Dancers Rebekah Arth, Rebecca Walker and Kammie Deuschle and musician/composer John Heins join the lively Danse Etoile Ballet company for a performance of live music and dance with something for everyone. The show will open with the classical Pas des Odalisques from Le Corsaire ballet, Two solos from The Flames of Paris, followed by 3 world-premiere contemporary pieces The Black Eagle set on music by French singer Barbara, La Valse d’Amelie and A Place to be Together. The second act will be the jazzy ballet based on the award winning French cartoon "The Triplettes of Belville".At the Broomfield Auditorium Saturday May 9 at 2pm.Tickets GA $15. Call 720 938 3030. Email mariejose@danseetoile.org
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As Personal Savings Rise to 5%, Consumers Could be Making Up to 6% APRAccording to the U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday, the personal savings rate surged to 5% in January. As consumers frantically try to save their money as the economic outlook continues to look bleak throughout much of the country, they could be making up to 6% APR on their checking account.A “personal financial stimulus package” starts with the basics—your banking relationship. Community banks are still offering the best interest rates on free checking accounts:Florida Central Credit Union 6.01First Robinson Savings Bank 6.01Communications Federal Credit Union 5.25Connexus Credit Union 5.15Community Bank of Pleasant Hill 5.01Three Rivers FCU 5.01Union State Bank/Bank of Atchison 5.01Beacon Federal Credit Union 4.51In over 4000 community financial institution branches across the country, consumers are receiving from 3% to 6% interest rates on free checking with no minimum balance and reimbursed ATM fees. And these are NOT teaser rates.With a history of delivering value and customer-centric service, selected community banks and credit unions are offering free checking accounts with CD-like yields. The bank or credit union realizes operational savings when account holders accept eStatements, utilize direct deposit, access online banking, and increase their debit card usage and returns it to the consumer in the form of higher yields.To help consumers find community banks and credit unions with high-yield checking accounts, www.checkingfinder.com was created.
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Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its latest IAS360™ House Price Index. Based on the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, the index showed a staggering 3.5% plunge in house prices for January, the worst single-month decline since its peak in November of 2006.January’s drop by itself represents more than $610 billion in reduced value of U.S. housing stock and brings the total loss from the start of the economic meltdown last September to roughly $2.4 trillion. Following a 1.1% decline in December, the national housing index has now fallen 24.7% from its peak in November of 2006.At the U.S. Census region level, the Midwest, which has been particularly impacted by the economic turmoil, fell another 4.5% in January bringing the region’s total decline since September 2008 to 12.4%. The other three census regions were down in line with the national drop of 3.5% for the month, though the West, not too surprisingly, far outpaces the rest of the country with what is now a 23.4% decline for the last 12 months.IAS 360’s granular data indicates the areas that experienced the largest gains during the housing bubble, California and Florida in particular, are continuing to be hit the hardest. Three counties in Florida—Charlotte (Punta Gorda), Hernando (Spring Hill), and Pasco (New Port Richey)—are now down more than 50% from their highs in 2006.The January IAS360 report also reveals the nation’s wealthiest counties have not at all been insulated from the national decline. Three Virginia counties—Loudoun, Stafford, and Prince William have each fallen more than 30% from their respective peaks.“These are unprecedented times to say the least,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “We’re seeing house prices plummet at a rapid pace throughout the country. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the data for signs of a bottoming out.”The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 “neighborhoods”, which is rolled-up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.Leveraging real time data and nationwide resources, Integrated Asset Services' high-tech and high-touch product lines, (www.iasreo.com/iseries.html), offer an unmatched level of detail in a rapidly changing housing environment. IAS reports on "neighborhood" level house price trends, residential market climate and collateral valuation. Integrated Asset Services also provides traditional valuation products and full service REO Management and Disposition.Editor’s Note: Additional IAS360 data, charts and interviews are available upon request. Data for full year 2008, since the peak of 2006 at levels from national to MSA to neighborhood level are available.About Integrated Asset Services, LLCIAS (www.iasreo.com) is a privately-held Colorado-based corporation specializing in default mortgage services including valuation, reconciliation and full cycle REO disposition. The Company’s advanced valuation and volatility technology combined with its expert professional services help its clients reduce exposure while expediting the entire asset management process. Founded by REO industry experts, IAS provides services that go beyond industry expectations; from the level of integrity of its employees to the measurably better service it routinely provides.###This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future results of operations and market opportunities that are based on IntelliReal and IAS’ current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the company and its industry. Investors are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements as a result of the success of IAS’ branding and consumer awareness campaign and other marketing efforts; competition from existing and potential competitors; and IAS’s ability to continue to develop and integrate new products, services and technologies. Due to the timeliness of the data, the IAS360 House Price Index is subject to revisions on a monthly basis.
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First Affirmative Financial Network, a leading provider of investment management and consulting services to financial advisors and their socially conscious clients, is rolling out a new regional conference series designed to help investment advisors and financial planners accelerate the move to socially responsible investing (SRI).Each BaseCamp SRI is a one-day event specifically designed for investment professionals seeking to help their clients direct investment capital in ways that are positive, healthy, and transformative.The five-city series starts in Denver on March 26, 2009 with subsequent stops in Portland (April 28), New York, (May 18), San Francisco (June 4), and Seattle (July 9). There is no charge for qualified advisors to attend a BaseCamp and lunch will be served. For more information and to register, go to http://basecampsri.firstaffirmative.com.“Like a mountaineering base camp, BaseCamp SRI is designed to help an advisor make it to the top,” said First Affirmative President Steve Schueth. “The sustainable and responsible investing landscape is an exciting one, and each BaseCamp will be packed with good, timely information presented by experts and peers.”As the producer of the annual SRI in the Rockies Conference, First Affirmative is uniquely positioned to assist in the professional growth of investment advisors who work with investor clients interested in green investing and integrating social responsibility or sustainability into the investment process. Each BaseCamp SRI will provide valuable skills and strategies investment advisors can implement immediately—practical information and tools to better serve the unique needs of socially conscious investor clients, including:• Creating an environment of trust conducive to meaningful conversations about the issues clients and prospects care deeply about.• Developing the confidence necessary to initiate conversations about combining social responsibility with investment performance.• Understanding the available resources, including investment products, social networks, discussion forums, Q&A listings, a network of local experts, and a community of peers.• Learning about critical and controversial global issues to help clients make informed choices.First Affirmative has focused on quality portfolio management for socially conscious investors since 1988. Says Schueth, “Whether you call it green, values-based, socially responsible, or sustainable investing, portfolio management should be prudent and rewarding for both investors and advisors. When it comes to investing, there’s no longer any reason to separate good fortune from good will.”MORE ABOUT FIRST AFFIRMATIVEFirst Affirmative Financial Network, LLC (www.FirstAffirmative.com) is an independent fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (SEC File #801-56587). The company manages over $500 million in client portfolios and offers consulting and asset management services through a nationwide network of investment professionals who specialize in serving socially conscious investors. First Affirmative produces the annual SRI in the Rockies Conference in collaboration with the non-profit Social Investment Forum. The 20th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference (www.SRIintheRockies.com) will be October 25–28, 2009 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona.For more information about BaseCamp SRI, go to http://basecampsri.firstaffirmative.com or contact Danielle Burns at 877-542-8583 /danielleburns@firstaffirmative.com.
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Longmont Theatre Company presents "Remembrance" , a special Reader's Theater production, one night only, March 20, 2009, at 7:30 pm.For this unique event, tickets are only $10, available at the box office (303-772-5200) , or on-line at www.longmonttheatre.orgThis event features a pair of plays new to the area -- "Piece of Mind", exploring the impact of Alzheimer's on patients and those around them, and "Night Visits", exploring memories and hope. We'll end the evening with a discussion with the audience.Visit www.longmonttheatre.org for more information and to order tickets.
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The Helander Dance Theater performs High Octane – Friday April 3rd - Sunday April 5th High Octane, a multimedia modern dance theater performance fueled by the shock of life's changes...
Boulder, Colo.— Sometimes life gives you a shock! Sometimes change is not an option. People have referred to this time in our lives as a nervous breakdown or as an identity crisis. Danelle Helander refers to these transitions as High Octane. From Friday, April 3rd thru Sunday, April 5th (Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.), the Helander Dance Theater presents a multimedia performance, High Octane, at the Dairy Center for the Arts (2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO), where modern dance theater demonstrates these uncomfortable, unwarrented, and sometimes unwelcomed life changes.High Octane takes off from last season's investigations of the dramatic changes occurring in the world around us and the world within us. Drawing from ten interviews with Boulder residents, performers recreate how we as a community deal with these bumps in the road and how raw the accompanying emotions are that we feel.
Founder and artistic director, Danelle Helander, creates modern dance theater that is powerful and experimental. Helander's choreography is edgy, whimsical, athletic, abstract yet descriptive with a touch of humor. There are flowing moments with controlled technique; the dance represents the confusion and fascination that we all have in life. In some of High Octane's movements, the animal nature of our humanity presents itself. The lizards from last year's Petrol are back! Combined with the emotional charge of the dance are elements of monologues, theatrical scenes, and visual film backgrounds. Helander is joined by Boulder musician Michael Zekonis who composed an electronic, atmospheric musical backdrop for the performance.
“It just goes to show you, you never know how you'll react to life's changes. And change doesn’t happen over night. You have the loss of something familiar, the hazy period of limbo, and then, finally, you move on to something new,” Helander contemplates during her monologue moment, “ When you're in transition, you find yourself coming back in new ways to old activities, but it doesn't always work. Some things change your life forever, like being left at a gas station, having a baby, wiping the slate clean, finding the white page of your life. Getting married. Getting divorced.”
Petrol took us through the situations that change our lives; High Octane, delves into the psychological breakdowns that occur. Questions of “who am I?” and “why change now?” are the backbone of this production, questions that most of us have had along the road of life. After the journey comes a bit of a release. “My options are no longer paralyzed,” explained Helander, “With High Octane, I wish to share the greater understanding that through the breakdowns are breakthroughs of becoming open to the universe. This is when true healing can begin.”
For tickets to see High Octane, $20 GA, $15 Seniors/Children, call the Dairy Center for the Arts Box Office at 303.444.7328 (SEAT), visit the Dairy Community Box Office, Tuesday - Friday, 1 - 5 pm, and one hour prior to curtain (2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO) or purchase online at http://thedairy.frontgatetickets.com/. For more information about The Helander Dance Theater call Danelle Helander at (303) 589-2048 or email Danelle@peakpeak.com or visit the website at www.helanderdance.org.
HIGH OCTANE High Octane - Event Details What: High Octane - a multi-media dance theater performance fueled by shock of life's changes When: Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 5th at 2 p.m. Where: The Dairy Center for the Arts (2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO) General Admission Information: $20 GA, $15 Seniors/Students Purchase Tickets: Call the Dairy Center for the Arts Box Office at 303.444.7328 (SEAT), visit the Dairy Community Box Office, Tuesday - Friday, 1 - 5 pm, and one hour prior to curtain (2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO) or purchase online at http://thedairy.frontgatetickets.com/.
Artistic Director and Choreographer: Danelle Helander Performed by: Shana Cordon, Danelle Helander, Rita Jenkins – Gayens, Emily Lawrence, Sean Owens, Lucia Rich Music Composed by: Michael Zekonis Light Design by: Craig Bushman Visuals by: Patrick Swinea Wedding Video by: Emily Lawrence Costume Design by: Susan Perry
About The Helander Dance Theater Colorado-based Helander Dance Theater was founded by Danelle Helander, Artistic Director & Choreographer in 1980. With a reputation for multi-faceted artistry and striking choreography, HDT's mission is to make a vital contribution to our global community using dance as a vehicle for creating greater understanding, sharing & healing. Danelle was given the role of Ambassador during HDT’s Sister Cities tour within Tajikistan, Nicaragua, Japan and Tibet collaboration with the University of Colorado and the Mali Assistance Project allowed HDT to use performance as a vehicle for providing needed supplies to Mali villages. The company has also partnered with Global Response to resolve an oil drilling issue in Costa Rica. In performance, HDT is eclectic, dramatic, sometimes whimsical & always thought provoking.
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Tomato Basil Bruschetta with MozzarellaWooden log serving plank optional. Springtime is a good time, I liken the departure of winter to that of the ex-college roomate who has been on the couch WAY too long...with mucho gusto, baby. Fire up the grill and grab the beer that I hid in the vegetable drawer. Springtime is also a very good food time imho, and food can truly capture the celebration of the season. My menu is usually inspired by the people of the Romance cultures, who had this celebration of spring thing down to a party/artform LONG ago (Google Spring-Renaissance-Art sometime...everybody's nekkid! If that's not celebrating, I don't know what is). I digress. Sorry, it happens. The Italians celebrated spring with lots of good food and drink, which is the very best way to celebrate anything, naked or not. One of my favorite Italian recipes is really simple and really good. 'Bruschetta' comes from the Italian word bruscare...which means "to roast over coals", if you're ever on Jeopardy. The original recipe was basically just garlic-rubbed toast, but I'm guessing that adding tomatoes was a logical next step for the Italians...Ditto the Mozzarella. You, regardless of ancestry, can put whatever toppings on it you want (like pizza, capisce?). You can use any kind of tomatoes, mix and match, and you can get equally creative with the cheese. This is one of those simple recipes with just a few ingredients, so try to use better-quality groceries if you have the means. I like to mix soft mozzarella and a little feta, then top it with pureed sundried tomatoes and rough-chopped Romas...mmmmmmmmmm. This recipe begs for a good Italian wine, a logical pairing might be a nicely chilled Pinot Grigio. I like a good Sangiovese with this plate, maybe a nice Spanish Rioja if you're feeling kinda dirty. Bruschetta with Tomatoes and Mozzarella 1 pound fresh tomatoes (any kind, any combination), drained and diced to taste (some like it pureed into baby food, I like it with a bit more texture) 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, washed, very gently dried, and finely chopped. Leave a couple whole for garnish (get it? Leave some for garnish? Get it?) 4 cloves garlic (depending on taste, I use 6 or 7). 2 fine diced and 2 cut in half Extra virgin olive oil (you'll taste it, so use good oil) A French Baguette (On an Italian recipe, no less [Insert historically ironic remark here]) Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. 12 oz. good Mozzarella (or other) cheese(s), sliced thin Set oven to 375 degrees F. 1. In a non-reactive bowl (NOT steel), mix together the tomatoes, basil, olive oil and minced garlic. You can give this mixture another run through the chop, or even through the food processor, whatever's clever. Season it to taste. I usually warm up the minced garlic in the oil first (don't burn it, don't even let it get hot). This flavors the oil and gets the party started in the garlic. 2. Put bread on a baking sheet and toast the cut side. You can do this on the grill, too. 3. While it's hot (do this fast, I do it a couple pieces at a time), rub the toasted side of the bread with the cut side of a garlic clove (or vice-versa). The hot bread will absorb the essence of the garlic. This will smell (and taste) really good, which is why many Italians stop at this point and eat the bread. Try to resist (or don't, it's your bread dude). 4. Take your olive oil and drizzle some over the top. Now you will be truly tempted to eat some. Do. Try really hard to save some for later. 5. Cover the toasted side with cheese, and pop it back into the oven for about a minute (depending on the cheese, you want it to soften but not brown). 6. Cut into slices about an inch thick (on the bias if you're cool). 7. Heap a spoonful of the tomato-basil mixture onto the bread, and ENJOY. Repeat as necessary. Wish that you hadn't grubbed down so much in step #'s 3 & 4. You can use pretty much anything for this recipe. I once went to a bruschetta party (it wasn't quite as lame as it sounds), and some of the partygoers had produced bruschetta that was downright blasphemous (try watermelon mango mint bruschetta sometime), and some that were actually quite nice (think Bleu Cheese with roasted pear). Just not today. Today is for Springtime in Italy (and the possibility of nakedness). Enjoy!
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Phys1que Nutrition helps you log foods, reach goalsNeed some accountability in your meal plan? Consider the Phys1que Nutrition online tool to help you track foods and eat more of the healthy ones.People who log their foods lose more weight and maintain losses over a greater amount of time, say experts. Among success stories from the National Weight Control Registry, http://www.nwcr.ws (a database of members who lost at least 30 pounds) food logging was listed as a successful behavior modification for weight loss.If you’re looking for an affordable online food logging tool, look no further. At just $4.95 per month, no contracts and anytime cancellation policy, it can help you take the reigns of your nutrition success.With its unique grading system, A-F, you can instantly track progress and goals. That means you will gain awareness about what’s going in your mouth, based on nutritional value of the foods you eat.“It’s an interactive grading system. Instead of just counting calories it also calculates your vitamins and minerals. The program tells you how to increase your vitamins and mineral if you are not getting enough” said Zeke Bonasera, owner of Phys1que Nutrition.But don’t just take it from the trainer, when Jen R started using the tool, it opened her eyes to hidden salt.“With frozen lunch entrees, I didn’t realize how much sodium I was taking in.” Now Jen packs her own lunches and creates healthier choices with fresh foods from her kitchen.“I’m starting to make sandwiches at home the night before,” Jen said.No one will kid you about making the commitment to log foods; it takes time. But Jen says the payoff is worth it.“It benefits my health and my body,” Jen said.Features Include• Meal planning at your fingertips• Menus for pregnant or nursing moms• Food suggestions based on your preferences• Need more calcium? Correction options to fix vitamin and mineral deficiencies• Recipe creation helps you stay on track while you try new foods• Custom food entry• Graphs to track weight loss or body fat loss• Don’t like our graphs? Create your ownSpecial featuresHave a dairy allergy? Then eliminate those foods that offend your digestive system. Simply delete dairy foods from your food preferences list and click to see new options instead of dairy.Stuck in a rut?This tool offers suggestions that help renew your motivation and get you back on track. Many times we get bored with food choices and cannot seem to find new ones.“People usually eat the same 50 foods,” Bonasera said. And that sets you up for boredom. This nutrition tool goes one step further to help you pick new foods that taste good to you.“When you are out of your favorite foods, it gives you a list of alternatives,” Bonasera said. And that makes it quick and easy to make quick changes and add new foods to your grocery list.Striving for more potassium? It makes good sense if you exercise, as excessive sweat depletes this vital nutrient. But don’t forget, potassium boosts heart health, says the American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org. Jen came up short on potassium despite her continued efforts to pack more bananas for lunch. The tool taught her about other potassium-rich foods. Now she can choose tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, dried fruits, beets, spinach, beans, peas, turkey, beef or fish.Need more variety?Simply take a look at what other members’ are eating. You will have endless ideas about what you could be eating. It’s a great way to spice up the menu and put a little adventure back on the plate.Get Started NowJust go to www.phys1que.com, click sign up and you will be on your way to better health.No pills, no gimmicks, no starvation. Just log your foods and start living a healthier lifestyle to realize your goals.
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Mental health champions and local community members whose lives have been touched by eating disorders convened in a candlelight at Fillmore Plaza in Cherry Creek North on Monday, February 23 to commemorate those who have lost their lives to eating disorders, those who continue to struggle with these illnesses and those who have found their way to the light of recovery.The Eating Disorder Foundation, a Denver-based non-profit committed to education and advocacy initiatives to prevent and eliminate eating disorders, organized the candlelight vigil to raise additional awareness of this widespread disease that afflicts over 11 million people in the United States.“Eating disorders are not a matter of choice; rather, they are life-threatening diseases that afflict men and women from all walks of life,” explains Saiber. “The lighting of the candles symbolizes the light of recovery and the hope that there can be a future without eating disorders if we raise awareness and connect people with the treatment options they need.”Eating Disorder Facts:• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, at approximately 18 percent in 20-year studies and 20 percent in 30-year studies.• One half of 4th grade girls are on a diet.• In one study, three out of four women stated that they were overweight although only one out of four actually were.• Two out of five women and one out five men would trade three to five years of their life to achieve their weight goals.(Statistics courtesy of The Eating Disorder Foundation)For more information about The Eating Disorder Foundation, please contact Toni Saiber at 303 880 4444 or tonisaiber@aol.com or Lisa Weiner at 303 433 7020 or lweiner@csg-pr.com.About The Eating Disorder FoundationThe Eating Disorder Foundation is a Denver-based non-profit organization that seeks to raise awareness about eating disorders through targeted education and advocacy initiatives. Founded by revered members of the eating disorders medical community and survivors of these life-threatening illnesses, The Eating Disorder Foundation serves as a comprehensive resource for the general public and the health care community in the collective effort to prevent and eliminate eating disorders. For more information about The Eating Disorder Foundation, please visit http://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/index.htm.
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WE all get so busy...that I created a virtual vacation blog...come join me at http://www.flamingosandhulahoops.blogspot.comEveryone welcome :)
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Join Nite at the Rec this Friday, March 6th for a night of magical wonder!! This Nite is 3-5th grade only, but if you come you are in for a treat as we have our very own magician tonight!!
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