Bobbie Harris

I lived in Clifton for years before moving to Warrenton and enjoyed lunch regularly at Thursday's. To my delight they opened in Gainesville. If you haven't tried them yet ... I highly recommend them. I didn't realize until last week that they also have Karaoke on Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. and Friday nights from 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

I'm looking forward to checking out the local talent.

It has been so frustrating showing homes over the past few months with the foreclosures and combo boxes that are being used. I'd like to thank the agents that use CSS to obtain the codes as well as those that list the code numbers in the MLS.

Unfortunately, there are too many agents that require you call them to get the number for access. If you're doing that, you need to make yourself available. I've left messages for a number of agents that either don't call back or call back two days later. And, in most cases their offices don't have the information and refer you back to the agent.

Most recently, I was showing a foreclosure to clients and had called in advance for the combo code. When I got there it was the wrong code ... they gave me a numeric code and the combo box was alpha. I did manage to get the agent's assistant on the phone who proceeded to give me a series of six codes. The sixth finally worked.

That was a particularly bad day ... of the eight homes I was showing, two had combo boxes although they advertised supra and the showing instructions indicated they were vacant and to show anytime. Needless to say, I couldn't get anyone to get the correct information so we skipped them.

What's wrong with this picture?????

From my standpoint, this is the most beautiful time of year and I encourage you to get the family together and enjoy either a day of apple pickin', one of the areas harvest celebrations, corn maze or pumpkin patch scouring when you venture into Virginia's countryside.

One of my favorites is the Graves Mountain Apple Festival in Syria . This coming weekend is the final weekend. It opens at 10:30a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Click on the following photo for a complete list of area events.

And, yes there is an end in sight. Have you noticed that all the businesses on the south bound lane of 29 in Gainesville have been closed and boarded up and wondered what's happening. In August, VOT began moving utilties on Route 55 (John Marshall Highway) as part of the $198 million I-66/Rt. 29/Linton Hall Road improvement. Actual road construction won't begin until 2011 with scheduled completion in 2014.

The two year utility relocation and building demolition phase precedes the four-year construction project scheduled to begin in spring 2011 that will:

• elevate Linton Hall Road over Route 29
• elevate Route 29 over the railroad tracks
• construct bridges over Galleher Road and the railroad tracks at Route 29
• add a lane on Route 29 from I-66 to Virginia Oaks Drive, and
• build new ramps to facilitat traffic movements at Route 29 and Linton Hall Road intersection

So, there is an end in sight and it will be a major improvement when completed.

I am so excited that we have a Wegman's store in Gainesville. The long awaited grand opening is scheduled for November 2nd at 7:00 a.m. You can apply for the shoppers club card on line at http://newstores.wegmans.com/ . You can also sign up for their newsletter, check out the store lay-out and browse their recipe collection. Enjoy! - I know I'm going to.

Also, check out www.intouchgainesville.com for the latest community information, real time home values, home search, a subscription to "My Home Management Club", For Sale By Owner, Yard Sale and Rental Websites.