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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

Mondays with Rick: AU is #1 in the U.S.!

Editor’s Note: As ABD first reported on Friday, the AU Hull College of Business is ranked #1 in the U.S. for top online MBA Programs with the lowest tuition rates by the College Consensus Group, a source that aggregates information from U.S. World News and Report,  Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek and other reliable sources. Our conversation was edited for clarity and impact. ABD: What was your reaction when you heard the news? Rick: I had not heard of College Consensus before, but upon research, really liked the methodology they used. It’s

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Neil Gordon February 14, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Gunshot victim experiences God’s healing and heals others

People develop their personal faith journey in different ways. Some experience triumph that solidifies belief in self, in others and in a higher power. Others survive a gunshot wound to the head. That’s Christina Riley’s testimony. It was 2009. She was 19. She was hit by a .22 bullet, a wound from which she still has fragments throughout her face, head, jaw, neck and shoulders. However, she lived to tell the tale of how God spared her life so she could help others heal theirs. “I lost vision in my

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Monique Williams February 11, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local business owners support Girl Scout Cookie sales

If you look forward to ordering boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas every year, you’re not alone. Several CSRA businesses have offered to give local Girl Scouts the opportunity to sell cookies in their parking lots (see photo above story). Savannah Park, a State Farm Insurance agent in Columbia County, will allow them to set up tables outside her office, located at 3961 Columbia Road in Martinez, next to Mot’s Pit Cooked Barbecue. She can be reached at 706-863-3555. “I was a Girl Scout when I was younger,” Park said.

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Josh Heath February 11, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Keep it simple!

Recently, on CNN news, they stated that due to median house prices rising and lack of inventory, households earning between $75,000 – $100,000 per year only had an average of one affordable house to choose from for every 65 listings. This is a national average, but feels pretty accurate here in the Augusta area. The competition is extreme. If you are a buyer, always put your best offer forward. There are things that a seasoned agent will avoid accepting on offers. Here are a few tips that will make your

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Shawna Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented Evans February 11, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Businesses bringing a bit of New Orleans to the CSRA

If you are looking to celebrate Mardi Gras, Aiken is the place to be this weekend. Saturday, February 12, the Aiken Downtown Development Association is offering Cajun cuisine, craft beer, live music, and a parade. Can you say Laissez les bons temps rouler? In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated between February 23 and March 1. Aiken provides a jump start for revelers and businesses with their event this weekend. Aren’t we all from New Orleans during Mardi Gras? After the past year, shouldn’t we all find a reason to

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Mitzi Oxford February 10, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Wife Saver

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.

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Wes Hennings February 10, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Restaurant set to open at busy intersection

A few years back, two national fast food franchises failed near the corner of Washington Road and Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. In today’s video business minute, Publisher Neil Gordon says, perhaps the third time is the charm.

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Neil Gordon February 10, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Economists and big sporting events!

There has been much discussion about the NFL overtime rules after Kansas City beat Buffalo with a touchdown in the first drive of overtime. Buffalo’s offense did not even get on the field to try and respond. It seems unfair to me. Soccer tried the equivalent overtime rule in the 1994 World Cup. If teams were tied at full time, there was a period of extra time and the first team to score won. At least each team was on the field and could score. This golden goal rule has

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor February 9, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Masters media biz

It’s almost tournament time, and one area media company is stepping up their business efforts to generate interest in the Masters. Publisher Neil Gordon has more on the changing “landscape.”

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Neil Gordon February 9, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Update: Restaurant hopes to open this spring

Editor’s Note: Late last week, ABD shared the story of Surcheros Fresh Mex coming to Washington Crossing in Augusta. Recently, we received updated opening and menu information from the company, and we’re passing that along today. Deborah Kirkland, the company’s Director of Marketing & Franchising Support, acknowledges Surcheros is similar to other Tex-Mex restaurants, but she says its menu options distinguish it from the rest. “We offer over 20 different toppings that are available to guests to enjoy on their entrees with no extra charge,” Kirkland states. These toppings include

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Josh Heath February 9, 2022 No Comments
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