Salem Green Wishes Tom A Fond Farewell

Tom has been a painter at Salem Green since 1991 and has dedicated twenty-two years to improving our homes. Tom will be retiring from his painting career in January. We will miss this witty, funny and hardworking guy. Tom is looking forward to other activities that will keep him occupied once he is finished working at Salem Green. Tom plans to read more non-fiction books, golf, catch up on the sporting events on TV, and exercise at the Community Center. We think that sounds like a great way to start out the new year. While living here at Salem Green all these years Tom has enjoyed making many friends along the way, having conversations with staff and residents, and living in a cared for community. Thank you, Tom, and we wish you the best!

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet?

It’s getting to be that time of year again: The holidays are over, the calendar is preparing to roll over to a brand new year and everyone is looking for a fresh start. Even if 2012 was a great year, there is always room for improvement and the New Year, though really just another date, is the perfect day to start a change!

So, whether you’re looking to get more in shape, save money, eat healthy or start a new hobby with the New Year, you can never go wrong setting a resolution. Best of all, you can make your resolutions simple and easy to keep, meaning that they may stick around long after you’ve abandoned some of you other well-intended changes.

We all have our New Year’s Resolution every year. What's your number one resolution for 2013? Did your New Year resolutions make the top ten list from 2012?

*According to Squidoo.com “The Ten Top New Year’s Resolutions for 2012”

1.) Stop Smoking
2.) Get into a Habit of being Fit
3.) Lose Weight-Battle of the Bulge
4.) Enjoy Life More
5.) Quit Drinking
6.) Get Organized
7.) Learn Something New
8.) Get out of Debt
9.) Spend More Time With Family
10.) Volunteer and Help People

Make those Resolutions stick! Make this the year for success.
· No matter what you haven’t achieved in the past, that was then and this is now!
· Start by thinking about the future and then reflect back. Think about the end of 2013 and ask yourself, "If everything happens perfectly, what will it look like?" Nothing is perfect but even a small change for the better is always better than nothing.
· Write down your goal.
· Write down a list of all the little steps you have to take to reach your goal.
· Prioritize those steps.
· Do something every day to take yourself along the steps towards your goal.

Fight Cabin Fever With Fun

Do you have the winter blues? Are you already bored from being indoors? Here are a few fun-filled places to visit near Salem Green.

The Grove

8055 Barbara Ave
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
(651) 450-2480
The Grove is the Inver Grove Heights community center. They offer a variety of activities such as indoor swimming, a workout facility, aerobic classes and more.

The Grove has an indoor pool and water play area.

The Grove has some great exercise equipment.

Skyzone

595 Hale Ave, Oakdale, MN 55128
(651) 200-3383

Sky Zone is an indoor trampoline park located in Oakdale. Sky Zone offers fun and fitness for all ages. Perfect for winter birthday parties or just an evening out with the family.

Hours
Monday: Closed
Tues-Thurs: 3 pm- 8 pm
Friday: 12 pm- 9 pm
Saturday: 10am-10pm
Sunday: 11 am- 7 pm

Pricing:
30 Mins- $8
60 Mins- $12
90 Mins- $16
120 Mins- $20

Water Park of America
1700 American Boulevard East
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 854-8900

The Water Park of America is located off of 494 just south of the Mall of America. You can have hours of fun in this water park. With attractions from waters slides, lazy river, hot tubs, wave pool, over 70 arcade games and much more!

Staff Spotlight - Introducing Chelsea - 1455's New Caretaker

We're excited to introduce you to Chelsea, she is our new Caretaker for the 1455 building at Salem Green. Chelsea grew up in Minneapolis with her two brothers and two sisters. She recently moved to Inver Grove Heights and is working at the local Applebee's. Chelsea enjoys spending time with her beautiful two-year-old daughter named Rihanna. Please welcome Chelsea to the community when you see her around Salem Green.

Make Your Apartment More Heat Efficient

It’s that time of year again when the weather turns frigid. To ensure you stay warm this winter, we've created some helpful tips for you to follow.

1. Make sure your thermostat is to the on position.

2. Make sure your heat registers are open and furniture is pulled away from the wall.

3. Place covers on all air conditioning units.

4. Be sure both windows and all patio doors are closed and locked. 

If all the above items have been followed and you are still having heating issues, please contact the rental office and we will send Daniel and Steve over to take a look.

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate - Keeping Warm & Toasty & Tasty

Oh my, look at what happened over the weekend. We went from fall-like weather to full-on winter wonderland! It may be cold and wet, but it sure is pretty. Now we just need some hot chocolate, a cozy blanket and a good movie! Did you know that you can make hot chocolate in a crock-pot and keep it nice and warm all day? You can! Check out this recipe.

Crock-Pot Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1 (14 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
6 Cups Milk (use whole milk for extra thick hot chocolate)
2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

Instructions:
1. In a large Crock-Pot combine all ingredients and stir.
2. Cover with lid and cook on low for 2 hours, whisking every now and then to combine the melted chocolate chips with the milk.
3. Ladle into mugs and serve with marshmallows or whipped cream or turn Crock-Pot to warm and stir every so often until you are ready to serve.

Great Desserts and Even Better Company: Dessert Night

What fun it is to meet your neighbors and share delicious desserts! All of us at Salem Green want to thank everyone that came out for our annual Dessert Night.

 We had every kind of pie you could possibly imagine, cupcakes, candy, hot chocolate, and more. It was great to see some familiar faces along with some new smiling faces. We truly appreciate all of you and we are glad that you have decided to call Salem Green your home. We hope everyone had a great time and enjoyed their night with their neighbors and the Salem Green staff, we sure did!

A Salem Green Winter Wonderland

The world around Salem Green has been turned into a beautiful winter wonderland by the weekend's winter storm! Weather Forecasters were saying that our area of the metro received around 10 inches of snow. The storm was the largest snow event in two years. Check out some pictures of our beautiful community that are posted below.

These Salem Green kids were so excited for the snow!

Snow Rhymes With Tow!

Winter is here and Salem Green Apartments would like to remind you that we do not allow non-motorized, non-moving, non-operable or un-licensed vehicles to be parked in the lots. All vehicles must be moved on a regular basis to allow for necessary snow removal. 

Vehicles that are in violation of this Community Policy are subject to be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Our staff works hard to ensure a safe environment during the winter months by continually plowing and salting walkways and roads during times of snow, but it is still important to use caution while walking on side walks, going up and down stairs and entering or exiting your vehicle. Proper footwear with non-slip tread is vital to surviving a Minnesota winter!

Enjoy the beautiful snow, but be careful out there!

New Movies Are In... Just In Time For Snowstorm Hibernating

There's snow coming, and if you like to snuggle in to the comfort of your apartment and attempt to hibernate during a snow storm, well then you need a movie from the Salem Green office! Make one last adventurous trip through the snow to the office and check out our ever-changing selection of movies. Perfect for keeping you entertained and indoors during a snowstorm.

Our new releases this month are:

No Other Month Knows How To Party Like December

December is a month packed with holidays and commemorations. Check out some of the major celebrations and observances that take place during this month.

December - 7: Pearl Harbor Day:
December 7, 1941 the US Naval base in Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. On that day this year government flags will be flown at half staff as we remember those who lost their lives during this attack. The day after this attack the US declared war on Japan.

December 8 - 16: Hanukkah

This Jewish holiday commemorates historical events that took place in 168 B.C.
According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s central texts, Judah Maccabee and the other Jews who took part in the re-dedication of the Second Temple witnessed a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights, leaving them time to find a fresh supply. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish leaders to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival.

Interesting Facts about Hanukkah

• Traditional Hanukkah food is cooked during the festival with oil as the key ingredient. Jelly donuts, fried potatoes, pancakes and deep fried puffs are the most common foods served during the festival.
• Gift giving is another popular Hanukkah tradition. The Jewish children receive small gifts from their elder family members on Hanukkah.

December 25: Christmas
Christmas is an annual Christian holiday celebrated on December 25th that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus would come to be called the son of God. Jesus’ story is detailed in the Bible recounting many miracles he preformed from healing people with diseases, feeding 5,000 people with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread and even raising the dead.

One cannot talk about the history of Christmas without mentioning Santa Claus. Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna, who lived in the 4th century A.D. in what is known today as Turkey, was a very wealthy and generous man who especially loved children. He was known to throw gifts into the houses of poor children in order to brighten their spirits. He was later titled Saint Nicholas, and became the patron saint of children and seafarers. His story evolved into the legend of Santa Claus – the jolly man who brings gifts to children all over the world on Christmas Eve.

Fun Facts about Christmas:

• Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Blitzer, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeer shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female.
• Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850, the trees are usually grown for about 15 years before they are sold.
• Mistletoe (Viscum album) is from the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan, which means “little dung twig” because the plant spreads though bird droppings.

December 26: Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a fairly new holiday that was first celebrated in December 1966. Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach. The name for Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase meaning first fruits. The first-fruits celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as ancient Egypt and Nubia. Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental activities of Continental African "first fruit" celebrations: in gathering; reverence; commemoration; re-commitment; and celebration.

There are seven values that are emphasized during Kwanzaa, they are: Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith. Kwanzaa culminates in a big feast on the last evening of the holiday, on December 31 called Karamu; it is celebrated with festive songs, dance, toasts, prayers, and a feast of foods.

Interesting facts about Kwanzaa

• The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green as noted above and can be utilized in decorations for Kwanzaa. Also decorations should include traditional African items, i.e., African baskets, cloth patterns, art objects, harvest symbols, etc.
• Kwanzaa can be celebrated by anyone. Kwanzaa is the holiday to remember African-American cultures.
• Gifts are given mainly to children, but must always include a book and a heritage symbol.

December 31: New Years Eve

The last day of the year is celebrated by many people in many different ways. Some people stay up until midnight and party at home or with friends, or a lot of people will go out to different restaurants, bars or even some cities have outdoor events. The most popular outdoor event in the US is the Times Square Ball Drop in New York City, NY. There are many New Year’s Eve traditions throughout the world.