Finally, Hassle-Free Home Ownership THE VILLAGE COOPERATIVE OF FARGO IS NEARLY SOLD OUT

The Village Cooperative in Fargo is designed to provide a maintenance-free home ownership option to active adults (62+)— working or retired—in an independent, pleasant and secure living environment. With over 85% of the homes already sold, construction is well underway and slated to open at the end of the year.

Owner-members can select from a variety of spacious one bedroom and two bedroom layouts with no steps within in a three-story building built over secure underground parking. This community includes many amenities including a club and reading areas, community area with full kitchen, hobby shop, guest suite, garden plots, while-you’re-away services, underground heated parking with a car wash bay—all wrapped up in a fully secure building. The homes are equipped with all appliances including a washer and dryer, in-home storage, walk-in closets and individually controlled heating and cooling.

Because of the building design, ownership structure and prevailing attitude of the members, this senior housing option provides a lifestyle that lives very different from a single-family house, townhouse, condominium, senior apartment, or assisted living facility. The cooperative lifestyle gives each owner a standard of living, an involvement with others and a degree of comfort and security not found in other types of housing—all for a fraction of the price of a patio- or ranch-style home. Probably the greatest difference between life in cooperative housing and living in other housing options is the pride of ownership and community. Their attitudes reflect a sense of belonging and the underlying awareness of pleasant and secure living, reminiscent of the neighborhood where they lived and raised their families. For more information about cooperative living or the Village Cooperative of Fargo, please contact Janet at (701) 997-2900.

How To Choose A Barbecue

Do you dream of cooking meals on the grill in your backyard or balcony but don’t yet have a barbecue? Here are some tips for choosing the right one.

1. Type. Propane barbecues are versatile, easy to use and quick to heat up. Charcoal or wood-burning barbecues impart delicious flavor but are more difficult to light and take longer to reach an optimal temperature. On the other hand, electric barbecues offer even heat distribution, except at low temperatures.

2. Material. Certain materials, like stainless steel, will ensure your barbecue has a long service life. If the appliance’s firebox is made of enameled cast iron, it should be at least an eighth of an inch thick. Remember that metal- or porcelain-coated steel grates are generally more difficult to clean.

3. Cooking surface. The size of the barbecue and the number of burners you need largely depend on what you’ll be grilling and how much of it. The larger the barbecue, the more energy it needs to reach the desired heat. If you often cook fish or white meat, it’s a good idea to look for a model with at least two independent burners. This gives you the option of not cooking directly over the flame.

4. Accessories. Some models come with additional accessories, such as a side burner (similar to a cooker), a sear burner (perfect for blue steaks) and a rotisserie for cooking on a spit.

The many criteria you consider when looking for the perfect barbecue are chiefly about how you plan to use the grill. Other elements to consider include your budget, the number of wheels, the ignition system and whether it has a built-in thermometer. Happy shopping!