Non-Stop Action at the Family Circle Cup!

The world’s top tennis stars are on Daniel Island this week for the Family Circle Cup, and the action is getting more intense by the day. Warm temperatures and an all-star lineup have helped draw record crowds for the 40th anniversary of this WTA Premier event.

Among the players who have moved on to the second round of the tournament are Nadia Petrova and Venus Williams, who returned to the WTA just a few weeks ago at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after an injury last fall. The second round began Tuesday, with No.2 seed Sam Stosur, No.4 seed Vera Zvonareva and No. 5 seed Serena Williams among the winners. Stosur was the 2010 Family Circle Cup champion, and Zvonareva is a two-time runner-up here: She lost to Serena Williams in 2008 and to Stosur in 2010.

On Thursday, the folks from ESPN2 will begin their coverage of the tournament, which continues through Sunday, April 8.

But the tournament goes well beyond serving up great tennis. All week long, the Grand Lawn has been the central gathering spot, with an open bar and live music – a great place to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Family Circle Cup. And on Saturday, a very special event will commemorate the tournament’s 40th anniversary. “40 Love: A Night of Empowerment Celebrating 40 Years of the Family Circle Cup” will feature appearances by Billie Jean King and many other former Family Circle Cup Champions.

The Family Circle Cup is a great time to be out and about on Daniel Island. There are still tickets available – visit familycirclecup.com for details. And if you can’t make it, be sure to tune into ESPN2 this weekend to check out the action.

Pork ‘n Pearls this Saturday!

It’s back!  The highly anticipated Pork n’ Pearls Pig & Oyster Roast will take place on Saturday from 3:00pm – 7:00pm at Pierce Park Pavilion. Grab your oyster knife and get ready to shuck plenty of fresh oysters.  Other offerings will include succulent roast pork, chicken and an array of savory sides. And be sure to wear your dancing shoes! The Shem Creek Boogie Band will be playing a variety of beach music, R&B as well as some good old rock and roll.  There will also be special entertainment for the kids.

Last year this event – one part “swank,” the other part “down home” – raised more than $18,000 for Windwood Farms, an organization that offers residential and outpatient programs designed to provide a happier and healthier life to severely abused children in the Lowcountry. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-15. Kids 3 and under are free.  Don’t wait to buy your ticket at the event – this oyster shucking festival sells out fast! For tickets and event information, click here.

About Windwood Farm
Windwood Farm is a residential treatment center for boys ages 6-16 who require therapeutic intervention due to emotional or behavioral problems caused by abuse, neglect and/or family trauma. This year, Windwood Farm celebrates 27 years of service to the community and is expanding its program to include outpatient services to reach more children and families than ever before.

Romantic Music for Strings and Brass

Looking to extend your Valentine’s Day festivities? Celebrate music with your loved one as string and brass quintets from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra perform Masters of the Romantic Era at Providence Baptist Church on Saturday, February 18. This romantic evening will feature the music of Puccini, Schubert, Dvorak and Victor Ewald.  The concert starts at 7:00 pm. Following the performance, a reception will offer the opportunity for audience members to meet and mingle with the musicians. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at www.charlestonsymphony.com.

Shop And Give Back At This Weekend’s Daniel Island Holiday Festival

The annual Daniel Island Holiday Festival takes place this Saturday, December 3, and this year planners are pulling out all the stops. In addition to the Festival’s popular showcase of more than 100 local vendors selling everything from handmade crafts and jewelry to unique gifts of all kinds, there will be an expanded offering of live music and entertainment for all ages. Santa will be making an appearance, there will be Cookie Decorating and Holiday Craft stations, face painting, jump castles and – brand new this year – an ice skating rink!

While you’re out enjoying the festivities, be sure to look out for the festive display of Christmas trees that are part of Daniel Island’s Christmas Tree Fundraiser for Windwood Farm Home for Children. A selection of island and area residents and businesses have gotten into the holiday spirit by decorating and donating 19 four ft. trees, each dedicated to one of the amazing boys that currently reside at Windwood Farm, an environment of help, hope and healing for at-risk youth and families who have been traumatized by the effects of severe abuse and neglect. For a $5 donation to this important Charleston non-profit organization, you can enter to win the tree of your choice!

From traditionally-decorated trees to creative themes like Candy Land, “Gone Fishing,” Dr. Seuss and Star Wars, you’re sure to find the perfect small tree to complement your holiday decor. Enter to win the tree(s) of your choice as many times as you like. The winners will be drawn and announced at 4 pm at the end of the Holiday Festival (you do not need to be present to win).

The Daniel Island Community Fund has agreed to match money raised by this initiative, so be sure to come out and support this important cause!

For further information about the Daniel Island Christmas Tree Fundraiser, click here.

‘Tis the Season to be Merry!

Daniel Island residents and visitors will kick off the holiday season the first weekend of December with a special Community Tree Lighting Ceremony and the annual Holiday Festival at the Family Circle Tennis Center.

The lighting of Daniel Island’s Community Tree will take place at 6:00 pm on Friday, December 2nd at the entrance to the Family Circle Tennis Center. Afterwards, enjoy a “Chili Bar” hosted by Daniel Island Young Life and Wyldlife, plus a hot chocolate and cookie station hosted by the Daniel Island “Flying Fish” swim team.  The entire family will also enjoy holiday caroling, story favorites and a visit from Santa.

On Saturday, December 3rd from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, the Family Circle Stadium will be transformed into an exciting Holiday wonderland. Shop for gifts and crafts from more than 120 of Charleston’s finest vendors, enjoy some tasty treats, and be entertained by a full line-up of events scheduled to take place on Center Court Stage.  A special attraction this year is the outdoor skating rink!  Rent or bring your own ice skates and take in all the sites and sounds of this year’s Holiday Festival.

Don’t miss this popular Daniel Island tradition – it’s a great way to kick off the holidays with the entire family! Admission is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available, and an ATM machine will be located on site. For a complete line-up of vendors and events, visit danielislandholidayfestival.com.

Hootie & The Blowfish To Rock All Weekend Long On Daniel Island

Marking their ninth anniversary of the Homegrown benefit concert on Daniel Island, world-renowned Hootie & The Blowfish will come together for their only public appearances in 2011 during a two-night musical engagement at the Family Circle Tennis Center beginning Friday, August 12.  This year, it’s a weekend-long event, with evening concerts on Friday and Saturday and a daytime festival on Saturday, August 13 featuring live music from national and regional acts and activities for the entire family. The “Homegrown Weekend” is a benefit for Charleston area public schools.

As in past years, Hootie & The Blowfish ask audience members to bring a donation of school supplies with them to the events. All supplies collected will be donated to the local schools with the most need.

With the rich, bluesy vocals of Darius Rucker and gleeful harmonies of guitarist Mark Bryan, Hootie & The Blowfish has sold over 25 million records worldwide with hits such as “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You.”

Weekend festival packages start at $47.50 and are available through www.ticketmaster.com and www.familycirclecup.com/concerts or by calling the Family Circle Tennis Center Box Office at (843) 856-7900.

Family Circle Tennis Center Hosts 6th Annual Tennis Block Party on Daniel Island

Come out and give your forehand a try this Saturday at the 6th Annual Tennis Block Party at the Family Circle Tennis Center.  Island residents and friends are invited to partake in this free, family event that will be held from 9:00 am until noon on Saturday, August 6. The staff at the Tennis Center’s Instinctive Tennis Academy (I.T.A.) will be demonstrating the newest techniques in tennis instruction, all designed to introduce tennis in a fun and easy manner where everyone can participate.

Children and adults will enjoy a wide range of tennis activities for beginner to advanced players, along with music, games, contests, a fast serve challenge, food, refreshments and much more.

As part of this day of family fun, complimentary drawings will be held throughout the morning for prizes worth more than $2,500, including two 2012 Family Circle Cup Intro Ticket Packages, a Family Circle Tennis Center membership, and an assortment of non-tennis items, including tickets for the upcoming Hootie & The Blowfish concert and Charleston RiverDogs games. The event will conclude with a complimentary cookout lunch at noon.

For more information about the 6th Annual Tennis Block Party, visit familycirclecup.com or call (843) 849-5300.

6th Annual Kids’ Triathlon

Where else can kids ages 7 – 14 lace up their sneakers, pump up their bike tires and grab a swimsuit to compete in an exciting, kids-only triathlon?  On Daniel Island, of coarse!

Organized by the City of Charleston Recreation Department, over 100 kids are expected to participate in the Daniel Island Kids’ Triathlon scheduled for this Saturday, June 18. The Triathlon starts at the Pierce Park pool, where competitors will race between 100-200 meters. Next they’ll race to their bikes, which will be waiting for them at the transition area on Pierce Street, and begin a 2.6 to 5.5 mile bike ride through Daniel Island’s neighborhoods. Last, the kids will take to the road on their feet, finishing the race with a half-mile to one-mile run.

All distances are based on age groups with three top finishers from each group winning awards. But everyone is a winner in this race, and all finishers will receive a medal.

This year’s triathlon is at capacity but spectators are welcome to cheer the kids on as they compete!  Be sure to check back to see a gallery of images from this year’s race.

Calling All Island Anglers!

There’s no better way to celebrate Father’s Day than by spending an afternoon with dad fishing at the lake. So grab your lucky fishing hat, pack your gear and sign up for the Annual Daniel Island Kids’ Fishing Tournament this Saturday, June 18 at Smythe Park Lake from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Test your skill and fish for largemouth bass, panfish and red drum. Refreshments will be provided by Publix and awards will be given for the largest fish and for most fish caught, using bait or a lure!

Sponsored by the Daniel Island Inshore Fishing Club, the tournament is open to children ages 5 – 15 of families who reside or work on the island. Angler registration forms and tournament instructions can be found at Publix. Pre-registration is $5 per entry and on-site registration is $8. Check-in is at Smythe Park on the day of the event from 9:00 am – 9:30 am. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This is a catch and release tournament and a fishing license is not required. For more information contact Fred Danziger, Tournament Committee Chairman, at (516) 524-2208.

The “Get Fit Challenge” is Back!

Are you ready to get in shape? Back for its third consecutive year, the popular Get Fit Challenge on Daniel Island will take place June 13 – July 29. The seven week program is designed to encourage participants to increase their fitness abilities by offering a wide variety of on-island workout options.

Last year, more than 300 island residents and employees participated in this competitive event. For just $35, Get Fit participants have the option of trying some of the diverse fitness programs offered on Daniel Island. The Get Fit Challenge is open to all levels of fitness, with classes designed to work for everyone. This year’s participating island fitness programs include:

CrossFit Charleston
CrossFit Discovery
Daniel Island Yoga
Family Circle Tennis Center
F.I.T.
Peace, Love, Hip Hop
The Holistick Chick
Island Fitness Studio
Jazzercise
Dr Brian Class
Primetime Fitness
Water Aerobics – Joe Gunter

Registration is open thru Friday, June 10th at the City of Charleston Recreation Department on Daniel Island. Participants must be at least 18 years old. There is no weigh-in this year. This goal is for participants to become more active and learn about the vast array of fitness offerings from island trainers and businesses.

So what are you waiting for? To get started, click here for more information, and be sure to register by June 10th. Let’s Get Fit, Daniel Island!!

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