Get started reading this summer!

How do you like to spend your free time during the warm summer months? One great way to pass the time in the hot weather is settling down with a good book and doing some quality reading. Whether you want to just kick back in on your couch in your apartment or you decide to head down to the beach, nothing beats quietly enjoying a book during the summer.

Any part of doing some good summer reading is going to include looking for the right books, and you’ll find them at The Book Cellar in Anaheim. Their expert staff will help you find exactly what you’re looking for, and can make recommendations as well if you’re not quite sure what you want. Their selection is quite extensive, too, reaching across every genre and subject out there.

With great prices and deals, along with special programs like their daily discounts and birthday club, you’ll have a great book shopping experience at The Book Cellar. Open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday Through Friday plus special hours on Sunday means you can drop in just about any time and see what they have in store for you. Don’t hesitate to visit them soon and get your summer reading started soon!

Great Living Room Decor Tips!

Having a comfortable, cozy living room is absolutely vital for living in an apartment. Your living room is often the first room that visitors see, and it’s often where you get together to spend time in groups and do some fun socializing. Keeping your apartment well-decorated and giving off a fun and friendly vibe is extremely important for happy times.

So what can you do to keep your living room looking pleasant and inviting? We’ve got a few tips for you to consider if you’re going to invest in doing some decorating:

• Getting made-to-fit curtains for your windows is a great way to add flavor to the room
• Use a combination of lighting sources to keep the mood warm
• Magazines are a great way to find ideas for color and mood
• Consider what you like best, don’t worry about what your friends would like; it’s your apartment, not theirs

For more on these tips and other helpful hints for decorating your living room, go visit ApartmentIdeas.com to see what else you can do to add a little spice to your living room.

Gas is definitely getting too expensive these days. With rising fuel costs, plenty of Anaheim citizens are looking for new ways to save money on gas. Riding a bike or walking works well when you live close to your job, but it gets unpractical past a certain distance. However, if you’re looking for a different transportation solution, consider using the Metrolink.

For residents at The Crossing, riding Metrolink is especially convenient since there’s a station just a block away from our building. Wherever you work in the city, there’s likely a Metrolink station nearby, and since there’s one here at The Crossing as well you could ride it to work everyday and save a little bit on gas money. Not only that, but you’ll be helping the environment a little by using public transportation and not pumping more pollutants into the air. That definitely makes it worth considering.

Try it out for one week and see how you like it! You never know, you might end up making it a regular routine. If you already regularly ride Metrolink, leave a comment with some tips and helpful hints for first-time riders who will be getting to know the system!

Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Now that Fall is in full swing, it won’t be long before the holiday season will be here and families all over America will be sitting down together to have a wonderful meal. Not everyone is quite so fortunate, however, and plenty of families will struggle through yet another season.

What’s good, though, is you can help! One of the simplest ways to help families in need in our area is to work with the Orange County Food Bank. This incredible organization distributes food to families all over Orange County that are in desperate need, providing 15 million pounds of food annually. Handing out all that food isn’t exactly easy, so they rely on volunteers to give their time at the food bank whenever possible. Volunteering your time at the food bank is a really great way to help out the community, and you’ll be making a difference in the lives of many people.

For those who can’t find time to volunteer, you can still help out by donating food like canned goods. They even accept monetary donations if you’d prefer to donate that way.

It doesn’t matter which way you decide to help so long as you make at least some contribution. Give back to the community and help make the world a little bit better place for a few unfortunate families this holiday season at the Orange County Food Bank.

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Do you look around at bare walls and floors in your apartment every day and wish you could add a little style to your space? Tired of sitting in uncomfortable, old furniture? Having a stylish, comfortable apartment is essential to happy and healthy living, and beyond that you simply want your place to look good for visitors, right? Good decorating isn’t rocket science, and it’s a lot more affordable if you know where to look for the bargains.

Having said that, we wanted to share a few simple tips that will help you get your apartment decorated and furnished, without draining all the life from your wallet:

• Do-it-yourself: With a handyman friend and a couple of power tools, you can easily  make your own simple furniture like bookshelves and tables
• Garage sales: Weekend garage and yard sales are great places to find deals on used, quality furniture as well as home decor items
• Dollar stores: These can be great places to find everyday household items that will give your place a real style without much cost
• Online: Look on eBay or Craigslist for used furniture in the area at great prices

These are just a few of the ways you can save money on decorating your apartment in Anaheim. What’re some other tricks and tips you know about decorating for cheap? Tell us in the comments section!

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Started as a season-long celebration for a German prince who was soon to be married, Oktoberfest is a tradition that dates back hundreds of years and it’s popularity is just as high as ever. It’s no wonder, either; if you built a festival around celebrating the beginning of Fall and drinking lots of beer and eating lots of food, you wouldn’t doubt it’s success, would you? Of course not!

It’s a big affair for cities all over the country even here in America, and Anaheim is no exception at all. The best place to celebrate Oktoberfest in Orange County is definitely going to be The Phoenix Club, where they’ll be having events weekend after weekend all the way into the month of October. The first big draw is of course going to be all the delicious, authentic German food and beer, but there’s more than that. Other attractions you’ll find at their weekend Oktoberfest celebrations will include dancing and live music, train and pony rides for the kids, and lots of other entertainment events for you to enjoy. It’s the biggest party of the fall, and everyone in the area is invited.

It’s free to attend, as well, and like we said they’ll be having events every weekend starting Friday, September 16th and lasting through the end of October. With such a range of dates to attend, you can go any time you’re free. So enjoy the beginning of the Fall season with Oktoberfest at The Phoenix Club in Anaheim. Cheers!

Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com

Few things compare to a night out in a crazy fun, concert atmosphere. The sound of the music with thousands of adoring fans singing along with an artist is truly something special. It’s a way to get out the routine of life, jump into the lyrics of a song, and be something else for a few minutes. If it’s been a while since you’ve experienced a great concert, or if you’re an avid show-goer who’s ready for the next month’s lineup, here’s a taste of some of the phenomenal artists coming to Anaheim soon.

Seeing some of these artists perform live might pleasantly surprise you. Shows are often the best way for artists to connect with their fans and get a little more personal.

If you’re thinking you want to rock hard and have a blast, plan to see artists such as Def Leopard with Heart, Ke$ha, or Underoath.

Looking for something a little more soulful? Ben Harper, Gillian Welch, OneRepublic, and Ray Lamontagne are highly talented artists who are coming to town and would be a great combination of a relaxed atmosphere and inspiring lyrics.

Wanting to break the norm and experience something a little different? Bassnectar may be just what you’re looking for. With a taste for hardcore dubstep, Bassnectar is considered an electronica pioneer.

Upcoming concerts in Anaheim bring something for everyone. Let us know what shows you plan to attend!

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Tired of your job? Got laid off and need to find a new one? Job searching has always been a very difficult task, and can be really stressful on you. The good news is the Internet is taking some of the stress and pain out of job searching, giving you quick access to employers and making it a lot easier to send out resumes and find jobs that fit your skills and talents.

For instance, try looking around for jobs at Anaheim Careers. This extensive web site has tens of thousands of listings for jobs in Anaheim, spanning across every industry and career you can think of. Search by job type, location, or field and see what you can find. No matter what your expertise or career path, there’s bound to be something there for you!

Stop wasting away at that job that leaves you feeling unfulfilled and your wallet empty. Start your life anew with a new job and see the difference it can make in your daily life! Good luck and happy job hunting!

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After the rousing success of last year’s event, the OC Foodie Fest is back on again this year and it’s time to start planning! This incredible event features dozens of food trucks from all over the area, serving some of the most delicious foods and snacks you will find anywhere. So mark your calendars and get ready to attend this incredible festival next month on Saturday, August 27th.

This unique fest will feature, besides all the food, live bands and entertainment, a special car show, independent vendors, dancing, art sales and charity events as well! It’s being held at Anaheim Stadium, and there will undoubtedly be thousands in attendance, so count on this being one of the biggest parties you’ll find in Anaheim.

General admission tickets are $12, or $30 for a family of four. You can also purchase exclusive VIP tickets that allow for early entry and other great additions like t-shirts and goodie bags. To make sure you get your ticket, be sure to buy online and save time as well.

Make your plans now to attend this awesome event in August, and we’ll hopefully see you there!

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In the warm summer months, we know lots of people are going to be out enjoying the nice weather outside. From grilling outdoors to just laying in the sun and soaking up rays, it’s always important to emphasize safety and awareness, and The Crossing Apartments want you to be safe while having fun.  No matter what you decide to do, here are a few tips to do just that:

Barbecue Safety

• Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Follow Manufactures instructions for lighting
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Use long handled grilling tools for safer grilling.
• Dispose of hot coals properly – douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas – carbon monoxide could be produced.

Campfire Safety

• Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves.
• Keep campfires small, and don’t let them get out of hand.
• Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you’re done. Stir it and douse it again with water.
• Never leave campfires unattended.
• Never build a fire without having the equipment and ability to extinguish it.

Sun Safety

• Wear sunglasses that block UV rays – Make sure that the labels ensure 100% UV protection.
• Use Sunscreen Consistantly – Apply every one or two hours to be safe
• Wear a hat
• Check Medication -  Some medications increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, this can cause skin to burn easily.

Just remember all these helpful tips, and you’ll be safe in the sun all summer!

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