Donald Cerra- Cerra Homes, LLC.

The thought that going “green” might just be a fad is quickly being replaced with “now is the time”.  Though we are not seeing it as significantly as those in western states, green has passed the milestone of “catching on” and is quickly approaching “standard”.
We loved builder and green expert, Don Cerra’s, recent comment when we asked him about the new trend toward sustainable housing- his niche and area of extreme knowledge. 
 
Smiling as we chatted over a Coke and a sandwich, he reminded us “green is not a new concept but rather a concept that has been around for years.”
 
“Conservation, not throwing things away, picking up the penny you find on the sidewalk, saving for a rainy day… those are not new ideas, they are the very foundational ideas that have made our country great.  They are ideas my grandfather and father aspired to. Building homes that conserve energy is one of those hallmark ideas. It just makes sense.” 
 
New words for wisdom such as Green and Sustainability seem to be today’s trend, but truly they are simply words to describe core values that are both wise and timeless.

• What type of insulation is used and is the R value above code? (Code walls R-13 Code Floor R-19, Code ceiling R-30)
  What type of HVAC system is in the home?  Ask to see the the SEER rating (above code of 13 SEER)
  Ask how the HVAC system was designed? Ask to see the manuals.
  Discuss the introduction of fresh air into the house and how that air is pre-conditioned before it reaches the living space.
  What were the readings of the blower door test and duct blaster test?
  Do all of the windows carry a “Low-E” rating?
  How is water heated and stored for domestic purposes? (Solar, tankless, and distance to point of use).
  Will the paint be low VOC or no VOC?
  Will the hardwoods, carpeting, and cabinets for kitchen and bathrooms be formaldehyde free?
  Is the house third party verified?

 Don Cerra is available as a speaker and consultant. Reprinting is allowed with credit to Don Cerra of Cerra Homes, Inc. www.cerrahomes.com

Don’s latest Green Home is available for show in Kings Ridge-  Contact listing agent, Meybohm Realtors nancy@nancycerra.com or visit AikenMLS listing:  65644

Don may be reached for comment at cerrahomes@gforcecable.com

Until recently I was the girl who’s idea of “riding” involved a girl scout uniform and a single row of horses meandering through a pseudo forest.  That was until I began exploring what it means to be “equestrian” in Aiken, South Carolina and the Girl Scout in me got much more than she bargained for!
                                                                                                  
In selecting a “jumping” point into the equestrian scene, I choose initially to lean on the familiar.  Polo was something I had seen in a very good movie once,  and because the venues for this sport in Aiken are plenty and well appointed I  resolved myself to the opinion that Polo was the end all, be all of  ”equestrian.” I could have spent half a lifetime with this equestrian discipline alone.  The numerous polo fields, the many clubs, the organizations focused on giving back to a community they call home, it was mind boggling.

 It was not until a breath of fresh air, with a lot of “horse sense” joined The Team That is True South Communities that I became properly schooled on what equestrian really meant.  Kristy, our resident horse expert, encouraged me to do some research on the many different types of “horse” events and disciplines that make up the culture that is “equestrian” in Aiken, South Carolina. 

Before long, I was mesmerized.  The field of Equestrian Sports is as deep as it is wide and as rough as it is classy.  It speaks a language all its own and it is reserved for those who understand that greatness can be found on dirt road leading next to the Track Kitchen, in a backyard arena, in a community riding ring such as the one at Kings Ridge, on a Polo field, during a fox hunt, or while watching your eight year old during a pony show. 

Greatness in Aiken is found wherever horse hooves meet the earth, and in a town filled with amazing shopping venues, world class culture, and award winning higher learning, that kind of greatness holds a reward all its own.  It is the reward that is found on an early morning ride just as the morning dew is settling on green pastures.  The reward that comes when women grounded in Southern Charm and character, Steel Magnolias to the very core, put on a pair of riding pants, strap on a helmet and eat dust on a trail full gallop all alone and men, women, and children riding atop creatures almost too beautiful for words in a game rich with tradition.

 Yes, in Aiken, there is much greatness to be found!

Dressage-  Competitive dressage has the goal of showing the horse carrying out, on request, the natural movements that it performs without thinking while running loose
United States Dressage Association

Endurance Training- Endurance Racing is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports internationally. This is like a Marathon for horses as opposed to a sprint.  American Endurance Riding Conference    USA Eventing Association

Eventing- Team or individual sport involving dressage, cross country, and jumping.

Equitation-  Reigning refers to a class of English riding in which the rider is judged on maintaining correct riding position and controlling the horse.
Show Jumping- from wikipedia: also known as “stadium jumping” or “jumpers,” is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics.United States Equestrian Federation

Rodeo- A sporting event where contestants show their skills in riding horses, roping cattle, bull riding, barrel racing, and other activities involved in ranching.and some times pole bending and some other events.  National Pro Rodeo Association

Pole Bending- is a timed event that features a and one mounted rider, running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line.
(from wikipedia) The rider will take up a gallop and run past all the poles turning at the last pole. The rider and horse will make a serpentine path through the poles, that is, passing on alternating hands and leads through the poles. When the last pole is reached, the horse and rider continue in a mirror pattern through the poles back to the first one. When the pattern is completed the horse and rider then gallop back past the poles and through the timer. If the rider knocks over a pole he will be penalized, resulting in either disqualification from the event or a 5-second penalty  National Pole Bending Association

Fox Hunting-Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, and chase of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.  Masters of Fox Hunting Association

Polo- from the “free” dictionary:a game like hockey played on horseback with long-handled mallets and a wooden ball.  US Polo Association

Hacking- Riding a horse for pleasure Hitchcock Woods is a great place in Aiken for this!

Steeplechase-  A horse race across open country or over an obstacle course National Steeplechase Association

Carriage Driving Competition-  The driver steers a carriage while a horse or team of horses pulls the carriage during a competition.  This is called, driving a horse rather than riding it. The National Carriage Driving Association

Polocrosse- a goal game combining elements of polo, lacrosse, and netball played by teams of six players mounted on horseback and using a sponge rubber ball and a stick with a head like that of a cross and a handle and shaft like those of a polo stick http://www.americanpolocrosse.org/

Four Board Fences- Like those found in Kings Ridge!  A little more than three four board fencing is also called Kentucky Style fencing and is indicative of an owners willingness to spend a little more protecting his or her livestock and property. 

Aiken, it is everything you hope it will be, and for this girl scout, so very much more!

Belmont Stakes 2010- Drosselmeyer

Preakness Stakes 2010- Lookin at Lucky

Kentucky Derby Stakes- 2010 Super Saver

1)  ‘Historic Banksia Watering Trough Dedication’ at the Aiken County Historical Museum at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23rd.  This function is a contributing event to Celebrate Aiken.   A hunt breakfast hosted by Friends of the Aiken County Historical Museum and the Equestrian Community will follow the open to the public event.

More Information:   Contact Billy Benton (803-649-0045) or Elliot Levy (803-642-2015)

2)  ‘Squabbles’ will be performed at the Aiken Community Playhouse.  Enjoy a comedic performance about a father-in law and a mother. January 22nd and 23rd at 3pm and 8:30 p.m. on the 24th. 

More Information: 803-648-1438,or email info@aikencommunityplayhouse.com or www.aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
01-22 :: 01-24

3) On January 23rd, attend an Aiken Illustrated Book Signing by Ginny Soutworth and Richard Pearce.  The book was created in honor of the 175th Celebrate Aiken Event.  2:00 to 3:30 at the Aiken County Library- Aiken, SC

More Information:  http://aikenlibraryfriends.com/events.html

 4)  Enjoy a great journaling workshop at the Aiken Branch of the Aiken County Library from 2:00 to 3:00 on the 24th.  ”You do not need a special locked book to keep a journal! Adult participants should bring their own pen and notebook to this free program.

More Information:  HERE

5)  On Saturday the 23rd, Watch the incredible Sandy Hills Farm Jumping Derby.  This preliminary is for Beg.Novice.  1195 Sizemore Road in Aiken.

More Information: (803) 295-7065

6) Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours this Thursday, January 21st . Open your eyes to medicine and art.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers (ARMC) at the Aiken Center for the Arts (122 Laurens Street, SW).  Meet ARMC executives, new physicians, and mingle with key medical staff.  Includes a fabulous Art Show which is part of this years 175th Celebration of Aiken History. 

More Information: Contact: The Aiken Chamber of Commerce

7)   January 22nd to the 30th at the James Brown Arena in Augusta have fun at the Augusta Equestrian Futurity.

More Information and full list of events:  www.augustafuturity.com

8)  Winter Opera Performance Galaby the Aiken Opera Society on Saturday, January 23 6 to 9 p.m. at Banksia.

More Information:  Jane Gunnell (803) 215-6164.

9)  The Midday Music & Lunch Concert Seriesat First Presbyterian Church of Aiken 12:00 Noon. Lunch follows the 30 minute concert. On the corner of Laurens Street and Barnwell Street. 

More Information: 803.648.2662.
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10)    The Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra 8:00 p.m. the Etherridge Center.

More Information:  www.usca.edu/ec   Phone: 803-641-3305