aggies: Great Time at Trunks for Treats...
- 11/01/07 12:43 AM
Dear readers, Wow. Trunks for Treats, which we held in the parking lot of the College Station Keller Williams office last night, was a great success. Turnout is estimated at just under 1,000, and we raised some money for a local cause, the Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan College Station. There were kids of all ages at the affair, with some really great costumes. Participants enjoyed the moonwalks, pony rides, pizza, popcorn and other goodies. Many thanks to all of our sponsors. We'll be listing them in a blog later today. Blue skies, Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com … (1 comments)
aggies: IPOWER Hosting - The Consequences of Very Bad Service
- 10/30/07 12:50 AM
Dear readers, Do you ever feel that as a consumer, you just don't have a chance? Are there no consequences for companies that promise good service and don't comply? You may have read my blog yesterday about losing access to my Websites hosted by IPOWER during the course of last weekend. To recap, one of my hosted sites was to autorenew last weekend. Monday morning my e-mail was bouncing and my Websites were unavailable. Long story short, I spent 1 hour and 57 minutes on hold yesterday (my phone told me so), before a nice man came on the line, apologized, confirmed my card … (3 comments)
aggies: Don't forget the Texas Renaissance Festival...
- 10/29/07 10:55 AM
Dear readers, Don't forget to attend the Texas Renaissance Festival during this great fall weather. Since 1974 the Texas Renaissance Festival has been bringing entertainment to the Brazos Valley. The festival is open on Saturdays and Sundays through November 25th, 0900-Dusk. The drive to Plantersville is quick and pleasant. There are just a few weekends left. For futher information go to www.texrenfest.com. Blue skies, Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com
… (1 comments)
aggies: Lost Cat in Chimney Hill...
- 10/28/07 11:35 AM
Dear readers, You never know, this is the Internet age. We have misplaced one of our Tuxedo Cats. We live on Ember Glow, in Chimney Hill, and he has been gone for a week. Here is his photo: He is soft, young, and missed. If you have any information, please call me at 979.574.0626. Thanks. Blue skies, Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com … (0 comments)
aggies: After being outscored...
- 10/28/07 11:07 AM
Hi readers, Well, the Aggies were outscored by our competition from Kansas last night. It was a home game here in College Station, and the town and stadium were full. One of the things that make this school special is how we take a loss. Its not easy, mind you. Football is BIG here, but Aggies are sportsmen, and they treat their guests well. Restaurants are CRAZY here on game weekends, even after being outscored. We were out last night after the game, and although the tone was slightly subdued, life went on. Parents love being with their kids, and a lot of positive energy is … (0 comments)
aggies: College Station and Bryan Economy Expanding
- 10/28/07 03:36 AM
Dear readers, There was relatively good news about College Station Real Estate in the business section of this morning's Eagle, our local paper. According to Karr Ingham, who compiles a monthly economic index for The Eagle, new home construction spiked in August, after declining for several months. Overall new home construction is still down 7% for the year. According to The Eagle, Jim Gaines, who is a research economist at Texas A&M's Real Estate Center, calls the local housing market "stable." The average price of homes sold in College Station and Bryan is up almost 12% from last year, indicating the market is still … (0 comments)
aggies: Texas Aggies vs. Kansas University Jayhawks...
- 10/27/07 02:44 AM
Dear readers, For football excitement and action, don't forget that the Texas A&M Aggies are playing the Kansas University Jayhawks at Kyle Field in College Station today (Saturday, October 27) at 6pm CDT. The game will be carried on ESPN2. Kansas at 7-0 and 3-0 and nationally ranked, is expected to give the Aggies, 6-2 and 3-1, a run for the money. The Aggies beat KU last year 21-18, but did not hold the lead until the final minute. For those driving to the game today, and games everywhere, take care and have fun. Blue skies, Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteProperties.com … (0 comments)
aggies: Downtown Bryan on a Friday night...
- 10/27/07 02:32 AM
Dear readers, If you haven't been to downtown Bryan in a while, its worth the visit. My wife Sondra and I were there last night (Friday) for a photo shoot, and found the area alive and well. Anchored by the revamped LaSalle Hotel, downtown Bryan was bustling with restaurant goers and shoppers. Nearly all of the fine restaurants downtown had customers waiting outside in the great fall weather, and many of the area's unique shops were open for business. We finally settled on Doe's Eat Place, and had fantastic steaks. Other restaurants in the area include the Square One Bistro, Maddens's Casual Gourmet, Los … (0 comments)
aggies: We miss you Bob Gates...
- 10/27/07 02:25 AM
Dear readers, Yesterday evening my wife, Sondra, and I were pleased to attend the sixth annual George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service. The award was presented before an enthusiastic crowd of over 3,000 Aggies at Texas A&M University's Reed Arena. The honor is designed to pay homage to its namesake, highlight the achievements of the recipient and encourage the public to take on similar challenges, according to the Bush Presidential Library Foundation. Former winners are Rev. Billy Graham, former German chancellor Helmet Kohl, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Sen. Edward Kennedy, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In his acceptance speech, Gates called upon … (6 comments)
aggies: 2007 Buddy Walk
- 10/23/07 03:40 AM
Dear readers, I want to take a moment to thank Bryan, College Station and the Brazos Valley for turning out for the Buddy Walk last Sunday at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheatre. Over 2,000 participants walked to promote Down Syndrome awareness in the year's largest fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan/College Station. I'd also like to thank our sponsors, who donated time and merchandise to our effort. A list of sponsors can be found at http://www.downsyndromeofbcs.com/sponsors.html. Finally, if you are looking for a safe, Halloween activity for your kids this year, Keller Williams Realty Brazos Valley will be having our first annual Trunks … (0 comments)
aggies: Lessons in making lemonade...
- 09/18/07 08:24 AM
Dear readers, Today in our sales meeting we were talking about the slower market, and how to take advantage of the situation by doing something different. During the course of the meeting, one of our older (meant respectfully) brokers remarked about something he'd observed in the last few days. One of our area's top producers has begun spreading a noticeable number of bright directional signs around her listings, thereby multiplying her visible number of her signs by four or so. In a community our size, this is something immediately noticeable. Truthfully, I don't think she'll be able to keep all of those signs out there … (4 comments)
aggies: Driving in the Brazos Valley...
- 09/16/07 01:21 AM
Dear readers, I always hate to write about something negative, but we are having a problem here in the Brazos Valley. We have killed 12 people in 18 days on the highways in our area. That is a nasty number. Most of these accidents have been head-on collisions which occur on hour multi-lane highways which are not divided. They usually involve passing in a bad place. There has been a lot of ranting recently about reducing the speed limit. I suggest we need to look in the other direction. Many times, when asked why someone would pass with little or no room, the answer is … (3 comments)
aggies: Temptations of television...
- 09/16/07 12:52 AM
Dear readers, Just over a week ago, the Aggies played Fresno State here in College Station, Texas. It was an amazing, triple-overtime tight game. Overlooked were the hundreds of fans at Kyle Field who were treated for heat stroke due to the very hot and humid early afternoon weather. The game began at 2pm. As with many Aggie games, this game was originally scheduled to begin at 6 pm, leading into a much cooler game. Why was the time changed? Simply so we could get television coverage. We find ourselves putting a dollar value on two things...television exposure for the Aggies, which we all want, … (0 comments)
aggies: Aggies prevail in College Station, Texas
- 09/16/07 12:43 AM
Dear readers, As I said in an earlier post, the Brazos Valley is a much happier place went he Aggies win. The game last night here in College Station was almost perfect. The weather was nice and we outscored the other team, our friends from Monroe, LA. Yesterday's game was not televised, so everyone enjoyed a comfortable evening game. Most Aggie games are scheduled for the evening. Its only when the evil temptation of television coverage is dangle in front of the Aggie administration that we get into heat problems...but that subject is for another post. Many thanks to Andrew Smith and his bunch … (0 comments)
aggies: Humberto non-event in College Station...
- 09/13/07 02:01 AM
Dear readers, Luckily, Hurricane Humberto was a non-event here in the Brazos Valley. Texans living in Beaumont and Port Arthur weren't so lucky, with streets almost three feet deep in water this morning. As long as they come too often, non-event storms are a good thing. They keep people aware, the emergency supplies stocked, and our emergency management folks on their toes. College Station, Bryan and Brazos County recently practiced their emergency plans on 9/11/07. Our emergency planners have been very busy since about 1 million of our friends from Houston came to visit during the evacuation for Hurricane Rita. It was a BIG wake-up … (0 comments)
aggies: College Station, Texas Storm Alert...
- 09/12/07 07:17 AM
Dear readers, For more current information, go to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ and click on the big red blob south of Texas.
Hazardous Weather Outlook NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX1242 PM CDT WED SEP 12 2007AUSTIN-BRAZORIA-BRAZOS-BURLESON-CHAMBERS-COLORADO-FORT BEND-GALVESTON-GALVESTON BAY-GRIMES-HARRIS-HOUSTON-JACKSON-LIBERTY-MADISON-MATAGORDA-MATAGORDA BAY-MONTGOMERY-POLK-SAN JACINTO-TRINITY-WALKER-WALLER-WASHINGTON-WATERS FROM FREEPORT TO THE MATAGORDA SHIP CHANNEL 20 NM TO 60 NM-WATERS FROM FREEPORT TO THE MATAGORDA SHIP CHANNEL OUT 20 NM-WATERS FROM HIGH ISLAND TO FREEPORT 20 TO 60 NM-WATERS FROM HIGH ISLAND TO FREEPORT OUT 20 NM-WHARTON- 1242 PM CDT WED SEP 12 2007 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM PORT O`CONNOR TOCAMERON LOUISIANA. A FLASH FLOOD … (0 comments)
aggies: Mortgage lenders reaching out in College Station, Texas
- 09/11/07 09:21 AM
Hi all, Our local City Bank Mortgage, along with FannieMae and AIG UnitedGuaranty, are hosting a briefing on the mortgage industry tomorrow here in College Station, Texas. They have several speakers lined up, and plan to cover several topics: Market Conditions - what's causing the turmoilMarket Statistics - defaults and foreclosuresWhat can we expect?FNMA guideline changesI've very happy to have this information available and plan to attend. I'll report back tomorrow afternoon. Have a good Tuesday, Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com … (1 comments)
aggies: Added spice in College Station, Texas...
- 09/11/07 08:34 AM
Dear readers, I was driving down the state highway that connects Bryan and College Station today, also known as College Ave. It was once (and may still be) the shortest state highway in Texas. I noticed that the former Haufbrau Steakhouse, which most recently was Thai food, had become the Crazy Cajun, formerly of Wellborn and New Orleans. Luckily, I know several good folks who fled the Big Easy, landed here and remained. Many said this was the closest available motel room when they bolted. All have been a great addition to the community. Thanks for adding some spice to the Brazos Valley! Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com … (0 comments)
aggies: Wow...Aggies don't disappoint...
- 09/09/07 01:59 AM
Dear readers. After 4 1/2 hours in sultry heat, and at the end of the THIRD overtime, the Texas A&M Aggies finally outscored Fresno State yesterday. Although it is estimated that almost 1/3 of the 75,000 fans at Kyle Field had to leave the game before the end because of the heat, for those who remained it was well worth it. One thing I have always loved about the Aggies is our ability to turn something easy into a marathon. We went into the half with a 19 point lead...who would have ever thought we were headed for triple overtime. Our hats are off to … (1 comments)
aggies: Murky weather and Fresno State...
- 09/08/07 12:23 AM
Dear readers, Another game day is upon us, and we are experiencing typical "fall" weather in College Station, Texas. I said in an earlier post that it doesn't cool off here quickly enough for me in the fall, and today is a typical example. At 0719, is 79 degrees outside and the humidity is just over 90%. Yuk. This is great for the Aggies, because our team is used to this weather. Last week our friends from Montana weren't. I suspect that this week's opponents from Fresno State are thinking the same thing. College Station weather will also be helpful when we play Miami, … (0 comments)
Musings about life, homes and real estate in College Station and the Brazos Valley. Subjects include College Station and Aggieland real estate, Brazos Valley and College Station real estate market reports, College Station and Bryan events, and comments and stories about flying and sailing.
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