Tax Free Weekend

The 2012 school year is right around the corner, which means it's time to shop for school supplies. Kids are usually excited because it means new pencils, binders, and other fun school tools. However, parents tend to dread the annual back to school shopping trip because supplies are so expensive. Do not worry too much for there  is hope for all the parents out there. Tax Free Weekend is this weekend August 3-5. This means everything your child could possibly need for school such as computers, school supplies, clothes and shoes will be tax free. Take advantage of this great opportunity to save a few dollars!

Reasons to Eat Local Produce

The Shandon Newsletter published an article in the summer newsletter on the top 5 reasons to eat local produce verses produce from grocery stores that come shipped in from all over the United States. Here are the top five reasons to eat local!

1. Local foods are fresher: Locally grown fruits and vegetables are usually sold within 24 hours of being harvested.
2. Local foods have less enviromental impact: The average fresh food item travels 1,500 miles to get to your supermarket's grocery aisle; buying locally produced food elimintaes the need for all that fuel-guzzling transportation.
3. Eating local means more for the local economy: When you buy direct from local farmers, your dollars stay within your community, and strengthen the local economy.
4. Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons: By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste, are most abundant and least expensive.
5. Local foods promote food safety: The fewer steps there are between your food's source and your table, the less chance there is of contamination.

Are you wondering where you can get that delicious, home grown  produce? Go to the 701 Whaley Market! They are open Saturday's from 8 am - 12pm. If you would like to find out more about the market visit www.stateplate.org

Summertime Events 2012

Summertime is great for kids, it gives them a break from the hustle and bustle of school, but this also means a lot of down time, which can cause kids to get bored and for parents to feel overwhelmed with trying to keep everyone happy. However, there is a solution to the summertime boredom. Sims Park located at 3500 Duncan Street has plenty of activities for kids to do. Check out this list of summer activities!

Summer Camp
Now-August
Monday-Friday
7:30 am- 6:00 pm
Ages 6-12
$45 per week for each child
Organized games/activities, field trips, reading and science enrichments in a safe and friendly enviroment.

Spray Pool
Now-August
Monday-Friday
10am-12pm/ 4pm-6pm
Free to the public

Water Balloon Toss and Relay
August 10, 2012
4:00-6:00 pm
Ages 6-12
Wear your swimsuit and get prepared to get wet!

Movie Night
September 2012
Each Friday of the month
4:00-6:00 pm
Ages 6-12
Bring your popcorn, drinks will be provided!

Have further questions? No worries, contact the park office at (803) 733-8451

Making the Move Easier on Your Kids

Let's face it, moving is stressful and having an upset child over moving does not help matters. However, there are solutions to making the transition from one home to another a little easier on you and your little ones. Check out this Parent's article on creative solutions to make moving less stressful and more exciting!
http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/buy-a-house/how-to-make-moving-easier-on-kids/

Have You Heard?

Have you heard the new local Columbia radio station yet? If not, turn on your radio to 92.1 The Palm! Do you love music, but don't have time to shuffle through all those CD's to find the perfect song? No worries, The Palm has already done it, handpicked music chosen just for you! This radio station isn't being run by out of state people, who are out of touch with Columbia's happenings, this station is locally owned by Kirk Litton, and is ran with the help of Mark Bryan from Hootie and the Blowfish! Go ahead and tune your radio to the newest and most exciting local radio station to hit the Columbia scene. 92.1 The Palm!

Curious and want to know more? Check out their website: http://www.thepalmfm.com/

Family Movie Night at Irmo Town Park

Don't forget about tomorrow's Family Movie Night at Irmo Town Park! Gates open at 7:30 PM, and movie starts at 8 PM. We will be watching Despicable Me, which was a big hit at last week's movie night at Emily Douglas Park. We will have refreshments of course, so pack up the kids and come on out to spend a relaxing summer night with us! Don't forget to bring a can to donate to Harvest Hope. We hope to see you tomorrow night at 7:30!

Kathwood Park Open House This Sunday!

Come check out the newest addition to the Lake Katherine community- Kathwood Park. We are hosting a public open house this Sunday from 3-5 PM for you to come preview these beautiful homes built by Lady Street Builders. Two of the homes are finished, and two more will be finished by the end of the month. Come walk through each of them to see their unique style.

There are six styles of homes to choose from that are available to be built on the remaining lots. Check out Kathwood Park's website to for blueprints and more information on each of the houses. The great part about it is that each of the homes are customizable. If you don't like the wet bar and would rather have that space be a linen closet, the builders are more than willing to work with you to make one of these your dream home.

If you are looking for a new home, or are just curious about what's new in the neighborhood, then we look forward to seeing you this Sunday between 3-5 PM.

What a Great Find!

Come live in this 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 3,152 sqft remarkable farm home. The 100 year home boasts: formal living and dining rooms, high ceilings, intricate moldings, arched doorways, updated baths, a wet bar,  10ft ceilings,  a family room, original hardwoods, an updated kitchen and all on the main floor. Upstairs is a large master suite with a private bath and plenty of closet space, and three large bedrooms. Outside on 4.09 acres is a long fenced lined drive way, a southern front porch, several pastures, an in-ground pool, a screened-in pool house, a multi-stall barn and tack room and an additional shed/barn. This house is the epitome of great southern country living with modern conveniences like updated electrical, drywall and a new roof.

It's hard to believe that all of this is just 30 minutes outside of Columbia. What a great find!

Columbia Foreclosures

It is scary to to think that Columbia is now in the top 10 for foreclosures in the United States. I have noticed  an increase in delinquent mortgages myself as a Short Sale Specialist.  I have noticed an increase in BPO's also ( Broker Price opinions ). This is the banks way of finding out what the home value is, very similar to an appraisal. Asset Managers and banks have been contacting me do to them more this year than before  in years past. There are several ways to avoid foreclosure and as a Short Sale Specialist I have helped many home owners avoid foreclosure and a few are back on track to purchase in the future.  Contact me if you have any questions, J.T. Livingston 803.348.6289 jtlivingston@prudentialmidlands.com. Your information is always kept confidential.

               http://realestate.yahoo.com/news/the-top-10-new-foreclosure-capitals.html

          Check out this Yahoo article to see the other top foreclosure capitals in the United States.

July Movie Night In Shandon

 Well, it's that time again. Last month's movie night ended early due to one of South Carolina's infamous summer rainstorms. But this Friday night, July 6, the weather looks like it might be in our favor. We hope so, because Despicable Me is one of our all time favorite family movies, and we can't wait to watch with you and your family.
July's Movie Night in Shandon will once again be hosted by Mary Lane Sloan at Emily Douglas Park. The gates open at 7:30 PM and the movie starts at 8 PM. Admission is free, but we are collecting donations for Harvest Hope. For a list of their most needed items, you can visit their website here or check out one of our recent blog posts here. We will also have free refreshments.

If it does rain, do not fret! We will still show the movie inside. We don't want to miss a chance to watch this hilarious movie, and trust us, you don't either. And if you and your family can't make it this Friday, we will be showing Despicable Me again next Friday in Irmo Town Park. We can't wait to enjoy a wonderful evening with you and your family! See you Friday night!