#2 The Furry Scurry– Denver

If your dogs usually take you for a walk, you may want to take the lead by signing yourself and the furry crew up for the 2008 Dumb Friends League Furry Scurry. You’ll have to get a move on since the event is this Saturday at 9:00 am at Washington Park.

The 2 mile walk and fun run helps raise money for the League in it’s mission to serve more than 25,000 homeless and abandoned animals. Their goal is to raise $850,000. They are currently at $424,293.89. It is an annual event, so if you miss it this year, plan to be there next spring.

Click here to register.

Your family members and friends can sponsor you and your dog, or you can just pay the registration fee of $50.00. Either way, it is a fun event that also raises money for a good cause. If you can’t make it, you can still donate by signing up as a Lazy Dog. 

Olive and I look forward to seeing you there!

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This post is the first in a series of 1001. They are not in any particular order, just things that I have had the opportunity to do or are on my list of things not to miss in the great state of Colorado.

#1– Denver Metro Area

You’ve seen it on television during the Extreme Sports shows, but did you know we have some incredible young people locally and across the state who fly? Give them a skate board and the sky is the limit. Grab lunch, something cold to drink and a lawn chair and head to one of our local skate parks to watch these amazing athletes at play. If you are really brave, take your helmet, knee pads and your own skateboard and give it a try.

Here are just a few skate parks you may want to consider visiting.

Denver Skate Park–  2205 19th Street, Denver

Arvada Skateboard Park– 7800 Barbara Ann Drive, Arvada

Aurora Wheel Park– 2500 S. Wheel Park Circle (Approximately Iliff and Chambers), Aurora

Castle Rock Skate Park– 2240 Front Street, Castle Rock

Centennial Skate Park– Buckley and Orchard, Centennial

Commerce City Pioneer Park–  60th and Monaco, Commerce City

Green Valley Ranch– 51st and Argonne, Denver 

Greenwood Village Skate Park– 6000 S. Quebec, Greenwood Village

Highlands Ranch Redstone Park– Town Center Drive and Foothills Canyon Blvd., Highlands Ranch

Lakewood Walker-Branch Park– 5825 W. 16th, Lakewood

I’ve been by the Aurora Wheel Park and the Castle Rock Skate Parks. These kids are fearless and fun to watch. If you haven’t made it yet, I highly encourage taking an afternoon to sit back and take it in. It may become a favorite past time and it’s free!

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One of the brightest harbringers of the Colorado spring is the 9Health Fair. If you are looking to do a little body spring cleaning along with that of your house, this is the place to be. Not only can you have your blood tests completed, you can have many other tests done at a much lower cost than if you go to the doctors office. There are a variety of activities and educational booths available to keep you interested and busy.

The 9Health Fair usually runs between April 14th-20th, with an occasional Fair happening outside those dates. If you’d like to find a location near you, click here.

I’m sure they are also still looking for volunteers. There are thousands of incredible people who support this effort with their time. From doctors to citizens who point the way, they would love to chat with you about how you can best help. Click here if you are willing to dedicate the time to help us all stay healthy. You may save someone’s life.

The 9Health Fair reminds us that it is important to take care of ourselves so we can help those we love.

Let the 9Health Fair begin…..

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Cleanup bags are readily available at every entrance at Stapleton’s dog park. It is a wonderful place for our furry friends to romp and play with other dogs.

Olive, now about six months old now, made her first trek out to the Stapleton dog park. She was a bit shy and overwhelmed with the variety and size of many of the animals there. I’m looking forward to the time when Olive is more comfortable in her skin and plays with the rest of the dogs.

We are lucky that Denver people love their dogs and have worked hard to provide dog parks in numerous locations around the Denver area.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few of the great places for dogs. I know Lowry residents are planning a dog park and working to raise funds to make it a reality. They are accepting donations if you’d like to help. If I have not included your favorite dog park, feel free to add the location in your comments.

Some of these locations do not have fenced in areas and you must be in control of your dog at all times. Please display courtesy at all locations by cleaning up after your dog and making sure they are friendly at play.

Olive and I are going to try several of these parks out. We are looking forward to meeting you. Just look for the dog that is hanging out with all the people and you have found us.

 Other Resources:

Denver Dog Friendly City Guide

Dog Fun Directory

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We still have a few weeks of winter left and if the occasional snowflakes happen to fall when you least expect them, you may want to consider taking one of the wonderful free tours available in the Denver area. Here are just a few suggestions.

I toured the State Capitol and the Mint when I was a child. I look forward to going back. I remember being fascinated, especially by how money is made.

These are all wonderful places to visit on a snowy day, or any other day in fact.

Happy touring!

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What were you doing between 7pm and 9pm on Thanksgiving Day? While I was relaxing after a wonderful meal with family members and friends, the bad guys were stealing things from cars in the Lowry neighborhood. How do I know that?

The Denver Police Department and Global Information Systems Department have developed interactive crime mapping software that is available to all of us.

Want to know what is going on in your neighborhood?

We can search by address, crimes occurring near parks, schools or libraries and also by neighborhood. Our search gives us a community map with reported crimes.

If we scroll down further, we can find specific crimes that were reported by date, time and location.

How does this help us? In a couple of ways.

We’ll know what to keep an eye out for on specific suspicious activities. If I’m aware that criminals are stealing things out of cars, I will look closer when I see a person or people around a car in my neighborhood that don’t look familiar.

If I’m looking to purchase in a particular community, I can check out the facts before I buy.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out this valuable information that has been provided to us by the City and County of Denver. It’s a great way to learn something new about your community and to use that information to make a difference.

Denver Crime Offenses Website

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What does a baby rattle, a coffee grinder and a wet/dry vacuum have in common? These are just a few of the items on the Denver Zoo’s Wish List.

If you are doing a little fall cleaning and would like to do something nice for the animals and/or keepers and horticulture staff, make a donation to the zoo. While they always welcome cash, you can also assist with gift cards from pet supply, home building and grocery stores. They also accept items in new or good condition. The value of the item you donate does qualify as a charitable deduction.

Here are just a few items the zoo staff can use:

Gourds
Baby Rattles and Mobiles
Blankets (Crib Sized and Up)
DVD Players and VCRs
8 mm Video Cameras
Televisions 13”-15” to Monitor Animals
Blender
Coffee Grinder
Washer and Dryer
Wet/Dry Vacuum
Cordless Power Tools
Stiff Bristle Push Brooms

For a more complete list, click here.

If you’d like additional information on how to make a donation, call the Zoo’s Development Office at 303–376–4863.

So, consider granting a wish for the staff members and animals at the Denver Zoo and if you aren’t a member yet, what are you waiting for?

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Trivia Question: Why is this Annual Wheat Ridge event named the Carnation Festival?

As a native to Colorado you might have thought that I was an annual attendee to the 38th Annual Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. Sad to say, this was a first for me. But, it will definitely not be the last. The food, the music and especially “A Step Above”, the five women dancers from ages 70–93, helped make this event a memorable one.

While Friday evening brought some rain, the die hards stuck it out and were rewarded with one of the most vibrant rainbows I have ever seen, soon followed by an evening of fireworks. The Wheat Ridge Police Department team beat the Wheat Ridge Silver Foxes in a friendly game of softball. I understand that the Silver Foxes, with an average age of 67, usually win this game. Maybe they let the police officers win this year.

Trivia Answer: From the 1950s-1980s, Wheat Ridge was world renowned for the beautiful carnations. In the mid 1980’s cheap carnations from Columbia put most of the local growers out of business. The last of the major wholesalers, the Novacek Family, still runs a garden center in the area. The family members were the 2007 parade marshalls.

If you missed this year, plan to attend the 39th Annual Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival in August of next year. You’ll be glad you made it.

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I can’t believe it is August already. This is the last list of free Denver outdoor events for the summer. Soon it will be over and we’ll actually have to sit in a theater or at home to see a good movie. Concerts will be in event centers or on television. There is nothing like sitting outside with neighbors and friends while being able to see a great movie or dance to some of the amazing bands that are appearing in our area. If you haven’t made it yet, now is the time.

Grab your lawn chair, fill the cooler and head to any one of the many free events occurring in parks and shopping centers across the Denver metropolitan area. Feel free to add any events I may have missed to your comments. Don’t forget the date, time and location. 

Remember to bring a blanket in case it gets cool, and don’t forget your favorite lawn chair. I look forward to seeing you there. A special thanks to all the communities and shopping centers that gave us such a wonderful time this year.

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Swimming in Denver is for the dogs at the, “Berkeley Bark Day and the Dog-a-Pool-ooza”. It’s a doggie swim day. Be there early. Only 50 dogs at a time are allowed at the pool and it is first come first served.

Location:  Berkeley Park Pool, 46th and Tennyson

When:  Sunday August 19th from 10am-12pm and 12:30pm-2:30pm

Cost:  $5.00 per dog

Sponsored by:  Denver Parks and Recreation an Denver Animal Care and Control

There will also be a vaccination and License clinic at a cost of $20 and lots of games, prizes and even doggie ice cream! Kudo’s to the sponsoring agencies for a unique and fun way to get the word out about pet licensing. I wonder if they have a way to get rid of that wet dog smell before Fido goes back in the car?

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Would you like to be advised when a house in your neighborhood goes on the market? Or, are you looking for just the right home? Check out the tools on the right side of this screen.

Complete a home search by clicking on “Search the MLS for Free”. For daily e-mails on what is new on the market or what listings have been refreshed, select “Free Daily Email MLS Listings”.

On the next screen you can narrow the parameters of your search.

 My promise: You won’t get a phone call or email from me until you ask for my help. This is a free service with no strings attached.

I like keeping on top of the market. Now, you can too.

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Looking for some unusual and educational places to visit with your kids before summer is over? Here is a list of suggested places that may encourage your children well into the future.

1. With so much in the news about renewable energies, we are lucky to have the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in our backyard in Golden. They have a visitor’s center that has interactive exhibits on energy sources and what the lab is doing to develop and encourage the use of alternative fuels. Click here for information on location and hours. Will one of your children be the scientist to discover an ecologically friendly and effective source of energy in the next fifty years?

2. Have you wondered about global warming at its impact on our weather? For some answers, visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. During the development and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many of the interviews were with scientists in Boulder. If you and your kids have ever wondered why the sky is blue, you may want to visit the Blue Sky exhibit. This is a wonderful place for that budding meteorologist and anyone who is interested in weather and climate. Click here for more information on location and hours.

3. The Lowry area offers the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. If you love planes, this is a museum where you will get your fill. The huge B-1 bomber greets you as you drive up. The community saved the plane years ago when a vandal attempted to deface it. You and your family will also see historic planes and best of all for Star Wars fans, Luke Skywalker’s X-wing fighter. Click here for the location and visitor hours.

4. For a combination of indoor and outdoor activities, visit the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and its one and one half miles of kid friendly hiking trails. The Center has interactive exhibits on native Colorado wildlife. If your child loves the outdoors and animals, this center may spark a future naturalist. Click here for location and visitor hours.

5. Most children love things with wheels. If so, they will love the Forney Transportation Museum. The museums includes trains, bicycles, cars, motorcycles and any other form of transportation you can think of on wheels. Amelia Earhart’s Kissel and a Rolls Royce Phantom I are just a couple of the cars that highlight this museum. Click here for location and visitor hours.

 

I’m sure I’ve missed a number of unusual places, but this should give you and your family some ideas on how to finish out the summer. For more wonderful information, Fodor’s has a book called Around Denver with Kids, 68 Great Things to Do Together.

Have a great time!

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Did you know that this Saturday the Thornton High School Band is having a garage sale to raise funds? You can visit the sale at the Five Star Stadium located at 9351 Washington Street. Were you aware that there is a computer desk and some children’s clothing available for sale on Saturday and Sunday at 1511 S. Fillmore?

For garage sale aficionados, have I got the web site for you.  Nate Denning contacted me about a new site that combines garage sales found on other internet sites into one easy to use Google mapping site. Click here for Denver Area Garage Sales. Not only can you locate the garage sales, but with Google Mapping you can also map your driving routes.

I’ll add the link on the left hand side of the page so you can visit any time when you need a garage sale fix.

Happy garage sale-ing!

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It’s the time of year to grab your lawn chair, fill the cooler and head to any one of the many free events occurring in parks and shopping centers across the Denver metropolitan area. Feel free to add any events I may have missed to your comments. Don’t forget the date, time and location. 

Several of the concerts may have been rained out tonight, but we still have many more events to come. From penguins to poems, jazz to country, there is something for everyone. It’s almost August and summer will be coming to an end along with our opportunity to spend a beautiful night serenaded under the stars. Don’t miss your chance to share it with family and friends.

The only problem will be how to choose between the events being hosted on the same night. Remember to bring a blanket in case it gets cool, and don’t forget your favorite lawn chair. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Whether it is your parent’s fiftieth wedding anniversary, your wedding or a birthday party for your skating teenager, having just the right location for a party sets the stage. With 205 parks, Denver has the nations largest park system and amazing settings for a host of events.

Picnic permits are available for private gatherings at sixty metro and eleven  mountain picnic sites. The permit is required for gatherings over 25 people and reserves the site. The fees range from $45 for standard picnic sites to $85 for sheltered sites. 

There are five “Special Occasion Sites” that have capacity up to 350 people. Alcohol may be allowed with a permit. The fee is $230 without alcohol and $390 with alcohol.

City Park– Flower Garden and Meadow Area

Confluence Park

Skyline Park

Centennial Park (Permit through the Denver Botanic Gardens)

Washington Park Boathouse

 

The Facility Use Permit Application can be completed on-line and emailed, faxed or mailed. The only exception is that Special Occasion Site requests must be hand carried to the permitting office which is located at the Webb Building, 201 West Colfax Avenue on the second floor. There are some special requirements for larger events. Please read the full application.

Here is a list of links to reserve parks in other Denver metro area communities:

Aurora

Highlands Ranch

Littleton

Englewood

Thornton

Arvada

Lakewood

Arapahoe County

Adams County

Jefferson County

Hosting a party at one of the local parks can not only save you money, but create a wonderful and memorable event.

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