It’s Time to Rebuild Jamestown

September 27, 2013 by

 

It’s Time to Rebuild Jamestown

rebuild jamestown

It used to be nestled at the top of a decent bike climb. You could race your friends and swap stories all the way up about how out of shape you were or blame last night’s dinner for your molasses-like speed. You could peel left and head to Ward if you were a glutton for punishment or stay straight (or as straight as the canyon would allow) and find yourself in the idyllic mountain town of Jamestown.

On July 4th, you could join waves of other cyclists and be met at the top with the Jamestown volunteer fire department’s annual pancake breakfast (with bacon for an extra buck or two — ummm, yes?). You could also get suckered in by friends to ride the Super Jamestown route, taking you up and over Jamestown to the Peak to Peak Highway and back into Lyons.

Personally, I only let that suckering happen once. Six hours later. I never said I was fast.

But the floods. Criminy, the floods have wiped out Jamestown. A town is gone, a destination wiped from the map. The former owner of the Jamestown Mercantile even died when his house collapsed.

It’s time, however, to help rebuild Jamestown. So, if you love Jamestown like I do, head on over to Rebuild Jamestown. You’ll be able to read about what they lost and what’s left, along with how you can make a donation to help bring the town back on the map. You can also stop by their new Facebook page for updates.

And sure — they’re getting financial assistance from FEMA andBoulder County, but as their neighbors, it’s the least we can do to chip in and help. The whole town operated on a budget of $56,000 per year and most of us can’t imagine LIVING on a budget like that.

You can make an online donation directly here (be sure to designate REBUILD JAMESTOWN in the drop down menu). The Boulder floods won’t keep us down. Let’s do our part to help our neighbors up the hill we all loved to climb build back up once again.

 

By Erika Napoletano www.YourBoulder.com
 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Burgundy Wine Festival

September 25, 2013 by

 Burgundy Wine Festival

October 18 – 20, 2013
  • Location: Flagstaff House, Frasca Food and Wine, Hotel Boulderado
  • Admission: $75-$595
  • Contact: Boulder Wine Merchant
  • Phone: 303-443-6761
  • Visit Website
  • Add to Trip Planner

 

For those who have already been bit by the Burgundy bug, this weekend will be a vinous paradise. For anyone new to Burgundy, be ready to fall in love. Once you have the “Burgundy sickness,” the passion for these great wines and phenomenal region will continue to grow. Come join producers, celebrity sommeliers, chefs and wine lovers for a weekend of inspiration, education and deliciousness.

To Benefit Growe Foundation:
The festival has partnered with the Growe Foundation, a local non-profit organization that provides elementary schools with organic vegetable gardens and a Garden to Table program to teach children about healthy eating and caring for the environment in schools. The proceeds from the tasting and seminar will support Growe’s efforts to teach children in our community how their food choices affect the health of their bodies and the health of the planet.

For complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets visit click here.

 

Accommodations:

Hotel Boulderado
2115 13th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
303.530.1513
www.boulderado.com
Discounted room rates during the weekend of October 20th, with mention of the Boulder Burgundy Festival.

Traditional Queen Room: $184 (typically starting at $254)
Pine Street Guest House: $204
Deluxe Room with two Queen Beds: $204
Boulderado King Room: $224
Classic King Room: $244
Elegant One Bedroom Suite: $304
Presidential Suite: $334

Best Western Plus Boulder Inn
770 28th Street
Boulder, CO 80303
303.449.3800
www.boulderinn.com
Discounted room rates Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20 with reference code “BURGUNDY.” Call 800-233-8469 to book.

More full article here: Boulder Colorado things to do 

 

John Marcotte

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Bonfils Mansion hits market

September 23, 2013 by

Bonfils Mansion hits market

  • Sellers are as interesting as the home.

Bonfils Mansion

Bonfils Mansion

The stately and historic Bonfils Mansion in Capitol Hill is on the market for the first time in 17 years.

Or at least three quarters of it is.

It’s complicated.

The French Mediterranean home, with 5,028 square feet of finished space and a total of 6,064 square feet at 707 Washington St., was subdivided into three condominium units in 1985, said Ken Miller, ofKentwood City Properties, who is listing the 105-year-old home for $1.635 million.

Even without re-combining two condo units into one, the home being sold by Furmansky and his wife, Dyana Z. Furmansky, an established environmental journalist and author, is in a class to itself, Miller said.

At the same time, the owners didn’t ignore modern updates, either.

“For example, in 2010 they put in this high-tech, German heating and coolingsystem,” Miller said. “It is very cutting edge and high-tech. It cost $25,000.”

Another example: an elevator connects the basement and the main and second levels.

“ And they have this fabulous William Ohs-designed gourmet kitchen,” Miller said.

The kitchen includes Subzero, Asko and Dacor appliances, an eating area and new Terrazzo flooring.

Other home highlights:

  • The sun-filled living room with French doors on three sides features a Carrera marble wet bar with custom cabinetry, plus a full refrigerator and shelving.
  • An elegant dining room with original details is scaled for large, formal dinner parties.
  • The library is appointed with custom shelving, and the master suite with mountain views is highlighted by a dressing room and sitting area, two marble bathrooms, one with asteam shower and the other with a refrigerator and expansive walk-in closet.

The home also has more than 2,100 square feet of veranda and terraces on three sides  and a huge family room in the finished walk-out basement.

“The basement is zoned so that it could be used as a professional office or an art gallery,” Miller said, about the home that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The Bonfils House brings a touch of Europe to Denver,” according to the National Register of Historic Places, when it listed the home in 1974.

 

 

For a virtual tour of this home, please visit Bonfils Mansion.

 

 

 

John Marcotte

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House Concert this Friday to Benefit Flood Relief

September 19, 2013 by

House Concert this Friday to Benefit Flood Relief

eric schwartz lyons flood relief concert

So, a little bird told me about this super cool house concert going on this Friday in Lafayette to benefit flood relief for the folks of Lyons. The concert is put on by Little Tree Acoustic House Concerts and features the music of Eric Schwartz.

I need to mention that Eric’s concert is for 18+ ONLY (no children, please). Much of his material is edgy and not suitable for younger ears. Want to learn more about Eric? Well, here’s a scoop directly from the event page:

There are perils and perks to growing up listening to Dr. Demento and Dr. Ruth every Sunday night in high school. Eric Schwartz’s razor sharp, adults-mostly, on-the-spot wit combined with his exceptional musicality have made him a stand-out performer when appearing on the Comedy Central Stage (in Sit’n Spin); with comedy masters like Jim Norton, Rich Vos, Bobby Slayton and Jim Florentine on “The Bad Boys of Comedy;” at clubs (The Improv, The Comedy Store, The Ice House), on the radio (Howard Stern 100, NPR’s All Things Considered, Doctor Demento, and Air America), and on the web, where his edgy, political YouTube videos chalk up millions of hits and garner him illicit proposals from all corners of the globe.

Since arriving recently in Los Angeles from NYC, Eric’s talents as a first-rate composer / lyricist have quickly been noticed and employed. He composed the theme song for Harrison On The Edge, a liberal radio talk showin Los Angeles, wrote and performed the theme song, “Alcohol,” for the inaugural episode of “A Pretty Good Show” at the Vanguard in Los Angeles, hosted by Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development, Golden Girls), and wrote for Eliza Jane Schneider (South Park, Beakman’s World). Eric’s song “Clinton Got A Blowjob” recently won first prize in the Comedy / Novelty Category in the 2009 International Songwriting Competition.

Event details:

Concert at 7:30PM

Please RSVP for exact address (hey — it’s a house concert)

Want to attend? RSVP to the Facebook event and score your tickets online HERE.

Now, if you can’t make the concert, you can make a donation toflood relief as well. Simply visit this link and from the drop down menu, select one of the options for a “donation to Lyons flood victims.”

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Dizzy’s Donuts: Boulder’s Guilty Pleasure

September 18, 2013 by

 

Dizzy’s Donuts: Boulder’s Guilty Pleasure

logo

There has been a serious drought going on in Boulder for a few years now. I’m not talking about the diminishing snow levels but the lack of a quality donut store in town. I’m blaming all those pesky professional athletes and extreme dietary restrictions.

Sure, you could pick up a dozen at the supermarket but we can all agree that the quality doesn’t hold up. If you want a delicious donut, do you really have to drive to Louisville to satisfy your craving?

Not anymore! With Dizzy’s Donuts located near the intersection of Conestoga and Arapahoe, Boulder now has a destination donut place.

The owners knew that if they wanted to succeed in one of America’s top foodie towns, there were going to need to offer a delicious and gourmet version of the supermarket donut. Lucky for us, they’ve done just that.

PB&J

With high-end flavors like creme brulee, key lime pie and maple bacon, Dizzy’s is not afraid to try new things. They have their own version of the traditional jelly-filled, but with the addition of peanut butter mousse, making it a PB & J (I can personally recommend this one). If you’re an old-school donut lover, have no fear. You can still find a classic glazed or original in the case right next to the fancy ones.

Dizzy’s started at the Erie Farmer’s Market in 2011 and would sell out of donuts every week. After that strong showing,  it was time to find wider distribution. Ozo and Que’s were the first coffee shops in town to carry the donuts and from there, it was a short journey to opening a storefront in September of 2012.

As Jane Boggs-Guthrie, one of the owners of Dizzy’s, said, “People, even people in Boulder, want a good donut every now and again. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the welcome reception we’ve received.”

Coming up on their first-year anniversary, Dizzy’s is definitely going strong. With a nice interior, good coffee and ample space for the kids to run off their sugar, Dizzy’s Donuts is a necessary stop for anyone looking for the best (and only) independent donut maker in town. Just get there early. They often sell out.

 

 

 

John Marcotte

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Photography for a Change Features Boulder Photographers

September 17, 2013 by

 

Photography for a Change Features Boulder Photographers

boulder photography for a change

We live in a region of unparalleled beauty — and that statement extends far beyond Boulder. From mountains and lakes to miles upon miles of idyllic farm land, there’s nothing quite like a story well told through a fantastic photo. That’s why we’re introducing you to Photography for a Change, which officially launched on September 2nd.

Three Boulder-area photographers have come together to offer their breathtaking images of Colorado to benefit two local nonprofits. They also have included a photographer from outside of the region as a guest photographer.

The photographers are donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the prints featured on the Photography for a Change website to the named nonprofits. If you’d like to show your Boulder-area support, head on over to their Facebook page. Each day, they’ll feature fresh photography from participating artists and all fans who like the page will be entered to win one of five large format prints. The best part? Winners can choose from any of the 40 images on the site to brighten their home, office, or other area that needs a slice of Colorado beauty.

 

 

 

John Marcotte

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Organize Your Family Life

September 14, 2013 by

Organize Your Family Life
Create A Home Management Binder

Organize Your Family Life - Create A Home Management Binder

When it comes to home management–keeping track of appointments, sporting events, meal preparation, shopping lists, and even house maintenance to-do’s–there’s nothing wrong with flying by the seat of your pants. But disorganization tends to create anxiety and stress. A home management binder can help you and your family keep track of all of your busy schedules. Best of all: It’s simple to create and easy to use!

Tools
A Binder that you may already have lying around; two-inches is good for starters.

Dividers can be as simple as a re-purposed file folder, cut and hole punched; or buy ready-made from an office supply shop.

Lined Paper for notes in each section.

Plastic Page Protectors that hold Organizers (see below).

Dry-Erase Markers to write on the page protectors.

Sections
Create sections based on things you need to track: Daily To-Do Lists, Meals, Shopping, Chores, Kids, even yourself and your Spouse. Alternatively, you can use your roles in life: Wife/Husband, Mother/Father, Homemaker/Scientist/Writer/Etc.

In each section write your to-do’s, but also include resources such as books or videos you want to read, your goals and any growth ideas you want to explore further.

Organizers
Thank goodness for the others who have created printable templates to help you get organized, all for free. Some popular favorites are found at Life…Your Way, Design Finch, and Simple Mom.

There’s An App For That!
Managing your household via smartphone or tablet couldn’t get any easier. Try these for size:

Cozi is free and tracks everything from school schedules to sports activities, grocery lists, meals and chores.

Home Routines is an inexpensive app helping keep track of weekly tasks but adds goal-setting, prioritizing features and a rotating scheduler.

Creating a household management binder can suddenly be like getting your own personal assistant. You’ll get more things done in less time and, better yet, create free time to enjoy life! YOUMagazine.com

 

John Marcotte

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Stress Solutions

September 12, 2013 by

Stress Solutions
5 Habits of Highly Relaxed People

Stress Solutions - 5 Habits of Highly Relaxed People

You’re probably too busy: Too many deadlines, too many activities and too many people demanding more of your time. We should treat stress just like the warning light on our dashboard–when it comes on, it’s a good idea to pull over and figure out the problem. Read on for the latest stress relief techniques:

Take five. Or ten! Taking a few minutes out of a stressful day can go a long way. Take a short walk and practice deep breathing, read something inspirational (not the news), or write a few lines in your online journal about how you feel. You’ll find your outlook improves faster than just pushing through the stress.

Take it easy on yourself. Negative self-talk adds pressure and guilt, but being kind to yourself is scientifically proven to give you positive psychological health. Everybody has tough days, and understanding that will help you relieve some of the burden.

Think about progress, not perfection. Research psychologist Dr K. Anders Ericsson of theUniversity of Florida says time is the key to mastering any skill. Once you find out the average time it takes to master your given subject, start the clock. Track your time and improvement will come as a matter of course.

Make routine, routine. Calendar your activities. There are only so many hours in a day! Subtract sleep, meals, regular exercise and family time from your 24-hour day before you schedule; you may discover there truly aren’t enough hours in the day and you can feel better about saying “no” to yours or someone else’s unrealistic expectations.

Half full… or not. Not everyone is an optimist, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be according to the psychologists and authors of Focus: Use Different Ways of Seeing the World for Success and Influence. Promotion focused optimists, are dominant in seeking opportunity; while prevention focused defensive-pessimists are dominant in minimizing loss or avoiding danger. One isn’t any better than the other, but being forced to adopt your opposite style can create more stress, so whichever you happen to be, embrace it!

Courtest of YouMagazine

 

 

John Marcotte

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Timing is Everything

September 7, 2013 by

Timing is Everything


As Tapering Nears, Homebuyers Jump on Purchase Train

Timing is Everything - As Tapering Nears, Homebuyers Jump on Purchase Train

The Federal Reserve minutes in mid-August narrowed speculation regarding how soon the Fed would begin “tapering” $85 billion in monthly bond purchases. Policy makers were “broadly comfortable” with the plan if the economy continues to improve. All told, as the economy improves, home loan rates may continue to adjust further.

Prior to the announcement, stock prices had been consolidating and stalling.

Locking in the Value
The mid-August Existing Home Sales report was also released, reaching a four-year high, as borrowers jump to lock-in deals before rates rise and leave them behind. Sales of existing homes rose six percent from the month prior and a whopping 17 percent from the previous year.

FHA Changes
There were also some recent changes to the Federal Housing Administration‘s policies and how it will view a borrower’s derogatory credit history. Allowances will now be made if borrowers experienced an “Economic Event” which resulted in a decrease of income by 20 percent or more for at least six months which resulted in serious derogatory credit, including a short sale, foreclosure or bankruptcy. Additional underwriting guidelines, effective October 15, 2013, have been amended in the area of outstanding or prior judgments or collections, including the exclusion of unresolved medical collections from the underwriting decision process.

This bodes well for borrowers who may have been seriously impacted in recent years by economic conditions and are again seeking home ownership with an FHA home loan.

Summary
Home loan rates are still at historic lows. And with the recent changes to FHA policies, it’s still a great time to think about purchasing and refinancing.

Courtesy of Brian Manning, Manning Mortgage

 

John Marcotte

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Crooked lender agrees to pay over $919,000

September 2, 2013 by

Crooked lender agrees to pay over $919,000

Jill Evans has agreed to pay almost $919,500 to victims of a mortgage scheme in Colorado and other state, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today.

The plea bargain deal to pay $919,465.35 amounts to “full restitution” to more than a dozen victims who were defrauded by Evans and her company, Paramount Mortgage of Colorado Ltd.

Evans,47, pled guilt to theft and forgery under the plea agreement.

In addition to Colorado, victims were in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Nevada, Virginia and Washington.

“In cases like this, it is often challenging to secure compensation of victims for their loss,” Suthers said. “So it is especially gratifying that this case results in people receiving full restitution,”

In early 2012, Suthers announced that the State Grand Jury had indicted Evans for stealing fees for mortgage loans that she never delivered.

According to the 18-count indictment, filed in Denver District Court, Evans defrauded her victims by charging upfront fees in exchange for what her victims believed were commercial and reside. The transactions affected include properties in Crested Butte; Beverly Hills, Calif.; Calabasas, Calif.; Chicago and New Carrollton, Md.

“Since becoming attorney general, my office has made investigating and prosecuting mortgage fraud cases one of our top priorities,” Suthers said at the time of the indictment.

“Mortgage fraud harms everyone involved in real estate transactions — lenders, buyers and sellers — by disrupting the market,” he said.

www.insiderrealestatenews.com

John Marcotte

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