Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival

The tradition continues over Labor Day weekend and will feature over 100 artists with a wide range of media. Be sure to take a stroll through this event.


Where: Wellington Lot in Breckenridge

When: September 3- 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: FREE

More information: Mountainartfestivals.com



Monday, August 29, 2011

Beautiful $3 Million Dollar Home in Silverthorne

Beautiful home in exclusive Ruby Rance subdivision in Silverthorne.  Contact me for more details - 970-485-0293 or email at Nancy Yearout

Thursday, August 25, 2011

USA Pro Cycling Championship End Stage Five in Breckenridge

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Comes to Breckenridge.

Breckenridge will host the stage five finish of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a demanding seven-day road biking race that has attracted many of the top cyclists in the world. The race will roll through Breckenridge this Saturday , August 27.

RE/MAX Properties of the Summit in Breckenridge will be hosting a party at their office from around Noon to 5 p.m. The finish is expected to roll through Breckenridge between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Come join us for a celebration of the return of Pro Cycling to Colorado and Breckenridge.

Breckenridge RE/MAX Properties of the Summit.

220 South Main Street

More information: USA Pro Cycling

Or give me a call - 970-485-0292 or an email - nyearout@colorado.net.

I hope to see you there!



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Please Visit the Photographers for Shelter Pets Website

Please visit this site.  It is a wonderful resource for finding beautiful, loving animals that are available for adoption all across the country.

Photographers for Shelter Pets

Monday, August 22, 2011

Another View of the Downtown Breckenridge Town Home


Another view of this beautiful downtown Breckenridge town home.  Contact me
for the details:  970-485-0293 or email:  Nancy Yearout

Friday, August 19, 2011

Downtown Breckenridge Town Home

A beautiful town home in downtown Breckenridge.  Just across Main Street from the Quicksilver lift.  2 bedroom, 2 bath in perfect condition.  Contact Nancy Yearout at 970-485-0293 for the details.  Or visit:  Nancy Yearout

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Breckenridge Distillery Wins Gold

Some of the best bourbon in the world is being distilled right up the road. The Breckenridge Distillery was awarded a prestigious gold medal in the 2011 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) category for its Breckenridge Bourbon.


Founded in 1969 and held in The United Kingdom, the IWSC is considered to be the oldest and most prestigious competition of its kind. The awards given by the competition are of the highest honours in the industry. Judging includes a blind tasting consisting of panels selected from over 300 fully experienced and qualified industry judges followed by a detailed chemical analysis.

In the category of Bourbon, aged less than 10 years, only three gold medals were awarded this year, and Breckenridge Bourbon was ranked No. 2 in the world.

According to the judges, the bourbon has: “Gorgeous youthful swipe of fresh flavours of corn, spice and oak. Baked apple and ginger meld with sweet corn and clean oak. Surprisingly complex for its age with all the nose had coming out in full flavors and the fruit and vanilla really taking control. Lively, spicy, fruit filled finish.”

Producing small batch craft spirits at 9,600 feet above sea level, Breckenridge Distillery is the world's highest distillery, according to the owners, and creates award-winning spirits under renowned master distiller, Jordan Via.

Visit www.breckenridgedistillery.com to learn more.





Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Another View of my Mountain Side Listing

What a great location.  This small stream runs all summer long.  You should hear the lovely sound it makes from the deck of this 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit at Mountain Side Condos.  Priced to sell NOW.

Contact me for more details: 

nyearout@colorado.net

Monday, August 15, 2011

More News on the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

The Colorado Department of Transportation has issued restrictions for campers and others who want to watch the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge.


State officials said Monday parking and camping will be allowed along Colorado highways as long as it's no more than 24 hours before the race and spectators stay off the road and clear their trash.

Race officials are estimating the race may draw more than one million spectators over the course of seven days beginning Aug. 22.

The race will cover more than 500 miles of Colorado terrain, including Aspen, Avon, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Denver, Gunnison, Salida and Steamboat Springs.

For more information go to: http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Care and Feeding of Trees in Summit County

Trees, they are often quite stately standing next to our homes and offices. They shade our homes and our picnics. But they usually don't grab our attention like the lawn does every Saturday morning because unlike the lawn, they don't clamor for weekly maintenance.


It's easy to take them for granted and think they pretty much take care of themselves. Think again.

Even though our tree species are limited at this altitude, trees are often one of the biggest costs when we first landscape our homes. And unlike most home improvements, they don't decrease in value—they actually increase in value over time if kept healthy. As property owners, we need to know that trees can require different care from year to year.

What's different about tree care this year?

We had an extreme dry winter on the front range and extreme wet, cold up here followed by a record wet spring and each one of these conditions had its own impact on trees. Because of the dry winter, there are a lot of dead branches. The wet spring—particularly the rains in May—brought fast growth and more growth than we usually see.

We need to prune out the dead wood from the winter and also, get excessive new growth out before it snows again. Heavy snowfall can be very damaging to trees and the way to avoid it is with proper pruning, this year in particular.

Insects

In 2011 we have two tree problems that aren't major ones and two that are more serious. This is a banner year for aphids and we know it from their tell-tale honeydew—that drippy residue. Aphids are really more of a nuisance than a serious threat to the trees' health.

The other non-serious problem this year is oak blister. Property owners need to be aware of it more so they know it's something they don't need to worry about because the symptoms are unsightly. This disease is only on the leaves of oak trees. It causes leaves to fall off the tree and 10-20 percent of the leaves will turn brown. All of this makes people worry about their oaks, but it looks more serious than it is.

What are the serious tree problems?

European elm scale

This problem relates to elm trees and we have many of them along the Front Range. This scale affects only the twigs and branches of the tree. The scales suck out the sap and that causes the branches to die. Scales are treatable and this is one problem you should monitor and treat, as needed, for the health of the tree.

Mountain pine beetle

This is the same problem we've faced in the mountains for several years that has destroyed so much of the pine forest. It first hit Denver last fall. Most arborists are worried about the threat to Scotch pine and ponderosa pine, in particular. This problem can only be treated as a preventive measure. Once the tree is attacked, it's too late.

Arborists and others who have been watching pine beetle think the beetle will start attacking trees along the Front Range in August/September. If you have trees at risk that you want to protect, it's best to schedule treatment before the outbreak.

Courtesy Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado and Neils Lunceford, a landscaping company based in Silverthorne that is a member. You may contact them at (970) 468-0340.





Saturday, August 13, 2011

17th Annual Summit County Parade of Homes

Smart planning, concern for sustainable building practices and the economy have all factored into Smart Space Planning in the 2011 Parade of Homes. You should find something for everyone. Square footage for this year's entrants ranges from under 1,200 square feet in the multifamily residences, to just over 10,000 square feet in some of the true luxury residences. The common trend is livability. The homes all feature common gathering spaces for friends and family with central gourmet kitchens complimented by private quiet spaces. With an average of four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, these all-suite rooms feature sensuous bathrooms, fireplaces, sitting areas and great outdoor living spaces.


Most of the homes feature multiple decks, terraces, patios and covered porches that include fire pits, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, comfortable furniture, mood lighting and other amenities that used to be found only indoors. And when the weather is not conducive to enjoying these outdoor living areas, the homes bring the outdoors in with expansive windows and natural materials.

Single function home theaters have been replaced by more multi-functional game rooms that include large-screen TV and surround sound systems, but also incorporate pool tables, kitchens and other features that encourage guest interaction.

The 17th Annual Summit County Parade of Homes is Sept 17, 18, 24 & 25. Tickets are $10 each and good for entry to 19 homes. A portion of the proceeds benefit The Summit Foundation. Official programs are available starting August 20 in Mountain Living Magazine, at most Summit County Real Estate offices, Visitor Information Centers & City Markets. Tickets may be purchased at www.summitcountybuilders.org/paradeofhome and Summit County City Markets. Please read the Summit Daily News for trends to look for at the 2011 event. “Like” us at www.facebook.com/summitparadeofhomes



Friday, August 12, 2011

Breckenridge preps for Pro Cycling Challenge

As teams prepare for the more than 500-mile, high- alpine bike race that begins in just over a week, the Town of Breckenridge, Stage 5 on the Pro Cycling Challenge tour, is making preparations of its own.


The race, which will bring hundreds of cyclists and thousands of spectators to town Aug. 27, will take over the town with pre-race events, the big Stage 5 finish and a concert in the evening.

Race, town and county officials as well as law enforcement officers held two informational meetings Thursday to prepare locals for the event.

The teams are expected to reach Breckenridge from Steamboat Springs between 3:15-4:30 p.m., but road closures and impacts will be felt as early 2 countywide and, in Breck, the festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a beer garden and other pre-race programs and activities.

The town, which fronted $150,000 to back the event, saw the opportunity as a chance to build on its reputation as a summer biking destination.

“From the very beginning, when it was just a rumor that this was going to happen our town council jumped on it,” Breckenridge spokeswoman Kim Dykstra-DiLallo said. “We really look at this … as part of an overall strategy to show the world what a great biking community we are. It's part of a larger marketing strategy that we really feel is important.”

A local organizing committee put together a bid for Breckenridge to become a stage on the race, highlighting the town's track record of executing major events such as the International Snow Sculpting Championships.

Organizers are hailing the race as the largest spectator event in Colorado history, and Breckenridge, local officials noted gleefully, landed the only Saturday stage.

Race officials say they expect crowds in town comparable to the Fourth of July weekend or the Saturday of Oktoberfest, in what will likely be a highly visual, colorful event at the finish line.

Teams will come down Swan Mountain Road, where many of the spectators are expected to gather for a great view of the fastest leg of the race in Summit County, turn left at Farmer's Korner onto Hwy. 9 before merging on to Park Avenue in Breck. They will follow Park down to the south end of town before racing north back up Main Street to the Wellington Road intersection.

The event has drawn the interest of 400 volunteers, though organizers are still hoping for additional local volunteers who are more familiar with the town.

But regardless of how much help is available, the event is shaping up to be a logistical challenge for people trying to navigate the county and particularly Breckenridge the day of the race. Rolling and day-long closures will be implemented countywide and Breck will shut down Main Street all day and Park Avenue (Highway 9) for the better part of the afternoon and evening.

Drivers will be directed toward parking in the satellite lot on Airport Road north of town, though there will be some parking available in town. The yellow and purple Free Ride routes, which will be running frequently in the morning, will be stopping service in the afternoon as the teams approach. The yellow route will run through 1:15 p.m. departing from Breckenridge Station and the purple route will run through 1:45 p.m. also departing from Breck Station. Full Free Ride service is expected to resume at 5:45, but organizers advise everyone in the county to “be where you need to be by 2 p.m.,” whether that is watching the race or not. They say it is best not to plan to drive until after 4.

Spectators interested in watching the race are encouraged to ride bikes — and bring bike locks — rather than trying to navigate the complicated road closures and difficult parking situation by car. The bike race is a no-pet event.





Thursday, August 11, 2011

Colorado Department of Transportation Testing New Method for I-70

The Colorado Department of Transportation is testing a new method to cut down on traffic congestion on Interstate 70 in the mountains.


The Colorado State Patrol and Silverthorne police will use pace cars to slow eastbound traffic heading for the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnel beginning Saturday. All three lanes will be open, but traffic will be limited to speeds between 45 and 55 mph.

Spokeswoman Stacey Stegman says when back-ups occur, the department now stops vehicles from entering the tunnel, allowing traffic to clear before releasing more traffic into the tunnel.

The department said Thursday the test will help determine the feasibility of pacing vehicles during heavier traffic periods in July and August and winter weekends during the ski season.





Wednesday, August 10, 2011

River Mountain Lodge Condo for Sale

Here's a video of a "cute as a button" studio unit at River Mountain Lodge in Breckenridge.  Great location and great views.  Contact me for more details:  nyearout@colorado.net

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Mountain Side Condos - Price Reduced for a Quick Sale

Here's a video of my Mountain Side Condo for sale.  Price was just reduced by $5,000.  It is a great buy.

Contact me for more details:  nyearout@colorado.net

Monday, August 08, 2011

Guitarist Leo Kottke Returns to Breckenridge

Unique acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke will return to Breckenridge Thursday for the first time since his 2009 concert for the Breckenridge Music Festival's Blue River Series.


The self-taught musician has been described as “singular” stylistically, blending influences of blues, jazz and folk music for a sound with classical precision and popular appeal.

“My music is maybe hard to categorize,” Kottke stated in a recent release from the BMF. “It doesn't fit conveniently into the bins at record stores. That works for me, though. I don't rise and fall with trends. Most listeners seem to have room for this stuff. It's been great that way.”

Kottke is a nearly 40-year veteran of the acoustic music scene, with a resume that includes his Chewing Pine (1975), Balance (1979), Time Step (1983), My Father's Face (1989), Great Big Boy (1991), Peculiaroso (1993) and One Guitar, No Vocals (1999) albums.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Center.

A complete schedule for the BMF as well as online tickets are available at http://www.breckenridgemusicfestival.com/.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Lot Sales Hold Even

With five lots sold in June in Summit County, at an average price of $192,200, the first half of 2011 is nearly even with each of the past two years. The last good year for land sales was 2008 with twice as many sales at nearly twice the average price. There are 424 lots for sale this week and 36 have sold through June.


Inventory has peaked for the year and now stands at 2,400, down slightly over last week and has been nearly unchanged for the past month.

Current stats:

2,740... properties listed for sale August 7, 2010.

2,401... properties listed for sale August 6, 2011 — down 12 percent.

Friday, August 05, 2011

Forest Service Approves Breckenridge Plan

Forest Service officials have approved a modified Breckenridge Forest Health project that incorporates citizen concerns voiced during the public involvement period.


The project is a hazard tree-removal project within 5,600 acres extending from Farmers Korner, to the north, to Golden Horseshoe on the east, to Hoosier Pass on the south and the base of the Tenmile Range on the west.

It's designed to reduce expected hazards and threats to public health and safety posed by dead and dying trees resulting from the widespread mountain pine beetle epidemic. Dead trees means increased fuels in recreation and administrative sites, and along roads where the risk of human caused fire ignition is greater.

There is no appeal period, but the decision was made after an objection period in which three objections were received and resolved.

Much of the proposed project is within the areas identified in the Summit County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Summit Estates, Peak 7, Peak 8, Golden Horseshoe, French Gulch, Boreas Pass/Baldy Road, Warrior's Mark, Blue River, Fredonia Gulch and Quandary Village/Alpine Breck/Valley of the Blue are all included.

Forest Service officials initially modified its proposed action to accommodate recommendations from other agencies and organization during the collaboration period. They further altered the project to address public concerns about the size of the treatment areas, the visual effects on the Peaks Trail, what method would be used to harvest the trees and the effects of road construction and road use during implementation.

Resource specialists with the Forest Service also added their two cents, upon request, after reviewing each treatment unit for suitable Canada lynx habitat that aren't considered high priority for fuels reduction. It resulted in 622 acres of treatment from areas that contain suitable habitat.

“I requested this additional exercise to emphasize the importance of balancing our responsibility to protect human life, property and resources from wildfire, while at the same time maintaining important wildlife habitat characteristics,” wrote Dillon Ranger District ranger Jan Cutts in her decision.

According to the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact report, “the selected alternative for the Breckenridge Forest Health and Fuels Project strikes a balance between meeting the purpose and need for fuels reduction within the (wildland-urban interface), while also being considerate of local community concerns, issues raised by members of Colorado Wild and protecting habitat utilized by the Canada lynx.”



The report also states that the project meets the definition of “authorized project” under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act because it would be conducted on federal land in a wildland-urban interface and the project contains an active insect epidemic that poses a “significant threat to an ecosystem, component or forest or rangeland resource on federal land or adjacent non-federal land.”

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Keystone Bluegrass and Beer Festival

The Bluegrass and Beer Festival takes over River Run Village this weekend and promises to be bigger and better than ever, as organizers have gone all out for the 15th anniversary celebration. Eight bands will play the 2011 festival, up two from last year, with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band headlining and a third stage at the village entrance to help accommodate the acts. The number of breweries is also up, from 23 to 30 this year, offering a combined total of 60-70 delicious and diverse frothy microbrews to sample.


“This is one of our most popular events of the summertime,” said Keystone spokeswoman Justine Spence. “Most people in the Keystone area have a countdown to this event. It's one of the longest standing beer festivals in the county, and we're proud of that.”

The Hollyfelds kick off the festivities tonight with a free

8:30 p.m. performance at Warren Station. The Denver-based group combines country, rock, pop, folk and bluegrass into what the Westword described as splitting the difference between alt-country and mainstream, with “just enough of the whiskey and heartache that makes great country music.” In 2010 the Hollyfelds placed in the top 10 of the Denver Post's annual Underground Music Showcase critics' poll.

Nashville singer-songwriter Shannon Whitworth opens Saturday's events with a free workshop on songwriting at Warren Station; attendance is limited to the first 30 people. At 12:30 p.m. she performs the River Run Events Plaza stage. Some compare Whitworth to Patsy Cline or Billie Holiday, describing her as “smoky, elegant, a bit husky, patient at all the right moments and equally adept at the phrasing of a jazz chanteuse.”

Both Steel Pennies and The Farewell Drifters return this year after playing Bluegrass and Beer in 2010. Steel Pennies has a sound that “harkens back to the heyday of bluegrass music,” giving their original and traditional songs “a timeless feel.” They take their name from the zinc-coated steel pennies made in the U.S. between 1943 and 1945 in a wartime effort to save copper for munitions - only to corrode, get stuck in vending machines and be mistaken for dimes. The name reflects the band's “rusty, lonesome sound.”

The Farewell Drifters are a group of 20-something roots-inspired musicians whose recent album, “Echo Boom,” explores themes important to their generation.

Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band headlines the event with a free 3 p.m. Saturday concert on the River Run Events Plaza stage followed by a 9 p.m. performance in the more intimate Warren Station Saturday night for $10. The band will play again on the “Montezuma Plaza” stage in front of the parking lot at 3 p.m. Sunday. Led by the Grammy-winning Rowan, who is also a perennial Telluride headliner, the band released their debut album, “Legacy,” in 2010. Rowan himself is a former member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys as well as the legendary Old and In the Way with Jerry Garcia. At 11 a.m. Sunday, he will deliver a free 1-hour interactive workshop on the intricacies of vocal harmony; this workshop is also free but limited to the first 30 people.

Loose Cannon Bluegrass, The Honeycutters and Honey Don't round out the bands for this year's Bluegrass and Beer Festival.

“It just makes sense that you should be listening to bluegrass music with a frothy beverage looking at beautiful mountains around you,” Spence said. “It's refreshing and it's a great way to get together with your friends and hang out in a laid back atmosphere.”

To promote the event, organizers held a Keystone-beer-naming contest for a 2-day brew pass prize. Online voters chose “The Flying Dutchman” by Jamie Goswick and “River Run GondolALE” by Sarah Porter Graham out of nearly 200 submissions. Melissa Pike earned an Honorable Mention for “Ina's Way IPA,” which recognizes the 87-year-old fixture of Keystone's past and present, Ina Gillis, a former ski instructor who now heads up River Run's landscaping in summer and greets skiers at Ina's Bridge every morning in winter.

Bluegrass and Beer draws 3,000-5,000 people each year and raises more than $4,500 to support the High Country Conservation Center and Lake Dillon Theatre Company.

To sample the brews until you can't take anymore, the cost is $40 for one day or $75 for two, and the price includes a charming glass mug commemorating the festival's 15th year. Nearly all of the music is free, so the other options are to listen to bluegrass sans suds or shop for $5 pints one at a time at the Shock Top Beer Garden. Regular KidZone activities are in place, as are lodging/festival deals and “down-home cooking” from festival vendors. Please note that pets are not invited, even those who appreciate bluegrass (or beer).

Monday, August 01, 2011

Frisco Mountain Side Condo 251C Price Reduction Coming Soon

Great amenities at this project - tennis courts, volleyball courts, pool and hot tubs.  Great 2 bedroom unit at a very affordable price.  And I think the price will be reduced a bit in the next few days.

Contact me for more deatils:  970-485-0293 or email at:  nyearout@colorado.net