it's that time of year again! Time for the annual Downtown Aiken Beach Blast :) A ton (more or less, lol) of sand is brought to our Newberry Street party block - get ready for toes in the sand! ahhhhh :)
Not just toes in the sand....but sand toys, too - till the sun goes down anyway. Once the sun goes down, it's time for the adults to do some shagging! Yessirreebob - that's our state dance. The Shag :)
When: June 18, 2009
Where: Newberry Street Festival Block (between Park and Richland) Downtown Aiken
When: 6pm
More Info: 803.649.2221
What to expect: antique-classic car show/cruise in - food vendors - music - fun - dancing .....
SAVE THE DATE!!! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS FUN DOWNTOWN EVENT :)
See you there!
A day to remember, first and foremost! Remember the thousands of men and women who fought for our country - our freedom - our rights - our lives! OUR HEROES!!
These great people will be honored all over the country this weekend in different ways, including our own backyard bar-b-ques.
If you are looking for something to do right here in Aiken - here are some ideas:
Aiken's Annual Memorial Day Parade will be on Saturday, 5/23 at 1pm - Starting downtown on Park Avenue at 1:00. The parade will head up Park Avenue towards Laurens Street - then turn up Laurens Street and head down the center of town. Come on out and show your support and thanks.
How about a Polo match on Sunday! 3pm at the Whitney Field on Mead Ave in Aiken's Horse District.
Monday evening you can wind down your weekend with a FREE CONCERT on the lawn at Hopelands Gardens. Monday at 7pm enjoy the Aiken Civic Ballet. (bring your lawn chair or blanket! )
However you decide to celebrate and honor our heroes - be safe!
Have a great weekend :)
Today is the day we (SC Realtors) Rally at the Statehouse - lunch on the lawn with our legislators. Bring anyone you know that owns a home - pays property tax - plans on buying a home - rents commercial space - rents residential space..........
What: Rally at the Statehouse
Where: Columbia, South Carolina
Why: To try to get a reform on 'Point of Sale' .....property tax bill H3272 , S435
We received this note last week from Nick Kremydas...
"You did it!
Today, REALTORS achieved a major victory in the SC Senate. H3272, our point of sale reform bill, was set for special order, meaning that we will have debate on our bill next week.
This major procedural step gives us a real chance of passing this legislation before the Senate adjourns next Thursday, one week from today.
Our REALTOR Rally on Tuesday the 19th, is more important than ever! Help us send a message on Tuesday to the Senate that we need POS reform now before they adjourn for the summer! We need you on the steps of the statehouse at noon for our press conference and charge into the lobby! We'll also have lunch on the grounds from 1-3pm. " .
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SEE YOU THERE FOR THE CHARGE !!!
I've been to our state capitol twice in the last two weeks...and will be going back again next Tuesday. Lobbying the Senate with other SC Realtors regarding the tax reform bill we would like them to support....and get it done this session! (S.435)
It was a beautiful day - here is a shot of the Capitol building. Notice the flowers planted --- they resemble our state flag! Blue, with white Palmetto Tree and moon :)
Here is another shot of our State House -- and that statue is of our most famous Senator - Strom Thurmond!
AN INTERESTING TIDBIT I LEARNED YESTERDAY REGARDING THE COLUMNS OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING.
The Corinthian columns of the State House are among THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD! They are monolithic (cut from a single piece of stone) and stand 43 feet high. Each column weighs 37 tons! Wow!!
Want to learn how to ballroom dance? I do! I soooo admire those couples at weddings and other functions that are out there dancing so fabulously. You know the ones, lol - they are at every single party!
Now is our chance to learn! The City of Aiken - Parks, Rec & Toursim Dept is offering classes, yaaay :)
What: Ballroom Dance Classes
Where: Odell Weeks Center - Room 1 & 2
When: Wednesdays, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
TWO 6-WEEK SESSIONS: Session 1: June 10 - July 15
Session 2: August 5 - September 9
Bring your partner (whether they are a beast, a prince, or a princess - registration is accepted IN PAIRS ONLY!)
Ages: 12 and up (under 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $45 per Couple (non-resident fees apply)
More Info: 803.642.7631
Have fun learining to dance :) I have to find a partner!!
 |
|
|
Aiken, SC ~ One of the most beautiful cities that I have had the honor to live in. I'm serious. I fell in love with Aiken the first time I visited. I'll tell you all about it in a blog, sometime.
Hi. My name is Kara, and I work for/with Jane Page Thompson. We are both Realtors. Jane Page is originally from Virginia and has lived and traveled all over the world :) (I am just filling this in for now, I'll get with her one of these days for more specifics, haha)
(yes, I am a KC Chiefs fan - and I like the St. Louis Rams, too. so?)
I took this picture for a photo contest a few years ago. I won 2nd prize :) How cool is that! I also took a picture at New Bridge Polo that ended up on the cover of Farm & Ranch/Country Estates Magazine! Isn't that awesome :)
Me on the other hand: I grew up in New Jersey, and lived there most of my life. (pleeeeease--- don't say Joyzey!) Small town. North Western part of the state. I love being a Jersey Girl. Jersey will be in my heart forever. I've been in Aiken since 1996 and wish I had moved here sooner. Seriously! It is one of the prettiest little towns. I'll have to write a blog on 'why I love Aiken'.
I've been involved in real estate in some way, shape or form for the past 9 years - but have been a SC Licensed Real Estate Agent and a Realtor for about the past 2 years. Jane Page is great to work with. I am learning a lot, that's for sure.
A little bit more about me...well, I have a grown child, and I am recently divorced and back doing the dating thing. I have a feeling you will see a blog or two about this, lol. (for those of you who may not be familiar---- lol = laugh out loud) I tell you this, because I use that term ALOT!!
I love my family, friends and I love the beach. I have a very large extended family....tons and tons of cousins. If you think you have a large family, I think mine can beat yours! And not going back 100's of years!! I mean starting with MY Grandparents :)
Well, as you can see, I'm a talker. Guess I'll save all that stuff for some blogs. Oh - there will be plenty of real estate tips, news, updates, etc..... as well. Watch for it!
I like to read blogs...and I like to write blogs. :) A bunch of blogging Realtors, how fun is that!! And to be part of this great community of real estate related professionals is just wonderful. Advice - opinions - suggestions - perspectives - comic relief - insight - sounding boards ...... from so many different professionals in so many different locations. I'm happy to be here.
Even though I work as a 'licensed assistant', I AM A REALTOR! I have been a member of the Aiken Board of Realtors - Education Committee since 2006, and have been asked to serve on the Grievance Committee in 2009. I feel very honored to have been selected for this position, and I am hoping for a VERY SLOOOOW year, haha -- let's all play by the rules - ok guys!?
The agent that I assist is an Accredited Land Consultant, but she has expertise in more than just land sales/purchases! Aiken's historic and luxury properties, as well as equestrian estates top the list.
Hard to separate business from personal sometimes, I am who I am - I am no different with my clients as I am with my friends. Always honest - always looking out for them - dependable - ethical - loyal...... Ok, so I know you need to get to know me, and you will, but I'm not here to brag on myself by no means. (even though that is what 'they say' to do.) Hey, I know that I still have alot to learn when it comes to real estate. The way I look at it, I am learning from one of the best in the business, as her assistant. I need to look into getting her on the speaker circuit. Yes, she is that good at what she does!! :)
My title is assistant, but we work more as a team. I love doing the administrative stuff, keeping things organized. (as best I can anyway) No problem for me, I'm a Virgo, haha. I love meeting new people and showing them around this great city, too.
In 2008 I took some extensive education to earn a designation of "Seniors Real Estate Specialist"and was very excited to put it to work for me ----- after weighing the expense of maintaining this designation, it was with a heavy heart that I chose to let my membership lapse this year. (it didn't bring us any more business, so why keep on paying for it - times are tough these days, afterall!) NOW REMEMBER - I can help a buyer/seller of any age, but I had hoped to create a specialty niche with the mature crowd. I hate the word 'senior citizen', and I never want to hear it said to me, so I will never use those words here on my blog, again. (I don't even like being called ma'am...and in the South you hear that ALOT) I may be a Baby Boomer, but I'm far from old. And most of the other Boomers I know feel the same way. When does old happen? Hmmm.... sounds like a good blog topic to me, lol.
I'll be posting all sorts of things! I hope you come back and check from time to time so you can get to know me ----and then hopefully when you or someone you know needs some real estate assistance, you can contact me ---even if you/they are not moving to/from my town...I can help by way of a referral. With our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of The World, we are connected to over 5500 offices worldwide!! Please come back and get to know me. I'd like the opportunity to assist you with your real estate needs. Let me find an agent to help you no matter where you are moving to/from ----whether you are buying/selling.
Like I said, my topics will vary, please enjoy :)
Welcome to Aiken :)
Because Jane Page is the selling agent (and I am the assistant), most of the letters received are to her. (I will add some of those to the comments below soon) There is an occasion or two where we will have more than one client coming on the same day....then I am 'out in the field' so to speak :)
Here are a few of the notes that I have received from previous clients:
"....we had a wonderful visit to Aiken. You and Jane Page just couldn't have been more pleasant to work with as well as thoughtful. Thanks to both of you for your efforts on our behalf....... Fondly, Beth S"
"Thank you Kara for the informative packet.... You have been the most helpful out of all the real estate people I have contacted, which is a tribute to how hard you work. I prefer to work with people like you.... All the best, Jan M"
"...thanks for all your efforts involving the Drafts property. But most of all thank you for the kind words on the note you sent...... That was very thoughtful......See you in Aiken soon. Frank"
"Hi Kara, Thank you!! Thank you for just an exceptional wonderful afternoon of 'house shopping'!! You are the consummate pro for that job!!!..... Love, Jan and the two horses"
(Jan, her husband Bob, and their horses are all retired. The house they purchased was the first house we looked at - it was perfect! I had a great time helping them through the entire process from the first look at the property .... all the way to the closing table)!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even though I wasn't born here, Aiken feels like home.
Come see for yourself! What are you waiting for?
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
