AIKEN TRIPLE CROWN IS HERE!!   Part Two - The Second Leg  What:  SECOND LEG - Aiken Steeplechase   (this is my favorite!!)          (the line you see in the top of the pic above is the finish line!!) This event draws the largest crowd - about 30,000 for the day!!  In this event the jockeys take the horses over a series of jumps during a race.     When:  Saturday, March 21, 2009 Where: Ford Conger Field Gates open: 9:30am  ----Don't forget you hats, Ladies!!!    Why? For the hat contest of course!! Village of Shops:  Open at 10am Guarantor Tent Party:  11am First Post Time:  1pm         SIX RACES ARE HELD!!    RAIN OR SHINE!!! Carriage Parade:  1:45pm  TICKETS:  General Admission $10 in advance, $15 at the gateGeneral Admin tickets can be purchased at:  Aiken Drug, Aiken Saddlery, Floyd... 03/14/2009

What: Spring Break Art Camp Where: Aiken Center for the Arts                           Location:  122 Laurens Street SW, Downtown Aiken When:  April 6 - 10, 2009 Ages: 5 and up! Cost varies - depending on full day or half day sessions. Call for more info:  803-641-9094   I'm happy to share this information.   Give me a call if I can be of any assistance with your Aiken area real estate needs. Golf Course Homes                  Custom Log Homes      Horse Properties                                                                     GENE MOCK ~ MAKING IT EASY! If you are looking for log homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further. My website is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search. Aiken SC offers something for everyone! Log Homes, Golf & Gated Com... 03/14/2009

SENIOR ADULT DAY TRIP  What:  Senior Adult Day Trip  (ages 50 and up) Hosted By:  City of Aiken Parks, Rec & Tourism Where to:   GARDENS TOUR - Bishopville, SC   When:  April 27, 2008   Depart: 8am Return:   5pm Cost:  $40 per person - includes lunch Call the Weeks Center for updated information 803.642.7631                         REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 27TH:  Front Desk at Odell Weeks Center ,  Whiskey Road, Aiken - across from Home Depot. Visit the following:   Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden,  the James House Camellia Gardens, the Cotton Museum and MORE!!      Sounds like a great trip :)  Have fun.   If you take any pictures I would love to share them here on my blog.  Give me a call or shoot me an email.   Thanks :) 03/13/2009

How Does Your Garden Grow?                         What: Gardening Lecture Series Where:  The Book Stall Location:  413 Hayne Avenue, Downtown Aiken More Info/Reserve A Seat:  803.644.0606 Cost:  FREE Upcoming Lectures: March 18,  3pm-5pm:  'The Southern Spring Garden' - presented by Master Gardner, Jacquelyn Rees March 19, 3pm-5pm: 'Hydrangeas' - presented by Master Gardner, Ben Roden                           Space is limited to 20 people -please call to reserve a seat!    I'm happy to share this information with my readers!      I'd love to see a picture of your garden :)     03/12/2009

 That's right -  Aiken's own Triple Crown kicks off this weekend. Three consecutive weekends of total fun!! What:  FIRST LEG -  Aiken Trials.  Come watch the horses race on a flat track.   This race has been held every year since 1942 - giving young thoroughbreds a chance to show their stuff!   Come on out and enjoy the races.   When: Saturday, March 14, 2009 Where: Aiken Training Track Gates Open: 10am Carriage Parade: 1pm                     Post Time:  2pm Tickets:  General admission: $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. General admin tickets can be purchased locally at:  Allstar Rents, Odell Weeks, Aiken Saddlery, Southern Saddlery, Womens' Echoes, and at  Boots, Bridles & Britches Or....Buy Tickets:   803.278.4TIX   or visit:  www.tixonline.com More Info:  www.theaikentrainingtrack.com... 03/12/2009

It has been quiet next door since they poured the footers - until yesterday afternoon!  I had the pleasure of meeting Tim Wright and Rav (didn't catch his last name) today at the Park Place site next door. They are with CSRA Testing And Engineering Co., out of Augusta, Georgia - and can be reached at: 706.733.6960 if you are in need of their services.    The reason for their visit to the job site was to test the ground below the footers.  To be exact -  they were testing the load bearing values below the footers. In laymens terms -  they wanted to be sure that the earth was prepared according to their specs prior to the footers being poured.    These are the guys that looked at the core samples that Jimmy took way back when, and determined how deep - how wide - how much crushed stone ne... 03/12/2009

 What:   Meet a Master Gardner Where: Aiken County Farmers Market -  Corner of Richland & Williamsburg Aves - Downtown Aiken When:  Saturday, March 14th Time:  8:00am - Noon                            The Master Gardener team will be available to answer your gardening questions. Also available for sale will be a couple of great books: -  Aiken County South Carolina Garden Almanac  (revised, third edition) - A Collection of Favorite Recipes, Aiken Master Gardners in the Kitchen   While you are there - pick up some nice fresh produce (among other things!!)   Have a great weekend :)     03/12/2009

As some of you are aware - the Aiken Board of Realtors took on a major project last year to build a 'Habitat for Humanity' house for a deserving member of our community.     We not only sell them - we build them too :) It was a major undertaking  - but we (the Realtors)  were able to raise the required $60,000 to build the house.   Many a fundraiser was held!  Many thanks to our community for their generous support and donations!                                            Ground breaking was on October 15th and we had the dedication on Sunday the 8th!   Our new homeowner, Shemeco Butler, will be closing on her mortgage on the 12th.   That is less than 5 months from ground breaking to move-in!!   Amazing!    Did you realize that the Habitat homeowners HAVE A MORTAGE TO REPAY?  This is NO... 03/10/2009

Aiken's Triple Crown is about to begin!!   Time to start planning your tailgate menus :) First up is the Aiken Trials.   Thoroughbred Horse Races  (The 67th Running to be exact!)  Race Day is Saturday, March 14 ----- but the kick off BBQ is on Thursday the 12th.     Ticket Info Trials tickets:  803-278-4849......      Next up is The Spring Steeplechase.   Steeplechase Races (races on 3/21...... gala ball on the 20th)      Ticket Info     And the final leg of our Triple Crown will be on 3/28 --- Polo!!    Ticket Info                                                   Come on out and enjoy the races!   I'm happy to share this information. Golf Course Homes                  Custom Log Homes      Horse Properties                                                                     GENE MOCK ~... 03/07/2009

We are on the next step in the construction process!     Paul and his guys are setting up the forms for the support walls.   Take a look!         Don't forget - here is what they are preparing for:   Give me a call for more info on these great downtown condo units. Pre-construction prices won't last!! 2 Bedroom/2 Bath:  $429,000 3 Bedroom/2 Bath:  $489,000   You couldn't ask for a better location than this!  Perfectly Downtown :)        If you are thinking about a 'Southern get-away' ----  this would be ideal!     A place to get away to --   a place for family and friends to get-away to.....     You could even make a few bucks and rent it out for Master's week (if you weren't coming down for the tourny) Give me a call!   My cell:  803-270-1024.   Be sure to let me know you saw my blog :)   03/04/2009

What:  Breakfast at the Gallops                                        When: March 12, 2009 Where: Aiken Training Track Tickets:  $15 in advance -    $20 at the gate  ENJOY BREAKFAST - AND WATCH AIKEN'S FUTURE RACING STARS.  LISTEN TO LOCAL TRAINERS TALK ABOUT THOROUGHBRED RACING.    TICKETS ON SALE NOW, BUT ARE LIMITED. CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:  803-642-7631  Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum      I am happy to share this information.                            Golf Course Homes                  Custom Log Homes      Horse Properties                                                                     GENE MOCK ~ MAKING IT EASY! If you are looking for log homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further. My website is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken ar... 03/02/2009

Looking for something fun to do?    Lots of stuff going on at the Odell Weeks Center for our area Senior Adults.   Like to play SCRABBLE?? !!     What:  SCRABBLE When: Wednesdays from 9am - 12pm. Where: Odell Weeks Center - Room 2 Cost:  FREE!! Who: Aiken Senior Adults   No sign-ups required!!   All you have to do is just show up and have some fun   You've heard the phrase ‘ Use it or lose it'....well, that applies to our brains as well.  We have to use them so we don't lose them!!      Scrabble is a great way to keep and boost our brain power J   Come out and have some fun with other Aiken area seniors, see some old friends - and meet some new ones!   For more information:  Odell Weeks Center:  803.642.7631   Odell Weeks Center - Whiskey Road - across from Home Depot, Zaxby's...on Aike... 03/02/2009

It's been raining for the past 2 days and today is only different because they are predicting snow tonight.  Yes, you read that correct, snow in southern South Carolina in March.  Anyway, I scheduled an open house for today but am I doing the seller a service by hosting it today in the rain.  Any insite from other agents would be great. 03/01/2009

Things are moving right along now!      Big crew next door this morning building the forms.....so the footers can be poured. Take a look:     And this is the name of the Company doing this phase of the construction:   Don't forget - here is what they are building!   Come be my neighbor :)    Call me to get in on the ground floor with pre-construction prices! 2 Bedroom/2 Bath:  $429,000 3 Bedroom/2 Bath:  $489,000   You couldn't ask for a better location than this!  Perfectly Downtown :)        If you are thinking about a 'Southern get-away' ----  this would be ideal!     A place to get away to --   a place for family and friends to get-away to.....     You could even make a few bucks and rent it out for Master's week (if you weren't coming down for the tourny) Give me a call!   My cell:... 02/25/2009

You will want to save the date for this one!   A great art exhibition coming to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum                                  Who:  Sara Renzulli When:   Exhibition Dates:   March 5 - 29, 2009             Opening Reception:   March 5 from 5 - 6:30pm.   Where:  Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum             135 Dupree Place, Aiken SC.                                                 More Info:    Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum About The Artist:    Sara's Website!   I am happy to share this information.                            Golf Course Homes                  Custom Log Homes      Horse Properties                                                                     GENE MOCK ~ MAKING IT EASY! If you are looking for lo... 02/24/2009

Mighty chilly here in Aiken this morning -  but not too cold for Paul and Juan to be 'shooting the corners' at the construction site next door.                  What they were doing was marking the corners of the building...and all the load bearing walls locations ----- so they can get on with the next step of pouring the footers.  (with CONCRETE.....not cement! -   there is a difference, and I got quite an education on that this morning!)   I have mixed concrete in the past.  It takes cement (and other aggragate...like sand and stones) and of course the bonding agent (OR IS IT THE REACTIVE AGENT...I already forgot)...Anyway - you need WATER to make concrete!    There is quite a process that it goes thru to become the powder cement in that bag that you ripped open when you were building... 02/24/2009

That's right - another great show is coming soon! What:  Murder's in the Heir Where:  Aiken Community Playhouse          Newberry Street SW ~ Downtown Aiken  (Between Park and Richland Aves)   Show Dates (2009):                     February: 27, 28 - 8pm                      March: 5, 6, 7 - 8pm                      March: 1 - 3pm   Tickets:  http://www.aikencommunityplayhouse.com/ticket.php Aiken Community Playhouse - More Info:  803.648.1438     Come downtown and see the show!  Grab dinner in The Alley and make a night of it :) 02/23/2009

Save the date for this one! Aiken Performing Arts Group presents: New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players   "Wandr'ing Minstrels" When:  March 26 & 27, 2009 Where:  Washington Center for the Performing Arts / Aiken Community Playhouse              126 Newberry Street SW  - Downtown Aiken, SC SEATING CHART! Box Office:  803-648-1438   I am happy to share this information. Golf Course Homes                  Custom Log Homes      Horse Properties                                                                                            GENE MOCK ~ MAKING IT EASY! If you are looking for log homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further. My website is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search. Aiken SC offers something for everyone! Log Homes, Golf & Gated Commun... 02/21/2009

.....oh what a beautiful day :)          I was out for a stroll late Sunday morning and happened across this cute group.     I couldn't resist taking their pictures :)      Ok y'all -   this is Aiken in early February!       Just another one of the reasons I LOVE AIKEN :)     I wasn't born here, but Aiken sure feels like home.   Come see for yourself!  What are you waiting for?   Give me a call when you are ready to buy your Southern home :)       I've got the perfect Downtown Condo-Cottage for you!          Not ready to retire? -  That's ok!  Buy now, and have it for friends/family to enjoy over the years.  Maybe even make a few bucks renting it out for Master's week :)    Get in now on pre-construction prices.   Call ME!!   Be sure to let me know you saw my blog :) The Carolina Real E... 02/18/2009

Good Morning :)       Things are starting to happen again next door.  They are making some noise!    It seems like it has been quiet for soooo long.   Yesterday some equipment was delivered - and a load of stone..... and today several more loads of stone.                I must need some new batteries for my camera because they just don't seem to hold a charge very long anymore.    Soooo -  these pics will have to do for now, lol. They are digging out for the footers.   Remember a few weeks ago Jimmy was here taking compression samples?  Well, the engineers looked at the samples --and the design of the building, etc.... and tell the builder how to prepare the ground - how deep to dig - and even how wide.   Amazing that they can tell so much from looking at some dirt!   Good thing!  Other... 02/17/2009