Spectrum Apartment Homes Blog

TAKE YOUR DAUGHTER TO WORK DAY

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:12:49 -0700

SAVE THE DATE! The 2012 program will be on Thursday, April 26. Join us as we celebrate our 20 year anniversary! Recommended Age Range: 8-18

The theme for 2012 is "Build Opportunity: 20 Years of Education, Empowerment, Experience."

The Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation wants to share NFL Play 60. To see how you can "Get Moving"click here.

View a copy of the 112th Congress and Senate Resolution, S. RES. 408 which specifically dedicates April 26, 2012 as Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work^® Day and acknowledges the program's 20th anniversary! Click on the link.

Official merchandise is available for your Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work^® Day program at our online store.

It's About Teamwork! Working together with employers, employees, parents, mentors, and educators is key to creating a successful day that strengthens the connection between education and work and relationships between parents and their children.

Want to join our team of funders? Ask how you can become Lead Sponsor by calling: 800-676-7780 during regular business hours, M - F, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, EST.

Visit our Newsroom.

Like us on Facebook! Help build our fan base, upload photographs, videos, and connect with other coordinators.

With more than 37 million youth and adults participating at over 3.5 million workplaces each year, join us as we celebrate 20 years of program history!

Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work^®Day, has inspired a future generation of girls and boys by helping bring them into the workplace to explore the many life choices they have.

If you wish to make a tax deductible donation in order for the Foundation to continue its work, please make checks payable to:

Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation

209 East Fearing Street, Suite 1

Elizabeth City, NC 27909

or you can use our new online donation link

Thank you for your support!

Find Ideas

Thank you for your support!

Get ideas for fun projects to do with kids.

Ice Breakers
Games
Activity Guides

a CDG Solution

We now offer Complimentary Notary Services!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:24:01 -0700

Spectrum Apartment Homes is proud to announce that we now offer complimentary Notary Services as part of our Resident Concierge Services.

If you need Notary Services, feel free to come into the Leasing Office during business hours from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Wednesday and 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM on the weekends.

Come and see us today!

Spectrum want to wish everyone a Happy Easter.

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:41:42 -0700

25 Restaurants with Easter Specials

Restaurant Name / Neighborhood / Cuisine	Ratings	Price	Reserve Now
Border Grill - Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Resort \| Mexican Join us on Easter!	165 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Buca di Beppo - Las Vegas Las Vegas \| Italian Bring your peeps to Buca this Easter!	102 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Buca di Beppo - Summerlin Summerlin \| Italian Bring your peeps to Buca this Easter!	64 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Casa di Amore Near the Strip \| Italian Enjoy the holiday with your family and friends at Casa Di Amore. Open early at 4PM on Easter Sunday to serve you. Full menu and Easter Specials both being served.	115 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Chart House Restaurant - Golden Nugget - Las Vegas The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino \| Seafood Celebrate the joy of Easter with family and friends at your favorite Chart House. We have extended our hours and are accepting reservations now.	140 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Comme Ca - The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas \| French Easter Brunch - Sunday, April 8th. $39 feast +$20 endless champagne, mimosas, and bloody marys. Selections include items from a wood fired grill, brunch classics, and desserts	182 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Cortez Room - Gold Coast Hotel & Casino Gold Coast Hotel & Casino \| Steakhouse Easter Sunday Special hours 3p to 10p in addition to our regular menu try our Pan Seared Lamb Chops or Almond Crusted Saltimboca Salmon includes dessert $31.00 per person.	14 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House - Las Vegas Near the Strip \| Steakhouse Skip the sweets and sink your teeth into the flavors of prime steak and fresh seafood. Enjoy our signature hospitality and slow roasted prime rib this Easter Sunday. 5pm-10pm	311 Reviews	$$$$	Reserve Now
Eiffel Tower Paris Hotel and Casino \| French Celebrate Spring & renewal by joining us Easter Sunday from 10am to 2:30pm for Brunch & a special appearance by the Easter Bunny, along with our resident artist face-painter.	695 Reviews	$$$$	Reserve Now
ENVY The Steakhouse at The Renaissance Las Vegas The Renaissance \| Steakhouse Join us in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel from 11am-3pm featuring brunch favorites to live action stations and even a build your own bloody mary bar!	131 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Fiamma - MGM Grand MGM Grand Hotel & Casino \| Italian Menu di Pasqua: Pancetta wrapped Prawn, Spring Greens -Agnolotti In Brodo, Marzolino Truffle -Roasted Rack of Lamb, Sangiovese Mint Demi, Gorgonzola Polenta- Easter Biscotti, Chocolate Sauce 75 pp	164 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - Las Vegas Summerlin \| Steak Easter Sunday Brunch $34.95 \| We'll be opening early at 11:30 am on April 8th to offer our 3-course brunch, in addition to our regular menu selections.	61 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Marche Bacchus Summerlin \| French Easter Sunday 4 Course Champagne Brunch for $49, reservations from 10am-4pm. Pre-Fixe Easter Dinner 4 Courses $59, reservations from 4:30pm-8pm.	99 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Mastro's Ocean Club - Las Vegas The Strip \| Seafood Opening early at 4pm!	351 Reviews	$$$$	Reserve Now
Max Brenner - Las Vegas Caesars Palace \| Comfort Food Join us on Easter!	112 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Morton's The Steakhouse - Las Vegas Near the Strip \| Steak Join us Easter Sunday for a special Prix Fixe menu. Full dinner menu will also be available. Store hours vary by location.	178 Reviews	$$$$	Reserve Now
MOzen - Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas The Strip \| Asian Join us for Easter Brunch with two carving stations featuring Rib Eye & Lamb, salad bar, sushi bar, breakfast station & tray passed appetizers from 12PM - 2:30PM.	52 Reviews	$$$$	Reserve Now
Palm Restaurant - Las Vegas Caesars Palace \| Steakhouse Join us for Easter! We will be open for lunch 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM and dinner 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Also offering a special Three Course Easter Prix Fixe at dinner.	320 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Pamplemousse Le Restaurant Near the Strip \| French Vintage Vegas, French Style...since 1976. For Easter, Pamplemousse features a delectable Five Course Menu for $46.00 & a $22.00 Kids Menu (under 12yr). Open 4pm-10pm. Join us!	53 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Petra a Greek Taverna Summerlin \| Greek Come join us this Easter on the patio for our signature Brunch Buffet from 11am-3pm. Enjoy all your Greek and American favorites. $34.95 per Adult $12.95 per Child.	Ratings Coming Soon	$$	Reserve Now
Ron's Steakhouse - Arizona Charlie's Decatur Arizona Charlie's Decatur \| Steakhouse Easter Sunday at Ron's, 2pm - 8pm. All prices after acePLAY discount. Lamb Shank $29.99, Turkey Roulade $24.99, Red Snapper $26.99	28 Reviews	$$	Reserve Now
Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse - Las Vegas Las Vegas \| Steakhouse We will be open for Easter our normal Sunday hours. Please join us for Chef's specials and our regular menu.	224 Reviews	$$$$	Reserve Now
Tea Lounge - Mandarin Oriental Mandarin Oriental \| Afternoon Tea Enjoy Traditional Afternoon Tea served with Easter inspired pastries. Children are encouraged to join as we will offer PB&J, Turkey & Cheese and other kid-friendly options.	49 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Via Brasil Steakhouse Summerlin \| Brazilian Steakhouse Special Easter Brunch 10AM-1:30PM for $27.99 enjoy over 50 Brunch items including 6 Meats AYCE. From 2PM-8PM we'll be serving our full Menu of 18 Meats AYCE for $38.99	45 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now
Zeffirino The Venetian and Palazzo \| Italian Join us for our Champagne brunch buffet!With lobster, shrimp, lambchops, pastas, & much more! Unlimited champagne, mimosas, bellinis,bloody marys $55pp 10am-4pm,dinner4pm-12am	148 Reviews	$$$	Reserve Now

NAT'L MOM AND POP BUSINESS OWNER'S DAY

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:48:18 -0700

Celebrate Mom and Pop Businesses – Big Isn’t Always Better

by Karen Wylie on March 29, 2009

Happy National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day to all husband-wife teams and family owned businesses out there.

March 29th marks the annual observance of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day to recognize family owned and operated businesses across the country.

The observance of a National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day was the brainchild of a Florida man named Rick Segel, in honor of a women’s hat shop called Ruth’s that his parents opened on March 29, 1939, in Everett, Massachusetts. The business moved to Medford, Massachusetts and grew into a women’s specialty clothing store of 10,000 square feet and $2 million dollars in sales before it closed in 1997.

The purpose of this holiday, according to the Holiday Insights Web site:

“National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day celebrates small business owners. These individuals spend countless hours nurturing and growing their young enterprises. The workload demands, and lack of a hired staff, often translates into long and late hours, and many missed family and personal events. But, all in all, they love what they do. After all, they are their own boss.
New businesses have always been a vital, yet not fully appreciated, part of the U.S. economy. On they retail side, they bring different and unique products to the marketplace. They provide stellar and personal service support. When you call, you are more likely to get a real, live person. And unlike big national chains, they know their products. They are outstanding performers in niche markets. In manufacturing, they create many new concepts and ideas, making them creators of new products.”

A couple other ‘mom and pop’ business stories were written to celebrate this holiday.

The Athens, Georgia News Courier even published a special section today devoted to small business and the National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day.

And in Roane County, West Virginia, a mom and pop business received special recognition in their local newspaper article for preserving a local landmark business in “Couple revives Mom-and-Pop store – Roane County store offers a little bit of everything:”

“The Walton Thriftway is an old-time country general store. Morgan sells groceries – meat, dairy, vegetables, and so on. You can also buy hand-carved Amish furniture and wood, pellet and gas stoves. Want to rent a movie? He’s got those. In the back, a deli serves everything from sliced meats and cheeses to fast-food style hamburgers, tacos, pizzas, and ice cream. He provides tables and chairs for in-store dining and there’s a self-serve “coffee bar” at the front.
In a connected building off the back, a complete hardware store offers a variety of tools and equipment, paint, plumbing and electrical items as well as a full line of livestock feeds along with hay and propane. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll order it. In the spring, you can get a bunny.
Upstairs, you’ll find a large antique and consignment store and a quilt shop, Sew Many Things, run by Morgan’s wife, Elonda. The quilt shop offers quilt kits, classes, and fabric supplies.
Business is booming in the store, located in a town small enough to count its population in the hundreds.
“We’re not feeling the recession,” he said. “People don’t want to spend the gas to drive to the big stores. They want to shop close to home.”

Hopefully you can celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day everyday by shopping mom and pop businesses in your town all year round.

Happy Pecan Day!!!!!

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 11:21:14 -0700

Pecans Were Popular From the Start

The history of pecans can be traced back to the 16th century. The only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America, the pecan is considered one of the most valuable North American nut species. The name "pecan" is a Native American word of Algonquin origin that was used to describe "all nuts requiring a stone to crack.”

Originating in central and eastern North America and the river valleys of Mexico, pecans were widely used by pre-colonial residents. Pecans were favored because they were accessible to waterways, easier to shell than other North American nut species and of course, for their great taste.

Because wild pecans were readily available, many Native American tribes in the U.S. and Mexico used the wild pecan as a major food source during autumn. It is speculated that pecans were used to produce a fermented intoxicating drink called "Powcohicora" (where the word "hickory" comes from). It also is said that Native Americans first cultivated the pecan tree.

Presidents Washington and Jefferson Loved Pecans, Too!

One of the first known cultivated pecan tree plantings, by Spanish colonists and Franciscans in northern Mexico, appears to have taken place in the late 1600’s or early 1700’s. These plantings are documented to around 1711—about 60 years before the first recorded planting by U.S. colonists.

The first U.S. pecan planting took place in Long Island, NY in 1772. By the late 1700’s, pecans from the northern range reached the English portion of the Atlantic Seaboard and were planted in the gardens of easterners such as George Washington (1775) and Thomas Jefferson (1779). Settlers were also planting pecans in community gardens along the Gulf Coast at this time.

In the late 1770’s, the economic potential of pecans was realized by French and Spanish colonists settling along the Gulf of Mexico. By 1802, the French were exporting pecans to the West Indies—although it is speculated that pecans were exported to the West Indies and Spain earlier by Spanish colonists in northern Mexico. By 1805, advertisements in London said that the pecan was "...a tree meriting attention as a cultivated crop."

The Birth of an Industry

New Orleans, located near the mouth of the Mississippi River, became very important to the marketing of pecans. The city had a natural market as well as an avenue for redistributing pecans to other parts of the U.S. and the world. The New Orleans market gained local interest in planting orchards, which stimulated the adaptation of vegetative propagation techniques and led to the demand for trees that produce superior nuts.

During the 1700’s and the early 1800’s, the pecan became an item of commerce for the American colonists and the pecan industry was born. (In San Antonio, the wild pecan harvest was more valuable than popular row crops like cotton!)

Pecan groves (trees established by natural forces) and orchards (trees planted by man) consisted of diverse nuts with various sizes, shapes, shell characteristics, flavor, fruiting ages and ripening dates. In the midst of this variability, there was the occasional discovery of a wild tree with unusually large, thin-shelled nuts, which were in high demand by customers.

In 1822, Abner Landrum of South Carolina discovered a pecan budding technique, which provided a way to graft plants derived from superior wild selections (or, in other words, to unite with a growing plant by placing in close contact). However, this invention was lost or overlooked until 1876 when an African-American slave gardener from Louisiana (named Antoine) successfully propagated pecans by grafting a superior wild pecan to seedling pecan stocks. Antoine’s clone was named “Centennial” because it won the Best Pecan Exhibited award at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. His 1876 planting, which eventually became 126 Centennial trees, was the first official planting of improved pecans.

The successful use of grafting techniques led to grafted orchards of superior genotypes and proved to be a milestone for the pecan industry. The adoption of these techniques was slow and had little commercial impact—until the 1880’s when Louisiana and Texas nurserymen learned of pecan grafting and began propagation on a commercial level.

Thus was the start of a booming pecan growing and shelling industry!

A Pecan Timeline

1500’s

Native Americans utilized and cultivated wild pecans

1600’s – 1700’s

Spanish colonists cultivated orchards (late 1600’s - early 1700’s)
English settlers planted pecan trees (1700’s)
George Washington planted pecan trees (1775)
Thomas Jefferson planted pecan trees (1779)
Economic potential for pecans realized (late 1700’s)

1800’s

Pecans exported by French to the West Indies (1802)
Pecan budding technique discovered (1822)
Successful grafting of the pecan tree (1846)
First planting of improved pecans (1876)
Commercial propagation of pecans begins (1880’s)

Source: Pecan Technology, Edited by Charles R. Santerre

TRY SOMETHING NEW IN LAS VEGAS. CHECK OUT THE STREET FOOD THROW DOWN!

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:11:23 -0700

Street Food Throwdown is back! Join us for the Pulled Pork-O-Rama, featuring Vegas food trucks Slidin' Thru, Haulin' Balls, Curbside Cafe, Rusty Pickle, Ben's BBQ & Smokehouse and Grouchy John's Coffee. Street Food Throwdown 6 presented by Giant Grinder Co. and Slidin' Thru will be held Sunday, March 25, 2012, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., at 5165 South Fort Apache Road in Las Vegas. See you there!

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Resident Appreciation Week

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:03:35 -0700

Mobile Detail Price Sheet

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:44:59 -0800

Car Wash Saturday!

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:43:58 -0800

Safe House Success

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:04:14 -0800

Spectrum would like to take the time to personally thank each and every one of you that participated in the "Safe House" donation this year. We were able to fill over 50 homes with new toys, clothing, kitchen supplies, and much more. Together we were able to make a difference. Thank you for a successful 2011 end of the year event!