We also sell homes, so when the time is right to buy a home, remember Carl Chapman and West USA Realty.

This year, I am doing something new for the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship. The winner will be the first student to be awarded a scholarship by participating in a Web 2.0 scholarship program. Applicants for the “Arizona Is My Home” will develop a Blog thread with his/her Arizona hometown being the central theme. This year’s recipient will be my fourth $2500 scholarship awarded.

Web 2.0 is a concept that has many meanings on the web. My interpretation of Web 2.0 is that web visitors have an opportunity to interact with those that write the content. So my focus this year is on using Blog’s to share ideas.

For the 2008-2009 “Arizona Is My Home” scholarship, students will create Blog entries. Then, visitors to the site will comment on the student’s thoughts. Each student participating will have an opportunity to develop his/her idea fully and establish a community of readers.

My goal is to help provide students a forum to learn and understand how to use the web to create and promote their own ideas. I also want readers to discover why Arizona is such a great place to call home.

There is still two additional changes to this year’s scholarship. This year’s scholarship Participants will have two choices for the writing prompt. One option is to create a piece that promotes his/her Arizona hometown and encourages others to consider making it their home also. The second choice is to write on the experience of losing a home. This second option was chosen to link faces to a tragedy that is destroying families and communities across Arizona.

The second change is that the scholarship is open for use at any accredited school in Arizona. This should help those that have chosen to attend proprietary schools like The University of Phoenix or the Arizona Culinary Institute.

The directions on how you can become a participant are below. Please be sure to read them carefully. If you have questions, you are always welcome to write me at chapman@westusa.com for additional help.

The “Arizona Is My Home” Rules and Regulations

1. The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship Writing Prompt (Two Options Available)

The first option is for individuals who already live in an Arizona town or city. The focus of the prompt is to develop an essay with his/her Arizona hometown being the focus. Students are encouraged to create a piece that promotes his/her Arizona hometown and encourages others to consider making it their home also.

The second option is in response to the increased number of families who have lost their home or may lose a home in the near future. Students will either Blog about what home means by explaining the loss of a home or the experience of moving into a home after not having a home of their own.

2. Initial foundation Blog posts should be long enough to establish premises that will enable readers to understand and comment.

3. Participants must add to their concept, reflect and respond to the comments of readers.

4. Blog entries must be written in English.

5. Language and concepts must be appropriate for a General or G Rated audience. Violation of this rule will result in immediate termination of the participant’s account.

6. All work submitted must be original, authored solely and completely by the applicant.

7. Each Blog thread will be judged based on the number of comments received, the structure of the concepts developed and the number of other Blog’s or websites that mention or comment on the participant’s concept or idea.

8. Each participant shall establish an account on the Arizonan.com. Then, follow these simple steps to become a participant in the “Arizona Is Home Scholarship” program.

Step 1: Go to http://www.arizonan.com/wp-login.php?action=register or by click on the login link at the bottom of the site. Enter a user name and email address. Remember that both the user name and password will be case sensitive.

Step 2: Go to your email account and complete the registration process.

Step 3: To http://www.arizonan.com/wp-admin/profile.php or click log in link at the bottom of the http://www.arizonan.com website. Then, click on the profile link in the upper right hand side of the page. The first link is much easier.

Step 4: Complete the profile information. For website, place your current school’s website or the website of the school you will be attending. Pay close attention to the biography portion of the profile. This will one of the elements reviewed in determining the winner.

Step 5: Blog your idea and develop a following. Blog about your ideas on other Blog’s and encourage others to visit your Blog on the Arizonan.com. Respond to comments and add to your concept on a regular basis.

The focus of this scholarship is to encourage students to learn how to use the power of the web to share their own ideas and motivate others. The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship was designed to be the first of its kind - Web 2.0 Scholarship.

9. Winners will be notified by phone and/or mail. Complete results will be posted at www.Arizonan.com. All submissions become the sole property of Carl Chapman and may be republished in whole or in part. Carl Chapman reserves the right not to award a prize or any prizes when submissions do not meet contest standards or criteria.

10. Scholarship monies become available to successful applicants who are full-time matriculated students. Participants must have completed 12 credit hours at the students Arizona school, college or university from which they seek to graduate

The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship may be applied for and awarded to a student prior to completing this above stated requirement. However, funds will be held until the final requirement is met.

11. The scholarship monies will be paid to the student’s college or university, after Carl Chapman receives notification from the college or university of the student’s qualifying standing. Payments will only be issued to Arizona colleges or universities. New this year, students of private and for profit schools are eligible to participate.

12. All requirements of the scholarship must be met within 12 months of the awards. Failure to meet these requirements will result in loss of the award.

13. Unused scholarship funds will be held for future scholarship programs.

14. The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship can be applied for and awarded to a student prior to completing required conditions, by students who have been accepted to a Arizona college or university and by students who are currently enrolled and attending an Arizona college or university.

15. “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship Timetable:

May 22, 2009 - The scholarship winner will be notified.

16. Employees of Carl Chapman and their family members are not eligible to participate.

17. Carl Chapman shall be the sole judge of all entries and his decision shall be final.

All Participants agree to abide by the rules of the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship program. Participants attest that all of the information provided is true and complete and may be verified through any means necessary.

18. By participating in the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship, certify that all submissions and writings are original, authored solely by the participant, and are not plagiarized or otherwise infringed upon the rights of any third party. Participants authorize Carl Chapman to confirm any details in this application by contacting the appropriate person(s).

19. Acceptance of the scholarship constitutes permission to use the winner’s names and/or likenesses for advertising, trade, and publicity purposes without further compensation. Carl Chapman also reserves all rights, including the right to edit, publish, use, adapt or modify any entry, including any personal information about the scholarship recipient and/or applicant quote, picture, essay, school name or year in school, without further consideration or payment to the scholarship recipient and/or applicant. Participants grant permission to share this information for the purpose of news media releases and/or commerce and/or assignee’s.

Writings may be published in whole or in part by Carl Chapman or by other parties associated, with Carl Chapman’s written permission. Carl Chapman reserves the right not to publish any essay it deems inappropriate for any reason. Carl Chapman reserves the right not to award a prize or any prizes when submissions do not meet contest standards or criteria.

20. Release of Information for Scholarships:

By submitting content and participating in the Arizona Is Home Scholarship program, Participants authorize the School, College or University to deposit any co-payable checks without my endorsement in order to expedite my scholarship award. Furthermore, participants authorize the release of academic and financial information to scholarship donors.

This year will be a little different. Participants will use Web 2.0 processes to share their ideas and thoughts. The deadline will be in May, but in order to make it to the final review, students will need to start the process within the next few weeks.

Details on how this work will be announced in the next few days. Tell your friends.

Carl

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How does the $7,500 Tax Credit on Housing & Economic Recovery Act help you…and what is it?

The Government in an effort to stimulate the housing market has passed a law giving first-time home buyers a tax credit of 10% of the sales price, up to $7,500.

This is a tax credit, not a deduction. It reduces the home owner’s tax bill by up to $7,500 for the tax year they purchased the home. This is a one-time credit only.

At first this seems too good to be true, but here is the catch. The money has to be repaid over the next 15 years and repayment begins two years after you purchase your home. So basically the government is handing out interest-free loans. If you use the entire $7,500 tax credit your income bill will be increased by $500 for 15 years. If you sell the home prior to the 15 years then you have to pay back the Government the balance at the closing. 

How do you qualify? The home has to be purchased between 4/9/2008 – 7/1/2009 and you have to be a first-time home buyer.  If you have more questions please contact Lauren Rosin directly at 480-734-7064

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To find out your houses value call me, or for the do it yourselfers out there, follow these steps. You should find a house value close to reality. Just remember, there is no substitute for an appraiser. Even a Broker Opinion valuation only goes so far.

Here is a quick guide to try out at home.

Use my Arizona MLS - IDX to search the MLS and find homes near yours. Use the IMAPP system at Maricopa County to find data from the county assessor. Shake or stir.

Find comparables, or homes that are like yours that have sold recently. They should be as close in distance as possible from your own home. Not more than a mile, unless your home is built on a large lot. It is best is if the home is the same model as yours, in the same subdivision and build by the same builder in the same year. That is asking a lot, but I have to ask.

Recent sales in a market like ours really means 3 months or less. Finding homes that are under contract and those already listed helps determine competition. Look at the amenities of the other homes and compare them to your home. Do you have a pool or a three car garage? Did they?

Find at least 3 homes that are as close to your home as possible. The average price of these three is likely the value of your house.

There are lots of factors that impact the price of a property, so only use this information only to amuse your friends and family. When you really want to find the value of your house, give me a call. I will be happy to help you out.

Jerome is a unique town to learn about mining and to take in its small town charm. It is a town that began as a mining town. Today Jerome’s population is 400. The town sits at an elevation of 5,435 feet. It has a moderate climate. The low temperature in the winter is 30 degrees and the high temperature in the summer is 97 degrees. Jerome is an interesting town, in that it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967. Its homes and streets cling precariously to the sides of Mingus Mountain. You will find picturesque vistas, which attract both artists and photographers. The town became deserted after the mining stopped, but today it is making a comeback with tourism. Antique, craft and gift shops line the streets. There are also art galleries and boutiques.

There are some terrific attractions near Jerome. The Jerome State Historic Park is a great place to stop and sample what life was life for the famous copper baron, James Douglas. The Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum has a photo collection worth stopping in to take a look. The Gold King Mine and Ghost Town is a quaint place to browse through antique machinery. The kids will love the petting zoo. The Verde Canyon Railroad is a wonderful experience. Visitors will travel down the railroad lines viewing scenic spots and wildlife. This is a very popular attraction. Tuzigoot National Monument is an old Indian dwelling. This national monument gives visitors an opportunity to see the ancient culture up close through several hiking trails.

Jerome has so many outdoor activities. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is so close to town. This park has a variety of things to offer its visitors. You may go camping, horseback riding or even fishing. The Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area is a 26-mile canyon perfect for hiking. This canyon is one of the most breathtaking spots in the area.

Spanish explorers were the first to discover the mineral wealth in the area. Yet, the rough terrain caused the rock to be hidden for many years.

Then in the 1870s army scout Al Sieber worked on claims in the area, but he later gave up his claims. In 1876, some American prospectors staked claims, on Siebers advise, but they couldnt raise enough money to make a go of it.

Then Eugene Jerome, a wealthy lawyer and financier came along and offered to back those who would want to mine. Thus, the name of the town and the United Verde Copper Company came into being. However, Jerome never visited the town. The town sits halfway up Cleopatra Hill, which is a part of the Mingus Mountains. In 1882, the United Verde Copper Company began operating and the town went wild. Good and bad times depended completely on the copper prices. By 1884, the cost of hauling the ore to the town of Ashfork had become too expensive and labor problems were becoming difficult. So Jerome put the mine up for sale. He was offering $300,000. Phelps-Dodge wanted it, but thought that they could get it cheaper because Jerome was going through tough times. Phelps-Dodge offered $30,000, which Jerome declined and instead sold it to William Andrews Clark for the full asking price. Phelps-Dodge made a counter offer, but it was a day late. Ironically Phelps-Dodge became the owner, only after much of the minerals had been mined.

In 1892, Clark built a narrow gauge railroad into Jerome from Chino Valley. Clark became extremely wealthy. He would anything in his power to continue to build his wealth. It was also during this time from 1897 and 1899 the town endured three fires. The fires destroyed businesses and homes. Yet, each time Jerome was rebuilt and went on growing.

Then in 1899, Clark decided he wanted to become a senator, so he ran in Montana and won. However, the Senate Elections and Privileges Committee would not seat him. Eventually he gave up after winning two elections. In 1914, Clark built a smelter in the town of Clarksdale at the base of Mingus Mountain, below Jerome. He also established a railroad line to the town.

Jimmy Douglas came to Jerome in 1912. He bought the Little Daisy Mine at the foot of Cleopatra Hill. After two years of trying he finally hit a vein. This became one of the richest ever found in America. The town went crazy. Everyone was making money. By 1929, fifteen thousand people lived in town. Jerome was one of the largest cities in Arizona . Saloons, gambling dens and brothels opened up. It was once reported that Jerome was the wickedest town in the west.

Years passed by and the minerals soon started to dry up. The stock market crashed and the Depression began and many of the towns residents left. The population dropped to 5,000.

William Clark died in 1925 and his fortune was left for his family to fight over. Eventually, Phelps-Dodge bought the operation in 1935. Jimmy Douglas died in 1949, after becoming a multimillionaire and mining out all that was there. During the towns heyday, the town produced over one billion dollars of copper, gold, silver and zinc during its 70-year active life.

Finally, the fall of copper prices and the closing of the Phelps Dodge Mine in 1953, Jerome became one of the largest ghost cities. The town started to disappear. It was during this time only 50 residents lived in Jerome.

Miraculously the town rebounded in the 1960s, when many retirees, artists and tourists started coming to Jerome. Jerome has endured a lot and has always risen from the dust.

The Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum opened its doors in 1953. It was created by the townspeople of Jerome, with the purpose of preserving the rich copper mining history of the Verde district. It is a combination gift shop and museum. Visitors will see a variety of interesting artifacts about the mining town. Paintings, tools, mineral samples and stock certificates help retell the towns past. A collection of over 1,000 photographs is on display.

The museum is open everyday from 9:00 to 4:30 pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days. The admission charge is 50 cents for adults and children under 12 are free. If you would like more information on the museum, you may call 520-634-5477.

You can get to the museum from Jerome by going to the corner of Main (which is also called State Highway 89A) and Jerome Avenue. If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson you will take Interstate 17 north out of town. When you get to the town of Camp Verde, you will exit and take State Highway 260 northwest through several small towns and on up into Jerome. Then continue into town, when you get to the intersection of Main (which is also what you are traveling on, State Highway 89A) and Jerome Avenue you have arrived at the museum. If you are coming from Flagstaff, you will take State Highway 89A southwest out of town. You will travel down Oak Creek and through Sedona. Then you will continue on up to Jerome. Travel through town until you get to the intersection of Main (which is also what you are traveling on, State Highway 89A) and Jerome Avenue then you have arrived at the museum.

Jerome State Historic Park features the former Douglas Mansion, which has been converted into a museum. The mansion was donated to the Arizona State Parks in 1962 and opened to the public in 1965. The mansion was built on two acres in 1916 and sits regally atop a hill overlooking the Verde Valley. The 8,700 square foot mansion cost $150,000 to construct. The mansion served as a hotel for visiting mining officials and investors. It was also the home for Rawhide James S. Douglas and his family. Douglass became a multimillionaire when his Little Daisy Mine struck a five-foot thick vein of copper.

The mansions well-appointed interior and thick adobe architecture reflect the high-life experienced by the mining baron. Your visit will give you a taste of what life was like for the copper king. The marble paneled bathrooms, a built-in vacuum cleaning system (one of the first of its kind), a wine cellar along with the wide sweeping balconies, which can be seen many miles away.

The park has displays that feature local mining history and methods. There is a video describing the many changes that Jerome has gone through. A three-dimensional model of Jeromes mine shafts is upstairs in the mansion. Jerome was once one of Arizona s most productive copper mines in the area. Yet, during the Depression, copper prices dropped and Jerome fell too.

Outside the mansion there is a giant stamp mill and more primitive wheels used to crush ore. While walking around the grounds, you will also discover fabulous views of the valley below. Jerome State Historic Park is situated on three areas at an elevation of 5,240. There are placards at a variety of viewpoints identifying several of the landmarks below.

The park is open everyday, except on Christmas Day. Its hours are 8:00 to 5:00 pm. Admission into the park is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children between 12-17. The park has restrooms and a picnic area. If you are interested in learning more about the park, you may call 520-634-5381.

You can get to Jerome State Historic Park from Jerome by taking State Highway east out of town. It is just below the town. If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson you will take Interstate 17 north out of town. When you get to the town of Camp Verde, you will exit and take State Highway 260 northwest through several small towns and on up into Jerome. You will see the signs for the park, before you get to town. If you are coming from Flagstaff, you will take State Highway 89A southwest out of town. You will travel down Oak Creek and through Sedona. Then you will continue on up to Jerome. Before you get to Jerome, you will see the signs for the park.

The Gold King Mine was once Haynes, Arizona . In 1890, the Haynes Copper Company dug a 1,200 foot shaft. The company was in search of copper, but that wasnt what they found. Instead, they found gold. When the gold dried up the town was abandoned.

Today, you will find many interesting sights and activities at the mine. When you arrive you will go through the gift shop and on into the mine area. You may take a walk in the mine and see demonstrations of antique mining equipment. There are displays of antique trucks and a tractor collection. Visitors will see the worlds largest gas engines. If you are interested in gold panning, there are lessons given for a fee. The kids will enjoy the petting zoo.

The Gold King Mine and Ghost Town is open everyday from 9:00 to 5:00 pm. Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for children 6 to 12 and $2.50 for seniors over 65 years of age. There is parking ample and restroom facilities available. If you would like more information on the mine, you may call 520-634-0053.

You can get to the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town from Jerome by traveling one mile north of Jerome on State Highway 89A to Perkinsville on Forest Road 72. If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson you will take Interstate 17 north out of town. When you get to the town of Camp Verde, you will exit and take State Highway 260 northwest through several small towns and on up into Jerome. Continue through the town and proceed one mile past Jerome toward Perkinsville on Forest Road 72. You will see signs for the mine. If you are coming from Flagstaff, you will take State Highway 89A southwest. Continue through the town of Sedona and proceed one mile past Jerome toward the town of Perkinsville on Forest Road 72. You will see signs for the mine.

Overview:
The rugged mountains surrounding Superior cause one wonder, just how could copper ever be found in this harsh terrain. Copper mining made this town. Today Superior has a population of 3,485. The town sits at an elevation of 2,882 feet. The warm southwest climate has a winter low temperature of 43 degrees and a summer high temperature of 97 degrees. The scenery is superb with dramatic formations and rocky pinnacles. Visitors will enjoy learning about the history of the area, along with visiting the nearby arboretum.

Community Features:
Superior features several attractions. The Boyce Thompson Southwest Arboretum is only four miles from town. The arboretum is world famous for its collection of 10,000 desert cacti, flowers and trees. The 350 acres contain rare beautiful plants and flowers with special attention given to the southwest flora. You won’t want to miss a tour of Picket Post House. This is the mansion built by William Boyce Thompson, the copper magnate in the 1920’s. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The arboretum’s location on the edge of Picket Post Mountain makes it a perfect setting for plants. The Superior Historical Society has created the Bob Jones Museum. The museum is inside the home of Bob Jones, who was Arizona ’s sixth governor.
You will enjoy the outdoor activity near town. Oak Flats Campground is east of Apache Leap Mountain. It is a great spot for campers, hikers and rock climbers. The campground offers picnic tables, grills and pit toilets. There is no water available at the site. Oak Flats is located four miles east of Superior on U.S. Highway 60, then turn onto Magma Mine Road.

History:

Many were in search of silver in the late 1800’s. There were rumors that the area around where Superior is today was an excellent place to look. Then in 1870, silver was discovered and the Silver King Mine was established. The Silver King became the richest silver mine in Arizona ’s history.
This caused more to prospectors to look for the precious mineral. During a search in 1880, an outcropping was found near Superior. The ore wasn’t as rich as the Silver King Mine, so the mine was named the Silver Queen.

In 1900, George Lobb arrived in the area. He laid out a town and called it Hastings. At this same time, there were many mines scattered in the hills around Superior. Hastings was a central location to most of these mines. One influential mine located near town was the Lake Superior and Arizona Mine. The mine was named after its investors living in Michigan. Lake Superior and Arizona Mine boosted the economy and increased the town’s size. So in the mine’s honor, the town changed its name from Hastings to Superior. Lobb became the first postmaster of Superior in 1902.

In 1912, Boyce Thompson bought the Silver Queen Mine and established the Magma Copper Queen. His mine discovered that underneath the silver cap was copper. The Magma Copper Queen Mine soon became a great copper producer. A narrow gauge railroad was built in 1914. The Magma Arizona Railroad was once the longest steam operated common carrier in the United States. Later, a smelter was constructed in 1924.

Boyce Thompson began to build his 26-room mansion in the nearby foothills of Picket Post Mountain in the 1920’s. He also developed the land around his home. Today, visitors can tour Boyce Thompson Arboretum where more than 1,500 species of plants from all over the world thrive.

The mine remained in operation for 47 years. Then in 1971, the Magma Copper Company smelter closed and later in 1982, the mine closed its doors. The Magma Copper Queen Mine had taken out $25 million worth of copper ore. However, the mine did reopen in 1990 and has a number of employees.

There is a legend still told in Superior. It is about the Apache Leap Mountain, which is located on the eastern side of Queen Creek Canyon on U.S. Highway 60, east of town by the Queen Creek Bridge and Tunnel. The story began in the 1870’s, when a group of 75 Apaches warriors were cornered at the top of the mountain by the cavalry detachment from Camp Pinal. The Apaches did not want to surrender. Unwilling to face the humiliation of surrendering, they leapt from the mountain to their death on the rocks below. Visitors traveling by will see the mountain face is streaked with red. The legend doesn’t end there. Upon hearing of the deaths, the Apache women became so upset that they cried tears that turned to stone. Today, there are black, pearly stones that can be found nearby. These stones have been appropriately named “Apache Tears.”

The town of Superior was incorporated in 1976. Today Superior has mining, trade and service as influences on the economy. Tourism is becoming a bigger part of the town.