Sustaining Communities in Savannah

Every Monday I write about a person, group of people or organization that is making a difference in the world, or their community. On some Monday’s I scour the internet and struggle to find material for this theme. However this weekend I realized that there are people making a difference all around me right here in Savannah. The movement towards sustainability in community is truly growing here in Savannah. The term "sustainability" means the responsible management of resources (both material and human) in the interest of long-term survival. There are many residents here in Savannah that are pursuing individually, as a business and as non-profit organizations the sustainability of our community. As it turns out many of them are working together in one way or another, which makes sense in the principal practice of community sustainability.

The Southern Pine Company located over on 34^th and East Broad St. is a prime example of how this principal of community sustainability is making a difference. Southern Pine Company owners Pam and Ramsey Khalidi rescued the building from demolition in the early 2000’s and turned into a bustling reclaimed wood materials flooring and furniture building company. However using reclaimed materials is only one way Sothern Pine practices sustainability.

They lease a franchise of the national staffing agency Labor Ready out of the building, which draws day laborers from the surrounding neighborhood. Offering the economically sagging neighborhood a chance at sustaining itself. Print and design firm  STEAM  rents space at Southern Pine, and Gullah chef and cookbook author Sallie Ann Robinson is drawing up plans for a restaurant and cooking school. The coffee roaster PERC recently found its home in a corner of the property. PERC is filled with reclaimed salvaged wood tables, custom-built bathrooms and a giant new roaster. The Khalidi’s also make use of their large property by offering it up to the artistic community as a gathering space hosting all-age musical extravaganzas like Graveface Fest and No Control as well as the recent craft showcase Savannah Bazaar in its brick courtyard (laid with bricks reclaimed from a demolished city building – of course.) Southern Pine is also host to Maven Makers, an organization that is working to establish a collaborative work-space, run workshops and other community oriented events, with the goal of creating a community of knowledge, design, and creativity.

In the back corner of Southern Pine (behind PERC) an 18 foot tall greenhouse is under construction. The green house is being constructed completely with reclaimed materials, windows and all. The greenhouse is the vision of Meagan Hodge, President and co-founder of Design for Sustainability. Design for Ability, Inc. serves as a universally designed apprenticeship for youth with exceptional needs that advocates environmental stewardship through green jobs training and vocational education. They have partnered with Emergent Structures a non-profit whose mission is to increase the value and accessibility of building material waste streams through facilitation, collaboration, education, and advocacy. The project is sponsored by many companies from cash checks (Ikea) to material (DIRT Environmental Solutions & Guerry Lumber), skill and time (Sam Carroll Construction & RNR Home Improvements) donations.

The plan for the soon to be completed greenhouse, is to have the students and residents from the local neighborhood plant edible greens. Thus helping provide healthy economical food to people in a sustainable way. It’s a sustainability micro-environment right in the backyard of Southern Pine Company. An environment that I suspect will continue to reach out into our community in Savannah and continue to Make a Difference. 

Small Savannah Businesses You May Not Know About

 Savannah is growing, and in a very creative way. No longer does a new business hang their shingle out front, join the city chamber and advertise in the yellow pages. As we know times have changed! I love what I see happening with new businesses here in Savannah. Since the arrival of SCAD Savannah has really begun to flourish as an artist’s haven. The latest evolution of this creative city is extremely community oriented, and inclusive as it expands not only geographically, but also in size and product. Here are several new community businesses that nourish the creative community that are great for everyone!

Cohen’s Retreat - A creative collective, an artisan/design destination.

This midtown historic campus has evolved into a creative community thanks to the new owner’s vision. About the property: Cohen’s Retreat is a community of art, food, with a coffee/juice bar, commercial and residential cottages for rent scattered about the property. There is a main building plus sixteen cottages. The residential cottages are energy efficient with skylight and wood grain flooring. The commercial cottages have a main room, office and are equipped with a full kitchen and bathroom.  A couple of working craftspeople live in the cottages already, and several business have made Cohen’s retreat their home as well. The north wing of the main building will host lectures, classes, workshops, and more. The south wing, a gallery space, has already hosted two shows.  A banquet table dominates another room.  A new patio space, vegetable and herb gardens, and a fountain to be installed out front.  Many of the fully-renovated cottages are still available for rent. The cottages behind the main building are leasing quickly - with a potpourri of design oriented small businesses - photo stylists, prop stylists, artists, and designers

Art Tank will be a space available to rent for events. It will be a place to gather, to learn and connect with like-minded folks.

“We just wanted to provide a setting where the most accomplished artist can come in and go away with something, but so can someone who has never even picked up a paintbrush.”

New, and in the latest issue of Savannah Magazine. 10pm. Located at” 5715 Skidaway Road, Savannah

Fish Out of Water Designs – Artisan upholstery

An unusual, eclectic, bohemian style upholstery workshop. Custom upholstery, re-upholstery,

pillows and modern trends are discussed with clients over coffee and beneath painted taxidermy fish. A designer upholstery boutique where a client's furniture restoration and design needs can both be met. A place to create and have fun. There are even classes! Seminars, couples classes, individual projects - the hours are flexible the classes tailored to your needs.

“If you need something upholstered, Evelyn is your girl! She really engages the client in the process so that simply spending time with her in her workshop is a valuable experience. And the quality of her work is second to none!”

Savannah Plush

“Savannah Plush is designed to celebrate and share the uniqueness of the community in which we live. We celebrate the creative talents of carefully hand selected local artisans. Even our name was carefully considered and selected. "Savannah" for the exquisite physical location we call home and "Plush" to describe those special little touches that we all love to add when feathering our nests.” – Located at Cohen’s Retreat on the second Floor

Clutter Furnishings and Interiors

Started as the brainchild of mother-daughter duo, Lynn Rahn and Brooke Rahn Thomas, Clutter

Furnishings and Interiors is Savannah’s hottest, new design and home décor destination. Clutter’s mission is to provide an array of one of a kind vintage, repurposed, consigned, and antique pieces to the huddled masses, and to create a space for clients that blends their style with great new finds. Located in Savannah’s Eisenhower Square Shopping Center, Clutter is one of several new mid-town, retail destinations designed to make all Savannah-ians lives just a little richer.

The Mill

The Mill is an interactive, collective studio concept soon to be in downtown Savannah where designers of any kind can come work/sell their craft. By creating a space where designers can come to work on their own time, celebrate the process of their work and sell their product all at once brings attention to the great people behind America's handmade goods.

Maven Makers

“Maven Makers is working to establish a collaborative work-space with the goal of creating a community of knowledge, design, and creativity. We are a community of people working together to foster growth to the individual first, then local companies, and for the overall city. Our space is for everyone with a desire to learn, inspire, teach, design, and create. Maven Makers’ vision is to establish a community-supported maker-space in Savannah, GA, which seeks to equip and empower the community starting at the individual level by delivering a common location with affordable resources for designing and building, whether for profit or mere enjoyment.” Maven Makers has had several events where ‘regular folk’ built bicycle racks for the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, and magazine racks for NPO’s in Savannah.

Olympians Making A Difference In Our Lives

People all over the world sit down together every four years to watch some of the best athletes on earth compete in obscure and often dangerous sports. Athletes ski down a hill at 70 mph, soar through the air with no parachute and no net, slide face first down an ice chute at speeds up to 80 mph, and jump moguls doing back flips on skis. On slick ice they perform amazing athletic feats on thin blades of steel in synchronized movements with absolute grace, or race around a rink pulling up to 3G's as they round each corner with seeming ease. While we sit on the edge of our seat holding our breath completely mesmerized. These feats are a show of what can be achieved when a person focuses on ONE single purpose.

It's the Olympian's efforts that capture us all. The cameras capture anxious faces of moms, dads, siblings, coaches and friends, hopeful and expectant as they watch loved ones put everything on the line in one two-minute program, one downhill run, one hold-your-breath shot. And we watch as those same faces crumble, or resolve to be brave, or break down in tears — for joy or heartbreak. The Olympics are about sharing your trials and tribulations with those we are blessed enough to call family. Just as in real life, which is why these moments in the Olympics touch us so much, we identify. Who didn't tear up win Bode Miller won his Bronze medal, and then cried when interviewed by the aggressive interviewer? Or who didn't get a lump in their throat when Canada's Alex Bilodeau embraced his brother Frederic after winning the men's freestyle skiing moguls competition?

We're all just human, and life is going to get the best of us from time to time. Because life, like the Olympics, can be a rocky road from time to time. The important thing is you keep pushing on. Some of us will become world champions through our grit and determination. Even if we don't as in the Olympics, the effort and just being at the main event is THE accomplishment.

We learn to accept not just our best accomplishments, but even our mistakes, as displayed in the

closing ceremonies. The creative director of the Sochi games poked fun at the opening ceremony ring-lighting malfunction, by having one group of the Olympic ring purposefully pause before expanding into the complete ring, and full 5 ring icon. We learn not just tolerance for others but respect. We feel respect for the Russian ice figure skater who won gold, because she did display an amazingly awesome performance. We have gotten to know her as an athlete, not just a Russian. We recognize all these new faces and for just a moment, seeing them stream in front of the camera, we feel part of a bigger narrative. We feel inspired to go out into our own world, find our single purpose, and be the best we can be. We realize we can create our own gold medal moments in life, and that’s the best thing about the Olympic Games.

Super Typhoon Haiyan, Together We Can Make A Difference

One of the most powerful storms ever to hit land hit the Philippines on Friday. When Typhoon Haiyan hit land it triggered 12 to 15 feet high storm surges, flooding, landslides, killing nearly 10,000 people and affecting an estimated 9.5 million people. The Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development is estimating 618,175 people are currently displaced.

The devastation is now hampering efforts to bring aid to people.
Richard Gordon, the chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, said that a Red Cross aid convoy to Tacloban had to turn back on Sunday after it stopped at a collapsed bridge and was nearly hijacked by a crowd of hungry people. “There is very little food going in, and what food there was, was captured” by the crowd, Mr. Gordon said in a telephone interview on Monday morning." reported the New York Times today. Resources of the Philippines and other national NPO's are stretched due to the previous 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Boholand and now typhoon Haiyan.
Working together, we can all make a difference in the lives of those in the Philippines who desperately need our help. There are a variety of ways to contribute to this devastating storm.

Dog in rubble in Philippines (IFAW photo)

The World Food Programme
The Philippine Red Cross 
Philippines Unicef
World Vision
Catholic Relief Services
Save The Children
Habitat For Humanity
Global Medic
Care

Help Animal victims of Typoon Haiyan
International Fund For Animal Welfare

Rock & Roll Marathon Savannah

You have to be living under rock to not have heard the buzz about the Rock'n'Roll Marathon that is taking place this weekend here in Savannah. Not being much of a runner I had some questions about this big event that is taking over our city tomorrow. First question, was ok what's the big deal anyway? The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is the ‘world’s largest running series’ featuring live bands along the course, cheer teams and entertaining water stations. The outdoor festival will encapsulate Savannah in its entirety and culminate with a finish line festival featuring the band Jackyl. It is however a rock and roll marathon so there is more than one band, there are actually a total of 24 bands along the race route that will be playing. If you would like to listen to any of the music (since it’s free) here is a link to a list of the bands and their venues.

Who Puts This Marathon On?

Competitor Group, Inc. a Global Services, Media and Event Entertainment Company headquartered in San Diego CA owns and operates the marathon. CGI owns and operates 83 events around the world, including the flagship Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. CGI also owns five magazines; Velo, Inside Triathlon, Triathlete, Women’s Running and Competitor. They operate 30 events in the The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series, everywhere from Madrid, Las Vegas, Montreal, and New York. For Savannah to host such a large international event is monumental. No wonder all my running friends are going crazy about this event being here.

The Most Spirited Neighborhood

Since the event covers the entire city there will be many road closures. Here is a link to a list of the closures, or here is a link to a map of the course if you prefer to plan your routes that way. However if you prefer to hang at home, or maybe you are close enough to bike or walk to a section of the race there is a neighborhood Spirit Station competition that includes prize money. The contest is called Rock around the Block. Such a clever way to get people on board with the race in their neighborhood!

Other Events

• There is a Health & Fitness Expo Today (Friday Nov. 8^th) at the Convention Center. No Entrance Fee
• An official Pasta Party offered by Connect Tonight (Friday Nov. 8^th) from 5-9pm at the Charles H. Morris Center 10 E. Broad Street with live music (of course). You can purchase tickets here.
• Runners can earn ‘Heavy Medals’ by completing more than one event in a calendar year.
• But wait there is more … even kids can participate in the marathon! There is a non-competitive one mile run for children in grades k-7 which takes place on Sunday 2:00pm at Daffin Park. Learn more and register here.

This Weekend in Savannah

On Nov. 2 Abigail Breslin to receive Discovery Award at Savannah Film Festival. The presentation will take place just before the screening of Breslin’s latest film, “August: Osage County.” With a Q& A session with the actress after the film. 

http://www.dosavannah.com/article/thu-10242013-0820/abigail-breslin-receive-discovery-award-savannah-film-festival

Also on Nov. 2 at the Jepson Center the Savannah Dance Festival will present the East Coast premiere of  ‘No Hero’ http://savannahdancefestival.org/

Saturday Nov. 2^nd the group CUSSES will be playing their final local gig at Hang Fire on Whitaker St. They are throwing a No Control party with three other local bands, Niche, Wet Socks and Electrickpark. 

http://www.dosavannah.com/article/thu-10312013-0022/cusses-playing-final-local-gig-2013

Community Profile: Historic Downtown Savannah

Savannah's founder, General James Oglethorpe, had already planned the layout of Downtown Savannah when he arrived here in 1733. His progressive ideology involved an interactive mix of architecture and green space with the intent of blending peoples from all walks of life.

Per his plans, Historic Downtown Savannah is a blend of stately homes and townhouses along with a stock of commercial spaces all centered around the original squares. The famous squares of downtown Savannah are lush green spaces shaded by magnificent live oaks dripping Spanish moss. Benches set beneath the trees allow visitors and residents alike to witness the blur of activity. From horse drawn carriage tours to darting bicycle messengers modern day Downtown Savannah is a unique microcosm that serves to confirm its founder's original intent as a vibrant urban melting pot.

Perhaps ironically, Georgia's First City is also home to the most cutting-edge art school in America, Savannah College of Art and Design. It has called downtown Savannah home for 30 years and has grown in prestige from oddball upstart status to international acclaim, all along keeping its feet firmly planted in the heart of the city.

-- Savannah College of Art and Design
-- Streetscape
-- Squares
-- Unique old structures
-- Boutiques, restaurants and galleries
-- Forsyth Park

Big Weekend with Savannah Events

This weekend in Savannah there are two big events that are a must go. Saturday from 11-6pm at Daffin Park WellFed hosts Food Day. Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. More than 4,500 events in all 50 states are happening to celebrate Food Day in 2013! Here in Savannah our event includes over 25 FREE workshops and classes with topics as organic gardening, cooking classes, sustainable living, nutrition, and more. This year, the festival is also partnering with the city of Savannah’s Play Streets event, making this two festivals in one. Play Streets will include free children’s fitness activities, such as bicycle courses, a skating rink, obstacle course and more. Read more at www.wellfedsavannah.com 

Also This weekend starting on Saturday is the week long Savannah Film Festival. The Savannah College of Art and Design presents the annual festival, filled with cinematic creativity from both award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers. Each year more than 40,000 people attend the eight day Savannah Film Festival. The festival is host to a wide variety of competition film screenings, special screenings, workshops, panels, and lectures. – See more at: http://filmfest.scad.edu/ and view this short video on what defines an artistfrom the 2011 Film Festival

Find Your Tribe

Gina Bianchini has been making a difference for women and entrepreneurs in helping them find their way to achieving their goals. Gina is the founder of Mightybell and co-founder of Leanin.org and Ning. Gina is all about helping others create communities where people of like minds can come together, learn and share in groups.

In this short video Gina talks about the mind of an entrepreneur and how creating or finding your own circle of interests can help in supporting you to achieving your dreams. 

http://www.inman.com/2013/10/21/gina-bianchini-has-started-3-companies-and-knows-how-to-think-like-an-entrepreneur/

Savannah,GA Well Known For Our Food

Travel & Leisure magazine just announced that Savannah GA is in the top 10 best cities to visit in the nation. This distinguished placement is based on ratings in six categories; culture, friendliness, atmosphere, restaurants, lodging, and shopping. 

With the famous Paula Deen and her culinary family hailing from Savannah, we are known for our great food. Among some fantastic restaurants we also have lots of festivals that either include or feature some mouth-watering eats.

Coming next weekend, Saturday Oct 26th is a nationwide celebration (the largest in the country), Savannah Food Day which will be held at Daffin Park, and it's free. There will be everything from a Farmers' Market, workshops, live 

music, and activities for the kids. Of course there will also be delicious treats from some of Savannah's favorite restaurants. Read about the workshops schedule, vendors, and more here: http://wellfedsavannah.com/foodday/

Ahh but there is still more to look forward to in the near future. There will be a week-long festival coming November 11- 17: The Savannah Food & Wine Festival which will feature James Beard Award winning chefs, and some of the historic city's best chefs. Pick up a delicious Crab Bisque recipe and read more about the festival here: http://blog.savannahvisit.com/what-is-hot-in-savannah/savfood-wine-november/

Our food is so good that we have the First Squares Food Tour. What is a food tour you ask? Here is a quote directly from their website: A food tour with Savannah Taste Experience is a 3-hour walking and tasting tour where you will enjoy a fun, one-of-a-kind culinary experience while strolling through the gardens and historic, cultural landmarks of the squares of Savannah, the Hostess City of the South. Read more about the tours here: http://www.savannahtasteexperience.com/

We also have several Savannah Cookbooks, some which are; Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House Cookbook, Paula Deen - The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook, and several books and editions of The Savannah Cookbook.

Real estate agents in Savannah come together to offer a Mid-Century Modern Home Tour!

On October 10th from 5-7 pm there will be some outstanding homes in Savannah open for agents and prospective buyers to tour.

For further details see the  website at: http://www.savannahmodernhome.com/ 

   

  

Join Us! Call Don Callahan @ Keller Williams Realty | 912-441-4416

Ardsley Park, Savannah GA Great Place to Relocate

If you are thinking of relocating to a warmer climate, with an easy going lifestyle than Savannah is the place for you. Tour the website: Visit Savannah to learn all about what is happening in Savannah. Historically interesting, beautiful, charming and romantic, Savannah is also always hopping with activity. Several music festivals visit the city each year as well as marathon runs and cycling events.

One of the most alluring features of Savannah is the charming and diversity of homes. Ardsley Park is the hottest neighborhood going in Savannah, and its not a wonder with its location and layout. Work with the premier listing agent of this neighborhood, Don Callahan, who has been a top producing agent in Savannah for 15 years. Don continually has the most listings of homes in this neighborhood. You can search for a home in Ardsley Park at his website here.

It's All About Your Perspective and Your ONE Thing

As Realtors and agents we are aware of the daily challenges in the industry, specifically national issues beyond our control that impact our individual business. One of these of late is mortgage rates. Trying to keep up with the current news on the rates I find that opinions on where the rate is really varies.  It seems that it really is about perspective, which is a great lesson to adapt in our daily lives.

Mortgages Are Interesting

Here are some recent headlines from national real estate news sources:

Mortgage Professionals of America: 9/20/2013 -
Mortgage Applications Head Up as Rates Edge Down

Mortgage applications were up last week as interest rates crept down, according to a survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association. 

Read the article: . http://www.mpamag.com/mortgage-interest-rates/mortgage-applications-head-up-as-rates-edge-down-15796.aspx

Bloomberg News: 9/19/2013 Home Sales Climb as Americans Rush to Lock in Rates
Sales of previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly rose in August to the highest level in more than six years as buyers rushed to lock in interest rates before they increased further.

Read the article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-19/sales-of-u-s-existing-homes-unexpectedly-climb-to-six-year-high.html

Realtor Magazine: 9/23/2013 

Mortgage Rates Level Off 
Key fixed-rate mortgages held steady this week, remaining near two-year highs.
Read the article http://www.realtor.com/news/mortgage-rates-level-off/

No Matter Where the Rate Is At …

"No matter how success is measured, personal or professional, only the ability to dismiss distractions and concentrate on your ONE Thing stands between you and your goals. The ONE Thing is about getting extraordinary results in every situation." Gary Keller

Keller Williams: 9/19/2013 

Balanced Markets; Big Opportunities: Gary Keller’s Mid-Year Market Update Amounts to ONE Thing: More Sales

The annual pace of home sales in July was 17.2 percent higher than it was last year, putting the industry on pace for the best year in home sales since 2006. “The last time we saw this number was 2003,” said Jay Papasan.  http://blog.kw.com/2013/09/19/balanced-markets-big-opportunities-gary-kellers-mid-year-market-update-amounts-to-one-thing-more-sales/

14th Annual Savannah Pride Festival

A Pride celebration is for everyone. An opportunity to celebrate who we are, and the joy of our differences. This weekend we will be celebrating the true nature of ourselves, all of us, whoever we are, whatever our heritage, gender, or sexual identity, at the Savannah Pride festival in Forsyth Park. And a celebration it will be! In celebration of years past the atmosphere during the day has been one of joy, the air was filled with music and laughter. This year will be like years past with even more to celebrate regarding achieving equality among us.

Savannah Pride festival is different from others in the nation, because as president of Savannah Pride Mark Hill has said “ We don’t sequester ourselves away. It is a community picnic where we see friends and make some new ones.” There will be plenty going on during the day at this park-wide picnic. Dozens of vendors and lots of local talent. Stop by our tent (Don Callahan Real Estate Group) for a chance to win an iPad mini! We hope to see you there.

Here is the schedule for Saturday: 

11:30 a.m.: Welcome and opening ceremony
Noon: Dylan Michael
12:45 p.m.: Dale Worley Band
1:45 p.m.: Jeremiah Clark
2:30 p.m.: Stephen Neil
3 p.m.: Welcome from Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson
3:15 p.m.: Christy Alan Band
4:15 p.m.: Lindsey Hinkle
5 p.m.: She and She
5:45 p.m.: Dance party
6:15 p.m.: Kristina Foxx and the Club One Cabaret
7:30 p.m.: Roxxxy Andrews
8 p.m.: Cusses
9 p.m.: Closing ceremony 

Did you Know?

• Approximately 70% of people on Facebook in the U.S. are connected to a friend who has expressly identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual on their timeline. #PrideConnectsUs
• The federal government recently provided access to the full range of benefits that are offered to opposite-sex married military couples to same-sex couples.
• Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsberg came out in support of gay marriage by officiating at marriage of a two close male friends of hers. Ginsburg said equality has always been central to the Constitution, even if society has only applied it to minorities – be they women, blacks or gays – over time.
• The U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional on June 26, 2013, “as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.”

Surfers For Autism a Transformative Event

I awoke with excitement and anticipation and organized myself to head out to Tybee Island for the 3rd Annual Coastal Surfers for Autism event this past Saturday. This is our biggest and favorite charitable event we participate in every year. By the time my feet hit the warm sand there were some 20 tents set up and several hundred people gathered. There was a wonderful breeze and the surf was definitely up! Finally after some introductions and a prayer the surfing began.

Miracles Happen

Family and friends stood at waters edge as they watched the kids go apprehensively out on surfboards with their supportive team. Then miracles began to unfold before us. As each surfboard loaded with a belly down child clinging to the sides returned on a wave, there were huge smiles and giggles of tickled pleasure. Soon we began to see the children begin to stand on their board and catch a wave. At each successful wave surfed, teams, family members and the young surfers would jump and throw their arms in the air in jubilation. The transformation from uncertainty to confidence and success was mesmerizing. One of the family members Joe Costello said it best with a post on his Facebook:

"Thank you for the smile on my son Sean's face! Thank you to the professionals from SFA, Tybee Police, Tybee Fire, Tybee Ocean Rescue, volunteers, and businesses who made this a wonderful event. I watched another boy cry hysterically on his first set, the next wave he popped up and rode it in to the beach to the cheers of all. It is overwhelming all that you did this past Saturday for so many. This was our first event, but it will not be our last."

Fun Under The Tents

Although surfing was the main event there was much bonding and fun being had in the sand under the tents. The loving, warm, friendly energy was palpable. There was an atmosphere of non-judgment and ease in connecting with others. Everyone was partaking in fun activities out of the water, and bonding with new found friends. The energy of the day spread to everyone.

"David Costrini: I'm not exaggerating when I say that I went to this event, and that it was one of the most amazing and powerful things I've ever seen. The kids, families, and volunteers were just over the top incredible and inspiring."

I was told this would be a life changing event, and it was. I am already thinking about next year, as I am sure the children are too. Maybe we will see you out there next year?

Watch a WTOC News channel video on this event.

Some Just For Fun Home Items

I spend about an hour every morning scouring the internet for interesting and informative media on Real Estate as research for writing on my Blog.  Today instead of writing an article I would like to share a few paragraphs and links to some interesting sites with articles I have come across.

From Housingwire.com:

Home Staging Professionals Find New Business in Changing Market

In a recent study conducted by the trade association, 89 vacant occupied and un-staged homes were listed. These homes spent an average of 166 days on the market. However, when these exact same homes were professionally staged and relisted, they only spent an average of 32 days on the market — a 73% decrease in time spent on the market.

From Realtor.com:

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Selling Soon?

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi may be parting ways with their Thousand Oaks ranch in the very near future. The Los Angeles Times reports that the celebrity couple’s Hidden Valley retreat is currently showing a status of “looking for backup,” which (for those of you who are not Realtors) generally means a bid has been accepted but the seller is still fielding other offers.

 From The New York Times:

Looking For Homes In The French Alps

The continuing popularity of lakefront property, especially for overseas buyers fleeing unstable economies, has helped the town of Annecy weather the financial crisis better than most areas. This 2003 chalet, built of concrete and siding construction, is on the desirable east side of Lake Annecy in the community of Veyrier du Lac. It is on the sunnier and more-desirable east side of Lake Annecy. See more photos here.

In Case You Want to Buy

Here is a description of the property and FYI there are no restrictions on foreigners in France. Agents charge a fee of about 5 percent, paid by the seller. All transactions must go through a notary public, who oversees the contract and closing, handles negotiations, and collects all transaction taxes and fees owed to the government.

3rd Annual Coastal Empire Surfers for Autism Beach Festival

Tybee Island will be transformed into a beach bash on September 7^th for a very special group of kids. The beach by the pavilion will be filled with families, volunteers and children, special needs children who have a chance to feel the sweet taste of success, fun and self-confidence by learning how to surf. Surfers for Autism, a non-profit organization, will be hosting the event from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The therapeutic benefits of the surfing activity to children and young adults within the autism spectrum cannot be put into words and must be experienced.

At a Surfers for Autism event, the surfers are provided a safe, fun, judgment free environment where highly skilled surf instructors carefully guide the children into waves. Each child is accompanied with two or three volunteers and a "master" surfer who take the kids into the water one at a time. Each child is in the water for 25 minutes, then a new session is started with another child. The sessions continue rotating until 4:00 pm.

This is a very special day where children with developmental delays interact with typical peers and

wow families with their capabilities. The result is always the same: complete and total transformation in a moment. Transformative moments are not the exclusive province of the surfers, as parents also undergo a shift in thinking. Goals and milestones once missed or forgotten suddenly come into sharp focus. For many of the families, it’s a day they never thought they would experience.  Many times autistic children are sensitive to auditory stimulation, but here they can just enjoy being a kid.

A Few Testimonials From Past Events

Amy Spalter Schwartz: “I am awestruck at what a difference you all have made in my son’s life, but not just Spenser’s life, but our whole family. When he is out there surfing, he is a completely different child. This is the ONLY extracurricular activity he has had ANY interest in sticking with.” 

Caryn Jones Hamblen: Words cannot express our gratitude for today. What an amazing event! Dylan said it best, “This is the best day, ever!"

Kara Collins: I will never forget the joy I saw on my daughter’s face that day, the pride she felt that she was enough- just the way she was. She made friends and no one cared who spun in circles or said something inappropriate, they just welcomed you for who you were. Now we own Boogie boards and sun shirts and count down the days until the next event, when she isn’t a girl with Asperser’s- she is just a girl who is 7 catching a wave.

Surfers With Hearts as Big as Their Ambition

Surfers for Autism was founded in Deerfield Beach Fla in December of 2007 with a handful of local surfers. There was a local surf club in Florida. One of the members' brothers was touched with autism, so they got together to take some kids with autism and related special abilities surfing, and the rest is history. Although the SFA has events internationally most of the coordination for an event is on the local community level. While surfing with special athletes is certainly the centerpiece, events have morphed into massive beach parties replete with concerts, catered cuisine, gaming tents and much more.

This Saturday at Tybee Island there will be an activities tent and other resources available. Musician Cody Blake will be performing on the beach, his big brother is one of the participating surfers. In addition Lunch and water for the families will be provided plus the opportunity to enjoy time with other families just like their own. 

The Don Callahan Real Estate Group will be there volunteering this Saturday. Tybee's Surfers for Autism beach festival has an open invitation to anyone.

Photos from Surfers for Autism.

Labor Day Activites

Labor Day weekend is upon us again, they seem to come faster every year! I usually feel pressure from my peers and society in general to have some fantastic plans for the weekend. My plans generally vary from home projects to doing something fun with friends. These weekend the office still filled with boxes of papers calls to me, it's time to finally sort through and either chuck or find room for storing. That leaves some time for fun with friends, but what to do? I've been scouring the internet and local papers to see what is up this weekend. Here are some activities that I can share with everyone. I’m sure there are more and of course there is always the beach and a backyard barbecue. Enjoy the long weekend everyone!

• Tybee Island Labor Day Art Festival: FRI: 6-9, SAT 10-6, SUN 10-5 #7 Cedarwood Dr, by the Lighthouse. Original Art & DIY tie dye for charity, organic food bar, fruit smoothies Savannah Riverfront, The Ultimate Tailgate Party: Multiple games will be playing on three large inflatable screens.
• Relax with a brew: Savannah Craft Brew Fest, 150 different craft brews available for sampling. The Brew Fest will include educational sessions, a corn hole tournament, live music and a brand new cider garden. At The Esplanade at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center Saturday 12:00 5:00 pm
  
• A day at Tybee Island Beach: Free live entertainment featuring the Swingin' Medallions will be playing at the pier pavilion with fireworks in the evening. Sunday 10 am – 7 pm
• Take in a Show: Savannah Live at the Savannah Theatre, 2 hours of high-energy, song and dance.
• Expand Your Knowledge at the Wormsloe Sate Historic Site: Craft demonstrations from the 18th century including woodworking, blacksmithing, cooking, colonial games, candle making and more!
• Take in a game at Grayson Stadium; Saturday first pitch at 6:05 pm with post game
  
  fireworks.
• Oatland Island: Alligator Wetlands is now open, with a brand new resident!
• Humane Society; Last chance to adopt a pet and help the society reach their goal of 787 adoptions to qualify for a grant.
• Enjoy the weather and scenic landscape, participate in a Ranger program at Skidaway Island

Mortgages 101

Buying a home will likely be the biggest purchase you’ll ever make and the biggest debt load you’ll ever carry. Unfortunately, almost 75% of buyers admit they never truly understood all the ins and outs of their mortgage before signing on the dotted line. Most people think a mortgage is like a promissory note, where you owe the bank money that is paid back over an agreed upon period of time. Technically speaking, a mortgage isn't a loan. It’s a document that you actually give a bank that says they have the right to use your home as collateral in the event you don’t repay the loan. Given that there is so much at stake it’s highly recommended to know what type of mortgage to use in the purchase of your new home. Two of the most popular are a fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages but there is a wide variety of other mortgage products available. Here is a description of six broad categories of mortgages.

• Fixed Rate: The interest rate and monthly payments stay the same for the life of the loan.
  
• Adjustable Rate: The interest rate changes every year with the market, and payments may go up or down accordingly. They usually come with ‘caps’. A periodic cap limits how much the interest rate can be increased each time it is adjusted. A lifetime cap is the total amount an interest rate can increase over the lifetime of the loan.
• FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan - Allows buyers who may not qualify for a home loan to obtain one Low down payment. The size of the loan may be limited.
• VA Loan - Guaranteed loans for eligible veterans, active duty personnel and surviving spouses Offers competitive rates, low or no down payments. The size of the loan may be limited.
• Balloon - Usually a fixed rate loan with relatively low payments for a fixed period. After an initial period, the entire balance of the loan is due immediately.
• Interest Only – the borrower pays only the interest on the loan in monthly payments for a fixed term. After an initial period the balance of the loan is due.

FHA and many other banks have programs or loans that allow you to buy a home, fix it up, and include all the costs in one loan. Or, if you own a home that you want to re-model or repair, you can refinance what you owe and add the cost of repairs - all in one loan. You can include the costs of energy improvements into an FHA Energy-Efficient Mortgage. The government offers a free downloadable brochure to help buyers learn how to shop, compare and negotiate mortgages. The brochure has a Mortgage Shopping Worksheet and a glossary of terms in the back. The brochure is a great tool that any buyer should have as they begin the process of home shopping.