Jane Page's Blog

Aiken is a small charming Southern Town where the character of the City is defended like historic buildings and ancient trees.  With the building boom and rising popularity among newcomers to live "Downtown," the existing buildingscape and diverse charm were being threatened by gigantic new homogeneous multiuse buildings.  With a zero setback in the Zoning, even existing windows in the neighboring buildings were being walled up as the new construction attached to existing foundations.  As citizens protested these types of buildings, the City had no way to disallow the permits, unless a change in the Zoning or Building Ordinance occurred, simple solution, right?

It took over 2 years and thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours and too many meetings, but the change was adopted as follows:

Proposed Amendments:  City Council had asked the Board to consider possible amendments to the Old Aiken Design Guidelines for the Old Aiken Overlay District regarding building setbacks in the Downtown Business DB Zone.  See attached memorandum from the City Manager.  At the August work session, the Board reached consensus that the following wording was acceptable:

In the DB district, a new building or addition should be set back from an adjacent building when the proposed new construction is determined to need appropriate separation from such adjacent building.  This determination may take into account any public safety issues raised by the Building Official or City of Aiken Department of Public Safety.    AMENDMENT ACCEPTED

These simple words will protect building owners' rights to safety, light and air.  They will safeguard the buildingscape and preserve the character of our beloved town; so why did it take so long? 

Well, at first the approach was to assign actual numbers of feet to the setbacks. However, when looking at what other Cities in the State have assigned, Aiken did not seem to be a fit for a hard and fast 10 feet, for example.  This issue and others like it tested our planning commission to the point of the resignation of the chair.  This left the recommending body lost and without direction.  The only recourse was to go back to City Council and ask them to override the past recommendations and send the issue to a different public body for governance. 

The elastic nature of what was adopted will serve the City in a way that no firm number could have and will allow for positive development in keeping with the integrity of existing structures.

The photos and amendment text are from the City of Aiken website.  And the final lesson learned is that Citizenship is not easy, but it is rewarding.  I hope that the hours, dollars and brain cells exhausted over this issue, in Aiken, will help another City adopt a Right to Light and Air clause in their regulations. 

symbocabulary (n) sim-bo-cab-ulary: The language of symbols used in electronic communication.  Sometimes used to express emotion or action, while others, used as an abbreviation or acronym.

This form of communication is new to me and a bit confusing.  I even went to the bookstore to buy a dictionary, but was almost laughed out of the building.  So, I am trying to learn this new language and need help.  Please share your symbocabulary with me.  Also if you would like to include your etiquette for use, like To BOLD or not to BOLD.

 My Simple Symbocabulary:

:) Smile

! Really, I mean it!

<:> What, which way do I turn or what did you mean?

While you are helping me learn this new form of expression, can you clarify does LOL mean "laugh out loud" or "lots of love"?  Do XXX's & OOO's still mean Kisses & Hugs?  What do RSS, SEO, BPR and all of those other strings of letters mean when they do not come after a person's name?

As a dyslexic person, I have longed for a symbolic language, but do :) and =) mean the same thing?  Or, do we revert to the Einstein version %?  Is THIS SHOUTING or THIS?  Do you need a signature when the device says who sent the comment, anyway?  I am a Newbie, New-B or Newby to all of this, so thanks for your guidance.

 Your additions, suggestions and Symbocabularies are needed, appreciated and welcome here!!!! 

Aiken Steeplechase

Aiken, South Carolina is a very special place to live and one of the major reasons that I am here is the Aiken Steeplechase.  My family has been racing horses here since before I chose to move here and I owe a great deal of my devotion to the community to the Aiken Steeplechase Association. 

The Spring and Fall Races bring the community and visitors together because of the excitement of watching the ability of these magnificent horses and brave riders and the sheer enjoyment of Southern Hospitality.  I work for a company that sponsors the races and we work on the planning committees.  The proceeds from the events go to different charities that benefit the community.

Steeplechasing is the racing of horses over jumps, or on the turf; historically from church steeple to church steeple, hence the name.  The jumps can be brush or timbers with or without water.  The sport has an Anglophile connection, but history even puts such races in ancient Rome.  The sport can be addictive to watch (and wager on where legal) and when I was growing-up one horse used to count the days until he would race by pawing a strike on his door for each passing day until it was time for him to race.

Nationally, Steeplechasing is a wonderful tradition, a great way to enjoy a day and a vehicle for giving back to your community. The National Steeplechase Association oversees the member races and organizes the race calender, so check and see if there is a race near you.  Attending and volunteering at these events even if you are not a horse person is a great way to meet new people and get involved in your community in an exciting way.

[These photos are from the steeplechasing websites]

Aiken, South Carolina and her Live Oaks

Live Oaks line either side of South Boundary Avenue in Aiken, SC.  These trees are so magical with their evergreen nature, they lend a brightness to the Winter throughout the South. 

When other states are anticipating the fall and the change of color in the leaves, Live Oak trees are just filling out for the Winter.  They do not shed their leaves until the new growth pushes the old ones off in the Spring.

These trees, in Aiken were planted to give shade to a local banker as he rode to work, now they are an iconic image of our town.  Aiken has adopted tree protection ordinances to protect heritage plantings like these.  About 20 years ago, a widening of the street threatened these trees and people actually chained themselves in the tree so that DOT would not cut them down.

 Every City has its iconic image and for Aiken, if its not great golf or fast horses, it is South Boundary with the overhanging Live Oaks.  Come to Aiken and enjoy a trip down this quintessentially Southern Highway. 

Million Dollar Listing on BravoTV is giving Realtors a bad name.  Last season, the show had an agent painting her finger nails during an Open House while talking with potential buyers.  And now this season, Bravo has agents breaking and entering, making racial slurs and bad mouthing each other.  I am shocked at the lack of professionalism and poor education level of these agents and am surprised that Coldwell Banker and Christies Great Estatesaccepts this behavior from their agents.  Why has NAR not done something to combat the bad image these types of shows give the rest of us? 

I have long thought that more education and stronger fines were needed to improve the behavior of agents in our business and watched the show at another agent's urging as an example of how bad we as Realtors are pictured to the public.  These men each have done bad and good things as agents during the show that may get them local business and fame, but what their actions are doing to the other 1,000,000 agents in NAR is not positive for any of us in the business.

• Madaseson Hildebrand
• Josh Flagg
• Chad Rogers

These agents are working and doing well in a microcosm market.  They all had very good starts from their families and they are giving back through their community involvement, but what Bravo is using to make Good TV is making the rest of the industry look bad.  No disclaimers are given throughout the show about how the actions on the show are isolated to the show and that the tactics and "norms" quoted pertain to their market only.  As Realtors, don't we have a responsibility to paint an ethical, true and accurate picture to the public as a whole?

(The photos here are from the BravoTV website)

                                                   Medieval Times Dinner and a great show!

This theme show allows you to enjoy the merriment of a different time and eat with your fingers.  The show happens as the audience eats dinner and cheers for their knight in medieval horsemanship and fighting tests.  It is all a bit silly, but the drinks help get you in the mood and if you become a Lord or Lady, the humiliation level is so great feeling silly is minor, but it is a great way to celebrate a birthday. 

The dressageportions of the show are amazing and the horses are very well trained at every level.  Being married to a professional horseman, spending our vacation watching horses is not our usual choice, but in this case we made an exception and were pleasantly surprised at the high level of execution and the overall ability of these horses. 

If you enjoy a good chicken dinner and do not mind a bit of public humiliation in the name of fun, Medieval Times is a wonderfully entertaining way for family and friends to spend an evening!  

Visit their website: www.medievaltimes.com

These photos are from their site and are of the castle at Myrtle Beachand aires above the ground.

If you find yourself in Myrtle Beach, this show should be on your list if you like horses and country music.  We had a good time and wanted to let others know about this show, which may get overlooked by people who own horses.

Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede

Great horse tricks, good food and family fun all in grand southern style, like only the greatest living Country Music Legend could provide.  As people that have horses in their lives everyday, the last thing we want to do on vacation is to go watch them, but how wrong we were- The Dixie Stampede was wonderful horsemanship and a great ball of laughs!   

We left feeling proud to be Americans!

This is not an ad for the show, but a report on an evening of fun that we had in Myrtle Beach.  There are other locations and shows around the country, so don't miss the fun.

(PS: you eat with your fingers and they Do Not serve alcohol)

Last night my clients new house was struck by lightening and burned to the ground.

They are concerned with building back in the same location- does lightening strike in the same place twice?

Please reply!!  If you or your clients have ever had this happen, my clients are questioning what to do.

Other than getting their questions answered and being there for them, any ideas of what I can do to make them feel better? 

Thanks, Active Rain, I need your HELP!                          

Freedom of Rights & Property

Americans like to believe that we own our land to the center of the earth and into the infinite heavens- but, we do not.  Our Constitution outlines how we can expect government to treat us on our land, but from the beginning our government retained certain rights to all land.

Pictured to the right is the lady called Liberty and with her the Eagle and what does the serpent protect?  Well, the fasces is a bundle of sticks or arrows or twigs, each representing an individual right retained by government.  Those rights include: Eminent Domain, Taxation, Police Powers, Escheatment; and as land owners we have rights, too.  We have the right to use our land as an asset, to sell off further rights like air, water and mineral, for our own gain, but in the end the government retains the ultimate control over the use of the land, that many of us believe we own totally.  These controls of our government protect animals and the environment, they allow for zoning and building codes to protect structures and they are the taxation vehicle.  The Bundle of Rights is talked about a great deal when studying law or real estate, but rarely does the average citizen realize the full force of these rights.

Citizens appear before their councils of government to protest against the enforcement of zoning laws, or building codes; not realizing; (and often the elected officials not realizing) that the right to enact such regulation is clear and protected at the Federal level.  Yes, to many this seems un-American, but the duty to protect citizens is the role of government; what becomes un-democratic is the extension of the government's rights into personal liberty.  Government can set zoning to define appropriate and diverse uses of land and they can regulate how our roadways are driven upon, but when these rights are stretched to dictate whether or not I eat fried chicken or smoke on my land, is where the violation of freedom occurs.  

The Mace is also a fasces, this is the mace used in the US House of Representatives.  The Eagle represents our freedom to have rights, unlike feudal times where only the King had rights.  The sticks represent the Bundle of Rights retained by our lawmakers, but they also represent Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, the basic freedoms protected by the government on behalf of its citizens.  The mace and fasces are historic symbols of our nation and many others.  Unfortunately, in other nations dictators have been allowed to gain influence and they seize the Bundle of Rights for their own gain.  At base, that maybe the reason that the Mace is the symbol of our House of Representatives, those persons are elected to protect All of rights- even if sometimes we wish they did not. 

The castle in the photo dates back to feudal England and will help demonstrate the complex simplicity of our property rights in the US.  The sky, land and water are each rights that an American can divide off of their property and sell or lease for individual gain.  The Government has the right to protect the quality of the air, building and water through laws and taxation to pay for the protection.  As the title holder, I own the right to enjoy my surroundings and not be  forced to quarter soldiers without just compensation.

Being an American is a blessing because of the rights and protections we do have, thanks to so many that came before and gave their lives for these freedoms and rights.  Citizenship is not easy and should never be taken for granted, we must be diligent in the protection of our personal freedoms and understanding of the purposes of all rights.  For only in a democracy, where freedom and liberty are the foundation principles, could such a precarious balance exist.

God Bless America! 

[ Photos are used from The US Capitol photo gallery and images on the internet.]

I am...Are you?  Even if you do not Foxhunt or even ride, the Masters of Foxhounds Association is an organization worthy of support.  They work endlessly to keep land open and preserve green space.  As a breathing human, I understand the need for green grass, trees and water for oxygen and survival, but often as a Realtor, I am disappointed at how quickly these basics can be over thrown to maximize profit.  We need to change this way of thinking, by encouraging groups like the MFHA to preserve the beauty of the countryside.

As an animal lover i am called to support this great organization.  The MFHA researches and preserves traditions of breeding and perpetuating quality hounds.  The idea of drafting hounds is an honorable one and a part of what sets this group apart from other organizations that promote selling dogs.  And there is no greater picture of canine beauty than the early morning mist unfurling hounds in full cry. 

The MFHA needs every foxhunting, dog loving, horse loving, green space loving person to become a member, in order to secure the traditions and beauty of the field for future generations!

The Hitchcock Woods-2100 acres of open & green space, 70 miles of trails, open to the public for Free, all in the heart of Aiken, SC, where horses reign and riding is supreme.  If you ride a horse, love to walk or just enjoy nature; you should live in Aiken, SC!  Moving is a hurdle, but I am here, ready, willing, able and waiting to help you over every obstacle on your path to happy trails!

    Spirit Inspection, Ghost Survey, Psychic Evaluation, Ulterior Energy Assessment- Regardless of what you call it, they come up. 

   I have a number of older listings and get the "Is this house haunted?" question a good deal.  I even thought about buying a house that had a reputation for being haunted and got a psychic to walk through the house and see if she could identify what I felt as a cold draft and what the caretaker called a poltergeist.  

   The lady arrived on my inspection day while the home inspector, plumber, HVAC technician and surveyor were busy at work.  She walked into the house and went straight upstairs.  The home inspector asked me who the nice lady in the suit was, he thought she was the interior decorator.  When I told him she was the psychic here to find the ghost, his face went pale blank and he ran from the house to his truck.  The plumber came inside and said the the home inspector and the technician were going to wait outside until the lady left; he asked who she was and when I explained; he wanted to go upstairs with her.  He asked me what I told her about the house and when I told him, only the address, he wanted to know how she knew where to go when she got here.  As the mesmerized plumber, the scared inspector and the nervous technician all stood in the driveway waiting for the finial report, the caretaker arrived to check on the inspections.  I told him that the psychic was inside and please not to say anything.

When she finished upstairs, she walked down the spiral staircase and stopped to tell me her findings.  She described in detail the grandmother present in the house in the upper guest bedroom.  She said that the spirit had moved on and I had no more need to worry.  She thanked me and left.  I never got a bill from her for her work and the caretaker says he has not seen the light on in the room at night like he used to and a year later our county museum had a display of weddings through the years and there in a photo of the family that had built the house, was the father's mother exactly as described by the psychic.

I did not buy the house, not because of the ghost, but because of asbestos.  The moral for Real Estate Agents: you never know what will happen during a listing, showing, inspection or closing- we need to be open minded.  Many people ask if a "Haunted House" needs to be disclosed and others ask how do you know if a house is haunted; I suggest getting ALL of the inspections and disclosing EVERYTHING your clients need and should, in order to make a sound decision or successful sale, even if it means thinking outside of the box.

Bravo TV has a show: "Flipping Out" where the house flipper uses a psychic to help sell houses and in Stambovsky v. Ackley, the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division ruled that a seller must disclose that a house has a reputation for being haunted when there is a fiduciary relationship or in cases of fraud or misrepresentation,^[2] because such a reputation impairs the value of the house.

It may not be required in your state, but what is the best thing for all parties?  Disclose, Inspect or Hide in the truck with the home inspector?

The American Farmland Trust is a peach of an organization!

The American Farmland Trust is an amazing resource for land information, environmental inititives and farming issues.  Please visit their site & donate to this very important organization.  South Carolina has benefited from their educational programs, the farm to table program-that gets local grown fresh produce into school cafeterias and they published a Landowners Guide for the State with all of the benefits and programs available to farmers from all possible sources- see what AFT has and can do for your state.  This organization is working on the front lines of renewable energy, sustainable farms and environmental issues that affect us all: "No farms, No food"!

 www.farmland.org

Aiken, South Carolina during the Victorian era was a health resort destination because of the spring waters and most importantly the pine scented air.  The turpentine smell and remedies for tuberculosis generated from the pine trees gave an economic boost to the area after the devastation of South Carolina after the Civil War.  People visiting here do not realize that Sherman's march to the Sea, burned most of the state and the two governments formed during Reconstruction put a strain on the economic and even social viability of the state.  Since Aiken County was formed during Reconstruction, it can be said that one good thing came to the state during the post war era.  And from its birth, Aiken County has been an inclusive and supportive place to all of her citizens and visitors, alike.

This photo is the same direction as the one above taken 50+ years earlier.  The town of Aiken is the County seat so it grew quickly from its Pineland Crossroads beginning, through her star-crossed lovers period- where Aiken got her name and the railroad; and into the role of Sports Center of the South and Winter Colony destination.  Aiken is still growing and changing while at the same time preserving the charm and character that makes it a very special place to live, work and play!

I welcome you to Aiken.  Come visit and see why the modern Aiken has as much history, intrigue and vitality as 50, 100, 150 years ago.  As we look to the 175 anniversary of the City charter, Aiken will celebrate as only this small dynamic southern town can!  See you soon!

(The photos used here came from the City of Aiken photo library and website- thanks!)

AIKEN DRAG is one of America's oldest hunts and the Masters are all female.  There is something to be said for girl-power (or another phrase not suitable for printing). 

The photo of a hand colored aquatint, right, is of Mrs. Thomas Hitchcock(Louise) riding to the drag in the Woods.  She founded the pack and is also said to have been the Mother of American Polo and a great champion of Steeplechasing.  Her Aunt Celestine Eustis, bought the pine forests in Aiken and left them to Louise and that legacy is still a vital part of Aiken, today.  This Aquatint was auctioned off to benefit the 2100 acre Hitchcock Woods, courtesy of Arthur Liese at The Sporting Gallery in New Jersey.  It is thanks to current supporters, wildlife enthusiasts and avid foxhunters, like Arthur, from all over the country, that support the efforts to maintain the Nation's largest privately owned Urban Forest.  The other ways to support the Woods are through the Friends of program or by attending the Aiken Horse Show in April, just the weekend before The Master's Golf Tournement, across the river in Augusta.

The Aiken Drag is a wonderful Aiken Tradition, their Blessing of the hounds on Thanksgiving morning puts you in a grateful mood.  And we are certainly that- grateful.  The Hitchcock Woods are so unique and provide so much joy to so many- they are a blessing in and of themselves.  And yes, The Woods take on a persona all their own within the lives of each and every person that walks among her trees.  And it is the activity of the Aiken Drag that ensures wonderful trails to walk and ride along- even though the labor comes from a few very special woodsmen.

So, when I hear the phrase: "What a Drag" I can not help but smile and with great enthusiasm and joy say: Oh Yes!  If you would like to experience What a Drag Aiken can be, I'd be happy to show you, stirrup cup included. 

[Here the green coated staff of the Aiken Drag and members bow their heads at the annual Blessing of the Hounds at Memorial Gate in The Hitchcock Woods.]

As Summer draws to a close, we say good bye to relaxing days by the pool as the kids go back to school with bunches of newly sharpened pencils and the excitement of seeing old friends.  Young parents bemoan the flying years and empty nesters fight the tinge of sadness not having the flock around. 

What better time to plan a trip to Aiken, South Carolina!  With so much to do here, you won't even miss the kids, that much.

The Palmetto State (South Carolina) is full of exciting things to do.  You can tailgate while the USC Gamecocks trounce their rivals, or head to Death Valley for a Clemson football game; deep sea fishing and boat races down at the Coast; hunting season opens for deer and fox hunting gets underway all over the State; and then there is always GOLF, GOLF and More GOLF.  Aiken is at the heart of it all; stay at one of our charming Bed & Breakfasts and explore the State or stay in Aiken and discover a new place to call home.

Aiken is home to Derby Winning Racehorses, World Cup Polo Players, Olympic Athelettes, Pulitzer Prize Winners, Grammy Award Winners, Alternative Fuel Research facilities, One of the Country's Oldest Golf Courses, and ME!  I am a REALTOR in Aiken and I would love to show you why I am proud to live in the Palmetto State.

Visit My Blog: http://aiken.activerain.com

Aiken is the kind of Southern Town that offers a social activity for everyone!  Our Company, The Carolina Real Estate Company hosts and sponsors a large number of events during the year.  We tailgate for the horse races and polo, we have tables at the horse shows, we help with the SPCA's Westmuttster Dog Show and different land conservation fundraisers, to name a few and I enjoy entertaining personally.

It has been said by visitors to Aiken during our "Winter Season"-which lasts from September to May- that Aiken is the Liver Olympics.  With all of the cocktail parties, dinners, balls and bashes; rich foods, excellent company and beautiful flowers, it seems a fitting statement.

The climate in Aiken, South Carolina is ideal for 18 holes of Golf in the morning, a carriage drive or trail ride in the afternoon and a supper at the Gun Club for a round of 5-Stand or Sporting Clays.  And if you are not into Golf, Horses or Shooting- you can always take a boat ride on the Savannah River, play a game of Real Court Tennis or Outdoor Tennis, visit one of Aiken's Cultural Centers or Museums and then join the local chess, bridge or backgammon clubs for some mental simulation. 

The festive and welcoming feeling you get from visiting Aiken is like Christmas all year round- Aiken offers "Joy to my World, everyday!"  People that move here tell me that they think Aiken has some of the friendliest citizens they have ever met.  I would love to introduce you to Aiken and show you why Aiken is a wonderful place to live, work and play!

Visit My Blog: http://aiken.activerain.com