College Station Real Estate Blog About Homes for Sale

Century 21 Beal Annual College Station/Bryan Easter Egg Hunt 2010

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:28:45 +0000

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 27, 2010

College Station Central Park (Off South Earl Rudder Freeway)

Registration 10am

Hunt begins at 10:15 am

979-764-2100

Chilifest 2010 Bryan College Station, Texas

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:16:18 +0000

chilifest 2010 Bryan College Station Texas

Chilifest 2010 is just a little over a month away, and it’s never too early to start perfecting your best chili recipe. Tickets are $30 when bought in advance, and $35 at the gate, and can be purchased at a variety of locations. Registration for teams for the cookoff opened February 26, and the team captain meeting will be held March 29th and 30th.

Chilifest, occurring this year on April 9th and 10th in Snook, Texas, is so much more than just a cook off with a blue ribbon prize. Just as you can satisfy your appetite with the plethora of food options, so will your ears be happy with nonstop fantastic entertainment. Several big name country artists will be performing Saturday, and Friday night has a host of great live performances as well. It’s hard to say no to a weekend of The Eli Young Band, Dwight Yoakam, Aaron Watson, Roger Creager and Cory Morrow. Check out the website for exact time listings.

What makes Chilifest so special isn‘t the fun atmosphere, the great music, the smell of BBQ or the fantastic chili. The best part about Chilifest is that it is an incredible fundraising event which makes a huge impact to the Brazos County community. For example, the even was able to give over $200,000 to local charities in 2007. Past charities that have benefited from Chilifest in the past include the Brazos Valley Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, the Snook Volunteer Fire Department, Hospice of the Brazos County, the College Station Morning Lions Club, and so many more.

Tell your friends and buy a ticket today so that you can make memories and help give back to the community through one fun-filled weekend.

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Real Estate for Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

The Many Hats of Village Cafe in Downtown Bryan, Tx

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:09:27 +0000

Village Cafe Downtown Bryan Tx

Downtown Bryan is home to some of the most beautiful historic buildings in the Bryan College Station area. Quality restaurants, community theatre, antique stores and many more contribute to Downtown Bryan’s fun environment. Located on an unassuming corner of W. 26th street sits the Village Cafe, a comfortable space that wears many different hats, depending on the hour.

Early in the day, the Village Cafe is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee, a fresh muffin, and the early morning sunlight that streams through one of the building’s many large windows. The space has plenty of tables, comfy chairs and couches; so whether you’re looking for a calm place to read the newspaper, get work done on your laptop, or spend time with a friend, the Village Cafe has a place for you.

If you find yourself walking along the streets of downtown Bryan during the day, be sure to stop in for a delicious and healthy lunch. Choose between a variety of sandwiches, quiches, paninis, soups and salads. The Raspberry Veggie Sandwich with avocado, tomato, lettuce, roasted red onion, goat cheese, & raspberry chipotle mayo on whole wheat bread is an especially delicious, one-of-a-kind lunch. Make sure you stop and take a few minutes to admire the art along the walls. The Village Cafe is passionate about supporting all things local, including food, coffee, music, beer, wine and art. The artwork on the walls is constantly changing, as the pieces are for sale and often go home with local patrons of the arts.

One of the most fun hats that the Village Cafe puts on occurs after 5. Every Wednesday is “Game Night.” Go on a Thursday evening to enjoy local singers and songwriters for a memorable night. Check the calendar to find out who will be playing live music every Friday night. Finally, one of the best date nights can be had while salsa dancing from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday night.

The Village Cafe in downtown Bryan really has something for everyone, no matter what time of day you stop by.

of today!

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Search Real Estate in Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

The Quality of the CSISD (College Station Independent School District) School Board

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:38:31 +0000

Often times it’s difficult to tell whether or not a school, or a school district is “good” or “bad.” Everyone hopes that their child will realize her/his full intellect, but in some schools, a number of students fade into the background and don’t learn as much as they could.

When moving to a new area, there are a huge amount of things to consider besides which school district is the best for your child, so it’s easy to overlook which school is right. However, it’s not a very good idea to leave it to fate, as some schools sadly do not perform as well as others; on the other hand, it can be difficult to determine which is which.

There are a number of ways to decide; for instance you could look at standardized test scores. It may seem arbitrary, but a student may not graduate without passing the TAKS tests. Fortunately, College Station schools have performed very well. According to the district website about 90% of all students from all schools passed, making them eligible to graduate. Some may think it’s not quite 100%, but rest assured, relative to other districts, 90% is very good.

Statistics can be a valuable, but they don’t tell you everything. Sometimes schools teach test-taking techniques, rather than actually teaching content. A district’s curriculum is really important; with the curriculum, the district dictates what each teacher ought to be teaching their students over what amount of time– giving the district leadership a heap of responsibility. The state only loosely determines what knowledge and skills students need to graduate with.

Luckily for CSISD, its district leadership has been recognized by the state as distinguished. Last January, the College Station ISD trustees were awarded the Good Governance award by the Texas Association of School Boards. Essentially, the award is given to districts with effective leadership and a record of achievement, and only 10 districts in the the entire state of Texas were given the Good Governance award. The process for achieving this recognition is arduous, it can take over a year of auditing and assessment. Most importantly the award reveals that the people in charge of determining the school’s curriculum are responsible.

If you’re in the process of moving, or considering to move, it’s a really good idea to do your own research. It’s important that children receive a healthy education, for a countless number of reasons, and the quality of a school is vital for gauging the quality of the education. But keep in mind that a school is given marching orders from district leaders, and that curriculum set has a direct impact on what teachers are telling your children.

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Real Estate for Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

Texas A&M University An Equine Evening at the Expo 2010

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:45:13 +0000

Texas A&M University

College of Veterinary Medical & Biomedical Sciences

Animal Science Equine Science Section & the Brazos Extension Horse Committee invite you to attend An Equine Evening at the Expo

Brazos County Exposition Complex

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

“Horse Cloning – State of the Art”

Katrin Hinrichs, DVM, PhD, Professor

Patsy Link Chair in Mare Reproduction Studies

Texas A&M University

Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology & Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Joint Appointment

“Piroplasmosis and Your Horse – What You Need to Know”

Tracy Norman, VMD, Clinical Assistant Professor

Texas A&M University

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences

“Hoof Trimming Fundamentals”

Jason Maki, CJF, RJF, Farrier

Texas A&M University

Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Schedule

Registration and Meal: 6:00-6:30 pm

Dinner hosted by The Brazos Extension Horse Committee.

Program begins: 6:30 pm

To register for this event, please call The Brazos County Extension Office at 979-823-0129, or email Eric Zimmerman at e-zimmerman@tamu.edu, before Friday, March 19, at 4:00 pm.

Messina Hof Cooking Parties with the Chef in Bryan College Station

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:04:16 +0000

March is finally here and the springtime month brought along some greatly anticipated sunshine. Now that the cold weather looks like it may be behind us for good, Bryan and College Station residents can finally turn to local outdoor treasures. Messina Hof Winery and Resort has an exciting lineup of events this spring.

Make sure you pencil in the “Cooking Parties with the Chef” on March 18^th and 21^st. Cooking parties are offered for both beginners and experts, and everyone leaves with new tips, good memories, and a finely satisfied appetite.

If you prefer to focus more on the wine itself, then mark your calendar for this month’s wine appreciation class, taught on March 28^th and is entitled “The Wines of Burgundy.” Join the family at 3:00 p.m. to learn about the five regions of Burgundy and two celebrated grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Of course, no class would be complete without plenty of samples to taste.

One of the best deals in town is the five dollar wine tour, on which you can enjoy late afternoon weather while exploring Bryan’s very own vineyard. Knowledgeable and fun staff lead tours through the various buildings and grounds while explaining the entire wine making process, from the grape picking to the label printing. The best part: the tour ends in the wine tasting room where the tour leader shares his or her knowledge on Messina Hof’s many wonderful wine offerings while you sip away.

Take advantage of this perfect weather with a friend and enjoy the highly acclaimed local wine at Messina Hof today!

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Real Estate for Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

Broadway at the MSC in College Station, Tx

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:32:33 +0000

Although the MSC (Memorial Student Center) may be under construction, MSC OPAS is still in full swing. MSC OPAS is an organization on campus that brings professional productions of theatre, music and dance programs to Bryan/College Station. It is open to all residents, not just students. In the past MSC OPAS has brought shows including Yo-Yo Ma, Les Miserables, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, and even Riverdance. Now it’s bringing the best of Broadway, wrapped up in one singing and dancing package. MSC OPAS presents Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, a compilation of some of the best shows and songs from the last century. Straight from New York with five of Broadway’s best- Andrea Rivette, Carter Calvert, Raymond Jaramillo McLeod, Grant Norman, Robert DuSold, and Composer Neil Berg- songs from shows like Cats, Phantom of the Opera, South Pacific, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Rent, etc. are going to be relived and re-enjoyed. Accompanying the great talents will be an onstage orchestra, giving you the full Broadway experience, right in the Brazos Valley.

Tickets can be bought now. Prices for residents range from $19, situated in the back corners of the auditorium, to $67, which puts you right in the front. The show is at 7:30 on Monday and Tuesday, March 22 and 23 in the Rudder Auditorium, right in the middle of campus. Tickets can be bought either by going online at http://boxoffice.tamu.edu/events.html, calling (979) 845-1234, or by going to the Rudder Tower, located across the street from Kyle Field on campus.

If Broadway isn’t your thing, be sure to check out what other future shows are coming to MSC OPAS. After receiving recognition from the New York Times, MSC OPAS has been able to bring bigger and better shows, and will be sure to please. If you’re already a fan, season tickets can be purchased, with all revenues from the shows and membership dues going back to the organization. So why travel all the way to New York when Broadway is coming right to your College Station backyard?

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Real Estate for Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

Wine Served With a Howdy in College Station, Texas

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:10:40 +0000

While College Station may be known for Northgate and its many bars, something that is often overlooked is the wine that is produced here in the Bryan/College Station Area, and by Former Aggies. From the Messina Hof Winery to the Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival, wine is appreciated and enjoyed. Texas A&M shares in the passion for wine, going so far as offering classes strictly for wine tasting (it’s part of the Horticulture department). The George Bush Presidential Library, which has hosted such guests as both President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush., is making it a little easier to experience Aggie wine.

On March 14 four Aggie winemakers will be at the George Bush Presidential Rotunda with two of their favorite wines for tasting. There will even be an opportunity for you to order whichever wine you like on the spot. But the George Bush Presidential Library isn’t just offering great wine, but great food as well. Light hors d’oeuvres from Christopher’s World Grille will be served. Christopher’s World Grille is known in Central Texas for being one of the finest, and most unique, restaurants, and is a perfect pairing with Aggie wine. Tickets for the tasting is $35.00, and can be purchased by calling Tracy at 979-691-4014. If you enjoy wine, just starting to enjoy it, or just want to eat, drink, and be happy, then be sure to attend.

This is just one of many events like this that the George Bush Presidential Library hosts. In the coming months, there are going to be much more wine tasting, including a Chilean Winemaker Weekend in April and a Texas Winemaker Weekend in June. The George Bush Library isn’t just for drinking wine though. Events range from bringing in esteemed Government officials like Condoleezza Rice to showing Classic Films (which are absolutely free to everyone in the community).

The George Bush Presidential Library is located at 1000 George Bush Dr W. For further information about the George Bush Presidential Library or its museum, go to http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/index.php.

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Real Estate for Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

Pebble Creek Elementary School Carnival Saturday March 6, 2010

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:23:57 +0000

Pebble Creek Elementary School Carnival this Saturday. You don’t want to miss it!

Join us this Saturday, March 6th from 11am to 4pm for the annual Pebble Creek Elementary Spring Carnival. Everyone is welcome – not just for Pebble Creek students! This year’s carnival is a space theme!

We’ll have plenty to do for the parents and the kids!

Games, including bounce houses and inflatables
Cast room, children’s raffle, cake walk & more!
Silent auction – over $20,000 in merchandise
Class basket auction & class plate auction
Race car from Texas World Speedway
Food from great vendors like Outback, Dickey’s, Ninfas, Spoons Yogurt & Buck’s pizza

Tickets are on sale at the door day of the Pebble Creek carnival or in advance outside the school from 2:45 to 3:45 Thursday and Friday.

Come out and get LOST IN SPACE!

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Real Estate for Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

Art Exhibits in the Bryan College Station Tx Area

Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:05:56 +0000

Visitors to Bryan/College Station usually come with very specific expectations in mind– namely that they’ll see an Aggie football game and take a trip to the Dixie Chicken. While those are still Bryan/College Station staples, and football plus fried chicken is still a beloved combination, the residents have expanded.

The people of Bryan/College Station are scarcely one-dimensional, and the town reflects its people; as the city grows, more and more art galleries have been emerging and revealing themselves. What’s more remarkable is the amount of artists there are to be found in the Bryan College/Station area. As art galleries keep surfacing, works from local artists have been appearing to fill the walls of the galleries.

Most recently, the relatively new Village Café and Art 979 have been proudly displaying art from a huge milieu of individuals– from Bryan, Texas to Buffalo, New York. The Village Café started out as a quaint coffee shop/art gallery, but since the café has had so much community support, it is growing gracefully.

The way The Village Café operates is on the first Friday of every month, a new artist’s works are placed all around the café and they stay there for the month. They’ve had works from well known Brazos Valley artists like Gretta Watkins , Lee McGraw, and Fidelis Photography; the next artist displayed could easily be you, were you so inclined.

Even before the Village Café, College Station had been displaying art from resident artists. Perhaps the most famous College Station artist is Benjamin Knox. His paintings are famous for depicting collegiate traditions and memories of Texas A&M. In fact, in 2001 he opened the Benjamin Knox Gallery, which is a replica of the original College Station train depot from 1900. At his gallery he houses his own art, as well as works from artists in the surrounding area.

These previously mentioned art galleries are certainly geared toward adults, but the Brazos Valley knows that art can be hugely beneficial for early childhood development. Art can be an amazing vessel for childhood creativity and The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley attempts to harbor that creative energy. It’s a really fun place to take the kids when you don’t want their intelligence wasted away on video games.

Most people, even long time residents, are surprised by what can be found in the Brazos Valley. Some people come for the sports, others for food, but everyone is pleasantly surprised by the proud displays of artistic personality. If you’re considering moving here, or just in the area, it’s worth visiting these exhibits just to witness what amazing work some of your neighbors are capable of.

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal, Inc.

#1 in Real Estate in Bryan and College Station Home Sales

Real Estate for Bryan College Station!

Call 979-764-2121 and hear information on ANY property for sale in the Brazos Valley.

Outside Art in Bryan College Station -

Where O Where Can I Be?

Modern Art in College Station

Where is this Christmas Light Display?

Rock Paper Scizzors

Brazos County Is Going To The Dogs

Duck Duck Girl