Charleston Battery Takes On the Cooper River Bridge Run

The Charleston Battery players are lacing up their running shoes instead of their soccer cleats this Saturday as they participate in the annual Cooper River Bridge Run! The team is participating as part of their preparation for the upcoming 2010 USL season, which officially begins for the Battery on April 17 with an away game against the Charlotte Eagles.

One of Charleston’s most popular annual events, the Cooper River Bridge Run has had folks running from Mount Pleasant across the Cooper River to Charleston since 1978. This year’s 10-k race is one of the largest of its kind in the country. It has sold out, with more than 38,000 runners registered!

Following Saturday’s run, the whole Battery team will head to the Buccaneer Restaurant in downtown Charleston for a post-race breakfast celebration and to watch the English Premiere League games. The breakfast will begin at 10:00 am and everyone, bridge runners or not, are invited to join the fun!

Coming off their defeat at the Carolina Cup Challenge, the Charleston Battery is hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. They’ve signed a number of new players to the roster, as well as brought back many local favorites and strong players. There are five pre-season games left on the schedule before the official season begins. Tickets for pre-season and season games can be purchased at www.charlestonbattery.com.

For the full Charleston Battery team roster and player information, click HERE.

Game, Set, Rock! Tennis. Ampliefied.

The countdown to this year’s Family Circle Cup is underway, and the anticipation and excitement can be felt throughout Daniel Island. In celebration of the tournament’s ten years in Charleston, organizers at the Family Circle Cup have some surprises in store this year, including Game, Set, Rock! Tennis. Amplified., a special night of music and tennis entertainment!

On Saturday evening, April 17, tennis celebrities John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Monica Seles and Anna Kournikova will showcase their skills in singles and mixed doubles exhibition sessions at the Family Circle Tennis Center. The Blue Dogs, Charleston’s favorite country, bluegrass and roots-rocks sons, will be on hand to entertain the crowd throughout the event, and will end the evening with a special performance at the Family Circle Magazine Stadium.

“The Family Circle Cup is all about world class tennis. We are going to give it our best to match that level of excitement because the fans on Daniel Island expect top notch action,” said John McEnroe. “It’s going to be a great Saturday night in Charleston!”

Tickets for this exciting night of tennis are available at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone (800) 745-3000, local Publix outlets, and at the Family Circle Tennis Center ticket office weekdays from Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. Box Level seating will be available for $35, Terrace Level for $25, and Grandstand for $15.

For more information on the Family Circle Cup, taking place April 10 – 18, click HERE.

Daniel Island Businesses & Residents Help Feed Those in Need this Spring

Each year during the holidays in November and December, food drives emerge throughout the Lowcountry, encouraging residents to reach out to help those in need. Recognizing that hunger is a year-round problem, the Employee Advised Fund of the Daniel Island Company has organized a springtime, island-wide food drive timed to coincide with the Easter holiday. The food will be distributed by the Lowcountry Food Bank.

Collection bins have been placed at four convenient locations throughout the island, and residents, businesses and the general public are encouraged to participate. As an extra incentive, the Employee Advised Fund has committed to contribute $1 per every pound of food collected to the Lowcountry Food Bank for additional support.

Non-perishable food items are being collected through March 31st at the following locations:

• The National Bank of South Carolina – 230 Seven Farms Drive
• Daniel Island Property Owners Association – 130 River Landing Drive
• Daniel Island Real Estate Sales Center – 101 River Landing Drive
• Daniel Island Club – 600 Island Park Drive

The Employee Advised Fund is an employee charitable contribution program funded through voluntary payroll deductions from employees of the Daniel Island Company, Daniel Island Real Estate, Daniel Island Club and the Daniel Island Property Owners Association. The Daniel Island Company matches employee contributions dollar for dollar, and an employee advisory committee guides decisions on contributions throughout the year.

Please chip in and help us make this island-wide effort a great success!

Capturing the Beauty of Mitchell Wharf

Daniel Island Real Estate recently introduced a new offering of waterfront homesites on the Wando River in an area called Mitchell Wharf. With an eastern orientation offering spectacular views, wonderful Live Oaks and an unusual stretch of sandy beach along the Wando, Mitchell Wharf is one of the island’s most scenic spots. Recently, Rick Vale, Broker-in-Charge, and Pat Stuckart of Daniel Island Real Estate headed out with their cameras to catch the early morning light as the sun rose over the Wando. Check out some of their great shots here:

Designer Jodi Moylan Dishes on Daniel Island, Dresses & Charleston Fashion Week!

Last year alone, Jodi Moylan attended more than 25 weddings…

But that’s part of what sets this Daniel Island resident, bridal designer and boutique owner apart from her competition. She becomes friends with her clients, so much so that more often than not she’s invited to watch as her dresses sway down the aisle at her clients’ weddings.

Jodi and her husband Tom moved to Daniel Island almost ten years ago, not long after development of the island first began. As Daniel Island continued to grow, so did Jodi’s love of its island lifestyle. She and Tom moved out of their apartment on River Landing Drive and purchased a home in the Pierce Park neighborhood. Then, three years ago, Jodi opened her high-end bridal boutique White on Seven Farms Drive, proving that Daniel Island is really a place where you can live, work and play!

We recently sat down with Jodi to ask her some questions about life on Daniel Island, her amazing bridal lines, White Couture and Yoyo, and being involved in Charleston Fashion Week (taking place this week in downtown Charleston). See what she has to say!

What is your favorite thing about living on Daniel Island?

Jodi: We stayed on Daniel Island because we liked how it kept growing and growing. New people were constantly moving to the island and new businesses were opening all the time. I love that we can walk and bike almost everywhere, including to my store. And our neighbors became our closest friends. We are really social and love that we can just walk next door and relax with friends. Our social life is here.

Tell us about White and your bridal designs.

Jodi: I’m a workaholic. I start at 8:00 am and go until 10:00 pm. That’s another great thing about living so close to the store! I’m there constantly, unless I need to leave to run errands during the day, and  then I’m there most nights, too. I love my designs — I love being creative and crafty! I’ll add handmade bows and flowers, buttons, feathers and ruffles as creative details to my dresses. I love being “girly.” And I just started a new bridesmaid line called Yoyo. I create the designs and all of the sewing is done by my seamstress, who lives right across the street from the store on Daniel Island. Her work is incredible!

How many years have you been involved in Charleston Fashion Week and what keeps you going back?

Jodi: I’ve been doing Charleston Fashion Week for three years. My bridal line has gotten such great exposure from Fashion Week and it’s really great to see all of the local talent in Charleston. This year Carol-Hannah Whitfield from Project Runaway is introducing her bridal line, so it will be great to be in the “Bridal Couture Show” with her. The staff at Charleston Magazine, which organizes the event each year, are so professional and organized –  they really do a great job!

What sets you and White apart from other bridal designers and boutiques?

Jodi: Some people would say the Martini and Champagne bar I built in the store! But I really think that my low-pressure and laid back personality really puts a bride at ease. I’m not a car salesman, pushing them to buy any dress. I’m there to help them find the perfect dress. And I love my job!

For more information about Charleston Fashion Week and the Bridal Couture Show on Saturday, March 20, click HERE.

The Countdown is On for the 2010 Family Circle Cup!

The excitement has started to mount for next month’s Family Circle Cup, and with the tournament celebrating ten years on Daniel Island, there are lots of exciting events and surprises in store. Tournament officials are busy preparing the tennis center grounds for the world’s top players – including Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharpova and many more – while island businesses and residents prepare to welcome fans to Charleston’s Island Town. Check out the video below for a sneak peek at what’s in store:

The action takes place April 10-18. Ticket information is available at www.familycirclecup.com.

Make your plans now to join us in April for this world-class tennis event!

Mark Your Calendar for Charleston's World-Class Line-up of Springtime Events!

Each year, Charleston’s lineup of springtime events kicks off with the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in February, and from there it’s a whirlwind of nonstop festivals, concerts and special events scheduled virtually every weekend through early summer. This is the prime time to get out and explore Charleston and Daniel Island. Read further for a rundown of our favorite springtime events:

Festival of Houses & Gardens
March 18 – April 17
Explore the rarely seen interiors and gardens of historic private homes in downtown Charleston during the peak of the city’s blooming season. Festival proceeds go to support preservation and restoration efforts in Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. www.historiccharleston.org

Summerville Flowertown Festival
March 26 – 28
Smell the flowers as they burst into bloom while artists and craftsmen from throughout the country display their work on the beautiful grounds of Azalea Park and on Main Street in Summerville. www.summervilleymca.org/flowertown

Cooper River Bridge Run
March 27
Hit the pavement with thousands of runners and walkers at this annual 10K, one of Charleston’s most popular events. You’ll enjoy spectacular scenery from the top of the Ravenel Bidge as you make your way from Mt. Pleasant to downtown Charleston. Don’t forget to look to your right for a great view of the tip of Daniel Island! www.bridgerun.com

Family Circle Cup
April 10-18
Grab your sunscreen and come watch as the top-ranked professional female tennis players from around the world take to the courts to compete at the Family Circle Cup! More than just a tennis tournament, it’s a week-long line-up of special events at Daniel Island’s award winning Family Circle Tennis Center. The tournament is celebrating its tenth year on Daniel Island with some very special celebrity appearances and events. www.familycirclecup.com

Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival
April 25
Enjoy fresh, delicious South Carolina shrimp and seafood at this annual festival that marks the beginning of the local shrimping season. There will be a lively parade, activities for children, tons and tons of fresh seafood and live music at a new venue for this annual event – the brand new Waterfront Memorial Park in Mt. Pleasant. www.mtpleasantrec.com

Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s Concert in the Park on Daniel Island
May 15
Get outside and enjoy the spring breezes coming off the Wando River and Smythe Lake at this popular annual Daniel Island event. Pack a picnic and grab a spot under the oaks in Smythe Park, where you’ll enjoy the sounds of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in a festive setting with friends and neighbors. The best part? It’s free! www.dicommunity.org

Spoleto Festival USA
May 28 – June 13
One of the world’s leading arts festivals, this 17-day celebration of the arts offers an international lineup of opera, dance, classical music, jazz, theatre and visual arts, staged in

Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor venues.

www.spoletousa.org

Piccolo Spoleto

May 28 – June 13
Taking place in conjunction with Spoleto Festival USA, Piccolo Spoleto highlights the local and regional talents of artists of all kinds with more than 700 performances. Classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry, choral music, ethnic presentations, crafts, film and children’s activities are all part of the lineup during this 17-day festival. www.piccolospoleto.com

BEHS Hosts 12th Annual Daniel Island 5K Race & Walk

On Saturday, March 20, the boys and girls of the Bishop England High School Track & Cross Country teams are inviting the community to come together for the 12th annual Daniel Island 5K Race and Walk. The race will begin at the school on Seven Farms Drive, winding its away through Daniel Island neighborhoods, parks and trails, before ending back at the school.

The run has been designed to accommodate everyone, from the highly competitive athlete to the casual walker. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers but everyone wins post-race with food, fun and additional prize giveaways at the awards ceremony and festivities.

Also, kids under the age of twelve are invited to participate in a special “Kids Fun Run” that will start immediately following the race. All “Kids Fun Run” participants will receive a medal.

For more information or to register online, visit www.actioncarolina.com. Proceeds will benefit the Bishop England High School Track & Cross Country programs.

Since the doors first opened at the school’s Daniel Island facilities, Bishop England High School has played a significant role within the community — please come out and support them for this great spring running event!

Sunday Brunch with the Daniel Island Club’s Chef Tyler

Chef Tyler Dudley with his sous chefs Chris White, Marc Smolinski & Joseph Strickland. Not pictured: Lauren Whetsell

Ten local chefs, caterers and restaurants presented their visions of a “Lowcountry brunch” to more than 400 eager diners at the Charleston Wine and Food Festival’s Lowcountry Gospel Brunch on Sunday, March 8. Guests listened to the amazing sounds of the Gullah Gospel Ensemble while enjoying some of Charleston’s most delicious and creative brunch menus.

Chef Tyler Dudley of the Daniel Island Club participated in the sold out event, and served a three-course menu that featured local ingredients blended with traditional and non-traditional southern fare.

His menu included Orange Benne Seed Muffins, Southern Tomato Pie, Lump Crab Huevos Rancheros and Cinnamon Bun Crème Brulee.

See Chef Tyler’s mouth-watering dishes AND his recipe for Orange Benne Seed Muffins below!

* photos by Lauren Whetsell

Orange Benne Seed Muffins

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus up to 1 tablespoon for topping the muffins, if desired
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 4 teaspoons benne seeds
• 1/2 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly brush a 12-cup muffin tin with butter and set aside. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with an electric hand-held mixer in a large bowl, cream the butter, zest, and 2/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Remove the bowl from the mixer. Stir in the benne seeds.

Fold the flour in 3 parts into the butter mixture, alternating with the milk in 2 parts, until just combined. Take care not to overmix the batter. Divide the batter evenly into the muffin tin and sprinkle the tops with sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool muffins in the pan on a rack. Serve warm.

VIDEO: Discover the Diverse Homes on Daniel Island

HGTV personality and Daniel Island resident Terry Haas recently took us on a tour of Charleston’s Island Town. Now she’s back with a new video tour that takes us inside some of Daniel Island’s diverse private homes. Take a look!

If you’re interested in seeing more homes on Daniel Island, the homefinder at DanielIsland.com is a great resource.

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