It’s going to be a long Labor Day weekend here in Anaheim. This means it’s time to celebrate. I don’t know about you, but some good wine is exactly what I need right now.

If you haven’t been to OC Custom Wine yet, it’s time you take a short drive over there. On second thought, perhaps you should get a good friend to drive you. Or if all else fails, it would take you about 30 to 40 minutes to walk from our apartment.

The main reason you should go this weekend is because right now they have a Fingerlakes International Wine Competition Gold Medal winning wine ready for you to taste. Their 2007 Sonoma Cabernet Franc will be available until its sold out. They will also have the following wines:

• A multiple award winner: 2007 Central Coast Muscat
• A multiple award winner: 2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
• A multiple award winner: 2007 Central Coast Petite Sirah
• 2007 Napa Valley Merlot
• 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

OC Custom Wine allows you to blend their wines and will make custom wine labels for you. Check out their new tasting menu, as seen on their Facebook page.

Have you been to OC Custom Wine right here in the vicinity of The Crossing.

Photo Credit: OC Custom Wine

We serve the following yummy items:

• coffee
• orange juice
• bagels and cream cheese
• danishes

We hope to see everyone at this and other social activities we host. The breakfast is a great way to start your Fridays off successfully!

Photo Credit: mädchenkrawall

Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular is a theatrical experience created by internationally renowned designers using 17 life-sized dinosaurs.

Performance times are the following:

• Wednesday – 7 p.m.
• Thursday – 7 p.m.
• Friday – 7 p.m.
• Saturday – 11 a.m. / 3 p.m. / 7 p.m.
• Sunday – 1 p.m. / 5 p.m.

Tickets to to Walking With Dinosaurs in Anaheim, California

Visit the Honda Center Box Office, call 800.745.3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

For fun, you can create your own dinosaur name. If you do, tell us what it is on Facebook.

In order for your issue to be solved promptly, please take the following steps to request a work order or a maintenance request for our apartment community:

1. Go to our website SRGLiving.com.
2. On the left at the top, type “The Crossing” in the search box and click “GO”. Then click on “The Crossing” after it pops up.
3. On the left there is a link that says “Resident Service Request”. Click on that, and then type your problem and finally click the “Contact Us” button.
4. This will ensure that your issue will go through the proper channels.

The following is only an image. You must follow the steps above to actually submit your request.

The U.S. is the largest consumer of oil, yet few of us realize how much oil is a part of our daily lives.

To accept the challenge go to the website and agree to the following conditions:

1. Walk or ride your bike.
2. Enjoy the outdoors.
3. Use reusable bags.
4. Be conscious of what you eat.
5. Don’t buy new makeup.
6. Drink tap water.
7. Make your electronic gadgets last.
8. Avoid buying new movies.
9. Avoid buying new clothes.
10. Read books and news online or at the library.
11. Spread the word.

If you can’t practice all of these rules this weekend (e.g. you plan to go on a road trip this weekend,) at least try to follow as many as you can, and at least encourage others to lead a more green lifestyle.

Photo Credit: Igor GOLUBENKOV

Why Should I Shop at a Farmers Market?

• You can find fresher produce with more variety.
• You can meet the farmers, growers and creators of the products you choose to buy.
• The farmers receive more money when you buy from them directly.
• The local economy is supported.
• It reduces your carbon footprint.
• It’s a great opportunity to meet other people in the community.
• It supports sustainable community living–something we at The Crossing Anaheim value.

2 Farmers Markets in Anaheim, California

1. Downtown Anaheim Farmers Market
   - A certified California farmers market.
   - Open Thursdays noon to 7 p.m.
   - Located on Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street in Downtown Anaheim.
   - live music every week. See who’s performing this week.
   - craft fair, as well.
   - food trucks.
2. Euclid Farmers Market
   - open seven days a week 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
   - established in 2009
   - 525 S. Euclid Ave.
   - offer samples, according to a user on Yelp
   - items are averagely priced, according to Yelp
   - list hot items/deals on their website

1 Farmers Market near The Crossing Apartments

Henry’s Farmers Market is another option that is not actually in Anaheim, but is only 5 miles away from our new apartments. The closest one is in Fullerton. These stores can be seen throughout the entire state. They provide ocean-fresh seafood, natural beef, pork, lamb and poultry. Also, bulk bins, a full-service deli and natural and organic body products can be found.

Which one of these options have you been to?

Photo Credit:Ben

1. If you need a work order or a maintenance request, please go to our post, How to Submit a Work Order or Maintenance Request.
2. If you have any issues after business hours, such as noise complaints, please call the courtesy police at 888-332-4648.
3. We will be addressing the noise issue with the Metrolink very soon.
4. About pets: please don’t leave dogs unattended on the patios. Dogs need to be walked off the property, and residents need to pick up after their dogs. Doggie bag posts are being installed along the perimeter of the property. The dog washing station is now open.
5. We’ll be installing stop signs on the property to slow down traffic. The maximum speed limit is 5 mph.

Yoga is the Sanskrit word for unity. If you’re still confused or have always wondered about yoga, reading the following guide will help.

The Crossing Apartments Guide to Yoga

The first thing you need to know about practicing yoga is that you can make it as easy or as difficult as you desire. It’s always up to you.

The most important thing about yoga

Breathing correctly is the foundation of a good yoga practice. Many people have difficulties figuring out the proper breath technique, which is why having an instructor can be helpful.

• Dirga Pranayama is a three-part breathing technique that promotes calmness and relaxation. It requires you to breath through your nostrils continuously into three parts of your abdomen. Learn how to do it on Unexplainable.net.
• Ujjayi Pranayama is known as ocean breath. It requires you to inhale and exhale deeply through the mouth. When you do it right, you’llsound like Darth Vadar. It can be hard to master.

What to wear when you do yoga

You don’t have to wear anything specific, but you will want to wear loose, comfortable clothing that will not restrict you in any way.

The benefits of practicing yoga

Because yoga can be practiced in many ways by all people, they benefits are unique to each individual, yet include the following:

• keeping your body strong
• increasing flexibility
• relieving pain, such as persistent headaches
• reducing anxiety and stress
• providing you with a sense of inner peace and a sense of purpose
• curing insomnia

At the beginning and at the end of yoga, make sure you meditate for about 5 to 15 minutes. What else would you like to know about yoga?

Have you been to our yoga studio yet?

Photo Credit: www.localfitness.com.au

If you like it hot (when it comes to food,) you’ve probably heard of the narrow and moderately hot vegetables called Anaheim peppers. But have you ever wondered how the name originated?

Once upon a time back in the 1990s–when you had big hair and ate Atomic Fireballs if you needed something spicy– a farmer named Emilio Ortega brought a variety of chile pepper seeds to the Anaheim area.

These particular seeds were developed by Dr. Fabian Garcia in New Mexico about 100 years ago who was seeking a chile pepper that was bigger, fleshier and milder. When Ortego’s seeds became wildly popular with the neighbors, he knew he was onto something good. He later founded the Ortega Chile Packaging Company,which was the first commercial food operation in the state of California. The Ortega name is still known today.

Anahiem peppers are green when young and turn a bright red as they mature. When shopping for them at Ralph’s which is less than two miles away or another grocery store within the vicinity of The Crossing Apartments, avoid ones that look soft or wrinkled and pick ones with deep colors. Many restaurants and cooks use them to make chile rellenos.

Varieties of the pepper are also grown in New Mexico, but tend to be hotter than those grown in California. If you’d like to see some ways to cook them, keep reading. Otherwise, hope this information gives you more insight into the area in which you live.

3 Delicious, Spicy and Healthy Anaheim Pepper Recipes

1. Forbidden Rice Succotash. If you didn’t know (I didn’t,) forbidden rice is a strain of Chinese black rice and is considered to be both food and medicine in China. It is much healthier and more flavorful than white rice. This recipe made the creator’s dad very happy.
2. Mexican Pizza. The sauce for this pizza is made with black beans. It’s not at all like some greasy, gut-busting kinds you’ll find at many fast food spots.
3. Farmer Market Salsa. This cook advices people to stay away from peppers with stretch marks because they are the spiciest.

Remember: the seeds of peppers pack the most heat, so remove them if you want a milder, but still flavorful dish.

If you have your own Anaheim pepper recipe, share it with us on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Badagnani

Solar panels are one source of renewable energy.

Since 2007, he’s been trying to stop coal consumption in Los Angeles. Going further, he’s also converted the city’s street and traffic lights to LED lights, distributed compact fluorescent bulbs, and educated residents about solar panels.

The reason these renewable energy initiatives are so important is because important people across the nation are watching. If his goals are successful, this could fuel a nationwide reform!

Our own Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle has also been working towards some initiatives that would be of interest to us as a green living community.

• Pringle is the chair of The California High-Speed Rail Authority, which hired a new person in hopes of making the dream of a high-speed rail line from Anaheim to San Francisco become a reality.
• Our city partnered with iCel Systems, which use renewable energy and solar panels.

Do you know of any other green programs or projects underway in Anaheim?

Photo Credit: Chandra Marsono