Blog Posts

Celebrate National Anthem Day

We may see the United States’ National Anthem as a staple, but if you don’t know about the history of the song, read this week’s Liv Avenida Blog for some highlights! March 3rd is National Anthem Day, so keep the song alive in your heart this week by listening to some renditions and learning about how it came to be. A good starting point to learn about the history of this country’s anthem is to learn the significance of the day. Many people assume that March 3rd is the day the song was written, but it’s actually the day (in 1931) President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution officially making “The Star Spangled Banner” the national anthem. Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the song during the Battle of Bladensburg in the War of 1812 on September 10th, more than a century before it became the country’s anthem. Key wrote the lyrics actually intending it to be a song , although he was an amateur poet and not a songwriter. He wanted the words to be sung to a popular English song composed in 1775 called “To Anacreon in Heaven.” Key was a lawyer based in Washington, D.C., and President James Madison had him go to Baltimore to negotiate for the release of a surgeon who was captured during the Battle of Bladensburg. So he and a fellow lawyer boarded a ship and secured the prisoner’s release, under the condition that they couldn’t go ashore until the British attacked Baltimore. After the battle, he gained the inspiration for the lyrics when he saw the flag waving over Fort McHenry at daybreak If you want to listen to some great renditions of the song, listen to Whitney Houston singing it before Super Bowl XXV in 1991 in Tampa or Lady Gaga singing it before Super Bowl 50. Or just search YouTube. There are plenty performances of it that you could enjoy. We hope you enjoyed learning about the National Anthem this week! Thanks for reading!

Chick Flicks From the '90s that are Still Relevant

Many people see February as the month of love, which is the perfect excuse to have a movie night right in your Liv Avenida apartment. Watch some of these great films from the era of great chick flicks, the ‘90s, these last few days of February for a great way to finish off the month and find something to relate to in the dating game. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Pretty, popular Bianca can’t date until her standoffish older sister, Kat, does. So Cameron, who’s fallen hopelessly for Bianca, and his friend launch a plan to get the much feared Patrick Verona to tame the shrew. This film takes a hilariously realistic approach to dating in high school and letting yourself be vulnerable for that someone who likes you just the way you are. Memorable Quote: “Who needs affection when I have blind hatred?” Clueless (1995) Cher Horowitz and her best friend Dionne are the height of popularity, so they take new girl Tai under their wing to do some good in the world. But as Cher tries and fails to control other people’s love lives and her own, she realizes she may be just like all of us mortals when it comes to love and dating: sometimes just completely clueless. Memorable Quote: “Searching for a boy in high school is as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie.” Only You (1994) Hopeless romantic schoolteacher Faith Corvatch has moved on from believing she’s destined to marry the man whose name she got from a Ouija board and a carnival fortune teller when she was younger. She’s about to marry a podiatrist she basically loves, after all. But when she gets a phone call from the elusive Damon Bradley, she decides to embrace fate and chase him to Italy, coming across a few speed bumps on the way. Memorable Quote: “I married a liar. Why? Because I married a man.” Never Been Kissed (1999) Awkward but hopeful newspaper reporter Josie Geller takes on an assignment to go undercover at her former high school to do an expose on the nitty gritty high school life. Her naturally popular older brother helps her make a believable cover, which she puts at a high risk of being blown when she falls for one of her teachers, Sam Coulson, a dreamy, sensitive man she bonds with. Memorable Quote: “The right guy, he’s out there. I’m not just gonna go kiss a whole bunch of losers to get to him.” “Yeah, but you know what? Sometimes kissing losers can be a really fun diversion.” What are some of your favorite movies to watch during February, romantic or not? Share your recommendations with the rest of the apartment community by leaving a comment. Enjoy!

Wineries in Chandler

February 18th is National Drink Wine Day, so celebrate the lesser known holiday by trying out one of these wineries in or near Chandler, not far from your apartment, this month! We’ve included descriptions of each place, courtesy of Google Reviews, and customer reviews. Divine Bistro & Wine Bar Chic spot offering American bistro fare plus live music & special events such as winemaker dinners. “Love this place! The food is great, they have lots of wine and beverage selections and the people are super friendly.” — Renee Defeo on Google Reviews Arizona Mead Company This meadery offers cysers and sodas on tap and bottles for you to enjoy. Taste some at their events on Fridays and Saturdays in the tasting rooms. “This place is great! I came in not knowing what to expect, and was very pleased with what I found. Everything I tasted was absolutely delicious, brewed in very small batches. The vibe is super chill. We hung out and chatted with the owners the whole time. I love it!” — Joey Wilhelm on Google Reviews The Wild Vine Uncorked Relax with food, wine, and live music in a luxurious environment. “We love this place! Nice atmosphere and the food is always excellent. If you live in this area it's a great place to meet many of your neighbors! Irish is an excelled bartender and the rest of the staff is just as friendly. It's wonderful to have a restaurant a mile down the road that has wonderful food, good wine, and a nice vibe! If you haven't checked this wine bar out yet, you should! The sea bass and the Napa Salad are my two favorites!” — Tanya Corder on Google Reviews Vintage 95 Wine Lounge A contemporary restaurant and wine bar located in historic downtown Chandler. “Romantic bistro in Chandler with a fireplace, wine room, and plush couch for the perfect night. Get a table toward the back and ask for a wine tasting. Great date night spot.” — Scott Young on Google Reviews Remember to set up driving arrangements so you can get home safely without drinking and driving! Have you ever visited these wineries or other must-see ones? Let us know about your experiences by leaving a comment! Thanks for reading.

How to Celebrate George Washington's Birthday

In just over a week it will be the 285th year since George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. Celebrate and honor our first president by trying the ideas the Liv Avenida Blog has for you this Presidents’ Day or any other day of the month. They’re simple and easy to do in your apartment or anywhere else in Chandler, AZ. Take care of your pet. George Washington bred hound dogs, who he treated like members of his family, according to Scholastic.com . Some of their names were Tartar, Truelove, and Sweet Lips. While you don’t have to go changing any of your furry friends’ names, you can celebrate the passion you share with the first president of our country by spending some quality time with your pet. Take care of your teeth. Washington gets a lot of hype for having wooden teeth, but that’s actually a myth. He did suffer from dental problems most of his adult life, but the dentures he used to replace all his teeth were made from materials including bone, hippopotamus ivory, human teeth, brass screws, lead, and gold metal wire. Last week we talked all about dental hygiene, so take advantage of the many advances in technology and dental care available to us now by taking care of your chompers! Save a few dollars. We may see good ol’ George every time we come across a wrinkled dollar bill, but pay attention the ones that come into your possession. He had the highest salary of any president of our country at about 2% of the total U.S. budget, but he had other sources of income, such as the 60,000 acres he owned (much of it through his wife’s family inheritance) and his Virginia plantation, which covered 8,000 acres of farmland. Still, he apparently had to borrow money to attend his own first inauguration. So learn from him and make saving a priority. Go dancing or throw a party. All these tips are important to do regardless of whether you’re celebrating Washington’s legacy or not, but if you want to make your celebrations more fun- and Washington-specific, throw a birthday party for our president (and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is the 12th). MountVernon.org says Washington was known as an energetic and excellent dancer, so put on some tunes and consider adding dancing or some other sort of social interaction along with any presidential party games you want to play. (We love the idea to find a poster of your favorite president and cut out some paper hearts to pin on them in a fun variation of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.) What other ideas do you have for celebrating or learning more about this Founding Father? Let us know by leaving a comment. Have fun!

Dental Hygiene Basics

Brush up on your dental health and that of any kids or pets you have: February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and National Pet Dental Health Month. Whether or not you have a child or a pet, read this week’s Liv Avenida Blog for tips for caring for your teeth and others’, whether it’s a resolution of yours to floss more or not! Brush and floss every day. You may be used to sheepishly telling your dentist you haven’t flossed in a while, but that doesn’t have to be your go-to answer! Have confidence in yourself and your teeth every day by doing what you know you should be doing. Brush your teeth every morning and night (and try to brush your pet’s teeth at least three times a week. Daily is ideal, but not necessarily realistic for everyone). When brushing your teeth or teaching any little ones how to, angle your brush upwards and make small circular motions to reach all sides of the teeth, focusing on any you tend to miss. If you’re not sure how to brush your pet’s teeth or what to do it with, see your pet’s vet. They can show you how and give you pointers on pet toothpaste, which you can get at your favorite pet store in Chandler, AZ. (They come in tasty flavors such as beef, mint, and chicken!) Flossing is often skipped by many because it hurts and it’s messy. But the more you floss, the stronger your gums will become and the less they will bleed! So power through it. A good way to start is to let the hygienist do a deep cleaning as soon as possible, and then keep your teeth sparkling by doing the simple upkeep each day. (You should definitely still start flossing now, though. Don’t wait around!) Ask your hygienist for flossing technique tips if you’re not sure what exactly is best. They can give you advice that is particularly good for you because they’ll see any areas you should focus on. One good technique is to angle your floss up to the gums and making C-shaped motions so you can clean the gunk off the tooth. Remember checkups! Going into the dentist’s office is important because the professionals can clean your teeth deeper than you can, even by flossing every day. They’ll clean buildup that a floss and a toothbrush don’t necessarily completely stop. And they will be able to address any issues or pain you’re noticing, which is the first step to preventing serious problems and even more painful, expensive surgeries in the future. Don’t forget to get any little ones to the office and pets to the vet, as well! Enjoy it. Motivate yourself and any kids you care for to want to take care of their teeth by making it a positive part of daily hygiene. Have fun going to the grocery store buying a new toothbrush every three months, or once the bristles start to fray. Reward yourself with a healthy snack and maybe a new water bottle once you floss every day for a month. Make your dental hygiene a priority and your smile will always be shining! What dental hygiene tips do you have for the rest of the apartment community? Share your wisdom in the comments! Thanks for reading. Good luck!

Three Ways to Find a New Hobby

Making positive changes in your life like eating healthier and budgeting smarter are great, but as you do them, also remember to make your daily life fun! Whatever your current skill level at budgeting and clean eating, set aside some time in your busy schedule to do something you love or try something new. This week’s Liv Avenida blog post has some tips for finding and cultivating a hobby, so try them in your apartment or as you go about your day in Chandler, AZ, for a truly fulfilling month. Think about what you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t. Those things you’ve dreamed of doing can be a great place to start when looking for a new hobby, even if you have previously dismissed them. Let go of your inhibitions for just enough time to get you started, whether that means going to a craft store and buying some knitting needles or getting a calligraphy pen set online. Start with the mindset that you will succeed so you will keep trying! Consult an expert in your life. Networking isn’t just for the job field. Make friends with your neighbors, coworkers, and even acquaintances you see every day so you can learn from them and their skills. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, so open the door for you to find a mentor by first becoming friends with them. It can be as simple as asking your neighbor for hands-on tips for baking their famous apple pie. People love appreciation and recognition, so show it! Let yourself learn from others and their tried-and-true wisdom. They can teach you what a book might not be able to, and you get a good relationship out of it! Consider taking a class. Classes don’t have to be tedious if you try something you’re interested in on a personal level. Take advantage of the structure, coaching, and learning you can gain from a class, even if it’s once a month. Check out the Groupon site for deals on all types of classes in Chandler , whether it’s a dancing, business training, health and fitness, art, or photography class. You could learn from not only the teacher but any friends you take with you to the class or gain while you’re there. What tips do you have for finding and getting better at a hobby? What are your favorite hobbies? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading. Have fun!