Octuplets – Insanity Redefined

By now everyone has heard about Nadya Suleman and her 14 children. Now we come to find out that she may have used part of the payments she received for a Disability to pay for the Fertility Treatments that added 8 more children to her family, in addition to the 6 children she already had.

On top of that – she is expecting the help of the cash strapped California Government, as well as the general public, by setting up a website, which accepts donations from you. (Taxpayers may have to cover octuplet mom’s  cost)

In my opinion, this is the “best” example of what is wrong with our society – from the selfish, irresponsible behavior of this “mom”, to the Doctor who helped her get pregnant with 8 children, to the system itself, gearing up to pay even more to this women.

Any responsible parent will not have more children than they can take care of.  And try to get foodstamps or help from the Government if you are finding yourself unemployed! Good Luck. None of this seems to apply in this case. This women (N. Suleman) got what she wanted – more kids (never mind she won’t be able to take appropriate care of them), possible additional payments from the Government – allowing her to increase her studentloans even more…and to top it off – the general public will get to pay for her insane behavior.

Maybe we need to ask the Fertility clinic to help this women pay for her children? After all….they were only too happy to help her get pregnant… But the only one being held responsible will be the taxpayer – not this unemployed “Mother”. (In my opinion – she really is a disgrace to all those mothers who are trying their best to take care of their children.)

Colorado Springs Downtown

The ongoing debate over the Revitalization of the Colorado Springs downtown area just got “moved up a notch” – with the increase of “party crowds” that swamp down town areas on almost any night of the week.

Tejon seems to be the party center, with crowds, supposedly reaching 2000 and more, causing an increase in police calls, as well as letters from citizens stating that they felt they could no longer enjoy an evening out, creating a negative perception of the downtown area; this almost contrary to the efforts to revitalize, add new shops and living areas (lofts).

The city’s answer is to install better lighting in alleys and installing more video cameras in order to reduce the risk from a public safety perspective.

What are your thoughts on this? Does the “party hub” create the wrong perception about Colorado Springs downtown and turn away new neighbors – both businesses and tenants?

Money Magazine has spoken!

According to Money Magazine, Colorado Springs has lost its spot in the Limelight – we’re no longer THE number one place to live. They (Money Magazine) have changed the rating criteria and it kicked us right out of that 1.Place position. Now, the question is – do we care?

According to the Gazette, our Mayor and the Tourism Bureau really want to hold on to that “title”. From a marketing stand point, I understand. The best advertising and endorsement always come from a third party. But does this ranking matter to residents? I’d really like to know. (So feel free to comment.)

What brought this up? Well, we went on vacation to Wisconsin, Noah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells to be exact. One of the biggest water parks around! We had a blast in the park; exploring the town and doing all the “touristy things” that were offered. (And we’d do it again in a heart beat, ‘cause they offered “a lot”.)

 But let me tell you, regardless of how much we enjoyed ourselves – coming home was great! No humidity, no bugs, mosquitoes or other strange flying or creeping things preventing  us from enjoying an evening on the deck, Mountains, Views, cheaper gas and food prices, wireless internet access, bookstores, Starbucks, shorter commutes and our own place. All the “trappings” we love and usually take for granted.

Guess nothing makes you appreciate home more, than a trip elsewhere. For my part, I don’t need any ratings to appreciate living in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs – from the “Outside In”

I’ve written about the things I love about Colorado, and specifically about Colorado Springs. But maybe, I’m biased.  After all, I live here. And I really love it. So I thought it’d be interesting to get an “Outsiders” point of view. Well – not really Outsider – but a Visitor’s point of view. Visitor’s from Germany to be exact.

My parents and my sister came for a two week visit. (My Mom had been here before, but it was the first time for my Dad and my Sister.) We took them around Colorado Springs, North to South, and East to West, including Territory Days, several Parks, Downtown and Old Colorado City. Manitou, up to Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, Eleven Mile Reservoir, Mueller State Park, Wilkinson Pass and more.  When it was almost time for them to return back to Germany – I asked the question I was most curious about: What do you think of Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas? What are your pros and cons?

Here are their answers (some expected some surprising):

Pros:

·         The natural Beauty is stunning. The privilege of waking up to views like these is a special treat.

·         The city is very “green” – trees and flowers everywhere!

·         So much offered in one Town – from Museums, to Trails, from Events and History to quiet Areas.

·         The stores are amazing – you can find a much larger selection here than in Europe.  (Sports gear, Craft Items, Decorative Items, Computers, Cell Phones etc)

·         Great “integrated” school system. (My sister is handicapped, and in Germany, that means that she attends separate schools – schools for the handicapped only. In my opinion, not the best route to go.)

·         Friendly and helpful people! Everyone was nice!

·         Great Opportunities for everyone – from schooling to employment.

Cons:

·         No user-friendly public transportation System, despite the city’s size. (FYI: Europe’s public transportation is extensive. You do not need to own a car to ‘get around’.)

·         The cities growth/sprawl on the East and North Side. Where are the factories and employers? (FYI: This from my Mom, who’s been here twice before. European cities are very compact, due to space issues and each city has industrial areas.)

 After spending two weeks here, they declared that it was one of the best vacations and that they can’t wait to return for another visit. The above pros and cons were offered due to my questions, and I think it’s interesting to get another opinion. Sometimes, due to seeing it every day, it’s harder to pinpoint what is special about an area and what could use improvement.  Overall, I think we’re extremely lucky to be living in a city like this.  Thanks to everyone for making this a great place – not just to visit, but to live.

Colorado Springs – Places to see, people to meet, things to do!

The following post probably falls under all three – it’s a place, you’ll meet great people and you can do a variety of things. This is one of Colorado Springs’ parks, fairly easy to find (not tucked away like some) and pretty big.

Cottonwood Creek Park, Colorado Springs – is located off Dublin Drive and Rangewood Drive in the North/East area of town is a popular spot for anyone age 1 to 100. There’s something to do for anyone, whether you’d like to participate in a team sport, play or just hike.

If you start out on the South/West corner of the park (corner of Dublin and Rangewood) – you’ll come across the roller hockey rink. It’s very popular and can get crowded, specially as the evenings get warmer  – but if you like to play – it offers several pick up games throughout the week. Next to it (north), you’ll find large baseball diamonds – which are used by a number of recreational teams (in case you’d like to join one), as well as families, throwing the ball around for fun.  A great playground – with numerous slides, climbing toys, swings and sandboxes is close by. Adventures to be had by all! (Including Adults!)

Keep walking uphill (west) and you’ll come upon the pool – the indoor pool which features a water-slide and wave pool! Just beyond that are the soccer fields….a VERY popular spot! Many of the city’s soccer teams use these fields. Along the creek, you’ll find walking trails and a golf Frisbee course! Feel free to play at your convenience – just bring your own Frisbee, endurance and good aim!

Cottonwood Creek Park is surrounded by neighborhoods, a couple of smaller office buildings across the street and Cottonwood Creek on the north. It’s easy to find, fun to use and parking is, thanks to the large lot, no problem. Looking for something to do? Let’s go to the park! Specially now, that spring seems to – finally - be taking over!

New Elementary School in Wagon Trails

 Wagon Trails, Colorado Springs – the new Freedom Elementary School is moving right along. Construction is continuing and you can see progress almost daily.

The new school is located on Colorado Springs’ North/East Side, in Wagon Trails (Bordered by Austin Bluffs, Dublin and Bridle Pass). The address is 5280 Butterfield Drive and it backs up to McCleary Park (The Wagon Trails Neighborhood Park). It is scheduled to open this fall, for the 2007/2008 school year! The school’s website is up, and the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and BAAC (Building Accountability Advisory Committee) have been elected. The school is expected to have a capacity of approx. 600 students.

Kindergarten Registration will be held at Scott Elementary, for children that are five years old on or before October 1st of the next school year, on Friday, April 27th. For additional information, please go on line to the District Website.

Colorado Springs – New On Base Shopping

Colorado Springs – Peterson Air Force Base is adding a new BX (Base Exchange) and Commissary on the East side of the Base. Active Duty Military, their Family Members and retired Military and Family Members (which make up a large portion of the on-base shoppers) have the privilege of shopping on post, through AAFES, which provides the same products and services as offered by off post stores and service providers, but often at a much lower price.

By adding the new shopping center, the commissary alone will be able to hold almost 50% more products – hopefully preventing the constant need to re-stock. The BX will also increase by almost 50%, adding the necessary space to offer things like a larger food court (including a Sushi Bar), a nail salon, a Bank and an Optometrist among others.

 The easiest access to the new complex will be through the East Gate, which will have adjusted hours of operations, to meet demand. The Grand Opening is set for June 5th through the 9th and will include Giveaways and Activities.

Plan your Route – Construction Update

According to an Article in the Gazette on 02/25/2007, construction on the Intersection of Union and Austin Bluffs will increase this week, with additional lane closures and speed reductions. So if you can find a different route – it probably will get you to your destination quicker.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group

Bleak Outlook according to the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments

According to the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, we’re on our way to a fairly “segregated” and dramatically changed City.

The “rich” people will live to the North of Colorado Springs, the “poor” people in the South. The number of people living here will increase dramatically, but so will the number of available jobs, the city will grow, the Suburbs will sprawl and Colorado Springs will rank as Nr. 2 on the list of poverty stricken cities, right behind Detroit. All that is to happen by or around the year 2035.

As a “transplant” myself – I have to agree with one thing – the city is growing. And it’s growing quickly. However, I also believe that growth is a positive thing to happen. A city without growth is a dying city. Only by growing will an area be kept vibrant. But it has to be managed growth – not rampant and without thought.

Since moving here 10 years ago, I’ve seen the areas east of and along Powers Blvd explode – with neighborhoods, shops, industrial areas and office buildings. The latest add-on is a brand new hospital. The same holds true for the north, south and south/east side of Colorado Springs.

And why wouldn’t people want to live here? It’s beautiful, the weather is great, opportunities abound, people are friendly, education is highly valued and all this comes packaged with a “small town” feel. Personally, I love it here. It’s a great place to live. All we have to do now, is manage our future growth responsibly, to keep the spirit of Colorado Springs alive. So that 10, 20 and 30 years from now, people will still be able to say the same things about this town : “It’s a family town. I love it.”

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group

Colorado Springs under Construction

According to a recent report on KRDO TV – Construction hits the Springs. According to City planners our Streets are in need of repair!

Boy, if that’s not an Understatement. Seems not a day goes by, where I’m not dodging Potholes that could swallow a bicycle and do some serious damage to anyones suspension and axles.

I know on the North Side of town, we currently have construction crews and signs along Woodmen Road, pretty much from I-25 on east, on the Intersection of Austin Bluffs and Union in any direction, Corner of Union and Fillmore, as well as west on Fillmore. Then there’s I25 itself – with some major construction – along I-25, as well as Bijou Bridge. The trip from downtown up North can now take almost twice as long. (And that’s only if traffic is cooperating….)

I try to avoid most of the areas, however – we only have so many ways to get from point A to point B – and it’s not always possible.

So if anyone knows of any short cuts that are not comon knowledge – please, share!

Aside from that, all we can do is make the best of it, by trying to avoid those areas, and if that’s not an option, being extra-careful, specially around the work crews!

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group