ASK THE HOA EXPERT: POOL ACCESSIBILITY TO THE HANDICAPPED?

ASK THE HOA EXPERT: POOL ACCESSIBILITY TO THE HANDICAPPED?

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Question: We are a seniors only (Over 55) homeowner association. A prospective buyer inquired about handicap access. All of our facilities are handicap ready except for our swimming pool. Is there any requirement that we have our pool accessible to the handicapped?

Answer: Homeowner associations are not required to provide handicap access, however, they must make “reasonable accommodations” for those residents that require such. That means if a resident requires a ramp to a unit entry, the board should approve the installation with the resident paying for it. The board can require reasonable aesthetic considerations be included with such installations. Reassigning HOA owned parking places to allow a disabled resident to be closer to their unit is another reasonable accommodation.

But considering that you are a seniors only community, it might make sense to install handicap access to the pool as it is likely that many of the members could benefit. Good Boy Pool Services can help maintain the cleanliness and safety of public or private pools.

Gather support from members who are in favor of spending the money. If the required majority endorse the idea, why not do it?

Question: Our HOA is trying to get on track after years of self management and neglect. Lots of people were well intended but hadn’t a clue of what being a board member really meant. Any advice on getting pointed in the right direction?

Answer: Seriously consider hiring a management company that specializes in homeowner associations to handle your business. There is simply too much going for unpaid and untrained volunteers, even if they have the best of intentions. And no one should have to enforce rules on or collect money from their neighbors.

Above all, be patient but persistent. Change comes slowly to some. Years of management by neglect is a hard mind set to change. Encourage more flexible minds to run for the board.

Question: We have a homeowner that has boxes and papers stacked against the patio door and windows. They are very unsightly from the outside and mildewed which is a health concern for the neighbors. It also poses a possible fire hazard. Can the board require the homeowner to clean up the inside of their unit?

Answer: The board indeed can require clean up of a unit or home that is a health, fire or safety hazard. Ask the adjacent neighbors to first broach the subject with the offender. If this doesn’t prompt action, ask them to write the board a letter describing the problem and what they tried to do about it.

With those letters, the board can turn up the heat by giving the offender a ten day deadline to clean up. After ten days, say “other legal remedies will be explored if necessary”. This usually will do the trick. If all else fails, get the HOA’s lawyer involved. One way or another, the easy or the hard way, the job will get done.

For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, visit www.Regenesis.net.

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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HOME SELLERS: KEEP KITCHEN COUNTERS CLUTTER-FREE

HOME SELLERS: KEEP KITCHEN COUNTERS CLUTTER-FREE

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Today’s kitchens are filled with all kinds of gastronomical gadgets, from coffee bean grinders to indoor rotisseries, yet design trends are leaning toward minimalism. That means you can show off your white marble or butcher block countertops, commercial range and custom backsplash, but only if you put away the blender, toaster, chop-pow, phone charger, and well… you get the idea.

Here are a few ideas to help you keep your kitchen attractive yet functional.

Remove junk and clutter

As the social center of the house, kitchens are catch-alls for school books, correspondence, and other items that have nothing to do with cooking. Make a place in your mudroom or entry for kids to dump their coats and backpacks. Make a habit of putting mail in the office.

Store rarely used equipment

Which appliances do you use the most? Chances are it’s not the ice cream maker, breadmaker or heavy mixer. Pare down what you tend to use least, and store those appliances somewhere else, such as a butler’s pantry, food pantry or garage.

Build an appliance garage

Many cabinet makers offer an appliance garage that can be closed when not in use. You can also customize an appliance garage to extend the length of the counter.

Consolidate your beverage area

The at-home coffee bar in the breakfast room is a great way to get coffee, tea, grinders away from the food preparation areas. Sugar, creamer, and lemons can be stored nearby in a refrigerator drawer.

Update your equipment

Make new appliances do double duty. If you have to buy a microwave, get one that’s also a convection oven. The new commercial-grade mixers also make pasta and knead bread. You can visit The Appliance Guys appliance online store to start looking for new appliances.

Mount what you can

Under cabinet mounting is easy to do and frees up counter-tops near the sink. Paper towel racks, electric can openers, and task lighting can all be mounted under the cabinets to free up space. Dishrags, sponges and other odor attractions should be housed in caddies attached to the door under the sink for easy access.

Invest in organizers

Deep cabinets are difficult to find items all the way in the back, but a rolling tray makes them accessible. Corners also can be better utilized with swing out organizers. Most carpenters, handymen, or do-it-yourselfers can easily install after-market organizers such as spice racks from Lowe’s, the Container Store and other places.

Keeping your countertops clutter-free doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Let the kitchen’s function inspire your décor. Hanging containers of vegetables, mounted pot racks, and bowls of fruit certainly cut down on clutter, but they also provide a lot of color and function.

Read entire article here

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Why You Should Talk Less and Do More

Why You Should Talk Less and Do More

A prototype is worth a thousand words.

Although memories of my early formal education have started to fade, I vividly recall two distinct types of learning experiences: brainwork and handwork. The vast majority of my time in school was spent listening to lectures, taking exams, writing essays, and so on. On rare occasions, we’d roll up our sleeves and make stuff. Those few instances when talking gave way to making made a big impression on me.

For instance, when I was 11, while studying the history of the Roman conquests, our assignment was to build a miniature trebuchet—the medieval catapult used to break through thick city walls—and take it for a whirl on the playing field. Of all the history classes I’ve taken, that’s the one I remember most, because it made a remote, abstract concept tangible and real.

Shortening the distance between talking about an idea and prototyping it is key to becoming a successful design thinker. Ideas are of little use if they stay put as ideas. You can only assess their merits when you bring them to life and let others poke at them. The toughest part can be translating the idea into something more concrete. This is where your creative confidence can waver. You might be afraid to commit or worried that others will question your skills. Such obstacles can be overcome with a few simple, but powerful, tricks:

Start Small
Make your first prototype quickly out of whatever materials are at hand. Whether it’s a sketch, cardboard model, video, or improv of a service scenario, making your idea less abstract will help you improve it.

Fail Fast
You’ve probably heard this before. When you’re trying new things, failure is inevitable. Accepting that failure is part of the process is key. As IDEO founder David Kelley famously said, “fail faster to succeed sooner.” It also helps to tell people that what you’re doing is an experiment. That way, it doesn’t seem so precious that they can’t give you honest feedback.

Ask for Help
Don’t assume you have to do everything yourself. Just explaining your idea to potential collaborators will help clarify it and asking for assistance invites others to build on your idea.

The good news is that it’s getting easier for ordinary folks to make stuff. Handy smartphone apps allow you to shoot and edit videos in a snap. New CAD tools, scanners, and printers, which are this close to becoming widely accessible and affordable, allow anyone to make 3D objects in minutes. Even coding is going from geek to gettable, thanks to open-source components like Raspberry Pi and Arduino.

 

What happened the last time you stopped talking and started making?

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Credit card debt … Don’t compromise your future

Credit card debt …

Don’t compromise your future

According to an estimate recently released by NerdWallet.com, the average American has around $7,000 in credit card debt.1 Many households of course are carrying much higher balances. The good news: Paying your way out of credit card debt may not be as difficult as you think. You’ve probably heard and read the following information before, but if you’re still strapped with credit card debt, you didn’t act on it. Take action now!

  • Create a budget — Use an online service like Mint.com or list your monthly income and expenses on a spreadsheet. Review your expenses to find areas where you can cut costs and expenditures.
  • Reduce your monthly bills — Some of your regular monthly expenses are discretionary and can be cut or reduced. For instance, can you get by with a cheaper data plan for your smartphone? Do you really need all those TV channels and premium movie services?
  • Cut down on unnecessary purchases — Track your expenditures for a week and then cut back “minor,” everyday purchases such as fast food, coffees and so on.
  • Rethink entertainment — Note how often you go out to dinner, bars, movies, concerts, etc. Work to eliminate at least one expensive entertainment outing per month.
  • Reward yourself along the way — The only way to get the job done is to keep at it and stay motivated. Once you start feeling deprived or punished, you’re more likely to throw in the towel. So reward yourself: Create goals and set milestones by which to measure your progress. For example, if your goal is to reduce your credit card debt from $8,000 to $6,000 in two months, give yourself a reward — just keep it within reason. Don’t book a trip to Paris or Rome that will get you right back in debt.

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Your will is a living document A work in progress

Your will is a living document

A work in progress

Life is never at a standstill — it’s ever-changing and so are your circumstances. As they change, your planning needs may as well. Don’t make the mistake of putting your will away and forgetting about it. Take a look at some major life events that should trigger a review of your will:

  • You get married or divorced  If recently married, you probably want to include your new spouse in your estate plan. Similarly, if you’ve been recently divorced, you may want to revise what you planned on leaving to your now ex-spouse. You should also change the beneficiary designation on insurance policies, IRAs, pensions and such since those probably specify your now ex-spouse.
  • You become a parent — How will your child(ren) be cared for if both you and your spouse die? Who will be the guardian of your minor child(ren)? These issues need to be addressed in your will.
  • You retire — If you retire to another state (or move to a new state, for that matter), review your will and other estate planning documents to be sure they reflect the new state’s relevant laws. You may want to seek legal advice.
  • Your spouse or other beneficiary dies — If one of your heirs dies before you do, you need to update your will to reflect a new recipient.

How do you change a will? 
You can change your will in one of two ways:

  • By codicil — For small changes, you can utilize a codicil. A codicil is a separate document that’s valid under applicable state law. It adds to or amends your original will. A codicil needs to clearly reference the specific portion of your will that it’s amending so you may want to consider legal counsel.1
  • A new will — For bigger changes or a series of small changes, you can sign a completely new will that’s valid under applicable state law. Your new will supersedes your old will in its entirety. Again, you may want to seek legal counsel. If people wish to k now why start a will early, they can get information about it from experts here!

Believe in smart
Make sure your will reflects your current situation. If you need to change your will because of a life event, you probably should review your estate and financial plans, as well as your insurance. If you don’t have a will consider getting one to make sure your wishes are carried out as you intended. 

Source

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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eGo CarShare: The Little Red Car That Could

eGo CarShare: The Little Red Car That Could

By  Yourboulder.com

eGo car share boulder

In the last several years, Boulder and Denver have seen an influx of carsharing programs. The idea is simple and sustainable: park a fleet of eco-friendly cars around the city and let people “rent” the cars for an hour or two to go run errands that might otherwise be a bit of a pain without a set of four wheels. It’s much more affordable than renting a car for an entire day, and the stations around town, typically make it accessible for most.

 

As stated above, car sharing seems to be a relatively new phenomenon. That is, until you find out a little bit more about eGo CarShare. This locally grown company was founded in 1997, which, to some, might feel like an entire lifetime ago. The company started as “The Little Red Car Co-Op” and the original participants physically passed a key around between one another (since the internet at the time was mostly geocities pages and animated sparkle gifs).

Of course, Boulder is a great fit for entrepreneurs, especially when they’re keeping sustainability and eco-friendly practices in mind. Thanks to the city of Boulder being built for people using all modes of transportation, it’s easier for many people to get away with not owning a car, making eGo CarShare the perfect fit when carless folks need more wheels than two to run some errands.

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Outdoor Recreation in Boulder, Colorado

Outdoor Recreation in Boulder, Colorado

To say Boulder is a healthy, fitness-oriented town is an understatement, and all the amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation are a big part of that. You almost can’t help but be in good shape here, thanks to miles of trails for hiking and running, an avid bicycling culture, and some of the best rock climbing around. And of course, a day of skiing is just a short drive away.

Boulder is also home to many true world-class athletes. Outside Magazine named Boulder the “#1 Sports Town in America” due to the high-caliber cyclists, runners, and rock climbers who live here and enjoy the bountiful training opportunities right outside the front door.

Don’t worry … you don’t have to be preparing for the Olympics to enjoy everything Boulder offers in the form of outdoor recreation. Take a look at some of the amazing free activities you can enjoy today.

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Where to Find Gluten-Free Beer (and Cider) in Boulder

 

Where to Find Gluten-Free Beer (and Cider) in Boulder

By  YourBoulder.com

Gluten-Free Beer

It’s never been easier to eat gluten-free, and in a town with so many healthy eating options, Boulder is a great place for folks who are gluten intolerant. But what happens when you’re in the mood for a little imbibing?

Of course, there are tons of wine and cocktail options, but sometimes you just want a beer. Nature’s cruelest joke was to make nearly all beer undrinkable for folks on a gluten-free regimen, but some breweries are heeding the call for gluten-free beer and there are plenty of places to find these options (as well as some delicious, refreshing ciders as well) in Boulder.

New Planet Brewing

All hail this completely gluten-free brewery in Boulder! This company offers a wide variety of beers from pale ales to blondes and everything in between. They do have a tasting room, which is open for very limited hours each month (every second Friday from 4-6 pm).

Even better, they bottle it so that you can find it all over Boulder. With over60 locations in the Boulder area, it’s not too hard to get a gluten-free beer fix any time you need one.

Shine Restaurant

That’s right, this bar/restaurant/meeting place is also a brewery. When they said they wanted to be an all-inclusive eatery, they meant it and they brew their very own gluten-free beer called Liberation Ale. Add this beer to their menu of delicious gluten-free menu options and you’ve got yourself a great evening out.

Colorado Cider Company

While this is a Denver based cider company, this brewery offers a fantastic selection of hard ciders to give you a little variety to the standard cider recipe (which isn’t all that bad to begin with) and they have numerous locations all around Boulder, from liquor stores to bars and restaurants. Try some of their unique twists on the classics, such as their Grasshopp-ah, which has a slightly hoppy flavor and is still gluten-free.

Eating gluten-free is fairly easy in Boulder and with this handy little guide, drinking gluten-free should be just as simple!

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Lucky’s Bakehouse and Creamery: A North Boulder Treat

 

Lucky’s Bakehouse and Creamery: A North Boulder Treat

luckys

It’s Boulder. Everyone has some sort of dietary restriction and is always in training. Sugar is one of those things that people talk about in hushed tones. As in….are you eating it or aren’t you? Do you let your kids have any? Giving in or staying strong?

Well, when you’re done trying to ignore it and your sweet tooth must be indulged, it’s time to head to North Boulder for a stop at Lucky’s Bakehouse and Creamery. Located just a few feet from Lucky’s Market, this place has the the feel of a neighborhood bakery with the baked treats of a world-classpastry chef.

We’ll just start with the baked goods. Oh my. From the sweet (cookies, donuts and tarts) to the savory (biscuits and quiche), Lucky’s has you covered. And if you’re gluten-free, no need to worry. There are plenty of options for you that will make you forget all about the gluten! While Lucky’s doesn’t make bread, they do offer cakes available for custom order and with frosting choices like marshmallow fluff, chocolate buttercream and vegan vanilla, they are sure to be a delicious fit for any occasion.

Moving on to the ice cream. Can I get another oh my? Because the ice cream here is homemade and amazing. The mint chocolate chip has real mint in it and that’s just the beginning. We’re talking locally-sourced flavors like Justin’s Peanut Butter Cup and more unique ones like chocolate curry….small batches of yumminess handmade every day.

But don’t come here just for the food. The ambiance of Lucky’s is cozy and warm, inviting you to stay a while with your treats. There are small tables, an open kitchen perfect for watching the baking magic happen, and the friendly service that comes standard with a place this awesome.

Treat yourself. A little sugar won’t kill you. Stop in to Lucky’s and thank me later.

By  YourBoulder.com

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Boulder’s Bohemian Biergarten – A Bit Czech, German & Whatever Else

 

Boulder’s Bohemian Biergarten – A Bit Czech, German & Whatever Else

bohemian biergarten boulder

When I was an undergrad I studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic for a semester. I went from not knowing where this tiny former Communist country was on a map to being obsessed with all things Cesky, especially culture around beer, or as they call it, “pivo.” So when I learned a few months back that an authentic Bohemian (region of the Czech Republic) beer garden was opening in Boulder, I was excited to say the least.

 

Let’s start off by saying that from someone who’s never been to Prague (or anywhere in Central Europe for that matter), Boulder’s Bohemian Biergarten has all of the features associated with a good natured, boisterous watering hole. The sharp dressed staff do their best to keep orders moving at a quick pace as both the front and back rooms fill up quickly after 5PM. There is seemingly endless, bench family-style seating throughout two huge rooms with a stage for music and comedy in the back room. The food tastes good, the music is loud and entertaining and everything has a distinct European feel.

I came to the Bohemian Biergarten with expectations of what my memory served me from when I was a younger man whooping it up overseas. What I got was a distinct mix of German and Czech culture and food. When Americans think of big, rowdy beer festivals in Europe, they probably think of Oktoberfest in Germany, not the Pilsner Urquel factory in Pilsen, Czech Republic. That’s fine, I get it. Give the people what they want.

The mix of Czech, German, and American beers on tap and in bottles is significant. From Pilsner Urquel, to Staropramen, you’ll find most of the major Czech beer producer represented here. You’ll also find a very large selection of German beers, which I frankly know very little about. I’m a Pilsner guy. However, the Prost Dunkel, a Denver based beer styled like acerny (black) Czech beer is absolutely delicious and I’ll often get that instead of my preferred Czech Pilsners when I’m wanting something different.

The food scene at Boulder’s Bohemia Biergarten is decidedly porky and fabulous. The array of grilled sausages are served just like you’d get them from a sausage stand right in St. Wencelsas Square, with a slice of bread, and a pile of sauerkraut waiting to be drenched in the mustard of your choice from a rotating condiment stand on each table. You might even see a whole pig on a rotating spit in the corner of the back room, right out in the open where everyone sits. It’s pretty primal and adds to their ambiance.

After a few litres of beer (yes, they serve liters), I frankly stop caring about the mixed metaphors my brain is interpreting of Czech and German cultureand its entirely easy to just get lost in the good, homey mood that is pervasive throughout Bohemia Biergarten. It’s the closest I can get right now to enjoying a shot of Becherovka on a cold Prague night in old town square and I can still get excited about that any day of the week.

Happy Hour is 3:00-6:30PM daily and it’s highly advisable to get there early as it does fill up right about the time when the Boulder folks get out of work.

By  YourBoulder.com

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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