Thank You To All Our Veterans!

Veterans Day is Monday, November 11 and it is a special day to thank the men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in the nation's armed forces. Thank a veteran on this day! Below we have compiled some Veterans Day events as well as some local businesses and restaurants that are giving free meals or discounts to veterans.

To all of the veterans who live at our apartment community: thank you for your service!

Veterans Day Events

3rd Annual Military Service 5K around Como Lake, St. Paul
9 a.m. on Sunday, November 10
1360 North Lexington Parkway
Pre-registration is closed - Race Morning Registration Opens 7:45-8:45 a.m.
Website: http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Honor Your Veteran 

Heritage Park Wayzata Blvd at Hwy 101, Wayzata MN

Sunday, November 10

The Lake Minnetonka Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will honor veterans through its second annual Veterans Day salute, the “Plant a Flag for Freedom” event, on Sunday, November 10.

Sources

• TheMilitaryWallet.com has a great compilation of restaurants and companies that are offering discounts or free meals to veterans. You can see their updated list here: http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/. We have posted some of that information below, as well as updating it for locations that are local to our area.
• Military.com is another great resource for finding discounts for service members on Veterans Day. Check their list out here: http://www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-day-military-discounts.html.

Two notes before jumping in:

1. Always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. 
2. Proof of Military Service. Most companies require some form of military ID. These include:

• Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired)
• Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
• Drivers License with Veterans Designation
• Photograph in uniform, Simply wearing uniform (if your service permits)
• Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW)
• Discharge Paperwork (DD214)
• Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.

Restaurant Discounts & Free Meals

Find an updated deals list at:  http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/. 

Applebee’s: Free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members. There will be 7 entrees to choose from. Military ID and proof of service required.
7901 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
(763) 424-2730

Champps Americana: All veterans and active-duty service members will receive a free burger. Proof of service required.
13521 80th Circle North
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763) 494-4515

Chili’s: Free meal for veterans, past and present. Offer valid from 11am-5pm. Proof of military service required.
4000 Vinewood Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55442
(763) 557-7000

Denny's: Free all you can eat pancakes
6405 James Cir N
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
(763) 566-0073

Little Caesars Pizza: Free crazy bread with proof of military service.
7607 West Broadway Avenue
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(763) 315-0018

Outback Steakhouse: A week of free bloomin’ onions and cokes during the week leading up to Veterans Day. Offer valid with Military Personnel with an ID.
8880 Springbrook Drive
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763) 792-9159

Subway: Free six inch sub with Military ID.
9660 63rd Avenue North
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763) 533-5125

The Olive Garden: Free entrée with proof of service and even better, 10% all month for Veteran’s.
12520 Elm Creek Blvd N
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763) 420-9699

Retail Discounts

Find an updated deals list at: http://www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-day-military-discounts.html.

Bed Bath and Beyond – 20% off entire purchase on Nov. 9, 10, and 11. This is good for active duty, DoD, reserves, guard, retirees, veterans, and military spouses.
7950 Wedgewood Lane North
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763) 416-3965

Big Lots – Veterans, active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and their immediate family receive 10% off their entire purchase on Saturday, Nov. 9.
5930 Earle Brown Drive
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
(763) 503-9833

Great Clips – On Monday, Nov. 11, customers who come in for a service can get a free haircut card to give to their favorite veteran. Veterans can also receive a free haircut or get the free haircut card. Haircuts are redeemable until Dec. 31.
7621 West Broadway Avenue
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(763) 425-8326

Home Depot –10% discount to all veterans during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Home Depot offers the 10% discount year round to for active duty and retirees.
6701 Boone Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(763) 533-1200

JCPenney – Veterans, active duty and family members receive an extra 20% off in stores Nov. 6-11 with coupon. Simply visit www.jcpenney.com and select coupons and you can print off the coupon.
13701 Grove Drive
Maple Grove, MN 55311
(763) 416-1708

Lowe's – 10% discount. The offer is available in stores only.
11201 Fountains Drive
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763) 488-2001

Walgreens – Walgreens is offering 15% off eligible store items and 20% of Walgreens brand items.
13611 Grove Drive
Maple Grove, MN 55311
(763) 420-7788

Mindy's Halloween Cookers - A Heartwarming Story

One of the great things about working for a family-owned apartment management company is the close-knit relationships that develop between the staff. One recent heartwarming example of this was the annual Twin Cities Kidney Walk where the staff of Condor Corporation came together to show support for one of their own.

Mindy is the Community Manager at Raven Hill, which is a Condor apartment community in Burnsville, and she has been battling kidney disease for some time. Last month the Condor Corporation staff stood in solidarity with Mindy by walking with her in the Annual Kidney Walk held at the Thompson-Reuters campus in Eagan, MN. They had an awesome team name and costumes to boot! They dubbed themselves "Mindy's Halloween Cookers" and had all sorts of fun dressing up for the event. Staff from each of our apartment communities in the Twin Cities, plus members of Mindy's family, took part. Our very own Ginny and Coty, from the Eagle Ridge staff, were part of the team!

The National Kidney Foundation, which is the sponsor of the event, says this on their website:

"With your help, we raised $262,000 to fight against kidney disease. Your contribution will help fund our initiatives in awareness, prevention and treatment. Without your dedication, enthusiasm and support, we truly could not accomplish all that we do."

Everyone had a great time and the weather for the event was perfect! The team theme of Halloween Cookers was creative and prompted some fun costumes. Mindy would like to thank everyone who came out for the walk; she was encouraged by everyone's enthusiasm and felt loved by their show of support.

Of course, we have to share with you some awesome photos from the walk! Enjoy!

Mindy's Halloween Cookers - banner, costumes, and big smiles. These people know how to do it!

Mindy and her family all dressed up for the walk!

Ginny and Coty from the Eagle Ridge staff all dressed up and proud to be a part of Mindy's Halloween Cookers team!

The Minnesota Wild Mascot was even there!

Yeah! Mindy's Halloween Cookers had a great time!

Way To Go Jackie - She Is The November Early Bird Winner

Congratulations to Jackie, the winner of our Early Bird Drawing this month! We do this drawing every month and you have a chance to be the winner if you pay your rent on or before the 1st of the month. Everyone who pays their rent on or before the 1st of the month can put their name put into the Early Bird Drawing. Out of all the entries, a random name is selected and the lucky winner gets $50 off of rent for the following month.

So when December’s rent comes around remember the Early Bird Drawing and get your rent payment in quickly. We all know what the Early Bird gets... that's right, a chance to get $50 off of rent the next month!

Jackie holding her Early Bird Winner certificate - Congratulations!

November Holidays

November is an exciting month! It is the start of the holiday season and everyone seems to be traveling somewhere. All of these holidays can bring added stress as we prepare for them, but they are also occasions for joy as they are great opportunities to spend quality time with those you love. We've already passed two big days: All Saints Day and the end of Daylight Saving Time - but there is so much more coming in November.

Here's your list of reasons to celebrate this month

November 11th - Veterans Day

Originally called Armistice Day, we celebrated the cease fire that ended the “Great War” now known as The First World War (WWI). The war ended on November 11th 1918 at 11:11 (11/11 at 11:11). The first official Armistice Day was observed with the U.S., England, and France each burying an unknown soldier at 11:11 on November 11th 1921. President Eisenhower changed the holiday to Veterans Day in 1954, as a national holiday to honor all of our U.S. soldiers who have valiantly served or died in any wars or conflicts.

November 21st - The Great American Smoke Out

No need to wait another month and a half to start your New Year’s resolutions. Since 1977 The American Cancer Society has been encouraging all smokers to snuff out the cigarettes on the third Thursday of November. With a short term goal of extinguishing the “butts” for one day, their obvious long term goal is to give smokers the boost to kick the habit for good.

November 27th - Hanukkah

Wow, that’s early! Hanukkah is in November this year! This holiday begins on the evening of November 27th and lasts until Thursday, December 5th. The fact that it overlaps Thanksgiving is actually quite unusual. It's so unusual that it's not expected to happen for another 77,798 years. This has prompted some Jewish Americans to combine the two holidays and dub it "Thanksgivukkah."

Hanukkah commemorates historical events that took place in 168 B.C. According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s central texts, Judah Maccabees and the other Jews who took part in the re-dedication of the Second Temple witnessed a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights, leaving them time to find a fresh supply. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish leaders to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival.

November 28th - Thanksgiving Day

The first Thanksgiving was 1621 between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. The feast lasted 3 days and was a time to be thankful for a bountiful fall harvest, and to thank the natives for their kindness. Thanksgiving as a national holiday today has evolved quite a bit over the years. The Continental Congress declared the first national Thanksgiving holiday in 1777 following the American Victory at Saratoga. In 1789 George Washington was the first President to proclaim a day of Thanksgiving. He set aside November 26th (a Tuesday not a Thursday) as a day to thank God for our new Constitution. 

November 29th Black Friday

A shoppers dream (or nightmare)! Black Friday seems to be starting earlier and earlier each year. This day is called Black Friday because many retailers operate in the red, or in debt all year long, that is until the Holiday shopping season where there ledgers are finally in the black.

Best. Mom. Ever.

We think we've found a good candidate for the "Best Mom Ever" award. Recently one of our residents' mom called us and said she wanted to get her daughter, Katelyn, an underground heated garage spot as a gift. What wonderful idea! Katelyn has been a resident at Eagle Ridge for a few months and now she's going to be warm and cozy all winter long. No scraping ice and snow off the windshield for her when she parks in her underground heated garage spot!

Katelyn stopped by the office to pick up her garage remote and we gave her with a gift certificate to celebrate her mom's awesome gift.

Katelyn stopping by the office to pick up her garage remote.

Remember To Set Your Clocks Back Tonight

The end is nigh - for Daylight Saving Time. Remember to set your clocks back tonight before you go to bed. Technically Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 3, but we recommend adjusting your clocks before your head hits the pillow.

With it getting dark outside so early now, we want to make sure all of our yard and parking lot lights are in working in order. If you happen to notice any that are not lit please let the rental office know. We do regular checks on the lights but always appreciate our watchful residents who help us keep our communities safe.

Enjoy the extra hour of sleep (hopefully...)!

The Awesome Halloween Costumes Of Our Residents and Staff

We had a wonderfully spooky time at Eagle Ridge Apartments this week! Thank you to all of our residents, kids and parents alike, who stopped in to pick up goodies from the office on Halloween. It was such great fun to see all of your cute and spooky costumes. Plus the Eagle Ridge staff got into the spirit (spooky choice of word, right?) of the holiday and dressed up in some fabulous costumes. We'll post some of those photos below, and you can see even more on our Facebook page.

As you can see, life at Eagle Ridge is lots of fun!

Eagle Ridge Residents and Staff Halloween 2013

The Eagle Ridge leasing office staff 'sporting' their costumes.