Carol Williams

Grandee Ray, President & Founder of Grand Ideas, Charleston, SC

East Cooper Entrepreneurial Women (ECEW) is pleased to announce that ECEW member, Grandee Ray, Founder and President of Grand Ideas, will be the keynote speaker for the ECEW Network Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Coco’s Cafe (863 Houston Northcutt Blvd. Mt Pleasant).

Grandee launched Grand Ideas in 2001 with just a cell phone, a computer and the trunk of her car for storage. Seven years after its inception, Grand Ideas has 14 employees, a sister company - Palmetto Ideas, and loyal regional, national and international customers. The company's continued success is due to Grandee's entrepreneurial spirit, fervor for creative solutions and innovative approach to business.

To register & pay for the luncheon go to: www.ecewsc.com

I'On Biznet is hosting the 3rd annual St. Patricks Day Celebration on Saturday, March 14 from 3 -7 Pm. All ages are welcome.

The festivities will take place on The Sqaure in the shopping area of I'On in Mt. Pleasant. O'brion's Pub will have drink specials and an outdoor band. The Square Onion will be hosting St. Paddy's Day to benefit the Wild Heir Labrador Rescue. The Market will also have street vendors and live music.

Come and Join the fun! I'On is located off of Hwy 17 at Shelmore Blvd.

Now helping military families to purchase and/or rent their next home in the Great Charleston Area. Whether you are stationed at the Charleston Airforce Base, Naval Weapons Station or Charleston Coast Guard, I can help you find the right housing for you and your family.

Go to www.off-basehousing.com or email me at cwilliams@kwcharleston.com

Call me if you are looking to rent or purchase a home in the Charleston, SC area.

I am proud to have members of the US Military as my clients.

843-345-6605

williamsSChomes@kw.com

www.WilliamsSChomes.com

We are proud to support our Military We specialize in helping Military families purchase a home and list their homes for sale We help families that have relocated to the Charleston area find a great home for your budget and give information regarding schools, sports and shopping. Our clients include military personnel from Charleston Naval Weapon Station, Charleston AFB and Beaufort Marine Corps.

Looking to purchase a home or sell your existing home in the great Charleston, South Carolina Area? We cover the entire tri-county, including: Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Daniel Island, James Island, Folly Beach, West Ashley, North Charleston,Goose Creek and Summerville. We can also help you to find a reputable real estate agent anywhere in the world.

I've lived in Mt. Pleasant, SC (sometimes referred to as the bedroom community of Charleston) for the past 24 years. I've seen restaurants come and go and have seen the ones that the locals love. Many of the locals like to boast that East of the Cooper (Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms) restaurants are a great little secret. You don't have to go to Charleston to have a great meal, the prices are better and the parking is FREE! So let's get down to it, what are some of the best little hole in the wall restaurants around? (strictly my opinion)

These restaurants are in no particular order. It just depends on what you want to eat that night

Italian

Hands down - Sette on Coleman Blvd. Sal does it again w/ great food at a great price. 1/2 price bottle of wine at night Mon- Thurs unitl 8 pm. My favorite is the Veal Marsala, Osso Buco and Lasagna.

Sushi

Oriental Garden - Coleman Blvd next to Taco Bell. A definite locals place. The space is small and the decor is lacking. But isn't that what makes a great local restaurant? The sushi is the best around.

Mexican

Santi's - Meeting Street, Chas- OK, so this one you'll have to travel back over the bridge to Charleston, but the parking is free. This place used to be a Huddle House and looks like it sat unoccupied for a while before Santi's took it over. Authentic Mexican w/ great Margaritas. Mexican chain restaurants can't touch it!

Seafood

Isn't that why you came down here in the first place? If you go to the well known names you'll be sorely disapointed. So instead I have a couple of places I like to visit. I want places that not only serve fried dishes but also have blackened or grilled fish and shrimp and grits. BTW, most restaurants around here have a few seafood dishes on the menu or on their specials board)

Boathouse on Breech Inlet (inbetween Sullivans and IOP)

Red's Ice House - Shem Creek (killer grouper sandwich)

Huck's - new place on IOP where Banana Cabana used to be. Nice atmosphere too!

Longpoint Grill - Longpoint Rd. -Has some nice seafood dishes on the menu. Great all around menu

There are others too...I"ll think of more when I blog again.

Hamburgers

Got to go to Poes on Sullivan's Island. Get there early, seating is limited and bar becomes a hot hangout as night wears on.

Vickery's- Shem Creek also has a nice selection of burgers. Nice when you can get a table outside that overlooks Shem Creek

Home Cooking

Boulevard Dinner - Coleman Blvd When you got to have meatloaf, fried chicken or just a grilled pimento cheese sandwich

Mustard Seed - Chuck Dawley Blvd - Healthier food than Boulevard.

Again these are the places I like to eat. And no, I don't work for Sal even though I listed 4 of his restaurants.

He just happens to have good food at reasonable prices. I know I've left off some other great places. So I'll blog again when I get a chance.

Enjoy!

Carol