Community Blog

A couple months ago, I wrote about the benefits and growing popularity of yoga as a form of excercise.  Well, there is another excercise trend that has grown to become just as popular.  If you guessed that I’m talking about Pilates, you’re absolutely right.

Both Pilates and yoga help to build strength and flexibility.  The difference between the two is not so much physical as it is philosophical: yoga is more of a spiritual practice with roots in ancient Eastern meditation.  Pilates – named for its founder Joseph Pilates – was created early in the 20th century to help rehab injured WWI soldiers.  It’s more focused on strengthening and coordinating the core muscles that stabilze the body.

If Pilates sounds like something that you can benefit from, InBalance Fitness in Harbortown (718 Harbor Bend, Memphis TN 38103, 901.522.1559) - only five minutes away from Metro 67 Apartments – offers a “Pay What You Can” Pilates class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m.  If you have the time, check it out.

(Photo Credit: elev8.com)

Do you currently carry renter’s insurance?  Metro 67 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.

Non-Smoking Household: Insurers are trying to cut costs too therefore are looking for people to insure that pose the least risk. Since a lot of accidental fires are caused by smokers, renter’s insurance companies are often giving a renter’s insurance quote and policy discount for non-smoking households.

The movie Takers, starring T.I., Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Matt Dillon and Zoe Saldana hits Memphis area theaters this weekend.  If you haven’t heard anything about it, it’s about a crew of bank robbers trying to take down one last huge $30 million heist.

It got me wondering, “what is the biggest bank robbery in history?”  Well, I’m not sure if it’s the biggest, but in 2005, a crew of 10 got away with nearly $80 million from the Central Banke in Fortaleza, Brazil.  The cash itself weighed almost 4 tons!  Sheesh!  And here’s the kicker…the money wasn’t insured.  Needless to say, someone had a bad day at the office.

Anyway, check out the trailer for Takers below, and when you’re ready to go check it out, here are showtimes for downtown Memphis area movie theaters near Metro 67: Malco Studio on the Square, Ajay Theatres – Palace Cinema and Malco Paradiso.  Enjoy!

One of the great things about being a guy is that we don’t have to worry too much about what to wear when going out on the town or to special events.  Whether we’re going to a wedding, a job interview or even a University of Memphis Law School graduation, if we keep at least three nice suits in the closet – one black, one navy, one brown – and then mix in a few shirts and ties, we’ll be ready.

You ladies, on the other hand, have it tough.  They have all of these unwritten rules to fashion.  Some act like it’s a crime if they have to wear the same outfit twice.  And god forbid they end up at an event and someone else has on the same dress.  It might as well be the end of the world.

For the ladies reading this, I have a little tip for you that just may change your fashion life.  It will at least help you trick your friends into thinking that you have a closet full of designer clothes.  It’s called RentTheRunway.com and as you might suspect, it’s a service that allows you to rent (usually less than $100) the hottest new runway fashions for any special occasion.

They even rent accessories and jewelry.  Check out their website and save money on clothes!

To be honest, I’m not really a big fan of Elvis Presley’s music, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for the man’s culinary genius.  Eating his favorite combination of peanut butter, bananas and bacon together in a sandwich was like taking my tastebuds on a all-expense paid vacation.

Well, to honor “The King” as we close out Elvis Week 2010 today in Memphis (August 15, 1977 was the day he passed…in case you didn’t know), I’ve provided this delicious recipe as tribute.  I’m thinking of baking them later in my apartment and then sprinkling crumbled bacon on top.  Hey, if you’re going to pay tribute to “The King”, you have to do it right.  And if there is one thing that he knew, it’s that bacon makes everything better.  Enjoy!

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Stir together the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla in a bowl. Mash the bananas into the mixture until there are few lumps. Sift together the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl; add to the banana mixture and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Drop rounded tablespoons of mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
3. Bake in preheated oven until lightly brown and firm, about 10 minutes.

(Credit: AllRecipes.com)

Our Family Wedding

When college students Marcus and Lucia make a surprise engagement announcement, their feuding fathers threaten to turn a dream wedding into a battle royal. Throw in eccentric relatives and clashing cultures, and you’ve got a recipe for laugh-out-loud lunacy and nonstop fun!  Starring America Ferrera, Forest Whitaker.  Rated PG-13.

Let me first say that I don’t know how Carlos Mencia became a famous comedian.  I don’t know…he just doesn’t make me laugh.  Maybe they should have cast George Lopez in the role.  With that being said, the movie does a good job at injecting a sense of humor into cultural issues.  It successfully conveys the message that at the end of the day, not only do we all want what is best for our families, but we can achieve that by working together and respecting one another.  Great message.  Definitely worth a buck if you have the time.

Rent it this weekend if you have the time.  The closest Redbox kiosks to Metro 67 are at Exxon Mobile (186 N Danny Thomas Blvd) and Walgreens (987 Union Ave).

How are your creative juices flowing?  Surely we have plenty “creative types” here in downtown Memphis, and even right here at Metro 67.  Can you draw?  Write poetry?  Do graffiti even?  If so (or even if you just think that you can), the Art Center Supply Store and the Rozelle Artists Guild are hoping that you will take part in their community art project and showcase your talent to the community.

Project Sketchbook (the name of the project) is underway and it probably will produce an amazing piece of work that’s representative of Memphis’ diverse community.  Here’s how it works: anyone interested in taking part just needs to stop by the Art Center Supply Store (1636 Union Avenue) on a Saturday or Sunday before August 22 and pick up a special 12-page sketchbook for $1.  You can also order one online.  Once you have your sketchbook, use it.  How you use it…well, that’s up to you.  Drawings, paintings, poetry, whatever.  Just as long as you use it.

When you’ve finished making your mark in the sketchbook, all you have to do is return it.  All of the sketchbooks will be makde into a public art display sometime in September.  How cool is that?  I think it’s a great idea to inspire communication and creativity in the community.

(Photo Credit: Hello Hillary)

Maroon 5 will be in the building later this month on Friday, August 27.  And when I say building, I’m referring to the Mud Island Ampitheater (125 North Front Street, downtown Memphis).  Special guests Kris Allen and VV Brown will also be along for the ride.

Need tickets?  The Memphis Flyer is running a drawing in which they are giving away a new pair of tickets each week up until the concert.  Upcoming dates for the drawings are August 6, August 13 and August 17.  Can’t hurt to enter your information and try.  They’ll notify you by e-mail if you’re one of the lucky winners.

If you’d like to take a more conventional route to securing tickets, Ticketmaster has them for around $60.  Don’t forget to also search to see if you can cut a deal on Craigslist.

Do we have many Maroon 5 fans out here in Metro 67 anyway?  Word is that they are planning to release their third studio album, Hands Over Me, in September.  If you’re new to the group, they can probably best be described as a fusion of rock and pop with some funk and R&B mixed in.  Check them out here on iTunes if you’d like.

(Photo Credit: www.last.fm)

There’s not much else one would go to the zoo for besides to see the animals, right?  Well, them Memphis Zoo must’ve realized this and then figured that with a little creativity, they can add a new revenue strream.  Surely it was from that logic that Zoo Brew was born – that and someone’s devout love for all things beer –  and now it’s one of the most popular summer events in the city.  This year it’s going down on Friday, September 3.

Connosiours of fine lager everywhere and anywhere will hold court as they sample beer from across the globe.  A delicious description from their website states…

Previous samples include several international beers, including Kronenberg 1664 (France), Moretti (Italy), Xingu (Brazil), Warsteiner (Germany), Famosa (Guatemala), Singha (Thailand), Murphy’s Irish Stout (Ireland), Tilsburg Stout Brown (Netherlands) and many others. Brews from the States include Abita (Louisiana), Yazoo Hefeweizen (Nashville), and Sea Dog (Maine). Local featured brews from the Naked Lion Brewing Company and Ghost River Brewing: the new beer company from Bosco’s founder Chuck Skypeck. We’ll also have several home brews to sample from the great folks at the Bluff City Brewers and Connoisseurs.

I image this must me somewhat like beer heaven must be like.  Last year, they had almost 100 beers to sample from around the world.  This year, they’re looking to make it even bigger and more of festival atmosphere by adding live music, food and wine.

There is no way that tickets will last long (last year sold out).  They went on sale August 1.  Stop by the Memphis Zoo to pick one up or purchase online here.  Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members.  Ages 21 and up only.  Have fun!

(Photo Credit: cincinnatizoo)

I’m somewhat of a movie purist.  If given the opportunity to see the original version of a film – even if it’s in a foreign language – I’d choose it over seeing the English language remake.  For example, I just saw the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  Great movie!  I had no problem following the subtitles and now I have no desire to see the English version that is now being produced.

But with Dinner for Schmucks, I might be making an exception.  The comedy that hits theaters this weekend is a remake a 1998 French film titled Le Diner de Cons. However, I’m a huge fan of the American comedians that are in this new version.  Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) is destined to be a comedy star and Steve Carell never really disappoints.

Peep the trailer below.  As always, here are movie times for movie theaters around downtown Memphis: Malco Studio on the Square, Ajay Theatres – Palace Cinema and Malco Paradiso

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