The loropetalum is blooming and boy is it beautiful!

What’s in a name? Get aload of the names that these famous books might have been called!

Thanks to Stacey at MentalFloss.com for the following:

Remember when your high school summer reading list included Atticus, Fiesta, and The Last Man in Europe? You will once you see what these books were renamed before they hit bookshelves.

1. F. Scott Fitzgerald went through quite a few titles for his most well-known book before deciding on The Great Gatsby. If he hadn’t arrived at that title, high school kids would be pondering the themes of Trimalchio in West Egg; Among Ash-Heaps and Millionaires; On the Road to West Egg; Under the Red, White, and Blue; Gold-Hatted Gatsby; and The High-Bouncing Lover.

2. George Orwell’s publisher didn’t feel the title to Orwell’s novel The Last Man in Europe was terribly commercial and recommended using the other title he had been kicking around—1984.

3. Before it was Atlas Shrugged, it was The Strike, which is how Ayn Rand referred to her magnum opus for quite some time. In 1956, a year before the book was released, she decided the title gave away too much plot detail. Her husband suggested Atlas Shrugged and it stuck.

4. The title of Bram Stoker’s famous Gothic novel sounded more like a spoof before he landed on Dracula—one of the names Stoker considered was The Dead Un-Dead.

5. Ernest Hemingway’s original title for The Sun Also Rises was used for foreign-language editions—Fiesta. He changed the American English version to The Sun Also Rises at the behest of his publisher.

6. It’s because of Frank Sinatra that we use the phrase “Catch-22” today. Well, sort of. Author Joseph Heller tried out Catch-11, but because the original Ocean’s Eleven movie was newly in theaters, it was scrapped to avoid confusion. He also wanted Catch-18, but, again, a recent publication made him switch titles to avoid confusion: Leon Uris’ Mila 18. The number 22 was finally chosen because it was 11 doubled.

7. To Kill a Mockingbird was simply Atticus before Harper Lee decided the title focused too narrowly on one character.

8. An apt precursor to the Pride and Prejudice title Jane Austen finally decided on: First Impressions.

9. Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? Secretly, apparently. Mistress Mary, taken from the classic nursery rhyme, was the working title for Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.

10. Originally called Ulysses in Dublin, James Joyce’s Dubliners featured characters that would later appear in his epic Ulysses a few years later.

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I’m back from the northcountry so look for more here tomorrow!

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

Happy Wedding Allen and Deb Barnett

School is back in session and the crowds at the College of Charleston this morning were something, so was the line of cars heading to Folly. I did see a great bumper sticker, I’d love to have one…it said “Only idiots litter”. Now I dare someone to put the matter more succinctly.

I was at the Framers Market with my friend, Bev, from the Half Moon Cafe days. We loaded up on heirloom tomatoes from Fields Farm, grass fed hot dogs from the Meathouse and beautiful brown eggs from Chucktown Chicken. Then, it was off to the Glass Onion for grilled pimento cheese and tomato sandwiches with iced tea and mint syrup. Then…that was it for me…siesta time. 

      On the whole, we live in a pretty special place.  According to CNN.com, Mount Pleasant is in the Top 100 Best Places to live in the US, coming in at number 100.

     Charleston has made it to the Top Three Best Tennis Towns, the winner will be announced at the US Open.  At stake is a cash prize to add to tennis programs in the area.

     Charleston has moved up from number 18 to number 4 in the Most Vibrant Metro Areas for businesses with 99 employees or less, according to online magazine Portfolio.com. Columbia at #12 is up from 59, Greenville #16 up from 28. To compare, Atlanta dropped from 31 to 60. Kind of puts what’s happening in perspective, huh?

    When looking at the density and growth of the 65+ population, Hilton Head /Beaufort is in the Top Ten of the Retirement sector. I guess Sun City helped that figure along. This was a Portfolio.com statistic also.

     I’m sure you’ve heard by now that Mt Pleasant has scored the Top Ten All American Cities honor. The other nine named are: Chandler, AZ; Lynwood,CA; Rancho Cordova, CA; North Miami, FL; Acworth, GA; Des Moines,IA; Salisbury, MD; Gastonia, NC; and El Paso, Tx.

     Congratulations to all of our fine towns!