Living Smart: Ideas to Organize your Pantry Cabinet By Shannon Antinori RISMEDIA, Monday, July 27, 2015— (TNS)—The key to a decluttered kitchen starts with pantry organization — but tackling shelf upon shelf of cans, boxes and bags of food can be daunting.Professional organizer Erin Kelly says her company, Chicago-based Arranged by Erin, frequently gets calls from homeowners looking for help with their out-of-control pantry cabinets.“It’s a time thing,” she says. “People get very overwhelmed. That’s why a lot of them call.”While a home organizer can organize your pantry for you, you can also do it yourself with a few pointers.   Create categoriesWhen it comes to organizing the pantry, grouping similar items together is critical.“The important thing is to zone your pantry,” Kelly says.M... 07/28/2015

Happy Friday! 07/23/2015

Alabama residential sales in June up 17%; 92% of local markets improve YTD from last yearBy Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE) Please click here for original post. Click here to view or print the entire June report compliments of the ACRE Corporate Cabinet. Join the Center mailing list HERE. Alabama home sales up 17% vs June 2014. June sales up 39% from 2009 monthly bottom. Infograph courtesy of ACRE. All rights reserved.Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE) Sales: Alabama residential sales totaling 5,200 units in June reflect an increase of 17.5 percent growth from the same period a year earlier. The last time sales hit the 5,000 mark was August 2007. Sales are 29.2 percent above the June five-year sales average('10-'14) of 4,040 units. Year-to-date sales through June are up 13.3 pe... 07/22/2015

 "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."  Benjamin Franklin 07/22/2015

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate is supporting the Barbasol Championship at the PGA tour at the Robert Trent Jones at Grand National! Proud to be a part of such a winning team! 07/16/2015

Here's why home sales are finally surgingPosted: Monday, June 22, 2015 3:58 pm | Updated: 4:30 pm, Mon Jun 22, 2015.Please click here for original post.Associated Press | WASHINGTON (AP) — Real estate has gotten hot again. Home sales are on pace for their best year since 2007. First-time buyers are streaming back into the market. Prices are skyrocketing, aided by a stronger job market and tantalizingly low mortgage rates that are creating pressure for buyers to act fast. The resurgence is a sign that the U.S. economy — after muddling through a sluggish, six-year recovery — has re-discovered another source of growth. Buyers are more confident about their own prospects. But many also appear ready to close sales quickly because of concerns of being potentially priced out of the market by r... 06/27/2015

Opelika Planning Commission changes bond procedure in subdivision regulations Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 8:02 pm  Building a subdivision in Opelika may be a little simpler following action by the Opelika Planning Commission Tuesday evening, but it's still a complex process. After much discussion, the commission voted to accept an amendment to Section 4.4 Final Plat Approval within the subdivision regulations, which addressed performance security and warranty bonds. The revision was explained by city engineer Scott Parker. “Basically, the revisions I have in place here are to alter the subdivision regulations as applies to bonding requirements. A major deletion will be the deletion of the 150 percent bond on the infrastructure before construction of the subdivision has been conducted... 06/23/2015

Your Buyers Get up to $4,000 Towards Closing Costs!Creekstone in Opelika is a great option for those who are working in Columbus, Phenix City, Opelika or Auburn and are looking to move up to a brand new home. Creekstone is just minutes from I-85 off South Uniroyal Road and offers spacious floor plans with stainless appliances and granite counter tops plus pre-wiring for security systems and HDMI cable. Comfortably priced from $169,900.For a limited time, the builder is offering $4,000 towards closing costs when you use a preferred lender ($3,000 when a buyer uses their own lender). Please contact me today for your personal showing or for any questions you may have about this beautiful neighborhood at (334) 332-7263.  06/16/2015

Thought it would be great for all the Opelika residents to be aware this will be taking place over the next few days.Posted: Tuesday, June 9, 2015 8:44 am | Updated: 8:46 am, Tue Jun 9, 2015.Special to the News The Opelika Fire Department is flushing city fire hydrants this month. “That means you will see fire fighters working at fire hydrants throughout the city and/or see water running down the street from time to time,” the city stated. “There are approximately 1,700 fire hydrants located throughout the city of Opelika. Fire crews will begin testing hydrants along Marvyn Parkway the first week of June. The city will try to keep residents / businesses updated on the sections firefighters will cover each week on the city’s website and Facebook pages, respectively.” Flushing the hydrant... 06/10/2015

Posted: Monday, June 8, 2015 3:25 pm | Updated: 3:31 pm, Mon Jun 8, 2015.Patrick Johnston | Opelika-Auburn News | TwitterFor original post please click here.  Tee time is approaching for the Barbasol Championship. In just five weeks, many of the world’s top golfers will take part in the inaugural PGA Tour event at Opelika’s Grand National. It will be the largest professional sporting event to ever be held in Lee County. Tickets are currently on sale atbarbasolchampionship.com. Prices start at just $20 per day. More information on volunteering for the tournament can also be found on the website, as up to 1,200 volunteers are needed. Here are a few other numbers of interest as the tournament approaches: 1: The number of courses that will be used at Grand National as the tournament will be... 06/09/2015

Hate to see this business go after all these years.  Posted: Saturday, June 6, 2015 6:14 pmFor orignial post please click here.  In 1992, Jason Sikes embarked upon a journey that would change the course of his young life. That year, the then-Auburn University horticulture student’s parents, Cook and Janice Sikes, opened a supply store, Sikes Feed and Seed Inc., in Opelika. Now in Auburn and renamed Sikes Pet & Farm Supply Inc., the store has left a 23-year legacy of strong community relationships and customer care. Now after years of unrelenting dedication, facing the trials that sometimes come with owning a small business, the Sikes family has decided it’s time to hang up their boots. “We decided after a lot of thoughtful prayers and consideration that it’s come time to close down,” Si... 06/07/2015

Opelika Mainstreet Farmers MarketThe Opelika Main Street Farmers Market begins on May 12, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Opelika Courthouse Square. Come walk around the square each Tuesday this summer from 3 to 6 p.m. to find fresh, local produce ranging from heirloom tomatoes to collard greens. You may even find some fresh bread, homemade ice cream or local honey. Depending on the year's crop, the market may continue through September or until produce is depleted. Check www.opelikamainstreet.org for further updates about the end date. Weekly on Tuesday from 5/12/2015 until 9/1/2015Next Dates: June 02, 23, July 21, August 25, 2015Time: 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM go to website »go to facebook page » Courthouse Square-Downtown Opelika 05/31/2015

Take a look at this beautiful home located at  202 Cedar Creek Drive in Opelika, AL as it has a new price!$164,900Brand new AC and Heat Pump 2014. Beautiful new deck (2015)and screened in back porch overlooking a private wooded lot. Wet land behind the home. Fiber optic cable lines. Fans throughout the home.Wired for security. Jetted garden tub in the master bath and a separate shower. Wood and Tile throughout. Great location close to schools and shopping. Well maintained home. Vaulted ceiling. Private setting. His/Her closets, double vanity and tile. Screened in porch and deck would be great for cookouts or relaxing.DIRECTIONS: From Highway 431, Left on Hillflo, Right on Cedar Creek, House on Right. 04/18/2015

Take a look at this beautiful home located at  202 Cedar Creek Drive in Opelika, AL as it has a new price!$164,900Brand new AC and Heat Pump 2014. Beautiful new deck (2015)and screened in back porch overlooking a private wooded lot. Wet land behind the home. Fiber optic cable lines. Fans throughout the home.Wired for security. Jetted garden tub in the master bath and a separate shower. Wood and Tile throughout. Great location close to schools and shopping. Well maintained home. Vaulted ceiling. Private setting. His/Her closets, double vanity and tile. Screened in porch and deck would be great for cookouts or relaxing.DIRECTIONS: From Highway 431, Left on Hillflo, Right on Cedar Creek, House on Right.  04/09/2015

Posted: Thursday, April 2, 2015 9:41 am | Updated: 9:46 am, Thu Apr 2, 2015. Patrick Johnston | Opelika-Auburn News | Twitter Historic Opelika is blooming, and local residents are encouraged to enjoy its beauty. Opelika’s Azalea and Dogwood Trail officially opens this Monday morning. The five-mile trail, which is presented by Keep Opelika Beautiful and the Opelika Jaycees, meanders through much of historic Opelika, along with some newer neighborhoods. The trail’s scheduled opening is always arbitrary, depending on when the azaleas and dogwoods begin to bloom. “We don’t have a definite day when it opens. We let Mother Nature determine that,” said Tipi Miller, Keep Opelika Beautiful executive director. “A lot of other (plants) are blooming. It’s not just azaleas and dogwoods.” The trail c... 04/02/2015

Easter on the Square Come enjoy unique and spectacular Egg-tivities for children second grade and under. Come out for an old fashioned good time on April 4. Egg-tivities, 10 a.m.- Arts and craft fun for ages 2nd grade and under. Make parade decorations, hat, Bunny-ears, vest, tie or bonnet. Have picture made with the Easter Bunny; enjoy cotton candy, lemonade, cookies and storytellers on Courthouse Square. The Easter Parade, 10:45 a.m.- Join the Easter Bunny, the Easter Egg, the Baby Egg and the Easter Chicken for an old fashioned parade around Courthouse Square.  Show off bonnets and other Easter crafts as you take this traditional stroll while anticipating the Egg Hunt!   An adult must accompany all parade participants. Giant Egg Hunt, 11 a.m.- Children 2nd grade and under are invited... 03/24/2015

Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 10:21 am | Updated: 5:24 pm, Tue Feb 17, 2015.   California-based Golden State Foods will build a meat-processing plant in Opelika , bringing approximately 175 jobs to the area to produce hamburger patties and other ground beef products for the restaurant industry. According to Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and Golden State Foods officials, the project — announced during a teleconference Tuesday at Opelika Power Services — will mean a $50 million capital investment in Opelika . “We want good-paying jobs. We think a lot of good things happen when good-paying jobs arrive,” Fuller said. “This will be 170-plus good-paying jobs in Opelikaand the surrounding areas. It’s very exciting. It’s a brand-new sector for us. We have automotive, we have medical device man... 02/17/2015

Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra The parade’s just starting so jump right in and join this exciting second-line tribute launching the Jubilee Celebration of the Arts Association’s cultural contributions to East Alabama since its beginnings in 1965. Jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, Jr. – the Cultural Ambassador for the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana – brings his 18-piece big band NOJO to light up a wintry evening with the spirit of Mardi Gras. Good times will be rolling so wear purple and green and don’t worry if you forget your beads – we’ll throw you some! “…above all, these guys are about playing New Orleans Jazz with blistering Creole fire, a kind of unrestrained fun and virtuosity…” -OMAHA WORLD-HERALD “…a free-playing jam, it’s like a savory dish of m... 02/08/2015

State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico Returning for its first American tour since 2008, The State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico plays an all-Spanish program including Manuel De Falla’s shimmering masterwork for piano and orchestra, Nights in the Gardens of Spain. Acclaimed Russian child prodigy, Irina Chistiakova, joins the orchestra as she now launches her adult career after being discovered by Maestro Batiz in a European piano competition and invited to Mexico to perform with the orchestra. …Brilliant technique, a fine sense of harmony… Salzburger Nachrichten …the Orchestra brought a rich, full and well-balanced sound, solid from the bottom up…Batiz brought out great variety of expression.” – Albuquerque Journal, March 22, 2008 Date: January 15, 2015 go to website »   Opelika Center for t... 01/15/2015

Master Gardeners workshop set this Wednesday in Auburn     Lindy Oller/Opelika-Auburn News The Lee County Master Gardeners Association dedicates itself to educating the public on an array of topics concerning landscaping and gardening practices. The group will host a workshop on home landscape design at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Harris Center on Perry Street in Auburn. Dr. Carolyn Robinson, associate professor of horticulture at Auburn University, will speak about how to design an outside area and increase the curb appeal of a home.   “The workshop is about providing options for homeowners with an emphasis on local species of plants,” said Raleine Sillman, public affairs officer for the Lee County Master Gardeners Association. “We’re big promoters of taking soil tests and learning wh... 01/06/2015