cwsapts

Austin Art Garage: Supporting Local and Emerging Artists

February 5, 2013 by cwsapts

Want to decorate with something unique? Head to the Austin Art Garage.

The Austin Art Garage’s mission is to hook up emerging artists with those who want to invest in their work. The gallery features works by thirty talented artists, many of them local. The public is invited to browse the selection and purchase quality original art at affordable prices. It's a great chance for collectors to get in on the ground floor and back the masters of tomorrow. It's a friendly, no-pressure environment; many works are under $100. Check the website for details.

Austin Art Garage
2200 S Lamar Blvd
Ste J
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 351-5934
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-art-garage-austin

Painting, Paintbrush, Art, Artist

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Art Spaces, Austin Art Garage, Austin Attractions, Things to Do in Austin

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day!

February 1, 2013 by cwsapts

Tomorrow, February 2nd, is Groundhog Day! As the story goes, if the groundhog sees his shadow, we will have six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, then spring is almost here!

This tradition comes from Germany. When the Germans were settling into Pennsylvania, they used this tradition to predict when Spring would begin. To this day, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is where the annual Groundhog prediction is made. The Groundhog who makes the prediction is named Punxsutawney Phil.

Are you hoping Phil sees his shadow??

Filed Under: Life at Marquis at Barton Trails Apartments Tagged With: Groundhog Day, Shadow, Spring, Winter

Most Memorable Movie Theme Songs

January 31, 2013 by cwsapts

A great theme song can get you into a film right from the beginning. Some soundtracks have even transcended the movies they came from and become cultural icons in their own right. In this article, we’ll share five examples of catchy movie theme songs:

"The Pink Panther"
This legendary smooth jazz theme by Henry Mancini written for the 1963 crime caper won three Grammy awards and hit the Billboard Top 10, and for good reason – it’s ridiculously catchy and you’ll have a hard time getting it out of your head.

"As Time Goes By"
Written by Herman Hupfield in 1931, this classic became famous in 1942 when Sam, played by Dooley Wilson in the film Casablanca, made it the film’s lyrical motif. An interesting bit of trivia is that “You must remember this / A kiss is just a kiss” isn’t the song’s opening – the film cut an entire verse before the chorus.

"My Heart Will Go On"
Celine Dion’s worldwide hit was originally composed as an instrumental by James Horner, but director James Cameron did not want vocals to be added to it. Writer Will Jennings composed lyrics anyways, and when Dion was convinced to do a demo tryout (a rarity for a singer of her stature), one of the most memorable movie songs ever.

"Mrs. Robinson"
Composed by Paul Simon for The Graduate, this was a rare occurrence of a pop star putting together a new song directly influenced by the plotline of a movie. Director Mike Nichols was a huge Simon & Garfunkel fan, paying big bucks for Simon to write three new songs for the movie. He only delivered one, but it was a classic.

"Theme From Shaft"
Isaac Hayes’s soundtrack to 70s classic Shaft is probably more famous than the film itself, replete with shimmering strings, funky drums, and one of the most famous call and response vocal parts of all time.

By Orchestra of the 18th Century [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Movie Theme Songs, Movies, Trivia

Oysters Al Fresco at Perla’s on South Congress

January 29, 2013 by cwsapts

One of Austin’s best seafood restaurants, Perla’s boasts elegant al fresco dining on their large oak-shaded patio or sophisticated yet casual dining inside, including a large oyster bar and open kitchen. Their signature is over 15 varieties of fresh oysters flown in from both coasts, daily. In addition to oysters, the menu offers simple grilled fish and steak. Try the crispy Texas red snapper or their bouillabaisse — both are highly recommended. Sides are a la carte, and large enough to share — try the griddle cakes with creme fraiche and chives. For dessert, the butterscotch pot de creme is the perfect ending to your meal.

Prices reflect the sophisticated menu, making this a good spot for special celebrations. Happy hour features $.50 off oysters and $2 off beverages from Monday – Friday, 3-6 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

Perla's
1400 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-7300
www.yelp.com/biz/perlas-austin

By Claude Covo-Farchi (Flickr) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, Perla's, Restaurants in Austin, Seafood

Unusual Crafts To Enjoy on a Rainy Day

January 25, 2013 by cwsapts

If you're tired of traditional crafts and hobbies likes knitting, doing puzzles, and collecting coins or stamps, consider trying a new project. Below are a few suggestions for unique craft-making projects you can attempt right at home at Marquis at Barton Trails.

Papercutting

Papercutting is an absorbing art that involves cutting paper into intricate designs. Cultures all around the world have engaged in different forms of papercutting throughout history, and it is often associate with Chinese culture. You can start out simply and then progress to more complicated designs as your skills improve. This is a useful skill to hone when it comes time for making cards for friends and family members.

Quilling

This craft is yet another paper-based art, and it’s a fabulous option if you’re looking to immerse yourself in an extremely detailed and intricate activity that requires all of your attention. Quilling involves the use of paper strips that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create attractive designs. As an art form, quilling dates back to the Renaissance, when monks used quilling to adorn the covers of sacred books. Today, ithas become an increasingly popular because of the low cost of materials.

Kumihimo

Kumihimo is the skill of braid-making, and it has it's roots in Japan. It involves a complex and satisfying process of finger-loop braiding in which you interlace strands in order to make cords and ribbons out of fine strands. Practitioners of Kumihimo use a foam disk to help them as they braid the strands together — these disks are available in a variety of sizes and styles so that you can make whatever kind of braid you wish, ranging from flat to circular to four-sided to hollow.

Temari

This is another craft worth checking out if you enjoy intricacy and complexity while working with your hands. Temari is a Japanese art where craftspeople create beautiful and vividly colored decorative balls made of thread. This is an especially good option if you have experience with stitching-based crafts, and an added benefit is that Temari balls make lovely gifts.

Tablet Weaving

This fun project, also known as card weaving, involves a weaving approach in which tablets or cards are used to create the shed through which the weft passes. This is an ideal form of weaving for narrow arenas of work such as thin straps, belts, or the trim on various garments. The materials and tools are relatively inexpensive, and once you get over the initial learning curve, you’re sure to find this an absorbing and rewarding activity.

By Intothewoods29 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Crafts, Paper Arts, Quilling

Burgers and Beer at Hopdoddy Burger Bar

January 22, 2013 by cwsapts

After less than three years in business, Hopdoddy Burger Bar is already an Austin institution. Their simple menu features burgers, salads, beer, and other adult beverages. Burgers are reasonably priced and made from top quality ingredients. Hormone and antibiotic-free black angus beef is ground in house and grilled to perfection. Buns are baked from scratch twice daily, and they even cut their own fries.

In addition to several beef burgers on the menu, Hopdoddy offers turkey, lamb, tuna and veggie burgers. Be sure to top your patty with their homemade chipotle ketchup. Staff will guide you through their ordering process, which starts with bar items first — including many craft and local beer options in addition to mixed drinks — before placing your food order. This place is busy, so be prepared for a line out the door. Excited customers and tight seating make for a boisterous atmosphere, so it’s best suited to a night out with friends.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress Ave
Ste A190
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 243-7505
www.yelp.com/biz/hopdoddy-burger-bar-austin

By miikkahoo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/miikkah/2577964672/) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, Burgers, Hopdoody Burger Bar, Restaurants in Austin

Resident Referral Discount!

January 22, 2013 by cwsapts

Don't forget about CWS's Resident Referral offer! Refer a person who leases at our property and receive $500 off of your rent after they have lived at the property for 30 days!

Filed Under: Life at Marquis at Barton Trails Apartments Tagged With: Refer A Friend, Referral, Referral Money, Resident Referral Discount

Wonderful Remakes of Classic Films

January 18, 2013 by cwsapts

It seems that more and more Hollywood turns to classic movies to create the latest blockbuster. The films are reworked for modern audiences, sometimes compromising the integrity of the original film. But, once in a while, a remake is a true success — below are a few movie remakes that got it right.

The Departed
A few years back, Martin Scorsese won an Oscar for his remake of the thriller Infernal Affairs, now set, not in New York City, but Boston. The Departed's group of thieves, agents, and double-crossers was played by top-notch actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Sheen.

The Magnificent Seven
A wonderfully effective remake of the Japanese film, Seven Samurai, The Magnificent Seven takes the traditional samurai flick's plot and sets it in the old west for a new and interesting twist.

The Thing
Did you know that John Carpenter’s classic 1982 film The Thing was actually a remake of a not-so-well-done 1950s movie? Situated in a remote arctic research base, this nail-biter is a masterpiece of suspense and paranoia.

Casino Royale
A more humanizing look at the debonair James Bond, Casino Royale recalls the agent’s start in the field as well as his early heartbreak. Events in the film are anchored by Daniel Craig’s rugged yet sensitive portrayal of Bond. This film is actually the second silver screen adaptation of Fleming's classic Bond book, the later Casino Royale dispenses with the earlier film's comedic elements for a more dramatic tale.

Ocean’s Eleven
Steven Soderbergh livens up the story of the original Vegas caper by packing the film full of Hollywood stars, dry wit, and stylish flourishes to create a funny look at a high-stakes heist. In this version, we get to enjoy George Clooney and Brad Pitt instead of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

By NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Flickr: Viewing 3D IMAX clips) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Cinema, Film, Movies, Remakes

“Chillax” at Shady Grove

January 15, 2013 by cwsapts

Nestled in a grove of pecan trees, Shady Grove has offered American comfort food favorites since 1992. Regulars love their beefy chili — anything on the menu that features this signature creation is a guaranteed hit. The chili cheese fries, Frito pie and chicken fried steak topped with green chili sauce are also perennial favorites. If you want lighter fare, there are several salads as well as the popular vegetarian “hippie” sandwich which layers grilled veggies, mozzarella, and pesto onto homemade bread. Old-fashioned stone work complete with a fireplace makes Shady Grove a great place to stay a while and savor your food. Their outdoor patio is spacious and every Thursday they host “Unplugged at the Grove” which features Austin’s musical talent. Don't miss the mixed drinks, either …

Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-9991
www.yelp.com/biz/shady-grove-austin

Forest, Trees, Woods

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, New American Cuisine, Restaurants in Austin, Shady Grove

Search for Apartment Reviews or Make a Review Online Today!

January 14, 2013 by cwsapts

Have you ever wished you could find helpful reviews for an apartment home? It seems as though restaurants have this down. Looking for a great place to eat? Search online and you will find a host of reviews highlighting the positive and/or negative aspects of your area’s favorite eateries, complete with plate recommendations and tips on how to make the most of your night on the town. Search for apartment reviews and you will likely find one or two helpful reviews followed by some vague or incoherent rant. This just doesn't make sense, considering choosing an apartment home is a much bigger commitment than a plate of pasta!

CWS Apartment Homes is committed to helping people find the best possible home and doing so with complete transparency. In the spirit of transparency in the marketplace, allow us to introduce you to the new era of apartment ratings at www.rentersvoice.com. Renter’s Voice provides a forum for renters to share helpful information pertaining to their apartment home. In addition, CWS residents receive email surveys throughout the year from Renter’s Voice in an effort to check in and ensure they are completely satisfied with their apartment home all year long! We read these reviews, listen to your suggestions and respond to each and every one! Love your 24-hour access fitness center? Share it on Renter’s Voice! Wish you had a pet clean-up station closer to your apartment? Share it in your survey and with your leasing office! CWS Apartment Homes is constantly striving to improve the quality of your customer experience at our communities.

We also invite you to share your opinions on Google reviews, www.yelp.com and www.apartmentratings.com. Tell us about your memorable experiences in your apartment home, why you renewed, why you choose to call it “home” and what improvements you would like to see in the future. If restaurant reviews can help you find the perfect dinner choice tonight, then why can’t apartment reviews help you find the perfect apartment home choice tomorrow?

Filed Under: Life at Marquis at Barton Trails Apartments Tagged With: Apartment Reviews, CWS Apartment Homes, Renter's Voice