How to Ring in the New Year Arizona Style 2011/12

Looking for something memorable to do this new year's eve, come join in on one of the hottest events of the year:

Fiesta Bowl Block Party in Tempe:
Known as one of the biggest block parties in the country & named by USA Today as one of the top ten places in America to ring in the new year. Live music (Gin Blossoms, Sawyer Brown, DJ's, etc), food, magic shows, beer garden, outdoor dance arena, activities for kids, fireworks (10:00pm & midnight), confetti blast, & more!

Price: $20 at the gate or $20 + service charge online.
$16 in advance in advance at Safeway Stores if purchased by December 30th.
Tempe residents are aligible for discount tickets.

Location: Downtown Tempe (Mill Avenue District). Entrance gates locations: Mill Ave & University Dr; 5th St east of Mill Ave; 5th St west of Mill Ave; 3rd St & Mill Ave. The METRO light rail's last trip is at 2:00am.

Beautiful home in a GATED Golf community!

Great Reasons to Compost

Have you been thinking about composting, but aren't sure how to begin? Or maybe you think it could be time-consuming and smelly? (Not true, by the way!) Well, read on and check out these good reasons for composting.

Composting Can Save You Money

If you’re a gardener, your compost pile can save you money by taking the place of expensive fertilizers.



That Stylish Composting Pail!

Fashionistas will love the look of the new, designer-styled composting pails that will dress up any kitchen. And, they are equipped with charcoal filters, so no onion or garlic smells can leak out.



Compost Makes a Garden Thrive

There’s no better soil amendment than compost. It makes clay soils more porous and helps sandy soils retain water. Gardens that are composted produce higher yields of healthier fruits, vegetables and flowers.



It’s Good for Mother Earth!

Across the nation, landfills are overflowing, and the EPA estimates that roughly 25% of the garbage in landfills is

made up of yard trimmings and food scraps. That's over 60 million tons each year that could be recycled into compost!



For more information on composting, visit:

http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm

http://www.howtocompost.org/info/info_composting.asp


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Black Bean and Corn Salsa

1-19 oz. can black beans (drained and rinsed)

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

1 Tbsp. diced jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed

1 Tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. chili powder

1 large tomato, chopped and seeded

1 garlic clove, minced

1-12 oz. can kernel corn, drained

OR

1-1/2 cup thawed frozen corn kernels

1/2 tsp. salt



Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Cover and chill at least 2 hours to

blend flavors. Serve with your favorite chips. Makes 4 cups.

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Set SMART Goals

To be truly successful, you need to set and pursue SMART goals. Write them down, and then check them to make sure they are:


• Specific: A specific goal is much more likely to be accomplished than a general goal. Make the goal detailed and well defined.



•Measurable: Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the goal. Set criteria that can be tracked and inspected.



•Achievable: Make your goal attainable, but challenging enough that you must grow and expand to reach it.



• Realistic: A realistic goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work, and that leads to important, suitable results.



• Time-Sensitive: Make your goal deadline driven. A goal with no time frame tied to it has no sense of urgency.

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Great Gift Ideas & Deals for Christmas

Doing some last minute Christmas shopping? Well, here are some great deals & gift ideas for that special someone:

-Victoria's Secret has FREE Shipping today (12/13) on ANY order (no minimums): Code VSFREE + FREE Slippers with PJ Sets. They have more than just lingerie! They have great PJ sets, cute undies, yoga pants, velour sweat outfits, great eye shadows & lispticks, perfume, & more! http://www.victoriassecret.com/

-Dick's Sporting Goods has their "Friends & Family" deal of 10%-25% Off your Entire Purchase (some exclusions apply): Ends tomorrow (12/14) in stores only. http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/

-Sephora today (12/13) is giving away $15 free with a $50 minimum purchase. They have gifts for both him & her. Great shaving kit gift sets for him + colognes; Tons of Beauty products & Makeup Lines for her! Email offer. http://www.sephora.com/ 

-Tigerlilly Trunk Show clothing boutique is having a 1-day blowout sale 12/15 (10am-6pm) on great clothes for her! 2144 N. Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225

-Ballard Designs is having a killer sale on tons of home furnishings & a great price on their adorable icon totes (item#AM979): $12 (reg. $20) http://www.ballarddesigns.com/ 

-Cost Plus World Market today only (12/13) has all of their framed art 50% off!! http://www.worldmarket.com/

-ULTA has 20% off your entire in-store purchase (exp's 12/24)...Check your mail for Coupon. http://www.ulta.com/

-Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic: Today only 30% off online (code: HOLIDAY)

-Costco: in stores for $80 they have $100 Gift Cards to "Fox Concept Restaurants" including Modern Steak, True Food, Culinary Dropout, Blanco, Bloom, Zinburger, Olive & Ivy, & more!

Happy Shopping!!

Protect Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning



Carbon monoxide (CO) is an extremely toxic gas that is invisible, ordorless and colorless. It is the byproduct of incomplete combustion of carbon fuels in heaters and furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, and gas stoves and ovens. CO is often called the “silent killer.” Because it can’t be seen or smelled, the toxic fumes can incapacitate or kill people and animals before its presence is detected in a home. CO is responsible for an average of 450 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. annually. As of 2011, thirty states require carbon monoxide alarms in homes to combat the serious threat of CO poisoning.



Here are some safety tips to help protect you and your family:

• DO have fuel-burning systems and appliances inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season.

• DO read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel-burning device.

• DON’T idle the car in a garage, even if the garage door is open.

• DON’T ever use a charcoal grill indoors – even in a fireplace.

• DON’T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.

• MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home.

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Handwashing Awareness

Washing your hands is the best way to prevent most respiratory and gastro-intestinal infectious diseases. National Handwashing Awareness week, the first full week of December, is intended to raise awareness of disease prevention by keeping clean hands.

Dr. Will Sawyer, Infection Prevention Specialist, says to make your home a safe zone. When you come home, decontaminate!

Wash your hands right away when you get home from shopping, errands, school, or work. There are diseases that you cannot see on all surfaces – don't bring them into your home.

Keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth, also known as the T-Zone. These areas are where germs can directly enter your body.
Here are a few reminders from henrythehand.com on how to keep you and your family from getting sick, especially during the holidays:

Wash your hands before and after you eat.

Don't touch the T-Zone.

Don't sneeze or cough into your hands. Sneeze or cough into your elbow or grab a tissue.


Enter into the New Year healthy by being a champion hand washer!

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Holiday Luminaria Event at Desert Botanical Garden

Las Noches de las Luminarias

The Valley’s best holiday event comes to life at the Garden with more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags and 10 musical groups performing nightly. Luminaria offers guests a choice of 22 nights in December, including dates between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Dates: December 1st-30th (December 8-11, 15-23, 26-30)

Times: 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
 
Advance Tickets: Call the Garden's box office at 480/481-8188
 
Ticket Prices:
General Public- $25 for adults, $12.50 for children (ages 3-12) (children under three are admitted free)
Garden Members- $20 for adults $10 for children (ages 3-12) (children under three are admitted free)
 
Meal Tickets (optional):Adults - $16.50 Inclusive of tax
Children -$8.95 per Child (12 and under) – Inclusive of tax
 
Nightly Musical Entertainment