Green Cleaning Tip for December 2017 is contributed thanks to Going Green House Cleaning. We use their services for our listing and recommend them for our clients.

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I’m dreaming of a GREEN Christmas…

The holiday season is upon us! Holiday parties have commenced, baking is in order, shoppers are shopping, and our agendas are filling up quickly. Last month we discussed how to get our homes holiday-ready and what better way to embrace the holiday hullabaloo than to discuss the topic of resourcefulness.

It is a season of abundance. An abundance of savory dishes and delectable treats. An abundance of tree lots lining the streets. An abundance of wrapping paper, ribbons, and boxes. An abundance of family and friends. Joy and cheer abound. These are all things to embrace and for which to be thankful.

Now think a little bigger. Pull back the curtains, if you will, on the topic of resourcefulness. Take a moment to think of all the boxes, bags, wrapping paper, tissue, and paper products in general that we consume during the holidays. According to a Stanford University study, Americans create an extra 1 million tons of garbage each week from thanksgiving to New Years. It is hard to fathom, isn’t it? This month we are going to step away from the cleaning side of “going green” and instead focus on what it can look like to conserve, because ‘Tis the season…right?

Wrapping paper.

We are all guilty of tearing open holiday gifts without thinking twice. I remember, as a child, watching my mother carefully popping off the tape from gifts and slowly unwrapping. At the time, the anticipation of seeing what was inside had me beside myself. Hurry, hurry, open it! Then I would watch as she carefully folded the paper and set it aside. How obserd. Or is it? You see, what she was doing was saving the paper to reuse down the road. How many rolls of half-used of wrapping paper do you have in your home? Consider this. What if we all made a point of reusing boxes, saving ribbons, and saving wrapping paper? Another way to be environmentally conscious is to purchase recycled wrapping paper or use old newspapers, for a classic twist.

Holiday cards.

It is pleasant to think that we all have boxes upon boxes of every holiday card, from every family, that we have ever received. However, the reality is that a lot of cards end up in the trash, at some point. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Keeping this in mind, consider using cards made out of recycled paper or avoiding buying cards with glossy, shiny, or foil coatings since they cannot be recycled.

Re-Gifting.

Speaking of abundance, what about the idea of re-gifting? Yes, this may sound offensive. However, think of all the gifts this year that will remain unused and untouched. Or the old clothes and toys that will be replaced and end up in the back of some closet, somewhere. Instead of allowing the clutter to build in your home, consider re-gifting or giving back to your community. Too many times old toys and clothes are simply thrown in to the trash and put to waste. Instead of giving in to convenience, be proactive and give your surplus to a local charity, thrift store, family in need, or, well, your sister-in-law for that matter. There are a myriad of ways  to give back this holiday season.

Opportunities to be resourceful are all around us. Sometimes we just need to take the opportunity and commit to doing our part in making a difference. From our Going GreenHouse to yours, Happy Holidays!

In my capacity as a fan-boy of the Phoenix Public Works Department’s efforts to create a circular economy, I figured it would be a good time to talk about hazardous waste.

Try to suppress that yawn. This is actually pretty cool stuff to think about.

I know, its not Game of Thrones, but its pretty interesting to see the lengths the city goes to in order to make this a cleaner place. Plus, it is super-duper important that we recycle more in Phoenix. This is especially true of hazardous waste.

For virtually zero dollars, you can recycle used computer bits and used up batteries (which have lots of rare earth metals in them), old paint (a petroleum product), CFL light bulbs (which have trace amounts of lead in them) and those nasty chemicals that have been sitting under your sink for most of your adult life.

Here’s a cool little video on how recycling computers, batteries and old phones can help reduce how much we have to mine for expensive rare earth metals in the future.

And, here’s a mostly-unrelated video on how you can reduce your carbon footprint by choosing slower shipping for those Christmas gifts you purchase on line. (I couldn’t help myself.)

The best part is that this gives you an opportunity to clear out all those drawers and cupboards that you’ve been avoiding for years.

So, its really simple to do.

First, look at this link to see when and where the next hazardous waste collection event is going to happen.

Second, fill your car with the items that can be accepted at the collection events. Here’s a link for that.

Third, grab a copy of your last water bill and go to the collection site. (I forgot my bill last time. Don’t do this. The staff looks at you with that “Really? You couldn’t remember that one thing?” if they ask you for the bill and you don’t have it.)

When you get there, you will see a huge array of city staff directing cars, pulling things out of cars and separating out different hazardous items. Its odd at first, because you are not supposed to get out of your car. They want to just pick up the items out of your trunk, or wherever.

Its like a valet service for all those old items you did not know what to do with since George Bush was president.

So, there you go. Its easy to do on the way to a Saturday hike. Plus, it makes you feel all warm inside for doing your duty to family, city and the environment.

Our friend Jennifer Delgado, whom we have highlighted in the past, works with small businesses in Phoenix. She is contributing the following article this month to help you navigate the small business legal issues that every new business should consider.

Take it away, Jennifer.

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When an individual turns his or her passion into a viable, thriving business, he or she may not be giving much thought to the small business legal issues. But in this age of expansive business regulations and wide-spread litigation, it is more important than ever to set your business up for success from the start. Here are a few issues every small business owner should consider:

1. Legal Entity Structure: Determining the right legal structure for your business is critical to shielding business owners from personal liability and taking advantage of tax benefits. If there are multiple owners of the business, a strong shareholders agreement or operating agreement will create a solid foundation on how the owners decide governing issues. Choosing the right structure will also set a business up for success if the company is seeking outside investors as well.
2. Labor and Employment: Small companies with employees may not be aware of all of the labor and employment regulations and laws that apply to them. It’s important for business owners to arm themselves with knowledge of these requirements before the company gets hit with a penalty for noncompliance.
3. Intellectual Property: Not protecting the company’s intellectual property before someone else steals it could prove to be costly. If a business has intellectual property worth protecting, getting a patent, trademark or copyright from the outset could save it a lot of time and money in the long term.
4. Payroll/Sales Tax: Making sure that payroll and sales taxes are collected and paid to the appropriate governmental authorities is necessary for any business. A company that fails to remit payroll or sales tax correctly can incur serious penalties or even be shut down.
5. Commercial Leases: Every business that rents commercial space needs to be wary of lease terms that could hurt their business. It’s important that the company’s bottom line be protected by using an attorney to negotiate the lease.

Jennifer Delgado, Esq. is an attorney at Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A., a full-service law firm in central Phoenix. Jennifer advises and represents individuals, small and medium-sized businesses as to business entity structure, corporate formation, compliance matters, day to day operations and commercial real estate transactions.

*This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Consult an attorney in your jurisdiction for questions or advice.

Phoenix Past and Present is a new photo book by Paul Scharbach, Robert Melikian, and John Jacquemart, three people with long and respected experience in historic preservation.

The new photo book offers unique insight into how Phoenix took shape over the last 100+ years.

Open Phoenix Past & Present and you’ll find 84 pairs of side-by-side images; each page documents a specific location and includes a brief narrative providing historical background and the location of every photograph.

While the book gives appropriate due to well-known Phoenix landmarks like the Orpheum Theatre, Rosson House, Hotel San Carlos, and Tovrea Castle, it also offers a wealth of hidden gems for readers to discover: Mystery Castle, the 1885 Fry Building (the oldest commercial structure in the city), the Phoenix skyline viewed from atop the Westward Ho, the original KPHO-TV building, Arizona Falls, Green Gables restaurant, the Knights of Pythias Building, and many more.

The authors, Central Phoenix homeowners Paul Scharbach, Robert Melikian, and John Jacquemart have lived in Phoenix all their lives.

This is a perfect book to set on your coffee table and impress your friends with your deep knowledge of Phoenix history. Or, if you don’t care about impressing people at your cocktail parties, you can just look at Phoenix Past and Present over a cup of coffee and wonder what our downtown would be like had we maintained more of the row-style structures that downtown Tucson has used to make a vibrant, walkable downtown.

Bitter much, Ken?

No worries, we are re-building that walkable core. We will get there!

Anyway, the coffee table gift book is available at Changing Hands, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, Pueblo Grande, the State Capital Museum Shop and some national chains that I hope you don’t use because we all like to support locally-owned businesses, right?

Our Green Cleaning Tip for November will help you triage your cleaning program amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Thanks again to our friends at Going Green House Cleaning.

‘Tis the season of hustle and bustle and remembering to slow down and embrace the moment. So how do you balance everything? How do you balance being able to embrace your loved ones while staying up on the day-to-day chores?

cook, clean, shop, host, repeat.

It can be overwhelming, can’t it? One of the most anticipated times of year can quickly become the most hectic and stressful time of year. Amongst the hustle and bustle we find ourselves trying to make enough time in the day to accomplish everything on our To-Do Lists and still take time to relax and enjoy the season at hand. Sometimes the most stressful part of the holidays is getting food on the table and still making sure that the house looks good for company at the end of the day. What is it that you should focus on when it comes to cleaning? What is it that your company will notice when they enter your home? Do people even care how your home looks? What are the essentials and where can you draw the line? Well, Going GreenHouse is here to help! Let’s focus on a few main points of polish for getting your home entertaining-ready.

The entryway.

Let’s be honest, it’s the first thing people notice when they approach your home. So what can you do? Wipe down your front door, give the doormat a good shake, and make sure dust and dirt haven’t collected on the floors. These are the first things guests will see when they arrive, so keeping them clean will guarantee a good first impression and will prevent dust and dirt from accumulating with all the foot traffic.

The kitchen.

People tend to gather around the food during the holidays, so make sure your kitchen looks and smells inviting. Don’t forget to dust the light fixtures and flush sink drains with boiling water. After all, you want people to notice the aroma of food in the oven, not the food in your garbage disposal.

The Royal Throne.

Yes, having company means that the loo will see its fair share of guests. Simply wiping down the backsplash and base of your toilet can ensure a good impression… and don’t forget to give the inside a good scrub too. A grimy loo can be the demise of any guest. And to all you hosts out there, nobody likes the embarrassment of a stench left behind, so give your guests the peace of mind of a green-friendly air freshener. Whether it’s air cleansing essential oils or a pleasant candle, give your guests an option for leaving the bathroom smelling pleasant for guests to follow.

The stovetop.

We all know that the stovetop receives a lot of love during the holidays, so keep it clean with a simple mixture of baking soda and water. Nobody wants to see your stovetop leftovers from dinner the night before.

The holiday budget.

The holidays can quickly become an expensive time of year, so save some money and make your own cleaning products. Castile soap is a wonderful multi-purpose solution for all your holiday cleaning needs. Simply fill a pray bottle with water and add Castile soap and your favorite holiday scent: clove, myrrh, pine, sweet orange, cinnamon, peppermint, etc… and just like that you will have a solution for all your cleaning needs!

From our Going GreenHouse to yours, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Need some help this holiday season? Contact Going GreenHouse for your holiday cleaning needs.

I’ve been driving by the old building at about 2nd Ave and Camelback for years and I was never sure what it was. Was it a hotel? Was it an office? Well, its going to be Arrive Phoenix, by Vintage Partners, who are well known for the redevelopment efforts at Uptown Plaza.

The plan, according to this article, is to build a stylish boutique hotel and dining destination. It is nice to see that the developers (from California) teamed up with the developers of The Newton, Windsor and Churn, and The Orchard, Venue Projects.

The $20M project is another testimony to the importance of adaptive re-use. I’m a fan of adaptive re-use over new-build because renovating an old building is about 90% more earth friendly than building a completely new building. We need more of that these days. Congrats, Arrive Phoenix!

According to the article, Arrive Phoenix will “combine both buildings into a singular and striking 79-room property. Arrive Phoenix will also host a boutique coffee shop, a poolside taco bar, a gourmet ice creamery, and a nautical-themed rooftop craft cocktail bar featuring sweeping 360-degree city views.

Did you catch that bit about the gourmet ice creamery? I guess that means we will have three ice cream shops in a 1/2 mile radius, unless they move Churn in here.

This development speaks again to where the central Phoenix housing market is going. If you are living in the area of this development, you are doing to be in a good place in the long-run.

Now, let’s see if we can find some space for more owner-occupied properties in walking distance to this development. As we say, its not just about in-fill. Its also about walkability.

If you are thinking of moving in to the area, call us quickly at 602-456-9388, and prices will probably go up once this gets in place.

Y’all know that we don’t host the Get Your PHX events every month anymore –just when I’m inspired, as I have been by Midtown Roots.

When I met with the owners of Midtown Roots early in 2017, as they were building out, I thought this would be a good place to host an event.

Midtown Roots is a dispensary with a community-minded philosophy. They not only have an impressive space at the NW corner of Thomas and Central, with 14 bud tenders stations for patients, but they are also opening part of the building as a community space and a space for daily yoga programming. They are open from 8am to 7pm daily.

This impressed me.  I always like it when a business takes in to account the local community. I’ve seen the owners at local community events, too. So, they are doing their best to be out there.

They also took the time to give tours to local elected officials and neighborhood leaders so that everybody knew what was going on. I’ve seen a lot of dispensaries pop up in the last few years and I’ve heard concerns from neighbors about how little they communicate. Not so from what I’ve seen with Midtown Roots.

The whole issue of medical marijuana can be contentious. So, I appreciate when a local business like Midtown Roots takes their job seriously. They seem to have a wholistic approach to the patients who seek the help of medical marijuana.

So you, our loyal Get Your PHX fan, are going to get an exclusive tour of the facility and accurate information about what the law requires of dispensaries.

Join us on November 16th at 5:30 for a tour, snacks and beverages. (No, silly, the snacks will not have THC in them. I knew what you were thinking!)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT IS NOT ON OUR USUAL SECOND TO LAST THURSDAY OF NOVEMBER.

Where:  2918 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
When: November 16th at 5:30
Sign us for a free ticket here.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/154740685265505/

Its time for Phoestivus 2017, this December 14th and 21st.

We have an all-new look, the Return of the Yeti and all the fun and frivolity that you expect from our rag-tag crew of Phoestivonians.

Is that a word?

We will have a new feats of strength. The airing of grievances will again feature live story telling. The Hipster Santa will join us again. And, of course, the Phoestivus pole is still sitting in the middle of it all, watching you to see if you have been naughty or nice.

Check out Phoestivus.com for more information and updates. Vendor applications are closed for this year, by the way.

It seems like every year somebody comes to us in November saying they would like a vendor application. People, please remember that we usually book out by mid October. This is a pretty popular event, y’all!

Phoestivus is one of the best ways for sponsors to address a loyal and targeted audience of about 3,000 people per night.

And, as with every year, this year’s event will be a fundraiser for Community Food Connections, which organizes the Phoenix downtown farmer’s market. The market is one of the few places downtown where you can get locally-gown, whole foods that nourish both our bodies and our community.

Your referrals pay it forward!

In September, we sent donations to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts, thanks to our friends Hunter, Adam and Erin, who referred their friends to us.

When their friends closed on a new home, we circled back and asked what charity they’d like us to support.

Its a simple as that.

The next time you are at a cocktail party, or neighborhood barbecue, and somebody mentions wanting to buy or sell a home, please kindly remember us and you can help support your favorite charity.

Time and again over the years, referrals pay it forward to many different charitable organizations, from One in Ten, to the Nature Conservancy.

Hey, we aren’t the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, by any means. But it feels good to us and to our clients to know that we can do this little thing now and again.

We love our community and we believe that it is important to give back when we can. Can you think of any charitable organizations that you’d like to support with your referral, when you pay it forward?