Community Blog

I generally really enjoy Angelina’s movies. I think she’s a good actress and her action flicks tend to be quite captivating. So, when my friend asked me if I want to go see Salt this weekend, I said yes immediately. So we hoped into the car and headed over to the Cinemark just down the road from Bentwood.

Salt gives you 100 minutes of pure action. The stunts are well executed and captivating.  While I wouldn’t say I was blown away by this film, I did enjoy it. I think Angelina Jolie’s performance was notable and went a long way to spice up an otherwise rather predictable plot-line.

I think this film can be likened to the Bond movies, just with a female lead. All in all, Salt was a good action film. Although I left feeling a little unresolved. I don’t know that I feel like all the loose sends were pulled together at the end. I don’t know that the question they posed in much of their marketing was really answered: who is Salt?

I have a terrible sweet tooth. It really is just over the top sometimes. Particularly when it comes to chocolate. I think I could eat my weight in chocolate on a regular basis if it wouldn’t show up on the scale instantly. M&M’s are one of my favorite snacking chocolates.

Recently M&M has come out with two new permanent additions to its chocolate family: Coconut and pretzel.

I saw the pretzel M&M’s in the checkout line at the grocery store a few day’s ago and simply had to try them. They were good. A little smaller then a peanut M&M with a nice hint of salt and pretzel. The little snack sized bag didn’t hold very many. But it was enough to get a good taste of them.

The coconut M&M’s I discovered when I was grabbing a water at the airport the other day. I had already herd about them and just had to try them. They are a little bigger then a normal M&M. the coconut flavor is subtle, but definitely there.

I think the coconut are my favorite new flavor. It’s subtle and very tasty. Have you tried either of these? Which was your favorite?

The Buddy Holly Center always brings us wonderful music here in Lubbock. Their presentations only get better in the summer! The Summer Showcase brings us a wonderful array of original and unique Texas music. The concerts are every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Best part of the whole thing? The concerts are all free to the public! There will be a cash bar, so drinks will be available for purchase at the events.

This week’s band is the Jeremiah Houston Band out of Austin, TX. They have a great sound and are definitely worth coming out for.

Thursday evenings are often considered the beginning of the weekend. So kick your weekend off right with free concert and good friends!

I don’t know about you, but I am not exactly a morning person. I would rather have the extra 30 minutes of sleep then go for an early jog. However, I also recognize the importance of getting your day started out on the right foot. So even though I’m not a morning person I can recognize the importance of a good morning ritual.

A healthy morning should include a few things. Most important of those things is probably breakfast. Eating a protein and fiber rich breakfast is key to getting your day started properly and will help keep you full until lunch. You should also be pairing that breakfast with water, not coffee. The water will help get your metabolism going. This is particularly important if you like to work out in the morning.

Speaking of morning workouts, they are a good idea! Particularly in the summer when it is often too hot to run outdoors in the evenings. While the Bentwood fitness center is always a great place to run, an outdoor  run is a bit more work. Plus, most of us will work out more consistently if we hit the gym in the mornings.

Finally, pack some healthy snacks and lunch to take with you. If you already have a healthy selection available you are much less likely to fall victim to the vending machine.

FitSugar has a great article about healthy morning habits. Are you a morning person?

I just got back from a wonderful little girls trip up to Vegas for the holiday weekend. It was a blast! We enjoyed the whole thing from the drive to and from to time by the hotel’s pool. The drive was actually a great chance for us all to catch up with one another. Fortunately the hours we spent in the car went smoothly.

However, the smooth and easy drive was partially luck and partially good planning. We were lucky only hit a little rain on our way out of Lubbock. As for the planning, my daddy taught me well. Here are my three musts when it comes to getting ready for a road trip:

1. Plan and map the route you’re taking. Yes, we have gps now and it’s a wonderful thing. However, looking at the map and really understanding the route you’re taking will make the drive much simpler.
2. Get your car ready for the long drive. Get your oil changed or schedule that next tune up prior to heading out of town. Check all your fluid levels and make sure you have enough antifreeze. An overheated car is not a happy car. Check the tire pressure and make sure they are properly inflated. You want to make sure your car is running smoothly before you drive far away from your mechanic.
3. Have an emergency roadside kit in your car. This should include maps, water, snacks, a blanket, matches, a flashlight, a first aid kit, ponchos, a cell phone charger, a spare tire, and jumper cables. You don’t want to be unprepared if something should happen and you’re stranded by the side of the road, far from family and friends.

Women’s Day has a great article about planning a safe summer trip. How often do you take road trips? How much preparation do you put into those trips?

The forecast for the weekend is looking pretty damp. However, that is no reason to despair. There is still plenty to do here in Lubbock! Did you know we actually have a few wineries in the area? Well, we do!

Why not take an afternoon and make a round of the nearby wineries? This is a great way to stay out of the rain and learn more about wine! However, make sure you have a designated driver, the roads will be wet!

Here are the wineries around Lubbock:

Cap*Rock Winery is just south of Lubbock and they offer tasting’s and tours Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Enjoy the beautiful facility and take in the lovely grounds.

Llano Estacado Winery is also just south of Lubbock, they have tasting’s and tours Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Pheasant Ridge Winery is north of Lubbock. They only offer tastings on the weekend; Friday & Saturday, 12:00 – 6:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 pm.

Go try the locally made wines and enjoy a quiet afternoon away. Just be safe!

The staff at Bentwood would like to wish you a very happy Fourth of July weekend! The leasing office will be closed on Sunday, July 5th, and will have holiday hours on Monday, July 5th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

This weekend is just around the corner and so is the 4th of July! Independence Day is always well celebrated here in Lubbock. We have a fun and festive weekend ahead of us, that’s for sure. I know I already am planning to go to two cookouts and fireworks as well. I’ll probably spend some time by the Bentwood pool, too. I love long weekends!

Here are a few of the celebrations taking place around Lubbock:

Buffalo Springs Lake will have live music starting at 6:00 pm and fireworks starting about 9:30 pm on Saturday, July 3rd. There will be a parade starting at 2:00 pm at the marina as well. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children.

Slaton Independence Day Festival will be on Saturday, July 3rd, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. It’s a free event with live music, food and games.

4th on Broadway Celebration is a two-day festival in downtown Lubbock. The festivities will take place on Saturday, July 3rd, and Sunday, July 4th. Fireworks will be on Sunday, July 4th, night around nightfall.

How do you usually celebrate the Fourth of July? Do you like fireworks?

That’s right my fellow Bentwood residents, the CritterFest has returned to Lubbock! The event runs from Thursday, June 24 – Sunday, June 27. Tickets can only be purchased at the door. Admission is $10 for adults and $8.50 for children 12 and younger. Admission to the Science Spectrum Museum is included in the CritterFest admission.

This years CritterFest includes a Big Cat Show and Crocodile Encounters, every day. The Big Cat Show will feature 5 trained Bengal and Siberian tigers and will take place at 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 pm daily. The Crocodile Encounters will introduce you to live American Alligators and Nile Crocodiles every day at 2:00 and 4:00 pm.

There will, of course, be a petting zoo , pony and camel rides, and a cow milking demonstration. Come get close to all kinds of animals at the 2010 CritterFest!

This is always a fun and “wild” event. See you at Critter Fest!

If you are anything like me then packing lightly doesn’t come naturally to you. However, with all the new rules and fees for checked bags on airlines I’ll have to changes how I pack! So I was looking for tips on how to pack more efficiently and found a great article on Real Simple.

There are some good pieces of advice, and some which are a bit over the top. Here are some of the best tidbits I gleaned from their advice:

• Limit your shoes, they take up a lot of space and add weight.
• Roll your softer garments that are less likely to wrinkle, and fold the stiffer items.
• Put the clothes you’ll need first on the top layer of the suitcase so you can get to them quickly.
• Cut down on the number of pants you bring, particularly jeans. They take up more space.
• Tuck cosmetics into the corners and pockets of your bag.

If you don’t have a good piece of carry on luggage that’s the first thing you need when packing. I would suggest looking at TJ Maxx, they tend to have great selection of luggage.

What kind of summer travel are you planning?

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