Associated with the discriptions of many of Charleston's historical sites is the word "antebellum". The term refers to pre-Civil War America, especially the pre-Civil War culture in the southern states. Quite simply, the historical site existed before the Civil War. Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens is an antebellum plantation.

The large Colonial Revival house presently standing on the plantation is not the original, so the house is not antebellum. The original house built of wood in 1790 no longer exists, but the famous Avenue of Oaks, a 3/4 of a mile long run of live oaks on both sides from the driveway's beginning to the front house gates created in 1743, are still gracefully towering over Boone Hall's entrance like a portal to the past. NBC Daytime television says it is "a must see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C."

Avenue of Oaks

Throughout the year there is always something going on at Boone Hall besides immersing yourself in Southern culture and the history of the plantation. Festivals and special events are scheduled that include something for everyone. I have attended these events in the past and plan to attend this years upcoming scheduled events, especially the one featuring Charleston's culinary lineup. Love the mahi-mahi morsels.

Piggly Wiggly BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival is scheduled for Sunday Sept. 5, 2010 and starts at 12 noon with the gates opening at 11am. Headline performers for this year's event: "The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" also featuring "The Dillards". Don't know who "The Dillards" are? Watch re-run episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and when you come across the episode with a hillbilly family band called the Darlings you will have the answer. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. For children 6-12 $8 in advance, $10 at the gate.

The Scottish Games & Highland Gathering is featured each September. Experience Olympic type competition of the heavy athletics sporting events or the mastery of Scottish music with over 25 bagpipe bands highlighting Scottish country dancing and fiddling, and Celtic rock dressed in kilts.

Finally, want to see the Lowcountry's largest snow-cone? The 30th Annual Taste of Charleston will be held on October 8-10, with the Main Event at Boone Hall on Sunday where you can see the snow-cone take shape. This yearly event showcases a sampling of culinary treats from more than 45 of Charleston's favorite casual and fine-dining restaurants. Named one of the "Top 20 events in the Southeast" by Southeastern Tourism Society. Food, wine, specialty and imported bears, and live bands. Time: 10:30am-5pm. Tickets: $12.00. Full event tickets and prices.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston.

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on vacation blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the articles on things to see and do in Charleston and everywhere else.

We all like to be entertained with a good scare once in awhile. Remember the fun times sitting in a semi-dark room on a stormy night or around a crackling campfire taking turns at telling scary stories and seeing who could come up with the most sinister plot. That was how Mary Shelley gave birth to her first novel now known as "Frankenstein".

Sorrel-Weed House

While vacationing on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, Mary and her friends amused themselves by reading German ghost stories, prompting a suggestion they each write their own supernatural tale. Mary's scary tale was conceived in a waking dream she had one night. She wrote a short story about her horrific dream and later expanded it into the famous novel. Needless to say, her story took the honor of being the scariest tale that infamous night.

Looking for inspiration for a winning scary novel? Savannah was dubbed by The American Institute of Parapsychology as "America's Most Haunted City". The Sorrel-Weed House at 6 W Harris Street at Madison Square was featured on Ghost Hunters and is one of the top ten creepiest places in America. Be sure to take the 10:30pm tour for the greatest affect, if you dare.

Charleston's darker side can most certainly fuel the imagination and inspiration for a winning frightful tale. Travel Channel designated Charleston "America's Most Haunted Places". Take an inside look at Charleston's haunted Old City Jail, enter the Provost Dungeon, or visit Poogan's Porch where Zoe makes her presence known. Walk the streets, bars, and cemeteries while the guides of Bulldog Tours amuse you with the tales and stories of the not so holy side of the Holy City.

Take your search for nighttime fun and storytelling entertainment a step further and consider what the Footlight Theatre has to offer October 28, 29 30 and November 4, 5, 6 at 9pm. "The Weir" by Conor McPherson will be presented by the Footlight Players. "The Weir" takes place in a small tavern in rural Ireland where local men swap spook stories in an attempt to impress a young woman who recently moved into a nearby "haunted" house, but the tables get turned on them when she tells a tale of her own. Old-fashioned story telling guaranteed to send chills up your spine. Ticket price ranges $10-$15. Footlight Players Theatre is located at 20 Queen Street.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on travel blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the articles on things to see and do in Charleston and beyond.

If you’re traveling north on highway 17, don’t forget to make a pit stop at the new hot spot 17 North Roadside Kitchen. It’s a quaint pale orange building that immediately strikes an interest in stopping to see what it’s all about in this neck of the woods. The restaurant all started when Chef Brett McKee decided to use social networking to the max. He twittered and facebooked his friends and fans about diners and dives in the olden days and what kind of food they served.  After 287 responses, 17 North Roadside Kitchen emerged. Upon entering we were immediately greeted by the host. We opted for the bar rather than a table; we wanted to take a look around to get to know the place. As we walked around, the back ‘yard’ of 17 North has a huge patio and bar surrounded by tiki torches. The backyard also has a fire pit for smores and a spot set up for horseshoes. Not only is the backyard full of entertainment, it also contains a huge garden with organic produce. Whatever is in season is what you get on your plate. If the outside isn’t quite what you would like, there is also seating on a screened in porch to accommodate. 17 North welcomes all walks of life with their casual laid-back atmosphere. I could seriously go on and on. This place has it all! The martini specials of the day looked tasty and fun so I went for the blueberry basil, yes I said blueberry and basil. Who would have thought? I know! Well.... I highly recommend it. Juice, my sales manager, picked the pomegranate. Both drinks would definitely hit the spot after a long day of work or at the beach. We sipped the fabulous cocktails and flirted with the cute, friendly bartender, who then brought us some delicious biscuits. Who doesn’t love a warm buttery biscuit before dinner? Chef Brett joins us and we move over to a comfy booth. Brett wants to do the ordering, he’s buying, so why not? We start with the pan-seared scallops, braised in lemon butter that just melted in your mouth. My mouth is watering as I write this by the way. I’m not sure if it’s from the martinis or scallops, but either way it is. Next, fried chicken livers. What a beautiful presentation! Livers were served with cheddar grits and fried basil. I can’t say much because that is way out of my territory. Sorry Brett. I was raised in the South, but cannot do the livers, now neck bone and pig tails, nothing to it! Juice loved them! She took home that to-go box. My favorite was the bone-in beef rib. Holy smokes, that meat just fell right off the bone and so tender and juicy. The mixture of coleslaw and baked beans just hit the spot. Need I say more? I think the healthier option was the mahi, which was the special of the evening.  It was a tender, white flaky fish seasoned just right with the juices flowing all over the plate. Delish. Juice’s favorite was the baked ziti with Brett’s meatballs. These meatballs were so flavorful you could slap your Momma! It was definitely a party in your mouth. And how could we forget the macaroni and cheese? This actual mac n’ cheese did melt in your mouth, so rich and creamy. Sorry Grandma, but this beats your 70 years of cooking with a stick. 17 North also offers a roadside burger that looked to die for. Next time, I will be ordering that. Final recommendation, give it a go! You won’t be discouraged but pleasantly full.  And remember, Chef Brett closes down all his restaurants on Sundays for family time.

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday 4-10pm

Friday- Saturday 4-11pm

Sunday Closed

www.17north.net

Are you still paying for your Xbox 360 games? Well I think its time you joined the rest of the pack and began downloading your games off the internet for absolutely free. Forget about those raucously high retail prices, what I’m about to tell you will make sure you never have to pay for an Xbox 360 game ever again. There are plenty of places on the internet were you can download free Xbox 360 games from, however not all of them are legit and some are illegal, so if you wish to learn how you can easily download all your games for free in the future then continue reading.  Firstly let me tell you something, searching for free Xbox 360 game sites on Google isn’t a very good idea, as most of the sites are full of spyware, viruses and adware that can seriously damage your computers health, there aim is to try and get you to download their phony files that are full of viruses, in an attempt to obtain your valuable personal and financial information. Searching for download sites on Google is a big NO NO and if you wish to keep your computer and your personal details safe then please do yourself a favor and steer clear of those phony free download sites.  There are also plenty of other sites available that claim to offer you free downloads, but in reality they are actually scams and do not deliver on what they promise, they will offer you access to their databases but expect you to pay a separate fee for every time you download something. These sites are pretty much useless and unless you are willing to fork out a fortune for your downloads, don’t get scammed into becoming a member of one of these sites.  Anyhow amongst all these worthless sites there are a few gems and legitimate places where you can download all your favorite Xbox 360 games for free. One particular site that comes to mind is Everything for Xbox 360, it is a great site that offers you unlimited lifetime access to their huge databases of files, which contains games movies music and much more, all for a one time small membership fee of around $34.95 (less than the price of a single game). Everything for Xbox 360 heavily monitors the quality of their files and their databases are updated on a regular basis, therefore you are ensured that your files will contain no viruses or spyware and that you will actually receive the game you downloaded. It is considered pretty much Free because the benefits far outweigh the costs, i.e the benefits of gaining lifetime access to downloading safe regulated files that assure the safety of your computer and save you a huge amount of money in the future because you never have to buy a game again, easily outweigh the small one time cost to join the site. Remember nothing in this life is absolutely free; everything comes at a cost, so which would you rather pay, the cost of having your computer infested with viruses from unsafe free sites, or a small onetime fee which allows you to download safe regulated files for a lifetime?  Also Everything For Xbox 360 is not just a site that offers game downloads, they will show you exactly how to modify your Xbox to begin downloading games for free immediately. As a member you will learn how to safely & easily flash your Xbox 360 console with the newest iXtreme firmware. Using their detailed step by step video instructions, tutorials & expert 24/7 support & guidance, stealth patched and playable on live Xbox 360 games are easily within your grasp!  Lastly, rest assured that Everything For XBox 360 is the real deal, and that you will never have to buy a single Xbox 360 game ever again, as they offer 24/7 live customer support and also offer a 60 day no questions asked full money back guarantee if for some reason your are unsatisfied with their services. So if you wish to download Free Xbox 360 games then make sure you do your research and find a legitimate source that allows you lifetime access to their huge database of files for a one time small fee, and also offers a full money back guarantee.  *P.S* If you have ever encountered the dreaded Xbox 360 Red Ring Of Death, then worry no more as this site will also show you how to fix and repair the red ring of death**  So If you never want to have to pay Retail Prices again then stick to the basics I have covered above and you shall be able to find a trustable source that you can use for a lifetime. Everything For Xbox 360  is one particular site which offers access to over 95 million files and provides 24 hour technical support. Check out this Review Everything For Xbox 360  and find out how you can save Hundreds Of Dollars By downloading Free Video Games Online.


About the AuthorHead Over To http://www.squidoo.com/freeconsolegames to Find out how to download all the latest Xbox 360 Games

"Live music." That common saying may contain some truth, but these
days the word "live" is having less and less to do with music. For many
people, a dj is their form of live music. Despite what dj's would like
to have you believe, musicians make excellent entertainment.

In the first place, people enjoy human performance. Many musicians
like great athletes are multi-talented. They will croon on the tenor
saxophone right to your soul, then turn around and chunk out a funky
rhythm on a Fender Stratocaster. Can a dj play a turntable behind his
head or with his teeth? Professional musicians love to sing and groove
on just about any style of music from a Frank Sinatra to Outkast. They
especially enjoy playing when the audience is responding to their
performance.

In the second place, musicians are students of the arts. Musicians
do not merely "push buttons." They've had years of practice in their
homes, and they do their thing on stage. Unlike dj's musicians do not
try to sing over or add other loud or strange noises to program music.
Once a song starts it flows to the end and in the unfortunate event of
a power shortage musicians can continue to entertain acoustically until
power is restored. Even non-professional musicians usually understand
"the show must go on" concept.

Lastly, one of the most attractive features of bands as
entertainment is the affinity between them and their audience. Watching
a great drummer is never boring because they're constantly
moving...feeling. An animated solo violinist playing an old wooden
Stradivarius violin has a much greater chance of reaching into your
soul and stirring your emotions than a dj with an array of magnetic
speakers and digital amplifiers no matter how great his system sounds.
It's an apple trying to be an orange. It's the difference between human
blood and electricity.

Contrary to popular opinion, bands can be affordable. Just like with
a dj, finding a band well in advance and securing them with a low down
payment, the price can be negotiated to avoid costly or inadequate
entertainment. Bands will even throw in a free cocktail hour or an
extra half hour at the end to secure a date! Many bands are now
offering "dj time." This is when the musician hat comes off and the dj
hat is put on to play the Techno, House, Hip-Hop, etc...Genres of
today. People who have small parties should appreciate these
characteristics of bands. However, many people who have large parties
opt to have bands because they love the musician personality. In many
ways, musicians are the ideal entertainers.

Candido Bretto
PartyBands.com

Partybands.com is home to over 200+ bands from all around the USA.

The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada is just around the corner.  For those who haven’t been keeping up on all the winter sports since the last Olympics, here’s a top ten list (in no particular order) of the possible highlights.  Just remember, it isn’t just the sports that make the Olympics worth watching!

1.The opening ceremonies
No matter who you are, or where the Olympics are located, deep in your heart you know there’s nothing more stirring than the opening ceremonies.  China’s summer extravaganza set the bar pretty high for Canada, but you can bet your back bacon they’re going to put their all into it.

2.Women’s hockey
1998 saw the debut of women’s hockey at the Olympics.  Since then, there hasn’t been much excitement about it in the US.  But this year, Team USA is a front-runner for gold.  Canada has been dominating this season, but coach Mark Johnson has high hopes for his team.  Can Olympic gold do for women’s hockey what it did for women’s soccer?  It’s doubtful there will be a “Brandy Chastain moment” with all that gear, but perhaps the men out there will take notice anyway.

3. Biathlon
Hugely popular in Europe but largely ignored in the US, biathletes have struggled to get funding and training until this year.  When the sport was finally noticed by a prosperous contributor money was finally available to get things going. The big standout for the US will be Tim Burke, who won both silver and bronze medals at the World Cup in Ostersund.  This could be a great beginning for an under appreciated sport.

4.Stephen Colbert
When Deutsche Bank went belly-up and their $300,000 pledge for the US speed skating team went with it, Colbert stepped up to the plate.  It took less than a month for the “Colbert Nation” to replace the funds.  There’s sure to be a lot of Colbert’s scathing satire surrounding the games.  Like him or not, the comedian has the audience and the pull to make things happen.

5.T eam USA-1 four-man bobsled
Steve Holcomb has been piloting the “Night Train” with his teammates Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz with incredible results.  Three gold medals in World Cup events this season puts them at the top of their game.  It’s even more amazing when you consider Holcomb nearly quit bobsledding because of eye problems.  Surgery in 2008 restored his vision and renewed his love of the sport.

6. Skier/snowboarder antics 
Though Bode Miller recently sprained his ankle, he’ll probably still make the games.  And you can be sure he and the other downhill skiers will be as crazy as ever. Add in the new addition of extreme sports inspired skicross to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for a speed-induced adrenaline rush madness that only the boys and girls who haunt the slopes can produce.  If only we could all be there for the after-party.

7. Shani Davis and Apolo Ohno
On December 11th, Davis broke his own world record for the 1500m by coming in at 1:41.04, besting his previous record of 1:41.80.  In long track, Davis is hands-down the man to beat.  Ohno, who at 27 is the elder statesman of the short track, is competing in his third Olympics in 2010.  He’ll be pushing to beat Eric Heiden’s record of seven medals won in winter Olympics.  But he’d better watch out, JR Celski is a young man moving up in the ranks, and one of the few who could give Ohno a run for his money.

8. Kim Yu-Na 
The South Korean figure skater is the undeniable favorite for gold in 2010.  Her signature triple-triple exhibits an intense athleticism coupled with a grace that brings audiences to their feet.  At Skate America in Lake Placid, NY she broke the scoring record for short program, earning a 76.28.  While the Olympics brings out the patriot in most of us, sometimes you just need to sit back and appreciate poetry in motion.

9. Ice Dancing 
The possibilities are wide open for ice dancing this year.  While US couple Meryl Davis and Charlie White won gold at the Grand Prix Final, it by no means places them above the rest of the competitors.  Two favored teams missed this season making it difficult to judge who will come out on top in 2010.  Everyone is sure to be giving it their all in Vancouver.  It will be exciting to watch the heavy competition among the couples.

10. Skeleton
After a 54-year absence, skeleton returned to the winter Olympics in 2002 and included both men and women.  Named because the new metal sled used in 1892 looked like a skeleton; it’s tough to deny the thrills caused by people sliding head first down a track at 80 mph.  Look for the return of Noelle Pikus-Pace, the first US woman to win the World Cup in 2005.  She’s back from taking the 2007-2008 seasons off to have a child, but is shaping up to be a big threat in Vancouver.

Canada is putting its best foot forward to make this a great winter Olympics.  Take the time to watch a variety of sports.  You never know, you could become the newest curling fanatic, or find out you really enjoy moguls over downhill.  Bundle up, grab a hot toddy, and enjoy the best athletes the world has to offer in winter sports.

About the AuthorWritten by the co-owner of http://winterolympicsnews.com/
This article can be reproduced in whole or in part, providing this byline is included along with a followable link to http://winterolympicsnews.com/

Can you hear the drum roll, tire rubber burning and grills cooking in the infield Race Fans?????? Yep, the first tracks through the grass of the infield have been made by what I like to call the “warm up weekend”…aka, ARCA race and Bud Shoot Out! Don’t know about you but I am on the hook and can NOT wait to see what “putting it back in to the driver’s hands” will look like.

Here’s what this Chick hope it looks like…

*Juan Paublo gets wrecked or spins out on Lap 2 so that the rest of the field is immune to his crazy ass Columbia driving style!
*Dale Jr. at least gets five minutes of fame racing up front when the checkered flag drop ( I hope the guy wins and gets his MOJO back!)
*I would like to see Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson dual for the checkered flag…and see if Kyle would wreck a 4 time champ~ sure he would! Then we could    love  to hate him more!!!!!
*I would like to see David Ruetimann and Martin Truex, Jr give Michael Waldrop a strong finish respectively!
*Blue sky wish in my world is Carl Edwards will pull a Dale, Sr. and come sling shooting from 12th to 1st on the last lap and make it to the hospital to see his daughter being born…but that’s just me!!!
*Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray and The Bif all mix it up and finish strong!


Now as much as I would love to see the good guys win, ya’ll I think it going to be some door beating and banging racing. I predict many multiple car crashes just from what we have learned about a restrictor plate size change, the double yellow line and good grief…it’s the Daytona 500!

One other thing I can’t wait to see is the FOX broadcast team! My sweet friend, Jeff Hammond, you know how to work that suit and you make your partners in crime look good!

The rocket is on the launch pad and the count down had begun! Tell me who you love, your predictions, you favorites! I wanna know so I can pull for them for ya!!!!

Drop the green flag and let’s go racing….

It is time to make the final pick of the NFL season. The scene is Miami, the place-Sun Life Stadium, the event-Superbowl XLIV, the opponents-Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. Whodat you say? Yah, that's right, and unless your living under a tree in a remote jungle I'm not informing you about something you don't already know. Not alot can be said about tomorrow's game that hasn't already been said. The statistical configurations have all been calculated and the comparisons have been assessed. What's left now neither calculators nor stat sheets can measure. All that matters is what comes from inside, gives this happening breath and life, causes the pulse to quicken and the adrenalin to flow. The thing that causes individuals to reach beyond their physical boundaries and fly.

Peyton Manning possesses it. All you need to do is observe Manning in action. His demeanor, his expressions all exude this thing I am talking about. When he approaches the line of scrimmage after breaking the huddle you can see the determination in his body language as he reads the defense. As a commander he makes the necessary adjustments and positions his troops. There is no hesitation once he is set and without pause zeros in on his target. You know how things are going because you see it in his face. You see the disappointment when he fails to execute a third down, the dissatisfaction when the offense settles for a field goal, and when in a dog fight the complete focus on matching blow for blow until an edge can be exploited. When on the sidelines waiting for his next shot, the wheels continue to turn in his mind, never breaking his concentration.

Drew Brees possesses it. Brees has quietly gone about his business for years now and finally, deservedly reached the goal. He has piled up the yardage and has one of the best pass completion percentages of quarterbacks. His presence on the field inspires his teammates and the fans. When things break down on the line and the pressure is felt, his determination to find an open receiver is relentless and more times than not he will find that one receiver. His exibits the quiet, patient kind of reflection as he sits on the sidelines waiting his turn with the ball, kind of like a cat waiting and at the right moment springing into action onto its prey.

The Indianapolis Colts have already been to the Superbowl, so their fans know what they want to see. This is the first time for the New Orleans Saints and their fans emotions equal their expectations. Based on that perspective, I would give the edge to the Saints, but that won't be enough. Peyton Manning is a proven winner with a heart to match. Drew Brees is an equal in many ways. It is a tough call. I give the edge to Peyton Manning in that he is a consistent winner, always has been, and will be considered in the books and in hearts one of the best quarterbacks to have played the game.

Article by Rick Dunbar published on sports blog Rick's NFL Picks

One summer while staying on Jacksonville Beach we decided to take a drive up the coastline along Florida A1A. At one point of our journey we had to board a ferry called Saint Johns River Ferry to continue our trek. The scenery was beautiful and the beaches great. There was a stretch of beach in Little Talbot Island State Park where we drove our four wheel drive Montero Sport onto. It was an exilerating experience driving along the surf. We continued northward from there on Florida A1A and crossed a bridge that took us to Amelia Island. Up till then I didn't know Amelia Island existed.

Amelia Island is the southernmost of the barrier islands stretching along the coast from South Carolina to Florida called the Sea Islands. It is south of Cumberland Island, Georgia. It is called the only community in the United States to have experienced life under eight different flags. The island has a long and illustrious history that goes back 4,000 years. Amelia Island has a natural deep harbor on the north end of the island, which provided easy access for smugglers, pirates, and assorted sea captains.

Today, Amelia Island attracts a wide variety of recreational and commercial activity. For the vacationer, it features activities from golf and tennis at world-class resorts, to kayaking, sunset sails and horseback riding on the beach. It has river cruises and charters, fishing, a museum, a community theatre, and walking tours of Historic Fernandina Beach, or maybe you just want to take a quiet walk to enjoy the unique variety of birds and wildlife. Then there are the 13 miles of beautiful sandy beaches to take in the warm Florida sun either to lay out on, walk on, or collect seashells.

Amelia Island offers a 1350 acre beach resort called Amelia Island Plantation. The resort offers four Audubon International certified sanctuary golf courses, 23 Har-Tru tennis courts, holistic spa, shopping village, year around youth programs, Nature Center, and Segway tours. Plenty of other resorts and hotels to choose from.-Vacation Rick Travel

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on travel blog Vacation Rick

Absolutely thought The Blind Side was the best movie I saw this year. Want to recommend it to all who are looking for a movie with substance.I found this interview to be so interesting.

Interview with Micheal Oher

Movie Trailer