South Denver 2013 Fireworks and Fourth of July Fun Page

While many cities and suburbs in the South Denver area have cancelled or are postponing fireworks this 4th of July, there are still plenty of events to enjoy in our communities. I wanted to give you a short overview of those and also supply you with some additional ideas for party fun on the Fourth along the Denver Front Range. Have a great time and be safe! - Jim

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There's a crazy amount of fun taking place at the July 4th Parade, Run, & Celebration at Town Center in Highlands Ranch. Just a sampling of the activities include a 5k run, hot dog eating contest, skateboard demos, and plenty more.

By the way, fireworks have been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, September 21 during Oktoberfest.

July 4th Activities in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Englewood 4th of July Festival and Fireworks

Updated List of 2013 Fireworks Shows Across Colorado

4th of July Recipe and Party Ideas

Get some tips on grilling, BBQ, desserts, holiday drinks and picnic salads

Intriguing 4th of July Fact

Three U.S. presidents have died on July 4th. Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the singing of the Declaration of Independence. Five years later, James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.

Fourth of July Party and Decoration Ideas

Share with the Kids: How Fireworks Work

From Nova on PBS

10 Unique 4th of July Outfit Ideas 

Highlands Ranch Home for Sale: 2234 Cactus Bluff Avenue, Highlands Ranch, CO, 80129

Costs and Contracts: Financial Questions to Ask Assisted Living Facilities in Denver, Colorado

by Jim Holmes

It can be stressful enough when a senior citizen or a caregiver decides that a move to assisted living may be the best option for that elder. Along with a ton of organizational and emotional issues, the financial implications are important points that must be pondered and acted upon.

For Help in Buying or Selling a Home in South Denver: Contact Me Here

As a Realtor in south Denver, it's part of my job to help transition senior clients to the assisted living facilities in the Denver Front Range that may be the best options for their care. One of the ways in which I act in service to seniors is by doing more than just helping to sell their home: I want to make sure that the entire transition in this phase of your/their life is as seamless and hassle-free as possible.

As such, I want to provide some basic financial and legal questions that a caregiver or senior citizen should ask any community they are considering moving to.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a lawyer and this should NOT be interpreted as legal advice. It's important that you talk with an attorney before signing any contracts.

Questions for Assisted Living Facilities

1) What is the basic fee?

2) What services are included with that fee?

3) What are the additional prices for ala carte services or products?

4) What initial (or down) payment is required? Is any portion of that refundable?

5) If my loved one is not at the facility for an extended period of time (such as due to a hospital or nursing home stay) what fees are still applicable?

6) Is renters insurance mandatory?

7) When, why, and how often are fees likely to be changed?

8) How much advance warning is provided in the event of fee changes and who is notified?

9) Is financial assistance available now or at any juncture?

10) Who is responsible for cleaning or repair in the event of a significant spill or other accident?

11) What's the refund policy in case of closure, ownership change, transfers, or similar events?

12) What are the behaviors or circumstances that may result in termination of services or eviction?

13) What are the rights of residents?

14) What are the grievance procedures and alternatives in case of dissatisfaction with that process?

If you have other questions concerning a move to an assisted living facility, or if you'd like to discuss with me the possible sale of your family home, please feel free to contact me anytime here.

Denver Home for Sale: 2234 Cactus Bluff Avenue, Highlands Ranch, CO, 80129

Holly Creek Retirement Community Summer Open House

I absolutely love it when I see a senior living community in the Denver area that provides a unique arrangement of activities and events for their residents. And when those events include participation from the public and local citizens, it's all the better!

And things are hopping this month at Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial as their Summer Open House celebrations are well underway with a variety of activities including an Art Walk, speakers on Heart Healthy Nutrition and Cooking, and a discussion on an embattled Mideast culture, all designed to enlighten, entertain, and engage. I hope you'll stop by and join in the fun! - Jim Holmes

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Things got underway with a kickoff breakfast on May 31 and June 1, and the residents and staff were also awesome enough to quickly put together a benefit bake sale on June 4, with all proceeds designed to help the Oklahoma tornado victims.

Active Minds: Kurds

June 10

3pm

Holly Creek residents and guests (anyone from the community is welcome to attend) will explore the complicated dynamic of 30 million people Kurdish people in the Middle East and seek to understand the Kurdish people and their struggle. The Kurds are an ethnic group of approximately 30 million with origins in a part of the Middle East that has been surrounded by the historic powers of the region. Today, the traditional lands of the Kurds are divided into parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. As a minority in each of these countries, the Kurds have long sought their own sovereign nation or at least more autonomy, with mixed results.

Visit the Holly Creek Website

Heart Healthy Nutrition with the Cooking Cardiologist 

June 13

1:30pm

The engagement and enlightenment at Holly Creek continues! Join Dr. Richard Collins, "The Cooking Cardiologist" with South Denver Cardiology Associates, and Susan Buckley, RD, as they explore the relationship between heart disease and nutrition. Dr. Collins is a nationally known speaker and practicing cardiologist who will provide you with information on how diet improves cardiovascular health and how making changes at any age will make a huge difference!

Art Walk and Reception 

Thursday, June 20th

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m

Join Holly Creek's first Art Walk & Reception in the town center that will feature a group of local Colorado artists and some of the Holly Creek resident artists as well. Each artist will be displaying their art work for viewing and some pieces will be available for purchase. Come on down and enjoy the varied and beautiful art work while munching on some delicious appetizers and wine.

RSVP to 720.266.5610 or to dnelson@clcmail.org

Again, these folks  events are open to the public and part of the Holly Creek Summer Open House season. Come by and enjoy.

Contact Jim Holmes to Buy or Sell a Denver Front Range Home

How to Repair Identity Theft and Credit Damage in Denver

In an earlier blog post, I supplied tips on how how to protect yourself from a significant problem in Colorado: identity theft.

In this piece, I report on how to REPAIR the problem IF your identity is stolen. Thieves are becoming ever more sophisticated at their crime than ever before. As a Denver Front Range realtor, I know EXACTLY how heartbreaking it is for clients when identity theft or otherwise damaged credit hinders them in buying a new house. Here's what you can do if you're affected. Best of luck! - Jim Holmes

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How to Repair Identity Theft

1) Quickly Place a Fraud Alert with the Credit Reporting Companies.

The first company will then supply the info to the others. There is no cost for the fraud alert, but you must offer proof of identity. This report lasts for 90 days then must be renewed. Be sure and provide the company with your current contact info.

2) Get Copies of Your Credit Report

This is vital in determining how much damage you've suffered. The first report is free of charge. Then immediately reach out to the businesses that have been affected by the theft and begin a dialogue with their fraud department.

3) Create an Identity Theft Report

This will ultimately initiate an extended fraud alert on your credit report. Write all of the details of the identity theft in the report. This then becomes your identity theft affidavit. Provide this report to your local police and file a complaint with them. Keep a copy of the police report and submit your Identity Theft Affidavit and the police report to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission here.

U.S. Federal Trade Commission: Steps to Repair Identity Theft

Colorado Attorney General: Identity Theft Repair Kit

Monitor the Process Closely

Resolving identity theft can be quite cumbersome. Stay organized and build a system to track all of your correspondence, documentation, and phone calls. Keep everything and document everything!

The advice here encompasses only the first steps to undergo when attempting to repair identity theft in Denver, Colorado. Be sure and read through the websites linked here for further information and steps.

Featured Home for Sale: 2234 Cactus Bluff Avenue, Highlands Ranch, CO, 80129

Protect Yourself and Business from Identity Theft: Denver, Colorado Resource Guide

Did you realize that 19 people in the United States are the victims of identity theft every minute? And, of course, the problem is also significant right here in the Denver metro area.

I've written this post to help dampen a thief's ability to steal your information. This first post includes simple ways to keep your info secure. Next week, I'll offer advice on what to do if your identity is stolen. - Jim

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Identity Theft Info & Resources from Denver Authorities

Denver Police Department: Identity Theft Prevention

Colorado Secretary of State: Business Identity Theft Resource Guide

Denver District Attorney: Identity Theft Consumer Protection

Tips

1) Keep an eye out for unauthorized activity on your bank and credit cards. Monitor your credit report for activity that raises a red flag.

2) Shred documents, bills, junk mail, and any paper that holds your name, address, social security number, or personal account numbers. Personal, home or office shredders are inexpensive tools to safeguard your valuable identity.

3) Remove mail from your mailbox as soon as possible. Theft from mailboxes to garner identities is a serious problem.

4) Make sure that your online passwords are strong. This typically means including a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers. Never use the same password for more than one account. Also, be sure to change those passwords periodically.

5) Personal and financial documents that are stored on a computer should be protected by a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software. Your browser should always be up to date and security updates from Microsoft, Apple, or other hardware and software providers should be immediately and regularly installed.

6) Don't list your date of birth or birth place on social networks. Obviously, never fall prey to Internet email scams or phone calls that insist on any of your private information.

7) Do not accept "friend" requests on social media sites from individuals you are not familiar with.

And a final word of advice, some homeowners insurance policies include coverage for identity theft. Consult your agent for details.

As a Denver Front Range and Summit county real estate agent, I know first hand how vital responsible credit is for home ownership and so many other things! Identity theft can destroy your credit and cost you a large sum of money and many hours to repair. Across Colorado, your personal information is one of the most important things you possess.

Lakewood, Colorado House for Sale

Jim Holmes and The Alliance Group Receive Denver Real Estate Award

FOR MORE INFORMATION                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Douglas E. Lierle                                                                        April 27, 2013
Lierle Public Relations on behalf of:
South Metro Denver Realtor Association
303-792-0507
Email: lierlepr@comcast.net

Jim Holmes and The Alliance Group Garners Prestigious Sales Production Award for 2012 from

South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association

Realtor Group Holds First Annual Diamond Circle Awards Celebration

April 26th at Marriott Denver South

DENVER, Colo. – April 27, 2013 – Jim Holmes, a leading real estate professional with The Alliance Group of Englewood, has been recognized by the South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association (SMDRA) as a 2012 Diamond Circle Club Member. SMDRA held its first annual Diamond Circle Awards celebration on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Marriott Denver South at Park Meadows.

Diamond Circle Club recipients for 2012 must meet the minimum requirement of $3 million in total sales volume or 20 real estate transactions to qualify for the prestigious 2012 Diamond Club Member recognition.  SMDRA is a non-profit trade association that provides real estate professionals with the resources they need to help them grow and prosper in the highly competitive real estate business.

“We are pleased to recognize Jim as a Diamond Circle Club Member for 2012,” said Jo Pellegrino-Ellis, 2013 President of SMDRA.  “He has demonstrated a sincere dedication to the real estate business, old-fashioned hard work, and superior customer service to achieve success regardless of market conditions.  We are proud to have Jim as a member of our association.”

Master of Ceremonies for the Diamond Circle Awards was Sam Adams, a Denver area comedian and past winner of the Great American Comedy Festival.  Adams has headlined in premier venues around the country, in addition to Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Paramount Theater.  Clever, clean and hilarious, he has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS, and the NFL Network.  Adams was also the recipient of Colorado’s Print Journalist of the Year award in 2003.

Denver Assisted Living: Christian Living Communities

My friends at Christian Living Communities put on another splendid evening on April 25 at their Holly Creek Community in Centennial. I'm always happy to take part in their events and this one - the 8th Annual Aged to Perfection mixer - was a nice way to spend the night, networking and mingling with others, while lending a hand to a very worthwhile organization in our area. Nearly 350 folks enjoyed wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction.

Proceeds support their mission of providing services for seniors in a manner that reflects Christian love, respect and compassion and that sets the highest of standards for service and care of our elders.

Find Information About Buying or Selling a Denver-Area Home

As a Denver Realtor, I regularly come across senior citizens and their caregiver families who are selling the family home and require a great spot for Mom or Dad to downsize to and receive assisted living care. I'm very grateful that all of us in this area can count on Christian Living Communities across south Denver to provide this sort of service on a non-profit basis.

Visit Their Website to Learn More About Christian Living Communities