Dreamgirls coming to the Fox Theatre, Oct. 12-17

Is anyone here at Cameron Landing Apartments into Broadway plays and musicals?  I just got word that the popular stage drama Dreamgirls is coming to the Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree Street NE, downtown Atlanta), October 12-17 and tickets went on sale today!  If you’re interested, you better jump on it because I’m sure good seats to a popular show like this will sell quickly.  I believe they have some tickets priced as low as $16, but you’ll have to check Ticketmaster to see what’s available.

In case you’re not familiar with Dreamgirls, it tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with their fame and fortune. It’s pretty much based on the history of the Motown record label and one it’s most popular groups at the time, The Supremes.  You may have seen the 2006 movie version that starred pop-music megastar Beyonce and launched R&B singer Jennifer Hudson into fame.  The musical will feature timeless Motown hits: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “One Night Only” and “Listen.”

Another place you might try to search for tickets is Craigslist.  I’d wager that you can probably come up on a pretty good deal closer to the show date.  Good luck!

Cameron Landing: DVD of the Week

Repo Men

Remy and Jake are best friends and The Union’s most dangerous repossession men, reclaiming top-dollar organs when recipients fall behind on their payments. But after an on-the-job accident forces Remy to be outfitted with a top-of-the-line heart replacement, he finds himself in debt and unable to pay. Now, the hunter becomes the hunted as Jake will stop at nothing to track him down to finish the job. Rated R.

I just rented and watched this movie yesterday and I can honestly say that it is now in my top 10 or 20 movies of all-time.  With Jude Law and Forest Whitaker in the leads, there was no doubt the acting was going to be on point.  But the futuristic themes presented in the film are what really surprised me.  Watch it and you’ll see that the writer has a lot to say about where society could end up – both morally and technologically – in the near future.

It’s definitely worth the $1 rental charge.  I watched the “unrated” version so it may have been a little more graphic than the theater version.  The closest Redbox kiosks to Cameron Landing are at Kroger (3618 Highway 138 SE and at 1750 Hudson Bridge Rd) and Wal-Mart (5600 N Henry Blvd).

Shop around for renter’s insurance and save money

Do you currently carry renter’s insurance?  Cameron Landing Apartments strongly advises their residents to get a policy.  It’s really not as expensive as you may think.  In fact, you can save money on your policy in quite a few ways.  Here is one in an article I found about saving money on renter’s insurance.  Check out this video too.

Shopping Around: Don’t forget to shop around for the best renter’s insurance quote and policy. When shopping for your renter’s insurance quote, make sure to find out if you are getting a six month or yearly renter’s insurance quote. Shopping around with different renter’s insurance companies can be one of the single best ways to save on your renter’s insurance.

Know when to hold ‘em and fold ‘em

Does anyone in Cameron Landing play poker?  I noticed when I was posting the Pin Strikes weekday specials the other day that they have Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournaments there on Wednesday and Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m.  For anyone still new to poker, it’s one of the fastest growing games in the world.  Make no mistake, it is only getting bigger.  I’ve even heard it referred to as “the new lottery” because so many amateur players over the past couple years have been cashing in at major poker tournaments.

I started playing about 3 years ago and I’ve bee addicted since then.  It’s really an easy game to learn how to play, just a very difficult game to master.  Sure, luck is a factor in the game.  But a skilled player can really rack up some chips, especially if he/she can master the science of probability and the art of reading people.

How To Play
Each player starts with two unseen hole cards. There are three rounds of cards dealt face up, for every player to use, with betting after each round.  The best 5-card hand using any combination of the five community cards and their two hole cards wins.  Follow this link to see a the official poker hand rankings.

I can literally talk for days about poker, so if anyone is interested in learning more about the game, just hit me with a comment.  The best way to practice is to just hop right in and learn.  It’s free to play at Pin Strikes Bowling Alley (across from Cameron Landing on Mt. Zion Rd.) and you can really learn a lot.  And then the next time you head to Vegas, you can be ready for the real thing!

(Photo Credit: tiffanyday)

A breath of fresh air

Take a hike…literally!  It’s a great way to add some excercise to your life without having to hit the gym (and it works just as good as going to gym for toning your legs).  If you’ve never gone before, now is a great time of year to add it to your routine.  The weather is great and the scenery outside is beautiful.

Now that you’re excited about hiking and your bag is packed, you just need to find a good trail to get you started.  No worries…got it covered.  Not too far from Cameron Landing apartment community is Panola Mountain State Park (2600 Georgia Highway 155).  They actually offer a guided hike with a beautiful view of the Atlanta skyline each Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  The departure spot is the park’s nature center.  Give them a call at 770-389-7801 if you’re interested.  Have fun! 

(Photo Credit: gastateparks)

Pin Strikes Bowling Alley: Weekday Specials

Check out these Weekday Specials for Pin Strikes Bowling Alley, directly across the street from Cameron Landing at 3478 Mt. Zion Rd.  If you’ve never stopped in before, it’s a great place to blow off some steam, have some fun and KEEP COOL during this hot weather.

They offer 28 lanes of bowling, bumper cars, laser tag and a MEGA game room.  They even have a bar and grill inside so you can grab a bite!

They’re open until midnight Sunday – Thursday, and until 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

 

 

Angelina Jolie in Salt

Let me be clear: I have a major crush on Angelina Jolie, so me going to see Salt in the theatres is a given.  But puppy love notwithstanding, the movie just might actually be good.  Jolie plays a CIA officer named Evelyn Salt.  After accused of being a Russian spy, she goes on the lamb to clear her name, of course using all of her cool spy moves to elude capture.

I hear she even did her own stunts.  Check out the trailer below and let me know what you think.  It opens up this weekend.  Here are showtimes for theatres around Stockbridge near Cameron Landing: AMC Southlake 24, Great Escape McDonough 16.  Peace!

Atlanta Braves back on top of the National League

With an 8-0 win last night against the San Diego Padres (55-39), the Atlanta Braves (56-39) blasted their way to a half-game lead on top of the National League standings.  The young team is looking very good midway through the season, and the acquisition of slugger Alex Gonzalez fromt the Toronto Blue Jays is proving to be one of the best moves in MLB this season.

I think the Braves are equipped to make a deep run for a pennant this year.  In any case, to celebrate their success, I’m going to whip up a batch of delicious Caramel Corn.  Hey, if I can’t be at the ballpark munching on Cracker Jacks, this is the next best thing.  Try it out and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unpopped popcorn (or use equivalent amount of prepared microwaved popcorn)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F(150 degrees C).
2. In a large pot, heat oil over high heat. Add the unpopped popcorn. Moving the pan constantly, pop the corn. Remove from heat, place in a large baking pan, and keep warm in the preheated oven. Discard unpopped kernels. I think microwavable popcorn would also do the trick, if you prefer.
3. Mix sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt into a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until mixture starts to boil. Continue cooking for 5 minutes without stirring.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Pour over the popped popcorn. Stir popcorn until evenly coated. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from pan and put into a large bowl to cool.

(Photo Credit: craftpad.com)

I scream, you scream…

…we all scream for ICE CREAM!

Do you remember that chant from when you were a little kid.  I do.  I still say it to myself while I’m digging through the freezer at the grocery store to pick out my weekly pint of Ben & Jerry’s.  I love that stuff!  It makes me wonder…who was the genius that came up with the idea of blending cream, sugar and other assorted flavorings?  So I did a little Googling.

Modern ice cream, as we know it, became popular back in the mid-1600s.  Since then, it has taken on a life of it’s own.  There are 1,000’s of different flavor combinations.  Ice cream also goes by several different names: sorbet, frozen custard and gelato to name a few.  In Latin America, however, it’s called helados.

Which brings me to the purpose of this post.  Through August 1, Mexican restaurant Rosa Mexicano (245 18th St. in Atlantic Station) will be celebrating their Festival de Helados (that’s Ice Cream Festival for those that failed Spanish 101).  You HAVE to check out some of the flavors they will be offering.  The one I’m dying to try is Trío de Paletas de Helado (Ice Cream Pop Trio).  It consists of “Sweet Corn & Caramel Popcorn, Blueberry-Crème Fraiche and Cookies & Cream ice creams coated with strawberry crisps and served with a banana-caramel sauce.”

The restaurant will actually be hosting a free ice cream making demonstration this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (July 17).  Guests can even enter a raffle to win an ice cream maker.  If you’re interested, you better act quick because reservations are required and space is limited.  The number is 404-347-4090.

If you miss out on attending, you can still head to the East Lake Farmers Market (Hosea Williams Drive and 2nd Ave…20 minutes from here at Cameron Landing) on Sunday (July 18) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The new Cooking Channel will be there as part of their national ice cream truck tour and they will be giving out FREE treats from Jake’s Ice Cream.

(Photo Credit: kimberlykv)

Support the Georgia Special Olympics by Adopting a Duck

The Special Olympics is a great event that helps to bring joy and confidence to so many.  Cameron Landing is helping to support the Georgia games this year and you can assist by adopting a duck at www.atlantaduckderby.com or stop by the office for to leave your donation in an envelope.  Be sure to click on Cameron Landing under teams so your donation is credited properly. 

Here are the adoption options:

• Single Duck Adoption – For a $5 donation, one racing duck will be adopted in your name and entered into the race.  By purchasing a single duck adoption, you will also provide one meal for an athlete at State Summer Games.
• Increase your chances and get a Quack Pack – Your $25 donation will hatch five adopted ducks to be entered into the race for an increased chance to win AND you’ll be mailed an adorable souvenir junior duck. Your $25 Quack Pack Quack donation provides funds for gold, silver, and bronze medals and other ribbons for one competition at the State Summer Games.
• For a great deal, adopt a Quacker’s Dozen – You can get more ducks for your bucks – pay $60 (the price of 12 duck adoptions) and receive 13 ducks in your name AND you’ll be mailed two souvenir junior ducks.  Your $60 Quacker’s Dozen donation provides funds for housing for two nights at the State Summer Games  for four athletes.

Not only will you enjoy donating to a great cause, but you can also win a 3 night stay at Mandalay Bay with airfare!

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