Natural Bamboo Artwork at the Denver Botanic Gardens

The Denver Botanic Gardens is always a great weekend destination to escape to and surround yourself with natural beauty. This Garden’s signature exhibition for the summer is Kizuna: West Meets East, which highlights two prominent installation artists working in bamboo: Tetsunori Kawana and Stephen Talasnik. Using different working methods, both artists employed this versatile natural material to create large site-specific works for the Gardens.

Related to this exhibition, the Denver Botanic Gardens will unveil the newly expanded Japanese Garden, Shofu-en, with the additions of the new Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion and Tea Garden in June. These expanded areas will feature living displays that illustrate the diversity of bamboo species.

If you’re planning a visit to see the bamboo exhibition, here are a few things to keep in mind:
• Kizuna Exhibition Tours: Join docents on an interpretative walk to explore and appreciate the works of Kawana and Talasnik. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact tours@botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3539.
• Japanese Tea Ceremony for Families: Saturday, July 21, 2012 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Come experience the centuries-old Japanese tradition of chanoyu - the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Discover the four principals that guide a ceremony, learn about the purposeful design of the Ella Mullen Weckbaugh Tea House and observe a real tea ceremony. Cost is Member Adult/Child $30 or Non-Member Adult/Child $35.
• Bonsai Workshop for Families: Saturday, August 4, 2012 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Bonsai is an ancient Japanese art form where miniature trees are grown in containers. Come explore a variety of bonsai in the new Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion, discover the techniques used to form bonsai and start your own jade plant bonsai to take home. Cost is Member Adult/Child $30 and Non-Member Adult/Child $35.

Casual Drinks, Amazing Homes—Progressive Cocktail Party on April 12

It’s that time of year again—when the sun extends days into nights, when restaurant patios start to fill up after a workday, and when we get excited about our favorite summer cocktails. So to kick the season of right, we are hosting a modern, progressive cocktail party next Thursday.

Here are the details:

WHEN: Thursday April 12 from 5-7:30pm

WHERE: Three amazing, modern homes in Denver

947 South Gilpin Street
654 Ivanhoe Street
727 Forest Street

WHY: Because it’s no longer winter and these homes offer a perfect setting to enjoy the warm weather in style, along with some drinks and good conversation.

What’s your favorite summer cocktail? You can’t go wrong with a margarita or mojito, but we’re also excited to try something new, like these suggestions from epicurious.com.

Pimm's Cup: A mix of Pimm's No. 1, ginger beer or ginger ale, and fresh mint garnished with a cucumber slice.

Royal Blush: A blend of cherry purée, vodka, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and brut Champagne.

Join us for an evening of Modernism!

****When
February 16th 5pm-8pm

****Where
947 South Gilpin Street, Denver

****What
Come check out the captivating design of 947 South Gilpin which is Elevate.

Stop by and enjoy some fabulous wine and nibbles.

947 South Gilpin Street
Wash Park modernist Zen retreat. Floor to ceiling windows abound in this modern dwelling on one of Wash Park's best blocks. Clerestory windows, 11 ft ceilings, European styled kitchen, dramatic open great room, finished basement with workout room, over sized 2 car attached garage, and thoughtfully concise design with sleek finishes, make this a home that will knock your socks off. Eat-in kitchen nook, formal dining room, dramatic great room, 4 bedrooms on second floor plus 5th bedroom in basement and 4 1/2 baths combine to make an extremely functional floor plan.

Artwork Provided by PLUS GALLERY
Since 2001 Plus Gallery has developed a program that is widely considered one of the most prominent and reputable for contemporary art in Denver, representing regional and national artists of renown. The gallery relocated to a custom designed space in North Downtown Denver in 2009, a unique renovation of a parcel of the historic Benjamin Moore Paint Factory. The gallery was named "Art Space of the Year" in 2009 by the Denver Post and has been praised consistently for it's exhibitions, artists and programs over the last 10 years. The full gallery profile is available online at www.plusgallery.com

Featured Artist KATE PETLEY
Kate Petley's work addresses the subtleties of location and atmosphere, referring to the edges where nature bumps up against the urban environment. Her installations, two-dimensional works, and sculpture emphasize the unusual beauty of our everyday world. Petley's work is found in the collections of the Nicolaysen Museum, Houston Airport System, The Federal Reserve Bank, UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, Denver Children's Hospital, the Hyatt and Mariott Hotels, and private individuals across the country. Petley has exhibited throughout the US for over twenty years, most recently at the prestigious Scope Art Fair in Miami, 2011.

Free Trees Offered to All Denver Residents This Spring

Applications Due Feb.15, 2012

Denver, CO- This spring only, all Denver residents are eligible for free trees regardless of where they live within the city. All Denver areas including but not limited to City Park, Washington Park, Highlands, LOHI, and Sloans Lake. This rare opportunity is made possible by two different tree distribution programs: The Park People’s annual Denver Digs Trees street tree program and the City’s Mile High Million tree planting initiative.

The Park People’s Paige Heydon says, “We’re thrilled to be part of this exciting partnership that is sure to add thousands of trees to Denver neighborhoods across the city.” She goes on to say, “The trees are being offered at no cost. It’s a win for the city’s urban forest and a win for Denver residents.

Any City and County resident of Denver can apply for free trees to plant along the street in the public right of way. Those who have space for trees on the west side of their homes in front, back, or side yards along the street are eligible to have trees ordered and planted for them.

According to Sara Davis, the program Manager for Denver Parks and Recreation’s Mile High Million Program, trees planted on the west side of houses not only offer wonderful shade, they also reduce energy consumption, “With that in mind, we are happy to offer the trees and the planting free of charge.

Availability will be limited, so apply no later than February 15, 2012. Visit www.theparkpeople.org or call 303-722-6262 for application information.

Denver’s City Forester Rob Davis says, “Trees beautify neighborhoods, improve property values, provide environmental services, and support good health by encouraging people to spend time outdoors. This is a great opportunity for Denver residents to enhance their neighborhoods.”

The Denver Digs Trees program is able to offer free street trees to all Denver residents this spring thanks to a partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation Forestry Division and the sponsorship of Xcel Energy Foundation and the City of Denver’s Office of Economic Development. The Mile High Million’s Trees for Energy Savings program is made possible with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

726-730 South Ogden Street

This Charming duplex is the heart of Wash Park. Each side of the duplex contains 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 car garage space, finished basement, exposed brick, stainless steel appliances, new paint, loads of original woodwork and architectural details along with numerous updates. A charming sitting room is attached to both master bedrooms completed by built in bookshelves. Sitting on one of the best blocks in Wash Park, with tons of mature trees, one can enjoy numerous nearby amenities on foot. Walk to Whole Foods, Wash Park, Cafe Europa, Sushi Den and much more. The roof has a 7 year certification and the furnace has been cleaned and certified. The seller has performed a pre-inspection which is available upon request.

New Listing in Wash Park!

947 South Gilpin


Wash Park modernist Zen retreat. Floor to ceiling windows abound in this modern dwelling on one of Wash Park's best blocks. Clerestory windows, 11ft ceilings, European styled kitchen, dramatic open great room, finished basement with workout room, over sized 2 car attached garage, and thoughtfully concise design and sleek finishes, make this a home that will knock your sox off. Eat-in kitchen nook, formal dining room, dramatic great room, 4 bedrooms on second floor plus 5th bedroom in basement and 4 1/2 baths combine to make an extremely functionality floorplan.

Year Built: New Construction
Sq. Ft: 4557
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4.5
Garage: 2 car large garage

Kentwood Real Estate Celebrates 30th Anniversary in March

Kentwood Real Estate, Colorado’s Premier Real Estate Company, will celebrate its 30th anniversary on March 18, 2011. The high-profile real estate company is regarded within the real estate community as a market leader where the vision, culture and mission established by the firm’s original founders have remained unchanged for the past three decades.

“The five original founders of Kentwood Real Estate were among the greatest and most successful Realtors that have ever worked in the metro Denver area,” said Peter Niederman, Chief Executive Officer of Kentwood Real Estate. “These founders included Roger Campbell, John Burns, and Jim Nussbaum who individually and collectively shaped the real estate business in Denver as a culture...with strong defining characteristics. John Fitzpatrick became a partner a few years later and brought additional leadership and vision to the company as a co-owner for 23 years.

“What’s truly impressive after 30 years is the fact that Kentwood’s vision, mission, and high standards are the same today, which is why we continue to attract the best and brightest real estate brokers in the business,” said Niederman.

According to Niederman, the owners and managers of Kentwood Real Estate have always been focused on maintaining the quality and integrity of the brand, along with the spirited nature of the company and high business standards. Jim Theye and Dee Charifisi, co-owners of Kentwood City Properties in downtown Denver, have been exceptional leaders of Kentwood’s newest office since 1999, establishing a new record for sales production in 2010.

“Hiring the best brokers is not just about production,” said Niederman. “They must share our culture relative to how they conduct business and treat their customers. If it has our brand on it, it must be of the highest quality. Tradition is important at Kentwood, and so is our reputation within the community. The industry has changed with the advent of the Internet and other high-tech tools, but our culture, mission and vision have never changed.”

I'm so happy to be apart of Kentwood!! - Liz