Wow!  I never guessed that it would take me over 8 months to post again on this site.  Many changes have occurred in my life over the past 8+ months.  The death of a family member in June, 2010 had the impact 0f absorbing months of my life as I helped with the myriad tasks in settling the estate.  It has been an educational process and one I will take time to learn more about as I pursue writing books to help consumers become more savvy in protecting and increasing their wealth.

RETIRED?  WELL, SORT OF…..

I retired from RE/MAX at the end of January.  After almost 8 years, it was a decision that did not come lightly, but I realized the time was right.  I still have a Colorado real estate license and have maintained my membership in Pikes Peak Association of Realtors, CAR, and NAR through 2011.  But I turned in my electronic lockbox key, sold all my lockboxes, and made the decision to spend my days pursuing a new course for my life - as an author and speaker on financial topics.

FIRST, A SABBATICAL

My first goal is to spend some time catching up on my personal life, so a 6 month hiatus from business is in order.  I still have a business association with 2 great RE/MAX agents and refer my clients and friends to them as the need arises.  This works very well for them and for my clients.  I like to help good people stay in business and I want to make sure all my great clients are taken care of when they need help with real estate.  But I also realized that instead of marching headlong into another career, that I needed to take a break, take some time to focus on personal matters, spend more time making art, and catch my breath before jumping into learning about a new industry (for me!) and building a new direction for my life.  So that is what I am doing.

During this time, I hope to post interesting commentaries on topics I consider relevant to the current real estate and financial markets, check out and report on more great local restaurants, and do a few book reviews.  Posting won’t be often or consistent over the next 6 months, but there will be things here from time to time, so stop by occasionally to see what’s new.

VISIT WITH ME

I also realize that I don’t want to become a hermit.  I don’t make a good hermit because I like to talk with people and hear their ideas.  So I am planning regular escapes from the house to work on some writing and meet with people who want to stop by and visit with me.  By April 1st, I plan to select a location or two around Colorado Springs to spend a few hours once a week to get myself out where people are.  I have my art groups and a networking and book club I attend regularly, but that’s different.  I’m looking for a place to hang out and have spontaneous conversations with people I meet.  No networking obligations, just a time to relax, have a cup of coffee, and chat with people.  I hope you will join me!

Live Your Dreams!

So until my next post, Live Your Dreams!  The economy is on the mend, but it won’t be an easy road.  With almost 25% of all mortgages underwater, we are looking at a different version of the real estate market than we’ve seen in the past.  In one way, not posting for months has given me a perspective I don’t think I would have had if I’d had my head in the computer every week.  But we’ll talk about that more in future posts.  See you then!

Great coffee, pastries, and free wifi

This week’s restaurant review is a day late (sorry folks), but it’s a goodie.  I spent some time this morning at La Baguette having coffee and a croissant as I read more of Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover (I’m preparing a special new book review series for readers, so stay tuned).  I love the new look the Chestnut Street location has been given.  Very fun.  I didn’t need wifi this morning, but some days I do and I noticed when I was at the downtown location this week that they now have free wifi for their customers.  And the food is yummy, too!  I love the apple croissants and when it comes to lunch, they have the best French onion soup in town.  You can take home a fresh baked loaf of bread or rolls and other pastries and surprise everyone in your household with a special treat.  The website only gives 2 locations but you can also find a third restaurant at 1420 Kelly Johnson Blvd, west of Academy near Chapel Hills Mall.  I frequent all three locations.  Tip:  try the creme carmel dessert if you like custard or flan.  Delicioso!

Other free wifi restaurants

But that’s not all!  A long time local favorite coffee house that offers free wifi is Pikes Perk.  They also have multiple locations in Colorado Springs plus an airport coffee shop.  I go to the one on N Academy most often.  It’s a great place to meet friends or clients.  I do!

My final suggestion for great coffee and free wifi is Panera which has been reviewed on this blog.  This is the only one of the three that has locations outside of Colorado Springs and Colorado, so if you want a consistent experience when you are traveling, give them a try.  Good place for coffee, pastries, and also for lunch as they have an extensive sandwich, salad, and soup menu.

I hope to cross paths with you at one of these local restaurants.  Stop and say hi if you see me there!

Less Restaurant Consumers in 2008

After the stock market tanked in October, 2008, Colorado Springs restaurants were ghost towns for awhile.  We stopped eating out as much, which is better for our waistlines anyway, and apparently a lot of other people decided also that eating at home saved money.  I’m sure it was a very scary time for restaurant owners as they tried to keep their employees working with virtually empty dining rooms.  The good news was that when you went out to eat, you were seated right away, but at a huge cost to the local economy. 

Do You Think Service Has Improved?

Now, it is June, 2010, and when we do go out to eat we see more people in the restaurants, but I don’t think it’s at the same level it was during the summer of 2008.  I know we personally have cut down on how often we eat out and we made that decision first in an effort to eat healthier and also to save more money as we build our assets to get to retirement.  The thing we have noticed is that restaurants also seem to be appreciating their clientele more.  Service is much better in general than it was 2 years ago.  I don’t think we are the only ones not eating out as often so restaurants are competing for less customers.  If we get bad service we will think twice about going back.  If we get great service, we notice, and appreciate the effort of the servers and the training they are obviously getting to help them serve customers better.

Let’s Keep Good Service Going

When the economy is roaring, all boats float.  But when times get tough, you get to see who is left standing - those who understand what business is about and understand the value of their customers.  We aren’t past seeing changes yet.  In the long run, everyone will have a new perspective of what is important in life and I think we’ll be better for it.  Restaurants are not the only businesses affected by less business.  The real estate industry has definitely lost a lot of jobs.  We are seeing tightening across most industry segments.  As things improve and people “go back to normal”, I don’t think normal will be the same as it was 3 years ago.  We can all hope the lessons of providing good service continue to be kept top of mind.

I try not to indulge in pizza very often because it just screams calories, but when I do I want a good one.  So we try different pizza places to see whose pizzas rise to the top.  So far my favorite overall pizza place is Borriello Brothers.  They have 8 different locations around town and you get to enjoy a fun atmosphere while chowing down on a pizza that definitely is a value for the price.  And it tastes scrumptious!

For a more uptown environment and a crispy pizza with fresh fresh fresh ingredients, give Piazza in Rockrimmon a try.  They have a great lunch special that includes a personal pizza and salad.  Nice spot to take clients when you want good food and a quiet place to talk.

Buon appetito!

This week I saw an article about a new Panera Bread restaurant in Clayton, MO.  There are no prices - just suggestions.  According to the article, this restaurant operates as a non-profit and patrons can pay as little or as much as they want for their meal.  I have always liked Panera Bread.  They have a deli format plus a bread counter where you can purchase breads and pastries to go.  There are 5 locations throughout Colorado Springs.  I frequent the two on the north side of town on North Academy and at Shops at Briargate.  Both these locations are always busy.  Since free wifi is available, it is a great place to meet clients or just enjoy working away from the office while you get something good to eat.  They have delicious soups, sandwiches, and other offerings.  The specialty coffees are yummy.  Give Panera a try!

Mollica’s - Italian Deli and much more

I love Mollica’s!  I have been eating there for over 20 years and I am never disappointed.  Dom Mollica was the principal at Eagleview Middle School in District 20 and opened his family restaurant while still working at D20.  It’s a place I take clients for a quick lunch.  It’s a place I stop at when I’m out and about and get hungry for their huge Italian salad or a grinder made with homemade sausage.  The deli case is packed with delicious choices of meats and cheeses and they have fresh made meals in the refrigerator display that you can pick up and take home for dinner.

New Broadmoor Towne Center Location

Mollica’s recently opened a second location in the Broadmoor area.  I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure it’s just as good as their original location on Garden of the Gods Road.  Go early for lunch.  The original location is always busy since it is a local favorite.

Today’s pick - Conway’s Red Top - burgers and shakes

A lot of new burger joints have opened in Colorado Springs over the past several years - Five Guys, Smashburger, Red Robin, and Carl’s Jr, not to mention the old standards of Burger King and McDonalds.  But one local burger joint keeps going even with all the new competition.  That restaurant is Conway’s Red Top.  They have huge burgers, so I order a half size because I could never eat a whole one.  There are many other choices on the menu, but a burger and shake is what I order when I go to Conway’s Red Top.  There are 3 locations in Colorado Springs.  My go-to location is on North Carefree just east of Academy.  Fun place to take your out of town visitors for a local tradition.

I love the food at great deli’s.  Being in Colorado, this isn’t exactly Grand Central Station where you get to eat at the epitomy of New York delis, but we do have a few good ones.  Today my friend, Bev, and I ate lunch at Broadway Deli.  It’s a fun little place with great food and it is in the North Academy corridor - easy to get to for a quick lunch if you work on the north side of town or are visiting the Air Force Academy.  They have daily specials and serve breakfast all day.  We were told a new menu is coming soon.  They have dishes you can’t find everywhere, like hot corned beef and rice pudding.  They’ll even heat the rice pudding for you. :-)  So for a taste of New York in Colorado Springs, try Broadway Deli, 7170 N Academy Blvd.

I thought I’d take a different approach with the restaurant review this week and tell you about some great places to eat if you head south this year.  I spent a long weekend in Santa Fe and Albuquerque in March and went to a few of our favorite haunts plus a restaurant that was new to us in Albuquerque.

SANTA FE RESTAURANT FAVORITES

First, Santa Fe.  There is no shortage of good restaurants in Santa Fe.  If you like chilis, you will be in heaven.  I always hit overload and then need to eat something without chilis.  The two favorites we ate at on this trip were Cafe Pasqual’s where the Huevos Rancheros makes you lick the bowl and Tomasita’s, situated in an old depot where the Margaritas are top notch and the food is varied and delicious.  The red sauce is spicy and the green sauce is pure chilis.  For a yummy lunch when we are walking around the square, Tia Sophia’s is fun and good.  It gets busy at lunch, so go early.

ALBUQUERQUE RESTAURANT FAVORITES

Now on to Albuquerque.  Our usual favorite is Sadie’s, where the red and green temperatures start at “Not So Hot”.  If you want spicy sauce and to enjoy local atmosphere, this is the place.  We can now buy their salsa in Colorado and it’s what we eat at home.  But the place we tried this time was El Pinto.  We love going through Chimayo, NM on our way back to Colorado and eating at Rancho de Chimayo, but El Pinto is a close second without having to leave Albuquerque.  It is a sprawling hacienda in a lovely setting and the food is great.  Our pitcher of Margarita’s was a great compliment to the meal.  And if you like guacamole, El Pinto’s was very fresh and flavorful.  It didn’t last long with the 4 of us digging in.

So the next time you are traveling through central New Mexico, stop and smell the chilis.  Just telling you about them makes my mouth water and I’m ready for another road trip!

I just couldn’t wait until next week to tell you about another great Colorado Springs restaurant - The Margarita at Pine Creek.  I love this place!  It is so unique and the food is wonderful.  Visit in the summer months and eat on the lovely outdoor patio.  But the inside has a great ambience as well.  It feels like you are eating at an old hacienda.  One of my clients said it made her feel like she was back in the German countryside.  Margarita at Pine Creek offers a nice multi-course soup and salad lunch along with specials of the day.  The evening menu always changes.  They are closed on Mondays, but have a nice brunch on Sundays.  This is a great place to take out of town guests or to try if you ARE an out of town visitor.  You will want to come back often.  Patti is the owner.  If she is there, tell her I said hi.  Do not confuse this restaurant with Three Margaritas.  We’ll review them at a later date.