Colorado Gives Day is Big in Denver
November 27th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
On the 2010 Colorado Gives Day, $8.7 million was donated to local charities.
The 2011 Colorado Gives Day hopes to outpace that amount. Donate at their site by clicking the big green button “Donate Now.” You can designate from over 880 local non-profits. This event is sponsored by the Community First Foundation.
Give early, give often and extend a helping hand. The giving begins at 12:01 am on December 6th.
For that one day, let’s remember our friends in need.
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Downtown Denver Flipping the Switch, Lighting the City and County Building
November 25th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Denver has been lighting the The City and County Building during the holiday season since 1926. This year is no different, and Mayor Hancock will flip the switch to the lights tonight.
Driving past the building on winter nights puts a smile on the face of everyone but Oscar the Grouch or Scrooge. Head downtown during the next month, and check it out.
A few years ago, the city made a switch to LED lights for energy efficiency, and it looks just as beautiful as ever. With nearly 600 lights, the building glows in multicolored splendor.
Yahoo Travel named Denver the 4th best place to view holiday lights, behind only NY City’s Rockefeller Center, Disney World in Orlando and the famous Newport Boat Parade in Southern California. Come see the lights in Denver and prepare to ohh and ahh!
And don’t forget to shop local this weekend. Support Denver’s small businesses.
Gretchen Faber, LifeStyle Denver author, is a local Denver real estate broker. Contact Gretchen for information on Denver area real estate.
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Mashed Potatoes Shouldn’t Need Gravy | Thanksgiving 2011
November 24th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
It’s Thanksgiving 2011. The time of year we begin to eat ourselves into oblivion and hibernate.
The good news about living in Denver is the winter sunshine, snow on the slopes, and long pants.
Long pants cover up the pale, mashed potato looking legs.
But I digress. It’s time to talk a key Thanksgiving meal element. Mashed potatoes. If you love yours covered in gravy, well, I guess you have a right to your culinary opinion.
An occasional dab of gravy doesn’t do much harm, but potatoes swimming in the stuff is just yucky. Gravy is to moisten dry turkey, potatoes should already be moist and creamy. Here’s a tip: along with some butter add sour cream, cottage cheese and finely chopped chives to your mashers. They will carry the meal and create rave reviews.
We’re an outdoorsy bunch here in Denver, and the weather forecast is for sunshine and 65 degrees. Run or walk the Turkey trot, take a day hike in the foothills, play some touch football, and then eat potatoes to your heart’s delight!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.
Read the past LifeStyle Denver Thanksgiving Posts:
2008 - In Defense of the Turkey
2009 – Be Thankful – A Denver Thanksgiving
2010 – A Denver Thanksgiving Whine
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Shop Denver Small Businesses on 11/26/2011
November 23rd, 2011 categories: Life In Denver, Relocation Tips
This is shop local weekend on Small Business Saturday. Time to support your favorite local Denver area businesses.
Here are a few Gretchen Faber favorites:
- Pine Creek Clothing Company in the Washington Park neighborhood.
- The Tattered Cover Bookstore at Colfax and Elizabeth.
- PJ’s Boutique and 5 Green Boxes on Old South Pearl Street.
- The Tended Thicket on Old South Gaylord Street.
- Bonnie Brae Wine & Liquor.
- Mariel’s and Cry Baby Ranch at Larimer Square.
- Antique Row on South Broadway.
Feel free to comment below and add your own favorite locally owned businesses! And have a great shopping day on Saturday. By shopping local, you’ll avoid the mall and parking headaches. There are always fun local bars, restaurants or coffee joints to explore near the great boutiques, so stick around the neighborhood.
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Adopt-A-Pet at Denver Animal Shelter
November 22nd, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
It was time to renew Duke’s license-to-exist in Denver today, and when I logged onto the Denver Animal Shelter’s license renewal site, there were photos of awfully cute cats and dogs looking for a new home.
Don’t let these pets be homeless for the holidays, consider adoption. Duke says it was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he’s definitely the best dog ever.
That’s Duke on the left, loping around Chatfield Reservoir (in the doggie area.)
Are you looking for a new home to go with the new pet? Search Denver Real Estate in all areas of the metro area, including near Chatfield.
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Pine Needles Plauge Denver Area Gutters
November 20th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver, Selling Strategies
Have you cleaned your gutters lately?
I was showing a home in Park Hill recently, and we noticed piles of pine needles in the gutters. The buyers remarked that it looked like a fire hazard.
Denver area pine trees shed massive numbers of needles this time of year, which clog gutters and prevent proper drainage. Remember to check your gutters for needles and leaves, and clean them out before the rain and snow descend. This should be one of your regular home maintenance items. If you’ve already checked it off your list – good for you!
Don’t let pine needles or leaves plague your gutters, inspect all of your gutters this week while the weather is still gorgeous! It’s one of those things that home buyers may not overtly notice, but gives your home a well-maintained look.
Gretchen Faber, LifeStyle Denver author, is a local Denver real estate broker. Contact Gretchen about listing your Denver area home for sale.
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Denver Solidifies Art Culture with Opening of Clyfford Still Museum
November 19th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Denver’s standing among the arts and architecture community has steadily risen in recent years with the addition of the Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Wing, the Museum of Contemporary Art and now the official opening of the new Clyfford Still Museum.
The Clyfford Still Museum was built to house Still’s collection of nearly every work he produced. He was a pioneer in the early 20th Century’s Abstract Expressionism movement, and held on to most of his works until his death.
Still bequeathed the entire collection to one US city that would agree to fund and build a free-standing museum to house the collection. His widow, Patricia, oversaw the selection process.
Denver, being the amazing city it is, rose to the challenge and secured the Clyfford Still collection in 2004. There are very few Still pieces held in private collections, so this is the one venue in the world where art aficionados will be able to view Still’s big, colorful canvases, his drawings and sculpture.
The museum itself is also drawing rave reviews. Designed by architect Brad Cloepfil, it is a light filled and interesting building built of textured and striated concrete sitting directly behind the Hamilton Wing of the Denver Art Museum.
Visit the Clyfford Still Museum at 1250 Bannock Street soon and often, and support the arts in Denver. This gives you one more reason, beside the new H & M store to visit downtown Denver.
Gretchen Faber, LifeStyle Denver author, is a local Denver real estate broker. Contact Gretchen for information on Denver area real estate.
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Research the History of Your Denver Home at the Library
November 17th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Do you like to do research? The Denver Public Library offers you the ability to learn about the history of your house.
If you’re interested in your home’s past, who lived there, if any businesses were there, or what it looked like then plan a day at the DPL main branch.
The helpful librarians can find copies of original building permits, some blueprints and ownership records. The library sometimes has early photographs of a building or the neighborhood and detailed information on previous owners.
Spend an afternoon and have fun learning about your house! A friend once said to me, “You never really own your home, you’re borrowing it from the next people to live there.” That sentiment becomes reality when you learn the history of your home’s past residents.
Find more information at the Denver Public Library’s web site.
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Denver’s Parade of Lights 2011
November 15th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
In Denver we have a tradition which kicks off the Holiday Season every year.
The first weekend of December, after all the leftovers are polished off, we head to downtown Denver for the Parade of Lights. Plan to bundle up, put hot cocoa in your thermos and stake out your corner early. This is an annual event you won’t want to miss.
Floats are covered in lights and Elves toss candy to the crowd, bands march with lights strung across their uniforms and instruments, and even Santa makes an appearance. Forget light pollution for one night and go with the fun.
The 2011 Parade of Lights is sponsored by Channel 9 News and takes place on December 2nd and 3rd. Don’t miss out on the fun and merriment in Denver!
Are you relocating to Denver? Check out area homes for sale on my GretchensDenver real estate web site. Contact me if you’re visiting over the holidays and want to look for your next home.
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Know Your Denver Zoning When Buying Property
November 14th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver, Real Estate News
Denver’s zoning code was entirely revamped last year, changing dramatically how areas are zoned, what is considered appropriate for new development and even changing the “code” attached to each parcel.
If you’ve been considering buying a property within the City of Denver, and you plan to do work to the property, then you should pay close attention to the zoning.
Get the code for all of Denver’s parcels at the Denver Zoning Code site, and stay informed of the construction and building process as well.
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