From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., representatives of the Hamden apartments will be at the guard shack distributing breakfasts on-the-go for those that need to get a move on, but for anyone that can take some extra time to sit and enjoy breakfast, head to the leasing center from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. We’ll have a spread of different breakfast items as well as refreshments.

The resident appreciation breakfast is a great opportunity to ask us any questions you may have or talk to us about some of your concerns. Resident satisfaction is our top priority, and if there is anything you think we need to improve upon or can do better, please let us know. Remember that it was from the suggestions and feedback of our residents that we decided to become more pet-friendly. However, if you have no concerns or questions, just come spend some time with us. We would love to get to know you better and tell you about the upcoming Seramonte Happy Hour event at SBC.

Remember, Tuesday morning, breakfast is on us! Hope you have a great weekend.

Norwalk’s numbers are rather impressive:

• Median household income - $79,693
• Median home value - $504,100
• Per Capita Income - $45,867
• Households with an income of $200,000 or more - 12.7%

The best part about Norwalk is that you do not need to make $80,000 a year or purchase a $500,000 house in order to call the New England port home. Morningside Gardens features beautiful apartments in Norwalk only a few minutes from Route 7, I-95 and the Merritt Parkway. The brick exterior of these spacious apartments compliments the sophisticated architecture of the city, offering a luxurious look at an affordable price.

If a successful corporate career is one of your goals, it would not hurt to immerse yourself in an environment that is full of wealthy business men and women. By living in one of the Northeast’s wealth centers, you are sure to have the opportunity to network with prominent professionals and improve your own personal career path.

Be sure to visit Morningside Gardens and start living in one of the nation’s most affluent communities.

Well, New Haven may not go so far as to dye our waterways, but we do go way above and beyond just a few parties at local bars. In fact, the New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Connecticut’s largest single-day spectator event, surpassing the UBS holiday parade. In 2010, the parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 14th beginning at 1:00 p.m. in downtown New Haven.

The route travels through Chapel Street and Church Street in New Haven and as many as 175,000 spectators are expected to be in attendance. Be sure you get to the route early and secure yourself a front row seat. You don’t want to miss any of the marchers, musical acts or floats.

Can’t wait until March 14th to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Then buy tickets to the Parade Ball, which is scheduled for March 6, 2010 at Yale Commons. The event begins at 7:30 and tickets are $90, but this includes a buffet dinner and open bar. All evening, you’ll enjoy live entertainment provided by The New York Show Band, plus it will get you in the St. Patrick’s Day state of mind.

Residents at the New Haven apartments Seramonte and Montoya are extremely lucky to have the 6th largest St. Patrick’s Day parade less than 10 minutes from home.

The event takes place this Sunday, February 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You’ll be able to sample hors d’oeuvres, get lots of information from a variety of local wedding professionals and enjoy a live fashion show. In addition, you can enter to win a free bridal shower and free honeymoon. The fashion show is provided by Bridal Trousseau and Zaccariello Formal Wear.

It’s only $5 for admission and you do not have to pre-register to attend. The Cascade Banquet Facility is conveniently situated in Hamden, only minutes from New Haven.

Also exceptional located in Hamden is Seramonte, pet-friendly apartments near Yale University. Attending this elegant bridal show will be especially convenient for all residents of this Hamden, CT apartment community. See you Sunday!

The Stamford Downtown Special Services District has invited any and all local artists to submit their designs for jury and possible selection in this year’s exhibit, which will take place from June – August, 2010. Local artists that wish to participate will, through this juried selection process, paint, sculpt and decorate fiberglass cats and dogs. These sculptures will then be displayed throughout the downtown Stamford area (and the exact locations will be available online closer to the event). Once the event has concluded, these sculptures will be auctioned off to the public, and the proceeds will benefit local pet adoption agencies and animal welfare organizations.

To get started, local artists need to attend an “artist clinic” at the Ferguson Library (located at the corner of Bedford Street and Broad Street, Stamford). The clinic will be held in the third floor auditorium on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. and all interested applicants are encouraged to attend this session. Applications are due to the Downtown Special Services District office on Friday, March 5th, 2010. For an application, interested artists can obtain one at under the “Events” section, or by calling (203) 348-5285.

Residents of the downtown Stamford apartment communities of The Townhouse, Morgan Manor and Hoyt Bedford have been enjoying these sculpture exhibits right in their area!

Mark your calendars now for some delicious dining in downtown Stamford - at a discount! This year’s Stamford Downtown Winter Restaurant Weeks will take place from February 21 through March 7. It is an opportunity to experience fine dining in downtown Stamford with pre fixe daily specials.

Stamford’s restaurants range from upscale, fine dining to corner delis to everything in between. And this year’s roster of participants in Restaurant Weeks spans the gamut. There are nearly 20 establishments participating, so you’re sure to find something to suit your appetite! If it’s sushi you’re after, try Kona Grill, Kujaku or Tengda Asian Bistro. If you’re in the mood for burgers, the Black Bear is participating and is sure to please, as is SBC Restaurant & Brewery.

If you’re usually priced out of restaurants such as The Capital Grille, Telluride or Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar, Stamford Downtown’s Restaurant Weeks offers a great opportunity to try multiple courses at these fine dining establishments (that do not normally offer pre-fixed menus for the general public). Not all of the restaurants participating in Restaurant Weeks will offer the pre-fixe menu specials for both lunch and dinner, so be sure to check before making a reservation. The list of participating restaurants is still being updated, but you can view the latest at www.stamford-downtown.com.

The pre fixe menu prices will accommodate any budget: diners will be able to feast for $10.10, $15.10, $20.10 or $30.10, depending on the meal (lunch or dinner) and the establishment.

Downtown Stamford residents of The Townhouse Apartments, Morgan Manor Apartments or Hoyt Bedford Apartments will enjoy their close proximity to the restaurants participating in Stamford Downtown’s Restaurant Weeks. These Stamford apartment communities are not only close to restaurants and entertainment in downtown Stamford, but major employers as well.

The purpose of these events is to direct “positive energy into positive activities.” They are open to everyone, with an admission cost of only $5 (plus $4 to rent skates). The event on February 12th has a Valentine’s Day theme, and attendees are encouraged to wear pink or red. This night is also aimed at promoting awareness for methamphetamine abuse. The following event is the last themed Friday night event, and will take place on February 26th. The theme is “Go Green” and aims to promote environmental awareness.

Both nights begin at 6:30 and end at 8:30 p.m. And on both occasions, DJ Bry will provide music for ice skaters’ enjoyment. There is also a concession area at the ice arena, or several restaurants conveniently located nearby should you work up an appetite from skating! (TGI Friday’s is right around the corner in Hamden Plaza, as are DiMatteo’s Pizza, Panera and Subway.)

The sponsor of Friday Theme Nights at the Louis Astorino Ice Arena is the Town of Hamden Parks & Recreation and Youth Services Bureau. For more information, please call Youth Services at 777-2610 or the Louis Astorino Ice Arena at 287-2611

Residents of Seramonte Apartments won’t have far to walk to the Louis Astorino Ice Arena – it’s right across the street! And come spring, there are plenty of lighted outdoor tennis courts at the arena for residents to take advantage of. The pet-friendly Hamden apartments offered at Seramonte range from spacious studios to 3-bedroom townhouse-style apartments. Many offer wall-to-wall carpeting while others feature hardwood floors. With a wide variety of floor plans to choose from, there’s something to suit everyone. And with its close proximity to all that Hamden has to offer, Seramonte is the place to be in Hamden.

To mark the Chinese New Year in New Haven, Connecticut, there will be a celebration on Sunday, February 21st from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. at Southern Connecticut State University’s John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, 501 Crescent Street. The festivities include professional and talented performers that will present traditional Chinese music, Lion dance, dragon dance, folk dancing, martial arts, singing, traditional dance and magic show. Additionally, an art show, huge book fair, CDs, DVDs, Chinese crafts and gifts will be available. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 each. More information can be found at www.ynhchineseschool.org.

In China, however, New Year celebrations are marked by visits to family and friends, and new clothes are worn to mark the new year. The color red is used in decorations which may include paper cutouts hung on doors and windows. It is also common for families to thoroughly clean house, to sweep away any bad luck in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. And on the eve of Chinese New Year, dinner is a feast with families and usually consists of tasty dishes such as pigs, ducks, chicken and sweets. And to top it off, many families end the night with a display of firecrackers.

If you are unable to make a trip to China to celebrate the New Year, attending the celebration in New Haven is the next best thing! For residents of Montoya apartments in Branford, or Seramonte Apartments in Hamden, the commute to New Haven is less than ten minutes. The apartment communities of Seramonte and Montoya are also perfect for students attending Southern Connecticut State University, where the Chinese New Year event will take place.

We love to host events like the Valentine’s Day party for our residents. After everything that our residents do for us, it is important to show our appreciation. Resident satisfaction is top priority at all six of our apartment communities and you can stay up-to-date with all of our upcoming events by visiting the News & Events page of our new Web site. See you Saturday!

If you’re looking to treat your sweetheart to dinner, here are our favorites that should suit all tastes and budgets:

Ristorante Luce: You can’t go wrong with a good Italian meal for Valentine’s Day! Ristorante Luce (formerly Raffaello’s) was founded in 1992 by Ralph and Anna Iannaccone, and is located in the Mt. Carmel section of Hamden. Thirteen years and several awards later, they are still an institution in the area, serving fine regional Italian cuisine.

Taste: Situated right on the Hamden/North Haven border, Taste features creative American cuisine, a sophisticated wine list and an inviting atmosphere. For an upscale yet local dining experience that will impress your date, and prices that are fairly reasonable, check this place out.

Sono Bana: Sono Bana won “Best Sushi in New Haven County” seven times, but it is not exactly known for its atmosphere. For a romantic night in, serve your date some of their fresh sushi. We recommend watching the “Sex and the City” movie for inspiration on how to creatively present the meal at home.

Residents of Seramonte apartments in Hamden will find the convenient location on Mix Avenue is within close proximity to a myriad of dining options in addition to the ones listed above, as well as shopping in case a last-minute gift is needed. These spacious Hamden apartments also welcome pets, in case your Valentine has four legs and fur!