SANTA CLAUS

SANTA CLAUS VISITS DANIEL ISLAND! What a wonderful time everyone had with Santa today! The food was set up to make you feel you were in Candy Land! Lots of Gingerbread houses and candy canes and colorful cookies on a stick like lollipops! During lunch ballerina's entertained everyone with scenes from the Nutcracker! Then after lunch we were able to find Santa waiting for all the children in his comfy seat near the big warm fireplace! One by one the children sat on his lap to tell him their wishes........ What a fun filled afternoon for everyone!

My Island Town : Daniel Island, SC

2 Charleston Battery vs. #1 Portland Timbers - Friday 8/28
Posted: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:12:42 +0000
It’s late in the 2009 United Soccer League (USL) season but the Charleston Battery are still fighting their way to the top of the league. The team has had a successful season so far and is currently tied for second place with the Carolina Railhawks. And, this Friday night (8/28), the Battery will have their chance to take on the current leader in the league, the Portland Timbers, in a match that will be broadcast on the Fox Soccer Channel and Livesoccertv.com.

Midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake
The Charleston Battery has a total of 45 points for the season, only 6 points behind the Portland Timbers with 51. Portland lost their first game of the season but has since remained unbeaten in an impressive 23 game winning streak. In their last match against the Timbers on June 13, the Battery came close to breaking the team’s streak but Portland tied the match with three minutes left. If the Battery is successful in beating the league’s number one team on Friday then they would be within three points of the Timbers. The top seven teams advance to the playoffs and the top seeded team receives a bye into the semifinal round.

Defender Matt Bobo
The gates of Blackbaud Stadium will open at 6:30 pm and kick off is at 8:00 pm on Friday, August 28. The first 500 children will receive a soccer ball courtesy of Piggly Wiggle. And Five Guys Burgers & Fries will be on hand, serving up their delicious burgers and fries! The Three Lions Pub, a traditional English-style pub, will be open for its members and guests, who can also socialize with Battery coaches and players after each home game. Tickets range between $5 - $15 and can be purchased by calling (843) 971-GOAL or visiting http://www.charlestonbattery.com/.
COME OUT TO BLACKBAUD STADIUM & HELP CHEER ON THE BATTERY!
See the video below of highlights from the 2008 US Open Cup Final, Charleston Battery vs. DC United (W).
Viva the Music! New Performing Arts School Coming to Town
Posted: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:12:27 +0000
A new school is coming soon to Daniel Island. It will be a place where students will learn to read, garner new skills and more. But this school is different than other educational institutions on the island… Here, students as young as 3 years old will learn these new skills on miniature violins!
The Viva! Charleston Performing Arts School will launch its first program, Suzuki Strings, on August 31 at Summit Place of Daniel Island. This program teaches students to play the violin using miniature versions of the instrument. Before getting started on the real thing, the first assignment is for students to create their own “box” violins out of cardboard so they can begin to understand how a violin works and how to play one. Beginning to advanced students are welcome, from pre-schoolers to adults.

One of Instructor Camila Meirelles' students' with her mom and her handmade violin.
In the next several months, the Viva! Charleston Performing Arts School plans to add additional programs including piano, voice and drama, and in January classes and programing will be available at the Daniel Island Academy.
The new school is the brainchild of director Kathy King, a former Mt. Pleasant resident who currently lives in Chicago but wants to return to the Lowcountry some day. Kathy holds a bachelor degree in Piano Performance from Northern Illinois University along with advanced studies in Early Music and Harpsichord from Converse College in Spartanburg. She has been implementing her programming at private schools and performing arts centers throughout the Lowcountry, upstate and northern Illinois for years.
Revered Brazilian violist Camila Meirelles will be teaching the classes here on Daniel Island. Meirelles has performed with nationally and internationally-acclaimed orchestras, and holds her master’s degree and performance certificate from Northern Illinois University.
“Camila is relocating specifically for this project, ” says King, “She’s a beautiful musician and also a wonderful, patient teacher.”

Camila with some students at the end of summer camp.
“Daniel Island is the perfect spot for the new Viva! Charleston Performing Arts School,” King says. “You get a sense that it’s a special, close community and that parents really want their children to be well-rounded with a great education and good athletic and cultural opportunities. Now the island offers the perfect opportunity to learn about music and to learn how to play a musical instrument!”
Students and parents who are interested in Viva! Charleston Performing Arts School are invited to attend a “Come & Try” Open House at Summit Place of Daniel Island on Monday, August 31 or Thursday, September 10 at 6:00 pm. For more information, feel free to contact Kathy King at (815) 440-1391 or email hannpianostudios@yahoo.com.
Labor Day Menu: Flank Steak & Melon Salsa, Grilled Peach Melba
Posted: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:26:37 +0000
With Labor Day less than two weeks away, people are making plans to go out on the boat, pack a picnic or play on the beach and enjoy the last days of summer. My Island Town has borrowed a couple of recipes we think would be delicious for any Labor Day plans from Chef Tyler Dudley at the Daniel Island Club.
Marinated Flank Steak with Melon Salsa1 large cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, diced1 medium red onion, diced1 cup Italian parsley, chopped1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped2 tablespoon white balsamic (or cider) vinegar2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil2 pounds flank steaks2 teaspoon sea salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Toss the cantaloupe, onion, parsley, mint, vinegar and oil in a bowl. Set aside. Heat a grill, grill pan or large skillet over high heat. Season the flank steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook 5 to 8 minutes on each side for medium rare, 8 to 10 minutes per side for medium and 10 to 12 minutes per side for well done. Remove the steaks from the heat and allow to rest on a clean cutting board for 5 to 7 minutes. Cut steak diagonally into 1/8-inch-thick slices and transfer to a platter. Serve with melon salsa on top of the steak and as a relish on the side.
Grilled Peach Melba with Frozen Yogurt3 limes (reserve 1, halved, for garnish)3 pints fresh raspberries1/2 cup sugar1 pint fresh blueberries1 pint fresh blackberries2 large or 4 small ripe peaches, halved and pitted (skin on)1 pint lowfat vanilla frozen yogurt (or lowfat vanilla ice cream)
Preheat a grill or broiler. While the grill is warming, zest limes, then juice them (reserve zest and juice separately). Chop enough zest to make 1 tsp. Combine 2 pints raspberries with 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the berries start to release juices and break down. Puree in a blender, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds. Season to taste with lime juice and set aside. Toss together remaining raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries with remaining sugar, lime juice, and lime zest and set aside. Grill peaches and lime halves quickly, until they have grill marks and are warmed through, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from the grill.
To serve, combine a peach half with 1/2 cup frozen yogurt in the bottom of a shallow dish. Spoon equal amounts of raspberry sauce on top of frozen yogurt and finish with equal amounts of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Garnish with grilled lime.
Bon Appetit!
Get Fit Reaches Its Halfway Mark - Time To Celebrate!
Posted: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:48:35 +0000
More than 300 people signed up to participate in Hello! Daniel Island’s first ever “Get Fit Challenge” just six weeks ago! Now that the group is at its halfway point, it’s time to celebrate everyone’s hard work so far and get revved up and ready for the next six weeks. Keep up the good work!
Music, Food & Fun at the Daniel Island Farmers’ Market
Posted: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:59:59 +0000
In just a few short weeks, the Daniel Island Farmers’ Market will ends its first season of providing fresh, local vegetables, meat, seafood, flowers and other knickknacks like jewelry, art and handbags to island residents and employees. Every Thursday since April, the Family Circle Tennis Center has been transformed from a world-class tennis facility to a market where people can shop, eat, enjoy entertainment and visit with friends.
With just a few markets left this year, planners have put together a great schedule of live music and fun contests for shoppers to enjoy. And they’ve partnered with Get Fit, Daniel Island to provide a great venue for Get Fit Cardio Tennis and Get Fit Yoga (open to Get Fit, Daniel Island participants only).
Be sure you don’t miss live music by Hank Futch from local fan-favorite band, The Blue Dogs. And bring your pooch to market on September 10 as the Farmers’ Market celebrates the “Dog Days of Summer” with Ugliest & Prettiest Dog contests!
See below for a complete schedule of Daniel Island Farmers’ Market happenings and we’ll see you there!
Thursday, August 205:30 - 6:30 Get Fit Cardio Tennis on Center Court5:30 - 7:30 BBQ Brothers Band6:00 - 7:00 Get fit Yoga
Thursday, August 273:30 - 7:30 DJ Walt Jenner presents “Beach Music at the Market”6:00 - 7:600 Get Fit Yoga
Thursday, September 33:00 - 7:00 Daniel Island Hip Hop demonstrations with Angel Roberts4:00 - 7:00 Hank Futch from popular local band, The Blue Dogs, to perform5:30 - 6:30 Get Fit Cardio Tennis on Center Court6:00 - 7:00 Get Fit Yoga
Thursday, September 10 Celebrating the “Dog Days of Summer” with Ugliest & Prettiest Dog Contests!4:00 - 7:00 BBQ Brothers Band5:30 - 6:30 Get Fit Cardio Tennis on Center Court6:00 - 7:00 Get Fit Yoga
Thursday, September 17 4:00 - 7:00 Hank Futch from popular local band, The Blue Dogs, to perform5:30 - 6:30 Get Fit Cardio Tennis on Center Court6:00 - 7:00 Get Fit Yoga
Thursday, September 24Details for this year’s final Farmers’ Market to be announced soon!
The Wallflowers come to the Veranda Stage Tuesday, 9/1!
Posted: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:01:44 +0000
Summer is winding down but it’s still hot on Daniel Island and is about to get even hotter as the Family Circle Tennis Center welcomes a couple of high-energy, rock-n-rolling, Grammy-winning musical acts to the stage!
On Tuesday, September 1st, Daniel Island will come alive with the multiple Grammy-winning rock sound of The Wallflowers as they perform on the Family Circle Tennis Center’s Veranda stage.
“The Wallflowers are the most prominent act to perform at The Veranda to date. Music fans of all ages are sure to enjoy the hits these superstars will crank out all night,” commented Carter McMillan, Concert Coordinator at the Family Circle Tennis Center. “This is a great opportunity to see a major act in a small venue, and there’s no better time to enjoy an outdoor concert than early fall.”
Another Grammy-winning act will also make their way to Daniel Island this fall as the Indigo Girls take the stage on Saturday, September 26! The Indigo Girls, an American folk rock duo, consist of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. These true folk icons have cultivated legions of faithful fans since releasing their debut album Strange Fire in 1987, winning a Grammy Award for “Best Contemporary Folk Recording” in 1990, and notching multi-platinum records throughout their career.
Constant touring, as well as an unwavering commitment to social, political, and environmental issues has cemented the Girls’ bond with their audience. Touring in support of their tenth studio album, “Poseidon and the Bitter Bug“, this will be the Indigo Girls’ first appearance at the Family Circle Tennis Center.
All tickets can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone (800) 745-3000, local Publix grocery stores and at the Family Circle Tennis Center ticket office from Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 5:00pm, and on Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.
We’ll see you at the shows!
More Kudos for Charleston!
Posted: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:01:27 +0000
It’s no secret that Charleston has a lot going for it – great weather, a fascinating history, a beautiful natural setting and endless options to indulge in shopping, dining, culture and art. Multiple national publications have ranked “the Holy City” as a top place to visit and live.
The latest comes from Outside magazine, which recently included Charleston among it’s list of “Favorite Small Towns” in its “America’s Best Cities” feature.
On a mission to seek out metropolitan areas that offer a “cultural vibrancy, economic well-being, and overall quality of life,” the editors had this to say about Charleston:
“Chucktown is affordable (median home price, $235,000) and small (pop. 110,000) but comes with the vitality of a metropolis, thanks to its kaleidoscopic heritage and a happening downtown. And since it sits at the confluence of the Cooper and Ashley rivers and the Atlantic Ocean, it’s also prime watersport territory: There’s sailing in the harbor, sea-kayaking through the marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway, and surfing at Folly Beach.”

Daniel Island Club’s Ron Cerrudo Ranked Among Top Ten Golf Instructors in SC
Posted: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:01:14 +0000
Golf Digest magazine’s most recent ranking of the country’s best golf instructors by state is out, and the Daniel Island Club’s Director of Instruction has landed in the top ten for South Carolina. Ballots were distributed to more than 1,000 instructors throughout the state, asking them to rank their peers on a grade-point scale from 1 to 10. This year, Ron Cerrudo is number five on the list.
Ron has been helping members and guests at the Daniel Island Club’s expansive practice facility improve their game since 2003. A two-time winner on the PGA Tour, he settled on Hilton Head Island, where he developed a successful following as a golf instructor, before coming to Daniel Island.

You can check out some of Ron’s tips and pointers right here on My Island Town, where we periodically post his insights in a series called “The Practice Range.” The latest tip – “How to Play in Wet Conditions” - was just posted today.
Congratulations, Ron!
THE PRACTICE RANGE: How to Play in Wet Conditions
Posted: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:00:30 +0000

By Ron Cerrudo, Director of Instruction at the Daniel Island Club
We have had more than our fair share of rain this year and as a result, we often find ourselves playing golf on soggy courses. There are some compensations that must be made when playing in these conditions:
When playing out of the fairway,never try to hit the ball hard. Instead, choak down on the club grip and pick the ball up off the turf. If you try to hit the ball too hard, your feet can slip causing you to hit the ball fat, which does your clothes no good at all.
Pitching can be very difficult in these conditions, too. Instead of using the lob wedge or even the sand club, try the pitching wedge. You are less likely to stick the club in the ground.
When playing bunker shots, use the lob wedge. It has less bounce, therefore it makes it easier to get the club under the ball.
After a good rainfall, the sand becomes compacted. Take the club steeper on backswing and downswing, which will get the club under the ball instead of bouncing into the ball and blading it over the green.
Lastly, play the course from the tees that allow you to hit the greens in regulations. In this year’s U.S.Open, the U.S.G.A. moved the tees up so the contestants could reach the greens with a reasonable club. If it is a good enough for the U.S.Open, it should be good enough for you!
Good Luck!