The Regatta at Lake Hartwell
"The Regatta at Lake Hartwell" is a project that I have managed from the beginning. From design to marketing presentation, "The Regatta at Lake Hartwell" has been a amazing project to work on. I am currently about 70% through construction documents and looking to wrap up this project in the next 30 to 40 days.
"The Regatta at Lake Hartwell" is a luxurious condominium style, gated community with ammenities including a fully functional clubhouse, pool and a whirlpool hot tub. The twenty-nine unit complex has a Charlston style design influence that creates classic and timeless character. Multi-story exterior porches and long side entry porches bring the feel of the South Carolina coast inland. Lakeside units include a private boatslip that can be accessed from a community boardwalk that extends the full length of the property at the shoreline, perfect for an evening walk along the waters edge. These units will range from $400,000.oo to $600,000.oo. The site will include duplex, triplex and quadraplex buildings. The illustration below shows a typical quad.
These illustrations were created for the owners marketing purposes and took me an estimated 42 hours to produce. We were on a time crunch and I pushed them out in three days......it was a long weekend. The final print will be on 24"x36" laminated foam core so I had to reduce the resolution to post the images.
** UPDATED**
Front Elevation
Side Elevation
Rear Elevation
Site Plan
The Dumb Masses
I heard this morning a disturbing review on the current circulation of magazines. What I heard was heart wrenching. The source stated that "Celebrity" magazines (People, Entertainment etc.) are at an all time high in purchase and circulation and "News and Events" magazines (Time, Newsweek etc.) are at a stagnantly low level. This basically means that there are more people in our country that care about who Paris Hilton is sleeping with, where Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston are vacationing, this falls sexist guys and gals, best dressed and who's baby just fell out of Britney Spears than care about the current events of our cities, states, nation and globe. I don't know... maybe I'm out of line but I tend to think that our nations security, tax relief and global terrorism are a bit more important. Current issues in our schools and towns just don't seem to make the list all that much, but "Celebrity divorce" is another reality show to so many people. You don't hear anything when Hollywood steps all over marriage like a door mat but we become outraged to talk about how homosexuality is "destroying" marriage. I believe homosexuality is a sin like anything, but I would also say that I believe there is a gay couple out there that would respect marriage more than anyone of these "temporary unions" that Hollywood calls marriage. It drives me nuts to see those bumper stickers, man + woman = marriage, which I do agree with , but I have walked by some of those cars in parking lots and seen a stack of "Star" magazines strewn across the back seat celebrating divorce. I don't know how some people can keep up with all the prenups.
I am passionate about my marriage. I'm not a perfect husband, father, son, brother or friend, but I know what leading a quality life is. My time and efforts are influenced by people I can invest my life into. There's a lot of garbage going on in this world and the more informed I can be about topics that actually affect me and my children's children... the better equipped I will be when it comes to teaching my family about "real life" and decisions that will prepare us for the future. To be able to make an educated vote and not just "christmas tree" a ballot. Who is your congressman, your senator, your governor? Who represents your family in Washington? What can you do for your community?
I didn't mean to go off on a rant but the original story just rubbed me the wrong way and I had to share my heart. Thanks.
Sorry... one more thing. It is a fact that a majority of people get their evening news from "Entertainment Tonight" than all of the "Alphabet Channels" (CNN, NBC, ABC...) combined !!!! You tell me we don't live in a "Celebrity Worship" culture. Just a thought.
Thought I would share this
I am reminded on a daily basis how much of a great responsibility being a parent is. I see my wife and what she does day in and day out. We are truly blessed that Beck has been able to stay home with our son. I'll be the first to say, "our finances would be much better if Beck could work..." but, knowing that every little advancement and growth spurt Andrew has... Becky is the first to see it. That is awesome to me. There's no price tag you can put on watching first hand the development of your child. I believe that God had blessed our efforts and commitment and will continue doing so.
I just wanted to brag a little bit on my wife and how much I appreciate her and what she is doing for our family. She is a true blessing that I am honored to spend my life with her.
I love you sweetheart.
The Fair Tax Blog
Joshua recently notified me of the "FairTax Blog". It is a very informative place to read current information on the FairTax. Please check it out for great articles and discussion regarding HR25 (The FairTax Plan)
Something to think about.
"It is estimated that in 2002 individuals, businesses, and non-profits spend 5.8 billion hours complying with the tax code - an effort that cost an estimated $194 billion. Think about that number for a moment: 5.8 billion hours. If that average life expectancy for one individual is seventy-six years, then the 5.8 billion hours it takes to comply with our current tax code in just one year would equal the combined lifespan of 8,700 Americans. That ought to get a point across. It's as if we were throwing away the lives of 8,700 Americans every year just to make sure we have complied with the tax code. What an incredible waste of human potential."
That was a quote from "The FairTax Book" written by Neal Boortz and Congressman John Linder. I have not been able to put this book down since I started reading it this weekend. Our current tax system is complicated let alone broken and inefficient. From the year 1955 to the year 2000 our current tax code has added over 1,600,000 words and is steadily increasing. We have a major situation that affects every working American. We have just accepted how much of our money the government takes "withholds" from us. 33% on average. 33 cents out of every dollar is a lot to me. Now, I'm not against government. I believe government can do great things, but I work very hard for my money and have a right to demand a change to our decrepit tax system.
Current tax solutions include: Raising taxes for "evil corporations". Is that really the way to go? Guess what? How many employees do those corporations employ? Where do you think that tax burden goes to... It trickles down the chain to who? You guessed it YOU! Many say, "tax the rich people. They can afford it." As it is the top 1% of income earners pay over 50% of all taxes but here's the question... Who are the rich? Yes, you have your lucky lottery winner and your inherited riches, but the fact is... Most of wealthy people are the business leaders who help create thousands of jobs for Americans. So go ahead put a larger tax burden on their personal wealth. What does that do? It prohibits them from putting more money back into their companies for future growth and development. But look at business on a lower level. Your small town business owner. Put a higher tax on them and you have just taken away two or three jobs from your local community.
The FairTax is not perfect, but it is a revolutionary way to fund our government and their programs more efficiently and put more money into your pocket and allow YOU to invest and increase your wealth. The FairTax is a replacement for - not an addition to - our current federal taxes.
Take some time and please read this book "The FairTax Book". The FairTax is bill number H.R. 25 in the House of Representatives and S 25 in the Senate. Keep your ears and eyes out for it. The FairTax plan started from a frustrated businessman spending too much time figuring out how to save on taxes instead of how to grow his business. FairTax has grown into a movement to change this nations tax structure as we know it. When this bill is passed... April 15th will become just another beautiful spring day.
Get involved. Read the book. Go onto www.fairtax.org and sign the petition to get this bill passed. George W. Bush has it in his hands right now. With your involvement and support it can become a reality.
