Builders offer green tract homes with nearly zero utility bills
By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

To stand out in a still-sluggish housing market, major builders are starting to sell affordable tract homes that come with solar panels and nearly zero utility bills.

On Earth Day Friday, Meritage Homes will begin offering a “net-zero” home that’s designed to produce as much energy as it uses annually. Such homes, starting at $140,000 in Tucson and $160,000 in Las Vegas, will be available in parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and central Texas, where a nine-panel rooftop solar array is already a standard feature. For a $10,000 upgrade, consumers can get 24 more solar panels that could reduce utility bills to zero.

“It’s a new way of building homes,” says C.R. Herro, vice president of environmental affairs for Arizona-based Meritage, the nation’s ninth-largest builder.

“This is the first major-size builder to do this,” says David Johnston, author of Toward a Zero Energy Home. He says net-zero building has become common in Canada, but until now relatively few affordable-housing units have achieved such efficiency.

Still, in an economy with $4-a-gallon gasoline, Meritage’s effort reflects an industry wide push to build homes that cost less to operate.

Last month, Los Angeles-based KB Home announced that it will include as a standard feature in 10 Southern California communities a small, six-panel rooftop solar array capable of cutting energy costs by about 30% in an 1,800- to 2,000-square-foot home.

“Just about all the larger builders are focusing on energy efficiency,” says Kevin Morrow of the National Association of Home Builders.

“Shiny granite can only go so far” to lure buyers from low-price foreclosures, says Nate Kredich of the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council. Kredich says he applauds Meritage for “really pushing the envelope” on sustainability.

Bruce Ploeser’s family of six plans to move next week into Meritage’s first net-zero house, in the Verrado community in Buckeye, Ariz.

“It’s beautiful,” says Ploeser of the five-bedroom, 3,400-square-foot, $326,000 home.

He likes watching its meter, which often shows that the 25 photovoltaic panels are sending a surplus of energy back to the grid.

“I’m just amazed,” he says, “that it’s running backward.”

See full story here: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2011-04-19-net-zero-homes.htm

The inaugural class graduating at Verrado High School on Thursday, sets a high standard for the next generation of seniors.

Of 264 students, 255 are going to college this fall, Principal Tom Huffman says.

"I am so proud of these seniors because they were blazing the trail as they leave," he said. "The bar is now set really high for the Class of 2011 and beyond."

Senior Natali Olveda, 18, noted that her class acted as if they were "seniors" from the time the Buckeye school opened in 2006 with about 300 students. Being part of the first class forced students to become leaders at a young age, molding new school traditions every year, she said.

Geared toward teacher collaboration, Verrado was built around the concept of smaller learning communities.

Each of the four classroom wings has an office for a guidance counselor and small media centers. There are only three walls per classroom.

"When I came in for registration (as a freshman), I didn't know about the school concept, but I was open to the idea," said Sarah Cronk, 18, who is in the top 1 percent of her class. "We were the guinea pigs every year."

In total, about 75 students received more than $4.2 million in college scholarships. Huffman said that's an extraordinary figure for a school with 27 percent of students on free and reduced lunch.

Gayatri Malhotra, 17, received $56,000 in scholarships to Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. The varsity tennis player was recruited to the Division III school, but she said her first priority is studying for a pre-medical degree.

"Now that I look back on it, I really do like Verrado. It was a really good experience," she said. "The teachers really inspired me to work hard. The school gave me a lot of opportunities to succeed and I really got to stand out."

Thursday's graduation ceremony starts at 8 p.m. in Verrado's stadium, 20050 W. Indian School Road.

"Four years ago, we had a bunch of 13- or 14-year-old students here excited and scared," Huffman said. "Now those same students are graduating with confidence and have a list of accomplishments behind them. They are all feeling more than college-ready."

Learning about careers is only part of the lesson for sixth-graders at Verrado Middle School in Buckeye. The other part is learning about the schooling it takes to get there.

The students mingled with business owners, entrepreneurs and members of the Buckeye Police and Fire departments during Monday's Career Day.

"Students are not making the connection between what we do in our classroom to what they will be doing in the future as far as their career goes," sixth-grade teacher Sue Lange said.

That's why she organized the career fair, which she hopes will become an annual program and schoolwide.

"I am a social-studies teacher and I was incorporating math into the lesson," Lange said. "A student said, 'I want to be a pilot, but I don't need to know math.' "

Each of the 300 sixth-grade students chose three careers to learn about, and the professionals explained how to be successful in those jobs.

The Buckeye Police Department's K-9 unit brought three dogs to campus. Police officers talked about their job and the training required to do well.

They put on a demonstration and took questions from the students, such as:

"Do they train them as a puppy?"

"What is your favorite part of the job?"

Sixth-grader Anthony Totri said he was glad to be part of Career Day.

"I think it was a great opportunity to see what jobs are possible," the 12-year-old said. "Since I was a little kid, I loved animals. Not many people get to see what these kinds of jobs do."

Verrado Middle School seventh-graders raised $1,755.13 for Riah's Rainbow, a Wisconsin-based organization that donates books and toys to children's hospitals.

On Saturday, young patients at Phoenix Children's Hospital received the students' gifts.

The 319 Buckeye students collected the money through a "penny war," which split the children into 10 homeroom classes that competed to collect the most pennies in a week. The winning class received a pizza party.

The money the students raised paid for craft items, coloring books, crayons, reading books, movie and store gift cards, Lego sets, a Lego table and some DVDs.

Buckeye mother Susi Henry, who founded the Arizona chapter of Riah's Rainbow, has raised nearly $4,000 for Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Henry created the chapter after learning about Riah's struggle with brain cancer.

Riah, short for Mariah, was diagnosed at age 3 and died in August 2008. She would have turned 6 on May 28.

Riah's Rainbow strives to bring smiles to the faces of children who spend time in the hospital.

Information: www.riahsrainbow.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Bill Byron, Banner Health
Ph: (602) 747-4702


Banner Health to bring primary care services to Verrado
Health center to open during 2nd quarter, 2012

PHOENIX (March 15, 2011) -- Health care is an essential community need, especially for communities that are growing. Banner Health will begin construction later this summer on a neighborhood health center in Verrado, where Banner owns 60 acres. The Banner health center will serve that area’s initial needs for primary care with plans to provide more specialized care as the community grows.

“We’re excited to be able to move forward on meeting the community health needs in Verrado,” said Jim Brannon, chief executive officer of the Banner Medical Group. “We’ll open the health center with up to four primary care providers and, as the population increases, the number of providers and services will grow as well,” he added.

Banner’s health center will be located just off Interstate 10 on the west side of Verrado Way. The center will include medical imaging and a laboratory. Although plans have yet to be finalized, the health center will open with approximately 8,000 square feet during the second quarter of 2012. The architect and general contractor for the project are in the process of being selected.

“Banner’s new facility will be a tremendous asset to Verrado, Buckeye, and the entire southwest Valley. As it builds out, it offers the opportunity to support a highly-skilled workforce and become a powerful economic engine within this region,” said Dan Kelly, senior vice president, DMB Associates, Inc., developer of Verrado.

Verrado, an 8,800-acre community located in Buckeye, Ariz.., represents the best of hometown and Arizona. This modern community is widely-recognized for its small town charm and authentic architecture. With its engaging lifestyle and celebration of learning, Verrado fosters a sense of neighborliness and expression of individuality that is unique to this 21st century Arizona town. The community is developed by DMB Associates, Inc., a Scottsdale, Arizona-based diversified real estate development and investment firm.

About Banner Health
Headquartered in Phoenix, Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns or manages 23 acute-care hospitals, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services including physician clinics and home care and hospice services. Banner Health is in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming.

Banner Health has several major facilities serving metro Phoenix’s West Valley including Banner Estrella Medical Center, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Banner Boswell Medical Center and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center. To learn more about Banner Health, go to www.bannerhealth.com.


About DMB
DMB Associates, Inc. is a national leader in the development of livable communities that provide environmental, economic, lifestyle and aesthetic value. As a diversified real estate investment and development firm, DMB has real estate holdings that include current and planned resort/recreational and primary residential communities, signature commercial developments, country clubs, health clubs and spas with properties in Arizona, California, Utah and Hawaii. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the DMB name is synonymous with high-quality real estate developments. www.dmbinc.com.

You live in a John Mellencamp song, you want to know everyone’s
business and the notion of walking down to the corner market
to pick up a pie simply strikes your fancy. If this description fits you,
you’ll be right at home in Buckeye’s Verrado community, which was
built on small-town principles.

Read more from Phoenix Magazine's "Best Places to Live, Phoenix" May 2008 issue.

BUCKEYE, Ariz. - Take a walk on the soulful side of life during Verrado Experia 2008 JAZZ WALK, Saturday, March 1. Bring your family and friends and groove your way down Verrado's Main Street.

"Verrado's Main Steet was intentionally designed as our communitiy's 'third place'," said JT Elbracht, director of community design for Verrado and a Verrado resident. "People generally have two places, home and work. Main Street is that third place, the physical anchor for community life in Verrado, providing comfortable opportunities for people to gather and socialize."

Accessible and familiar with options for food and drink, people reguarly congregate on Verrado's Main Street for business and pleasure.

"As a telecommuter, I'm a Main Street regular," said Rob Buswell, a Verrado resident who works in concert promotion. "It's a great place for me to conduct business while staying connected with neighbors. A cup of coffee and a street-side table - it's the perfect location to get my creative juices flowing."

Main Street also plays host to community events and activities, from club meetings to signature events like Experia.

"As the community's social hub, it's impossible to visit Main Street without running into someone you know," said Todd Hornback, executive director of the Verrado Assembly and a Verrado resident. "It's the perfect place to stroll with family and friends, enjoying the smooth sounds of jazz."

The Verrado community welcomes everyone to Experia JAZZ WALK - an incredible all-day jazz experience featuring performances from top KYOT artists Paul Taylor, Alex Bugnon, Stanley Jordan, Big Pete Pearson and the Blue Sevilles, Jay Soto and others.

Experia JAZZ WALK is a free admission event with food, drink, and cool jazz all day long.

Saturday, March 1, 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Verrado Main Street & Village Green, Buckeye, AZ 85396.
Take I-10 West to Verrado Way, exit 120.
Experia JAZZ WALK highlights include: champagne brunch at the Verrado Grille, smooth jazz performances all day long, art show featuring Southwestern Premier Artists, wine tasing pavilion hosted by Grazie Pizzeria Winebar (proceeds benefit West Valley Arts Council), and Artisan Village with demonstrations and hands-on activities. Tickets required for champagne brunch and wine tasting. Call for pricing.

A signature event of the Verrado community since 2005, Experia provides opportunities to experience and explore all five of your senses through stage performances of musical and dance expressions, art demonstrations, family activities, and street markets.

Verrado is a modern community nestled in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains. Recognized for its use of town-building principles and regionally appropriate architecture, Verrado is a place to experience the best of home, town, and Arizona. With its engaging lifestlye and celebration of learning, Verrado fosters a sense of community and expression of individuality. The community is a development of Scottsdale-based DMB Associates, Inc.

For more information visit Verrado.com or call 623-215-6000

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Buyers seeking million dollar homes are choosing to purchase in the West Valley’s Verrado community. In early January, a luxury home in Verrado sold for $1.9 million, following a late 2007 custom home sale in Verrado for $2.15 million – one of the most expensive home sales in the Southwest Valley.

“Custom-home buyers want the best home for their money in the best location for their lifestyle,” said Verrado Realty custom sales agent, Tim Klier. “Verrado provides buyers with new luxury home options right on or near one of the Valley’s finest golf courses and surrounded by outstanding mountain- and city-light views.”

Klier closed the $1.9 million custom home sale in Verrado. The 5,207-square-foot Rural Mediterranean-style home, built by Alexander Custom Home, includes a spacious 1,655-square-foot second-level master bedroom suite with 360-degree views of the Raven Golf Course at Verrado and the White Tank Mountains.

Verrado is a modern community nestled in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains. Recognized for its use of town-building principles and regionally appropriate architecture, Verrado is a place to experience the best of home, town and Arizona. With its engaging lifestyle and celebration of learning, Verrado fosters a sense of community and expression of individuality. The community is a development of Scottsdale-based DMB Associates, Inc.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Banner Health’s plans for a regional hospital campus in the Southwest Valley took a significant step forward with the acquisition of 62 acres of land in Buckeye from DMB Associates, Inc. The hospital campus site is located north of I-10 and west of Verrado Way in the planned community of Verrado. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Estimates by Banner Heath, one of the largest non-profit hospital providers in the country, show a regional hospital could have a significant economic impact from the combination of development and construction costs, construction employment, hospital employment and the creation of secondary jobs from private labs, new physicians’ offices, restaurants and other businesses supporting the medical industry.

“The hospital campus will create thousands of jobs and attract a highly skilled workforce to the region,” said George Casey, Verrado’s general manager. “It’s a major component of Verrado’s master plan and will help drive additional development of commercial and office space within Verrado.”

“We chose the location based on the Southwest Valley’s population growth, regional accessibility and the outstanding setting at Verrado, which will help attract the physicians, nurses and technicians that will work on campus.” said Banner Health president and CEO Peter S. Fine. “We want to be part of one of the fastest-growing areas in the West Valley.”

The campus will begin operations as a smaller, community hospital that will transition into a highly specialized, tertiary institution as the population in the West Valley expands. The hospital campus will be built in phases and will provide a comprehensive range of services for the West Valley when completed.

“While it’s difficult to provide details about this site at this time, we’re working closely with our Verrado partners so that we’re able to time the campus and hospital development to the coming growth in the next few years. The location inside the beautiful Verrado community is ideal to serve people throughout the Southwest Valley,” Fine said.

The non-profit Banner Health is Arizona’s largest health system and the state’s second largest employer with more than 20,000 employees. In the Valley, Banner operates eight acute care hospitals, a behavioral hospital, eight surgicenters and home care and hospice services. Recently, Banner and Sun Health – with two hospitals and other facilities in the Sun City area – announced the intent to merge Sun Health into Banner.

Verrado is a modern community nestled in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains. Recognized for its use of town-building principles and regionally appropriate architecture, Verrado is a place to experience the best of home, town and Arizona. With its engaging lifestyle and celebration of learning, Verrado fosters a sense of community and expression of individuality that captures the friendly spirit of a 21st century Arizona town. The community is a development of Scottsdale-based DMB Associates, Inc.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Rock meets the Blues when the Grammy Award winning band, Blues Traveler, takes the stage at Verrado’s “Ultimate Porch Party,” part of the community’s third annual Founder’s Day celebration, Saturday, Nov. 3, from 5 to 10 p.m. The free concert will take place within the community of Verrado at I-10 and Verrado Way. For tickets, visit Verrado.com.

The Ultimate Porch Party celebrates the residents of Verrado who are building the community one family at a time, and the concert is a welcome to Valley residents who want to celebrate the spirit of community.

Returning to Verrado to open for the Blues Traveler is Ben Deignan, an up-and-coming musician from Atlanta, and Shiner, a popular Valley band.

Blues Traveler was formed as a garage band in 1987 in Princeton, New Jersey. The band gained mainstream popularity in 1994 with their album “Four,” which broke the record for most weeks on the chart, was certified platinum six times over, and included the hits “Hook,” and “Run Around,” an upbeat pop single that won a Grammy. 2007 marks the band’s 20th year together.

Verrado, a development by Scottsdale-based DMB Associates, Inc., is a modern community nestled in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains in Buckeye, Ariz.

WHAT: Verrado’s “Ultimate Porch Party” featuring the Blues Traveler in concert

WHERE: In the community of Verrado at I-10 and Verrado Way (Exit 120)

WHEN: Saturday Nov. 3, 2007; doors open at 5 p.m.; concert begins at 5:30 p.m.

COST: Free. For tickets and additional information, visit Verrado.com, or call the Verrado Welcome Center at (623) 215-6000

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The dedication of the Giving Tree, a 35-foot-high southern oak tree, in the community of Verrado on Tuesday, Oct 16, will kick off Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event in Buckeye.

The American Cancer Society is the first organization to benefit from the Giving Tree, a philanthropic program created by Verrado Leadership, a community leadership program. The giant oak symbolizes the community’s spirit of philanthropy, serving as a catalyst for volunteerism and community involvement. It also serves as a landmark in Verrado’s new Heritage District. Buckeye’s Inaugural Relay For Life event will take place October 19 – 20 at Verrado High School.

During the dedication, the Giving Tree will be lit in purple light, the color representing Relay For Life. Guests of the event will have the opportunity to make donations in support of Relay For Life by purchasing purple ribbons that will be tied to a decorative wrought iron fence surrounding the oak. Community members and representatives of the American Cancer Society will be attendance.

“Verrado is a special place where people care for one another, giving their time and resources to those in need,” said Todd Hornback, Verrado’s executive director of the Assembly. “The Giving Tree is a dramatic reflection of the philanthropic spirit of our residents. This giving spirit is part of what makes our community special.”

Verrado Leadership, a group of community residents, will identify and develop fundraising activities for the Giving Tree program. A key role of Verrado Leadership members in cultivating a leadership community is stewardship of philanthropic and charitable endeavors by organizing and promoting volunteer opportunities in Buckeye and the West Valley.

Verrado is a modern community located in Buckeye, Arizona.

WHAT: Dedication of the Giving Tree and kick-off event for Relay For Life

WHERE: I-10 west to Verrado Way, exit 120. North to Thomas Road, left on Thomas Road to the Giving Tree

WHEN: Oct. 16, 2007, beginning at 6:30 p.m

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The Math Achievement Club by Rodel (MAC-Ro) has consistently shown significant gains in math achievement for the students in high-poverty schools. However, one question remained: Would students from wealthier schools, who don’t face the same challenges, see the same benefit? Through a special partnership with Verrado, a planned community in Buckeye, Ariz., the Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona was able to test the broader impact of their math initiative and find that students in these schools can also make incredible achievement gains.

Last fall, Verrado, a DMB community, created a partnership between Rodel and school district superintendents and principals of five West Valley schools that enabled the introduction of the math program to the community.

Four of the five middle-income schools supported by the Verrado partnership had gains in their math achievement scores. After just one year in the program, second-graders at Verrado Elementary School in the Litchfield Elementary School District saw an incredible 25 percentile point gain in their Terra Nova math achievement scores to reach the 77th percentile. Only 20 percent of Verrado Elementary students qualify for free or reduced price-lunch compared with typical MAC-Ro schools where on average 80 percent of students qualify for free or reduced price-lunch.

Other schools making gains include Liberty Elementary and Rainbow Valley Elementary in the Liberty Elementary School District with a 15 percent gain among third-graders meeting or exceeding standards on AIMS. Scott Libby Elementary second-graders also had gains of 5 percentile points on the Terra Nova math test to reach the 63rd percentile.

In the new school year, the Verrado partnership will allow the program to expand to an additional grade level and serve students at six schools. These students will join more than 24,000 students at 110 schools in 42 districts across six counties participating in MAC-Ro.

The Math Achievement Club by Rodel (MAC-Ro) is an initiative of the Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona with a proven track record of improving the math achievement of elementary school students by using a combination of increased time on task, parent involvement, strategies for teaching the Arizona Academic Standards, systematic review and monthly “surprises” as motivation for students to do well.

A 2006 study by researchers at the University of Arizona (UofA) showed that schools participating in MAC-Ro had more than double the increase in students meeting or exceeding standards on the AIMS test compared to similar schools. More specifically, the 69 schools in MAC-Ro during the 2004-05 school year gained an average of 16.8 points over the previous year. During the same period, a control group of schools with similar demographics only gained 5.9 points while the statewide average rose 12 points.

The Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona’s vision is for Arizona to have one of the best pre-kindergarten through 12 educational systems in the country by 2020. For more information on the Foundation’s mission and initiatives, contact Rodel at 480-367-2920.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Mokarabia Coffee Bar, a chain of authentic Italian coffee bars, will open its first U.S. location in December on Main Street in the West Valley's modern living community, Verrado.

The Italian culture with its distinctive coffee bars is well known worldwide. As proof of this, an enormous number of coffee shops resembling Italian bars have opened in major cities throughout the world. While many coffee competitors have attempted to duplicate the Italian coffee experience, many have fallen short due to cost-cutting efforts such as the use of non-authentic Italian products.

Designed and built in Milan, the Mokarabia Coffee Bar features authentic premises that are elegant, young and dynamic. Mokarabia features both classic and contemporary products, while conserving and enhancing the Italian bar culture as a social gathering point. Italian millworks were even flown in from Milan to build the interior of the coffee bar.

Mokarabia Coffee Bar features a comprehensive menu of authentic products including hand-made espresso drinks, (including those made with liqueurs), as well as fresh-made gelato, omelets and pastries. Adding liqueurs to coffee drinks is standard fare in Italy, yet a relatively new concept in the U.S.

"We are bringing an authentic Italian coffee bar experience to the Valley," said Mokarabia Coffee Bar licensee John Martinson. "We are challenging people to think of coffee as more than just a morning beverage."

Mokarabia Coffee Bar is the creation of Mokarabia S.p.A. of Bologna Italy, producer of Italy's most prestigious coffee-Caffe Mokarabia. Mokarabia enjoys a world-class reputation with historical distinction. It is the premiere coffee produced by the Zanetti family of Bologna, coffee traders since 1700. Over the centuries, the Zanetti's have become experts in the cultivation, processing, selection, roasting and preparation of fine coffees.

The meticulously selected beans are individually and carefully slow-roasted in a special process that roasts the beans uniformly to each coffee's optimum characteristic. After roasting, the beans are then cured for two days in specially-designed canisters to increase their aroma, and then skillfully blended to produce the intense flavors and aromas that are Mokarabia's signatures.

The name "Mokarabia" comes from the history of coffee: "Moka" is the original seed of all Arabica coffees (coffee grew wild in Ethiopia and was first cultivated in Yemen) and coffee was introduced into the Arabian Peninsula in the early 14th century and from there was spread by the Arabs throughout the world.

Mokarabia Coffee Bars are in Rome, Bologna, Cortina D'Ampezzo and Milan, Italy; with store openings coming soon in Como and Sarrono, Italy and Dubai. More Arizona locations are also planned for next year.

The Verrado Mokarabia Coffee Bar manager and head barista, Alex Pierson, received his espresso training in Bologna, Italy and gelato training in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Verrado, a development by Scottsdale-based DMB Associates, Inc., is a modern community with the charm of the classic American small town. Nestled in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains in Buckeye, Ariz., Verrado is known for its architecture, diverse home types and strong sense of community. Verrado is located 25 miles from downtown Phoenix in Buckeye, Arizona. Take Interstate 10 west to Exit 120. v"The fact that this international cafe chose Verrado for its first American location says a lot about our community and the growing region," said Todd Hornback, Verrado's town manager. "Mokarabia will find that Verrado and the surrounding communities will appreciate the quality of their products and the Italian coffee brewing traditions they continue to maintain. It will be a new neighborhood gathering place."

Mokarabia Coffee Bar hours are 5:00am to 10:00pm weekdays; 6:00am to 10:00pm Saturday and 6:00am to 8:00pm Sunday. For more information, please call John Martinson at (480) 998-8807.

BUCKEYE, Ariz. Elementary students at five West Valley schools are discovering that math can be fun thanks to an innovative program introduced by The Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona and DMB Associates, Inc., the developer of Verrado.

DMB donated $70,000 to Rodel and worked with school district superintendents and principals of five West Valley schools to introduce the math program, which involves participation of parents, teachers, principals and superintendents; surprise incentives like pizza parties to keep students motivated; and new learning materials. Without the donation, the program, developed by Rodel and called the MAC-Ro program, could not be offered to second- and third-graders at Verrado Elementary and Scott Libby Elementary schools in the Litchfield Unified School District; Ruth Fischer Elementary School in the Saddle Mountain Unified School District; and Rainbow Valley Elementary and Liberty Elementary schools in the Liberty Elementary School District. In addition, these schools would not have ordinarily qualified for the program since Rodel only offers it to schools in high-poverty school districts. MAC-Ro is short for Math Achievement Club by Rodel.

"DMB is committed to enhancing education in the West Valley at all levels," said John Bradley, DMB vice president and Verrado general manager. "If we're to compete with other countries in the fields of science and engineering, we need to help our educators with innovative educational programs in math. Rodel has developed such a program and we're helping to bring it to our schools."

To determine a baseline math level and monitor progress, students will be tested before the program begins and at the end of the school year.

The MAC-Ro program was designed by Dr. Carol Peck when she was superintendent for the Alhambra Elementary School District. In 2003, Rodel piloted the program in 10 Arizona schools in five districts. Initially, it was implemented in high-poverty areas to provide an engaging and motivating structure for teachers and students.

"We've found that the program's motivational techniques and required parent/student participation are the keys to the success of the program," said Dr. Peck, president and CEO of Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona. "We're changing the perception of math from a subject that is feared and difficult to one that is fascinating and fun."

"Our school district superintendent, Dr. Tom Heck, dressed as a math magician at our introduction assembly to excite our students about this new program," said Molly Evans, principal of Verrado Elementary School, who also donned a princess costume for the assembly. "The most redeeming value of MAC-Ro is that it allows our kids to become experts in mathematics, while involving parents and teachers. The students share with parents what they've learned and actually play a math game with them. It's very exciting when students are empowered with good math understanding and are able to make a school to home connection."

A new study by researchers at the University of Arizona showed that schools participating in the MAC-Ro had more than double the increase in students meeting or exceeding standards on the AIMS test compared to similar schools. Overall, during the 2004-05 school year, MAC-Ro schools gained an average of 16.8 points over the previous year. Over the same period, a control group of schools with similar demographics only gained 5.9 points and the statewide average rose 12 points. Even greater gains were seen in schools that had been in the program since it began in 2003. MAC-Ro's original pilot schools gained an average of 35.5 percentage points of students meeting or exceeding state standards on the AIMS test. This was more than double the state average gain of 14 points.

Rodel provides MAC-Ro schools with staff development for teachers and administrators and with resources for parent trainings to ensure students have quality instruction in the classrooms and support at home. Monthly surprises and recognition are awarded to students to keep them motivated and excited about the program. The program requires innovative classroom participation of superintendents, principals, teachers and MAC-Ro monitors to make sure effective teaching strategies are executed. Central to the MAC-Ro math initiative are the MAC-Ro workbooks, which provide supplementary practice on the state math standards, and are completed at home with parent assistance. These workbooks ensure greater repetition and exposure to essential math skills.

Fifteen additional schools have joined the program for the 2006-07 school year. This caps off a 40 percent expansion of the MAC-Ro program throughout Arizona which now offers this math achievement program to 88 schools in 38 districts serving 18,000 students in five Arizona counties.

The Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona's vision is for Arizona to have one of the best pre-kindergarten through 12 educational systems in the country by 2020. For more information about Rodel's initiatives, visit www.rodelfoundationaz.org.

Verrado, a development by Scottsdale-based DMB Associates, Inc., is a modern community nestled in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains in Buckeye, Ariz. Upon completion, the 8,800 acre community will have up to 14,000 homes, 325 acres of parks and 4 million square feet of commercial space. For more information about Verrado, please visit www.verrado.com.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The anticipated opening of Cachet Homes Vallarta Collection in Verrado® is over. A leader in luxury homebuilding, Cachet just opened new townhome models at Vallarta.

The duplex and triplex townhomes are located in an exclusive, gated area of Verrado®, surrounded on all sides by the Raven Golf Course. The homes are available in two authentic architectural elevations -- Spanish Colonial and Ranch Hacienda.

“The architectural styles revive old world features,” says Diane Byrne, Vice President of Marketing. “We have all the ‘old world’ details, such as balconies, court yards, and wrought iron and stone detailing, however these townhomes also feature modern conveniences such as gourmet kitchens, large walk-in closets, and attached two-car garages.”

The luxury townhomes start in the low $400’s, range in size from nearly 2,000 – 2,500 sq. ft. and include popular Great Room floorplans with three or four bedrooms. The models are open for viewing daily from 10am-6pm. Vallarta at Verrado® is located just off Verrado Way in Buckeye.

About Cachet Homes
Since its inception in 1990, Cachet Homes has been at the forefront of the Valley's real estate boom and has been recognized among the state's top builders for the last six years by Arizona Business Magazine's "Ranking Arizona." Cachet Homes' corporate offices are located at 15475 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, Suite B20, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. For more information, visit www.CachetHomes.net.

THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC - A lauded Scottsdale gourmet wine and pizza eatery plans to open its second location in Buckeye.

Grazie Pizzeria Winebar plans to open in May across the street from Bashas' on Main Street in Verrado, a master-planned community in Buckeye.

Residents are jumping for joy.

"One woman said she's doing cartwheels in the street," Verrado resident Stephanie Lang said. "We couldn't be more thrilled. There's no other restaurant we'd rather have in here."

Lang makes a weekly trek to Scottsdale to eat out and regularly ventures out to
Litchfield Park and downtown Phoenix.

"That's one of the things the West Valley has been missing," she said. "It's food."

Verrado does have a smoothie shop and the Raven Grill up the street. Lang says she like to see a coffee shop next.

Grazie's owners Maurizio and Sandi Cristiani were attracted to the Southwest Valley for its high growth rate. The pair also liked the "lifestyle" in Verrado. The community bills itself as a "hometown" and centers around a pedestrian-friendly Main Street.

And Intrawest plans to build an 800- to 900-unit resort near the base of the White Tank Mountains next to Verrado's golf course.

"Our intention is not to duplicate Grazie at Verrado, but to give the new location many of the elements we feel have brought us success, such as fresh food, a wide variety of Italian wines, a warm and welcoming atmosphere and an overall fun dining experience," Maurizio Cristiani said. "I think of the new restaurant as a brother to the original Grazie, similar but with its own unique attitude and quirks."

Grazie's owners are longtime friends of some directors of Scottsdale-based DMB
Associates Inc., Verrado's developer. The restaurateurs wanted to open a second location and the fit seemed right, Cristiani said.

Grazie has received praise from locals along with national attention. Frommer's travel guide describes it as "sophisticated and full of contemporary art . . . a place to share a couple of designer pizzas from the wood-fired oven and sip Italian wines."

The Scottsdale menu includes Cinque Formaggi pizza (mozzarella, gorgonzola, provolone, ricotta, parmigiano, basil, olive oil); Spiedini al Forno (marinated beef tenderloin shish kabab with onions and bell peppers); and Dolce Della Casa (sweet calzone filled with chocolate hazelnut and banana topped with vanilla ice cream).

Bon Appetit magazine said it's "the kind of restaurant everybody wants.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Cachet Homes, a leader in luxury homebuilding, is creating a truly unique living experience by incorporating design elements from all over the country into new homes for the first time.

Cachet began building homes in Brisas at Verrado last month. Each home in Brisas will be unique and include architectural features from two or more design elements - a practice called "Fusion Architecture."

"Homes in the Valley have a tendency to look alike," said Jim Shelly, Vice President of Land Development for Cachet Homes. "Our goal is to create an experience for the homebuyer so each resident feels a sense of pride in knowing that their home is truly unlike any other."

Cachet's four elevation styles in Brisas encapsulate the trend toward "Fusion Architecture." Spanish Colonial, Ranch and Spanish Hacienda and Western Regional Ranch Territorial offer a combination of metal and tile roofs; center courtyards and front porches; and second floor balconies and multi-function rooms into their home designs.

The floor plans were specifically designed for Brisas and range in size from 2,900 to more than 4,400 sq. ft. The sales office for Brisas is located within the existing models for Cachet Homes at Verrado. Verrado is a master-planned community located in Buckeye.

Since its inception in 1990, Cachet Homes has been at the forefront of the Valley's real estate boom and has been recognized among the state's top builders for the last six years by Arizona Business Magazine's "Ranking Arizona." Cachet Homes' corporate offices are located at 15475 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, Suite B20, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. For more information, visit www.CachetHomes.net.

The newly released Monterey Court neighborhood by Monterey Homes offers 2-story home plans with southwestern architecture in a green court setting. These homes, with rear loaded garages, offer the buyer an opportunity to own a spectacular home with a low maintenance lifestyle. Set in a unique and interesting park neighborhood, these homes are planned to be located near Verrado's next retail district center, which is designed to be the hub for neighborhood activity in the Heritage District. The Monterey Court plans range from 1,618 to 2,300 square feet. Prices start in the $300's.

Parkview Square by Centex Homes offers 2 and 3-story home plans with a variety of options to choose from with sizes ranging from 1,235 to 1,766 square feet. All of the elevations offered are unique, many with large front porches so you can get to know your neighbors. Parkview Square will be located in Verrado's Heritage District with prices starting in the $200's.

The popular Scottsdale neighborhood restaurant, Grazie Pizzeria Winebar, has selected Verrado as the site for its second location. Original owners and creators of Grazie, Maurizio and Sandi Cristiani, were attracted to the West Valley by its growth rate and to Verrado for its lifestyle.

Be sure to "mangia" to your heart's content at this quaint addition to the Verrado family of hospitality. For more information about Grazie Pizzeria Winebar, visit http://www.grazie.us