Belmont at Park Bridge Apartments in Alpharetta, Georgia, Marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Fundraiser At Dancing Skulls, Info On Anderson’s Aesthetics, Illuminations At Borrelli’s, Cancer Support Center Atlanta & More Belmont at Park Bridge Apartments in Alpharetta, Georgia, is joining the fight against cancer by promoting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NCBAM) this October, sharing news and information with residents of the upscale apartment complex and surrounding community. Upcoming Events! Walks, races, teas, galas, and more events organized to support fundraising for breast cancer research abound throughout the Greater Metro Atlanta Region this month. One that promises to be fun will start at 8 p.m. Friday, October 22, 2021, at Dancing Skulls on John’s Bridge Road. Karen Tortoriello and Cats on the Creek will be playing and singing, and the $10 admission fee will get you a chance to participate in raffles, win prizes, and bid on silent auction items. Proceeds will go to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation—which, since its inception in 2006, has awarded over $3 million dollars to major research institutions working toward a targeted therapy. Karen Tortoriello is herself a survivor/thriver of this particular kind of cancer, which will makes the evening all the more meaningful. Pumpkin Spice & Everything Pink & Nice These days, with “Fight Like a Girl” T-shirts and bracelets available almost everywhere we look in October (kinda like pumpkin spice), it can be hard to imagine a time when we didn’t talk something that impacts so many people. Former U.S. First Lady Betty Ford was the one who led the change on this front—we’ll share a little bit more about her later in the blog. Fortunately, in addition to public conversations and acceptance—and cute accessories that may or may not help fund medical research (think before you pink!)—there are now also resources to help breast cancer patients as they go through months of treatments that can bring on great mental, physical, and emotional tolls. Support Groups Cancer Support Community Atlanta is the local chapter of the world’s largest nonprofit provider of psychosocial oncology programs. Its mission is simple: Help people affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being by providing free programs of support, education, and hope. Learn about common side effects of chemotherapy, nutrition, and stress reduction through their virtual programming. And, if like so many members of the Collingwood Apartments community, you have an avid interest in the outdoors, join in one of their walking group outings at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Clinical Trials With over 250 active clinical trials, the researchers at Emory Winship Cancer Institute are dedicated to taking new cancer treatments from bench to bedside. At Winship, patients have access to clinical trials for virtually every cancer type; in 2020, the institute enrolled more than 900 patients in over 300 clinical trials. (Winship Cancer Institute is part of Emory Healthcare, Georgia’s largest health care system, and is Georgia’s NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center.) License Plate Kaiser Permanente and the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) worked with the Georgia General Assembly to create the Breast Cancer License Tag program in 2002. Georgia CORE and the State Office of Rural Health have jointly administered the program since 2013. The purpose of it is to generate funds to provide education, screening and treatment to underserved Georgians; rural women and minority women have less access to care and are a priority of the program. Breast cancer accounts for 3 out of 10 new cancers in Georgia women, making it most prevalent of all cancers. Permanent Makeup The team at Anderson’s Aesthetics, founded and directed by Dr. Ken Anderson of the renowned Anderson Center for Hair, is committed to providing its clientele with discreet and customized services, including permanent makeup options. In 2008, Dr. Anderson was recruited from private practice in California to join the Emory Facial Center (a satellite office of the main Emory Hospital dedicated to facial cosmetic surgery) to offer hair restoration to Emory Healthcare patients. The 10,000 –square-foot luxury medical spa and surgery center located at the decadent Avalon in Alpharetta—with free and private parking—was the first in Georgia to offer ARTAS® Robotic Hair Restoration Surgery. It also offers bio-enhanced surgical and non-surgical procedures, including permanent makeup eyebrows and permanent makeup areola pigmenting, which is often requested by breast cancer survivors. Comfortable & Stylish Wigs & More Nestled in the heart of downtown Alpharetta on South Main Street, Borrelli’s Salon is committed to helping breast cancer patients recover with confidence. Whatever a client’s hair loss needs might be, the experts at Illuminations by Borrelli’s have the experience and expertise to give them the hair and look they desire. The salon offers many solutions, including: Topical Solutions-Keratin Hair Building Fibers Wigs (Stock, Custom and Semi-Custom) Partial Hairpieces/Toppers/Top of the Head (Stock, Custom and Semi-Custom) Vacuum Wigs Full Line Of Hats, Scarves & Turbans How It All Began With Betty The annual effort to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer was established in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, a leading manufacturer of oncology drugs). Former U.S. First Lady Betty Ford was the face of the campaign; she had changed how the country talked about this once-taboo women’s health topic when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a radical mastectomy in 1974, just seven weeks into her husband Gerald Ford’s unexpected tenure as president of the United States after the resignation of Watergate scandal-disgraced Richard Nixon. Within hours of the operation, the White House held a press conference sharing the details of her surgery—including the good news that, largely because the cancer had been detected early, Mrs. Ford’s prognosis was excellent. According to History, what happened next was remarkable. “Women across the country lined up outside clinics to get breast exams; newspaper articles described how to perform self-exams; and in the first week after Betty’s surgery alone, the White House received more than 35,000 cards and letters.”
TIPS FOR TAILGATING INSIDE & OUT FROM THE IDEA SPECIALISTS™ AT BELMONT AT PARK BRIDGE IN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
Cheer your team on close to home at Miller’s Ale House or Brimstone Restaurant and Tavern Rambling Wreck from Georgia Tech? Loyal Bulldog? Falcons fanatic? No matter what football team you’re pulling for this season, the Idea Specialists™ at luxury Belmont at Park Bridge apartment homes in Alpharetta, Georgia, have some tailgating tips for you! Family & Friends, Food & Fun Tailgating with family and friends is first and foremost about the fellowship and fun of sharing in the excitement of game day–not to be confused with enjoying ESPN’S popular College GameDay, which is also big fun! Whether you gather together on campus, in a stadium parking lot, or in your comfortable den or the Belmont at Park Bridge clubhouse, food and drink are key players to have on the field. Maybe you can count on your brother-in-law Hugh to always show up with his famous chicken wings and special sauce, or maybe you’d rather let the Publix at Alpharetta Commons do the heavy lifting when it comes to grilled meats and party platters. Either way, that Atlanta drink classic, a Jack and Coke, is a must-have, especially when you’re outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium getting ready to cheer on the Dirty Birds. Some of us might think the correct way to prepare this sweet-and-slightly-spicy beverage is to pour the two primary ingredients into a plastic cup full of ice and stir with the handle of a shaker stick. The folks over at Mix that Drink want us to know, though, that there is an actual recipe for what they term a “long drink”: 2 oz. Jack Daniels and 10 oz. Coca-Cola served over ice (and preferably in a rocks glass). Depending on the time set for kickoff, you might want to have a mimosa with your brunch foods or some beer and bottled water with your afternoon burgers and baked beans. Either way, it’s back to Publix, which has an extensive selection of regular and craft beers, sparkling and still waters, and pre-made mimosas in bottles! Perfect for when you’re planning to set up in Legion Lot across the street from the parking entrance to the University of Georgia’s student center, right? Tasty Treats And speaking of setting up for brunch, who better to turn to than the inimitable Southern Living for recipes that will have your guests cheering for the way you’ve upped your hospitality game. They’ve put together a list of “45 Super Tasty Tailgate Treats To Make Ahead For Game Day” that the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have bookmarked, and you should, too! From Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels to Muddy Buddy Mix to Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip, there something for everybody to enjoy. Score With Comfort & Convenience Cute top for her from Gameday Couture? Check. Comfy T-shirt from Vintage Sports for him? Double-check. A Morehouse Maroon Tigers bib for the baby? Check, check, check! With everybody dressed and ready to go, the next thing to do if you’re going to tailgate near the stadium is make sure you have comfortable seats, a good cooler, and enough table space for everything you’re sharing with your personal teammates. One favorite of the Idea Specialists™ from an HGTV list of “tailgating essentials” is a Giantex Folding Grill Table; you can get something similar online for not much more than $100. Pub & Grub There are lots of fun sports bars convenient to Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia. If you don’t already have a favorite, Yelp is one way to check out where you might want to spend a Saturday afternoon or Sunday evening. Lyft is another good online resource. Of course Miller’s Ale House on Davis Drive makes both Top 10 lists, as does Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern off Mansell Road. And, like the Belmont community, Brimstone is pet-friendly—you can enjoy watching the game on the patio with your furry friend!
Belmont Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia has Location, Location, Location
Location is central to the ease of living at a particular property. At Belmont at Park Bridge apartment community, we know that convenience is a deciding factor when selecting a place to live. Nearby attractions, scenic views, and schools are important factors in deciding where to create your home. So, if being near schools, shopping, medical centers, outdoor parks, and businesses in Alpharetta is important to you, then look no further. Because our apartment community offers all of this within a short drive from your future front door. SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS You need them? We have three of the best in the state nearby Belmont at Park Bridge. Collectively, these Fulton County schools rank between 93-98 percent higher in overall performance and higher than other schools in their district. That’s a statistic we love! Creek View Elementary—an accredited K-5 public school through Fifth grade—is a six-minute drive from Belmont at Park Bridge. Parents of middle schoolers will be delighted to learn that Webb Bridge Middle School is just a five minute drive from our location and further afield—a mere eight-minute drive—you’ll find Alpharetta High School, home of the Raiders! And for those pursuing or working in the field of higher education, you’ll discover that Georgia State University’s Perimeter College location is a four-minute drive down Brookside Parkway and Gwinnett Technical College Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus is nine minutes away. IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? YES, 200+ IN FACT Staying healthy and getting quality medical care when you need it is important. You’ll find that Northside Medical, home to more than 200 of Atlanta’s top physicians providing preventive and healing care from general surgery to pediatrics is just a seven-minute drive. SHOPPING, GROCERIES, PHARMACIES AND CONVENIENCE Let’s face it, your time is precious, so when shopping for the necessary items, being able to take care of that close to home is super beneficial! At Belmont at Park Bridge, Publix is a four-minute drive (unless you use Shipt!) and further afield, you’ll find Whole Foods, just nine minutes away on Old Milton Parkway. If you need a pharmacy, rest easy—there are three Walgreens locations all within a 12-minute drive depending on the direction you are going. And who can forget Starbucks, the most necessary of them all at times? We haven’t and you’ll find one 11 minutes away ready to serve up the latte of your choice. Pumpkin Spice anyone? LOCAL ALPHARETTA SHOPPING And let’s talk real shopping. We hope you are excited as we are that there are more than 250 shops of every kind within a five mile radius of Alpharetta. From boutiques to national brands, upscale resellers and malls, there’s sure to be a store or nifty little shop that has exactly what you are searching for here in our beautiful area. LET’S TAKE IT OUTSIDE Also, nearby Belmont at Park Bridge there are great outdoor locations that you and your family can enjoy throughout the year. Take a short six-minute drive to Ocee Park offering youth co-ed T-Ball and Baseball programs for girls and boys ages 4 to 15 years old, plus a large playground. Lake Winward, a six-minute drive, contains Windward Lake Club a 19-acre club offers programs designed for all ages and abilities and is open to every community If you dig horses, walking outdoors, dogs and even karate (and more)—check out Wills Park Recreation Center a 13-minute drive from Belmont at Park Bridge. Features of the park include walking trails, ball fields, an equestrian arena and dog park just to name a few. In fact, Wills Park was recently a finalist for the 2017 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, recognizing that Alpharetta has one of the top recreation and parks departments in the country. We think that’s lit! In fact, we think our location at Belmont at Park Bridge Apartment homes is truly the best in Alpharetta and you should see for yourself how close we are to these many Alpharetta locations. Give the team at Belmont Park Bridge a call at 770-762-2644 or stop in today for your own personal tour of our spacious apartment homes. We’re conveniently located just a mile and a half from the GA 400 / Old Milton Parkway interchange, a picturesque suburban retreat at the epicenter of North Fulton’s prestigious business corridor.
Luxury Towels for Luxury Apartment Living in Alpharetta, Georgia, at Belmont Park Bridge
Find Your Fine Linens at Peacock Alley & Kathryn Leach Home Time for new towels? Maybe you’re moving into your luxurious apartment home in Alpharetta, Georgia, at Belmont Park Bridge and need to stock up, or maybe you’re just ready to replace the ones you received as a gift a few years ago. Either way, the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists ™ have got you covered. In high-quality Turkish cotton, of course. Bath Towel Basics First let’s talk about what bath towels are made of—and maybe answer the question of why the ones we get at spas and hotels often seem so much nicer than what we have at home. The folks over at the HGTV website put together a list of 12 bath towels for different budgets and styles, and included some important information about what makes a towel “good.” Namely, it’s GSM, or grams per square meter (kind of like the thread count of sheets). The baseline is 400, they say; anything less than that and you’ll be drying off with a scratchy towel that doesn’t do a very good job of absorbing water. If you get up to the 620-900 range, then you’re into the world of super-plush spa and hotel luxury linens. The next factor to consider is material. While some towels are made of bamboo or modal, most are cotton. If you’re looking for super-soft, look for Egyptian or Turkish cotton with their long fibers. (Be a smart shopper and don’t get taken in by “Turkish-style” in the name—it’s not the same!) Take yourself on a fun field trip to Peacock Alley in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC West) and feel the heavenly lushness that is a Diamond bath towel, made of 100% extra-long staple cotton grown in the Aegean region of Turkey. If you’re looking for something a little more mainstream, you can’t go wrong with the Wamsutta Classic Turkish in white, usually easily available from Bed, Bath & Beyond. Clean & Pretty No matter what kind of towels you have, the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have some tips on how to make them a pleasant part of your bathroom décor. You’ve got towels that feel good; it’s important to make sure they smell good, too. Learning how to launder your linens is one key to achieving that “hotel towel experience.” Most resorts provide all-white towel sets, sometimes monogrammed. The standard color scheme means less sorting in the laundry, and white towels look crisp and clean when stacked neatly on the vanity or in the shower, or in a favorite basket or hamper. The experts say less is more when it comes to detergent and towels, and instead of using bleach and fabric softener, use baking soda and vinegar for stain treatment and softness. Many hotels use HTD Heavy Duty Detergent, which is sold in bulk. If you’re not up for buying a 25 lb. pail of washing machine soap from Worldwide Janitor, though, other pleasant-smelling heavy-duty options available at the grocery store or on Amazon are Persil ProClean, Gain, and, of course, that classic: Tide Original. Color & Convenience Consider adding a pop of whimsy and color to your bathroom with some of the custom bath accessories offered by Kathryn Leach Home in Buckhead. You also can make sure your guests don’t have to fret about using “the good towels” after they wash their hands by offering them the convenient option of cloth-like paper hand towels, which come in so many colors and patterns, and can be personalized with your initials and more. You can find some steals at the Tuesday Morning in the Saddlebrook Shopping Center, and are guaranteed good quality if you go the online route with PaperStyle. Seasonal Sales It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes out for seasonal sales, not just the traditional January white sale. As summer winds down, beach towels of all sizes, shapes, and materials are on the offer. We’re particular fans of the Linum Home Personalized Alara Turkish Pestemal now marked down at Macy’s. The Strategist has put together a list of the best beach towels on Amazon “According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers,” if you’re looking for other ideas. Out With The Old Now that you’ve got your new towels nicely displayed in your powder room, what to do with the old ones? If you’re in the mood for some simple arts and crafts, you can always cut your old towels into strips, braid them together, tie knots on each end, then pull the ends together and tie an overhead knot in the center: Voila! Homemade dog toy! Or use your old towels to wipe down your precious pup after y’all have been out to. Don’t have a fuzzy friend sharing your home at Belmont Park Bridge? You can always donate your old towels to the Atlanta Humane Society on Mansell Road.
Keeping Your Cool in the Dog Days of Summer
Belmont at Park Bridge is definitely a pet-friend luxury apartment community, but even we get tired of the “dog” days of summer—all they fetch is more heat and humidity! Not to worry, though: Our Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have some ideas on how we can keep our cool during this stretch of sweltering weather, which, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, “coincides with the year’s heliacal (meaning ‘at sunrise’) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris—the ‘Greater Dog’—which is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name, Alpha Canis Majoris.” Of course their first suggestion is to cool down with a dip in the community’s resort-style swimming pool. Yes, please! Read on for more recommendations! I Scream, You Scream…. Yep, that’s right, we all scream for ice cream! And you’ve got plenty of places to visit close to home for some of that cool deliciousness. Just ask Awesome Alpharetta, the social media and online name for the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. In a recent post, they dished up the details on some local shops, and recommended the Lemon & Blueberries at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Avalon Boulevard in particular, calling it “a beautiful scoop with swirls of purple and cream.” Oh, Those Summer Nights The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ know all too well what it’s like to not be able to get a good night’s sleep because it’s so hot outside. Even if your home is pleasantly cool, your body and your mind are still impacted by the day’s thermometer reading. That’s why they’ve invested in cooling mattress toppers. We’re going to follow their lead by purchasing one from Cozy Earth, which this review from CNET says is, “Ideal for those of us who sleep hot, or have bedrooms stuck in the most insufferable of humid environments.” Can’t Stomach The Heat? If you can’t stomach idea of turning on your oven when it’s 98 degrees in the shade, then look no further for inspiration for cold dinners than Mashed, with its suggestions of salad classics like Cobb and Waldorf, and its version of aguachile, ceviche’s bright green cousin from Mazatlan, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Tiny Bubbles Whatever you have for supper, these days you have more choices than ever when it comes to selecting a sparkling water to accompany your meal. From the ubiquitous La Croix Pure to Bubly Bounce Caffeinated in triple berry, there’s something fizzy out there for every set of tastebuds. Advanced Mixology “scoured the market” to come up with its list of the 12 Best Sparkling Water Brands of 2021. Maybe what you’re after, though, is just the right cold beverage for a late-morning pick-me-up or an afternoon treat. In that case, a field trip to conveniently located Where’s the Scoop on Old Roswell Street for some of their bubble—or “boba”–tea is most certainly in order! (Yep, that’s right, the Scoop does more than ice cream!) Not familiar with this sweet and chewy drink that’s long been wildly popular in Asia, Taiwan in particular? Eater does a great job of guiding us novices through what turns out to be a delicious world of bubble-related options. Let’s All Go To The Movies What better way to escape from the blinding sunshine—and reality—than by popping into one of the cool, darkened theatres at the Regal Avalon? With so many movies to choose from, you can spend many an entertaining hour there out of the heat before you’re ready to head back home to Belmont at Park Bridge.
Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival will be the African American Cultural Event of the Year
At Belmont Park Bridge in Alpharetta, GA, we know that people from all over the country will celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the date of June 19, 1865, the end of African American slavery in the United States. The Idea Specialists, at Belmont Park Bridge, have identified several Juneteenth events they think might be of interest to you. So, to begin with, those of us in and around Atlanta this weekend, can celebrate freedom with Juneteenth Atlanta, a three-day Black History music festival and parade that kicks off on Friday, June 18, at Centennial Olympic Park. It is free, but donations of all sizes are appreciated. And there is more. Much more. For starters, celebrity storyteller Tiffanie Barrier, and “bartender to the bartenders” will MC a sold-out crowd at Atlanta 211 for “Black Label: Juneteenth Fashion Show.” Also, in the style and fashion-category you will want to sign up NOW for the “Black Label: Juneteenth Fashion Show” at The Pink Zebra Boutique, home to 20+ independent brands ranging from streetwear to high fashion including exclusive accessories. This show will highlight local house designers and curators when the retail floor transforms into a runway setting the stage for a night of appetizing apparel, and cocktails and networking. If fashion is not your thing – sign up to participate in the Juneteenth Atlanta 5K, the Gala in the Garden for Neighbor in Need, or a Sip n Paint event, to show your support for 2021’s Juneteenth Atlanta. Chances are you may have already made plans to honor this momentous occasion with a Juneteenth family reunion, worship service, or Father’s Day celebration with your own family. Whether an intimate family gathering or a large-scale community event, there is plenty to do for everyone. Here’s a complete-ish list of ways to celebrate with Juneteenth Atlanta.
Fire Up the Grill for Father’s Day
Whether you’re gearing up to grill for the summer or planning a special Father’s Day feast, the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ in Alpharetta, Georgia, have you covered with recipes, tips, and techniques, as well as ideas for the perfect gift for dear old dad, puppy papas, and first-time fathers! Safety First! Before you light a fire at the Belmont at Park Bridge outdoor grilling station, make sure you’ve invested in some heat-resistant gloves. Business Insider named the Steven Raichlen Extra Long Suede Grill Gloves as their No. 1 pick of 2021, saying they’re “essentially oversized and reinforced welding gloves, and the most protective ones we’re tried.” And, if you’re planning a nighttime cookout, you’ll want to go to John’s Creek Ace Hardware on Jones Bridge Road and get a Grill Mark Grill Light so you won’t have to worry about losing sight of your shish kabob in the dark, along with a Weber Premium stainless steel black grip three-piece tool set—angled spatula, hands-free locking tongs and sturdy grilling fork. Grill All The Things Sure, we like the basics as well as anybody else. Hamburgers and hot dogs, sausages and steaks, chicken and fish – when you think about a poolside party, you probably start with “the meats.” After having some grilled Romaine lettuce and a fab grilled peach salad at one gathering a few years ago, our Idea Specialists™ basically tried to figure out what they could _not_ grill. The answer? If you invest in a good grill pan or basket, _not_ much! Check out the selection at the Atlanta Grill Company on Upper Hembree Road in Roswell when you get the chance. This season, our mouths are watering for Southern Living’s updated version of a cookout classic: potato salad. Their version? Charred Okra-Potato Salad, seasoned with a hint of fresh thyme and tossed in a lemon-scallion vinaigrette. Yummy. Subtle Salts & Other Seasoning We’ve started following FoodFireFriends on Pinterest. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, there’s sure to be something there for you, from grilling guides to equipment reviews, and, of course, recipes. We like their guidance on Himalayan Salt Block Grilling; what could be easier than setting a nice cut of beef down on a sanitary rectangle and having it do the salting for you? Because such salt is unrefined, the inclusion of multiple minerals and trace elements gives complexity and subtlety of flavor to foods cooked on a solid block of it. If the dad in your life is more of a culinary adventurer, maybe it’s time for a field trip to the Buford Highway Farmers Market in Doraville. With spices, meats, produce, and fish from all over the world, the possibilities it offers are almost endless! Pet Papas Belmont at Park Bridge gets high marks from its residents for how truly pet-friendly this upscale apartment community is. So of course our Idea Specialists™ are going to have some Father’s Day gift ideas for all of those dedicated daddies of fuzzy babies. Unexpected Pooch at Halcyon-Forsyth offers everything from high-end organic foods to frozen “pupsiclez” and your favorite dog wines—Zinfantail and Chardognay! And don’t be fooled by the name; their store features food and accessories for kittycats, too. New Daddies One of the most-asked-for gifts on Baby List’s registries right now is the Inglesina Fast Table Chair—perfect for when the first-time father wants to take his new little family out to eat instead of staying home to grill. The attachable chair’s padded seat is washable (a must!), and cleverly tucked in at the bottom is an integrated carrying bag. More Ideas Check out this list of 124 Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas in 2021 at Groovy Guy Gifts. Somebody we know is getting an engraved minimalist wallet this year, just saying…. For more good grilling ideas, go to Delish to learn about “29 Awesome Ways to Cook Steak.”
Happy National Pet Month!
As far as we’re concerned, every day is pet day at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, so of course we’re excited about May being National Pet Month in the United States! According to the Humane Society of the United States, pets live in two-thirds of American homes, and 72 percent of the people who rent their homes have pets. We know how important it is for a luxury apartment community to be pet-friendly, and that’s why our Belmont at Park Ridge Idea Specialists™ made sure we incorporated pet stations throughout the property. And, we’re conveniently located to nearby walking areas so you and your furry friend can enjoy the outdoors together. Because, barks and recreation, right? Best of all? We don’t have a weight limit at our community. Gimme Shelter Don’t have a pet yet, but want to get one? Take the first step on the road to finding the fuzzy love of your life at nonprofit Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters, which has rescued and altered more than 50,000 animals since its founding in 2002. You can volunteer at one of their Atlanta area locations, or foster a rescue to get a feel for whether pet ownership is right for you. Angels Among Us Pet Rescue in Alpharetta is another good organization to check out if you’re interested in fostering, volunteering, or adopting. Angels Among Us is dedicated to saving cats and dogs from high-risk situations; sometimes they are ones removed from state animal control facilities, other times they might be much-beloved pets whose owners have had to move to assisted living facilities. Treats! If you haven’t tried any of the monthly subscription boxes for cats and dogs, maybe this month is when to check out meowbox with fun toys and fine treats for finicky felines (plus, hey—the box itself!), and BarkBox with its themed collections that the company calls “month-long dog parties.” BarkBox partners with thousands of rescues and shelters across the United States and Canada through its Rescue and Shelter Affiliate Program, and meowbox donates a portion of each box sold to shelters and rescues. Prices start at about $23 a month for both. Critical Care You probably already have a favorite vet, but it never hurts to have the number of an emergency care provider on hand. The compassionate and highly skilled multi-specialty staff members at All Pets Emergency & Referral Center on Atlanta Highway between McFarland Parkway and Winward Parkway are just who you want on your side when your good boy decides to eat a bottle of shampoo _and_ entire bath towel at 2 o’clock on the morning, and their imaging center is one of the most advanced and comprehensive in the South. Pamper, Play & Stay Is it time for somebody to get his coat cut for the upcoming summer? Does the kitty not do well by herself when you decide to head to the beach for a spur-of-the moment weekend trip? Not to worry—the Alpharetta area has many excellent pet boarding and grooming facilities, as well in-home service providers. Our Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have been hearing good things about a few in particular lately: Pet Lodge Pet Resort, The Barker Lounge, and Critter Sitters. The Barker Lounge proudly serves Alpharetta’s puppy community with standard and family-sized private boarding suites to accommodate your individual dog or your family of dogs. While they’re staying at the large facility on Atlanta Highway off Discovery Drive, they’ll be able to play with friends—inside on orthopedic floor mats, and outside in a secure, gated, park-like area of over 7,000 square feet. You can take advantage of their grooming and training services, too. Critter Sitters pioneered the field of professional pet sitting back in the 1970s, and has grown to be the largest and oldest pet sitting company in the country. All of its sitters serving greater Atlanta and the Golden Isles are bonded, insured, adults who have successfully completed background checks. Midday dog-walking? They’ve got it covered. Cleaning out the cats’ litter boxes while you’re on that long-overdue weekend getaway? Check. You’ve got a bird? A fish? Check, check—they can handle the care and feeding of those, too. Oh, and they’ll also water your plants and pick up your mail if you’d like. Located at 3456 Bethany Bend, Pet Lodge Pet Resort has over 20,000 square feet of play areas, nature trails, a swimming pool, splash pad, canine challenge course and more. When it’s time to rest after group play with dogs about their same size, your best fur friend will have their own private nap room. If it’s The Cat who is boarding, your little king of the jungle will enjoy one of the largest kitty condos available, complete with a comfy sleep bed and extra-large litter box. Pet Lodge Pet Resort also accepts rabbits, reptiles, and select other non-canine and non-feline pets. Share photos of your fur-babies!
Let the Spring Games Begin!
It isn’t just Earth Day we’ll celebrate April 22, 2021! Spring has sprung at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, and with it the chance to get outside and play! Group games are such a fun way to spend time with family and friends and get to know new people in our upscale Atlanta-area apartment community. Maybe you want to organize some friendly cornhole competitions, or do something a little more casual, like spend time throwing horseshoes while you’re at one of our grilling stations. Options abound! We asked the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ what their go-tos are on the gaming front. Along with cornhole and horseshoes, they are fans of some other classics—bocce ball and ladder toss. Any of those pair well with a tasty craft beer or a glass of fresh lemonade, soft or hard—or you can try your hand at some of this season’s popular cocktails like a Cherry Blossom or Griffith Park Swizzle. Visit Mcfarland Wine & Spirits (on Mcfarland Parkway, of course) to get just what you need. Think about taking some indoor clubhouse favorites outside. There’s a giant version of almost everything these days, from yard Yahtzee and ginormous Jenga to checkers and tic-tac-toe on a blanket. Once it gets just a _little_ bit warmer, you may want to start socializing on the sundecks. When things heat up, you can take your volleyball game into Belmont Park Bridge’s resort-style pool. Or, play the water-based version of cornhole. Of course we can’t leave our furry friends out of the gaming fun; one of the reasons our residents recommend us to friends is because we’re such an animal-friendly community. Doggie Frisbee is fun for everyone to watch, and gets you and your good boy or girl some great exercise! Our pet park is the perfect place for that, and Pit Stop for Pets on Crabapple Road is the perfect place to buy a No Stuff Ultimate Ring-Red Paws, which is both durable and gentle on your pet’s mouth. If sitting inside the clubhouse out of the sun is more your speed, board games are the way to bring people around the table. Again, our Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ are fans of the classics: Scrabble, Monopoly, and chess (“The Queen’s Gambit,” anyone?). For multi-player fun that doesn’t last as long, they suggest Articulate!, a fast-paced team game for up to 20 players. The concept is that, taking turns, each member of a team has only 30 seconds to describe as many words from a category as they can. The catch? No saying what the word rhymes with or sounds like. Or, plan an outing to Top Golf on Westside Parkway. Fun!
Your Place at the Table
Isn’t it funny how a chore we all tried to get out of when we were growing up is now almost a hobby? From basic place settings to trendy tableware, our Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, are here with recommendations on how to set your table for spring! HARMONIOUS WHITES There’s no better way to start than with a set of strong white dishes—the potential for mixing and matching them with other elements of your table settings is almost limitless. An always reliable go-to is the Gibson brand, and its Noble Court timeless rim shape 12-piece set is a value buy at Target. If you’re in the mood for something a little more funky, check out Mikasa’s Coronado Pearl 4-piece place setting (part of its Portugal Dinnerware Collection) offered by Macy’s. Unique shapes and rich pearlescence turn everyday soup bowls and salad plates into works of art in their own right. GLAMOROUS GLASSWARES Pair your new dishes with a mix of goblets and glasses in all hues of the rainbow. We could (and do!) spend a lot of time looking at Lulu and Georgia’s Insta, so it just makes sense that we would be drawn to their Estelle Stemware, which comes in a variety of colors. We’re partial to smoke as we head into spring. But if you’re already ready for brighter and lighter, Pottery Barn’s Happy Hour Goblets might be just the ticket! FUN WITH FLATWARE We will always be a fan of Oneida and its classic Louisiana flatware. What’s not to love about the luster and the details, not to mention the balance of the pieces? Plus, it’s always easy to find, just in case your youngest accidentally gets the butter knife caught in the disposal. Again. A 45-piece set now available online at Bed Bath & Beyond includes dinner forks and knives, salad forks, dinner spoons, teaspoons, and more. For something a little more casual, there’s the West Elm Color Pop Caddy—four place settings in Easter egg colors stored in a clever handled carrier, which means it’s easy to take back and forth from the dining table to the porch if you want to dine al fresco! GET IT TOGETHER Whether you’re serving a serious Sunday dinner or just enjoy seeing your table nicely set, a table runner is a little piece of magic you can use to draw everything together. No matter your style, from contemporary to Victorian with Southwestern and Scandinavian in between, the Houzz collection features almost any option you can imagine, and at almost that many price points! We decided on the Metallic Glam one in rose for our first one. Placemats are another way to coordinate, and it’s really hard to have too many. From holiday happies to patterns and solids, again, options abound—it’s all about what makes you happy. The Spruce featured SHACOS round braided placemats as one of its 14 Best of 2021, and we can see why: They’re easy to wipe clean and come in everything from canary yellow to plain ol’ beige. We can work with that! And, if you’re looking for inspiration for how to set your family’s Easter table this year, our Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ recommend visiting the HomeGoods blog, then heading over to the store in Mansell Crossing Shopping Center on North Point Parkway. There is sure to be something there for every bunny!
