The mercury is rising! But, morning temperatures are still delightful allowing you to enjoy a hike on one of Thunderbird Conservation Park's 17-miles of trails.

Starting on February 6, trained trail crews from the American Conservation Experience (ACE) have been performing maintenance to the Park's trails.  No new trails will be constructed, but maintenance steps such as boulder removal, raking of loose rocks on inclines, tread leveling, installation of erosion controls and more are being done to improve the trails.  The crew will work through the end of May (unless the temperatures become too hot). Only short sections of the trails will be closed at a time.

Source: http://www.glendaleaz.com/ParksandRecreation/parksandfacilities/thunderbirdpark.cfm

Dedicated to preserving the desert environment, the 1,185-acre park also offers multiple Ramadas, an amphitheater and four Viewing Blinds – decorative block walls with “windows” for viewing the 50+ different species of wildlife attracted to the man-made water feature.

Open daily from sunrise to sunset - the gates are locked at sunset.

The main entrance is located on 59th Avenue between Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak roads.  Additional parking and entrances are available on 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane, and on Pinnacle Peak east of 55th Avenue.  For additional information about the park and a description of the trails visit click here.

We asked pool care expert Billy Whitmore, owner of Summer Breeze Pool & Spa Services, LLC, in Surprise, Arizona, for some tips on getting swimming pools ready for summer. He offered the following F.A.C.T.S:

Filtration
Clean filters and cartridges. Suntan lotion, baby oils, and dirt clog filters. If the filter is dirty, the water will not circulate enough and algae will form. Summer Breeze recommends annual cleaning of D.E. and card cartridge filters by taking apart and cleaning the internal filter elements. Dirty filter = dirty water!

Adequate Agua (Water)
Check your water level! Dry, hot days and splashing cause water loss. Nothing will ruin equipment faster than lack of water. Without proper water levels, pumps cannot function and water will not circulate. In Arizona, we lose 10 feet of water through evaporation per year!

Circulation
Make sure to run the pump enough. Pools need to filter and circulate water much more often in the summer months. Timers should be set to run as follows:

• Summer: 8-12 hours a day
• Winter: 4-8 hours a day

Algae will grow if the pump isn't run often enough. RUN THE PUMP IN THE EVENING, DURING "OFF PEAK" HOURS. (9pm - 9am)

Toys
Take toys out of the pool. Toys will find your skimmer, drains, and pool cleaners, causing blockage and restricting water flow. Kids are attracted to toys! Please protect your family by removing toys for the pool after swimming.

Sanitizer
Chemicals such as Chlorine, Muriatic Acid, and Stabilizer are critical when it comes to healthy pool water. Adequate chlorine levels need to be kept up on a weekly basis. Chlorine kills bacteria and prevents algae growth. Without chlorine, your pool will turn green before you know it. Muriatic acid (also called hydrochloric acid) helps control the pH and Alkalinity in your pool. If these get out of balance, you risk itchy skin, pool staining, and equipment corrosion. Stabilizer (conditioner) is important because it protects the chlorine in your pool from the sun. Chlorine is very unstable when exposed to heat and UV rays. Stabilizer works like sun tan lotion for chlorine. Chemicals should be added and tested weekly.

By following these F.A.C.T.S., you should have a refreshing, sparkling pool to enjoy all summer. Finally, if you have dogs, Whitmore recommends keeping them out of the pool as much as possible. Dogs zap chlorine from your pool and dog hair clogs drains, skimmers, pumps and filters. One dog swimming in your pool is equal to 10 adults!

If you have additional questions about pool cleaning or maintenance, contact:
Billy Whitmore
Summer Breeze Pool & Spa Services, LLC
(623) 866-3128

The 2010 Maricopa County Property Valuation notices went out on February 20, 2009. If you feel your home was improperly valued, you can appeal, but must do so by April 21, 2009.

You can obtain a “Petition for Review of Valuation” along with filing instructions from the Assessor's office via:

• Phone – (602) 506-3406 – have your parcel ID number ready
• Internet – www.maricopa.gov/Assessor/PropertyValueAppeals.aspx
• Mail – the request form is on the back of your 2010 Property Valuation statement
• In person – 301 W. Jefferson, #120, Phoenix, 85003

It's important to remember the Assessor's cover letter states that even though your assessment may decrease (and in some areas by quite a bit), this does not automatically reduce your tax bill. The assessment determines each property owner's share of the total obligation for their taxing jurisdiction.

If you need additional information on the appeals or want to check the change in median Full Cash Value (FCV) by city or zip code from 2009 to 2010, visit the Maricopa County Assessor's web page at www.maricopa.gov/assessor.

If you're going to be in Historic Downtown Glendale this weekend for the 26th Annual Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival, I highly recommend making a stop at our favorite coffee stop - A Shot of Java.

And we're not the only ones that think the coffee - with drinks like their signature Cocamochanut Frappe - is great.  A Shot of Java was voted Best Neighborhood Coffee House, West Valley, by the Phoenix New Times.

Relax with a book or play a board game.  Free Wi-Fi is available.  Or, come enjoy the music of local musicians that appear regularly.

Open daily, A Shot of Java is located behind Old Roma Pizza at 7003 North 58th Avenue, Glendale, AZ  85301.  Click here to check store hours.

The weather forecast for this weekend looks perfect for getting outdoors.  For more information on the Festival visit: Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival 

Former model home. Highly upgraded Executive tri-level floorplan. Four large bedrooms+den/gameroom (with walk-in closet, could be 5th bedroom). Formal living/dining rooms. Large kitchen, upgraded cabinets, tile counters, pantry, butcher block island. Large family room with cozy gas fireplace, wet bar. Huge master bedroom with French doors to balcony and stunning views of mountains. Spacious master bath with soaking tub; oversized closet with custom built-ins. Flagstone, travertine, carpeting & upgraded wood blinds. Laundry with cabinets, sink. Great yard for entertaining friends and family. Covered patio runs length of house, built-in BBQ, PebbleTec heated pool and grass area. Beautiful area, close to hiking/nature trails.