I wandered over to Charleston Coffee Exchange in West Ashley and had a great lattee and a great time.  It’s like watching an episode of “Cheers!” here.  The locals come in and are greeted by name.  The friendly baristas know their drinks and engage in a little bit of gossip, getting the updated version of what has changed since last time the local was in.  Today it was about a wedding that happened over the weekend.  The coffee shop provided these cute little “Perfect Pots” as the wedding favors.  The groom even showed up to say “hey” before he headed off on his honeymoon.  The best thing besides the free Wi-Fi, great satellite music playing and the comfortable surroundings is the smell of when the owner roasts his own beans- IN THE SHOP!!  For all of us coffee lovers, it is an inviting smell that evokes memories and warm thoughts about time spent around a cup of coffee.

The owners are a married couple that are really cute together and are really cool!  You can feel how much they love this place.

I give it 5 stars!!  A great place to get a good cup of coffee and watch the locals.

http://www.charlestoncoffeeexchange.com

Although it’s only December, May and June are on Duvall’s mind!  We love these unique centerpieces for summer parties found on MarthaStewart.com. Baby vegetables in modern containers and classic runners are a perfect way to display healthy food items.

First of all, congratulations to Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson on winning Dancing With The Stars last week. Their freestyle in the final was amazing, and would, I think, have won them the contest by itself, although I still think that Donny was pulling in the most votes for most of the contest.

This dance captured Donny’s personality perfectly, and allowed him to perform to his fullest, so it never really looked like Kym was holding back too much. I feel a little bad for Mya and Dmitry, but their freestyle was not as good. She may have been the technically better dancer, and in some seasons that has been enough (yes Kristi Yamaguchi, I mean you) but she started on a different level and didn’t improve at all. It wasn’t all her fault, Dmitry made some bad choices with the choreography, but I think that if they had spent more time refining her already very good technique, and less on crowd-pleasing/judge baiting routines, she would have got more support. I just don’t know if it would have been enough to derail the Osmond train. At the start of the season, I was unconvinced about him, mainly due to my memories of Marie, but he won me round. Kym is now appearing on Burn The Floor on Broadway with Maks, and I would love to see that come over here and tour, as the chances of me getting to New York any time soon are tiny!

So, back to Strictly. This week, the remaining couples performed one of two new dances, Charleston or Rock and Roll, plus a group competition Viennese Waltz. Overall, it appears the Charlestons were more popular, as the two couples dancing Rock and Roll ended up in the dance off. I must admit, I found the Charlestons more entertaining, but we only had two Rock and Rolls to choose from, which skewed things a little, for me. This was never going to be a great dance for Natalie and Vincent, because much emphasis is given to the aerial elements, ie throws, lifts and drops. Whilst Natalie claimed this was hard for them, being the same height, that really wasn’t the problem. Rachel Stevens was about an inch or so shorter than Natalie, but she and Vincent managed some beautiful lifts in their AS and Argentine Tango last year, with a similar height difference.  For me, this was a failing of the outside choreographers. Rock and Roll should be fun to watch, so they should have found a way for Natalie to lift Vincent. There were a few clips on It Takes Two showing him trying and failing to do forward rolls and cartwheels, but the experts should have come up with something they could do. The routine they ended up with was sticky, flat and not nearly as entertaining as it should have been, and that was only in part due to the execution.

Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe were also criticised for a lacklustre routine, but Ricky has written on his blog that he did not get the time with the main choreographers that the other couples did, and a few hours before the show, when they finally saw them, he and Natalie were instructed to tone down their routine. If that was the case, I feel bad for them. If the show wishes to introduce new dances and the pro dancers need help, then they should get it equally if they want it. I thought the judges were harsh on Ricky, but at the same time, his dance-off performance was miles better than the original. I think it would be risky to deduce that he has no public support from his dance off appearance this weekend – he had a bad week in terms of PR, no appearance on ITT, and a lacklustre first performance. In addition, the fact that he has been safe every other week may have influenced voters. I think the show would be much poorer without him, as he is by far the most versatile dancer they currently have.

For the Charlestons, my favourite by far was Chris and Ola’s. It wasn’t technically perfect, but it was so much fun to watch. Karen Hardy was on BBC Breakfast today, and she thought had Chris danced later in the show, he probably would have got a 10. Ali and Brian’s dance, whilst technically very good, didn’t have the originality that Chris and Ola’s did, which may have been a failing of the ‘experts’ but I thought the judges over-marked her for finally showing a bit of personality. Laila and Anton were better than I expected, although I admit to having very low expectations, but she had a strange, almost bored look on her face for a lot of it, which I can’t decide if was her acting the part or just trying to remember the routine. If I had been ranking them, I’d have gone for Chris, Laila then Ali, but I am not a judge, just a viewer.

The group competitive VW was very hard to watch, as we obviously only got to follow whoever the camera was on at any one time, so we are required to defer to the judges more than may be usual for this dance. I disagree with their outcome though, as Brian and Ali clearly collided with Ricky and Natalie toward the end, and Brian should have had the ability to avoid that. Given that the two remaining males were required to lead the dance, whilst the girls had to follow, I find it quite shocking that the judges believed Ali and Brian to be the best, and gave her a perfect score. I believe Ricky did the best job, and I would have put Chris and Laila second, followed by Ali and then Natalie.

I agree that the correct celebrity was eliminated, on the dance off performance alone, Ricky danced his socks off, whilst Natalie was really no better than first time around.

This week, we have two individual dances, for the first time since weeks 1 and 2. Chris and Ola have Waltz and Samba (eek!), Ali and Brian have Tango and Samba, Ricky and Natalie have Foxtrot and Cha Cha Cha, whilst Laila and Anton have American Smooth and Salsa. There is quite the possibility for a disaster for all four couples. Samba is a fiendishly hard dance, it’s rarely done well on Strictly and I’m not sure if Ola has ever danced this. Plus, if they get help from James, it’s not been a great dance for him in the past. Their waltz should be fabulous though.I don’t think either of Ali’s dances will suit her – Samba because it’s going to be out of her comfort zone, and I think her latin so far has all been overrated, and Tango because it requires an attitude she hasn’t yet shown – she grimaced her way through the Paso with the prevoius foot injury, which makes it hard to compare.

Ricky’s foxtrot should be very good, but he’ll probably get his pigeon toes pointed out again,  while he is likely to be the only one to go a really good latin with his Cha Cha Cha. Laila’s American Smooth could be great, but might suffer from being overhyped, in the same way their VW did, whilst the less I consider their Salsa the better. If she decides she doesn’t like it, then I expect it will rival the Samba and Jive for awfulness, but will probably be blamed on Anton again. She hasn’t yet done a good latin dance, in my opinion – she forgot half of the Jive, the Samba was woeful, there were lifts in the Paso, and she stopped in the Rumba, which she also didn’t like. I am half expecting another injury late on Friday/early Saturday.

November has been extremely wet, with sudden showers and even heavy rains.  In the beginning of the month I thought that maybe Charleston even had a monsoon.  After bringing it up at work, a coworker reminded me I’m in a sub-tropical climate and that this is the rain season.  Besides the rain and grey skies though, the leaves are starting to change color and fall to the ground, and the air is comfortably cool at night.  Yes, autumn is *finally* upon us.

So I woke up around 10 AM on Thursday, feeling somewhat rested after a short yet busy week at work.  I knew I had to be back in the office on Friday, so I wanted to make the best of the day and enjoy it however possible.  The skies were blue and the morning air was pleasantly brisk and it felt like grand autumn day.  What a beautiful day for Thanksgiving!  By noon, however, it was up to 20 degrees while I was on the balcony staining my desk and I caught myself stumbling into a fowl mood.  I decided that I really just needed to take a walk and get a break from all of chores and what not.  So the three of us headed out for a walk around the area.  I brought my camera this time!

Presenting…the bog!

Now that the weather is cool in the mornings, we get a lot of fog.  I must make a real effort to get out and walk around the trails in the fog.  How eerily beautiful it must be!

Trees, tropical flora, Spanish moss, and the marsh grass–I really love the Spanish moss on the trees, it adds so much to the environment.

Out of the forest now and the sun light is now visible, though rapidly fading to the west

The marsh grasses, saltgrass or sweetgrass, I have no idea which, probably the former.  Wouldn’t want to venture out into it though.  Not only would you sink waist-deep and perhaps get stuck, you might also come across the fiendish cottonmouth or the nearly identical but non-venomous brown water snake.

Towards the end of the trail is the tennis club.  Lessons start at $60 and hour, and the optional membership is $700 for the individual. There are a few tournaments here during the year, and the pros even come through from time to time on the circuit.  I can dream about a membership and private lessons, right?

Nobody plays on Thanksgiving.  I guess they’re glued to the football games on TV or busy preparing for the big feast…so tempting to just climb the fence!

Speaking of the big feast, due to having to work the next day we stayed in town and I tried to cook a small Thanksgiving dinner.  A traditional dinner would consist of turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes or yams, green beans, and of course pumpkin pie.  With just two of us though, I wasn’t going to bother with something like that.  I picked up a Long Island-style duckling at the super market, and I also found a nicely-sized butternut squash.  It’s close enough to a pumpkin, eh?

So our menu was roast duck with an orange-peach glaze, butternut squash bisque, sweet potato wedges, and a plain ol’ salad.  Not very traditional, but still very “autumn.”  If you’ve never tried butternut squash bisque, I highly recommend it.  It takes about two hours to prep but its well worth it.

Ingredients (for 5~6):
• 2 lb. butternut squash
• a pint or more of soup stock (I used chicken stock)
• a cup of heavy cream
• a small onion
• olive oil
• peppercorns, salt, and any other spices you like

The first step is to separate the butternut squash “meat” from the skin.  To do this, split the squash in two, clean out the insides, and place the halves face up in an oven pan with about a centimeter of water in the bottom at 175 degrees C for an hour.  Add more water if the level starts to get low as the water evaporates.

After about an hour, take the squash out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.  The skin should peel easily from the flesh of the squash with the help of a decent knife.  After you got the flesh out, cut it into small pieces so that when we boil them down it doesn’t take too long.  While you’re at it, dice the small onion finely and set it aside.

In a deep enough pot (4 qt.), add some olive oil and the diced onions and let the water seep out of the onions in the pot.  Add your chopped up butternut squash, and add enough soup stock to cover the butternut squash completely.  Cover, and let it come to a boil on medium-high.  Stir occasionally, smashing up big chunks of the squash if you have the opportunity.  As time goes buy the squash will break down and the any lumps will be small enough to become “character” in the soup.  You may need to add more stock depending on how thin you like your soup and how well broken down the squash is.  Don’t add too much though as we still need to add the cream near the end.  When you’ve gotten the soup to a texture that you like, turn the heat to a very low setting and continue stirring.  Add any spices, salt, peppercorns or what not now so that it can be absorbed by the soup.  I like to leave it at this stage for about an hour, stirring occasionally.

When you’re ready to serve, add the cream and stir it into the soup.  Stir occasionally for a few minutes, and then serve.  A 2 lb. butternut squash should produce enough bisque to feed at least six, and you can always save it and heat it up later.

The final product–a taste of autumn with a sprinkle of crushed rainbow peppercorns on top

The duck came out well too, though the appearance was not as nice as I’d hoped for.  I followed The Hungry Mouse’s recipe, but I made my own glaze with Shoyu, Mirin, and peach jam rather than honey and molasses.

Not too shabby for our first Thanksgiving in the USA.

The sweet potato wedges were great too.  I first tried them back in September on a job interview in Connecticut.  The sweetness of the sweet potato combined with a bit of salt and pepper is a great combination.

To all of those celebrating Thanksgiving, hope you had a good one!

Short Sale Pre-foreclosure homes in South Carolina…

We are working with Sellers and the Banks to LIQUIDATE Properties.

The Banks are requesting that all Buyers bring their highest and best offers.

*** 119 Springfield Road, Beaufort, SC 29907: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1200 sq. ft.

PRE-FORECLOSURE SHORT SALE LIST PRICE: 59,900, Bank Owed: $123K

*** 115 Persimmon Circle, Goose Creek, SC 29445: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1300 sq. ft.

PRE-FORECLOSURE SHORT SALE LIST PRICE: Best Offer Over $60K, Bank Owed: $123K

*** 53 Rivers Point Row, Charleston, SC 29412: 3BR, 2.5BA, 1850 sq. ft., Great 1st and 2nd Floor Back Porches

PRE-FORECLOSURE SHORT SALE Minimum Bid: $150,000, Bank Owed: $183,000

*** 2494 Etiwan Avenue, Unit A11, Charleston, SC 29414: 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 921 sq. ft.

PRE-FORECLOSURE SHORT SALE LIST PRICE: $59,900, Bank Owed: $109K

*** 180 Alberta Drive, Woodruff, SC 29388: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1232 sq. ft.

LIST PRICE: Best Offer Over $70K, Bank Owed: $120K

*** 6348 Greenfield Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1152 sq. ft., Fantastic Pool with Newer Liner and Pool House

PRE-FORECLOSURE SHORT SALE LIST PRICE: Best Offer Over $70K, Bank Owed: $123K

*** 8852 Gable Street, North Charleston, SC: 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 950 sq ft.

PRE-FORECLOSURE SHORT SALE LIST PRICE: Best Offer over $75,000, Bank Owed: 118,000

BROKERS ARE PROTECTED. BRING YOUR CLIENTS TODAY AND EARN A COMMISSION.

PRE-FORECLOSURES, SHORT SALES, MUST SELL

 Fill out the online VIP Questionnaire at http://www.schomesellers.com/BuyAHome.cfm to get the lock box code to see the inside of the home. You can also call us at (843)881-7171.

NEED HELP QUALIFYING TO BUY THIS HOME? 
We can help get you financed. Just contact us and we’ll help you get into this great home. 

Would you like to see other available short sales? http://scwholesaleproperties.com/

In the heart of Charleston we find the Indigo Inn, full of 19th century charm.  The inn was once a warehouse for a company that sold indigo, a plant first commercially grown in Charleston and used for blue dye.  This warehouse was built in 1850, and later renovated to be the current inn around 1979.  Today, each of the 40 guest rooms is furnished and decorated with reproductions of the decor of the 1800s.

Indigo Inn. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bein_korean

Although guests may feel as if they are in bygone days, they are treated with the luxuries of the present  day.  Each room is complete with a luxurious bath and vanity.  A generous breakfast is served every morning, complete with a complementary newspaper which guests often enjoy at the inn’s private courtyard.  Each afternoon,  hors d’ oeuvres and beverages are served to guests as well.

The Indigo Inn is conveniently located in close proximity to great Charleston attractions such as the open air market, historic churches and mansions, and fine dining.  The inn staff is available to help guests customize their tour of the city to include exactly what they want to see.  Guests can even catch a trolley or carriage ride to view Charleston in its historic spirit.

Boasting to possess Charleston’s southern charm and old time elegance, the Indigo Inn is the perfect spot to enjoy your visit to such a historical city.  Online, potential guests can take a  360 degree tour of the inn’s tranquil courtyard, queen rooms, double rooms, and deluxe double rooms.

Our next historic inn of Charleston is The Jasmine House Inn, an 1840s Greek Revival mansion.  The house is located in the Ansonborough area of historic Charleston where it is tucked away from the noise and confusion of the streets, but still within easy walking distance of all the great Charleston attractions and sites.

Guests have a choice of staying in one of the six oversized rooms in the main house, or in one of the four rooms at the carriage house directly behind the inn.  The main house rooms are styled with period antiques and reproduction furnishings, while the carriage house rooms are English-country themed.  The inn rooms are laden with a variety of amenities and luxuries including  Italian marble bathrooms, private piazzas, hardwood floors, gas fireplaces, and double Jacuzzis.  Carriage house rooms are pleasantly named to reflect the character of the paint and furnishings within, such as the Mandarin Room and Chrysanthemum Room.  Nearby is the peaceful courtyard where guests can relax and enjoy complementary wine.

Potential guests should check The Jasmine House Inn’s website to find guest packages, information about annual events, and a virtual tour of the piazza, a carriage house room, and a room in the inn’s main house.

I’m very lucky to have had the chance to meet bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe. Not only is she a talented writer, but she’s a pleasant, cheerful, upbeat person who never fails to bring a glow with her. I can understand her GLOW. She gets to live here, in Charleston, South Carolina, where it’s 70 degrees on Thanksgiving. She gets to write while sitting at a desk overlooking the ocean. And finally, she gets to WRITE about the things she loves and actually get paid to do it. So without further ado, meet Mary Alice Monroe.

Mary Alice Monroe

Since then, she has explored the problems of endangered sea turtles (The Beach House, Swimming Lessons, and her first children’s book, Turtle Summer), raptors (Skyward), the indigenous grass and endangered ecosystem (Sweetgrass), and the rivers and mountains of North Carolina in Time is a River.  Publishers Weekly wrote, “Monroe is in her element when describing the wonders of nature and the ways people relate to it.” In July 2009, Pocket Books released her newest novel, Last Light over Carolina, which brings alive the disappearing world of the coastal shrimping industry. 

Monroe continues to write richly textured books that delve into the complexities of the human psyche and the parallels between the land and life.  Mary Alice is an active conservationist.  She is a dedicated member of the Isle of Palms/Sullivan’s Island Turtle Team and serves on the Board of the South Carolina Aquarium. For information, videos, blogs and more, go to www.maryalicemonroe.com.

An H and Five Ws with NYT Bestselling Author Mary Alice Monroe

1) How did you get published?
I did all of the steps that I recommend to authors hoping to get published.  First, I joined a writer’s group.  This group focused on writing techniques, critiques, and mutual support.  We also learned selling techniques: the query letter, proposal writing, manuscript preparation, and synopsis.  I attended conferences where NY agents and editors spoke, did workshops, and held meetings. This is very important.  At conferences I signed up for interviews.  There were groups with one agent and eight of us wannabes sitting at a big table.  Each of us had two minutes to pitch our stories.  It was painful.  Some stuttered, some went on too long and were cut off, and others were prepared and stood out.  Those few were the ones asked to send material.  I also did one-on-one interviews.  Again, a good pitch is critical.  I discovered that no agent or editor will buy or represent your manuscript based on these meetings.  The best you can hope for is for him or her to say, “Send the manuscript.”  Then you can immediately send the manuscript to his or her office with the note stating when you met the agent and that she requested the manuscript.  That at least gets the agent to read a page or two!

I also volunteered at conferences.  I highly recommend it.  I once volunteered to drive an agent I liked to the airport after the conference.  We talked in the car and she asked me to send the manuscript.  I did.  She bought it and that first novel was published. That novel, The Long Road Home, was published by Harper in 1995. It had a small print run and sold out, never to be seen again.  Until this November!  My first novel will be released for the first time since its original publication in November 2010! 

2) Who is your biggest literary influence?
There isn’t only one.  I studied William Blake extensively and he left his mark in everything I do.  I read Charles Dickens voraciously and believe he is the master of characterization.  James Clavell’s work shaped my concept of the noble hero and his thorough research, especially in Shogun, shaped my desire to reveal history and setting with color and verve.  Pat Conroy’s love of the southern landscape inspired me. Rosamunde Pilcher’s talent for revealing character through dialogue, and her ability to make small details show and not tell is unparalleled.  Finally, Rachel Carson’s dedication to nature and the landscape has greatly influenced my work and my motivation.

3) What is your LEAST favorite thing about being a writer?
Deadlines.  

Last Light Over Carolina, by Mary Alice Monroe

5) When have you had the most trouble completing one of your books?
Whenever I feel I don’t have enough research done, or I haven’t found the soul of  the story—that something I want to say through my story—I’m stalled.  It is a frustrating, agonizing time for me.  I dig deeper, I take long walks, I pray, I reflect.  Once the story “clicks” in my mind, I like to write fast so I can get it down.  After that, it’s a lot of hard work, but I’m happy because I’m in the zone.

6) WHY are you a WRITER?
Why do I breathe?   I’ve never not been a story teller.  As a child I made up stories and songs.  I’ve always had a vivid imagination. When I wasn’t making up stories I was reading.  I wrote my first story when I was eight.  I believe it is important for all writers to learn and polish their craft.  But the artist – a painter, a dancer, a singer, a writer – is born with the talent.

Thanks for the interview, Mary Alice! Keep up the great work!

  Et helt vanvittigt kapitel i modens historie kan beskrives med et enkelt ord.

Charleston.

Overklassens frås i skøn overdådighed. Charleston er et spørgsmål om stil og det er overklassens London der fører an. 

Året er 1927 . Stedet er London. Efterkrigstidens på en gang fattige og samtidig stinkende rige London flyder over af kultur og nye strømninger er kommet fra den anden side af Atlanten heriblandt Jazzen. 

Industrialiseringen er godt i gang og der er råd til ekstravagant forbrug. Overklassen har en glorværdig tid.  Det beskrives helt vidunderligt i “The great Gatsby” Som fortæller om en tilsvarende figur i USA.

20 erne var ikke nogen helt almindelig tid. Det er efterkrigstid. Den er tiden for kvindefrigørelsens største og nødvendige gennembrud. Der var efter 1. verdenskrig mangel på mænd. Der var intet politisk ved begyndelsen af kvindefrigørelsen. Den kom ganske simpelt p.g.a. kristab.

Og den var såre nødvendig.  At den havde en større berettigelse end den fik i medgift er en anden sag.

Og kvinder begynde at arbejde og beklæde en lang række poster i samfundet i denne periode. Det er begyndelsen til kvindefrigørelse i vesten.

Kvindernes nye magt i samfundet fandt også sin plads i hele stilbegrebet og moden som snart fik vendt bunden i vejret og en helt ny og langt mere frigjort kvindemode så dagens lys.  Man går nærmest direkte fra hellange klædningsdragter med ærmer og ind snøret i vidunderlige men sikkert rædselsfuldt ubehagelige korsetter til løst siddende kjoler i kort længde.Makeup var heller ikke udbredt i tiden op til 20 erne.

Men det ændrede sig alt sammen med “et slag” nemlig 1. verdenskrig..

Charleston som stil i beklædning i henholdsvis herre og dame aftenbeklædning topper i og omkring 1927. Det er en tidsperiode der skaber nye begreber som “tøj” der er en betegnelse for flere klædningsstykker. Tidligere havde man bare beklædning.  

Charleston-kjolerne er rørformede hvor kjolerne hænger løst ned fra skuldrene ned over hofterne og som ikke understreger taljen. Men Charleston er mere en bare kjoler med perlebroderier. 

Men det er samtidig rigtig meget perlebroderi.

Det var ofte asymmetrisk og bar hoved motivet på ryggen faktisk.Kjolerne kunne bære op til to-tre kilo perler på en enkelt kjole så der var virkelig tale om overdådighed.Blomster er det mest hyppige motiv og man vil finde mange paralleller til jugend i både motiv valg og opbygning.  

Men man kunne jo ikke gå i tynde kjoler hele tiden og dekorationerne fandt vej ind i andre dele af beklædningen som denne vintage cardigan fra USA.

 Prøv at lægge mærke til dekorationen på ryggen hvor vild den er. Og at den er sat bagpå..

 Detaljen er vigtig og der findes en del forskellige måder at lave så store broderier på.

Nogle af dem blev naturligvis industrialiseret med det samme præcis som alting bliver digitaliseres med det samme i dag.  Der var metoder som var ret effektive og i USA har man pumpet store mængder ud. Det var vel en naturlig del af den tids fråseri.

Det store produktions antal og en ret lækker kvalitet har gjort at der stadig kan findes utrolig mange originale Charleston i vintage butikker heriblandt vores.

Så du kan blive lige så lækker som Signe på billederne. Her er et par detaljer fra indersiden..

Charleston er et større kapitel og har mange grene af stor betydning.  

At starte med perlebroderiet er bare for at dykke lige direkte ned i det vigtigste af det vigtigste. Nemlig pynten.

Herresiden er et kapitel for sig og der er så mange ting der er direkte relateret at det som blog materiale må komme i mindre stykker.

Næste Charleston indlæg er om aften kjolerne og der vil jeg også vise min egen kreation af charleston kjolen som jeg arbejder på i disse dage.

A Tuesday morning view of part of the Charleston cityscape around 6 a.m.

Angel Miguel Perez

Charleston, SC- If you are a mother or about to be a mother, I really hope you read this article. If you are a mother then you know how tempting it is to think “I’m just going to run in and do this, it will only take a second” and leave your baby resting in his carseat. It makes things so much more convenient for us and the baby won’t be interrupted from his blissful slumber. But while we are thinking these thoughts, somehow we fail to think about in those seconds the many things that can go wrong.

In the case of Angel Miguel Perez, something did go horribly wrong. Is started out pretty normal for Angel’s mother on Monday. She did all the normal stuff all us mothers do, such as doctors appointments, shopping, etc. She had one more stop to make before she would be finished. She needed to run in the post office to buy some stamps. She decided to leave little Angel in the car and left the car running all the doors were locked except the driver’s door. When she came out of the post office, little Angel was missing.

A witness reported seeing a heavyset black woman, believed to be in her mid 20’s “that was sort of running across the parking lot of the post office to a nearby church parking lot with a child in hand”. The witness described the suspects car as a silver or grey four door compact car with a rear spoiler. The suspect is being described as 5′1″ tall and about 175 pounds, wearing a blue and white striped shirt.

Source

I have found the perfect summer read. Karen White’s House on Tradd Street comprises all of the essentials: intrigue, romance, history and comedy into one praise-worthy novel.

Set in Charleston, S.C., this book stars Realtor Melanie Middleton, who lives her life by the rules. She’s logical, organized and disciplined — and she can see ghosts, a talent that tests her patience when one ghost in particular enters her life uninvited.

When Melanie suddenly comes into ownership of a house she had only been interested in selling, her life is immediately turned upside down.

To make matters worse for Melanie, Jack Trenholm enters the picture. A gregarious and handsome man, Jack writes historical novels, and the house Melanie has just inherited intrigues him — as does she. Jack is searching for a crop of Confederate diamonds that purportedly lie hidden in Melanie’s new house, and his search for the stones awakes a seemingly evil presence that lurks there. Jack has his work cut out for him from the beginning, as he attempts to woo Melanie and a ghost simultaneously.

White’s characters are dynamic throughout. The novel is riddled with painful notes from Melanie’s less-than-perfect childhood as she struggles to reconcile her past with her present. As she battles the memory of a mother who left, Melanie’s estranged father simultaneously insists on helping renovate the house on Tradd Street as he attempts to leave his alcoholism behind him and rediscover his daughter.

Jack’s apparent cockiness is tempered by his charming Southern flair, and his recent career hit over a discredited book earns him sympathy. The relationship between these two is anything but static. From the start, Jack gets on Melanie’s nerves, and she does everything she can to keep him away. Unperturbed, Jack repeatedly saves Melanie from the ominous presences lurking in her living room and eventually earns the independent woman’s trust. Together, they must unravel the mystery of the Vanderhorst family, whose house Melanie is now living in.

Background characters including a scruffy dog named General Lee, Melanie’s hippy-ish best friend Sophie and an affectionate housekeeper warm the pages and each add personality to the book.

Praised for its Lowcountry appeal everywhere from bookstore shelves to the pages of Southern Living, The House on Tradd Street is a hit.

Luckily for me, there’s a sequel out this month, and my favorite characters will be back for more mystery solving as the romance between them heats up in The Girl on Legare Street. Two more books in the series will follow , due for release in 2011 and 2013.

-Caroline Buttimer

The Fourth Annual Holiday Party

Supporting Lowcountry Orphan Relief

Friday, December 4th at 6pm

Snee Farm Clubhouse

Admission is free with a gift* for the children of Lowcountry Orphan Relief

www.lowcountryorphanrelief.org

*    A Target or Walmart gift card or a Gift of Cash will allow Lowcountry Orphan Relief to purchase basic essentials and fulfill specific needs for individual children.   Please – No Toys or Games

Dinner Provided + Happy Hour drink prices all evening

Music by our good friends Marvin Gross and Just Doesn’t Matter ; and  Michael Andrews & Angelo Hassig

RSVP to CaringHearts@comcast.net or call 884-8571 x10

Event Sponsors:

Jim Grogan, Lowcountry Retirement Services

Kathy Grogan, Kelley Andrews, Sally Marschner, Dara Craven,
Chris Blake, Lisa White, Lisa Hoover, Diane Pysh and Jennifer Harlan

Canon EOS 5D 1/20 @ f/4.0 iso: 1600

i couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pass up taking a few photographs of my good friend eric making a little money on the side.  a 6′5″ man dressed up in a pink guerrilla gorilla costume.  you could say it’s a sign of the times that he has resorted to taking this work, but hell he’s getting $10.00/hour (about the same i do).  don’t ask him to borrow any of it thought cause he’s buying a sweet new phone with the money made as a human billboard character.

Canon EOS 5D 1/30 @ f/4.0 iso: 1600

Canon EOS 5D 1/20 @ f/4.0 iso: 1600

It’s so easy to fall into a slump and only express yourself in one size. This comes from an overflow of feeling safe in what you know and generally, from only looking at your movement in a single dimension. In today’s episode, we’ll show you a method to start breaking down your own movement into three parts, to learn to adapt from one thing to the next.

This is our maiden voyage. Each segment, we’ll bring you various things concerning the performing arts. From reviews, professional advice and insight, backstage life and much more, you can find it here.

Today’s subject is facilitated through Solo Charleston, a vernacular Jazz dance style. Below, we’ve included two quality clips from the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2005. This clip is one of our favorites and showcases several different styles and takes on the use of the basics.

If there is a particular subject that you want covered, let us know. Anything from reviews, backstage spots, advice etc, we want to know what you want. There is a great deal out there that we plan to bring.
Until next time, Watch Your Step.

Although the month of December is normally set aside for shopping for holiday gifts for loved ones, Mackenzie Image Consulting’s King Street Shop Walk is giving Charleston fashionistas a reason to come out to shop for themselves at a discounted price and for a good cause. On December 3, 2009 the event will celebrate historic King Street and the local community by offering five to 25 percent discounts to over 25 local boutiques from 5-8 p.m. with 40 percent of ticket proceeds benefiting the Center for Women.

The event will begin with registration and a kick-off soiree at boutique V2V, located at 295 King Street, with opening remarks by Jennet Alterman, director of the Center for Women. Wine, signature drinks and appetizers by Cupcake will be provided. Following the reception, Shop Walk pass-holders will be free to explore the participating boutiques where they will receive anywhere from five to 25 percent off their purchases. The after party will take place at Fish, located at 442 King Street. Fish will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Center for Women.

Participating boutiques include Affordables, Berlins, Biton, Bob Ellis Shoes, Boutique NV, Butterfly Consignments, Copper Penny, Cynthia Rowley, Eden Boheme, Farushga, Finicky Filly, Francescas, Handpicked, House of Sage, K. Morgan, Las Olas, Lily Charleston, Lula Kate, Nantucket Brand, Novel, The Oops! Co., Plum Elements, Point Break, RTW Charleston, Sarah Maxwell Designs, Troubadour, V2V, Willy Jay’s and Worthwhile.

Registration begins at 5 p.m at V2V. Tickets can be purchased online at www.kingstreetshopwalk.com for $15 or $20 at the door.

Other sponsors include: Obviouslee Marketing (that’s us!), Y 102.5 and Ctrl P Marketing + Print Solutions.

OK, here’s the thing people of Charleston, when you buy a brand spanking new Maytag dryer don’t be placing it anywhere near the old washing machine you kicked to the curb because odds are the second you turn your back the Kanawha City refuse crew will haul it away. Matthew Harrison had just unloaded his new dryer from his truck and was looking for someone to give him a hand to lift it when the friggin refuse crew rocked up. After dumping the old washing machine in their truck they grabbed the brand new dryer, which was about 70 feet from it, and threw that in as well. When Mr Harrison returned everything was gone. Fly on that friggin wall!

Charleston

Voici un petit vidéo qui aidera les jeunes à apprendre le charleston.  Hé oui!  Dans la pièce Théâtre au château, les jeunes comédiens doivent non seulement danser le charleston, mais ils doivent aussi l’apprendre aux spectateur.  J’ai déjà fait l’expérience avec un groupe d’élèves.  Je m’attendais à ce que les garçons n’aient pas envie de faire cette danse pour le moins… excentrique, mais non! Ils ont tous super bien participé.  Evidemment, le petit twist de pied devant-derrière n’est pas simple, mais ils y vont  étape par étape et ils sont fiers ensuite de me montrer qu’ils ont pratiqué par eux-mêmes.  

En avant la musique!

By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

Hotels have long been known for their social roles, and for their ability to continually reinvent themselves to relevant for today’s lifestyle taste. After all, consumer taste seems to change faster than changing bed linens.

In line with the idea of making every inch of the hotel a profit center. First it was the Spa, a permanent fixture in fine hotels today. And now, all eyes are on the best underutilized space: the Rooftop Area!

I received communication from Sage recently regarding the library of Extended Solutions for MAS 90/200, and wanted to share it with you.

Sage is continuing to take steps to simplify our product portfolio. We’ll now begin to phase out Sage MAS 90 and 200 Extended Solutions, which were created to address specialized needs of unique businesses. This phase-out process includes incorporating the main features and functionality of many of the top Extended Solution titles into the core product. That additional functionality will be delivered over the next several releases and product updates. This benefits our customers in many ways:

• Adds more value for Sage MAS 90 and 200 customers — most popular features and functionality will continue to be incorporated into core products over the next few releases and product updates
• Reduces “nickel and diming” — customers will see reduced maintenance charges on their annual renewal date when their Extended Solutions titles are no longer added in, resulting in a lower cost of ownership

Customers who own titles that will be retired, and not incorporated into the core product, will begin to see those Extended Solution title(s) drop off their renewal notices. As of November 1, 2010, we will no longer support any retired Extended Solutions titles. Please make note that the 2009 year-end updates will be the last year-end updates for those titles.

Customers who own the select group of titles that contain features and functionality that will be phased into Sage MAS 90 and 200 ERP over the next few releases will continue to see their title(s) on their renewal notices. Also, they’ll continue to receive support until such time as the features and functionality are incorporated into the core product. Once their title has been incorporated into the core product, they will see that title drop off their renewals.

To Summarize:

• Sage will continue to sell a select group of Extended Solutions titles that are compatible with Sage MAS 90 and 200 version 4.3 (contact Amy Shaver for a list of these titles).
• When the main features and functionality of those titles are incorporated into the product, the customers will no longer be charged M&S.
• Customer’s who own the retired Extended Solutions titles will see them removed from renewals.
• For new sales of the retired Extended Solutions titles, customers will purchase them directly from their reseller, working with a Source Code development partner, and not from Sage.

Feel free to contact Amy Shaver with any questions regarding your Sage MAS 90/200 Extended Solutions.  We will continue to keep customers updated as we receive information.

This blog has moved permanently to www.SilvasPhoto.com