Temecula, built in 1914, was the first building constructed of poured cement in the interior of California. Machado’s Store was constructed in 1892 and evolved for many different uses over the past century. Today it is part of an antique mall.

When taking a self-guided tour through Old Temecula, be sure to take along cold water and comfortable shoes. The weather in Temecula is mostly stellar but be prepared for sudden rain showers or chilly winter evenings.

Learning about historic Temecula is a fun activity for all members of the family. And, when you begin to think that you are far removed from the old days of the town, just take a look out over the valley and you will be seeing what the Luisenos saw hundreds of years ago.

Don’t Wait for Someday for your Golf Course Home

posted by Frank Stevens 10:46 AM
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Don’t Wait for Someday for your Golf Course Home

There’s nothing like a early morning round of golf. Getting out on the course before work can put you in the proper relaxed frame of mind to perform at your best all day. The rush to drive across town and then back over to the office first thing in the morning, however, is another thing altogether. For those that enjoy a quick nine holes at dawn, a golf course home makes it easy.

A golf course home is a generally defined as a home that is on or adjacent to a golf course. Others define it as a little bit of heaven on Earth; it all depends upon your perspective. If golf is a passion in your life, why not give yourself a daily opportunity to play the game on a familiar and favorite course. Living next to the course gives you the opportunity to get to know every hill and runoff the course better than anyone. You’ll be able to impress the rest of your group with your precise reads. Of course, that in depth knowledge of the course will also take a few strokes off your score.

After playing through the full eighteen with a group of friends, you can all retire to the nineteenth hole, you own backyard, for a round of cold drinks and a little extra time to brag about the day’s best drives and clutch putts. Having a nearby retreat and being so close to the course, ensures that whenever a friend or someone from the office is looking for someone to fill out a foursome, you’ll be the first call they make.

You’ll also get the nod to entertain the big wigs from out of town when they come by, giving you the opportunity to pitch your ideas out on the course as you offer them advice about the break on the sixth green. A golf course home is not a bad thing for the career after all.

If you’re already retired, of course, then career concerns are a thing of the past anyway. In that case, golf is probably your concern of the present. As a retirement home for someone who enjoys the game of golf, a golf course home can’t be beat. It offers a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city, while still close enough so that you don’t have to sacrifice on all the city has to offer. The golf course that borders the yard offers wide open views, greenery, and little or no traffic noises.

A golf course home is one of those things that golf enthusiasts always think about wistfully and tell themselves “someday.” It doesn’t have to be that way. Golf course homes can be affordable, and although the supply may be limited at times, realtors who specialize in golf course homes can not only get you a tour of all the available inventory of golf course homes, but they can often get you out on the courses for trial run as well.

Where to Learn about Scottsdale Arizona’s History

posted by Frank Stevens 10:39 AM
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Where to Learn about Scottsdale Arizona’s History

The history of Scottsdale is as unique and interesting as the city itself. The area has been inhabited since the eighth century A.D. and has seen communities come and go in the ensuing centuries. Scottsdale’s ancient system of canals built by the Hohokam tribe was improved upon by European settlers and remains today. In the 1930’s, Frank Lloyd Wright put his inimitable mark on the town by designing many influential buildings.

There are several places in Scottsdale to learn more about its history. Many locations display original native tools and art and have in-depth dioramas representing life in Scottsdale throughout its history.

The Scottsdale Historical Museum at 7333 East Scottsdale Mall in the old red brick school house offers several permanent and temporary historical collections, including a depiction of a typical one-room schoolhouse, an early tent kitchen, and displays of old time technology from different eras. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday at various times depending on the time of year. Calling ahead is recommended.

The Heard Museum North Scottsdale focuses on native American art and has a vast collection of paintings, carvings, jewelry and sculpture. The museum also has interactive activities where visitors can engage in traditional native weaving and other forms of native craft. The Heard North Scottsdale is one location of the museum’s three buildings in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. The North Scottsdale location includes outdoor galleries that showcase sculpture and provide a home for theater and music and dance performances. The museum is at 32633 N. Scottsdale Road and is open Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.

The Salt River Pima Museum lies in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community nearby to Scottsdale. This community brings together two native tribes: the Pima (“River People”) and the Maricopa (“People Living Towards the Water”). The museum itself is built in the traditional native adobe fashion using local clays and native plants. The museum houses several displays of local native achievements and daily life from the first native settlers to the area to today’s accomplishments. At certain times, the museum presents native basket-weaving and pottery demonstrations. Classes on native foods are held throughout the year. The Salt River Pima Museum is located at 10005 E. Osborn Road and is open Monday to Friday 9:30 to 4:30.

One of today’s most popular tourist attractions in Scottsdale is Taliesin West, the winter home of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright from 1937 to his death in 1959. Today, Taliesin West is the home of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and is a campus of the School of Architecture. Now designated as a National Historic Landmark, the site has been a reminder of Wright’s extensive influence on Scottsdale and a living testament to his genius. Taliesin West is located at 12621 North Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd and is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.

A Win-Win-Wynne Situation

posted by admin 3:56 PM
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

A Win-Win-Wynne Situation One of the best things to happen to relocating job seekers, is the growth of the temporary corporate housing industry in the last two decades. With fully furnished corporate apartments now available in most major metropolitan areas, relocating employees are often able to negotiate for temporary accommodations as part of their relocation package when taking a new job away from their existing home.

Companies who specialize in residential corporate housing, like Wynne Residential Corporate Housing, for example, take all the hassle out of the initial stages of the relocation effort. The incoming employee is provided with a move-in ready furnished apartment that is already equipped with utilities, phone service, and other necessities that might otherwise require a seemingly endless number of phone calls and time off to be on hand for service installations.

The employee is also relieved of the pressure of immediately finding accommodations in an area with which she is unfamiliar. Before the advent of corporate housing, a relocating employee had a choice of either finding a house to purchase or rent immediately, or trying to find a temporary arrangement with a month to month lease. Even if the employee was eventually reimbursed for these expenses, the difficulty and stress of the search often interfered with her productivity at the new company or slowed her learning curve as her focus was split between work and house hunting.

Corporations around the country are realizing that it is in their own self-interest to offer temporary corporate housing to relocating employees, not only as a valuable recruiting tool, but also to help enhance their productivity and morale in the first weeks and months of their employ. Companies like Wynne Residential that figured out the need for someone to help ease the hardest part of relocating are growing and benefiting from this growing realization.

Wynne Residential, for example, prides itself on offering what it terms “one call service.” This means that the company needs only make a single call to Wynne to provide them with account information and contact information for the incoming employee and Wynne takes care of all the rest. Wynne Residential provides fully furnished apartments that include everything from forks and spoons, to towels and bed sheets. The relocating employee can move in and live comfortably, free to concentrate on their new job from day one, and look for permanent accommodations at their leisure.

This arrangement is truly a win-win-Wynne situation. The client company benefits with increased productivity and a new recruiting tool. The new employee benefits by having Wynne take care of all the leg work involved in relocating. And, of course, Wynne itself benefits as this still emerging market segment continues to grow.

Atlanta’s Historic Neighborhoods

posted by Frank Stevens 7:27 PM
Monday, June 1, 2009

Atlanta’s Historic Neighborhoods

The word “history” in Atlanta means something different than in most historic Southern cities. On November 11, 1864, General William T. Sherman of the Union forces ordered Atlanta to be burned to the ground on his deadly “March to the Sea”. And burned it was. Today, only six residences remain in existence that pre-date the Civil War.

When Atlanta slowly began to rebuild itself, city fathers chose to build a modern city rather than try to recreate the antebellum era. Atlanta was rebuilt in the Victorian era and boasts one of the world’s largest collection of Victorian homes. Neighborhoods and suburbs were designed and created by some of the most famous architects in the country. For the most part, Atlanta has retained its park-based roots and many of its historic districts have been preserved and saved from the wrecking ball of progress.

Druid Hills

One of Atlanta’s very first suburbs, Druid Hills was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, one of the country’s premiere landscape architects. Olmsted’s other work included Central Park in New York and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Work began on Druid Hills in the 1890’s and it was designed around a series of median parks, each with a different design and theme. The original residences were built on larger acreages than traditional town homes and were envisioned to be respites from long hot work days. Druid Hills was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and 1979 and has been preserved almost intact.

Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District

The area bounded by Edgewood, Jackson, Irwin, and Randolph forms the MLK Jr. Historic District. The neighborhood includes the MLK Birthplace, MLK gravesite, Ebenezer Baptist Church where both King and his father ministered, and Victorian row houses. While the focus is on sites in the district that were relevant to the King era, the district also boasts some fine examples of Victorian Town Homes.

West End

West End is one of Atlanta’s first suburbs originating in the 1830’s. In the 1840’s, a rail line was built which gave the area greater access to downtown Atlanta and resulted in fast growth in West End. Today, West End boasts an array of late 19th and early 20th century housing styles including Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquare, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival. The Hammonds House, originally owned by a prominent local doctor, is now home to a substantial collection of African American art and 19th century antiques. West End is roughly bounded by Langhorn, White, Lee, and the I-20.

Cabbagetown

In 1881, the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill began operation south of Inman Park. Workers were brought in from northern Georgia and a town sprung up around the mill. Cabbagetown stayed remarkably frozen in time with its population intact and little movement in or out of the area until the mill closed in 1977. In the 1980’s, the area came back to life with an influx of artists and in 1996, the mill was transformed into a loft community. On March 14, 2008, an F2 tornado swept through downtown Atlanta and damaged or destroyed much of Cabbagetown and its original shotgun houses. The area is currently in the process of rebuilding and restoring.