Valley Homebuilder recognizes the Caddys as the this week’s deserving winner of their Fence Patrol Program

The family of a disabled woman in dire need of a pool fence is this week’s Fulton Homes Fence Patrol winner. The free pool installation will happen Tuesday, May 31 at 7a.m. Connie Caddy, from Queen Creek, is a disabled woman with no income. Her husband, Greg, works for the prison system and frequently volunteers for out of state work to make ends meet. And, the couple is taking in their 18-month-old grandchild, while her son is deployed in Afghanistan.

Connie’s husband is often gone for months out of state for work, leaving her at home by herself watching young children. Connie also babysits her two nephews who are 4 years and 4-months-old. She’s very afraid they may fall victim to the curiosity of an unprotected pool.

The Caddy family has endured many financial struggles. Most recently Connie, who nominated her family, explained, they had to replace the transmission in their vehicle which ate up most of their pool fence savings money.

“We are glad to alleviate the anxieties of the Caddy family who are in desperate need of a pool fence,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Fulton Homes is particularly concerned with families with toddlers that are constantly around the pool. We couldn’t be happier to name the Caddy family as this week’s Fulton Homes Fence Patrol winners.”

Drowning related deaths is one of the leading causes in children across the country. According to childrensafetyzone.com, in the first four months of 2011, there have already been 17 water related deaths in Maricopa County including five children. There have also been a total of 34 water related incidents. In 2010, 48 deaths, including 20 children, resulted from 140 water-related incidents.

Fulton Homes has always been a proud proponent of Water Safety in the Phoenix area. The Fulton Homes Fence Patrol has helped hundreds of people equip their homes with barriers to help prevent youngsters from falling into the pool. The long-running Two Seconds is Too Long campaign has helped raise awareness of the tragedy of child drowning. The company also supports the Valley of the Sun YMCA, providing swimming lessons to disadvantaged youths who learn valuable life skills, including personal safety and growth, stroke development, rescue and water sports.

Arizona Pool Fence Laws state that all residential pools must be enclosed by a barrier. Families with children under six must also have a barrier blocking access to the pool from the house. Some cities allow door alarms in place of the pool barrier. Also, certain homes are exempt depending on when they were built. However, most homes must be brought up to code if remodeled or sold.

Interested parties in the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol have until July 4, 2011 to nominate themselves or someone else for a pool fence, by logging on to www.kmle108.com and clicking on the Fence Patrol icon. For more information call (602) 452-1000 or go to www.fultonhomes.com and click on the “Fulton Foundation” link.

On our “Find Your Home” page, you will find a grid on the left side of the page that allows you to choose certain things that you are looking for to narrow your search.  These are the city the home is in; the community the home is in; and home parameters, which are price, bedrooms, bathrooms, garage bays and square footage.

Just select which options are best suited for you and search!  We hope you find this helpful!

What colors do you think of for summer? Blue and white? Red, white and blue? Red and tan? Green and blue?  The trends for colors of summer décor vary year to year just like other décor and fashion.   What are we seeing this year?

We’re seeing a lot of the classic color pairings for summer. Like many other areas of design and decorating, there is something for every taste available.  Mixing and matching patterns and styles to achieve your own personal style is a design trend across the board, so summer décor is no exception.

We’re seeing earth tones of greens, tans and browns mixed and matched in solids, stripes and florals.  Vintage inspired fabrics in muted colors like soft yellows, terra cotta reds and gray blues work with white or wood furniture.

Bright colors like turquoise, grass green and sunshine yellow are popular in both outdoor cushions, outdoor rugs and table tops.

Blues range from navy to pale, silvery blues, to aqua. Blue and white, in stripes, florals, trendy ikat and even polka dots, is a classic summer time color combination.  As is red and white… just like the classic red and white checkered picnic blanket or tablecloth.

Natural, neutral shades paired with white feel fresh for Summer 2011. Inspired by jute, rope and dark, woven baskets, these neutrals also make great backdrop colors for splashes of bright color.

Many of these color trends can be mixed together for look that fits your style and your décor.  Remember, summer decorating is all about easy and relaxed.

What are your plans for summer decorating?

For many of us, our backdoor, kitchen door and side door seem to see more traffic than the front door. Activities that are traffic heavy such as going in and out, groceries being unloaded and recycling getting collected can all result in coats, bags, purses, keys and wallets all ending up piled by the backdoor.  This is why stylish and functional storage and “landing zones” are needed.  Whether you have a traditional mudroom or a small hall, you can create a functional, yet pretty, area at the backdoor.

Wall storage

A row of hooks or pegs can create a place for coats, bags, backpacks and leashes. Wood knobs can be painted to match the wall color or in a complementary color to stand out. Lots of options for hooks, even vintage hooks or old door knobs can be used. Be creative!

Furniture

A traditional hall tree with hooks, a mirror and a storage bench is a stylish and functional piece of furniture for a mudroom or hallway.  If you have the space, this single piece of furniture is a workhorse.

Consider a storage bench, for shoes, scarves, mittens and other clutter.  Or vintage lockers make for great storage by the back door.

Built in shelves and cubbies that can accommodate bags, shoes and even recycling bins are a smart option.

Think about how you use your back door or mudroom and find a storage solution that is both attractive and functional for you. Whether you chose hooks, furniture or shelves, the right storage will organize the space and declutter your space.

Be sure to ask your Fulton Homes’ design consultant about options for controlling clutter at your back door. We will be featuring mudrooms in our new Mendocino series coming soon to Queen Creek!

If you live in a Fulton Home, we make it extremely easy for you to request a service repair from us.  If you have something that requires our attention in your home, you can just simply go to our website, login with the username and password that is provided to you, and fill out a form describing your issue.  No phone calls, no paper work, just a simple and quick online request!

Rachel Torne Triumphs Academically Despite A Long Battle with Scoliosis and Bullying.

With Memorial Day right around the corner, now is the time to spruce up your outdoor spaces to get ready for summer entertaining. Whether you have a three season porch, outdoor living room, patio or balcony, you’ll probably need to do some prep now for outdoor living.

Start by taking inventory of your existing outdoor furniture.  Is it in good shape and just needs a cleaning?  If so, a quick spray of water and wipe down with mild detergent (like dish soap) will probably do the trick.

Has the paint chipped or rusted?  You can do some basic spiffing up with a quick sand and recoating of matching paint.  Some spray paints are formulated to stop rust and don’t require extensive sanding.

How do the cushions look?  Changing cushions on outdoor chairs and seating is a simple, inexpensive way to revive your patio furniture.  Indoor/outdoor fabrics have come a long way in recent years. Now is the time of year to find readymade cushions at the national chains and local stores. If you know your measurements, look online for replacement cushions as another option.

Adding an indoor/outdoor rug to your outdoor space will make it feel more like an outdoor room. Like indoor/outdoor fabrics, these rugs come in tons of colors and pattern to match most any style.

As a finishing touch, create interesting planters filled with flowering annuals and herbs to spruce up your space. Find a flower box, pot or container that works with your outdoor furniture and fill it with plants that compliment your color scheme.

Are you a Fulton Homes homeowner, better yet, are you looking to be one?  If you are, we want you to be able to log into our website and saves homes that you like, get quick access to your favorite communities, get updates on your favorite communities, create your own floor plans, etc.  If you click on the “Account Access” tab at the top of our home page, you will be directed to login or register.  Just another way for us to make finding the perfect home easier for you!

When you’re about to have a baby, there are so many things to plan for before the big date. For many people, this may include moving to a new house or renovating their current home to make room for the little one.

With all of your planning, don’t forget about flooring. Your child will be spending some serious time on your floors, first crawling, then walking, playing and exploring. Take the time to think about what types of flooring will work best for your new little one.

Your first inclination might be to go with carpeting everywhere. There’s no denying that the cushioned surface provided by a good quality carpet and pad will help protect your child as he or she starts walking. With the constant tendency to spill, choosing to invest in stain-protected carpeting will probably pay for itself in fewer rug cleanings over time.

Don’t totally dismiss options such as wood or laminate floors. Research has shown that children who have “tummy time” on a harder surface floor and learn to pull themselves along and maneuver on this type of floor actually have better coordination and learning skills later in life.

Remember that children grow up and your flooring will last well past their adolescence. Choose flooring for you as well as them. If you would prefer wood or laminate floors, add area rugs to soften play areas. If you want tile in some rooms, choose smoother options and use rugs to minimize the variation of the floor.

As your child grows, you’ll find that many decisions have you balance between what’s good for them and what’s going to work for you. Your flooring is just one example of that.

Erik Hedrick Receives Award for His Infectious Enthusiasm for Education and Positive Influence on His Students

Erik Hedrick of Pima Elementary in Scottsdale has been selected as this week’s Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Week” award recipient for his unbelievable involvement throughout the school.  Hedrick has been honored for being a great role model on the Ben and Matt Show on KNIX on Friday, May 6.

Students across the Valley have been recognizing the teacher that’s made a difference in their lives with the 11th Annual Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week program, run in partnership with KNIX Country Radio. The popular program, which serves to honor outstanding educators, is now running through the school year, ending in May of 2011.

Fulton Homes has recognized Erick Hedrick for the amount of care he puts into his art of teaching. Hedrick is a fifth grade teacher at Pima Elementary and all around the school the students are well aware of how lucky they are to have Hedrick as a mentor and teacher. Hedrick was nominated by Alana Volding, a mother of one of his students, who has nothing but glowing things to say about Hedrick.

“He gives, and gives and gives,” said Volding “I would like him to be recognized for all he provides to his students and for all he gives to the Pima elementary school. He truly is a special and wonderful Teacher. We are very fortunate that he chose Pima elementary school to teach at.”

It is remarks like this that truly show how much appreciation there is for Hedrick at Pima Elementary. On top of being a beloved teacher, Hedrick is actively involved in activities around the school. Every year during the annual Family Fun Bingo Night, Hedrick is the host of the evening. The involvement does not stop here. Hedrick is involved with nearly everything going on at the school. During the school’s Ice Cream Social, Hedrick takes on his alter ego as guitar player and singer.

“The enthusiasm and involvement Erik Hedrick displays at Pima Elementary is extraordinary, and it’s this type of amazing dedication that positively impacts the lives of students and makes a difference here in our community,” remarked Fulton Homes CEO Douglas Fulton. “His involvement shows great leadership and we are pleased to honor him as this week’s outstanding educator.”

Fulton Homes invited students and peers across the Valley to recognize those teachers who make a difference in other’s lives with the 11th Annual Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week program, in partnership with KNIX Country Radio. The popular program, which serves to honor outstanding educators, continues throughout the school year, ending in May of 2011.

Teachers nominated will be entered for a chance to win a prize package that includes $300 in cash plus prizes from Fulton Homes and the Dairy Council of Arizona. The winning teacher will be surprised and presented the award by KNIX radio personality, Carolyn Coffey. Recipients of the award will also be spotlighted on the KNIX Morning Show with Ben and Matt, where they will receive special recognition on their Friday show between 6:20 – 7:20 a.m.

At the end of the school year, on May 24, the 34 winning teachers will be honored at a special luncheon, where one outstanding teacher will be chosen as the Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Year.”  Winners are chosen based on their commitment to education, career achievements and impact on students’ lives.

For more information about Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week, visit www.fultonhomes.com and click on the Fulton Foundation link, or visit knixcountry.com, keyword “Teacher.”