The City of College Station is ranked by The Business Journals as the brainiest city in Texas among those with populations between 50,000 and 100,000. Some 28 percent of College Station residents hold a bachelor’s degree and another 28.23 percent have a graduate or professional degree. A lot of this has to do with Texas A&M faculty as well as so many Aggies staying here after graduation!

The Business Journals ranked 483 mid-sized U.S. cities using 2009 U.S. Census Data. The rankings were based on the percentage of population with each level of educational attainment.  Not only were we #1 in Texas, but College Station ranked No. 31 nationally.

So, next time someone makes an Aggie joke, make sure and let them know that they are actually making fun of the smartest city in all of Texas!

Wonder what businesses are eligible? American Express says…. “Eligible small business merchants are independently owned small businesses located in the United States that accept the American Express Card. Purchases made at large or national chain stores, at franchised business locations and at government agencies are not eligible. Prepaid, Corporate Cards and ExpressPay transactions are not eligible. ”

After you register your card on American Express look on Facebook (click the links to get to the sites you need) and you can search by zip code to see which small businesses are available. I found most local smaller businesses (that take the American Express card) are on the list!

A friend of mine sent me an email a while back about why we should buy local and how much buying local affects our LOCAL economy.  The email sent to me may have been written by someone else so if I am plagiarizing I apologize!  Below is the message. Are you going to buy local this year or send your money to another country instead?

GREAT Christmas thought from a friend – Where are you spending YOUR money?

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Oh…. Yes there is! It is time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.

Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.

And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community.

If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we could not imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition!!

Unfortunately a lot of times we don’t realize that there are those in our community who don’t know where their next warm meal will come from, where they will sleep, or if their children will be warm enough this winter!  We don’t see it a lot, but it does exist more than you could even imagine!

This year, my kids and I decided that we would like to help those who are less fortunate than the majority of us in Bryan/College Station. We have started a coat/blanket drive in Castlegate with the donations going to the Twin City Mission!  What started as a small project has taken flight.  My daughter and I printed out about 100 fliers and asked a few of her friends to help us pass them out in our subdivision!  The kids have all gotten so into it that it has amazed me!  They just light up when people ask about how to donate!  Now it is on the Castlegate website and on Facebook!

It’s very simple if you want to get involved!  We are taking donations at 2445 Newark Circle today from 4-6 and tomorrow 9-11 am!  All you have to do is drive up to the curb and we’ll grab them from you.  If that time isn’t convenient, you can call me at 979-229-0919 and we can pick them up.  You can also drop them by the Century 21, Beal offices located at 404 H University Drive East at your leisure.

The kids are waiting to take your Coats and Blankets to give to the less fortunate!

We have a lot to be thankful for Aggieland, so let’s get out there and make this winter a little warmer for our Brazos Valley Neighbors!

For more information, give Farrah Spears a call at 979-229-0919

For more information about Castlegate and any home in Bryan/College Station, give me, Farrah Spears, a call at 979-229-0919.

Farrah Spears

979-229-0919

For all your real estate needs, Call Farrah B Spears at 979-229-0919

Their mantra is…”When They Come Back, We Give Back!”  What better way to say thank you to our troops this Veteran’s day than sporting a pair of boots just like theirs? So join in the growing chorus of musicians, entertainers, athletes and other celebrities and get YOUR boots on!  I laced up my boots in support and and next week,  November 14-19th,  you can support the campaign in various ways!

1. If you are a student, stop by my office at 404 H University Drive East(beside Cenare and across University Drive from the FOX and Hound) and show your student id for your FREE “I do it with my boots on” T-shirt to be worn at the game on November 19th. My office is open Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30.

2.  Stop by the photo booth in front of the giant Aggie Ring on game day(November 19th) and join the national Boot Campaign facebook movement. *Surprise Aggie celebs will be there!

3. Head to the Shiner sponsored tailgate outside Reed Arena for FREE BEER!  (must have your valid drivers license and your Boot Campaign tee shirt on!)

What better way to say thanks this Veteran’s day than to Walk a Mile in Their Boots and support our troops!   Click on the link to find out more about this year’s Aggieland Boot Campaign! http://www.bootcampaign.com/aggie.html or give me, Farrah Spears, a call at 979-229-0919!  Thanks again Veterans!  God Bless America!

For all your real estate needs, call Farrah B Spears at 979-229-0919

My friend and Mary Kay Sales Director, Ashley Virnau, told me about something she and Mary Kay are doing to raise funds to go towards breast cancer research via the Mary Kay Ash Foundation.  It’s simple, all you do is lend your face, receive a complimentary facial, and a donation will be made to the Mary Kay Ash Foundation!  Also, for every Party held within Ashley’s unit, they will donate $20 to the Mary Kay Ash foundation!  This is a win/win as you get to have an amazing facial while supporting something that will one way or another effect us all!

To book your facial, call Ashley Virnau at 979-220-7281

For all your real estate needs, call Farrah Spears at 979-229-0919

Farrah Spears

Realtor, Century 21 Beal

979-229-0919

farrahs@century21bcs.com

Aggie Habitat Pumpkin Patch

The pumpkins have arrived so the 6th Annual Aggie Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Patch is almost ready to go.  All during the month of October Aggie Habitat will be selling pumpkins to raise money to help build homes for those in need in the Bryan and College Station area.  They will be open as long as they have pumpkins.  The hours are from noon until dark on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to dark on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to dark on Sunday. During the weekends, Aggie Habitat will host several special events for children including face painting, apple bobbing, and storytelling. Pumpkins of all shapes,sizes and colors will be available. The Pumpkin Patch is located in College Station in front of Covenant Presbyterian Church on the corner of Rock Prairie and Edelweiss Drive near Wellborn Road.  Get out and support Aggie Habitat for Humanity.

1. FreeDance Aerobics class Saturday, September 3, 11:00am—invite friends!
2. Want a FREE ½ hour private lesson?  Sign up 2 friends for group classes
3. New student Special:  Buy 2 months of full Membership and receive 2 private lessons for $45/hour.
4. This Saturday, Sept. 3, starts 3 weeks of Dance Aerobics, International Rumba I and Swing/Jive II. Join us!
5. Fall Schedule is now online and calendars available in class or by email.  (See September classes below)
6. Adult Dance Parties, Friday nights—September 16 & 30.
7. Next Teen/Pre-teen Dance – Saturday, October 29, Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Good luck & happy dancing!

Susan Hilton