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Your Guide to Working From Home at Acero Cooley Station

Has your Acero Cooley Station kitchen recently been converted into your new office space? Do you have computer screens, keyboards and sticky notes cluttering your dining room table? If so, you’re not alone. Most of the nation is in a similar situation to you at the moment, recently transitioning to working from home amidst the outbreak of COVID-19. Working from home can be a big transition and has its fair share of pros and cons, but today we are going to provide you a complete guide to strategies and tools that will help you stay productive in your new home office at Acero Cooley Station. Stick To A Schedule If this remote work opportunity is new to you, given the circumstances of coronavirus, then a great place to start is by creating your ideal work from home schedule. Craft a schedule that is similar to your original office hours, whether that be clocking in at 8 a.m. and clocking out at 5 p.m., and maintain that schedule in your new workspace. It can be easy to fall into the trap of not being as strict about your work hours while at home, but sticking to a schedule will help you stay productive throughout the day, keep focused on task management and help overall with time tracking. A morning and afternoon routine can also help! Determine when you plan on “clocking in” for the day, when you’ll take your lunch break, and when you’ll end your workday, then plan around that. Maybe that means getting up early enough to brew some coffee and read the news before starting work, or leaving time for yoga and an afternoon walk after you end the workday. A routine will help you feel a little more stable during this new change, and can assist in increased productivity. Get Fresh Air Never underestimate the power of a brisk walk outside. Most employers across the country encourage periodic breaks (along with a lunch break) throughout the workday. Use this break time as an opportunity to refresh and reset your intention for the day. Step outside, get some fresh air, take a walk. This might look like a short trip to the mailbox or stepping outside on the balcony, but when working from home, it is essential to get some fresh air and take breaks as needed. Have a Dedicated Workspace Not only will keeping to a schedule help you stay on track and productive while working from home, but having a dedicated workspace will too. Find your favorite spot in your Acero Cooley Station Apartment, and make that your new home office. Whether this looks like a spot at the kitchen table or at a desk in your bedroom, set it up in a way that encourages you to sit down, dial-in and get some work done. You’ll also want to take into consideration an ideal location for conference calls and video chats, one with ample lighting and a clean background. This is a unique time for all of us, so hopefully this complete guide helps you to feel more comfortable with your new work from home situation! Share with us if you’re working from home at Acero Cooley Station on Facebook or Instagram , and keep following the blog here for more blogs like this one.

A Note from Acero Cooley Station on COVID-19

It goes without saying that our world has experienced an overwhelming amount of change in the last few weeks. The outbreak of COVID-19 has surely altered the way we approach our day to day lives, and without a doubt has made it a reasonably unsettling time in history. We want you, our residents, community members, and associates, to know that all of us here at Acero Cooley Station are riding this wave with you. Now more than ever we want to assure you that your health and safety is our absolute top priority. Today we hope to address some of the questions you might currently have regarding this pandemic and your home at Acero Cooley Station. Questions like; what changes can I expect to see in my apartment community? What does “social distancing” mean when living in an apartment? What can my family and I be doing to stay healthy? First and foremost, we recommend staying up to date with current guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These organizations provide a plethora of information intended to help the general public understand what is happening globally, and what you can be doing to stay healthy. Wondering what the coronavirus/COVID-19 even is? Curious about what symptoms you should be paying attention to? Have you pondered wearing a face mask? Answers to these common questions and more can be found here . Please be assured in knowing that our team will also be monitoring these sites so as to stay up to date with the most recent developments and recommended health procedures as well. What changes will I notice at Acero Cooley Station? As you can imagine, our sanitation procedures have elevated to new heights. Due to continuously developing information regarding the spread of the virus and how long it lives on surfaces, our maintenance team is taking extra precautions when sanitizing community surfaces and common spaces. Additionally, resident gatherings and community areas are temporarily closed in accordance with the CDC's recommendations for social distancing and to help slow the spread of germs. With the safety of both our associates and residents in mind, our office is also temporarily closed to walk-through traffic. But there’s no need to worry, we will be available via phone or email for anything you might need. At this time we encourage you, your family, your friends, and your Acero Cooley Station neighbors to stay home, practice social distancing and only leave your apartment if you really need to. Now more than ever it is important to check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly. Give them a call to see if they need anything and remember that we are all in this together. Thank you for being a part of our Gilbert community; we look forward to brighter days ahead.

How to Tackle Spring Cleaning Like A Champ

Spring has officially started here in Gilbert, and among the many great things that come with the start of this new season, there is one in particular that most seem to dread; Spring cleaning. To some, cleaning (in general) is a daunting chore. To others, cleaning can sometimes be thought of as therapeutic! If you’re like most of us and tend to find it as more of a chore then a hobby, then you’ve landed on the right blog article, because today we are guiding you through 5 easy Spring cleaning tips that will help you tackle this year’s spring cleaning like a champ (and hopefully make you not hate it so much!). Get the worst out of the way first It’s no fun saving the worst for last, because then you are dreading it the entire time you are cleaning other parts of your Acero Cooley Station apartment. You may be thinking “Are these people crazy? I don’t want to start my deep clean with the thing I want to do the least, first!” But hear us out: once you’re done with the tough stuff, the rest of the cleaning feels like a breeze! Make a list As with most things in life, setting goals and working to achieve them can help tremendously in checking off your to-do list. The same goes for Spring cleaning. Jot down a list of all the places in your Acero Cooley Station apartment that you wish to tidy up this Spring in order of importance (maybe your home office, the shower curtains, light fixtures or even the kitchen cabinets). Then, as we just mentioned, start with the cleaning chore you’re dreading the most and work your way down from there. It may seem silly, but data has actually shown that writing down a to-do list, or in this case, a cleaning schedule, with a pen or pencil on an actual piece of paper helps you to achieve the items on that list. Plus, the feeling of accomplishment when you write that last checkmark is extremely satisfying. Listen to your favorite playlist Everything is better with a little music; especially Spring cleaning. Find your favorite station on Spotify, or even just tune in to your favorite local Gilbert radio station, and sing along as you clean away. Divide and conquer This could be interpreted one of two ways: divide and conquer meaning make Spring cleaning a team effort between those you share a living space with, and also, divide and conquer your cleaning list. First and foremost, we all know that teamwork makes the dreamwork, so if you have extra hands around the house who are willing and able to dust the blinds or vacuum and mop, let them! And if it’s just you, divide your list and work on a few tasks at a time, rather than trying to do everything at once. You’ll find this technique will leave you less overwhelmed and more likely to stick to it, rather than burning out quickly. An easy way to divide and conquer is to group your cleaning by areas of the house: target the bathroom one day, the kitchen the next, so on and so forth. Reward yourself This may seem like a no-brainer, but once you accomplish one of the tasks on your Spring cleaning to do list, reward yourself! Whether that be a glass of wine or taking 20 minutes to read your favorite book, treat yourself to a reward for a productive day of house cleaning. These are our favorite Spring cleaning tips, what are yours? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram , and share with us how these tips helped you! If you liked this article, be sure to keep following the Acero Cooley Station blog here for more like it.

Where to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Gilbert

The greenest day in the desert is nearly here! St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and you might find yourself pondering what there is to do around town to celebrate. Although St. Patty’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, there are still plenty of lively events happening in and around Gilbert the weekend prior, and on the day of! Embrace the luck of the Irish and check out these St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happening in Gilbert this month! St. Patrick’s Day Baby Goat Yoga Nothing quite compares to a serene yoga session… Relaxing music, deep stretching and… baby goats! You may have heard of this trending yoga style in recent years as it has grown in popularity both for cuteness and entertainment, but now you can actually try it for yourself! This St. Patrick’s Day Arizona Goat Yoga will be hosting a class full of baby goats decked out in their green Irish best. Bring a yoga mat and enjoy a lighthearted St. Patty’s Day baby goat yoga session! (Photo by @Azgoatyoga) Liberty Market Community Dinner & Wine Pairing If outdoor yoga with baby goats isn’t really your thing, then you might prefer to spend your St. Patrick’s Day enjoying a delicious dinner and wine (or cocktail) pairing at the Liberty Market ! This award-winning restaurant is tucked away in Old Town Gilbert, offering handcrafted weekly specials, locally sourced ingredients, and this St. Patrick’s Day, a community dinner . Embark on a culinary journey through the flavors and traditions of Ireland as the chefs at Liberty Market serve up Irish inspired drinks and dishes. Nothing says “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” like great food! Learn more here . (Photo by @LibertyMarket) Phoenix St. Patty’s Day Parade & Faire Okay, we know this St. Patty’s Day event is not happening here in Gilbert, but over in Phoenix this weekend is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire ! The parade itself starts at 10 a.m., with floats, bagpipers and marching bands filling the streets in their luckiest green attire. Following the parade is the St. Patrick’s Day Faire in Margaret T. Hance Park, where a variety of vendors, food booths, beverages, and live entertainment keep the party going all day long. We know it’s a bit of a drive from Acero Cooley Station to Phoenix, but if you’ve never been to the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day parade, also known as the “greenest day in the desert” give it a try this year and we’re sure you’ll be glad you did! (Photo by @Patricksdayphx) Celebrate accordingly this St. Patrick’s Day, and let us know what you ended up doing on Facebook or Instagram ! While you’re at it, keep following the Acero Cooley Station blog here to stay in the know with all things Gilbert.

Hot Bamboo: New Restaurant Opens Doors Near Gilbert

It’s always exciting when a new restaurant opens close to home. Especially one that has been long anticipated as it grew in popularity as a food stand but never had a stable location. Hot Bamboo opened their doors to the valley in early February, after building a reputation throughout Arizona from food festivals, where long lines would effortlessly form in anticipation for their delicious Asian cuisine. Hot Bamboo’s handcrafted steamed buns, rice bowls, dumplings and more have long been favored at these festivals, and now can be enjoyed from the comfort of their brand new location! While there might be a healthy variety of Asian cuisine restaurants sprinkled throughout Gilbert, Chandler and the surrounding areas, Hot Bamboo has an unmatched authentic flavor rooted in every dish and a unique character that has gained quite the following in the last few years. The Story With a history rooted in the arts, Hot Bamboo owner Anna Heinbach moved to Arizona in 2009, where at the time she was an art teacher. What started in her earliest artist days as a passion for interior design, art, and architecture, lead to an art in pastry making. If you’ve ever seen Hot Bamboo’s adorable character steamed buns, it would all make sense. These character bao (steamed buns) are a highlight of the menu, along with their variety of other offerings, such as pineapple teriyaki chicken or coconut curry. Anna started selling her pastries and eventually other Asian street foods from her childhood at markets and festivals throughout Arizona, hitting a sweet spot in the food scene and finding herself quite successful. The question then became when she would open a restaurant. Early 2020 was the answer, and now, her story continues to grow. The Menu As we mentioned, Hot Bamboo’s menu covers all the bases when it comes to comfort foods, cute character steamed buns, rice bowls and even tasty beverages like boba and Thai teas. So whether you are a Thai-food enthusiast or have never even heard of pad Thai, you are sure to find something that piques your interest on the Hot Bamboo menu. And I know we’ve mentioned the cute steamed buns, but these buns are more than just cute. They have become a huge part of who this restaurant is! With everything from pink pig face buns, to baby Yoda buns and hello kitty, the creativity and passion of the chefs are apparent in every menu item they offer. Whether the bun is full of pork, teriyaki, chorizo, or even the vegan alternative, you will be looking forward to your next visit to Hot Bamboo to get another. The Atmosphere Hot Bamboo stayed true to their roots when it came to the atmosphere of their new, stable location, with counter service style and a quick-service approach. But as we mentioned before, don’t let this fool you because although the food may come fast as you might expect from the Hot Bamboo food stands, the flavor and recipes have been years in the making. Quickly becoming a recognizable staple of the restaurant is the mural wall, painted black with two orange and white koi fish and lotus flowers. Foodies from all over Arizona have already taken a liking to this wall, as it makes a perfect backdrop for photos of your steamed character buns or bubble tea. (Photo by @HotBamboo) While we could go on for pages about Hot Bamboo’s new location and blossoming popularity, you may as well go ahead and see it for yourself! Let us know about your experience on Facebook or Instagram , and while you’re at it keep following the Acero Cooley Station blog here for more Gilbert area favorites.

Find Your New Favorite Read at These Gilbert Area Bookstores

You may be familiar with the old saying, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies…and the man who never reads only lives one.” In today’s day and age, it may seem like we are reading all day long- emails, text messages, Facebook statuses, etc… but when was the last time you got lost in a good book? There can be plenty of reasons as to why you haven’t been able to do much leisure reading lately, and we totally understand. But we’re here to remind you of the joy that can come from a good book! And to do that, we've compiled a list of the best bookstores in the Gilbert area, where you are sure to find a new favorite read. Barnes and Noble in San Tan Village | 2150 E Williams Field Rd #105, Gilbert, AZ 85295 We figured we would start by highlighting that Barnes and Noble , one of the largest and most well-known bookstores nationwide (selling more than 150 million books per year) is less than 10 minutes from Acero Cooley Station! And B&N has an inventory that stretches far beyond hard and paperback books; offering everything from games and toys to vinyl records, NOOK books, art supplies, planners and much more. It’s also worth noting that the San Tan Village Barnes and Noble has a cafe, too! So you can pick up a new book, grab a warm cup of coffee and start reading, all in the same place. (Photo by @Bnsantan) Half Price Books | 6339 E Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85206 Do you know what’s better than a store full of books? A store that’s full of half priced books! Half Priced Books in Mesa proudly declares that they offer 4,886 yards of books, movies and music on their bookshelves. How they measure that, we’ll never know, but it’s still impressive! As one of the largest family-owned retailers for new and used books in America, HPB claims to not only sell “everything ever printed or recorded” but they buy it too! Committed to the community, Half Price Books recycles and donates millions of overstock books to local organizations and nonprofits every year. Maybe when asked “what’s better than a store full of books?” we should have said a store that has tons of titles, buys books, donates to local nonprofits, and hosts events throughout the month! Because those are just a few reasons Half Price Books is such a treasure in the Gilbert area. (Photo by @HalfPriceBooks) Bookmans Entertainment Exchange | 1056 S Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210 Bookmans Entertainment Exchange is as unique as it gets. With six Arizona locations and a story that dates back 40 years, Bookmans defines itself as a media store rather than strictly a bookstore (have no fear, they still have plenty of books). Known as a hub for “entertainment exchange” whether that be books, CDs, magazines, movies, or really any other media form you can think of, the shelves of Bookmans are stocked by traded products from book and media lovers just like yourself! As for the entertainment side, Bookmans also hosts events that vary by location! So if you’re looking for an experience that’s worthy of its own paperback, be sure to stop by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange. (Photo by @BookmansMesa) The next time you’re ready to get lost in the wonder of a good book, remember these local bookstores in the Gilbert area that are ready to help you along that journey! And when you find the one, be sure to share it with us on Facebook and Instagram ! And don’t forget to keep following the blog here , because we’d like to think that we offer a pretty fun read too!