island eye news - february 5, 2010

8/14/2019 Island Eye News - February 5, 2010

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Blues on Broad page 6 Dargan's Birds page 25Stogner Award page 20

I n s i d e I s l a n d E y e

PRESORTSTANDARD

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Fbrury 5, 2010Volum 5 Issu 20

Since May 2005

S u l l i v n s I s l n d I s l o f p l m s g o t I s l n d D w s I s l n d

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The curtains open to threesets of wooden bunk beds,the 14th Street Orphanage

girls curled up under thinblankets. Suddenly, one of theorphans screams in her sleep.Its all right, Molly, Annie saysas she rushes in, Annies here.

With only four hour-longperformances, Sullivans IslandElementary School could have

extended their show times foranother week. As it was, parentsand students alike had theopportunity to watch the fourthand fth grades presentation ofAnnie Jr., a shortened versionof the movie Annie.

The costumes, managed byMarlene Hager with severaldesigned by Sis Taylor, wereimmaculate and the set designcreated by Kerry Hood was

worthy of a national acting troop,but the performances were aboveand beyond your standard schoolplay.

MacKenzie Fowler did an

excellent job of playing Annie,singing like an angel throughoutthe show and tugging heartstrings as she cuddled with herdog, Sandy, played by the Kellyfamily dog, Skeeter McGillicuddyKelly.

Alison Buckaloo, who lastperformed in the Crab Pot Playersproduction of Our Town, tookthe stage with her interpretation

"Annie" ws udincs t SIeSby Kristin HacKler

s Annieon 7


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2 February 5, 2010

www.islandeyenews.com

Civic

Citizens CommentsTwo issues of concern werebrought up at the beginning ofthe Sullivans Island Councilmeeting: the ooding aroundStation 18 and Atlantic, and theincrease in business license feesfor short term rentals on the

island.On the ooding issue, several

residents arrived to express theirconcern. Jeff Harris, a residenton Station 18, asked why a goodamount of vegetation had beencut down around his house bythe Town last spring for thepurpose of clearing a ditch, andnothing has been done to thisday. The ditch continues to oodand after spending $5,000 onreplacing vegetation, two treesare already dying because ofthe standing water. AtlanticStreet resident Joe Blanchardconcurred, pointing out that theooding seems to have gotten

worse since SCANA installed apump which is overriding theexisting pump. Continuing todo nothing is causing housesto ood, said Blanchard. Bothof my houses have oodeddownstairs twice in the past

year. I would appreciate somehelp.

Town Administrator Andy Benkereplied that the issue is beinglooked into and that they wouldhave comprehensive informationback from the engineer lookinginto drainage at the next TownCouncil meeting.

On the topic of short term

business license fees, JohnThomas, whose family hasowned a house on Ion for almost80 years, asked the Council

why his business license feehas increased from $500 toalmost $8,000. He stated thathe is forming an Association ofpeople affected by the dramaticincrease in business licenses,pointing out that they will haveto attack the issue at somepoint. This is gouging, saidresident Mindy Odell. Webring people to the islands.

They are going to these storesand making this the island you

want it to be. Youre being veryunfair and youl hear a lot moreabout this from us. David Odellthen asked if they could delaypaying the fee until the issue

was addressed, to which Benkereplied that it would be at leastfour months before anythingcould be changed, even if a newordinance was discussed that

day. I would strongly suggestyou pay, said Council memberMike Perkis, because if anythinghappened [in terms of changingthe business license laws], it

wouldnt be until June that achange could be made. Perkisthen invited the group to the

Committees of Council meetingon February 1 to further discussthe issue.

Before closing on the subject,Council member Jerry Kaynardstated that the Council has beentinkering with the businesslicense fee ordinance for two tothree years, pointing out thatit is all a balancing act. If wereduce the fee in one area, wehave to make it up in anotherbecause were required bystate law to have a balancedbudget, said Kaynard. All ofus are affected by the economyand certain areas of licensefees have gone down, so weeither have to adjust businesslicense fees or adjust millagefor properties. Two things, hesaid, have affected short termrental business license fees:the non-resident charge forthe license, which previouslyhad not been applied in everyarea that it should have been

applied to by law in the past,and the actual fee itself, whichis based on income. We tried toaccommodate business ownersat the bottom of the scale,Kaynard explained, whicheffects people on the upper endof the scale. It seems unfair

and disproportionate, but weretrying to give a break to those

with little income and still notlose income to the town.

Proclamation: Boy Scouts ofAmerica turns 100Mayor Carl Smith read aproclamation, declaring February8, 2010, as Boy Scouts ofAmerica Centennial CelebrationDay. The proclamation wasapproved unanimously.

Resolution to support SIESMayor Smith then read aresolution in support ofSullivans Island Elementaryand the Towns commitmentto maintaining the schoolon Sullivans Island. Amongother things, the resolutionstated that a core componentof a residential communityis its local elementary school

Sullivan's Town Council- January 19, 2010

see SI Councilon page 4


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February 5, 2010 3


Civic

Civic Calendar

Isle of Palms886-6428www.iop.net

Monday, February 8Public Safety Committee Meeting5:30pm30 J.C. Long Boulevard

Tuesday, February 16

Ways and Means Committee Meeting5:45pm1207 Palm Boulevard

Wednesday, February 17

Municipal Court10am1207 Palm Boulevard

Sullivan's Island883-3198www.sullivansisland-sc.com

Tuesday, February 9Municipal Court10am1610 Middle Street


Planning Commission6:30pm1610 Middle Street

Tuesday, February 16

Regular Council Meeting6pm1610 Middle Street


DRB Meeting6pm

1610 Middle Street

Recycle - Wednesday, February 10 - Recycle

Lynn PierottiPublisher

[email protected]

Kristin HacklerEditor

[email protected]

Swan RichardsGraphic Designer

[email protected]

Ali AkhyariAssistant Editor

[email protected]

Lori DaltonAdvertising

[email protected]

Chelsea LanganAdvertising

[email protected]

Ellie SmithGraphic Intern

ContributorsJennifer BarbourBobby Cummings

Connie DarlingDept of Natural Resources

Mary GatchSarah Dargan Harper

Richard HricikCreative Sparks

Julie HusseyIOPNA

IOPNA Welcome CommitteeDimi MatouchevLarry Middaugh

Julie Sweat

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Dear Editor:

Last week, I had the pleasure

of walking into High Thyme and

seeing Joanne and Charlie Cole

having dinner. While it is always

nice to see Island residents at

our local restaurants, it was

particularly gratifying to see the

Coles as I knew their presence

was possible because of the good

work of others.

Charlie had an accident in 2008

and is conned to a wheelchair,

making available handicapped

parking and ramp access a

necessity if he is to go anywhere.

This summer, the Coles brought

to my attention the difculties

they were having visiting local

businesses.

Building inspector Randy

Robinson, Home Team BBQ

(which was just opening at the

time), and local property ownersCheryl and Pat Ilderton quickly

set out to address the problem

of insufcient parking for the

handicapped. They made sure

the ramps worked and painted

the blue designated parking

spaces. The Ildertons also had

the parking bumpers adjusted to

create a pedestrian path on their

property running between the

parking spaces, and the buildings

from Station 22 to Station 22

on the ocean side where there

was no sidewalk. This has made

the area more easily accessible

by parents with kids and others

who dont wish to walk in the

road, as well.

With parking in such demand,

I realize it may have been hard

for the adjacent retail tenants

(Dunleavy's, Seel's, Station 22

Restaurant, High Thyme, Caf

Medley, Body Garden and others)to accept the need for providing

handicapped accessible parking,

even if required by state building

code.

So heres a big thank you to

everyone involved for making

Downtown Sullivans a place

that encourages community

unity by being enjoyable and

accessible for all.

And when we see a handicapped

parking space or access ramp

area, lets leave it wide open for

Charlie and others who depend

on these spaces.

Joanne and Charlie, we hope

to see you enjoying our wonderful

commercial area often.Sincerely,Madeleine McGeeSullivan's Island resident

Mayor Pro-Tem announcedFollowing a brief discussion,Council member Marty Bettelli

was nominated to serve asthe Isle of Palms Mayor Pro-

Tempore. The Council approvedhis appointment unanimously.

David Greene audit resultsDavid Greene of Greene,Finney & Horton, LLP gave apresentation on the most recentaudit of the Citys nancialcondition. The audit showed theCity was in good shape scally.Look for a detailed analysis inour next edition.

Flooding on the north end ofthe IslandDavid Rawle of One 53rd Ave.told the Council of the oodingissue he and his neighbors are

experiencing due to the heavyrains. He stated that on severaloccasions the water has beenso deep that he couldnt accesshis property. He is worriedabout the long term effects ofstanding water and the negativeimagery that could come from

the exposure of this problem forthe island. The Council statedthat it is currently working on adrainage solution in committee.

Supporting the MarinaDuring the Real PropertyCommittee meeting on Thursday,

January 7, Marina ManagerBrian Berrigan reported thatthe economy appears to havecaught up with the IOP Marina.

Transient rentals are down,fuel sales are way down andpermanent tenants are leaving.

All funding that has not beenallocated for improvements hasbeen suspended until there isa resolution on the dredgingproject. The dredging is neededas the Intracoastal Waterway isshallow, causing boaters headingsouth to use jetties to get in

and out. Where the Marina oncehad 15 boaters a night at thedock, they're now lucky to havefour. Sales are also down for theMarina Market, and the deli hasbeen closed indenitely due tolack of support.

Beyond the call of dutyCouncil member Ralph Pieningmade note of a letter writtenby the neighbors of an elderlycitizen whom Sergeant Robert

IOP Council January 26, 2010

see IOP Councilon page 4


4/27

that will create a safe and trustedenvironment in which childrencan learn, socialize and personallygrow while contributing to the

Town. The resolution was approvedunanimously.

Ben Sawyer to become Lewis P.Stith, Sr. Memorial Bridge

Following written requests fromSenator Campsen and GovernorMark Sandford, the SullivansIsland Town Council discussed thepossibility of renaming the BenSawyer Bridge to the Lewis P. StithSr. Memorial Bridge. Stith was theattorney for the Town for many yearsand the Causeway is already namedfor him.I dont see a problem with it, saidMayor Carl Smith. If we were goingto change it at all, I would wantto change it to Judge Stith, saidCouncil member Pat ONeil.

The Council voted 6 1 to approvethe name change, with Councilmember Madeleine McGee beingthe only dissenting vote, noting thatEven if we change the name, people

will still call it the Ben Sawyer. Thename change for the bridge is stillawaiting approval from the MountPleasant Town Council.

Bridge closings effect on localbusinessConcern has been expressed aboutthe bridge closure occurring onFeburary 5, which not only overlapsSuper Bowl Sunday, but might alsorun into Valentines Day weekendand the Southeastern Wildlife Expo,as well as the Sullivans IslandFire Department Oyster Roast.

Administrator Benke replied that,though it may be inconvenient, thereis a dollar amount that goes witheach day of standing by. Councilmember Mary Jane Watson alsomade a note that they are stillplanning on holding a Bridge ClosingParty on the Sunday after the bridgecloses, which looks to be February7, starting at 1pm in the Stith park.Specials will be available at almostall local businesses during the bridgeclosing.

State of the Town addressIn past years, we had audienceand this was the State of the Town

address, said Mayor Smith, butyall can read it online, he said, indeference to keeping the meetingshort. He did note, however, thatseveral local gureheads have passedaway over the past year, and that101 year old island resident Mrs.Hills has been moved to a nursinghome. Smith recommended thateveryone go online and read themany accomplishments of the Town

when they get a chance.

Projecting a positive end of theyear budgetCouncil member Mike Perkisreported that, after reviewing thepast years budget, the Town spent

more on some things and less on

others, but in the end, the projectedend-of-the-year budget should bebetween $90,000 and $100,000better than budgeted. We shouldfeel pretty darned good about it,said Perkis. Especially with so manymunicipalities having to look atproperty tax increase and businesstax increase.

Personnel issuesCouncil member Jerry Kaynardread a letter of commendation fromPolice Chief Howard, recognizingCorporal Wallace and Ofcer Mastfor successfully apprehending twosuspects during an attemptedbreaking and entering on the island.He also noted that Fireghter LentonSharpe has completed his probationstatus and Fire Department ChiefStith recommended awarding himfull time status.

Digging along Station 18Council member Perkis noted thatCharleston Water and Sewer will bedigging along Station 18 in the road,and then for 280 feet along Central.

For more info and a map of repairareas, visit www.sullivansisland-sc.com.

Safe serve certication for island

bars?Mayor Smith stated that there havebeen some issues around localbars and restaurants, specicallyabout how ofcers get involved. Interms of jurisdiction, Chief Howardstated that the police can go insidea restaurant if they see somethinggoing on, or if they are called.Council member Kaynard asked ifthe Public Safety Committee couldlook into an ordinance changerequiring employees that servealcohol on the island to receive safeserve certication. Council memberHowle said that it would be an issuethat the committee could discuss.

Streets and MaintenanceCouncil member Madeleine McGeereported that the Streets andMaintenance Committee approvedtwo beach path signs at Stations22 and 22 , but they are not up

yet. The Committee is looking intonding a way to clear out invasiveWisteria at Batter Logan, and interms of beach clean up, a crew of15 volunteers arrived the weekendbefore to help clean up the island

beach paths.

Paying to park on the islandLastly, Town Administrator AndyBenke stated that his goal for 2010

was to do something about paying topark around the island. We mightneed to look into this during the rstquarter, before the season begins,he said, suggesting that the Councilbegin disussing it in early Feburary.Im not saying were going forward

with it, but it is a means of gainingrevenue, he pointed out.

The next Sullivans Island Councilmeeting will be held on February 16,

2010, at 6pm in Town Hall, located at1610 Middle Street.

4 February 5, 2010


Civicsee SI Councilfrom page 2

Jimenez of the IOP Police Department had helped recentlyduring a routine trafc stop. The woman had beenconfused as to where she lived and could not nd her wayhome. The letter thanked Sergeant Jimenez for going aboveand beyond the call of duty to ensure her safety, arrangingfor an interpreter and the departments Victim Advocate tohelp the woman get in touch with family members to takecustody of her for her well being. In a separate letter, PoliceChief Thomas Buckhannon thanked Sergeant Jimenez

for his actions in dealing with this person in crisis,recognizing him as Employee of the Month for the IOPPolice Department.In other personnel news, the December Safety Sweepstakes

winners for the various departments are: Shaun Gadsden(Fire Department), Tracey Marks (Police Department),Charles Williams (Public Works) and Carol Keller(Recreation Department).

In support of SIESIn acknowledgement of the issues currently facingSullivans Island Elementary, including the necessity for anew roof in order to be up to earthquake code, the City ofIsle of Palms read a resolution in support of the school andtheir efforts to rebuild, recognizing SIES as an essentialisland resource. Among other things, the City statedthat it has a vested interest in helping to ensure that the

future of Sullivans Island Elementary is both planned andprotected, and that the City acknowledges the schoolsvalue to making the Isle of Palms a desirable place tolocate, live and raise a family by offering exceptional publicelementary educational opportunities.

Dog licenses now requiredAs of March 1, 2010, all Isle of Palms dogs are required todisplay a dog license and collar issued by the City. Licensesand collars may be purchased for $10 (residents) or $25(non-residents and visitors) at the Public Safety Buildingat 30 J. C. Long Blvd. from 8am 5pm, Monday - Friday.Owners must provide proof of rabies vaccination to obtain alicense. For more information, call 886-6522.

Front Beach parking $1/hourThe Council approved a motion to set the parking meter

rate on Front Beach up from $.75 an hour to $1 per houras of the beginning of the 2010 beach season. The changecould start as early as March if the increase is approved inFebruary.

The next Isle of Palms Council meeting will be held onFebruary 23, 2010, at 7pm in the IOP City Hall, located at1207 Palm Boulevard. For more info, visit www.iop.net orcall 886-6428.

see IOP Councilfrom page 3

PHOTOS BY THe CiTY Of iSle Of PalmS

Mayor Cronin and Norma Jean Page accept an award from the Municipal

Association.


5/27


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6 February 5, 2010

www.islandeyenews.sc

Daily

This Friday, February 5, fourgalleries on downtown BroadStreets Gallery Row will

feature several Blues performersand the works of numeroussoulful artists as part of the 20th

Annual Lowcountry Blues Bash. The blues performances will beheld between 6 and 8pm in thefollowing galleries:EdwarddarEGallEry(sister galleryto Sullivans Islands SandpiperGallery) will feature Blues-inspired

works by two artists; painter and

musician Jim Darlington andne art photographer Ron AntonRocz. Local photographer RonAnton Rocz began his MississippiDelta Blues Collection in 2005,capturing landscapes and

architecture throughout the Deltaregion, The Land Where the BluesBegan. The photos are suggestiveof the early 1900s, when CharliePatton, Robert Johnson, SonnyBoy Williamson, Muddy Watersand B.B. King played around theMississippi Delta. They featurecotton elds, share croppercabins, old pickup trucks, cottongins, Gospel churches, and evenMorgan Freemans Ground ZeroBlues Club.

With their mutual zeal for theBlues, Darlington and Rocz haveplanned for years to collaborate ina joint show. Darlingtons latest

series of gurative works, Musesand Musicians, work in harmony with Roczs Delta Blues photos.Together, they provide the perfectbackdrop for the soul shaking,foot tapping Blues that will beprovided by the harmonica andguitar duo, Freddie Vanderfordand Brandon Turner. To previewDarlington and Roczs works, visit

www.edwarddare.com.CoCo ViVo FinE art and dEsiGn

will feature new works by AngelaTrotta Thomas. Her works for thisshow evoke the strong southerncharacter of the Blues with an

underlying reective quality. Hershow is titled Midnight HourBlues. Gallery Director and artistDanny Laran will display his newcollection; a reection of his lifeas a young boy growing up on aCarolina tobacco farm. The showtitle is I Still Sing. Wine PortraitArtist Rodney Huckaby will unveilhis new work 57 Strat, a wonderfulstill life piece. Entertainment

will be provided by Juke Joint Johnny, the harmonica beastof the southeast, and veteranguitarist Drew Baldwin with his1915 vintage harp guitar.HamlEt FinE art GallEry is

delighted to present a newexhibition of jazz and blues singerpaintings entitled Everbody Havethe Blues by Floyd Gordon, acritically acclaimed artist and aSouth Carolina treasure. Floydis widely recognized for his vivid,potent acrylics celebrating thedaily humanity in life. With abrilliant spectrum and layered

textures, his canvases are said todance with the captivating, vibrantcolors of Blues singers. HamletGallery and the Ellis-NicholsonGallery will have entertainmentby bluesman Davis Coen, who is

currently enjoying heavy airplayon satellite radio.We are delighted to become

a part of Charlestons traditionof preserving and perpetuatingthe blues as a true American artform, says Stephanie Hamlet,owner of the Hamlet Gallery.mary martin GallEry and

spEnCEr FinE art will also haveentertainment and a wonderfulvariety of soulful art for artlovers and collectors. Otherparticipating merchants includeUTOPIA, Atmah Jas, Ella WaltonRichardson Fine Art, MartinGallery, SCOOP Studios, Jakes,

Blind Tiger and the Oak SteakHouse.

For more information on artists

featured during Gallery Rows

Blues on Broad event, visit www.

charlestongalleryrow.com. For a

full listing of the events scheduled

for the Lowcountry Blues Bash,

visit www.bluesbash.com.

Blues on BroadBy Julie Sweat

Blue Melody, 24 x 30 oil on canvas by

Jim Darlington


7/27

After a number of visitsto Haiti in 2009, DottieKelley and Dan Edwards of

Summerville, together with twoHaitians, started the companyCreations of Hope to help the

Haitian people improve theirquality of their life. Dottie andher partners wanted to reducepoverty in Haiti by offering theHaitian people an opportunity tosell their unique crafts.

I met Dottie in Decemberafter the live nativity at SunrisePresbyterian Church, and had theopportunity to see the beautifulHaitian art. With DwellSmartsinterest in the use of naturaland reclaimed materials, andfocus on supporting fair trade,I was interested in supportingCreations of Hope.

Poverty usually requiresfrugality with natures gifts, somost of the Haitian art is made

with reclaimed materials. Usedoil drums are re-crafted intometal sculptures. Discardedupholstery becomes the canvasfor a painting.

In November, Dottie had acontainer of hundreds of piecesof beautiful Haitian works of artdelivered to Charleston. Thisartwork is available for sale atDwellSmart in the Plazaat East Coopershopping

center at 615 Johnnie DoddsBlvd. in Mount Pleasant. Pricesstart at just $6. All money raisedfrom the sale of the art will benet

the Haitian artists and twoorphanages in Haiti that are in

dire need after the earthquake.The art includes carved wooden

bowls, brightly painted bowls,metal wall decor, paintings, andmore.

The villages where the artisanslive have not been terriblyaffected by the earthquake.However, with Port au Prince adisaster area, their sources ofincome have stopped. Sale ofthe products at DwellSmart willprovide Creations of Hope withthe money to purchase moreproducts immediately, and it willprovide badly needed funds to

the orphanages.Mary Gatch is an owner of

DwellSmart, a one-stop shop forhealthy and environmentally- friendly products. Mary lives onSullivans Island with her husbandJames, daughter Julian, and sonAdam. You can contact her bye-mail at [email protected] or by visiting the store at615 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, MountPleasant (between Eco Fitness

and Twin Rivers Bowling).

February 5, 2010 7


High ThymeCuisine Cocktails

2213-C Middle St. Sullivans Island, SC 29482843.883.3536 843.883.3450(fax)

WWW.HIGHTHYMECUISINE.COM

883.3536TAKING RESERVATIONS NOW!

Open Valentines Day for brunch & dinner

Full menu and LOVEly Specials

Thyme to Cel ebr ate

BRUNCH 10:30am - 2pm DINNER 5:30 - 10pm

Helping Haiti through artBy Mary Gatch

Daily

of the dour, poorly-aging MissHannigan, and Drew Perrygave a very real interpretationof the hassled Oliver DaddyWarbucks. Even Grace Farrell,played by Eva Bourland, stoodout in her role as Warbucksassistant, giving a very primand proper performance of the

overworked associate.To the chorus of fourth graders

dressed in 1930s bowler hatsand long pearl necklaces, the

stage performers danced, sangand recited their way throughan excellent elementary schoolproduction of "Annie Jr".

Special thanks for theproduction go to SIES principalSusan King, director JulieMathias, stage manager AbbieBuckheister, Jimmy Ward andthe Crab Pot Players, Sis Taylor,Susie Hyman, Les Mathias,

Berlins, the parents of the cast,Jackie Meade and Kaleidoscope,SIES 4th & 5th grade teachers,and the 5th grade art club.

Annie from cover


8/27


9/27


10/27

Thousands of dead or dying

sea stars washed ashore on

our local beaches as winter

storms ravaged the coastline

recently, bringing below freezingtemperatures and plenty

of rain. This phenomenon,

known as a wreck of starsh,

is not unusual for the Atlantic.

Residents have most likely

observed an onslaught of

marine life wash ashore once

or twice a year, typically during

the winter months. The most

commonly given reason for

this event is that when winter

storms hit our area, these sub-

tidal animals (which normally

burrow in the sand) are lifted

up into the frigid water and die

of stress and exposure. Thehigher surf, driven by freezing

northeast winds, wash the

animals onto dry land where

they are left by the ebbing tide.

Commonly referred to as

starsh, sea stars are not

actually sh, but echinoderms

(spiny skin). Sea urchins,

sand dollars, and sea

cucumbers all fall under this

same classication, and are often

strewn on the beaches along with

their starsh cousins. Gray or

Netted Sea Stars (Luidia clathrata)

are the most common species

in our area. When viewed with

a magnier, the pattern of theplates on its surface resembles

a eld of daisies. The Common

Sea Star (Asterias forbesi) is not

commonly seen in large numbers

since it does not form colonies

like the Gray Sea Star. It has

thicker, purple-orange arms with

prominent spines and a small

pink or bright orange hard spot on

the surface of the body called the

madreporite. Before water enters

the sea stars water vascular

system it is ltered through pores

located in this small spot.

The arms of sea stars regularly

break off, but they soon display

a new bud of an arm. Thisregeneration of an exposed

end begins by sealing the area

immediately after damage occurs.

In approximately one week, a

new tip will appear and then

grow about 3.7 mm per month.

The most common cause of losing

an arm is predation from various

species of sh and crustaceans.

Complete regeneration is possible

as long as one fth of the central

disk and one arm remain.

The next time you come across

a sea star on the beach, pick it

up and examine the underside.

Along each arm, thousands of

tube feet line either side of a deepgroove in the center. Their water

vascular system enables the sea

stars movement by changing the

water pressure in their tube feet.

The groove running along the

center of each of the ve arms is

kept free of sand with a constant

ow of salt water.

Sea stars are carnivorous

and like to eat marine worms,crustaceans, gastropods, sea

urchins, and bivalves like

mussels, clams, and oysters.

Theyll pull the shells of

mollusks apart just enough

to t their inverted stomach

inside, usually digesting the

animal in its own shell. The

ability to insert its stomach

through thin openings,

as well as their incredible

muscular endurance, allows

the sea star to win nearly

every battle against a bivalve.

Naturalists in the eld have

reportedly seen the centerof a sea star noticeably

bulging, and sometimes even

rupturing, attesting to their

rather gluttonous appetite.

Here at the Kiawah Island

Nature Center, we enjoy the

enthusiasm and curiosity

expressed by guests and

residents when an incredible

phenomenon like this occurs.

Continue to send us any questions

or unique observations you have

by calling us at 768.6001 or

emailing us at NatureProgram@

kiawahresort.com.

About the Author: Jennifer is aNaturalist with the Kiawah Island

Nature Program. To contact her

with comments or personal stories,

email her at Jennifer_Barbour@

kiawahresort.com.

10 February 5, 2010


In an effort to encourage our youth to become more active forlife, Sullivans Island Elementary School unveiled their FeelinGood Mileage Club for students this past week. Tracking laps

around the track at school, students will collect tokens indicatingtheir accomplishment from now until the end of the school year.

Dont let your kids out run you! You too can earn tokens foryour workouts at PrimeTime Fitness: miles walked, minutes on theelliptical, participation in spin class, climbing Jacobs Ladder, or

working out with weights, participation in the PrimeTime Keep UpWith Your Kids Club means you keep track of each workout andstamp off a little foot on your Big Foot card for every 30 minutes ofexercise completed in the gym. Complete an entire Big Foot card

with 600 minutes (ten hours), and receive a token to show your kids

you can have fun being t, too.

Inquire to get your Big Foot Club card today!

Special rates available for parents not currently members of

PrimeTime Fitness call 883-0101 for information.

SIES Keep Up WithYour Kids Club

Feel like you need a new look? Does your hair need somenew life? PrimeTime Fitness is teaming up with their

own Julie Nestler - whom you can also now nd across the

street at Beauty and the Beach - to bring you the Gym and Tonic

contest!

Log the most visits to the PrimeTime gym during the month of

February and get a free deep conditioning treatment tonic (straight

from Milano, Alfaparf Conditioning Tonic) and cut, along with a

gift certicate for a one-month gym membership to use yourself, or

share with a friend.

Open to men and women. Must be a current PrimeTime member,

or sign up for the month of February (no contracts to continue

membership at contest end).

In order to track visits to the gym, you must scan your key for

entrance. Contest runs from February 1 - February 28, 2010. For

more details, contact Meredith at 883-0101, or Julie at 452-7997.

February "Gym andTonic" contest

Daily Discoveries: StarmageddonBy Jennifer BarBour

Daily

PHoToS By: Jane McMackinStarsh washed ashore on the Isle of Palms.


11/27

The Canine Good Citizenship(CGC) program haspromoted basic training

and good manners sinceits development in 1989by the American KennelClub. It has been sosuccessful that 34 state

legislatures currentlyhave resolutionsusing it as a meansto encourageresponsible dogownership. Sometherapy dog groupsuse it to evaluatedogs, and othercountries havedeveloped their ownprograms based onthe CGC program.

The TownCouncil of SullivansIsland recently

passed their own

resolution allowing a dog licensefee reduction for any dog withCGC certication. Lucky DogPublishing will be sponsoring

a CGC test on SullivansIsland in the next coupleof months. Check future

issues for upcoming

dates. This is a greatopportunity to certify your dog or learn

more about the test.Susan Marett, ownerof Purely Positive Dog

Training, will be onhand to administer

the test and answerany of your questionsabout training to passthe CGC. Susan can

be contacted at www.purelypositive.com,or call 532-8154.

February 5, 2010 11


Daily

During the week thatthe Ben Sawyer Bridgeis closed, residents of

Sullivans Island will nd plentyto do without leaving the island.

Every night during the bridgeclosing, residents can choosea local restaurant and takeadvantage of special BridgeClosing prices.

The Ben Sawyer Bridge isexpected to close on Friday,February 5, 2010, with the

waterway closing two daysbeforehand. On Sunday,February 7, islanders are invitedto a big party in Stith Park nextto the Fire Station. PrimetimeFitness will kick off the festivitiesat 1pm with an all-ages fun run

up the Causeway. As the raceends, Adande drummers will leadislanders to the top of the moundfor a community drum circleand photo opportunity. The funcontinues in the park with theisland boy band The 3 Dudesperforming in the bandstandsponsored by Home Team BBQ,a pie eating contest sponsoredby Seels, craft-making withCreative Spark sponsored by Dr.Cynthia Holmes Ophthalmology,

jump castles, smore makingsponsored by Southeastern SpineInstitute, face painting and more.

The entertainment is free. Otheractivities require a wrist bandpurchase of $5 which benetsthe Park Foundation. Wristbands are available at Sullivans

Town Hall and will be sold at theFire Station the day of the event.Please note that the event date issubject to change, but will be heldthe Sunday during the bridgeclosing, weather permitting.

Many island businesses willalso offer their customers theoption of adding $1 to their tabto support the Sullivans IslandPark Foundation. The SullivansIsland Park Foundation is aprivate, non-prot corporationformed in 1990 as a communitybased response to the devastation

of Hurricane Hugo. Its purpose isthe restoration, development, andmaintenance of the public parkand recreational facilities for theuse of the public on SullivansIsland.

Bridging the Island is part of

the Island Fun series of events

on Sullivans Island which is

sponsored by Bobby Cummings

Financial Services, Poes Tavern,

Home Team BBQ, the Sullivans

Island Park Foundation, the Town

of Sullivans Island and produced

in cooperation with Creative Spark

Center for the Arts.

Bridging the Island celebrationProvided by Creative SPark

Bridge Closing speCials

Enjoy the Ben Sawyer Bridge closing with local Sullivans Islandbusiness specials every night of the seven day shut down.

These specials will become active the day of the bridge closing

(which is projected to occur on Friday, February 5),and will last the entirety of the 10 day closure.

AtlAnticvilleHalf priced appetizers and $5 glasses of house wine, and free kidsdrink with Kids Meal purchase.cAf MedleyOrder one of our new Medley Plates (Mediterranean, Antipasti, orCheese) and get a glass of wine for only $5! Get a free scoop of icecream with each ice cream order, so you small becomes a medium,and your medium becomes a large!dunleAvys$6 burgers Monday Thursday, and 30 wings Monday Friday.Green HeronAll ice cream on a stick: buy one get one free.HiGH tHyMeDaily food and drink specials.HoMe teAM BBQ off wings on Sunday, 1/2 off burgers on Monday and free kidsmeals on Tuesday.Poes tAvernBuy a beer and get a half priced burger.PriMetiMe fitnessGuest day passes can be obtained for 1/2 off the $10 fee.Primetime's Spin, Spin, Spin & Sculpt and Spin & Stretch will alsobe offered to non-members at 1/2 price on a space available basis.Please call 883-0101 for details and to reserve a bike.seelson sullivAnsHalf priced tacos all week.stAtion 22$10 off a bottle wine or free appetizer with the mention of the ad inthis paper.sullivAns restAurAntFree order of homemade onion rings with the purchase of a dinnerentre. One per table.

PCL Civil Constructors,Inc. and the SouthCarolina Department of

Transportation (SCDOT) expectto completely close Ben SawyerBoulevard (SC 703) over the BenSawyer Bridge for 10 days (236hours) no sooner than Friday,February 5, 2010.

This notice and the placement

of variable message signs (VMS)on Ben Sawyer Boulevard andthe Isle of Palms Connector arebeing provided to give at leastseven days of preparation timefor motorists, residents, andbusiness owners.

For access on and off ofSullivans Island during thebridge closure, the signed detourroute is Coleman Boulevard (SC703), Chuck Dawley Boulevard(I-526), Isle of Palms Connector(SC 517), Palm Boulevard, andMiddle Street.

A full closure is necessary toposition the new swing span andapproaches onto the existing

bridges foundation piers. Thebridges design-build contractor,PCL Civil Constructors Inc., willbe working two shifts, 24 hoursa day, with the goal to completeclosure activities as soon aspossible. There are both nancialincentives and dis-incentives inthe SCDOT contract to encourageminimum disruption to trafc

and businesses. The nal road closure starttime is connected to the closureof the Atlantic IntracoastalWaterway which can be impactedby weather and tides. Currently,the Waterway is anticipated toclose on Wednesday, February 3,2010.

SCDOT will continue toupdate the public throughoutthe waterway and road closure

with message boards, the project website www.BenSawyerBridge.org, media notications, andnow with Tweets from SCDOT_BenSawyer.

Bridge anticipated to closeby Julie HuSSey

Lucky Dog supports good

canine citizenship


12/27

Atlanticvilles Executive Chef William Billy Condon won rst

place in Boone Hall Plantations Oyster Recipe Contest during

their annual Oyster Roast this past Sunday, January 31. With

oysters as the star ingredient, the contest pits some of Charlestons

nest chefs head-to-head in a briny culinary battle. This was

Atlanticvilles rst win in the competition and their second year

competing.

Chef Condons recipe was the resounding favorite, featuring South

Carolina May River Pecan Fried Oysters over a smoked vidalia tomato

fondue with lemon orzo pasta, country ham and tomato topped with

crispy collard greens.

We are grateful for this award, said Chef Condon. Atlanticville

is once again demonstrating its place among Charlestons nest

restaurants. Our customers enjoy an upscale dining experience

without being stuffy. Our location on Sullivans Island and our greatstaff only reinforce this casual elegance.

Atlanticville will feature their award winning recipe as a special

to their regular menu. We were pleased with the response and look

forward to sharing it with our customers, said Condon.

Atlanticville Restaurant is located on Sullivans Island. It has

received the accolades of the Post and Courier, Southern Living,

Coastal LivingandThe City Paperas one of Charlestons best. Condon,

a Charleston native, boasts a family tradition in the local culinary

scene. Billys deep roots in the Lowcountry are well represented

throughout the Atlanticville menu. His signature dishes combine

traditional with a new age southern twist. His creativity, leadership

and culinary skills have made Atlanticville a favorite among locals

and area visitors alike.

Atlanticville is located at 2063 Middle Street on Sullivans Island.

For more information or to make reservations, call 883-9452 or visit

www.atlanticville.net.

Atlanticville boasts best

oysters in the state

(above) Runners shield themselves from the pouring rain with improvised rain

coats. (right) Runners take off into the rain.

The prize winning oyster plate.

12 February 5, 2010


With a morning temperature of 40 degrees and in pouring

rain, 340 runners arrived on Sullivans Island to compete in

the annual Charlie Post Classic. Although a portion of the

race was ooded with ankle deep icy water due to an astronomical

high tide, the runners still completed in ne time, with the winner

of the 5K, Brian Johnson, coming in at 16:19, and the winner of the15K, Chris Bailey, coming in at 50:22. For the full results, visit www.

charlestonrunningclub.com.

Into the freezing rain, ran the 300Daily


13/27


14/27

February 5, 2010


February 5, 2010


CheCk out the ReC!The following events are open to t he

public at the Isle of Palms RecreationCenter. For more info, visit www.iop.net, call 886-8294 or drop by t he RecCenter, located at twenty four 28thAvenue, IOP.

PilasTuesdays & Thursdays6:30-7:30pm$40 per month / $7 per class

evning YgaMondays & Wednesdays5:30-6:30pm$40 per month / $7 per classSarday YgaSaturdays 10:00am 11:15

$26 per month / $10 per class

riday, February 5a and Sav a Sarlina Aqarimuring the entire month ofebruary, South Carolinasidents can enjoy all the fun and

xcitement of the Aquarium ate child admission rate - thats a

avings of $7 off adult admission!ffer is only available to Southarolina residents with validroof of residency and may not bembined with any other offer. Forore info, call 577-FISH (3474) orsit scaquarium.org.

hard ha trranke at Seaside invites the

public to preview their soon-to-be-completed active lifestyleapartment building, Woodside, ina Hard Hat Tour at 11:30am,located at1500 Franke Drive inMount Pleasant. Call Carolineat 375-5011 or [email protected].

Lwcnry Bls BasFrom Feburary 5 16, 2010, catchblues events in venues across thegreater Charleston area. Tonight,Freddie Vanderford and BrandonTurner will be performing at theEdward Dare Gallery from 6 8pm.

Saturday, February 6Rd Crss Bld Driv7am-1:30pm at the AmericanRed Cross Blood Center, 920Houston Northcutt Blvd, A-10,Mount Pleasant. For more info,call 416-1660 OR 1-800-GIVELIFE.Lwcnry Bls Bas n IoPThe Isle of Palms RecreationCenter is proud to hostperformances for the 20th AnnualLowcountry Blues Bash. From5-8:30pm on Saturday, February6, enjoy Skyla Burrell, Harperand DieDra with Shrimp CitySlim. From 2-5:30pm on Sunday,February 7, enjoy Charlie Sayles& the Blues DisciplesfeaturingTony Fazio, Eddie Kirkland &the Energy Band and The RomanGriswold Band. Admission is $5and doors open 30 minutes beforeshowtime. Call 886-8294 for moreinformation.

Sllivans Island ligs

opn hsFrom 1 4pm on the lighthousegrounds, 1815 Ion Avenue. Thegrounds, quarters, cupola andboat house will be open to thepublic, and the non-prot Savethe Light organization will reporton the progress of preservingthe Morris Island lighthouse.Authors Margie Willis Clary andKim McDermott will be signingcopies of their book South CarolinaLighthouses. For more info, call883-3123.Glla hriag clbrain:Swgrass and sryllingCelebrate Gullah Heritage througha series of free cultural programsat Charles Pinckney NationalHistoric Site every Saturday at2pm through March, 2010. Thisweeks feature: Carolyn JabulileWhite, Sea Island storyteller;and Vera Manigault,sweetgrass baskets. Formore info, call 881-5516or visit www.nps.gov/chpi.

Sunday, February 7Spr Bwl Snday

Bridg clsing paryCelebrate the ofcial closing of theBen Sawyer Bridge at the StithPark on Sullivan's Island from1-5pm. Live music, a fun run at1pm, drumming, s'more makingand more! More info on page 11.

Monday, February 8By Sc DayCelebrating 100 years of scouting!

Wednesday, February 10Cins Nw Yar

Thursday, February 11Rd Crss Bld DrivNoon 6:30pm at the American

Red Cross Blood Center, 920Houston Northcutt Blvd, A-10,Mount Pleasant. For more info, call416-1660 OR 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

Friday, February 12Cins Nw Yar Parad a PEveryone is invited to attend thefourth annual Edgar Allan PoeLibrary Chinese New Year Paradeat the Poe Library on SullivansIsland, including a Lion Danceperformed by the Masters Studioof Self Defense. Fortune cookieswill be provided for children of allages. 1921 Ion Avenue, SullivansIsland. For more information, call883-3914.Sasrn Wildlif expsiinFebruary 12-14, 2010. TheSoutheastern Wildlife Exposition(SEWE) is the largest wildlife artand nature event in the nation.Taking place the weekend beforePresidents Day, SEWE willoffer original art by 120 artists;educational live animal shows;outdoor outtters; sporting arms;antique decoys; and childrensactivities. In 2010, SEWE willwelcome special guest Jack

Hanna. Tickets start at $10 perperson and VIP packages areavailable. For more information,please call 723-1748 or visit www.sewe.com.

Rd Crss Bld Driv7am-1:30pm at the American RedCross Blood Center, 920 HoustonNorthcutt Blvd, A-10, MountPleasant. For more info, call 416-1660 OR 1-800-GIVE LIFE.Friday Nig hpsGirls and boys ages 7-12 can havea safe, fun Friday night shootinghoops. Learn proper passingtechniques and basic dribblingskills during drills and games.The cost is $10 per athlete. CallThe IOP Recreation Departmentat 886-8294 to register. Sessions

are from 6 8pm at the Rec.Department on the followingFridays: March 12 & 26, April 23.

Saturday, February 13Fr lgs f fzzy lv fr alfpricShow your love for ValentinesDay by adopting a cat! Catsover three years old are half-offthe adoption fee ($50), whichincludes the cost of your newcat's spay or neuter surgery,microchip, vaccines, and tests.Receive a free cat rst aid kidwith adoption. For more info,call 795-1110. Pet HelpersAdoption Center, 1447 FollyRoad, James Island.Craing a clr mmryFrom February 13 - 15, joinnationally acclaimed artistCarol McGill at the Isle ofPalms Exchange Club for athree day dual class on designtheory and the use of colorto establish rhythm, create apalette and add energy. No pre-requisite required and anyonecan participate. Classesrun from 9:30am

3pm each day with a breakfor lunch. For more info,call 209-2286 or [email protected] cost is $350.

Sllivans Fir Dparmnannal oysr Ras

Under the Big Tin (Station 14 ) from 5 8pm, rain or shine.Live band and a jump castle forthe kids. All you can eat singles.Bring your own knife. Hot dogsand sh stew available. Tickets are$25 ($35 day of) and are availableat Sullivans Island Town Halland Fire Station, Piggly Wiggly atthe Sea Island Shopping Center,Simmons Seafood and Exit Realty.

Rd Crss Bld Driv7am-1:30pm at the American RedCross Blood Center, 920 HoustonNorthcutt Blvd, A-10, MountPleasant. For more info, call 416-1660 OR 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

Glla hriag clbrain:Sweetgrass and Gullah talesCelebrate Gullah Heritage througha series of free cultural programsat Charles Pinckney NationalHistoric Site (1254 Long PointRoad) every Saturday at 2pmthrough March, 2010. This weeksfeature: Anita Singleton-Prather,Aunt Pearlie Sue Gullah Tales;

and Vera Manigault, sweetgrassbaskets. For more info, call 881-5516 or visit www.nps.gov/chpi.

Sunday, February 14Valnins Day

Monday, February 15Prsidns Day

Tuesday, February 16MardiGrasbgins

Wednesday, February Rd Crss Bld DrivNoon -6:30pm at the AmericanCross Blood Center, 920 HoustNorthcutt Blvd, A-10, MountPleasant. For more info, call 411660 OR 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

Thursday, February 1Rd Crss Bld DrivNoon 6:30pm at the AmericanRed Cross Blood Center, 920Houston Northcutt Blvd, A-10,Mount Pleasant. For more info,416-1660 OR 1-800-GIVE LIFE

Island Eye CalendarFebruary 5 - February 18

VS

Superbowl Sunday6 plasma tv's

Buckets of Beers

food & drink specials

and more...

883-50302213-B Middl S,

www.seelsfshcamp.com

While the bridge is closed stay on t he island and join us for1/2 OFF taco's, bucket of local oysters + 2 bottle beer for $10

& nightly food and drink specials.

thank youforsupportingyourlocalrestaurants!


15/27


16/27

17February 5, 2010


For ve years, the Wando Fine ArtsDepartment has been producingspectacular musicals, and this years

edition, Guys and Dolls, promises to hold tothose high standards which audiences have

come to expect from director Lori Carroll.The show opens on Thursday, February 11,at 7pm in the Wando High School PerformingArts Center in Mount Pleasant. Performancescontinue on Friday, February 12, and Saturday,February 13, at 7pm, with a special ValentinesDay matinee on Sunday, February 14, at 5pm.Guys and Dolls is a musical interpretation

of Damon Runyons short stories The Idyllof Miss Sarah Brown and Blood Pressure,

which focus on the less-than-honorable livesof Nathan Detroit and his henchmen; Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet, as

well as Nathan's ance of fourteen years,Miss Adelaide. Hilarious complications ensue

when Nathan bets Sky Masterson that he cantconvince a girl, Sarah Brown of the Save-A-

Soul Mission, to accompany him to Havana.Musical highlights include Ill Know, Busheland a Peck, Luck Be a Lady, and the rousing

Sit Down, Youre Rocking the Boat.Music directors Sean McGrew and Vernon

Huff, choreographer Kim Chesley-Brelandand associate director Roberta Guthrie arenot alone in bringing this story to the Wando

stage. The talent in this years cast are familiarnames in the Fine Arts Department: SeniorSebastian Sanchez, who played a lead role inhis sophomore year as Ren in Footloose, takesanother principal role as Sky Masterson, ahigh rolling, big-shotgambler. Junior PaigeWeldon leads as SarahBrown, along withsenior Bianca Gardneras Adelaide, sophomoreChristian Brumme asNathan Detroit, andNaquan Villega asNicely-Nicely Johnson.A collection of colorfulcharacters will bring

the streets of 1950sNew York City alive tothe sounds of Wandos

nationally recognized band. This year marks a return to traditional

Broadway style that many will remember fromWandos production ofBeauty and the Beast.

The major sponsor of this years production is

Haines & McNeill LLC.General admission tickets are $10 for adults

and $5 for students. For more information or topurchase tickets, call 375-3537 or go to www.wandohigh.com/clubs/musical/tix.htm.

Wando High School is playing the oddswith Guys and Dolls

Students practice the Crapshooters Dance. Front row (l to r): Carolina Raycroft,

Corey McBrayer, Christian Brumme, Grace Goldston, Gabriel Dawkins. 2nd row: Josh

Woolwine, Dell Cherry, Kaleb Peebles, Naquan Villega, Christian Schaeffer Back

row: C.J. Rutecki


17/27


February 5, 201018

Finding the commode door

Amovie crew dropped by Dunleavys Pub on Friday, January 29, to use theclassic pub as the background for an upcoming lm produced exclusivelyfor the Commodores Ball at the Carolina Yacht Club. The movie, entitled

The Chester Mission, tells the story of General Pattons grandson, G. PatWaters, and a mistaken trip through time. The men must nd their way backto 1883, but rst they have to nd the unlikely entrance to their time travelmachine: a commode door.

E

ven though the Fort MoultrieVisitors Center appeared closed onWednesday, January 27, (blocked

parking lot; no lights at the front door),a number of Sullivans Island residentsfound their way to the Centers auditoriumfor the second in the series of talks onvegetation management techniquessponsored by the Sullivans IslandersGroup. The talk by Karl Ohlandt, aLandscape Ecologist at Spring Island

with degrees in Biology, Horticulture,and Landscape Architecture, outlinedsome principles used to integrate natureand residential environments. The notedprinciples could be useful for improvingvegetation management of the accretedland in the Sullivans Island land trustRC1 area, and integrating the natural

environment with adjacent residentialareas.Points in Ohlandts talk

included: 1) evidence thatvariation in species and heightof vegetation is advantageousfor the plants as well as wildlife,including birds and butteries;2) information that vegetationnative to the local area is the mostrobust and easily maintainedand should be maintained inits natural state to the extentpossible; 3) advice that trimmingprocedures should attend tomaintaining the natural process

of the vegetation with particularemphasis on maintainingheight variation of understory

vegetation.Ohlandt noted that one of the

strongest compliments he can receive on

an area he has trimmed is that no onenoticed that the area had been trimmed.Finally, he provided several pre- andpost-trimming pictures, demonstrating

what is considered to be appropriatemanipulation of natural vegetation andhow limited trimming can be used toemphasize or frame more distant viewsto enhance the view while causing littledamage to existing vegetation.

For more information on upcoming

meetings, or about the Sullivans

Islanders Group in general, visit www.

sullivansislanders.net.

Sullivans Islanders discussSpring Island

By Larry Middaugh

East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)

will be offering tax preparation assistanceon Fridays and Saturdays through

Saturday, April 10. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax AssistanceProgram (VITA) offers free tax help for taxpayers

who qualify. Trained community volunteers willhelp with special credits, such as Earned Income

Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for theElderly or the Disabled. In addition to free taxreturn preparation assistance, ECCO will providefree electronic ling (e-ling). Individuals takingadvantage of the e-le program receive theirrefunds in half the time compared to returnsled on paper even faster when tax refundsare deposited directly into ones bank account.VITA is a program designed to help households

with an annual income of $48,279 or less, sayscoordinator Phil Weekland. It is not just forpeople in poverty, but for the working poor.

Those who are interested in receiving this helpshould bring the following:

Taxpayers picture ID. Social Securitynumbers for each person on the return.All W-2 statements, 1099s and 1098s.

Daycare provider expenses for child credit.Documents for new car tax credit.Documents to claim new homebuyerscredit.Applicable expense receipts for deductions.Both taxpayers if ling jointly.

Earned Income and adjusted gross income (AGI)must each be less than:

$43,279 ($48,279 married ling jointly) with three or more qualifying children.$40,295 ($45,295 married ling jointly) withtwo qualifying children.$35,463 ($40,463 married ling jointly) withone qualifying child.$13,440 ($18,440 married ling jointly) withno qualifying children.

The service will be offered rst come, rst

served on Fridays, 10am to 2pm, and Saturdays

from 9am to noon. ECCO is located at 1145 Six

Mile Road in Mt. Pleasant. Call 849-9220 or visit

their website www.eccocharleston.org.

ECCO offer taxprep assistance


18/27

19February 5, 2010

Golf

Its not easy for me to type

these words and make a public

confession. Being honest with

a reader is often vastly more

difcult than admissions made in

private: Im a recovering Ohioan.I know it isnt too hard to gure

out that I became a Southerner by

the exercise of good sense rather

than birth since the Hricik clan

in the Palmetto State consists of

me, my bride and two children.

Poor woman actually took my last

name. I know she loves me.

The weather here lately,

however, has brought back

nightmarish memories of my

days up north. People from Ohio

- and Cleveland in particular -

know winter, since it lasts from

Labor Day until Memorial Day

and sometimes longer. Notethat I didnt refer to Ohioans

as Buckeyes as that will only

invoke the ire of those who

worship at the church of the BCS

and have unshakable beliefs that

their congregation is the closest

to the divine and everyone else is

a heretic. In that regard I am an

atheist.

The thermometer up there reads

with the unerring consistency

of retirement investment stock

quotes: minus something.

Going outside is reserved for two

activities - shoveling snow and

warming up the car. By the way,

you warm up the car so that you

can move it to shovel more snow.

And golf during this time?

Surely you jest. But cabin fever

makes you do strange things, and

on those handfuls of weekend

days when the ground is not

covered with snow, golf can be

played at courses 100 or so miles

south of Cleveland, enticing golf

addicts to move out from their

winter dens.

For this particularly insane

form of golf, the game is played

with gloves on and wool hat

secured while wearing multiple

layers of clothing that limit the

backswing and follow through

to approximately six inches,

ensuring that every swing is on

plane.

The lack of mobility adds a new

element to the game. Occasionally,

a player partner would swing too

hard, lose his balance, and like

a turtle, would end up on the

ground, unable to right himself.

Depending on where he was

as to the betting determined

whether aid was offered. In these

conditions, golfers, as opposed to

soldiers, believe leaving someone

behind is perfectly acceptable.

Great club head speed was not

a necessity as the frozen tundra

playing surface had all the give

of a concrete runway, and the

faintest ball strike rolled and

caromed distances that would be

coveted on warmer days.

Because of the frma of the

terra, hitting into the ground

directly resulted in an immediate

case of carpal tunnel syndrome

and caused lightning bolts to

shoot up the golf shaft and

through the players elbows. As

they writhed in agony, the other

players would quickly gather

around their suffering friend to

warm their hands off his charred

exit wounds.

The only upside were temporary

greens with holes cut to the size

of soup pots because otherwise

death by frostbite would occur waiting for people to putt out.

After the last putt was holed, we

would gather around a barrel re

to count strokes and appendages.

A good time was had by all.

When I moved here more than

a decade ago, I thought my days

of playing golf in the cold were

over. I arrogantly vowed that

unless the thermometer was

above 55, I would not be playing.

But absence makes the heart

grow fonder and this long, cold,

cruel winter found me playing on

a 30+ degree day with only three

other people on the course wholove golf as much as I do and it

was beautiful.

Until next time, play well.

Richard is a golf enthusiast,

local lawyer and part-time

writer seeking publication of a

novel about golf. Contact him at

[email protected]. 2010

Winter golf: the frma on the terraby RichaRd hRicik


19/27

20 February 5, 2010


The IOPNAs new resident outreachprogram, otherwise known as theWelcome Committee of the IOPNA, has

just completed delivering ten gift bagsto new IOP residents who arrived on theisland between September and Decemberof 2009, kicking off the second year of thissuccessful program. Last year, twenty-ve

businesses and restaurants contributedto thirty-six gift bags throughout the year. Each gift bag is lled with a varietyof information about island living, andare designed to help foster a sense ofcommunity among IOP residents, as wellas encourage the use of local businessesand restaurants by our citizens.Five of the contributors to these rst ten

gift bags for 2010 are repeat contributorsfrom 2009: The Boathouse at Breach Inlet(Lee Cohen, General Manager), Long IslandCafe (Patti and Buddy Thomas, Owners)Splash Clothing and Gifts (Nancy Lauseng,Owner), Taste of China Restaurant (Annand Richy Ching Tin, Owners), and Salon& Co, (Vicky Friedrichs, Owner). TheWelcome Committee appreciates their

continued commitment to this program.New to the program and contributing forthe rst time are the Isle of Palms Marinaand Marina Market (Brian and BethBerrigan, managers) and the Sand DollarGift Gallery (Barbara Gobien, owner).

The Committee will continue to helpbring attention to local businessesthroughout 2010, working to improvethe visibility and success of island

establishments. One of the committeemembers, Jackie Huffman, was new tothe Isle of Palms last summer. She is nowhappy to welcome others just as she was

welcomed when she moved to the Isle ofPalms, helping to foster the same senseof belonging that she felt with the receiptof her rst gift bag. Jackie and the other

members of the Welcome Committee - DeeWeilbacher, Kathleen Doherty, and DianeOltorik - are already planning the next setof gift bags for the spring. If you werentcalled upon for this set of gift bags, beprepared to see them very soon!

Committee member Jackie Huffman assembles a gift

bag. Jackie was a new resident to the IOP last summer

and a recipient of the Outreach Programs gift bag.

The Isle of Palms Neighborhood Association(IOPNA) held a general membership meetingon Monday, January 18, at the Isle of PalmsExchange Club for the purpose of going over last

years accomplishments, elect new ofcers and

present the Nancy Stogner Award for meritoriouscommunity service. More than 60 residents were inattendance for the annual meeting.

During the meeting, Joanna Harper, a 17 plusyear resident, was elected as the new President ofthe Association. Joanna, along with husband Tom,has raised three children on the island and has beenan active member of the school PTA, band, schoolimprovement councils, and Recreation Centeractivities, just to name a few. She is committed to

working together with the entire island communityto preserve the quality of life on the Isle of Palms.

The Nancy Stogner Award was presented toa much deserving Catherine Malloy, who led theIOPNA for the past two and a half years. Joanna

was thrilled to see Catherine receive the award,remarking that, She [Catherine Malloy] has ledus competently and compassionately and will

continue to serve on our board and to honor ourcommitment to insure that the Isle of Palms is Agreat place to come home to.

IOPNA events for the coming year will include thecontinued delivery of gift bags to new residents, thesummer Pig Pickin, beach sweep and Octoberfest.New community activities are planned to highlightthose who serve us on the island and to helpneighbors in need. Looking forward to 2010!

IOPNA looks forward

to 2010Provided by the ioPNA

The gift of a warm welcomeProvided by the ioPNA Welcome committee

The Plantation Singers

are known locally and

internationally as the

southeasts most popular Gospel/

percussion group. Each of the

women in this multi-talented

group has a lifetime of musical

experience, beginning with the

music of the southern church.

The Plantation Singers were rst

created in June 1996 under the

direction of Ms. Lynnette White.

Locally, the group has performed

on the Piccolo part of Spoleto

Festival USA. The group has

also performed on several localtelevision stations. Nationally,

the group has performed on

Gordon Elliotts Door Knock

Dinners and P. Allen Smiths

garden show. Internationally, the

group performed for the Relais

& Chateaux Hotel conference

in Naples, Italy; the Sori World

Music Festival in South Korea;

and the Gospel Festival in Spain.

The group has also performed

in many of Charlestons historic

homes, resorts and plantations.

The Plantation Singers play an

important role in the preservation

of the spiritual and the sacred

music of the South Carolina

Lowcountry.

The Plantation Singers is also

the recipient of the prestigious

Three Sisters Award, given

by the Committee to Save the

City. This award was given in

recognition of The Plantation

Singers contribution to the

special character of Charleston.

The Plantation Singers are well

known for their ability to reach

out and draw a crowd into their

performance. The shoe tapping,

hand clapping, and sing along

atmosphere causes the audienceto smile big, hug their neighbors

and ask for more.

A free public performance

by The Plantation Singers will

take place at Battery Gadsden

Cultural Center on Saturday,

February 20, at 2pm. The

performance is part of the Island

Fun series which is sponsored

by the Town of Sullivans Island,

Poes Tavern, Bobby Cummings

Financial Services and produced

in cooperation with Creative

Spark Center for the Arts. All

ages are welcome.

Melodic spirituals

at Battery Gadsden


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Sullivans IslandBusiness District Directory

Island Gallery2214 Middle Street

882-8005always showing multiple artists and mediums

Carl B. Hubbard

Member of the National Association

of Consumer Advocates

882-81302201 Middle St, Suite [email protected]

Attorney at Lawdebtharrassment~ creditreporterrors

creditdenials ~ creditprivacyinvasion

identitytheft~ unfairbills & charges

debtcollectionlawsuitdefense

883-9646 2213 Middle St

Duleavs Pub

Monday - Thursday30 W

lunch & dinner-dine in only5-7pm free Wings

wth bv puh

limit 6 wings per customer-dine in only

883-9452 2063 Middle St

Joi us for Locals-Only Specialsthis fall ad witer. Walk-is alwas

welcome i the diig room or o Sul-livas ol eclosed ad heated deck!

883-5030

www .SeelSFiShCam p.Com

Mo-Thu: Luch & Dier 11am -

10pm st-su: Bruch 8am - 2pm

ad Luch & Dier 11am - 10pm

883-00832210 Middle Street

Burgers

Fish Tacos

20 draft beers

793-40552213 Middle St

Here to start your dayand wine you down

Owed ad Operated b

Sullivas Islad Residets

Laurie ad Daw Ulmer

883-9101 2205 Middle Steet

Now offeringKeratin Complex Smoothing Therapy

Beauty

and theBeachhairsalon

Gina RoweJulie Nestler

s O suvFish Camp ad

"Off The Hook" Bar

A uique beach spot for a traditioal Carolia

seafood experiece. Owers Harr Seel ad

Bobb Riggs are committed to providig fresh,

local seafood at reasoable prices i a casual ad

famil friedl atmosphere. Etree baskets ad

platters are prepared simpl ad complemeted

with a choice of homemade sides. The po bos

are stuffed with your choice of llings and

served o locall baked bread. Fish tacos come

i our choice of three differet stles ad three

seafood llings. The menu also includes soups,

salads, burgers, dogs, ad chicke. Ope dail

for luch, dier ad weeked bruch. Ad

oce the su goes dow, our Off The Hookbar serves up great drik specials ad a hoppi

ightlife. So stop i to see Bobb ad Harr

ad ejo the Carolia islad life the wa it was

meat to be.

Sullivas Islad. 2213-B Middle St.

883-5030

seelsfishcamp.com

BecOMe a fan Of seel's On faceBOOk!

Sullivas

Ten dollar GifT CerTifiCaTe

Family owned and operatedfor 20 years

$10$10

5-9PM OnLy.Cannot becombined with any other offer.

Minimum $25 food purchase. Dinein only. 18% gratuity added beforediscount. Expires April 30, 2010.

883-3222 2019 Middle St


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24 February 5, 2010

No one guessed that last week's Eye Spy

was one of the Sullivan's Island lighthouse

buildings. Send your guess for this week's

Eye Spy to: [email protected].

Do you know what this is?Kids, send your guess for this weeks Eye Spy to:

[email protected] or call 886-NEWS. Please includeyour mailing address with your submission. The rst one to

send in the correct answer will receive a coupon for a freeice cream at Caf Medley on Sullivan's Island.

Eye Spy

On January 7, 2010, kindergarten students at Sullivans IslandElementary celebrated the completion of their Twelve Days ofReading program, which was held over the holidays. During

the winter break, students read for at least 12 of the 16 days, recordingtheir progress in a reading log. As their reward, the kindergarten boysspent the morning enjoying a "P is for Pancake Party", where theylistened to a storyabout a runawaypancake man andthen made theirown pancake menusing fruit and other

yummy sweets.

That afternoon, thegirls participatedin a Fancy Nancy

Tea Party. Theydressed for theoccasion, broughttheir dolls, and readFancy Nancy books

while enjoying anofcial fancy teaparty....tres posh!

Literature never

tasted so good

PHOTO BY DeBOraH PalmerRhett White enjoys his pancake man.

What mid-winter activity

is fun, easy, free, and

helps children connect

to a whole new world of natural

wonders? The 13th annual Great

Backyard Bird Count, sponsored

by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

and National Audubon Society,

is just that; giving kids, couples

and families alike the chance to

discover the many varieties of

birds in their own backyard.This Presidents Day weekend,February 12-15, all SouthCarolinians are invited to join inthis national event. Participantscan take part at home, inschoolyards, at local parks or

wildlife refuges. Observers simplycount the highest number of eachbird species they see during an

outing and enter their tallyon the Great Backyard

Bird Count Web siteat www.birdsource.

org/gbbc. Visitorscan also

compare

their sightings with results fromother participants. Together, thesecounts offer a real-time snapshotof the numbers and kinds of birdsthat people are nding across theUnited States and Canada.

Last year, participants turnedin more than 93,600 checklistsonline, creating the continentslargest instantaneous snapshot ofbird populations ever recorded.

Participants can explore real-time maps and charts online,

as well as learn tips on how toidentify birds. There are evenspecial materials for educators.Participants may also enter theGBBC photo contest by uploadingimages taken during the count.

South Carolinas naturalresources are essential for economicdevelopment and contribute nearly$30 billion and 230,000 jobs to thestates economy overall. Find outwhy Lifes Better Outdoors at:www.dnr.sc.gov/green/index.html.

The great backyard

bird countPrOviDeD BY THe DePT. Of NaTural resOurces


24/27

If you already have a Roth IRA,

youre aware of its greatestbenet: Your earnings grow

tax free, provided you meet

certain conditions. If you donthave a Roth IRA, you may wantto consider one and it may beeasier for you to do just that in2010.

Before we get to the reasons why 2010 may be your year toopen or convert to a Roth IRA,lets look at some differencesbetween Roth and traditionalIRAs. If you own a traditional IRA,

your contributions may be tax-deductible, depending on yourincome level. But whether you canmake deductible contributionsor not, your earnings grow on a

tax-deferred basis, whichmeans your moneycan grow fasterthan it wouldif it wereplaced in aninvestmenton which youpaid taxesevery year.On the otherhand, Roth IRAcontributionsare never tax-deductible, but yourearnings grow tax free, as

long as youve held your accountat least ve years and you dontstart taking withdrawals until

youre at least age 59.

Furthermore, unlike atraditional IRA, a Roth IRA doesnot require you to start takingdistributions when you reach70. Consequently, youll havemore exibility and freedom when

it comes to making withdrawals.If you have a traditional IRA,

you might be thinking its agood idea to convert to a RothIRA because tax free soundsbetter than tax deferred and,

all things being equal, tax freewould indeed be better. However,its not quite that simple. If youconvert your traditional IRA toa Roth IRA, youll have to paytaxes on those traditional IRAearnings and contributions thathad previously gone untaxed. If

you do convert, youll be betteroff if you use money held outside

your IRA to pay the taxes. If yousimply take money from yourIRA, youll obviously lower thevalue of your IRA and, if youreunder 59, you may have to payan additional 10% penalty on the

amount you withdraw to pay thetaxes.In the past, manyinvestors have beenprohibited fromconverting theirIRAs due to eithertheir tax ling

status or theirincome. Underprevious rules, you

could convert yourtraditional IRA to a

Roth IRA only if youwere married and led a

joint return or were a single ler,

and your modied adjusted grossincome (MAGI) was $100,000 orless. But starting in 2010, you canconvert funds to a Roth IRA evenif your MAGI is over $100,000.You will also be able to convert to

a Roth if you are married and le

separate tax returns.And thats not the only piece

of good news regarding yourconversion ability. As mentionedabove, you will have to pay taxes

when you convert to a Roth IRA.

A conversion is usually reportedas income for the tax year theconversion takes place. However,in 2010 only, your conversion

amount will be split and reportedas income for tax years 2011 and2012 unless you elect to reportthe entire conversion amount on

your 2010 taxes. You may nd

that spreading the taxes over two years can make the conversionmore affordable.

In any case, consult with yourtax advisor before convertingfrom a traditional IRA to aRoth. If done correctly, such a

conversion can potentially makea big difference in your ultimateretirement lifestyle.

This article was provided by

Edward Jones, located at 1505

Palm Blvd on the Isle of Palms.

You can reach them at 886-9229

or visit www.edwardjones.com.

25February 5, 2010


Financial

New Year opportunities for Roth IRA conversionBy Dimi matouchev

What coos in Peru?By Sarah Dargan harper

I recently returned from a two-month adventure in Peru

where I spent the bulk of my time at the Tericaya RescueCenter, a facility located in the middle of the jungle and twohours by boat from the nearest town, Puerto Maldonado.

Tericaya is a rehabilitation center for orphaned and injured wild animals, including tapirs, ve species of monkeys,

a jaguar, macaws, toucans, a margay, jaguarondis, anda giant otter. The center functions through the help ofvolunteers. I came to Tericaya to participate in the rst

International Course for Bird Banding in Peru. I hadbanded birds while wading through the island salt marshes

with my friend, Will Post, but I wasnt prepared to carryheavy bamboo poles, nets, and a portable banding stationthrough muddy, mosquito-infested jungle trails. My 98%Deet bug spray may have warded off the mosquitos, butthe biting ies and ants seemed to nd the smell alluring.

Despite the drawbacks, my experience was quiterewarding. We captured over 300 birds includinghummingbirds, ycatchers, hawks, antbirds, and many

more passerines than I can mention, or remember. The birdpictured on the front cover, a male Band-tailed Manakin,

was our most frequently captured species. Male Manakinscongregate in groups, called leks, where they claim verysmall territories and display for passing females, who arevery choosy about their selection of a mate.

For more information about Tericaya Rescue Center

and other volunteer projects abroad, you can visit www.

projectsabroad.com.uk


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26 February 5, 2010


Looking back at 2009, history

will show that it was a goodyear for market participants,

helping them gain back some ofthe painful losses of 2008. The

U.S. and overseas equity marketsposted strong gains, with theS&P 500 Index advancing 26.46percent and the MSCI EAFE Indexup 31.78 percent for the year.Lower-quality stocks, which havehistorically been more volatile,performed very well for the year,as lower-quality names led theearly stages of the rally and gainedmomentum throughout the year.Both high-yield bonds (BarclaysCapital U.S. Corporate High YieldIndex) and emerging markets(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)reinforced this notion, gaining54.78 percent and 74.50 percent,

respectively, for the year. The story for xed income

investors was similar to that ofequities, and most of the majorbond indices posted strong gainsin 2009. Corporate bonds returned16.04 percent, as measured bythe Barclays Capital U.S. CreditIndex, as spreads narrowedcloser to levels seen prior to thecredit crisis. Municipal bondspreads also narrowed as pricesfor the underlying bonds movedhigher, and the Barclays CapitalMunicipal Bond Index gained12.91 percent for the year.

The markets showedremarkable resilience in 2009,given the rocky start in the rstquarter. Equity markets sankin early 2009 and, on March 9,had fallen more than 25 percentfor the year, as measured by theS&P 500. It was at this time thatFederal Reserve Chairman BenBernanke coined his now famousphrase green shoots, describingthe climate of an emergingeconomic recovery. A sharp rallyensued, and despite cries fromskeptics, equity markets pushed

higher through much of 2009,ending the year on highs.

The case for a sTrong

markeT in 2010

Economic data shows there is

no doubt that the economy hasrebounded from its lows. While itappears difcult to make the casefor a strong economic recovery,

we have seen the rate of declinein recent data slow and in manycases improve; at least somewhat.Case in point: employment dataindicates that the economy lostonly 11,000 jobs in Novemberasharp decrease from more than650,000 monthly job lossesin March 2009. Althougheconomists suggest we need atleast 100,000 new jobs just tomaintain existing employmentlevels, the steady decline in job

losses through the second halfof 2009 was well received by themarkets. Consumer condence isa similar story, showing modestgains in the latter half of the year.Although Decembers consumercondence level of 52.9 is lowby historical comparisons, it issharply off the March 2009 low of25.3.

Some of the improvements inthe economy have no doubt beenthe result of government stimulusand the governments subsequentinvolvement in many areas of theeconomy. So far, $249.8 billion

of the massive $787 billiongovernment spending packagehas been paid out in the formof tax benets ($92.8 billion),contracts, grants and loans($65.8 billion), and entitlements($91.2 billion). The impact of thisstimulus spending has been seenin the output of the economy,as measured by gross domesticproduct (GDP). The third-quarter GDP report showed theeconomy growing at an annualrate of 2.20 percent, up from the6.40-percent decline seen in the

rst quarter of the year, accordingto the Bureau of EconomicAnalysis. This improvement isencouraging; however, the third-quarter number has been revised

lower from the initial estimates,suggesting that further stimulusmay be needed to sustain futureeconomic growth.

a case for a weak

markeT in 2010

The employment situationcontinues to be a concern, anda 10 percent unemploymentrate is a challenge for theeconomy. Although job losseshave slowed substantially andnonfarm payroll employment wasessentially unchanged (11,000)in November, it will take asignicant number of new jobs toreplace the 7.82 million jobs lost

since January 2008. Economistsproject that it could take ve

years to see jobs return to morenormalized levels. The loss inincome across the economy inthe aggregate will no doubt put adamper on future spending andeconomic growth. It could alsoput pressure on top-line revenuegrowth for many companies andconsequently present a headwindfor earnings growth to drive equityreturns.

The consumer is still challengedin the current environment,

with the pressures of mortgage

delinquencies and the shrinkingof personal credit. Currently, 25percent of U.S. homeowners havea mortgage that is upside-down,meaning they owe more than thehouse is worth. Furthermore, oneout of seven mortgages is currentlyin arrears or in foreclosure. Sodespite the fact that consumercondence has moved off its lowstoward the end of 2009, it is stillat levels that do not bode wellfor renewed consumer optimismand increased spending in thenear term. In fact, it could bequite the contrary, as the savings

rate continues to hold at higherlevelscurrently 4.70 percentin November, up from a low ofunder 1 percent in the earlystages of the recession. Whilethe higher savings rate maytranslate into future spending, it

will likely put negative pressureon the consumers ability to addsignicantly to GDP growth in thenear term.

PerhaPs more of a

mixed bag

The reality of the markets isthat there is an ever-changingdynamic, and the likely scenario,quite frankly, is a mixed bag.

The key factors for 2010, similar

to 2009, will be to watch thegovernment closely and to monitorits key policy decisions on interestrates and spending. We believeit is likely that the government

will remain accommodativethroughout 2010 to allow for theeconomic recovery to gain somestrength. Unemployment willcontinue to be a drag on futureeconomic growth as companiesremain cautious on their hiringdecisions. Markets will likelyscrutinize the economic datamore closely, given the strengthof the market rally in 2009 andthe potential for skepticism overa sustained recovery. No doubtinvestors should continue to becautious of risk, knowing thatmarkets and market sentimentcan indeed shift as the dynamic

changes. Markets are still sharplybelow the highs of several yearsago, so long-term investorscould use market uctuations toreposition portfolios for what willlikely be a slow and ever-changingrecovery.

Disclosure: Certain sections of

this commentary contain forward-

looking statements that are based

on our reasonable expectations,

estimates, projections, and

assumptions. Forward-looking

statements are not guarantees of

future performance and involve

certain risks and uncertainties,

which are difcult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of

future results. All indices are

unmanaged and investors cannot

invest directly into an index.

Bobby Cummings is the owner

of Cummings Wealth ManagementGroup. He is a CERTIFIED

FINANCIAL PLANNERTM

professional and Certied Family

Business Specialist and has beenin business since 1990. Bobbys

focus is providing comprehensive

nancial planning and investment

advice to business owners,

professionals, retirees, and people

planning for retirement. He liveson Sullivans Island with his wife

Kristin, son Tanner (6), daughter

Keenan (4), and son, Banks (1).

If you wish to learn more about

the ideas and strategies in this

article, or if you have any questions

about your nancial or estate plan,

you are invited to reach Bobby viaemail at bobby@cummingswealth.

com or by contacting his ofce

at (843)884-9898. Authored

by Simon Heslop, CFA,director of asset management,

at Commonwealth Financial

Network. 2010 Commonwealth

Financial Network

By all measures, a great yearPresented by bobby Cummings

Financial

Source: Commonwealth/FactSet


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