Paul & Diane Boykin

Here in Athens GA we are fortunate to have the Classic Center where we have a number of concerts and plays throughout the year. We don't have to go to New York or even Atlanta to enjoy the finest entertainment.

The upcoming 2008/09 Classic Center Theatre Season Callendar of Events is as follows:

Comedy Series:

Craig Ferguson on September 19, Pablo Francisco on October 16, and Paula Poundstone on March 26.

Classic Rock & Motown:

World Classic Rockers on October 4, The Four Tops & Marvelettes on November 22 and the Fab Four Ultimate Beatles Show on February 21.

Broadway Series: "Pajama Game" on November 13, "Ain't Misbehavin'" on January 15 and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" on February 7 and "The Wizzard of Oz" on April 22.

Children aren't left out, and the The Children's Series includes "The Ant and the Elephant" on October 21,"James and the Giant Peach" on December 4 and "Magic Treehouse" on March 25.

In addition, the Athens Symphony Winter Concert is scheduled for December 13 & 14 and their Spring Concert on April 4. (We attended the Winter Concert last year and felt that it was the highlight of our holiday season)!

One of the treats of the year will be the Oconee Youth Playhouse production of "High School Musical" on January 24.

There is a lot more coming up so for more information or to order tickets, go www.ClassicCenter.com or call 706-357-4444 or 800-864-4160

This morning I did a market update in Athens (Clarke Co.) GA from our Athens Area MLS statistics that I thought you might find interesting.

Currently on the market are:

881 Residential listings with an average price of $221,890 with average days on market of 182

123 Townhomes with average list of $179,751 and average DOM of 327

340 Condominiums with averate list of $172,500 (median $149,900) average DOM 268

Sold since January 1, 2008:

599 Residential with average sold price of $192,932 and average DOM of 154. Sold price 96.42% of list.

31 Townhomes with average sold price of $141,256 and average DOM of 260. Sold price 98.32% of list.

159 Condominiums with average sold price 146,252 and average DOM of 228. Sold price 96.1% of list.

Of course, the ratio of sold to list price is based on the FINAL list price, not the origional list price. Many of these homes had been substantially reduced.

So what's going on in your local real estate market?

One morning this week I sneeked off to ride horses with a couple of friends at Watson Mill State Park in Oglethorpe Co. (near Athens, GA). And Yes, we did drive the truck and trailer through the bridge.

What was really impressive was how low the river was at that point from our continuing 3 year drought.

Usually, there are beautiful shoals where people like to play on the rocks, etc. The river was reduced to a small trickle and the usual riverbed looked like a beach.

Shoals

Dry Riverbed

Since I no longer have horses, I'm happy to ride a Spotted Saddlehorse named Jake that belongs to my friend, Linda. The trails at Watson Mill are wooded and fairly cool on a hot summer day. We saw deer at least 4 different times and they did not seem at all afraid of us. Once while we were stopped, one kept looking at us as if to say "what are y'all doin'?" (these are southern deer, after all). Later, we saw twin fawns, one browsing and one hunkered down nearby.

"Jake" I think that he is very handsome!

This is my friend, Linda, riding "JoJo". Notice the new mounting block.

Trail riding with Susan and Linda at Watson Mill State Park

Curious Deer

Someone once said "the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man" or something like that.

Riding in the woods is always good for the soul.

Diane riding "Jake" at Watson Mill State Park

Georgia has a number of beautiful state parks, many of which have trails for riding horses. Several are within an hour's drive of Athens, GA. These include A. H. Stephens and Hard Labor Creek. Sandy Creek is another fun place to ride and is a Clarke Co. park. For more information about the parks go to http://gastateparks.org and www.sandycreekpark.com.

I can't wait until the next time we can sneek off for a few hours of riding!

Coming up at the Classic Center are:

The Robert Osborne Film Festival April 10-13

The Very Hungry Caterpillar May 1

Athens Symphony Concerts May 9-10

For more information contact the Classic Center at 706-357-4444 or www.ClassicCenter.com

Congratulations to the UGA Gymdogs for winning the SEC Championship!!

UGA hosts the NCAA Championships April 24-26. Go to georgiadogs.com where you can purchase tickets while supplies last.