Take a Trip to the Denver Zoo

Denver has so many wonderful places to go in the city, from our countless museums to our top-notch parks and our one-of-a-kind restaurants. This city is a bustling spot full of life and ever growing activities. One of my favorite places to go visit is the Denver zoo which is having a free admission day this Friday and Saturday from 11:00am-4:00pm. This zoo has been around caters to a wide variety of animals and exhibitions.

 

The Denver Zoo was started when the mayor of Denver received a gift in the form of a black bear cub in 1918. This furry companion came to live at City Park and this is where the zoo began. Early visitors saw the zoo grow from fist carrying elk, bison, monkeys and birds to housing elephants, large cats, reptiles and sea creatures. The zoo benefited from Carl Hagenbeck’s revolutionary zoo concept that animals and people should see one another at eye level in the animal’s natural habitat without bars or fences. From the 1920’s up until today, the Denver zoo continues to grow thanks to the countless support of Denver citizens

 

The zoo continues to make a effort to have every animal’s area embody their natural habitat and living space. The Denver zoo is also committed to educating everyone to comes for a visit and in partnership with the Gates Family Foundation and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the zoo was able to build the Gates Wildlife Conservation Education Center. This center is run is run by a dedicated staff and group of volunteers who are passionate about the zoo’s mission and work hard to make the zoo an educational place for people to go and learn more about animals, the environments they live in and how to help preserve each beautiful creature.

 

This weekend marks the second and third free day of the year for 2017. There are only 9 free days all year so make sure if you have time this weekend to pack up the family and head to the Denver zoo to check out all the amazing animals. While on your way to the zoo, located in the heart of City Park West, make sure to take in all the beautiful homes and architecture of the neighborhood. This area continues to grow and blossom and if you think about your trip to the zoo that maybe that neighborhood that you could see yourself living in, give me a call and let’s sit down to discuss your real estate hopes and dreams and how I can help you achieve them. 

Celebrating 75 years of Wonder Woman (and wonder women today!)

 

Wonder Woman turned 75-years-old. While she may only be a made-up personality who covered comic book covers and movie posters, Wonder Woman has been a staple representative of a character girls and women have looked up to for now 75-years. I remember reading Wonder Woman comic books when I was a little girl and being starry-eyed at the way this powerful woman took on the world. She is someone I continue to admire and look up to because she brought about an empowerment to women everywhere.

 

The great thing about Wonder Woman is that she continues to be to this day a woman hero to many girls and women out there. She has been reborn on the movie screen and on the television screen, growing through the years with society as society continues to grow in relation to women’s rights, power and advocacy.

 

A few things always stuck out to me in her stories:

 

Wonder Woman is the hero, not the victim – Many lead female characters tend to be victims when it comes to storylines, but not Wonder Woman. She was out there everyday helping people, giving her time and effort to make sure the world was a better place.

 

She was always portrayed as strong and not weak – Wonder Woman did not need someone to come behind her and do the saving; she was the one out there saving others. She was a powerful character, strong in her appearance but even stronger in her presence.

 

She could fall in love with a man but didn’t need to depend on a man – While she was strong and independent, Wonder Woman was also human. There were love storylines in her many years with men she loved very much. While she had romantic relationships with these men, she did not depend on these men. She has mature and loving relationships with that respected one another’s skills and talents, both she and her love interests finding themselves on an equal playing field in life.

 

Wonder Woman is someone who stood on her own two feet from the moment she was written into the world. She was a empowering superhero who used her powers to help others while all along helping to save the world. She reminds me all the time just how powerful women can be, as individuals and as a group. As women we need to think like Wonder Woman and be strong and powerful each and every day!  

 

Photo By Brigette Modglin

Photo By Brigette Modglin

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What A Year 2016

First off I just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year! It seems like I was just making plans for 2016 and now here I am gearing up for a wonderful 2017. This year was one for the books for me, with some big changes and come unique opportunities that came my way, I would definitely say that I had a growing year full of lots of highs and very few lows, always good in my book.

 

And it wasn’t just a growing year for me; it was a growing year for Colorado. The state continued to blossom with real estate developments consistently being built and job opportunities making our city a even more desirable place for millennials to move to. Throughout the year, Denver was ranked as the number one city in the United States as a place people were moving to live due to the jobs, the price of living and the incredible outdoor lifestyle. With all these new transplants came a surge of people looking for homes and that is where I really got to step in. The housing prices in Denver have always been consistent but prices for homes have slowly risen due to the high demand and the low inventory. This year, I worked with many first-time homebuyers and out-of-state homebuyers to get them the house of their dreams. While we had to be patient and flexible more times than not, this year I was still able to find good homes for my clients, and that always is something I strive for each and every year.

 

While people were just moving to Denver on their own, there also was an influx of newcomers due to companies relocating. BP Oil moved their headquarters to Denver that brought a great number of new employees and their families. Viega Pipe also moved their headquarters here this year from Kansas that again brought more workers and their families.  Lucky for me I had the pleasure helping one of their families move here. This is something we are going to continue to see as Denver continues to grow as a city and as a possible international hub thanks to a new development looking to take over the River North Arts District.

 

I would have to say the biggest change for me this year when it comes to my real estate would be my decision to join Kentwood City Properties a Birkshire Hathaway Affiliate. After much consideration and lots of chats with my husband, we both decided this would be a positive move for me in growing my career and taking my real estate to the next level. And boy has that been the case! This year I have grown in so many ways and I know a lot of it has to do with the opportunities I have been given due to joining such a dedicated team like Kentwood.

 

This year has been one for the books and I am so excited for what 2017 has in store for me and for my clients! If this is the year you are thinking it is time to buy or sell, please shoot me an email or give me a call and let’s discuss your best options. Happy New Year!

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Fun Winter Activities to do in Denver this Weekend

 

I think it is safe to finally say winter is here. With the cold days where temperatures are barely getting into double digits, the sun is a very friendly face to see when you walk outside to instant cold. I’ve seen people start to get on their social media and complain about Denver drivers in the snow (come on now, we know it’s all those transplants coming to town right? ;) and I recently heard on the radio Denver is ranked 8th worst driver’s in the United States, not exactly a title we will wear with pride! But we also are still one of the biggest growing cities in the US with more people moving her by the minute and that is one thing we can be really excited about.

A lot of people have asked me what is there to do in the city during the winter months. Many people head to the mountains to ski and snowboard but for those that want to stay city-side on the weekends here are a few events happening this weekend that are great for a date night, family outing or just a solo-time adventure:

 

Family Gingerbread Workshop – Denver Botanic Gardens – Saturday, Dec. 10th - $10-$17

Now this is something to take gingerbread house making to the next level for the whole family. Enjoy creating beautiful homes while learning about the plants that make up the cinnamon walls and how other holiday flavors like cloves, ginger and nutmeg get such their distinguished tastes.

 

Jingle Bell Run – South High School to Wash Park – Saturday, Dec. 10th – Prices vary

For the city that is renowned for being insanely active, here is a great race to put on your holiday garb and get the whole family running for research with Arthritis. Make sure to dress warm and put on your favorite antlers to enjoy this 5K course.

 

Santa Speedo Dash – 3625 W 32nd Ave – Saturday, Dec. 10th - $35

For those of you wanting a race with a little more flair, here is the perfect one-mile dash to get your heart beat racing. Come in your favorite speedo to help benefit Life is Better Animal Rescue by baring (most) all.

 

Denver Jackalope Holiday Market – McNichols Civic Center – Saturday, Dec. 10th – Sunday, Dec. 11th – Free

If you are still looking for some unique and awesome gifts for the holiday season, the Jackalope market is the place for you. With over 150 handmade vendors, you are sure to find something among the photographers, fashion and accessory designers, home décor, housewares and so much more.

 

Denver Pavilions Holiday Carousel – Denver Pavilions – Dec. 9th – Dec. 23rd - $3 per ride or FREE with purchase at a Denver Pavilions Merchant

Want to take your significant other on a fun date downtown? Why not stop at the annual carousel that is put up right by Denver Pavilions. With a portion of the proceeds going to help the Food Bank of the Rockies, this fun night activity is a great way to see the Christmas lights downtown while enjoying the company of your special someone.

 

There are so many great things going on in Denver this month so make sure to check my blog to see where to go! And don’t forget, just because the winter months are upon us doesn’t make it any less of a time to buy or sell your house! If you are thinking it may be time to do so, please shoot me an email or give me a call today and let’s grab a warm beverage to discuss your options.

 

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