Harry Brown

A modest law-abiding citizen, Harry Brown is a retired Marine and a widower who lives alone on a depressed housing estate. His only company is his best friend Leonard. When Leonard is murdered by a gang of thugs, Harry feels compelled to act and is forced to dispense his own brand of justice.  Rated R.

The closest Redbox kiosks to Hampton Woods are at McDonald’s (16210 W 65th St), Wal-Mart (16100 W 65Th St) and Hy-Vee (13550 W 63Rd St).

Sat., Sept. 4 @ 7 p.m., Shawnee Mission Park

Got plans for this Labor Day weekend?  If you’re staying here in Shawnee, how about taking in a free concert at Shawnee Mission Park (7710 Renner Road)?  On Saturday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m., The Kansas City Symphony will be performing Pops in the Park, a free concert at The Theatre in the Park.  The music will be inspired from classic american favorites, from The Sound of Music to Spiderman! 

Here is the program:  

1. Smith/Damrosch “The Star-Spangled Banner”
2. Glinka Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla
3. Suppé Overture to Light Cavalry
4. Dvorák Slavonic Dance, op. 46, No. 1 in C Major: Presto No. 1 in C major: Presto
5. Dvorák Slavonic Dance, op. 46, No.8 in G Minor: Presto
6. Respighi La Boutique fantasque
7. Intermission
8. Rodgers/Bennett The Sound of Music, A Symphonic Picture
9. Willson/Ricketts “Seventy-Six Trombones” from The Music Man
10. Elfman/Wasson Music from Spider-Man
11. John Williams Across the Stars: Star Wars Episode II
12. John Williams Star Wars Suite for Orchestra

Bring your family and friends, plus blankets and lawn chairs!  

(Photo Credit: vxla)

The highly anticipated movie Takers hits Kansas City area theaters this weekend and I’m definitely looking forward to checking it out.  It stars T.I., Paul Walker and Matt Dillon and it’s about a crew of smart, sophisticated Los Angeles thieves who get wind from one of their pals about a huge $30 million job that could leave all of them in pretty much set for life financially.  There’s only one big hurdle…a detective who has it in for them and is hell bent on taking them down.

If that sounds like your kind of movie, make plans to go see it.  Check out the trailer below.  And as always, here are showtimes for movie theaters around Shawnee, not far from Hampton Woods Apartments: Westglen 18, Phoenix Theatres Legends Stadium 14 and Cinemark Merriam.  Have fun!

Do you currently carry renter’s insurance?  Hampton Woods Apartments strongly advises their residents to get a policy.  It’s really not as expensive as you may think.  In fact, you can save money on your policy in quite a few ways.  Here is one in an article I found about saving money on renter’s insurance.  Check out this video too.

Deductible: Raising your renter’s insurance deductible can lead to substantial savings. Furthermore, it is best to have a large deductible to prevent you from using your renter’s insurance for small claims since many renter’s insurance companies are now adding a surcharge to as little as one claim, and surcharges can range anywhere from 10-85% depending on how many claims you file during a given time period.

One of the cool things about living in Shawnee, around a major city like Kansas City,  is that we get to experience a lot of ethnic diversity.  After all, the world is a lot bigger than just the United States and it’s important that we all learn to respect and appreciate other cultures.

If you’re free this weekend, head over to Swope Park (about 20-25 minutes from Hampton Woods Apartments) and check out the 31st Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival (August 20-22).  There will be food, music and dance from cultures all over the world, including China, India, Germany, Nigeria and Brazil…and everywhere in between!

Check out the event schedule right here: Schedule – 31st Ethnic Enrichment Festival

Are you a gearhead?  Do you absolutely love cars and everything about them?  Even if you”re only a casual admirer of finely tuned hot rods and classic sports cars, you’re probably going to enjoy the 5th Annual Wheels & Dreams Car, Truck and Bike show when it hits Shawnee on Sunday, September 12.  Make sure you mark the date in your calendars.

Over 250 souped-up vehicles will be lined up along Johnson Drive and Nieman Road, as the streets shut down so onlookers can get up close looks at each cars details.  In addition, downtown Shawnee food vendors will be selling food and drinks.

Maybe you have a car of your own that you’d like to display.  If so, you can register your car to be in the show for only $20.  Pre-registration forms can be found at Hartman Hardward (11018 Johnson Drive) and Encore (11006 Johnson Drive).  You even take home the grand prize of $500!

Greenberg

In search of a place to restart his life, Roger Greenberg agrees to housesit for his brother in LA and tries to reconnect with his former bandmate and successful ex-girlfriend.  Starring Ben Stiller and Greta Gerwig.  Rated R.

This is probably the biggest performance of Ben Stiller’s life.  The thing about this movie is that there isn’t much of a plot to it.  It’s more of a fictional character study or a coming of age type film.  However Stiller does impress with the depth he shows.  If you didn’t like Up in the Air (with George Clooney), you probably won’t like it though.  Both movies are about grown-ups having to grow up.  It’s worth checking out for a dollar.

 The closest Redbox kiosks to Hampton Woods are at McDonald’s (16210 W 65th St), Wal-Mart (16100 W 65Th St) and Hy-Vee (13550 W 63Rd St).

Get ready for the Tour de Shawnee on August 29, 2010!

Do we have any bikers here at Hampton Woods?  No, not the Harley-Davidson type.  I’m talking about the Schwinn 10-speed type or a Trek mountain bike type.  Biking is one of my favorite ways to get some excercise.  Not only is it easier on the knees than jogging, but you can cover more ground when biking vs. jogging.

And Shawnee is a great place to go biking too.  In fact, Shawnee Mission Park – only 5 minutes from Hampton Woods – has miles and miles of off-road bike trails that are sure to keep enthusiasts of any level challenged.

And if you’re really into biking, you’ll want to mark you calendar for the 21st annual Tour de Shawnee on Sunday, August 29.  The ride benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  There is a $25 registration fee to take part in either the 12 0r 24 mile ride.  Pre-registration is encouraged. The route starts and ends at the PowerPlay Family Entertainment Center (Shawnee Mission Parkway & Pflumm).

Give the Shawnee Parks & Recreation Department a call at 913.631.5200 if you’d like more information!

(Photo Credit: wordcat)

When was the last time that you visited the Shawnee Farmers’ Market at City Hall (11110 Johnson Drive)?  If its been a while, I’ve got a great reason for you to go back!  Try this simple recipe for Summer Corn Salad.  It’s absolutely delicious and requires very little cooking to prepare (and who wants to turn on the hot oven in their apartment more than they have to).

The market is open on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The earlier you get there, the better.  Enjoy!

Summer Corn Salad: Ingredients

Looking for something a little off of the beaten path to do with the kids?  How about a planetarium show?  On all days except for Monday, The Science Center (Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, 64108, 816.460.2020) is offering free shows with general admission at the newly reopened Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium.

It’s really a neat experience, particularly if you or your children have any interest in the planets, stars and even history.  There are a variety of different shows that they offer, teaching everything from the Greek myths behind many of the constellations, to all of the unique environments and features on each of the planets in our solar system.

Seating is on a first come first serve basis, so they recommend that you get there early…at least 10 minutes before the start of the show.  Most planetarium shows are 20-30 minutes long.

(Photo Credit: flickr)