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In the article “High-Rise, or House With Yard?” a family takes a close look at the cost comparison between living in the Suburbs or living in the city. I am guessing that most would assume the more expensive option would be the city loft. Well that’s not the case in this analysis. That big house in the suburbs can actually be more expensive. I’ll tell you how they got to this conclusion.

Before I begin I’ll make one thing clear… this is not a square footage to square footage comparison. Basically, the city residence was half the square footage of the suburb home. The purchase price was higher for the city home, just not the square footage (okay.. that is what you would expect). That is often the trade off between these two. When you live in the city I like to think you trade some private space for so much more community space. Maybe you don’t have the fenced backyard but you do have public parks, green space, bike trails and other outdoor features outside your front door. Perhaps you don’t have as big of a kitchen, or a breakfast nook or media room. Instead you have (for Denver) three stadiums, [Read more →]

You know that boarded up ugly old building on the corner of 15th and Little Raven.  The one that is an ugly eyesore with the fenced off trash yard next to Confluence Park.  Yes, that one.

It’s coming down.  As I’m writing this I can see the cranes scraping everything away.  Does this mean that the Ray Supa project is moving forward?   They had that big vote/debate about the zoning changes last year (or has it been longer… I forget) to put in a tower structure.  Is this building coming down today because it was an eyesore that encouraged squatters or does this mean that a new project is about to be underway.  Demolition or Development… what is the next step?  Anyone have renderings of what the new corner will look like.

Okay, I find this funny as heck for a number of reasons.

1. First of all, I am a total superhero geek.  The main book I’m working on is about a superhero… so yes VERY geeky.
2. As someone who is also a big fan of Urban Planning and Design how funny is it that BOTH of Lex Luthor’s first two plots to take over the world involve his role as a real estate developer.  No kidding.  First it’s turning Nevada into his beachfront property and second it’s a new land mass in the ocean.  Hmmmm…. very interesting.
3. Oh c’mon, a play on the financial crisis this way is too funny.

Enjoy and share!

My moleskin getting things done system with a touch of Fresco

Happy New Year!  Not only happy new year but also happy new decade.

Can you feel it?  Can you feel the fresh start..  A freedom from the past decade and an embrace of the new?

I am so excited for the new decade and my New Year’s Resolutions are already being put into print.  The first and foremost of those is my dedication to writing.  Stephen King recommends writing at least 2000 words 6 days a week.  Wow Stephen, thank you for setting the bar high enough that meeting it actually means something.  Other resolutions include continuing with the great folks at my Boot Camp, learning more on the photoshop and artistic side, and other creative outlets.   My moleskin (a la Fresco) is starting to fill up with various to do items.

A new decade is a pretty big deal.  For some it is a different alignment of the stars.  For others it is a symbolic changeover.  Whatever it means to you I congratulate you on your dreams and wish you luck.

So please feel free to share your own resolutions and stop back here at any time to hold yourself accountable.  I’m determined to make this decade the most incredibly wonderful time every.  Are you?

Bear says "Thank you for rescuing my brothers, now let's find them homes"

This was an article in the Denver Post today. About 100 starving sled dogs seized in Park County

It’s terrible that it happened.  It’s wonderful that they were rescued.  And to all the rescuers out there YOU ARE MY HEROES!!!

Now it’s time for even more heroes.   These roughly 100 starving sled dogs are in going to be healed and loved and then available for adoption.  I spoke with the journalist who wrote the story and he said there might be a follow up on where the dogs would be going.  I’d rather spread the word for sure.

I called the folks at Park County animal control (and yes, I told them they were my heroes for the rescue) and they gave me some details.

The largest percentage of pups are at the Denver Dumb Friends League and should be available for adoption in about a week.  Here is the list she gave me of adoption locations.  They are being spread around Colorado to hopefully find happy homes quickly.  Forgive my spelling and I’ll add more details but I wanted to get this out there.

• Denver Dumb Friends League (Denver, CO)
• Humane Society of Boulder Valley
• Longmont Humane Society
• Ark-Valley Humane Societ (Buena Vista)
• Freemont County (Canon City)
• Mariah’s Primise (Divide, CO)

Also, there are a number of vet bills from rescuing and treating these roughly 100 sled dogs.  Folks can also make donations to the non profit in Park County that is working with this rescue.

Park County Animal Rescue Fund
PO Box 604
Fairplay, CO  80440

They have a number of husky mix pups for adoption.  Husky Healer, Husky Malamute (awwww), pure Husky and more.  Spread the word!!

The battle of the ski resorts to see who opens first has been won by Loveland Ski Area with their opening today, October 7th.

I’ve been caught by surprise.  I was expecting an early opening, but not this early.  My skis are still up in the mountains awaiting their first coat of wax.  Most of my gear is as well, meaning any effort to take advantage of opening day would mean a drive up to the Vail Valley and then back down again (ouch).  It looks like I’ll have to pass.

But that’s okay by me.  I have never been the biggest fan of the white ribbon of death days at any mountain.  One run open, bare spots, and the entire overly enthusiastic mob fighting for a small square footage of skiable terrain.  Nope.  That’s when I am most likely to have something stupid occur either by my own cause or a fellow snow rider.  I’ll wait patiently (or impatiently) for a bit more space, a bit more snow, and an easier commute.  But for those of you who do brave opening day of the first resort please swing back and let us all know how the snow is and enjoy what, even with the limited snow and space, is always a fun day.

It’s official folks, the 2009 / 2010 ski season is upon us.

I love running in the fall.  The leaves are changing and color the scenery around you while the cool crisp air carries the scent of autumn in on every breath.

So lately I’ve been checking out the various running groups around town.  I’m a fan of the Nike night run’s and plan to start those back up this week and got a chance to join in on a meetup run this weekend.  Great groups, great people.  But I’ve been hoping to find something a bit closer to home and so many of these running groups take off from Wash Park or City Park.  I don’t blame them, those are beautiful places to run.  However right here in the CPV we have some of most gorgeous scenery in Denver for a run.  My personal favorite is to go running from REI down along the Platte River beside Elitch’s and the Bronco’s stadium.

If you haven’t run by the river while the sun is either rising or setting and illuminating the wooden roller coaster rails you really have missed one of the most beautiful sights of Downtown.  The trail going out that direction has the benefit of being above grade surrounded by trees and wild grasses.  The Cherry Creek Trail, as beautiful as it may be, does have a slight disadvantage of being below grade without as much open scenery.  I won’t twist your arm to try my favorite running path but if you are looking for a beautiful spot give it a try.

My point was that since most running groups don’t take off from my backyard I decided to start one up with the first run coming up on Monday October 12th.  Following the sound wisdom of other group leaders the run can be followed by some fun.  My watering hole of choice will be Lola’s to take advantage of their $2 taco night (aren’t we all on a budget) and drink specials.  If you are interested in running or biking sign up for the meetup here…

Denver Urban Run and Bike Group

And by the way…. I am NO expert in the best bike paths so if someone wants to take the lead on scheduling a bike ride or two please email me.  I’ll add some, but someone with more knowledge than me would sure be helpful.  And you KNOW there will be Cruiser rides.  In fact my new cruiser should be coming in this week.  More on that later.

Go BRONCOS!!  Waaaahoooooooo!!!!   I’m happy and impressed, what about you.

It’s that time of year again.  Time to get scared.  I am a scary movie fan and this time of year means the thrills come in the form of Haunted Houses.  The question is.. who has the best haunted house.  I don’t have the background on this one to give an opinion so I’ll ask all of you to let me know who has the best haunted house.

Share stories too… we want to know why you like or don’t like the haunted house you went to.

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Well, at least for one year.

I know it has been awhile since I have done a post but this merits it. Amtrak has agreed to pick up the Winter Park Ski Train route to allow our great city to continue the tradition of the Ski Train. This follows up from the previous post about Iowa Pacific Holdings LLC requesting to take over the Ski Train route. While they didn’t get their complete plan together to take this over long term they did get an approval to have Amtrak operate the route on their behalf. For me this is a vote of confidence that it will continue over time, but knock on your old wooden skis for good luck just in case.

How much would you bet that this is now the busiest year for the Ski Train. So many folks through this blog or in conversation shared regret that they had never taken the Ski Train or that they had not done it for a looooooong time. With the “take away” effect I’ll bet my ski wax that they will be lining up to buy at least one trip this year.

So Cheers to everyone out there and I will see you on the train!

Denver Post Article

Special update – I called Iowa Holdings to get some more details and they are planning to start operating the Ski Train effective the day after Christmas and continue through March 28th on Weekends only. It will most likely operate under the name Rio Grande Scenic Ski Train but all of these details are pending. They are keeping me posted and I’ll keep you posted as well… and they didn’t have any idea what the final ticket cost would look like.
But I sure told them I was rooting for them!!

I’m going back to basics and doing a little road trip with the pup.  Sometimes it is nice just to clear your head, maybe focus on a little writing, painting, drawing and reading.  Throw in the sound of the ocean, some good food and wine, and of course friends and loved ones and you have a magical little adventure.

Time to dust off the GPS.. Here we go..