Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

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Restaurant Week in Jacksonville

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One of our favorite things — or guilty pleasure — is to go out and eat.  We always enjoy trying a new type of cuisine or a new restaurant. Unfortunately, these days everyone has had to cut down to save money, and eating out is one of those things we don’t get to do as often as we would like.

That’s why I always keep my eyes open for Restaurant Weeks and other deals. Instead of Restaurant Week, Jacksonville, Florida, has its own variation called “Eat Up Downtown”.

In August every year the downtown area of Jacksonville participates in an event called Eat Up Downtown. It’s a great deal for foodies. You get a three course meal at participating restaurants for only 25 dollars per person.

So make plans to take advantage of this event. Maybe you can find your new favorite restaurant this way. For more information and the list of participating restaurants, visit our special events page for

Eat Up Downtown in Jacksonville

Things to Do in South Carolina – August 2011

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It’s been really hot and humid lately, but don’t worry, we have found many cool events in South Carolina for the month of August. The Arts and Craft festival in Myrtle Beach is inside the convention center – which right now doesn’t seem like such a bad. There is also a lot of music events in August. Cool off on the pier in Mount Pleasant while dancing the night away or head to Folly Beach fishing pier for the Moonlight Mixer or Fishing Tournament.

Here are a few ideas for what you can do with the family in South Carolina. 

Escape the heat

 

Craftmen’s Summer Classic Arts & Crafts Festival – Myrtle Beach

This arts and crafts festival at Myrtle Beach convention Center on Aug 5 – 7, 2011,   features original work from over 250 talented artists and crafts people. All juried exhibitors’ work has been handmade by the exhibitors and must be their own original design and creation. Visitors get the opportunity to study the creative process in action.  Many  exhibitors are demonstrating their craft in their booths. A Southeastern Tourism Society “Top 20 Event” and a Sunshine Artist Magazine “100 Best Classic & Contemporary Arts & Crafts Festival” winner. 

Admission: $7/Adult, $1/Child (6-12), Under 6 Free. Click here to get $1 off coupon to use at the door.

Hours: Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Call 336-282-5550 for more information.

 

Mt Pleasant, SC
Dance the night away in Mount Plesant, SC

 

Shaggin’ on the Cooper – Mount Pleasant Pier

Dance the night away under the stars at the foot of the scenic Mount Pleasant when Pier 17 South plays beach music on Saturday, August 6 from 7:00 pm. Enjoy a cool ocean breeze and take in the view of Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel Bridge. Beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Only 800 tickets will be sold for this event, advance purchase is recommended.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
7 – 11 p.m. Live music starts at 8.Age: 3 & up. Tickets: $10/$8 CCR Discount/$10 on-site if still available. Visit our special events page for more info.

Reggae Nights at Wannamaker County Park – Charleston, SC

On Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 7:30 – 11 p.m.  the popular band Selah Dubb performs at Wannamaker County Park. Head out to the park with the whole gang to enjoy traditional roots reggae with a new school attitude under the stars. Visit our Reggae Nights page

Wine Stroll

 

Wine Stroll at Middleton Place – Charleston, SC

Every Wednesday in August,  Middleton Place will host wine tastings in a different gardens from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

Middleton Place is known for having America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Now you can sample a variety of wines while taking an evening stroll in the gardens. Tickets are $15 per adult.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

 

Moonlight Mixer – Folly Beach, SC

Spend time with your special someone and dance the night away at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. DJ Jim Bowers of 1340 The Boardwalk will play all of the hottest oldies and beach music classics. Friday, August 12, 2011 from 7 – 11 p.m. More information about the Moonlight Mixer here.

Folly Beach Pier

 

Folly Pier Fishing Tournament

Great fishing is always available at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier, the second largest pier on the East Coast. On Saturday, August 20th, it’s time for a special tournament. Online registration is available, but ends Aug 18. Onsite registration is available August 20 beginning at 6:00 a.m. Prizes are awarded for the largest catch in the King Mackerel category and the three largest catches in the Big Fish category.

Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For details, call the Folly Beach Fishing Pier at (843) 588-3474. Ages 3 & up. Tournament held rain or shine. Fee: $12/$9 CCR Discount and $7 ages 3-12 CCR & NCR; $14/$12 CCR Discount (King Mackerel). More info at www.ccprc.com

Reggae Nights Concert – James Island County Park

The park comes alive when Jah Works brings the sounds of the islands! Bring a chair or blanket and rock the night away. Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 7:30 – 11 p.m.
Click here for more information about Reggae Nights.

Yappy Hour – James Island County Park

This is a fun event for both dogs and dog owners. Bring best four-legged friend to the park after work! Enjoy live music, beverages and meeting other local dog owners.  Thursday, August 25, 2011from 5 – 8 p.m.Free with regular park gate admission. More information at www.ccprc.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things to Do in Georgia – August 2011

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August is the month when kids go back to school and life returns to normal for many parents. But here on the coast Summer is far from over. Actually August is usually one of our hottest months, so there is no surprise that the month offers both cool jazz and and a beach music festival.

Savannah is a special place in the summer with its beautiful squares and gorgeous architecture. In the summer, downtown is usually filled with people from all corners of the world and the city takes on an international atmosphere.  

It’s always a pleasure to visit the riverfront in downtown Savannah, especially in the summer.  Lot’s of people, and lots of fun.  

SAVANNAH

2009 Heirloom Tomatoes

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
August 2, 2011
Restaurant Cha-Bella is inviting all tomato-lovers to the 2nd Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival – a special evening of heirloom tomato celebration. This event offers 14 different kinds of organic heirloom tomatoes. A four course killer tomato meal is available for $29.  Email farmboxharvest@cha-bella.c​om to reserve your seat – space is limited and will fill up fast. Call 912.790.7888 for more information.

 

First Friday Oyster Roast & Fireworks
August 5, 2011 at 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm 

Savannah Westin Hotel, GeorgiaThe Westin Savannah Harbor hosts a riverside evening celebration with live music, libations and hot fresh grill items & oysters for the first Friday every month. Call 912.201.2000 for more information or visit www.westinsavannah.com

Cigar Box Guitar Concert
August 6, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Come to a free concert with local blues/slide guitarists Eric Culberson, Georgia Kyle and Roy Swindell at The Ships of the Sea Museum Garden. The musicians will play Museum-model cigar box guitars in advance of the cigar box guitar making workshop on August 20. Video appearances by Richard Leo Johnson and Scott Ainslie. Refreshments available. More information at www.shipsofthesea.org or call 912.232.1511

 

Jazz it Up on the River
August 13, 2011 at 5 pm. 
Jazz – Just Across The River presents, Barbara Rosene In Johnny Mercer Tribute at the Westin Savannah Harbor. 
Barbara Rosene, who is the vocalist with the Harry James Orchestra will perform a tribute to the master of lyric, Johnny Mercer. Recently Ms. Rosene has been touring with The Harry James Big Band led by Fred Radke. They have been visiting cities all over America and Canada including performances at The Montreal Jazz Festival. 

The concert is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members. For more info call: 912.920.1317

 

Low Country Boil at the Fort
August 27, 2011 from 6 – 9 pm.

This annual event is the only fundraiser for this National Historic Landmark and Georgia’s oldest brick fortification – Old Fort Jackson in Savannah. The event includes a silent auction, live music, a low country boil, and programming for kids and adults. Admission is free. Call 912.232.3945 for more information.

 

Something Old, Something New…
August 28, 2011 from noon  – 4 pm. 
Planning a wedding soon? This event will feature service providers for limousine, photography, music, flowers and rental furniture and equipment. See the very latest in fashions and wedding attire in the fashion show and experience culinary delights created by the Richmond Hill City Center team. The event takes place in Richmond Hill at the Richmond Hill City Center. Call 912.445.0043 for more information. Tickets $5.00 at the door.

ST SIMONS ISLAND

St. Simons is also busy in the summer.  In the evenings, lots of people walk down to the pier to watch the sunset or the fishermen.  If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two.

Jazz in the Park
August 28, 2011 

The Jazz in the park series at the lawn of St. Simons Lighthouse has become a favorite summer event in the Golden Isles area. This month the concert takes place on Sunday, August 28 when  Just Jazz Quintet is performing. Read more about the event on our page for Jazz in the Park

JEKYLL ISLAND

Beach Music Festival on Jekyll Island, GA
August 12 – 13, 2011  

To me nothing says summer more than beach music.   The Jekyll Island Beach Music festival is held in Great Dunes Park which is the new park that was built on Jekyll Island. Everyone’s favorite beach music band “The Swingin’ Medallions” is performing again this year.  

Check out our video from the event on the special page for Beach Music Festival on Jekyll Island.


 

National Tequila Day is July 24

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Perfect Pear Margarita
Perfect Pear Margarita

Tequila aficionados on the coast rejoice! I have found the perfect excuse for a party – July 24 is National Tequila Day. Forget the shots, and explore the wide range of flavors offered from silky chocolate to spicy pepper. Take this opportunity to impress your friends with your mixology skills.

In the olden days, I think we would refer to it as “bartender skills”. Remember Tom Cruise and that Australian guy in the movie “Cocktail”?
Nowadays the real experts in the field are called “mixologists”.

The cocktail recipes below is sure to be a hit with your friends. Plus, there’s no need to pretend to be a cool Tom Cruise and throw bottles in the air or pour drinks behind your back. I’m sure you’re better half is going to be appreciate that too.

Remember, presentation is 25% – the rest is in taste. And with that, we’re ending my mixology lesson for the day.

Happy Tequila Day!

National Tequila Day Cocktail Recipes

Here are two tasty cocktail recipes to make your Tequila Day party a success.

Passion Caipirinha

Passion Caipirinha

1 oz. 1800 Select Silver
1 oz. Passion fruit juice
1 oz. Agave Nectar
5 Muddled Limes
Drizzle of Raspberry liquor

Muddle limes and agave nectar in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add ice and all other ingredients besides the raspberry liquor. Shake and pour contents into a rocks glass and drizzle with the raspberry liquor.

Perfect Pear Margarita

1 oz. 1800 Silver Tequila
.25 oz. Pear Puree
.25 oz. Fresh lime juice
.25 oz. Agave nectar
Splash of Chambord

Combine first four ingredients in a cocktail shake with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a lightly salted high ball glass. Float with Chambord for a drizzle effect.

The United States’ best selling super-premium tequila is named after the year it was created, 1800® Tequila is pure, 100% blue agave tequila grown on family-owned ranches and bottled in Jalisco, Mexico. The tequila is double-distilled and matured in oak barrels and the unique stopper doubles as a shot glass – comes in handy!

Things to do in South Carolina in July

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There are lot of events and fun happenings in coastal South Carolina during the month of July 2011. One of our favorite cities to visit is Charleston, SC, and there is never a shortage of things to see in Charleston. Here are a few of the events. Bhad Bhabie tits

 

CHARLESTON

Shaggin’ on the Cooper

July 9, 2011
Shem Creek Boogie Band is performing at the  Mount Pleasant Pier during the Shaggin’ on the Cooper

Reggae Nights

July 9, 2011
Mystic Vibrations is playing in Wannamaker Park. Click here to read more about Reggae Nights.

Palette and Palate Stroll

July 15, 2011
Fine art and food connoisseurs will gather in Charleston to stroll through the historic downtown area, tasting food from twelve of the finest local restaurants inside twelve prestigious galleries.  More details available on our page for Palette and Palate Stroll in Charleston, SC.

Moonlight Mixer

July 15, 2011
Come to Folly Beach Pier where Jim Bowers of 1340 The Boardwalk will be spinning the hottest oldies and beach music. Read more about Moonlight Mixers here.

Reggae Nights

July 16, 2011
Da Gullah Rootz – James Island Country Park. Read more about Reggae Nights in Charleston.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

HarbourFest Hilton Head Island

One of the best way to spend a summer evening is at HarbourFest. This event has become a signature event during the warmer season at Shelter Cove Harbour. HarbourFest offers live entertainment every night of the week, and there’s even fireworks. All events at HarbourFest are free and open to the public. HarourFest takes place from April through September. Click here to read more.

MYRTLE BEACH

Hot Summer Nights Myrtle Beach

Spend an evening or two on the Boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There is live music, entertainment and much more — even fireworks. Read more about Hot Summer Nights here.

BEAUFORT

Beaufort Waterfestival

July 15 – 24, 2011

The festival has a little bit of everything from Water Craft Sports, and fishing events, to air show, arts & crafts, pageant, Blessing of the fleet, lots of sports events, live music and more. Just take a look at the massive schedule of events – click here for more about Beaufort Water Festival.

 

In August

Hootie and the Blowfish Concert