Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Scottish Games & Festival 2010 Jacksonville, Florida

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This popular festival promises to bring a “wee bit o’ Scotland” to the coast, with bagpipes, music, dancing and more.

The Northeast Florida Scottish Games & Festival include Kilted Golf Tournaments, Pub Crawls, Kirkin‘ o‘ the Tartans, Whiskey Tasting, Parades of Tartans & Ceilidh (Scottish Musical Evenings).

There’s also live entertainment with a variety of groups such as Need Fire, Mother Grove,  Highland Reign and Ron Davis. The Navy Band Southeast is also scheduled to perform. Check the website for more information.

The Northeast Florida Scottish Games & Festival 2008 will be held Saturday, February 27, 2010. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. The location for these Games is Clay County Fair Grounds on State Road 16, 2497 SR16 W Green Cove Springs. Tickets prices are $10 per person in advance or $12 at the gate.

Call 904.725.5744 for more information or visit the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival website.

The World Sword Swallowers Day

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I don’t know how they do it.  Really.  What possesses a person to even try to swallow a sword?  How does it work, or is it all just made up?  When I was a kid, a boy next door had one of these fake, plastic swords that collapse when you pushed a button. You could make it look real, without any trouble.  I was wondering if that’s what they do, the real sword swallowers.

What made me start thinking about the whole thing was a press release that showed up in my inbox the other day.  It’s a mad, mad world – at least at Odditoriums around the world when Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is “crossing swords” with the Sword Swallowers Association for a special celebration of the Fourth Annual World Sword Swallower’s Day.  Nowadays everyone seems to have a “day”,  so why should sword swallowers be any different.  Go “Fourth and Swallow” I say.

A Bitter Pill To Swallow

Back to the issue at hand, is it real or is it all a fake? To find the answer, I went and did some research online. The first place I visited was of course the www.sword swallow.com – a website with a lot of general information about…should we say, the sport or maybe the art form?

Before you click on the link below, I must warn you. I found these xrays a bit difficult to stomach, but the images proved it to me.  There’s no magic or funny business going on here. All you have to do is to repress reflexes in your throat so you can swallow the sword.  Sounds like a logical explanation, but I’m wondering how on earth you practice to get to that point?

If you feel inclined to learn more about sword swallowing, and you want to check out the xrays for yourself – click here.  Remember, I did warn you.
Watch xrays of sword swallowers here
I still wonder, who wakes up one day and says “I really would like to learn how to swallow a sword”?  Apparently some do, because on February 27th more than 25 sword swallowers will be performing around the world to honor the special Sword Swallower’s day.

Sword Swallowing will take place at Odditoriums worldwide on February 27 at exactly 2:27:10 pm.  Get it – 02/27/2010 – all this is  in celebration of the Fourth Annual World Sword Swallowers Day at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Swords to be Swallowed in St Augustine Too!

Sword swallower Ted Campbell will perform at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! St. Augustine Odditorium on Saturday, February 27th at 2:27 pm local time – all part of World Sword Swallowers Day.
Come watch Campbell show off his amazing sword swallowing skills for free. Sword swallowing shows begin around 1:30 pm local time, with the grand finale set for 2:27 pm.

The Odditorium is located at 19 San Marco Ave., 904-824-1606.

Nerves of Steel
It is said that more than 100 feet of solid steel is set to go down the hatch – hopefully without a scratch! Just the thought of it makes me nervous.

It all started a long, long time ago.  Actually the art of sword swallowing began more than 4,000 years ago in India.  According to the information we received the practitioner “uses mind-over-matter techniques to control the body and repress natural reflexes to insert solid steel blades from 15 to 25 inches down the esophagus and into the stomach”.  Sword swallowers used to be common in traveling circuses, but now there are less than a few dozen full-time professional sword swallowers around the world.

World Sword Swallowers Day was founded by the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) and is co-sponsored by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! locations around the world.

On February 27, SSAI sword swallowers will be performing at more than a dozen Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, including: New York City; Orlando and St. Augustine in Florida; Hollywood, Calif.; Niagara Falls, Can.; Ocean City, Md.; Atlantic City, N.J.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; Branson, Mo.; Grand Prairie, Texas; Surfers Paradise, Australia; and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Highlights at Believe It or Not! locations during the day will include:

· Red Stewart will attempt to swallow a world record 52 swords at one time in Atlantic City.
· Dai Andrews will attempt to swallow a very dangerous 120-degree curved Sword at Ocean City.
· Dan Meyer will swallow hedge clippers and a giant straight razor in Grand Prairie, Texas.
· Erik Kloeker, the youngest professional sword swallower in the world will perform in Gatlinburg.
· Travis Fessler will swallow a sword with his mouth full of live cockroaches in Gatlinburg.
· George The Giant, the world’s tallest sword swallower, will attempt to swallow a giant 33-inch long sword in Hollywood.
· A bevy of swallowers, led by legendary Todd Robbins, will perform at New York City’s Ripley’s.
· Mike Harrison will swallow a bayonet, rammed down his throat by a rifle, in Orlando.

For more information, visit www.ripleys.com

Black Maria Film and Video Festival 2010 – Savannah, GA

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SCAD hosts 29th annual Black Maria Film and Video Festival

The Savannah College of Art and Design will host the 29th annual Black Maria Film and Video Festival Friday, March 5, at 8 p.m. at Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St. Admission is $5 for the general public and free with a valid SCAD ID.

The Black Maria Film and Video Festival, started in 1981, is known for its annual roster of bold contemporary works by award-winning independent film- and video-makers that give insight to the human condition, political, social and environmental issues, and aesthetic investigations. It is a traveling showcase that circulates nationwide to more than 50 host institutions. Each location shows a different selection of work, with the Savannah films selected by faculty from SCAD’s film and television department.

“The Black Maria festival continues to provoke and challenge our concept of cinema,” said Michael Chaney, SCAD professor of film and television. “I’m always inspired by these short innovative works of exceptional filmmaking, and there’s always something for everyone.”

SCAD has hosted the festival annually since 1999, screening work by luminaries such as Leighton Pierce, Emily Hubley and Stan Brackhage.

The Black Maria Film and Video Festival’s mission is to advocate, exhibit and reward cutting-edge work from independent film- and video-makers. It is also an opportunity to view exciting and engaging work from both emerging and established filmmakers from around the world.

For more information on the festival, visit the Web site at www.blackmariafilmfestival.org.

MS Mud Run Jacksonville 2010

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National Multiple Sclerosis Society—North Florida Chapter Holds Second Annual “MS Mud Run Jacksonville”

The MS Mud Run Jacksonville is a 10K, military-style obstacle course race, with most of the obstacles surrounded by (or consisting entirely of) mud. Individuals, teams of two and teams of five will compete for prizes and the satisfaction of a doing a dirty job very well.

The North Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS-NFL) will hold its annual MS Mud Run Jacksonville on March 20, 2010. This is the second time around for the exiting race. It’s  one of its most successful fundraising activities in 2009, according to  Jennifer Lee, President of NMSS-NFL. The inaugural Mud Run in 2009 attracted over 900 participants and raised more than $120,000.

The MS Mud Run Jacksonville will take place at Cecil Commerce Center, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Food and beverage vendors will be available and entertainment is planned throughout the day to provide a festival atmosphere for the event.

“We were optimistic when we launched this event last year that Jacksonville would show up and support us, and the results far exceeded our expectations,” said Lee. “Registration for this year’s Mud Run has been strong, with  almost 1500 people already registered to participate and we’re still a month out from the event. There are people from more than 13 states signed up, and just about every major employer in the North Florida area will be represented by a team. Some will be represented by multiple teams, such as the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the different branches of the military. We’re expecting a terrific event with excellent results. And it will provide a great entertainment opportunity to participants and spectators alike here in Northeast Florida.”

Mud Run For Kids Too

New this year is the Mud Run Fun Run for Kids event, which will be held at 2:00PM. Boys and girls ages 7-12 will run a three-quarter of a mile course featuring three to five obstacles, including the large Slip ‘n’ Slide. The registration fee for this event is $30 per child and a signed notarized waiver by a parent/guardian will be required. Teens 13-18 may run the full course if accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times; they will also be required to submit a signed, notarized waiver by a parent or guardian.
Complete information about the MS Jud Run Jacksonville is available at www.mudrunjax.com, where you may also register for the event. Registration fees are $45 per person and each participant agrees to raise a minimum of $100 for NMSS-NFL. Simple online fundraising tools are available to participants to help them make the fundraising easy. Registration closes at midnight on March 18th. One hundred percent of fundraising contributions are donated to the North Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Volunteers will play a big role in the preparation and smooth running of the event. Volunteer opportunities are still available for the day of the event as well as Wed, Thurs, and Fri, March 17th, 18th and 19th   for those who would like to be involved. For information about volunteering or the event in general, visit www.mudrunjax.com, send an email to Jessica.Eichhorn@fln.nmss.org or call (904) 332-6810.

MS Mud Run Jacksonville Florida

Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner – Charleston, SC

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This time of the year is known for oysters in our area. The Sustainable Seafood Initiative is arranging a special dinner event on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The South Carolina Aquarium and the Restaurant at Middleton Place Plantation has paired up for a Sustainable Seafood Initiative Social which includes ‘Fish for the Future’ education, six sustainable seafood courses, and live acoustic music.

The evening will begin with Megan Westmeyer, the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Coordinator, who will provide information on fisheries, seafood sustainability, as well as useful tips on how to buy fresh fish.

This is not your traditional seated dinner, instead there are  six sustainable seafood stations, and food can be paired with an organic and sustainable wine. To set the right atmosphere there will be roaring fires inside and out, and music by Charleston-based singer and blues rock guitarist Graham Whorley.

Dinner reservations are $45 per person in advance (all inclusive) or $50 per person at the door (based on availability), and this is really not a bad deal if you consider what you get for the money. Just take a look at the menu below.

At the six stations, you can enjoy:

  • Station 1: seared scallops with coined fingerling potatoes, caramelized onions, crispy lardons  and a balsamic-cherry glaze paired with a Mommessin Pinot Noir
  • Station 2: oysters on the half with Boursin cheese, teardrop tomatoes and micro arugula paired with a Chateau Recougne Blanc
  • Station 3: benne seared yellowfin tuna with pineapple-basil chutney over wild rice paired with a Bishop’s Peak Pinot Noir ’07
  • Station 4: Prince Edward Island mussels with country ham cracklin’s and scallions in a coconut-saffron broth paired with a Chateau de la Muscadet ’07
  • Station 5: buttery local shrimp with southern succotash and white truffle corn puree paired with a Villa Wolf Gris ’07
  • Station 6: yellowfin tuna tartar with wasabi aioli, crisp taro root and a citrus soy drizzle paired with a L.D. Petit Chablis


A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Space for the event is limited. For reservations, contact Middleton Place Plantation at (843) 266-7477 or purchase online at MiddletonPlace.org.

South Carolina Aquarium Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner

Saturday, February 20, 2010; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Middleton Place Plantation, 4300 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29414

To make a reservation, call Middleton Place Plantation at (843) 266-7477 or online at www.MiddletonPlace.org

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