Taste of Colorado

Summer is almost over.  But we have one more great street festival before the snow flies.

The 25th Annual Taste of Colorado will be held Labor Day Weekend, Friday August 29th through September 1st. 

Local restaurants will offer tastings from their regular menus.  The culinary stage will have cooking demonstrations almost hourly.  There’ll be jazz, international and rock music daily. Puppets, clowns, magic and crafts will keep the children happy.

Admission is free, as is the music and entertainment.

BIG TROUBLE FOR FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have provided a secondary market for mortgage loans for decades.  These corporations purchase home mortgages from mortgage lenders who originate mortgage loans.

Their missions are to provide cash flow to mortgage lenders, enabling the lenders to provide mortgage loans at affordable interest rates. 

They are in trouble.  Their shares are tumbling.  Rumors of a government bailout have contributed to the more than 50% loss in share value.  Some are even suggesting the corporations be disbanded.  For more information, please visit their websites or http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSN2039370620080821.

Neighborhood Profile: Five Points

Approximately one mile northeast of downtown Denver, from Park Avenue to Downing Street, from Stout to Tremont Streets.

Rich in history, architecture and cultural facilities, Five Points was once known as the “Harlem of the West”.  In “On the Road”, Jack Kerouac talked about the time he spent listening to jazz in the neighborhood clubs.  Among the great artists that played in Five Points were Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Miles Davis.

Today the neighborhood is home to the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance studio and performance troupe, The Black American West Museum and Heritage Center and the Stiles African American Heritage Center.

Crossroads Theatre and Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library also make their homes in Five Points.

Each year the area hosts the Juneteenth celebration, which honors the day when African American slaves in Texas first heard of the Emancipation Proclamation.  This four day event includes a parade, food and arts and crafts booths and live music.

With an excellent mix of residential and commercial properties, Five Points offers a true urban lifestyle.  With Coors Field and downtown Denver nearby, residents don’t have to go far for their food and entertainment.

FIRST TIME BUYER TAX CREDIT CLARIFIED

It seems the first time buyer tax credit is not a credit at all!  It’s really an interest free loan.  The “credit” must be paid back.  Two years after taking this “credit” on your taxes, you must begin paying back the loan, at the rate of $500 per year. 

For detailed information, please go to http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq.php#11

 

 

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN

UPCOMING GREEN EVENTS   

Everyone’s talking about “going green”.  While the cynic in me believes some companies and organizations have dishonorable motives, I applaud those who are embracing the environmental movement, even if they are doing it merely to increase their profits. 

No matter what the reasons may be, every move toward a sustainable society slows the ruin of the planet.

The Colorado Renewable Energy Society, at their monthly meeting on Thursday, August 21, will host a presentation entitled “The Road from Fossil Fuels to a Sustainable Energy Economy:  The Strategy in Iceland as a Model”.  The talk will begin at 5:30 pm at Jefferson Community Church in Lakewood.  The small island nation of Iceland is taking the issue of global warming very seriously and has a cutting-edge plan to wean the country from fossil fuels. $5 for non-members, free to members of the society.

and

On Sunday, August 24, the free event “Green Frontier Fest“ will be held in Sculpture Park near the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.  Sponsored by the City and County of Denver and The ReDirect Guide, this outdoor affair will feature educational speakers, activities for children, live music and exhibits demonstrating solar, wind and other alternative energy technologies.  Local green businesses will showcase their wares and services.

and

Nine10Arts, a green built artists’ community of studios and residences, is now showing “Paper or Plastic” in their Event-Gallery.  This exhibition runs through October 11.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. and is located at 910 Santa Fe Drive.  Access to the gallery is also provided via Studio 6 Coffee House, which is open Monday through Saturday 7 am to 7 pm.  The website mentions a “Summer Celebration” to be held on August 22, but gives no further information.  So give them a call if you are interested:  303-815-1779.

FORECLOSURES UP AGAIN!

COLORADO RANKS IN TOP 10 

 

July national foreclosure rates are up 8% over June’s rates and 55% over the rate a year ago.

Colorado is once again among the top 10 states with the highest foreclosure rates.

Bad news for most homeowners, who continue to see their property values drop and their equity shrink.  GREAT NEWS for those who are ready to buy their first home.  Interest rates are low, prices are low, and inventory is high.  It’s also great news for anyone purchasing income property. 

If you’ve been considering a home purchase, don’t delay!  Contact me or your real estate broker to begin the process.  We’ll put you in touch with a reputable lender, educate you about the home buying process and match you with the right home.

Affordable Weekend Fun

Cheesman Park Auto-free Day

 

This Sunday, August 17, Cheesman Park will be closed to automobiles from 5 am to 5 pm. 

 

You’ll be able to walk, run, jog, rollerblade and bicycle without the noise, pollution and hazard of cars.

 

At 5 pm, the Colorado Honors Band will perform.  At 7:30 pm the Denver Municipal Band will perform.  Both concerts are free to the public.  Bring a picnic and enjoy the music and evening air.

 

and

 

Boulder Asian Festival

 

The 14^th annual Boulder Asian Festival will be held this weekend, August 16^th and 17^th on The Pearl Street Mall from 11 am to 5 pm.

 

There’ll be music and dance performances, food and craft booths, and a special area where children can learn origami and other arts and crafts.

 

This event is free and open to the public, but no pets are permitted on the mall.

 

http://www.bapaweb.org/2baf.htm

 

and

 

60 BANDS!  FREE!  FREE!  FREE!

 

What an opportunity!  Bohemian Nights 2008 at Newwestfest in downtown Ft. Collins runs from Friday August 15^th through Sunday August 17^th.

 

Free and open to the public, most of the bands are from Colorado.  But on Saturday evening you can hear The Taj Mahal Trio, and on Sunday evening Little Feat will be playing.

There’ll be a range of music at The Kid’s Music Adventure which will offer interactive musical experiences for the children.

 

You’re asked to leave pets and alcohol at home.

 

http://bohemiannights.org/

Neighborhood Profile: Park Hill

Colorado Boulevard to Quebec Street, from Colfax Avenue north to 52nd Avenue

 

This neighborhood has a mixture of classic Denver architectural styles, including, but not limited to Denver Squares and Craftsman bungalows.   Although Park Hill was established in the 1880s, most of the homes were built in the early 20th century.  Majestic trees line the streets.

 

While Park Hill is principally a residential neighborhood, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, City Park and the Denver Zoo are nearby.  The City Park Golf Course, an 18-hole city golf course, is nearby and offers beautiful views of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains.

 

Park Hill’s nationally recognized neighborhood organization sponsors an annual tour of the many historic homes in this charming community.  This year, the tour will be held on Sunday, September 28th from 11 am to 5 pm.  Seven homes will be open.  Visit the street fair on Forest Parkway for some music, food and shopping.

Furry Friends Need Homes!

Hundreds of homeless animals awaiting adoption

The Denver Dumb Friends League will hold its 10^th Annual Wags and Purrs Adopt-a-Thon this weekend.  The Dumb Friends League at 2080 South Quebec in Denver and the Buddy Center at 4556 Castleton Court in Castle Rock will be open from 9 am to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9. 

 

Admission is free and everyone who adopts an animal will receive a free Adopt-a-Thon T-shirt.  There will be games for children.

 

If you have room in your heart and home, please consider attending this event and taking home a new friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighborhood Profile: Cherry Creek

University Boulevard to Colorado Boulevard, Alameda to 6th Avenue

Once dotted with modest older homes, Cherry Creek is now an upscale neighborhood offering a great mix of dwellings, galleries, salons, shops and restaurants.  Home to the popular Cherry Creek Shopping Mall and annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival, the area attracts visitors from all over the metro area.

 

Cherry Creek offers a variety of abodes:  townhomes, condominiums and single family attached and detached homes.