One of my favorite movies through the years was "The Time Machine", not the new version, but the old version. Possessing the ability or technology to step back in time is a fascinating concept, impossible, but none-the-less fascinating. We have only bits and pieces in the form of paintings, reliefs, historical writings, books, artifacts, ruins, photos, and homes left to us that have stood the test of time and give us a glimpse of what preceeded us. But most often we have to fill in the missing blanks using our own imaginations to complete the picture of a by-gone era. Imagining is the fun part.

As I rode for the first time one of the many historical carriage rides Charleston had to offer, I listened intently to the tour guide convey the collection of stories associated with each passing landmark. I was fortunate to get the tour that runs along the waterfront. We were at the junction of East Battery and South Battery. I mentally transported myself back to an earlier period of time. It was April 12, 1861. I was on the porch of the old home at the corner where Battery Park now resides witnessing the bombardment of Fort Sumter. It was pre-dawn. I was up early enjoying the spring quiet of the morning. The first burst of mortar came from the direction of Fort Johnson. Then the air over Fort Sumter turned black from subsequent streams of the countless vollies of exploding shells. I wondered what my expectations would've been as I scrutinized the telling event. Would it have been one of awe or one of fear for what was yet to come?

Charleston is an easy place to experience life as it once was, especially during its most popular antebellum era, because you are surrounded by it everywhere you go on its streets. It's in every stone, rock, timber, rail, window, and street post. The 64th Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens makes it even easier to experience the intimate charm and elegance of the Holy City. The Festival offers you the opportunity to step through the iron gates into the private gardens and cross the sacred threshholds of Charleston's most beautiful historic residences. The Festival is set to take place March 17 to April 16. It coincides with the peak of the city's blooming season making it extra special.

There will be period concerts, oyster roasts at Drayton Hall, Harbor Cruise, and plenty of wine and spirits. The main attraction is the award winning tours showcasing the architecture, the history, and the culture going back to the early colonial period. Featured each day will be 7-10 properties in one of 11 neighborhoods. Neighborhoods include Meeting Street, King Street, Church Street, East Battery, and South Battery to name a few. Each Thursday is reserved for the Glorious Garden Tours, which include a wine and lemonade reception at the Nathaniel Russell House. Tickets are now available for purchase.-Courtesy of Vacation Rick Travel.

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on vacation blog Vacation Rick of Charleston. I invite you to become a follower and check out all the things to see and do in Charleston and beyond.

Unfortunately it seems as though everyone has been affected by cancer in one way shape or form.  Whether we know someone, have lost someone, or are battling it right now, it’s there… without a cure.  Chase Ringler and Cooper Cates are two little boys far too familiar with the disease.  They’re survivors of Neuroblastoma: an aggressive pediatric cancer that started in their nerve tissue and spread in tumor form metastasizing through their little bodies.  Fortunately, their cancer is in remission and minus the hearing aids and faded memories, these families are living fairly normal lives.

Everyone wonders what they can do or how one person can make a difference.  Well, here’s your chance.

You can volunteer donations of time, money, and efforts to Chase After a Cure.  All donations are sincerely appreciated and every penny goes directly to the MUSC Children’s Hospital Cancer Research Center.

The 3rd Annual Chase After a Cure Gala is Friday February 19th at the Marriott on Lockwood Blvd

Write up in the Post and Courier

Stay tuned to see inside the MUSC Children’s Hospital Darby Children’s Research Center with Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist Dr. Jackie Kraveka

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jiggety jig. To market, to market, to buy a fat hog, home again, home again, jiggety jog. To market, to market, to buy a plum bun, home again, home again, market is done. This nursery rhyme came to mind when I thought of writing about the Old City Market. Now I don't know about buying fat pigs, fat hogs, and plum bun, but the Old City Market originally sold foodstuffs, including meat, fish and fresh produce grown locally.

Today, the City Market is definitely the center of attention and on any given day, especially the warmer months with cruises in port and tourists in abundance, quite crowded. Many of the carriage rides begin their tours here and on both sides of the Old Market numerous specialty shops and restaurants cater to the many visitors needs and wants. Locally crafted sweetgrass baskets, clothing, artwork, jewelry, local souvenirs, perfumes, food, T-shirts, and other gift items are displayed by numerous vendors.

Coming down Meeting Street from the interstate there is no mistaking you have arrived at Old City Market because Market Hall stands out rather distintively compared to the surrounding structures. It was built in 1841 from a design by Edward Brickwell White and is a copy of the Temple of the Wingless Victory in Athens, Greece. Charles Cotsworth Pinckney ceded the land to the City of Charleston in 1788. So far his wishes that a public market be built on the site and remain in use as a public market into perpetuity has been honored. The low buildings that stretch from Market Hall to the waterfront have survived fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and bombardment.

Even now, as a resident, when taking new visitors or relatives to Charleston I invariably end up at the Old City Market like it is "Go" on the Monopoly Board. All my favorite restaurants and sites are a short walking distance. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co is there with their "Bucket of Boat Trash" and at one time offered you a chance to embarass yourself or show off your hula hoop skills at its entrance. Around the corner on East Bay Street is Southend Brewery where I stop for a sidewalk lunch and sample their great microbrews. Charleston Place, one of Charleston's finest hotel venues graces this area and also the Market Pavilion Hotel with its rooftop bar overlooking the Market where on a hot, humid evening you can catch the slight breeze coming off the bay while leisurely consuming a cool alchoholic concockshun.

The Old City Market is an intricate piece of the Charleston experience. Parking can be a challenge and patience is a must if you are looking to park on one of the streets, but there are lots and parking garages in the area as an alternative. By the way, if you see a man hosing down the street creating a sudsy, foamy looking substance, don't ask him what he is doing. Looking forward to seeing you hobnobbing around beautiful Charleston.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on vacation blog Vacation Rick. Check out all the other articles on what to do and see in Charleston and more.

Top down drive to the beach weather is here. Folly Beach is a favorite destination for sun bathers and surfers alike. Locals refer to it as the "Edge of America", which makes sense since it is on the coast of Eastern United States. It is more than just sand to park yourself on to get a tan or a place to catch a curl in the wild blue, it is rich with history, good food, and good times.

When we think of the word folly foolishness comes to mind as a likely meaning, but folly actually is an English word meaning an area of dense foilage. Folly was referred to as "Coffin Land" on a 1780 map, but a map dated 1800 shows "Coffin Land" as the western end of Folly Island where the State Park is now. It was customary for ships with plague or cholera victims to leave the ill travelers on barrier islands before they entered the Charleston port and pick them up later if they were still alive. The ship Amelia wrecked on Folly Island while sailing from New York to New Orleans in 1832. In 1930’s the new Atlantic Pavilion, Boardwalk, Pier and Oceanfront Hotel were built, but in 1957 The Oceanfront Hotel and Pavilion and Joe’s Restaurant burned. The Holiday Inn now stands on the spot. The island played a part in the Civil War. The first surfboard on the island was introduced by Pat Thomas.

Now the fun begins. If you like to fish there is a 1,045 foot fishing pier that hosts fishing tournaments...and you can rent everything you need at the shop on the Pier. Plenty of sand to place you towel or chair upon to take in the rays or read a book. If you are so inclined, take a walk to the tip of the island past the state park and watch the fast moving currents flow in and out of the channel. You may catch a glimpse of a dolphin cruising the rapidly surging waters appearing as if it is stationary in the current. If you have a boat or a jet ski, beach it on the backside of the island and have a picnic. The surfing is some of the best on the east coast and Folly hosts a number of surf events throughout the year.

Looking for a place to stay for more than a day? Accommodations range from charming cottages, modern beach houses, to affordable condominiums and a luxury hotel. You can stay at Water's Edge Inn, top rated by Conde Nast Traveler, or the Holiday Inn. Plenty of ocean front vacation homes to choose from for the all-around package.

When hunger strikes you after a day on the beach there are a variety of restaurants such as Rita's Seaside Grille, Locklear's Beach City Grill, Folly Beach Crab Shack, and BLU Restaurant with an ocean view and delectable food. Folly Beach recreational activities include kayaking, jet ski rentals, parasailing, boat charters, and whatever else.

Charleston is only minutes away with one of America’s premier downtown historic districts. Angel Oak Park, just a short drive from Folly Beach, is home to "the oldest tree east of the Mississippi." Well, you get the picture. Visit Folly Beach for a day or a week. You may see me there, Vacation Rick. Please don't forget to say hello, southern style.

Article by Rick Dunbar first published on Vacation Rick blog. Check out all my past blogs or just say hello.-Visit Vacation Rick Travel

When I moved to the Summerville area of South Carolina and first heard the name Cypress Gardens mentioned as a place to visit, Florida automatically came to mind. Little did I know, at the time, there was a Cypress Gardens right here in the surrounding area of Charleston. So, I checked it out. No glass bottom boats will you find there and if you are also thinking the Florida connection, I have come to learn the Cypress Gardens of Florida is now closed, but the Cypress Gardens of South Carolina, is alive and doing great.

Spring is an ideal time to visit Cypress Gardens with its beautiful azaleas in bloom along with a host of other wildflowers common to the area. Birds and butterflies too numerous to mention in a blog also begin to make their presense known as the weather begins to warm in the month of March and continuing on into April when the azaleas are at their peek and the dogwoods abundant with color. Every month from there on out will bring its own steady procession of plants in bloom and new arrivals of the bird kingdom as well as butterflies and a host of other wildlife, including the earth-shaking bellowings of the territorial, breeding alligator in June.

Cypress Gardens is composed of approximately 80 acres of open swamp filled with bald cypress and water tupelo trees and 3.5 miles of beautiful nature trails for you to explore. Flat-bottom boats that hold 4-6 people are provided for your use to be paddled along a marked route through the shallow swamp. You can listen to a guide tell about the swamps history and its aquatic residents. A large greenhouse called the Butterfly House filled with flowering plants, live butterflies, birds, a pond, an arthropod exhibit, and an observation beehive is located on sight along with the Swamparium, an aquarium/reptile center, with tanks and terrariums featuring fish, amphibians, and reptiles (including venomous snakes) native to the swamp and nearby waterways. As you leisurely walk the trails you will find interpretive and plant identification signs all along their route widing around the black water swamp.

Cypress Gardens has been featured in numerous national magazines. It has hosted over 16 major movies and television series. While taking the guided tour through the swamp I learned various swamp scenes in the movie, "The Patriot", were filmed there. Other notable movies were "North and South", "Cold Mountain", and "The Notebook". On the humerous side, who would have thought "Swamp Thing" was also filmed in its swamp. Go figure. Engage youself in a challenge. Visit Cypress Gardens and then rent the movies out to see if you can identify those particular scenes.

Beautiful Cypress Gardens in Berkeley County, South Carolina is worth your time and be sure to bring your camera. Check upcoming events, admission, and directions. Located at 3030 Cypress Gardens Rd., Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Phone: 843-553-0515.-Vacation Rick Travel

Article by Rick Dunbar first featured on blog Vacation Rick-Check out more places to go and things to do.

Mt. Pleasant SC’s, Pinckney Elementary School, was turned into a highly competitive racing arena this weekend. It was the Cub Scouts annual Pinewood Derby race. One of the Scouts largest events every year. Moms and Dads, mostly Dads lets face it, work very hard along side their scout every year to build the fasted derby car with the best design or paint job.
This event was started in 1953 by Don Murphy. Murphy’s son was to young to participate in the Soap Box Derby, so he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. The cars had the same gravity-powered concept as the Box cars, but were smaller and were not raced by the scout. By 1955 the pinewood derby was part of the official Cub Scouting program and, while always optional, has become a key part of many Cub Scout packs’ annual programs.

It is easy to see why the event has become so popular.
Flash ahead fifty-seven years to Charleston, SC and you will see the same principles and excitement of yesteryears. The Cub Scouts in pack 505 range from six to ten years old and are categorized by Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Weblo Scouts. Each group races against each other and then the winners advance to the final round. It is a lot harder done than said. Each scout receives the same block of wood, axel, and four wheels. The most difficult challenge after the actual car design, which takes some intense carving and shaving, is to find the exact balance of weight without butchering the cars. Cars can’t weigh over 5.0 ounces and those weighing under that don’t have much of a chance. The scouts have to be very creative as well with securing axels and gloss finishes, sticker placement, and unique names. Some of the favorites this year were Blue Thunder, Orange Crush, The dragon Claw, & Shake and Bake.

A casual observer might pick up on a few details in the all day event. One is the camaraderie among the scouts. They genuinely encourage each other and have fun no matter who is winning. Also, the scouts seem to always use their events to serve the community or those in need. This year a bake sale was added to the Derby to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Publix manager, James Bongalis, the 1971 winner of Pinewood Derby, was there serving ice cream to help in those efforts, along with donations from Joey Bag of Donuts and Pizza Hut.

Many parents have their children in sporting events year round and as that is a great advantage for children to build self esteem and even achieve scholarships, there is something very pure about the Cub Scouts. The purpose of the Pinewood Derby event is to help the Cub Scout build a team relationship with their parent or helper, experience the sense of accomplishment and the excitement of competition, learn good sportsmanship, and to have fun

One of the 3 top goals set for the Derby race is “Family Understanding.”
Building a pinewood derby car puts the boy and his mom, dad, or other adult partner into a close and sometimes intense learning experience over, potentially, many hours.
Second, “Personal Achievement,” which comes to any boy who picks up a woodworking tool and shapes raw wood into a sleek design. 
And of course “Sportsmanship and good citizenship” is high priority and is taught by following the derby rules and cheering on friends and den partners as they race against others in the pack.
Congratulations to this years winners. Evan Myers, a Tiger Scout, took home first place. Daniel Reinhart, a wolf Scout placed second. Remington Hough, a Webelo, received third place. Riely turcotte, another Wolf Scout, placed fourth.


To find out more about the Scouts in Charleston, SC visit the Coastal Carolina Council http://www.coastalcarolinabsa.org/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=1991

Voted Best use of weight. The middle coin is a Homeland Security coin.

Video Wrap up of the Day's Events.

"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.

Today I had a small window of opportunity  to pick up a few groceries before I had to pick my son up at school…what does this have to do with NASCAR?, you may be asking. Stay with me and listen to my precious RACE FAN encounter today!

I was zooming through the isles of the store hearing the clock ticking in my mind, when I rounded the corner. Who knew I would have an encounter with the coolest lady. She was in one of those drivable grocery carts and she was stopped. This lady was dressed to the hilt. Fur vest over a coral turtle neck sweater, hair in a very fashionable bun and make up on to perfection. I was taken back by her presence.  As I was about to go by her, she pressed her GO button and the next thing I knew we were side by side. I jokingly said to her “you wanna race”?  And much to my surprise she said “Maybe I do”!!!  I laughed and said she could probably take me with all the groceries I had in my cart!! She said “I like that  NASCAR racing, do you?” and I told her that I was a HUGE race fan. She asked me who my driver was that I “pulled for”…In the moment, I was chuckling to myself thinking this lady is pulling my leg, right?! I said, “Carl Edwards is my man. Isn’t he a cutie pie”?  “He does the back flip, right?” was her reply. She told me she “pulled for” Tony Stewart. The lady knew her stuff and I was impressed! At that moment, I realized I have stumbled across a jewel in Harris Teeter!!!! She proceeded to tell me she had already watched the race twice since Sunday…”that’s how big of a fan I am” she said.


Now that I am reflecting on this and realizing I am in Charleston SC, I wonder does her family have a place in NASCAR history or maybe they are linked to NACAR now?  Kyle and Patty Petty have a home on Isle of Palms, which is only a few minutes from where I had met her. Steve Burns has a place there, too.  Who else lives down here in the Charleston area that has roots in NASCAR???  My mind is still spinning!!! She told me her husband had raced at Bristol back in the 50’s~ when Bristol was still dirt!!! Her whole family loves racing and I am sure there was more to find out, but I had to go pick up my 3yr old baby boy from pre school. When she said, “yes, my baby is 57 now”  that gave me a small peek into her age…but she followed up with “but I adopted her when she was already 24!” This lady had spunk!!!!!!  I told her what a pleasure it was to meet her and that I had a blog about NASCAR on HobnobCharleston.com and invited her to look me up sometime.

So this blog is dedicated to the precious Tony Stewart fan, that almost took me on in isle 8 in Harris Teeter, and taught me you are never to old to share your passion….especially if it is NASCAR!!!!!

We get a lot of questions about schools in Charleston, SC – especially from home buyers relocating to Charleston.  When clients tell us they want to be in a good public school district, we give them some of the resources we’ve collected over the years.  Most of these are school district websites along with various sites devoted to school rankings for the Charleston area and for the state.

The cities of Mt. Pleasant and Summerville have the highest ranked public schools in Charleston.  Summerville is divided into several districts.  But, if you look at the rankings, you’ll see that Dorchester District 2 receives the highest marks.   

When people find out they have two options for places to live in Charleston with such good public schools, they usually want to narrow their search even more.  So, the main differences between these two areas are price and location.  Mt. Pleasant is more expensive than Summerville, since most areas in Mt. Pleasant are about 10 minutes from the beaches and about 15-20 minutes from downtown Charleston.  So, Mt. Pleasant has a much better location than Summerville.  Also, Mt. Pleasant has more of an upscale feel to it.  There is plenty to do in Mt. Pleasant – it has a nice outdoor shopping mall (Towne Center), along with a lot of restaurants and a movie theater.

If you’re looking to spend less than $250K for a single family home, I would recommend looking in Summerville.  The homes in Summerville are more affordable compared to some of the other Charleston areas.  Summerville is about 40 to 45 minutes from downtown Charleston and a good hour's drive from the closest beach.  Summerville has a small-town feel to it, but there are still quite a few restaurants and stores in the area.  So, Summerville residents don’t have to leave town for entertainment.  But, if they want to go downtown Charleston or to the beach, it’s just a short drive away.

James Island also has good schools – from their elementary schools up to their Charter high school.  Also, Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston was ranked 7th in the country for public schools.  Students have to apply to get into Academic Magnet, and it is quite competitive.  But, the good news is that home buyers have plenty of options for good public schools in Charleston.

Charleston also has excellent private schools.  Bishop England High School, Ashley Hall, and Porter-Gaud are just a handful of options for private schools in Charleston.

Home buyers will find a lot of good information available on schools, so it’s important for buyers to not just rely on what we say – but to also look for themselves.  If schools are a deciding factor in your home purchase, be sure to confirm any information that you get.  Most buyers are pleased to see for themselves the many options available for schools in Charleston.



About the Author: You’ll find some of our resources on the Schools page of our website.  Buyers can also view all Charleston homes for sale on the MLS using our website!  Whether you’re looking for Mt. Pleasant, SC homes or Summerville real estate, you’ll find all the listings on our site!

Rich with history, dense with beauty, and brimming with beach-themed activities, Charleston, South Carolina and its surrounding area is a worthwhile destination for anyone in the mood for a sunny, southern-tinged, and relaxing vacation. Whether you settle down in the city or on the beach, you'll be happy to call this blessed bit of land your temporary home.
The weather is fine and dandy year-round and there is much to do that will allow you to take advantage of this. Most people do end up coming for the summer, though, when the beach is at its best and it feels most appropriate to let responsibilities fade into the background for a few precious days. Follow the city folk to a place where swimming, shopping, and eating seafood take first priority and forget all about less important things.
You've heard it's historic, but what exactly will you see in Charleston? Homes that are hundreds of years old, preserved plantations, churches, museums and a general atmosphere of charm and hospitality will greet you around every corner of your downtown adventure. Take a guided tour of a rice field, the crop responsible for making this city successful, and keep your eyes open for the wildlife that inhabits the abandoned gardens today.
Also on dry land you'll find tons of tennis courts, golf courses, and bike paths. Rent a cycle and cross the longest cable-stayed bridge on the continent (don't worry, it's easier than it sounds) or hop on a horse and take a trail ride through a picturesque park. If these activities tire you out, book a spa treatment and get pampered, or burn off some steam by going for a walk or a run along the beach. Mother Nature is a friendly figure in Charleston, so get out and enjoy her riches.
On the water, there's perhaps even more to keep you busy and to reconnect you to the natural world. No experience is necessary to rent a kayak and head out for a one-of-a-kind tour of the Carolina coastline, where you'll likely encounter dolphins, osprey, and river otter. Whether guided or not, as you explore the waters of the barrier islands you'll learn something about where you are while forgetting about where you're not (the cubicle, the office, the dry cleaner's...). Birds and alligators have a way of taking you to a whole new level of consciousness, and that'll be a very good thing.
If you like to fish, there are plenty of places to charter a boat for a day of reeling in a few great catches. Head out into the open sea or stick to shore in a canoe; either way you'll feel happy to be alive. Catch a whopper, watch the experts do their thing, learn to sail, or even choose to step onboard a dinner cruise where you'll be treated to a fresh meal while you watch the sun go down. Boating is a way of living here, so be sure to bring your sea legs.
A sillier water activity involves heading to the area water park for some slipping and sliding, and there's always time for some old-fashioned playing around on the beach. Build a sand castle or roll up your shorts and go for a wade, as long as you take advantage of this time on the ocean you'll feel that your vacation has been complete. Sand and surf aren't available every day, remember.
Charleston is known for much more than all of this, including dining options, culinary classes, and special events and festivals. Shop for souvenirs, look at local art, catch a movie or a show, or take a day trip to a nearby resort area. You and your traveling companions will be as busy as you want, or more importantly, as busy as you don't want.
A smart option in this region would be to rent a vacation home to ensure your days and nights are cozy and comfortable, making it easy to fit in a nap or a game of cards without dreading a return to your boxy hotel room.  Charleston SC Vacation Rentals  come in all shapes and sizes, so you're sure to find the ultimate complement to your planned trip somewhere along the coast or in the city area. Go online to start looking today, and prepare to enjoy your upcoming vacation.



About the AuthorVisit CyberRentals.com to check out all the vacation rental listings that have the potential to maximize the possibilities during your next trip.