40 years ago, Ann Marie McManus started her professional career as a licensed real estate agent in Augusta. Today, we learn how she was prepared for her life’s work.
Two organizations have joined to create a series of specialized workshops to help previously incarcerated individuals reintegrate into meaningful employment. Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA and ReNforce, an Augusta-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping justice-involved individuals, will use existing programs and services to create pathways to employment by offering job readiness training workshops. “They cover things like time management, customer service, conflict resolution, skills, preparing for your interview,” Leah Pontani, Senior Vice President of Career Development at Goodwill, explained for ABD. “If you’re incarcerated for a number
What started as a produce stand 10 years ago in North, South Carolina, grew into one of the largest farms in the state. With 70 acres of produce including corn, okra, green beans, peas, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and watermelons, McCurley Farms is a hot commodity, especially at this time of year when families crave fresh fruits and veggies. Customers were already coming from across the CSRA and from as far away as Atlanta. When ABD talked to owner, Paul McCurley back in April, he had just partnered with Southern Carolina
As of mid-July, the real estate market in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) is showing intriguing trends that are essential for buyers and sellers to understand. Current Market Snapshot Homes for Sale: 1,868 Homes Pending Sale: 1,168 Average Days on Market: 100 days for closed sales from April to June Percentage of Asking Price Received: 98.59% Sales Trends The first quarter of 2024 saw a robust 4,115 homes sold. However, the second quarter experienced a noticeable slowdown with only 2,378 homes sold, signaling a deceleration in spring sales. The
North Augusta is preparing to welcome one of the CSRA’s most popular, and economically significant, events back to Riverview Park. The 2024 Nike EYBL Peach Jam Basketball Tournament kicks off on July 12. This marks the 28th year the city has hosted the tournament which began as the Peach Basket Classic in 1996. It began as a four-day event, expanded to a weeklong tournament and this year is growing again. “New this year is the event will last 10 days, July 12 through the 21st,” Rick Meyer, Director of Parks,
Food Quality: 4 Service: 5 Business Meeting: 3 Value: 4 Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 I’ve always liked the kind of ramen you buy at the grocery store that comes in little orange packages because it’s cheap and tasty. It’s also a favorite meal among broke college students everywhere, though there are much healthier options. But several restaurants, such as Pho-Ramen’L, now serve more upscale versions of the traditional noodle dish. These eateries give diners the option of adding various meats, vegetables, spices, and other ingredients to their noodles
The Mullins Crossing crew from Chick-fil-A is hitting the road again tomorrow for their second of six pop-up lunch events. Team members are serving chicken sandwiches, salads, and wraps. “Riverwood residents have been asking us for years to come out that way. We want to make our customers happy. Security Federal in Riverwood was nice enough to let us set up in their parking lot. So many people that came to the pop-up location thanked us for being there,” said Gina Adams who operates the Mullins Crossing store with her husband, Jason. The
While students fear the words “summer school,” a local marketing expert is hoping business owners are ready to learn how to show their businesses in the best light. The Marketing Summer School is the brainchild of Moniek James, a marketing strategist and consultant, and founder of Renegade Creative Media. “I definitely was trying to be a little cheeky with putting in summer school, because, yes, that does bring up memories like the worst thing ever,” she told ABD with a chuckle. “But as a business owner myself, I think about
The temperatures this summer are forcing us to take a different approach to our weekend plans. When it’s too hot to even brave the pool, why not try a throwback activity? Skateland of Augusta offers discounts to families on Saturday mornings, but should you spend your precious weekend time at a roller rink? Our dad reporter goes retro this week with a look at the fun to be had at a South Augusta staple.
This fall, the University of South Carolina Aiken will offer a new master’s degree program in Education Leadership. The online distance education program will allow participants to pursue principal certification, supporting local teachers who wish to move into leadership roles while increasing the pool of qualified candidates for local schools. According to School of Education Dean, Judy Beck, the principal certification program will significantly benefit teachers and school districts in the Central Savannah River Area. USCA’s program will provide a more convenient avenue for local educators to advance to leadership
