Charleston Battery to Host Richmond Kickers for Championship Showdown

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In their first USL championship game since 2003, the Charleston Battery will face the defending USL-2 Champions, the Richmond Kickers, in this season’s USL-2 Championship game this Saturday evening, Aug. 28, right here on Daniel Island.

The two teams are no strangers. Richmond has been one of the Battery’s oldest rivals since the 1993 season. In fact, this Saturday’s showdown will mark their 41st meeting, and the results have been split down the middle: Each team has won 18 games, and four matches finished with a tie score. Clearly, the stakes are high!

Bring the family and come and cheer on the home team! Kick off is set for 6:00 pm at Blackbaud Stadium, and the match will be broadcast live on FOX Soccer Channel. Tickets are on sale now starting at just $10, and discounts are available for groups of ten or more. There is no charge for children age four and under.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, please call (843) 971-4625 or visit charlestonbattery.com.

Daniel Island Teen to Take On the U.S. Open

It was just this past April that we heard the name Shelby Rogers for the first time. The 17-year old Daniel Island teen had just won a “wild card” entry into the 2010 Family Circle Cup (see our first article about Shelby HERE).

Fast forward five months and Shelby has not only gone Pro, but she’s also landed herself a spot as a qualifier for the main draw in the U.S. Open (August 30 – September 12) after winning the USTA’s Girls National Tennis Championship in San Diego on August 15. Shelby will be the youngest competitor in this year’s U.S. Open.

Shelby isn’t the only reason for Daniel Island and Charleston residents to tune into this year’s U.S. Open. Charleston is in the running to be named “America’s Best Tennis Town,” which will be announced on Labor Day during the television coverage of the tournament on CBS, ESPN2 or the Tennis Channel.

Make sure the volume is up as you cheer on Daniel Island’s Shelby Rogers take the court AND watch to see if Charleston is, in fact, “America’s Top Tennis Town!”

Hammett’s Landing Dives Into Daniel Island

Hammett’s Landing opened on Seven Farms Drive in mid-June, and looking at its Facebook page, it seems like the restaurant just dove right into Daniel Island’s bustling community! Between Kids’ and Ladies’ Nights, Jr. Chef classes, live music, Happy Hours and nightly dinner specials, the folks at Hammett’s Landing have been busy.

Specializing in seafood and game, the new dining establishment is the brainchild of Bo and Tamra Hammett, who have both been involved in the restaurant business for years. After moving around the country for work, the couple decided it was time to pursue their dream of opening a family restaurant in the south.

“We were tired of moving places that we didn’t want to live, so when we sat down and discussed where we wanted to spend the rest of our lives….Charleston was our only choice,” said Tamra. “When we began searching for locations and found Daniel Island, we knew the community would be perfect for us, our family and our business.”

Hammett’s Landing boasts an eclectic menu ranging from fried alligator tail and crab fondue to blackened bourbon quail and lobster ravioli. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant takes reservations, take-out orders and catering for special events.

Do you have a Facebook page? Then become a fan of Hammett’s Landing HERE to stay updated on nightly specials and events! Also visit their website for a complete menu and hours of operation.

Time to Build

Longtime residents of Columbia, Maryland, Michael and Anne Compton took their time and did their homework when they began looking for a place to retire. Using the internet and a list of requirements that included a warmer climate and amenities like good restaurants, art galleries, biking and tennis, the couple spent several years visiting contending cities and communities throughout the south before narrowing their focus to Charleston and, ultimately, Daniel Island.  But that was just the beginning…

“We did not have any intention of building,” says Anne. “We did our research and had an idea of the type of house we wanted, and were prepared to spend the time to find the perfect house on the perfect lot.”

Not in any rush to move, the Comptons spent four years working with their Daniel Island Real Estate sales agent, Brian Connolly, and waiting for the right property to surface. But when they listed their home in Maryland earlier this year – and it sold in just two days, with a requirement to close in six weeks – a new sense of urgency emerged.

The couple booked a three-day trip to Daniel Island for another look.  They were dismayed to find that the right house/lot combination was still not available, but then Brian took them to the newly-released homesites at Mitchell Wharf on the banks of the Wando River.

“From there everything just started to fall into place,” says Anne. “We found a marsh-oriented site with spectacular views, and before we knew it, we were talking with Adam Johnson of John Wieland Homes about the changes that could be made to one of their plans to make it work on the lot and meet our needs. It was all much easier than we had imagined it would be.”

Three days later, the Comptons left Charleston with a contract on a lot, a contract with Wieland to build, a lease to rent a Daniel Island townhome where they could live during construction, and even a brand new SUV. “Brian even helped us find a great option for financing,” says Anne. They expect to move into their new home in time for the holidays.

“It took us several years to get to where we are now,” says Anne, “but in the end, the timing really all came together. We feel like we are getting more for our money than we would if we had purchased a completed home. And, best of all, we’re getting exactly what we want. We couldn’t be happier!”

NOTE: John Wieland Homes is one of several builders who are offering architectural plans for Daniel Island Real Estate’s “Build on Your Lot” program. Because many of these plans have been pre-approved by Daniel Island’s Architectural Review Board, and plans and options have been priced, the initial stages of the building process are streamlined. Other currently participating builders include Structures Building Company, Dolphin Architects & Builders, Max Crosby Construction and Winsor Custom Homes. Contact a Daniel Island sales associate for details.

Fall Festivals, Food, Philanthropy & Fun in the Lowcountry

The kids are back in school and summer is swiftly coming to an end but Daniel Island residents and visitors have much to look forward to in the coming months. Whether a bluegrass music lover, an avid arts patron or even a passionate “foodie,” there’s something for everyone this fall in Charleston!

Piggly Wiggly BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival
Sunday, September 5 | 12:00 – 9:00 PM
Boone Hall Plantation welcomes professional barbecue teams to compete in a cook-off for cash and other prizes at this annual event. Locals and amateurs are also invited to show-off their talents in barbecue and tailgating competitions. Samples will be offered and full plates will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors. Highlights also include live music from nationally recognized bluegrass bands, including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Boonehallplantation.com

Charleston Restaurant Week
September 8 – September 19
Following the success of a statewide restaurant week in January this year, Charleston will launch its own Restaurant Week this fall. The 12-day event allows diners to enjoy the city’s impressive culinary offerings without overextending the wallet. A set three-course meal will be offered for just $30 at participating fine dining establishments and $20 at participating casual restaurants. More than 50 restaurants are expected to take part in this city-wide event. Restaurantweekcharleston.com

MOJA Arts Festival
September 23 – October 3
This annual arts festival is a celebration of the African-American and Caribbean arts and culture that have influenced our city. The festival features exhibitions at museums and galleries throughout the city, theatrical performances, outdoor block parties and tons of live music, including jazz, gospel and R&B concerts. Highlights of this year’s event include a concert by Patti LaBelle and R&B group Boyz II Men. Mojafestival.com

30th Annual Taste of Charleston
October 8 – October 10
This three-day celebration of Lowcountry cuisine will feature some of Charleston’s finest, nationally renowned chefs. Named one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” by the Southeastern Tourism Society, this year’s Taste of Charleston will feature an Iron Chef Competition, as well as an attempt to create the world’s largest snow-cone at the main event on Sunday at Boone Hall Plantation. Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records will attend to judge. Charlestonrestaurantassociation.com

Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure
Saturday, October 16 | 7:00 AM
Each year, thousands descend upon Daniel Island to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission of eradicating breast cancer through advancing research, education, screening and treatment. Through events like the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure, the foundation has invested more than $3 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 13 counties in the Lowcountry region. Komenlowcountry.org

Daniel Island Harvest Tour of Homes
Saturday, October 16
The Harvest Tour of Homes is back for its second annual tour of homes on Daniel Island. Benefiting the the Friends of the Berkeley Library, the tour features four beautiful island homes and the talents of  local florists and decorators. Nationally known local authors will be present in each home for book signings.

Park Day on Daniel Island
Saturday, October 23 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
A fall tradition in Charleston for ten years, Daniel Island’s Park Day is an entertaining day of events, games, food and live music for the entire family. This popular Lowcountry festival has evolved into one of Charleston’s broadest scope charitable events, raising money and awareness for more than 20 area non-profit organizations. The day features a line-up of entertainment and events in a waterfront setting overlooking the Wando River. Danielislandparkday.com

Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island
October 25 – October 31
The Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek course is serving as the host site of the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour Championship through 2011. The tournament is the Nationwide Tour’s final event each year, concluding the season-long competition to identify the 25 players who earn PGA Tour cards for the following season based on the Tour’s final money list. Nationwidetourchampionship.com