Lowcountry Magic!

I am a Realtor here in the lowcountry, however, this is not an article about me or my profession, but it is about the magic of the lowcountry and its real estate of sorts. I work with many people from various parts of our great country who are considering a move to our beautiful coastal area because they either desire a lifestyle change or they must relocate due to employment or a new military assignment. After spending several days and many hours of conversation with these folks, I have come to realize when you move to Charleston from “off”, there is a metamorphous that takes place ever so gradually over time and, fortunately, no one is excluded from experiencing this magical transformation.

I watch noses from “off” scrunch up and seem offended by the aroma of our pluff mud which, at times, wafts up and hits you out of nowhere, I see heads scratched while wondering what is so special about a marsh view and looking at tall weeds, and I hear comments like “who in the world would want a tidal creek out their back door only to leave you with a muddy mess twice every 24 hours?”. As for our wildlife, no one, especially those from “off” desire an alligator in their neighborhood, but we must be reminded…the gators didn’t want people in their neighborhood either.

When checking out Charleston and our real estate options, they have definite opinions and strong reactions to our property prices, even now, after the helium is off and the bubble sadly deflated. What if they had seen our property values during the bubble years? We would have had to use pluff mud to bring them back to consciousness. With no basements and many times no garages, they initially feel the charm and character of our lowcountry architecture and streetscapes are certainly not worth the price tags they so proudly display.

Once the ones from “off”….
understand how our waterways and the lives within create that unique odor along our creek and river beds; watch the sun paint the marsh grass with hues of yellow, gold, sienna and vivid green and which also appear to be sculpted by God’s hands; see the waterfowl dine in that “muddy mess” and then how gently the moon’s pull coaxes the water inward toward the banks as its beams glisten on the water; and finally, once they marvel at the various wildlife sunning themselves without man-made barriers and yet bothering no one…they finally “get it”! They may even want to look at some of those older, quaint homes that need TLC and have an unappealing price tag, but in the end, they feel their new home in their new hometown will definitely be worth it.

It takes awhile for the ones from “off” to really appreciate our lovely Charleston area and all it offers, but once they do, it’s in their hearts and noses forever!

July 4th at Kiawah Island

July 4, 2011 was my first time to go to the festivities at Kiawah Island’s Night Heron Park. Why so long? It seemed like such a trek out to Main/Bohicket/Betsy Kerrison Road just to see some fireworks for twenty minutes and then make the precarious drive back at night. However, some friends were going and I decided to tag along, especially since they were driving. It was a breeze through the Kiawah gate and parking was not a problem at Night Heron Park, where the festivities and initial blasts of fireworks were to happen.

They certainly know how to throw a celebration on Kiawah Island and the Kiawah staff made sure everything ran like clockwork. There was a variety of delicious food, from hot dogs and burgers to grilled chicken to shrimp and grits. To go with your choice of cuisine you could opt for soda, water, beer, wine or something harder for those true party revelers. A magician and stilt-walking juggler roamed the crowd and put smiling faces on all. While the band played oldies and some new tunes as well, dancing, face painting, train riding, games, hula-hooping and bead making was going on throughout the event grounds. Youngsters and seniors alike seemed to be enjoying the evening. The watermelon eating contest cannot be justly described, but the after-mess can be seen in the Gallery of photos. I know my photos are not prize winners, but I think they capture the fun time everyone was experiencing.

At 9:15pm the first blast in the sky brought out the ooohs and aaahs. Some attendees had moved their chairs out to the beach to find that perfect spot to view the Sanctuary’s fireworks which began at 9:30pm. The brilliance of the fireworks dancing on the water and sand was magical. It made me realize the trek was definitely worth it and especially to enjoy it with friends. I hope every American gave the day’s meaning a few minutes of serious thought, beyond just the fun things we’ve come to expect on July 4th. With all of the problems our country has had, is having, and will have….it’s “simply the best, better than all the rest” as Tina Turner would sing.

One thing I know for certain, as long as there are wedding receptions and July 4th celebrations, the Macarena and Electric Slide will never die.

Garden in the Parks-Etiwan Park

Join local volunteers and the Charleston Parks Conservancy to help Etiwan Park looks its best while learning tricks of the trade from local gardening professionals. The event will run from 9-11am at Etiwan Park on Daniel Island. Bring a friend, and don’t forget your gardening tools! Please contact Paul Wentz at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy at (843)724-5003 and let us know that you are coming!

Garden in the Parks-Cannon Park

Join the Charleston Parks Conservancy to help Charleston’s Cannon Park look it’s best while learning some gardening tips from local professionals. This event will run from 8-10am. Those attending should meet at the Columns in Cannon Park and don’t forget to bring your gardening gear! Please contact Paul Wentz at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy at (843)724-5003 and let us know that you are coming!

ESPM – Premier Kiawah Island Property Management

Need to have an inspection done on your home? Don’t feel like driving or flying back to your summer house to mow the grass, handle the yard work? How about that AC unit, you want to keep it maintained right?

Kiawah Island is a place of luxury, leisure, and relaxation. Our mission at ESPM, Kiawah Property Management is to make sure it stays that way for you and all of your guests. We offer a wide variety of services to our clients including the following:

Landscaping

Pest Control

Pool/Spa maintenance

HVAC maintenance

Elevator maintenance

Other services that are commonly provided upon request:

Pressure washing

Mosquito misting systems

Window cleaning

Cleaning services

Electrical

Plumbing

Carpentry work

Painting

Handy man repair

Our focus is making your home a place you can enjoy, not a place you have to labor in. Check out our website at http://espmcharleston.com to see all of our other services, including renovations and full service home rental support.

Eco Deco Grand Opening

From 9am to 6pm, staff and local interior designers will give talks on the latest color trends, selecting the right color for the right project, indoor air quality concerns and more. Customers are invited to bring their color design challenges and projects to receive advice and suggestions. Also, customers can enter to win various prizes, including paint supplies and gift cards along with a grand prize of a free room of paint (up to 5 gallons).  Eco Deco offers a selection of more than 2,000 affordable European-inspired colors, which are healthy for home use and environmentally friendly because they have little-to-no VOCs or odor. The showroom – a kind of art gallery for paint – demonstrates Eco Deco paint in home-themed vignettes of a kitchen, dining room and bathroom. The space also features a wall showcasing favorite Eco Deco colors selected by local interior designers, which they have deemed the “Wall of Colors.” During the grand opening, attendees can try painting with Eco Deco products and learn techniques of applying Venetian plaster while getting tips from professional painters. Customer service is an important element of the showroom, as staff work with customers by providing professional color advice and expertise.The Eco Deco Showroom is located Eco Deco, 911 Houston Northcutt Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant (next to Whole Foods).

Garden in the Parks: Riverland Terrace Greenspace

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Help the Riverland Terrace Greenspace look its best! Join the Charleston Parks Conservancy and local volunteers on July 21st from 8-10am to help beautify the park. Gardening experts will also be on hand to provide tips to use on your own garden. So bring your friends and don’t forget to bring your gardening tools! Please contact Paul Wentz at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy at (843) 724-5003 to let us know you are coming.

Garden in the Parks: Chapel Street Fountain Park

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Join the Charleston Parks Conservancy to help beautify Chapel Street Fountain Park while learning about the park’s rich history. Those attending should meet at Chapel Street Fountain Park at 8am and the fun will run until 10am. Also, don’t forget to bring your pruners, garden gloves, and garden bucket. Please email Paul Wentz at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy at (843) 724-5003 to let us know you are coming.

Garden in the Parks: Hazel Parker Playground

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Help keep the Hazel Parker Playground looking beautiful! Join local volunteers and the Charleston Parks Conservancy to lean about the park and lend a helping hand. Those attending should meet at 8am at the Hazel Parker Playground and bring their gardening tools. Please let us know you are coming by emailing Paul Wentz at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy at (843) 724-5003.

Open Hoop Jam (All Levels)

Calling all dancers, hoopers, drummers, poi spinners, bellydancers, flow art and creative movement masters to come and jam with us.

Catalyst Studios is excited to offer an open hoop jam Saturday, July 16th from 3:00 to 4:30. $5 admission fee

We have hoops to share, and hoops for sale.

Catalyst Creative Arts Studios, LLC

13 Amy Elsey Drive

Charleston, SC 29407

843-724-9929

Join our mailing list!  http://www.catalystcreativearts.com/

Check us out on Facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/catalystcreativearts

How about Twitter?  http://twitter.com/#!/catalystrocks

Okay, okay…last one…YouTube…http://www.youtube.com/user/catalystrocks

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