A Must-See Concert for CU Students: Krewella on August 24

August 24, 2013 by

 

A Must-See Concert for CU Students: Krewella on August 24

boulder CU welcomefest 2013

Are you a CU Boulder Student? If so, you’ve got quite the slate of events lined up for you by the University of Colorado Program Council this year. First and foremost? The 2013 Welcomefest concert on August 24 at Farrand Field.

This year, CU students can attend the Welcomefest concert for free. Krewella will be headlining the entertainment for the evening this year. The other detail that you need to know? The concert is ONLY for currently enrolled CU students. You’ll have to present a valid BuffOne card at the gate.

Now, what can you expect to find at this year’s Welcomefest to kick of the fall term? Here’s the scoop from the event’s Facebook page:

Krewella is an American EDM group comprised of two singers and a DJ, based out of Chicago, Illinois. Krewella are known for their high energy songs that will get any naysayers dancing. Fresh to the scene Krewella came out with their first EP in 2011, Play Hard. A few of Krewella’s most notable hits include “Alive”, “Killin it” and “Live for the Night”. Krewella’s single “Alive” topped the Billboard Dance Radio Airplay at #1 and The Billboard’s Hot 100 at #32. Headlining a variety of festivals including Ultra, Electric Daisy Carnival and Stereosonic.

Now, just a reminder that RSVPing to the Facebook page isn’t a guaranteed event entry. Be sure to visit the Facebook event page for tickets and exactly how to use your BuffOne card to get through the concert gates. But between now and then, gear yourself up for Welcomefest and kicking off another year as a student in Boulder — possibly one of the best towns ever to be a student in!

By  YourBoulder.com

 

 

John Marcotte

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What’s Your Favorite Color? Monty Python – This Saturday!

August 22, 2013 by

 

What’s Your Favorite Color? Monty Python – This Saturday!

boulder outdoor cinema monty python
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for.

If you thought Rocky Horror Picture Show was good, this is (inarguably) better.

Bring your quips and quotables, song lyrics and cardboard swords. Oh — and don’t forget the shrubbery.

That’s right. This Saturday at Boulder Outdoor Cinema, it’s time for Monty Python’s The Holy Grail.

How long has it been since funny has been this clean yet this memorable? The Monty Python legacy stretches from generation to generation, finding audiences who are ageless and ready for smart laughs. There’s nothing better than hearing an 11-year-old kid spout lines from the Black Knight (or k-niggit, as the movie would say) or catching a conversation where two folks are regaling the exploits of the African Swallow. It’s nearly impossible to believe that this movie was released in 1975 (!) and remains a favorite.

Here’s my advice for this weekend’s show: arrive early. Get comfortable. Bring the kids and show them a film worth remembering. Hannah Montana’s got nothing on this flick.

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John Marcotte

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Boulder Neighborhood Guide: Dakota Ridge

August 21, 2013 by

DakotaRidge001 Boulder

Dakota Ridge is a fairly new area, located north of Wonderland Hills and alongside the Boulder foothills. The streets are wide and the houses have a modern feeling. With the energy-saving enhancements and eco-conscious building, Dakota Ridge gives homeowners the best of green living.

 

History: Before it was a desirable place to live, Dakota Ridge was an area on the edge of town that was almost consumed by a wildfire in November of 1990. Then again, in 2009, fires the foothills north of Dakota Ridge got very close to the homes built there. Aside from the brushes with destruction, as one of Boulder’s youngest neighborhoods, there isn’t much to report in the way of history. Only years of people traversing the trails on foot and animals hunting for prey.

Housing: Dakota Ridge is made up of single family homes, townhomes and apartment units. The neighborhood is still under development as there are a few dozen homesites left to be built and a 3-acre park that is under construction. When finished, the park will provide sheltered picnic tables, a children’s play structure and fields for throwing balls with the dog. Homes in Dakota Ridge start at the mid-$600′s and go up to several million dollars. There is affordable housing allocated in the area.

DakotaRidge006 boulder

Restaurants & Shopping: There is an interesting mix of industrial and retail space located on both sides of Broadway in North Boulder. Businesses run the gamut from tattoo parlors and glass-blowers to the upscale Amante shopping center. Not only is Amante the meeting place for spandex-clad cyclists, the baristas here also make a mean cup of coffee. Other North Boulder favorites include the restaurant 4580, as well as a top quality bike shop, Boulder Cycle Sport. With a popular bus line servicing Broadway, Pearl Street is never more than a fifteen-minute ride away.

Family & Fitness: Outdoor play is the big draw of living in this neighborhood. With many hiking and biking trails within minutes of your doorstep, Dakota Ridge offers unparalleled access to all the beauty and adventure that Boulder’s Open Spaces have to offer. Additionally, there are trails up Lee Hill Road and a Gateway Fun Park open a few miles down US 36. Between the miniature golf, the batting cages and the food truck roundup, there is something fun for everyone.

DakotaRidge008 boulder

Schools: Foothill Elementary, Centennial Middle, Boulder High

Quirks: Be sure to keep your eyes open if you live in this neighborhood. Hang gliders fly overhead and land in Foothills park. And, as with every up and coming part of town, Dakota Ridge does indeed have it’s own Neighborhood Association and Facebook page. You’ll never miss out on the action here.

Major Street Boundaries: Lee Hill Road on the south, Broadway on the west and bordered by sprawling foothills on the north and east.

By  YourBoulder.com

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John Marcotte

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Ira Glass Coming to Chautauqua on September 21

August 20, 2013 by

Ira Glass Coming to Chautauqua on September 21

ira glass chautauqua boulder

If you love “This American Life,” you’re no stranger to Ira Glass. He started in public radio at the age of 19 back in 1978 and today is the voice that tells story upon memorable story on NPR. He’s coming to Chautauqua Auditorium on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30PM for an intimate evening of behind-the-scenes tales.

 

Have you ever been curious about what goes into producing an episode of “This American Life”? In the Chautauqua show, you’ll hear from Ira on what goes into producing and episode. Discover where they find the stories on the show, why they choose the stories they choose and more. Reinventing Radio: An Evening With Ira Glass will let you inside and transport you to the world of radio and how Ira’s team is pushing broadcast journalism to new boundaries and beyond.

Where: Chautauqua Auditorium

When: Saturday, September 21

Time: 7:30PM

Tickets: Tickets are currently on sale through the Chautauqua box office. Click here to get yours.

 

 

John Marcotte

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Pho Real: Boulder’s Best Pho

August 18, 2013 by

 

Pho Real: Boulder’s Best Pho

By  YourBoulder.com

boulder pho

Ask a CU Boulder student and it’s likely he’ll say that pho is more than a food — it’s a remedy. But I’ll get to that.

Pho is a well-known and well-loved Vietnamese dish, a giant bowl of piping-hot liquid heaven.  It’s deceptively simple – a light, briny beef broth with flat rice noodles and slices of steak, served with an array of toppings and condiments you can add as you wish.  There are few culinary joys like hanging your head over a giant bowl of pho and taking a deep inhale – it’s like a sauna full of gingerbread men.  It truly has rejuvenating qualities, it does wonders for your sinuses, and it’s a blessing when you have a cold.

Don’t worry about nailing the pronunciation – many mistakenly say it like “foe” but it’s more accurate to say “fuh.”  To be technical, there is extra emphasis on the end, like “fuhAH.”  But even if you can’t grasp the cadence of spoken Vietnamese, everyone will know what you mean.  Many who sell it around here will kindly pronounce it “foe” so you don’t feel weird about it!

So where can you get it in Boulder?

The Vietnamese community in Boulder is very small, but there’s an abundance of pho in town.

Chez Thuy
2655 28th St  Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 442-1700 

Chez Thuy is perhaps the most well-known, often recognized by the Boulder Weekly’s “Best of Boulder” and a very popular local destination.  It can get very busy, and complaints about the apathetic service are only exacerbated during their hectic lunch and dinner rushes.  Priced around $9 for a “medium” bowl, their pho definitely does the trick, but it’s hardly the best thing on the menu.

Viña Pho & Grill
1630 30th St
(303) 444-1809 

Viña Pho & Grill is a great place you should go if you aren’t too rushed.  The sizes aren’t as gargantuan as other restaurants but it’s big enough to fill most stomachs, and many locals swear by their method.  Priced at a little over $7 for a small bowl, Viña is definitely worth a taste.

Black Pepper Pho

2770 Pearl St
(303) 440-1948

With more of a modern approach to Vietnamese cuisine, you can expect a clean dining experience and great service at Black Pepper Pho.  The pho itself doesn’t stand out far beyond the other bowls and grill options, but it should be noted they take good care of gluten-free customers.  Purists may not approve, but especially if you pair it with one of their delicious Boba tea options, it’s tasty enough to get a non-believer started.

May Wah
2500 Baseline Rd.
(303) 499-8225

May Wah is tucked away in a big Baseline shopping center and has a reputation for solid Chinese fare.  It’s easy to get lost in their giant menu, but their $8 pho is competitive with Chez Thuy and offers just about every protein combination you could ask for.  They may not be pho specialists but they certainly have a few loyal customers.

Kim’s Food To Go
1325 Broadway St
(303) 442-2829

One of the best-kept secrets in town is the pho from Kim’s Food To Go.  Often overlooked in reviews because of the storefront’s “shack” aesthetic and the lack of indoor dining, its appearance easily belies the quality of the food.  It’s by far the best Asian option on the Hill.  And not only is it one of the only places in town you can find real Hanoi pho, but it’s definitely the best bang for your buck – at a flat $7 for a giant bowl, it’s very tough to beat!

Pho Basil
3280 28th St.
(303) 444-1226

A newcomer to the block, Pho Basil has picked up a lot of steam with daring Chinese dishes and a prominent 28th Street location, but has not made much of its namesake.  There is plenty of delicious food here but the pho is not quite worth the $8 (and it doesn’t help they are known to add your veggies for you).

You & Mee Noodle House
1311 Broadway St.
(720) 214-0585

This seems to be a good place for college students on a budget without a real appreciation for a bold bowl of pho.  The condiment bar allows you to customize your bowl to whatever extent you wish, but you’re going to need it to cover up the bland, canned broth.  However, if you’ve only got $6 in your pocket, it may just be enough to satisfy cravings.

 

 

John Marcotte

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Boulder Beer Company: Colorado’s Oldest Microbrewery

August 17, 2013 by

 

Boulder Beer Company: Colorado’s Oldest Microbrewery

Boulder Beer tap board

These days, when you think Boulder, you think beer. But that wasn’t the case in 1979, when two CU professors received the 43rd brewing license issued in the United States and the Boulder Beer Company was born. That’s right. Boulder Beer is officially Colorado’s first microbrewery and after 35 years, is still putting out many tasty brews.

The flagship Boulder beers are the mountain bike-inspired Singletrack copper ale, the Buff Gold, a light beer which is a homage to the town’s university and the Planet Porter, the brewery’s oldest recipe and a delicious addition to a milkshake. But the beer that Boulder brewing might be most famous for is it’s innovative Hazed & Infused. First introduced in 2002, Hazed is an unfiltered dry-hopped amber ale and is definitely the most popular beer that Boulder Beer makes. When driving around, it’s hard to miss the ubiquitous Hazed stickers that cover town.

Boulder Beer brewpubThe food at Boulder Beer is above-average pub fare, with beer pairings suggested for each dish and much of the cuisine  featuring beer as an ingredient. From the beer-battered fish & chips to the Schooner salad that features fresh greens on a bed of pub fries, you’re sure to find something to help soak up that beer. And don’t forget that there are also daily food specials including a very popular event, $2 tacos all day on Saturday.

With ample seating, a bar area, private room and gorgeous back patio, Boulder Beer has created a perfect gathering spot. The brewpub’s central location makes for easy meetups and a calendar packed full of community events means that there’s always something fun going on. From weekly music nights to beer festivals galore, Boulder Beer exemplifies the feeling of a neighborhood watering hole. Of course, it helps that this watering hole has $3.50 happy hour pints of beer brewed on premises and bikes available for rent right outside the front door.

If you haven’t checked out Boulder Beer yet, you have no excuse. They’re both dog and kid-friendly, so don’t just wait until you have folks visiting from out of town to show off this local gem. It’s an oldie and with each passing day, it’s even more of a goodie. YourBoulder.com Tara Caliman.

 

John Marcotte

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BRU: Handbuilt Beer in Boulder

August 16, 2013 by

BRU: Handbuilt Beer in Boulder

BRU tapwall

Beer in Boulder has its own zone. Dubbed the “Brewmuda Triangle” by those in the know, East Boulder is home to many of the town’s newest craft breweries.

One of those, BRU, also features a welcome ambiance and exceptional food. With brewing equipment proudly on display behind plate glass windows that encompass most of one wall, BRU embraces the art of pairing craft beer and good food. It’s a deliciously winning combination.

BRU is located in a strip mall (yet again) that hides an amazing interior decor. There are plants hung on walls in mason jars, warm earth tones and pillows put on the benches for comfort. In addition to small tables and a front patio dining area, BRU also has a bar area and very special chef seats perched on the edge of the open kitchen. It’s common to see seating like this at sushi bars but it’s rare to see in other types of restaurants. The BRU chefs wanted a way to interact with customers and put on a culinary show.

Mission accomplished.

beers

The beer menu is Belgian-heavy, with lots of Belgian yeast and mentions of the style. A favorite, the Citrum IPA, is perfect for hop-lovers. The combination of lemon and juniper increase both the bitterness and the intensity of the beer. All of BRU’s brews are unfiltered and pints cost $5, so come thirsty. And if you can’t make up your mind, you can always choose a flight of 5 sample beers or order the half-pint fun size. Happy hour runs daily from 3-6pm.

Pick a food trend and BRU probably has it on their menu: cured, braised, smoked, roasted, charred & pickled. And all delicious. That’s what you get with a wood-burning oven and talented chefs.

They serve sandwiches and pizzas that sound gourmet but simply taste divine. With thick-sliced pepperoni, duck confit and arugula as pizza toppings, even the snobbiest of Boulder palates will find something to like. Two very interesting things to notice in the list of ingredients for different salads: buttermilk shaved ice and flan. Nicely played, BRU.

Tara Cahliman YourBoulder.com 

Cheers to that!

 

 

John Marcotte

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Trader Joe’s Boulder Opening Potentially Delayed

August 15, 2013 by

Trader Joe’s Boulder Opening Potentially Delayed

trader joes boulder

Finding another market-like purveyor of grocery goods in Boulder can happen in pretty short order — throw a rock, hit an organic vendor. We have everything from Whole Foods to the farmer’s market and everything in between.

But like many others, I’m waiting for that mythical Trader Joe’s going in at the 29th Street Mall.

Having lived in California and Nevada prior to moving to the Front Range, the extent of my Sad Face when I realized there was no Trader Joe’s in Colorado can’t be expressed. I missed the darling little mochi ball Trader Joe’s brand ice cream treats. Their veggie breakfast patties. Aisles filled with chocolate-covered-somethings that would justify my gym membership. Well, there’s a Trader Joe’s going in down in Denver on the Colorado Blvd. corridor (in a location that dismays many local residents traffic-wise). A contract has just been signed for a location in Greenwood Village, too. And we’re supposed to be getting one in Boulder.

Rumor has it.

But the location at the 29th Street Mall sure doesn’t look like much progress has been made for a reported 2013 opening. Bueller?

This morning, The Daily Camera took a look at the reported delays as word had cropped up that the store was being pushed to a 2014 opening. Officials from the 29th Street Mall say that the location is still on-target for a late 2013 opening date. That means, however, going from ground zero where the old Applebee’s stood (demolished in May 2013) to a fully open 14,000 square foot store in under 4 months. And with Boulder’s startup culture, I have no doubt that’s doable — Techstars is getting serious stuff done and in less time, but I’m doubting those cohort companies have to deal with city building permits and multiple vendors.

So — if you’re like me and craving a giant bag of sesame sticks and small-purchase produce from Trader Joe’s, it looks like we might be in for a longer wait than anticipated. In the meantime, I’ll be hitting up the farmer’s market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I’m sure our local vendors won’t mind this teeny delay in welcoming a small- to mid-box retailer to Boulder County.

YourBoulder.com

 

 

John Marcotte

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Obama to back mortgage finance reform to speed housing recovery

August 14, 2013 by

 

Obama to back mortgage finance reform to speed housing recovery

U.S. President Barack Obama smiles as he returns from a birthday weekend visit at Camp David to the White House in Washington, August 4, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

By Mark Felsenthal and Margaret Chadbourn

WASHINGTON | Mon Aug 5, 2013 8:03pm EDT

(Reuters) – President Barack Obama will propose overhauling the U.S. mortgage finance system in a speech on Tuesday, weighing in on a tangled and polarizing problem that was central to the devastating financial crisis in 2007-2009 and that continues to slow the economic recovery, the White House said.

Obama will propose eliminating mortgage finance entities Fannie Mae andFreddie Mac over time, replacing them with a system in which the privatemarket buys home loans from lenders and repackages them as securities for investors, senior administration officials said. The mortgage securitization process is deemed essential to the smooth flow of capital to housing markets and the availability of credit.

The government’s role would be relegated to providing some form of insurance or guarantee, and to providing oversight, according to officials and a White House statement.

The departments of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development have been working on an outline for housing finance reform. They outlined several options in a white paper to Congress in 2011.

After plunges in home values that wiped out an estimated $7 trillion in homeowner equity and wrecked many Americans’ finances, housing markets are staging a modest recovery. Obama, as part of a series of speeches pushing for steps to boost tepid economic growth, is focusing on housing issues in a speech in Phoenix, Arizona, in one of the regions hardest hit by the housing bust.

The president generally agrees with the bipartisan Senate proposal that would replace Fannie and Freddie with a system that would allow private firms to securitize mortgages, a senior administration official told reporters in a conference call. A government reinsurer of mortgage securities could backstop private capital in a crisis, the official said.

Obama would want the Senate measure to go farther in helping first-time home buyers and in making sure affordable rental housing is available, the official added.

The Senate bill, though, remains at odds with the bill advancing in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives that would liquidate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac over five years and limit government loan guarantees.

RESTRUCTURING MORTGAGE SYSTEM TO TAKE YEARS

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac became dominant players in housing finance when private lending to home-buyers declined after the financial crisis. The government-backed companies own or guarantee more than half of all U.S. home loans and are critical to keeping capital flowing to lenders and borrowers.

 

 

(Reporting by Mark Felsenthal and Margaret Chadbourn; editing by Jackie Frank)

 

John Marcotte

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Springs apartment rates highest ever

August 13, 2013 by

 

Springs apartment rates highest ever

Apartment rents in Colorado rose to an all-time high in the second quarter, according to a report released today by the Colorado Division of Housing.

The apartment vacancy, meanwhile, fell to the lowest rates since the third quarter of 2001.

The report by the housing division and the  Apartment Association ofSouthern Colorado, showed the average monthly rent in the Colorado Springs metro area rose year-over-year for the 14th consecutive quarter during the second quarter, climbing 3.9 percent to $807.

The second-quarter average rent was up from $776 in the second quarter of 2012, and was up from this year’s first-quarter average rent of $787.

The average rent increased year over year in all regions except the Northeast where the average rent was flat. The largest increase in the average rent for any region of the Colorado Springs area was found in the Southeast where the average rent increased 12.2 percent from $638 during the second quarter of last year to $717 during the same period of this year.

The Security/Widefield/Fountain regional also reported a sizable increase in the average rent, with an increase of 6.6 percent from $622 during the second quarter of last year to $664 during the second quarter of this year.

Average rents for all market areas during the second quarter of this year were: Northwest, $872; Northeast, $753; Far Northeast, $901, Southeast, $717; Security/Widefield/Fountain, $664; Southwest, $821; Central, $777.

I’d say its time TO BUY! View Colorado condos for sale

 

John Marcotte

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