Mark you calendars so you won't miss this great show!    Who:  The Aiken Community Playhouse What: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)                                                                                               When:   8 pm.   8/15 - 8/16/08 Where: Located at: 126 Newberry Street, Aiken, South Carolina Warning:  Contains adult some adult language and situations. Contact: 803-648-1438 www.aikencommunityplayhouse.org                                            This is what THe Aiken Community Playhouse website had to say about the upcoming show: "THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) embodies one of comedy's most essential impulses: the adolescent urge to take a baseball bat to the culturally revered. A mix of pratfalls, puns, willful misr... 07/27/2008

     As we all know every market is local so good or bad I have been putting monthly market reports on my website about our stats .in the city of Aiken since the beginning of this year. I am surprise this page gets ranked second every month so far on hits on my site. Recently I looked at last year compared to this year, and it renewed my optimism again for the Aiken Market.   2007 2008 Total Homes Sold 1582 1203 Avg Sales Price  $174,453.00  $184,586.00 Avg DOM 159 182 Homes on the Market 1326 1326 Report Generated For: 01/01/2008 - 7/22/2008 Office: All Offices 7/22/2008 4:17:12 PM Area: Aiken, NW, Aiken, SW, Aiken, NE, Aiken, SE Median Sold Price               $171,400 Average Sold Price              $215,438 Average Days on Market      174     Report Generated For: 01/01/2007 - 07/01... 07/22/2008

I was out and about quite early this morning.  I really couldn't believe what I was seeing come up on me in my rear view mirror.  Yes, it was early - and ok - I was a little tired....but I knew I was awake....and this just seemed like I should be dreaming. As most of you know, my camera is never far.   I snapped this shot while driving...... do you see what is behind me?          I pulled over to take this pic - -  and then I caught up to him at the red light.  I asked the driver where he was taking the elephant......and the answer.....  'to church'.     Well, duh - - where else would an elephant be headed on Sunday morning, lol.     07/20/2008

For those who have never seen a polo match, I recommend you do so if the opportunity ever presents itself.  I saw my first match a few years ago, and now I'm hooked.    It was a preliminary match - - -narrowing down the competition for the Gold Cup.  Very exciting.   It is a lot of fun for spectators, too.   Yes...you really do stomp the divets during half time (like in the movie Pretty Woman) lol.   Spectator participation so to speak.                                                                      I have a polo ball - used during the Gold Cup final match...signed by the winning team members! How cool is that.   They will sign whatever you give them, hehe.   Aiken plays host to many major polo tournaments...as well as local club matches.  (some of the local players are VERY VERY g... 07/20/2008

 One of the most beautiful cities I have had the honor to call home.  Aiken has something for everyone.  And great weather pretty much all year long :)     I love Aiken.    Small town feel...yet all the amenities of a larger city.   3 hours east of Atlanta - 1 hour to Columbia, our State Capital - 2 1/2 hours to the ocean - 2 hours to the mountains - 7 hours to Disney World - and about 12 hours to Northern NJ :)    Aiken, South Carolina.   Come see for yourself.   07/19/2008

Come walk the red carpet with all the stars :)   The paparazzi will be in full force downtown the weekend of August 8th.  Come on down for the TonyLou Awards!  STARS , AWARDS, DINNER  & MURDER - OH MY!!!......                                                                                       WHO?:    The Aiken Downtown Development Assoc. Proudly Presents Its                                           3rd ANNUAL MYSTERY DINNER THEATER WHAT?:    MURDER AT THE TONYLOU AWARDS        By:  Tony Schwartz & Marylou Ambrose.                        Produced by Special Arrangement with the Lakeside Players, Tafton, PA.   AND?:      Full Dinner and Dessert.  (Cash Bar)                    WHEN?:   Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9.     Doors open at 6:30pm   WHERE?:  Newberry Hall, Newberry... 07/17/2008

We had alot of activity yesterday in our real estate market.  Here are the stats:     New Listings;  10 Statistics(10 listings)   Low High Average Median Total List Price $89,000 $980,000 $245,510 $164,650 $2,455,100 Price/SqFt ($) $0.00 $122.40 $64.19 $81.00 -- Days on Market 1 8 5 4.5 --   Price Changes:  36  Statistics(36 listings)   Low High Average Median Total List Price $39,900 $2,552,690 $261,317 $105,450 $9,407,402 Price/SqFt ($) $0.00 $243.06 $81.37 $75.50 -- Days on Market 7 877 203 116 -- Sold: 9 Statistics(9 listings)   Low High Average Median Total List Price $69,900 $387,000 $177,628 $168,150 $1,598,650 Selling Price $68,000 $355,000 $173,188 $169,050 $1,558,693 List/Sold(%) 91.73% 105.53% 98.51% 99.15% -- Price/SqFt ($) $58.94 $135.79 $94.17 $96.88 -- Days on Market 50 4... 07/16/2008

And her name is Jane Page Thompson.  I am her assistant.    Jane Page WORKED HARD / STUDIED HARD - AND EARNED HER ALC DESIGNATION.                                                                          For those that don't know, an ALC is an Accredited Land Consultant.  And they don't just hand out those designations.   The following description of ALC is a portion of one of my previous posts :  Alphabet Soup... ALC = Accredited Land Consultant.           This is not an easy one to get - and there are not that many Realtors our there who have earned this designation.  There are ONLY 412 REALTORS Nationwide that hold the coveted designation fo Accredited Land Consultant.  THe additional education required amounts to several hundreds of hours, andmega sales experience in multiple land s... 07/15/2008

23rd  Annual Augusta Southern Nationals -    July 18 -20, 2008 -  On the Savannah River in Augusta, GA The World's Richest Drag Boat Race!!! Come enjoy a weekend of Thunder on the River!     Over 100 racing teams will be trying to beat the record of 252.94 MPH.   That's super fast!   Benefits The Augusta Chapter of The Georgia Special Olympics J   See you on the liquid quarter mile !   Get your tickets online at:   www.tixonline.com or charge by phone at 803-278-4TIX.   Advanced series tickets for the weekend are $18 and patron tickets are $50.     Aiken is only 17 miles from Augusta GA!!     Please consider me for your Aiken SC real estate needs....and all over the world for that fact. As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, I can assist you with your real estate pur... 07/13/2008

The Track Kitchen.   On Mead Avenue (across from Winthrop Polo Field - between Sumter and Marion Streets) in the Horse District of Aiken, South Carolina.   Aiken quite possible could be THE ONLY Southern town where the residents will fight to keep the roads from being paved, lol.  Yes - the residents prefer to KEEP the roads dirt.  Why?                                              The horses, of course.   This is the Horse District afterall, and there are A LOT of horses The Track Kitchen has been around for over 50 years.  Pockets and his wife Carol have been running it for over 20 years.    I have been there several times.    I'm not quite a regular, but close, haha.  I would describe the food as simple country.  Homemade and delicious!!   Now, like I said it is all HOME COOKING, so b... 07/13/2008

Two Aikenites Chosen to Represent the USA in Olympics   Heidi White and Phillip Dutton, each with farms in Aiken, SC have been selected to represent the United States in Hong Kong for the 2008 Olympics next month. Heidi and Northern Spy, known around the barn as "Farley," heard today (July 13, 2008) that they are leaving for England tomorrow. Heidi had this to say about her selection to the Beijing Olympics. "Farley is a phenomenal horse and I am just the luckiest person," she said.   Phillip Dutton, a native Australian and Connaught, The Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by Bruce Duchossois of Aiken were also chosen to be on the team. 07/13/2008

Located in the heart of downtown Aiken, and built in 1912, this semiprivate, links style 18 hole, par 70 golf course is one of the oldest golf courses in the nation and has features including Bermuda grass and walking paths.                                                                                      For those that like to see the numbers......this course plays 6,048 yards from the Medal Tees, 5,685 yards from the Mid Tees, and 4,730 yards from the Fore Tees.                                            The Pro Shop at Aiken Golf Club is fully stocked with everything you need for your day.  Shirts - hats - shoes - clubs - balls.....  if they don't have it, they can probably special order it for you! If you need to warm up a bit before your round of play, stop by the practice green... 07/08/2008

I was at a little get together this evening when the skies opened up.   Everyone was as happy as could be that it was finally raining.   It did not 'dampen' any spirits at all...in fact, just the opposite.   Why was everyone so happy to have the rain?   Well,....... these are horsepeople... and they need the rain                                                                   ... to grow the hay                                                            ... to feed the horses!     Oh, and the horses were enjoying the rain, too - they were running around all excited in their paddocks.   Playing in the rain like children :) Hope you had a chance to get to the river to see the fireworks.  It was a great fireworks show :)     The food wasn't bad, either, haha. Good night - and Happy Fourt... 07/04/2008

If you love antique farm and garden tractors, hit and miss engines, farm equipment, vintage cars and trucks, demonstrations of antique threshing machines and working hay baling, an operating steam powered saw mill, blacksmithing, as well as chain saw art, then you need to be sure to visit the Aiken Farm Fest. 07/04/2008

The following pictures are from the City of Aiken Beach Blast The cars were supplied by the Aiken Horsepower Association. A local car club that showcases beautiful vintage cars in the CSRA.   The Organization of Aiken Horsepower Association When formed, the Aiken, SC area was in dire need of an organization for vehicle aficionados to meet to converse with others about their accomplishments and catastrophes concerning their pride and joys. Aiken Horsepower Association was the answer to this problem. 07/04/2008

Bucket Truck Sunset Photo I could not resist taking this photo of a yellow bucket truck pulling into this Shell station at sunset! Quite the juxtaposition of colors! If you look closely at the photo, you will notice that there are actually two of these trucks that have pulled into the Shell Oil gas station in Aiken, South Carolina.   07/04/2008

I just heard on the news that we had a record setting low temperature this morning. 54 degrees.   It beat the previous coldest July 2nd - which was 59 degrees back in 1988 and 1919.     I was just saying to my mom tonight how perfect the weather has been!    I have been able to open up the windows and save on the a/c.   It has been just perfect :)   I hope it lasts for awhile, the evenings have been great! Oh,  this mornings low temp also broke the previous monthly record low temp for July!    The previous record was 55 degrees back on July 7, 1951. Good Night and Sleep Well, Rainers. 07/02/2008

Originally a Winter Colony of international sporting enthusiasts, Aiken is now one of the country's most important equestrian centers with facilities for trail riding, fox hunting, hunter-jumper events , race tracks, steeplechasing, polo and year-round training of race horses and sport horses of all disciplines. The largest urban forest in the country, Aiken's Hitchcock Woods, is at the heart of the village, its 2000 acres laced with more than 65 miles of pine scented, sandy trails that are limited to foot and hoof traffic. There are six active fox hunts in the Aiken area, with miles of gorgeous gently rolling hunt country. Celebrating over 125 years of the "sport of kings," Aiken is home to about forty polo fields, many active polo clubs, and has hosted the International Federation of ... 07/02/2008

  .... I am really having a hard time finding the words here, lol.  It was just ‘one of those moments', you know.    One of those things that you could NEVER even IMAGINE happening.   And there it is - happening, right before your eyes, lol   :D   The pictures really speak for themself.    Take a look.                                                                                                                                        Just another HAPPY CLIENT stopping by to say hello :)                                      Equestrian properties are our specialty!                  06/26/2008

  .... I am really having a hard time finding the words here, lol.  It was just ‘one of those moments', you know.    One of those things that you could NEVER even IMAGINE happening.   And there it is - happening, right before your eyes, lol   :D   The pictures really speak for themself.    Take a look.                                                                                                                                        Just another HAPPY CLIENT stopping by to say hello :)                                      Equestrian properties are our specialty!                  06/25/2008