Kara's Blog

Mark your calendars - St. Mary's 20th Annual Chocolate Festival is this coming weekend :)    10/4 to be exact!

So much fun for all!  So much chocolate :)

Silent Auction - Carnival games - Inflatables - Gourmet Cafe - International Foods - Used Books and media - Bake Sale - Frozen Casserole Sale - Vendors - Blood Drive - Entertainment - Plant Sale

Indoor and outdoor activities !!

AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE!!!!   :)

The Chocolate Festival is the largest fundraiser of the year for St. Mary's.     Thanks to the many generous donors, the festival is able to remain affordable for families to enjoy while raising the funds necessary to support the school :)   Come on down and show your support...and enjoy some delicious chocolate!

And don't forget about our four legged friends!  (not horses this time, lol)  The St. Mary's Chocolate festival works with the Aiken SPCA and sponsor a pet food drive as part of the Chocolate Festival.  The SPCA will also bring adoptable animals to the festival.  You may just find your next pet here :)

AND......TAKE A HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDE THROUGH OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN (to support St.Mary's) !   

Lucky for St. Mary's - the average American eats 11 pounds of chocolate a year!!   (The Swiss have us beat...averaging 22 pounds each per year...wow!!)    Last year St. Mary's cleared $50k from this event!!  Not too shabby :)     Come on out and enjoy some chocolate!

See you there :)    Festivities start at 9am.  (this is an all-day event!!!)  138 Fairfield St - Downtown Aiken

Read more about it in the Autumn 2008 issue of Sandlapper Magazine

Give me a call for your Aiken real estate needs!  (and be sure to let me know you saw my blog)

Are you considering relocating your business?  Then consider South Carolina :)     There are several sites available for all different types of businesses / commercial and industrial operations located throughout The State.  

Visit the SC Commerce Department website to learn more about the incentives... of relocating your business to South Carolina, and to see available sites!

For information on Aiken SC real estate give me a call!  (don't forget to let me know you found me thru my blog)

It will be here before you know it!   The 17th Running of The Aiken Fall Steeplechase  and the gala the evening before :)

10/24 & 10/25/2008.

Bring your friends and family and enjoy a day at the races!  Get your tailgate on, haha :)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, October 24th, 2008
Fall Fete "Twilight On The Trails"
7 p.m. Ford Conger Field
Dinner and Dancing
Entertainment by The Headliners
Individual tickets are $90
Table of eight is $720 (ten is $900)

Saturday, October 25th, 2008
17th Running of the Aiken Fall Steeplechase
Featuring the Southern Bank & Trust Holiday Cup

9:30 AM: Gates Open
10:00 AM: Village of Shops Open
11:00 AM: Guarantor Tent Party Starts
1:00 PM: First Race
1:15 PM: Carriage Parade
1:30 PM: Second Race
2:00 PM: Third Race
2:30 PM: Fourth Race
3:00 PM: Fifth Race
3:30 PM: Sixth Race

General Admission Tickets $10 in advance,
$15 at the gate.
NEW General Parking $10 in advance,
$15 at the gate.Children 6 and under free.

I'll see you at the races - look for us on the inside rail near the finish line.  Stop by our space to say hi!!

Looking for Aiken real estate?  Give me and Jane Page a call :)     The Carolina Real Estate Company, in Historic Downtown Aiken, SC. 803.648.8660

I think that at some point (or two or three...) in our life we all feel like we are chasing pavement.  For those of you that don't know this expression - it means, uhhh, like chasing a dead end.    And there are so many different 'pavements' we are chasing.

• It could be that dream house that you would love to purchase but it is priced about $1mil more than you will ever have.  
• It could be a client who you have been trying to rationalize with to lower the list price on their property and they just won't budge...and may never budge.   
• It could be that girl or guy that you've had your eye on, who doesn't seem to notice - no matter what you do. 

• It could be that job that you have been working your whole life to get and it still seems out of reach.  
• It could even be as simple as hoping the kids won't slam the car door......... to as complex as trying to save the planet. 

Are we dreaming?  Or is it really possible?  Can we do it alone - or do we need some help?  Is it healthy to chase pavement? Do we ever catch it?  Or are we just setting ourselves up for failure and hurt down the road?   We have to have goals and dreams, though - don't we? But when is it time to readjust our goals - come back down to reality - and move on?  Is it ever time? 

I like this song - take a listen.   'Chasing Pavements by Adele'

Did you get a chance to come on out for the 'Ford Trucks Equestrian Balloon Festival'?  It was alot of fun.   This was the first time I have seen hot air balloons up close and in person - they are absolutely beautiful :)      Saturday night there was a balloon glow - it was so cool.  I hope you were able to come out to see it.    Sunday morning the gates opened one last time for a mass ascension of the balloons - filling the skies over Aiken with a beautiful sight -/ 

Here are some pictures from the glow on Saturday night:

I hope you were able to come out for the festival.    I'm looking forward to next year :)

Have a great day - and don't forget about me for your Aiken real estate needs.

The Festival is wrapping up today.  The Polo Match yesterday was very exciting.  And it was a Skins match - so each chukker was played separate - and the score was started fresh - with the winning team (of each chukker) sharing a $1000 prize!.,

It ended up being a split.  The WHITE team took chukker 1 and 3, and the BLUE team won chukker 2 and 4.   All were very close -and very exciting.   and NO INJURIES is the best part!!  

Here is a shot of the polo action 

It moves pretty fast - and the field is HUGE (the largest playing field of ALL organized sports) - so it is not easy to get a picture (with my amateur equipment that is, lol)

Aiken Polo Club will have polo EVERY Sunday at 3pm from now till November :)    Games played at the historic Whitney Polo Field , Mead Avenue, Aiken, SC.      Come and see what Aiken is all about.   

I wasn't born here, but Aiken feels like home.  Come see for yourself!  What are you waiting for?

Kara Casamassina, The Carolina Real Estate Company, Aiken South Carolina. 803-648-8660.

Be sure to mention that you saw my blog :)

I bought a lottery ticket Wednesday night and I still haven't checked to see if it's a winner.  I don't buy that many - and this was just a spur of the moment thing.  Chatting with the owner and the cashier, discussing what was going on with the lending right now.   I said something like ‘they are making it harder for people to buy houses ---- you almost have to win the lottery...'   then I asked ‘is there a drawing tonight?'  Vic said ‘yes, powerball. It draws at 11'.    

I filled out a card - played 2 games actually!  I totally forgot all about checking it yesterday - all day.    I was having dinner with a friend last night and my palm started to itch : )   we know what that means!! 

 Now, before I check the numbers I am trying to decide which house will I buy, lol.  Jane Page has so many beautiful listings.  Everyone I see if my favorite - really.    I love living in Downtown Aiken, so there are a few options for me.

Do I choose The Academy -   new construction with historic charm.   3 bedroom, 2 full baths, 2 half baths,....Great horse property in Aiken's Historic District.   I love everything about this house!  Open, light, airy, just feels like home :)   Listed at $3,880.000.

Do I choose this historic arts & crafts bungalow known as Whispering Pines? OVer 100 years old,  4 bedroom, 2 bath with guest cottage.   I love the craftsman style and the downtown location of this one!  Listed at 968,400.

And what about Sandhurst Estate.  Over 100 years old.  11 bedrooms w/ 10 fireplaces and 10.5 bathrooms, and a barn for the horses. I love this house.   The history of this property just fascinates me.   Listed at $3,390.000.

And then there is this 3 bedroom brick ranch on Summerall Court.  It is being sold COMPLETELY FURNISHED!!  Not quite 'downtown'..but only a few short blocks away :)    Listed at $354,000 includes the furniture.

Guess I better check that ticket now!  I'll let you know which one I decide to buy.  Maybe I will just buy all of them :)

Have a great day.

Be sure to give us a call if you are interested in any of these properties... or any other Aiken area property.  We are glad to help.

Come on out for the Polo America event in Aiken, SC.

It's back!!  Yes, back for a second year :)  A fun packed event for the entire family!

The Ford Trucks Equestrian America Balloon Festival has something for everyone.

One change from last  year -- -this year it is being held at the Aiken Polo Club fields on Powderhouse Road.

Equestrian Exhibitions include:  Junior equestrians - polo, barrel racing, jumping, hunting, dressage and much more.

30 hot air balloons are expected to be on hand, too!

FRIDAY 9/19

• 4:00pm: barrel racing
• 5:00pm: jumping exhibition
• 7:00pm: tether balloon rides
• 8:00pm: fireworks!

 

SATURDAY 9/20

• 6:30am:  balloons take off!!   come out and see them - they are soooo pretty going up :)
• 7:30am:  dressage exhibition
• 9:00am:  hunting exhibition
• 10:00am: gates close
• 4:00pm: gates reopen - Jack Russell races.  (it is always fun to watch these little guys)
• 4:30pm: kids balloon roundup
• 5:00: $5000 Skins Polo Game !!
• 7:30pm: Balloon Glow and concert by the U.S Army Signal Corp Band.
  
  

  

SUNDAY 9/21

• 6:30am: balloons take off!  bring a camera this time when you come to see them :)
• 7:30am: Junior Polo Game
• 9:00am : To Be Announced

Don't forget about the vendors and exhibitors that will be there, too.  Shopping for everything from tack and trailers to jewelry and handbags :)

Admission is free with a donation to the families of our Service Men and Women from Fort Gordon Army Base. 

Free copy  of the Aiken Equestrian Yearbook to all attendees for supporting the troops.

Aiken is about one hour west of Columbia SC.  Come enjoy the hot air balloons AND take in some equestrian events at the same time :)        See you there!

Don't forget to give us a call if you are looking for real estate in Aiken.   Have a great day :)

 ...when it comes to how we spend our vacations we are totally different.   

My sister is on vacation right now - in beautiful Cape Cod.

This is her itinerary for her visit (one week):

• trolley tour around town
• harbor tour - depending on the weather -  maybe take in the zooquariam.
• cape cod potato chip factory (fun!!)
• lunch on a sightseeing train.    (this sounds cool!)
• whale watch
• side trip to Boston
• harbor again
• glass blowing museum
• beach - maybe
• miniature golf  

I just got back from beautiful Hilton Head Island.

This was my itinerary for my visit (one week):

• relax on the beach

THINGS YOU COULD DO ON THE ISLAND

• visit a lighthouse
• take a dolphin watch cruise
• sunset dinner cruise
• trail ride at Lawson Stables
• play golf
• take the ferry to Dafauskie Island
• jet ski, parasail and other water fun!
• visit the museum
• historic Beaufort and Bluffton are right there, too
• side trip to Savannah -  more history :)
• canoe or kayak your way over the water
• shopping shopping shopping -  the Tanger Outlets are right across the bridge in Bluffton.
• fishing
• spas
• and so much more!

I came back nice and relaxed from my vacation - - -I think my sister will need a vacation to get over her vacation, lol. 

 Give me a call if I can help you with your Aiken real estate needs.  Actually, with our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of The World we can help you anywhere and everywhere! 

Hey Y'all!  Come  to Downtown Aiken on Thursday night (September 18, 2008) for a "Starry Night".        6pm - 9pm

Stroll along the downtown streets and stop by the many shops and visit with local artists and take a look at their masterpieces :)

 Participating Artists:

Liz Ringus, Kimberly guillermo, Ann LeMay, Marsha Shelburn, Steve Barrown, Anne Lattimore, Carolyn Bohn, Megan Swingle, Aiken High Art Dept, South Aiken High Art Dept, Mike Kleiman, Lewis Swingle, Jan Fleetwood, John Radeck, Pamela Moore, Jerry Galloy, Jenny Courtenay, Jane Bess, Jennifer Murphy and Others.

Stop by the Aiken Downtown Development Association office - located in The Alley......or visit any of the shops for a map.        Sponsored by Aiken Downtown Development Association.   For more info call 803.649.2221

Come and enjoy the evening downtown with me :)    

And dont' forget to give me a call if you are in the need of real estate assistance.  Jane Page and I can help you (or any of your friends/family) any where in the world!  Just give us a call first :)