Deb Jones

Reading, Getting Into College, & Oktoberfest

Have you heard about "The Big Read"?  "The Big Read:  All  Pueblo Reads 2008" is a literary program designed to get everyone in Pueblo County reading and discussing one book at the same time each year.  This year's community book selection is The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.  Amy Tan will actually be in Pueblo at several events this month to help us celebrate.  For more info on Amy Tan events, contact Tabitha.Davis@pueblolibrary.org.

As you probably know, Pueblo West's White Library closed the end of August and will re-open after completion of the expansion project sometime in the early part of next year.  A temporary Drop Stop has been set up in the Roselawn office ( 279 S. Joe Martinez Blvd. , Suite D) where residents can go to drop off library books or pick up books they have on hold. Readers can go online and request books (http://www.pueblolibrary.org/) or call other libraries around town and request books and pick them up at the temporary Drop Stop.  Hours for the Drop Stop are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Thinking about reading makes me think about education which makes me think about my friend Lisa.  Lisa Rogula, just opened her own business, CollegeWi$e.  She provides affordable guidance in the College admission application process, essay review and editing, college and scholarship searches and consultation, and pre-admissions planning for High School students.  If you are a parent or high school student overwhelmed by the process of getting into and paying for college, Lisa's years of College Prep experience will guide you on the right path.  You can reach Lisa at 547-3949 or collegewise@live.com. 

And, still thinking about scholarship, the 2008 Pueblo West Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 4 at Demmler's Landscaping Materials at 97 N. Fabrication Drive .  Tickets are only $5.00 at Demmler's and the Pueblo West Kwik Stop.  The Demmler Foundation uses the money raised to award scholarships for local high school students.   The Alan Polivka All Star Band will play from 6pm until 9pm followed by The Martini Shot playing from 9pm until Midnight.  See you there!

Deb

Deb Jones, ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO

http://www.DebJones.com

Mailto:Deb@DebJones.com

Real Estate Assistance in the Pikes Peak Region

Never in our country's history has exercising your right to vote been so important. Additionally, there are 18 state-wide ballot questions that will need to be answered so long lines are expected on November 4, Election Day. Voters are encouraged to cast mail-in ballots or vote early. Here is a recap of important Pueblo election information:

Oct 6 - Voter registration deadline to vote in this election

Oct 20 - Oct31 - Early voting 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Pueblo County Courthouse, Pueblo County Conference Room at 1001 N. Santa Fe Ave. , (former Spradley building downtown) or the Colorado State Fair Events Center

Oct 28 - The last day registered voters can request a mail-in ballot to be mailed to them

Oct 31 - The last day that voters may pick up a mail-in ballot application at the county clerk's office

Nov 4 - Election Day

If you do decide to vote in-person, be sure to review the ballot issues in advance.

Deb

With all the natural disasters occurring lately due to hurricane and rising water in other parts of the country, I've thought about what would happen if a weather or fire emergency occurred here in Pueblo West. In addition to calling your insurance company BEFORE a problem arises to make sure that your insurance coverage is adequate, it is a good idea to have a record of all of your personal belongings. "Know Your Stuff" is a free software program offered by the Insurance Information Institute. You can download the software from http://www.knowyourstuff.org. This software allows you to create a room-by-room inventory and attach photos/receipts/appraisals, etc. Once the inventory is complete, you should maintain a copy of the inventory somewhere other than in your house. Luckily, living here in Pueblo West, our chances of catastrophic weather are certainly less than other parts of the country!

This weekend is the last weekend for the Pueblo Parade of Homes. Tickets are $5.00 at local Loaf ‘n Jug stores. Homes open 10am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday, Sep 20-21. See http://www.puebloparade.com for more info.

The Pueblo West monthly pancake breakfast will occur from 7am to noon on Sunday, Sep 21 at Fire Station #1 (corner of Hahn's Peak and Joe Martinez Blvd ). Donations of $5.00 per plate appreciated.

The 14th annual Loaf 'N Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival. On Union Avenue between 1st and "B" Streets, Sep 19-21. FREE!!! Friday 3pm-11-pm; Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm.

Deb

Well, you'll never guess what I found in my house yesterday - a rattlesnake. I have absolutely NO idea how this snake got into my house. I found him (her?) near my bedroom door. In order to get into the house, he (she?) would have had to climb either the front steps, garage steps or deck steps. I managed to sweep the very angry, spitting, hissing snake out the front door. An hour later, after my heartbeat had slowed down, I looked up rattlesnake info on the web and here is what I found at the Colorado State University Extension Service website at: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/natres/06501.html.

This time of year, snakes are looking for warm places to hibernate, so all exterior cracks and openings (doors, windows, water pipes, electrical lines) ¼ inch or larger should be sealed. Remove brush and vegetation from around the home's foundation. Keep grass trimmed.

If bitten: Remain calm (yeah, right). Remove anything that might cause swelling below the bite area (jewelry, tight clothing, shoes). Wash with soap and water if available. GET TO THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. (Have someone else drive, if possible, and alert the hospital that you are coming.

Do NOT use a tourniquet, make an incision at the bite site, attempt to suck the venom out, or pack the limb in ice.

Deb

Check out the Hen House Café at their new location at 53 E. Palmer Lake Drive (Corner of Joe Martinez Blvd and Palmer Lake). Their new building, just a stone's throw from their previous location and has room for a lot more eat-in diners. They are open daily, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they still have their delicious take-out chicken.

On another note, one of my clients told me about this great website: http://finderscheapers.com, which is a price comparison website that will help you find the best deals for products sold on-line. My client told me she saved over $100 on her first purchase.

Deb