The Hughes Team

A new international grocery store called Babylon Market (635-9632) opened recently at 2427 N Academy Blvd., just south of the intersection of Academy Blvd. and Maizeland Rd. Raed Salih, the Iraqi-born owner and former translator for the Marines, says he mainly carries items from the Middle East and North Africa, including Turkey, Iran and Egypt. The space is divided into a Middle Eastern market and in store eatery. The Gazette wrote that the eatery features beef and lamb kebabs, falafel and gyros with a subtle Iraqi spin to slightly differentiate them from familiar versions. The store also carries both light and dark Iraqi teas and strong Turkish coffee. The store opens at 10 a.m. 

For more information on any Colorado Springs Homes For Sale, contact:

The Hughes Team

Colorado Springs Realtors 

Click here for a Detailed Market Snapshot for any address in

El Paso and Teller Counties

Tips to Help Drivers Prepare for a Safe Winter Driving Season

It may not be winter yet, but the snow, sleet and the winter driving season are just around the corner, and with them comes an increase in weather-related auto accidents and maintenance needs. Here is a list of simple steps drivers can take now to help ensure their cars and trucks are ready for a safe winter driving season.

Winter Check Up - A pre-winter check-up should be done in the fall, before the mercury starts to drop. It should cover an oil change, air filter replacement, valve adjustment, spark plug inspection, and tire rotation and balance. In addition, a winter tune-up should include: a clean fuel filter, inspection for leaks that may not be visible later when the weather is freezing, a test to make sure your heater is working, and check to make sure your coolant mixture is good enough to cover lower temperatures. Frozen water can lead to cracked radiators very easily, which can cost you in the end. Also, keep your fuel tank at least half full during the winter to avoid fuel line freeze up problems. Winter will definitely expose any compromised systems in your vehicle. Deal with them now and save time and money.

Battery - Car batteries rarely signal failure ahead of time, but those cold cranking amps are working harder than ever to get your car started in the winter. Batteries are highly vulnerable in the winter. Minivans and SUVs require more cold cranking amps to start those larger engines. While it's inconvenient to have a no-start in the summer, the consequences are more serious if you can't start your car and the temperature drops below freezing, especially with small children in the car. If your vehicle is taking a long time to start or the battery is more than three years old, consider replacing the battery. You can check your battery charge with an affordable battery tester that plugs right into your cigarette lighter. You should also do a visual inspection for corrosion or ice build up on the battery posts when it's cold. To be safe, always carry a set of jumper cables and know the basics of using them.

Tires and Brakes - Tires lose pressure when temperatures drop. Be sure to check your tire pressure and tread depth, and consider whether you need all-weather tires in your area. You should also check your brakes for wear and tear and have them looked at if they are showing any of the following symptoms: squealing sounds, brake pedal judder, a pull to one side when braking, or the feeling that your foot sinks to the floor when applying the brakes. If your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), be sure it's working properly and you know how to use it. ABS is designed to reduce skidding and help you maintain control in an emergency as long as you apply them hard and stay on them and do not pump the brakes.

Wipers and Lights - Changing your wiper blades is one of the best things you can do to help ensure your safety, and it's easy to do. The right time to change the wiper blades is not during a downpour or a snowstorm when you cannot see three feet in front of you. A set of wiper blades only costs about $20 and can help drivers avoid an accident by seeing something a split second sooner. While you're at it, double check that all of your lights are working, including your fog, brake and emergency lights, and turn signals.

Cold Weather Car Kit - Carrying a basic emergency kit year-round that includes a flashlight with extra batteries, water, flares, duct tape, extra windshield wiper fluid, tire jack and first-aid kit is important, particularly during winter months. Add a few items as needed, including an ice scraper. Also, make sure you completely remove the snow from your car. Snow piled up on the hood will blow onto your windshield and refreeze almost instantly. Headlights and taillights need to be cleared as well, so other vehicles can see you. Your winter kit should also include blankets, waterproof clothes, sand or kitty litter for tire traction, a shovel and gloves.

For more information, visit www.CarMD.com.  

For more information on any Colorado Springs Homes For Sale, contact:

The Hughes Team

Colorado Springs Realtors

Click here for a Detailed Market Snapshot for any address in

El Paso and Teller Counties

Easy Tips for Staying Warm and Saving Money

With Winter creeping up earlier than expected for some parts of our country, homeowners are already on a quest to find options that keep their houses warm without emptying their wallets. There are many easy steps you can take to ensure that your energy bills remain low throughout the season, starting with an annual assessment to ensure that your heating system is operating properly and efficiently before the harsh winter weather hits.

To combat winter weather, homeowners should have their heating systems inspected annually by a Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) professional. Be sure to shop around to find the highest qualified inspector and the best prices. Check to see if technicians are NATE certified (North American Technician Excellence). With your system running at its highest efficiency, consider the following to keep costs low:

Check heating filters every couple of weeks and change them at least twice in the season.

Check and maintain your insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawlspaces drain away heat and can lead to moisture imbalance.

Turn down your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat five degrees cooler can lower your heating bills without affecting your home's comfort.

Install a programmable thermostat and adjust the settings to reduce the temperature when you're not at home.

Clean the furnace area. Don't keep chemicals or cleaning products near your heater, and don't store anything next to it that could impede ventilation.

Install a humidifier. Humidity in summer makes you feel hotter, and the same is true in winter since dry air feels cooler than moist air. A simple humidifier may make the home feel five degrees warmer than a home with dry air.

By properly maintaining your heating and cooling system, you can ensure maximum efficiency to keep your family comfortable throughout the long and frigid season.

For more information, visit www.hvacradvice.com.  

For more information on any Colorado Springs Homes For Sale, contact:

The Hughes Team

Colorado Springs Realtors

Click here for a Detailed Market Snapshot for any address in

El Paso and Teller Counties

Wal-Mart's planned data center on 24 acres southeast of InterQuest and Voyager Pkwys will bring jobs and a major capital investment to the Pikes Peak region. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and is expected to be completed in late 2012. According to city officials the facility will cost about $100 million to build. Wal-Mart is expected to invest another 50 to 100 million in machinery and equipment over the initial 15 year life of the facility. The project will have an economic impact of $488 million over its first 15 years in terms of wages, building materials, equipment purchases and property txes.

The center will employ 30 people with salaries of $30,000 to $70,000.

Click here for details

Colorado Springs based Delta Solutions & Strategies, a technical and management company that provides products and services to the Department of Defense and other federal and corporate sectors as well as first responder agencies, has shaken off recession and has been on a hiring spree.   Its major client is the Air Force.

Click here for details