The Renewal Party, which started last quarter and will be held once a quarter, gives all residents whose lease is soon expiring a chance to renew at the party of before the party for a chance to win a $500 Amex Giftcard. The second event is being held on Thurs, Sept. 23 in the Trillium Pinnacle Peak Great Room, featuring delicious, free grub from Amici Catering as well as beverages and giveaways. The event goes from 6-9 pm, and at the end of the night, anyone who has renewed their lease before 9 pm will be entered in the drawing to win the $500 Amex giftcard. The winner will be picked at 9 pm, and one lucky person will walk away with a lot of cash to spend!

If you live at Trillium Pinnacle Peak and your lease is up between September – December 2010, you should have received an invitation to your door and an email blast notifying you of the event. Please be sure to RSVP by clicking here, or call Denise at 623.522.3759. See you there!

Trillium Pinnacle Peak has so much to offer!  The Phoenix Apartments have amenities that are second to none and a staff of Trillium Lifestyle Specialists make living there a unique and personalized experience.

Recently, Trillium decided to begin working with Resident Ambassadors to further their outreach to the community.  We’ve sat down with each of them and are ready to introduce you!  We’ve asked all four Trillium Resident Ambassadors the same 15 questions to get to know them a little better and more importantly, how to stay in touch with them on Facebook!

Marc Listrani is your Resident Ambassador at Trillium Pinnacle Peak.  His creativity and love of life is synonymous with Trillium’s culture.  We enjoyed getting to know Marc!

1. Tell me about yourself.
Well I am 39 years old and enjoy life tremendously. I am a Pisces to the fullest. I have lived in 12 different states throughout my life but AZ is by far the best. I have lived in AZ for over 18 years. I am Director of Product Development for Anthem College where I taught Graphic Design & Animation for 6 years. I have A BA in Multimedia with a Major in Web Design. I have been living at Trillium Pinnacle Peak since February 2009 and LOVE IT!

2. How did you become involved with Trillium?
A friend lived at Trillium Deer Valley where I discovered the lifestyle that Trillium is custom to.

3. What is important to you as a Trillium Resident and ambassador?
Community amenities and staff that help keep Trillium Pinnacle Peak looking and feeling the way it does. It is a great place to live, laugh and have fun all in one place.

4. What motivates or inspires you, in general? Enjoying life everyday… Arizona… looking in the mirror.

5. Describe a memory from your childhood home? What made it feel like home?
I used to hang out at our community pool nightly with friends when I was in High School… I do this now which makes Trillium Pinnacle Peak feel like home.

6. When you have free time, what do you like to do? What makes you happy?
Training hard in Trillium Pinnacle Peak’s AWESOME gym EVERYDAY… mountain biking, hiking, camping, auto modification, web design, sushi, vodka & wine, cooking & BBQing, learning, painting, building, poolside, road trips, exploring Arizona, creativity and anything in the water or on a mountain!

7. Are you on Facebook or Twitter? Sure… you can search for me using my name… Marc Listrani or http://www.facebook.com/marc.listrani

8. Do you have any pets?
NO… but I want one SOOOOOOOOO BAD… I want a puppy… but I am never home.

9. What is your favorite color? Shades and Tones of Blue

10. If I say “2010”, what do you think of?
The Year We Make Contact

11. Where do you want to be in 5 years?
In Love

12. When is your birthday?
2 / 22 / 1971

13. Who are important people in your life?
Mom + Dad

14. What is unique about you?
I am extremely motivated and consistent with my training routine.

15. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Filthy RICH $$$

For those of you who might be a planner (ok, Type A – like me), Trillium Events Calendars are available online.  This feature was also available on our old site, but deserves its own review in the afterglow of Trillium’s new site.

As an avid Google calendar user, I was excited to see that Trillium Cave Creek, Trillium Deer Valley, Trillium Papago, Trillium Pinnacle Peak and Trillium Villas ALL list their events on a Google calendar.  Each Calendar is organized by property.  Simply click on any event for a quick peek at more information including location, cost (if any) and how and if you need to sign up.  From there, you are two clicks away from adding it to your own Google calendar.

Once it’s on your own calendar, you can invite your family or neighbors to attend the event with you by using the “Add guests” feature on the event!  They receive an email notification and can easily add it to their calendar as well!

If  you don’t use Google calendars yet, let me be the first to invite you to join!  It’s easy and free to sign up or you can use your Gmail account to login.  I will also tell you that if you don’t already have a Google calendar, you will someday.  They are quickly becoming an integral part of online time management.

So from the woman who puts EVERYTHING on a calendar, you can understand why Trillium’s use of the Google calendar is such an amazing feature!

Meet Paul, Liz and Natalie!!  Their videos are behind the link below!

Meet Paul from Trillium Cave Creek

Meet Liz from Trillium Deer Valley

Natalie from Trillium Pinnacle Peak

Stay tuned for more videos from our Lifestyle Specialists!

Trillium Cave Creek, Deer Valley, Papago and Pinnacle Peak properties offer their residents lavish day spa rooms in their Great Rooms.  Featuring relaxing treatments like massages, facials, waxing and brow and lash tinting, Trillium Day Spas bring spa experts to you whenever you want right in your communities’ back yard.

With the utmost of convenience, you can step out of your front door and be steps away from an amazing (and did I mention affordable?) spa treatment!  With 60 minute treatments starting at $70 and 90 minute treatments starting at $90, taking some time out for yourself has never been so easy on your pocketbook.

Treat yourself to services like Therapeutic or Reflexology Massage and Aromaplasty and Seaweed Anti-Aging Facials.  Men, we’ve got something for you, too with our signature Men’s Facial.  And ladies, swim suit season is coming up!  Get your legs waxed before you break out the suit.

It’s almost Friday this week, but do you ever get those early-afternoon stress headaches?  Or maybe feel pressure at work about a big deadline?  Schedule your appointment from work and pop into your Spa Room that evening!  Booking your appointment is as easy as a phone call to your Resident Services desk.  Next week you will be able to book online, as well!  Taking advantage of your very own Trillium Day Spa will leave you refreshed and ready to face the next day.

Pilates Instructor, Jeanne Long, is not only a fitness guru, but also is a Trillium resident!  A wellness expert for over 25 years, Jeanne has studied Jazz and African dance, Yoga (specifically Kundalini), Rieki, iridology and herbal nutrition.  I don’t know about you, but I had to Google several of those words to discover how truly in-tune Jeanne is with all aspects of fitness and wellness!  After her recent move to Phoenix last year, Jeanne discover Trillium’s amazing fitness centers and classes and knew it was a match made in heaven for her.

Did You Know?

Pilates was developed in the early 20^th Century by a German man named Joseph Pilates.  A gymnast, professional boxer, circus performer and self-defense trainer, Pilates developed a fitness method he termed “contrology” based on the use of the mind to control muscles.  In 1925, Pilates migrated to the United States.  On the ship to America, he met his wife Clara.  They opened a Contrology Studio in New York City and taught until the 1960s.

Until 2001, in order to teach Pilates one must have been trained directly by Joseph Pilates or someone from his lineage of teachers.  In 2001, it became possible to be trained by someone outside of his lineage.  It was then that Jeanne decided to get her certification.  Jeanne continues her professional training with classes Troon Mountain Fitness.

I wanted to find out more about Pilates and so Jeanne and I sat down at our computers to conduct an interview about what to expect from a Pilates class, why she is so passionate about Pilates and how you can incorporate Pilates into your wellness routine.  I have never taken a Pilates class, so I started with the basics.

Me:  What do you wear to a Pilates class?  (Hey!  It’s an important question!)
Jeanne:  Definitely comfortable fitness clothes.  Wear something form fitting so we can see exactly how you are moving.

Me: How did you get your start in Pilates?
Jeanne:  I took several classes with Holly Cambern who is the artistic director of Jazz Dance Collective in Oregon and workshops with many great teachers!  I loved it!

Me:  What can you expect from a Pilates class?
Jeanne:  We work the deeper stability muscles involved in stabilization of the spine, shoulders and pelvis including stronger core muscles, flatter abs, firmer thighs, arms, back and shoulders. Overall, you can expect a longer leaner look and compliments!  Inches lost and a smaller clothing size are typical with consistent attendance over time. You really must attend more than once per week if you want to see good results. It takes 7 days to break a habit and 30 days to make one.

Me:  How soon will I notice a difference?
Jeanne:  Joseph Pilates says you will feel great after 10 sessions, look great after 20 and have a whole new body after 30. If you are a little over weight and need to lose a fat layer it’s best to think about what you eat and include an aerobic workout routine. There are many of them to choose from brisk walking to running, spinning, dancing, treadmill, elliptical or running or walking stairs. You just have to decide to change your lifestyle.  As far as your diet, eat healthy, include fresh fruits and veggies, watch your portions, and hydrate yourself especially before and after workouts.  Make sure you write down everything you eat in a food diary.

Me:  Do you remember a specific moment that you knew you wanted to teach Pilates?
Jeanne:  Oh yes! When I saw and felt the results in my own body. I have a rotary scoliosis and genetic arthritis. Pilates saves me from being in pain in my joints and back.  I basically have to do Pilates daily.  Many Physical Therapists are getting certified and recommending Pilates. In fact, there is a Stott Pilates rehabilitation course which just came out. I plan to take that after my reformer course. It’s good for injury and special populations.

Me:  What makes Pilates different from other workout options?
Jeanne:  Pilates focuses on the functional stabilization of the core muscles of the torso. We help you to work the deeper muscle layers which enhance ideal posture and form by correcting poor alignment so that when you do go out there and tackle other activities, you are working from your center.  I feel that when you do this, you will naturally burn more calories and achieve optimal movement with less injury to the joints and muscle.  Pilates gives you strong muscles without the bulk.

Thank you so much Jeanne for taking the time to speak with me!  I am so excited to try one of your classes.  This year I want to focus on staying fit.  Hey, it only takes 30 days to make a new habit.  I’m starting my 30 days today!

The Pilates class schedule at Trillium Apartments can be found online on the Trillium Cave Creek and Trillium Pinnacle Peak websites.  Jeanne Long can be contacted on Twitter (@jlo_YogaBody), via email or through her website http://discountsanctuary.com.

With Phoenix leash laws, your average park or public area offers little freedom to your furry companion to frolic and play.  Trillium Pinnacle Peak will begin installation of their pet Play Land to cater to dog owners looking for fun and exercise.

Much like the pet Play Land at Trillium Villas, the Pinnacle Peak Play Land will feature not only a leash-free zone for dogs to keep them happy and healthy, but it will also feature dog-safe equipment to run on, over and through!  Keep your dog hydrated with its own water fountain, as well!

We all know Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan, recommends plenty of exercise, so bring your dog out to socialize with the local Shitzhu or Shepard and have a little fun!  Fido will thank you for it!

Photo credit to Legley

Mother’s Day might be five months away, but Trillium will begin giving moms some well-deserved time for relaxation each month starting this Saturday!  January 9, 2010 will be the first Mom’s Club gathering featuring a BYOW policy – bring your own wine.

Whether you’re a new mom or have grown children, take some time out each month to get together with the women in your community to swap stories and gab Desperate-Housewives-style.  Working moms, single moms, stay-at-home moms – we all have something in common!

I know I’m a pro at combining wine with my favorite women and this monthly gathering is a perfect opportunity to meet new moms or set aside some quality time for your friends.  Meet in the Great Room from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Trillium Cave Creek, Trillium Deer Valley, Trillium Papago, Trillium Pinnacle Peak and meet from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. at  Trillium Villas!  Check out your monthly calendars each month for dates and times!

Share your stories with us!  Take photos on Saturday and we’ll post them here on the blog!