Performing in the “Great-American Big-Band” tradition, Jeremy Davis and his 16-piece orchestra will entertain with music from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr. and more. Jeremy has described the band as “The Rat Pack meets ‘The Dean Martin Variety Show,’ with a touch of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ in between.” This is not your grandfather’s big band!

As in previous years, the Daniel Island Community Fund will host a picnic competition for concertgoers. Prizes will be awarded for the most elaborate and creative picnic spread. Guests are invited to come grab a spot and set up their spreads throughout the day on Saturday.

Picnic judging will be at 6:00 pm on Saturday evening with the concert beginning at 7:00 pm.

Don’t miss this fun and free opportunity to enjoy a spring evening of live music with neighbors and friends under the oaks in Smythe Park!

"Island Sonata" is a commissioned work by local artist David Springer.

After an extensive search, the Daniel Island Garden Club recently commissioned Mt. Pleasant artist David Springer to design and create a sculpture of an osprey in flight as a central focal point for the island’s Osprey Trail, a garden oasis located in front of the Daniel Island School on Daniel Island Drive. The piece is an 11-foot tall copper and stainless steel design titled “Island Sonata” that incorporates a huge nest and two magnificent birds. An unveiling and dedication ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m.

Springer’s sculpture is a copper and stainless steel interpretation of an osprey approaching the nest with a new branch clamped firmly in strong copper and steel talons. Its mate is watching from a perch on the other side of the nest. The contrast of shiny stainless steel and the colors of the copper patina repeat throughout the piece and reflect the common unity of bird, water and fish.

Planning for the Osprey Trail – which is named after the Daniel Island School mascot and the several osprey nests located in areas near the school property – began in 2008 when members of the Daniel Island Garden Club set out to improve an overgrown wooded area that served as a buffer between the Daniel Island School and Daniel Island Drive. With funding provided in part by the Daniel Island Community Fund, the two-acre site was transformed into a series of beautiful gardens connected by a meandering trail. The gardens showcase a variety of plants that thrive in the conditions of the Lowcountry: A Woodland Shade Garden, Southern Garden, Rose Garden, Bird and Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden and a Japanese Garden.

“Once the initial plantings and elements of the trail were in place, we set out to raise money for a sculpture that would serve as a primary focal point for the trail,” says Melody Bundschuh, project coordinator for the Daniel Island Garden Club. “We knew we wanted to use a local artist, and we knew that a priority was to raise enough money for a significant piece that would draw attention to the name of the garden oasis that has been created on this site.”

Funds for the continued expansion of the Osprey Trail – including the addition of the new sculpture – have come from proceeds of house and garden tours organized by the Garden Club, along with additional contributions from the Daniel Island Community Fund.

“We’d also like to offer a very special thank you to the artist, David Springer, for working with us to help make the dream of adding a ‘real’ osprey to the trail become a reality,” said Bundschuh.

Although the Garden Club has worked on several community beautification projects over the years, the group is particularly proud that this trail and series of gardens have become an educational resource and tranquil retreat for students at the Daniel Island School, as well as residents and visitors to the community. Most plants along the trail are identified with name plates, a detail that is intended to help educate visitors about the area’s native plants.  Over the years, additional plantings and special features have been added to enhance the site.

Here’s your chance to make it happen. The Rotary Club of Daniel Island, along with the Daniel Island Community Fund and The Daniel Island News, are sponsoring a community improvement contest. Residents are invited to propose a project that would improve the quality of life on Daniel Island, producing a specific result that can be enjoyed by residents of Daniel Island. The person or group who proposes the winning project will be expected to execute the project to completion by December 31, 2012. The sponsors of the contest will provide up to $1000 to cover out-of-pocket expenses for each of two project categories:

A project that benefits the Daniel Island community at large
A project that benefits the children on Daniel Island

Daniel Island residents, families and organizations are eligible to apply. Only requests that strictly abide by the guidelines will be approved for submission. Requests that are deemed political, religious or aimed towards for-profit business purposes will not be considered.

If you would like to submit a proposal for consideration you must:

1. Have your idea meet the required criteria;
2. Be prepared to execute the project and recruit members or groups, as necessary, to make it happen;
3. Prepare a cost budget, not to exceed $1000 (sponsors will not provide overruns);
4. Complete a project application, which can be found at thedanielislandnews.com, dicommunity.org, danielislandrotary.com

Applications should be submitted to Sue Detar via email at sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com or in person at The Daniel Island News office (225 Seven Farms Drive, Unit 108) by Friday, May 18.

One winner for each category will be chosen and announced at the Rotary Duck Race on Daniel Island Saturday, June 2.

For more information about the Daniel Island community improvement contest visit www.thedanielislandnews.com.

Helping and Lending Outreach Support (HALOS) is a Charleston-based organization formed in 1997 by Dr. Eve Spratt. The mission of HALOs is to provide resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children and their caregivers through partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations.

For sponsorship details or to donate, visit www.halos.dojiggy.com. For more information about HALOS contact Elisa Mundis Strickler by calling (843) 953-3715, or visit www.charlestonhalos.org.

This lovely home located at 2001 Purcell Street is one of four featured homes on the Kitchen & Garden Tour.

Back for its second year, the Daniel Island Kitchen & Garden Tour will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 2pm – 5pm. Sponsored by the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance (CCMSA), the event benefits area organizations that provide critical healthcare services to Lowcountry communities in need.

Smythe Park is the focus of the event this year, and four lovely homes in this island neighborhood will be open for tour. Each home will feature both a unique kitchen and garden. The featured designs and demonstrations at each location have been carefully planned and will offer food tastings, beautiful tablescapes and outdoor retreats. Participating sponsors include Et Cetera Gourmet, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options, Coastal Cupboard and Our Local Foods.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Island Expressions, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options and Zinnia, or at any of the tour homes the day of the event. For more information about the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance visit www.ccmsalliance.org

Anyone can create a winning entry. They can be simple clips or fully-edited segments, as long as they depict life on Daniel Island, from nature and activities in parks and on the trails, to island events, favorite island businesses, neighborhood gatherings and more. Judges – including representatives from Daniel Island Real Estate, the Daniel Island News and others in the Daniel Island business community – will be evaluating the entries for originality and creativity. You don’t need to be a professional photographer or video producer to win!

It’s a perfect time of year to explore the island – get out, start shooting, and share what you love about Daniel Island! For complete details and entry instructions, click here.

One of Charleston’s most unique and popular annual fundraising events takes right here on Daniel Island, and it’s just around the corner. The 12th annual Bocce Bash, a fundraiser for Special Olympics South Carolina, is scheduled for May 19 at Blackbaud Stadium. 128 teams of four will compete in this bracket-style competition for all skill levels. See below for photos from previous years.

The $500 entry fee for your team of four includes lunch and cold beverages for all players during the event. This year, food is being provided through a “Food Truck Rodeo,” featuring selections from the Daniel Island Grill, Taco Boy and Hubee D’s. Just a few team slots remain available. Please contact Paula Byers at Pbyers1@comcast.net as soon as possible if you are interested in registering a team.

The action starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 19. It’s great fun for the entire family to come out and support your favorite players during the day, and it’s all for a great cause. Special Olympics South Carolina aims to be the leader in unified sports programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The organization helps empower athletes to be valued members of their community and respected members of society. You may even meet some of the athletes during the Bocce Bash as they come out to show their support for Special Olympics!

Check out these photos from previous Bocce Bash showdowns!

Join us on Daniel Island this Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 12 for the 9th Annual Moms’ 5K Run, benefitting the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation for Postpartum Depression Awareness. This is the largest fundraiser for this foundation, with proceeds benefiting education, support and healing for women in the Lowcountry suffering from postpartum depression.

“This event is for all of the mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, girlfriends and husbands out there who have felt the sting of this illness. For the rest of the population, the Moms’ Run is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some family-friendly fun while supporting a very worthy cause,” says island resident Dr. Risa Mason, the Foundation’s executive director.

The event’s Family Fun Day takes place on May 12 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm at Blackbaud Stadium. Complimentary food and beverages for race participants, music and games will provide hours of entertainment for the entire family. A $10 donation is appreciated from those not running in the race who wish to be part of Family Fun Day.

Packet Pickup and Race Day Registration starts at 6:30 am on Saturday, May 12. Registration will close at 7:45 am. The run kicks off promptly at 8:00 am from Blackbaud Stadium, and will be followed by the awards ceremony at 9:00 am. The course proceeds along Daniel Island Drive through Etiwan Park, and the finish line is located just outside Blackbaud Stadium.

On Friday, May 11 stop by TrySports in Mt. Pleasant from 4-8 pm for early packet pick up, and hear guest runner Holly Ortlund speak from 6-7 pm about Energy Gel Basics.

For more information about the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation, and details how to register to participate in the Moms’ 5K, visit ppdsupport.org.

Musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra will perform a unique concert at Providence Baptist Church on Thursday, April 26. The program will mingle the eclectic sounds of American roots music with classical masters. The performance begins at 7:00 pm, and refreshments and a reception will follow the concert.

Concert Program:
Isaac Albéniz – Two Movements from Suite Espanola
Haydn  Divertimento – #1 in B-flat Major
Arthur Foote – Nocturne & Scehrzo for Flute & String Quartet
Debussy – Arabesque No. 1 from Deux Arabesques for Piano

Selections by the CSO Brass Quintet:
Bei Mir Bis Du Schein – Sholom Secunda, arranged by Zack Smith
Requiem for Jake – Zack Smith
St. James Infirmary Blues – Traditional American Song, arranged by Zack Smith
Tango for Jam-Jam – Zack Smith

Tickets are available in advance for $15 ($10 for students) at www.charlestonsymphony.org or by phone at (843) 723-7528. Subject to availability, tickets will be available at the door one hour prior to show time.

The Daniel Island Farmers’ Market is back! Be sure to stop by every Thursday from 4:00 pm to dusk throughout the summer. The market is conveniently located directly on Island Park Drive across from the Publix shopping center. A wide variety of vendors will be offering farm-fresh produce and homemade bread as well as handcrafted jewelry and children’s clothing.  Load up on sugar snap peas, green beans, vine ripe tomatoes, corn, peppers, onions and much more. There’s nothing better than enjoying farm fresh produce all summer long!