Monday, October 22, 2012

Meet Our New Residents

Welcome to our new residents Patty and Fitsum! They have had a busy few weeks packing and unpacking as they move Patty had her baby Savannah. When they get settled they will bring in Savannah for a picture - we can't wait to meet her. Congratulations and Welcome Home!


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Halloween Family Fun Day This Saturday In Maple Grove

This Saturday take your kids down to Weaver Lake Park for some pre-Halloween activities with the Halloween Family Fun Day.

Event Details:
Saturday October 20 1:00PM-4:00PM
Weaver Lake Park 8401 Dunkirk Lane North

Children 8 and younger, wear your costumes and bring your parents or guardians for an afternoon of silly spooky fun. Tricks and treats, games, music and more Halloween fun. Fee is $5 per child and adults are free. Advance registration forms can be dropped off at Maple Grove Community Center. For more information and registration forms, visit www.maplegrovedays.org or call the Maple Grove Community Organization voice-mail line at 763-494-5985.

As Halloween approaches we're all interested in keeping our kids safe as they head out to celebrate the holiday. Here are 12 tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween, courtesy of Wright Hennepin/Source American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety Council.

Children should:
1. Only go to well lit houses
2. Never go inside a stranger's house
3. Travel in small groups, accompanied by an adult
4. Bring treats home before eating them so adults can inspect them (or pick the ones out they like is usually what happened at my house!)
5. Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks and avoid crossing through yards
6. Cross streets at the corners, use crosswalks, and don't cross the street between parked cars
7. Stop at all street corners and cross the street as a group
8. Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant
9. Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child's vision)
10. Don't allow your child to wear a hat that will slide over his/her eyes
11. To prevent your trick-or-treater from tripping, avoid costumes that are long, baggy or loose, or ones that contain over-sized shoes
12. Remind trick-or-treaters to look left, then right, and left again before crossing the street

Additionally parents and adults should remember to drive slowly, supervise trick-or-treaters for children under age 12, and inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.

Friday, October 12, 2012

In Search Of The Great Pumpkin!

We're well into Fall and it's pumpkin time around here! If you're in search of your own great pumpkin adventure then read on - we've listed some places you can seek out your perfect pumpkin.


This Saturday head to Apple Jack Orchards in Delano.
Hours: 10:00AM to 6:00PM everyday.
Enjoy family fun activities like:
-Pantry Cafe & Bakery, Apple Market & Old Barn Gift Shop - also open weekdays
-Free Play Area & Animal Park - also open weekdays
-Wagon Rides - also on weekdays
Below are weekends only:
-Jumping Pillow
-Corn Maze
-Pumpkin Patch
-Cow Train
-Pony Rides
-Apple Cannon
-Corn Pit
-Face Painting All weekends through Oct 28

Other great places to Get a perfect pumpkin:
Cub Foods, Walmart, Target, Menards.

Pine Tree Orchard
450 Apple Orchard Rd, White Bear Lake
651-429-7202

Afton Apple Orchard
14421 South 90th Street , Hastings MN
651-436-8385

How to pick a great Pumpkin 
1. Make sure it is visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
2. The pumpkin is free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily.
Infections can invade easily and cause rot.
3. Make sure the stem is attached.

What to do with all those seeds?
Toasted Pumpkin seeds
1 ½ cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons butter, melter
Pinch of Salt
Directions: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. While oven is heating put seeds in bowl with melted butter and salt. Coat seeds thoroughly and spread in a single layer on cookie sheet. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and let cool. Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

It's Fire Prevention Day Today! Plus Other Important Days In October

October 9-Fire Prevention Day
Fire prevention efforts were sparked by the Great Chicago fire in1871. Take time today to re-evaluate your fire prevention measures and practice a home fire drill. Do you and your family have a plan on what to do if there is a fire in your home? If you don’t have a plan, today is a perfect day to make one!

October 11- Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day
Yes! It’s an excuse to feel like a kid, even for just a moment.

October 16- Boss’ Day 
Celebrate your boss today! Let them know how much you appreciate them.

October 20-Sweetest Day
Originally founded by Herbert Birch Kingston in 1922. Herbert wanted to bring happiness to orphans and under-privileged children and began this holiday by giving them small gifts and candy. Today, this holiday is celebrated almost as a second Valentine’s Day by acts of giving flowers and candy to loved ones. However, in addition to showing your love to people close to you, use this day as Herbert intended and show kindness to those in need.

October 31- Halloween 
Trick or Treat! That’s right; it’s that time of year where little ghosts and goblins roam the neighborhood seeking sweet treats. Some local businesses have indoor trick or treating available; check your local listings to see if there are any in your area. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Have You Met Coty? Or Sneha and Dushyant?

We're excited to announce that we have a new staff person in the office at Eagle Ridge. Have you met Coty yet?

Coty joins us from a small town in Wisconsin, where she worked in retail and customer service for about fifteen years. She is excited to live and work in the “big city” of Maple Grove. When she isn’t pumping iron or reading a mystery novel, she enjoys watching reality TV and scary movies. If you are looking for her after work this month - I am sure she will be watching one of the many Nightmare on Elm Street movies!

Coty’s dad is retired and spends much of his time on the golf course, and her mom shows horses. Coty also has a younger brother who teaches special education while attending school to get his masters degree and her older sister works at a veterinary clinic and prepares taxes. Please stop in and welcome Coty - she can’t wait to meet all of our great residents.

Coty, new to our office staff, welcomes Sneha and Dushyant to Eagle Ridge. If you see any of them around Eagle Ridge please be sure to say hello!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Autumn Colors Transform Eagle Ridge

The seasons are just beautiful here at Eagle Ridge, and Autumn is no exception! We recently snapped some photos from around our apartment community. Be sure to step outside and enjoy the wonderful weather and take in all the fall colors before the breeze blows them away.













Wednesday, September 12, 2012

New Years Day In September

It seems each month has its share of holidays, and September is no slacker! We've already passed a few holidays this month, but there are still more to come! We've already flown past Labor Day (and the kids are back to school!) and Grandparent's Day. Just yesterday was Patriot Day, when we remember the events of September 11, 2001. Read below for a description of these days of import and some upcoming notable dates as well.

September 3rd  Labor Day
A national holiday that celebrates all of the hardworking Americans and their contributions both social and economic.

September 9th  Grandparents Day 
Declared a National holiday by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Marian McQuade advanced the idea for Grandparents day. Her vision was to help the elderly in nursing homes that often get forgotten about.  She thought that this would be a day to recognize the wisdom and heritage that grandparents can provide. 

September 11th  Patriot Day
A day to remember the horrible events of 9/11/01. When terrorists attacked the USA, killing thousands.
Flags will be flown at half staff to honor the victims, and the heroes that risked their lives to save others. The first plane struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower in New York at 8:46am (Eastern Daylight Time). All Americans are asked to observe a moment of silence at this time. 

September 17th  Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Unlike the parties surrounding January 1 for the new year, Rosh Hashanah is more about prayer and reflection, but there are still many celebrations. The traditional foods eaten during this time is challah bread, apples with honey and tzimmes which is typically a combination of carrots, yams, cinnamon, prunes and honey. 

September 22nd First Day of Autumn
It’s so sad to see summer fade away, but let’s at least enjoy Autumn as much as possible before the harsh realities of winter set in. Go pick some apples at an orchard, bake some apple pie (don’t forget to bring some to the office), and drink some warm apple cider or hot chocolate.