Molly Rosenbaum - Scottsdale Realtor Keller Williams Northeast

Cave Creek AZ Public Schools as a district ranked 4th in the State! What an accomplishment! I have two elementary age children in the district and remember the process of deciding schools, districts. A very overwhelming and nerve wracking decision. So, here is a local perspective...

Starting from the top, Cactus Shadows High School has had a bad reputation in the past; however, as my kids get closer to that transition, I have been forced to evaluate it more closely. I have discerned that drugs are a part of every high school... With 1,800 kids, CSHS feels like the small school you would expect; however, 90% of their graduates continue on to high learning. They also have an International Baccalaureate Program with accelerated learning (my daughter will be less than thrilled, but she will be excited about college credits being earned in High School).

Middle school can be a challenging time - even for the Cave Creek AZ Public Schools. In 2009, due to budgetary constraints, Desert Arroyo Middle School was slated to be closed. The following year, with mixed reviews, the school was closed. Each school added a 6th grade classroom and Sonoran Trails became exclusively 7th and 8th grade for Cave Creek AZ public schools.

Cave Creek AZ public schools has identified that with open enrollment, families can send their children anywhere (as long as you are willing to drive). I presume in an effort to retain students, they have created elementary schools with individual niches. Here is the break down...

Lone Mountain - a STEM school focused on science, technology, engineering, and math. In addition, they are a Kids at Hope campus encouraging kids to vision their success. Check out the Kids at Hope website - I was impressed! www.kidsathope.org

Black Mountain - has implemented the CORE KNOWLEDGE program where a standardized curriculum is taught in every grade and ultimately mastering the concept. Check out the website, it is an innovative program http://www.coreknowledge.com

Desert Sun - is classified as an academy, where children where uniforms and have the opportunity to stay on campus through 8th grade. Additionally they offer a very cool program called Odessey of the Mind to encourage team work, creative problem solving, etc... I have heard really great things about this program - http://www.odesseyofthemind.com

Desert Willow - has a Spanish Immersion program where the children are taught math and science in spanish (english is prohibited) and laungauge arts and social studies in English. My children are involved and my oldest (6th grade is completely fluent).

Horseshoe Trails - was the recipient of a Confucsius Classroom grant where along with ASU, have implemented a Mandarin world language program. Additionally, they offer and equine program called Horsemanship- Character Counts.

Housing Prices Increase in 85262! In this dismal real estate market, that is GREAT news! With much of the valley prices staying stagnant, it is interesting to know about this desirable area of 85262. The Arizona Republic reported on Saturday, October 8th, 2011 that home prices have increased 12% in the last year!

As a local, 85262 is an incredible place to live. The topography is unparalleled - incredibly diverse desert amongst the rolling terrain. Centered around Troon Mountain (formerly Rattlesnake Mountain before Troon developed the area), the views of Pinnacle Peak, McDowell Mountains and the Valley are unbelievable. As you climb the 3 mile hill towards Troon, you realize the increase in elevation. This equates to a cooler desert, more rainfall, and a healthy desert.

So, 85262 is beautiful, but what are the neighborhoods like that constitute the housing prices increase in 85262?

The neighborhoods are incredibly diverse; ranging from ungated homes built by national builders with floor plans between 1200 to 4300 square feet. The neighborhoods are not only affordable but beautiful - with larger lots and wide open natural desert spaces. Echo Canyon and Desert Vista (to name a few) are appealing to a multitude of home buyers as they are family oriented as well as perfect for an empty nester.

Ideal for the smaller family, empty nester or second home owner, 85262 offers several townhome communities. Pinnacle Canyon and Troon North are two highly sought after communities. The Rocks, adjacent to the Four Seasons resort is an upscale, fractional ownership community of townhomes. The Troon North collection of townhomes has undoubtedly contributed to the housing prices increase in 85262.

Housing prices increases in 85262 can also be seen in the neighborhoods consisting of custom homes - Candlewood Estates and Pinnacle Canyon are two such examples. Each features architecturally unique homes on larger lots at the base of Pinnacle Peak. Both of these communities are guard gated - adding an element of security ideal for second home owners.

Nestled amongst the majestic saguaros are several award-winning communities -Desert Mountain(yes this is part of 85262), Talus, and Estancia to name a few. Catering to the most exclusive home buyers seeking private, residential communities affording its members the pinnacle in luxury real estate and outstanding recreational amenities. Contrary to media attention, this price point has contributed to the housing prices increase in 85262.

Cave Creek Halloween fun is over the top this year! Mark your calendars for another amazing Cave Creek Wicked Festival. They have done an amazing job tailoring the event to a variety of ages and interests.

October 29th - 11:00a.m. - 4p.m. (evening events start at 7:30p.m. till ???)

In my opinion, the highlight of the event is the Thriller Flash Mob. No rioting, just a bit of innocent fun. Can't remember the 80's hit, no worries... classes are being held to learn the moves. Nobody cares if you can't dance, just get up and do it! The dances will happen every twenty minutes at the Lazy Lizard Consignment Store. Also, check out their facebook fan page for the latest information.

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=235046013198901

http://ahsvet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/thriller-lesson-dates.pdf

Cave Creek Halloween fun woudn't be complete without a kids costume contest. Really, even if you don't have kids, right?! Starts at noon in Frontier Town. A professional photographer is sponsoring the event, so you just might get some really great pictures of your little vampire!

Cave Creek is Horse Country! Cave Creek Halloween fun goes over the top this year with a horse costume contest. Of course the dogs aren't left out!

Dogs:

1:30 (scariest category)

2:00 (cutest category)

2:30 (anything elst)

Horses:

11:00 in Tamarisk Grove (6074 E. Cave Creek Road)

Haunted House! $15 and not cheesy. From years past, it is worth the money. I wouldn't bring anyone under the age of 13 (depending on their fright meter)

The first part of the festival is family friendly, but at 7:30 the spooks come out for an adult PUB CRAWL adding the icing on the cake of Cave Creek Halloween fun. The moving party will include a costume contest, live music, drink specials, a Fear Forest and best of all, a luxury bus for transportation.

And More! A Chili Cook Off, Salsa Bar, Pie Eating Contest, Pet Playground, lots of vendors... it really is a bang up job of making Cave Creek Halloween fun!

Scottsdale AZ Public Golf - from a local's perspective

I am thrilled to report that Troon North really is all that it claims to be. It may cost you a fortune, but for those visiting, could be a once in a lifetime experience. With two course to chose from, Monument and Pinnacle, golfer's are continually challenged(really!). Both courses have been highly ranked by Golf Magazine - Pinnacle as #1 in Arizona and #21 in the nation. Best yet, the club is semi-private!

Troon offers one of 15 national Callaway Performance Centers. Using cutting edge technology and software, they can put you in equipment fit to your specific criteria. Your professional assesment is sure to put you one step closer to playing your lowest round ever.

Troon truly fits the bill of a Scottsdale AZ public golf course - it is family friendly! Kids enjoy free club rental as well as playing privileges with a paying adult after 3p.m.

Dynamite Grill is a local favorite - a great place to dine regardless of whether or not it is your 19th hole. The views are amazing! Prices are reasonable and service is great. We, locals, talk about their fish tacos (yes, excellent fish tacos in the desert...), but I hear their kobe beef sliders are great as well. How can anything with kobe beef be anything less than great. Who would have guessed all of this at a Scottsdale AZ public golf course?

Pictures all showcase the scenic value of Troon - rolling terrain, mountain views, lush desert (from its higher elevation and close proximity to the Verde River), stands of majestic saguaros and the unbelievable boulders (seriously, how do they stay put?). But I imagine one would wonder if this is just smoke and mirrors to sell Scottsdale AZ public golf courses... Well, it's not. Troon truly is an unbelievable landscape and an experience beyond the Scottsdale AZ public golf scene.