GUNPLAY Annie Dawid's second short play to see production, won in the Westcliffe Jones Theater competition for 1-act and 10-minute works.  The New Rocky Mountain Voices Contest has a tradition of showcasing voices from the mountains on two nights, Sept 6 & 7 this year at 7:30pm, $10 tix. GUNPLAY, written after the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut gun massacre, takes place in upstate New York on Christmas, 11 days after the deaths of 26 people at an elementary school.  Susan and her husband travel north from Manhattan to spend the holiday with her parents and brother, John.  While John stayed in rural New York, married and had children, Susan moved "downstate" to Manhattan to become an urban public school teacher.  Her husband, Carlos, is an attorney; they have no children.  The short play evol... 08/23/2013

TBD...By Whom?   I'm looking for the other side of the story for this one!  I just closed one on July 22nd that was scheduled for closing on June 28th. My buyer (two previous sales and trusted my expertise) was selling her home to someone out of the country.  The buyer did not want to use a Realtor and wanted only to do a Quit Claim Deed.  I thought stupid on his part but good for my client (seller) as it would save money.  Since I would be selling her another home I offered my services for 'chump change'.  The sale was smooth and easy.  (With the Quit Claim Deed they did not use me.)  The buyer told her she was welcome to live there as long as she liked because he would be out of the country for another year and intended to demolish the home (? nice home) when he returned to the countr... 07/27/2013

Westcliffe Stampede 67th Rodeo July 20-21, 2013 July 19                                                                                           Rubber Check Race - $5 Calcutta & Dinner Starting at 5pm Prelimanry Race to follow   Mutton Bustin During all performances Separate arena $5 per kid 60lb limit Provided by: Wild West Cowboy Church Dance Fiday & Saturday Live Band both nights RODEO PERFORMANCES Saturday at 1pm and 6pm Sunday at 3pm Ticket Prices: Kids under 6 - FREE Kids 6 -11  $5 Adults 12 & up  -$10 Broncs - Bulls Barrels - Roping Steer Wrestling Tie Down Breakaway Kids Events Rodeo and Fair Grounds Hwy 69N - Westcliffe Presented by the  Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club 07/17/2013

Market Report for Sales May 2013 Homes 10 Sales  Ranging from $150,000 to $625,000 4005 Oak Grove Circle         $625,000 6001 County Road 215        $525,000 480 County Road 291          $300,000 1862 County Road 170        $250,000 564 Junkins Loop                $240,000 100 Vista de Aspen Road     $224,900 123 Valley View Road          $195,300 217 S. Fourth Street            $175,000 150 Gateside                     $150,000 502 Main Street                  $150,000 Total Sales                          $2,835,200 (Sales for 2012:  8 homes for $3,601,500) Vacant Land 7 Sales Ranging from $18,000 to $500,000 160 Acres Ranch Land                   $500,000 671 Black Fawn Lane                      $55,000 Lots 7 & 8 Wilderness Heights         $31,000 131 Gibson Road                    ... 07/11/2013

High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival Small Scale Big Time! July 11-14, 2013 Westcliffe, CO HighMountainHayFever.org 719 783-0883 2013 Artists Old Time Kozmic Trio Foghorm String Band Red Molly Kathy Kallick Bank The Hard Road Trio + Bill Evans Bluegrass Patriots (Reunion) Blue Canyon Boys Steel Pennies Grassitup Phoebe & Harper - The Powell Sisters Gary Bowman Heidi Clare & Lonesome Cowby Hobo Wyoming Slim Host Bands Dry Branch Fire Squad The Sons and Brothers Band Bring the Kids! High Mountain Hay Fever is an event the entire family can enjoy, including the kids.  2010 marked the beginning of our children's program involving kids of all ages and ability levels.  Activities throughout the weekend culminated in a special children's performance - we're not sure who had more fun - th... 07/10/2013

  353 Mission Drive, Westcliffe, CO 81252 353MissionDrive.C21.com Remarks Sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range for this parcel waiting for a custom home. Close to the town of Westcliffe with out being in town. Come take a look, you will be so impressed you'll make this your next home. Utilities are in, POA protected community. Seller with carry with terms. Neighboring lot for sale. Price : $ 24,000 Type : Other MLS : 48137       Contact Information Dena Stevens (719) 369-9087 - Mobile         1025 Royal Gorge BoulevardCanon City, CO 81212 (719) 275-8622 © 2013 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each CENTURY 21® Office is Indep... 07/06/2013

A Mini ActiveRain Meetup in Westcliffe Colorado with John Johnston   Yesterday, my daughter Erin Bates and I took a 2 ½ hour drive to Westcliffe, Colorado to meetup with John Johnston.  The scenery along the drive was beautiful.  We pulled off the road at one point just to capture some of the lush meadows and beautiful trees.  John and his wife Mo own a charming bed and breakfast in Westcliffe which Mo runs and John is their local Realtor.  John knows just about everyone in town and was happy to give us the tour of the town and treated us to lunch.  Westcliffe is the county seat of Custer County and measures approximately 1.1 square miles.  The population in the last census was 563 people in 2011.  Westcliffe sits at the eastern base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with an elevation o... 06/19/2013

Thoughts for the Day (I wrote a blog and these were some comments that I thought were worth sharing in another blog.  Thanks to all that commented.) Jordon Wheeler commented he is "protective of his time and he likes providing service beyond client expectations." No one likes to waste time.  So, we use our time as wisely as we can.  But, if you don't make money from some time you have invested - think of it as 'complimentary'. Gayle Rich-Boxman commented "it's more about building relationships".  Expertise, knowledge and experience are all I have to offer.  That makes me a good living.  Sometimes I get paid for it...sometimes I enjoyed time with another human being! Mike Crosby commented:   The things we are giving they have value so "complimentary"  helps communicate value.  I think 'a... 06/09/2013

Market Report for April 2013 vacant land sales For the month of April 2013 there were 6 vacant land sales in Custer County. (home sales were in another report) Record Search produced from Custer County Records The lowest sale was $7,500 and the highest was $140,000.   April 2012     8 sales     $414,500 April 2013     6 sales     $259,400 $7,500                       2 acres $19,000               9.74 acres $22,500                    5 acres $24,500              36.5 acres $45,900        .5 & .41 acres  (2 town lots) $140,000            56.5 acres 06/08/2013

The Cost of Doing Business What is considered the cost of doing business?  Every business has overhead; rent/ mortgage, utilities, payroll, inventory, advertising...the list goes on.  How do you determine which expenses produce revenue? At our bed and breakfast, the Courtyard Country Inn B & B, we give away complimentary wine, beer, soda and bottled water.  COMPLIMENTARY!  I'm not bragging as it is standard practice in the industry.  Beyond that there are the pens, key fobs, notepads, outdoor movies, bookmarks...giveaways.  Did I mention the complimentary complete breakfast? OK, we sell real estate and probably the biggest giveaway we offer is our time.  I don't like to use the word 'free' as it implies it doesn't cost anything or have value...so, I use the word 'complimentary'.  The on... 06/03/2013

Market Report for April 2013   For the month of April 2013 there were 9 homes sales in Custer County.  (vacant land sales not included) Record Search produced from Custer County Records The lowest sales price was $60,000 and the highest was $296,500. Under $100,000            1 home $100,000 - $150,000    4 homes $150,000 - $200,000        0 $200,000 - $250,000    3 homes $250,000 - $300,000    1 home   April 2012     10 home sales     $1,995,900  April 2013       9 home sales     $1,466,500   679 County Road 396       $60,000 463 Stephen Drive          $100,000 111 Sioux Trail               $110,000 20848 Hwy 96                $125,000 13 Park Road                  $130,000 157 Pine Lane                 $205,000 688 Cherokee Trail         $210,000 105 Yucca Lane              $230,000 1... 06/01/2013

I Just Want a Catalog! How many times has someone walked into the office and said "I just want a catalog"? Obviously, the catalogs were printed for handing out to people requesting one.  But, you can see 3 other catalogs in their hands and you have to wonder if they just need scratch paper! OK, the rules say you have 30 seconds to make an impression.  Their defenses are up and the only way they know to handle the high pressure they are sure you are going to put on them is to say..."I just...I only...I'm getting it for my brother...".  Now, I know I have just made you feel like a used car salesman!   Now, back to your 30 seconds!  What do you do to attempt to capture their attention with the hopes of a new client?  You could tag-team them and one person 'going to get you a catalog' while... 05/31/2013

Southern Colorado Community Band FREE Concert Sunday, June 2, 2013,  2:00pm Hermit Park Pavilion in Westcliffe Presented by IN CONCERT:  Classical Music in the Valley Information:  719 783-9709 ********** Summer in the Park 2013 FREE Concert Sunday, June 2, 2013,  2:00pm Featuring Tom Munch! ********** Announcing the first movie of our new season... FREE Movie Tuesday, June 4, 2013  8:00pm 3:10 to Yuma 05/30/2013

Hardscrabble Mountain Trial Run 5K/10K Sunday, June 2nd! Runners from around the world will converge on Westcliffe, CO this weekend for an opportunity to run with the Tarahumara Indians from the Copper Canyon region of Mexico. The run is both a 5K and 10K event sponsored by the San Isabel Land Protection Trust.  Proceeds will benefit SIPLT and Norawas de Raramuri.  The Hardscrabble run (and walk) will be located at the Bear Basin Ranch just 11 miles east of Westcliffe.  The run will cover some mountainous terrain.  The course will explore the ranch at the 9,000' elevation...give or take.  At that elevation chasing oxygen molecules is sport! A post race fiesta, bluegrass music, prize drawings, wagon rides, horseback rides and walks will offer entertainment for those wanting a great Sunda... 05/29/2013

Relationships, Service & Expertise How do we build client loyalty?  What do we need to do to become the 'go-to' person when someone thinks of real estate?  What is it we do that generates referrals?  And if we don't have loyalty, great service or a referral base, how do we create it? Number 1 is relationships.  No one wants to open a telephone book to look for something.  Those days are history.  Our sphere of influence starts at home, family and friends, church, work and all the casual acquaintances we meet at the grocery store, bank, post office, coffee shop, restaurant or wherever. Number 2 is service.  If we don't provide the best service we are capable of and do it in a manner far beyond their expectations we are just another business on the block.  If we can WOW them with our serv... 05/12/2013

Happy Mother's Day! 05/11/2013

Solutions How can/do we learn faster than our competition? How can/do we attract the attention of more customers to our blogs?  Trulia? Do you have a brand?  Are you standing for something?  Do you also stand against something? Do you have a vision?  Energy?        Are you an innovator?  How?  What? Are hard-earned personal connections/relationships and outstanding service 80% of what you do?  Is your expertise the other 20%? 05/11/2013

Life Changes...What's Not to Like? Life changes and many of you...OK, ALL of you, have gone through it.  We have seen birth, birthdays, graduations, weddings, divorces, good health, bad health, death...we have experienced life to it's fullest. Everyone one of us on Active Rain cherish our experiences, both good and bad, with each other.  We have celebrated our successes and been a shoulder during the tough times.  Many of you have watched and participated in the growth of our industry.  MLS books, picking up keys at other offices, delivering flyers, phone messages, computers, cell phones, the internet, lockboxes, digital signatures...  We have experienced a changing world. Where were you before you joined Active Rain?  Trulia?  Google?  YouTube?  Where were you before you had your own w... 05/10/2013

Grape Creek Flowing from Lake DeWeese Lake Deweese and Grape Creek are two of the many popular fishing spots in Custer County.  Lake DeWeese has plentiful trout, muskies and bass.  Lake Isabel is another popular fishing experience located in the San Isabel National Forest.  The Sangre de Cristo Mountains have dozens of high altitude lakes designed for either a day trip or overnight camping.  Fishing is just one of the many popular outdoor activities you will find for your year round pleasure. 05/04/2013

Irrigated Fields With the recent snows over the past few weeks we are approaching near-normal levels for annual rainfall in the beautiful Wet Mountain Valley.  We have several thousand acres of sub-irrigated fields with excellent hay production.  With good timing our ranchers will be able to have several cuttings of hay.  Ranching is a way of life in the Wet Mountain Valley. 05/03/2013