Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

First Fridays on Broad – whimsical Frogs and Spring feeling in Charleston

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The Broad Street Merchants Association will continue hosting “First Fridays on Broad” on Friday, April 3rd, from 5pm – 8pm. Come out and celebrate “April Showers” by enjoying fine art and refreshments in the boutiques, fine art galleries, and bodegas on Gallery Row – Historic Broad Street. COCO VIVO will be featuring works titled “Perceptions” by husband and wife, Ron and Monique Parry. The Parrys are featured artists in the American Art Collector magazine in April. Hamlet Fine Art Gallery will feature new art works by mother, Stephanie Shuler Hamlet and daughters, Melinda Lewin and Kellie Jacobs, with a fresh new look to their beautiful gallery and Charleston Courtyard. Be sure to stop by and get your picture taken with one of Beau Smith’s whimsical frogs. John Carroll Doyle Print Gallery will feature beautiful open air textured giclees by Doyle of beautiful spring landscapes. “Clients tell us this is one of their favorite monthly events,” said Angela Stump, director of the John Carroll Doyle Print Gallery. “Customers can relax while receiving individual and personalized attention as they browse the vast array of fine art, sculpture, jewelry, gifts, pottery, home accessories, and unique fashions on “Gallery Row.”

Each doorway on Gallery Row offers you something special to treasure, be it a painting, a gift, or simply a wonderful memory. As you stroll from one gallery to another, enjoy the Southern charms of colorful flower boxes, enchanting hidden courtyards and gardens, and pristinely preserved architecture.
Participating merchants include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA, John Carroll Doyle Print Gallery, Atmah Ja’s, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, Jake’s, Blind Tiger and the Oak Steak House.

For information please contact Charlestongalleryrow.com

NASA’s Shuttle Discovery Launches to Fully Power Space Station

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 7:43 p.m. EDT Sunday to deliver the final set of power-generating solar array wings and a new crew member to the International Space Station.

Discovery’s STS-119 flight is carrying the space station’s fourth and final set of solar array wings, completing the station’s truss, or backbone. The arrays will provide the electricity to fully power science experiments and support the station’s expanded crew of six in May. The 13-day mission will feature three spacewalks to help install the S6 truss segment to the starboard, or right, side of the station and deploy its solar arrays. The flight also will replace a failed unit for a system that converts urine to potable water.

Shortly before launch, Commander Lee Archambault thanked the teams that helped make the launch possible.

“It’s truly an honor to be part of this team representing NASA, the nation and the international partners,” Archambault said. “See you in a couple of weeks.”

Archambault is joined on STS-119 by Pilot Tony Antonelli and Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba, Steve Swanson, Richard Arnold, John Phillips and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata. Wakata will replace space station crew member Sandra Magnus, who has been aboard the station for more than four months. He will return to Earth during the next station shuttle mission, STS-127, targeted to launch in June 2009.

Former science teachers Acaba and Arnold are now fully-trained NASA astronauts. They are making their first journey to orbit on the mission and will to step outside the station to conduct critical spacewalking tasks.

Can-Am Days in Myrtle Beach 2009

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In Myrtle Beach this weekend, the big Can-Am Days Event kicks off. This festival is basically “Snow Bird Spring Break” in South Carolina and comes with a huge line-up of fun events for the family.

The event usually draws about 100,000 Canadian visitors and snowbirds from northern states to South Carolina. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce introduced Canada Days back in 1961 to attract Canadians during their spring break. The name was later changed to Canadian-American Days. This festival is considered to be the first international festival organized in the state of South Carolina.

From March 14-22, 2009, the Myrtle Beach area rolls out the red carpet to welcome Canadian and American visitors with a line-up of fun events, giveaways, discounts and concerts taking place throughout the Grand Strand.

“Can-Am Days celebrates our snowbird visitors, who escape the cold and snow for the beautiful climate and wealth of attractions of the Myrtle Beach area,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Many of these visitors have been traveling to our destination for decades, and we strive to create new memories for each generation through our festivals.”

“This year we welcome RBC Bank as presenting sponsor,” said Amie Lee, MBACC director of festivals and special events. “RBC Bank has added excitement to Can-Am Days by introducing the Battle at the Beach golf tournament. The timing of the tournament coincides perfectly with the much-anticipated unveiling of the new Pine Lakes golf course.” The Pine Lakes golf course has been closed for nearly two years for renovation and redesign and will reopen March 14.

The 48th Annual Canadian-American Days will offer a variety of events. Highlights include:

* 26th Annual National Shag Dance Championships, March 12-14 – This competition is especially fitting for the Myrtle Beach area, where the shag dance originated. The event showcases amateur and professional division dancers with more than 50 couples are expected to compete for the national title. Studebaker’s, Myrtle Beach. Admission $15-$25.
* 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Seaforth All Girls Marching Band Concert, March 14 – The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. The Seaforth All Girls Marching Band of Ontario has been delighting audiences near and far with popular show tunes and other nontraditional marching music for more than 60 years. The band, a group of 50 to 60 young women, range in age from 11 to 19. Surfside United Methodist Church, Surfside Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 25 at the Surfside Beach Town Hall.
* 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, March 15 –The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. Myrtle Beach Community Church, Myrtle Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 26 at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
* 2009 RBC Bank Canadian-American Days Kickoff Celebration Expo, March 16 – This expo officially kicks off Can-Am Days and features exhibitors, musical entertainment, prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach. Free to the public.
* Out of Winter Into Spring: The Courage to Live Undivided, March 17-19 – Presented by Still Learning Inc., this retreat at the beach will renew the heart and spirit. Sea View Inn, Pawleys Island. Space is limited. $889 per person. Canadian currency accepted.
* 15th Annual South Strand Wildlife and History Day, March 18 – Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, exhibits and activities including birds of prey and reptile demonstrations and sea turtle and beachcombing programs. The Taste of Murrells Inlet, a culinary extension of the event, will boast specialties from some of the finest restaurants in the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. Event and park admission are free. Cost for food.
* 2009 Battle at the Beach, March 19 – Golfers are invited to participate in the first annual Canada vs. U.S.A. Friendly Competition for the RBC Cup, four-person scramble format. The tournament will take place at the just-renovated Pine Lakes golf course, known as “the Granddaddy.” Prizes will be awarded. All tournament profits will be donated to Myrtle Beach Haven. Presented by RBC Bank and sponsored by Damon’s Grill, Scatori’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant and Divine Dining Group. Pine Lakes Country Club, Myrtle Beach. Fee $100 per person, $350 per foursome.
* For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit CanAmDays.com for the most current information and event times.

Vintage Cars on Amelia Island, Florida

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An unprecedented collection of the world’s finest vintage motor cars will roll into Amelia Island, March 14th, 2009 for RM Auctions’ highly anticipated Automobiles of Amelia Island event.

A popular and permanent fixture on the auto events calendar since 1999, the annual multi-million dollar auction will once again be held in conjunction with the famed Amelia Island to make for an ultimate vintage car weekend for motoring enthusiasts. Held on the grounds of the stunning Ritz-Carlton Hotel – a setting only surpassed in beauty by the magnificent cars on offer – the event weekend is commonly referred to as the ‘Pebble Beach of the East Coast’, attracting fashionable collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe.

“Our Automobiles of Amelia Island auction is an important event on the collector car calendar as it attracts many European and East Coast enthusiasts,” said Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Auctions.

“From speed to style, this year’s event will feature a magnificent roster of collector cars, highlighted by several historic race cars, some of which share Florida’s rich automotive racing history,” he added.

For the car enthusiasts amongst us, some 100 vintage motor cars are set to cross the block during the single-day RM auction. Highlighting the exceptional line-up is the legendary 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat “Yellow Peril” race car, a historic 1927 Bugatti T51 with an extensive racing history, and an innovative and beautifully restored 1954 Packard Panther Concept car, one of just four built and the only one in roadster form.

1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat “Yellow Peril” race carThe “Yellow Peril” has a fascinating vintage racing history. Regarded as one of the biggest and most powerful vehicles of its era, the original owner, John Greenway Albert, modified the car shortly after purchase in an effort to make “race ready”. Special modifications included constructing a one-off aluminum race body and a unique gas generating system – the latter which saw Albert emerge as a pioneer of fuel injection. Painted bright yellow, Albert name the car “The Yellow Peril” and raced it on various local dirt and board tracks, reportedly often removing the fenders and headlamps to further lighten the load.

Other notable highlights for the event include: a 1941 Chrysler Newport, one of the earliest concept cars built and used as the Official Pace Car for the 1941 Indianapolis 500; a stunning 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet “Charmaine”, one of the last Bugattis built before World War II and formerly owned by a remarkable series of famous British personalities; and a magnificent collection of 1932 V8 Fords.
RM’s Automobiles of Amelia Island auction event will be held at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island on March 14th, 2009. A full day auction preview will be held March 13th from 9am to 6pm followed by the auction from 11am on March 14th. Admission to the auction is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. The full-color collectable catalog is available for $100 U.S. (plus shipping), by calling (800)-211-4371 or visiting www.rmauctions.com.

About RM Auctions, Inc.
Celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world’s rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM’s restoration division achieved unprecedented accolades in 2006, when the Company earned “Best of Show” honors at the world’s top three collector car events in a single year. www.rmauctions.com

The Concourse d’Elegance is held on Amelia Island, Florida March 13-15, 2009

Two-day Event Rally, Roast and Ride to Raise Awareness of Breast Cancer on March 27-28, 2009

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Charleston Breast Center and Rehava Partner Up to Raise Awareness of Breast Cancer
Two-day Event Rally, Roast and Ride Will Take Place on March 27-28, 2009

CHARLESTON, SC (January 31, 2009) – This Spring, show your support for breast cancer patients by joining rēhava ~ Real Estate Store and the 2009 Green Idea Home for a two-day event titled Rally, Roast and Ride, benefiting the Charleston Breast Center. The event kicks off with a Rally, Roast and Ride Oyster Roast on Friday, March 27, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Gold Bug Island located in Mount Pleasant, and will continue on Saturday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m. with Rally and Ride for Breast Cancer event.

The oyster roast is open to the public and tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the rēhava store, or at www.rehava.com/tickets or by calling 843-747-4762. Your ticket purchase entitles you to enjoy oysters, roasted pork and corn, cob Cajun-style and fresh salads prepared by the Chefs Brigade, beer and wine as well as a silent auction promoting Health and Wellness. Live music is provided by The Bushels.

The rēhava ~ Real Estate Store and American Biker invite local bikers to participate in the ride on Saturday, March 28, 2009. The ride starts at 1pm from the new location of American Biker on College Park Road, off I-26, Exit 203. Tickets for the ride are $25, those riders that will purchase tickets for the oyster roast will be automatically entered in the ride. American Biker will be at the oyster roast showcasing a variety of motorcycles and signing up for the Saturday rally and ride. For more information about the ride, call 843-747-4762.

Both events are planned for those who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer and raise funds for a non-profit organization that is devoted to saving lives of women in the Lowcountry.

According to statistics, every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. In the Charleston Tri-county area, approximately 367 women are diagnosed each year. The annual cost of breast cancer care is around $11,440 for an average patient, which puts a tremendous financial stress on patients and their families. The Charleston Breast Center offers financial support to local women going through breast cancer treatment in South Carolina, allowing them to focus solely on recovery. For more information, please visit www.charlestonbreastcenter.com or call (843) 556-0116.