Congratulations to Amanda for winning the March Madness Bracket Challenge. With her pick of Louisville as National Champions Amanda was able to overcome early tough losses from Georgetown and Gonzaga. We look forward to next year’s tournament and thank you to those who participated!
Dine Back in Time at Top Notch Hamburgers
April 10, 2013 by
Step back in time at Top Notch Hamburgers in Austin. Since 1971, this family-owned drive-in has been serving burgers and fried chicken that’ll knock your socks off. The menu is simple and straight-forward – no fancy toppings or “aioli” here. Charcoal broiling imparts old-fashioned flavor, and you can’t go wrong with the Longhorn Special; two beef patties and a special sauce. The fried chicken is breaded on site, and comes out hot and juicy. They offer shakes and malts as well as a nice variety of fried sides including tater tots, fried okra, and onion rings from scratch. You can enjoy your meal in the car while watching a movie on their white-wall “screen.” Not only do you get the vintage atmosphere – you get a vintage price too!
Top Notch Hamburgers
7525 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-2181
www.yelp.com/biz/top-notch-austin
Wearable Computers: Live Like James Bond
April 5, 2013 by
Do you wish you could be outfitted with cool, techy gadgets just like James Bond? Well, in this day and age, we're getting pretty darn close. There are countless wearable computers on the market today that are designed to make your life easier, connect you with the world around you, and improve your lifestyle. If you're tech-obsessed (or have a tech-obsessed friend), and are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest cool thing, check out these items that will have you feeling like 007 in no time.
Recon Instruments MOD Display — If you're a fan of winter sports, then these high-tech goggles are a must. As you descend down the slopes, on the inner lens of the goggles appears a small screen that highlights and records your speed, the temperature, and all the info you'll need to calculate your truly great descents down the slope.
SmartWatch — Love your phone, but hate fishing it out of your purse or pocket every time you want to text or check your email? Well, the SmartWatch by Sony was made just for you. This wristwatch syncs with your smartphone, and allows you to access your most used apps right from the face of the watch! What could be simpler — or cooler — than that?!
FitBit — Want to get fit in true James Bond fashion? Then, use the FitBit! This little fitness gadget is worn on your wrist, and has special sensors that tell you about your physical activity throughout the day, including steps taken, calories burned, etc. Even better, you can sync it with your smartphone for even more in-depth computing including customized diet plans that reflect the actual calories you burn on any given day.
Dart Bowl: An Old-School Bowling Alley in North Austin
April 2, 2013 by
Have a blast from the past at Dart Bowl, an old-school bowling alley with trow back pricing for a fun evening out that’s easy on the wallet. Conveniently located in Austin’s Brentwood neighborhood, Dart Bowl has 32 well-maintained lanes that accurately keep score and rarely malfunction. If you work up an appetite bowling, the restaurant is famous for their enchiladas and homemade Texas toast – try them topped with a fried egg. The bar has a good selection of beer at reasonable prices, and if you’re looking for a Big Lebowski-inspired evening, the full bar offers well-crafted White Russians.
Dart Bowl
5700 Grover Avenue
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 452-2518
www.dartbowl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/dart-bowl-austin
Patio Contest Winners
April 1, 2013 by
Congratulations to the winner of our patio contest. First place went to Janetta and her plant filled patio, topped off with a surprise dog sighting. Second place went to Tony with his laid back plant filled patio, and Third place to Brittni with colorful patio set up! Thank you to everyone who voted and participated.
Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
March 29, 2013 by
If you’ve ever watching a gripping basketball game played at the highest levels of the game, then you know the unique brand of athleticism that a truly great basketball player possesses. Read on to learn about five of the very best players to ever hit a basketball court:
Michael Jordan
Many basketball fans and sports experts consider Jordan to embody the peak of human capabilities when it comes to the sport of basketball. His career accomplishments are dazzling. An inductee of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he was a 14-time NBA All-Star, a member of six NBA championship teams, and a five-time NBA MVP, and he holds the all-time record for the most points per game in NBA history. At the height of his game, he was also a hugely popular figure for his charisma and general sportsmanship.
Magic Johnson
This phenomenal Los Angeles Lakers player is one of the most famous figures in basketball history, known for his dazzling versatility on the court. Sports experts tout Johnson’s ability to play every position with consummate skill and also his talent for generating a positive team spirit. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star, a three-time NBA MVP, a member of five NBA championship teams, and holds the all-time record for most assists per game in NBA history.
Bill Russell
Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics was widely revered for his many skills on the court, and especially for his virtuosic abilities when it came to defensive positions. He was considered the kind of athlete who made everyone around him a better player. Russell was the member of 11 NBA Championship teams, was a 12-time NBA All-Star, holds the record for having the second highest number of rebounds in all of NBA history, and has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is known for his size and remarkable agility, and widely considered one of the best centers that professional basketball has ever seen. He’s known for innovating moves like the “drop step,” an effective offensive move designed to help him achieve slam dunks, and he became celebrated for his accuracy when it came to dunking. O’Neal was a member of four NBA Championship teams, was a 15-time NBA All-Star, one-time NBA MVP, and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection.
Wilt Chamberlain
Chamberlain is celebrated for his phenomenal ability to consistently do one of the most important things in the game of basketball – score points. He played the center position and is considered by many sports fans, experts, and fellow players to be one of the greatest and most dominant players in NBA history. His statistics and accomplishments are the stuff of legend. He was a 13-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, and he has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Spring Has Sprung!
March 29, 2013 by
Spring is finally here! Wishing you a season of sunshine and warmth.
Office Closing Friday
March 26, 2013 by
In Observance of Good Friday, The office will be closed on Friday, March 29th.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have a maintenance emergency, please call 512.837.3333 to page an on-call Service Technician
We hope you have a happy and safe holiday!
Sincerely,
Your Marquis at Canyon Ridge Team
The Backspace: Gastropub Goodness
March 26, 2013 by
The Backspace is a great little gastro-pub is helmed by revered Austin chef Shawn Cirkiel. His small, Italian-themed menu is eclectic, giving diners some yummy options for antipasti, pizzas and desserts to pair with wine, beer and cocktails. Order yourself a fruity chardonnay or rich cabernet sauvignon alongside an antipasti like Lamb & Pork Meatballs with stewed tomatoes, Baked Ricotta with lemon poached tomato, Farm Greens Salad with pecorino romano, or Brussel Sprouts & Fontina. The pizza selection includes the classic Margherita with mozzarella, basil & tomato, the Bianco with arugula, mozzarella & ricotta and the Roasted Mushroom with ricotta, tomato, capers & thyme. Delectable desserts include Hazelnut Chocolate Budino, Salted Caramel Panna Cotta and Ricotta Cheesecake. Open Monday through Sunday from 5p.m until 11p.m.
The Backspace
507 San Jacinto St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-9899
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-backspace-austin
Film Buzz: Most Thrilling Fight Scenes in Movie History
March 22, 2013 by
Do you love watching good guys and bad guys battle for victory on the big screen? There’s nothing like an adrenaline-pumping fight scene to give you an enlivening cinematic experience. Here are five of the most intense and memorable fight scenes in film history:
From Russia With Love, 1963
This James Bond classic features a rousing fight scene on a train between Bond and a villainous assassin. When he is held at gunpoint, Bond turns the tables by wielding a tear gas bomb as his aggressor. The two then tangle in a harrowing brawl that is made all the more precarious by the roaring speed of the train.
The Adventures of Robin Hood, 1938
This film is famous for its swashbuckling climax, a thrilling and surprise-filled sword fight between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone. The two men fence each other with great skill, and their duel unfolds in a dazzling display of acrobatic agility, quick-thinking, and verbal one-upmanship. Many film aficionados consider this to be one of the most intricately choreographed and performed sword fight scenes in film history.
Game of Death, 1978
Bruce Lee films are known for their stirring martial arts scenes, but his movie boasts a particularly notable battle between Lee and a formidable opponent. The showdown features Lee fighting against NBA star Kareem Adbul-Jabbar (who also happened to be one of Lee’s real-life martial arts protégés). Their battle displays a cunning use of martial arts on both ends and startles viewers with its edge-of-your-seat unpredictability.
Jason and the Argonauts, 1963
This much-loved favorite in the genre of fantasy film features one of the most memorable human-versus-monster fight scenes on the big screen. Jason and his men face off in a sword battle against an army of skeletons who have risen from the dead. The skeletons are animated via the stop-motion wizardry of special effects mavens who were at the cutting edge in their field during the 60’s. The scene combines the gravitas of Greek mythology with the most brilliantly innovative elements of the modern movie-going imagination.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000
This hugely popular Ang Lee film features a breathtakingly lyrical display of martial arts that combines realism with a dreamy fantasy quality. Michelle Yeoh battles in hand-to-hand combat against Zhang Ziyi as they trade blows over the theft of the Green Destiny Sword. They engage in a highly stylized and dance-like fight sequence that involves both of them flying through the air, one of the most indelible and visually innovative martial arts scenes in movie history.
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