Crescent Family Medicine

I have had very few negative experiences with the staff at Crescent Family. I love how my primary care physician works with every other doctor and nurse on staff towards my care. I have never had a problem making an appointment and getting care when I needed it.

When I lost my insurance and could no longer afford my maintenance medication, they found a prescription program and helped me to get enrolled.

Hollywood Video

People still go into stores to rent movies???
Craziness!

On those nights when you're just too impatient for your NetFlix to arrive, there's nothing good OnDemand, and you can't find a RedBox, you can head over and wade through aisle upon aisle of movie in every genre imagineable.

Unfortunately Hollywood isn't quite the library of every-movie-in-existance that they once were, and I believe that's due to the variety of movie technologies available- a section for DVDs, a section for VHS, a section for Blu-Ray, and one for every type of gaming console you can think of (except my old NES *sniffsniff!*)

Cinemark 17

This theatre is awesome- great date-night destination. Stadium seating and dolby surround sound guarantees you'll be able to see everything and leave deaf.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee against people either leaning back into your lap, or using your head as their own personal kickboard/footstool.

Glowgolf

This place closed. I don't like mini golf but I was sad to see it go. We are losing so many small businesses here lately! I loved walking past and seeing happy families enjoying the glow golf and scenery. I wonder how many people tripped over things and bit it in the dark, though.

The Kiva

I'm not a health food nut, and the prices at the Kiva make my head hurt, but it's usually fun to go through and just look at the exotic merchandise. They have health foods and products from every corner of the world, and an interesting deli case to boot!

Bruns' Apple Market

I never recommend the Red Apple. I've known a few people who lived nearby, and someone who worked there. The police are usually patroling the area with VERY good reason. Prices are okay- about average for the area, but the inside just looks and feels filthy.

Tilt

Tilt used to be awesome- it spanned the entire area which now comprises Chuck E Cheese's in the Gateway Mall. The games were flashy, varied, and fun- there was always something to do.

Tilt is still a decent place to go to kill some time, but the games are definitely run down. It's much more cramped in its new location, and consequently much louder.

Minds In Motion

This place shut down over a year ago, August '07 I believe. It was great for ages 4-10. They charged $6 a head. I have no idea where or how they failed. The building is still for sale with no takers, and at $250k I don't forsee anything moving in soon. I wish they'd revamp the concept, maybe include daycare to make up any deficit!

They had a reading loft filled with books, a toddler pen, a play gym for older kids, video games, a computer lab, a giant maze, and vaguely educational toys involving magnets, giant lincoln logs, and a big chessboard.

I got bored pretty quickly, but hey- I'm not a kid anymore. My daughter was always bugging me to take her here, and the parking lot was usually full.

If I were going to revamp this business, I would include more physical play areas, games led by staff, and special activity days.

Super Suppers

At first, I was really impressed with Super Suppers. They made a huge donation of dinners to the American Cancer Society, their staff was helpful, the menu items were awesome and the concept was amazing.

They have a punch card- 12 full meals (serves 4-6) or 24 half-meals for a very reasonable price- far, far less than you would pay buying that much in groceries!

I used to go with my daughter to fix meals which we could freeze and use later, or just to fix something a little different without having to do all the shopping and prep work, and work at learning an unfamiliar dish. All of the ingredients are fresh and ready to go, the directions are easy to follow, and the end result is always flawless and delicious.

My girl was well-behaved (or we would leave and she didn't want that.) She enjoyed it more than I did. We made braided pizza breads, coconut encrusted tilapia, bbq pork ribs, chow meins, swedish meatballs, stuffed shells- the menu is ever changing.

I was their biggest cheerleader. I brought in at least 5 of my girlfriends to get stamp cards and to bring their kids to make meals.

One time ruined it, however. The manager was out and the girl running the front was more intrusive than helpful- part of the fun is that we get to do it ourselves and she couldn't quite get it through that we really just wanted to muddle through and do it in our usual perfectly imperfect way. We felt rushed.

There were other families with children there at the time so I understand how this might've been stressful for the staff.

However, I received an email from the group leader who had initially introduced us to Super Suppers saying that the store manager had contacted her with information that the girl from that night had given to him: That MY daughter had been running loose the whole evening and it would be best if I didn't bring her back again.

My daughter had left my side once, to return a bowl to the dirty-dishes window, and had come right back to me, so I knew it was a case of mistaken identity. They'd mixed us up with a family whose children were really all over the place.

However- that the manager couldn't contact me directly and that there was so much drama attached was just too much. It embarrassed me in front of my friends and completely killed an activity that we had both loved. We'd been regulars and knew all of the staff by name, and them us. They should have known better on all counts.

They have a new rule that kids under 12 are not welcome "for health reasons." I can't say I'll be back when my daughter turns 12 anyway.

Pries John Putnam

I cannot recommend John Pries enough!

He was honest in his dealings with me, even in telling me the bad news and what my previous lawyer had screwed up for me.

His rates were comparable to other lawyers in the area for bankruptcy law and he was willing to work with me on payment.

I could always trust John Pries for updates and open communication. He was clear in what he needed from me, and how I was to get it or fill it out, he reviewed everything and we had some great person-to-person discussions regarding my case.

His staff paralegal was also very lovely to work with. They treated me with respect, never spoke down to me, never dumbed things down unless I asked for an explanation.

Lawsuits are hard enough to go through, and bankruptcy in particular. But if you find yourself in that situation you couldn't ask for anyone better to represent you!