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Spend Father's Day with Dad - From A Distance!

Holiday’s may look a little different these days, but that doesn’t make the reason for celebrating any less worthy! Father’s day is this weekend, and whether you can’t make it to see dad or you are continuing to practice social distancing, here are a few ways you can still celebrate Father’s Day from a distance. Organize a Beer Tasting This idea could go a variety of ways, depending on your dad's preference. If on a typical Father’s Day you and dad might find yourself at local Arizona brewery, like 12 West or Barrio , then this year, bring the tasting to dad! And if your pops prefer a glass of wine or maybe even whiskey, the same concept applies. Grab your dad and yourself a variety of different local brews (say, an IPA, a golden ale, a cider, a stout, and a lager) and host your own home beer tasting! Hop on a FaceTime call or Zoom conference call and chat about each beer and what you like (or dislike) about each. If your dad isn’t much of a beer fan, execute the same idea, but substitute for wine or whiskey! Either way, it’s a fun Father’s Day activity and doubles as a gift if he likes the beers, so we’d say that’s a win-win. (Photo by @12westbrewing) Virtual Coffee Date There’s nothing like a peaceful Sunday morning in your Acero Cooley Station apartment. So this weekend why not share your morning, and this special holiday, with dad and a cup of warm coffee over a FaceTime call or Zoom video conference! Stay cozy with your favorite beverage and chat with dad as if the two of you were out for coffee somewhere in Gilbert. Times are strange right now, might as well embrace them! And if you wanted to go the extra mile, you could even pick up a latte from Higher Grounds ahead of time and drop it off on your dad’s doorstep. How special you want to make it is up to you! Drop Off Dinner or Lunch You may have heard the saying once before, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!” and we couldn’t agree more. Show Dad you love him with dinner or lunch from his favorite restaurant this Father’s Day. Or, better yet, make him dinner yourself in your Acero Cooley Station kitchen! Treat him to a day off from cooking or worrying about dinner plans, and surprise him with something he always looks forward to. Because let’s be real, if we weren’t staying home you’d likely be eating out to celebrate anyway! Whether you end up making dad’s favorite spaghetti sauce or dropping off a sandwich and soup from this preferred cafe (did someone say La Madeleine French Bakery? ), he will surely appreciate your thoughtfulness and the delicious food. (Photo by @LamadeleineCafe) We know things are different these days, but that doesn’t mean they are any less special! Show dad how much you love and appreciate him with a thoughtful social-distancing friendly celebration this Father’s Day. If you give any of these a try, be sure to let us know how they went on Facebook or Instagram ! And while you’re at it, keep following the Acero Cooley Station blog here for more like this one. See you next time!

Best Spots to Picnic in Gilbert

Grab the basket and blanket, it’s picnic season! What better way to get outdoors and breathe in that crisp Gilbert air than with lunch at a community park or nature area. With stay at home orders and such, we have found ourselves not only cooking more, but looking for more social distancing friendly ways to spend some time outside of the apartment. A picnic is a great way to do just that, and here are a few Gilbert community spots near Acero Cooley Station where you could bring your lunch and enjoy some time outdoors. Gilbert Regional Park We did mention that Gilbert has lots of amazing parks and recreation… right? First on the list is without a doubt the Gilbert Regional Park , a recent addition to the town of Gilbert! Phase 1A of construction was completed in September of 2019, unveiling an extremely impressive playground, a splash pad fountain park, a large picnic tables area, restroom facilities and an overwhelmingly beautiful park in Gilbert. Words don’t really do this prime picnic location enough justice, so here’s a virtual tour of the stunning park for you take a look and see for yourself! Phase 1B of the Gilbert Regional Park is expected to be open late this summer. Less than 10 minutes from your apartment, you’d be missing out if you didn’t treat yourself to a picnic at this blossoming Gilbert community treasure. (Photo by @GilbertRegional) Desert Sky Park Acero Cooley Station is lucky to be surrounded by a handful of beautiful parks and recreation sites. So many so that it is hard to pick our favorites! But it’s easy to say that the Desert Sky Park is more than worthy of making the list for great picnic spots in Gilbert. Located a mere 4-minute drive from Acero Cooley Station, the Desert Sky Park is a recent addition to the Gilbert community, boasting a serene lake, multi-use fields for outdoor activities, and even a playground. The Desert Sky Park is the perfect place for a morning stroll with your coffee, a walk with the dog and of course, a picnic. There are plenty of picnic tables, with covers providing shade from the hot Arizona sun, as well as lush greenery if you wanted to lay a blanket down and relax with some cheese and crackers. The Desert Sky Park was practically made for picnicking! (Photo by @Drewjohnson_imagery) Adventures at Boulders Park Adventures at Boulder park might take a backseat to the glitz and glam of the Gilbert Regional Park and the Desert Sky park, but it is one of our favorite places to pack our picnic baskets for an outdoor lunch. This peaceful desert oasis is only about 5 minutes from Acero Cooley Station and has well-kept landscaping, lush green fields and a small play area with Arizona inspired boulders. Boulders Park is like a little hidden secret that makes for the perfect getaway picnic spot! If you’ve been wanting to bring your lunch break or afternoon snack outdoors, consider these Gilbert community parks near your home at Acero Cooley Station! If you liked this blog, find more like it here , and get social with us on Facebook and Instagram . Take care, we’ll see you here next time!

Shop Small, Support Local at the Gilbert Farmers Market

Every Saturday from 7 to 11 a.m. the Gilbert Farmers Market hosts dozens of local vendors, offering everything from fresh produce to delicious food trucks and beautiful flowers. Located just West of the iconic Downtown Gilbert water tower, the farmers market is a weekend staple to Gilbert locals as well as out of town visitors. Even now, amidst COVID-19 and the tremendous changes our community has endured in recent months, the Gilbert Farmers Market remains. If you’re new to town or have simply never made it to the market before 11 a.m. (we get it, Saturdays are for sleeping in) then let us remind you of all that the market features, and give you a few reasons to set that alarm clock; even on the weekend. Fresh, Local Produce Fresh is best, especially when it comes to produce! Making the Gilbert Farmers Market part of your weekly grocery shopping routine could be one of the best things to happen to your favorite recipes. Market vendors offer a huge variety of locally grown and produced goods and food products, such as organic eggs, naturally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh honey, pecans, coffee beans, tortillas and so much more. Elevate your cooking and reward your tastebuds with the flavor of fresh, locally sourced ingredients from right here in your community. You can find the full list of Gilbert Farmers Market vendors, here . (Photo by @Rhibafarms) Supporting Small Businesses You’ve probably heard this more times than you can count lately with all that’s going on in the world, but supporting small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic is wildly important! The vendors and businesses at the Gilbert Farmers Market are as local as it gets. Drive a little while in pretty much any direction from your Acero Cooley Station apartment and you’ll likely see the very farm that has a booth at the Saturday market. When you purchase your vegetables and kitchen staples from the Gilbert market, you're supporting the local farmers, their operations, and ultimately investing in the economic health of our beautiful town. Everyone wins when you shop small and support local, just another reason to love the Gilbert Farmers Market! (Photo by @Beriescoffee) Food Trucks As if local produce and supporting small businesses wasn’t enough to convince you to head to the Gilbert Market this Saturday, maybe this will; food trucks! What if we told you you could grab an iced coffee from Mama’s Cold Brew and a gourmet waffle from Waffle Crush while you shop the market? And if waffles aren’t really your thing, Curbside Crepes are there as well! Along with these sweet options, Morning Kick usually shows up to offer their award-winning breakfast burritos and bites. Honestly, we don’t really know what more could you want! (Photo by @Morning_kick) With all the change in our world recently, it comes as no surprise that there are also changes to the Gilbert Farmers Market operations. We encourage you to check the market’s website and social media for the most recent COVID-19 updates (such as no dogs allowed at the market, “rush hour” times and more). If you liked this post, share it on Facebook and Instagram with your friends and neighbors, and while you’re at it, stay tuned for more like it, here .

Trendy House Plants Perfect for Any Space

One of the easiest tricks in the book when it comes to refreshing a living space is adding an indoor plant! House plants are a wonderful way to increase the natural oxygen flow in your home, add a pop of color, spruce up a boring space, and really just liven up any room in your apartment. Now more than ever, house plants have become a design style trend. Seriously, type in #HousePlants on Instagram and you’ll find over 3 million posts! And it’s with good reason. An indoor house plant makes adorable apartment decor and can have a ton of character. Let’s take a look at a few trendy house plants that we think would make great additions to your Acero Cooley Station apartment! Fiddle Leaf Fig Given their recent surge in popularity, you could find a beautiful fiddle leaf fig tree (also known by its technical name, Ficus Lyrata) pretty much anywhere these days. The Gilbert Home Depot, the Walmart Garden Center and without a doubt the local Desert Horizon Nursery should have this decorative house plant in their plant inventory. The fiddle leaf fig can get to be a very large tree, with big, beautiful leaves that can add a ton of personality to any room. This house plant is commonly placed in living or bedroom corners, rounding out the room with it’s soft and bubbly leaves. Maintenance: Prefers dry soil, plenty of direct sunlight and humid environments. Pro Tip: Rotate your fiddle leaf fig once a month to keep it standing straight and tall. (Photo by @Collected_eclectic) Snake Plant The snake plant is a beloved, trendy house plant for many reasons; its unique posture and variety of styles, its range of sizes, and of course, the fact that it’s nearly impossible to kill. Even the worst of plant parents can find success in owning and maintaining a snake plant (also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, George’s sword, or by its formal name, Sansevieria Laurentii). Is this why it’s such a trendy house plant right now? Maybe. But it’s also because this house plant looks adorable in just about any pot or container you have it in, and it brings a very sleek, modern look to any room. Maintenance: Thrives in bright light, but can still survive in low light. Prefers dry soil. Pro Tip: Water once every 10 days and wipe the stocks occasionally to remove dust. (Photo by @Stylushco) Rubber Plant Similarly adored for its unique variations, rubber plants come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Whether you’re looking to add a dark contrast to a bright room or bring some subtle colors to a space, the rubber plant (Ficus Elastica) is a great way to do it. The burgundy rubber plant is a bit more common, boasting a deep purple color and large, sleek leaves. A less common but equally aesthetic (and trendy) variety is the burgundy rubber plant’s cousin, the variegated ruby rubber plant. This little character has pink and white camouflage-like markings that make a statement in any room of the house. While a common house plant to find, the more uniquely colored rubber plants can require a bit more of a search. Maintenance: Prefers bright, indirect light and moderately moist soil. Pro Tip: Mist your rubber plant’s leaves for added shine and moisture. (Photo by @thebotanicalgarden.in) These trendy house plants are popular for a reason; they make wonderful home decor and are fun to pick out, pot and take care of. Plus, they’re easy to maintain! Even if you lack a green thumb, these hearty plants can usually handle it. And if you can’t keep them alive but still want the decor, you can usually find fake versions of them too! Try adding one (or all) of these beautiful house plants to your Acero Cooley Station apartment, and show us how they look on Facebook or Instagram ! While you’re at it, be sure to keep following our blog, here . See you next time!

Hot Tips for Pet Parents as Arizona Temperatures Rise

There’s no doubt about it, living in Gilbert, Arizona means looking forward to warm days adventuring through the valley of the sun with your four-legged friend. However, living in Gilbert also means those “warm” days can quickly turn into triple-digit days where the temperatures are hardly bearable for both you and your dog. We know it’s tempting to grab the leash and head outside to enjoy the beauty of our community, but when the summer months roll around and the temperatures continue to rise, there are some important pet-parenting decisions to make. Keep these pet-owner tips in mind the next time you’re thinking about heading out with your dog! Keep Your Pet Indoors We know you probably don’t want to hear this, but if it’s a sunny afternoon here in Gilbert and the temperature is rising with each hour, the best advice for keeping your dog safe and cool is simply keeping them home and indoors. Put your Acero Cooley Station apartment air conditioning to good use and keep your fur baby cool and comfortable. Sometimes the best thing dog owners can do is say “Sorry little one” and leave the leash, and your pup, at home. Have Plenty of Fresh Water If, however, you do decide to venture outdoors with your tail-wagging companion when it’s warm out, be sure to have plenty of fresh water on hand. Pro tip: always bring more than you think you will actually need! This is the best way to be prepared. Unlike us humans, your four-legged best friend has a coat of fur that they can’t exactly “take off” when the sun comes out. This means it’s extra important to keep them hydrated and their internal body temperature as cool as possible while outside in the heat. This is one of the best ways to keep your pup from overheating in the hot Arizona summer weather. Know Your Pet A dog is a man’s best friend, so it’s no doubt you know all about them. Their breed, age, general health, etc.; these are all important things to consider when it comes to heading outdoors in the summer heat! Similar to humans, the young, the old, and those with health conditions are extra sensitive to heat, so when deciding if your pup needs to join you on today’s outdoor adventure, keep those determining factors in mind. Protect Your Pet’s Paws Let’s say you left your Cooley Station apartment for a morning walk with the dog around 7 or 8 a.m. when the temperatures were just right. Then, a couple of miles and a few hours later, the sun has risen and is beating down right on you and your furry friend. Dog paws are not invincible, and just like we need shoes, they need protection as well! A thoughtful investment if your pup is outdoors often in the Arizona heat is paw booties . Think of these as shoes for your dog, protecting them from the scorching hot pavement. If you live in the valley of the sun, with a dog whose puppy eyes make them too hard to leave at home, we recommend getting a pair of paw booties to help keep your pet safe from pavement burns. Pay Attention to the Time It can be easy to lose track of time while outdoors with your dog. One minute you’re out enjoying the day in Gilbert, then before you know it, it’s warmer outside than you expected and your pup looks exhausted. When determining if you’re bringing your dog with you, pay extra attention to when and where you plan to be. Typically the coolest part of the day during the summer months is the early morning, with warm daytime temperatures sticking around late into the night. So be sure to check various weather apps to have an idea of what the temperatures will be before you leave home with your dog! And, as we are confident you already know, never, ever leave your dog in the car. If it’s expected to get hot, and you don’t know when you will be home, it’s best to just leave your furry pal in your cool, air-conditioned Acero Cooley Station apartment. We know those puppy dog eyes can make it hard to leave your dog at home when the sun comes out. But when you live in Gilbert, sometimes that is the best thing you can do for your furry companion. Keep these pet owner tips in mind as the temperatures continue to rise, and be sure to share this blog on Facebook or Instagram with your fellow pet parents! If you found this blog helpful, stay tuned for more like it, here .

Break A Sweat With These Free Fitness Apps

Summer is just around the corner here in Gilbert, and there’s no better time than now to hone in on your physical wellbeing! It doesn’t have to be the start of a new year to dedicate a little extra time to your fitness routine, so why not try something new today and feel better while you’re at it! With gyms and fitness centers being closed the last couple of months, we know it can be easy to fall off track, that’s why today we are highlighting a few free fitness apps you can download and start using today to break a sweat wherever you are! Total Body Grab the water and sweat towel, these total body workout apps are sure to have you thinking, “what did I get myself into?” (In the best way possible, of course). It’s almost hard to believe that the Nike Training Club App is free, considering all that it offers from the convenience of your phone. Offering a library of targeted workouts ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, the NTC app also boasts nutrition and wellness guidance from experts, as well as the ability to track your progress over time. And if you’re a busy bee who commonly finds yourself with little time for a daily workout, the J&J Official 7 Minute Workout App might be a better fit. Boasting over 3 million downloads (because let’s be real, everyone has 7 minutes to spare for a home workout), this 7 Minute Workout app invites users to explore a variety of exercises and workouts, and the ability to customize them based on preference. This fitness app is truly a win-win if you’re looking for a variety of quick sweat sessions at home! (Photo by @niketraining) Yoga You might be surprised to find just how challenging a short yoga session can be! While some fitness junkies deem yoga and pilates to be more of a stretch than a workout, we’re here to tell you that yoga can tone you up and leave you just as sore as a full body HIIT workout might. One of the best parts of practicing yoga is that you don’t need any equipment, and you can practice and break a sweat anywhere. Two great, free yoga apps for IOS and Android users include Daily Yoga and Yoga For Beginners . Both apps boast a nearly 5 star rating in the app store with thousands of users, each offering various guided classes. Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned yogi, we recommend giving these free yoga apps a try for a great workout! (Photo by @Dailyyogaapp) Running Whether you love starting your day with a brisk run, or you can’t even remember the last time you stepped on a treadmill, these running apps will inspire you to get (and keep) moving. Runkeeper is a free IOS/Android app that helps you set goals, track your running/walking/hiking distances, stay committed and even connect with fellow runners. This app is rated #21 in the Health and Fitness section of the Apple App Store, and when you use it you’ll see why. It’s user friendly and offers features runners love! Another highly admired running app is the Nike Run Club . Described as your “perfect running partner” the Nike Run Club app tracks everything from your heart rate, distance, and even the option for friendly competition with friends who also have the app. (Photo by @Runkeeper) There’s no better time than now to get back on track with your fitness goals, and these free apps are here to help. Download one or two today, give them a try and let us know how you liked them on the Acero Cooley Station Facebook or Instagram page. If you found this blog useful, keep following along here for more like it.