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!

Here are 10 great things to see and do while you are here!

1)  Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame-  www.aikenracinghalloffame.com  139 Dupree Street in Hopeland Gardens.  803-642-7631 for more information.

2)  Dupont Planetarium- on the campus of USCA.  http://rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/ 471 University Parkway  803-631-6354

3)  Hitchcock Woods- over 2100 acres of walking, jogging, horseback riding, or dog walking trails.  www.hitchcockwoods.org 803-642-0528

4)  Aiken Center for the Arts- 122 Laurens Street, in the historic district  www.aikencenterforthearts.com  803-641-9094

5)  The Alley in Downtown Aiken-  Historically a row of blacksmith’s shops and stables the  cultural chic of shopping and dining. www.downtownaiken.com 803-649-2221

6)  The Willcox Inn- established in 1898 has entertained guests such as Gloria Vanderbilt and the Duke of Windsor. www.thewillcox.com 803-648-1898

7)  The Aiken Training Track- 620 Two Notch Road- built in 1891 some of thoroughbred racing’s elite still train here today! www.theaikentrainingtrack.com 704-648-4631

8)  The Track Kitchen- grab your cup and join them for great coffee and amazing food-  420 Mead Ave. 803-641-9628

9)  Hopeland Gardens and Rye Patch- Gardens, Gardens, and more Gardens! Whiskey Road 803-642-7650

10)  Aiken County Historical Museum- 433 Newberry Street, www.aikencounty.net 803-642-2015

*** Published by True South Communities.  May contain errors, for entertainment purposes only.

From Youtube User 56animator who states CBS All rights reserved

Following are the pairings for tommorows regular competition scheduled to kick off tommorow morning as Augusta continues to woo its visitors with beautiful weather and souther hospitality. 

Weather:  Highs predicted in the mid seventies and rain to begin late evening. (source weather.com)

7:50 a.m. — Nathan Green, Heath Slocum, Louis Oosthuizen

8:01 a.m.— Craig Stadler, John Merrick, Jerry Kelly

8:12 a.m.— Ian Woosnam, Brian Gay, Marc Leishman

8:23 a.m.— Bernhard Langer, Scott Verplank, a-Brad Benjamin

8:34 a.m.— John Senden, David Toms, Graeme McDowell

8:45 a.m.— Mark O’Meara, Rory Sabbatini, a-Nathan Smith

8:56 a.m.— Martin Kaymer, Geoff Ogilvy, Luke Donald

9:07 a.m. — Tom Watson, Tim Clark, Steve Marino

9:18 a.m. — Bill Haas, Todd Hamilton, Anders Hansen

9:29 a.m.— Dustin Johnson, Oliver Wilson, Alvaro Quiros

9:40 a.m.— Mike Weir, Lee Westwood, a-Matteo Manassero

10:02 a.m.— Chad Campbell, Francesco Molinari, Paul Casey

10:13 a.m. — Ernie Els, Anthony Kim, Ryo Ishikawa

10:24 a.m.— Angel Cabrera, Jim Furyk, a-Byeong-Hun An

10:35 a.m.— Phil Mickelson, Robert Allenby, Y.E. Yang

10:46 a.m.— Retief Goosen, Hunter Mahan, Robert Karlsson

10:57 a.m.— Ben Crane, Simon Dyson, Michael Campbell

11:08 a.m.— Larry Mize, Ryan Palmer, Chris Wood

11:19 a.m.— Sandy Lyle, Justin Leonard, Kevin Na

11:30 a.m.— Ben Crenshaw, Steve Flesch, a-Ben Martin

11:41 a.m.— Ryan Moore, Ross Fisher, Nick Watney

11:52 a.m.— Trevor Immelman, Soren Hansen, John Rollins

12:14 a.m.— Vijay Singh, Jason Dufner, Sean O’Hair

12:25 p.m.— Thongchai Jaidee, Ben Curtis, Soren Kjeldsen

12:36 p.m.— Camilo Villegas, Kenny Perry, Rory McIlroy

12:47 p.m.— Zach Johsnon, Henrik Stenson, a-Chang-won Han

12:58 p.m.— Fred Couples, Sergio Garcia, Shingo Katayama

1:09 p.m.— Miguel Angel Jimenez, Edoardo Molinari, Lucas Glover

1:20 p.m. — Charl Schwartzel, Stewart Cink, Padraig Harrington

1:31 p.m.— Yuta Ikeda, Ian Poulter, Steve Stricker

1:42 p.m. — Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, K.J. Choi

1:53 p.m.— Adam Scott, David Duval, Ricky Barnes.

*** for entertainment purposes only may contain errors.

Later in the evening in the heart of the midwest, host of the final four Indianapolis welcomed one of its own schools as a fairytale unfolded and the moments that make blockbuster movies began to unfold.  Under”dog” and non top ten powerhouse Butler University met big Ten Duke in the NCAA Championship game. 

Perfectly coached from both sides of the bench Cinderella almost found her glass slippers but alas a last minute shot that would have handed the game to Butler fell just short of landing in the basket.  Duke won being held to only 61 points while Butlers 59 points will serve as a reminder that with courage, persistence, and excellent leadership even a big Ten school has the potential of being beaten a sports fact that great coach  Bobby Knight taught us long ago.

Settled pristinely in the middle of both All American events on a sunny afternoon in Augusta, Georgia the heralded beginning of the 2010 Masters Tournament came as precisely as the event itself is run.  Practice rounds were all that was scheduled for Monday and many players took the course and settled in to what is sure to be a fabulous and interesting week(end). 

Pairings were announced today and will be posted on this Blog tommorrow.    The weather, one of Augusta’s  calling cards, spoke in altruistic fashion with temperatures reaching a record high of 91 during the mid afternoon sun.  This broke a record set of 89 degrees set back in 1988.  It did not deter the fans, however, and many were out with visors and hand fans to catch a glimpse of a fabulous line-up of pros.

Life seemed to be well, and normal, as multi-year winner Tiger Woods joined Fred Couples as he stepped back onto the proverbial “green” for a practice round in an earlier than expected arrival to the dance. And in true Masters practice round tradition cries of “skippy” could be heard on the 16th hole as the  players entertained fans with their attempts to skip balls across the water on the hole. 

This year in Augusta and Aiken, South Carolina Southern charm and hospitality continues to flow deep, and rich in the heart of Iron and Wood country.  It will be a good week in golf, a very good week in deed.

*** for entertainment purposes only may contain errors