Denver, Colorado, is a vibrant place to live for a wide variety of individuals, especially because of its ideal Rocky Mountain location. After hiring a top-notch State to State Moving Company to transport all your household items, you'll be ready to crack out of your shell and hit the town. Here are four events on Memorial Day weekend that can show you what Denver's all about.

1. The Denver Day of Rock, which is a charity event sponsored by a number of local and regional businesses, takes place downtown on May 26. This year's lineup includes popular bands and performers like Toto, Amanda Capper, Strange Americans, Jeff Brinkman Band and Fishbone. Upon giving your support to local charity drives, you can join a raffle to win a flashy sports car.
2. If sporting events are at the top of your list of fun activities, you should buy tickets to the Colorado Rockies game on May 28, when the team squares off against the Houston Astros at Coors Field shortly after 1 p.m.
3. The 14th Annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival, which takes place from May 25 to May 28, is a cultural event that you won't want to miss if you're new to the area. Although local artists are featured, you can also expect to find professionals from across the country showcasing their works. Here there will be environmental themes, landscape portraits, Native American artwork, expressionism, sculpting, weaving and jewelry design - not to mention the opportunity to network with esteemed artists.
4. Every year Denver residents will have the chance to watch military personnel and veteran groups participate in a Memorial Day Remembrance March, which takes place this year on May 26 at 10 a.m. Afterward, participants will hold a Veterans Memorial Day Tribute Ceremony to keep up with national traditions.

It seems like the unseasonably warm temperatures of winter have extended the allergy season across a majority of the country. Since allergens vary by region, you might want to make it a point to do your pollen research and take necessary precautions before hiring a State to State Moving Company. Here are three over-the-counter products that can help alleviate your common allergy symptoms.

Benadryl

Benadryl is a medication that works by specifically targeting your body's level of histamines, relieving moderate to serious symptoms such as hives, swelling, sneezing, itchy eyes and sore throat. Although this over-the-counter medication might be a more suitable treatment for pollen allergies at night, especially because it can make you drowsy, you might find its strength incredibly useful for bee stings or light food allergies.

Allegra

Since you'll likely be on-the-go at all times during the moving process, there will definitely be moments when you simply can't risk getting drowsy, no matter how bad your symptoms are. In this case, Allegra might be the best option because it's fast acting yet it also works on a 24-hour basis without producing undesirable side effects. This treatment can even help alleviate symptoms from indoor allergens such as mold and spores, which can be helpful when you're getting adjusted to your new home.

Xlear Nasal Spray

Typical saline sprays oftentimes aren't enough to combat outdoor allergies during the peak of the season, which is why you should seriously consider referring to Xlear for results. Rather than simply treating dry or clogged nasal passages with saline, this product also includes ingredients like purified water, xylitol and grapefruit seed extract, providing a hyper-osmotic solution to moisten your inner nose. An added benefit is that this medication is 100 percent natural, which lessens the odds of adverse affects.

When going through the process of hiring a State to State Moving Company, there will almost certainly be a few things you regret leaving behind, and your garden might be one of them. But there are online resources that can help you build an even better plot in your new yard.

Weekend Gardener

If your original garden was already developed when you moved into your previous home, you might not have experience breaking ground on a new plot. In this case, you can refer to WeekendGardener.net, which provides information ranging from "how to" tutorials to garden design ideas. Disease and pest control can also be a big issue if you’re not familiar with local plant life, but this useful website can shed some light on the elements that could potentially harm your garden without the proper care.

United States Department of Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a useful tool for anyone interested in horticulture. By skimming over the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, you'll have access to crop information and planting techniques, as well as charts that can show you which vegetables and fruits grow best in your new area during particular months.

Gardener's Supply Company

If all you need are a few simple gardening tools, check out the Gardener's Supply Company website, which offers a wide variety of useful products - from carts to specially-designed shovels. You may even decide that your garden could use a few decorative items - in which case, this crafty retailer provides a wide variety of garden furniture, composting kits, lighting arrangements and landscaping essentials to improve the entire yard.

If your San Francisco moving company has pulled away and left you feeling lovey dovey this February, fear not! You’ve moved to a city that loves celebrating the holiday. Whether you’ve been married for 50 years, are dating someone special or looking for your soul mate – there are all sorts of options for you.

1. Cruise. Take advantage of your close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and board a romantic cruise ship for the night. There are many options, but think about doing an all-inclusive so you don’t have to worry about getting that extra glass of champagne. Here’s an option: http://www.commodoreevents.com/valentinesdaycruise.html
2. Charity. San Francisco is a very generous city and hosts many events that benefit deserving non-profits. Events like this are perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a nice night out on the town. Here’s an example of a charity event taking place this Valentine’s Day: http://events.sfgate.com/san-francisco-ca/events/show/228972704-valentines-day-eternity-ball
3. Cook. Want to do something memorable and interactive with your date? Look into Dacor Kitchen’s cooking classes. They’re sure to be a hit: http://events.sfgate.com/south-san-francisco-ca/events/show/227627725-valentines-day-date-night-cooking-class-san-francisco
4. Eat. Hit the town and try some of San Francisco’s top restaurants. Many will have special menus and pricing for February 14, so do your research and find the best deal: http://www.sfgate.com/food/top100/

Enjoy your first Valentine’s Day in San Francisco by trying something new and you’ll be sure to fall in love with your new city.

*Photo provided by Flickr user @Rdoke under the creative common license.

Thinking about a move to the Windy City this winter? Before you call your Chicago moving company, read through these five tips to make sure your move goes as smooth as possible.

1. Research your neighborhood’s Ordinances. Many downtown neighborhoods have rules and regulations regarding parking. So be sure your moving company is aware of permits that might be required for street parking. Also, be sure you’ve applied for any needed parking passes before you arrive.

2. Prepare for winter weather. If you don’t have them already – be sure to invest in a snow shovel, boots and a warm jacket. If you can’t afford to park in a garage, de-icer and a windshield scraper will be key things to carry with you in the winter. If your front stairs are steep, think about buying some salt, to keep everyone safe as they move things up and down your stairs.
3. Plan to Get Out. Don’t let the cold weather deter you from checking out the city. Chicago-locals are used to sub-zero wind chills, so events and schools will stay on course despite the weather.
4. Check out The Décor. Be sure to hit up the Mag Mile to see the holiday decorations and store windows. Michigan Avenue is one of the best places to shop for post-holiday sales – plus, you can take in the sights and sounds of the city.
5. Take Public Transportation. If a snowstorm is supposed to hit between 3 pm – 6 pm on a weekday, be smart and don’t try to travel in your car – take public transportation.

With these winter tips, your move to Chicago should be quick, easy and enjoyable.

**Photo provided by Flickr user @digidragon under the creative common license.

Allied Special Products’ transportation service offerings have expanded to encompass challenging relocation jobs. If it’s a laboratory move requiring a power generator to keep lab freezers below -80 degrees; oversized

production equipment that needs special flatbeds; or expedited air freight service to help a client get to their trade show destination overnight; then Special Products is the answer.

In addition to our award winning Express 1 service for high-value products, trade show transportation and fine arts, we are now providing transportation and logistics solutions for other specialized and non-specialized trucking, freight forwarding, value-added warehousing, and other specialized logistics.

Allied's alliance with Axis Global Logistics provides additional support to source alternative transportation services. These services include

• Overnight Air Freight
• Second Day Air
• Deferred 3 to 5 Day Air
• Commercial Truckload
• Flat Bed - Standard and Oversized
• Specialized Truckload
• LTL Common Carrier

 To learn more about any of these services visit: http://www.alliedspecialproducts.com/

Taking the No. 2 spot in our 2010 Magnet States Report, Colorado had the fifth highest net relocation gain, which is defined as inbound moves minus outbound moves performed by Allied Van Lines. That means more people are moving to, versus moving out of, Colorado. So, what does the state have to offer new residents?

1. Unemployment rate is low: Colorado’s unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in November, where as the national average was 9.8 percent.
2. Increased Job Opportunities: As mentioned by Kevin Beckstead, chief executive of Bailey's Moving & Storage, an Allied agent in Colorado, "Colorado has a very entrepreneurial atmosphere that attracts the interest of out-of-state corporations looking to move facilities into our state to take advantage of the great workforce, the lifestyle desirability and the business-friendly atmosphere.”
3. Health: Individuals and families moving to Colorado can enjoy an active lifestyle, as Colorado offers endless options for outdoor activities, including: skiing, hiking, camping, rafting, rock climbing, snowmobiling and more.

Why do you think so many people are moving to the Centennial State?

After reviewing Allied’s recently released Magnet States Report, where Texas took the prize for highest net relocation gain for the fifth year in a row, we’re sure it had you wondering….why is everyone moving to Texas? There are a lot of opinions out there, so we’ll let you decide for yourself. But here are some of the most popular reasons why people think Texas has seen such a tremendous growth over the past couple of years.

1. Jobs: As of November 2010, the average unemployment rate was at 9.3%, where as Texas had an unemployment rate of 7.9% in October of 2010.
2. No State Income Tax: New York–based blogger A.S. at The Economist explains it like this, “high earning New Yorkers and Californians can take home between 9% and 11% more of their income by moving to Texas.”
3. Low Housing Costs: It’s a known fact that housing in Texas is cheap. The Economist blogger R.A. recently summarized a migration study that pointed to Texas as a hot spot and a U.S. Business report commented, “if you look closer at the data, the people moving out of the state are wealthier than those moving in — so my money's on the lower housing costs in Texas.”

 Tell us your opinion. Why is everyone moving to the Lone Star state?

Believe it or not, there are very cheap and easy ways to recycle your existing décor to completely change the look of a room. Here are some quick tips.

1. Love a certain fabric or pattern? Frame it! From pillowcases and scarves to dinner napkins, don’t be afraid to re-use these household items by framing patterns for all to see!
2. Paint décor for consistency: Paint can be a great way to dramatically change the look of a room – if you’re painting an accent wall, consider using the extra paint to also paint some of your décor. Think about updating shelves, picture frames, or tables to add an extra splash of color in your freshly painted room.
3. Get inspired: Browse through communities like etsy.com or lonnymag.com to view handmade artwork, pictures and décor. Try to replicate some of the ideas in your own home!

Have other ideas? We’d love to hear them!

Paint – it’s one of the easiest ways to transform the look of your home. Draw attention to a focal point in your home, freshen up a room, set a mood or make a statement. Whatever you desire, there is a shade of paint that can help.

How do you choose the right paint color? Here are a few tried and tested ways to make sure you’re choosing shades that will complement your décor and furnishing.

1. Pick colors that are complementary by using the color wheel: Here’s a wheel example for you to use: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20161202,00.html
2. Create a custom color: In love with a shade? Most paint stores will mix a custom color for you!
3. Try it out: Before you commit to purchasing a paint color, buy a pint and paint a small square on your wall. Be sure to look at the color in all lights throughout the day to ensure you’re happy with the shade.

Here is a video from Lowe’s that will give you some additional tips: