Just a warning that if you pop by here today, Monday, and things are a mess – I have been warned that they could be.  We will be doing a little housecleaning here today, to make the blog a bit easier to use for all of you.   My wife Laura has been wanting to help me update things here for some time.  She has blocked off today to get it done.  So we shall see how it goes.

In doing so, things may look out of whack for a bit.

No worries, things will be all set in no time.

Last Friday evening I was unusually tired and headed to bed a bit early. My wife casually mentioned that she would be up shortly.

Hours later she finally barged in the room sort of laughing or making some happy noise I think, something about winning tickets to San Francisco, to be honest it was foggy, I thought I was asleep and dreaming.

The next morning, I turned on my computer and saw this tweet on my twitter feed.

So I wasn’t dreaming.  Apparently she was on twitter just before planning to head to bed and saw Jay Thompson and Ines engaged in a conversation in her twitter feed including #ICSF and a link in every tweet.  There was a contest from Inman offering discounts and free tickets to Inman Connect San Francisco. She started in with them, they were announced as the 150 and 250 tweet winners and then @JBern mentioned 500 was close. And she won.

We immediately began plans to attend and unfortunately it has become logistically impossible for either of us to both go.  Since we had both recently attended REBAR Camp Denver we were very excited to attend Inman Connect and also arrive early for REBAR Camp in San Fran. Now, 7 days later, we still haven’t been able to secure care for the kids quick enough and with other things going on, we had both decided I would be flying solo.  Additionally my own schedule is jammed packed that week and after some other things were announced to be moved around as well, I have decided to stay put as well and not go to the conference.

So what to do with the tickets?  I could of used them for a future event.  But we are already going in January, that was part of the prize, and to hold them until next summer when I know there are people that still want to go now, it just seems like the right thing to do. In the same nature as the contest itself and as others have done as well, Laura & I have decided to give away the 2 tickets to Inman Connect San Francisco August 5 – 7, 2009 at the Palace Hotel. Laura checked with Jeff at Inman when we were just going to give away 1 and he was fine with us giving it away. I contacted Jay Thompson last night and told him in the interest of speed I intended to hold a drawing similar to his, and he said “Sure go for it!”

So Here it is…

Want to win a ticket & go to Inman Connect San Francisco?

Comment.  Just leave a comment.  Perhaps if you have been to San Fran before you can leave a recommendation for restaurants that Inman attendees should consider.  Or maybe why you want to go.  Content won’t matter, it is still random. 

Comments will be accepted until 3:30 pm Sunday, July 12th Mountain Time. 2 winners will be drawn shortly after that and announced here on the blog.  The winners will be drawn at random and to mix it up a bit, I won’t pick it from a hat. I’m thinking a pitcher or a fish bowl, or maybe our giant chip bowl.  Each winner will win 1 of the passes.

Only one entry per person.  If you enter, make sure can go. If you win and you can not go you must give the ticket away, no selling.  We are getting down to the wire so I want to try and let the winner know as soon as possible. I know we are getting tight on time but i also know there are still people out there that want to go. 

You will not have to wear a special shirt of mine, I don’t have one. I don’t have a baseball cap or anything else for you.  Just the pass. 

You must pay for your transportation, hotel, food, cabs, bus fare, etc., etc. It is just the pass for Inman Connect. Which to my understanding is now a registration fee of +$900.  So a very nice offering indeed.

If you win, and you have already bought a ticket, you can not get a refund to Inman Connect from Inman. 

Lastly & most importantly, I want to sincerely thank Inman News for the tickets in the first place. As I mentioned, Laura actually won 2 tickets to Inman Connect in January as well in NYC with being the 500th tweet and we have already started securing care for the kids then, so we will both be there then.  In addition she won a year subscription to Inman, all very, very nice.  Thank you.

Addition – Don’t forget to leave your email address if you enter – I need to be able to contact you if you win.

As a local business, I do what I can to give back to the community that I serve.  If I could there are so many events and organizations I would choose to contribute to.  But of course we all can only do so much and so I am a bit picky as to what I choose to contribute to.  I was a sponsor for the First Josh & Gus's Run for a Reason and I am writing a check for this year's event right after I write this.  I am a dad, and that is the reason.  I also hope everyone in our community will strongly consider participating in this event.  I know that many of my local real estate colleagues read this, wouldn't it be something if we all supported this event together?

I have asked my wife to guest author today to tell you about this very special event.  And so here she is….

Why you Should Pencil In –  Josh & Gus's Run for a Reason
guest author  - Laura Scheer

I have been a member of a local Mother's Group since before my youngest was born.  For a while the membership was quite large, and I didn't know every member.  I do faintly remember hearing the name Tami Gove, I think I may have read her name on a playgroup roster.  But sadly, I never met her until tragedy struck.  I remember getting emails, a heart wrenching announcement that 15 month Josh Gove had died in his sleep.  Arrangements for meals.  And the like.  I remember being so incredibly sad for this family I barely knew. 

I remember the very first Josh & Gus's Run for a Reason.  Gus McDonald was a little boy that died of the same tragic circumstances.  I remember recognizing Lunden McaDonald from a tv news segment promoting the event.  She was now pregnant and almost due.  I remember seeing Tami Gove at Clement Park that day, she was so busy, and I wanted to say hi, but I wasn't sure I could look her in the eye.   I was afraid I would tear up and I didn't want to do that to her.  I barely knew her and I didn't feel I had the right.  But besides remembering them that day, I mostly remember all of the posters.  There were posters of Josh and and of Gus but then there were photos of others.  Many more than I would have thought.  I was truly shocked.  Here I was, a mother of two – well versed and educated on every hidden danger lurking beneath the shadows and yet I had no idea. 

SUDC, Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood is the diagnosis given when a child dies suddenly without reason and every other explanation is excluded.  SUDC is very rare and there has not been a very big awareness of this diagnosis.  Similar to SIDS, SUDC occurs when the child dies suddenly but after 1 year of age.  The SUDC Foundation was founded in 2001 and is a part of the CJ Foundation for SIDS. 

I truly admire the Gove and MacDonald families.  I have seen them not only do a tremendous job of fundraising for SUDC, but I have heard stories of the support they have given others, even nationwide.  I have seen Lunden McDonald on national media broadcasts and Tami Gove rise to the occasion each and every year and produce a splendid event honoring & remembering these children.  I applaud everything these two families are doing to bring SUDC awareness to the general public.   

Josh & Gus's Run for a Reason is on Sunday, September 23rd at Clement Park in Littleton, CO.  Click here for a google map of Clement Park.

What I know now, that I wasn't ready for that very first year – is this is a celebration.  Yes it is a remembrance, but the Gove's and the MacDonald's share this day with the community not only to raise funds for SUDC, but to have an event each year to celebrate their children's memory & cherish their lives.  It is a wonderful event for the whole family.  Unlike that first year, I now know I will be able to find Tami that day and give her a squeeze and a smile.  And my entire family will be by my side.

There is a 5K Run/Walk and a shorter 1 mile Family Fun Walk loop around the lake in Clement Park.   There are family fun activities through the event as well as a silent auction, entertainment and refreshments.  Registration is now open and volunteers and sponsors are still needed.   If you can't make it, donations are accepted as well.  All raised funds will support the education and research of SUDC and is a division of the CJ SIDS Foundation. 

If you are from out of town, you can also find a Run for A Reason event near you.  If you or someone you know would like to learn more about SUDC, click here. 

I hope you will pencil it in, register, and join in.  This is a very family friendly event for all. 

All photos were used by permission of Tami Gove, Josh & Gus's Run for a Reason.  Thanks Tami.  Statistical information was gathered at www.sudc.org

As many of you know, my wife helps me from time to time with various marketing & administrative duties.  She actually is the one responsible for my venturing into the world of blogging.  She made a suggestion a few weeks ago for me to provide local residents in Highlands Ranch information about preschools – as she remembers the days when she had to find just the right one for our own children – and in her own words, it ain't easy! 

Since she knows so much about preschools here in Highlands Ranch, I asked her to guest author on my blog.  Her qualifications to write this article, Mom to 2 preschool Alums that over the years attended 3 different preschools.  So here she is…..

Preschools in Highlands Ranch
written by Laura Scheer, 2007

Here it is mid August.  The children that are in elementary school may have tracked back on as early as July, and if not, they will be back by next week.  You have just relocated to town and you have just decided that its time to find a pre-school for your 3 or 4 year old.  Here are some things that I would suggest in finding a school that is right for you & your child. 

• First of all – you better get cracking!  Most preschools begin their registration in January or February of the previous school year and fill quickly.  These are programs that are in demand here.  But, movement happens and things can change, so make some calls, even if you think its too late.  If spots are full, request for your child to be placed on a wait list.  Most schools will take students all throughout the school year if there are openings. 
• Make some calls, and visit the schools.  Check them out.   Ask questions.  Everyone has different expectations and you must find a preschool that meets your own needs and comfort level.  There are many different options, some are in recreation centers, some in churches, some in day care centers, some in homes and there are even some that are housed in the Douglas County schools.  You just need to figure out what you are looking for. 
• Decide if you are looking for a preschool within a full day-care center, or just a stand alone preschool.  There are both in Highlands Ranch.
• Most preschools will have a highly based social setting/program but some others will have a more curriculum based program.  All kids have different needs, and parents have different desires for their child.  Check out what's available so you can pick what's right for you. 
• If you have missed out for this year, continue your research now so you know where you want to register next year & what the process is.  Have second choices.  The first year my son was in preschool I missed the boat too.  I wasn't able to get him registered at the closer schools that I liked.  I had to settle for something a little further away.  But because he was on the closer school's wait list, I had priority registration the next year and was able to move him.  I could also tell you a story someday about drinking coffee out of a thermos in a dark parking lot standing in line at 4:30 am in late January.  I'll give you a hint, it had to do with preschool registration! 

So now how to find out about the schools around?  In addition to those I will list to you, I have always found it best to talk to your peers.  Ask your neighbors if they used a local preschool.  Ask around at the coffee shop, at the gym, you name it.  Find moms and ask.  Ask what they liked, asked what they didn't.  I have found my best resources from just asking others in the community. 

As for the list of some of the options out there - I have used some of these – but everyone has different expectations.  Check them out, ask lots of questions, see what your child thinks and you'll be able to find a great match for your family.  There should be something for everyone.

SOME PRESCHOOLS IN HIGHLANDS RANCH
Little Luke's at Saint Luke's – Broadway just north of Highlands Ranch Parkway
Highlands Ranch Learning Center, Dad Clark, east of Broadway
Christ Lutheran Preschool, Broadway, north of Highlands Ranch Parkway
St Andrews,University Blvd, north of Highlands Ranch Parkway
HRCA Preschool at Eastridge Recreation Center, University Blvd, north of Wildcat Reserve Parkway
HRCA Preschool at Westridge Recreation Center, Foothills Canyon Blvd at Highlands Ranch Parkway
Douglas County Preschools, various locations
Denver Christian Preschool – Dad Clark just west of University
Cherry Hills Community Church – Grace Blvd
Espree Child Learning Center – Gleneagles Village Parkway

SOME PRESCHOOLS NEAR HIGHLANDS RANCH
Willows – location on Quebec and Homestead Parkway in Centennial
Mission Hills Early Learning Center - located at University at Orchard in Greenwood Village
Great Escape at Littleton United Methodist- Datura & Littleton Blvd in Littleton
Creme de la Creme – Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree
St Mary's of Littleton Catholic Preschool, Prince Street in Littleton
Montessori School at Lone Tree, Erminedale Drive at Timberline Rd. in Lone Tree
W H E E Preschool, Yosemite St in Greenwood Village
All Souls Early Learning Center, Pennsylvania Street in Englewood