The United Way of Larimer County has just been recognized as having one of the 10 best Make A Difference projects nationally. Last fall, United Way set national records for its 6 day long Make A Difference event, claiming the outcome was just another way to show the  the community has to service. Keep your eyes open for the United Way of Larimer County to be featured in the USA Weekend Magazine in the April 18 issue, as they receive a $10,000 donation from Newman’s Own. The levels of excitement not only motivate the organization to set larger goals for the next Make A Difference event in October, but it also recognizes efforts of over 4,400 volunteers for finishing up over 150 projects in one year! News like this just proves that we can accomplish so much if we work together! If you are looking to become more involved in the Larimer County Community, connect with United Way. The organization recruits and trains community professionals to become valuable members of a volunteer program, and assists in matching volunteers with the needs of non-profit local organizations. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and they should be recognized for their outstanding efforts to “Live United”.

There’s no doubt about it: moving is stressful. It’s filled with changes, schedule disruptions, mixed emotions and uncertainties, not to mention a whole lot of hard work. Right when you feel like the hard part is over; there are still a few very important things we would urge you to consider, for your safety!

Once you move into your new home, make sure to put fresh new batteries in the smoke detector. More importantly, make sure they are working properly. Once you know your smoke detector is working as it should be, walk around your house and plan the safest exit route, just in case of an emergency. Meanwhile, it’s also important to install a carbon monoxide detector. Unfortunately, every year over 200 American’s die of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your new home has one, if not, put one in. You should also have your heating system, including chimney’s and vents inspected and serviced annually. If you have just moved into a new home, your best bet would be to have them checked right then and there, for your own peace of mind. Speaking of peace, make sure all windows have locks that function properly. Examine your outdoor lighting system and make certain arrangements to install low voltage outdoor system, if needed. Also, trim any large shrubs around the entrance of your home; this prevents a burglar from hiding in your shrubbery. Find out if your neighborhood has a neighborhood watch program. If it does, join it! If it doesn’t, start one! Last but not least, consider installing a security system. There really isn’t anything better with having peace of mind and if you do these things, we assure you that is exactly what you’ll have

It is unfortunate that scam movers take over the moving industry. By following a few steps, you can have the advantage of spotting them before they take your stuff and run. Here are some pointers on how to avoid getting scammed:

• Be wary of radical estimates. Estimates too high or too low should not be trusted, and when it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Get everything in writing! If you don’t have anything in writing there is no way to be sure that your given estimate will be honored.
• Avoid companies that only accept cash or large deposits
• Find out if the company is on the American Moving and Storage Association of blacklist scammers
• Avoid doing business with moving companies who do not have a physical address or licensing information on their website

The best way to find a legit moving company is through word of mouth or other local resources. Good sense and judgment should be used whenever you hire any company to do service for you. It is in your best interest to take extra precautions because they are packing up everything you own, stuffing it in a truck for a cross country trek.

2010 is going to be a big year for the city of Fort Collins. This January, the City Council work session worked to implement new Green building standards. The Fort Collins Board of Realtors happens to be the driving force behind it all. The FCBR should be recognized for being among the first in the country and the only Realtor association in the State of Colorado, to have a sustainability committee. Yes, you read it right, a new sustainability committee.

Fort Collins as a community, seems to be consistently assessing the best ways to guarantee a sustainable future, and this happens to be one of the best ideas thus far. FCBR’s sustainability committee focuses on several ways  to enhance our community’s efforts to reduce energy usage and provide Green resources that will educate the public.

The committee already has quite a few projects underway, including formulating criteria for new FCBR awards. In doing so, the FCBR hopes to launch criteria for Green Office of the year and Green Realtor of the year awards.

They also hope to leverage a few partnerships to have access for improvements so they can provide the community with new Green tools that will be helpful while assisting buyers and sellers.

There’s no doubt that Fort Collins is a community that prides itself on thinking in a sustainable way. This just goes to show that people and companies in this town are taking these ideas seriously. Thanks Fort Collins Board of Realtors for not only talking the talk but also walking the walk.

Sound of interest to you? You can volunteer your time and ideas and be a part of this new, exciting committee! They are looking for volunteers to help! If you would like to learn more or volunteer today please contact James Mitchell at 970-221-0700 or via email at jwmitchell@thegroupinc.com or Clint Skutchan at 920-402-0852 or clint@fcbr.org

For more information visit their website!

To Connect Follow the FCBR on Twitter!

Become a Fan of FCBR on Facebook!

It goes back as far as 1936, where a law stated the ban on firearms in national parks, declaring such parks and monuments to being sanctuaries for wildlife. However starting today, bringing your gun to Rocky Mountain National Park will be legal. In national parks nationwide, a provision in a 2009 federal credit card reform law drops the decades-old ban on carrying loaded guns — including semiautomatic weapons. The National Park Service from now on will adjourn to state law when deciding what guns can be carried into a national park, and Colorado among other states has determined this to be officially authorized.

“Firearms prohibited” signs are coming down soon and the rangers of the National Park Service will be trained on making sure they understand what kinds of firearms are allowed. In case you are a hunter, you should know that hunting within the national park will remain illegal and you cannot carry your firearms into federal buildings including the park visitor centers.

Rocky Mountain National Park Chief Ranger Mark Magnuson says “we’ll welcome (gun owners) as we would any park visitor” in response to visitors going to the park with their firearms today.

To read the full story, visit Coloradoan.com. What are your thoughts on this new Colorado law?

As most of you know, we are in the process of moving ourselves! We wanted to keep you posted with our move! As of March 1, we will be open for business at 1730 E. Prospect St. Fort Collins (that’s the Waterpik building).  We will be occupying a large portion of their warehouse and our office entrance will be on the west side of the building. 
 
We’re making this move for many reasons, but what we are most excited about is:
 
24 hour live security and video surveillance
All paved parking and outside storage area
Easier access to I-25
Easier access into and out of the facility – from all directions.
Cleaner, brighter, well maintained and newer facility
 
The security is a big plus for our storage clients – not to say they haven’t been secure in the past, but this is definitely a step up!  The pavement is huge for us – dealing with semi tractors and trailers in mud and snow is not fun – especially when it’s below zero outside!  
 

The Oxford Dictionary defines Culture Shock as “a disorientation experienced when suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture or way of life”. Anyone who has ever lived or traveled abroad has experienced a dose of culture shock. At the time, it may just feel like homesickness, however there are several signs and symptoms that can be spotted.

Here are a few:

• Feeling lonely or a sense of sadness

• Pains, intense headaches and/or allergies

• Feelings of anger, depression or vulnerability

• Feeling shy or insecure

• Insomnia or sleeping too much

• Idealizing your own culture

• Becoming overly concerned about your health

Moving abroad sounds like fun, huh? Well it is! The transition may be smoother if you understand the Culture Shock Model and the common reactions people experience when moving abroad.

Step 1: The Honeymoon Stage

This is when you start feeling euphoria. You feel energized, inspired and enriched.

Step 2: The Distress Stage

Everything you are experiencing no longer feels new. You start to feel like the people you use as a support system are out of reach and too far away. You may experience a sense of confusion, loneliness and feel the lust starting to fade away.

Step 3: The Re-Integration State

You may start feeling angry, resentful and frustrated with trying to accumulate to the new culture. You may start idealizing life back home and compare cultures. This may lead you to develop prejudices towards the new culture. As bad as it sounds, this is all extremely normal, in fact, it is proof that you are adjusting and is a common reaction among people.

Step 4: Autonomy Stage

This is the first stage of acceptance as you start to feel like yourself again. You start to understand and accept the differences which enable you to take a look around and appreciate where you are.

Step 5: Independence Stage

This is when you feel like you are yourself again. You are able to fully embrace the culture. You feel a sense of comfort and you become confident when it comes to making decisions. This is when you appreciate cultural differences and you start to feel at home

Elevator Carry: An additional fee that most moving companies charge in order to transport your goods in an elevator either at the pickup point or destination. To ensure the mover’s are aware of your particular moving needs, let them know if an elevator will be part of the move.

Full Service Move: The most common type of move with the carrier moving your household items from your old address to your new address. All the items are picked up from the originating rooms and placed in the new rooms. Furniture is wrapped in blankets for protection during transport. For an additional fee, full service providers will pack and unpack your boxes and hook-up your appliances.

Line haul Charges: Basic charges for long distance moves calculated by mileage and weight of your total shipment. Line haul charges are usually on top of additional charges.

Mobile Container: Large storage containers that are delivered to your home and will remain at your residence until you have completed loading them with your goods, then request pick-up from the moving company.

Operating Authority: The certification issued by a state or federal governmental department authorizing a mover or carrier to move household goods between designated geographical areas.

Re-Weigh: Depending on the kind of estimate you received, your goods may be re-weighed once they’ve been loaded on the truck. The moving charge would then be based on the re-weigh amount.

Total Loss: Restricted insurance for your household goods based on complete loss of your belongings. Make sure you check the details to ensure you are covered.

Warehouse Handling: An additional charge applicable each time storage-in-transit service is provided. This charge refers to the physical movement and removal of items within the warehouse.

Moving across Fort Collins, within Colorado, or across the country? This is a huge event for the entire family! Residential moves are many times associated with a job change, marriage or divorce, a family death, a new home purchase, or a new addition to the family. Along with the event that may be the initial reasoning for the move, the family is also dealing with the numerous life changes a relocation brings, all at once.

For children, the effects of a move can be even more strenuous. While some children may see the change as an exciting new opportunity, others may not. A new bedroom, new neighborhood, new school, new friends, new bus ride, new schedule, new teachers, new coaches… everything is new at once. All this “new” means transition and the unknown for children that are accustomed to their current routine. As parents, there are ways to make this less scary and an smoother process for everyone involved.

An article on www.About.com discusses strategies for reducing stress, anxiety, and making a family move an easier experience. Here is a list of 6 steps for easing the transition for children during a move:

Involve children in the move as early and as much as possible.

Try to maintain daily routines.

Be patient with children and empathize with their feelings.

Help children make new friends and get them involved in their new communities.

Visit new schools to see if orientation programs are available for newcomers.

Look for warning signs of children not adjusting well.