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NPS Ranger Christa Sadler talks about the history of Tonto National Monument.  (NPS fee or pass required)

Preserving two 700 years old Salado culture cliff dwellings that you can hike to and into.

Salado culture is a blending of roaming cultures in the area.

Describes what you'll see at the Visitor's Center and the short hike to the lower cliff dwelling.

The upper cliff dwelling is a guided hike tour.  Reservations required.

Discussion about the construction of the cliff dwellings dated back to around 1300.

Built in large 'ampitheater type' natural caves.  Two types of construction are rock and mud.  Materials used in the area include ribs of the saugaro cactus.

A natural spring provides water for the area.

Christa lists the educational activities for children and working on a 'dark sky' certification.

Directions how to get there and upcomming events can be found HERE.

Tonto Basin has a pioneer history.  Based on a written journal by a woman in 1880 documenting the first sighting of the dwellings.

Agriculture and game thrived in the area.

Rosie talks about another remote historical site nearby, Fort Reno.  Plus the story about 'Greenback Ridge'.

Jan D'atri makes her Pork Chop Casserole

Register for the next Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation

Julie Murphree of the Arizona Farm Bureau and guest Tom Miller, Executive Director Arizona Pork Council.

Tom talks about his history of the pork industry in Arizona.  A 33 million dollar industry.

At one time, there were many pig farmers in all parts of Arizona.  Over time poor market, home expansion and reduced membership led to one big producer.  Smithfield Farms in Snowflake.

There are some smaller direct market pig farms that also work with kids who are interested in farming.

Misconception that pigs are dirty.  Lying in mud was a way to control their body temperature.

Discussion of the humane care, high quality enviroment and diet on today's pig farms.  

Producers adopted the 'We Care' program to promote a high quality of pig producing standards.

Pork is the most consumed meat worldwide.

Insulin is derived from pigs along with 40 other medicines.

Pigs can run fast.  Equal to a 7 minute mile.

The Meat Shop and The Pork Shop are direct marketing for fresh pork.

Tom explains financing for marketing, research and consumer info thru The Check Off System.

Pigs are smart and great sense of smell.

Pork Oh The Possibilities video

Pigs also provide leather, feed, chewing gum, glue, combs, buttons, paint brushes and more.

Pigs are fun animals to be around.  Gestation periods are very short too.

Fill Your Plate.org has pork recipes.  Also the Arizona Pork Council

Romey and Jen talk about their exclusive tour of the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant.  One of the biggest in the country not near water.  Producing 32 million megawatts of power for various companies.

Nuclear power plants doesn't produce the energy to run itself.  They rely on the same energy we're provided everyday.

The plant uses treated wastewater for cooling purposes than can be reused more than once.

Follow along on the BLOG.

More on Romey and Jen's visit to Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant.  

The monitoring control room is like an air traffic control tower.

Story of a simulated emergency situation and what the alarms sound like as the system shuts down.  Backups to the backups. 

Harold Perkins of Galaxy Lending Group discusses maintaining your credit score.

You can be debt free and use a credit card.  Credit scores are important for mortgages and loan cost terms.  Higher scores, lower fees.

Credit card balances have a higher impact on your score than your mortgage.

There are different models and scoring systems for each credit score.  

Monitoring your scores on different models to make sure the information is accurate.

Scoring system setup is based on two card types:  General card like Visa and a store card of somekind.  Harold explains why.

Putting a balance on a card you can pay off to avoid interest is enough to show activity for your score.

TEXT:  Can you clean bathroom exaust fans and how?

Using Home Zada for home maintenance tasks and improvements.  A digital record of your home's history.

Welcome a new partner to Rosie On The House S.A.W. Design & Fiberglass Vigas

Harold Perkins of Galaxy Lending Group talks about various options to finance your house, home, castle or cabin.

The first step to owning a home is financing!

Discussion of the housing market, prices and interest rates, to date.  Compared to the housing collapse 10 years ago.

Guideline for a monthly house payment not exceed 25-30% of your gross monthly income.  Expenses not more that 40% of gross monthly income.

Location and home prices varies by distance.

Discussion on VA Loans.  Given the options, they're good for purchase or refinancing.  Interest rates are normally lower that conventional rates.

Possible downside is the VA funding fee.  But that varies with each applicant.  

Our BLOG has more details on financing.

Discussion on remodeling using home equity.  Refinancing to cash out the equity.  Second mortgages and HELOC.  Lots of pros and cons all depending on your plans and timeline for the home.

Generally, interest rates usually rise based on strong economy and low unemployment.

Are their loans based on the appraised value of finished project of a remodel.

Discussion of pulling money out to make improvements on a home because they feel they can't sell it.

TEXT:  Co-signing a home for a son that wants to move into the neighborhood he grew up in.  How does it affect his current mortgage or future mortgage.  (Listen to the response for clarity)