Beale Family Housing

Dinner Inspiration: Great Recipe Websites

balfour — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:03:37 +0000

The rise of the Internet allows for instant access to cooking inspiration. No longer do we rely on our box of recipe cards for dinner – with the click of a mouse you can access countless recipes to make right at home at Beale AFB Homes. But with so many sites offering so many recipes, how do you know which are the best? Here are some suggestions:

- FoodTV.com, the website of the Food Network, is often a reliable place to look for simple preparations that don’t require a great deal of kitchen skill. The recipes are thoroughly edited by network staff and user reviews are helpful.

- BonAppetit.com is the official website of the long-running culinary magazine. As such, this site draws recipes from some of the world’s best chefs. If you're looking for a meal that will truly impress, this website is the place to go.

- Epicurious.com is for the gourmand, and is a great resource for more unusual dishes. The recipes here come from Bon Appétit magazine and several other renowned foodie publications. These recipes are often delicious, but tend to be more complicated and better suited for experienced cooks.

- Tastespotting.com is the "new kid" in the world of recipes. This site tantalizes with delicious food photography contributed by its very active community.

- Pinterest.com isn’t technically a food website. This platform allows its users to share visual content and links with each other. But the beautiful food photography on the site has attracted a strong foodie userbase. You can find some hidden gems in its "Food and Drink" category.

Chikara: Fighting Spirit

balfour — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:01:43 +0000

California is famous for sushi – it’s the state where Japanese food first started to make an impact in America – so it’s no surprise that there are tons of great sushi bars all over the state. The menu at Chikara in Yuba City isn’t particularly adventurous, but the place delivers solid quality at very reasonable prices. Sushi is presented here in the usual ways, with nigiri boasting sizable chunks of very fresh fish, well-cut and attractively presented. Rolls are available in both traditional Japanese hand-rolled style as well as American-style with the rice on the outside. Sashimi dishes are excellent as well, with the chirashi drawing raves. The kitchen produces some cooked food as well – the pork tonkatsu (a kind of breaded filet) is quite good, and the vegetable tempura is beautifully breaded and fried. Beale AFB Homes sushi fans might enjoy the flavors at Chikara.

Chikara
619 Plumas Street
Yuba City, CA 95991
(530) 755-2833

Must-Hear Country Albums

balfour — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:01:38 +0000

The long and rich history of country music is full of classic albums, but if you were going to sample just a few of the best, these albums will surely hit the spot. From rollicking hoedowns to soulful ballads, these are the most memorable country albums ever released.

Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger
Nelson signed with Columbia Records on a contract that gave him unlimited creative freedom. After doing so, he created this incredible, sparse album that retells the story of a fugitive on the run from the law after the murder of his wife and child.

Merle Haggard – Okie From Muskogee
This album was recorded live in a small town in Oklahoma. The live action gives you a realistic portrait of Haggard at the very top of his game, and presents outstanding performances of some of his greatest hits.

Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
This oldie-but-a-goodie is another live album. This album put the Man in Black in front of an audience of hardened criminals and let it all hang out. Cash’s raw style and bleak songs resonated perfectly with the inmates, and the energy is palpable.

Townes Van Zandt – For The Sake Of The Song
This 1968 album was Van Zandt’s debut, and introduced one of the greatest songwriters of all time to the world. Even though he was never recognized by a mainstream audience, this album is still well-worth a listen.

Dolly Parton – Jolene
This album was recorded just after parting ways with Porter Wagoner, and showcases how Parton took creative control of her career with exceptional results, making her one of the medium’s most famous female voices.

Community Blog Updates

balfour — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:31:21 +0000

With 2013 right around the corner, we would like to share with you a few Communications updates for Balfour Beatty Communities. Over the next couple of months we will be unveiling new, redesigned websites for all Installations. With the launch, we will introduce a new blog and other communications features as part of the websites, giving you one online location for all news, messages and other information from Balfour Beatty Communities.

Things to look forward to:

An enhanced Resident Messages & Events page
A Better Living Blog hosted by Balfour Beatty Communities with categories such as Conservation Corner, Safety Zone, and the popular Recipe Box!
An alert system on the home page for important community updates.
And much more!

Detailed information regarding the new websites will be provided post-launch. Stay tuned!

Cakes By Nancy: Brilliantly Baked

balfour — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:00:35 +0000

If you’re looking for a cake for a special occasion or just need to satisfy your sweet tooth, Cakes By Nancy is your place. This Yuba City full-service bakery not far from Beale AFB Homes is quite capable of producing professional-grade wedding cakes and other amazing delights. Locals rave about the amazing service that Nancy and her staff provides – they really want to make you happy and will go the extra mile. If you’re just looking for a sweet treat, the cupcakes here are some of the best in town. Their signature icing is one of the biggest attractions – it’s thick and sweet without being too heavy, and it’s available in a wide selection of flavors. They also make some amazing tarts and delicious ladyfingers. If your tastes tend more toward pies, Nancy makes some really amazing fruit ones, with the banana cream and the rich, flavorful cherry drawing raves. This is one of the best bakeries in town.

Cakes By Nancy
1548 Poole Boulevard
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 821-2253

Famous Speeches in American History

balfour — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:01:44 +0000

Public speaking is one of the oldest arts, practiced by everyone from shamans to statesmen and other leaders throughout history. It's not surprising that some of our country's most cherished and effective leaders have also been master orators, capable of moving and inspiring their audiences with the power of words. Here are five of the most famous speeches in American history:

The Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln's powerful address is perhaps the most quoted speech in American history. It highlights Lincoln's incredible eloquence, but also his profound use of brevity. In just over two minutes, he spoke of human equality at the roots of the American experience, and the Union's struggle in the Civil War as one to preserve and renew freedom.

Lou Gehrig Farewell
Incredible Yankee's first baseman Lou Gehrig had his career cut short when at 36 he was diagnosed with the disease now bearing his name. Celebrating all that he was grateful for, Gehrig used his farewell address to proclaim himself as "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

"I Have a Dream"
Martin Luthur King Jr's words have inspired countless millions as he called for an end to racial inequality and discrimination. This charismatic message of love voiced the hopes of civil rights, and in giving it King shared his dream with a nation.

Kennedy's Inaugural Address
When John F. Kennedy took the oath of office on January 20, 1961, he was helping to inspire America into a new era. In this stirring speech, Kennedy famously implored his fellow Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
Before America was America, Patrick Henry spoke forcefully to the Virginia House of Burgesses. The Revolutionary War had begun, and Henry wanted to organize a militia in Virginia in an effort to join the war. His famous words still ring out as some of the most impassioned words spoken on behalf of America.

Five Women Who Changed History

balfour — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:03:12 +0000

With the celebration of Women’s History Month, public awareness of women’s accomplishments over the ages will be at an all-time high. Highlighted below are five women who made their mark on the world and continue to provide inspiration for all people to this day:

Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1811 – 1896

Harriet Beecher Stowe impacted the world through her work as an advocate for a slavery-free society. Her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin became a major work of literature in the anti-slavery movement, helping to popularize and define the movement’s central beliefs.

Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759 – 1797

Mary Wollstonecraft is famous for having written A Vindication of the Rights of Women, a touchstone work in the early feminist movement. The tract made a powerful and compelling argument for increasing the human and political rights of women. Her efforts to improve women’s lives made her a pioneer in the battle for female suffrage.

Rosa Parks, 1913 – 2005

Rosa Parks is a woman who proved how a single brave action can reverberate through the world with positive effects. She was an African-American civil rights activist who rose to fame when she refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger. Her courage and conviction sparked the history-making Montgomery Bus Boycott, and she became an iconic figure in the struggle against racial segregation.

Harriet Tubman, 1820 – 1913

Harriet Tubman started out as a slave and ended up as a celebrated figure in the abolitionist movement. Working with the Underground Railroad, a network of antislavery activists, she rescued a large number of slaves. She also participated as a Union spy during the American Civil War and was the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war (which freed over 700 slaves). Later in her life she also became a major activist in the women’s suffrage movement.

Amelia Earhart, 1897-1937

Amelia Earhart was a renowned pioneer in the field of aviation. She became the first woman to be awarded the coveted U.S Distinguished Flying Cross, which she received for having flown solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She also set numerous flight records, wrote best-selling books, championed women’s rights, and provided a positive and highly public role model for girls and women everywhere.

Beale Family Holiday Appreciation

balfour — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:02:30 +0000

]]>

December LifeWorks Events

balfour — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:31:45 +0000

Click here to enlarge and print.

Interesting Facts About Trees

balfour — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:02:02 +0000

When trees blossom near Beale AFB Homes, it's truly something to behold. Each year, they shed their winter grayness and take on brilliant colors that dazzle the eye. Trees offer many fascinations beyond mere beauty. Below, discover a few intriguing facts that will enhance your appreciation of nature’s verdant splendor.

Breathing Easy

Most people know that trees help keep the air clean because they add oxygen to the environment, but few know how great the impact of even just a few trees can have on the quality of the air we breathe. Consider this: a single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year, which means that two trees can create enough oxygen each year to support a family of four!

Tree Value

According to research, the typical American uses over 700 pounds of trees of paper each year, and almost 100% of homes today are built using wood that comes from trees. This adds up to each person using the equivalent of one 100-foot tall tree every year for their paper and wood needs.

Tree Worship

Many cultures and religious groups throughout history have worshipped and mythologized trees. Here are some prominent examples: the Tree of Knowledge in Judaism and Christianity, the Bodhi Tree in Buddhism, the Christmas tree in Germanic mythology, and the there exist many sacred groves associated with druidic and pagan practices as well.

Trees and Energy

It would be impossible to overstate the energy-saving value of trees — they reduce the need for air conditioning because they naturally cool the air through the water that evaporates off of their leaves. The shade they offer also contributes to a reduction of energy usage since homes shaded by trees don’t need as much air conditioning. Statistics even show that four trees planted around each home could possibly save the inhabitants up to 30% on warm weather cooling expenses.

Property Value

Economic research has revealed that trees increase the property value of individual homes and entire areas. Neighborhoods and yards with abundant trees can lead to faster house sales and higher prices in the real estate market. In fact, studies have even shown that curb appeal though landscaping can increase the speed of a home sale by as much as four to six weeks.