Localism: Charleston County, SC

Charleston, SC Toys for Tots Events

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:22:01 -0600

Since Jim was in the Marine Corps, and since we have a special adoration of children, Toys for Tots is a program that we love to spread the word about.

This year there are a number of ways for you to get involved with Toys for Tots. It's not always about dropping off a toy in a marked bin, but about getting out, raising awareness, raising money, and having a blast all at the same time.

There are several events going on throughout the Lowcountry this holiday season, and these are just a few to get you started.

On November 23rd, bikers from throughout the Low Country will come together for the 12th Annual Official Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride for Low Country Children. This ride is sponsored by the Law Riders M.C., a group of Harley riders who are all public safety (police, fire and EMS) officials. The ride will begin and end this year at the North Charleston Coliseum, located off Montague Avenue. Registration will begin at 9:00 AM and bikes will roll out at 11:00 AM. Registration is $15.00 or a new unwrapped toy for the rider and $5.00 or a new unwrapped toy per passenger. All monies and toys go to the Toys for Tots program.

On December 6th, from 6-10 PM, will be the Papa John's Celebrity and Marines Pizza Delivery Night. Call your local Papa Johns in Goose Creek or Mt. Pleasant and you never know who will be coming to your door. Rob Fowler and other news celebrities from TV2, several Radio personalities from WEZL, Y102.5 and Q104.5 will be out delivering pizzas along with some surprise VIP's. They will be collecting tips towards Toys for Tots ALL TIPS WILL BE DOUBLED BY PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA! Everyone gets pizza, so why not let Papa John's double your money for a worthy cause?

There will be a Golf Tournament on December 12th at Coosaw Country Club. Tee off will be at 9:00 AM and the cost per player will be $60 and a new unwrapped toy. Call 1st Sgt Kevin Pietsch at 843-743-2702 or email pietschka@mfr.usmc.mil and online registration at www.toysfortotschs.golfreg.com.

Even if you're unable to participate in any of these worthy events, please help those who are less fortunate this Christmas and donate a toy or two!

The Boulevard Diner ~ Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:19:55 -0600

My husband and I LOVE to go out to eat breakfast on Saturday mornings. We have eaten at almost every breakfast establishment in the Mount Pleasant and Charleston area but the one that is our absolute favorite, hands down, without a doubt is "The Boulevard Diner".

It's a small diner located at 409 West Coleman Blvd in Mount Pleasant. It's usually busy but the wait has never been long for us...maybe 3 -5 minutes. It appears to be mostly locals, families, business folk and couples. Pretty much everyone enjoys the Boulevard. Very casual and comfortable. I like to grab a Skirt(it's a local free magazine folks) and chat about news, the mortgage industry and politics with my hubby while waiting for breakfast. Oh, and if you need to use the potty be sure to check out the fabulous paintings in the hallway. All though the atmosphere is laid-back and a little "country" the wait staff is prompt, courteous and professional.

The Boulevard serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday -Saturday. Some of my favorites are The Crab Cake Benedicts for breakfast with home fries (pictured below), Fried Pickle & Fried Green Tomato Combo (appetizer for $7), The Pastrami or Turkey Reuben on Toasted Pumpernickel (for lunch $8), Spicy Sauteed Shrimp over Cheddar Grits (Entree for $13).

They obviously know what they are doing at the Boulevard. This will not be a surprise to you if you have ever visited some of Restraunteur Salvatore Parco's other fine dining establishments such as Longpoint Grill, The Mustard Seed, Sette, Uno Mas or the Village Bakery. Check out the full menus at www.dinewithsal.com .

These guys can rock some Crab Cake Benedicts! Keep up the good work guys. We love ya. :)

Boulevard Diner
409 WEST COLEMAN BLVD
MT PLEASANT, SC 29464
843.216.2611
7am - 10:30am, Mon - Sat
11:00am - 9:30pm, Mon - Thur
11:00am - 10:00pm, Fr-Sat

Views, opinions and photos in this blog are all Melissa's and Melissa only.

Melissa "The Mortgage Maven"Breeland

Tune in next week when I will be reviewing a local Weight Watchers meeting! :)

19th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:35:52 -0600

Come celebrate a Lowcountry tradition at Charleston's most beloved nighttime holiday event...the Holiday Festival of Lights! With over 2 million shimmering lights, this three-mile driving tour brings more and more light displays year after year with nearly 600 shining displays this year.

This year the park open up this spectacular event on November 14, 2008 and will continue through January 4, 2009.

The Festival of Lights is much more than just a driving tour! Park the car, stretch your legs, and take in the new and exciting attractions custom-designed for holiday cheer. There are many celebrated attractions to be sure to see and do, including:

Marshmallow Roasts
Festival Train Rides
Lakeside Lights Interactive Activity
Enchanted Forest Walking Trail
Gingerbread Houses
50-Ton Sand Sculpture
Giant Greeting Cards
Carousel Rides
Gift Shops
Portable Climbing Wall
Photos with Santa
Santa's Sweet Shoppe

Stroll through Santa's Village and see the meticulously crafted holiday sand sculpture constructed by hand with 50 tons of sand. (If I could find my photos of the previous year's sculptures I'd post them, but I'll definitely show you this year's when we go.) View the sugary structures entered in the gingerbread house competition

A couple of the kid's favorite things to do while at the Lights is to make s'mores by the marshmallow roasting pit, take a snapshot with Santa, and then hop aboard a train for an up-close look at the displays.

Wander over to Winter Wonderland where a traditional 18-animal carousel ride whirls you around and around. Don't miss the 4-by-8 foot holiday card designs created by local school students as part of a holiday art competition. These life-size displays of Christmas themes tower above you and are quite a sight.

Festival Hours are:

Fridays and Saturdays: 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Sundays - Thursdays: 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

The entrance fees are $10 per vehicle for 1-15 guests, $25 per vehicle for 16-30 guests, or $100 per vehicle for 31 or more guests. Receive a $2.00 discount per vehicle (Monday-Wednesday only) with the donation of a canned food item, which will benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank.

For more information about the Holiday Festival of Lights, please call 843-795-4FUN or visit http://www.holidayfestivaloflights.com/.

*photo courtesy of D'Arcy Norman on Flickr

IMPORTANT CONSUMER WARNING:

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:27:50 -0600

Gift cards have been around for a long time and many of us like giving them as gifts, especially around the holidays. BE CAREFUL with it this year! Many stores will be closing in 2009 and your gifts may become WORTHLESS pieces of plastic.

A technique called "Bankruptcy Planning" incorporates the selling of gift cards as a strategic business move for companies that are having financial issues. They sell the gift cards, yet later on, many of them will not honor the very gift cards they sold mere weeks prior.

It is all perfectly legal and the consumer has no recourse. The following stores MAY present this problem with their gift cards:

Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)

Ann Taylor 117 stores nationwide closing;

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide;

Eddie Bauer to close stores27 stores and more after January;

Cache will close all stores;

Talbots closing down specialty stores;

J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots);

Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots);

GAP closing 85 stores;

Footlocker closing 140 stores, more to close after January;

Wickes Furniture closing down;

Levitz closing down remaining stores;

Bombay closing remaining stores;

Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January;

Whitehall closing all stores;

Piercing Pagoda closing all stores;

Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.

Home Depot closing 15 stores, 1 in NJ (New Brunswick);

Macys to close 9 stores after January;

Linens and Things closing all stores;

Movie Galley closing all stores;

Pep Boys Closing 33 stores;

Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores;

JC Penney closing a number of stores after January;

Ethan Allen] closing down 12 stores.

Wilson Leather closing down all stores

Sharper Image closing down all stores

K B Toys closing 356 stores

Loews to close down some stores

Dillard's to close some stores

Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte Join The Optimist Group!

Do you know where the sellers in your city are moving?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:19:28 -0600

Another Realtor, in my area, did a great deal of research trying to figure out if the local sellers are going to help our community by buying locally when they are able to sell. The results were startling! He concluded that somewhere between 1000-1500 (maybe even less) of the 10,000 listings will be repurchasing in the Charleston, SC area. Many reasons why...but bottom line that's a lot of homes that no one needs!

Luckily we are on the coast and there will always be people moving here for that very reason.

If you know anyone that wants to come to beautiful Charleston, SC - Tell them we are ready and that I want to help them every step of the way :)

Laura Sargent