Category: Englewood

Free Family Fun in Englewood, CO

11/19/2015

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © vxla, used under Creative Commons License v2.0.

Kids bored? Thinking you'll have to spend a ton of money to make them happy? Not so. As an Englewood resident with four kids in tow, I find new (and free) things to do with the kids all the time. Because we are an active family, I've become quite the expert on free family fun in Englewood, CO. Here are some of our family favorites.

Stroll the beautiful walking trails.

Englewood has trails of all sizes suitable for biking, hiking, or even a leisurely walk. My kids and I enjoy these trails often. Shorter trails are good for quick walks or leisurely scenic walks. There are plenty of benches along the trails for relaxing, enjoying he scenery, or even observing the animals. The ducks and other water foul are our favorites. But you also might see other wildlife.

Take the free "art" shuttle.

Ever ridden on the art shuttle bus? It will get you around the entire Englewood Parkway, as well as transport you to area hospitals. It's called the art because of the great sculptures located along the entire route. Interested in the artwork? Great! Much of it's for sale. A portion of the proceeds goes to he city. The art shuttle is funded by the City of Englewood, as well as the Regional Transportation District (RTD). RTD operates the city's main public transit system. Hop on the art for destinations along the parkway - or just hop on board for fun!

Visit Englewood Civic Center.

The Englewood Civic Center is where the library, the courts, and other official business is located. You'll also find free concerts and other events going on in the square. Need to hop on the light rail? Englewood Station is literally seconds from the civic center. There you can jump on the light rail train or hop a city bus. The art bus stops right in the civic center square - or circle, since it's shaped like one.

Enjoy the sidewalk splash fountain.

While located right in the center at the end of Englewood Parkway, this deserves separate attention. A big part of the fun to be had at the Englewood Civic Center is the fountain, if you ask the kids - alright, adults love it too! Just don't lean too close over the holes in the ground surrounding the fountain - you might get a surprise!

Make use of the parks.

Englewood has a good variety of parks to choose from. They're great for walks, family picnics, exercise, and entertainment. Skaters will enjoy Cushing Park, as there is an enclosed skateboard park. This park also has a bridge extending over a beautiful duck pond with a fountain. Belleview Park includes a children's farm and miniature train. Check with the city for a complete listing and amenities.

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Englewood Family Matters: Using the Walking Trails for Science Homeschooling

12/23/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Englewood is home to many trails for hiking, walking, and biking. Parents and teachers alike can use this great advantage for science lessons. The Englewood trails make a unique educational opportunity for homeschool field trips and even for large classroom groups. No matter the age of the child, there is always something new to learn along the trails.

Collect and examine pond samples. The Englewood walking trails have plenty of water from ponds and creeks to collect as samples for science. The kids can bring along petri dishes and droppers to collect the water. Later on, they can examine the specimen under the microscope. Things to think about: Are the specimen different depending on the area the water is taken from? Does it vary depending on how deep the water is? What did you find?

Track wildlife. Wildlife is abundant along the walking trails in Englewood. Track the animals for a science lesson by looking for clues they leave. This could be paw prints in the sand, feathers, droppings, fur, and even snake skins. Where does each animal like to go? Were you able to find any by following their natural clues? Could you have changed anything for better results? Did you find the expected wildlife or something else?

Collect permitted wildlife remains. So long as its allowed, collect natural items left behind from animals. This could be a petrified insect, rabbit pellets, deer antlers, and more. These can be used for scientific observation. Be sure that you do not harm any animals to gain these items, however. The kids need to know that while it may be alright to collect items left behind naturally, they should respect live animals. Also, be sure they are not taking something that should be left alone. Everyone should wear gloves and collected items should be sealed in containers.

Examine and collect natural items. Fallen leaves are a popular scientific item for kids to collect. Rocks, pine cones, tree bark, and moss are some others. Allow the kids to examine and collect (and examine some more later) these things from nature. Just be careful not to take anything that is not allowed to be removed from the natural area.

Observe wildlife and nature and capture with art, videos, and photos. Have the kids bring along their cameras, camcorders, and even canvas and painting supplies. Observe the nature and wildlife along the Englewood trails. Kids can paint pictures, snap images, and record live scientific footage. Allow them to capture the memories in their preferred method. Not only are the kids doing something creative and fun in the moment. But the evidence will live on and provide an educational experience over and over. These works can even be used to create science movies, albums, slideshows, and more.

*Visit EnglewoodRec.org to discover more about the trails.

**I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Hotels & Motels in Denver, CO

11/10/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

The Mile High City (Denver) seems to have something for everyone with its rich and diverse culture. Hotels and motels to suit a variety of lifestyles and budgets abound in Denver. Choose hotels and motels from areas such as the lower downtown (LoDo) district, the historical City Park neighborhood, Capitol Hill and even the business-savvy Denver Tech Center (DTC).

Denver offers a fair taste of family fun, shopping, nightlife, a great view of the mountaintops from many angles and a friendly, inviting atmosphere, all from the comforts of hotels and motels that meet your needs. Depending on what time of year you utilize Denver hotels and motels, you might catch the Denver Arts Festival, the Taste of Colorado, the Shakespeare Festival, the Stock Show or even a holiday parade.

Staying in Capitol Hill hotels and motels will put you right in the center of Denver, where you'll experience a taste of many different cultures and lifestyles. Capitol Hill is home to many interesting shops, eateries and cultural events. Be sure to make reservations for hotels and motels in advance of your visit to ensure your spot, especially near holidays and other special events.

LoDo is downtown Denver's hotspot for a variety of reasons. LoDo features some of the best hotels and motels in Denver that also happen to be a few steps away from fun. Some of the finest dining in Denver can be found near LoDo hotels and motels. Also, a big part of the LoDo experience is shopping. When you've satisfied your taste buds and your inventory, enjoy the well-reputed LoDo nightlife.

City Park hotels and motels offer a stay in a historical part of Denver. Many of the houses and buildings in the City Park area are a big part of Denver's history. The City Park neighborhood also houses the Denver Zoo, the Museum of Nature and Science and even the Museum of Dolls and Miniatures.

DTC hotels and motels will be an attraction for business-minded individuals. While not just for the career-oriented, DTC is known well by this crowd because of all it offers. There also is great shopping and eating in this busy neighborhood.

Stapleton is a fairly new but busy, family-oriented Denver neighborhood that is still growing. Hotels and motels in this area provide access to great shopping and dining.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Englewood, CO Family Matters: How to Apply for Housing Assistance

10/25/2014

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Are you homeless? Just need something more affordable to house your family? Looking to buy a forever home, but need a little assistance? No matter the reason you need housing, there is probably a program in or near Englewood that may be able to help you. If you are in need, don't go another day without applying for housing.

Should You Apply for Housing Assistance in Englewood, CO?

If you are even considering applying for this type of assistance, it's possible that you qualify, at least by income. Aside from determining whether you fit income guidelines, there are many other reasons you may want to apply. Perhaps if you scrape by you can find other housing. But if you apply for housing assistance in Englewood, you may be able to qualify for something better, depending on which program you participate in. Are you embarrassed to apply? Don't let that be your reason not to. If you need the help, by all means, ask. If you have children, consider that they may have a bigger space to live in if you qualify and are accepted.

What Qualifications Are Required For Housing Assistance in Englewood?

Qualifications will vary for each program. But all will have income guidelines to meet. Because of this, be sure you have proof of all your income. If you receive any money benefits (SSI, child support, food stamps, etc), you will need proof of that as well. You also will need proof of age and citizenship for each household member (driver's license, birth certificates, social security cards, etc), as well as proof of your current address (lease, bills, etc). Phone and utility bills also may be needed. If you have children, you may also be asked for their immunization records. These are all the basic things you will need to have with you to prove that you qualify. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be asked for other items.

Different Types of Housing Assistance Available in Englewood. CO

When applying for housing assistance in Englewood, remember that there are several types. If you are interested in more than one, you may need to go through a separate application process for each. If you need rental assistance, there are programs that will help you pay your current rent. There also are programs that offer housing in specific units. Some of these are for families, some for those with disabilities, and some for seniors. There is also Section 8, which is a voucher that pays a portion of your rent in your chosen home, provided the landlord accepts this voucher from the state. If you are looking to buy instead of rent, there are also programs that assist those in lower income brackets with purchasing a home.

Where Can I Apply for These Programs?

Some Englewood and Denver housing assistance programs are run by government organizations. Others are offered through private ones. Because of this, you cannot apply to them all in one place. The most common are listed below. Also, many of these organizations work together and if one cannot help you, they may be able to refer you to another. Don't be afraid to ask. One 'no' answer does not mean you don't qualify for something else.

Englewood Housing Authority
3460 S. Sherman Street, Suite 101
Englewood, CO 80113
(303) 761-6200

Archdiocesan Housing
1544 Pearl St.
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 830-0215

Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation
670 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 572-9445

For more listings, such as emergency shelter and other government housing options, check the HUD.gov website

* I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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