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Tips for A More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle in Celebration of Earth Day 2020

Did you know this year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day? What better time than now to highlight a few simple ways you can make your Acero Estrella Commons apartment more eco-friendly! Living a lifestyle that is more sustainable and low-waste can be simpler than you think, and all it takes are a few small changes here and there that you can start making today. When it comes to your apartment home and general day to day activities, check out this list of Earth Day tips to consider today, and every day of the year! Use cloth towels instead of paper It can seem like a hard habit to break, but all it takes is a simple change of routine to help the environment! Paper towels are no doubt a very convenient cleaning tool to have on hand, and most all of us do. But these nifty towelettes are huge contributors to the amount of disposable paper product waste in landfills each year, and although paper towels can be made from recycled paper, most are not recyclable. An easy solution? Replace paper towels with upcycled materials, such as old t-shirts you’ve been meaning to get rid of, or hankies that are thinner by nature and usually can be purchased in larger quantities. Or, invest in something like these un-paper towels from the Zerowaste store. Keep these alternatives in a convenient location, just as you would a paper towels, and toss them in the wash after you’ve used them to start making that shift towards green living, one towel at a time. (Photo by @Zerowastestore) Bring reusable bags when you shop This notion is nothing new, but like anything, it can take some time to get used to. Our tip? Find a few reusable bags that you absolutely love. Whether these be from Trader Joes or even TJ Maxx, find ones you will actually want to use, then here’s the kicker: leave them in your car! This way when you pull up to the grocery store, market, HomeGoods or where ever you might be shopping, you’ve already got your bags with you and are ready to go. Note: given the current COVID-19 pandemic, most stores aren’t allowing shoppers to bring reusable bags. In this case, we recommend opting for paper bags rather than single-use plastic bags! (Photo by @Boomood.zerowaste) Ditch single-use plastics As we just mentioned with grocery bags, skipping single-use plastics whenever and wherever possible is a huge contribution to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle! In your home at Acero Estrella Commons, this might look like ditching single-use plastic straws or opting to use Tupperware rather than plastic wrap when storing leftovers. Just being aware of your use of plastics is a huge step in a more zero waste, green living direction. (Photo by @Stasherbag) We hope these tips are ones you found useful and will maybe adapt in your home at Acero Estrella Commons this Earth Day! If you liked this blog, share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram , and join the digital Earth Day conversation by using the hashtag #EarthDay2020 in your posts. While you’re at it, keep following the blog here for more articles like this one. See you next time!

A Look at Goodyear Restaurants Still Open for Take-Out and Delivery

In mid-March, restaurants nationwide and here in our community were hit with restrictions that would close most dining rooms. However, lucky for us, lots of your favorite Goodyear restaurants are now offering curbside pick up, to-go ordering and delivery, so you can still enjoy your most desired dishes, right at home. Whether you’ve been craving BBQ, pizza, Mexican food or maybe some delicious donuts or ice cream, you can still get your fix while practicing social distancing and respecting stay at home orders. Here’s a look at some of the eateries near Acero Estrella Commons that are still open, and what they are currently offering our hungry, hungry community: Arriba Mexican Grill Phone: (623) 223-1735 Hours: 10:45 a.m. - 8 p.m. Menu: http://www.arribamexicangrill.com/menus.php Current Specials: For a limited time each family meal comes with your choice of a two-liter bottle of soda. Carry out available, orders must be placed over the phone. Barro’s Pizza Phone: (623) 842-6533 Hours: 10:30 a.m - 10 p.m. Menu: Available here . Current Specials: See all daily specials here . Take out and delivery available via online or over the phone orders. Baskin Robin’s Phone: (623) 882-3311 Hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Menu: https://order.baskinrobbins.com/menu/flavors Current Specials: Free DoorDash delivery on orders of $15 or more with promo code BASKIN. Available until 4/19. Offering to go and curbside pick up, along with delivery through DoorDash. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Phone: (623) 535-3827 Hours: 11a .m. - 9 p.m. Menu: Available here . Current Specials: Free croissants . Currently offering family bundles to go and cocktail kits. Offering curbside pick up and to-go orders at all locations, no delivery options available. Dickey’s Barbeque Pit Phone: (623) 233-6136 Hours: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Menu: Available here. Current Specials: 2 for $24 deal - Two types of meat, each with two sides and fixings. Free delivery! Online ordering available, or via the Dickey’s BBQ mobile phone application. Offering curbside pick up, carry-out and delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats. Dunkin Donuts Phone: (623) 455-5004 Hours: 4 a.m. - 7 p.m. Menu: https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en/food-drinks Carry out and online ordering available. Delivery options via Grubhub and the Dunkin’ Donuts mobile application. Filiberto’s Mexican Food Phone: (623) 328-8088 Hours: 24 hours Menu: Unavailable online. Drive through is open for take out. Pita Palms Phone: (623) 925-5442 Hours: 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Menu: http://pitapalm.com/menu.html To go orders only. No online ordering system, so you’ll need to call to place an order. Papa Murphy’s Pizza Phone: (623) 536-7198 Hours: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Menu: Available here. Open for curbside pick up or delivery through DoorDash and UberEats. Online or over the phone ordering available. Sammy’s Burgers Phone: (623) 932-0908 Hours: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Menu: https://www.facebook.com/sammysburgers/menu/ Current specials: Fish Fry Fridays - Hand beer-battered cod with french fries and salad or coleslaw. Open for take out only, must call to place an order. As we’re sure you’re well aware, local restaurants need our support more than ever given the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. We highly recommend you call ahead to ensure these offerings are still available as the restaurant industry is a rapidly evolving environment at this time. If you found this article helpful, be sure to share on Facebook and Instagram with your fellow Goodyear neighbors, and keep following the Acero Estrella Commons blog here for more posts like this one.

5 Ways to Support Local Goodyear Businesses While Staying Home

Given our current reality amidst the Covid19 pandemic (social distancing, stay at home orders, working from home, etc.) it may seem like the only way to support local businesses is by purchasing their goods or offerings. While that is one way to show your support, there are many other ways to be there for your favorite shops, restaurants, and Goodyear businesses during this trying time. Today we’ll highlight a few quick and easy things you can do, without ever having to leave your Acero Estrella Commons apartment, that can help Goodyear businesses thrive. Write an online review Most of us are pretty aware of the impact that an online review can have on a business. For example, a single one-star Google review for a restaurant can be the make or break reason a potential new customer doesn’t visit that particular place. On the contrary, a few glowing four or five-star reviews could be the very reason someone does try this restaurant. So while you’re at home, think of a few of your favorite Goodyear businesses; whether that be the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store across the street, the 3 Minute Express Car Wash , or the Robeks Fresh Juices and Smoothies . Then, compile a list of your favorite places and simply go into Google, search them up, and leave a review. It’s as simple as that! Share their new hours or offerings to your social media In a time full of change, one of the most important things for a local business is getting the word out that they are still open, operating and ready for service. Given the circumstances, some Goodyear businesses have altered their available hours. In that case, if you know that a local business like Saddle Mountain Brewing Co. is open for take-out, but maybe only for a few hours a day, share a post to your social media for other Goodyear neighbors to see! This way, if someone else hopes to support local, they will have a better idea of how and when they can do so. Plus, sharing posts of any kind on social media is a great way to support local businesses, as it gets their name online and encourages more community members to see they are open, and to invest in their services! Refer a Friend This one may seem simple, but word of mouth still holds a tremendous amount of value, even in today’s technology-driven world. Let’s say you went to the Ace Hardware store up the street and received the best customer service ever. When your friend asks where they should get some tools or equipment for a home project, your referral might influence them to support that business based on your good word! The same goes for restaurants, mom and pop shops and pretty much all forms of business, so never underestimate the value of referring a friend during this unique period of time. Reschedule rather than cancel Businesses nationwide are aware that the plans you originally had may no longer come to fruition. And for the most part, these businesses are quite understanding and offering full refunds. A great way to continue to support a local Goodyear business that you had something recently planned with would be to re-schedule that appointment, experience, reservation, event, etc. rather than cancel. This way, the restaurant isn’t losing money, and you can still enjoy whatever it was later on down the road. Invest in their services We saved this for last because it’s probably the most obvious way to support local Goodyear businesses during the COVID19 pandemic. Continuing to purchase the goods and services offered by your favorite stores and restaurants here in the area is one of the best ways to show your support. Whether that looks like ordering a pizza from Marco’s or buying a gift card from a local nail salon to use later, any investment you can contribute is hugely important to small and local businesses during this time. These are just some of the many ways we can help the local businesses in our Goodyear community thrive during this trying time. We hope you learned something new from this blog, and encourage you to share it with your friends and neighbors on Facebook and Instagram so they too can support our Goodyear businesses! Stay tuned for more like this by following our blog here .

A Note from Acero Estrella Commons on COVID-19

It goes without saying that our world has experienced an overwhelming amount of change in the last few weeks. The outbreak of COVID-19 has surely altered the way we approach our day to day lives, and without a doubt has made it a reasonably unsettling time in history. We want you, our residents, community members, and associates, to know that all of us here at Acero Estrella Commons are riding this wave with you. Now more than ever we want to assure you that your health and safety is our absolute top priority. Today we hope to address some of the questions you might currently have regarding this pandemic and your home at Acero Estrella Commons. Questions like; what changes can I expect to see in my apartment community? What does “social distancing” mean when living in an apartment? What can my family and I be doing to stay healthy? First and foremost, we recommend staying up to date with current guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These organizations provide a plethora of information intended to help the general public understand what is happening globally, and what you can be doing to stay healthy. Wondering what the coronavirus/COVID-19 even is? Curious of what symptoms you should be paying attention to? Have you pondered wearing a face mask? Answers to these common questions and more can be found here . Please be assured in knowing that our team will also be monitoring these sites so as to stay up to date with the most recent developments and recommended health procedures as well. What changes will I notice at Acero Estrella Commons? As you can imagine, our sanitation procedures have elevated to new heights. Due to continuously developing information regarding the spread of the virus and how long it lives on surfaces, our maintenance team is taking extra precautions when sanitizing community surfaces and common spaces. Additionally, resident gatherings and community areas are temporarily closed in accordance with the CDC's recommendations for social distancing and to help slow the spread of germs. With the safety of both our associates and residents in mind, our office is also temporarily closed to walk-through traffic. But there’s no need to worry, we will be available via phone or email for anything you might need. At this time we encourage you, your family, your friends, and your Acero Estrella Commons neighbors to stay home, practice social distancing and only leave your apartment if you really need to. Now more than ever it is important to check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly. Give them a call to see if they need anything and remember that we are all in this together. Thank you for being a part of our Goodyear community; we look forward to brighter days ahead.

Virtual Experiences to Enjoy from the Comfort of Home

In today’s day and age, given the advancement of technology and creativeness of humans, you can experience some pretty amazing things from the convenience of home. Virtual museum tours, concerts, painting classes, and so much more are all just a few clicks away and available in the palms of our hands. That can make staying home something to look forward to if you ask us! So today we are highlighting a few virtual experiences to keep you entertained right here at Acero Estrella Commons. The Phoenix Zoo: Digital Safari The Phoenix Zoo recently closed it’s doors to zoo visitors, however when one door closes, another door opens! Or in this case, a digital door. Animal lovers are rejoicing as the Phoenix Zoo is currently offering what they are coining as a “Digital Safari” daily on Facebook and Instagram . The zookeepers are staying busy by giving all of us at home a look behind the scenes of zoo life, as well as serene videos of stingrays swimming and Sumatran tigers lounging about. Take a walk on the wild side while cozied up on the couch when you embark on a digital safari at the Phoenix Zoo. (Photo by Mari Belko, via @Phoenixzoo) Virtual Concert Series Music has been known to have a special magical effect on people, lifting spirits and transporting us to a happier place. Well, if you had a concert you were planning on attending in the near future but might not be attending anymore, the City of Goodyear and Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center have you covered. There’s no need for an admission ticket to this social media, virtual concert series happening March 23 - 27 , all you need to do is sit back, relax and watch their Facebook Live performances happening at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. MST this week. (Photo via @Acsolidrock on Facebook) Virtual Disney Rides So you’re staying home for a bit; to you, that may sound like a dream come true! Kick your feet up, catch up on your favorite shows on Netflix, stay in your PJs all day... But if you have kiddos in the house, this downtime might feel like a jail sentence. That is until Disney saves the day! As if Disney Plus wasn’t enough to keep your kids (and even yourself) occupied for a few hours, you can turn your TV into a “virtual ride” experience. Yes, what we are saying is you can “ride” Space Mountain , Car’s Land Radiator Springs and even Thunder Mountain all without leaving your Acero Estrella Commons apartment. You’re welcome. (Photo by @amousewithacamera, via @disneyland) Virtual Library with Scribd Extra extra, read all about it! No, really, you can read all about pretty much anything you want. Scribd is encouraging households nationwide to “Read without limits”, absolutely free for 30 days. Everything from your favorite audiobooks , magazines , books and more are all available in a single app. Feed your curiosity and adventure through various stories, realities, centuries, galaxies and more with this virtual library in the palm of your hands. (Photo by @Scribd) Now you have a few ways to fill your extra time relaxing at home in your Acero Estrella Commons apartment. Be sure to let us know how your virtual experiences went on Facebook and Instagram , and keep following the blog here for more like this!

4 Spring Cleaning Tips to Get Your Apartment Squeaky Clean

Spring is officially here in the valley and if you’re like most people at this time of year, it’s time to start cleaning up around the house and getting ready for warm weather ahead! However, sometimes the thought of “Spring Cleaning” can be daunting, leaving you wondering where to start or what to tackle first. If that sounds like you, then keep reading because you’re in the right place! We’ve broken down our four favorite spring cleaning tips to help you get your Acero Estrella Commons apartment neat and tidy just in time for spring. De-Clutter Most people hear Spring cleaning and their brains instantly think dusting, mopping, a deep dive into the crevices of the bathroom, toilet bowl, etc. And don’t get us wrong, those are definitely important factors when it comes to cleaning your apartment, but another equally important cleaning hack starts with simply de-cluttering your living spaces. It goes without saying that when your favorite place to relax (on the couch, in your room, your home in general) is cluttered with old laundry or a desk covered in pens, bills and who knows what, you are not really relaxing! You’re thinking “Man, I need to get to those.” So our first Spring Cleaning tip for your Acero Estrella Commons apartment is de-cluttering! Organize your counters and workspaces, tidy up your closet, and maybe even tackle the junk drawer (if you’re up to it.) Disinfect Once we finally land at home after a long day, we bring all of the germs from wherever we were with us into our apartment. That’s why it’s so important to disinfect common areas in your home! These include, but are by no means limited to, your countertops, cabinets, doorknobs, refrigerator handles and shelves, the toilet handle and really anywhere that you frequently touch while you’re home. There are plenty of places near Acero Estrella Commons that will carry some great household disinfectants, like the Goodyear Walmart, Target, Safeway and even Home Depot. A few of our favorite disinfecting products to use for this project include Purell Disinfectant Spray (quick-drying and safe on most surfaces), Lysol Disinfectant Spray (kills 99.9% of bacteria) and natural cleaners like Mrs. Myer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Concentrate . Dust The start of spring can mean the start of a lot of things! Baseball, sunshine, flowers, and of course, allergies. Help yourself while cleaning by using precautions such as rubber gloves and masks to block the dust bunnies and chemicals that are stirred up during Spring cleaning. And you’ll definitely want a mask for this next portion of your spring cleaning: dusting! Grab your favorite Swiffer Duster and get to work on those window blinds, ceiling fans, TV stands and everywhere that unlike your common surfaces, you don’t touch very often. Give them a good swipe to remove that build up and feel as each room in your apartment looks and feels just that much tidier. Downsize This was mentioned a bit earlier, but use your Spring cleaning adventure as an opportunity to downsize and rid your home of unnecessary items that might be cluttering your space! We’re no Marie Kondo, so we thought at this point we would direct you here , to read more about the KonMari Method, and letting go of those things in your apartment that don’t “spark joy” this Spring. We hope you found these cleaning tips for your apartment helpful! Did we miss any of your favorite cleaning products or tips for spring cleaning? If so, let us know on Facebook or Instagram ! While you’re at it, keep following the Acero Estrella Commons blog here for more home tips and Goodyear events and happenings!