Barbara Salisbury

Highlands Ranch is a community full of families, most of them with children. There are so many activities for children that it is hard to keep up with them all. Besides the usual soccer, softball, swimming, horseback riding, etc., there are some great special classes and events coming up this month. So there is no room for kid's boredom around here.

KidzArt Classes are at Southridge Recreation Center for ages 5-12 and ages 3-4.

Art Building Blocks for ages 5-8 are also at Southridge as are Comics and Cartooning for ages 8-14.

All of these Pottery Classes start at Southridge soon;

Mom and Me Potter Classes for ages 2 ½ to 4

Clay-magine and Create for ages 3-4

Imagination Creations for ages 5-7

Destination 3-D for ages 8-10

Pre-Wheel, ages 7-12 and Teen Wheel ages 13-17

Children's Nature Classes-Session 6 is coming up.

Kitchen Culture Cooking Classes for children 8-12 start soon at the Southridge Kitchen

At Northridge Friday Nights Out are at full speed for ages 2-12.

Lunch Bunch is ongoing for Ages 2-6 at both Eastridge and Westridge as are Sunbeams of Southridge ages 2-6, Kreative Kids ages 3-5, It's a Small World ages 2-4, 2 Times the Fun ages 2-3 and Totally Toddlers ages 2-4 all of Eastridge.

These special days, Beauty Shop for ages 3-5 at Eastridge, Sea Life ages 3-5 at Southridge, Jr. Archaeologists Dinosaurs and Pyramids ages 3-8 at Southridge, Start Clowning Around ages 3-5 and Spring Has Sprung ages 3-5 both at Eastridge and Spring Treats for ages 3-5 at Southridge, will all happen this month.

For ages 3-6 Mouseketeer Morning and Cat in The Hat will take place at Eastridge

And those are just for the month of April. Once again, please go to hrcaonline.org for more information on pricing, start dates, etc.

There is lot going on in Highlands Ranch. Besides the many events and activities, buying and selling homes is in high gear. Don't miss your chance to take advantage of bargain prices, lowest interest rate in 40 years and an $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers. I am available to help you find that new home or to sell one. Send me note so we can get started.

Barbara Salisbury

Kenna Real Estate

720-884-6040

www.barbarasellshighlandsranch.com

I'll bet you didn't know about the infrastructure fees charged to developers since 1980 that help to pay for our facilities here in Highlands Ranch. I didn't know until recently. I did know that developers are required to donate land to be used for schools and, thus, here in Highlands Ranch, we do not pay for school lands.

Now I have learned about these system development fees charged to all developers. The Metro District's facilities plan, a long range planning tool that includes the cost of all the infrastructure essential for the community build-out, is used to calculate the fees for developers. Both the plan and the calculation of fees are reviewed annually.

The total estimated cost of infrastructure in the current facilities plan is $165 million and, as of last December, the Metro District had collected $134 million in system development fees. This plan has been highly successful because it was implemented when Highlands Ranch began in 1980.

This unique plan is one of the reasons that property taxes in Highlands Ranch are lower than most similar communities in south metro Denver. It could also explain why home prices are usually slightly higher than other areas. The developers have, of course, passed these costs on to buyers. However, I am sure that all of the amenities here in Highlands Ranch (paid for mostly by those development fees) also contribute to making living here more desirable and, thus, homes slightly higher in price.

Read the current Highlands Ranch Metro District Messenger magazine Spring issue for more current news about Highlands Ranch. You can also log on to www.highlandsranch.org.

Interested in possibly locating to Highlands Ranch, CO? I am the right person to help you learn about the community, the schools and to find that perfect home. Just call or email me or go to my website:

720-884-6040

Barbara@kennarealestate.com

www.barbarasellshighlandsranch.com

It is with great excitement that I announce that I have associated with Kenna Real Estate. With this move I will continue providing my clients with exceptional personalized service when they buy or sell their homes. Brian Burke, my new Broker, has a strong commitment to the highest level of real estate excellence. I believe this association will create a team that will offer the best real estate services in Highlands Ranch and south metro Denver.

I look forward to serving you.

Please make note of my new number: 720-884-6040

And my new email address: barbara@kennarealestate.com

My website remains: www.barbarasellshighlandsranch.com

The next few weeks are going to see an abundance of things to do in Highlands Ranch. Hey! It's Spring and things start happening in the Spring.

First on Saturday, April 11^th don't miss the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Northridge Park. Arrive early for this one. It starts at 10 am sharp. It is held rain, snow or sunshine. Children are separated into age groups. The Easter Bunny will be there! Members are free and guest pay $5.

Next there is a fun event for the ladies which is also for a good cause. "In The Pink" Fashion Show and Champagne Lunch will be held at the Recreation Center at Southridge on April 18^th. This is a really neat event because it raises money for The Breast Cancer Network of Strength Rocky Mountain which provides relief to individuals today who cannot wait for tomorrow's cure. 9News anchor Kim Chrstiansen and her sister will be emceeing. Call 303-471-8859 or visit any recreation center to purchase tickets.

This is one I love! The annual Home Improvement Expo with "Do-it-Yourself" seminars and suppliers of home improvement products and services. It will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 2th5 and 26^th from 9 am to 5 pm at the Eastridge Recreation Center. Its FREE.

Then comes the annual Taste of Highlands Ranch on Friday, May 8^th, 6-9 pm. This a memorable evening of food, fun and a silent auction to benefit Kids Mobility Network. You must be 21 to attend this one. Tickets are $25 and $30 the day of the event, but it might be sold out. Call 303-471-8859 for information on buying tickets.

Are you moving to Highlands Ranch or nearby? Contact me to help you find that perfect home. You can also search for homes on my website or get local information on schools, communities, places of interest, weather, etc.

Barbara Salisbury

Kenna Real Estate Company

Highlands Ranch, CO

720-884-6040

www.barbarasellshighlandsranch.com

If you have read my blog before you know I like to brag on Highlands Ranch, CO. That's because it is such a great place to live.

CNNMoney.com recently published their list of America's "Best Places to Live." Highlands Ranch ranked number 12 on that list.

In the financial realm, CNNMoney found Highlands Ranch sales tax rate and their auto insurance premiums to be lower than the average for all the "Best Places." However, job growth at 44.65% was much higher than the 18.60% average. Property taxes at $2.753 in Highlands Ranch they found are also quite a bit lower than the average.

In the area of education, test scores for students in Highlands Ranch they found to be quite a bit higher than the average for "Best Places." Reading test scores, according to CNNMoney, are 34.7% in Highlands Ranch as opposed to 17.3% average for "Best Places." Math test scores at 56.1% are much higher than 16.6% average for "Best Places." Way to go all you future engineers in Highlands Ranch!

Quality of life in Highlands Ranch has often ranked very high. Quality of air does not usually enjoy those good ratings, but CNNMoney ranked the air quality in Highlands Ranch 9.5% higher than other "Best Places."

How do the people in Highlands Ranch match up with those in the other of CNNMoney's "Best Places?" Median age; 31 in HR, 36 in other "Best Places." Completed some college: 87.2% in HR and 73.6% in other "Best Places." Married; 72.5% in HR and 57.5% in other "Best Places." Divorced; 6.8% in HR and 8.3% in other "Best Places."

You can read the entire report on Highlands Ranch and all 100 "Best Places" at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/top100/.