Sunday, December 11, 2011
Oblique Magazine - Is Running a Marathon Impossible
Many people suggest that marathon running is mind of over matter. If you have the right mind set, you can last for hours and hours out there on the open road. The mind is definitely an important part, but conditioning and training definitely take the cake in making sure that your marathon experience is a good one.
Pacing
Pacing is something that is up to the individual. We all have different goals in mind and to us reaching that goal means winning the race, even if you do place number 18,134. The key to pacing is being able to kick it up in those last couple miles. You’ll know what pace is right for you during your training and you’ll know when a short walk might be appropriate to help save your legs at the end. The pacers in marathons are always good to follow, but don’t be afraid to break away from them on those last miles and finish strong.
Be Strong
A long leisurely run is good, but won’t make you stronger. Try taking your long runs to the next level. Run your next long run at a comfortable speed and then at the end, try some short bursts of speed. For example run 90 minutes at about 60 seconds slower than regular pace. Finish with about ten 100-meter progressive strides. Build speed for the first 40 meters, hold that speed for about 30 meters and then coast for 30 meters. Rest for 45 seconds between intervals. You’ll notice that your stamina will increase with longer runs and that your short runs will feel like a breeze.
Hydration, Nutrition and Rest
A not so good thing about marathon training is that you will want to eat everything in sight! Don’t deprive yourself of calories. You’ll need them to get through a long run on a hot day. Eat smart. Buy plenty of fruits and vegetables and stock up on carbohydrates on the day before your long runs.
Drink plenty of water. How many times have you heard that? Well, this certainly isn’t going to be any different when marathon training. Drinking water the day before a long run is vital. This will ensure your stamina, your ability to keep pace and even your ability to concentrate. Getting dehydrated is a great way to ruin a perfectly good training day, one that you may not be able to make up later, so make sure you drink plenty of water the day before your long runs (as well as just before you head out and have plenty on you during your run too).
Rest days are often overlooked or taken for granted. Rest days give your tired muscles and bones a break and ensure that you will be able to get back out there stronger than ever the next day. Do not skip on rest days because you feel you need to be training instead. There is something to be said about a person that works hard, so that they can rest harder.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
James Island Messenger - Alternative Medicine
Last week, Dr. Barron Nason opened a new Nason Medical Center on Folly Road near Maybank Highway in James Island. Many know Nason’s motto: “Don’t wait on healthcare. Let healthcare wait on you.” With the new 9,000- square-foot facility, Nason is putting a different spin on the average doctor’s visit for James Islanders.
Like other urgent care facilities, you don’t need an appointment or a referral to be seen by Nason Medical Centers. Unlike other facilities, the average wait time is about 15 minutes, and the cost averages one-sixth of what it would cost to go to the emergency room. The James Island location will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The decision to open a location in James Island was a simple one for Nason. “We wanted to bridge the gap so that patients who want to avail of our services don’t have to drive as far,” he says. With the James Island location, Nason hopes to collect patients from downtown and West Ashley, as well as the Island. “We look forward to serving the great people of James Island and we look forward to being a part of the community,” Nason said. Since the first facility opened in Mt. Pleasant in 2005, Nason Medical Center has seen more than 300,000 patients. In June, Nason said the three locations served about 10,000 patients. The other two locations are located in North Charleston.
Nason plans to open a location in Summerville in early 2012. The boom in the Nason Medical Center business comes from the increase in cost for healthcare and the increase in the amount of people uninsured. Nason thinks he will see even more patients as the year comes to an end due to the fact that many people have avoided going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, causing many people’s ailments to only get worse. “Unfortunately, people are not practicing preventative medicine as much as they should be in this day and age,” Nason said.
The James Island location will offer 18 rooms with 10 cardiac monitored beds. There will be three trauma bays for conscious sedation procedures. Nason Medical Centers are all equipped to handle chest pain, shortness of breath, and trauma. An imaging center will also be offered in James Island, including CT scan technology, digital radiology, echocardiography, as well as ultrasounds. Nason Medical Centers share 10 doctors, 12 physician assistants, and a total of 175 employees.
Nason said the short wait times are what sets his business apart. “Time is important to everyone. Everyone would rather be doing something better than sitting in a waiting room,” he says. Nason also cites his patient costs as another reason for his success. “We accept all local forms of insurance and our business is doing well, which means we don’t have to jack up the prices,” he says.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
West Of - New Christian School Opens in West Ashley
The school was located in North Charleston under the name Riverbend Christian Academy. Having grown leaps and bounds in the 40 years they have been in service, their school needed an upgrade and the West Ashley location provided just that and more.
The new location is at 2508 Ashley River Road, formally Pierpont Baptist Church and now Grace on the Ashley. The merger of Grace on the Ashley and Riverpointe Christian Academy has been a very smooth transition, according to vice-principal Kathy Jones. “We both have a common goal and that is to reach out to families through the Lord,” Jones said.
The new facility offers 21,000 square feet of space. Jones said they definitely expect more students over time, but they really want to focus on expanding the preschool. “With so many working families in the Charleston area, parents need more options. We will not be a daycare per se. We will look toward education with a Christian focus,” Jones said.
Forty years ago, the school in North Charleston was just a daycare facility. The school later expanded to a full preschool serving two and four year olds. Later came elementary grades, then middle school, and five years ago the school expanded to offering education through 12th grade.
Their guiding principles are simple. “Parents have this God-given responsibility to educate their children,” Jones said. “It is our goal to foster that education.”
Jones also said Riverpointe Christian Academy takes pride in the quality education she believes each child receives. “We have the luxury to deal with each child individually and that helps us to see what is unique in each child and how they learn,” she said.
Students also have the option to participate in sports, such as volleyball, basketball, cross-country and track. Music, visual arts, drama, and chapel are also offered as a part of student life.
Riverpointe Christian Academy will offer their after school program to all children in the Charleston area whether they attend there regularly or not. Jones said the faculty is working with Charleston County to offer a drop-off service from the public schools.
Information about the school’s application process, tuition, and fees, as well as uniforms and a list of school supplies can be found on the Riverpointe Christian Academy’s website, www.riverpointechristian.org. The site also provides a list of teachers and faculty.
An open house will take place on Aug. 4 and 8 from 1-7 p.m. Jones is excited about the enrollment of new students and believes the location in West Ashley will encourage many new families to enroll in the school. “We are so excited to bring our affordable private Christian school to West Ashley and we look forward to all the opportunities God has in store for us here,” she said.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Oblique Magazine - What to do when it's HOT
Heat is probably the number one adversity that runners face. Two very serious conditions result from getting too hot – overheating and dehydration. Once you’ve passed that point, it takes quite a bit of energy to get going again. TrySports Assistant Manager Andrew Taylor sat down with Oblique to go over some very important points about running in the heat and humidity.
The biggest mistake that Taylor said runners make when the temperature starts to rise outside is that they don’t take in enough fluids ahead of time, meaning that they aren’t hydrating earlier that day or even days before their run. In South Carolina we definitely not only have heat, but we also have a high percentage of humidity. The humidity, coupled with heat, is what makes people sweat more, therefore losing electrolytes at a higher rate. Taylor suggests mixing the fluid intake during a long run in the heat and humidity with half the stops being water intake only and the other half of the stops being electrolyte intake only. “It is important to get some amount of electrolytes in your system during a long run out in the humidity,” Taylor said. “Just be sure to drink some water because too much electrolytes can make your stomach upset.”
Taylor’s rule of thumb with fluid intake is three to five ounces for every 15 minutes of activity. He said you will know that you haven’t drank enough fluid when you start to get salt on your body, feel light headed and just have no energy. “Many people are apt to eat first before they drink the morning of a long run,” Taylor said. “It is more important to get fluids in and eating is secondary.”
Taylor said to back off of running and to rest if you feel fatigued or overheated. “It is time on your feet that is most important when training for a long distance race, so if you feel you have to walk for a bit because you are overheated, that is OK,” Taylor said. “Don’t push through it. Be smart. You could do more damage to yourself by pushing through when you are overheated, than if you just backed off and rested.”
Taylor said that the new SPF clothing is very helpful when running in the heat. He also said that a visor and sunglasses are important. But the most important tip of all is to make sure you are hydrated before you tackle a long run in the heat and humidity. “Whenever you pass a water stop, take it. Take in as many fluids as you can in this heat.”
The biggest mistake that Taylor said runners make when the temperature starts to rise outside is that they don’t take in enough fluids ahead of time, meaning that they aren’t hydrating earlier that day or even days before their run. In South Carolina we definitely not only have heat, but we also have a high percentage of humidity. The humidity, coupled with heat, is what makes people sweat more, therefore losing electrolytes at a higher rate. Taylor suggests mixing the fluid intake during a long run in the heat and humidity with half the stops being water intake only and the other half of the stops being electrolyte intake only. “It is important to get some amount of electrolytes in your system during a long run out in the humidity,” Taylor said. “Just be sure to drink some water because too much electrolytes can make your stomach upset.”
Taylor’s rule of thumb with fluid intake is three to five ounces for every 15 minutes of activity. He said you will know that you haven’t drank enough fluid when you start to get salt on your body, feel light headed and just have no energy. “Many people are apt to eat first before they drink the morning of a long run,” Taylor said. “It is more important to get fluids in and eating is secondary.”
Taylor said to back off of running and to rest if you feel fatigued or overheated. “It is time on your feet that is most important when training for a long distance race, so if you feel you have to walk for a bit because you are overheated, that is OK,” Taylor said. “Don’t push through it. Be smart. You could do more damage to yourself by pushing through when you are overheated, than if you just backed off and rested.”
Taylor said that the new SPF clothing is very helpful when running in the heat. He also said that a visor and sunglasses are important. But the most important tip of all is to make sure you are hydrated before you tackle a long run in the heat and humidity. “Whenever you pass a water stop, take it. Take in as many fluids as you can in this heat.”
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Oblique Magazine - Run a Faster Bridge Run with Good Running Form
When personal trainer and USA Track and Field Certified Coach Tyler Cross gives advice on running, he says he gets the same question every time – “How can I run faster?” Running form is often overlooked, but can make the difference between running the same race year after year by a minute or two difference or finally reaching that PR you’ve been dreaming of. Having correct running form can help prevent injuries too, but if you’ve been running “wrong”, fear not! It isn’t too late to correct your form. Good running form is not something a runner is born with. It is a complicated process that takes a conscious effort and practice. We are all different and what is good for one person, may not be good for another. There are still some key areas that everyone should pay special attention to, and in that sense, we are all in the same boat. With help from Cross, we will attempt to break down the running form secret. Posture
Cross says that posture is probably the most basic overlooked aspect of true good running form.
“Tighten up your core, stand in an upright position and run tall,” Cross said. “Especially later in a race, never lean too far forward or backward.”
Posture is important at all times, not just during running, and there is a reason for that. Good posture prevents back pain and promotes good balance. Balance is key in good running form. The most efficient form would be to run with your back upright and relaxed with a slight lean forward. Your chest should be out and your shoulders back. Your hips are the power and your core should be balanced over that power to give yourself more strength.
Foot Strike
Foot placement can affect speed and the chances of injury.
“If you always run on your toes, you will accelerate at first and then slow down in a long distance run. That speed won’t last. If you run on your heels, it is like a brake on a car and can cause shock to go up your legs, through your knees and to your hips,” Cross said.
Cross suggests striking on the ball of the foot and following through. Do exercises on a wobble board or unstable surface to strengthen your foot and ankle. Landing on the middle of your foot will also make point of contact directly underneath your hips, increasing your center of gravity and providing you with a more efficient stride.
Shoes/Gear
The right shoes for motion control and stability depend on an individual's stride.
“If you need stability in your shoes, it is best to start out running in those and work on your form in transition to a neutral shoe,” Cross said.
He also said that as you improve your form, your level of pronation might change. “It would be good to get checked again to see if you still need stability after you have been working on your running form for some time,” Cross said. “It might be good to switch to neutral shoes after your form improves a bit.”
The only way to truly know is to be checked at a specialty running store, like TrySports, where the staff can do a proper gait analysis and use their Dartfish technology to check the level of pronation or supination.
“Perfecting your running form can feel funny at first, but you will get used to it and it will benefit your performance immediately,” Cross said.
All muscles will be working equally if you focus on good posture and foot strike, so therefore good running form will prevent injuries. Good running form can also allow the runner to run faster because the muscles won’t be working as hard as they did with bad running form.
“People can take their current fitness level and improve their times by simply tweaking some key features in their running form,” Cross said. “I take great satisfaction in running strong in a race by maintaining form and not needing to stretch after due to overworked muscle groups.”
Lastly, Cross’s best advice for the bridge run is to watch foot strike with the incline and decline of the bridge.
“Most people get hurt with decline running on hard surfaces,” he said. “Control your body and change your position as you go up the bridge and down.”
He suggests leaning forward slightly on the Mount Pleasant side (incline) and perpendicular to the ground on the Charleston side (decline). He warned not to lean forward too much on the decline however.
“Also having good running shoes that are fairly new (not out of the box) won’t hurt. It is good to have a cushioned shoe for the higher forces like the concrete.”
Oblique Magazine - David Burley's Tips for First Time Triathletes
TrySports' David Burley is no stranger to triathlon training. He won the 2010 Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series and has since then been training hard for more triathlons to do throughout 2011 and beyond. He’s been through bike wrecks, injuries and nutritional mistakes, but through it all, he has maintained some personal best times and great strength. Now Burley is sharing some of his first-time triathlon training tips with Oblique.
Training
When it comes to training, Burley says to be sure you give nine to ten hours per week at the beginning. A good break down would be two days of swimming, two days of biking and two days of running. One day can be a rest day. Burley also says to train for at least two months for a sprint triathlon. His break down for weeks of training is to progressively go up for two weeks in distance and intensity and take one recovery week with shorter distance and lower intensity, then repeat.
Gear
The biggest investment will be the bike, Burley says. He suggests getting a road bike for first-time triathletes and equipping the bike with aerobars for triathlons. A triathlon bike is great for people who want to continually participate in triathlons, but for people who are just getting started, a road bike might be more appropriate.
Burley’s tip for transition is to practice beforehand and make sure you are organized with all your gear. Get to the site early so that you have plenty of time to lay out your equipment for easy transition. He also suggests putting a balloon at your transition location or bright colored towel so that you can find your area quickly.
Lastly, Burley says to be patient with training. He says to concentrate on technique the most, especially when training for the swim portion, rather than distance or effort.
Training
When it comes to training, Burley says to be sure you give nine to ten hours per week at the beginning. A good break down would be two days of swimming, two days of biking and two days of running. One day can be a rest day. Burley also says to train for at least two months for a sprint triathlon. His break down for weeks of training is to progressively go up for two weeks in distance and intensity and take one recovery week with shorter distance and lower intensity, then repeat.
Gear
The biggest investment will be the bike, Burley says. He suggests getting a road bike for first-time triathletes and equipping the bike with aerobars for triathlons. A triathlon bike is great for people who want to continually participate in triathlons, but for people who are just getting started, a road bike might be more appropriate.
Other essential items for first-time triathletes are bodyglide, a triathlon specific short with light padding, a race belt, a chip strap, Yankz shoelaces, water bottles and nutrition. Women should definitely look for a sports bra that can get wet to make transition easier and faster. The triathlon outfit needs to be specific for wear in all three events.
Transition
Burley’s tip for transition is to practice beforehand and make sure you are organized with all your gear. Get to the site early so that you have plenty of time to lay out your equipment for easy transition. He also suggests putting a balloon at your transition location or bright colored towel so that you can find your area quickly.
Lastly, Burley says to be patient with training. He says to concentrate on technique the most, especially when training for the swim portion, rather than distance or effort.
Charleston County Hosts the 2009 Earth Day Festival on April 18
Charleston County Press Release
Release Number: 2995
Date: April 7, 2009
Charleston County’s Solid Waste and Recycling Department will host the 2009 Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Park Circle in North Charleston.
The County’s 10th annual Earth Day Festival is a celebration of Charleston County’s environmental community. The festival provides many educational opportunities highlighting Charleston County’s environmental challenges and successes.
“We are excited to host the Earth Day Festival every year,” said Gregg Varner, Charleston County’s Solid Waste and Recycling Director. “It gives us an opportunity to reach out to our community and to share the benefits of all our programs related to waste management and our environment.”
Charleston County’s Earth Day Festival gains in popularity each year. More than 7,000 people attended last year’s event.
Charleston County is asking all participants to help reduce waste and to recycle at the event.
This year’s Earth Day Festival Art Contest winner is Kylie Beall, an eighth grade student at Buist Academy, for her water color painting “Great Egret.” The theme of the Earth Day Festival this year is “Do Your Part, Be Earth Smart,” which is reflected in Beall’s artwork.
Beall will be recognized at the Charleston County Council meeting on Tuesday, April 7, and will be presented with an award at the Earth Day Festival. Her artwork is featured on the Earth Day Festival T-shirt and in advertising for the event.Highlights of the 2009 Earth Day Festival:
- Race car driver and biologist, Leilani Munter, to speak on environmental issues
- Becky’s Box of Puppets Show
- Home compost information
- Solar Cone food digester composters for sale at a discounted price of $89.23
- Caw Caw Interpretive Center’s Mobile Planetarium
- Hands-on earth science activities
- Recycled fashion show
- Water play with Charleston Water Systems
- Opportunities to improve Park Circle by getting involved in two site improvement projects: storm drain marking and flower bed replanting
- More than 70 environmental activities and educational displays on alternative energy, green building, local and organic agriculture and nutrition, outdoor adventure, animals and habitat preservation, litter, water, recycling, seedlings and compost.
- Numerous food vendors
Scheduled events during the 2009 Earth Day Festival:
11-11:45 a.m. Becky’s Box of Puppets―Becky Becker will perform an environmental re-telling of the “Three Little Pigs.” She’ll need help from audience members, so make sure you’re there to participate in the fun.
12-12:20 p.m. Keep North Charleston Beautiful will perform a litter and recycling skit of “Wartsville Wizard.” Don’t miss this theatrical show.
12:30-12:40 p.m. Celebrate the winner of the Earth Day Art Contest and acknowledge all the key volunteers who make Earth Day Festival a reality.
12:40-12:55 p.m. James Island Middle School students perform “Green Energy Gang”
1-1:30 p.m. Listen to Leilani Munter, a world-renown race car driver and trained biologist, speak about her mission of educating the public about global environmental issues. Be sure to visit her booth later to get autographs.
1:30-2 p.m. It’s recycled fashion at its best! Check out the recycled fashion show called “Avant Garbage” organized by Erin Keegan, a Charleston resident, and College of Charleston fashion design students.
2-3 p.m. Roger Bellow and the Drifting Troubadors show. Listen to swing, old time, blues, bluegrass and a Spanish and English language sing-along. This is a four-piece band with special guests.
Charleston County’s 2009 Earth Day Festival is sponsored by:
Charleston County Government
Nucor Steel
Charleston Water Systems
North Charleston Recreation Department
City of North Charleston
Production Design Associates
Earth Grains
National Earth Day in 2009 is Wednesday, April 22, and was established as nationally recognized day in 1970.
Visit the Charleston County Web site at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/ for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Bridge Run Participants Asked to Recycle at Starting Line and Finish Line Festivities at April 4 Race
Charleston County Press Release
Release Number: 2566
Date: March 23, 2009
The Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department is asking all Cooper River Bridge Run participants to recycle their water and other drink bottles on the day of the race.
Volunteers will be at the starting line directing runners on where to place their recyclables as well as helping to capture some of the recyclables that might be on the ground. The starting line volunteer efforts will be led by the East Cooper Regional Medical Center’s Green Team and Whole Foods Green Mission Team, with special thanks to the city of Mount Pleasant.
The finish line recycling effort is sponsored by Charleston County Recycling, Keep Charleston Beautiful, Alzheimer’s Association and Lowcountry EarthForce. Special thanks goes to the Sustainability Institute, Charleston Green Committee, the College of Charleston, Charleston County’s Neighborhood Recycling Sign Volunteers, CERT and Charleston County Government.
Three large recycling drop site containers (for plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans) as well as two large containers for corrugated cardboard will also be located in Marion Square.
Two large containers for corrugated cardboard will be available during the Cooper River Bridge Run Expo at the Gillard Auditorium and Charleston County Recycling, along with Lowcountry EarthForce will be on hand at a table at the expo to talk about the race’s recycling effort.
SIDEBAR
Amounts of recyclables collected by the Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department at past Cooper River Bridge Run events:
2008: 6,240 pounds of cardboard and 2,160 pounds of plastic bottles
2007: 6,590 pounds of cardboard and 2,065 pounds of plastic bottles
2006: 6,995 pounds of cardboard and 2,060 pounds of plastic bottles
2005: 4,560 pounds of cardboard and 2,420 pounds of plastic bottles
2004: 4,820 pounds of cardboard and 4,860 pounds of plastic bottles
2003: 5,300 pounds of cardboard and 4,620 pounds of plastic bottles
Visit the Charleston County Web site at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/ for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government.
Release Number: 2566
Date: March 23, 2009
The Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department is asking all Cooper River Bridge Run participants to recycle their water and other drink bottles on the day of the race.
The department will be providing recycling support at the Cooper River Bridge Run’s starting line and finish line festivities on Saturday, April 4. About 45 recycling bins, which will be provided by Keep Charleston Beautiful and Charleston County Recycling, will be placed in Marion Square so participants can recycle their plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans. About 15 recycling bins will placed strategically along the starting line at the three separate water stations.
Volunteers will be at the starting line directing runners on where to place their recyclables as well as helping to capture some of the recyclables that might be on the ground. The starting line volunteer efforts will be led by the East Cooper Regional Medical Center’s Green Team and Whole Foods Green Mission Team, with special thanks to the city of Mount Pleasant. The finish line festivities will be run by recycling volunteers that will be stationed at recycling bins and trash cans located together throughout the square. They will also direct people to throw their trash in the correct receptacle. Many volunteers will also be floating around Marion Square picking up recyclables off the ground so race organizers ask that bridge run participants be mindful about not throwing any trash or recyclables on the ground.
“We want to encourage everyone to recycle on race day and we are excited to have recycling available during this event,” said Gregg Varner, Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Director. “We also want to remind everyone to not throw fruit peels and other trash in the recycling bins.”
The finish line recycling effort is sponsored by Charleston County Recycling, Keep Charleston Beautiful, Alzheimer’s Association and Lowcountry EarthForce. Special thanks goes to the Sustainability Institute, Charleston Green Committee, the College of Charleston, Charleston County’s Neighborhood Recycling Sign Volunteers, CERT and Charleston County Government.
Three large recycling drop site containers (for plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans) as well as two large containers for corrugated cardboard will also be located in Marion Square.
Two large containers for corrugated cardboard will be available during the Cooper River Bridge Run Expo at the Gillard Auditorium and Charleston County Recycling, along with Lowcountry EarthForce will be on hand at a table at the expo to talk about the race’s recycling effort.
SIDEBAR
Amounts of recyclables collected by the Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department at past Cooper River Bridge Run events:
2008: 6,240 pounds of cardboard and 2,160 pounds of plastic bottles
2007: 6,590 pounds of cardboard and 2,065 pounds of plastic bottles
2006: 6,995 pounds of cardboard and 2,060 pounds of plastic bottles
2005: 4,560 pounds of cardboard and 2,420 pounds of plastic bottles
2004: 4,820 pounds of cardboard and 4,860 pounds of plastic bottles
2003: 5,300 pounds of cardboard and 4,620 pounds of plastic bottles
Visit the Charleston County Web site at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/ for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Graffiti Magazine - Boost the Romance this Valentine's Day
We’ve got oceanfront, moss-laden live oaks, picturesque marinas, beautiful weather and rich history. Your chances of finding romance in Charleston are pretty good. The deliciously unique dining scene doesn’t hurt either. Men can safely say they have it pretty easy in finding something to sweeten their ladies with in this town. But, if you need suggestions, here just a few of some of the more romantic, saucy and cuddly spots.
Circa 1886 – Located just behind the Wentworth Mansion in downtown Charleston, Circa 1886, named for when the Mansion was built, offers an intimate dining experience that will start your romantic evening off right. Their special Valentine’s Day Dinner allows sweethearts to enjoy a five-course meal. Including such entrées as seared sea scallop with pimento grits, roasted cornmeal-crusted strip steak and butter-poached red snapper, couples will leave Circa 1886 with their bellies and hearts full. It will be a night to remember. Ask about their luxurious one-night package at the Wentworth Mansion, which includes dinner.
Al Di La – For a relaxed atmosphere with subdued lighting, great Italian food and, maybe most importantly, reasonable prices, try Al Di La in West Ashley. The wine selection is superb, matching well with their authentic menu options. It won’t take long to notice that the chef for this restaurant has meticulously thought out every detail of Al Di La’s dining experience. If the weather happens to be nice on Valentine’s Day, eat outside on the beautiful patio. Celebrate love at Al Di La.
Middelton Place Restaurant – Before dinner, take a romantic stroll through the enchanting Middleton Gardens and experience the feeling of going back in time to an 18th century plantation way of life. When you settle into the restaurant, you’ll immediately be enthralled with its old south charm and authentic Low Country cuisine. The romantic setting of this restaurant is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Enjoy a dinner by candlelight, while you sip on top choice wine and are surrounded by the beauty and grace that is Middleton Place. Call for reservations.
The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene – Surprise your lovely lady by taking her to a place that may seem like a dive at first glance, but is a hidden jewel once explored. You’ll need to drive past all the hustle and bustle of Shem Creek, out to Haddrell Point. There you’ll find it tucked between two seafood companies. It’s a beautiful location on the water where the marina is less busy and the view is to die for. The Wreck is seafood at its finest and is the epitome of what Charleston seafood is all about. The atmosphere is casual at best and it won’t seem romantic at first, but the candlelight on the plastic table and the warm fireplaces nearby will make this a Valentine’s Day you and your honey will never forget. If you can find it, you’ve got to check out The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene (named for a boat hit by Hurricane Hugo).
Fulton Five – Rich in history and adorned in antique accents, the Fulton Five earns high marks for being romantic and intimate. Located off the beaten path, down an alley off King Street, the Fulton Five offers impeccable service and a picturesque ambiance, creating a scene from Northern Italy. Their menu reflects that geographic location’s specialties as well, offering options that change seasonally, but are always luscious none-the-less. If it is nice out, opt to sit on the second floor terrace. Enjoy a night rich in romance at the Fulton Five.
Cheap Dates:
- Take a picnic out to the Angel Oak on Johns Island. The place is magical. You will have to do that during the day, but who says you have to take your girl out at night only. Make a day of it at the Angel Oak!
- Get some to-go food. Get the food anywhere that you know your girl likes and park at the Battery in downtown Charleston. Watch the boats go by while you and your sweetheart eat your favorite food to go. This way you can head home whenever you want to get the real romance started.
- Send your honey to bed! And then bring in the dinner you cooked up. You’ll both be comfy and you’ll be in bed, so what more could you ask for?
- Decorate the table in your house just like they do at a fancy restaurant, treat her like she is a VIP customer and be a great waiter for the night. She’ll feel so special by seeing all the work you did, that she will be willing to go the extra mile for you in return!
Circa 1886 – Located just behind the Wentworth Mansion in downtown Charleston, Circa 1886, named for when the Mansion was built, offers an intimate dining experience that will start your romantic evening off right. Their special Valentine’s Day Dinner allows sweethearts to enjoy a five-course meal. Including such entrées as seared sea scallop with pimento grits, roasted cornmeal-crusted strip steak and butter-poached red snapper, couples will leave Circa 1886 with their bellies and hearts full. It will be a night to remember. Ask about their luxurious one-night package at the Wentworth Mansion, which includes dinner.
Al Di La – For a relaxed atmosphere with subdued lighting, great Italian food and, maybe most importantly, reasonable prices, try Al Di La in West Ashley. The wine selection is superb, matching well with their authentic menu options. It won’t take long to notice that the chef for this restaurant has meticulously thought out every detail of Al Di La’s dining experience. If the weather happens to be nice on Valentine’s Day, eat outside on the beautiful patio. Celebrate love at Al Di La.
Middelton Place Restaurant – Before dinner, take a romantic stroll through the enchanting Middleton Gardens and experience the feeling of going back in time to an 18th century plantation way of life. When you settle into the restaurant, you’ll immediately be enthralled with its old south charm and authentic Low Country cuisine. The romantic setting of this restaurant is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Enjoy a dinner by candlelight, while you sip on top choice wine and are surrounded by the beauty and grace that is Middleton Place. Call for reservations.
The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene – Surprise your lovely lady by taking her to a place that may seem like a dive at first glance, but is a hidden jewel once explored. You’ll need to drive past all the hustle and bustle of Shem Creek, out to Haddrell Point. There you’ll find it tucked between two seafood companies. It’s a beautiful location on the water where the marina is less busy and the view is to die for. The Wreck is seafood at its finest and is the epitome of what Charleston seafood is all about. The atmosphere is casual at best and it won’t seem romantic at first, but the candlelight on the plastic table and the warm fireplaces nearby will make this a Valentine’s Day you and your honey will never forget. If you can find it, you’ve got to check out The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene (named for a boat hit by Hurricane Hugo).
Fulton Five – Rich in history and adorned in antique accents, the Fulton Five earns high marks for being romantic and intimate. Located off the beaten path, down an alley off King Street, the Fulton Five offers impeccable service and a picturesque ambiance, creating a scene from Northern Italy. Their menu reflects that geographic location’s specialties as well, offering options that change seasonally, but are always luscious none-the-less. If it is nice out, opt to sit on the second floor terrace. Enjoy a night rich in romance at the Fulton Five.
Cheap Dates:
- Take a picnic out to the Angel Oak on Johns Island. The place is magical. You will have to do that during the day, but who says you have to take your girl out at night only. Make a day of it at the Angel Oak!
- Get some to-go food. Get the food anywhere that you know your girl likes and park at the Battery in downtown Charleston. Watch the boats go by while you and your sweetheart eat your favorite food to go. This way you can head home whenever you want to get the real romance started.
- Send your honey to bed! And then bring in the dinner you cooked up. You’ll both be comfy and you’ll be in bed, so what more could you ask for?
- Decorate the table in your house just like they do at a fancy restaurant, treat her like she is a VIP customer and be a great waiter for the night. She’ll feel so special by seeing all the work you did, that she will be willing to go the extra mile for you in return!
Graffiti Magazine - Party Like You're Really There - The Ultimate Super Bowl Guide
Let’s face it. You will never have tickets to the Super Bowl. So what is the next best thing? Hit the bars of course! On February 3rd, sports bars all around town will be offering Super Bowl specials galore. So, forget your couch and check out these sporty hot spots that will please not only the die-hard football fans, but also those folks just looking for an excuse to party (and who want to check out the cool commercials of course).
Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ – What could be better than some good old fashioned BBQ, the best football game of the year, cold beer and an awesome live band? Nothing. Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ offers a great atmosphere to eat, drink and be merry all while taking in some great football. They’ve got plenty of big-screen TV’s, making for an action packed Super Bowl Sunday that you’ll hope will never end. Enjoy their Super Bowl special of $8 all-you-can-eat oysters starting at 2pm and $10 buckets of domestic beer.
Creekside Bar and Grill – This sports bar in Mount Pleasant will offer second-to-none views of the Super Bowl, as well as spectacular views of Shem Creek and the marsh East of the Cooper. On Super Bowl Sunday, get one of their special $10 buckets of Bud and Bud Light and a $2.50 shot of a Wide Eye Cherry Bomb and you’ll get a raffle ticket that could earn you two 50 yard line hometeam tickets to a Steelers game in Pittsburgh during the 2008 season, gift certificates to Creekside, or various merchandise and other prizes. As they say, “show your freakside at Creekside” this Super Bowl Sunday.
King Street Grille – You won’t have trouble finding a place to watch the Super Bowl at King Street Grille. Just look up. TV’s will surround you. Check out their $10 buckets of Coors Light and their $3 Big Ass Drafts (or 32 oz.). The atmosphere is sheik and the clientele is pretty diverse attracting anyone who seeks out the “good” life. Make King Street Grille your convenient Super Bowl celebration, located none other than in the heart of downtown Charleston on good ‘ole King Street.
George’s Sports Bar and Grill – It would be remiss to not mention Charleston’s “original” sports bar in West Ashley, George’s Sports Bar and Grill. This bar’s impressive outdoor display of 18 Satellites and inside array of 62 TV’s put in place for only their patron’s viewing pleasure (including a 9-footer), is nothing short of awe inspiring. It’s extravagant, it’s fun, but hey, it’s the Super Bowl and would you really want anything less? Check out George’s for a Super Bowl experience that you should have.
Halligan’s Restaurant and Bar – Located in West Ashley, Halligan’s offers a large space for friends to come together and cheer on their favorite team this Super Bowl Sunday. They’ve got 20 plasma TV’s and a 20-foot high definition projection screen all wrapped together in a top-notch surround sound system that will enhance your touchdown excitement to the extreme. Any seat in the house would be great, but if you really want to secure a hot spot, call ahead and reserve one of Halligan’s VIP sections. They’ve also got beer tubes, creating endless rounds that a pitcher just couldn’t match. Halligan’s is sure to be the hottest place for Super Bowl entertainment in town.
Maybe you don’t want to forget your couch and you look forward to staying in and watching the biggest football game of the year at home. If that is the case, here are some foods that could add a twist to your usual chips and dips.
- Think Coastal Carolina Fair. Now imagine the plethora of fried food options there. The fried Snickers, the fried Coke (just balls of batter and Coke syrup), various fried cheeses, and then of course the beloved Fried Oreo. The options are endless and would certainly create the ultimate Super Bowl smorgasbord.
- Queso – This wonderful creation of melted cheese will be a hit at any Super Bowl get together. There is no going wrong with this spectacular side item. Just get nachos that match the taste-bud pleasure of this mouthwatering dip and you may as well leave the rest of your food in your refrigerator as this will steal the show.
- Cheddar Cheese Fries – Very easy. Just get some fries and drown them in melted cheddar cheese and you’ve got a platter fit for a king. This appetizing hors d’oeuvre is nothing fancy, but is guaranteed to be the one food that you’ll run out of first.
Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ – What could be better than some good old fashioned BBQ, the best football game of the year, cold beer and an awesome live band? Nothing. Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ offers a great atmosphere to eat, drink and be merry all while taking in some great football. They’ve got plenty of big-screen TV’s, making for an action packed Super Bowl Sunday that you’ll hope will never end. Enjoy their Super Bowl special of $8 all-you-can-eat oysters starting at 2pm and $10 buckets of domestic beer.
Creekside Bar and Grill – This sports bar in Mount Pleasant will offer second-to-none views of the Super Bowl, as well as spectacular views of Shem Creek and the marsh East of the Cooper. On Super Bowl Sunday, get one of their special $10 buckets of Bud and Bud Light and a $2.50 shot of a Wide Eye Cherry Bomb and you’ll get a raffle ticket that could earn you two 50 yard line hometeam tickets to a Steelers game in Pittsburgh during the 2008 season, gift certificates to Creekside, or various merchandise and other prizes. As they say, “show your freakside at Creekside” this Super Bowl Sunday.
King Street Grille – You won’t have trouble finding a place to watch the Super Bowl at King Street Grille. Just look up. TV’s will surround you. Check out their $10 buckets of Coors Light and their $3 Big Ass Drafts (or 32 oz.). The atmosphere is sheik and the clientele is pretty diverse attracting anyone who seeks out the “good” life. Make King Street Grille your convenient Super Bowl celebration, located none other than in the heart of downtown Charleston on good ‘ole King Street.
George’s Sports Bar and Grill – It would be remiss to not mention Charleston’s “original” sports bar in West Ashley, George’s Sports Bar and Grill. This bar’s impressive outdoor display of 18 Satellites and inside array of 62 TV’s put in place for only their patron’s viewing pleasure (including a 9-footer), is nothing short of awe inspiring. It’s extravagant, it’s fun, but hey, it’s the Super Bowl and would you really want anything less? Check out George’s for a Super Bowl experience that you should have.
Halligan’s Restaurant and Bar – Located in West Ashley, Halligan’s offers a large space for friends to come together and cheer on their favorite team this Super Bowl Sunday. They’ve got 20 plasma TV’s and a 20-foot high definition projection screen all wrapped together in a top-notch surround sound system that will enhance your touchdown excitement to the extreme. Any seat in the house would be great, but if you really want to secure a hot spot, call ahead and reserve one of Halligan’s VIP sections. They’ve also got beer tubes, creating endless rounds that a pitcher just couldn’t match. Halligan’s is sure to be the hottest place for Super Bowl entertainment in town.
Maybe you don’t want to forget your couch and you look forward to staying in and watching the biggest football game of the year at home. If that is the case, here are some foods that could add a twist to your usual chips and dips.
- Think Coastal Carolina Fair. Now imagine the plethora of fried food options there. The fried Snickers, the fried Coke (just balls of batter and Coke syrup), various fried cheeses, and then of course the beloved Fried Oreo. The options are endless and would certainly create the ultimate Super Bowl smorgasbord.
- Queso – This wonderful creation of melted cheese will be a hit at any Super Bowl get together. There is no going wrong with this spectacular side item. Just get nachos that match the taste-bud pleasure of this mouthwatering dip and you may as well leave the rest of your food in your refrigerator as this will steal the show.- Cheddar Cheese Fries – Very easy. Just get some fries and drown them in melted cheddar cheese and you’ve got a platter fit for a king. This appetizing hors d’oeuvre is nothing fancy, but is guaranteed to be the one food that you’ll run out of first.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Island Insights - Pinnacle Award for Superb Homebuilding Given to the Cassique Garden Cottages
Since their debut in Coastal Living as its Cottage Retreat Idea House in September 2005, the Cassique Garden Cottages have received local and national exposure. They are now garnering award recognition as well, winning a Pinnacle Award for high standards in craftsmanship in homebuilding by the Home Builders Association of South Carolina.
Each year, the Home Builders Association of South Carolina awards a Pinnacle Award to homes in eight categories. The Cassique Garden Cottage won the category for the price range of $2 million to $4.99 million homes.
Along with winning the award, the Cassique Garden Cottages will be featured in the Home Builders Association of South Carolina's official magazine, Palmetto Home. Palmetto Home Magazine serves to promote South Carolina's homes of excellence and highlight efforts to not only build a dream home, but to showcase communities where exemplary homes are built.
Kiawah Development Partners (KDP) assembled a talented team of architects and interior designers to assist with the project. The design team - KDP's chief architect John Haley, Atlanta-based architectural firm Norman Davenport Askins, Charleston architectural firm McKellar & Associates, and Atlanta-based designer Jacquelynne P. Lanham - developed a single level floor plan designed around a central courtyard, placing nature at the focal point of each home. Nature lovers and privacy seekers enjoy The Garden Cottages for their sure sense of authentic materials, their superb craftsmenship, elegant appointments, and master suites as generous as they are comfortable.
Simonini Builders, widely recognized as one of the nation's premier luxury custom homebuilders, managed the construction of the Cassique Garden Cottages.
The architecture of The Garden Cottages embraces the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement of a century ago, offering an exceptional mix of English country styling and Charleston's historic preference for gardens. In each home, as many rooms as possible open onto and connect with the courtyard garden.
High ceilings and dramatic tall windows add manor house proportions to intimate surroundings.
For more information on the Cassique Garden Cottages, contact Kiawah Island Real Estate at (843) 768-3400.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Island Insights - The Sanctuary Honored as a Top Hotel
Travel + Leisure ranked The Sanctuary number five in their list of top 100 hotels for the continental US and Canada for 2007. This comes just shortly after being named a five star hotel by AAA earlier this year. Undoubtedly, The Sanctuary's pristine location along the shores of Kiawah Island and its luxurious and exquisite design make it more than qualified for this high distinction.
The Sanctuary offers 255 spacious rooms and suites, including the 3,000 square foot Presidential Suite. It is characterized by grand spaces with high ceilings and traditional but light southern decor highlighted by antiques. There is a view of the ocean from almost every corner, but The Sanctuary's fine dining restaurant, The Ocean Room, may have captured the view the best. The menu offers meals that coincide with the restaurant's elegant atmosphere. The pool, spa, and other eateries inside the hotel also add to an ambience of excellence.
In Travel + Leisure's 12th annual poll, readers named the very best in travel, from hotels to cities to islands, along with all of the operators and outfitters who make the journey possible. The 2007 winners reveal much about the readers' evolving, but always exacting, standards of excellence. The results of the World's Best Awards are compiled through a questionnaire created by the editors of Travel + Leisure magazine and completed by its readers.
The Sanctuary offers 255 spacious rooms and suites, including the 3,000 square foot Presidential Suite. It is characterized by grand spaces with high ceilings and traditional but light southern decor highlighted by antiques. There is a view of the ocean from almost every corner, but The Sanctuary's fine dining restaurant, The Ocean Room, may have captured the view the best. The menu offers meals that coincide with the restaurant's elegant atmosphere. The pool, spa, and other eateries inside the hotel also add to an ambience of excellence.
In Travel + Leisure's 12th annual poll, readers named the very best in travel, from hotels to cities to islands, along with all of the operators and outfitters who make the journey possible. The 2007 winners reveal much about the readers' evolving, but always exacting, standards of excellence. The results of the World's Best Awards are compiled through a questionnaire created by the editors of Travel + Leisure magazine and completed by its readers.
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