Creating a modern backyard space is easy to do with a combination of the right furnishings, proper lawn care practices, and carefully chosen plants. Plants are an essential part of making your backyard into a stylish oasis that brings comfort and peace. Check out these 6 plants that you can add to your backyard space for a luxe modern upgrade:

Yucca

There is something very chic and iconic about a yucca plant in a tall planter by itself. Put a few of these planters together in a row and your backyard will be instantly transformed into a modern oasis. Yucca has stiff leaves that are green with yellow edging. There are multiple variations from this standard coloring and any combination would do in a contemporary backyard. The vertical array of beauty that a yucca plant creates is both a nod to living plants as well as living sculptures. Yucca is also a great choice for xeriscaping as it doesn’t need much watering or maintenance, making it an even better choice for a modern but functional garden.

Blue Arrow Juniper

The common theme for modern plants is a tall vertical height and this plant exceeds in that department. The Blue Arrow Juniper has muted blue evergreen leaves that travel high into the sky with the possibility of becoming 12-15 feet tall. The leaves of this shrub are narrow and tight making it a great option for use as a privacy barrier. The Blue Arrow Juniper also produces silver blueberries for much of the year, giving it even more interest for a modern backyard.

Red-Hot Poker

This unique looking plant is great for small backyards as it grows vertically instead of spreading. Red-Hot Pokers display mostly red tinted cone shaped foliage on top of long stems that can often have a yellow hue. Other variations of this modern plant include shades of orange, cream, and pinks. The Red-Hot Poker is great to use in a corner of a contemporary garden or among other plants in a garden scape. You only need a few of these plants in order to be a showstopper in a stylish, luxe backyard.

Aeonium

This plant from the succulent family is a beauty in its unique geometric shape. Aeoniums aren’t flashy in their coloring but do offer a peaceful hue to light yellow to light green. The tightly wound leaves of the plant offer a subtle focal point in any garden and would do well in a shallow pot on an outdoor dining table. With its succulent roots, aeoniums are a great low maintenance choice for modern gardeners as they don’t require as much water as other plants.

Calamagrostis

This beautiful and modern plant is the most popular ornamental grass in the world. It is a great addition to a modern backyard in that it can easily fill up a space with its size while still being a beautiful plant all year long. Calamagrostis blooms with beautiful flowers that end up turning to seed heads that look almost like wheat. This taupe colored plant is perfect for your autumn landscaping when you still want to use your outdoor space as temperatures cool down. The feathery look of this modern plant helps to create texture and richness to a garden as well.

Lavender

This beautiful plant is a great contrast to most modern plants that are low on diverse color. Lavender will not only provide a beautiful hint of purple to your garden but will provide guests with a pleasing scent and keep away bugs. These plants can get rather large so spread out plantings in a row in order to have enough space for them to mature. Lavender also attracts pollinators like bees and hummingbirds so place it in an area that is farther off from gathering spaces in order to appreciate its beauty while also giving those important pollinators some space.

Investing the time and effort to create a modern backyard will not only impress guests but can also dramatically increase a home’s value. Consider adding some of these modern variations to your backyard, as well as subtle hints of color, in order to instantly create a polished and sophisticated look.

David Wheeler is a landscape design writer and nature enthusiast. He is an avid traveller and loves to spend his time hiking and strolling through magnificent gardens, learning about rare and native flowers across the world.

 

Imagine: It’s the weekend and you’re not sure what you want to do. Hop over to Arundel Mills Mall for some shopping? Skip over to Washington, D.C. to take in the sites and visit a couple of museums? Jump into Baltimore City for Brunch at the newest restaurant? At Dorchester View, you’re close to everything and anything you would ever need. Conveniently nestled between Baltimore City and Washington, D.C., live in this community and you will never run out of things to do!

 

Dorchester View offers three different luxury townhome floorplans: the Charleston, the Easton, and theCambridge (with a front garage and rear garage option). Ranging from just over 1,900 square feet to over

2,500 square feet, your new home will have the space you need in a fantastic location. Visit our websitehere to learn more about each of the floorplans offered at Dorchester View, including the award-winning Easton.

 

Just minutes from the community is the well-known Arundel Mills Shopping Center, a Simon Center featuring over 200 outlet and retail stores, dining, and entertainment including Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament and the Cinemark Egyptian 24 Theatres. Just a short walk from the mall entrance is the popular Live! Maryland Casino and Live! Center Stage, a 500-seat entertainment venue.

If the outdoors are more your style, the Patapsco Valley State Park is about 9 miles away and has something for everyone in your family! With over 16,000 acres of land, there is plenty of space to hike, bike, canoe, fish, camp and even ride horses! Visit the Department of Natural Resources website for more information by clicking here.

 

Dorchester View, a Lennar Everything’s Included community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland is the ideal location for your dream home! Visit our website or call (888) 214-2073 to book your tour today!

 

 

ESTERO, FL, July 25, 2018 – Master developer Cameratta Companies has announced the completion of its Phase I amenities at The Place at Corkscrew, a gated, Southern Plantation-inspired community in Estero, Florida. Extensive Phase II and III amenities are now under construction. Home shoppers are invited to visit The Place at Corkscrew to experience the community’s amenity-rich lifestyle and tour its actively selling model home collections by Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN and LEN.B) and Pulte Homes (NYSE: PHM), two of the nation’s leading homebuilders.

“Amenities are what set The Place at Corkscrew apart as a true destination lifestyle,” said Nick Cameratta, CEO of Cameratta Companies. “The introduction of our first phase of amenities is a tremendous kick-off of that vision. It transforms the development into a place where residents will not only enjoy life within their own exceptional Lennar or Pulte home, but also across a community in which top-notch comforts and conveniences have been integrated into virtually every corner.”

Totaling almost 1,400 acres, The Place at Corkscrew offers a broad amenity package that is being developed in three phases. The now-completed Phase I includes:

• Fully-enclosed and fenced playground with swings, slides, shade structures and two 33-foot Sky Run Zip Tracks to create an inclusive play experience.
• Under-roof pavilion with picnic tables, restrooms and drinking fountains.
• Half basketball court with Spaulding adjustable hoop, glass backboard and regulation playing lines.
• Fully enclosed and fenced dog park with benches, water station and leashing/unleashing area.
• Multi-purpose grass flex field for outdoor sporting activities.
• Developing a mail kiosk.

Within a few months, The Place at Corkscrew will also mark the completion of Phase II amenities to include a two-story fitness center, café and marketplace, community pool and spa, 100-foot waterslide and splash pad, beach volleyball court, tennis pro shop and tennis, pickleball and bocce courts and a trolley. Phase III amenities are slated for completion in mid-2019, adding a restaurant, wine and martini bar, and multi-functional room.

Lennar’s Executive Homes collection at The Place at Corkscrew includes one- and two-story designs ranging from 1,677 to 3,357 square feet, with three to five bedrooms and two to three-and-a-half baths. Each home delivers bright and open interiors with generous living spaces and gourmet kitchens made for entertaining, and elegant yet flexible floor plans inspired to meet the needs of growing families. An indoor-outdoor approach naturally extends these spaces, creating additional opportunities to soak in the sights and sounds of the surrounding nature preserve. Pricing begins at $275,999.

Pulte offers 15 Life Tested® one- and two-story home designs at The Place at Corkscrew. The homes range from 1,674 to 4,242 square feet and offer two to six bedrooms and two to six-and-a-half baths. The homes also offer two to three car garages. Pricing ranges from the upper $200,000s to the $400,000s.

Pulte Homes offers 15 innovative, Life Tested® home designs at The Place at Corkscrew, boasting elegant architectural exteriors, open gathering and dining areas perfect for entertaining, and functional living spaces for managing your busy home life. Pulte’s flexible open floor plans have wide-ranging appeal to young families, move-up buyers, and multi-generational families, offering one- and two-story designs with two to six bedrooms, two to three-car garages, and 1,674 to over 4,242 square feet. Pricing ranges from the upper $200,000’s to the $400,000’s.

Home shoppers are invited to visit the Lennar and Pulte model homes at The Place at Corkscrew during regular model home hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Lennar sales center is located at 17067 Ashcomb Way, Estero, FL 33928, and can be reached at 888-214-1689. Pulte Homes’ sales center is located at 17071 Ashcomb Way, Estero, FL 33928, and can be reached at 877-256-4709.

Residents at The Place at Corkscrew enjoy fully maintained lawns and meandering bike and walking paths that easily connect residents to the community’s expansive amenities. The neighborhood is convenient to a host of shopping, dining and entertainment, and is minutes from Interstate 75, the Southwest Florida International Airport and the recreational amenities that dot the area’s coastline. It is also only a short drive from the employment corridors of both Fort Myers and Naples.

The neighborhood is served by Pinewoods Elementary School, Bonita Springs Middle School and Estero High School, all part of Lee County Public Schools.

About Cameratta Companies
Cameratta Companies, LLC is a full-service, leading real estate development company and a pioneer in the real estate industry known to work with the most successful builders in the industry. With more than 40 years of experience, the Cameratta organization has successfully developed thousands of acres of raw land into masterfully designed communities including single-family and multi-family residential communities, high-rise condos and golf course communities. High Point Place in Fort Myers and Corkscrew Shores and The Preserve at Corkscrew in Estero are just a few of the award-winning projects by Cameratta Companies. For more information about Cameratta Companies, visit www.cameratta.com.

About Lennar Corporation
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.

About Pulte Homes
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in approximately 50 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide homebuyers with innovative solutions and consumer inspired homes and communities to make lives better. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroupinc.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com; www.divosta.com and www.jwhomes.com. Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on Twitter: @PulteGroupNews.

Irvine, Calif. – July 2018 – Lennar’s Obsidian and Windchime in Parasol Park just released their final phase. These homes include the model homes that are situated in the prestigious city of Irvine. Homeshoppers are encouraged to act quickly and view the new homes showcasing luxury designs with Everything’s Included® feature and set within a family-focused masterplan that offers unmatched lifestyle like no other in Southern California. With quick move-ins available, now is the time to find your dream home and move-in just in time to discover your best summer yet!

“For buyers looking to own a new home in one of Irvine’s most sought-after neighborhoods near fantastic recreation, amenities and top-rated schools, now is your last chance,” said Janet Price, Marketing Director Lennar Cal Coastal. “Designed for the modern buyer, homeshoppers can expect high-end detached condos and townhomes showcasing Everything’s Included® features, open-concept layouts, elegant master suites, gourmet kitchens and much more. The model homes are now selling as well so you can experience an even better Everything’s Included® program with upgraded features and finishes exclusive for the model homes.”

Windchime at Parasol Park is a collection of finely-detailed townhomes offering five distinct two- and three-story floorplans ranging in size from approximately 1,704 to 2,744 square feet including two to four bedrooms, two and one-half to three and one-half bathrooms and two-bay garages starting from the mid $700,000s. These residences showcase great designs featuring open-concept living spaces, exceptional kitchens, large upper decks per plan and more.

Obsidian at Parasol Park offers a collection of three-story luxury detached condos ranging in size from approximately 2,897 to 3,036 square feet including three to four bedrooms, two to four bathrooms and two-bay garages starting from the low $1.2 millions. Experience the best indoor and outdoor living with first-floor patios or second- and third-floor decks ideal for entertaining and relaxation. Floorplan highlights include open floorplans, gourmet kitchens and a private elevator for added luxury and accessibility.

Both Windchime and Obsidian boast Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program that includes today’s most popular features and upgrades as standard in each new home—all at no additional cost. Enjoy appointments such as stainless steel appliances with refrigerator, beautiful cabinetry, exquisite countertops and much more.

At Obsidian, buyers also have the option purchase an upgraded model home. Discover added value through a greater level of Everything’s Included® features and upgrades exclusive for model homes such as flooring, window coverings, wall treatments, pendant lighting and more. It doesn’t get much better than buying a brand-new model home where all you have to do is move right in!

Set within the Great Park Neighborhoods, Parasol Park residents have access to the expansive amenities that contribute to a unique and elevated lifestyle. Right outside your door you can find walking and biking paths shaded by grand heritage trees, pools, spas, indoor gathering areas, parks, sports fields, playgrounds. Parasol Park is also within walking distance to Irvine’s award-winning schools.

Prospective homeshoppers are encouraged to visit www.lennar.com/OrangeCounty or call 949-234-7880 for more information.

About Lennar

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.

 

 

Corona, Calif. – July 2018 – Lennar is thrilled to announce two new communities coming soon to the Sycamore Creek masterplan in Corona: Oakwood and Hideaway. These two communities will Grand Open next month on Saturday, August 18. Prospective homeshoppers are encouraged to join the VIP Program for the best opportunity to purchase!

“We are so excited to bring two new communities to the amenity-rich Sycamore Creek masterplan,” said Tara Conklin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Lennar Inland. “In addition to the beautiful homes we’re bringing, residents of Sycamore Creek will enjoy a nature-inspired lifestyle with incredible amenities just steps from their new front door.”

Oakwood at Sycamore Creek offers homeshoppers a collection of three spacious single-family home designs to choose from ranging from approximately 2,409 to 3,162 square feet of living space.

Hideaway at Sycamore Creek also presents three more spacious home designs to choose from ranging from approximately 2,287 to 4,134 square feet of generous living space.

Available in both communities are Lennar Next Gen® The Home Within a Home® home designs, created specifically for multigenerational families. These unique homes include an attached private suite with its own separate entrance, bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchenette.

Every home at Oakwood and Hideaway comes complete with Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® package, which outfits all their new homes with a high level of standard features and upgrades. Homeowners get to enjoy items such as granite kitchen countertops, beautiful cabinetry, solar, stainless steel appliances and more – all at no additional cost.

Situated in the Sycamore Creek masterplan, residents gain access to exclusive amenities. At the Swim Club and Recreation Center, residents and their guests can enjoy two swimming pools, a children’s pool, an interactive water play zone, relaxing covered areas and barbecues, an upscale clubhouse with a lounge, exercise room and food prep facilities for events.

Located in the heart of Corona, Sycamore Creek offers an incredible lifestyle with more than 125 acres of parks, paseos, natural open space preserves, walking trails and an elementary school.

Interested homeshoppers are encouraged to join the VIP Program to be informed as sales releases, updates, events and more are announced. Join by visiting www.lennar.com/inlandempire or calling (888) 203-9186.

About Lennar

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.

Lake Stevens, Wash. – July 2018 – Lennar is excited to announce the Grand Opening of new installment to the highly popular community of Eagle Glen, with Eagle Glen North which will Grand Open with a special event on Saturday, September 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The whole family is invited to attend to enjoy complimentary treats from a tasty local food truck, face painting and a balloon artist for the little ones, music, giveaways and of course model home tours.

“We are so excited to open up Eagle Glen North after our Eagle Glen community sold out in record time,” said Bill Salvesen, Division President of Lennar Seattle. “Eagle Glen North will be an extension of that community. The VIP list is now open allowing eager homeshoppers to reserve their homesite and purchase at special pre Grand Opening prices.”

Eagle Glen North will offer 53 homesites in total with four distinctive floorplans for homeshoppers to choose from. All two-story designs, these homes range in size from approximately 2,311 to 3,395 square feet of living space with up to five bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms. These residences are priced starting from the low $500,000s.

Every new home at Eagle Glen North will offer Lennar’s highest Everything’s Included® package to date. Each home showcases Lennar’s revolutionary Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Design and integrated home automation package, allowing homeowners to enjoy strong internet coverage in every room along with the ability to manage front door locks and monitoring, lights, temperature, music, movies and more from a smart device or with voice control from Amazon Alexa.

The event will take place at the Eagle Glen North Welcome Home Center located at 1525 99th Avenue SE in Lake Stevens. For more information or to join the VIP list visit www.lennar.com/seattle.

About Lennar

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.

El Dorado Hills, Calif. – July 2018 – Lennar is thrilled to announce the highly-anticipated Grand Opening of Cypress, a new luxury community situated in the Serrano masterplan. Prospective homeshoppers are invited to attend and enjoy complimentary food, fun and the first opportunity to tour the highly appointed, professionally-decorated model homes.

“We are very excited for this long-awaited Grand Opening to unveil three stunning model homes to the public,” said Michelle Velky, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Lennar Sacramento. “Cypress has a select number of prime, golf course homesites that enjoy incredible views and every Lennar home includes a high level of standard features through our signature Everything’s Included® program.”

Cypress at Serrano offers the opportunity to own a brand new home in this well-known area of El Dorado Hills. Lennar presents three distinctive home designs in single and two-story layouts for homeshoppers to choose from, with sizes that range from approximately 2,837 to 3,809 square feet of generous living space.

These modern residences provide up to four bedrooms with three and one-half bathrooms and show case stunning architectural details, such as open-concept living areas, gourmet kitchens with center islands and walk-in pantries, luxurious master suites and covered California Room spaces.

Each home boasts a cutting-edge Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Design, which incorporates wireless access points throughout the home for strong, consistent internet coverage in every room. With no dead spots, homeowners can take full advantage of streaming their favorite shows, games, movies and more, along with utilizing the home automation features that come included.

Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program simplifies the new homebuying process by including a high level of features and upgrades at no additional cost. GE® stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, solar, integrated home automation products and more all come in every new home at Cypress.

The Grand Opening event will take place on Saturday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Welcome Home Center, located at 1002 Hogarth Way in El Dorado Hills. For more information or complete directions visit www.lennar.com/sacramento or call (916) 312-2008.

About Lennar

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.

Reno, Nev. – July 2018 – According to Zillow, the average homebuyer will pay between two to five percent of the purchase price of their home in closing costs.  This, along with your down payment, can have buyers second guessing homeownership, but expensive closing costs don’t have to stand in the way of your dream home. When you use Lennar’s preferred lender Eagle Home Mortgage, you can receive $6,000 toward closing costs on select quick move-in homes and $4,000 off all other homes in Northern Nevada. Discover a wide variety of homes to choose from set within prime Northern Nevada locations that boast great recreation and beautiful scenery. Forget the closing costs and find the right home for you and your family today!

“We’re offering buyers fantastic savings in closing costs across a great selection of new homes fully outfitted with our Everything’s Included® program and nestled near top-rated schools and unmatched recreational amenities that residents will love,” said Dustin Barker, Division President for Lennar Reno. “The Northern Nevada area has something for everyone and is ideal for every family type, so come out for a tour and upgrade your lifestyle.”

Select quick move-in homes are available across 13 communities situated within some of the most desirable areas surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains on one side and the high desert on the other. In addition to the closing cost savings, each new home features added value through Lennar’s signature Everything’s Included® program. Every new home showcases today’s most popular upgrades and features; from granite countertops, upgraded cabinets, stainless steel appliances and even Lennar’s new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Designs with home automation technology—all is included at no additional cost.

Several of the select quick move-in homes showcase Lennar’s popular Next Gen® – The Home Within A Home® floorplan that is ideal for dual or multigenerational households. If you’re looking to move your parents in with you but don’t want to sacrifice style, comfort or privacy, this is the perfect solution because it features a separate suite still attached to the home with a spacious bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchenette and its own entryway.

Best of all, homeshoppers can choose from an array of distinct and flexible single- and two-story floorplans to find a home that really fits their lifestyle. Within each you’ll experience floorplans designed for the modern buyer showcasing open-concept layouts for easy entertaining and relaxation, upscale kitchens, elegant master suites, modern details throughout and more.

Northern Nevada is an inviting place to set down roots and has everything you’re looking for to live, work and raise a family. Visit one of the many Welcome Home Centers across the Northern Nevada area for model tours. For more information, contact a New Home Consultant by calling 877-828-1331 or view floorplans and explore communities at www.lennar.com/Reno.

About Lennar

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.

Here at Lennar, we pride ourselves in being family-focused and we understand how important it is to enjoy the summer with your kids. This season is always busy with sports activities, sleepovers, outdoor adventures and much more. Well here are a couple of ideas that you can try as a family to enjoy some of the free time without any hassle.

If you and the kids want to get out of the house, here is a great summer bucket list for you to try out. Stop by the Bell Museum to learn about the Minnesota history and perspective that makes this state unique. There are exhibits galore with a fascinating Touch & See Lab in addition to a number of interesting galleries to visit.

If you live on the east side of the metro, you may want to check out the Puppet Wagon for a fun show for all ages. This traveling puppet show will be traveling to a number of parks near you. Find the park nearest you for entertainment for the whole family.

For the motor enthusiasts, be sure to look up your local city events. There are a number of car shows around the metro, which feature all types of classics, convertibles and colorful sports cars. No matter what your vehicle interests may be, there is something for everyone.

Remember to look into the National Night Out or Night to Unite near you. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, get to know your neighbors and promote community safety. This could also be an opportunity for you to throw a neighborhood party of your own.

Check out your local City Events for an outdoor movie for the family. All you need is a blanket or some lawn chairs. There is a guide to locations in Minnesota where outdoor movies are being hosted for families to attend for free. Who doesn’t enjoy a free movie in the park?

There are plenty of activities that you can do without leaving the comfort of your home, as well as activities around the metro. If you do not feel like wandering far from home, you can visit the local community center, enjoy the great outdoors with a nature walk (especially at some of the beautiful Three Rivers Parks around the Twin Cities), arrange a game night at home or a movie night with popcorn and the works. Let us know how you like to spend your summers!