Denver’s Dog Love Affair
September 7th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver
My sister often says, “you can’t live in Denver without owning a dog!”
She’s only half exaggerating. Her two passed away a few years ago, and with a traveling job and two young children, she’s decided to hold off on adopting another.
I married a cat person, and since my dogs were also long departed, it made no sense to add more chaos into our blended family. Actually, my husband is an animal person in general, he just so happened to have cats when we met.
Last year, I was taking my son to the sporting goods store for a few things, and we noticed a doggie adoption clinic going on next door in the parking lot. It was the weekend of Hurricane Ike, and most of the dogs had been brought up from Texas. I told Joe that we could go say hi and give the dogs some love, but we wouldn’t be taking one home.
One took us home.
Duke was the cutest, and saddest dog I’ve ever seen. He reeked of depression and desperation. He looked up at us with his big brown eyes and said, “Get me the hell out of here.” The other dogs were doing flips and handstands to get the attention of anyone willing to take a chance on them. Duke was laying in his cage with his back to it all and didn’t move a muscle, even with flies crawling on his face. Joe said, “Mom, I like this one!” So did I.
I called my husband and he said, “Where are you and what’s all that noise?” I asked him to come see if he liked this dog named Duke who needed a home immediately. He declined coming over, suggesting that if he came we’d be taking them all home. His only questions was, “Does he look like he can run with me?”
Duke has been in our family for one year now, and I think my husband loves him more than he does me! We all love Duke, he gets loads of attention, lots of exercise and he’s totally come out of his shell. He’s truly the best dog we’ve ever had. He walks off leash and would never run, he stays in our yard, he listens, he plays well with all other dogs and never tries to get into a pecking order battle and he gets protective when he needs to.
We’ve entered Duke into the Cutest Dog Competition as a way to bring attention to rescue dogs. While I love full-bred dogs, for sure, I think this mutt is king. We had him DNA tested and he turns out to be a Golden Retriever/Shar Pei mix.
Please go to Duke Faber’s site for the cutest dog and vote for him every day this week. The voting started yesterday and ends on Saturday 9/12. There’s another dog way ahead, so we need to get out the vote! You can vote once per day for the same dog, and they’ll ask you to register first with your email so they can tell that the voting is fair.
So help out needy animals and vote for Duke!
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
In Real Estate, Life is Like a Bowl of Craisins
August 24th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver
Sometimes sweet, sometimes sticky, usually fun, but with a tart side too.
My loyal reader (you know who you are) complained to me recently that I’m not posting as often as I used to or should be. “Are you losing interest?” he asked.
No I’m not losing interest - but today was like this:
My dog’s day was like this:
Well, at least someone in our family is enjoying the Colorado lifestyle.
Sales have been brisk lately, the office is running well, but needs constant attention and my brand new laptop had to be rebuilt two days after I got it. Too much on my plate, and not enough cups of coffee.
Posts I’ll be writing soon:
5 Steps to Selling Your House in a Crazy Up and Down Market
Buyers - Understand Procuring Cause and Why You Should Call Your Agent
Take care! I’ll be back to the keyboard soon. Promise.
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
2009 Denver Fireworks On 3rd & 4th!
July 3rd, 2009 categories: Life In Denver
If you’re planning on watching fireworks for this year’s Independence Day, take note - many municipal fireworks shows are tonight, July 3rd.
Here’s a list of fireworks around Central Denver. We particularly love the Glendale fireworks, and plan on checking the show out tonight after a neighbor’s bar-be-que.
Glendale
- Infinity Park - 950 S. Birch St. - Glendale; July 3 : 9 p.m.
Coors Field
- Coors Field - 2001 Blake St - Lodo; July 3 : 6:10 p.m.
Edgewater
- Citizens Park - 2431 Chase St. - Edgewater; July 3 : 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Invesco Field
- Invesco Field at Mile High - 1701 Bryant St. - Denver; July 4 : 7 p.m.
(Fireworks begin after the Outlaws game.)
Four Mile Historic Park
- Four Mile Historic Park - 715 S. Forest St.; July 4 : 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Have a fun and safe 4th of July.
If you’re hanging around wanting to look at pictures of homes for sale, check out GretchensDenver.com for the most up-to-date available listings in the Denver Metro area.
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Stapleton Home the Perfect Landing Zone
June 27th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver, LifeStyle Listings
Our former Denver airport, Stapleton, is in the process of being redeveloped into a housing and mixed use area.
The Stapleton redevelopment area is proving to be a vibrant and exciting community. Denver Real Estate has a fabulous mix of old neighborhoods and close-in new neighborhoods in Lowry and Stapleton.
Stapleton’s lifestyle includes pools and parks, more than one community shopping/dining area, bike and running paths, and Denver’s own Central Park.
You can purchase new construction at Stapleton from several builders, but you also have the opportunity to buy a resale home and avoid the wait, the landscaping, buying window coverings, and living in a 12 month construction zone.
This Wonderland Ashton model is currently available for $359,000 and has a beautifully finished basement, hardwood floors, a 2-car attached garage, a huge open kitchen and a lovely porch facing the garden court.
If you’re interested in seeing 7789 East 25th Avenue after you’ve looked through the special presentation website, click “contact me” to set up a showing.
Sold, January 29th, 2010 - $312,000.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Platte Park/Old South Pearl Farmer’s Market - Weekends in Denver
June 16th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver
On Sunday, I rode my new pretty pink cruiser bike to the Old South Pearl Farmer’s Market.
One of the wonderful things about being a Denver Real Estate specialist, and especially working in relocation, is that I get to explore the fun things happening in our city and report them to you and to my clients.
The Old South Pearl Farmer’s Market didn’t actually have much in the way of produce to offer and I left with my basket empty. If it’s an actual farmer’s market you’re looking for, you may want to try the Cherry Creek Farmer’s Market.
I did enjoy looking at the dozens of doggie adoption booths, and walking through
a few of the boutiques in the neighborhood. One of my favorite shops, 5Green Boxes was right on the same block and open for the Sunday traffic.
There were also flower booths, bread booths, a lady making delicious home made cookies, gluten free pasta and ice cream. Not your typical farmer’s market, but fun nonetheless!
Then, I rode my bike home and went to hold an open house - tornado warnings, rain and hail that afternoon! I hope the doggies got to safety.
| Discussion: 6 Comments »
Memorial Day Gaylord Street Festival, Washington Park Neighborhood
May 24th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver
This weekend is the annual Gaylord Street Festival in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood.
There’s something for everyone at the Gaylord Festival:
- Food booths
- Games for kids
- Mini carnival rides for the little ones
- Gift ideas - clothes, art, jewelry, candles
- Music and dancing
Afternoon showers are likely this weekend so head over this morning or tomorrow. We walked Duke there yesterday and he was excited to run into his long lost buddy, Whiskey. They came together from the same doggie prison in Texas and haven’t seen each other in awhile.
Looking for Denver Real Estate? Check out www.GretchensDenver.com. 
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Washington Park Home Tour 2009
May 8th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver
Many of Denver’s classic neighborhoods hold annual home tours as fundraisers for their neighborhood schools. Washington Park’s Home Tour is tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, 2009, 10 am -4 pm.
Visitors can start at any address on the tour, tickets are on sale there or on the web site:
- 232 S. Franklin Street (Spanish)
- 285 S. Williams Street (Historic)
- 492 S. Williams Street (Cottage)
- 605 S. Gilpin Street (Mediterranean)
- 201 S. Lafayette Street (Historic Rebuild)
- 431 S. Gilpin Street (Dollhouse): garden and grounds use only
This year, all houses and activities are within walking or biking distance from the north side of
Washington Park or Steele Elementary School.
A bonus house, the “dollhouse” at 431 S. Gilpin Street, offers visitors a glance at one of the smallest
houses in the area. This house will not be open but will have refreshments and Steele Elementary
student art for purchase.
The public is invited to Steele Elementary School, located at 320 S. Marion Parkway,
Denver, from 10 am - 3 pm for a plant sale, student performances and barbecue.
Visit www.washparkhometour.org for more information. Have a great time!
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Inspiring - Spire Condominium Rises in Denver
April 27th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver, Real Estate News
Downtown Denver has seen several developments taking shape. One particularly interesting building is Spire.
Developer Randy Nichols is building a mid-priced condo development aimed at the average price range for a downtown buyer. The development is rapidly rising across from the Denver Convention Center and includes cool amenities like loaner cars and a doggie park on one of the decks.
With 41 stories (483 feet high) and 503 homes (714 bedrooms), Spire will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the Western United States and the first new residential high-rise to be built in the central business district of Denver in decades (24 years). The sales office is now open across the street from the building, and Chad or any of the staff will gladly give you a tour through the models.
Our entire office was invited down for lunch and a tour recently, and we had a great time learning about the Spire development and the city’s idea to make 14th Street a “mini Times Square.”
Denver Real Estate and development is ever changing. We’re fast becoming a city to envy - and the mountain views from Spire will prove that. Downtown Denver is being transformed from a sea of office high rises to an extremely livable and walkable city. Get down there and enjoy!
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
Doors Open Denver 2009 - A City Celebration!
April 16th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver, Real Estate News
2009
Designing Denver
Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19
10am-4pm
Denver Real Estate isn’t all about buying and selling homes, condos or office buildings.
Our fair city has an impressive number of architectural gems and interesting public spaces. This weekend, celebrate the annual Doors Open Denver and visit the buildings you’ve always been interested in learning more about.
Doors Open Denver celebrates the architects and architecture that have shaped the city of Denver and influenced our growth and development. The event is free, offering the perfect opportunity to go inside some of our city gems which are rarely open and available to view.
The Doors Open Denver website lists the buildings that will be open, as well as offers ideas for tours and maps. Button up your coat - we expect our last spring snowstorm tomorrow - and get out into the city. A little snow never slows us down!
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You Are Going to Love The Tavern Restaurant in Denver’s Washington Park
February 1st, 2009 categories: Life In Denver, Restaurant Reviews
When we eat out, we usually stick close to home. We often choose to walk to a nearby restaurant, and last week we chose the newly opened Tavern Wash Park.
This 
is a high energy take on the other Tavern Restaurant in the Lowry neighborhood. Mainly because it’s much smaller. The menu is very casual, and they’re currently advertising a “romantic” Valentine’s dinner, which I just can’t picture. It will probably be more like a Valentine’s dinner with the rest of the neighborhood celebrating along with you.
My son and husband both chose the Stuffed Stromboli, and I got a nicely prepared bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup. My favorite part was the Cosmopolitan. I think it was the best one I’ve had in Denver (so I actually had two). Good thing we were walking…
The Tavern Wash Park is located on Old South Gaylord Street in the former Las Margaritas location. They also serve brunch for those of you who are morning people! I hope this restaurant lasts, and judging from the crowd, I think it will.
Denver real estate has picked up some serious steam, and I received two offers on a listing of mine this weekend. Prepared to buy or sell? Drop me a line!
| Discussion: No Comments »
