The 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week runs April 14th through April 17th and will attract approximately 300 boats to Charleston Harbor to compete in the largest sailing regatta on the east coast. With five separate racecourses, there will be plenty of excitement as more than a dozen inshore and offshore one-design, PHRF and IRC handicap races take place for boats from 20 to 70 feet.  Spectators are welcome to watch the race land side from Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, or from Waterfront Park or White Point Gardens in downtown Charleston. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars — there will be plenty of non-stop action to see.

After the race, swing by the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina where nightly parties will take place featuring live music, a Goslings Rum and beer bar, bocce ball and more.  Shore side activity passes can be purchased for $75 and include access to the parties for the entire regatta. Charleston Race Week is an event of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation and Charleston Ocean Racing Association.  All profits from the event support educational programs aboard the Spirit of South Carolina, a traditional tall ship serving South Carolina’s youth.  For more information go to www.charlestonraceweek.com

In case you didn’t get your fill of sailing during Charleston Race Week, Charleston Harbor Fest, a true harbor-wide celebration of the sea, will be held May 12 – 15.  From the classic beauty of tall ships, to the sleek and fast VELUX 5 OCEANS fleet, Charleston Harbor Fest will offer an array of maritime-themed activities for all ages.  The Charleston Maritime Center will host the VELUX Race Village, maritime exhibits of all kinds, a popular Kid-Zone and much more.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 (18 years and older) and $5 (ages 6 – 17). Children under five years are free.  For more information go to www.charlestonharborfest.org

Many of the herbs in Chef Tyler's Festival menus will come from his garden at the clubhouse.

The BB&T Charleston Wine and Food Festival comes to town this weekend, showcasing the talents of the nation’s most celebrated chefs, culinary professionals and winemakers. Among them will be the Daniel Island Club‘s very own Chef Tyler Dudley, who will be featured in two festival favorites: “Wine Around the Garden” and the “Lowcountry Gospel Brunch.” Both events highlight local chefs using local ingredients. Chef Tyler is the only chef from a local private club participating in this prestigious, nationally-acclaimed festival.

“It’s a true honor to be asked to participate in the Charleston Wine and Food Festival,” said Chef Tyler.  “This is my third year as a guest chef and I really enjoy creating menus inspired by fresh, local ingredients.”

At “Wine Around the Garden” guests will visit the national landmark, Middleton Place Plantation, where they will be joined by four featured chefs who will each prepare a lunch menu paired with a specific winery.

Chef Tyler’s menu will feature smoked salmon rillettes with local green onion and a Charleston favorite – roulade of BBQ pulled pork complimented by spicy southern slaw and Carolina BBQ jus.

“The menu is definitely French, but inspired by southern ingredients, creating an interesting pairing for the wine provided by Chapel Down,” explains Chef Tyler.

A table from the Gospel Brunch at the 2010 Festival

Next up is the Lowcountry Gospel Brunch where guests will be served a three-course Lowcountry–style brunch while listening to the traditional sounds of a live gospel ensemble. Ten chefs will be participating and serving their Sunday best, including local favorites such as John Ondo from Lana Bar & Restaurant and Andrew Chadwick from the Woodlands Inn.

Chef Tyler will offer a lump crab and house smoked salmon cake with aged white cheddar grits as a first course, and a braised veal short rib hash with fingerling potatoes and tasso hollandaise for the second course.  The meal will finish with a buttermilk tart served with local berry compote and a mint anglaise.

“It’s all about using local ingredients that are popular in Lowcountry that will also appeal to guests that are not from this area,” said Chef Tyler. “I like to invent a menu that provides a creative sampling of the unique cuisine that Charleston has to offer.”

For more information about the BBT Charleston Wine and Food Festival, go to charlestonwineandfood.com

My Morning Jacket | Wednesday, April 28, 2010
My Morning Jacket is ready to bring their electrifying live show back to Charleston! The guys will make their way around the Southeastern United States this Spring and stop at Family Circle Stadium on April 28. My Morning Jacket is also excited to both try something new with their choice for an opening act, the historic Preservation Hall jazz Band, and bring some of the spirit of New Orleans to Charleston. www.mymorningjacket.com

Zac Brown Band | Saturday, June 5, 2010
Since their last visit to the Charleston and Family Circle Stadium in 2009, the Zac Brown Band has toured the country and won a Grammy!
The band’s namesake, Zac Brown, was raised in Dahlonega, GA, where he was a chef, restaurant owner, husband and father, as well as lead singer of the band. Musically, his jaw-dropping, flat-picking skills help to create music that can’t be pigeonholed and easily fits into several genres of music ranging from country to folk to southern rock to jam band. www.zacbrownband.com

Funk Fest | Saturday, June 19, 2010
Funk Fest is designed to expose and entertain a diverse audience with a variety of Old-School music. The categories of music range from Old School R&B, Funk, Old School Hip-Hop, Blues, Jazz and Comedy.This year’s event will feature Charlie Wilson, Keith Sweat, Bell Biv Devoe, Heavy D, and more to be announced! www.funkfestconcerts.com

More concerts are anticipated to be announced soon, including O.A.R. and the annual “Homegrown Concert” featuring Darius Rucker!

Visit www.ticketmaster.com for ticket information.

Chef Tyler with celebrity chef Marvin Woods at the 2009 Charleston Wine & Food Festival.

The fifth annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival is underway this weekend in downtown Charleston, and once again Chef Tyler Dudley of the Daniel Island Club will be joining dozens of other top chefs from throughout Charleston and around the country to take part in the festivities. Tyler will be serving up some of his specialties at a Winemaker Reception on a private yacht, and will also be a featured chef at Sunday’s Lowcountry Gospel Brunch in Marion Square.

Unfortunately, both events have sold out, but Chef Tyler and his crew have agreed to take photos of the experience (and maybe even provide a recipe or two). We’ll share their story next week. Stay tuned!

Chef Tyler at the 2009 Charleston Wine & Food Festival.

With more than 40 events scheduled throughout this three-day celebration of Charleston’s culinary culture, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival has become one of the area’s top events in its short history. Although many events have sold out, there are still tickets available to the Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents in Marion Square, the hub of the Festival. For more information, visit charlestonwineandfood.com.

1. Put away the diet books. It’s time to get your tickets for the 5th Annual BB&T Charleston Food and Wine Festival! Celebrating “5 Years of Good Taste,” this culinary spectacular has become one of the most anticipated (not to mention most delicious) food festivals around. Want to see more for yourself? Click HERE to watch a video. March 3 – 7 | www.charlestonfoodandwine.com

2. Learn from the past. Experience one of the Festival of Houses & Gardens historical music concerts! Visit some of Charleston’s most beautiful gardens and experience music in intimate historic settings, with performances ranging from classical to Gullah-inspired jazz. March 18 – April 17 | www.historiccharleston.org

3. Stop and smell the roses. Literally. Come smell the flowers as they bloom while artists and craftsmen from throughout the country display their work for sale on the beautiful grounds of Azalea Park and on Main Street at the Summerville Flowertown Festival! March 26 – 28 | www.summervilleymca.org/flowertown

4. Start running. Hit the pavement with thousands of your closest friends, family and fellow runners at the 2010 Cooper River Bridge Run! This annual 10-k is one of Charleston’s most popular events. Whether you run or walk, enjoy the scenery of Charleston Harbor as you make your way across the Ravenel Bridge. Don’t forget to look to your right for a great view of the tip of Daniel Island! March 27 | www.bridgerun.com

5. Wear sunscreen. Grab your sunscreen and come watch as the top professional female tennis players from around the world take to the courts to compete at the Family Circle Cup! It’s the tournament’s 10th year on Daniel Island and there are some special events planned to celebrate. April 10 – 18 | www.familycirclecup.com

6. Support local businesses. Enjoy fresh, delicious South Carolina shrimp and seafood at the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival! Created to support the local shrimping industry, this event now includes a lively parade, the blessing of the fleets and tons and tons of fresh seafood and live music. April 26 | www.mtpleasantrec.com

7. Get outside. And what better way than on a spring evening with family and friends on the shaded banks of Smythe Lake on Daniel Island while enjoying the harmonic sounds of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The best part? It’s free! May 15 | www.dicommunity.org

Dear John, starring rising stars Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, is based on a novel written by Nicholas Sparks, the author who penned The Notebook. The movie was filmed throughout the “Holy City” including spots on Sullivan’s Island, the College of Charleston and Fort Moultrie.

The film’s producers made the decision to use Lowcountry residents for smaller roles and extras instead of bringing in actors from Los Angeles, mostly in an effort to save money. And one of the lucky ones chosen was Braeden Reed, a 7-year old autistic child and Daniel Island resident.

"Dear John" cast member and Daniel Island resident Braeden Reed

Braeden became involved with Dear John after Phil Blevins, Executive Director of Carolina Autism – a nonprofit organization that serves people of all ages living with autism – received a phone call from film producers. Initially they were interested in understanding autistic behavior in children but the decided to audition autistic children instead of using an actor. And so Braeden’s acting career began!

Click HERE to read a great article in the Charleston City Paper about Braeden Reed and Carolina Autism.

The Dear John Charleston Premiere (LINK: ) is taking place on Sunday, January 24th at the Terrace Hippodrome located in downtown Charleston and tickets are still available. The stars of the movie, including Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried AND Braeden Reed, will be in attendance, and an official after party will take place at the South Carolina Aquarium following the movie. Ticket proceeds will benefit Carolina Autism.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the www.dearjohncharlestonpremiere.com website.

Each year, it seems, our fine city scores an increasing number of national accolades touting various aspects of the quality of life that Charleston offers both residents and visitors. There are always the “usual suspects” — such as Southern Living magazine’s “Readers’ Choice” Awards and the coveted title of “Most Mannerly City” (which Charleston has won so many times, it now holds a “Lifetime Achievement Award”). But this year, in particular, Charleston rose to the top of some highly visible global lists, including one that recognizes the area’s economic development practices – a good sign that we are poised for a strong recovery as the economy begins to improve.

Here’s a round-up of Charleston’s latest bragging rights:

Top 10 Smartest Cities in the World
Forbes Magazine
Forbes’ list of the world’s “Ten Smartest Cities” was compiled by evaluating infrastructure, livability and economic fundamentals. Charleston, which shares the spotlight with cities like Singapore, Amsterdam and Seattle, is praised for promoting economic expansion while preserving the city’s historic core, and is described as being “poised to emerge as a major aerospace center,” now that Boeing has announced plans to build a Dreamliner assembly plant here.

Top 10 Places in the World to See in 2010
Lonely Planet Travel Guides
This annual collection of the best places to go and best things to do in the year ahead included Charleston in its collection of top cities to visit — the only U.S. city on the list! Istanbul, Vancouver and Abu Dhabi were among the other places recommended as “must see” destinations for the new year.

America’s Most Livable Cities
U.S. Conference of Mayors
For the past 30 years, cities have competed for this prestigious award, which recognizes mayoral leadership for developing and implementing programs that improve quality of life. This year’s winning cities — Charleston and Chapel Hill, N.C. — were selected by former mayors from a pool of more than 200 applicants.

Top Ten Cities for Technology Jobs
Forbes Magazine
This year’s list of the top cities for technology jobs was powered by factors including tax rates, the cost of housing, the overall climate toward business and entrepreneurial spirit. Charleston, which has posted a 21% increase in information sector jobs since 2000, is in the company of cities large and small, including Seattle, Madison, Wisconsin, Santa Fe and Boise, Idaho.

No. 2 Top American City
Conde Nast Traveler Magazine
Readers of Conde Nast Traveler have named Charleston among the “Top Ten U.S. Cities” for 17 consecutive years, but this year the city nabbed the number two slot, topped only by San Francisco. This ranking maintains Charleston’s listing as the top east coast destination.

Top Ten Cities in the U.S. and Canada
Travel & Leisure Magazine
For the second year in a row, Charleston has been ranked as the fourth best city in the U.S. and Canada in Travel & Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards.” Last year, the “Holy City” moved up from its previous number 6 slot. It is now led only by New York, San Francisco and Quebec City in the U.S./Canada division.

Best Southern City
Southern Living Magazine
Every year readers of Southern Living magazine vote on their favorite cities in a variety of categories. This year, Charleston once again nabbed the title of “Best Southern City,” along with “Best City for Families,” “Best Festivals” and “Best Weekend Getaway.”

America’s Friendliest City
CNN Headline News & TravelAndLeisure.com
In a survey conducted by these two media giants, 125,000 people rated American cities in 45 different categories, covering everything from the attractiveness of the people to the quality of the food and dining. Charleston residents were ranked as America’s friendliest people. The city also earned second-place rankings for its noteworthy neighborhoods, vintage stores, flea markets and peace and quiet.

Top Ten Shopping Districts in the U.S. (King Street)
Forbes Traveler
Just ten years ago King Street in downtown Charleston was a sleepy shopping district that was hardly worthy of national recognition. Now, however, its mix of antique shops, eclectic boutiques, national chains, locally owned businesses and luxury retailers has helped it land on this national list of top shopping destinations.

Top Ten Best Places to See Before You Die
Andrew Harper
This internationally-known luxury travel expert included historic Charleston on his annual list of ten top American places to see, calling the Charleston Battery and its surrounding areas among the “prettiest neighborhoods (he’s) ever seen.”

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.”

Some highlights:

- Charleston trumped New York City for the No. 2 spot on Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s list of “Top American Destinations,” trailing only behind San Francisco.

- Charlestonians were named “America’s Friendliest People” by Travel + Leisure magazine and CNN Headline News.

- Forbes magazine ranked Charleston among the Top 25 Strongest Housing Markets in America.

- The Milken Institute ranked Charleston tenth among 2008’s Best Performing Cities: Where Jobs are Created.

- Charleston got second-place ranking for “Notable Neighborhoods” in Travel + Leisure magazine and CNN Headline News’ “America’s Favorite Cities” poll.

- Readers of Travel + Leisure ranked Charleston the Fourth Top American City in the magazine’s “World’s Best Awards.”

- Charleston was named one of the “Five Great American Cities” by Parade magazine.

- Yahoo.com ranked Charleston the “No. 3 Place to See Before You Die.”

Just a few of the many reasons island residents can be proud to call Charleston home! Why are you proud? Leave a comment and let us know!

Although we are fortunate to enjoy mild, sunny winters here in Charleston, this is the time of year we start longing for Spring!

With tons happening, here are our top five reasons why.

• It’s a visual and aromatic delight – Charleston’s famed gardens explode with color and the air becomes fragrant starting in late March, as a progression of blooms begin to emerge. See some of the city’s most impressive displays at the Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens (March 19 – April 18).

• Professional tennis comes to town– Our very own Daniel Island plays host to the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, Vera Zvonareva and many more of the word’s top-ranked women at the annual Family Circle Cup (April 11-19). It’s a week of action-packed fun that that draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.

• You won’t go hungry – Charleston’s renowned culinary scene shines bright this time of year. It’s the season for oysters (March and April) and shrimp (starting in late April), and the start of the area’s many local farmers markets. The Charleston Food & Wine Festival (March 5-8) draws foodies from around the country for seminars, tastings and more featuring local and national chefs.

• The city is a stage – Heralded as one of the best arts festivals in the country, Spoleto Festival USA (May 22 – June 2) is a 17-day festival of opera, dance, music, theater and visual arts exhibitions taking place at venues throughout the city.

• You can run the bridge – Once a year the majestic Ravenel Bridge over Charleston Harbor is shut down for the Cooper River Bridge Run (April 4), a 10K race from Mt. Pleasant to historic Charleston offering more than 30,000 runners and walkers breathtaking views and a festival at the finish line.

What are you looking forward to this Spring?