That great Central Ohio Shopping complex that is Easton Town Center is still going strong despite the economy, in fact last week two new high enf stores opened shop last week with a third coming soon!

The center is a great outdoor shopping experience that looks to recreate “Main Street USA” and is flexible in store design and size.

Tiffany & Co just opened there last week, its second location in Ohio at 4140 The Strand and really hopes to draw the crowds from the entire region with its fabulous jewelry and gifts.  Martini Park has locations in Chicago and Texas and is located at 4040 Easton Station. They call themselves “The Playground for Grownups” a restaurant and bar serving cocktails, martini’s and having live music.

Whilst keeping the high end theme, Burberry is expected to open a store there next year, again attracting more dollars to the area. With all stores in Easton Town Center starting to gear up for the festive Holiday season it is very exciting for local residents in the area. Particularly for New Albany with the center being just minutes away!

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

Veterans day is a time for reflection about the heroes who served our country in any combat, at home and abroad. For the lives who were lost and affected by tragedy. In Gahanna Ohio, the Veterans Day activities start at 11am at Veterans Memorial Park.

This year, it is the celebration of the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day (Poppy Day) which is the anniversary of the Armistice on November 11th 1918. The day was renamed in the United States to Veterans day in 1954, however in much of Europe it remains as Armistice day.

The memorial event will feature a speech by a Vietnam veteran as well as patriotic anthems such as the Star Spangled Banner and Amazing Grace.

In addition to the event at the Memorial there will also be events in the local schools, including talks and flag raising ceremonies. Teaching the young more about their history and heritage and about the wars which senior citizens endured and fought in.

All of course showing the great community spirit Gahanna has.

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate need. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

New Albany Parks and Recreation Director Honored by the University of Southern California. Dave Wharton, Director of the organization has competed in the olympics twice and he is being inducted in a black tie event in 2009 in the Athletics Hall of Fame.

The New Albany Resident is delighted with the news and will be one of only 22 athletes inducted. Wharton is a piller of the community in New Albany and relocated here many years ago and is in his 12th year in coaching swimming whilst heading up the Parks and Recreation Commission.

All of course adding to the great community spirit in New Albany and the surrounding area. No wonder so many want to relocate to the area. 

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate need. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

Zoo you say? Zoo’s are a great way to spend a day out without having to travel far from home. They are also great educational trips for the young and the old. Kids and adults love a trip to the zoo and Columbus’ Zoo is a fine example.

Columbus Zoo covers and area of 90 acres and is home to over 700 different species from varied families such as snakes, bats, big cats to even gorillas! The Zoo is divided into different sections designed to mimick continents - North America, Australia, African Forest, Southeast Asia etc. with the respective wildlife contained.

Admission is a very reasonable $10 per adult with Children 2-9 and Seniors over 60 getting in for a discounted $7 at the gate. Parking is $5 and annual membership is available for individuals at a fantastic $59.

There is always something going on at the zoo, whether a show or a new animal - currently there is a great night time feature with the zoo lit up by thousands of LED lights.

The Zoo website is a fantastic experience in itself with lots to do and loads of information. You can even sign up for a newsletter on current events!

So go on, get out there and have a great day of fun at the Zoo!

If you are thinking about relocating to booming New Albany and the surrounding Central Ohio Columbus Metro area then please contact The Raines Group as soon as possible for professional real estate advice in the region.

New Albany for Kids campaign - the organization in support of the New Albany-Plain Local School district levy of 24.4-mills on the Nov. 4 ballot, reported $53,000 in funds on its pre-general campaign finance report.

Over $46,000 contributions had been made and over $7,000 bought forward from previously.  The organization is a grassroots collection of residents who want to support the community and do the best for the local children and the school district.

The organization along with many local groups are urging voters to vote for Issue 79 at the ballot box. This is what would provide more funding for the district schools and give better opportunity for the children. The organization shows that the school district is already excellent and great value as it gives such good results, however the existing funding structure will expire soon and then there will be a need to facilitate a new levy to continue operations as normal.

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate need. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

New Albany Council passed the ordinance which will pave the way for Green homebuilding in the area!

Previously written about in September, we explained that if passed this great new local law would give builders an incentive to build green and be green! Depending on certain standards met by them there would be reductions in the building permit of between 20-25%!

There are 24 standards in all, mostly mimicking the LEED ( U.S. Green Building Council for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Builders would have to meet 12 of these 24 standards in order to receive a reduction in fees.

All in all this is a popular ordinance with many people concerned about high energy costs and wanting to lower their monthly bills. One way of doing so is moving into a home which is as green as possible from the start! Although some builders would prefer a higher reduction the council did not rule this out for the future.

The ordinance was passed 4-1!

If you are thinking about purchasing a home (possibly a green home?!) in New Albany or the surrounding Central Ohio area then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the Columbus metropolitan area.

Fairfield County has decided to award a one time grant of $5,000.00 to the Pickerington Senior Center! Exciting! The center Board of Trustees President is delighted with the cash and said that it will go towards operating the center and tiding it over until the end of the financial year.

The board of trustees for the center is urging voters to approve a measure november 4th which would put a 0.2 mill levy for the next five years to help support the center going forward. This vital resource is available for local seniors and is a great place for them to socialize and get assistance when they need it. 

The levy, if passed would generate around $185,000 in revenue for the center and this should allow for the center to undertake renovations over the next five years including a new parking lot and increase its hours of operation.

The center is largely self sufficient and has around 750 active members across the area. Residents will have to wait to see the results after November 4th if the levy is passed!

If you are looking at property in Pickerington or the surrounding Central Ohio communities and wish to relocate to the area then please contact The Raines Group for professional real estate advice in the region.

New Albany Parks and Recreation Board - the responsible body for the fabulous parks available in New Albany which we have only just recently written about is short a person!

The board will be holding another meeting next month with an empty seat. It is currently reviewing candidates for the empty post. The New Albany Council interviewed five candidates for the position but failed to make a decision.

The candidates are all local residents who are looking to become actively involved in their community. Showing what a great small town spirit we have here in New Albany! The next meeting is November 4th. Hopefully a decision will be made soon for this important local body which oversees such a great assett to the village.

If you are interested in purchasing a home in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in Central Ohio.

The New Albany Police Department will be getting a new radio communications system! The existing tower antenna for the department will be coming down by the end of the year as plans for a new improved method of communication is released!

The MARCS system (the states multi-agency radio communication system) has been approved as the new method of communication for the department. This will give the department maximum coverage over Franklin and Licking Counties to enable effective policing. This is on top of four new Police Cruisers for 2009, which is great news.

This communication solution was the preferred option over several other choices. However the MARCS system provided for the best long term solution for the department as well as being an efficient use of tax dollars.

With such a great community and small town feel it is no wonder that so many people want to call New Albany and the surrounding central Ohio area home!

If you are interested in purchasing a home in New Albany, Reynoldsburg or anywhere in the Columbus Metro area then please contact The Raines Group as soon as you can for professional Real Estate advice throughout the region.

Serving more than 5,300 families the New Albany Ohio Parks offers great amenities for all local residents! The NA Parks organization manages over 200 acres of parkland in the New Albany -Plain Local Park District. Local parks enhance the lift of local residents through the feeling of open space and getting back to the great outdoors.

The district is also home to many amateur sports leagues which host games in the parks - from a variety of sports, from baseball, basketball, hockey, lacrosse and more! With both young and adult classes of play!

The park system consists of Bevelhymer Park, Thompson Park, and Wexner Community Park. The website for the local parks system has recently been overhalled to its current incarnation which went life this month.

With an already excellent standard of living and quality of life in the area the parklands really do enhance the community.

If you are considering purchasing a home in Columbus, the suburbs or the surrounding metro area communities such as New Albany then please contact The Raines Group for professional real estate advice. You can visit their website on: www.therainesgroup.com where you can access a complimentary MLS Search facility