Blog Posts

Notable Women in History

Welcome to March at Liv Northgate in Gilbert, AZ! We hope you’re excited for good things to come this month. We are! We’re especially excited because March is Women’s History Month. Celebrate by taking note of women all around you and around the world. As promised in our last blog post, we’re highlighting three notable women in history we can all learn from and get inspired by. Harriet Tubman (1819 or 1820 – 1913) A Civil War Nurse, abolitionist, Civil Rights activist, prominent figure in the Underground Railroad, Tubman is often called the Moses of her people for leading so many of them out of bondage to freedom, according to HistoryNet. She was the first woman in America to conduct an armed military raid. She was born into a large family of slaves, and after years of slavery managed to escape. She managed to return for her family members, leading them and countless others to freedom. She continued to work tirelessly as a community activist, humanitarian, and active member of the suffrage movement. Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) Through her writings and activism, Angelou has defied social norms and inspired people everywhere to overcome prejudice, discrimination, and abuse, as Women of the Hall describes her influence. She was raped by her mother’s boyfriend and withdrew as a mute for five years, but her grandmother introduced her to literature. An actress, writer, and leader, Angelou’s works have brought her numerous awards. She was nominated for a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and a Pulitzer Prize. Check out some of Maya Angelou’s works on Amazon . Malala Yousafzai (1997 - ) Shot in the head and left for dead, Malala Yousafzai survived and has become one of the most influential women of modern times. Gunned down because she had the audacity to speak out advocating education for girls in a world of extremist authority, Malala didn’t cave. Instead, she became an outspoken proponent for children’s education rights internationally. Time magazine listed Malala Yousafzai as one of ‘The 100 Most Influential People in the World’ in 2013, and in October 2014, she was a co-receiver of the Nobel Peace Prize. She has penned several books, I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban (co-author Christina Lamb), and a children’s book, Malala’s Magic Pencil . One of the most remarkable things about this is that Malala is only 20 years old. Of course, these are just three of the literally countless women we should all take note of, this month and always. We hope you are as inspired as we were by reading about these remarkable women! Take some time this month to invite neighbors and friends over to your Liv Northgate apartment to celebrate women. Thanks for reading our post this week.

Encourage & Celebrate Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month. Celebrate at your Liv Northgate apartment and throughout Gilbert, AZ by trying some of these ideas, this month and the rest of the year. Open your eyes to the powerful influences and impacts of women, in your life and in the world, to start to give them the credit they deserve. Thank a woman. Women do a lot for others and the world at large. Look for someone who inspires you and find a way to thank them. This can be as simple as sending an email, a thank-you note, or stop by and thank them in person. Be sure to be genuine and specific as that is the most meaningful thanks people can receive. Give a compliment. Words of encouragement can do a lot to brighten someone’s day. As you’re looking for someone to thank, it’ll be easy to find great things about them. It’s always a good idea to express these thoughts, so don’t be intimidated. Similar to how you should be specific in your words of thanks, give specific compliments. Especially if they’re not related to a woman’s looks, this shows you truly notice and appreciate the things that might matter most to them. Read up on women’s history. Women have done incredible things, but they don’t often get the spotlight they deserve. Women’s history is everyone’s history, so read up and learn something new! Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World is a great book to start with. Its beautiful typography and illustrations will make learning an extra exciting adventure. If you’re a history buff, you may also enjoy the Uppity Women Book Series , which highlights women’s accomplishments throughout history including ancient times, medieval times, Shakespearean times, the Renaissance, and the new world. Support women. Part of being a support to women, individually and as a whole, is simply listening without getting defensive or without feeling the need to give your opinion. It could mean looking for women and women of color to support running for local governmental positions, or it could mean supporting their works of art financially or verbally. Speak out and defend women who are being unfairly attacked, online or in person. Make friends with women and appreciate them for who they are. We appreciate our apartment community and the civility expressed by our residents to each other! Next time we will be focusing on some specific women who have made a difference in the history of the world, so stay tuned. Thanks for reading this week’s post.

Calling on Creativity for National Craft Month

Did you know that March is National Craft Month? In today’s Liv Northgate Blog, we’ll be sharing a list of fun and creative crafts you can make at your apartment to celebrate this holiday. We hope you get to be creative and enjoy your month here in Gilbert, AZ! Vintage Map Coasters from eHow These coasters are fun to make and practical for your apartment space. To make them you’ll need a birch plywood board, a miter saw, vintage screws, scissors, a tape measure, an electric sander, Mod Podge, a sponge brush, spray polyurethane, a hot glue gun, and twine. Hot Glue Canvas Art from The Crazy Craft Lady This is a great craft that can give you loads of inspiration. If you want to make this exact hot glue canvas art piece from the link above you’ll need these supplies: a stretched canvas, a printer and paper, a pencil, tape, a hot glue gun and glue sticks, craft paint, and paint brushes. With these items the sky is the limit. Write or draw something with the glue gun and paint over it with your choice of colors and enjoy your masterpiece! For more hot glue gun craft ideas check out this list from A Girl and A Glue Gun . Stained Glass Hanging from Bespoke Glass Tile We can’t get over these pieces of art and how beautiful they will look when the light catches the glass in those early hours of the morning. Sure, some of the pieces are pretty pricey, but if you love it enough, it will be totally worth it. And take care of it and it will last you a long time! You could also make your own stained glass crafts if you really want to save some money. What are your favorite crafts to make in your apartment here in Gilbert, Arizona? What maps would you use for the coasters? Share your ideas with the rest of us by leaving a comment below. We hope you have a fun and fulfilling time crafting this month. Good luck!

Read a Book for Black History Month

While February is the known for Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Mardi Gras, and Susan B. Anthony’s birthday, it’s also Black History Month. We have a few books, written by people of color, for you to check out. 28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith Jr., Shane W. Evans : From a Goodreads review: “Each day features a different influential figure in African-American history, from Crispus Attucks, the first man shot in the Boston Massacre, sparking the Revolutionary War, to Madame C. J. Walker, who after years of adversity became the wealthiest black woman in the country, as well as one of the wealthiest black Americans, to Barack Obama, the country's first African-American president.” I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou : From a Goodreads review: Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local "powhitetrash." At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors ("I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare") will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison “Pecola prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be as beautiful and beloved as all the blond, blue-eyed children in America. In the autumn of 1941, the year the marigolds in the Breedloves' garden do not bloom. Pecola's life does change- in painful, devastating ways. What its vivid evocation of the fear and loneliness at the heart of a child's yearning, and the tragedy of its fulfillment. The Bluest Eye remains one of Tony Morrisons's most powerful, unforgettable novels- and a significant work of American fiction.” For additional books to read for Black History Month, check out Popular Black History Month Books and Books by People of Color . So, get a book and cozy up in your favorite reading spot in your apartment and read up on some history today. The Southeast Regional Library serving Gilbert, AZ residents is a great resource for acquiring some of these books to read — plus so much more; stop by and see what they have to offer. We hope you have a great rest of the month in the Liv Northgate community.

Classes to take in the Gilbert Area

Liv Northgate abounds with amenities for our residents, and we are happy to provide them. In addition to what you’ll find here, the greater Gilbert, AZ Community offers a wide variety of resources for city residents. Today we are highlighting some of the options available in the area from classes at the Gilbert Community Center to arts & crafts classes at CraftFusion. Head out of your apartment to learn something new! Gilbert Community Center The Gilbert Community Center hosts not only a variety of classes for all ages, but it is a “gathering place for all people.” This is what you can expect to find when you visit: “Once you walk in the front door you will experience the home grown feel of a small town community. Here we service the families in the Heritage District with a safe place for children to come and enjoy recreation. For the Active Adult . . . we host on-going affordable trips, card games, crafts, painting classes, exercise classes, dancing to live bands, movies, bingo and bunko.” Amenities at the Gilbert Community Center include the these: — 2 Multi-purpose rooms (able to accommodate up to 200 people) — 3 Multi-use classrooms (two equipped with private restrooms) — Exercise/Dance Room · Lounge with 3 computers — Lobby has a built-in HD flat screen TV — Available for rent to host your weddings, birthday parties, church services, meetings, etc., — Recreation classes (all ages) — Senior Activities/Lunches M-F — Large outdoor covered Ramada CraftFusion Self-proclaimed as the place “where craft meets art & art meets craft!” CraftFusion is located at the northwest corner of Dobson & Baseline Roads in the Dobson Shores Shopping Center in Mesa, Arizona. According to their website, CraftFusion is a resource for craft supplies including paper crafting, scrapbooking, mixed media art needs, and more. Not only do they provide crafting supplies, they are committed to teaching “in a creative and fun atmosphere, while always providing extraordinary customer service and the newest in merchandise.” Patrons can sign up for workshops and classes “designed for all levels of crafters and artists – from novice to advanced alike – designed to get your creative juices flowing in all areas of crafts and mixed media arts.” CraftFusion is about 20 minutes from Liv Northgate Apartments. What classes are you planning to take in 2018? Share in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

A Brief History of Valentine's Day

Welcome back to the Liv Northgate Blog! Valentine’s Day is coming up, and images of Cupid are popping up in advertisements everywhere in Gilbert, Arizona. Traditionally the day for lovers, Valentine’s Day means different things to everyone. For some, it’s all about couples, and for others, it’s recognizing friends and family members with tokens of love. For kids, it’s often about getting the most valentine cards, yet for others, it is a reminder of being single. Whatever your take on the date is, the actual history behind Valentine’s day is interesting, and we’re sharing some of it in today’s post. Father Frank O’Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland, shares the story of St. Valentine here . Tradition holds that the Roman Emperor, Claudius II, had banned the men in his army from marrying, based on the idea that unmarried soldiers fought better (less distracted maybe?) because they weren’t worried about wives and families. Valentine was a priest and he secretly married couples, going against the Roman edict. Eventually, Claudius found out and had Valentine imprisoned. It is said he healed his jailer, Asterius’ blind daughter. After being imprisoned for some time, Valentine was sentenced to be executed. Tradition has it that his last words, written in a note to Asterius' daughter, was “from your Valentine,” which inspired generations of sweethearts to sign cards with that phrase. The oldest extant valentine is a part of the manuscript collection of the British Library (original text pictured). Dating from 1415, the missive was written by Charles, Duke of Orléans, to his wife while he was being held as a prisoner in the Tower of London after being wounded and captured at the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War. Today, more than 180 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent, and 196 million roses are produced . Do you have yours? Are you planning on a romantic dinner at a Gilbert restaurant or a quiet evening at your apartment? Enjoying a fabulous Arizona sunset with your sweetheart? Treats for the kids? Ignoring the day? We’d love to hear about your Valentine’s Day plans. Feel free to share in the comments.