Charleston Real Estate Market

April is here, so get ready for a big time. The first weekend is chock full of events, no foolin’. Make careful note, though, these events will cause some traffic disruptions, re-routing and business closings.

Starting on the 1st-3rd is the Flowertown Festival, a free family affair in Summerville. Over 200 vendors, a tennis classic, children’s carnival, historic home and garden tour and plenty of azaleas make it special.

On the 2nd and running til the 10th is the Family Circle Cup. It’s the 39th consecutive year for the tournament and the eleventh in the Daniel Island facility. Some of the biggest names in women’s tennis will compete.

The Cooper River Bridge 10K Run and Walk will be on Saturday the 2nd. This is a major event that will close the bridge and many roads in Mt Pleasant and Downtown. The run is SOLD OUT, amazing; we’re talking over 38,000 participants! The Kid’s Run will be held at Hampton Park on Friday at 5pm, its festival 2-6pm. The Competitive Wheelchair 10K Event starts at 7:30 Saturday morning on the bridge and the Run at 8am. The After Event at Marion Square is huge and there’s even a wedding in the mix.

The 20th Annual Cajun Festival kicks off at the James Island County Park on the 3rd. Non-stop live Zydeco music, cajun and creole food will mark the day from 12-6 pm.

The International Festival of Choirs will have performances throughout the city the 8th-10th.

On the 9th, The Thunderbirds take to the air in close formation. See the show at the Air Base, it’s free and so is the parking. If you’d like to spend some quality time with your pet, take your best friend to the Palmetto Island County Park Pet Fest on the 9th and 10th.

The 14th-17th will be Charleston Wedding Week’s celebration of bridal style. The four day event will showcase all components of the South’s upper-tier wedding industry.

Charleston Race Week kicks off on the 14th with its inshore and offshore regattas.

There’s more water fun on tap. The 21st East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival cranks up the 15th-17th at James Island County Park. This is one of the premier paddle sport events on the East Coast.

Folly Beach will celebrate the Sea and Sand Festival with a block party. Center Street will become an avenue of good food, art work and dance bands on the 16th and 17th.

Mt Pleasant’s Waterfront Park will be the site of the Blessing of the Fleet this year, celebrating from 11-6 on the 17th.

The 24th is Easter Sunday and that means the 10th Annual Hat Ladies Easter Promenade. Honoring the tradition when ladies would stroll down Main St. showing off their hats or Easter bonnets, the Hat Ladies begin at Broad and Meeting Street at 11am on the 23rd. The parade ends at White Point Gardens.

Our French Huguenot Church, the only remaining independent one in America, will open to the public beginning on the 14th. It is located across from the Dock Street Theatre.

How about houses and gardens open this spring? Kiawah has a House and Art Tour scheduled for the 8th.

The 64th Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens runs til the 16th. This is the major fundraiser for Historic Charleston.

The 2011 Designer Showhouse will be open til the 17th. The circa 1815 home is located at 89 Beaufain St.

The Red Cross House, Garden and Art Tour through the Old Village is on the 17th, a great chance to see homes that don’t tour often.

Plantasia, the 10th Annual Green Market for Plant Lovers, has a new home this year. Wragg Square at 342 Meeting will host the 2 day affair on the 29th and 30th. Unique, cutting edge plantings, a Members Favorites section and a true yard sale highlight the free event. A guided walking tour of private gardens is available at a charge. The Heyward Washington House will offer garden tours each Thursday in April.

The North Charleston Arts Festival draws thousands of visitors during its nine day run from the 29th– May 7th.

If dancing is your art there are two events this month. On the 21st is the Water Ball and the 29th is the Oxygen Ball.

The North Charleston Arts Festival draws thousands of visitors during its nine day run from the 29th– May 7th.

If dancing is your art there are two events this month. On the 21st is the Water Ball and the 29th is the Oxygen Ball.

Date to Remember: The 27th is Administrative Assistant Day. If you have one, be sure to do something nice for them.

Around the State in April

Carolina Cup Steeplechase, the 2nd in Camden; 8th-10th World Grits Festival in St George; 10th The Big Nosh Jewish Cultural Festival in Columbia; 11th Monday after the Masters celebrity pro-am in North Myrtle Beach hosted by Hootie and the Blowfish;13th Indie Grits Film Festival in Columbia; The Heritage Golf Championship in HHI begins on the 18th; The Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal on the 23rd; the SPINX Charity Golf Event in Greenville on the 25th and the Manning Striped Bass Festival starts on the 28th.

Gotta Run!

Of course the Bridge Run is on April 2nd. Then the After the Bridge Ride on the 3rd leaves the Battery Stadium on DI at 8am for the 100 and 73 mile rides and 8:30 for the 50 and 30 mile rides.

April 9th, here at Station 16 on Sullivan’s Island is the Run for Adela. The SPEED Ride to Benefit Special Ed at Wando High will take place at the Awendaw Green (Sewee Outpost). Three distance challenges 10/25/62.5 (metric century) on the Francis Marion National Forest’s well-paved roads.

Also on the 9th at 8am will be the sanctioned Eagle Endurance Almost 9 Miler Trail Run at Buck Hall National Recreation Area in Awendaw. Start and finish is at the Awendaw Passage section of the Palmetto Trail. Running with the Alligators sounds a little different, also on the 9th at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner.

The 10th brings two refreshingly different events. Benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project, it’s the Patriot Challenge Kayak Race and Charity Paddle at Brittlebank Park. Kayak, canoes and stand up paddleboards hit the water at 1 pm. 

If this just flat wears you out, there’s the 2nd Annual Bed Race at Hampton Park, helping Camp Happy Days, starting at 3pm on the 10th.

It’s a pretty daunting to swim past freighters and aircraft carriers in an open harbor. Anyone wishing to tune up for the 10th Annual Lowcountry Splash Bridge Swim can attend camp at the Martin Luther Pool at 155 Jackson St, evenings from 4/7-5/26.

Pivotal Low Country Race Weekend combines the I’On Smackdown at 8am on the 16th and the SC Criterium Championships at Hampton Park on the 17th.

The Capers Island ECO Run and Walk will literally take you away. A ferry will depart IOP Marina at 1 pm for a Capers Island 5K/10K Run/Walk through the incredible scenery of a barrier island including Bone Yard beach and tidal pool areas on the 16th

The Krispy Kreme Donut Run will have the runners take the Greenway to the Savannah Hwy store, pause to eat a dozen donuts and return to the St Andrews School for Math and Science. Drive carefully in that area on the 16th at 9am. Scary pictures in my head!

It is 5 kilometers through 300 years of history: The Charleston Digital Corridors 5th Annual Innovator’s 5K. The iFive:K will be on the 21st at 6:30pm starting at the Maritime Center.

The 23rd is the date for the Bohickett Marina 5K and 10K at Seabrook Island. Also that day is the Santee Endurance Adventure Race covering around 40 miles of challenging landscapes stating at 7:30am.

The 30th wraps up with the WHES Hawk Trot at Windsor Hill Elementary at 8 am and the 2011 Rice Run starting at the same time at the Old Post Office in Walterboro. The TRYCharleston swim, bike and run your way through the Low Country event is at the KOA Campground in Mt P. The Half is a 1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike and 13.1 mi run. The Sprint is a 500m swim, 20K Bike and a 5K run.

Whew!

Filed under: Around Town on March 28th, 2011 | No Comments »

     It’s March in the Lowcountry and you can almost hear the trees and plants throwing off their winter quiet. Leaves are appearing and daffodils and tulip trees are showing their early season finery. Keep your fingers crossed that there won’t be a cold snap to dampen their enthusiasm.

     March also begins tourist season in the Lowcountry. It starts with a bang as the BB&T Food and Wine extravaganza hits town. I think we should have a banner tourism season this year. It is still so cold elsewhere.  Why not visit where the breezes are gentle and the sun is warm? Why not stay?

      March indeed is a month of scandals, food, music and lots of fun. The Gibbes Museum of Art will present “The Art of the Steal”. On the 2nd, learn about The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Art Heist in 1990, the world’s largest. On the 9th, enjoy Reclaimed: the Restitution of Nazi Looted Art from the Goudstikker Collection. gibbesmuseum.org

     Southern Living highlighted HUSK, Sean Brock’s new venture as one of the Best New Restaurants…”  heirloom Southern food prepared with a connoisseur’s sensibility and deft culinary touch.” huskrestaurant.com

     Under the 5 More New Raves designation came The Renovation on King Street noted for its “pied-a-terre feel” with a rooftop garden. restorationonking.com    

     The 3rd through the 5th is the BB&T Charleston Wine +Food Festival, named one of the Top Five food and wine festivals by Forbes Traveler. Food and wine professionals, authors and celebrities descend on the Holy City.  The Top Chef competition will pit fan favorites from each season against each other with Giddy Goat handmade homegrown goat cheese as the surprise ingredient. Some events are sold out. charlestonwineandfood.com 

     Music is big with the Charleston Music Fest opening the month. The College of Charleston Simons Center for the Arts will host two evenings of chamber music on the 3rd and 4th. charlestonmusicfest.com

     Chamber Music Charleston celebrates its 5th anniversary on the 5th at the Sotille Theatre. They will also present their House Concerts series Music for String Trio the 13th-15th.   chambermusiccharleston.org

     Romeo and Juliet will be performed by the 50 member Russian National Ballet at the Gaillard on the 7th. cami.com

     In this climate, it would be wise to know about fans and their meaning! The Charleston Museum and Carolina Ladies Aid Society will present a Living History Event on the Language of Fans on the 12th at the museum.  charlestonmuseum.org

     What do you get when you combine a scavenger hunt with a car in downtown Charleston? The 4th Annual Charleston Road Rally on the 12th! Benefitting LifeManagement Center’s tutoring and learning centers, this event has great prizes! Not a timed race, you have to solve clues to find the tokens at each point. The best hand wins!    charlestonroadrally.com

     The Kings Singers, the Grammy award winning a cappella group will be in concert at the Gaillard on the 15th.  Kingssingers.com

    The 2011 Charleston Art and Antiques Forum will be held during Chas. Antique Week. Made in America– Century by Century will explore American architecture, furniture, painting, silver and ceramics– the artisans who created them and the people who owned them from Jamestown to today. Keynote speaker is Thomas Campbell, Director of Metropolitan Museum of Art.  charlestonantiquesforum.org

     Charleston Antique week will feature over 30 nationally know antique dealers with wares ranging from 17th –20th century furniture, porcelain, silver, textiles, jewelry and garden furniture. The perfect complement is the 64th Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens. Beginning on the 17th, you can visit 150 of the city’s most magnificent colonial and Antebellum homes’ interiors and gardens.   historiccharleston.org

     Speaking of flowers, the Gibbes Museum of Art will present a unique take on masterpieces from their permanent collection. Top floral designers will create floral tributes to the artwork on display on 24th & 25th.     gibbesmuseum.org

           If you’d like a unique take on historic homes, try the Symphony Designers Showcase House. The circa 1815 home and its new carriage house are decorated and awaiting your visit at the William Steele House at 89 Beaufain St. beginning on the 17th for a month. scolinc.org

     Don’t forget St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th and the parade downtown! A great start would be a bowl of green grits…maybe not.

     The Charleston Film Festival will be held at the Terrace Theatre on James Island the 16th-20th.  Northern Exposure will highlight the best of the Toronto Film Festival.  terracetheater.com 

     Southern Living gave a double page spread to their”hands down favorite in a talented crop of Southern designers,” Lucinda Robinson. Her Lucinda Eden line debuted at Fashion Week last year. Pictured were Robinson and eight Junior Leaguers at the Aiken Rhett house.  lucindaeden.com

     Local Sucker Jeans made the South’s Best blue jeans list in the same mag. The marriage of denim and seersucker could only happen here! suckerjeans.com

     Fashion Week hits the Holy City beginning on the 22nd and Marion Square will be alive with fashionista of all ages and price tags. It may not be Milan, but it will surely entertain.  charlestonfashionweek.com

     For the history buffs in our midst, there are lots of events happening this month. The Charleston Museum’s Threads of War is highlighting the clothing and textiles of the Civil War. It complements their City under Siege exhibit. charlestonmuseum.org

     Secessionists, Soldiers and Slaves: The Alston Family. Special exhibits in the Edmondston-Alston House will follow their lives. The Middleton Family’s Civil War will chronicle the Middleton family, friends and slaves and their day to day existence. This exhibit will be at Middleton Plantation. 

    Trace The Sound of Charleston and all its changes from jazz, gospel, Gershwin and spirituals to Civil War songs and colonial era classics. It all comes to life at the Circular Congregational Church on the 3rd, 11th, 18th, 25th and 31st at 7pm. thesoundofcharleston.com

     Charleston Jazz Orchestra presents SWING! SWING! SWING! featuring 1920’s Big Band music at the Charleston Music Hall on the 26th at 7pm   thejac.org

 In Sports this month, Mullet Haul: The Run for the Mullet, a new 5 and 10 mile run at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center will be held on the 5th. Races begin at 10am and remember to sport a real or fake mullet hairstyle for the event. ccprc.com

     The YMCA Annual Flowertown Run and Walk will be on the 12th. The 10K, 5K and 1 mile event will be in Summerville. summervilleYMCA.org

     Catch the Leprechaun 5K Run and Walk will be at the Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park, when else but on the 17th. The race isn’t til 6:30pm! Anyone finishing the race before the leprechaun will win a prize. catchtheleprechaun5k.com

     On the 26th the IOP Rec Dept will host the 2011 First Pitch Half Rubber Tournament starting at 8am. The event is for ages 16 and up.   IOP.net

Around the state: The 21st International Paper High School Baseball Classic will be in Georgetown the 10th-13th. ipclassic.com

     Aiken Horse Trails—thoroughbred racing and the first leg of Aiken’s Triple Crown at the Aiken Training Track on the 19th

     The Palmetto Sportsman Classic– a celebration of hunting, fishing and outdoor sports by SCDNR in Columbia 25-27th   dnr.sc.gov/psc

Mark your calendars for the 34th Cooper River Bridge Run 10Kon the 2nd. The Kid’s Run will be on the 1st at Hampton Park. Please note that the Ravenel Bridge will close at 7am on Saturday, the 2nd. Coleman Blvd will also close at the same time. Parts of many downtown streets will be closed. Plan your travel routes accordingly. bridgerun.com

 

   Be sure to take a look at the Bridge Run Magazine…The Starting Line and Finish Line were written and photographed by yours truly.

 

    The 2nd Annual Bed Race benefitting Camp Happy Days will be at 3pm at Hampton Park. charlestonbedrace.com

     The Eagle Endurance Almost Nine Miler Trail Run will begin at 8am on April 9th at the Buck Hall National Recreation Area in Awendaw. Start/finish at the top of the Awendaw Passage of the Palmetto Trail. eagle.endurance@gmail.com 

      See you next month…

Filed under: Around Town on February 26th, 2011 | No Comments »

Charleston is all about food, fun, music and wildlife in February. But most of all, February is about the heart.

     Did you know that getting a good night’s sleep can help prevent heart disease? There are ways to help you maintain a healthy heart that aren’t so terribly difficult to do.

     Women need to become more educated about heart health. Out of the estimated 58 million Americans who are affected by heart disease, nearly a half million women die each year due to heart disease or stroke, says the Perlman Heart Institute.

     So here are 5 steps to get you on the road to a healthy heart. There are people in your life who will thank you.

     Step One. Know your numbers. Take the time to get your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These are key numbers to know. Your doctor can tell you where these numbers should be after looking at your history. It’s not a one size fits all situation.

    Step Two. Start walking. A strong walk for a half hour three times a week will improve your sleep, those numbers and, as a weight bearing exercise, is important for bone strength.

     Step Three. Laugh out loud. Laughter will not only improve your mood and reduce anxiety (who can’t use that right now); it helps with hormones in the brain and increases circulation.

     Step Four. Focus on your waistline, not the number on the scale. The amount of fat around your waist is directly linked to a host of medical issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.  

     Step Five. Get a good night’s sleep. Vital to good health, lack of sleep can cause stress, elevated blood pressure and an increased appetite while slowing your metabolism. Bad combination.

February 4th is the Am. Heart Assn. Wear a Red Dress Day, calling attention to women’s vulnerability to heart disease.

       Get ready for music this month! We start with the 21st Annual Lowcountry Blues Bash…17 days, 50 acts, 93 shows and 25 venues…the 3rd-19th. www.bluesbash.com

     On a calmer note, the 3rd is the beginning of the Liturgical Harp Conference with performances at St Johannes Lutheran in Ansonborough Friday evening and twice on Saturday. It finishes at 11am morning worship at St Matthews Lutheran on the 6th.

     The State Symphony Orchestra of Russia presented by Charleston Concert Association will perform at the Gaillard on the 3rd at 7pm   

     Feeling the urge to dive into some oysters? The Charitable Society of Charleston has just what you’re looking for. Their roast will be at the Visitors Center Bus Shed on the 5th 7-10pm. Music here too!

     Celebrate the spiritual with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra on the 5th in the Circular Congregation Church. Circa 1871: an Ode to the Fisk Jubilee Singers will be at 6 pm.

     Here’s something new: tour one of Ted Turner’s private estates as you visit Hope Plantation in Jacksonboro. The exclusive daylong event is planned for the 12th to benefit the Charleston Maritime Society.

     Let the Charleston Ballet Theatre set the stage for Valentine’s Day on the 12th and 13th at the Sottile Theatre at the College of Charleston.

     Speaking of Valentine’s Day, it is on Monday, February 14th. And what does that mean in Charleston? You guessed it, SEWE!!

     The Southeastern Wildlife Expo, now in its 29th year, is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation. Attracting over 35,000 folks, the demos and attractions will be held throughout the city from the 18th-20th.  www.sewe.com

     Monday the 21st is Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday, both a state and federal holiday.

     The Stars of Today meet the Stars of Tomorrow at the Ballet Grand Prix at the Gaillard 7pm on the 22nd.

     Here’s a twist. The Gibbes Museum of Art presents Scandals: a 3 part lecture series on famous crimes in the art world. 6 pm on the 23rd is The Art of the Steal a look at the price fixing scandal that surfaced in 2000 at Sotheby’s-Christie’s Auction Houses. A tale of greed and corruption that follows powerful personalities that ended in jail and $500 million in fines.

      Chamber Music Charleston presents its kids concert on the 26th. The History of Sweetgrass is at the Circular Congregation Church at 1pm.

     Enjoy the rich musical heritage of Charleston on the 14th and 25th at the Circular Congregation. The Sound of Charleston will take you from gospel to swing, jazz to Gershwin. Shows at 7 pm.

     Looking for a little lighthearted entertainment? The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be at the Dock Street Theatre the 11th-20th.

     What else would be fun? How about each Saturday in February and March at 2pm, the Charles Pinckney Historical Site will Celebrate Gullah Heritage with demonstrations, storytelling and song. Best of all it’s FREE!!!

     The 7th Annual Mardi Gras Crawl on Shem Creek to benefit the SC Chapter of Alzheimers Assn will begin at Redd’s Ice House in Mt Pleasant at noon on the 26th.

     The Lowcountry’s most acclaimed chefs will gather for the 12th Chef’s Feast Gala to help the Food Bank feed our children on the 27th.

Also, here are some happenings around the state (if you’re feeling a road trip in your future)

Feb 5: Junior League of Columbia’s Clean Sweep - Yard sale benefiting community projects – cash only

Feb 5: Retro Fest- Spartanburg – south’s largest disco party come dressed to disco! – benefits Piedmont Red Cross

Feb 16-20: Beaufort International Film Festival - Categories include animation, short, feature, documentary, and student

Feb 19: Bridesmaid Ball – Greenville – plus a bad dress contest – benefits the Upstate Homeless Coalition

Feb 25-26: General Francis Marion Living History - Summerton – period demonstrations, lantern walk, hands-on activities

Feb 25-26: Horry County Museum Quilt Gala – Myrtle Beach – demonstrations, exhibits, quilt entry open to all

Feb 25-27: Battle of Aiken – Civil War reenactments, crafts, food, seminars, demonstrations

Feb 26: Joy of Gardening Symposium – Rock Hill – themed “Magnificent Gardens”

 There seems to be a lot of running this month!

     The Save the Light Half Marathon and 5K on the 5th. The event will begin and end at the Pier. Last year 900 entrants produced 789 finishers.

     The Nativity Flapjack 5K will kick off at 8:30 am on the 5th near the Stono Shelter at James Island County Park.

     If you’re looking for an out of town run on the 5th, head up to Surfside Beach for the Rotary Road Race 5 and 10K walk and run.

     Do something good for yourself before you sit down with the chips and dip on Super Bowl Sunday. The 6th is the Virtual Super Bowl Run. Join other football fans around the USA. Plan your own route and check in on their website.

     The first Go Red Heart 5K Run and Walk will begin near Chas. Harbor Resort on the 12th.

     The 12th also brings the Hilton Head Island Half Marathon 10K/5K Run or walk on certified courses.

     And something for the lovers in our midst: The Virtual LUV Run will be on Valentines weekend the 12th-14th. Post a special message to a loved one when you register. Another “plan your route, run it and check in” event.      

     The Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon will be on the 19th with the 5K and fun run on the 18th.

     Also, closer to home, the MESSA (Masters of Environmental Science Student Association) 8K for H2O will start and finish at the Tides Hotel at Center Street on the 19th. The run promotes quality water in the Charleston area.

     The Sixth Annual LifePoint Gift of Life 5k/2K Run and Walk highlights the need for more organ and tissue donors. The event will be held at the James Island County Park on the 26th at 9am.

     The 11th Annual Lexington Race against Hunger will be held on the 26th also. They fight hunger locally and globally with a 19K Run and 5K Walk. 

Enjoy and see you next month!

Filed under: Around Town on January 20th, 2011 | No Comments »

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

     It’s that time of year where we look back at the past and forward to the future. It is said that the two-faced god, Janus, was the inspiration for the dreaded New Year Resolutions.

     The celebration of New Year’s is accompanied throughout the English speaking world by horribly mangled versions of Robert Burns famous “Auld Land Syne” penned in 1741. You can be the smart one because now you’ll know the words!

 Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet For auld lang syne

We twa hae run aboot the braes And pou’d the gowans fine;
we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot Sin’ auld lang syne

We two hae paidled i’ the burn, Frae mornin’ sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d Sin’ auld lang syne

And here’s a hand, my trusty friend, And gie’s a hand o’ thine;
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet For auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet For auld lang syne.

   Now that we’ve gotten the new year ushered in correctly, let’s get back on track with those resolutions. Life coaches will all agree on two things when setting goals: the goals must be realistic (saying you’ll never eat chocolate again just sets you up for failure) and they must be written down (don’t ask me why but it does make a difference to success.)

   The most common resolutions? Spend more time with family, get fit, lose weight, get out of debt, quit smoking and/or drinking, enjoy life more and learn something new all topped the list. What really matters is what is important to you…good luck!

     What happening around town this month…well let’s start with a New Year’s celebration for the family. The free event is centered on Marion Square and is alcohol-free. Call 843-724-7305 for details.  4-10:30 pm.

     The big event of New Years Day will be the traditional Collard Greens for folding green and Hoppin’ John for good luck.  Don’t mess up on this one!

     January looks like it’s filled with music, laughs and good food. If you’ve been wanting to try some of our heralded restaurants, but want to stay true to that budget resolution how about Charleston Restaurant Week beginning on the 14th. This nine day gastronomic celebration will give you 3 courses of fine dining for $30 or casual dining at $20.

     Two tractor trailers of oyster will head into Charleston for the Lowcountry Oyster Festival on the 30th. This annual event by the Chas, Restaurant Assn. will see 65,000 pounds of the briny bivalves slurped at Boone Hall Plantation.

    If you’ve ever wondered about luck and superstitions, stop by Barnes and Noble and chat with author Avery Caswell. She’ll be signing her new book on the subject at Towne Center on the 9th.

    In the mood for a relaxing musical evening? Chamber Music Charleston continues its House Concert series with Music for Double Reeds and Harpsichord on the 16th-19th.

    The Charleston Symphony Orchestra Spiritual Ensemble will honor Martin Luther King, Jr. at the free concert at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church at 7PM on the 15th.

    Music, dance and theatre combine for great entertainment this month. Both the CBT and Charleston Stage bring us musically inspired shows. Charleston Stage presents Charles Randolph-Wright’s acclaimed play, Blue, which chronicles the life of an affluent, prominent African American family running a funeral parlor in a rural S.C. town. Shows are on the 21st-30th at the Dock Street Theatre.

     Country music gets a ballet facelift when The Charleston Ballet Theatre presents Nashville, a multimedia dance celebration at the Black Box Theatre the 13th-16th and the 28 and 29th.

     If you need a good laugh to start the year, the Charleston Comedy Festival 2011 will hit town the 19th-22nd. Filling venues from N. Chas to downtown to James Island, if you can’t find something funny, you’re just being difficult.

     If you’ve been dreaming of boating on the Lowcountry waters, you might want to check out the 31st Charleston Boat Show at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on the 21-23rd.

     Speaking of North Charleston, congratulations are in order. It is one of eight cities to receive the Award for Municipal Excellence from the League of Cities for its Sustainable Revitalization Projects.

     Congratulations are also in order to Marc Regnier. The College of Charleston Associate Professor and classical guitarist has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Chamber Performance category.

     Austin City Limits fans will get a real treat on the 11th when Charleston-based Band of Horses performs. They will perform songs from three of their albums including their 2010 Grammy nominated album, Infinite Arms. They are touring in Europe.

     There are plenty of polar bear plunges around the state on the 1st, including Folly Beach and East Cooper. The James Island Festival of Lights continues until the 2nd at the James Island County Park.

     Remember, January 3rd is the state-observed holiday for New Years. The federal holiday is observed on the December 31st. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an state- and federal-observed holiday on the 17th (Monday).

     Total Health Fair will be held on the 15th and 16th at the Omar Center in Mt Pleasant. 85 natural health care providers and organic food suppliers will be represented.

     January 22nd is the Music and Oysters for Wildlife in Awendaw to benefit SEWEE.

 If you’ve resolved to get more exercise, try these:

     Charleston Bicycle is offering a hands-on bike clinic at both locations. This is a good way to learn your bike and how to care for it; held on the first Monday of each month at the West Ashley store and the third Sunday at the East Bay location.

     The Virtual New Years Day Run-South Carolina will be on the first. This is a global initiative starting at 9am EST and lasting all day. It’s a great way to share the day with your fellow runners worldwide. You pick your route, log in at www.runday.com and print out your bib and number.

     The Bulldog Breakaway 5 K will be on the 8th at 8am at the Citadel 173 Moultrie St. The USATF certified course will begin at the track; go for one lap around the campus then one lap around Hampton Park, returning to the track via another lap around campus.

     Also on the 8th, the Resolution Run/Walk for Rides will begin at the Joe, head to the Citadel and Hampton Park. Beginning at 10am, the event will support the Independent Transportation Network-Charleston Trident. They provide a dignified travel option for seniors and the visually impaired.

     The Riverfront Festival Charleston Marathon will be on the 15th and 16th. The course involves variations on the downtown and Old Navy Base routes. All courses are USATF certified and qualify for major events. The  Bike on Sunday, the 16th, is 30 or 60 miles and begin at the Maritime Center through town, over the Ravenel Bridge, Mt Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island , IOP and return.

     Finally, on the 29th stretch your legs in the Charlie Post Classic, headquartering at the Fire Station on Sullivan’s Island at 8:30am. This run honors Dr Charlie Post who assisted the Chas. Running Club until his untimely death. The event funds a College of Charleston scholarship.

  Remember the Cooper River Bridge Run is just around the corner!

Filed under: Around Town on December 26th, 2010 | No Comments »

 The Season is Upon Us

     If you are caught unawares by the holiday season, you haven’t been out and about since Halloween. While most folks are scaling down their celebrations this year, there’s always a need for holiday trivia during those empty pauses at dinner. 

     Shopping can be dangerous. Statistics show that you’ll catch an average of three elbows while in the fray. You will log an average of five miles of walking between the car and stores. While that may sound virtuous, you will probably gain more than you lose with all the holiday trimmings on your plate. Speaking of holiday fare, spoiled leftovers account for 400,000 cases of post Christmas illness. Be careful!

     In early England, no table was complete without a pig’s head in mustard! In medieval England, a 9 foot in diameter, 165 pound pie was served. Ingredients included 2 bushels of flour, 20 pounds of butter, 4 geese, 2 rabbits, 4 wild ducks, 2 woodcocks, 6 snipes, 4 partridges…you get the idea. 

     Americans average 28 holiday cards both giving and receiving. Hallmark began selling Christmas cards in 1915. More than three million cards are sent annually in the U.S. We will use approximately 3000 tons of aluminum foil for wrapping birds, etc. That’s a lot!!

     Charles Dickens had a tough time penning A Christmas Carol, but was finally inspired to choose Tiny Tim over Puny Pete, Little Larry and Small Sam. He also scratched Bah Christmas for Bah Humbug, thank goodness.

     Congratulations! More diamonds are purchased at Christmas time (31%) than during other holiday occasions.

      During the Christmas/Hanukkah season, more than 1.76 billion candy canes will be made. Originally, the canes were white and made to decorate trees. Shaped like shepherd’s crooks, they got their stripes in the early 1900s.

     I think that all 4 million Lowcountry visitors last year must have given us a thumbs up in Conde Nast’s Travel+Leisure survey. Charleston was voted the Friendliest Town and got the #1 spot for attractive people, noteworthy neighborhoods, stylish boutique hotels, B&Bs, inns and antique stores. Among other categories where we landed in the Top 5 were: family vacations, relaxing retreat, romantic escape, cultural getaway, farmers markets, most stylish, cleanest, peace and quiet, weather, safety, vintage shops, home décor shops and independent boutiques.

     GQ magazine also gave a nod to our fair town in their Coolest Small Towns in America. They particularly mentioned Shrimp and Grits, the Wentworth Mansion, Folly Beach, McKevlin’s Surf Shop, Hominy Grill, Taco Boy and Fig. By the way, they also mentioned Portland, ME /Santa Fe, NM /Providence RI and Raleigh, NC.

     The 2010 Miliken Institute Rankings are out. They rate the best performing cities by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Charleston-North Charleston ranked #19, up from #30 last year.

     Did you know that 56% of Americans sing to their pets? If you want to do something special for your pet this season, the James Island County Park will have a Santa Paws celebration. Get your pet’s picture with Santa on the 1st, 8th and 15th.

     Let’s start the month with the Vienna Boys Choir Holiday Concert. That should get you in the mood! 7pm on the 1st at the Gaillard.

     Join Pure Theatre and Fort Moultrie for an evening performance of  In the Name of Liberty. On the 4th at 7:30. Actors, musicians and even some audience members will recreate the times, 150 years ago, when the state voted to secede from the Union.

     If you’re looking for free entertainment on the 4th, look no further than the Parade of Boats. Opening the holiday parade circuit, it begins on the Mt Pleasant side at 5pm and 6:30 on the Charleston side. Plenty of time to watch the lighting of the tree beforehand. There will be fireworks midway through the run.

     Since you’ll be in the neighborhood, the 11th Annual Celebrity Chili Cook Off and Oyster Roast will be at the Aquarium; all washed down with local beers from Palmetto Brewery. Family friendly.

      Holiday On the Air with the Charleston Barbershop Chorus and the Sweet Adeline Sisters from the Southern Harmony Chorus will present their holiday performances in a radio broadcast format at 2 and at 7 on Saturday the 4th at Physicians Auditorium at College of Charleston.

     How about a Sunday afternoon sipping wine and sampling gourmet treats? Add in a lawn with sweeping oaks? The Charleston Wine + Food Festival and BB&T bring you Wine under the Oaks at Boone Hall Plantation on the 5th from 1-5pm.

     Local designers will show off their wreath making talents at the Charleston Place Festival of the Wreaths. Beginning Black Friday, the wreaths will be on display and auctioned from 6-9pm on the 9th.

     Christmas 1860 , a candlelight tour will be at the Edmonston Alston House on the 3rd and the 10th, 5:30 and 8:30 pm. Wine and Dine Focused Tours at the Heyward-Washington House will be on the2nd, 9th and16th at 4pm.

     Pedestrians Rule King Street on the 12th as the street is closed to vehicles from 1-6 from Broad to Calhoun.

     The original Ordinance of Secession will be on display at the Charleston Museum on the 20th in observance of the sesquicentennial of the signing.

     Charleston Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Gaillard on the 11, 12, 17 and 18th and the Moscow Ballet will perform the holiday favorite at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on the 23rd.

     The Charleston Mens Chorus will present their popular Christmas performance at the Sottile Theatre on the 12th at 3pm. The Singing Christmas Tree will perform the 10-13th at Summerville Baptist.

     Parades are a big part of the holiday season, but with them comes the inevitable road closures and traffic delays. This is a list of some of the parades happening in our area. Remember, the Folly Parade will eliminate all access on or off the island, so plan accordingly.

North Charleston 12/4 from 4:30-9pm                                           Folly Beach 12/11 1pm

City of Charleston 12/5 2-5pm                                                                  Mt. Pleasant 12/12

Summerville 12/12 2 pm

      The JI County Park Festival of Lights will include outdoor holiday classic films on the 2nd, 9th and 16th. Free with park admission.

      Don’t forget the family oriented New Years Eve alternative celebration beginning at 4:30 at Marion Square, a city-wide, free admission event.

Some sports info for the month:            

      The Reindeer Run is back! Runners head out at 9am on the 4th from the Southend Brewery, walkers at 9:15. There’s a party at the finish line at Southend, the official race headquarters and it’s free with a race number.                                      

     On the 11th, Myrtle Beach High School will host the SCADA North-South All-Star Football Game.

     The last of four installments of the CBC Cyclocross Series will be on the 5th at Wannamaker County Park and Yes! They have a hill, a steep hill.

     The FestiVELO de Charleston, one of Bicycling magazine’s picks, will take place from the 2nd-6th.The holiday festival of bicycles for families is a fully supported 1-4 days cycling trip with short or long days, your choice.

     The Bulldog Breakaway5K at the Citadel will begin at 8am on the 11th.

     The 33rd Kiawah Island Marathon will also be on the 11th.

     The Hilton Head Island Regional Medical Center Jingle Jingle 5K will take place on the island on the 18th. 8am start.

     The Charleston Triathlon Club opens its membership on the 31st www.CharlestonTriathlonClub.com   Support your sport.

     The National Underclassmen Combine presents its first NUC All World Gridiron Classic Game at the Citadel on Dec 31st. Top notch high school athletes from around the world will compete throughout 5 days of trials before the game. 

       

More Holiday Trivia via the Internet:

   Christmas tree facts:  Did you know… one acre of trees supply 18 people with their daily oxygen…artificial trees last about six years in the home and centuries in a landfill…in the US in 2007, 30 million real trees were purchased…we have over 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs…over 76 million new trees will be planted this year. 

Christmas trees have been sold in the US since the mid 1800s…Nova Scotia is the top exporter of wild blueberries, lobster and, you guessed it, Christmas trees. Down the street from our house in Nova Scotia there’s a sign that claims it as the Christmas Tree Capitol of the World

Have a great holiday season and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Filed under: Around Town, Lowcountry Lifestyle on November 21st, 2010 | No Comments »

A great day for writers and readers as the first Capital Bookfest hit Charleston. The library was hopping with events and lots of people! I snapped these photos as authors Dori Sanders and Nicole Seitz spoke.

Then we had to congratulate our friend Nancy Price at her surprise 60th birthday.

A good day was had by all…

Filed under: Around Town, Lowcountry Today on November 7th, 2010 | No Comments »

The holidays are upon us and soon Thanksgiving turkeys will appear in the stores. Take the time this year to stop, take a breath and enjoy what you have, not whine about what’s missing from your life.

Election Day is around the corner. Please take a moment to look over the candidates and vote with your head.  The opportunity to vote is a right to be thankful for, use it. Veterans Day is on the 11th. Why not take a moment to thank them.

‘Tis the season and with the economy in the shape it is, scammers are coming out of the woodwork. Here are a few:

Smishing is similar to phishing, but the trickster uses text messaging to try to get your account info.  If you get a text alert about an account, call the institution to check.  If they leave a number don’t call that one, it’s probably fake.

Skimmers, pop ups and gift cards: don’t use any gas pump or ATM if there is anything suspicious around the card slot. If you use a pump, don’t go debit. If there’s a card skimmer attached, it will steal your number and cameras can broadcast your pin wirelessly.

If purchasing online and an ad pops up as you are finishing, do not respond. You could be agreeing to a membership that will charge that card after 30 days. This has nothing to do with what you are buying.

Gift cards that are out on racks can be targeted by thieves. Make sure any gift card is fully intact and the magnetic strip has not been tampered with. Getting them from a controlled access area is usually safer. Keep your receipt too.

State holidays are on Veterans Day,  Thanksgiving and the day after (Black Friday).  Be safe, let’s share with friends and neighbors and those less fortunate, not some scruffy weasel in a country you can’t pronounce. Remember, be thankful for what you have.

Charleston has been voted in the Top Ten travel destinations in the US by Conde Nast Travel magazine for the 18th consecutive year. Coming in second only to San Francisco, we maintain our top east coast designation.

In the Top 40 Small Hotels were the John Rutledge House and the Wentworth Mansion..The Top 100 Hotels included the Charleston Place, French Quarter Inn, Planters Inn and Market Pavilion.

The Coastal Carolina Fair is going strong in Ladson til the 6th and the James Island County Park Festival of Lights opens on the 12th.

In keeping with the farming tradition of a Harvest Festival to celebrate a good year,  Mullet Hall will hold the Bluegrass Celebration on the 6th from 11am-6pm

Sixty authors, poets and children’s writers will hold a one day free event, the Capitol Bookfest Charleston at Marion Square, the Library and Gaillard Auditorium on the 6th.

Art on the Beach, Chefs in the Kitchen, a Sullivan’s Island fundraiser will be held on the 7th. Tour cottages and mansions, view artwork and meet the artists and eat some good food.

Seven time Grammy winner, Jazz guitarist Earl Klugh, will bring his Weekend of Jazz event to the Sanctuary on Kiawah Island on the 11th-13th.

Join the Garden Club of Charleston in their 80th birthday celebration. A  Cooper River Plantation Tour is scheduled on the 13th with a reception on the 12th. Mepkin Abbey is included.

Irvin House Vineyards will open its 48 acre grounds for the 8th Annual Blessing of the Vines on the 13th.

The 2010 ESPN Charleston Classic will be played at the Carolina First Arena downtown on the 18, 19 and 21st. Competing will be Georgetown, George Mason, NC State, East Carolina, Wofford, UNC Charlotte, USC-Upstate and Coastal Carolina.

The Little Gobblers Golf Clinic will be at the Wild Dunes Driving Range from 2-3:30 on the 27th. Ages 5-15 welcome.

Looking Ahead to December……………………….Don’t let the pets feel left out. Take them to James Island County Park for Pet Photos with Santa on the 1st 8th and 15th of DEC.

The Vienna Boys Choir will present a holiday concert at the Gaillard Auditorium on the first of December. Heads up!

And be sure to make your plans for the Parade of Boats on December 4th. Lots of places to watch the fun and it’s free.

Elsewhere around the state:

Nov 1-7: Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival – Hilton Head – vintage automobiles show & races

Nov 5-6: Gaston Collard Festival – Entertainment, food, pageant, and of course, collards! Balloons Over Anderson – Hot-air balloon event – balloon rides, music, games, skydiving show

Nov 6: Daufuskie Autumn Festival – Daufuskie Island – and :   Fish & Grits Festival – Loris

Nov 6-7: Revolutionary War Field Days – Camden – reenactment,                                                                                         

Nov 7: Taste of the Town – Summerville – honoring all veterans

Nov 10-14: Carolina Beach Music Awards – Myrtle Beach

Nov 10-15: Castra Romana – Givhans – Dorchester County – Roman Imperial Army encampment – public displays Saturday only

Nov 11-13: Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration  St Helena Island—explore the Gullah tradition

Nov 13: Moonshiners’ Ball – Greenville – bbq, bluegrass

Nov 14: Wine & Art Under the Pines – Summerville – wine & food tastings, music, silent auction – fundraiser for developing local civic center

Nov 17: InnoVision Technology Awards Gala – Greenville – recognizing Upstate technology leaders

Nov 25-27: South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival – Myrtle Beach – many live performances

Nov 26-28: Columbia Gem & Mineral Society’s Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show – Columbia -

Nov 25 – Nov  27: Chitlin’ Strut – Salley – parade, Chitlin’ Queens, rides plus hawg-calling, strut & chitlin’ eating contests Who could possibly turn down the chance to enter a chittlin eating contest and meet the Chittlin Queen???????

But how does one strut a chittlin??? I may stick with the collard fest!

November must be the month to be outdoors in SC!!

Nov 6: James Island Connector Run – 10K run, 5K walk on certified course – benefits students with special needs & their families;  King’s Tree Trials Horse Race – Kingstree – plus elegant tailgate parties reminiscent of earlier times; Pecan Festival – Florence – “Run Like A Nut” races, half-marathon & fun walk

Nov 7: Free to Breathe® 5K Walk – West Columbia – plus health expo, silent auction, entertainment – for National Lung Cancer Partnership

Nov 9: Captain’s Cup Golf Tournament – Daniel Island – $1000 per foursome – benefits SC Maritime Foundation’s education programs

Nov 13: Colonial Cup – Camden – steeplechase horse racing at Springdale; Governor’s Cup Road Race – Columbia – half marathon, 8K, 4-mile walk: HOPE Relay – Greenville – 42 mile relay for teams of five runners – benefits Project HOPE Foundation’s autism program; Memory Walk – Myrtle Beach – less than 2 mile walk for the Alzheimer’s Association SC Chapter

Nov 14: Midlands Area CROP Walk Against Hunger – Columbia – 5K

Nov 20: Hills 4 Meals Fun Run/Walk – Inman – 1-mile, 5K, or children’s run plus canned good drive -

Nov 22 Children’s Garden Christmas & Kids’ Walk – Orangeburg – drive plus walk lights

Nov 25: Trees Greenville Turkey Day 8K – Greenville – 8K run, ¼ mile Toddler Trot – benefits Trees Greenville

Nov 25: Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble – Charleston – 5K, children’s fun run – benefits local charities

Filed under: Around Town, Lowcountry Lifestyle on October 27th, 2010 | No Comments »

October is upon us and just the name brings visions of football and clear weather with a nip in the air. I think we deserve that after this past summer. I don’t remember such oppressive heat for such long stretches, parallel hurricanes churning up the Atlantic and a rainfall surplus.

But we have made it to the threshold of another month. There are a few honors we can talk about. Isn’t it great that we were named America’s Top Tennis Town by the USTA? Not only do we get that honor and publicity, we get $100,000 to put towards tennis programs to better what we have in place. Atlanta and Richmond rounded out the top three finalists.

Charleston was recently named #29 on Bicycle Magazine’s America’s Top 50 Bike Friendly Cities. The Charleston Bicycle Company and Running Shop was tapped to build bikes for another honor from the magazine. Charleston and 6 other cities were named a 2010 “Bike Town.” The CBC built the 30 bikes given to essay winners at the Charleston Green Fair. It’s all about how a bike can change a life.

Boeing has staked its claim on property in Palmetto Commerce Park for their new 787 Dreamliner interior shop. More jobs coming this way, thanks Boeing.

Jafza Magna Park has begun the first building of their massive logistics and distribution hub in Santee. The 20,000 square foot building will be used for a training center and offices. Over the next decade, 8-10,000 jobs are planned at the 1,324 acre facility.

Optima, a Mt. Pleasant firm, will begin assembling a 130 foot tall cell phone tower in Columbia made to resemble a pine tree to fit in with its surroundings. It will have simulated bark with branches and pine needles. Good work!

In school news, the state has 5 new 2010 National Blue Ribbon schools and 2 are in the Lowcountry. Charles Pinckney Elementary in Mt Pleasant and Howe Hall Arts Infused Magnet School in Goose Creek, Berkeley County. 45% of Howe Hall students rank in the high poverty category and both schools are in the top 10 in the state.

There are three new magnet schools opening in Charleston this year out of eight state-wide. Public charter schools are independent and free to create their own curriculum focusing on specific needs or specific groups of students. The local schools are Palmetto Scholars Academy in the Navy Yard at Noisette, Apple Charter on James Island and Pattison’s Academy for Comprehensive Education (PACE) on Bee’s Ferry Rd., West Ashley.

What’s on tap for this month in the Lowcountry?

Lots of music, festivals and other outdoor activities are there for you to enjoy.

It’s MOJA Festival time! The Caribbean and African beat will be heard throughout the town through the 3rd. The MOJA Dance Gala will be on the 1st at the Galliard Don’t miss Patti Labelle and Boys 2 Men on the 2nd at Family Circle Stadium and the free Finale at Hampton Park on the 3rd at 4pm.  www.MOJA.com

The Chamber Music Charleston group has plenty on tap in October including their annual Gala on the 1st and a Kids Concert on the 9th at Circular Congregational Church. www.ChamberMusicCharleston.org

Charleston Chamber Opera and the Gibbes partner for an afternoon event on the 3rd. www.GibbesMuseum.org

The Beach Boys will open the new Roper St Francis Mt Pleasant Hospital on the 10th with the Blue Dogs. Space is limited, reservations are recommended.

The Latin American Festival will be held at Wannamaker Park on the 3rd. Reggae Nights continue on the 16th at Wannamaker and James Island County Parks..Details at www.ccprc.com

Charleston Ballet will showcase Alice in Wonderland at the C of C on the 16th and 17th. Their Halloween tradition continues with Rocky Horror on the 22nd-30th at the Black Box. Details on all the shows at www.CharlestonBallet.org

Charleston Stage gets us in the mood with Bunnicula the 15th and 16th and Hitchcock’s 39 Steps starting the 29th at the Dock Street. www.CharlestonStage.com

Charleston Music Hall presents a 2 hour big band review “Swing on a Star: the Great American Songbook the 15th-17th.

Edgar Allan Poe: Back from the Grave will play the 9th at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. Witness Poe’s works come to “life” down inside the fort with shows starting at 7pm. Not suitable for children under 11.You can bring children to an event in the auditorium on the 8th. www.creativespark.org

Halloween falls on a weekend, thank goodness. Please drive carefully as many events are scheduled at different times throughout. The Coastal Carolina Fair will be at Ladson the 28th-Nov. 6. Remember Monday the 11th is Columbus Day, a federal holiday.

Want health and wellness to make money in the workplace? Learn to increase your ROI at a luncheon conference at the Francis Marion at noon on the 4th. Tonya Vihlidal, the Wellness Director for Lincoln Industries, will show how their Wellness Program its people and bottom line, to the tune of 500% ROI. www.surfacefinishingacademy.com

The Sophia Institute will welcome women from across the globe to the Women of Wisdom gathering the1st-3rd. Information is available at www.TheSophisInstitute.org

My Sister’s House will present its 2nd Annual Bubbly and Brew at the Omar Shrine Temple in Mt P on the 7th from 6pm -10:30 pm. www.bubbleandbrew2.bbnow.com

Drayton Hall will host their Preservation Tech Tours, a little On behind the scenes insight into preservation on First Saturdays through December, 8:30-10:30 am. www.DraytonHall.org

Use that new-found knowledge on the 34th Preservation Society Annual Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens til the 24th.www.preservationsociety.org  will get you more details.

The Edisto and Beyond Tour including Seabrook Plantation will be held the 8th and 9th. www.EdistoMuseum.org

The Charleston Horticultural Society will host the Gardens for Gardeners Tour of the Mazyck Wraggsborough neighborhood on the 3rd, noon-4pm. www.CharlestonHorticulturalSociety.org

The 16th will give Civil War buffs a chance to head out to Morris Island and pick up some history during the two hour tour departing 1pm from the Maritime Center. More info is at www.SandlapperTours.com

To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of SC’s secession, the Confederate Charleston Walking Tours 1pm Fri, Sat and Sunday will be offered free of charge. www.BlackCatTours.com

Threads of War: Clothing and Textiles of the Civil War exhibit is at the Charleston Museum www.charlestonmuseum.org

The Confederate Ghost Walk will use 200+ reenactors at Magnolia Cemetery on the 8th and 9th at 7pm, not for children under 12. www.csatrust.org  .

The Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour is a big hit on the 3rd www.DorchesterChildren.org  and don’t forget the 30th Taste of Charleston the 8-10th at Boone Hall Plantation. www.CharlestonRestaurantAssociation.com 

How about some sports?

A few runs to enjoy in this great weather. The 18th Annual IOP Connector Run and Walk for the Child will take place on the 2nd. The 10Krun and 5K run/walk will begin at the foot of the connector on the IOP side at 8am. Try www.IOPrun.com  for details.

The Race for Justice 5K will be at Hampton Park on the 9th at 8:30 am and the same day at 9am the Trot for Tots at the New Roper St Francis Hospital in Mt Pleasant. More info is at www.myMountPleasantHopsital.com

The 17th Annual Susan B Comen Race for the Cure will be run on Daniel Island on the 16th. Details at http://www.KomenLowcountry.org

Crowfield Plantation will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a 5K run on the 23rd. www.CrowfieldHOA.net

The 2010 Fight for Air 5K Run and Walk will leave from the Folly Pier at 9 am on the 30th. email CharlestonEvents@SCLung.org

The Jerry Zucker Charleston Ride for Hope will take place on the 24th at 8am at the Mt Pleasant Recreation Center at Park West

Looking for something with a different twist? How about the Folly Beach Challenge: A Non-Traditional Triathlon? The event at the County Park on the tip of Folly begins on the 16th. Expanding to 2 days, it will include optional kayaking and stand up paddle board events. www.ccprc.com

On the subject of unique events here’s the 5th Annual Barrier Island ECOthon on the 24th. Departing from the IOP Marina, the event will combine swimming, running, paddling and biking but will encompass Capers, Dewees, Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. The 35 mile Endurance course can be completed solo or continuously as a 2 or 3 man team. The 23 mile Sprint course is to be completed as a 2 person relay. Meet 6:30am at the marina. Check out the web for all the details. www.ecothon.blogspot.com

On the 23rd, The Memory Walk for Alzheimers will start at 10am at the Charleston Harbor Resort at Patriots Point. www.kintera.org

Golf anyone? Daniel Island will host the Nationwide Tour Championship the 25th-30h. One of only three PGA events with a million dollar purse, all play will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel. To get more details, go to http://Nationwidetourchanpionship.com

MOJA Festival will include a Junior Tennis Tournament on the 1st at the Farmfield tennis facility and an adult tournament, the Harold Smith Appreciation Tennis Tournament the 1st –3rd at the St Andrews Parks and Playground facility. www.MOJAFestival.com

Also the Charleston Police Boxing Club MOJA Cup will be fought for at the Arthur Christopher Gym at Hagood and Fishburne Streets on the 2nd

Looking for something else around the state for a quick weekend of fun? Here’s a list of events from around the state:

Oct 1-2: Click 646 - Greenwood – photography event – exhibits, music, local foods market, juried events

Oct 1-2: Columbia Blues Festival – Five Points – featuring nine bands

Oct 1-2: Gopher Hill Festival – Ridgeland – turtle races, parade, street dance, shag contest, entertainment, classic car show, craft market Learn more about South Carolina’s state dance, the shag

Oct 1-2: Heritage Days at the Depot – Belton – traditional artisans demonstrate their craft plus hand-on activities

Oct 1-2: Moonshiners Reunion & Mountain Music Festival – Campobello – live bands, camping, all-night pickin’, Carolina Crawdad Derby

Oct 1-2: Old Town Blues & Jazz Festival - Rock Hill – live music at restaurants and larger venues

Oct 1-2: Squealin’ on the Square – Laurens – BBQ plus ‘anything but’ cook-offs, music, crafts Learn more about barbeque in South Carolina

Oct 1-2: Trillium Art Festival – Travelers Rest – featuring local artists and regional folk art plus music, BBQ, kids’ activities

Oct 1-3: Grand Strand Fall Rally – Murrells Inlet – motorcycles – cruises and vendors

Oct 1-3: Orangeburg County Fair – Carnival rides, midway with games & food, crafts, livestock competitions & shows, live music

Oct 1-3: Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art – Wine gala, jazz, swing and symphony concerts, children’s musical theater

Oct 1-3: Pee Dee Fall Plant & Flower Festival – Florence – Pee Dee State Farmers Market – bring a wagon!

Oct 1-3: Sumter County Fair – Amusement rides and games, live entertainment, livestock, art show, flower show, exhibits

Oct 1-24: Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens – Charleston – choose from 15 tours – Thursdays-Sundays

Oct 2: Belton Standpipe Heritage & Arts Festival – Live entertainment, games, rides, children’s area, exhibits, open car show, street dance

Oct 2: Carolina Fest – Chesterfield – kids’ pavilion, parades, music, food, art, pumpkin contests – click link, then scroll down

Oct 2: Congaree Bluegrass Festival – Cayce – music, food, children’s play area – featuring seven bands

Oct 2: Conway Fall Festival – Beach music, children’s activities, demonstrations, antique cars & tractors, food

Oct 2: Eurand Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life – Greenville – choose from 35 mile or 65 mile bicycle routes – benefit

Oct 2: Greer Station Oktoberfest – Oompah bands, German cuisine, local artists, chicken dance competition

Oct 2: Hunter Pace / Trail Ride – Ravenel – plus lunch – benefits the South Carolina Awareness and Rescue for Equines

Oct 2: Italian Festival & Bocce Tournament – Columbia – music, Italian motorcycle & car show, games, heritage & art booths

Oct 2: Lowcountry Invitational Marching Band Festival - Mount Pleasant – high school bands from 1A to 5A

Oct 2: Newberry Oktoberfest – German food, live entertainment, culinary stage, liver nips contest, kids’ rides & crafts, classic cars

Oct 2: Spartanburg International Festival – Boulevard of Food, Folk Art Market, music, dance, exhibits, kids’ zone

Oct 2: Walk for Life/5K Race for Life – Columbia – 3 miles – breast cancer awareness and benefit

Oct 6-9: United States Disc Golf Championship – Rock Hill Learn about disc golf in South Carolina

Oct 6-16: Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair – Florence – rides, food, games, exhibits, contests, live entertainment

Oct 7-9: Carolina Downhome Blues Festival – Camden – 47 performances at 18 different sites

Oct 7-9: Piedmont Blues and Hash Bash – Abbeville – bring blanket or chair to enjoy great music and food

Oct 7-9: SC State H.O.G. Rally – Spartanburg – motorcycles – rides, games, music, bike shows, female only events, vendor mall

Oct 8-9: Marlboro, Chesterfield, Darlington County Pee Dee Indian Tribe Pow Wow – Bennettsville – bring a lawn chair or blanket

Oct 8-9: A Stitch In Time Quilt Show – Rock Hill – over 130 quilts on display, quilt demonstrations, vendors, bake sale, door prizes

Oct 8-10: Fall For Greenville – Cuisine from over 40 restaurants, four music stages, contests and Silver Spoon challenges, kids’ area

Oct 8-10: Women’s Outdoor Recreation Retreat – Hickory Knob State Park, near McCormick – outdoor activities and workshops, ages 16+

Oct 8-31: Cayce-West Columbia Jaycees Hall of Horrors - Cayce – not open every night – benefits local charities

Oct 9: Fall Harvest Festival - Pendleton – entertainment, food, crafts, old-fashioned games, “Bubba-Bake-Off”, benefit bicycle ride

Oct 9: Fall Heritage Festival & Pickin’ Party – Columbia – SC State Museum – barbecue, bluegrass music, art & crafts Learn more about bluegrass in South Carolina

Oct 9: Fort Mill Art On Main – Fine art & master craft festival, local entertainment

Oct 9: Fur Ball – Anderson – food and fun plus costume and dance contests – benefits the Anderson County Humane Society Learn more about helping animals in South Carolina

Oct 9: Habitat For Humanity Run / Walk – West Columbia – 10K and 5K run , 5K walk, and youth fun run – benefits home construction Help a South Carolina Habitat for Humanity chapter near you

Oct 9: Ocean Boulevard’s Oktoberfest – Myrtle Beach – German food and drink, kids’ zone, fireworks – benefits Horry County Special Olympics

Oct 9-10: Little River Shrimp & Jazz Fest - Live Jazz music all day, shrimp cookoff, arts & crafts, fun for all ages

Oct 9-23: Halloween Extravaganza – Hollywood – hayrides, House of Horrors, games, petting zoo, country store, paint ball – not everyday

Oct 10: Read and Romp Family Literacy Event – Columbia – learning activities themed around children’s books

Oct 10: Teddy Bear Picnic – Charleston – picnic with kids and their dressed up teddy bears, live music – Charleston Parks Conservancy event

Oct 11: Columbus Day – Federal holiday – Monday

Oct 11-17: Piedmont Interstate Fair – Spartanburg – midway rides & games, farm animals, live entertainment, contests, helicopter rides

Oct 13-24: South Carolina State Fair – Columbia – midway rides & games, exhibits, live entertainment, food, livestock, exhibits

Oct 14: Charleston Signature Chef Auction - North Charleston – black-tie reception – March of Dimes benefit with tickets $150.00/each

Oct 14: Spirit Ball – Charleston – gourmet dinner, auction – $150.00 per ticket – benefits SC Maritime Foundation’s education programs

Oct 14-16: Kingstree Pig Pickin’ Celebration – BBQ cook-off, carnival rides, live music, parade, lancing tournament, fireworks

Oct 15: Little Steps Charity Classic Golf Tournament – Greenville – benefit

Oct 15-16: Albino Skunk Bluegrass Festival – Greer – 13 live bands, bbq, kiddie circus, camping available onsite

Oct 15-16: Euro Auto Festival – Greer – car shows – celebrating the VW

Oct 15-16: Francis Marion / Swamp Fox Symposium - Manning – lectures, reception, discussions, displays

Oct 15-16: Model T’s to Olar Festival – Olar – Model T and Model A car shows, kids’ activities, parade, hay ride, street dance, live entertainment

Oct 15-17: District 58 Toastmasters Fall Conference – Columbia – develop communication, leadership skills Find a South Carolina Toastmasters club near you

Oct 15-17: Oktoberfest - Walhalla – German food, music, and dancers plus carnival rides, kids’ activities

Oct 15-17: South Carolina Jazz Festival – Cheraw – concerts, Bebop Parade, art, tours, Dizzy birthday celebration, kids’ activities

Oct 16: Fur Ball Moonlight Gala – Columbia – black-tie, auctions, gourmet food & drink, live entertainment – benefits Pawmetto Lifeline

Oct 16: Loris Bog-Off Festival – Chicken bog contest, live music, fireworks, children’’s pavilion, arts & crafts, hundreds of vendors

Oct 16: Race for the Cure - Daniel Island – Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – 5K run/walk, expo

Oct 16: Ray Tanner Home Run - Columbia – 12K, 5K, and kids’ fun run plus post race party – benefits the Ray Tanner Foundation

Oct 16: SEED: Science Education Enrichment Day – Aiken – for upper elementary & middle school students

Oct 16: Wooden Boat Show – Georgetown – exhibits, races, food, crafts, boat building challenge

Oct 16-17: A Day to Remember Colonial Times – North Augusta – reenactments and living exhibits

Oct 16-24: Steam Train Rides – Winnsboro – Saturdays & Sundays only, reservations are highly recommended

Oct 17: National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk – Irmo – walk less than 1 mile, plus food & family fun

Oct 17: Town of Mount Pleasant Children’s Day Festival – Activities include inflatables, games, pony rides, laser tag

Oct 17-20: Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina Fall Conference – Myrtle Beach

Oct 17-24: Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival – Street fest, tours, live entertainment, 5K run & health walk, iron chef competition

Oct 21-30: Western Carolina State Fair – Aiken – midway rides, concerts, demolition derby, exhibits, horticulture show, petting zoo

Oct 21-31: Holiday Harvest - Myrtle Beach – educational demos, kids’ activities, hay rides, entertainment, fall food – not everyday

Oct 22-24: Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens - Beaufort – visit churches, private homes, and plantations plus candlelight, cuisine events

Oct 22-24: South Carolina Writers Workshop Conference – Myrtle Beach – workshops for new and established authors Looking for South Carolina authors or books? Visit SCIWAY’s book guide

Oct 23: Myrtle Beach Arthritis Walk – Three-mile or one-mile walk routes – benefits the Arthritis Foundation

Oct 23: Richburg Fall Fest - Live music, fair-style games, inflatables, 9-hole miniature golf course, local business booths, crafts

Oct 27-31: Myrtle Beach Haunted House – Terror Under the Bridge – Conway – benefits local charitable organizations

Oct 28: Taste of Coker – Hartsville – enjoy good food while supporting Coker College Athletics

Oct 29-30: Aiken Fall Steeplechase – Holiday Cup – sanctioned horse races, gala – benefits local charities

Oct 29 – Nov 7: Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival – Hilton Head – vintage automobiles show & races – Driving Young American benefit

Oct 30: Fund Raiser to Benefit Dream Equine - Aiken – poker trail ride, silent auction, and lunch

Oct 30: A Haunted House of Fashion – Myrtle Beach – fashion show, luncheon – Long Bay Symphony benefit – click, then scroll down

Oct 30: Memory Walk – Bluffton – less than 2 mile walk to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association SC Chapter

Oct 30: Myrtle Beach Walk for Food Allergy - 2 mile walk to raise awareness and funds for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network

Oct 31: Fall Tour: The Santee Delta – South of Georgetown – tour historic properties

Oct 31: Halloween – Sunday – “Trick or Treat!”

Thanks to Skiway for the Calendar of state events.

All in all a big month, let’s hope everyone gets out and enjoys it.

Don’t forget the Farmer’s Markets located throughout the area and the farms that are making their crops available through various community drop off points. Subscriptions are available in single and family sizes. Enjoy the bounty of the Lowcountry.

See you next month; in the meantime please browse through the website. You can check out any real estate that is listed in the MLS here.

Lilla

Filed under: Around Town, Uncategorized on September 21st, 2010 | No Comments »

     I can’t think of anything more irresponsible than the Senate going home for a vacation without renewing the Federal Flood Insurance Program. The biggest irony (and the saddest) is that the program was allowed to expire on the first day of hurricane season. You would think that as self-serving as most politicos are, they would jump at the opportunity to lead the charge to protect their constituents. To do so without controversy seems to be a PR dream come true. 

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.

Filed under: Around Town, Lowcountry Lifestyle, Lowcountry Today, Uncategorized on June 13th, 2010 | No Comments »

Good Morning! It’s a perfect Saturday morning in the Lowcountry and what a great start to a long Memorial Day weekend. The First Annual Fish Fry was held at The Washout this morning. No not food…it’s a chance for surfers to get together with the boards they’ve been making to talk shop, talk story, trade ideas and tell big tales. Pete Kohn was the instigator, you see him here with one of his shapes. Foster, Gunter and Pete at the contest walkover in front of some of their boards.

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!

Filed under: Around Town, Lowcountry Lifestyle, Lowcountry Today on May 29th, 2010 | No Comments »