Calie Waterhouse Coaching & Classes

I knew it was coming. How could you not know? Well, today I received the email announcement.

ARMLS Technopalooza ... a technology fair for ARMLS subscribers!

The Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service is really going all out this year planning this extravaganza that marries technology and real estate. Most of us involved in social media are already acutely aware of this union, but it's nice to see it in print from someone of "higher authority".

So - if you're in Arizona and in real estate - you'll want to mark your calendar and plan on attending this day long event. Dustin Luther is a featured speaker with his presentation titled "Using Social Networks to Build and Engage your on-line Community". Sounds too good to pass up.

Also schedule to speak is Jason Edwards who is a Master Trainer with Floyd Blackman. Jason will be speaking on "Blog is the New Black: Converting on-line Blogging to Real Life Appointments"

Both topics sound like viable reasons to attend. Oh yeah, there's also 30 vendors who will be there. If you have any technology questions, this will provide an opportunity to get some good answers. However, if your question does go unanswered, you can always stop by REBarCamp Phoenix the very next day --- guaranteed answers there :)

Wondering when this event will take place? ARMLS Technopalooza is Wednesday, April 22nd from 8:30 to 3:45pm at the Mesa Convention Center - in both buildings B & C.

If you were in attendance for the SEVRAR Technology Fair in January, then you know that the Mesa Convention Center is a great venue with lots of free parking. Continental breakfast is free, but box lunches are $15 and need to be purchased at least 72 hours in advance.

Speaking of box lunches, during lunch there will be a panel of speakers who will share their wisdom and wit with all of us. There's no names named, but I'm sure those who are on the panel will be amazing speakers and will, obviously, share their secrets of success with the rest of us.

In addition to the speakers & vendors, there's also opportunities to do some electronics recycling, sign up to receive prizes, enjoy the free ice cream social and more! Be sure to check out their site for more information.

Well, I guess the only thing left to say is "See you there?"

April 23, 2009 Scottsdale Stadium

RE Bar Camp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from attendees. While we don't quite have a "firm" location, we do have a date. So, consider this post your invitation - kinda of a "Save The Date" announcement.

Jay Thompson, The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, explains “It’s an “unconference” with no set agenda. The agenda is built that day and often morphs through the camp as people gather, talk and share. It’s actually difficult to explain and really needs to be experienced. REALLY. The event is FREE to attend - You’ll even get a t-shirt and lunch. Better yet, you’ll walk away with your head stuffed full of ideas and your rolodex stuffed full of contacts to help you make your business better.”

Wondering what to do next?

* Check out our cool site

* RSVP for the event

* Follow @REBCPhx on Twitter

* Sign Up or Suggest a Sponsor

* Volunteer! email me or leave a comment below

Got Questions? Just ask! Have a topic suggestion? We're all ears!

The REBarCamp - Phoenix is sure to be an awesome time! I've even heard rumors that Beer with Bloggers (an evening get-together) is also in the works. Hope to see you there!

P.S. If you're planning on coming to REBarCamp-Phoenix on 4/23, plan on coming to the ARMLS Tech-Faire one day earlier on 4/22 - taking place at the Mesa Convention Center.

Don't miss out on the next Q&A Presentation: BLOGGING

Want to know more about blogging? Got questions that need to be answered? Then you'll definitely want to make time on Tuesday (yes, it's tomorrow) to attend this powerful Q&A with experienced, area bloggers.

Blogging is just the beginning of the this trend called "Social Media". Join the internet revolution by starting today. Whether you need ideas or just need to get started, this is definitely a panel of professionals that will be able to (honestly) answer your questions.

While blogging is viral in any industry, REALTORS® who blog have documented success! Whether you want to connect with potential clients or build your referral business - then Tuesday is a great day to get started!

Join us for this special presentation to learn more!

Blogging Date: Tuesday, October 21st

Where: SEVRAR Conference Center

SouthEast Valley Regional Association of REALTORS® 1363 S. Vineyard • Mesa, AZ 85210

Time: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Located approximately 3 hours or 180 miles south of Chandler is a town that is “Too Tough To Die” - Tombstone. Already a historic town, but made into a hugely popular tourist attraction when the movie (bearing the same name) hit the big screen back in 1993.

Your first stop is the Boothill Cemetery – originally known as City Cemetery. Dating back to the 1880s, Boothill graveyard is open to the public. For a small donation, you can walk amongst the graves of Frank McLaury, Tom McLaury and Billy Clanton (see photo below) – all of whom died in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. While there are over 300 people buried at Boothill, there’s only a little over 200 that are documented. There’s also a story about the Ghost of Boothill that you may find interesting. Click here to read about this paranormal visitor.

As you travel south bound, you’ll reach the City of Tombstone – one of the west’s first mining camps. Today it is a popular Arizona tourist destination filled with hotels, restaurants, shows and shops. During our excursion to Tombstone, we stopped by the Longhorn Restaurant for lunch. Nice sized servings, good prices, wonderful lunch specials and a very nice server. We’d recommend it.

Down near the end of the street sits The Birdcage Theater. The New York Times called it, "the wildest, roughest, wickedest honky tonk between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast." In addition to a saloon, it was also host to the world’s longest poker game - lasting 8 years, 5 months and 3 days. Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and Bat Masterson were frequent visitors, as well.

While our group opted not to attend any of the shows, we did take the tour at The Birdcage Theater where we learned that the show, Ghost Hunters, had recently visited to tape an upcoming episode. I also picked up a flier for their night time historic ghost tour. Available to adults only Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, I’m thinking another trip might be in our future. The Birdcage Theater has been called “Ground Zero for the Paranormal” by the History Channel and the “Epicenter of the Paranormal” by the Travel Channel. I don’t know about you, but this definitely peaked my interest.

Speaking of paranormal, while walking through the downstairs area of The Birdcage and taking pictures of just about everything – my camera suddenly shut off. Without warning, just off. I didn’t think much of it at first, figuring the battery had died (and who hasn’t had that happen before?). While speaking with the Gift Shop attendant, she mentioned that it actually happens quite a bit. Hmmm ….? The ghost of Josephine Marcus, Wyatt Earp’s love and eventually his wife of 42 years, doesn’t like to have photos taken of her bedroom. The place where she and Wyatt began their love affair is apparently off-limits and she doesn’t like to have photos taken.

I bet you’re wondering what happened to my camera after we left The Bird Cage? Well, I could tell you that it turned back on and continued to take pictures or I could tell you that the battery actually did die. But, what would be the fun of that?

I’ll just leave it to your imagination.

More Links:

About Wyatt Earp

About Wyatt's First Wife Mattie Blaylock

About Josephine Marcus

More About Josephine Marcus

About Doc Holliday

More Boothill & Tombstone Photos

After a long day of sitting in class and traffic, I decided to take the kiddos to dinner at Fazoli's. In case you've never heard of the place - they typically serve fast Italian food. For us - it was pretty good. Spagetti, ziti, sandwiches, bread sticks and salads. Good food at a good price.

... but not tonight. While driving through the parking lot, I noticed that the Arizona Ave/Warner Rd location drive-thru menu board had been taken down. Then, I noticed that it was completely void of any vehicles. Then we saw it ... the sign on the window ... "CLOSED FOR BUSINESS IN ARIZONA".

I must admit, I'm surprised and a little sad. This was a nice, family friendly place with 9 Arizona locations. It's kind of sad to think that Fazoli's could be just one more casualty of today's economy.

Hat Tip: J. Ferguson's article on 7/16/08 from the AZ Daily Sun