Housewarming Gift Ideas & Tips!

Housewarming parties are a time for friends and family to get together to create new memories and bring cheer to a new place. When you’re welcomed into someone’s home, a housewarming gift is a customary way to say “thank you” to the host or hostess. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but you should never show up empty-handed!

Here are Brandon Moving's housewarming gift ideas and tips:

-At casual get-togethers, a small gift is always appropriate. Flowers in vases (or even mason jars) and specialty food items are always appreciated.

-Even though it can seem difficult to buy food items for people, nice olive oils, candy, fruit preserves, and spice grinders or salt cellars are great ideas. 

-Wine cork candles, dish or guest towels, picture frames, or small serving dishes are simple gifts that would be lasting for a home.

-If the host or hostess is a close friend, choose a gift that is a reflection of your friendship or a gift that reflects his or her personal style. A small piece of art, alma mater memorabilia, books or magazines, or a small antique are possible gift ideas. If you’re buying for a couple, take their personal hobbies and interests into consideration. For example, if they enjoy camping or the outdoors, gifts like lanterns or grilling and campfire cooking utensils would make great gifts. 

-Some people are just difficult to buy for. For those friends, you may want to give a Bed Bath & Beyond gift certificate. Moving brings the chance for a fresh start, and your friends will appreciate you for helping them replace their old bathroom accessories. 

-Netflix, Home Depot, and Amazon are also great and practical gift card ideas for new homeowners. 

-Footing the bill for the first two or three months of a lawn care service would be a great gift for a couple as they adjust to their new home.

-If the housewarming party is for neighbors who are new to the area, a gift that introduces them to the community is best. Consider putting together a welcome kit that contains information about the area – a small item from a local boutique, menus from the best restaurants in the area, or information about community events. 

-It is important, however, that your gift isn’t too “over the top.” Keeping it simple is always the best route (even if you are just gifting a gift card!)

-When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a bottle of wine!

Warning: Don't obsess on the perfect gift. Your friends will appreciate the gesture no matter what.

Brandon Moving & Storage: Agent Of The Month!

We've been named Agent of The Month for the third time! We're so lucky to have the incredible team that we do and we're forever grateful for their efforts. As Brandon Moving & Storage grows, we look forward to many years of customer satisfaction as Central Arkansas' #1 choice for quality movers.

Affordable Ways to Furnish Your First Home

Moving into your first home is a time of great excitement and adventure, but the stress of furnishing and decorating it on a budget can dampen your spirits. A few simple steps can help save you money and relieve some of that stress.

First, don’t be afraid to ask your family or neighbors if they have any extra furniture from home they are willing to give or sell to you. They may have the basic necessities that will get you started, and while it won’t help you get that brand new wide-screen television, it may help you avoid spending a lot of money on brand new pieces.  

Second, check out websites like Craigslist and Freecycle, or online garage sales. These are great places to find items in your area, and people are usually willing to negotiate prices.  The items may not be brand new, but look for items that are in good shape and will fit in with your decorating style. Most sellers will expect you to go to their home or to meet at a central location to pick up an item, so if you know you’ll need help moving it. Remember to always be safe when linking up with anybody via the internet. Always bring a friend with you.

Another great way to find furniture and decorations is by scoping out yard sales and estate sales. When you’re driving around your neighborhood, make it a habit to keep an eye out for yard sale signs, and remember that most people willing be willing to haggle in order to get an item sold.

You shouldn’t feel rushed to have your entire home decorated the week you move in, so take some time and shop around for sales. Make a list of items you need most, and compare prices at different décor and furniture stores. If you know a particular item will go on sale, resisting the pressure to buy it right away can save you money. Don’t forget to look online – online deals are often much better than in the stores. If you do end up purchasing something online, check shipping costs to make sure you are getting lowest price. Most retailers will offer free shipping if you have the item shipped to the store for pickup.

While you’ll be able to move small items yourself, you may need to contact a professional moving company for help. Movers transport your furniture and appliances in one trip, and they make sure to take care to not damage your belongings. Brandon Moving is always here to help!

Fun Things To Do In Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas provides endless opportunities for entertainment and travel destinations in the Natural State. Whether indoors or outdoors, there are plenty of things to do in Little Rock and the surrounding areas that will provide hours of family fun.

Toltec Mounds

Central Arkansas has an impressive assortment of natural and historical landmarks to experience and enjoy. Just outside of Little Rock, for instance, is Toltec Mounds State Park. Native Americans of the late-Woodland and early-Mississippian Period made ceremonial earthworks on this site over 1,200 years ago—three of which still stand today! Take the kids along the Knapp trail for a fun and educational experience at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park. Learn More!

The Museum of Discovery

The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock is also a great (and educational) family destination. The MOD is Arkansas’ premier science center and is considered to be one of the best science museums in the country. The Museum’s scientist Kevin Delaney has even appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon! MOD always has exciting events and exhibits such as the Tesla Theater, Tornado Alley, and Tinkerfest. Science After Dark provides fun exhibits—along with food and adult beverages—for the older crowd. MOD even offers a variety summer day camps for children ages 4-13! You and your family will not want to miss out on the nationally renowned Museum of Discovery. Learn More!

Lake Ouachita

If your family is looking to enjoy the outdoors—which is unavoidable in Arkansas—you may consider visiting Arkansas’ many beautiful lakes. About an hour west of Little Rock, outside of Hot Springs, sits Lake Ouachita, along with the man-made lakes Hamilton and Catherine. Greers Ferry Lake, anouther popular boating and water recreation destination, is about 60 miles north of Little Rock. Learn More!

As its website suggests, Lake Ouachita is “one of the cleanest lakes in America” and is “a water sports mecca for swimming, skiing, scuba diving, boating, and fishing.” Anglers can enjoy a wide variety of fish species in the open areas of the lake or in its many beautiful and peacefully quiet coves. The shady coves, as well as the islands, are favorite anchoring spots for boating parties who are playing, fishing, or just doing a little exploring. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com//park-finder/park.aspx?id=9

Lake Hamilton is also a popular destination for water lovers and a major attraction in the Hot Springs area. Many Hamilton inhabitants spend their summers in beautiful shore side lake houses, and there are endless options for dining, entertainment, and lodging surrounding the lake. You can even take your family for a lake cruise on the Belle of Hot Springs!

North of Little Rock, Greers Ferry Lake is known for its year-round crystal-clear waters that provide for excellent fishing and sport opportunities alike. Found at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, its shores are surrounded by breathtaking rock outcroppings, trees, and wildlife. Don’t miss this leading tourist destination!

These are just a few of the many indoor and outdoor attractions that the Central Arkansas area has to offer. If you move here, you will not be left with limited options for entertainment!

The Economic Growth of Little Rock & Central Arkansas

The Little Rock area is the central hub of Arkansas’ economy. Central Arkansas has enjoyed significant economic and population growth in recent history, and the Little Rock area continues to grow, gaining more and more impressive national ratings in economy, commerce, and industry. Little Rock has recently made Kiplinger’s “10 Great Places to Live,” Gallup’s “America’s Happiest Cities,” Moody’s “Most Diverse Economy in the Nation,” Forbes “Top 200 Best Places for Business and Careers, as well as Kiplinger’s “Best Value City” feature.

According the City’s website, Little Rock and the Central Arkansas area have seen over $2.5 billion in economic development since 1994. This growth has been both characterized and facilitated by an increasingly active private sector and a highly dedicated Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Strong economic growth in Central Arkansas has also driven new commercial and residential real estate development trends. In 2015, Little Rock saw significant commercial real estate development, exemplified by new retail and industrial areas.

Even more significant commercial growth has appeared in the past few years. Shoppers from all over the state now come to Little Rock to visit the Outlets at Little Rock, the Bass Pro Shop, stores and restaurants at Shackleford Crossing, and the new Dave and Buster’s sports bar and arcade.

Central Arkansas is a great place to start a business—the state offers tax incentives for industrial and economic development. Advantage Arkansas Income Tax Credit, ArkPlus, Create Rebate, Free Port Law of Arkansas, InvestArk Sales and Use Tax Credit, Targeted Business and Tax Back Sales & Use Tax Refund are just some of the programs in place to offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to get off the ground or establish their business in Arkansas while enjoying low taxes.

The Hewlett Packard presence in Conway

Major industry has also been increasingly active in Central Arkansas. Aviation, for instance, has been and continues to be a dynamic industry in the Little Rock area. Little Rock is home to the facilities of companies such as Dassault Falcon Jet, Raytheon, and Central Flying Service that contribute greatly to the economy and provide tons of jobs. Biotechnology is also an emerging industry in Central Arkansas.

Aside from the growing commercial and industrial sectors, real estate development in Central Arkansas has been impressive. The area has seen “years of steady appreciation in commercial real estate values,” and this appreciation is expected to continue as more and more real estate is demanded for business and industrial growth. 

All in all, this increased activity has boosted the Central Arkansas economy. The increased business activity in the local economy has led to greater cash flow, the creation of countless new jobs, and new residential real estate transactions and development. If you are deciding where to move or start your business, choose Central Arkansas and become part of the increasingly strong economy!

Great Areas of Central Arkansas Volume 7: North Little Rock

North Little Rock is another excellent place to live in central Arkansas. Located on the other side of the Arkansas River from Little Rock, North Little Rock provides a vast array of inviting neighborhoods, and the downtown area has experienced impressive growth over the past several years. The city’s neighborhoods offer the same quality living as in Little Rock, but generally at a more affordable level.

NLR's Argenta Area

Founded as Argenta, North Little Rock officially became a city in 1901. The name Argenta refers specifically to downtown North Little Rock, and this area continues to honor its history by brilliantly preserving its beautiful early twentieth century buildings. The City Hall is one of these buildings, which still bears the name “Argenta.” The Argenta area is celebrated to this day—the Arts & Entertainment District has become an increasingly popular hub for community events, farmers’ markets, live theater and comedy, excellent new restaurants, craft beer, vibrant night life, and much more. You will definitely want to experience everything the Argenta Arts & Entertainment District has to offer! If you like the downtown scene, there are also great apartments and town homes in the area. And in the spring, don’t forget to catch an Arkansas Travelers baseball game at Dickey Stevens Park, and take a tour of the World War II submarine USS Razorback!

The USS Razorback

Beyond Argenta, North Little Rock offers many other great locations for living. The Park Hill and Lakewood areas are beautiful suburban neighborhoods that provide boundless options for family living, all within a lusciously green suburban area. Here you will find a wide variety of home sizes and architectural styles to suit your taste. Tucked away in the Lakewood neighborhood, in the T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, is The Old Mill, a distinctive and beautiful historic landmark that was featured in Gone With The Wind. Further east, you can shop, dine and stay in the McCain Mall area, which offers a vast array of stores and restaurants. To the west, splash on down to Wild River Country, Arkansas’ largest water park!

The Old Mill

This article mentions just a few of the many attractions and excellent neighborhoods that North Little Rock has to offer. If you are considering a move to Central Arkansas, you don’t want to miss out on seeing the beautiful areas of North Little Rock and the increasingly popular Argenta area!

Great Areas of Central Arkansas Volume 6: Benton & Bryant

If you are looking for a place outside of the big city, the Little Rock area has some delightful suburbs that offer affordable home options with access to all the amenities of city living. Benton and Bryant are two of these Little Rock suburbs well worth looking at when searching for a new home in the Little Rock area!

Benton Square

Located just southwest of Little Rock along Interstate 30, Benton is the county seat of Saline County and has enjoyed significant growth over the past few years. Benton is a colorful and sunny community with plenty of Southern charm. The increasing popularity of the city is evident by its population increase of about 30% over the past ten years, and the community continues to grow and develop today.

Benton offers excellent value—the city has the advantage of providing a quality of suburban living equal to that of Little Rock, but with a more affordable price range. Benton residents have said that the city boasts an increasingly strong business community and an active chamber of commerce organization, and is an excellent environment for raising a family. Benton also has excellent ratings for schools and education.

Also along Interstate 30, between Little Rock and Benton, is another delightful suburb. Although smaller than Benton, the City of Bryant also offers great value for comfortable suburban living. The Keep Bryant Beautiful campaign and the Jumpstart urban revitalization program are also examples of Bryant’s vibrant and active community that will enjoy significant growth over the coming years.

Bryant High School

The Southern charm of this area is perhaps the most attractive characteristic. Located between Little Rock and Hot Springs, both Benton and nearby Bryant provide antique seekers ample opportunity to search for treasures with several antique malls on both sides of the interstate. The Saline River has excellent fishing, scenery and back-country floating for the outdoors enthusiast. Aside from antiques and beautiful natural attractions, there are plenty of signature dining options in Benton and Bryant. Brown’s Country Store and Restaurant, for one, is an iconic attraction in Benton along I-30, and is a long-time favorite stop for Arkansans, out-of-state travelers, and local residents alike.

All in all, the Benton-Bryant area is an excellent choice for suburban living. If you’re looking for a new home for your family, the value is hard to beat! These beautiful Little Rock suburbs provide quiet suburban living with the amenities of the big city, as well as strong, family-oriented communities.

Countdown to Your Move

Being prepared for your move to Central Arkansas is very important. There are many things to do and details to take care of before you move to a new home. Making a plan to take care of those things in the weeks leading up to your moving date will help make the process MUCH less stressful and ensure that you have time to address everything that must be done before the move. Try using the following time table to prepare for your next move!

---

Four weeks before your move: 

    Submit an address change form with the post office. You can do this online at USPS.com. If you have children in school, notify the schools of the address change, along with your church, magazine subscriptions, etc. Gather all of your family’s medical records and if you are moving to Central Arkansas (Little Rock, Benton, Bryant, Maumelle, North Little Rock, etc.) from a different city, ask your current doctor for recommendations in the new location. It is also wise to begin creating an inventory of each possession, including the date purchased and the estimated value. Then, contact your utility providers to schedule a shutoff date and turn-on date for your old and new homes. Also include newspaper delivery, trash pick-up, and lawn services.

Three to two weeks before your move: 

    If you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, contact your carrier to transfer the insurance to your new home. If you are moving long distance, make arrangements to move any plants and pets you have. Also, finalize any travel arrangements to your new home. It’s also important to dispose of any flammable items like gasoline, matches, bleach, cleaning liquids, and aerosol cans before leaving your old home. Don’t forget to drain the gasoline from your lawnmower or any other gas-powered lawn equipment.

The week before your move: 

    Arrange the payment at your new destination. Determine which items you will travel with personally, such as jewelry or other small valuables, and prepare adequate travel packing for them.

The day before your move: 

    Whether or not you are moving long distance, prepare a box of things you will need when you arrive at your new home. You can take this box with you and have your Brandon Co. driver load and unload it first. Also make sure that all packing services have been completed before signing for them.

On moving day: 

    Plan to be at your current home when Brandon Co. movers arrive to supervise the loading of your shipment. If you are not able to be at your home during that time, be sure to give the Brandon Co. driver the name and number of the person you’ve designated to be there for you. As your items are being loaded, our representative will check the condition of your possessions and inventory them with you. After the loading, make a final walk-through of your home to ensure that nothing important has been overlooked. Sign the Bill of Lading while double-checking that your new address, phone number, and chosen valuation are correct. Before you leave, don’t forget to lock all the doors and windows and turn off the lights one last time!

---

    Plan to be at your new home a day early if possible to ensure that the utilities are connected and to plan the placement of furniture and other large items in your home. Finally, plan to be present to pay the driver prior to the unloading of your possessions and to review and approve the inventory checklist. More important than anything, though, is to relax and enjoy your brand new home!

VALUING & PROTECTING YOUR BELONGINGS

    It’s important to take measures to protect your belongings from damage. When moving to a new home, many people are unaware of the options that are available to protect their valuable items.

    First, you must know what your belongings are worth. Valuation is the process by which the customer makes a declaration of value of the possessions before the items are loaded for moving. Begin by making a list of all of your possessions and their approximate value. Primarily, this list should include the most expensive and valuable items. Don’t worry about smaller, less valuable items until you have valued your more expensive possessions. TVs and other electronics, appliances, and furniture are the most important to value, and this estimate can be easily calculated. You may be surprised how much everything adds up to! If you have valuable hobby items or collectibles—golf clubs, musical instruments, firearms, etc.—be sure to include a valuation of these in the overall estimate.

There are two levels of basic liability any moving company has to offer: "‘full value’ and ‘released value,’ or ‘basic liability.’  These are known as "valuation" coverage.”  This coverage is not insurance.  With full value protection, the moving company is responsible for the entire value of your possessions during the moving process.  “Full value protection” costs more, and the moving company is required to repair, replace, or make a cash settlement for any items that become damaged.  

With "full value coverage," charges are based on a declared value and a deductible amount chosen. Your belongings would be replaced at the value declared minus the chosen deductible if the item cannot be repaired. For instance, a flat screen TV valued at $1,000 is compensated at $1,000 minus any deductible, if the item cannot be repaired.  

“Released value coverage,” more commonly referred to as “basic liability,” comes with protection that is provided at no charge, but the protection for any damaged items is minimal. “Released value coverage” is based on item weight, not item value.  Your shipment would be reimbursed at a value of 60 cents per pound, per item. A flat screen TV valued at $1,000 that weighs 56 pounds would be compensated at $33.60 (56 lbs. x 0.60).

When moving, it is important to remember to protect your possessions from any potential damage that may happen.  Always ask the moving company about the types of coverage they offer for customers.  

GREAT AREAS OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS VOL. 5: MAUMELLE

The City of Maumelle is another excellent place to live in the Little Rock area. Located on the West side of North Little Rock and extending west to Interstate 430, this family-oriented city offers comfortable suburban living at very reasonable prices. Maumelle includes everything its residents need—from a vast array of restaurants and stores to excellent golf courses—all just a stone’s throw away from the attractions of Little Rock and North Little Rock. Perhaps the best aspect of Maumelle is its combination of comfortable suburban living options and beautiful natural attractions.

Maumelle is a largely residential area marked by its peaceful suburban neighborhoods. This area was developed beginning in the 1980s and has expanded significantly in the years since. Family-sized homes are abundant and affordable, and many new and beautiful apartment complexes and condominiums have developed in the city, such as the Fountaine-Bleau Apartments just northeast of Maumelle Boulevard. The subdivisions surrounding Lake Willastein and the Maumelle Country Club, as well as those surrounding Odom Boulevard are excellent places to find a suitable family home or luxury apartment.

Aside from its many living options, Maumelle also provides a great environment for the outdoor enthusiast. Maumelle Campground sits along the beautiful Arkansas River, offering boating, fishing and birding. The campground offers 128 spacious campsites with electric hookups, along with eight large group picnic shelters. Amenities include a dock, hot showers, a boat ramp and playground. Further, Pinnacle Mountain State Park is just two miles from the campground. The 13 mountain trails at Pinnacle range from easy to strenuous, and each one promises captivating scenery. Maumelle has two recreational lakes, Lake Willastein and Lake Valencia, both surrounded by park land, bicycle trails, and wooden bridges. Picnicking and fishing are available at both lakes. Maumelle also has one of the most extensive municipal bicycle trail systems in Arkansas (13 miles) that offers access to wooded greenbelts.

For the golfer, the Maumelle Country Club offers an 18-hole championship golf course featuring beautiful terrain and natural surroundings. Maumelle Country Club offers the perfect mix of leisure and competitive golf. The Club holds monthly tournaments through the Men's and Women's Golf Associations, as well as numerous couple's and Pro Shop sponsored events throughout the year.

Maumelle is also the home of Brandon Moving & Storage! Over the years, we've come to appreciate the convenience and beauty of Maumelle. It's a wonderful place to call home!

Great Areas of Central Arkansas Vol. 4: Little Rock - Kingwood, Leawood, & Cammack Village

The heart of Little Rock includes an array of beautiful suburban neighborhoods. This area is situated just west of University Avenue, both north and south of Cantrell Road...

LEAWOOD

Leawood is a beautiful suburban neighborhood in the central part of Little Rock. This neighborhood extends south of Cantrell Road to Rodney Parham Road, between Mississippi Avenue and Reservoir Road. Leawood was developed in the 1970s and features many different architectural styles. Smartly renovated as well as completely new homes can also be found. Perhaps the best feature of Leawood, however, is its natural beauty. The houses are tucked away among the lush greenery that covers all of this neighborhood's rolling hills and valleys. Large pine trees are also a distinctive feature of the neighborhood that provide ample shade. A series of creeks also flow throughout the neighborhood, adding to the peaceful, natural feel.  

CAMMACK VILLAGE

Cammack Village is an active, face-to-face community with just under 1,000 residents, nestled in the heart of Central Arkansas.  Located within driving distance of popular shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, Cammack Village offers residents a small town feel without the long drives into town. Cammack Village is divided into four subdivisions: Cammack Woods, Jefferson Heights, Palisades Estates, and Pinnacle Point. Today, the city primarily comprises the original military housing located in the Cammack Woods subdivision, though many have been enlarged from their original 870 square feet. On its north end, The Palisades Estates and Pinnacle Point subdivisions feature several mansions that overlook the Arkansas River.

KINGWOOD

The Kingwood neighborhood is nestled north of Cantrell Road, between Cammack Village and Foxcroft. Like Leawood, this neighborhood is marked by its rolling hills and natural beauty. Living up to its name, Kingwood features abundant shade from its large trees and offers its residents surroundings of lush forestry. Much of this neighborhood was developed in the 1960s, but also features many newer homes. Kingwood is an excellent place for families, as most homes in this neighborhood are family-sized, but families, couples, and single residents alike will find an array of suitable housing options tucked away in this beautiful suburban area adjacent to the Arkansas River.

Great Areas of Central Arkansas Vol. 3: Little Rock - Qaupaw & SOMA

Downtown Little Rock offers the widest variety of living options. In addition to upscale condominiums, lofts, and studio apartments in the busiest part of town, downtown Little Rock is characterized by the beauty of its historic neighborhoods.

THE QUAPAW QUARTER

The Villa Marre

Located just south of Little Rock’s business district, the Quapaw Quarter is the oldest and most historic district of Little Rock and is an excellent choice for living. This historic district is home to the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion and the Museum of Arkansas Military History in MacArthur Park—the oldest municipal park in the city. Throughout the Quapaw Quarter, a variety of stunningly beautiful homes from the Antebellum and Victorian eras can be found, in addition to several examples of Craftsman-style architecture. Scott, Center and Spring streets, in particular, are where many such homes stand today. The exterior of the Villa Marre, for example, is known nationally as featured on the CBS sitcom Designing Women. In addition to beautiful and uniquely historic homes, the Quapaw Quarter features some of Little Rock’s oldest churches and schools, such as the St. Edward Church and School, established in 1885.

SOMA

Shops in SOMA

The Quapaw Quarter is situated next to the South on Main (“SOMA”) area, which offers a vibrant new nightlife, exceptional dining, and comfortable living. Stretching from I-630 on the North side and Roosevelt Boulevard to the South, SOMA is characterized by quaint streets full of excellent local establishments that provide a wide and unique range of dining, shopping, and nightlife. Antique stores, art galleries, and locally owned restaurants serving critically-acclaimed cuisine are found along South Main Street. Community Bakery, for instance, established in 1947, is a long-time favorite of all Little Rock residents and visitors. The Root Café offers an eclectic, down-home dining environment and features only food grown by Arkansas farmers. The newer South on Main restaurant and bar offers fine dining with a southern twist, excellent live music acts, and an impressive selection of unique drinks to enjoy while taking in its charming atmosphere. These are just a few of the many excellent dining and nightlife options in the SOMA district. A wide array of quaint living options, including houses, town homes, and studio apartments, surround the Main Street area and reflect the historic charm of the area.

Great Areas of Central Arkansas Vol. 2: West Little Rock

If you prefer a more suburban setting with more room, or perhaps a quiet neighborhood to start a family, West Little Rock offers high-quality, comfortable living.

CHENAL

Chenal Homes

Chenal is a scenic community of impressive homes, luxury condos, championship golf courses, fine dining, shopping, outdoor recreation and so much more. Chenal is well known for having the most sought-after Central Arkansas homes. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful house in a specific neighborhood, a view overlooking the golf course, or lots to build your dream retreat, you’ll find it in this expansive subdivision. Chenal has seen enormous growth over the past ten years and offers a very wide range of living options in addition to upscale shopping and impressive dining options. The Promenade at Chenal —from beautiful large family homes to new upscale apartments for single residents or couples. Located near the Chenal Country Club, Chenal Valley is characterized by its eye-catchingly elegant houses and beautiful golf courses.

PLEASANT VALLEY

Pleasant Valley Country Club

West Little Rock’s prestigious Pleasant Valley is another beautiful neighborhood that offers comfortable suburban living in the midst of stunning natural scenery. Pleasant Valley is a large area that includes a variety of living options as well as excellent schools, churches, neighborhood pools, and golf courses. Pleasant Valley Country Club is the premier country club of Arkansas, featuring a 27-hole championship golf course of rolling hills and tree-lined fairways. In addition to stunningly beautiful homes of many different sizes and styles, Pleasant Valley is also home to Christ the King Catholic Church and School, Saint James United Methodist Church, and Temple B’nai Israel, and Pulaski Academy, just to name a few. In the rolling hills of Pleasant Valley, one will find the beautiful subdivisions of Pebble Beach, Marlowe Manor, Hillsborough, and Valley View, among many others. Impressive shopping and dining options are also found within this beautiful suburban area.

PLEASANT RIDGE AREA

Pleasant Ridge Town Center

The Pleasant Ridge Area is another beautiful suburb in West Little Rock, providing resort-style living at a prime location. Nestled in between prestigious Pleasant Ridge Town Center and Pinnacle Mountain, Pleasant Ridge offers the best of both worlds—near entertainment, shopping, and fine dining and also beautiful hiking trails by the Arkansas River. Pleasant Ridge Town Center is one of Little Rock's premier shopping centers and features all of the elements that appeal to the discriminating shopper. The Center is home to stores such as Belk and restaurants like Bar Louie and Bonefish Grill. In addition to beautiful homes that overlook the Arkansas River (Walton Heights), this part of West Little Rock offers an array of newly constructed condominiums and luxury apartments at reasonable prices.

Wardell Miller to Receive Driver-of-the-Month Award From National Company

Great Areas of Central Arkansas Vol. 1: Little Rock - Hillcrest & The Heights

Central Arkansas is a great place to live and has many great neighborhoods to offer. Whether you are looking for the hustle-and-bustle of the vibrant downtown area, a quiet homestead in a beautiful suburban neighborhood, or something more quaint in between, Central Arkansas has the option for you at an affordable price. This series of blogs will describe the many great places to live in Central Arkansas:

Hillcrest

One of Hillcrest's many festivals

Hillcrest is one of Little Rock’s beautiful historic neighborhoods—it is often referred to as the Hillcrest Historic District by its residents. Hillcrest is the lower, southern section of the Pulaski Heights neighborhood and contains some of Little Rock's most historic construction in both commercial and residential areas. Often thought of as the "heart of Little Rock," it is located almost directly in the center of the city and was arguably the first fully established suburb in Little Rock, and among the first neighborhoods in Arkansas. Much of what makes Hillcrest an historic district and famous neighborhood are the highly sought-after houses of diverse architectural styles. Ranging from Prairie to Queen Anne styles, the houses were built from all different time periods to represent Hillcrest as a unique neighborhood. Hillcrest is also a great place to raise a family, with historic schools and churches nestled alongside the beautiful historic homes. Along Kavanaugh Boulevard, the central vein of Hillcrest and The Heights, you will also find excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and boutique stores. Bars and restaurants such as Ciao Baci, The Afterthought, The Fountain, and La Terraza also offer an eclectic mix of establishments that offer unique cuisine and live music to keep Hillcrest nights alive.

The Heights

The Heights' strip of restaurants and shops

Nestled along the North side of Hillcrest is The Heights, another beautiful Little Rock neighborhood. This district is located on the north side of Cantrell Road and University Avenue, and extends East toward downtown Little Rock, ending at the beautiful Country Club of Little Rock. The Heights is mostly newer than Hillcrest and contains many popular stores, restaurants, and bars that give the neighborhood a vibrant evening and night life. The Heights is also very family friendly, with many beautiful family homes, churches, and excellent schools. A leisurely stroll along the north half of Kavanaugh Boulevard and into the more historic part of the Heights offers plenty of options for dining and shopping, as well as pleasant views of a beautiful and comfortable neighborhood.

Clutter Removal Tips

Once you decide to start decluttering, taking it one room at a time makes tasks more manageable.  Choose one room to begin cleaning out and organizing – don’t start multiple projects at once.  You will likely be much more productive if you choose one task to tackle and complete before moving on to the next.  The most common places with a lot of clutter are closets, pantries, garages, and kitchen drawers.

---

View fullsize

The first step in decluttering your closet is to sort through your clothes.  Get rid of, or donate, any clothes that you have not worn within the past year, any clothes that make you uncomfortable, or any clothes that do not fit.  Next, do the same with your shoes.  Get rid of any that are too worn out or are not comfortable to wear.  All of those clothing items you no longer need can be donated at a local second-hand store.

In the kitchen, begin by getting rid of food you think you will never likely use. Non-perishable food items can be donated to a local food bank or homeless shelter.  Clear out unnecessary items in kitchen drawers, and reorganize frequently used utensils and cookware.  Many people have junk drawers in the kitchen – this is also a good place to clear out clutter and reorganize commonly used items.

View fullsize

In the garage, extra space can be used to store organized items to reduce clutter. You can start by sorting items—beginning with items that can be thrown away, items that can be donated, and items to be kept and organized. If you have room, organize the items you must keep into boxes or onto shelves, making more convenient to access particular items such as tools when needed. As you begin to sort through your garage, as with other rooms and closets in your house, you may find that you have accumulated things that you have forgotten about and no longer need. Throwing away or donating such items will help maximize the space in your home and will certainly make moving easier.

---

Keeping your home decluttered will help if you are preparing to move. Many people find that the smaller items in their homes take the most time to gather and pack than larger items.  You can save time by keeping smaller items in organized spaces and getting rid of excess. This will also make it easier to avoid accumulating unnecessary items that cause clutter.

Watch Your Back!

In the process of moving, it is tempting for people to take on the lifting of heavy items themselves while neglecting the possible risk of back injury. This oversight can have painful, and sometimes permanent, consequences. Lifting heavy items improperly can cause damage in the muscles, joints, and spinal discs of the back. 

When lifting, be aware of your movements and know your limits

You can decrease the chance of back injury by using proper form when lifting. Take a look at these easy preventative steps to take to save your back:

Posture! The first and most important step should be to ensure that the back is kept straight. A common mistake that leads to injury is allowing the back to curve during lifting, which puts harmful strain on the muscles in the lower back. You can keep your back straight by keeping the chest pushed forward. Do this while bending at the hips and knees. This form will allow the back to remain in a straight orientation and will prevent curvature while lifting weight. Furthermore, using this form will allow the muscles of the legs and hips to do the work, saving your lower back from harmful strain.

Don’t do the twist! Lead with the hips while lifting to avoid any harmful twisting motion. It may be tempting to lead with the shoulders, which runs the risk of twisting out of a straight posture and putting strain on the wrong muscles. Such a motion combined with heavy weight can cause damage to the joints in the back, as well as to the pelvis. The shoulders should be kept aligned with the hips—nice and straight ahead.

Watch your center of gravity! The center of gravity is the point at which the entire weight of a body may be considered as concentrated so that if supported at this point the body would remain in equilibrium in any position. Be sure to keep the weight close to the body during the entire process of lifting. This may be a rather obvious point, but holding weight further away from the body (and thereby away from the center of gravity) will make lifting much more difficult and can put unnecessary and harmful strain on the lower back. Keeping the weight centered and close to the body ensures the most efficient lifting, requiring the least possible amount of effort to lift.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP: KNOW YOUR LIMITS AND NEVER HESITATE TO ASK FOR HELP

Next time you are moving something—whether it’s a refrigerator, a piano, a big chunk of lead, heavy boxes for that friend who asked you last-minute to help him move, or even barbells at the gym—don’t forget to watch your back and keep these three tips in mind to avoid injury.

Posted by Brandon Moving & Storage, Central Arkansas' premiere movers