Home Builder e-News provides a snapshot of upcoming HBA sponsored events.

2008 Parade of Homes at Solterra - Member ONLY ticket sales!!
TIME IS RUNNING OUT...ORDER NOW!!

Possibilities for Design, Inc. was honored by the National Association of Home Builders Best of 50+ Housing Awards during its recent 2008 Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium in New Orleans.  Possibilities won Gold awards for Best Model Home Merchandising for Plans 1 and 2 at Del Prado, an age-targeted neighborhood in the master planned community of Sonoma.  This annual awards program celebrates the best of the latest trends in design and marketing for the 50+ housing industry.

Construction began last year on the Estates at Pine Bluffs, an 88-home community with an ample amount of open space and greenbelts. Toll Bros., an award-winning home builder based in Pennsylvania, is building the homes on spacious lots northeast of South Parker Road and Hess Road.  Forty-five home sites with six distinctive floor plans ranging from 3,200-4,200 square feet are still available.  Read more.

HBA Members:  If you have good news to share, contact Kim Calomino (kcalomino@hbadenver.com).

The 2008 Parade of Homes at Solterra in Lakewood features eight extraordinary custom homes inspired by the hilltowns of Europe and crafted by some of the region's finest custom homecrafters, architects, landscape architects and interior designers.

Half-Price Tickets: These tickets are valid for entry to the Parade seven days a week. Half-price tickets are sold in blocks of 25 only. Each ticket is $6 ($150 per block). You may purchase these tickets online at hbadenver.com/parade.

The deadline for half-price tickets is Friday, July 25. If you purchase tickets by the deadline you are entitled to purchase additional half-price tickets throughout the parade.

Industry Night Tickets: Industry Night is a yearly tradition for members only. This is your opportunity to enjoy an exclusive private party and see the homes before the actual opening of the Parade. Industry Night will be held on Friday, July 18, 2008 from 5 to 9 p.m. More information will follow via e-News and mail. Tickets may be purchased at hbadenver.com/parade

Home Builders Foundation Fundraiser
Join the festivities at Industry Night, July 18th as we celebrate the 2008 Parade of Homes and enter for a chance to win a $1500 cash prize! Raffle proceeds benefit the Home Builders Foundation.

Chérie Talbert joins the HBA of Metro Denver as the Vice President of Public Affairs.  With over 10 years experience in political advocacy, public policy and public administration, while applying strong expertise in community and downtown development, Chérie will be a terrific resource for the HBA and its membership.

Prior to joining HBA, Chérie was a District Manager for R.S. Wells, LLC where she managed multiple Title 32 Metropolitan Districts up and down the Front Range.  In this capacity, she worked closely with the development community, elected officials, boards of directors, private citizens and professional consultants.
Previous to this, Chérie held a commercial real estate license and worked for 8 years for the City of Grand Haven, Michigan.  As the City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director and as the Downtown Grand Haven, Inc. Executive Director, Chérie advocated, marketed and created economic development strategic plans for the city and the downtown.

Chérie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Asian Studies from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree, all but dissertation from the University of Colorado at Denver.  She is defending her thesis this late summer. Chérie is active in numerous local, state and national associations.

Executive Alert Is Back!
The Executive Alert is a weekly advocacy news report containing issues surrounding the home building industry.  Each weekly issue focuses on political and legislative issues that the HBA is monitoring or working on that directly helps and provides input on behalf of  its members.  Information ranges from notices regarding proposed new legislation to public hearing meetings. We will keep you informed of new upcoming fees, pending ballot measures and of course our successful efforts to collectively develop strategy and educate legislators on the industry issues.  To be included in these weekly electronic alerts, contact: Chérie Talbert, VP of Public Affairs at ctalbert@hbadenver.com.

It's not too early to consider advertising in the September issue of HBA's Home Builder magazine.  Builders need good district schools to sell homes.  This Back to School edition of Home Builder will explore current efforts to improve education options, including developer-district partnerships.

After a year of monthly lunchtime seminars on professional salesmanship, S. Robert August will open up the floor to YOU!  Bring your questions related to marketing & direct sales.  Bring your marketing materials.  Bring your observations.  This information sharing is guaranteed to benefit you and your company!

Goal – Expanding Excel skills past the basics.  Learn how to take control of spreadsheets and customize formulas and formatting.
Outline – Writing formulas, “IF” statement formulas, conditional formatting, using functions, filling a series, filling by example, copying and pasting formulas, pasting into a range, working with multiple worksheets (organizing, copying, color coding, using 3-D references and formulas), hyperlinks, screen tips, formatting cells and appearance (text alignment, merge and center, text orientation, format painter), formatting numbers (percentage and custom number formats, borders), cell comments, freezing panes, grouping columns, showing formulas and references, adding page number footers, creating and editing charts (single and basic multiple series).

Prerequisite – basic Excel skills including: navigation, basic formatting, entering data into a spreadsheet, using toolbars and menus.

To register online or view the full class descriptions and calendar visit www.mcstech.net/training/calendar. You may also register by calling (303) 383-1627 ext. 5. HBA members; always use promo code HBA008 to receive your member discounted pricing when registering. (Membership will be verified).

Commercial Real Estate Women of Denver will meet for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and after-work networking. Proceeds benefit the CREW Foundation and Work Options for Women.

Fees include lunch and beverage. Attendees (non-players) pay $15 additional for lunch and beverage.
Format: Each team can have up to 16 players with a minimum of nine.  Players must be 15 years of age or older.  Minimum of two games guaranteed.  Double Elimination.

Sponsorships Available
Food Sponsors; $500 each
Beverage Sponsors; $500 each
Prize Sponsors; $250 each

Do you want to know what it takes to get a web page up and running, from concept to design to launch? Do you want to learn how to use Adobe’s new suite of products to build your web site? This boot camp is for you! During this intense, three day class, you will learn to use Photoshop CS3, Flash CS3 and Dreamweaver CS3 to build a custom site from scratch. Each day will build upon the previous, allowing you to get hands on with each of these tools and build a working web site.

Pricing: You do not need to take all 3 courses. You can take only the individual ones you are interested in. Each individual day is $375, the entire series (3 days) is $975. Please call (303) 383-1627 if you are registering for all three classes.

***Special notes regarding these courses:  Computers are not provided for this course.  You must bring your own laptop that is preloaded with the course software as well as an internet browser (internet explorer, firefox, etc.).  Practice files and training manuals will be provided to every student. 

Day 1 (7/14): Photoshop CS3
Goal: Learn how to use Photoshop CS3 like a web designer.

Day 2 (7/17): Flash CS3
Goal: Learn the basics of Flash CS3 and to create animation for the web

Day 3 (7/18): Dreamweaver CS3
Goal: Learn how to combine the graphic elements and Flash elements into a final web design that can be uploaded to a web server

Prerequisite for All Web Designers Boot Camp Courses: Each course moves very quickly, so being comfortable using a computer is a must. You must be able to use your mouse (right click/left click) and the Windows/Mac toolbars (at the top of the page). You must be comfortable creating files and folders using Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac), as well as saving and moving those created files. Previous version CS2 experience not necessary. Be prepared to feel overwhelmed on each day, but surprised at how much you’ve accomplished!

To register online or view the full class outline and calendar visit www.mcstech.net/training/calendar. You may also register by calling (303) 383-1627 ext. 5. HBA members always use promo code HBA008 to receive your member discounted pricing when registering. (Membership will be verified).

This seminar will add to your knowledge and experience to help you provide additional quality advice and information to your customers.  Highlights include:

• Credit score ranges, models and calculations
• The best mix of credit to maximize scores and buying power
• Do’s and don’ts when considering a new purchase or refinance
• How derogatory information affects credit and buying potential
• How to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.

Presented by Donald P. Dowling, Financial Advisor with Waddell & Reed, Denver Tech Center

Dino’s Charity Ride and Pig Roast is an event that helps raise money for Brent's Place, a Denver facility for children being treated for cancer and their parents.  This year’s activities will include a 3 Hour Poker Run (open to all types of two, three, or four wheeled vehicles) led by The Untouchables MC (a Motorcycle Club comprised of police officers), a pig roast for riders and non riders, and live music featuring “Joe For Nothin,” the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders and much more.

Poker Run pre-registration is $20/driver and $10/passenger ($25/ $15 on site).  The ride leaves at 9 a.m.  Prizes include trips to Las Vegas for two.  The Pig Roast and celebration ($10/adults, $5/children) starts at noon and ends at 6 p.m.  Read more!

Learn how you can supercharge your membership via involvement with an HBA council or committee. Home and Hearth Outfitters is sponsoring this free event.  We encourage you to make reservations so that we can be adequately prepared.

See the newest showroom in Denver – opened just months ago!  Enjoy brats & beer, appetizers and wine.  Take a first-hand look at live state-of-the-art kitchens featuring Sub-Zero, Wolf and Asco appliances.  Check out the latest cabinetry manufactured by Crystal, Omega and Woodland, including unique bamboo, red birch, and brush-painted finish models.

Market analysis professionals, along with longtime builders who have prevailed through thick and thin, will discuss the current economic environment.  Bring your questions and observations.

This training is designed for superintendents, trade partners, utility contractors and stormwater managers.  Join us for a fun, hands-on learning experience, with an emphasis on inspections in a field environment that will cover

• How to keep builders in compliance
• Hands on training
• Mock inspection on active jobsite
• Sponsorship and Vendor booth opportunities

Class participants will have an opportunity to ask questions of industry experts, see the latest in product innovation, and obtain certification.  Sponsorships and vendor booths are available.

Sponsorship opportunities available!

Cancellation Dates: Due to commitments with caterers, hotels, and event centers, the HBA cannot issue refunds for individuals who register but do not attend these events or cancel after 4:30pm on the printed cancellation date.

If you would like to register for any of these events, you may do so by clicking on the Register Now option. More information about many of the items is available by clicking on the Download Brochure option, or you may contact the HBA staff liaison listed with the event.

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