JUNE/JULY 2007
Toltec Custom Homes orchestrates masterpieces for beautiful living. Whether you own land to be built upon or you are looking for the perfect homesite to build your masterpiece, make Toltec Custom Homes part of your decision-making process. Custom estate residences with fine appointments starting from $210 per square foot. For more information, call 480.244.6347 or visit www.tolteccustomhomes.com.
A Little About “Toltec”
The Toltec were an ancient civilization of Mexico. The name in Nahuatl means “master builders.” Influenced by Teotihuacán and the Olmec culture, they were masters in the arts and architecture. The Toltec civilization was materially far advanced. They smelted metals and their stonework was highly developed. The Toltec were artists, architects and engineers far ahead of their time. Later, the Aztec people used the term “Toltec” to refer to a person who was the embodiment of great knowledge and wisdom.
A Little About Toltec Custom Homes
Greg Hammond, President and Owner of Toltec Custom Homes, has over twenty years of experience in the Arizona building industry. He has assembled an outstanding team of extraordinary professionals to deliver the pinnacle in quality, material, workmanship and service to meet and exceed clients’ expectations in the custom homebuilding experience.
Greg Hammond, President Toltec Custom Homes _________ Monica Hammond, CEO Toltec Custom Homes Owner/Agent
Because communication is the key to ensuring a smooth homebuilding experience that is both exciting and enjoyable, the approach with each project is to listen very carefully to clearly understand needs and expectations of the clients, to explain each phase (both before it occurs and while in progress) and to be extremely accessible during the entire process. Constant, consistent, clear communication is recognized as invaluable and is exercised by all members of the team that is the Toltec Custom Homes’ circle of excellence.
A Little About Toltec’s Real Estate Services
Not only can Toltec Custom Homes create the home of your dreams, our real estate expertise is at your disposal. Monica Hammond, CEO of Toltec Custom Homes and a licensed Realtor, can aid you in choosing and purchasing your ideal home site. With years of experience and knowledge in the custom home building industry, Toltec’s real estate service can benefit you in many ways that a typical Realtor or brokerage can not. Having a custom home builder guide you in lot selection can save you a lot of time, money and frustration if the lot you choose isn’t ideal for the home you wanted to build. Monica and the Toltec team will evaluate home placement on the building envelope, lot preparation costs, maximizing your views through the architectural design and many other important factors that must be considered before you buy a lot. Monica Hammond has numerous ideal lots to present to you. Many exquisite home sites are in Desert Mountain, Desert Highlands, Whisper Rock, DC Ranch, Silverleaf, Troon North and Paradise Valley. Call for a complete consultation and tour.
Resort-Style Living
DISCOVER TOLTEC CUSTOM HOMES
It’s Swim Season
FUN FACTS ABOUT POOLS
Perfection On The Grill
GOAT CHEESE-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS
If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
Cinderella’s Glass Slipper. Mesa Arts Center, June 14th – 24th. 480.756.3828 or www.evct.org. East Valley Children’s Theater presents this classic tale of dreams coming true. A few new characters and wonderful music accompany this popular story to make it a terrific production for all ages. EVCT has grown from one production and one workshop to an award-winning children’s theatre, bringing exceptional theatre to children and their families. Grand Canyon State Games. Locations vary, June 22nd - 24th. 480.517.9700 or www. gcsg.org. Sanctioned by the US Olympic Committee, the Grand Canyon State Games is a multi-sport Olympic Festival for Arizona amateur athletes of all ages and abilities. Competitive sporting events include dodgeball, tennis, baton twirling, bowling, gymnastics, judo, track & field, swimming, diving and many more. Register online as an individual athlete or as a team. Fourth of July Tempe Town Lake Festival. Tempe Beach Park, July 4th. 480.350.5189 or www.tempe4th.com. If you haven’t celebrated the 4th here before, you’re in for a treat. Watch as the fireworks show blazes above the Mill Avenue Bridge choreographed to patriotic and classical music. In addition to the fireworks show, check out the live, local entertainment. The Fantastic Family Fest features a free inflatable village with a variety of rides, rock climbing walls, water wars and more. Face painters, relay races, water fun and games for kids make this the perfect way to spend a summer evening with the whole family. Summer Concert Series. Kierland Commons, July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th. 480.348.1577 or www.kierlandcommons.com. Spend a Saturday evening (or two!) enjoying live music and entertainment in the lushly-landscaped Central Plaza. Shops, restaurants and a distinctive fountain help create an intimate gathering place at the heart of the center. Unique architecture and welcoming public spaces evoke a “main-street” ambiance perfect for enjoying a night out with your main squeeze. Men’s Luxury Toy Expo and Auction. University of Phoenix Stadium, July 13th-15th. 602.485.1691 or www.mensluxurytoyexpo.com. The Men’s Luxury Toy Expo and Auction is a place where big boys (and girls too) can dream about that next big purchase- an off-road vehicle, a Hummer with an entertainment system, a sauna for the exercise room, your very own slot machines and poker tables, even a chopper. If you can dream it, you can see it at this show. Mighty Mud Mania. Chaparral Park, July 27th. 480.312.2771 or www.scottsdaleaz. gov/parks/mmm. A Valley summer tradition since 1976, this annual summer highlight typically attracts close to 10,000 kids, all up for some seriously muddy fun! Over 100 tons of dirt and water are transformed into a muddy obstacle course. The main mud course is designed for three age groups and offers some filthy fun in the shape of The Knee Bender, Tube Trouble, The Mudwash, The Pit Fall and Inner Tube Drive. After a swift hose down, children can enjoy aquatic action on the giant waterslides and Mighty Mudway games in the Fiddlestix Fun Park. Old clothes are a must and registration is free, which makes for a “dirt cheap” day out for all the family.
Swimming Pool Trivia
Titanic was the first ocean liner to have a swimming pool and a gym. The turbo pump on the Space Shuttle main engine is so powerful it could drain an average family-sized swimming pool in 25 seconds. Esther Williams did not win any Olympic medals for swimming or for diving. The year she was to compete (1940), the Olympics were suspended due to WWII. Benjamin Franklin invented swim fins. The Romans built the first swimming pools in the first century BC. An Olympic swimming pool has eight lanes. In a single year, one leaky toilet can waste enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool. The world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool is in Balmorhea State Park in Texas with a 62,000 square-foot (that’s almost 1.5 acres) surface. The scene in It’s a Wonderful Life where Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed are dancing at a high school prom when a hidden swimming pool beneath them slides open and the dancers fall into the water, was filmed at Beverly Hills High. Several scenes in Jaws were filmed in a production editor’s backyard swimming pool. FDR is said to have modernized the White House by adding a pool that he used for physical therapy. Recording artist Stevie Nicks and Nashville musician Webb Pierce both had backyard pools shaped like a guitar. Over 42,000 gallons of water (enough to fill a 30 x 50 foot swimming pool) are needed to grow and prepare the food for a typical Thanksgiving dinner for eight. It is against the law to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool in Baldwin Park, California. In 1985, the swimming pool at the University of Arizona lost water from sloshing caused by the 8.1 earthquake in Michoacan, Mexico 1240 miles away.
Grilled Chicken Breast Stuffed with Goat Cheese 8 oz. soft goat cheese
salt & freshly-ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped nicoise olives
4 large boneless chicken breasts pounded thin
1 red pepper - roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh thyme - finely chopped
toothpicks
Preheat grill. In a small bowl, mix together goat cheese, olives, red pepper and thyme and season with salt & pepper to taste. Lay each breast out flat and fill with the cheese mixture. Brush the breasts with olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Secure with toothpicks. Grill 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Toltec Custom Homes President and Owner Greg Hammond has a passion for creating — creating culinary masterpieces as well as architectural masterpieces! His savory hobby has him sampling recipes from the complex and exotic to the simple and traditional. This creation was on Greg’s menu this year for his annual family BBQ. It seems perfect to share in this issue as we’re highlighting the pleasures of outdoor living.
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