India Fest Hits Cordova!

Hey all! I bet I know something you don’t know! Memphis is home to more than 8,000 people of Indian descent! It’s true, but don’t go thinking that they all share the same culture. According to Loki Mishra, marketing director for India Fest 2010,  each Indian state is like a country unto itself, with different foods, dress, and even language. About 16 of India’s 28 states will be represented at the annual India Fest at the Agricenter on Saturday, August 28th from 10 am to 6 pm.

Like many of the other cultural festivals that have hit the Memphis area this summer, the India Fest 2010 is sure to be enlightening and fun for all. It’s always interesting when  you can learn about cultures that aren’t your own. And we all know the best thing about these festivals right? THE FOOD! At each state’s booth, manned by local residents, attendees can sample regional foods. How awesome is that? States will even duke it out in a culture competition showcasing food, dance, and music from each region.

Each year, the festival runs by a theme. This year’s theme is Bollywood. Attendees can watch short films on the history of Indian cinema. Chefs Vish Bhatt of the SnackBar in Oxford, Mississippi, and Chef John Bragg of Circa will lead Indian cooking demos, and plenty of vendors will be on hand peddling traditional Indian garb, jewelry, and other items.

There’s even a kiddie corner for the young ones, where they can dress up like a  Bollywood star! There’ll also be henna, face painting, and an India trivia contest. It’s something for the whole family at India Fest 2010!

Another great thing about the festival is that it’s right down the street from Country Squire Apartments! It’s literally like 2 minutes away! You can’t beat that.

Expand your cultural horizons at India Fest 2010! Adults are $2 and kids are $1. It’s free for children under 5.

photo credit: Wikipedia

Day of Relaxation: Check out Serenity Day Spa!

Hey Country Squire! Have you ever gotten off of work, or had a rough day in general and  you just needed to relax? If so, you should have a spa day! This is very easy for you Country Squire, since Serenity Day Spa (761 Walnut Knoll Lane) is right down the road! You’re so lucky to be so close to such great businesses!

Just the name is relaxing: Serenity. They offer a wide range of relaxation and stress management techniques for you to enjoy. There’s massage therapy, wet table body treatments, try table body treatments, waxing, facials, hand and foot treatments, and a variety of spa treatments. Serenity also provides a robe, slippers and a locker. Luxury at it’s finest!

There are also gift cards available, so if you know someone who is in need of stress relief, give them the gift of Serenity.

Wine Anyone?: Wine Tasting @ Stella Marris

Hey Country Squire! Are you a wine connoisseur? Or do you just want to know what wine goes well with what dish? Well, I’m in the latter category. Being a wine newbie, I’m not exactly sure what a good wine tastes like. But with various wine tastings being held around the city, I’m slowly learning. Would you like to go to a wine tasting? Well, you’re in luck, as there is a wine tasting today at Stella Marris‘ over on Fischer Steel, about 4 minutes from Country Squire.

Stella Marris and United Liquors are hosting the wine tasting from 5 to 8 pm. Just in time for dinner. $15 includes wine and appetizers from the new summer menu. Call 755-5553 for reservations.

Let me know if you attend. Grab some friends, make a date, and have some fun!

Need directions from Country Squire?

Head west on Country Squire Ln toward Carriage Ln. Turn right at N Germantown Pkwy. Turn left at Walnut Run Rd. Continue onto Fischer Steel Rd. Stella Marris will be on the left.

Meet the Browns!

You can meet the Browns and a ton of other people too! This weekend, June 5th and 6th at the Cook Convention Center, Memphis hosts the 15th Annual Sisterhood Showcase. And people, when I tell you that this will be a definite treat, trust me, you won’t want to miss out.

Just look at who’s on the line up: Tank, CeCe Winans, J. Holiday, Lyfe Jennings, Jagged Edge, David and Tamala Mann, and so many more. The showcase will have hundreds of vendors, cooking with celebrity chefs, book-signings and free health screenings. Crowd favorites, The Men Who Define Fine fashion show returns, along with Macy’s Fashion Show. Sunday will begin with a worship service by Brown Baptist pastor Bartholomew Orr.

Tickets are still available now and are $15 from any participating Schnucks. They are $20 at the door.

So if you can, make the drive out to the convention center, it’s sure to be a treat, and with Mr. Brown getting down, you never know what to expect!

Top 5 Guy Movies of All Time

Hey fellas! I know that there are certain movies that you can watch a million times in two days and never get tired. I know that whenever a male celebrity’s house was featured on MTV’s cribs, he had to show his colossal DVD collection, and it had to include ‘Scarface’. So tell me, is it a man law to have this in  your possession?

Even so, I’ve stumbled upon a list of 50 best guy movies, but I’m showcasing the top 5 here. Let me know if you have any to add to the list!

1. Dirty Harry
2. The Godfather
3. Scarface
4. Die Hard
5. Goodfellas and Animal House (Tie)

photo credit: Jack Brodus

Turn an Old Book Into a Secret Hiding Place

Have you ever seen movies where the main character had their valuable stashed away in a cool looking secret hiding place such as hollowed out books or soda can safes? Well, this video teaches you how to make your own secret hiding place!

Memorial Day Weekend Recipe

Hey Country Squire! Memorial Day weekend is coming up, and I know that many of you may be grilling or attending a few BBQs. Do you have a signature dish? Are you up for trying something new? Well, if you’re up for trying something new, I have a recipe for grilled herb burgers that you can try. Check it out! :

Grilled Herb Burgers:

Ingredients:

• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh oregano and/or basil or 2 teaspoons dried oregano and/or basil, crushed
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound uncooked ground turkey
• 8 ciabatta rolls, split
• 16 slices tomato
• Fresh oregano and/or basil sprigs (optional)

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine egg, onion, Parmesan cheese, the snipped fresh or the dried oregano and/or basil, the ketchup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add ground beef and ground turkey; mix well. Shape mixture into eight 3/4-inch-thick patties.

2. For a charcoal grill, place patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill for 14 to 18 minutes or until no longer pink (165°F), turning once halfway through grilling. Toast ciabatta rolls on the grill. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce to medium. Place patties, then ciabatta rolls on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above. )

3. Serve burgers on toasted ciabatta rolls with tomato slices and, if desired, additional fresh oregano and/or basil sprigs. Makes 8 servings.

3 Things Not to Say to a Hearbroken Friend

We’ve all been there: the messy breakups, the seemingly unending heartbreak. Rough times, man, rough times. These are the moments where  you just want a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to bend. If you’re on the recieving end of these conversations, you have to proceed delicately. Be honest in  your approaches, but don’t make your friend feel dumb. Here are 3 things not to say to a heartbroken/newly single friend.

• Don’t say: “I’m glad you got rid of him/her. I never liked him/her anyway”.
• Why: The friend will wonder why you had the false admiration for the person while you were together; they’ll wonder what else you’re lying to them about
• Say instead: “I’m sure you’ll find someone who will give you exactly what you want/need.” This way, the focus is on bigger and brighter things and not what she/he just lost.

• Don’t say: “How can someone as perfect as you be single?”
• Why: Personally, I hate when people say this. It makes you feel like something is wrong with you; everything looks alright on the outside, but when you get in a relationship something goes wrong. Just stay away from this sentence all together.
• Say instead: “Seeing anyone?” This way, you can judge how one feels about their love life. If they’re tight-lipped, just move on.

• Don’t say: “You were too good for him”
• Why: This may seem like  you’re saying he/she has bad taste. Or it could be a confidence booster. Make sure you really know your friend before you drop this statement.
• Say instead: “His/her loss!” I think that’s pretty self explanatory.

Do you have any to add?

Coming to Theaters This Weekend!

Okay, so I’m uber excited. Call me a kid at heart, but I must see “Shrek Forever After” this weekend! I’ve been in love with the Shrek franchise ever since it began, so I’m almost sad to know that it’s ending. Oh well, everything comes to an end sometimes right? Check out the trailer below!

Looking for the latest DVD release? Hit up redbox!

What do you mean you haven’t rented a movie with redbox before? At only $1 a night, you really couldn’t ask for a better deal. Unless it’s free, buy come on, what’s really free these days?

How does it work (for those of you that don’t know)? It’s simple. Just go to your nearest redbox, select a movie, swipe your credit card, and get your movie. Watch it, and return it to any redbox location. Easy, right?

For you convienience, I’ve found the closet redbox near you Country Squire:

• Walmart
  577 N Germantown
  Cordova, TN

What’s new in releases?

• Avatar
• Extraordinary Measures
• The Messenger
• The Spy Next Door
• Daybreakers
• Legion
• Nine

And many more! Pick up your movie today!

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