Blog Posts

Watch This Summer

This week the Liv Ahwatukee Blog has five movie recommendations for you to watch this summer. Stay out of the Phoenix heat with a movie marathon in your cool, air-conditioned apartment. Grab some popcorn, a gallon of ice cream, and your favorite soft drink, because it’s going to be good. Ghostbusters (1984) Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) leads a team of parapsychologists who end up getting fired from their university jobs and taking up freelance ghost-busting work. This funny movie delivers on the laughs. Make sure to catch the original before seeing the remake Ghostbusters (2016) this summer. Lilo and Stitch (2002) Alien Experiment 626 escapes from his carefully guarded cell and lands in Hawaii. Lilo (Daveigh Chase) is a young girl living on Kaua’i, and she’s struggling to make friends. Her sister Nani (Tia Carrere) agrees to let her get a dog. That dog just happens to be Experiment 626. She renames him Stitch (Chris Sanders), and things start to get a little strange when his creator Dr. Jumba Jookiba (David Ogden Stiers) comes to retrieve him. The Sandlot (1993) Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) learns a lot about baseball and life over one memorable summer. He’s the new kid in town, but he begins making friends once he discovers the local Sandlot and the team of neighborhood kids that play there. Meet memorable characters like Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez (Mike Vitar), Ham (Patrick Renna), Squints (Chauncey Leopardi), Yeah-Yeah (Marty York), Kenny (Brandon Quintin Adams), and, of course, The Beast. Addams Family Values (1993) Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci) is not happy about having to go to summer camp. Her new nanny, Debbie (Joan Cusack), wants her out of the way so that she can seduce the very rich (and very eligible) Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd). Fester falls hard — too bad Debbie’s a serial killer known for murdering her husband’s for their money. Say Anything… (1989) Diane Court (Ione Skye) can tell her father (John Mahoney) anything. When the over-achieving Diane falls in love with slacker Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) over the summer, it’s the first rift in their relationship. The second rift is the IRS’s investigation into her father’s accounts. Diane grows up and Lloyd Dobbler charms in this classic eighties romance. What are your favorite summer movies? What are you planning to watch at your next movie marathon? Give us your list of summer movies in the comments.

Read This Summer

Last week we gave you our best movie recommendations. This week, we’ve got our favorite books. The Liv Ahwatukee is encouraging our residents to stay in and read a good book this summer. Visit your local library in Phoenix, AZ to find these titles. Middlemarch by George Eliot The lives of the townspeople of Middlemarch intersect in George Eliot’s classic novel. Dorothea Brooke has made a mistake in marriage; her husband tries to exercise control over her even in death. Tertius Lydgate is in deep debt trying to please his wife, and his brother-in-law Fred is desperately trying to woo the kind Mary. Nicholas Bulstrode has a dark past that threatens to destroy his life and the lives of those closest to him. Middlemarch is a dark and funny exploration of small town life. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling Harry Potter discovers that he’s a wizard and his whole life changes. He’s no longer living with his cruel Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley — instead, he lives at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He and his friends Ron and Hermione try to solve the mystery of the Sorcerer’s Stone during their first year at Hogwarts. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare Benedick and Beatrice engage in a battle of the wits before falling in love. Benedick’s friends are waiting for their friend Claudio’s wedding to Beatrice’s cousin Hero. Bored, they decide to set up the sparring Benedick and Beatrice for their own amusement. Mistaken identities, scheming brothers, and torn loyalties complicate the whole affair. Matilda by Roald Dahl Matilda is a brilliant girl who isn’t getting much encouragement — not from her TV-watching parents, her bully older brother, or her tyrannical principal, Miss Trunchbull. The only person who believes in Matilda is her kind teacher, Miss Honey. Matilda develops telekinetic powers and decides to use them to change her life. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Boy meets girl and falls in love. Girl meets boy and thinks he’s a pompous rich guy with no personality. Jane Austen’s classic novel has served as the basis for several movie adaptations and almost every romantic comedy in the last twenty years. The plot sizzles under her searing wit. We hope you’ve enjoyed our book recommendations? What are you planning on reading this summer? Give us the title of your favorite book and a short review in the comments!

Summer Eats, Part I

These next couple of weeks on the Liv Ahwatukee blog are all about picnics! Picnics are a summertime staple. Phoenix is sweltering in the summer, but you can always plan a night picnic or a summer party right in your apartment! This week we’ve got five dish ideas for your next party; next week we’ll be featuring five dessert recipes. Mediterranean Pasta Salad from Little Spice Jar Let’s start our picnic with a salad! This Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a delectable blend of flavors, and it’s pretty easy to make. The only thing you really need to “cook” is the pasta — just throw the rest of the ingredients together, and you’ve got your dish! Little Spice Jar recommends adding chicken to the recipe for an “even heartier” salad. Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad from Jeanette’s Healthy Living Mediterranean pasta salad is great, but sometimes you want something a little lighter. Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad uses the freshest ingredients for a full and refreshing taste. We recommend using locally grown vegetables from a local farmer’s market to make this salad. Also — just as a side note — the dressing is to die for. Loaded Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs from Inside Bru Crew Life These Loaded Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs are our favorite picnic treat. Your deviled eggs just got an upgrade, with cream cheese and jalapeno. This spicy treat is the perfect side for any summer picnic with friends or as a snack for the big game. Pressed Picnic Sandwiches from The Crepes of Wrath Fancy up your picnic with this Pressed Picnic Sandwiches recipe. These sandwiches take a little longer to prepare than your “average” sandwich — you’re supposed to press them in the fridge for twenty-four hours — but the result is worth it, trust us. These scrumptious sandwiches will change the way to eat your cold cuts. Spinach Artichoke Hand Pies from Will Cook For Smiles If you love spinach artichoke dip, this is the recipe for you. It’s always smart to have a second main dish option at a party. The pressed picnic sandwiches we just mentioned are great, but not everyone likes the same thing. Accommodate all of your friends with this delicious dish. What are your favorite summer picnic dishes? What should we make at our next picnic? Give us your recipe recommendations in the comments!

All About Pool Part 2

Looking to spend some time this summer doing new and fun activities? You dont have to go far from home here at Liv Ahwatukee with a variety of entertainment resources at your disposal within our community, everyone can find something they enjoy! Come down to the game hub to try your hand at an assortment of games new and old, including timeless classic, billiards. Our pool table comes fully stocked and ready for your amusement. Below youll find a couple suggestions for games to enjoy with others in the Liv community this summer season. The most commonly played pool game in the United States is also the most well-known of the bunch: eight-ball. In this game, two players use the full rack of 15 balls the goal is to pocket all of your own designated balls, either solids, numbered 1 through 7, or stripes, numbered 9 through 15. After all of one players suit are pocketed, they may try to sink the black 8 ball to win the game. In some variations, a player must tell which pocket theyre intending on shooting the 8 ball into before making the shot for it to count as a win. If a player sinks the 8 ball before all their own are off the table or if they scratch when shooting the 8 ball by pocketing the cue ball, that player loses the game. Nine-ball is a rotation type of game, typically played by two players and using only the first nine numbered balls in a set. Created as a diamond-shape when racked with the 9 ball in the center and the 1 ball at the apex and all others randomly placed, the goal is to legally pocket the 9 ball. In order to do that, players must aim the cue shot for whichever is the lowest numbered ball on the table in essence, shooting in numerical order, though top tier players tend to utilize the target ball as a secondary cue. So long as the cue initially makes contact with the lowest numbered ball on the table, any other balls pocketed in that round are fair game. Have you ever played eight-ball or nine-ball before? Do you know any other pool games? Let us know in the comments section!

All About Pool Part 1

The assortment of world-class amenities and entertainment options here at Liv Ahwatukee are a key feature in living life to the fullest. If you havent taken the time to enjoy our luxurious game hub, now is the chance! Decked out with a variety of modern and classic options, theres something here that will suit anyones taste. The pool table in particular is a community favorite, both for the ease of play and for the opportunity it creates to mingle and get to know your neighbors with a little friendly competition. For those of you who havent spent much time playing pool, heres a list of a few things to keep in mind as well as some terms you may not be familiar with. Different types of billiards games have a variety of rule sets dictating what is or isnt allowed as far as shots go. Be sure to talk about the rules and regulations of each game before playing! A standard set of billiard balls contains the following: 15 numbered balls, seven striped, eight solid, as well as one white ball known as the cue. The cue ball is typically the only one allowed to be directly struck by a player. Some games deviate from this, but most follow the rule. The act of setting up the balls before play is known as racking. Using the triangle, all balls are lined up and must have contact with one another to be considered appropriately set up. At one end of the table, there is a dotted mark in the middle. This is known as the foot spot and should be where the apex ball in a rack sits when lined up. The first shot of any pool game is known as the break and is done with the cue ball. Typically, the player who is breaking can choose to shoot the cue from whatever angle they prefer as long as the cue ball is behind a line known as the head string. Along the edges of the table, note a series of three diamonds between each pocket these, while utilized for making angled shots, are also used to denote the line of the head string. The middle diamonds on the opposite end of the table from the foot spot and racked pool balls are the barrier of the head string. When breaking, players must keep the cue ball behind this line. Additionally, should a player scratch by pocketing the cue ball, some game rules say the cue must be placed behind the head string line when brought back onto the table. When playing, be mindful of other players by not standing behind a pocket or leaning on the table during another persons shot. Doing so is considered impolite and may distract the other player from their shot. Are you looking forward to playing pool in Liv Ahwatukees game hub? Have pool stories of your own to share? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!

The Game of Swimming Part 2

With Phoenixs summertime kicking into high gear, theres no better place to be than Liv Ahwatukee. Our top of the line amenities make Liv the perfect spot for all your warm weather needs, from spending time with your beloved pets at the Bark Park to lounging the hours away by our three incredible saltwater pools. Spend some time treading water this summer season with a variety of pool games, guaranteed to bring laughter and an extra dose of fun to the everyday! The beauty of pool games is in their simplicity all you need for most of them is a group of friends and a little imagination. One in particular that never gets old is the classic game of Shark. No need for the Jaws theme here, unless you want to add it in for extra effect. One player, as the shark, tries to tag other players in the water to make them the new shark. Depending on the chosen rules, players are either allowed to be out of the pool for five seconds at a time to avoid the shark tagging them, or not allowed to leave the pool at all for added difficulty. For those of you whod like to add a prop to the games but dont want to spend time scouting pool stores, an easy and fun treasure hunting game called Invisi-Bottle might be exactly what you need. Fill an empty, clear 2-liter bottle with pool water to weigh it down usually bottles with a white or blue top work best since itll blend in more easily with the pool. Divide your group into two teams and put them on opposite sides of the pool, lined up with their backs to the water. The goal? Find the invisible bottle. Whichever team retrieves it first wins the round. When they hear the splash of the bottle hitting the water, both teams may turn and jump in to start the search. Have any fond summertime memories to share or favorite pool games to suggest? Let us know in the comments!