While everyone seems to think that it doesn’t affect them, consider if you are one of the thousands of people whose insurance carrier decided to move out of the market or just drop certain policies in those markets. It is not just the folks trying to buy a home needing flood insurance who are in trouble. If your policy is up for renewal…guess what. It can’t and you are without coverage. Your lender requires you to have flood insurance….where does that leave you? In alot of trouble. And it’s not just folks on the coast that are in a tight spot. We forget there are locations inland that are devasted by flooding. The news from Arkansas has brought that home to us this week.

     I know I’m on my soapbox, but I think that Seantors who would go home without taking care of this important piece of business need to be returned to the world that the rest of us have to live in. Maybe then they’ll learn what we know only too well. We don’t go home til our work is done.  That’s how it is in the real world.

The joggers and cyclists were out in huge numbers at the beach. The Farmers Market downtown was filled with Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto goers, Spoletians we call them. Lots to do downtown this weekend that for sure! So get out and enjoy this glorious day! I have my high school reunion, my first that I have attended, just don’t know where it is yet! Details, details!

Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto have hit Charleston! Two friends from James Island arrived with guitars in hand for a couple of weeks in town. Rick Smith grew up next door to me in the Terrace. He and brother Steve were the nucleus of a rock and roll band, The Shoresmen. They’d practice in their garage and boy! was I the envy of teenage girls everywhere.  They went on to form the High Price Spread when music got a little more psychedelic. They were regulars at Alice’s Underground on Folly Beach where McKevlin’s Surf Shop is now. It was converted from a bowling alley. They left for California and did well in the music industry.

 Rick now lives in Hawaii and is the driving force behind the Honolulu Blues Project. He was with his sister, Candace, at Art’s Bar and Grill where he sat in with Jay Vane, a hot local drummer. Candace runs a major recording studio and lives in LA. I haven’t seen her since she was about 18 and I swear she looks the same. They’ll be around for another week if you want to track them down.

We’re certainly getting our share of rain this week. The gardens are getting greener by the minute. I found this funny picture ftom our friend, Chip. Thought you’d enjoy a bird of a different feather. 

Around the state:

May 22  Green and Lean 5K Brittlebank Park

May 23-26  Veterans Golf Classic in Myrtle Beach

May 23   Charleston Sprint Triathlon at James Island County Park  Good Luck Jeff!!!!

May 27  Iris Festival in Sumter

May 29  USSSA Memorial Day Blast Softball Tournament Charleston

May 31  Memorial Day state and federal holiday

     Piccolo Spoleto will present 30-40 art, music, theatre and dance events daily for seventeen days beginning May 28th. Other events include Sand Sculpting, a Beach Music Bash, the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable. It’s terrific fun for the entire family. Check out the schedule for yourself at www.piccolospoleto.com

     At the same time, big sister, the Spoleto Festival USA, blasts into town with a great parade to City Hall. This opens a fantastic array of entertainment from the premiere of a new opera to the recreation of the first opera performed in America; punk to cello concerts; Noel Coward to new work having US premieres; the gentle ballet of Gisele to all Male “ballerinas” to combustive contemporary work; West African strings to chamber music; Westminster choirs to the Carolina Chocolate Drops to the Wachovia Jazz Series. Don’t forget the fantastic finale. Bring your blanket and your dinner for music and fireworks.

www.SpoletoUSA.org

Julian E. Smith, Jr.

September 21, 1926 – May 16, 2010

Speaking of perfect weather, I heard that a  Holland America cruise ship stopped by the cruise ship terminal downtown yesterday for a day of shopping and sightseeing. Carnival Cruise Lines will set up housekeeping here tomorrow with the arrival of the first of their weekly dockings. If you’re looking for an easy getaway, look no farther than the end of Market Street.

Here’s a shot of another nautical visitor to Shelter Cove marina in HHI from our friend Chip. A beauty!

There’s alot of activity heating up this week in the area. Here’s a peek:

To honor those we have lost while serving their country, a Memorial Day Concert will be held as part of Piccolo Spoleto this year. 30-40 art, music, theatre and dance events will be held daily for seventeen days beginning May 28th. Other events include Sand Sculpting, a Beach Music Bash, the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable. It’s terrific fun for the entire family. Check out the schedule for yourself at www.piccolospoleto.com .

     At the same time, big sister, the Spoleto Festival USA, blasts into town with a great parade to City Hall. This opens a fantastic array of entertainment from the premiere of a new opera to the recreation of the first opera performed in America; punk to cello concerts; Noel Coward to new work having US premieres; the gentle ballet of Gisele to all Male “ballerinas” to combustive contemporary work; West African strings to chamber music; Westminster choirs to the Carolina Chocolate Drops to the Wachovia Jazz Series. Don’t forget the fantastic finale. Bring your blanket and your dinner for music and fireworks. Lots more information at www.SpoletoUSA.org

Enjoy your week!

Enjoy your Saturday, don’t forget the Farmers Markets in your part of the Lowcountry. 

Sculpture in the South, a premiere show set in Summerville’s Azalea Park, is fast becoming a nationally recognized opportunity to meet and mingle with sculptors as they present their works. Visit May 15th-16th.

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Here are some other events taking place around the area this month:

May 13-16  BMW Charity Pro Am Gold Tournament in Spartanburg

May 14  Charleston Doubles Open and Pro-Am

May 15  Windsor Hill Hawk Trot 5K Charleston

May 15  Angel Walk in Mt Pleasant

May 15 USA Baseball Mid Atlantic NTIS Charleston

May 22  Green and Lean 5K Brittlebank Park

May 23-26  Veterans Golf Classic in Myrtle Beach

May 23   Charleston Sprint Triathlon at James Island County Park

May 27  Iris Festival in Sumter

May 29  USSSA Memorial Day Blast Softball Tournament Charleston

May 31  Memorial Day state and federal holiday

Looking forward to the citrus crop in December. The trees flowered and our yard smelled heavenly. The trees are full of tiny fruit. I found this photo of the fruit at the end of the last year.

We can’t forget the Farmers Markets in the area. Bringing us not only fresh vegetables and local specialties, the artisans that sell from their booths are fascinating. Buy local, it’s the best.

     Every Saturday until close to Christmas, the Downtown Farmers Market opens at 8 am in Marion Square. They are beginning the transition to one of a handful of “GreenMarkets” across the US. “Get Fresh with the Locals” at the Mt Pleasant Farmers Market at the Pavilion on Coleman Blvd. next to Moultrie Middle School. North Charleston’s Farmers Market is held on Thursday from 1-7 at the Traffic Circle at Park Circle.