Unforgettable Tailgating Tips, with a Twist.
It’s September, and if you live in the south, you know what that means! Along with the official end of summer and onset of cooler weather, it’s time for football and all the great things that go along with it; friends, fun, and of course, game day, and the infamous Tailgate Party. Whether you’re a transplanted southerner or native, knowing how to throw a Tailgate Party is essential! So here are a few incredible tips on how to execute a game day extravaganza. Where to Start…. Pick a theme – of course you know the “main” focus is your team, so that’s a given. Next, decide if you want classic, rustic, or vintage theme – and go from there. Rustic Tailgate The Rustic Tailgate is just that, due to the décor that sets the tone for food and fun. Think old Chevy pickup truck, dressed with a quilt as your centerpiece, and a place to display food or beverage–and bales of hay as seating. Rustic Tailgate Menu: Any great party begins with the right beverage, and in this case bourbon is the base for the Tailgate Sipper. Tailgate Sipper 4 cups cubed fresh pineapple 1 cup bourbon 1 cup chilled lemon sparkling water (such as Perrier) 1/2 cup Southern Comfort 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice + Vanilla Extract Rustic Tailgate Menu BBQ Beef Sliders Pasta Salad in a Jar Charleston Cheese Dip Lemon Bars Make all of this from scratch, or if you’re like the rest of us with too little time – call on Saws Soul Food in Avondale, which is a quick 10 – minute drive from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Let them cater the BBQ and “fixings’’, leaving you time to decorate & visit your guests! Classic DIY Tailgate There’s so many ideas on Pinterest and other sites for the perfect tailgate party —-and if you’re a crafty sort of person, Classic is your ticket! A classic tailgate is all about your team and its mascots, branded corn hole games, lawn chairs and pick up food. How about these adorable Alabama Mason Jars for a festive addition to table décor to get you started? A classic cocktail begins with the basis of any great tailgate party, beer. Serve by keg placed in a galvanized tub, or fancy it up with Beer Punch. Either way you are sure to score high marks with your guests. Beer Punch 4 strawberries, chopped 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons grenadine 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 (12-ounce) bottles beer, cold (recommended: Corona or a pilsner) Classic Tailgate Menu Southern Fried Chicken Potato Salad Classic Baked Beans Slaw Cheese Biscuits Southern Fried Chicken I personally love southern style fried chicken, but to cook it, I feel as though I must put the fire department on notice that there could be an incident. However, if you want the best fried chicken ever— and don’t want a spectacle, I would highly recommend forgoing the fire department scenario, and leave the fried chicken to the experts at Dots. Check out Miss Dots, located at 49 Church Street, Mountain Brook Alabama 35213 (205)739-2232. Miss Dots is a classic If you’re feeling brave, try this fabulous at home do it yourself southern fried chicken recipe, found in the New York Times. Potato Salad from the Queen of Southern Cooking Baked Beans – OK, we could get really fancy here, but unless you have that kind of time on your hands, which we do not, here is a great recipe from Pioneer Woman. (Secret: canned baked beans dolled up; and they are delicious!) Slaw – When it comes to slaw keep it simple! Buy pre-shredded, whip up the dressing & be finished before kick-off. 6 cups shredded cabbage 1 cup shredded carrot 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon celery seed 1/4 cup sugar Cheese Biscuits I can’t think of one single reason to make cheese biscuits from scratch. When you can get Jim n’ Nick’s Cheese biscuit mix at your local grocery. Yum. Southern Goodness in a bag. Jim n’ Nick’s Cheese Biscuit Mix can be found at the Publix at Montclair – just 5 minutes away from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Vintage Tailgating The history of tailgating – as best as we can tell, goes back 100 or so years and is a uniquely American Experience. The roots of this unique cultural activity are chronicled during the first college football game between Rutgers and Princeton. Apparently, spectators spent their pre-game ritual grilling sausages at the “tail end” of the horse. This is quite an interesting theory, that apparently caught on, and well– there you go! Speaking of sausage, the very best, in our opinion is made right here in Alabama – and that is Conecuh Sausage which can be purchased at most grocers, but if you’re a member of SAMS Club Irondale – you might want to check with them for specials! Another Southern vintage favorite is Granny Hester’s Sweet Potato Biscuits—add Conecuh Sausage to one of these delectable little biscuits with a little spicy mustard, allowing the sweet and savory tastes to blend, for pure southern goodness with a twang! So with that last little tidbit, we’ll leave it to you to show us what you create in the name of the holy southern grail – football. SEC football, that is.
There’s Lots of Closets to Love at The Retreat at Mountain Brook!
What’s on the top of your list when it comes to “must-haves” for your new apartment? While most apartment dwellers site location, number of bedrooms/ baths, stainless appliances, a fireplace or outdoor sanctuary as must-haves, closet space is always at the top of everyone’s list! People who tour our apartment homes in Birmingham, Alabama are immediately blown away by the spacious living areas, bedrooms, and baths— and to top it off, massive closet space. Our recently refreshed 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartment homes have closets with space to spare— for all you closet enthusiasts, how about one big enough to hold a dresser, shoe racks, shelves for folded items and just about anything else you can imagine to fill this generous area. The largest available closet-combos are in the master suite of the 3-bedroom located in our Greenbriar Village; measuring in at 10 ft. x 3 in. and 6 ft. x 2 in. and is large enough to be used as a small office or a child’s playroom. There is no end to the creative solutions available to maximize your next closet, but we have come up with 5 clever ways to make the most of your new space. Check out all of our floor plans. Call (205) 956-9722 and schedule your tour, today.
New Leasing Center Will Be Gateway to Re-imagined Luxury Apartment Community
Owner-developer Heller Stone Properties, today announced that it has broken ground for a new leasing center at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, located at 4816 Sharpsburg Drive. Arlington Construction is the General Contractor for the project, designed by the architectural firm of Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds. The 2200 sq. ft. leasing center will be the gateway to the re-imagined 517- unit luxury apartment community nestled against the Mountain Brook community. Positioned prominently atop a hill with large expanses of windows and sweeping views of the surrounding neighborhood and landscape, it will serve as The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s primary leasing office. It will also serve as the anchor for future village development, providing space for retail, restaurants, and office space, within walking distance of the community. “When we purchased what was known as The Enclave in 2013, we knew massive renovations lay ahead,” said Ken Heller, co-founder of California-based Heller Stone Properties that owns the newly renovated and branded 770,000 square foot luxury apartment community. “The bones of the property were excellent, and even though several styles of architecture were represented throughout the community, we’ve been able to address those through renovations. We’ve re-energized the landscaping, given building exteriors a fresh look and added architectural detail to entries. Interiors have been completely gutted and reinstalled with new paint, wood plank floors, stainless appliances and more.” “This, in tandem with monument signage designed to complement Mountain Brook’s signature street signs, the fountains installed this summer, new street lighting, and community gardens, positions us to complete the next phase of revitalizing this property. The new leasing center will be a beacon—a unifying factor, setting the tone for the type of community we envision. ” “Our goal for the new leasing center was to integrate a prominent design into the community, coalescing the varied architecture throughout The Retreat,” said Scott Burnett, architect, Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds. “We looked for subtleties throughout the property’s three distinct villages, and factored in recognized design elements from the city of Mountain Brook, like the Clock Tower in Crestline Village, to create a design that would resonate.” The new leasing center is scheduled to open in late fall 2016. About The Retreat at Mountain Brook: Built in 4 phases from 1974-1987 the former Sharpsburg Manor Apartments, also known as The Enclave, has undergone significant renovations and rebranding as The Retreat at Mountain Brook, since its purchase by Heller Stone Properties, Los Angeles, California in 2013. The 517- unit, one, two, and three-bedroom apartment community, is situated in three unique villages; Highlands Village, Canterbury Village, and Greenbrier Village, and borders the City of Mountain Brook, Ala. It is ideally located for residents to take advantage of Avondale, Crestline and Crestwood restaurants, shops, downtown and the Interstate 20 – 459 corridors. Averaging 1,500 square feet, each apartment home at The Retreat at Mountain, has undergone complete renovation with all new kitchen and bath cabinetry, plank flooring, ceiling fans, a conversion from wood to electric fireplaces, energy efficient hot water heaters, and is pre-wired for AT&T U-Verse. Owner-Developers, Heller Stone Properties, further enhanced unit interiors by adding stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer’s and modern lighting. Resort type saltwater pools, tennis courts and outdoor grilling stations, dog park, along with two resident lounges and fitness centers, will be joined by the new leasing center Fall 2016.
Birmingham’s Newest Dog Park, is Here!
We think dog parks have the potential to make the world (and our neighborhood) a better place; so we built one here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Then, on Sunday July 17th, we invited local dog owners and their pawed pals to celebrate the grand opening of Birmingham’s newest doggie playground. This spacious bark park is the newest community amenity in line with our goals to build thriving communal spaces that bring people together in fun loving ways. We were delighted with the turnout and look forward to getting to know more of our neighbors through this playful spot offering a nearby outlet for residents to enjoy the outdoors with their furry friends. During the kickoff party we not only jumped, climbed and played, but snacked in frolicking doggie fashion with our new friends at Fetch – A Treat Truck for Dogs. Outfitted with agility equipment and ample play space, pet owners are now welcome to frequent during regular business hours. Join us on our journey as we continue to develop an experiential community atmosphere at our apartments located here in Birmingham, Alabama. Happy playing!
Energy + Experience = Amy Hodges, Manager – The Retreat at Mountain Brook
Birmingham, Ala. June 13, 2016—Arlington Properties, professional management firm for The Retreat at Mountain Brook, recently awarded Amy M. Hodges, the position of manager for the luxury apartment community. Ms. Hodges has worked in the multi-family industry for 15-years and is a Certified Accredited Manager (ARM) IREM. She has held similar positions for Steadfast Management Company – Tapestry Park at Montclair, RAM Partners, LLC. – Parc at Grandview, and other communities in Alabama. As manager of The Retreat at Mountain Brook, Amy will be responsible for day-to-day operations. “We are excited to have Amy’s abundant energy and experience on The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s team. Her customer service skills are unparalleled and exactly what we were looking for to satisfy our residents at The Retreat at Mountain Brook,” said Tami Stretmeyer, regional manager, Arlington Properties. About The Retreat at Mountain Brook: Built in 4 phases, from 1974-1987, The Retreat at Mountain Brook has undergone significant renovation since its purchase by Heller Stone Properties, Los Angeles, California in 2014. The community, which borders Mountain Brook, is ideally located for residents to take advantage of Avondale, Crestline and Crestwood restaurants, shops, downtown and the Interstate 20 – 459 corridors. The luxury apartment community, has 517 units in its three unique villages; Highlands, Canterbury, and Greenbrier. Each apartment home at The Retreat at Mountain, has undergone complete renovation to a conversion from wood to electric fireplaces, plank flooring, kitchen and bath cabinetry, energy efficient hot water heaters, and is pre-wired for AT&T U-Verse. Heller Stone further enhanced unit interiors by adding stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer’s and modern lighting. Resort type saltwater pools, tennis courts and outdoor grilling stations, along with two resident lounges and fitness centers, will be joined by a new leasing center Fall 2016. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.retreatatmountainbrook.net About Arlington Properties: Arlington Properties, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leader in the acquisition, development, redevelopment and management of multifamily and mixed-use properties. Founded in 1969, the stability and longevity of the company’s associates creates satisfying long-term relationships with owners, residents, and investors. Arlington Properties has market experience in 14 states and effectively manages over 10,000 units. For additional information, please visit our website at www.arlingtonproperties.net MEDIA CONTACT: Darlene Rotch |Panorama PR|205-531-5181|Darlene@prview.com
Say Yes to the Address
It’s time for summer weddings, and if you’re saying “I do” this season, getting your first address as a couple squared away should be a top priority. You’ll have plenty of wedding details vying for your attention as the big day approaches and won’t need the added stress. Speaking of – a stress-free living environment could be just what you need to start your marriage on the right foot. A turnkey, conveniently located, luxury apartment community such as The Retreat at Mountain Brook offers numerous benefits. You’ll be making plenty of adjustments, so why not choose a lifestyle that will allow you to enjoy one another without the burdens of maintenance, lawn care and the research and expenses that come with taking on a mortgage? Here are four things to consider when picking your first home as a couple: Location – An ideal area is one that is close to work and the places you need and want to go (grocery and drug stores, parks, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.) and yet offers privacy and escape from the hustle and bustle. The Retreat at Mountain Brook is a five-minute drive from Publix, Starbucks and CVS and a short distance from downtown Birmingham, Southside and the communities of Crestline, Crestwood, Avondale and Forest Park. At the same time, it’s nestled in a serene, wooded setting next to a nature preserve. Interior features – Now is probably not the time in your life to deal with old appliances, aging electrical/plumbing/HVAC systems, renovations, outdated décor or floor plans that don’t work. A new or newly updated space eliminates these issues. All the spacious flats and townhomes at The Retreat at Mountain Brook have been completely refurbished with new systems, stainless steel or black appliances, designer plank flooring and carpet, espresso cabinetry, neutral paint colors and electric fireplaces. Each unit even comes with a new washer and dryer. Outdoor space – Inviting, versatile outdoor space to enjoy together also is a plus, and it helps if it comes without a lot of upkeep. Apartment homes at The Retreat feature huge balconies and patios – with adjoining fenced yards for some units – or large sunrooms. You can spend time with each other while having coffee or wine, starting a container garden or entertaining in your private outdoor space. Community amenities – A safe neighborhood, access to places where you can exercise and opportunities to get involved in your community and entertain family and friends are important at any point in life, but especially as you enter a new phase. The Retreat at Mountain Brook is a gated community nestled in a quiet, established neighborhood. The 80-acre property’s grounds and community spaces also have been completely renovated and renewed. The Retreat consists of three villages, each with its own saltwater pool surrounded by tile decking. Outdoor kitchens and cabanas adjoin two pools, and two clubhouses sport resident lounges with coffee bars, Wi-Fi and fitness centers. Two championship-modeled tennis courts and the Flora Johnston Nature Trail, adjacent to the property, provide additional exercise and recreation options. A new dog park and community garden give residents even more ways to experience the outdoors and connect with each other. Visit The Retreat today to get a taste of what your new life could be like. You can tour the property and homes Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Also join us for a happy hour between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.
Upscale Apartment Living at Redone Retreat at Mountain Brook
From the June 2016 issue of Southern Jewish Life magazine: Technology and nature commune as one at the Birmingham area’s new upscale apartment living community, The Retreat at Mountain Brook, which offers everything from a community garden to resident coffee lounges equipped with Wi-Fi and nearby hiking trails. Located on 80 acres neighboring Mountain Brook, the community started a $7 million, 18-month renovation after it was acquired by California-based development community Heller Stone. “The intent was to create an upscale environment for residents wanting to have it all,” said Arlington Properties Regional Manager Tami Stertmeyer. “The Retreat offers a plethora of modern amenities for our residents that include a community garden, three saltwater resort-style pools, two state-of-the-art fitness centers, two resident coffee lounges equipped with Wi-Fi, championship-modeled tennis courts and walking trails.” Stertmeyer said that not only is The Retreat at Mountain Brook pet-friendly, but the community features a 6,500-square-foot dog part equipped with agility stations to “keep our beloved pets happy and healthy.” She said the apartments’ interior space features spacious living and dining rooms; open kitchens with stainless steel appliances; electric fireplaces, designer plank flooring; an entertaining/bar area; oversized balconies; sun-rooms and terrace level apartment homes that have fenced-in yard spaces. To read the rest of the article and browse the June issue of Southern Jewish Life visit https://issuu.com/sjlmag/docs/sjl0616ds/32
Kick Off the Summer Entertaining Season with Style and Ease
Memorial Day weekend is upon us, signaling the start of summer and the summer entertaining season. With its salt-water pools, outdoor kitchens, peaceful setting and generous public and private entertaining spaces, The Retreat at Mountain Brook is the perfect place for relaxed summer get-togethers with friends and family. The property features two poolside outdoor kitchens with stacked-stone bars, vaulted roofs, ceiling fans and gas and charcoal grills. The new, championship-modeled tennis courts and the Flora Johnston Nature Trail (see details below) also provide opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with guests. Because playing host can sometimes spark anxiety, we want to share some tips for making a Memorial Day party and other summer holiday gatherings as easy and stress-free as possible. We’d also like to pass along this amazing shrimp-and-crab-stuffed-pasta-shells recipe from our friend Sherry with the blog Rosemary and the Goat. It’s a great dish for a warm-weather party. Memorial Day Entertaining Tips: • Don’t feel like you have to provide every bite of food. Consider cooking the main dish and supplying drinks and asking your guests to bring sides and desserts. • Remember the flowers. Decorating your indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces with some arrangements of locally grown flowers such as camellias, hydrangeas or jasmine doesn’t have to cost a lot, and it can make a big impact. • Pick up some battery-operated, flameless candles or lanterns. They create a charming ambiance for evening dining on a patio or balcony. • Let your friends and family help. If someone offers to help set up, man the grill or assist you in cleaning, take them up on it. Guests will feel much better helping rather than idling as you do all the work. • Put a new spin on the patriotic theme. If you want to honor the spirit of the day but aren’t crazy about stars and stripes in your decorating, try a simple red and white or blue and white color palette. Serve strawberries, raspberries or blueberries to add color through food. The nautical look is popular this year, and you can inexpensively accent your décor with it by wrapping hardware-store rope around the vases and using coastal-style, flameless lanterns. As promised, more about the Flora Johnston Nature Trail, located right next to The Retreat: The Flora Johnston Nature Trail actually contains two trails, an upper and lower, that follow a branch of Shades Creek. Along approximately 2 miles of paths, you’ll find rock outcroppings and several places to sit and view the creek or do some bird watching. The trails are an easy walk perfect for families and groups.
It’s Always a Do Dah Day at The Retreat
Four-legged as well as two-legged neighbors and potential residents got a taste of The Retreat at Mountain Brook Saturday at one of Birmingham’s most popular events – Do Dah Day, a festival that invites people to enjoy music, food and a parade with their pets. The event began in 1979 and has raised more than $1.3 million for Jefferson County animal shelters since 1992. In keeping with The Retreat’s pet-friendly, community-involved atmosphere, staff members manned a booth at the festival. They gave away dog treats and accessories, citrus-flavored water and information about the newly renovated, luxury community and its future offerings for residents and those in surrounding areas. “We had a lot of inquires,” says Amy Hodges, property manager. “A lot of people thought it was a retreat for dogs. We had to tell them it’s a retreat for dogs and people.” (See below for more photos of the fun at The Retreat’s Do Dah Day booth.) A 6,500 square foot, leash-free dog park will open at The Retreat in June and will include obstacle-course-style activity stations called The King of the Hill and Over Rover. Residents of The Retreat and nearby Mountain Brook and Eastwood neighborhoods are welcome to visit with their furry companions. Dog treats also are available in The Retreat’s resident lounges. Studies have shown spending time with pets, particularly dogs, can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. The American Heart Association has linked pet ownership with a reduced risk for heart disease. The developers of The Retreat understand the importance of giving residents and other community members places to spend quality playtime with their pets and to socialize with each other, Hodges says. A community garden adjacent to the dog park also aims to bring people together. In addition to the booth at Do Dah Day, The Retreat at Mountain Brook had a presence this past weekend at an event celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, at the Levite Jewish Community Center. The celebration featured a kids’ carnival, arts and crafts, food, music, a bike parade and more. Hodges says the goal of attending events like these is to spread word about changes at The Retreat, which was built in four phases from 1974 to 1987 and has undergone a complete exterior and interior renewal since its purchase by Heller Stone Properties in 2014. The 517-unit, 80-acre property bordering the community of Mountain Brook is nestled in an established, wooded neighborhood next to a nature preserve, yet is minutes from downtown Birmingham, restaurants, shops and entertainment. Formerly known as The Enclave, the community was once sought after, but had fallen into disrepair. For many people who learn about or see the renovations, “it’s bringing back memories of what the property was in the 1970s and 1980s,” Hodges says. If you’d like to meet the new Retreat at Mountain Brook, please join us for a happy hour between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month. We’ll announce other upcoming events here as well. See more of our new friends: [huge_it_gallery id=”2″]
Decorate Your Outdoor Space Like A Pro
The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s balconies, sunrooms, patios and fenced yards offer a wealth of outdoor spaces for personal enjoyment and for entertaining friends and family. As with any outside area, decorating in a way that is both inviting and practical is key to taking advantage of all the possibilities, says Suzanne Martenson, owner and founder of Stems and Styles in Homewood, Ala. Here are some tips the event stylist and floral designer shares for making the most of an outdoor space: Strike a balance between style and function. Martenson recommends placing a basket against the wall of a balcony or covered patio and filling it with rolled-up throw blankets. It’s an opportunity to add color and texture to the space, and the blankets are convenient when guests are over or you’re enjoying a glass of wine outside and there’s a chill in the air. “People can grab them and wrap up,” she says. “It’s always a nice, inviting touch to have.” Consider creating a container garden of herbs or adding herbs to flower planters, Martenson says. Not only will the herbs add visual interest, but they’ll come in handy. “You can always have them for cooking, and in the hot Alabama weather, they take the heat and the sun well and don’t require a lot of water,” she says. “Plus, they look nice mixed in with your annuals.” Bring the indoors out with furniture and rugs. A wide range of comfortable furniture in a variety of styles, from sleek to rustic, is now made to last outdoors, Martenson says. “There are sectionals and loveseats that really make you feel like you’ve extended your living room,” she says. A table on a patio, balcony or in a sunroom also can extend entertaining space. Today’s outdoor rugs can barely be distinguished from their indoor counterparts. “They really warm up the space,” Martenson says. Be strategic with color. Use a neutral pallet – tans, grays and whites – for large items such as furniture, Martenson advises. Then add color with accents like pillows and other small items. This way you can inexpensively change the entire look seasonally – or when you get tired of the current one – by replacing the accents. “If you buy a full printed sofa, you’re going to be stuck with it for awhile,” Martenson says.
