On Saturday, November 14, 2009, the Calvert County Health Department will hold a free Calvert County Swine Flu Clinic from 9am to 1pm at the Calvert County Fairgrounds in Prince Frederick. This clinic will be open to:
These are the five groups that are most at risk for developing complications if they contract the H1N1 virtus. When more vaccine is available in Calvert County, it will be available to everyone. The seasonal flu vaccine will not be available at this clinic. Remember that there is absolutely no charge for the H1N1 flu vaccine. For more information about the H1N1 flu, please call 410-535-5400 ext 349.
Bonnie Augostino, the Difference is Crystal Clear for Southern Maryland real estate
Power to the parents! Calvert County schools are now posting students' grades online. Parents' access doesn't stop with just their child's grades, though. They can also request that an email be sent to them automatically with grade summaries, class assignments and even be notified if their child's grade falls below a certain level. In early September, all students in grades 1-12 received login credentials and details about the online program. If you did not receive this information or have questions about how to access the site, please visit the Calvert County Public Schools' website. You can find the information by clicking on the "Parent" menu, going to the "Internet Resources" section and clicking on "Student Grades via Pinnacle Internet Viewer (PIV)". If you aren't sure about your password, please contact your child's school and they will be more than happy to help.
Bonnie Augostino, South Maryland real estate - the Difference is Crystal Clear
This weekend, Annmarie Gardens will be hosting two family fun events: the annual Sidewalk Chalkathon and Sunday FUNday. The Chalkathon begins on Saturday, but I would like to suggest that you combine that activity with the events being held on Sunday FUNday. The reason I suggest this is because you just might want to enjoy a day at the beach.
On Saturday, August 8th, Leonardtown will be hosting a Beach Party on the Square. Everyone in the family will enjoy the live music, entertainment, exhibits, crafts, games (including sand volleyball), antique car display and the fire truck hose downs. And last, but not least, there will be plenty of great food as well.
Annmarie Gardens' Sunday FUNday (August 9) family events will be held in the two Studio School buildings. Activities include the Sidewalk Chalkathon Contest and hands-on activities, such as watercolor painting, monoprinting, clay ceramics and a scavenger hunt. Visitors may also tour the current art exhibitions - Wild Things! (animal-inspired artwork) and Proximity: Regional Discoveries (artwork by local artists).
Everyone has a little bit of the artist in them and you can show off your artistic talents during the Sidewalk Chalkathon Art Contest (August 8 - August 16). Everyone, regardless of age or abilities, is invited to participate. Just go to the main desk at the Arts Building to registar and receive you bucket of chalk. There is a $1 entry fee for contest participants. However, if you purchase a ticket for admission to the Arts Building, the entry fee will be waived. The contest is also free to Annmarie Garden members.
After registering and receiving your chalk, you will be directed to the wooded path and given a spot to draw your artwork. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the contest, according to age group. Even if you are not feeling artistic, walking the path or riding your bike while viewing the creations of the Chalkathon artists is a unique and pleasurable experience.
While you are at the garden, get the details for the Summer Safari for Wild Things. It is not too late to participate in this artistic "treasure hunt".
Sidewalk Chalkathon Hours: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday FUNday Hours: August 9 from 1 pm to 3 pm
Annmarie Garden: www.annmariegarden.org or call 410-326-4640.
Located at: 13480 Dowell Road, Solomons, MD 20688
Beach Party On The Square Hours: 4 pm to 9 pm
Leonardtown: leonardtown.somd.com or call 301-475-9791
Location: Downtown Leonardtown on the Square at Washington St
Bonnie Augostino - Your Southern Maryland real estate expert
The River Concert Series is in full swing, with only four performances left. This year marks the 11th year for St. Mary's College's presentation of great music and cultural enrichment to the residents of Southern Maryland.
The July 10th performance (this Friday) features the wonderful music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The music selections will be performed by the Chesapeake Orchestra led by guest conductor, Larry Vote. The audience will be entertained by the famous voices of Diane Atheron (soprano), Olivia Vote (mezzo-soprano), Stephen Cramer (tenor) and Robert McDonald (bartione).
* The River Concert Series is open to the public and free to all.
* Sit up front if you are a serious listener and towards the back if you are a serious socializer.
* Don't forget to bring your picnic basket with you and a blanket. Food and drinks will be avialable for purchase.
* Designated lots for parking will be clearly visible. There is no parking along Route 5. All concerts begin at 7pm and gates will open at 5:00 pm.
In addition to the Friday night concerts, the River Concert Series offers other musical presentations as well as movies. You can see the details for the River Concert Series PLUS here.
Remaining Concerts (click here for details of each concert)
July 10 - Rodgers and Hammerstein
July 17 - The Young and The Gifted
July 24 -, The Real Deal
July 31 - The Big Finish
River Concert Series PLUS
Please note:
In case of bad weather, you can check the St. Mary's College homepage for any location changes or cancellations. For more information, please call 240-895-2024.
Southern Maryland weather can change quickly. If such a situation arises, public safety officers will be on hand to assist the audience to their cars.
Real estate sales are on the upbeat all over the nation. More importantly, real estate sales have risen locally as well. It is a mixed bag of news on the real estate housing front and too early for any predictions. At the same time, more and more of the Southern Maryland real estate news is upbeat.
The Upbeat for Buyers:
* It is still a buyers market. There is still an oversupply of homes on the market.
* Home sales and prices are lower than the same time last year.
* Interest rates are still low - last week they fell to 4.6%. Today's rate: 4.78%.
* Lower interest and pricing indicates that it requires about $20,000 less income to buy a home today.
* Lower interest rates and pricing means you can save an approximate $500 per month on your mortgage payment for the same house bought a few years ago.
* First-time Buyers Tax Credit/Refund is still available.
* 100% financing is still available for qualifying properties via the United States Department of Agriculture's rural housing development program and the Veterans Affairs loan program.
* Lowest prices since 2003 in some areas - The tri-county region experienced a decline in home prices in 2008; statewide homes decreased about 10%.
* Foreclosures are up in localized areas.
* Affordability index for buyers is up from 46.6% (2006) to 62.2%.
The Upbeat for Sellers:
* Inventory is down from a 20 month supply of homes to a 14 month supply.
* Waterfront, vacation homes and properties under $300,000 in Southern Maryland are experiencing multiple offers.
* Medium sales prices up in Calvert and Charles County - 14% and 4% respectively in March 2009 over February 2009.
* The number of homes sold increased more than expected in March over February 2009.
* Statewide, sales were up 43% in March over February 2009.
* Homes under the $300,000 price range appear to be in recovery.
* Lender owned properties are not selling for less than the asking price - banks are willing to wait for buyers to meet their price.
* St Mary's and Calvert County home sales are up 28% over last year at this time.
Market Conditions are very local:
* The biggest jumps in home sales are being seen in Maryland's D.C. suburbs. Homes prices fell 15% from March 2008 to March 2009. However, home prices rose as much as 7.5% from February to March of this year.
* Baltimore is still experiencing a downward market; the number of sales decreased by 18.5% in the last year. Prices decreased 1% in March from February 2009.
* Dorchester, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George and Washington counties are all experiencing an increase in home sales over the number of homes sold for the same period in 2008.
* Statewide sales indicate that home sales have increased over the same period last year.
The market has not bottomed nationally or locally. However, more and more cities, suburbs and neighborhoods are seeing stabilization. That is the way the real estate market reaches a turnaround as a whole: one neighborhood at a time. The bottom of the market cannot be predicated. However, statistics will tell us when the bottom has been reached about six months after the fact.
Low prices, tax credit, low interest rates and buyers willing to buy seems to point to a hot summer in real estate sales when compared to recent years. As a caveat, I did say it is too early and economic factors are still too volatile to make an accurate predication.
Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate expert
Whether you are buying or selling property in Southern Maryland, Bonnie Augostino provides seamless customer service throughout the real estate process.
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I joined the US Navy at 18 and served for six years. I was in Naval Communications and was surprised at my good fortune to be stationed in Naples, Italy. I explored Italy's treasures from Milan to Sicily, thoroughly enjoying the people, the food and the culture. My parents came to visit and we found the town and the very house my Grandparents left so many years before. We also discovered many distant relatives that we were unaware of.
After three years, I was off to London, England. I had unbelievable duty stations, met wonderful people and saw sites and places that I had never imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Navy and I took advantage of the opportunity to travel about while in Europe.
After my Naval service, I was offered a job here in the Washington DC area. I worked as a Navy Contractor with Validity Corporation and with Computer Science Corporation. I traveled extensively to several Naval Installations around the world installing new communications equipment and software and training Sailors on its use.
Once I left the Navy and could stay in one place for a little while, I purchased my first purebred Himalayan cat. I had seen one in a magazine and had always wanted one. One thing led to another and I became involved with breeding Himalayan and Persian cats and became very involved with the cat show community.
After eight years as a Navy Contractor, I decided on an exciting new career change. In 1988, I became a licensed Realtor® and began a new full-time career. My cat show weekends were replaced by assisting Clients and Customers in their search for a new home. I stopped breeding and showing cats in 1994 and dedicated my time to my new business of assisting Buyers and Sellers in finding their dream home.
I have been a resident of Huntingtown for the last 22 years and currently live with my boyfriend and two lop-eared bunnies. I enjoy my family and friends, both two-legged and four, traveling, entertaining, gardening, reading and knowing that I have been providing my clients with exceptional real estate services for the past 20 years. I currently represent Quality Built Homes, Inc., a large Builder of fine homes in Southern Maryland and continue to list and sell Residential properties, as well. I have found my niche here in Southern Maryland. Let me assist you in finding yours.
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