Have you heard about NVU?  They claim to be the #1 FREE  Web Authoring System with WYSIWYG and HTML modes, and this a a great thing for a "non-computer" type person like myself.  I stumbled upon this this site and downloaded the program and have been using it(?) for all my blog drafting.  However, my frustration has been figuring it all out and putting it all together,  adding the artwork, colored text etc., and then getting it pasted into my AR blog site.  As I toggled back and forth I always lost the enhancements, but by George, I think I've got it and I wanted to share it with you just in case there are any other  NVU users out there or someone who might want to give it a try (minus all the hair pulling)!  So, here is my attempt at a tutorial.

1. Download NVU for free!
2. Write your blog, adding links, font choice, colored text, etc. The capital "A" arrows will increase or decrease the size of your font and you might have to play with this a little to get it to look the way you want it on your blog. Draft everything right now except your artwork!
3. When you are done,  highlight the text, open the top view tab and click on "HTML Source". This automatically changes your entry into HTML code. Don't panic, if you forgot something and need to see the WYSIWYG version,  just go back to the view tab again and click on the "Normal Edit Mode".  You can go back and forth as many times as your need, just be sure that you have all your text highlighted before you make your choice of either "HTML Source or Normal Edit Mode".
   
4. Are you ready to post to ActiveRain?  Highlight the text, open view and change it to HTML.  Once your post shows in HTML, highlight all of your text beginning with the line that starts <body... and left click to copy the text.
5. Open your ActiveRain to post a new blog.
6. Hit the HTML tab on top of the Entry Box.  Click "OK" to the pop-up box.
7. Paste your blog.
8. Title your blog.
9. Save it as a draft! 
10. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and post your blog.  Don't panic! Just like magic your blog your blog page opens up and your blog will be in living color and all!  But you are not done!
11. When your blog page opens, select edit.
12. When you come back to the edit page, click on WYSIWYG in the Entry section and now you can insert your pictures, fix any typos and make any adjustments you need.
13. Add your tags, visibility (change it from draft to whomever you are posting to) and make your additional posting selections.
14. Authorize your blog as the owner of content and post.
15. Congratulations!!!  You can now do what it took me months to figure out!
    

Every garage deserves to be MORE than just a garage! If your garage is full of junk stacked to the ceiling, hanging from the rafters, propped up against the walls and crawling all over the floor, now is the time to get organized and take back what is rightfully yours! Give yourself a "garage makeover" and start enjoying all that unused and wasted space that you didn't even know you had! 

Whether you have a one-car or two-car garage, you have a blank slate that you can design into something that provides storage for all your extras.  From closet organizers and now to garage organizers, you can go from simple and affordable all the way to elaborate and expensive, depending upon your budget.  Many storage options can be found at the big-box stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and the like.  Or, you can contact a company that specializes in garage organization.

Start by making a list of what you have that needs to be stored and how it needs to be stored.  What kind of a storage container makes the most sense?  Metal shelving and clear plastic tubs with lids are a great way to get started.  If keeping things dust free is important, purchase a storage cabinet with doors.  Peg-board hung on the walls is a great way to store items that can be hung from hooks. 

Be sure to use all three walls if available and group your items into specific areas for lawn maintenance, sports equipment, tools, holiday decorations etc. Label your bins so you know what is where without having to look too hard. Keep the items that you use the most at a handy reach and those you rarely use at a further reach.  Bikes can hang from the rafters for winter storage. Skis can hang from clips attached to the wall.  You get the idea. And if you need an extra cabinet for food and household items, keep those near the door to the house.  For the finishing touch, paint the garage floor with paint designed just for garage floors and you'll have thatcomplete garage makeover when you are done!
 



  





 

Well, it's property assessment time and you should be receiving yours in the mail any day now. Statewide, assessments were mailed out on Friday, except for Archulata County, which will be mailed a month later.  Property assessments occur every two years and due to the recent economy, I'm sure many homeowners will have concerns and questions about their property assessment. 

Here are some things an owner needs to keep in mind when opening and reviewing their  property tax assessment:

• Owners can not protest their property taxes.  You protest the property value. 
• The valuation notice provides an explanation of how a homeowner can file a protest by  the June 1st deadline. Usually by phone or mail, although some counties will allow fax, email or on line.    
• The easiest to challenge are factual errors (square footage, number of rooms, whether a basement is finished or not).
• The hardest to challenge are home values, especially in a volatile market.
• Assessments are not based on the current market.  Assessors use sales data from an 18-month period that ended with June 30, 2008.  Sales data after June 30, 2008 can not be used in the appeal.
• The keys to a successful protest are appropriate and similar home comparisons.  In other words, like properties.  A protest based on the wrong comparable will not get you very far.
• If you need assistance, a call to your Realtor will provide you with more accurate help than some of the on line real estate sites.
• Remember... the current assessment will be for a period between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. 
  

Neighborhoods...let's get connected!

The City of Centennial is inviting all neighborhoods, homeowner associations and civic associations to register on the City's website.  Each neighborhood is encouraged to list, at NO charge, it's meetings, locations and web address online.  Once you register your neighborhood, you will receive the latest information about what is going on in the City of Centennial and a Neighborhood Resourse Guide.  To register, go to the Living Section and click on Neighborhoods.

• A Carbon Monoxide Alarm installed in ALL homes with a fuel-fired heater or appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. 
• Alarms must be installed with 15 feet of the entrance to EACH room lawfully used for sleeping.
• Sellers are responsible for installing the alarms in accordance to the manufacturer's published instructions and I recommend keeping a copy of the those instructions in your personal files.
• Visit the EPA Website for further information about Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.  
  

Take your family and enjoy many of the upcoming summer events that the City of Centennial has to offer!

Saturday, May 30, 2009 - Centennial Youth Battle of the Bands
1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Best Buy at The Streets at Southglenn
Eight  to Twelve bands will compete and a winnerwill be  selected by popular vote and a judges vote as well.

Saturday, June 6, 2009 - Spring Fling Centennial
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
deKoevend Park
6315 S University Boulevard
Designed as a hands-on interactive festval for children of all ages. Enjoy lots of children's activities, entertainment, stage show, balloon sculptors, caricarture artists, game zone with life size games, face painters, play pavillion and more! Attendance near 5,000 expected.

Friday to Saturday, June 12-13th, 2009 - Relay for Life - American Cancer Society
6 p.m. (Friday) to 8 a.m. (Saturday)
Arapahoe High School
2201 East Dry Creek Road
Each year, across the nation one event brings entire communities together for the Relay For Life, and to take part in the fight for cancer..

Friday, July 10, 2009 - Night at the Movies Centennial
6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Trails Recreation Center
16799 East Lake Avenue
Enjoy a movie out under the stars.  Don't forget to bring your blanket and a picnic dinner.

Friday, July 17, 2009 - Night at the Movies Centennial
6:30p.m. - 10 p.m.
Commons Park at The Streets at SouthGlenn East Arapahoe Road    and South University Boulevard

Saturday, August 8, 2009 - Celebrate Centennial Under the Stars
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Centennial Medical Plaza 14200                                            East Arapahoe Road
A family event that includes free health screenings, interactive fitness demonstrations, vendors, activities, entertainment and a twilight movie ending with a spectaculat fireworks show.

On March 4th, the federal government released two new plans to help homeowners who need to refinance their mortgages.  While the earlier $8,000 Tax Credit bill provides incentives to first-time home buyers, these two new plans provide assistance to current homeowners who are in trouble. Your Lender will have all the specifics.

Plan One:  Option to refinance qualified borrowers (available immediately and until June 2010)
Who qualifies:

• Owner occupied homes.
• Borrower does not owe more than $729,750 on the loan (may be higher for multifamily units).
• Borrower has enough income to handle payments.
• Borrower can not be delinquent on mortgage.
  
• Mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie mac. 
• First mortgage can be no more than 105% of current market value.

To apply:

1. Borrower to contact the loan-service provider and be ready to provide:    
2. Two recent pay stubs.
3. Most recent tax return. 
4. Information regarding other debts such as car loans, credit cards etc.                                                                                                                                                                               

Plan Two:  Option to remedy loan terms for at-risk borrowers (available immediately and until Dec.31, 2012)
Who qualifies:

• Mortgages created originated before January 1, 2009.
• Borrowers must be owner occupants. 
• Owe no more than a pre-determined limit. 
• House payment must exceed 31% of the gross monthly income.
• Borrower can be delinquent or not, but must have enough income to handle the modified payments.

To apply:

1. Borrower to contact  the loan-servicer provider and be ready to provide:
2. Two recent pay stubs.   
3. Most recent tax return.   
4. Affidavit of financial hardship (why they can't afford the current mortgage). 
5. If at least 60 days delinquent, the loan servicer MUST modify the loan, if doing so would cost less than pursuing a foreclosure.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
   

How the loan is modified:

1. Mortgage payments are reduced to 31% of the gross monthly income by:  
2. Dropping interest rates to as low a 2%.  
3. If needed,  loan terms can be extended up to 40 years or principal payments  may be interest-free. 
4. After 5 years, the interest rate could raise to the market level at the time of the modification.  
   

The poor economy has us all looking for ways to cut back on our spending.  Some of the extras that can be cut are readily apparent. What is less noticable are the little things that tend to add up. These money grabbers tend to fly under the radar and we used to think, well...that's fifty cents here and a buck there. But, not anymore! Every penny counts!

So,  I started digging and I Googled "money saving tips" and I'm sure there are many other key words - but this was a place to start, and I was amazed at how many helpful tips I found.  If this speaks to you, then I encourage you to search around and find some tips that can help you save a few extra dollars each week.

Remember - a penny saved is a penny earned!

Here are some places that I visited and there are 100's more!

1. The Simple Dollar     100 tips for saving money  - loved the tip about planning your meals AROUND the weekly grocery flyer.
2. Bill Eater   Offered several different catagories with tips:  Credit Cards, Debt Reduction, Utility Bills, Insurance
3. Frugal Law Student    180 tips learned by reading blogs or other books.

"Cyber school?  What?  What are they talking about?  Hmm....I'd better listen to this a little more closely!"  And, what I heard on the morning radio show totally blew me away! I have friends, who have family members that home school their children.  But honestly, this was the first time I'd ever heard the term, cyber school!  And, I've got to tell you - the Mother and Son who were being interviewed were very happy and excited about this learning experience. 

So, off to my computer I went!  I Goggled "cyber school elementary" and the first entry was in my own State of Colorado - Colorado Virtual Academy  Here it was, in my own backyard and I didn't even know about it!  The Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA) offers a virtual learning experience for students in K -12.   The instructors are qualified and experienced Colorado-licensed teachers, who are available to students both online and by phone.  COVA provides a K12 curriculum which covers both core subjects and electives, online planning and assessment tools, resources, textbooks and much more. They also profess to have a very supportive school community, which organizes monthly activities for COVA parents, students, and staff.  Outside of the learning materials that you may be required to purchase, COVA provides a tuition-free public education for grades K-12.

So....what do you think about this?  Will this be the new wave of the future?  Will cyber school someday replace the brick and mortar schools?  If children are now learning at home - won't they be missing out on all the social learning aspects that a traditional school provides?  Sports? Activities? After school programs?

I would love to hear your comments!   

If you are looking for a restaurant that offers casual cuisine in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, then you must try the Grand Lux Cafe in Lone Tree, Colorado. 

Their prices are reasonable and they offer more than 100 menu selections and freshly baked goods.  There is something on the menu for everyone in your party - from appetizers to salads, burgers, sandwiches, oven baked rustic pizzas, pasta and noodles, steaks, items from the oven and broiler, or pan and grill, lunch specials and even a late breakfast!   Their desserts are baked in their own bakery, so they are hot and fresh from the oven.  They will even tell you about ordering desserts in the beginning because some of the desserts take 30 minutes to prepare - now that IS fresh-out-of-the-oven!   The only challenging part of the meal is trying to decide what to have!  Everything sounds so good that you want to order it all!  

My sorority members enjoyed a wonderful lunch there yesterday.  They took a reservation for our group of ten and the service we received was fabulous!  Our waiter was willing to prepare separate checks for our group and when one of the meals did not come as offered, the House Manager came to our table to offer his apology and the meal was complimentary.  Now that is customer service!