Community Blog

Volunteer from the comfort of your apartment and make a difference!

In2books, an e-based mentoring program designed for kids grades 2-5, has created a truly fulfilling and REALLY EASY way to volunteer and make a difference in a young reader’s life. The great thing is, you don’t have to leave your home! Your In2Books relationship is computer correspondence based. You volunteer from your home by corresponding with your pen pal on line about the books you’re reading simultaneously.

You commit to reading 5 books in a one year period and exchange 6 letters. Your back and forth exchange builds self-esteem as it promotes a love of reading, reading comprehension and thoughtful dialog. In your E-PAL relationship, you have the opportunity to ask thought provoking questions about the book you both read. You’ll learn from the child’s point of view as you explore the world of the written word together. While you’re only investing a short amount of time, your efforts have the potential to yield long lasting results!

Imagine it! You get to read great books AND get to know an awesome kid in the process all from the comfort of your Village apartment! You can really make a difference!

Consider becoming an In2Books Pen Pal today!

Mark your calendar, gals! GIRLS NIGHT OUT is coming Tuesday, September 28 to the Village Country Club!

GIRLS NIGHT OUT is designed especially for our VILLAGE LADIES! If you’re a sassy, classy Village Lady, YOU are invited to an awesome evening of music, food, drinks and prizes along with cool stuff to see and buy and so much more!

Lincoln Charities will benefit from your $2 admission ticket at the door and you’ll benefit from a night out with your best girl buds. Bring a friend and have a blast at GIRLS NIGHT OUT at the VCC the 28th.

Keep your eyes peeled for more details to come!

Sorry guys! It’s a NO testosterone zone!

Beer: The worlds most common and oldest alcoholic beverage on the planet is known to promote social engagement while quenching the thirst. It’s cheap. It’s refreshing. And apparently, it’s good for more than drinking!

Beer lovers the world over know a good brew when they taste one. Nothing hits the spot on a hot summer day better than a tall, cold glass of beer. When you think baseball, you think beer and hot dogs. When you hit the beach, you grab a cold one and when invited to a back yard BBQ, you look for the cooler in the corner stocked to the brim with your favorite beer. But what comes to mind when you’re faced with a coffee or tea stain? Uh … not beer, right?

The fact is, beer is one heck of a great stain remover for your carpet. Test it first in an inconspicuous spot. If it’s a go, douse the stain with beer, blot and repeat. But wait! There’s more!

Of course, we all know how yummy it tastes to cook with beer but did you know that beer makes a wonderful marinade? Not only will beer add a deliciously rich flavor to meats but it tenderizes too, making for a fall apart meal worth slapping someone over. While we’re in the kitchen, get rid of pesky fruit flies using beer the next time those little buggers get into your apartment. Put a little beer in a tiny beer mug (or just a plain cup), secure some cling wrap to the top, punch a hole in it and place it where the flies are cavorting.

I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the benefits of rinsing hair in beer. My sister has been doing this since high school back in the day. For a rich, silky and soft shine, let a cup of beer sit out until flat and warm. Shampoo and rinse and then apply the beer. The results are amazing!

If all this talk has you thirsty, zip around the corner to Sigel’s to peruse their selection of  Craft-Import Beers. Tonight let’s celebrate the MANY USES OF BEER! Drinks are on me!

Miss Penny Pincher here. As always, I’m ever on the hunt for a way to squeeze the ever-lovin’ daylights out of a penny. My latest discovery? The wondrous world of homemade beauty products.

As if saving oodles of money doesn’t give a girl that nice, warm glow we’re looking for, try saving dough by making your own facial mask! Nothing says BIG SAVINGS and CLEAN PORES like rubbing mashed banana all over your face.  But I’ve gotten ahead of myself.

In my research on the topic I’ve come to understand one fundamental truth; FOOD makes a great face paste. Of course, not just any food will do. It has to be the right kind of food with the proper Ph Balance and other whatcha-ma-call-its.  I mean, pizza, for example, just won’t leave us with that CLEAN we’re looking for. But the point here is that any well-stocked pantry is likely to have the makings of a good facial mask.

I’ve also learned something else through the experimentation stage of this money saving venture: Living single in an apartment can do funky things to a pantry. As in, it’s a dark and lonely place sometimes. But I digress.

Homemade beauty product recipes are generally made up of the kinds of things we actually DO have on hand, even those of us flying solo. Take Olive Oil, for instance. That stuff is a dang miracle worker! Dab a smidge on a cotton ball and you have a dandy mascara remover that instantly moisturizes around your eyes. Think of it: You can stir-fry those veggies and remove your make up at the same time! It’s a MONEY and TIME saver! This just keeps gettin’ better, doesn’t it?

Even grapes, plain yogurt, avacado and kiwi are good for the skin! I do believe this will utterly revolutionize my breakfast routine.  I can smear my breakfast on my face and by the time I’ve finished my first cup of Joe, I’ll have supple and clean skin like a chubby little cherub leaving me to bask in the glow of money saved.

Not sure how life could get any better!

KRLD Restaurant Week is coming up August 16 -22! Make your plans to visit Hibiscus Restaurant for gourmet dining at its finest! When you do, a portion of the proceeds go to benefit the North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope Home.

That’s right! Enjoy a memorable gourmet meal for only $35 per person and make a difference in your community at the same time!

Hibiscus is located only minutes away from The Village at 2927 N. Henderson. While your there, take advantage of the extensive wine list and try something new! The excellent wait staff will help you select the right wine for the meal.

Call for reservations at 214.827.2927.

Are you totally TICKED OFF? Are you BENT OUT OF SHAPE, P.O’d or downright red-faced ANGRY?! Then it’s time to give ANGER MANAGEMENT THE BOOT at the annual FIGHT NIGHT 2010 at The Village Country Club!

Let’s face it, sometimes the only therapy you need is to punch someone’s lights out! If you’re mad at your bone-headed EX, if your boss is such a jerk you can hardly stand it or if you’re mad as a hornet with your freaky roommate, then EMAIL your gripes TODAY to p1@theticket.com and get ready to come out swingin’!

The rules are:
Fighters must be between the ages of 18 and 35 (no exceptions)

Fighters must be within 10 lbs of the opponent

You have until AUGUST 26TH to get REALLY CHAPPED!

WHEN: August 26, beginning at 5pm

WHERE: The Village Country Club. Park at the Dallas Children’s Theater for free and take the P1 Shuttle

COST: No cover for Village Residents

MORE INFO: Theticket.com

As if the excitement of the Mesquite Championship Rodeo weren’t enough, fans can stay after the action and catch Johnny Cooper IN CONCERT this Saturday, August 7 at the Resistol!

At the young age of 21, Texas home grown Johnny Cooper is a well-seasoned pro on stage delivering country tunes with the polish of the old timers! His blend of blues, rock and pop is winning fans over practically by the minute.  He’s a rising star to keep your eye on as you’ll see in this video!

Get your TICKETS today!

Fresh naturally with Eucalyptus essential oil

Freshening your apartment is easy and inexpensive with just a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil!

Ever on the quest to cut costs while still maintaining a clean and fresh apartment, essential oils are among my favorite tools.  Slip about a half dozen drops into your home made cleaner and voila! Freshness abounds. It’s not only the smell of a nice, clean apartment, but it’s the fresh scent of MONEY SAVED.

I’m a total nut for a good linen spray but I’m NOT crazy about how expensive they are.  Rather than grouse further at the ridiculousness of paying $6 dollars or more for 12 ounces of spray, make it yourself with your favorite essential oil.  All you need is 2 cups of distilled water and about 20 drops of essential oil. Eucalyptus brings to any room that crisp fresh scent of nature, like you live in the forest with windows open wide. It’s soothing and relaxing and especially enjoyable on fresh linens.

The above recipe works for any essential oil. Pick the scent you love the most. Start with 20 drops but increase it if you want a more potent scent.

Essential oils are a great way to fragrance your apartment naturally ~ without the chemicals found in expensive name brand products. How about you? Do you have natural fragrance tips to share?

photo by flickr’s crabchick

Billy Bob’s Texas is proud to open center stage on August 28th to country music’s Sara Evans.

Country Singer Sara Evans has recorded several award winning songs in the last decade like Born to Fly and A Real Fine Place to Start. While I love those, my favorite is Saints and Angels.

Native of Missouri and born into a family of 7 children, Sara worked on their family’s farm while singing on the weekends to earn extra cash. She relocated to Nashville in 1991 with the aim to pursue country music but ended up leaving Nashville after she got married.  When she later returned to the musical city, she began recording demos and making a name for herself in the business.  After the release of her first album in ‘97, Sara was well on her way to becoming another Nashville sweetheart. 

Get your TICKETS today to see Sara Evans at Billy Bob’s on the 28th!

Have your next party at the Zoo

Imagine your birthday party guest list including lions and tigers and bears!

Well, it can and your child will LOVE it! Throw your kid’s next birthday bash with the wild animals of the Dallas Zoo! With an all day pass, your birthday child and his friends can spend the day enjoying snakes, flamingos, gorillas and more along with all the extras that come with a birthday package.

The Expedition Package includes Zoo Admission for 20 Guests, Animal Interaction conducted by a Zoo Keeper, Party Favors for the kiddies, a birthday Present for birthday child, and 10% discount in the Zoofari Market Gift Shop. Upgrade to the Safari package and add Animeal Lunches and animal themed cup cakes for all guests OR go all out with the Adventure Package and add an All-You-Can-Eat Catered Hamburger and Hot Dog Buffet.

Get the DETAILS and book a party for your little animal!

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