Arbors Apartments News

Pick Your Neighbor...

2009-04-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

The only thing better than loving your home, is loving your neighbor as well. Who better than your friends or co-workers? Refer them to The Arbors of Central Park and you will receive BIG BUCKS!!

If you know someone who is ready to make a move, or is looking for a better place to live, please send them our way. Earn some extra cash just in time for holiday shopping!

Has your air filter been changed?

2009-04-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

Your air filter should be changed once every 30 days for proper air flow in both the winter and summertime. Stop by the office and pick one up or give us a call to have our maintenance personnel change it for you. Here are some important air conditioning and heating tips associated with changing your air filter:

Save money – regularly changing your filter will help reduce the cost of your electric bill
Cooling and warming – regularly changing you filter will help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter
Never remove your filter without replacing it – this can damage your HVAC unit

Where do I?

2009-04-13T09:00:00.002-05:00

Get a marriage license: Tarrant County Clerk(817)884-1195

Get a drivers license: Department of Public Safety624 NE Loop 820, Hurst (817)299-1426

Renew car tags: Sub-Court House645 Grapevine Hwy, Hurst (817)581-3636

Get a copy of a birth/death record: Bedford City Hall, "B" Vital Statistics 2000 Forest Ridge Dr., Bedford (817)952-2112

Spring is in the Air...

2009-04-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

Now that the cooler weather is leaving and the warmer weather approaches more and more kiddos will be playing outdoors. Please remember the community rules:

Children should be supervised at all times
There are designated play areas (playground and basketball court)
No one under the age of 16 is permitted in the pool area without a parent or legal guardian
Children should not play or ride their bike in the parking lots

Lets have a safe and enjoyable spring!

Easter Celebration

2009-03-30T10:11:00.000-05:00

Age(s): 10 and under
When: Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Bedford Boys Ranch Pavilion
Fee: $5.00 per child

Bring your family and join your neighbors and friends! Pre-registration is required. $5 per child. Registration fee includes an arts & craft project, a picture with the Easter Bunny, a snack and an Easter egg hunt that will include over 10,000 eggs! The egg hunt will start promptly at 10:20am. Areas will be marked off for different age groups. for more information, please call (817) 952-2323.

Super Bowl XLIII

2009-01-26T09:00:00.001-06:00

Super Bowl Sunday:

February 1, 2009 at 5:00pm
Tampa Bay, Florida
Televised on NBC

"WOW" Award

2009-01-19T09:00:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to our "WOW" Award Winner:

Rebecca Smith

Way to go! You deserve it. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication.

National Get Organized Month

2009-01-12T09:00:00.001-06:00

Did you know that January is Get Organized Month? Organization is one of the big secrets of success. Many of struggle with where to begin or how to get started. We found 6 tips to help you get organized for '09...

Do it in the first place - People who are well prepared to deal with the world do a much better job of it. They often have more time, are more relaxed and have greater success. This is an obvious point and one that you'll suffer from if you ignore it. Getting organized is worth the bother.
Be organized about being organized - Organizing your tasks and information obviously uses time and resources, so it's only worth doing if there's a bigger payoff at the end of it. The benefit you get from creating order must be greater than the time and resources you spend. Otherwise, there's no point.
Keep the goal in mind - Organize around one specific goal and be ruthless about not letting anything else distract you from it. Keep this goal as straightforward as possible.
Spend most of your effort on the most important task - Always concentrate ruthlessly on achieving the most important task. Put most of your time and resources towards it and not other distractions. Prioritize, in other words. Remember that trying to do everything often leads to achieving nothing. Keep secondary tasks in mind, but devote less time and resources to achieving them. You can always come back to them later.
Keep it simple - Good organization is rarely complex. Plan what you want to do in the easiest and least complicated way possible. If you find yourself getting confused, or confusing others, then it's probably time to start slashing away some of your processes and ideas. Keep it simple to make it successful.
Get started early - Working steadily towards your goal is a much better strategy than a last minute dash towards the finish line. Whether it's a task at work, going to the airport to catch a plane, or planning an event - get started early. Surprise people with how on top of it you are.

Getting organized doesn't have to be too difficult and makes life a little less hectic. For more information visit: http://www.paulstips.com/brainbox/pt/home.nsf/$all/950A9DB3B517D4ACCA25714900361027?opendocument

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-05T09:00:00.002-06:00

The Arbors of Central Park wants to wish each and every resident a very Happy New Year! We hope that 2009 is a spectacular year and everyone can fulfill their New Year's Resolutions. Here are some helpful tips to keep those resolutions all year long:

Be Realistic - The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. Strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it more often than you do now.
Plan Ahead - Don't make your resolution on New Year's Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31 arrives.
Outline Your Plan - Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have one more cigarette. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk.
Make a "Pro" and "Con" List - It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.
Talk About It - Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best case scenario is to find yourself a buddy who shares your New Year's resolution and motivate each other.
Reward Yourself - This doesn't mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution. If you've been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example, perhaps your reward could be going to a movie with a friend.
Track Your Progress - Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, say, focus on losing that first 5.
Don't Beat Yourself Up - Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time.
Stick To It - Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become second-nature in no time.
Keep Trying - If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't make a "New Year's resolution" any time of year.

We got our tips from the following website and if you need more information visit: http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/mentalhealth/a/newyearresolve.htm

Good Luck!

What to do with the Christmas Tree?

2008-12-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

Did you get a real Christmas tree this year? Are you ready to dispose of it properly? The City of Bedford is ready to recycle your tree. From December 26 - January 12 you can drop off your tree at the Meadow Park Athletic Complex. This is a free service to you!

Please do not discard your tree in our community dumpsters. The holidays tend to bring on additional amounts of trash and all the dumpster room we can get is needed.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-22T09:00:00.005-06:00

Our holiday office hours will be:

Wednesday, Christmas Eve - Office Closed at 3:00 pm
Thursday, Christmas Day - Office Closed

Wednesday, New Year's Eve - Office Closed at 3:00 pm
Thursday, New Year's Day - Office Closed

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! Please remember if you have a maintenance emergency, please call 817-540-1131 and press 3. Our Maintenance staff will respond accordingly.

Warm Wishes,

Arbors of Central Park

Make Way for Winter

2008-12-15T09:00:00.001-06:00

Before you know it, Old Man Winter will blow some nasty weather around the Arbors of Central Park, and we want to help you prepare for the conditions. When temperatures fall below freezing:

Keep the heat on, and don't set the temperature below 55 degrees
Open cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate around pipes near an outer wall
At night let cold and hot water drip from your faucets
You should also stock up on some winter essentials such as a flash light with extra batteries, extra food, bottled water

Hopefully, the winter weather will be kind this year, but if not, perhaps this advice will keep Jack Frost from nipping at your nose.

Santa Paws

2008-12-08T09:00:00.001-06:00

Help out the furry four-legged friends this holiday season by participating in Santa Paws. This is a donation drive designed to assist the Bedford Animal Shelter and the animals that need that facility.

Donations can be delivered directly to our (Arbors of Central Park) front office, the Bedford Public Library, or to the Bedford Animal Shelter through the month of December. The Santa Paws list includes the following items:

High quality cat and dog food (Science Diet, Eukanuba, ect.)
High quality kitten and puppy food (Science Diet, Eukanuba, ect.)
Non-clumping cat litter
Bleach
Dishwashing and laundry soap

There are always animals available for adoption! Just be sure to get pet restrictions and deposit information from our office prior to your adoption.

Fireplace Safety

2008-12-01T14:44:00.002-06:00

With cooler weather quickly approaching here are some quick tips for using your fireplace this winter.

Before you light the fire:

Check and make sure the damper is open
Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks
Keep all combustible and flammable materials a safe distance from the fireplace opening – including holiday décor
Avoid wearing loose or flowing clothing
Be sure your smoke detector is working
Keep a portable fire extinguisher handy
Practice your home escape plan

While the fire is burning:

The United States Fire Administration has recommended seasoned wood only- avoid the use of greenwood, lumber, treated wood or construction scraps
Use only one or two small logs or one medium log that is dry and well cured
Be sure the fireplace screen is fully closed
Keep small children away
Keep anything that will burn at least three feet away from the fire
Never use paper, cardboard, plastic or other similar combustible material – this will burn rapidly, causing a flash fire
NEVER LEAVE THE FIRE UNATTENDED]

After the fire is out:

Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving home or going to bed
Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container
Do not close the damper until the fireplace has completely cooled

Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T09:00:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving as we all know is a time to give thanks to those we hold near and dear to our hearts. The Arbors of Central Park wants to take a moment and thank each and every resident for making our community the place you call home!

Our office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Should you have a maintenance emergency, please call 817-540-1131 and press 4 to leave a message for our on-call maintenance.

Please have a safe and happy holiday!

Arbors of Central Park
www.arborscentralpark.com

"WOW"Award

2008-11-17T09:00:00.001-06:00

Is there an Arbors of Central Park employee that has “wowed” you, someone who has gone above and beyond and you want to thank them for their hard work? Now is your chance! Stop by the office to get a nomination form.

The person who receives the most nominations will receive 1 full paid day off. Your vote counts – nominate TODAY!

Return the completed form to our office and you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of many prizes. Nomination forms should be returned by November 21st.

Pet Adopt-A-Thon

2008-11-10T09:00:00.001-06:00

If you are looking to expand your family or just want to learn more about the Animal Shelter, then do not miss Bedford's Annual Pet Fair and Adopt-A-Thon. It will take place from 10:00am - 2:00pm on Saturday, November 15, at the Animal Shelter located at 1809 Reliance Parkway. Come out and get some FREE food while enjoying the scheduled entertainment and perhaps bring home a new pet. For more information, please call the Animal Shelter at 817-952-2191.

Please contact the Arbors of Central Park office regarding required pet deposits, rules and restrictions.

Tarrant Area Food Drive

2008-11-03T09:00:00.003-06:00

We would like to ask each resident to join us in our holiday can food drive. We will be collecting canned foods starting now until Thanksgiving. All food will be donated to the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Here are some examples of the food and non-perishable items that can be donated:

For Families: Canned Meats (Tuna, Chicken, Stew, Chili), Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruits, Peanut Butter, Cereal, Powdered Baby Formula, Dried Soup Mixes, Dried Beans, Boxed Pastas, Rice.

Non-Food Items: Diapers, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Soap, Shampoo, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels.

Recipe of the Month

2008-11-03T09:00:00.001-06:00

Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Ingredients

1 package brownie mix
1 (3.9oz) package instant chocolate pudding
½ cup water
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8oz) container frozen whipped cream, thawed
1 (12oz) container frozen whipped cream, thawed
1 chocolate candy bar

Directions

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8oz whipped topping until no streaks remain.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture and half of the 12oz container of whipped topping. Repeat layers. Shave chocolate onto top layer for garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

Recipe of the Week

2008-10-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients

1 rotisserie chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz spaghetti noodles cooked
2 cups water
1 cube chicken bullion
¼ bar Velveeta cheese cubed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. De-bone chicken and cube. Add water and chicken bullion in saucepan and heat until bullion is dissolved. Add Velveeta cubes to water and stir until melted. Add cream of chicken soup, mix well. Pour mixture onto cooked spaghetti noodles, add chicken. Mix well. Pour into 9X9 casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.

Ghost and Goblins Beware

2008-10-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

Halloween is right around the corner and it will be time to get your little ghosts and goblins ready for trick-or-treating. Halloween is a cherished tradition but the excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful. There is no real "trick" to making Halloween a real “treat” for the entire family. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes. Both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe.

Halloween Safety:

Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.

Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.

Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.

Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.

Establish a return time.

Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.

Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.

Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

Recipe of the Week

2008-10-20T10:00:00.001-05:00

Chocolate Cherry Cake with Chocolate Glaze

Ingredients

Cake: Glaze:

1 chocolate fudge cake mix 1 cup sugar
2 eggs 5 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon almond extract 1/3 cup milk
1 can Comstock cherry pie filling 6 oz chocolate chips
Maraschino cherries

Directions

Cake – Preheat oven to 350. Coat 13X9” pan with non stick spray. Combine eggs and almond extract in large bowl and beat well. Add cake mix and pie filling, blending well. Batter will be thick and lumpy. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes. Leave in pan, cool slightly.

Glaze – Combine sugar, butter and milk in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Let boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips and blend until smooth.
Pour glaze onto warm cake immediately. Chill cake. Add cherries to top of cake if desired and serve

Pick Your Neighbor

2008-10-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

Recipe of the Week

2008-10-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

Chipotle Chicken Salad

Ingredients

1 rotisserie chicken
1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped
½ large red onion, diced
2 green onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced on the bias
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup canned chipotles in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon sea salt
pinch ground black pepper

Directions

Pull the chicken meat into shreds with your fingers, discarding skin and bones. Combine chicken, bell pepper, red onion, green onion and cilantro in large bowl. Stir the mayonnaise, chipotles, lime juice, salt and pepper together in small bowl. Combine with chicken and vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding additional chopped chipotles if desired. Chill until ready to serve.

Paper Shredding Event

2008-10-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, October 18 from 8:00am - 12:00pm, the Beautification Commission will host a Free paper shredding event at the Meadowpark Athletic Complex. Bedford residents may bring up to three boxes of paper documents to be shredded. Paper clipped and stapled documents will be accepted and there is no limit on the size of the boxes. Proof of residency will be required.