About Lee County, AL

Just wanted to share a neighborhhod that may appeal to those looking for a more mature group of residents. Whether you are new to the Auburn, Alabama area or just moving within the city you may want to consider what Homewood Subdivision has to offer. For details on the neighborhood please visit their website below:

http://www.homewoodsubdivison.webs.com/

It’s a bright and beautiful clear sky in Auburn, today, but come sunset (7:19 p.m.), stargazers will gather at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest for a STAR PARTY. The event, which is normally scheduled on weekends that coincide with the new moon, is organized by the Auburn Astronomical Society and the staff of the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. Whether you are a serious astronomer or a simple stargazer--- or just looking for something really interesting to do this evening, there is fascination and fun for everyone (although not recommended for children under 5.).

Jennifer Lolley, Administrator of the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve in Auburn, tells us that this evening’s program will include a brief presentation ‘on stars, planets and telescopes, a space movie, constellation laser show, high-powered telescopes and some out-of this world snacks.’

The Auburn Astronomical Society motto: "We have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." To learn more about membership, activities, telescopes, and the story behind their beautiful logo, click here to gaze at their web space

Get ready to be starstruck!

Admission is $3 for non-members and $2 for members. Bring a flashlight!

Directions: Go east on Moores Mill road; it will be on the left, 1 mile past Ogletree Shopping Village.

© Copyright of logo, Auburn Astronomical Society.

Active in Alabama, Mara Hawks, REALTOR with FIRST REALTY of Auburn, AL, #1 Real Estate Team in Lee County, THE LEADER in professional real estate services in Auburn, Opelika & Lee County for over 3 decades! Committed to INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE.

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It's been nearly 40 years since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, it was established as a time for communities the world over, to recognize our deeper responsibility by minding our ways in caring for our natural resources. It was intended as a global reminder that The Earth is, essentially, our home... so let's all pitch in and do our part to promote clean and economical uses of energy and preserve our irreplaceable, natural resources. I don't think it's enough to simply think about recycling trash. It might be more to think about the freedoms we have here in this country to make the choices and make a difference--- even to the point of recycling some of our habitual ways of thinking. While recycling office equipment, plastics, glass and paper may seem insignificant on an individual level, I've observed that it can develop an increased sense of observation and listening to daily life, conversations and situations. I've observed the subtle growth that can expand a person's or a community's capacity to find peaceable resolutions.

In a land and country that continues to fight long and hard for its freedoms, we can learn that pursuits, even when driven by desperation, are optimized with opportunity--- an ever-present resource, especially in America. I suppose that is a miracle of the human quest, We just never know how close we might be to the next opportunity... to knowing a difference, to making a difference, to 'being' the difference. "In my Father's house are many mansions"... In my Mother's heart are many doors... OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING...open a door today, for Mother Earth, for the world we live in.

Related blog: BLOCKS OF EARTH - and the REALTOR Code of Ethics

© Copyright of photos and content, 2009. Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved

Active in Alabama, Mara Hawks, REALTOR with FIRST REALTY of Auburn, AL, #1 Real Estate Team in Lee County, THE LEADER in professional real estate services in Auburn, Opelika & Lee County for over 3 decades! Committed to INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE.

CLICK ON CART TO SHOP FOR HOMES IN AUBURN-OPELIKA, ALABAMA

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: The MAKING HOME AFFORDABLE program, offered by the U.S. Treasury Department, is trying to assist homeowners with refinancing or modifying their mortgages. This federal government program is reaching out to homeowners whose loans are held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This may not be for everyone, and there is controversial discussion around the long-term effects on the overall economy, but this may be helpful information for some. You can visit their website or phone their hotine number: 888.995.4673.

BENEFIT FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS - The Tax Credit Advantage

© Copyright 2009 - This posting and the contents written here, except where noted, are the property of Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved

Yesterday evening, I enjoyed a wonderful intermission from the heralding beat of foreclosures, price reductions and low offers, when I went to hear The National Philharmonic of Russia perform at the Opelika Center for Performing Arts, sponsored by the Arts Association of East Alabama. It was an opportunity that affirmed, for me, that MUSIC is a natural "way of understanding" for all mankind. The National Philharmonic of Russia artistic director and principal conductor, Vladimir Spivakov, was brilliant in his remarkable interpretation of pieces by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev. A young, Japanese violinist, Mayuko Kamio, starred in the performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major. As if the content, form, beauty and skill were not enough of a bigger-than-life portrayal this piece, Mayuko's delivery of artistic genius was unbelieveable. After her final, most highly pitched note was bowed, like a fragile, fading whisper being carried off in a delicate breeze, you could hear a pin drop in the packed auditorium... a pause of complete awe, followed by a roaring, standing ovation.

Sitting back in the balcony, my thoughts diverted, at one point, to the real estate / banking mess. I've often sought wisdom from the principles of music, and for a moment last night, observed the success of a perfect presentation, as each section of the orchestra adhered to the score at the direction of the conductor. There truly are many illustrations for teamwork, synchronization of systems, and achievement of excellence that can be drawn from or modeled from the design and performance art of an orchestra.

As a Realtor, practicing real estate, I can aspire to this model for conducting business, appreciating the counterpoint and precision of reliable services, knowing how to read and interpret the score, keeping harmony in check, paying attention, striving for the best presentation of skills and knowledge that comes from practice, learning, applying, practice, learning more and more practice, presenting my best for the teamwork that fine tunes every transaction.

It's good to get away from the fast tempo that easily becomes a daily rhythm. Stopping to rest, appreciating beauty-in nature, in music, in art---uplifts our sights and offers perspective for our own practice and performance. The Arts Association of East Alabama has a word for this practice: "UNPLUG."

For more information on East Alabama Arts and upcoming exhibits and performances, you can visit their website here.

© Copyright 2009 - This posting and the contents written here, except where noted, are the copyrighted property of Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved.

Active in Alabama, Mara Hawks, REALTOR with FIRST REALTY of Auburn, AL, #1 Real Estate Team in Lee County, THE LEADER in professional real estate services in Auburn, Opelika & Lee County for over 3 decades! Committed to INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE.

CLICK ON CART TO SHOP FOR HOMES IN AUBURN-OPELIKA, ALABAMA

Disclaimer: All information provided by this author is strictly an opinion, is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, which may or may not be deemed reliable at the time of researching this article and may be time sensitive.