Greater Columbia, Chapin, Irmo, Lexington and Lake Murray.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Popular Mechanics May 1931 Article on Lake Murray

In the May 1931 edition of Popular Mechanics, the new Lake Murray dam (officially, Dreher Shoals Dam) was featured as a "mile long earth dam impervious to water."  

The lake was named after William S. Murray, a New York engineer involved in the design and creation of the dam.  The lake and dam were under construction from 1927 through 1930.  The project was completed December 1, 1930, when the first electric power was delivered and Lake Murray was celebrated as the world’s largest power reservoir.

The original Dreher Shoals Dam is 1 ½ miles long, 375 feet thick, 208 feet high and covers 99 acres.   When completed, it was the largest earthen dam in the world.

Get more Lake Murray information from Mel Coker, Lake Murray Realtor/Resident:
Lake Murray website
Lake Murray Blog

May 1931 Article from Popular Mechanics Magazine



Ready to buy a home or property on Lake Murray?   Call Mel Coker, a Lake Murray Realtor and Resident at (803) 223-6214.

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

South Carolina State Farmers Market

We made our first visit to the NEW South Carolina State Farmers Market this past weekend.  Our report... it's very nice and you need to stop by very soon to check it out.

Barbara ready to buy fresh vegetables
The new market is located on Highway 321 (Charleston Highway) within 1.5 miles of both I-26 and I-77,  making it more convenient both to local residents and to tourists heading to or from the coast or passing through South Carolina. 

The new South Carolina State Farmers Market is a state-of-the-art facility that provides the agricultural community of South Carolina with a one-of-a-kind venue in which to showcase South Carolina products. The new market design is based upon a clearly defined plan that provides separate and distinct areas for the major wholesale vendors, the retail sale of South Carolina agricultural products (with a section specifically designed for this purpose) and also a farmers' shed section, which is owned and operated by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and provides an environment for South Carolina farmers to rent space on a daily or seasonal basis in order to offer their products.

Also included at the new S.C. State Farmers Market:  150-seat exhibition kitchen where chefs and health experts will demonstrate healthy recipes and cooking styles;  400-seat outdoor amphitheater for demonstrations, education and entertainment (coming soon); RV park (coming soon); full-service bakery; an on-site inspector for quality assurance; and, opening today (May 11th) is "Judys at the Market", a full-service restaurant serving food made from local produce.


Location:
3483 Charleston Highway
West Columbia, SC 29172

Hours:
6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Saturday
12:00- 6:00 p.m. Sunday

CLICK: South Carolina State Farmers Market Website (directions, events and much more)
CLICK: Download FREE Seasonal Recipe Calendar



Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates  (803) 223-6214
CLICK to Visit Mel's Columbia "A to Z" website

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Thank you Navy SEALS


Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the attacks on September 11, 2001 that killed thousands of innocent men, women, and children was killed this past weekend by an elite force of American military personnel - the U.S. Navy Seals.  

A big thank you to all members of the United States military that serve throughout the world!

News about the killing of Osama bin Laden

U.S. Navy SEALs

CLICK to watch my Navy SEALs video


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Watch Out for Lightning in South Carolina

Spring and Summer are optimal times for Lightning in South Carolina!
I published an eBook in May 2009 titled Lightning Awareness & Safety in South Carolina as a public service.   I'm #2 on a Google Search for "South Carolina lightning."


All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous.  Pay attention to warnings and take appropriate safety measures.  Each year in the United States, more than 400 people are struck by lightning.  On average, about 60 people are killed each year by lightning in the United States.  

A recent analysis shows that South Carolina ranks #9 in total deaths from lightning in number and per capita.  South Carolina ranks #5 in lightning strikes per state.  Just a few years ago, a boater was killed by lightning on Lake Murray.

Lightning is a serious danger!   When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.
Cool link:  StrikeStarUS - a real time lightning locator network




Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Your Home: April 2011

My CRS newsletter for April features articles on:
Contractural Obligations, Herb Gardening Made Easy and Hardwood vs. Carpet

CLICK HERE for the April 2011 Your Home Newsletter




Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia, SC

First Time Home Buyer?

Columbia, SC First Time Home Buyer?
Mel Coker will guide you through the process!

Homebuying is still an important key to financial success.   Think about it... Do people of higher net worth generally rent or buy homes?  They BUY their own home!  You can too and it's an easy process.   NOW is a great time to buy:  LOW mortgage rates and a great inventory of homes at great values.

Call Mel Coker at (803) 388-8011
Mel's Columbia SC Real Estate website


Call Mel Coker to Buy a Columbia Area Home
(803) 388-8011 or email: melcoker@remax.net

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia SC Real Estate website
Columbia, SC
Each office is independently owned & operated

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Columbia, SC Pictures

More Columbia, SC Pictures:
I've snapped a few more pictures with my new Sony DSC-HX5V camera.



A View of Columbia's skyline from Finlay Park
CLICK for Panoramic View



State House - Columbia, SC




Sunday, April 3, 2011

Cool Panoramic Pictures!

Coolest & Best Value Digital Camera - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V
I just bought a new camera for my real estate business and websites that I own and operate.  It's the amazing Sony DSC-HX5V.  I got it at a great price (only $229) from Amazon.  This camera does wide angle really well (for my home interior shots) and an amazing job on automated sweep panoramas (no "stitching" in separate software) .  It also has many other cool features at an incredible price.

Check out my first sweep panorama - taken at our Lake Murray home:


Lake Murray - Panoramic Shot with Sony DSC-HX5V



Want one?  Buy Your Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD


More cool pictures coming soon!