Top 10 Things to do on A Denver Snow Day
February 4th, 2012 categories: Life In Denver
We’re buried.
Imagine a friend dumps a bucketful of shaved ice over your head after the Super Bowl. It all comes down in a rush and where you were previously dry, you’re now covered in ice.
That’s Denver today. We were dry and warm until Thursday, our normal balmy temperatures. Yesterday, the bucket was upended.
So here are a few tips if you’re new to Denver on how we while away the hours on those rare, glorious snow days:
1. We Shovel: And shovel, and shovel. With 15-26 inches in various Metro Denver locales coming down in 34 hours, you have to stay on top of it. Shoveling is a great calorie burner, and Denver is the fittest city in the U.S. (and the thinnest, pound for pound.) Ideas: Not into the workout aspects of shoveling? Keep a neighborhood teenager on retainer, or get your own teenager. I have two, and they really stepped up yesterday. Get a Snowblower and clear off both sides of your entire block. Young mothers and widows will gratefully bake for you.
2. We Bake: See number 1. Ideas: Bake for your snow blowing neighbor or the teenagers with frost bitten fingers. Don’t eat too much of what you baked, or we won’t keep up the “fittest city” classification. Add applesauce in place of oil.
3. We Play Words With Friends: This new obsession has expanded beyond movie stars and the jet set. Denver happens to be one of the most literate and well-educated cities in the U.S. So we know our Scrabble! Idea: Scrabble is always fun, but if you don’t have the actual game board, you can download Words With Friends for free and play in any locale or time zone.
4. We Visit Our Neighbors and Drink Wine: Colorado wines are getting better. One of my neighbors makes it a point of pride to always order Colorado wines whenever we go out, and she’ll purposely seek out managers to “educate” them if they don’t offer local wine. Our household leans toward California and Italy, but we’ll give anything a try if we can get out of the house for a few hours. Idea: Stock up ahead of time, or prey upon your neighbors’ wine cellars. It’s not a good idea to drive on a “beer run” in a blizzard.
5. We Facebook: And look at everyone else’s blizzard pictures. Then comment on who had to shovel more. Ideas: Keep your camera charged up; quit taking photos with a yardstick in the snow. We’ve seen that one.
6. We Say We’re Going to Do Our Taxes: But who wants to waste a snow day on something as boring and onerous as taxes?! Idea: Do your taxes on a sunny day, Denver has 300 sunny days a year. Or was it 425? I think I heard that recently.
7. We Make Chili: It’s always a good idea to keep beans and tomato sauce in the cupboard and ground meat in the freezer in case of a Denver “weather event.” Up and down every block you can smell chili cooking. Idea: Chili is great to have on hand when the neighbors stop by for number 4. Let them bring the Number 2 and you have a meal with every food group!
8. We Watch Movies: The Oscars are coming up, time to catch up on movies you missed from the year before. The actual Oscar nominees are still in the theaters. Ideas: Have a movie party with the neighbors, or play a game of Scrabble and the winner chooses which movie to watch. Watch some old black and white movies or classics.
9. We Chase the Dog Around the Dining Room Table: When the snow is so high that Duke won’t go out (he’s tall enough to rest his head on the table) you really feel sorry for those little pooches. We take turns chasing Duke around the dining room table trying to steal his toy. He loves it, and begs for the “table game.” Ideas: A variation is to run up and down the block with your dog where the neighbor has snow blown the side walk. You can also sit on your couch while watching Number 8 and throw a ball across the room (if he’s a retriever.)
10. We…Never Mind: Just keep your eye on the birth rates in 9 months.
Enjoy the Denver snow, you know the sun will be back out tomorrow and the melting will begin! Then you can work on your taxes.
If you need another idea and you’re looking for a new house, you can search through all the homes listed in Denver on my property web site: Gretchen’s Denver. Have fun!
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5 Things You Should Know About Relocating to Denver
November 29th, 2011 categories: Relocation Tips
If you’re moving into the Mile High City, there are a few things you may find helpful as you pull up stakes and head to the Rocky Mountains.
- Denver isn’t actually in the mountains. During college, one of my friends from home commented, “Wow! You must be in good shape to ride your bike in Denver!” It took a minute to realize she was under the impression I was riding over mountain passes. I explained that Denver is on the Plains, and suggested she come visit – maybe branch out from Santa Barbara.
- We do have traffic, but it’s not as bad as Chicago or LA. It will be worse during rush hour and definitely bad when the snow is heavy. Then the sun comes out and melts it all away (and creates our wicked pot holes.) If you want to keep your drive a certain time frame, use Map Quest or Google Maps. They’re both pretty accurate, but won’t account for rush hour or snow.
- We have great public schools, great private schools, and our population is among the most educated in the nation. For school information go to the Great Schools website as a start. Always visit the school and meet the Principal and staff. Don’t choose based on web sites. That’s just a good place to begin. Like looking for houses on the internet. You’ll still need to visit, see it, smell it and look around.
- We name a lot of places “Cherry.” There is “Cherry Creek” (meaning Cherry Creek North and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center,) Cherry Creek Schools (down south by the Cherry Creek Reservoir,) Cherry Hills and finally there’s actually a Cherry Creek, with the Cherry Creek bike path along it that connects Cherry Creek Reservoir and Cherry Creek North. Confused? Come out to Denver and I’ll show you around.
- Westword and 5280 Magazines will fill you in on local flavor. 5280 is known for publishing annual editions on the Best Doctors, Best Neighborhoods and Best Restaurants. Westword is irreverent and edgy and publishes interesting exposes on Denver misadventures. We used to wait expectantly every spring for the annual summer concert edition.
There is so much more to know about Denver, but this gives you a start. Don’t be afraid to explore, we have many terrific neighborhoods and there’s something for everyone, except for a beach. Well, maybe you could call the dirt at edge of Cherry Creek Reservoir a beach… never mind.
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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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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What’s On the Table for T-Day 2011 in Denver?
November 10th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Each year at LifeStyle Denver, the Thanksgiving meal takes front and center. What’s it like eating tofu turkey? How about store bought pumpkin pie? Or bad whine?
What’s on deck for Thanksgiving 2011? Mashed potatoes. Aside from turkey, the absolute best thing about Thanksgiving. And you’ll be treated to a great mashed potato recipe!
But you’ll have to wait until November 24th. So enjoy this beautiful Fall weather in Denver, harvest those pumpkins, and check back later.
See you soon!
Gretchen
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Take the Pooches to Cherry Creek Open Space Dog Park
November 7th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
My friend Donna and I like to take Roxy and Duke to the Cherry Creek State Park. We went early yesterday morning and it was brisk, but beautiful. Unless you were wearing a fur coat. The dogs didn’t seem to mind the morning chill one bit.
At the northeast side of the park, just off of Parker Road and East Orchard Road you’ll find the entrance to a road that will take you up into the off leash dog area. We had to park in the day care lot yesterday, since the park entrance was closed. But we were able to walk into the open space without a problem.
Some days there is a toll collector there requesting a $2 fee to enter the dog area. The park entry fee for use of the entire area is $8.
How can you beat that Colorado sky and dogs with big grins on their faces?
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Denver Residents Falling Back
November 5th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Everyone in Denver is falling back tonight. At least, those of us who remember to turn our clocks back an hour will.
So don’t get left behind. Change your clocks and sleep an extra hour on Sunday morning.
And if you’re having an open house, give your broker a break if she shows up an hour early.
You can search for Denver open houses on my GretchensDenver website every weekend!
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Denver – B Cycle Program in Winter
November 2nd, 2011 categories: Life In Denver, Relocation Tips
When I lived in Germany, I was flabergasted that they would ride their bicycles throughout the winter. On snow-packed roads!
I guess being California raised meant that I had no clue you could bike all winter.
Denver’s B-Cycle program is out to prove it this year, and the rental bikes will be available in sunshine or blizzard.
Today’s storm didn’t slow down many people. The Denver Public Schools think their students are like postal workers. School is rarely canceled – rain, sleet or snow. And by late afternoon the sun was shining. Oh, Denver! A glorious place to live!
Looking to live in Metro Denver? Search homes at www.GretchensDenver.com.
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Bang for Your Buck – Top Home Updating Tips
September 7th, 2011 categories: Selling Strategies
As a Denver area real estate broker, I’m asked by homeowners where they should put their money when getting their house ready for sale. So many times, the Seller has put off updates and improvements they could have enjoyed and they’re now considering those same updates to benefit the next owner.
How can you keep on top of home improvements, keep on budget and enjoy before you sell? Focus on “bang for the buck.”
Bang for the Buck 1: Kitchen counter tops. Replace your laminate or tile counters with granite or quartz. One brand name for quartz counters is Silestone, and their look has come a long way in the past 15 years. If your cabinets are in decent shape, just a counter replacement and a fresh coat of paint on the walls can completely transform a kitchen.
Bang for the Buck 2: Keep it in the kitchen. Consider a new backsplash, adding pull-outs inside your cabinets and updating the appliances. A friend of mine recently had a professional cabinet painter change her cherry cabinets to a muted grey color and the kitchen looks amazing. The cherry was the rage when they built their home, but it never quite meshed with the granite. Painted cabinets may not sound like the way to go, but it did the trick in this kitchen.
Bang for the Buck 3: Update Flooring. Your wood floors will wear out over time, and refinishing them when you live in the house is a royal nuisance. But it has to be done, so plan ahead. It’s less expensive than replacing the floor when it’s too worn to refinish. If you have tile, carpet or vinyl then budget for updating every 7-9 years. That’s how long it takes to begin showing wear and tear, and to look a bit dated. “Carpet allowances” never work. Get the new stuff and enjoy it, but keep it new looking if you’re planning on selling in less than 7 years. Removing shoes at the door goes a long way toward limiting wear and tear.
Bang for the Buck 4: Paint the interior and exterior. You’ll need to paint every 5 to 7 years. More often if you have children or pets. Fresh paint makes a house shine. Paint with color for yourself, and when you’re ready to sell paint neutrally (but not white) to ensure a broad appeal. I love the Devine Paint web site. It’s truly a feast for the eyes.
Bang for the Buck 5: Landscaping. Give your yard a fresh look by cutting back overgrown bushes and trees. Plant blooming flowers, and make sure to pull weeds. Good landscaping adds tremendous value to your curb appeal. This is something you can do yourself, or hire out on an hourly basis. A true bang for the buck if you shop wisely and prune the existing landscape without adding too many new items. It’s fall, so add some bulbs if you’re in a bulb-growing area. You can order beautiful bulbs at White Flower Farm. If you’re in the Denver area, buy locally at Country Fair Garden or City Floral.
Bang for the Buck 6: Easy Bathroom Remodel. Bathrooms are small enough that you can usually find remnants to do an easy renovation. Small lots of tile at mark-down prices, resurfacing tubs and sinks instead of replacing them, and shiny new fixtures on sale at Lowe’s or Home Depot are great ways to give your bathroom an updated look and getting bang for your buck.
Check out the gorgeous homes for sale at GretchensDenver. The photos may give you more bang for the buck ideas.
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