Blog Posts

Plan a Summer Day Trip

Summertime is traditionally the season for vacations and with the peak of the summer over the weather will start to cool down, which makes it the perfect time to plan a day trip. We’ve rounded up some tips for planning a successful day trip to help you get ready. Day Trip Tips to Get You Out the Door Prepare as much as you can the night before heading out from your apartment at Liv Northgate. Make sure you have everything you will need for the day. If possible, purchase your tickets to any attractions or venues you will be visiting ahead of time using online ticketing services. Take extra cash for souvenir purchases and other incidental expenses. As you are planning your trip, read up on the places you will be visiting. Knowing the history in advance makes an in-person visit that much more interesting. And you can impress your family/friends with your knowledge. Plan your route. Using an app like Waze can make this easier. Check out the driving route in advance and plan for traffic, construction, etc. Also, check the weather forecast, and have a contingency plan in place of inclement weather (switch to an indoor option instead of an outdoor one, for instance). Plan for some downtime during your day. Remember it’s supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable and if you are rushing from one thing to another, that defeats the purpose. Wear sturdy shoes for walking and comfortable clothes. Consider wearing layers which you can add or remove according to the temperature. Take an umbrella and a jacket. Wear a hat and apply sunscreen before you leave if you’re out and about on a sunny day. There are any number of places to plan to visit in the Gilbert area or expand your range and visit other nearby Arizona cities which all have fun attractions. Check out Discover Arizona for ideas. Do you have some tips for day tripping? Please feel free to share in the comments.

Enjoy a Game of Pool at Liv Northgate

Here at Liv Northgate apartments in Gilbert, AZ we are pleased to provide our residents with a range of amenities , both in our individual apartments and in our wider apartment community. One of our popular amenities is our gaming and pool tables in The Hub. Today we are highlighting the history of pool/billiards in our blog post. A Brief History of Pool Pool is one variation of what is collectively termed “cue sports” or “billiards,” as in a billiard (pool) table. Billiards games of all varieties are derived from outdoor stick-and-ball games such as trucco, croquet, and golf, dating back to medieval times. It is believed that the term “billiard” may have evolved from the French word billart or billette , which means “stick.” Or it might have come from the French bille, meaning “ball,” and “cue” from the French queue — all French words, which is not surprising, as the French nobility popularized the game in their courts. No one knows exactly who, when or where the first billiard table was built. The earliest documented record of a billiard table was made in 1470 according to an inventory of the possessions of King Louis XI of France. His table was said to have contained the following: a bed of stone, a cloth covering, and a hole in the middle of the playing field, into which balls could be driven. From this distant history, billiards has enjoyed a long run and is played around the world, in bars, pool halls or poolrooms, and billiard rooms. The term “poolroom” now means a place where billiards is played, but in the 19th century a poolroom was a betting parlor for horse racing. Billiard tables were installed so patrons could pass the time between races. The game of billiards and the poolroom became connected in the public’s mind. Today, the two terms are used interchangeably. The Billiard Shop website (where our information came from) provides more in-depth details about the History of Billiards (or Pool) for those who are interested in learning more. Have you taken time to get in a game of pool at Liv Northgate lately? Head on over to The Hub soon to enjoy a game of eight ball!

Beat Arizona Heat at the Theatre, The Hale Centre Theatre

We all know that Arizona summers can get extremely hot and that sometimes you just need a night out — but what to do that’s out of the heat? Why head to the theatre of course! Today the Liv Northgate Blog shares the info on what is happening at the Hale Centre Theatre in August. In addition to plays, the Hale is also hosting concerts these days. So catch a play or the concert this month! About the Hale Centre Theatre One of five theatres in three different states, Gilbert’s Hale Center Theatre has been bringing professional theater to Arizona audiences since 2003. Owner Dave Hale, a grandson of the original owners of the Glendale, CA theater, enjoys bringing professional theater to Gilbert, Arizona audiences. Playing in August: Sister Act: A Musical Comedy — Running through August 18th From the website: “When disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover. Powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act will leave audiences breathless.” The Scarlet Pimpernel — August 24th - October 6th From the website: “Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, this dashing and sumptuous Broadway hit will thrill you like never before! Tons of fun ensues as Sir Percy and his band of patriots use disguises and wit to rescue the innocent from certain doom! A soaring score, a beguiling romance, and stunning costumes make this the must see show of our season. Come “catch” The Scarlet Pimpernel!” August Concert The John Denver Tribute Show — August 27-28, 2018 For two nights only, catch this tribute show featuring the talented Ted Vigil performing music from the repertoire of folk legend, John Denver. The evening will include Denver’s 1970s hits including Rocky Mountain High , Take Me Home Country Roads , Thank God I'm a Country Boy , among the evenings line up. Purchase tickets at the box office in person, by phone, or online. Season tickets are also available with a choose your own shows option. If you have thespian leanings (and the time), open auditions for upcoming productions are posted regularly, so go ahead and break a leg! We hope you enjoy a play or concert this month! Thanks for reading our post this week.

August Celebrations at Liv Northgate

What is your response when people ask, “What’s your favorite holiday?” We’re guessing it’s one of the major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween — there’s nothing wrong with that! But did you know that August is full of fun and quirky holidays to celebrate? Liv Northgate Blog is excited to share a few August holidays to celebrate throughout the month. While they might not become your favorite, they’re sure to add some more fun. Invite some friends over to your apartment in Gilbert, AZ to celebrate in August. National Book Lovers Day - August 9th What better way to spend a summer day than reading a book? There are many books you can read in a single day — or over the weekend. Here are a few, with Goodreads reviews, which we think sound interesting. (Check the link for more suggestions about how to celebrate National Book Lovers Day. Animal Farm by George Orwell "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl’s Journal by Joan Blos I, Catherine Cabot Hall, aged 13 years, 6 months, 29 days…do begin this book. Return from Tomorrow by George G Ritchie At the age 20, a soldier George Ritchie died in an Army hospital. Nine minutes later he returned to life. What he experienced would change him forever. Kiss and Make Up Day - August 25th “Each one of us has had a fight with a loved one at some point in our lives. Whether it is between you and a friend, family member, neighbor or coworker after time has passed you remember the cause? Was it your fault? Was it their fault? Was it anyone’s fault? Do you want the discord to go on any longer? That is probably the most important question of all.” Take time to resolve differences and start new. Remember to keep an eye on social media for #kissAndMakeUpDay . Race Your Mouse Day - August 28th “While you're waiting for whatever it is to finally come up on your screen, race your mouse in and around the icons.” We hope you enjoy these days of August by celebrating one (or more) of the great holidays that are still to come! Check out this list of unique and bizarre holidays so that you don’t miss out. What’s your favorite holiday? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading.

How to Successfully Evaluate Reviews

Welcome back to the Liv Northgate Blog! In our most recent blog post, we shared some tips for writing reviews. This week, we are sharing tips about how to successfully evaluate the reviews you may read. These tips can apply to all types of reviews, even though the focus is on apartment reviews. Evaluating Reviews Trusting someone else’s opinions can be hard, especially if the perspective is skewed or biased. Look for reviews that fairly address the aspects of apartment living that are most important to you. Look for common themes among multiple reviews. If several people are saying the same thing, it’s more likely to be legitimate. Read the overall tone of the reviews — are they mostly positive or negative. Take the extreme reviews (both good and bad) with a grain of salt. In fact, toss them out of consideration. Look for reviews that give clear, concise, detailed information, and note if there is a response and what the response is. Reviews that are vague are not helpful. Keep in mind that not everyone will have the same set of expectations or experiences. Focus on the aspects of the apartment community that are the most important to you. Spot fake reviews by looking out for language that sounds like it came from a brochure, vague language, and reviews that play on your emotions rather than presenting the facts. Even if a review isn’t fake, if it is too vague and unclear about the situation of a problem and how it was resolved or not, it’s probably not very reliable or helpful to you in determining what an apartment community is really like. What other thoughts do you have about apartment reviews? Share any wisdom and tips from your own experience with the rest of us by leaving a comment. Submit a review of our Gilbert, AZ apartment community today so we can meet your needs. Thanks for reading. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Importance of Writing Reviews

These days, reviews are a part of our everyday lives. We depend on reviews to find the best products at the best prices. We also write our own reviews on products. Knowing how to write an effective review is a good skill to have. Today, the Liv Northgate Blog is sharing tips for writing reviews with a focus on apartments, though the information can be applied to just about any type of review. Why Write a Review When you were searching for an apartment, you likely read the reviews as part of your search. As a resident of our apartment community, you are in an excellent position to share a detailed review of the location, amenities, neighbors, and other factors that are a part of your daily life. We value the feedback we receive from reviews. Of course, if there is an issue, we want to help resolve it, so please contact management to discuss concerns. The best place to get these things off your chest is in a one-on-one conversation with your property manager, NOT online talking trash. Call ahead and schedule an appointment. Have evidence to back up any assertions or complaints. Aim for resolution of your three key gripes, and have a positive attitude. What to Include in a Review Whether your review is positive, negative, or somewhere in between it is important to include relevant details, stick to the facts, be specific, and strive to be objective. Take time to think about what you want to say and focus on sharing the experience. Pay attention to spelling and grammar and use complete sentences. Use exclamation marks sparingly, and resist the urge to use more than one at the end of a sentence! Remember that poor writing mechanics can instantly devalue what you are saying — a reader may think, why should I trust what this person’s opinion if they don’t take the time to write clearly . Be fair. Your experience may or may not be typical of everyone living in an apartment community, so avoid talking about your experience as if it is. Acknowledge in your review that it is one experience and that others may have had a very different experience. Just remember to give relevant details , to be succinct in your writing, and to consider the perspective of others involved so the review can be as helpful and easy to read as possible. Help someone out and take a minute to write a review for our Gilbert, Arizona apartment community. Next time, we’ll be sharing tips about how to evaluate reviews successfully, so stay tuned.