21 minute read
Magnify Your Home’s Natural Light
Home & Garden
Magnify Your Home’s Natural Light
by Blake Herzog
Getting more natural light into a home that doesn’t have much may not sound like an easy or affordable project to take on, but plenty of design tricks have been invented to maximize the brightness of the rays that do make it in.
Putting a few of them together will create a much brighter feel throughout your space, improve everyone’s mood and reduce energy costs from lighting, all without carving out new windows or skylights. And remember, natural light doesn’t necessarily add natural heat, especially if you’re not adding windows.
Here are some of the most effective changes you can make to your décor or surroundings:
• Point your furniture that way — If you have only a small window to work with, try angling all furnishings toward it to concentrate all of the activity and energy into its path.
This will work much better if you have pale sofas, chairs or whatever else to work with, but tossing a few pillows and blankets on dark pieces can help out considerably.
• A new coat of paint — If you have the time and money for the endeavor, consider a different color or type of paint to reflect the sun, at least in rooms that really don’t get much natural light. Lighter, cooler shades of white or off-white or pale pastels work best here, while anything darker will start to absorb the sunlight. And remember, flat finishes won’t do much to elevate the room’s sunniness, so find the color you want in satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss to get some shine! You also can think about painting the exterior eaves angled toward your windows white to reflect more light in.
• Decorate with light touch — Whichever color paint and furniture you have, the wall art, pillows, throws, rugs and knickknacks you display will play a part in the overall brightness of a room or home.
Sweep out moody night scenes, heavy wooden carvings and navy rugs if you can, no matter how stylish they are or were. Try to replace then with objects with shiny surfaces, and the old mirror trick does work as long as the mirror is angled to bounce light into the darkest part of the room. • Lighten window treatments — Dark curtains continue to block and absorb light even if they’re opened up every morning. It’s easier in the end to replace them with gauzy curtains, white shutters or blinds that can be opened wide every morning.
Pull-down window shades provide privacy when needed, and shades made from natural materials like bamboo and rattan let some light through even when closed without trapping heat. Solar shades can block heat and harmful
UV rays while continuing to let light through.
• Keep them clean — Don’t forget to clean the exterior-facing side of your windows regularly.
They’re exposed to as much dust, soot, rain, snow and other elements as the rest of your exterior so just wiping down the insides isn’t going to do too much. It can take extra effort or some professional help (especially if you have a second floor), but its brightening effect is worth the effort!
The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is a voluntary non-profit membership organization of individuals who enjoy and support the sport of skydiving. The association is incorporated in New York and follows the by-laws contained in the USPA Governance Manual.
USPA’s mission is three-fold:
• to promote safe skydiving through training, licensing and instructor qualification programs • to ensure skydiving’s rightful place on airports and in the airspace system • to promote competition and record-setting programs
USPA began in 1946 in Mineola, New York, as the National Parachute Jumpers-Riggers, Incorporated, representing an estimated 100 members. It was renamed the Parachute Club of America in 1957 and renamed itself again to the United States Parachute Association in 1967. In July 2016, USPA celebrated its 70th anniversary.
In May 2006, in conjunction with its 60th anniversary, USPA moved into its new headquarters in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where it continues to reside.
2021 USPA National Championships Schedule of Events
4-Way Formation Skydiving: October 25 - 28 ...............Pg 4 8-Way Formation Skydiving: October 25 - 28 .............. Pg 4 10- Way Formation Skydiving: October 28 - 30 ........... Pg 5 16- Way Formation Skydiving: October 28 - 30 ........... Pg 5 Accuracy Landing: October 28 - 29................................Pg 6 Speed Skydiving: October 28 - 29 ................................ Pg 7 Canopy Piloting: October 17 - 21 .............................. Pg 10 Wingsuit Skydiving: October 26 - 29 ......................... Pg 11 Mixed Formation Skydiving: October 22 - 24 ............ Pg 12 Vertical Formation Skydiving: October 22 - 24........... Pg 12 Canopy Formation: October 26 - 30 ........................... Pg 13 Artistic Events: October 28 - 30 ................................. Pg 14
(520) 466-3753 4900 N Taylor St., Eloy, AZ 85131 www.skydiveaz.com
Produced & Published in conjunction with ROX Media, LLC
844.729.9769 | roxmediagroup.net Elaine Earle, Publisher | 520.426.2074 | cfo@roxco.com
Why use a Realtor when buying a new home?
When buying a brand-new home from a builder, they have someone looking out for their best interest - their sales agent. Shouldn't you, the buyer, have someone looking out for yours?
Your Coldwell Banker ROX Realty agent can help you:
* Coordinate selling your current home * Negotiate builder upgrades including:
Closing cost credits - Appliance packages
Design center credits - Lot premiums - and more!
* Research current builder incentives * Decode the builder’s contract so you understand the terms of the contract
Coldwell Banker ROX Realty 1919 N. Trekell Rd., Casa Grande, AZ 85122 520.423.8250 | www.roxsells.com
As Home Value Rises, So Does Coverage Complexity
The more your home is worth, the trickier it is to make sure it and all of its contents are covered properly and that you are not paying too much premium.
If you have a high-value estate you will need specialized insurance to cover your property, assets and liability risks. You may need multiple policies for full coverage. Coverage
High-value home insurance has broader coverage and higher limits than normal homeowner’s insurance policies.
It is designed for homes worth millions of dollars, typically containing state-of-the-art media equipment and technology, costly appointments and furnishings, extensive collections of art and items of great value. Coverage options
High-value home insurance companies will often work with you to tailor your policy to your needs. You can add certain coverages not normally available on a typical homeowner’s policy, such as: • Better dwelling coverage: These policies will reimburse for home repairs above the listed amount.
This is crucial if you have a home with hard to find or imported materials. Some policies include an option to cash out if the home is destroyed. In those cases the insurer would make a payment, allowing the policyholder to rebuild somewhere else. • Better contents coverage: Some polices have high jewelry coverage of up to $150,000 and special coverage for antiques, art and collectibles if they are broken or damaged. • Replacement cost: High-value coverage will usually include replacement cost coverage, which reimburses you for new items to replace damaged ones. • Flood insurance: High-value homeowner’s policy can often include flood insurance, as well as coverage for sewer backups. • Living expenses coverage: Most policies provide generous coverage for living expenses. The limits are either a stated dollar amount or a
two-year limitation. Many insurers will allow you to include coverage for other structures, including pool houses and vacation homes. Some final tips
It is expensive to cover theft or loss in a high-value home because the items in these properties are typically more costly.
Being in a gated community and/ or having a security system in place can significantly reduce risks, and insurance companies often will discount your premium based on this.
Also, if you make any upgrades to your home, you should update your policy by having a new insurance appraisal.
You should also keep track of all your new purchases in terms of furnishings and technology.
520-836-7660 442 W. Kortsen Road, Suite 101 Casa Grande
Choose Right Type of Realtor when Buying, Selling Home
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It is important to consider hiring a Realtor when you are ready to buy or sell a home. It is the Realtor’s job to ensure that the process runs smoothly. What many people fail to realize is that there are different types of Realtors, and it is critical to find one that will represent your best interests.
Selecting the right Realtor is just as important as finding the right property.
Most Realtors conduct the majority of their business as a seller’s agent. They work to secure home listings and promote these listings to other agents and to prospective buyers. The property seller pays a commission to the agent when the property is sold.
A seller’s agent has a fiduciary duty to look after the best interests of the seller. They must exercise caution and be certain that they do not disclose any information to prospective buyers that could sabotage the sale or reduce the amount of the prospective offer. If you are selling your property, choose a seller’s agent with a strong sales record, and be sure to check references from their most recent sales.
On the other side of the coin is a buyer’s agent who will represent the interests of the buyer.
This kind of agent works diligently to locate the home that is best for you. Typically, buyer’s agents do not have listings. Since they are not working for the seller, they have a broader range of properties to show including properties that are for-sale-by-owner and even new construction.
When you decide to make an offer, they are responsible for obtaining the property for the lowest possible price without disclosing anything to the seller that could hurt your chances of closing the deal. Your buyer’s agent will also help by putting you in touch with a reputable mortgage company to arrange financing for your new home. Buyer’s agents are also happy to recommend other professionals needed to complete the transaction, such as lawyers and home inspectors.
As you move through the buying or selling process, always obtain, in writing, where the agent’s legal obligation lies.
Verde Valley, Red Rock County Day Trips Memorable
by Ray Newton
Almost every direction yields a spectacular view to golfers at Canyon Mesa Golf Course. Photo by Ray Newton
Are you looking for a cool road trip you can take? Maybe somewhere to inform and educate — a museum? Or an outing to entertain convivially — a wine tour? Or maybe you’re looking for invigorating recreation — golf?
You can do all these without taking a loan on your house or visiting your banker. From anywhere in Pinal County you can drop into the Verde Valley and Red Rock Country roughly three hours away and make memories with a trip you’ll talk about for a long time.
My wife Patty and I have done it a couple of times. We highly recommend it. Worth noting —your golf score might be better if you play that round before you take the wine tour.
Let’s start with a museum that is the only one of its kind in the country.
Arizona Copper Art Museum
Located near the center of Clarkdale at 849 Main St., this unique museum has a huge collection of more than 6,000 copper art and other copper products that tell the story of copper from around 3500 B.C. to present day.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Christmas and New Year’s Day, admission is $9.75 for adults, $7.75 for seniors, veterans and students; $3.50 for ages 10 to 17; and $1.25 for ages 5 to 9.
Clarkdale was once the heart of the copper industry in Arizona, aka the “Copper State.” Designated as an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project in 2012, the museum has vibrant galleries that allow you to touch the artifacts, some of which are thousands of years old, including:
• Historical Information Collection — reveals the history of copper and its versatile use in a variety of products over centuries. • Military Art Collection — shows how military personnel used copper in creative and artistic ways.
• Art and Architecture Collection — exhibits how this multipurpose metal has been used since early Egyptian days through the present.
• Kitchenware Collection — shows how copper has been used since primitive eras as a main element for pots, pans, utensils and other common cooking activities.
• Drinkware Collection — includes hundreds of vessels created for storing and serving liquids, and for plumbing and other functional household uses.
• Distillery and Winery Collection — exhibits how copper was applied in the making of wine, beer, cognac and other spirits.
Owner-founder Drake Meineke welcomes visitors from throughout the world. The building was an abandoned high school until he remodeled it to accommodate what he calls “the shiniest museum in the West.”
Meineke is also proud that in 2014 — after its first year — the museum won the Arizona Governor’s Tourism Award. It is ranked among the top 3% of 5,000-plus attractions in Arizona by TripAdvisor users, and is the No. 1 site to see in Clarkdale.
You’ll have no trouble finding the museum because in front, on the southwest corner, are eye-catching signs and artifacts pointing the way. Plan to spend at least an hour.
Further details at copperartmuseum.com or 928-649-1858.
Verde Valley Wine Trail
During your day trip you may be surprised to learn the scenic region of the Verde Valley has one of the nation’s-fastest growing viticulture industries. In the few miles separating Jerome from Clarkdale and Cottonwood, you’ll find clusters of more than 20 wineries. Going beyond those toward Cornville and beyond into either Sedona or Village of Oak Creek, you’ll discover other clusters for a total of 25.
You will not be disappointed if you try any of them.
A good first stop is the Southwest Wine Center, 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale, on 13 acres of a gentle northern slope of Mingus Mountain. You’ll have a chance to meet
Patty and Ray Newton at Oak Creek Vineyards.
Michael Pierce, viticulture and enology director of the Yavapai College-owned-and-operated vineyard. He and his staff have developed a premier hands-on educational program that takes students from the grape vineyard to the science of winemaking, bottling and marketing. Personal tours are available.
If you call ahead for a reservation, you can enjoy a pleasant wine tasting in the recently refurbished tasting room. Even walk-ins are accommodated on the patio for a glass of wine and sales of the wine center’s products. You’ll be surprised at the number of varieties and styles.
In 2020, the center bottled more than 2,400 gallons of wine. The profit is pumped back into the college’s program, making it one of the signature academic programs in the Verde Valley. More than 100 students are enrolled.
Dozens more wine tours await, all within minutes. There are so many wineries to choose from you’d be wise to look up the Verde Valley Wine Trail (vvwinetrail.com; downloadable map) or Wine Tours of Sedona (winetoursofsedona.com) to learn of the choices. You can schedule private, customized tours. Chambers of commerce in any of the communities along the way have excellent information about options you may wish to consider.
Canyon Mesa Golf Course
It’s not hyperbolic to say golf courses in Red Rock Country are among the most spectacular in Arizona.
For casual golfers, Canyon Mesa Country Club lets you tee off for a nine-hole round on an executive course where views will take your breath away. For the more serious, it’s considered a “target” course, meaning you’ll be challenged on most your shots.
Tucked away at 500 Jacks Canyon in the Village of Oak Creek, the course was designed in 1985 by Jack Snyder. The par 28-course has 1,450 yards wandering through stunning terrain with large shade trees.
Golf Advisor ranks Canyon Mesa as the “19th best short course in the United States.” You can finish a round in about 90 minutes — unless you get totally distracted by the stunning scenery surrounding you.
You’ll enjoy meeting Willie Darke, the amiable golf pro who has been welcoming players to the course for almost eight years. He’ll help you check in and make sure you get your clubs loaded onto golf carts. He’ll be sure you get the best rates possible, too. It’s the perfect course for a family outing, some who might be “learners” intimidated by a regular course. Currently, rates start as low as $23.
Canyon Mesa also has tennis and pickleball courts at reasonable rates. Best yet, you can grab a meal or a beverage at Nine and Dine Sound Bites Grill.
Book your tee time by calling 928-289-0026 or by going online at canyonmesacountryclub.com.
Go out and chase the coyotes, wild horses, wild pigs, or just seeing things when you're a few feet above the ground. I mean to me, that's the flying that I really, really enjoy. I'm sure that as long as I'm able to fly, I'll fly. I guess that's really what's on my bucket list.
And somebody told me that's like if you took off and then you landed four years later, so I've been in the air a lot. And I think anybody's going to have those moments that you're like, "Aaah!" I've broken just about everything you can in an airplane. I was a test pilot from 1993 until 2005, and I did all the flight testing. I've broken the stick off, I've broken the tail. I've broken longerons, all kinds of stuff. I've had control failures, had governor failures, had engine failures.
GC LIVING: I'm sure during the length of your career, you've had friends and associates who had less than favorable landings. Have any of those really impacted your life to where you were, "I'm not sure I want to continue to do this?"
Kirby Chambliss: The short answer to that would be, for sure. I've lost more than a hundred friends doing what I do. So, it is dangerous. I mean, you can balance it with experience, but if something breaks on the airplane and it's something catastrophic, then you're going to die, and it's just that simple. Or you can make little mistakes, but doing what I do, you can't make any big mistakes or you're going to die.
I've had a lot of friends who have proven me right on that over the years. A lot of them really, really close, and I always say, "That's the dirty side of the business." I have other pilots call me upset about it. And I just say, "Hey, one of two choices. You can stop. Or you can just try not to let it be you." And I've always been able to answer the question that it's worth it to me. So someday I may say, you know what, it's not worth it to me anymore. So we'll see. GC LIVING: In a few years you'll be coming up on the mandatory retirement from Southwest.
What's in your future?
Kirby Chambliss: I love flying.
People are always like, "Your aerobatic airplane is so cool.
It's amazing. I mean, you must just love flying it." I do enjoy display flying. But to me, it's my job. I really make the bulk of my income display flying and racing.
I own five planes now, and one is a little 3/4 scale Fieseler
Storch. It takes off and lands really slow, and we can go out and it's very maneuverable and you can land anywhere. It's got big tires on it, you can land literally anywhere. I can take off in 50 feet and land in less, and I just have a ball with that airplane. Go out and chase the coyotes, wild horses, wild pigs, or just seeing things when you're a few feet above the ground. I
Kirby Chambliss at the All American air show
mean to me, that's the flying that I really, really enjoy. I'm sure that as long as I'm able to fly, I'll fly. I guess that's really what's on my bucket list.
One of the things we also want to do as a family, in 2020 we had it all set up was to fly down, either all the way down to Central America, which I've done before and then back up through the islands, or even if we have time, all the way down in South America and just stop and spend three nights at about 10 different places. So, I plan on doing that next year.
GC LIVING: What's your favorite aircraft to fly? Kirby Chambliss: The Storch. The one that is super simple. And people are always like, "Airplanes are so expensive." I mean, my truck costs more than that plane, my Ford F-150. But it's real flying. I mean there's no autopilot, there's hardly any instruments in it at all.
It's just a blast. And my daughter from the time she was 2 years old, she's been in it, and we'd go hiking, and kicking rocks and landing everywhere. I mean again, I call it my dirt bike with wings, basically that’s what it is. I don't even wash it.
GC LIVING: If given the opportunity, what airplane would you want to fly? Anything out there, regardless of your ability. Kirby Chambliss: I really want to start flying helicopters. I've got a few hours and I think they're cool!
So maybe that's on my bucket list, helicopters.
The other thing I'm trying to do is, Goodyear is one of my sponsors and I've been trying to get them to let me go out of the blimp. But not just jump out of it, I want to take that big, long rope from the nose of it, hold onto that and then step out and it'd be like a big swing, and then let it go end to end.
GC LIVING: Given the opportunity to go to outer space, would you?
Kirby Chambliss: I'd jump on that in a New York minute.
Kirby Chambliss Red Bull Racing
www .facebook .com/cglibraryaz Storytimes, More Return to Casa Grande Public Library
Calling all families! Beginning in September, in-person programs will return to your Casa Grande Public Library.
First and foremost, we are excited about the longawaited return of storytime! Preschool Storytime at the Vista Grande Branch, 1556 N. Arizola Road, will be Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and Toddler Storytime will be Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Storytimes at the Casa Grande Main Library, 449 N. Drylake St., will be Tuesdays at 10 a.m., and Storytime in the Park will be Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. at Peart Park, 350 E. 6th St.
Also, be on the lookout for special monthly programs, including our Lego checkout program for the month of September to celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month. For every book checked out, kids will be given a Lego to help build the biggest Lego tower the City of Casa Grande has ever seen!
A new Dragon StoryWalk came out in August, and a spooky StoryWalk will be released in October for Halloween at the Main Library. Afterschool programs also will return to the Vista Grande branch.
So mark your calendars, and bring the kids down to the public library this fall for a variety of fun activities for the whole family. Stay up to date with library programs and events by visiting our website at casagrandeaz.gov/library and our Facebook page at facebook.com
