New Ahwatukee Restaurant in 85044 – Angry Crab Shack

 

Update on Ahwatukee’s Angry Crab

There are some great changes at Ahwatukee’s Angry Crab restaurant everyone should know about!

Jason Vance is back as manager at the Angry Crab in Ahwatukee Mountain Park Ranch community. He has implemented some great changes, such as extending Happy Hour Monday – Friday from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM. This is great for anyone fighting traffic to get home and who found 6:00 pm was too early to take advantage of one of Ahwatukee’s best happy hours.

Another welcomed change is Happy Hour now extends to all tables in the restaurant, not just at the bar. If you are attending happy hour with friends, finding 4 seats together at a bar is a bit of a challenge, and visiting when you are sitting side by side at the bar is difficult. This is a welcomed change!
Of all the recent changes, my personal favorite is the $5.00 shrimp, when not on Happy Hour will be available for $7.00. This cold shrimp are large and such a great value, and previously not available outside of Happy Hour!
Speaking of value, the Angry Crab offers great food for a great price. I have frequented the Angry Crab consistently since the Ahwatukee location opened in August 2015 and have always had excellent service.

We need to continue to support this great locally owned restaurant, especially one which is working on improving how it serves its customers by recognizing the hours for Happy Hour needed to be extended and extended to the entire restaurant. The management at Angry Crab is working to take care of their customers and we need to show our appreciation by frequenting a locally owned restaurant.

For more information check out the Angry Crab’s Ahwatukee website

http://www.angrycrabshack.com/ahwatukee

I have lived and worked in Ahwatukee for many years.  As a Realtor here at  Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living,  I  have noticed how few restaurants we have within the Mountain Park Ranch community.  While there are many good Ahwatukee restaurants, it is always nice have a  restaurant you like minutes from home.

Restaurants here come and go and the location of the Angry Crab Shack located at 3820 E Ray Rd, Ahwatukee 85044 is no exception. I can recall at least three different restaurants at this location.  There could be more be because they have not been memorable!  I was pleasantly surprised when I first visited the Angry Crab Shack.  Many friends and neighbors mentioned looking forward to this restaurant opening as they liked the Angry Crab Shack locations else where in the valley.

The Angry Crab Shack expanded  to Ahwatukee this summer and I couldn’t be happier.  Since the opening of this Louisiana-style restaurant at 3820 E Ray Rd, I have enjoyed several dinners and happy hours at this great new restaurant.  As a long time resident of Mountain Park Ranch, it is a pleasure to have a new restaurant, especially one specializing in Seafood.  The food is amazing and the service great. Having eaten in New Orleans many times and along the Gulf coast, this restaurant is reminiscent of the southern-style cooking  found there.

In Phoenix one usually hesitates to order oysters on the half shell. However I have ordered these three times  and have found them to be  very fresh and delicious each time.  The Cajun-style food takes me back to many meals in New Orleans.  The shrimp & mussels are  tasty, the  various sauces to select from are delicious.  A great benefit of the Angry Crab is the ability to select the  level of heat you want on your Seafood.  You can also select from lobster, crab legs, blue crabs, etc.

Have you ever tried to decide where to go for dinner when someone wants Seafood and other don’t?  If you  or someone in your family not a fan of Seafood, this place is a great option to meet everyone’s idea of a perfect meal!  If you want chicken or BBQ you will not be disappointed here. Some restaurants that serve a variety of sea food, beef and chicken don’t serve the all well, but   The Angry Crab Shack has the right formula and hits a home run with everything I have tasted.

For more information on the Angry Crab Shack , click on the small picture of the angry crab. This will direct you to their site 
where you can get directions to all of their locations, hours of operation, a history on the business, and the menu.

While we usually select a restaurant for great food and atmosphere, the service I have experienced has been consistently excellent.  From the first dinner, to Happy Hour at the Bar, the staff takes pleasure in explaining to first time visitors the nuances of the food and drinks.  They seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs which makes for a nice dining experience.

Make no mistake, this is a casual dining restaurant.  No suite and ties required!  In fact, with the Louisiana style of serving, complete with a lobster bib if desired, the more casual the better.  Your table is covered with butcher block paper to catch the drips of sauce and also service and your dinner plate.  Want to peel your shrimp and get your hands dirty, great because this will ensure you take in the full Louisiana experience.  When you are done, you head over to the communal sink and wash away the yummy  sauce.  Your kids will love this place!

I am looking forward to the next weeks when they start lunch service and implement  a complete Happy Hour menu.  There are still many things on the menu for me to try.  With the cooler weather coming the large patio area will accommodate many hungry diners.  Outdoor patio seating is always welcomed when the Phoenix weather cools down and we can look forward to months of great weather.

While living in Mountain Park Ranch for the  excellent Kyrene Schools, convenient location to shopping and highway access, adding another high quality restaurant continues to make this area very desirable for the discerning home buyer. We all like to patronize local establishments. I predict the Angry Crab will do well in this Ahwatukee location.

I hope you found the information about the Angry Crab Shack useful. If I can be of assistance with your Real Estate needs anywhere in the Ahwatukee / Mountain Park Ranch / East Valley area please call me at 602.770.0643. I have attached three links below. The first one will let you email me with any questions or comments.The second, will send you to the custom search area of my website to look at homes for sale in Ahwatukee / Mountain Park Ranch or the East Valley area. The last one will send you to the Home Value area of my website so you can see what your Home is worth Today.

Email me with any questions or comments

Homes for Sale in Ahwatukee /Mountain Park Ranch Area

What is my current Home worth???

Pet Care Guide For Phoenix East Valley

 

Where Can I Find A Discount School Supply List For My Kyrene Student?

 

It is  great day to look for Back to School Supplies and we all like  Discount  School Supplies even better!  Your student is about to begin the fall semester in the Kyrene School District which includes parts of Tempe, Chandler & Phoenix.  It is time to  take advantage of the many Back to School sales and look for Discount  School Supplies offered by many merchants both in stores and online!

Most schools have School Supply list available by grade.  Just click on the link below for your school. We know teachers may have specific items to add and  those will be provided  the first day of school.  These school lists will get you started!

Today you have the option of going from store to store if find supplies or order them online. Some stores like Walmart and Target provide one stop shopping for clothes,  shoes and locker supplies as well as school supplies, backpacks and lunch boxes. Ordering school supplies online lets you find exactly what you are looking from the comfort of home and they are delivered to your front door!  School supplies are pretty cut and dried so ordering online is usually just a point and click process!

 

Also, as you shop for your student remember may families struggle to provide their students with all their back to school needs.  Please consider joining me and the Kyrene Foundation in our annual Stuff The Bus program.  This year’s goal is to provide  1000 back packs to needy Kyrene students. Every child deserves to start off their school year with a special backpack and all the supplies to do good school work! I will be the contact through my office, Keller Williams Sonoran Living Realty in Ahwatukee. I have attached a link to the  picture below which will take you to the program highlights. Give me a call at 602.770.0643 or send me a note through this link to my website so I can pickup your donations.

 

Below you will find  list of Elementary and Middle Schools in the Kyrene School District along with links to each School and their School Supply List. Some schools have supply lists available down to the individual teacher level while others  defer to the Kyrene School District generic list.  See what your student needs!  Below the Schools are links to various places to  find great deals on school supplies.

 

Kyrene Elementary Schools

 

Chandler

Kyrene de las Brisas

Kyrene del Cielo

Kyrene de la Mirada

Kyrene de la Paloma

Kyrene Traditional Academy

 

Ahwatukee

Kyrene de los Cerritos

Kyrene de la Colina

Kyrene de la Esperanza

Kyrene de la Estrella

Kyrene de las Lomas

Kyrene del Milenio

Kyrene Monte Vista

Kyrene de la Sierra

 

Tempe

Kyrene de las Manitas

Kyrene de la Mariposa

Kyrene de los Ninos

Kyrene del Norte

C.I. Waggoner

 

Kyrene Middle Schools

 

Chandler

Aprende Middle School

Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School

 

Ahwatukee

Kyrene Akimel A-al

Altadena Middle School

Centennial Middle School

 

Tempe

Kyrene Middle School

 

 

Not that you know what you need to buy, where to you go?  You can go to the  brick and mortar stores especially if you need to buy clothes, schools and other items with one stop shopping!

 

Walmart

 

Target   Watch for the pop up coupons online

 

Don’t want to battle the crowds or Phoenix heat? Consider shopping online.   Office Max and Staples along with many other sites offer the convenience of on line shopping and door to door delivery.

 

Office Max                                                 Back packs up to 50% off

Staples                                                        Staples offers a 110% price guarantee on school supplies.  They also                                                                      offer 25% off when buying a back pack.

Amazon                                                      Shop on line and avoid the crowds and Phoenix heat!

 

Other On line shopping options

 

Discount School Supply

 

Family Dollar Store                                Check out the on line buys!

 

Classroom Direct                                     Look for Free Shipping

Raymond Geddes                                    Look for their clearance section

 

I hope you have found this information on school supply lists by each Kyrene school helpful. If I can be of assistance with your real estate needs in the Kyrene School district or anywhere in the Phoenix East Valley area please call me at 602.770.0643 . I have attached 3 links below. The first one will let you email me with any comments or questions, the second, will send you to the Custom Search section of my website to locate homes for sale in the Awkatukee / Mountain Park Ranch area. The last one will let you see what your current home is worth today.    HAPPY SHOPPING

 

Email me with any questions or comments

 

Homes for Sale in Ahwatukee / Mountain Park Ranch

 

What is my Current Home worth???

There are times when sellers want  to remain in their house after the close of escrow.  Why would  they want to do this?  They may be closing a few days later on a home they are purchasing and want to avoid a double move.  They might have an unexpected delay in a mover schedule.  There could be a last minute delay with their loan on a home being purchased.  This may also be a situation negotiated as part of the purchase contract where a buyer wants to close on a property to ensure they own the house and aren’t moving for a few weeks and collecting rent for several days after closing is appealing.

I have had clients, both as sellers and as buyers in this situation. While I always try to avoid this situation for many reasons, there are times when this is a better alternative for a client than putting household items in storage and staying at a hotel or with family for a period of time and paying for a double move.

Some Real Estate brokerages to not allow for post possession documents as part of the real estate transaction. That means any agreements would be made by the buyer and seller without the assistance of their Realtors.  In Arizona post possession  is legal and my brokerage does allow this with the property documentation. (though my Keller Williams broker  prefers we not to do this)

If the home seller is to remain in the house for an extended period of time, a better option is to have the buyer and seller draw up a rental agreement.  The “Post Possession” option is generally used for a short period such as a few days or weeks, not extended periods.

Five Key Factors For Post Possession

1.  Agreement by Owner and Seller – Obviously this has to be agreed to by all parties.

2.  “Post Possession “  document -This is the document which states the rights and responsibilities of the owner and occupant during the post possession period,  never just a verbal agreement.

3.  Former owner Obtains Rental/Liability policy – The party remaining in the property is required to obtain a rental insurance policy that includes liability sufficient to cover the property with the owner as an “also named” on the policy.  This allows the owner to file  claim on the property should there be damage and the claim goes on the claim history of the renter, not the owner.  This type of policy is prudent for any landlord to make part of a normal rental in the event a renter damages a house.  With the owner named on the policy, should the renter cancel the policy, the owner is notified.  If the occupant burns down the house, the liability claim goes against the occupant’s insurance claim history report (which insurers look at in determining risk which in turn determines insurance rates).  The owner’s claim history will not reflect this insurance claim according to Rebecca Kossmann of Liberty Mutual Insurance.

4. Security Deposit – The new owner should require a security deposit.  This can be held buy the title company and refunded after the occupant moves out and the new owner confirms the property is in the same condition as it was at close of escrow.

 5. Rental Payment – Determine the rent to be paid by the seller. The amount collected may be the going rental rate prorated for the number of days the house is occupied.  There may be no rent collected if  the occupancy was taken into consideration as part of the sale price of the house.

With planning most buyers and sellers can avoid this situation, however we all know that even with impeccable planning unexpected situations do come up.  Sometimes a buyer or seller must have a particular closing date not to their liking but necessary to meet the contract needs of another party.

We all want our clients to have a great experience when buying and selling a home or investment property with us.  Part of the job is thinking outside of the box (but within the law and common sense) to make the sale process as smooth as possible for everyone.

The Map below shows all the 4th of July Fireworks Displays around the Ahwatukee & Phoenix  areas. I will be putting together a blog with a lot more information on each location with the activities shortly…

Attend a Free Shred-A-Thon April 11, 2015 at Monte Vista Elementary School in Ahwatukee starting at 9 AM – 11 AM. The school is located in Ahwatukee at 15221 S Ray Rd.

 

The Free event is sponsored by Shirley Coomer & Greg Stainton of Keller Williams Realty Sonoran living in Ahwatukee. This is the 7th Free Shred a thon event and is held each April and October in support of the Kyrene Resource Center.

At this FREE event you can bring boxes or bags of papers to shred. In exchange for FREE shredding, you are asked to bring one food item per box/bag to be donated to the Kyrene Resource Center. We are asking for donations of Pasta, Cereal, Dried beans, rice, spaghetti sauce, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables. We ask for a limit of 4 boxes or bags of shred. If you have more items please call Shirley Coomer at Keller Williams Realty at 602.770.0643. Continue reading…

Home Buying Seminar to Benefit Kyrene Foundation February Update

See Updated date for next workshop in red below.

The Kyrene Elementary School District is an “A” rated district.  It is made up of 6 Middle schools and 19 elementary schools.  Are you thinking of buying or selling home n the Kyrene School District?   Plan to attend a free home buying/selling workshop Saturrday February 21.   Living in the Kyrene District enables parents to ensure their children are educated in one of the top school districts in the state.     The Kyrene school includes the areas of Ahwatukee as well as parts of Tempe & Chandler.   The district has been  one of the top districts in the state of Arizona.  Kyrene Monte Vista elementary  is the top ranked elementary school in the Phoenix Metro area.

While the district is focused on quality , award winning education, there are other needs that are being addressed by the  Kyrene Foundation. This non-profit organization provides financial support for a variety of projects that contribute to the unique needs of students and staff in the Kyrene School District.  There are three key areas of focus for the Foundation:  1.  Support for Prevention Services including programs like Rachel’s challenges, the Family Resource Center which supports families in need with basic food, clothing and hygiene supplies as well as resource referrals.  2.  Support for students and staff including scholarships for students  awarded on a need basis for enrichment programs.  There are also Teach Mini-grant programs for teachers to submit an application for a project initiate or supplies to support classroom instruction and receive up to $500. This allows teachers identify programs that enhance student learning.  3.  Student and staff recognition.

The support of the Kyrene Foundation comes from the community. The organization  meets many community needs that most people are not aware of, such as the services of the Kyrene Resource Center providing gently used clothing, including socks and underwear for student families.  The center also meets the needs of families identified  by school personnel as needing help with basics such as food and hygiene items.  While the Arizona economy and housing markets have made major improvements, there is still much need in this community most of us don’t see…but teachers and administrators do.

As  Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who lives and serves the east valley area, I have been able to present an opportunity to the Kyrene foundation to give back to the community via the Kyrene Foundation.  For each home bought or sold through me I will give $500 to the Kyrene Foundation from my sales commissions. (contact me for program details).

This is a great way to give back to the community and the Foundation.  This is also  great way for me to  educate buyers and sellers  on the Real Estate process in Arizona.  A free educational workshop  is being presented on Saturrday February 21  at 10:00 AM  at the Keller Williams Real Estate Office located at 15905 S 46th St. Phoenix, Az  85048  to educate buyers and sellers, introduce the resources that are part of a real estate transaction. Speaking with be Mike Langs from Arizona Mortgage Specialists to  explain the current lending market and various programs that are available.  Cheryl Stephan of Old Republic title company will discuss the role a title company plays in the home sale.  Rebecca Kossmann of Liberty Mutual will Discuss insurance options and answer question on home owner insurance.  Mark King of King Home Inspections will talk about what to expect with today’s home inspections.  All will answer questions during this workshop. To get to the map showing exactly how to get to the Resource center, click on the link above.

We all know that a home purchase is usually the biggest investment we make.  Today’s home buyers are staying in their homes longer and want to carefully select their home.  The loan program a buyer selects can determine how much down payment is required and the monthly payments.  There are programs today with zero down, programs that allow parents , grandparents or others to “gift” a down payment.  There are options to ask sellers to contribute towards buyer closing costs.

Wise buyers educate themselves on the entire process.  This workshop will provide useful information for first time buyers as well as experienced buyers who want to understand what may have changed in loan programs and home buying since their last experience.

You can register for this FREE workshop by clicking on this link.

 

Are you wondering what areas are included in the kyrene school district?  The following link will show you the Kyrene boundaries.

Salvation Army – Real Estate Wednesdays

 

We have all seen the Salvation Army bell ringers in front of stores during the holidays.  And yes, it is easy to avoid eye contact and head into the store to avoid giving to the little red bucket.  And when we exit we again focus on avoiding eye contract and head to our cars for the next stop on this holiday merry-go-round we are all on.  So much to do, so little time, limited funds to donate.

As a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Ahwatukee, I signed up for a shift ringing the bell for the Salvation Army one afternoon and was amazed at the generosity of people passing by.  Some stopped and put in $20, some a $5 and some added change.  Some gave their children money to put in and they would take turns putting money in the Red Kettle that has come to symbolize collecting money for the Salvation Army.

So, with all the charities asking for donations, why give to the Salvation Army? Who do they really help? Why should they be considered for a donation when there are so many other worthy organizations out there?

As the many people contributing on Wednesday mentioned, they or their families have benefited from this organization.  Some many, many years ago mentioned the depression, some had more recent experiences.  This is an organization that doesn’t judge those in need.  There are many programs supported by the Salvation Army. They include; Adult Rehabilitation, Emergency Disaster programs, Homeless services, Senior centers, Youth programs, and the Salvation Army Thrift stores.  The Salvation Army is here to meet the metal, physical and spiritual needs of the community.  Worship services are conducted at several of the Salvation Army locations around the valley.  These centers offer counseling, youth participation in sports, education and music.  Members of the community are helped from infants to the elderly.  Often this charity is what keeps families together and provides the spiritual glue to hold families together in uncertain times. Some benefit from one program or service while other benefit long term.

The people giving to the little red kettle last Monday received help from the Salvation Army in many cities across the country.  Many were happy to give and mentioned they also had mailed in a donation or given at other locations as well. Some experienced youth sports programs while others were grateful for a meal and shelter during difficult times.

We all need to give back to the communities. There are many ways to do to.  Many of us contribute to our churches and schools.  As with all charitable giving, we need to be sure that the organization we are giving to, truly benefits the community in a meaningful way.  The Salvation Army has stood the test of time, meeting the need of people who never thought they would need assistance.  Those who have been though hurricanes, floods and tornados have found their days and lives turned upside down as a natural disaster has struck.  There is no way to plan for nature’s wrath.

Real Estate Wednesdays is spearheaded by Joanne & Joseph Callaway, learned of a great need for Bell Ringers on Wednesdays, a day when the Salvation Army had difficulty providing Bell Ringers for many locations.  The Callaways reached out to other Realtors in the community to fill this void and give back to the community.  As realtors we help build communities, help families achieve the American dream of home ownership and building community.

All Realtors I know who have participated in Real Estate Wednesdays have been appreciative of the opportunity to give back to the community through this organization and humbled by the experience.  For more information on Real Estate Wednesdays click on the attached link to the Salvation Army Real Estate website.