Next time you hit the grocery store, try banishing those plastic bags by bringing along your own eco-friendly bag. Let’s take a look at the numbers: 100 billion each year in the U.S. with less than 1% recycled with the average 4-person home using over 1500 in a year. How did we ever get by without them just a few short years ago? Why are we just throwing them all away?
As a family we have taken baby steps towards “going reusable” but that doesn’t mean everyone will - so maybe some help is needed. For instance, Whole Foods recently announced they’re eliminating plastic bags from all 270 of their locations. This is good. Bi-Lo will give you 5¢ refund for bringing your own. This is also good. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the other big brands follow their lead!
Here’s a rundown of where the local big guys stand:
Bi-Lo Bags: Plastic; Paper; Reusable bags for purchase. Program: Refund of 5¢ per bag if you bring your own.
Earth Fare Bags: Plastic; Paper; Reusable bags for purchase. Program: Do not offer a refund for using your own bags.
Food Lion Bags: Plastic; Paper. Program: Do not offer a refund for using your own bags.
Harris Teeter Bags: Plastic; Paper; Reusable bags for purchase. Program: Do not offer a refund for using your own bags.
Piggly Wiggly Bags: Plastic; Paper; Reusable bags for purchase. Program: Do not offer a refund for using your own bags.
Publix Bags: Plastic; Paper; Reusable bags for purchase. Program: Do not offer a refund for using your own bags.
Whole Foods Market Bags: No plastic; Paper; Reusable bags for purchase. Program: Refund of 5¢ per bag if you bring your own.
With all the gloom and doom being reported by the media, without much of a balanced view I thought it would be interesting for everyone to see the recent figures coming out from the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors (CTAR).
Although tri-county home sales in 2007 fell short of 2006 and 2005 numbers, housing sales figures for the year were still the fourth highest in history for the region.
There were 12,688 homes sold in the tri-county area in 2007, compared with 14,240 homes sold in 2006 and 15,740 homes sold in 2005, the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors reported.
Sales for 2007, however, were slightly better than in 2004, when 12,639 homes were sold and better than in 2003 when the year ended with 10,778 homes sold. Only 8,812 were sold in 2002.
Also the median price of a home in the tri-country region rose 2.4% in 2007 to $210,000, and the average number of days on the market was a little more than three months at 92 days.
The organization’s research shows that housing values in the area have risen about 6% annually for the past 30 years.
Inventory declined for the sixth month in a row, resting at 10,530 homes available for purchase through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as of December 10. There are 1,851 condos and 8,552 single-family homes currently on the market. As of today there are 980 properties under contract.
“This may indicate that the supply is leveling out and buyers should act now,“ said David Kent, President of CTAR. “After all, we won’t know when the market is at its lowest until we’re on the way back up.”
Gandhi told us “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”
Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful to spend one day being thankful, but it’s another thing entirely to actually be thankful every single day of the year, long after all the turkey and fixin’s has been consumed. Why not resolve today to not only live a life of thankfulness but to be the “change you wish to see in the world.”
There are so many things that people hold dear to them. Whether it is because they paid a lot of money for them, or because someone special gave it to them, whatever the reason, people hold things dear to them. For me, it is my newly presented Citadel Ring. The coveted “Band of Gold” is something that I have had my eye on for three years, and now it is in my possession and I almost can not believe it. I hold it dear not because it costs a lot of money, or because it is shiny gold, but because it is a symbol of so many things that I do hold dear, and experiences that have shaped who I am now. The most important thing that I am reminded of is my family. For many cadets, the ring is all about them, about what they have accomplished and how far they have come in their cadet career. For me, it is about the resolve of my family to help me to finish. It was about a week or two before Parent’s weekend when I found out that my mother had breast cancer. I was devastated. She lived in Okinawa, Japan at the time, and I, in Charleston, could do absolutely nothing to help her. She was always there for me, and I wanted to be there for her. I begged and pleaded with my parents to send me a ticket and I would come home and take care of my mother. They wouldn’t allow me to come home, for that I am ultimately thankful. For a while I was extremely worried for my mother that she would not be around to see me graduate or get married or have children of my own. My aunt had died only months before after her years long fight with cancer, and I was afraid that family history would win out over modern medicine.
My family moved to Charleston from Okinawa in the following months, and that eased my mind. I was able to focus a little more on school since I could go home on the weekends and take care of my mother. Seeing her suffer with the chemotherapy treatments, was the most painful thing that I have ever seen, and yet she still managed to play mom to me, and listen to be gripe about the upperclassmen who were yelling at me all the time, and the boys that I liked and the teachers that I hated. She didn’t complain about her hair falling out, or the numbness in her fingers and toes, or the nausea, she continued on, as if it were nothing. It was during this time, that my mother taught me a valuable lesson; as long as you have your family, you have everything. In talking with her, and hearing her tell her story to others, it was me and my family that allowed her to keep on going, and not want to give up. All I could think of during this time was making it through the week so I could get home to her. It was as if nothing could bother me when I was with my mother, and with my family. The hardest thing for me was not being around them all the time. The Citadel is an extremely stressful place, and even more so without a support system. I found solace in the thought that when I received my ring, I would be near the end of the tunnel, the light would soon appear. When I look at my ring, I see in it my mother, her strength and her resolve. When I look at my ring, I see perseverance, and stamina and tenacity. When I look at my ring, I am reminded of the reason that I have stayed here for these three years… my family. With out them, I would not have made it through; I would not have wanted to make it through. When I wear my ring, I wear it for my family, my support system.
My family and I moved into 1616 Sewee Fort Road just 2 days before Christmas 2004. Because we knew our closing date was so close to the Holidays we wanted to wait until we were in our new home to get a Christmas tree. Directly after the closing my husband was given the monumental task of unpacking as many of our belongings as possible, and I was off on a mission to find a Christmas tree. As luck would have it, that particular December every single Christmas tree in the entire Charleston tri-county area had already found it’s home. As the hours passed, and I still hadn’t found a tree, I was becoming frantic. How could I go back to our new home without a tree and disappoint our children? Suddenly, I caught sight of what appeared to be a scrawny, sad looking tree abandoned and standing alone in an empty parking lot. It certainly didn’t look anything like any of the other Christmas trees we’ve had over the years but this tree really needed a home, and we really needed a tree so off I went with my adopted tree.
Over the past 3 years we’ve had a lot of great memories in this house but now it’s time for another family to make memories of their own so without further adieu let me take you through a guided tour of 1616 Sewee Fort Road and what makes it so special.
From the moment you enter Park West’s main entrance you will experience a blending of convenience and seclusion with a commitment to preserving nature. It’s been called the “Ultimate Family Community For All Ages” because it offers a wide array of distinctive neighborhoods from detached single-family homes, to townhomes, neotraditional homes, condominiums, live-work residences and a rising adult-community including assisted living care.
(Take a tour of Park West)
Each Park West neighborhood has its own special character, architectural style and price range. Located within the custom-built Wheatstone neighborhood this beautiful 5 bedroom, 3 bath “Southern Living” home is in an ideal lowcountry setting. The creek-front, marsh-front and second row homes were constructed by some of the Trident Area's finest custom builders. The interior homes were constructed by David Weekley Homes, a premier regional builder who has led the industry in innovative designs.
The level of finishes and upgrades that have been selected are impressive. Imported bath fixtures, solid surface countertops, tile in every bathroom, custom window treatments, smart-house wiring, surround sound, and upgraded lighting and ceiling fans will not disappoint. There are hardwood floors throughout the first floor and guest suite, with carpeting in all the bedrooms.
(Virtual Tour)
The gourmet kitchen is a cooks delight. The striking glass mosaic backsplash beautifully compliments the cognac-glazed cabinetry. The appliances are all stainless steel including a Dacor 5 burner gas cooktop, Dacor dual fuel wall oven, and a built-in microwave. Corian countertops offer elegance with carefree maintenance. There is an adjoining eat-in area with it’s own wine bar and access to the screened in porch.
This is a great home to entertain your friends and family, and has a wonderful open floor plan with 20 ft ceilings in the living room and foyer.
The spacious master bedroom is down, and boasts a separate sitting area, tray ceiling, and french doors leading to the back deck.
The master bath with vaulted ceiling, garden tub, dual stainless steel sinks, Grohe faucets, travertine floors & backsplash and spa shower offers a welcome retreat.
Upstairs you will find 3 generously sized bedrooms with lots of closet space and storage.
The 5th bedroom located on the 1st floor with an adjacent full bath, makes for a great home office or guest suite.
Professionally landscaped gardens with fenced in backyard and pergola compliment this lovely corner lot.
Offered at $499,000 with front and back lawn irrigation, fully functioning hurricane shutters, security system and finished garage you won’t have to look any further for your new home.
One of the unique aspects of Park West is the on-premises Primary, Elementary and Middle Schools. Children attend Laurel Hill Primary, Charles Pinckney Elementary and Cario Middle School without ever leaving the Park West grounds.
Six miles of bike/hiking paths and sidewalks in all neighborhoods connect every element within Park West including a swim and tennis club with two pools, a summer kitchen, six lighted tennis courts, a community club house, parks and playgrounds, a 59-acre Town of Mount Pleasant Recreational Facility with softball, baseball, football, soccer, in and out-door swimming.
The Town of Mount Pleasant is one of the most sought after townships in the State of South Carolina. With a population that has literally exploded over the last two decades, Mount Pleasant has assumed its own identity. With it’s distinctive controlled-growth posture, Town planners have worked diligently to preserve Mount Pleasant’s rich heritage and small-town appeal, while allowing it to gain all the positive attributes of a much larger city.
(Mount Pleasant, SC)
In 2006, Mount Pleasant was named one of the nation’s “Best Places to Live” by CNNMoney.com. The area is also experiencing “Smart Growth” within its workforce and is becoming the preferred location for knowledge-based businesses and talent. Mount Pleasant is home to several thriving businesses including Automated Trading Desk (ATD), Inc., Motley Rice LLC and GenPhar a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to producing prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
Interstate 26 and 526 provide direct access to the East Cost’s major north-south highway Interstate 95, approximately 43 miles west of Mount Pleasant. Completed in 2005, the magnificent Arthur Ravenel Bridge offers travelers the perfect opportunity to transition from the old world charm of Peninsula Charleston to the more modern suburb of Mount Pleasant. Some Interesting Mount Pleasant Facts
Mount Pleasant is Charleston’s only access to Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island beaches
Sweetgrass basket making has been part of the Mount Pleasant community for over 300 years.
Boone Hall Plantation opened to the public in 1959, and is one of America’s oldest living, working plantations.
Mount Pleasant is home to the aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown.
Today I spoke at a Mount Pleasant Planning Commission meeting in support of the Lowcountry Housing Trust’s $100,000 funding proposal, which would have allowed them to provide financing to affordable housing projects in Mount Pleasant, SC.
I came not only as a Mount Pleasant resident, but also as a mother, a local business owner, and wife of a City of Charleston Firefighter.
Housing in Mount Pleasant, SC is among the most expensive in the Lowcountry. Probably, some of you even know people who are struggling under the escalating costs of housing in the area.
Sustainable communities need affordable housing. The strength of our local economy, the well being of our neighborhoods and the health and welfare of diverse population groups depends upon the availability of quality, affordable housing. Yet Mount Pleasant lags shamefully behind in providing this basic need to its residents. Even Daniel Island, the bastion of exclusivity, has partnered with the Humanities Foundation to produce a shinning example of how affordable housing can be an integral part of any community.
When a town is driven by "economic feasibility" and "market demands," it gradually becomes too expensive for the very residents who were supposed to benefit from the increased services and improved infrastructure in the first place. Which is why affordable housing is so very important.
Sustainable, good quality affordable housing is central to our long-term success as a town, and central to the regeneration of communities across the Lowcountry.
In addition to helping residents, affordable housing benefits the wider community in other significant ways:
Providing housing for the local workforce, especially lower wage earners
Revitalizing distressed areas
Directing economic benefits to the local community, such as increased jobs and sales taxes
Is better for the environment by reducing traffic and improving air quality
Promoting economic and social integration while building community
The people who live in affordable housing want housing for the same reasons that we all do: to provide a nurturing environment to raise children; to remain in the community where they were raised or to become part of a community in which they want to settle; and to live in an attractive, safe environment that they can afford.
Most residents of affordable housing are actively working. They are employed as schoolteachers, secretaries, restaurant workers, sales clerks, and local government employees such as policemen, and firefighters. These workers need affordable housing because of the wide gap between what they earn and what housing costs. Being the wife of a Firefighter I know first hand the very real challenges that our first responders have in trying to live in the communities that they serve.
Many seniors need affordable housing too. The high cost of housing can devastate their fixed incomes from pensions and Social Security.
Hearing members of the commission and representatives from the Town of Mount Pleasant voice their opinions, it became painfully obvious that there is a reason why they have been unable to reach any kind of consensus for over 6 years.
The Town of Mount Pleasant needs to step up to the plate, and provide incentives, zoning ordinances and a collaborative atmosphere that encourages developers to do the right thing and provide Housing for All.
As a native Jersey boy, Pizza is my passion. If there were one kind of food that I could be left with on a deserted island for the rest of my life, it would be a good pizza pie. And yes, I did say “pie,” make no mistake, that is the official terminology. In the northeast I order a large, medium, or small cheese pie. We still have all the toppings, it’s just that I’m a meat n’ potatoes kind of guy, (possibly the Irish heritage), and I stick to the classic but everlasting cheese pizza.
If any of you doubt my expertise, let’s examine my resume here. I have been to dozens and dozens of pizza parlors in the northeast, the west coast, and even down south. I have eaten pizza all over the world as well: Spain, Ireland, China, and even the motherland…Italy. Rome was about the only place that could rival America’s pizza. In the center of Rome there are dozens of pizza parlors that cook a square pizza which they fold and wrap for you to go. Delicious, absolutely delicious! But after much taste-testing, they didn’t take the cake. The crown belongs to a place called Gennaro’s in my hometown in New Jersey. The best pizza in the world, hand’s down. I’m always looking for something better, but have yet to find it. Everyone whom I’ve taken with me to the place has converted. Rome was good, but we edged ‘em out ever so slightly.
Back to Charleston. I still remember the first time I ordered pizza down here in Charleston. I called up Papa John’s and asked for a “large cheese pie.” The phone line was dead silent for a few seconds before the employee over at Papa John’s said, “Pie? I’m sorry, we don’t sell pie here.” Shocked, but humored at the same time, I laughed and said a “large cheese PIZZA.” Oh, of course. That makes a lot more sense. Who in their right mind would order a pie at a pizza joint? Apparently only me.
Now on to the nitty-gritty of the pizza talk. I’m gonna be straight with ya’ll when I say that I am not a big fan of the pizza chains in this country. Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Little Caesar’s, Papa John’s…they aren’t real pizza. The stuff that they put on top of the sauce is not cheese; they claim it is but I’m convinced it’s some kind of scientifically engineered living organism. I’ve never seen a pizza that could be left on the floor for five days and still be good enough to eat. It has to be a living, breathing creature. As much as I fear these Frankensteins, I have learned that I have to settle for something when I can’t stand the mess hall food anymore over at The Citadel. So I choose to settle with Papa John’s. I think it has a better tasting sauce, cheese, and crust. Everything else just tastes too manufactured.
Then we have the so-called pizza parlors. Basically there remains only Norm’s and Andolini’s. Norm’s is more authentic than Dominoes, but still has the same appearance, taste, and texture of the pizza chains. Andolini’s, on the other hand, is the best darn pizza in the Lowcountry. Apparently, a native New Yorker thought it a good idea to move down to South Carolina and open a pizza parlor. God Bless him. Andolini’s pizza is the closest you can get to the taste of pizza back at home. They use a good blend of tomato sauce and cheese on top of a great tasting crust. They are called “pies” by the way. And you can get them as big as 19 inches…the standard size back up north. When cooked properly, they have just enough grease to remind you that you are eating a good, unhealthy pizza, but the cheese isn’t too undercooked and the crust is firm, but soft enough for a great finish at the end. Combine that with a fountain drink or some beer and you have a perfect meal for any day of the week.
Education is alive and well in Charleston, SC. The lowcountry is home to the College of Charleston, the oldest institution of higher education in the state, as well as the famous Citadel.
Charleston Your Home is actively involved in Internship programs at both these wonderful colleges. This semester we are very excited to be working with two very bright, hard-working, and charming Citadel cadets.
I thought it would be a wonderful idea to ask them to Blog about Charleston since they could offer such a unique perspective. Sean and Michael graciously agreed so from time to time you’ll be reading their take on life in the lowcountry.
Carolyn and I are pleased to announce that we have formed our own real estate firm, Charleston Your Home. We believe that this is a positive change, and one that will provide exciting challenges and opportunities in our careers. Charleston Your Home offers the flexibility of a boutique agency, the scope of a national company, and committed sales associates who excel in marketing properties across the Charleston, SC tri-county area.
We feel strongly that the time to launch Charleston Your Home is now; the changes in the real estate industry are dramatic, and we have adapted and embraced the best of Web 2.0 technology. As result we are able to offer our clients a dynamic and successful Internet marketing plan, a must in today's complex, fast moving marketplace.
We are also putting together a core team of highly skilled and experienced agents, and will be making further announcements shortly. Our intention is not to have the largest, but the best group of hardworking and accomplished agents in the area who will join us in our commitment to provide the highest level of service and support to our clients in this rapidly evolving high-tech marketplace.
Although we are licensed to sell real estate in both South Carolina & North Carolina, no matter where you live, Charleston Your Home can still be of service to you for all your Real Estate needs, either by referral or by answering any questions you may have. So if you hear of anyone who is thinking of buying or selling a home, please give us a call at 843-324-9645, or visit our website at CharlestonYourHome.com
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Bi-Lo
Earth Fare
Food Lion
Harris Teeter
Piggly Wiggly
Publix
Whole Foods Market
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