Kara's Blog

See the lumber that was delivered this morning!

And take a look at this!!!  The walls are going up!!!  Woo Hoo !! :)

Ryan Jeffcoat and his guys are the framing specialists that Buddy has subbed for this job.   Ryan tells me that they will be here for approximately 2 months.  I'm looking forward to seeing the progress.

THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION PRICES WON'T LAST LONG----- IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, GET WITH ME NOW!!!

These are going to be some great units - at a great location.  Get in now at a great price :) 

Don't forget - here is what they (Stevens Builders) are building:

Give me a call for the details on these great downtown residential units!  (2 and 3 bedroom)

  Perfectly located :)

Talk to you soon !

For many, this marks the official start of Summer Fun here in Aiken -  the Summer concert series at Hopelands Gardens.   THere is no better way to spend a Monday evening then listening to a concert in the 'park'.   Bring your girl (or guy!), your blankets or lawn chairs - sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!

Here's the deal:

What:  Summer Concerts at Hopelands Gardens

When:  EVERY MONDAY NIGHT STARTING MAY 4, 2009 - TILL AUGUST 31st!

Where:  Hopelands Gardens, Whiskey Road.   

Parking:  Available at Rye Patch - Berrie Road, and Green Boundary Club - Whiskey Road.

Time:  7:00pm

Aiken Community Band opens the season on Monday - come on out!

Here is the schedule:  (print it out and hang it on your fridge to remind you!)

May 4 - Aiken Community Band, sponsored by Security Federal

May 11 - Harmony River Chorus, sponsored by Right At Home of the CSRA

May 18 - Savannah River Winds, sponsored by Aiken Newcomers Club

May 25 - Aiken Civic Ballet, sponsored by Hearing Associates of South Carolina

June 1 - Aiken Brass, sponsored by Cumberland Village

June 8 - Black Bottom Biscuits, sponsored by The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch

June 15 - Maureen Simpson joined by the Aiken Choral Society, sponsored by Cumberland Village

June 22 - Preston and Weston featuring Sandra Simmons, sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

June 29 - Swingsation, sponsored by Carriage Hills Living Center

July 6 - Fort Gordon Concert Band, sponsored by The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch

July 13 - Chris Mangelly, sponsored by The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch

July 20 - U.S. Marine Corps Band/Parris Island Marine, sponsored by Screenprint Factory

July 27 - Fabio Man, sponsored by The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch

Aug. 3 - Fort Gordon Dixieland Band, sponsored by The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch

Aug. 10 - Savannah River Stringband, sponsored by Curiosity Shop

Aug. 17 - South Boundary, sponsored by Especially Seniors

Aug. 24 - Big Band Features, sponsored by Cumberland Village

Aug. 31 - Aiken Community Band, sponsored by Security Federal

You may not be able to go to every concert - so look through the list and pick a couple that you just don't want to miss!  

Enjoy :)

The Fridge - yup, William Refrigerator Perry.   Former Chicago Bear.   Da Bears!   Did you know he was a local guy here in Aiken.  Born and raised :)   Being a 'football girl' I knew it before we even moved here!

Well, he has been in the hospital for the past couple of weeks - but thankfully this morning his condition has been upgraded to 'fair'.  He had been in 'serious' condition - so this upgrade is great news.   He is suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a chronic inflammation disorder of the peripheral nerves.  Here is the story from our local newspaper.  The Aiken Standard.

He is a very nice man.  I've had the opportunity to speak with William on many occasions.   I used to work part-time for Bi-Lo (a local grocery store for those who don't know, lol)   We would chit chat from time to time when he would come down the aisle I happened to be stocking at the time.    One time we bumped into eachother at the Columbia Airport - it was funny -  he was like, Kara?? Wait! Shouldn't you be at Bi-Lo, hahaha.    He was actually on his way to one of the Super Bowls - heading out about a week early, and I was meeting clients on an arriving flight. 

Let's keep the Fridge in our thoughts (and prayers if it applies to you) to beat this disease, and have a speedy and complete recovery.

Hoorayyy!!!  The slab is finally done!   Guess we'll be hearing the saws and nail guns next week when the framing starts.

They did a 'slick' finish on the slab ....and it actually is so smooth that it shines!  Amazing :)  The guy in the pic above was just doing the normal smoothing/floating that they do with any job.   

 After this was done and the stuff started to set-up a little bit - they brought in another machine -  this gagdet:

  like a giant fan - upside down.   This thing pushed the stone and other agragate materials down into the concrete and created the slick smooth finish.     

THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION PRICES WON'T LAST LONG----- IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, GET WITH ME NOW!!!

These are going to be some great units - at a great location.  Get in now at a great price :) 

Don't forget - here is what they (Stevens Builders) are building:

Give me a call for the details on these great downtown residential units!  (2 and 3 bedroom)

  Perfectly located :)

Talk to you soon !

JUST WANTED TO REMIND Y'ALL ABOUT THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL TOMORROW DOWNTOWN!

What:  Mead Hall's Annual Strawberry Festival                                         

  
When:  Saturday, April 25th.  10am - 3pm   RAIN OR SHINE!!

Where:  Downtown Aiken -  Greenville Street (Between Richland and Hayne Aves)

More Info:  803.644.1122.      
(If you want to be a vendor - please call Linda Serkiz at 803.640.2684 for more info)

 
There is fun to be had at this one!    Come on down and check it out :)

Pony Rides - Petting Zoo - Frozen Casserole Sale - Games - Mechanical Bull - Bake Sale - Entertainment - Carriage Rides - Strawberry Desserts - Refreshments - Vendor Booths - Inflatables and more!!!

Have fun and I'll see you there :)

****************************************************************************

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY -AND IT WAS A GREAT TURN OUT AT THE FESTIVAL.   THE HOME MADE STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM WAS DELISH!

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM THE DAY:

The pie eating champ held onto his title from last year  (that is him - first on on the left!)   Everyone had alot of fun.

Has it been a long time since marching band?  Still got your instrument?  Why not  donate your old instrument and give another child the opportunity to learn music!

 Drop off your old instrument at any branch of Security Federal Bank and it will be refurbished and then will given - yes, GIVEN - to an Aiken County student.

I will always remember my times in band! It was great :)   In third grade we got to see and hear all of the instruments, then (if we wanted to - and - with parents permission) we could pick one to play in the band!   Not everyone was interested in playing an instrument, but I sure was.   My sister played the clarinet and I couldn't wait for my turn to make music, too :)   I chose the saxophone!   Yep - I play the sax.   Well, I haven't played in over 15 years, but I'm pretty sure that I could belt out some noise, lol.   

Not all families can afford to make rental payments or purchase an instrument.   Your donation will help fill that need - right here in Aiken County :)

Sooooo-    where are they?  The instruments!   Under the bed.....up in the attic....down in the basement.....in the closet....out in the shed.....in the garage....?????   Find them and bring them in!!

Here's the recap:

What:  Donate your old instruments

Where:   Drop off at any branch of Security Federal Bank

When:  APRIL 20 - MAY 20, 2009

Sponsored by:  Aiken Standard/Aiken Performing Arts Group/Security Federal Bank/

And:    Instruments will be refurbished and GIVEN to a deserving Aiken County Student

                                            GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC -  DONATE YOUR OLD INSTRUMENT

                                                 FREE ADMISSION!                                                       SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH, 2009

                          COME CELEBRATE EARTH DAY :)

WHERE:   HOPELANDS GARDENS -     1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken. (between Berrie and Dupree)

PARKING: AT GREEN BOUNDARY, WHISKEY ROAD ACROSS FROM HOPELANDS.

WHEN:  8:30AM - 11:30AM

                                                               FREE ADMISSION!!

SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH, 2009

Some of the Exhibitors include:

Adopt-A-Highway,     Adopt-a-Parkway,    Aiken Beekeepers,  Aiken County Recylcling,   Aiken Garden Club,     Aiken Land Conservancy,      DuPont Planetarium,   Hitchcock Woods,   Wild Turkey Federation....and MORE!!!

Sponsored by:

City of Aiken Environmental Committee

City of Aiken Parks, Recreation & Tourism

City of Aiken Public Works

Another great Downtown Aiken Festival right around the corner!!  Literally!! - this one is right around the corner from our office :)

What:  Mead Hall's Annual Strawberry Festival

  
When:  Saturday, April 25th.  10am - 3pm   RAIN OR SHINE!!

Where:  Downtown Aiken -  Greenville Street (Between Richland and Hayne Aves)

More Info:  803.644.1122.      
(If you want to be a vendor - please call Linda Serkiz at 803.640.2684 for more info)

 
There is fun to be had at this one!    Come on down and check it out :)

Pony Rides - Petting Zoo - Frozen Casserole Sale - Games - Mechanical Bull - Bake Sale - Entertainment - Carriage Rides - Strawberry Desserts - Refreshments - Vendor Booths - Inflatables and more!!!

I will definitely see you there!  The past couple of festivals I have missed out on the casserole sale.... I plan on getting there early this time, lol.

Have fun - send me your pics, I'm happy to share them!

THere are so many good writers out there in the rain - Brian asks a good question below!  Take a look at  his post :)  

I've taken a look at some of the other's favs (see the comments on Brians post) and have already added a some of them to my list!

Enjoy

I just wanted to take a minute to wish all of you a very Happy Easter.   Sometimes we get so busy with our lives that we don't take the time to stop and breathe, let alone catch up with our friends...    I'm blessed to have you all in my life - and I appreciate each and every one of you :)       Happy Easter to you and yours!

With Love,

Kara