Allison Smith

February 2009 • Issue 8

We're Number One: The Pew Research Center's new survey says, "Denver is the most desirable city in America!" Forty-three percent of those in the survey say Denver was the city they would most like to live in if they had a choice of living in the nation's top 30 cities. In the top five Denver was followed by Seattle, San Diego, Tampa and Orlando. The bottom five, all east of the Mississippi were Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Detroit. http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-denver-top-city012909,0,4773717.story

Schwab to add 500 jobs in Douglas County: Charles Schwab Corp. will bring 500 new jobs to Colorado by 2011, Gov. Bill Ritter announced Thursday January 15th at the state Capitol. http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/01/12/daily55.html?surround=etf

Existing-Home Sales Show Strong Gain In December: Existing-home sales rose unexpectedly while inventory declined, led by a surge of sales in the West, according to the National Association of Realtors^® report released January 26th. http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/01/ehs_shows_strong_gain?LID=RONav0021

CSU, CU economists - Colorado's recovery could start as early as summer: Colorado went through a bad economic year in 2008 and can expect more of the same this year, but there are signs that a recovery could start as soon as summer, a pair of Colorado's top university business economists agreed Wednesday. http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/01/19/daily20.html?surround=etf

Creative Foam moving into Longmont: Creative Foam, a designer and manufacturer of foams and plastics for the automotive, medical, and composite markets, announced in January 2009 that it is leasing 70,000 square feet in Longmont. The Michigan-based company is expanding in Colorado to service Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems. http://www.metrodenver.org/site-selection/news-deals

This report courtesy of Shari Canon, Land Title Guarantee Company.

It is not too early to begin thinking about and planning for a summer camp excursion for your child (or probably more accurately, for you as a parent ;-P).

Denver Parks and Recreation has an affordable solution to entertain your children on those hot summer days. This year they will be hosting outdoor based camps within the parks and indoor sites at various recreation centers throughout the Denver metro area. The summer camps are licensed and provide structured learning programs focused around sports and fitness, arts and crafts and aquatics while providing young campers with a fun and educational experience. Most day camps start the second week in June and conclude the first week in August.

Summer Camp registration begins March 9th. Camps fill quickly, so don't delay in signing up. Go to http://www.denvergov.org/recreation or call 720-913-0689 for more information.

It is February, so it must be time for Colorado Dental Association's statewide "Give Kids a Smile Day" program. As implied, this program takes place annually in Colorado and offers FREE dental care to low-income families without dental insurance or the ability to afford dental care.

HURRY, because Give Kids a Smile Day is tomorrow, Friday, February 6, 2009. Participating dental offices across the State are in need of qualifying kids to treat for this program. The majority of the appointments, however, are in the metro area. There are still appointment slots available throughout the state including these locations: Alamosa, Aurora, Boulder, Centennial, Cortez, Denver, Englewood, Fort Collins, Lafayette, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Louisville, Loveland, Mancos, Thornton.

Appointments are first-come, first-served, so the sooner families can call, the better. When making an appointment, the caller should say that he/she is "calling to make an appointment for Give Kids a Smile Day." Please note that only a limited number of appointment slots are available.

NOTE: To qualify, families must meet ALL of the following criteria:

Be low-income and/or a part of the free and reduced lunch program.

Be dentally uninsured (no insurance or CHP+ coverage).

Unable to afford dental care.

For more detailed information, you should call Molly Pereria at 303-996-2844.

http://www.ColoradoDreamHome.com

With regularity to rival the ubiquitous fiber commercials and the cable company, the United States Postal Service plans another fee increase. Beginning May 11 rates will rise two cents, to 44 cents, to mail a first class letter. Does anyone else wonder why, while rates continue their ascent, service continues to decline? What will the excuses/reasons be this year - can't be the tired fuel costs excuse, since gas prices have declined significantly. With their continuing inefficiencies, unreliability and apathetic personnel, perhaps they are subconsciously trying to put themselves out of business by driving their patrons to correspond, market and pay bills strictly via the internet, or to use the infinitely more reliable overnight delivery/courier companies instead.

To be fair, the USPS is reliable in one area: "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers from swiftly and regularly raising postal rates!" At least, I think that's how the old saying goes...

http://www.ColoradoDreamHome.com

Maybe they are serious in Washington about stimulating the economy and slowing or stopping the current downward spiral! Fannie Mae has raised the limit on investor and second home borrowers from 4 to 10 financed properties. Hurray!!! The changes are mandatory beginning March 1, but lenders are being encouraged to institute the revisions immediately.