Carriage Lane celebrates `thunderous' grand opening

     This weekend marks the official grand opening of U.S. Home's newest neighborhood, Carriage Lane, in Green Valley Ranch.
      From 2 to 5 p.m. today, visitors are invited to meet players from the Las Vegas Thunder hockey club and Boom Boom, the team's mascot. The builder is also giving away hockey tickets, while supplies last.
      Adding to the grand opening event is the builder's current cruise promotion, which includes a free four-day cruise for two to Mexico with the purchase of any new U.S. Home.
      Carriage Lane offers single-story homes as large as 3,200 square feet. Tri-level and two-story floor plans as large as 4,500 square feet are also offered in the development. Three-car garages are standard.
      Homes are priced from the $230,000s, and there are no L.I.D. fees.
      "We believe we have selected one of the finest locations in the Ranch for Carriage Lane, and designed an elegant, new gated community that any buyer would be proud to call home," said sales manager Vicki Zoot.
      The new single-story home modeled for the first time is the La Jolla. It offers 2,799 square feet, with an optional expansion to 3,018 square feet. A covered patio opens from the owner suite and extends to the dining nook and kitchen. The suite features dual walk-in closets, dual sinks, a built-in vanity, a shower and separate raised garden tub. The owner suite is also available with extended square footage.
      The plan's kitchen features an archway, an informal dining area, a walk-in pantry and an island with bar counter seating. Other interior features include a fireplace and recessed niches.
      Another model, the Brentwood, is a single-story home that offers expandable designs from 2,550 to more than 3,200 square feet. The expanded version of the owner suite features a sliding door to the covered patio, which is included in the plan.
      Additional models offered at the neighborhood include the Beverly Hills, a tri-level that expands from 3,558 to 3,800 square feet. The home offers five to seven bedrooms. It also features a loft and an owner suite with a retreat.
      The Thousand Oaks model, a two-story home, offers from 3,229 to 3,700 square feet.
      The two-story San Clemente plan features from 3,880 to 4,578 square feet.
      To visit, take Lake Mead Drive to Green Valley Parkway, go south and follow the signs. The sales office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday, when it opens at 11 a.m.