The other day I met with the Director of Sales for Global Entertainment Marketing Systems (GEMS), a subsidiary of Global Entertainment Corporation, and got some great information about the new arena they're building. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, you must not have heard about the new "Allen Events Center" in the works at The Village at Allen. That's right, the South-East corner of Stacy and 75/Central will be getting an 8,000+ seat arena along with the massive amounts of new shopping and such.

So what exactly will this "Events Center" be like, and what will it be used for? GEMS describes the Allen Events Center as a "state-of-the-art facility with first-class amenities, including luxury suites, premium seats, digital signage, audio systems, lounges, restaurants, and concessions." Examples of typical events includes something for just about every taste:

• Concerts, theatrical productions, symphonies
• Boxing, wrestling, basketball, hockey, arena football, soccer
• Family shows, circuses, "Disney on Ice," "Sesame Street Live"
• Motocross, monster trucks
• Trade shows, meetings, conferences
• Religious events, banquets, ceremonies, graduations, festivals
• Rodeo and equestrian events

While The Village at Allen and the Allen Events Center will be unique in several ways, this is hardly the first "Event Center" developed by Global Entertainment... and other such arenas have opened to great success. Check back as I'll be writing several more posts on the arena such as one giving a list of artists and events already booked into their arenas around the U.S. and a list of possible future bookings.

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com

I had heard rumors, but I couldn't believe it 'till I saw it with my own eyes. Could it be... an "adult" restaurant/bar in this kid-friendly city? Yes, the city I live in, the city I love, Allen, TX has developed as a predominantly "family oriented" city. We've got Chili's and Bennigan's, IHOP and Mimi's, a host of fast-food chains and even a Chuck E. Cheese... but there's not one place I know of that opens just for happy hour and dinner... a place for grown-ups, where you wouldn't really feel comfortable taking the kids. Not that there's anything wrong with family places... Allen is a fantastic city and, since I just got married, I'll probably love it even more in a couple of years when I have kids... there just aren't many places to go if you want to get away from all the kids. And I've heard that sometimes even parents need a night out, sans kiddos. I seem to recall hearing that from my parents, but I digress... Anyway, a new vibe has been beginning to emanate from the Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms development. I just couldn't be sure of it until Restaurant Works, Inc. decided to help break the "family" restaurant mold in Allen. They're helping further define the slightly hip, younger, urban-esque vibe of Watters Creek with their recent opening of Crú, A Wine Bar. You might recognize the name as there is a Crú down in the trendy West Village of Dallas, and one in the sheik Shops at Legacy in Plano (not to mention locations in Houston, Austin and even Denver, CO). This fits right in line with the "urban lofts" they are planning to sell for living in Watters Creek. Fear not though families of Allen, this city will always be a great place to raise a family... it's just nice to see a place for those without kids (even if they are just without for the evening). So, my wife and I can't wait to go grab a couple of glasses of wine at Crú with some of our friends... they just asked that I please advertise on my blog for a great babysitter.  :-)

Dallas-based shopping center developer The MGHerring Group has now announced lineup for the first two phases of The Village at Allen (SE corner of Stacy Rd. and 75-Central). Beginning in October you will start to see anchor stores like Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us. Other tenants are said to include Chase Bank, Cheddars, Cold Stone Creamery, Mattress Giant, Men's Wearhouse, Nate's Seafood, Olive Garden, Sleep Experts, Starbucks, Uncle Julio's, Vitamin Shoppe and Which Wich.

The second phase is slated to open in March of 2009. There you'll be able to shop at stores like Petsmart, Hemispheres, Anderson's Furniture, Chair King, Famous Footwear, GameStop and Ritz Camera. That's not to mention the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel with an adjoining 35,000 sq.ft. conference center.

Finally, in a coming blog post, I'll write about the new arena or "Allen Event Center" scheduled to open in The Village at Allen in October of 2009. It will bring all kinds of entertainment to the area including internationally famous acts, family shows, sporting events and more. Stay tuned and keep coming back to keep up with what's going on in Collin County.

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com

I recently ran across a VERY cool financial planning/budgeting tool and thought I would share it with you. It paints a very clear picture of your finances and the best part is that it is FREE and online! There's nothing to download, update, etc. and your data is available anywhere with internet! I've been playing with it for several days now and, basically, it goes out whenever you log-in and pulls data from your checking and savings accounts, your credit cards, your investment accounts and more. Then, it makes the data all easy to see, either as individual accounts or combining all of your accounts/transactions into one view. It further breaks all of the transactions down into categories and even charts your spending! Have you ever wondered how much you spend at coffee shops or on gas? How about on fast food or shopping? This tool will tell you... Have you ever wondered if there were better credit cards with better interest rates and/or reawrds? This tool will tell you that too... Have you ever wondered if there were checking or savings accounts where you could make more interest on your money? This tool will tell you!!! Then it gets even cooler... you can see how your spending in any of the categories compares, on average, to other users in most major cities. You just pick the city and the spending category and it shows your spending in that category versus the selected city's average for that category (completely anomously). I can't say enough about this tool, it actually made starting a budget easy! In fact, it set-up a budget automatically based on my spending habits, income, or some magic formula. I just entered a few bits of account info, and presto... my transactions were imported and my budger created. Now all I have to do is monitor my budget over the next few weeks and months and adjust. It couldn't be easier; check it out at www.Mint.com. You won't be sorry...

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com 

This handy little list will give you a good idea about the number of years you can typically expect various appliances, systems and constructions in/around your home to last. The data was compiled by a comprehensive survey of manufacturers, trade associations and researchers. Of course, life expectancy of any of these items will vary greatly depending on quality of materials, installation, maintenance, environmental factors and use.

   Appliances/Systems - Years
Gas furnace - 12-15
Heat pump - 12-15
Central air conditioning - 12-15
Pumps, sumps and well - 10
Dishwashers - 10
Microwave - 11
Gas range - 12-15
Electric range - 12-15
Garage Door Opener - 10
Electric water heater - 8-10
Gas water heater - 8-10
Washer - 10-12
Dryer - 10-12
Refrigerator - 12-15

   Construction - Years
Waterproofing sealer - 1-5
Waterproofing silicone - 1-5
Waterproofing waxes - 1-5
Wall and trim paint - 5-10
Exterior paint - 7-10
Wallpaper - 7
Carpet - 11
Plastic ducts - 15
Wood decks - 15
Swimming pool - 18
Gravel walk - 4
Concrete walk - 24
Asphalt shingle roof - 15-30
Shake roof - 15-30
Slate roof - 50-100
Gutters - 30
Vinyl siding - 50
Aluminum siding - 20-50
Woodsiding - 10-100
Drywall - 30-70
Concrete block foundation - 100
Poured concrete foundation - 200
Fiberglass tub - 10-15
Ceramic tile countertop - 10-15
Laminated countertop - 10-15
Galvanized ducts - 30

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com