Anyone trying to make a dinner reservation for their sweetheart has learned in the last few years that you better not delay. The Southeastern Wildlife Expo is usually right around the same time and with over 40,000 outdoor enthusiasts hitting town, it can cause quite a logjam. It’s back for the 30th year, fair warning.

    The weather has been so warm that tulip trees are blooming around town. Let’s just hope there’s no repeat of the late snow from last year. We want to be looking good when all our visitors start to show up.  Fodor’s, famous for its guide books, is predicting a banner travel year. “From worldwide spectacles like the London Olympics to buzzy destinations like foodie-focused Charleston…” we are on the GO List-21 Places to Go in 2012. We are one of only two US locations, joining Oahu on the list.

     The travelers linked with Trip Advisors have decided on their picks for the Top Hotels in the US. We have three of the top 25 here in our town. The French Quarter Inn came in at number seven and The Restoration on King debuted at number 19. The Wentworth Mansion was on the list at 24.

      Not only do we have Valentine’s Day this month, but President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday of the month.  February 20th is the date this year. It is a federal and state holiday. It’s fitting that we should celebrate it between the Republican Primary and the statewide Democratic Primary which will be held on the 28th.

     February is Black History Month. Since 1976, it has been celebrated in the US and Canada. The Avery Institute is showcasing the Smithsonian exhibit Word, Shout, Song: Lorenzo Dow Turner.  Dr. Turner cracked the linguistic code of the Gullah language bringing international attention to the Sea Islands. The exhibit opens the 12th.

     Each Saturday during February and March at 2pm the Charles Pinckney Historical Site on Mt Pleasant will host the 2012 Gullah Cultural Series. The programs are different each week and free of charge.

     There’s lots of music to choose from this month, a little something for everyone.  The Welcome to Fin Land Tour 2012 with Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band will hit the Coliseum on the 2nd at 8pm.

     The N.Chas Performing Arts Center will be the place for the family favorite Mary Poppins from the Best of Broadway Series on the 1st and 2nd.

     On the 3rd, Gallery Row celebrates Blues on Broad: from Memphis to Mardi Gras. Each gallery will provide “a gumbo of live music and fine art.”

     The CSO Spiritual Ensemble performs its 4th Anniversary Performance,  Moses: Let my People Go-A Tribute to Moses Hogan, at Trinity United Methodist Church on Meeting St on the 4th.

     Another anniversary on tap this month:  82 Queen celebrates 30 years of serving fresh, local food and delivering a true Charleston experience. They are honoring their past by re-creating some old favorites in the kitchen and coming up with special surprises the 6th-11th.

     On the 8th, ease yourself into the Lowcountry Blues Bash. 14 days, 24 venues, 60 acts and 98 shows all over town, it runs til the 21st.

     Or take a wacky walk down the street of life with Avenue Q, a Musical by the Charleston Stage Company at the Dock Street the 10th-26th.

     Darius Rucker will romance us with the Songs of Frank Sinatra at the North Charleston Center for the Performing Arts on the 13th paving the way for a romantic Valentine’s Day.

     What began in 1993 as a ‘small winter diversion’ with 100 exhibitors and 5,000 attendees has grown into its own as the largest annual event held in SC. It’s the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, the largest event of its kind in the country. The three day show now attracts over 500 artists and exhibitors and 40,000 visitors and will run from Feb 17th-19th.

     It’s another Brewvival in North Charleston on the 25th. New Belgium Brewmaster Peter Boukaert will be a distinguished presenter. Shuttles  available.

     Leave room for Chef’s Fest on the 26th at 6pm at Embassy Suites North Charleston Convention Center. Thirty exceptional chefs from some of the best restaurants in the area led by local Chef Robert Carter, the program raises funds for the Lowcountry Food Bank children’s programs serving 3,000 children weekly. 

     Aggie Zed has opened an exhibit of her work at the Halsey Gallery. Aggie went to Bishop England with me so tell her hi if she’s at the gallery. Zed grew up on Sullivan’s Island at a time when animals were allowed to roam your property.  Animal images recur in her unique artistry in Keeper’s Keep til March 10.  

    Power from animal waste? That idea tops our Business Watch. It’s one direction Santee-Cooper is exploring. They have contracted with Green Energy Systems to purchase 25 megawatts of green power. The first anaerobic digester plant will open near Manning in 2013.

      Local businesses Deytens Shipyard, Marinex and Construction Services Group have been awarded major contracts from the Dept. of Defense and the Army Corps of Engineers. In another win, Marinex also got the nod to restore the beach at St Augustine.

     Greenville-Spartanburg won the number one spot for the largest decrease in airfare nationally last year, clocking an impressive 14.3% drop in prices while Charleston came in second. We apparently saw a 7.2% drop in our prices.

     BMW will be hiring. The upscale automobile manufacturer located in Greer has announced they are adding the new X4 sports activity vehicle to its roster. The plant is currently home to the X3, X5 and X6 manufacture.

     Michelin recently unveiled its new 90,000 mile tread all season passenger tire. The Defender will be manufactured, among other locations, at it’s North American headquarters in Greenville.

     General Dynamics is bringing work for their new Stryker to the Force Protection plant in Ladson. There’s another new bank besides TD making its entry into South Carolina. Cincinnati-based Third Fifth Bank is debuting in the upstate.

     The Charleston-area homes sales market posted a 6% increase in the number of closing in 2011 over 2010.  These numbers came in just after we experienced the strongest December sales since 2006. That’s good news to everyone.

     Charleston Girl, a new fragrance inspired by Charleston and the women who  make it their home, has made its debut.  Former journalist, Kelly Gaskins, joined with Alpha Aromatics to create the scent.

     From the Chef’s Table comes the news that Brett McKee has joined Charleston Hospitality Group and recently opened Eli’s Table next to the Gibbes Art Gallery on Meeting Street. If you go, say hello to my friend Raymond in the front of the house.

     The Boulevard Diner was the setting for John King’s show on CNN. The Republican primary had reporters everywhere.

     Cypress was featured on the Cooking Channel. Unique Eats visited Chef  Craig Deihl’s kitchen to highlight some of the menu items there and to check out some of Chef’s favorite dishes

     Ben Arnold has begun distribution of Virgil Kaine’s Bourbon and Ginger, a hand crafted concoction using all natural ginger. Here’s to another local product taking off!

Time for sports in February.

There’s a Tennis Tournament going on at The Legends in Summerville. The Championship at Legends Oaks Plantation will run the 2nd through the 5th.

Schools get into the competition zone on the 4th. The Nativity School Flapjack 5K will be held at the Stono Shelter at the James Island County Park beginning at 8:30.  Ashley Ridge High School will have
their annual Fox Trot 5K the same morning at 8am on the school grounds.

The Go Red Heart 5K Run and Walk will begin and end at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina at Patriots Point on the 11th . If you’d like a weekend away with your half marathon, try the Hilton
Head Island Half Marathon on the 11th. The scenic run/race will take you through Jarvis Park, Crossing Park and over Broad Creek.

The Soccer Six Memorial Tournament will be on HHI on the 18th. The 2nd Annual Eagle Endurance Almost Nine Miler Trail Run is at the Buck Hall Recreation Center in McClellanville on the
18th also. The Family Circle Junior Cup Tennis Tournament (formerly the SMASH Jr. Cup) will be that weekend. The 19th is the Capers ECOrun 5K and 10K. Boat leaves the IOP Marina at 11 for the island.

The 10th Messa 8K for H2O will start at the Folly Pier at 9am on the 25th. The Master of Environmental Studies Student Assn. is all about improving water quality in Charleston area. The 7th
Annual Life Point Gift of Life 5K at the James Island County Park begins at 9am on the 25th to raise awareness of organ donation.

On the 25th and 26th is the Grand Prix Swim Championship at the W.L. Stephens Pool in St Andrews.   Don’t Miss the Race and Roast at Oakland Plantation on the 26th. The 5K trail run and oyster roast benefits the Land Conservancy. Do one or both.  It all fun!

For your well-heeled friends coming into town for the PGA in August, Wild Dunes Resort has proposed a VVIP package. Luxury round trip airport transportation, complete with champagne and Cohiba Robusto cigars, penthouse accommodations for six at their AAA 4 Diamond Village at Wild Dunes, one private chef’s table dinner and a round of golf. The piece de resistance? All six will travel back and forth to the
tournament daily by private helicopter.

Price tag for the package?
$15,000 and you must book by June 25th.

Enjoy the month, Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy President’s Day.

Lilla

http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad273/Lillafolsom/Nova%20Scotia%20Cottage/?albumview=slideshow#/grid

Enjoy the show!

Remember to be safe, there are lots of celebrations over the weekend. Drive defensively and remember to have updated insurance proof in your car. There will be lots of traffic checks this weekend.

Take a moment from the celebrations to think about what an honor it is to have freedom like we do here. Our country has its faults, but to have the opportunities we have is truly something special.

So Happy Birthday America from sea to shining sea. And thanks to this great homeowner on the tip of Broad Street for their lovely show of patriotism.

                         DAVO

 RIP my friend

The big news for the day? It’s National Chocolate Ice Cream Day and not a moment too soon, if you ask me. So cool off and enjoy your day.

One last item. Remember last June? The big news was the Appalachian Trail Hike?

If you want an update on what’s going on this month in Charleston, click over to Charleston News on the masthead up top. Now… have a leisurely Sunday breakfast and enjoy the day. Welcome Holly, she’s just moved here to enjoy her new home. After a few hiccups, she’s starting to unpack.

Not good!

 Another steamy-hot June morning is here to wilt us all! Downtown is crowded with visitors, it is always good  to grease the wheels of commerce.

Everyone seems chipper, at least in the cool of the mornings. I didn’t hang around to see how they fared throughout the day.

Today marks 2 important dates on someone’s calendar…National Bubba Day and Rocky Road Day, let’s hope they’re talking ice cream!

If you want some idea of what’s happening in town in June, switch over to the Charleston News tab on the home page of this site. Enjoy!

I’d like to congratulate Holly on her new home as well as Walter and Julie.They all got great value for their money and when you laugh at the closing table, it’s a good day all round.

Funny how different people celebrate Spoleto.  Some go into seclusion, some enjoy the festival and some flaunt it. I found a couple of show offs and thought I’d share with you. Let me know if you see something especially fun so I can take a photo.

Also thanks to the University Exchange Club, there are beautiful flags to celebrate Memorial weekend. Enjoy it all!