CH2: Celebrate Hilton Head - December 2011

TIME TO VOTE! Meet the Top 10 Bachelors C2'S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR HER FRUGAL FASHION Thrift Store Shopping ARTISTICALLY YOURS

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cONTeNTS

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A CHriSTMAS STOry embrace the spirit of the season, listen for the children’s laughter, take notice of the small things, and maybe, just maybe (cue christmas music) christmas eve will find you where the love light gleams.

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MEET THE TOP 10 bACHElOrS OF 2012 Time to cast your vote for cH2’s bachelor of 2012. Log onto celebratehiltonhead.com and vote before december 12!

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THE ArT lEAGuE OF HilTON HEAD iSlAND It started as art foundations so often do: groups of artists getting together to form a community and create channels to get their work out in the open.

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uP AND COMiNG We scoured local schools in search of bright young things blooming in the local art scene. Here’s what we found.

FruGAl FASHiON Thrift Store couture never looked so good

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C2’S GiFT GuiDE FOr HEr You should have already bought her something, but since you haven’t, here are a few last minute ideas.

>> bUSINeSS PrOFILeS

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THriFTiNG Turning clutter into a cause to Shop

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SAKE HOuSE Where Japanese cuisine meets the American palate

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THE MATTrESS KiNG SlEEPS HErE Family business runs on a good night’s sleep

>>> ON Our COVEr

Happy HolIdays!

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eVerYTHING eLSe

contents

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EDiTOr’S NOTE

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lETTErS TO THE EDiTOr

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A SEriES OF FOrTuNATE EVENTS Your 15 minutes of fame.

P30 Our TOwN A community fights to stop local dog rings

P34 A liNE iN THE SAND do you believe in Santa claus?

P39 CHAriTy COrNEr: SECOND HElPiNGS delivering food and hope through the holidays and beyond

P48 HEAlTH NOTE American Thoracic Society Announces New Guidelines: A look at what it means for asthma care

HEllO My NAME iS..

Paul rabe, bartender at the Skull creek boathouse

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wHAT yOu NEED TO KNOw AbOuT... end of Year Tax Planning

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GuArD yOur NEST EGG A few steps seniors can take to help protect against fraud

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A wOrD FrOM THE MAyOrS drew Laughlin and Lisa Sulka update you on town happenings on Hilton Head Island and in bluffton.

P122 DiSCOuNTS! Why in the world would you NOT show your CH2 card to get these fabulous discounts? If your issue doesn’t have one, e-mail us your mailing address and we’ll send you one! card requests to m.washo@ celebratehiltonhead.com.

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>>> ON Our COVEr

CElEbrATE DECEMbEr Happy Holidays!

CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND

GOlF 101 Specialty Shots Part II: draws and Fades

CH2 CELEBRATE HILTON HEAD!

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P59 TIME TO VOTE! Meet the Top 10 Bachelors C2'S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR HER DECEMBER 2011

C2 AFTEr DArK Who’s playing where and when, along with trivia nights, and other reasons to stay up past 10 p.m.! but not after 2am. Nothing good happens after 2 a.m. Ask your mother.

FRUGAL FASHION Thrift Store Shopping ARTISTICALLY YOURS

DECEMBER 2011

Happy HolIdays!

12.2011

From tHe EDiTOr

2 Publisher / Editor-in-Chief: mAGGIe WASHO Art Director: KeLLY STrOUd Art & Production cATHerINe dAVIeS Advertising Sales: ASHTON KeLLeY STAN WAde cHUcK bOUFFOrd KIm crOUcH Executive Assistant LILY bArTeLL Contributing writers: dr. THOmAS beLLer KrISSY cANTeLUPe FrANK dUNNe Jr. cOUrTNeY HAmPSON dreW LAUGHLIN PeTe POPOVIcH LISA SULKA debbIe SZPANKA dAVId TObIAS PeTer ZINK

Contributing Photographers / Artist: PHOTOGrAPHY

bY ANNe JOHN brAcKeTT PHOTOGrAPHY mArK STAFF PHOTOGrAPHY Art Direction: TOm STAebLer

P.O.box 22949 Hilton Head Island, Sc 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

Happy HolIdays!

From all oF us at CH2

LeTTerS

TO THe edITOr...

Article by Frank Dunne, Jr. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE

HO S P I C N

ovember is National Hospice Month. Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s executive director, Jenny Brasington, and director of community relations, Darlene Schuetz want to celebrate by clearing up some common misconceptions about what hospice is and what their people do. Here’s a hint: stop thinking about hospice care in terms of death, and start thinking about it in terms of life.

“Probably the biggest one (misconception) is that we enhance death,” said Brasington, “which we do not. What we do is go into a patient’s home, somebody who is terminally ill, per a doctor’s order, and find out what they need, what they want, for the last stage of their life.”

Those needs and wants may include things like physical care and pain and symptom management for the patient, but hospice care’s focus is not entirely limited to the patient. “What does the family need? We treat the patient and the family as a single unit, because it’s not only about the patient. It’s about the family,” said Brasington. “How can we help them physically, emotionally and spiritually?”

As luck would have it, just as the ladies and I were speaking about the family element, one Mrs. Nancy O’Connell happened by our table. Nancy’s husband Charles had spent the last six months of his life in Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s care

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before passing away four years ago. She was happy to join us and share some thoughts about the experience. A better testimonial than what followed there could not be.

Naturally, it was emotional for Nancy (and everybody else at the table), and though a few tears welled up, it was through mostly smiling Irish eyes that she recalled not only the time spent with Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, but her entire life with Charles.

“I had a wonderful husband,” said Nancy. “We met in Ireland when he came to Cork to attend medical school. I was a nurse at the time. We met; we fell in love…that was it. It’s 47 years now, 44 that we were married, and I had the most wonderful life.”

She spoke of Charles and his work and of their life together in New England and the eventuality of settling here in the Lowcountry. Of course she talked about their children and the ways that Charles inspired them, and punctuated it all with slices of life anecdotes that painted a beautiful picture of a life well spent.

It speaks volumes, doesn’t it? That four years after the fact, this chance encounter with Jenny and Darlene, who were among a group of people only there to see the family through Charles’s last days, would serve as an opportunity for Nancy to reminisce about her late husband happily rather than as a

TOP fROm lEfT TO RiGHT lYNNE iRviNE, liNdA JENEY, ANNA PAiNTER, liNdsAY dAlY, JAN GERAGHTY, BARBARA lAwRENcE, JENNY BRAsiNGTON, Bill BROAd, sANdY mEccA, BARB scHmidT, JANET TOmliNsON, dAvE TEscHNER, THElmA NOBlE, mikE kRisTOff, sANdY PlOszAJ, cHRissENA cOHEN, HEATHER Hicks, RONNiE kNAPP, mAGGiE clARk, BOB GREGORY, kENdEll BRiNkmANN, BEA fullER, sYNdi PERRY, dEBi mAlOOl, mARY scOvEl, JOHN sPisAk, lOis liPTAk, mARYANNE RicHARdsON, wARd scOvEl

excellent article! Admire the work Hospice provides to our citizens. Thanks to all for your caring and efforts, special thanks to barbara Lawrence (my sister) for her continued support of both your agency and her family.

Janet iles

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I must say I’m a bit appalled by this month’s a line in the sand article by Frank dunne.

I enthusiastically began reading, thinking this was an article to express “his” opinion on the “death penalty”, clearly that wasn’t so. mr. dunne your 1st five paragraphs clearly highlights (in my opinion) your disdain for the now deceased Troy davis. It’s clear to me your opinion is based solely on this one case and has nothing to do with how you feel about the death penalty as the article’s heading states. I usually look forward to reading the article each month but, I must say I’m very disappointed today reading this. my advice to you is, do some research next time and please, for crying out loud, STIcK TO THe TOPIc!!!!!!!!!!!

A Disgruntled reader thE DEath PENalty

a r t i c l e b y F r a n k D u n n e , J r.

PhotograPhy By aNNE

thE t-shirts simPly say, “i am troy Davis.” i guEss thEy raN out oF room BEcausE thEy lEFt out thE Part that says, “i shoot PEoPlE iN thE FacE, Pistol-whiP homElEss PEoPlE For FuN, shoot aND kill oFF-Duty PolicE oFFicErs who try to stoP mE, aND i laugh whilE i’m DoiNg it.”

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ep. That’s what Troy Davis did, and last September the State of Georgia carried out his death by lethal injection sentence. It’s a shame really—a shame that it took so long. Those crimes occurred in 1989, and Davis was sentenced in 1991.

So the taxpayers of Georgia, ostensibly including the families and friends of Davis’s victims, picked up the guilty-as-sin S.o.b.’s three squares and a bunk tab for 20 years.

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That’s how long the laughably illinformed and consistently inconsistent anti-death penalty activists, aided by their objectivity-challenged accomplices in the mainstream media, gamed the system to keep a convicted cold-blooded killer breathing. Twenty years.

I say ill informed, because the entire campaign against Davis’s execution was based on misinformation and omitted facts. Case in point: “There was insufficient evidence!” big lie. Shell casings found at both crime scenes belonged to Davis’s gun, and 34 witnesses testified against him. Case in point number two: “Seven of nine witnesses recanted their testimony!” To that we can pile a “so what?” onto “big lie.” Again, there were 34 prosecution witnesses—not nine as incessantly reported in the media—and the recantations were all discredited. The man was guilty. Period. His conviction and sentence are just. Period. Now he’s worm food. Good riddance. but what about his rights?!

What about ’em? rights are a two-way street. We’re all born with the same rights and the deal is we’ll protect and defend yours as long as you respect everybody else’s. Davis broke the contract. He got his fair trial and then some. The answer came up guilty every time. by the way, Lawrence russell brewer was (deservedly) put to death the same night in Texas, 12 years after his equally atrocious crime, but there was nary a word about it. It’s not as pretty when the perp doesn’t fit your poster boy profile, is it?

Then he should just be sent away to prison!

Now we’re getting somewhere. but have you ever considered concentrating your protest energies on reforming our joke of a penal system? That is, stop coddling criminals and start punishing them, and we wouldn’t need a death penalty. I’d be all for that. but prison is already a horrible place!

Nobody wants to go there!

Not horrible enough. First we need to get rid of plea-bargaining and institute some firm sentencing. For example, if you commit first or second degree murder, you’re done. Life. That’s it. No parole, no visitors (conjugal or otherwise), no nothing.

You’ll never see the light of day again.

Then, drop the idiotic notion of “rehabilitation” rather than punishment. right now these convicts can earn college degrees, shoot hoops and work out, and organized crime types can run their operations from inside. Let ’em spend their days either locked in a cell or carrying heavy stones back and forth across the yard for no reason other than to make their lives miserable. How about bringing back the chain gangs like in Cool Hand Luke for lesser convictions than murder? Nobody would want to go there, would they, boss?

Let everyone know that the only outcome for these crimes is living hell, and watch crime rates drop like a stone.

The death penalty would be rendered obsolete. Until that happens, apply it early and often. 

November

2011

Palmetto Animal league Thanks Markel’s Card and Gift Shop It was PAL day at markel’s on November 10th! Knowing the cost of maintaining a thriving Adoption center—from utilities to pet food to medical care--mark Postlethwaite and mike Veina, owners of the popular gift stop in bluffton’s Kitties crossing, generously offered to donate a percent of the proceeds for the entire day to Palmetto Animal League. refreshments were served in the evening and the store was lively with shoppers and supporters. markel’s raised over $700 for PAL in one day! PAL sends out a heartfelt thanks to markel’s for their support and recognition that we all have a responsibility to care for Lowcountry animals in need.

Amy Campanini, Executive Director 26

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decmber 2011

bachelor of the year 2012

How do we vote for the bachelor of the year? – Carole How do we vote for the bachelor of the year? – Dianne Acton How do we vote for the bachelor of the year? – Steve How do we vote for the bachelor of the year? – Melissa Stephens editor’s note: Go to www. celebratehiltonhead.com. Click on the VoTe noW button on our homepage.

Select your bachelor of choice. if you have more than 60 seconds to spare, watch the Behind the Scenes footage of their photo shoot. Stay tuned for the January issue to see who won.

lucy This is only a personal note to comment on the beautiful Lucy. I wrote to you Oct. 2010 when you first wrote about Lucy at age 4 months. We had recently lost our bernese. A year later we have a handsome 7 month bernese boy, Prince charming - William (the litter was named after the royal wedding). He is extremely sweet, being socialized as much as we can. Just wanted to share! inge editor’s note: lucy’s future husband.  december 2011

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C2

A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS Patricia Owen

owner of FACES DaySpa, has been named a “Woman of Substance” by Salon Today magazine. According to Stacey Soble, Editor-in-Chief, the special October issue was dedicated to 12 women who make the spa industry vibrant and strong and who have found multiple ways to give back to the professional beauty industry.

Karis Art & Design Gallery

Karis Art & Design Gallery has recently opened in the Village of Wexford.

Artistic Talent

Hilton Head Preparatory Students pose for quick photo after accepting $50 checks from CH2 for their artistic interpretations of South Carolina’s Governor, Nikki Haley. Pictured from left to right: Youngwa Jung, Sabina Sister, Eliza Jane Beall & Campbell Harrison Gross

Habitat for Humanity Donation – Village Park Homes

John Cardamone, CEO of Village Park Homes, presents a $1000 donation to the Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity.

South Carolina Muscle Car Society

Brett Cadman, president, formed the SCMCS two years ago with his brother Jesse Cadman, and longtime friend Bryan Puffinberger.

The SCMCS won three awards at the 10th annual Concours d’ Elegance, “Top Club,” “Best of Show,” and a “Crescent Award,” chosen by the event exhibitors.

To be included in our next Series of Fortunate Events, please email Ashton Kelley a PHOTO and A SENTENCE (not a paragraph) at a.kelley@celebratehiltonhead.com. Photos will not be accepted without a sentence. Sentences will not be accepted without a photo. Paragraphs will be edited down to one sentence. Get it?

Got it! Good.

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Decmber 2011

Sellers/ Jacoby Wedding

Nicki Sellers and Bubba Jacoby were married October 22, 2011 at First Baptist of Bluffton followed by a reception held at Old South Golf Links.

R & D Wine Boutique

a unique on-premise and retail wine experience serving tapas for lunch and dinner, opened its doors for business on October 17th in the Best Buy/ Petco Plaza.

John Guffey

Local spray foam company, Energy One America, was recently featured by Coastal Contractor as a fast growing Hilton Head Island Company led by former Fortune 500 CEO John Guffey.

Nancy Dietze

owner and operator of Virtually Yours is pleased to announce that they are now offering their services in Savannah, Georgia!

Virtually Yours offers a multitude of services, from small business to real estate needs.

A Very Pineland Christmas

Christmas display artist, Richard Coyne, has created a 200-squarefoot Christmas village which will be open to the public every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoon (from 3 to 6 PM) from now through New Year’s Eve. It is a drop off location for Toys for Tots, Deep Well, and on December 10, for military families.

december 2011

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Our TOwN

MALACHI: tHe mIraCle and tHe messenger a community fights to stop local dog r ings d e b b I e s Z pa n k a

pHotograpHy by anne > malachi and Holly Zusack, co-owner of the bluffton kennel, Three black dogs.

It all started on august 2, when one of her clients, Christine wroebel, brought in a white pit bull after finding the dog wandering on Highway 46 during her morning run. “the dog had a fat leather collar with an attached rope, nearly 20 abrasions all over his body and a huge piece of his ear missing.”

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hen margaret mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people can change the world.

Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” she probably didn’t imagine a group of bluffton residents surrounding a toothless, tortured pit bull being smothered with wet,

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sloppy kisses. but that’s exactly how the scene unfolded as concerned citizens rallied to raise awareness and money for abused dogs held hostage in local dog fighting rings.

“If found by someone else, this dog would have probably been put down

immediately,” said Holly Zusack, co-owner of the bluffton kennel, Three black dogs. “He was aggressive, trained to fight and suffering from severe health problems.”

Zusack, her business partner Shelly Wine and their employees were determined to help this dog. They had no idea that the dog, now named malachi, would become a symbol of hope and a living example of what one dog can do to change the world from which he came.

It all started on August 2, when one of her clients, christine Wroebel, brought

in a white pit bull after finding the dog wandering on Highway 46 during her morning run. “The dog had a fat leather collar with an attached rope, nearly 20 abrasions all over his body and a huge piece of his ear missing,”

decmber 2011

DECEMBER 2011

> Left to right Danny Capers Shelly Wine, Malachi, and Holly Zusack.

Zusack said. “I knew immediately this dog was a fighting dog. I then saw most of his teeth were missing and the few remaining were filed down by some sort of industrial grinder, and I knew this dog was a ‘bait’ dog or a practice toy used by other fighting dogs. I was horrified humans would do this to a defenseless animal, yet I know it happens all the time. And this horror is happening in the backyards of Bluffton.”

Danny Capers, the dog groomer at Three Black Dogs, named the dog Malachi, which is a biblical name meaning “messenger.” Capers said he gave Malachi his name because he believed God showed favor upon him for being in a position where he was forced to do wrong and wrong was done to him. Capers said he had no idea when he named the dog Malachi that the dog would actually become a messenger to the community about what is happening in local fight rings.

Zusack knew she needed thousands of dollars to rehabilitate Malachi medically and behaviorally. She set up a fundraiser at Montana’s Restaurant and Grizzly Bar in Bluffton for September 24 and started getting the word out. What happened next, Zusack said, was nothing short of a miracle.

“The story caught fire in the media, locally, statewide and out of state. I got calls from Tennessee, Georgia and one even from England,” Zusack said. “Three Black Dogs became an old-fashioned switchboard. Calls were coming in faster than we could answer them. Cash and silent auction donations poured in. Malachi touched people’s hearts, and they were moved to correct this dirty little secret in our community and communities all over.”

As Malachi’s medical bills mounted from severe heartworm infection, december 2011

complications from his neutering surgery and behavioral training, the community met the need and more. “The Montana’s event was amazing; more than 300 people came out in the pouring rain to meet Malachi and to rally against dog fighting.

Together, this community raised more than $11,000,” Zusack said. “People were in awe of him, touching him and letting him give them messy kisses. The support was just amazing, absolutely amazing.”

Zusack and Wine have now established a non-profit organization called Malachi’s Foundation and are building little cabins in the back of Three Black Dogs to house other so-called “bully breeds” which have been rescued from abuse and neglect.

“Malachi came into our lives, we believe, so we can be equipped to save others,” Wine said. “Our mission is twofold: pit bulls need to realize all humans aren’t bad and humans need to realize all pit bulls and other breeds aren’t bad.

“Malachi has shown this community

you never know where you can find hope,” Wine continued. “Malachi found it here, and we found it in him.”

Malachi has come a long way since early August; however, he has a long way to go on his path to health. “Once he is released from veterinary care, he and his behaviorist will walk 30 miles together over four days, camping in a tent overnight,” Zusack said. “This primal therapy is used to bond human and animal and wash away the memories of his past,” she explained. “Once Malachi learns someone has his back and he’s not literally fighting for his life alone, he can rely on his human and relax. It will be wonderful to see him lose that responsibility and just be a dog.”

Zusack and Wine have already planned the first 5K walk/run through Bluffton on January 28 to raise more money and awareness for Malachi’s Foundation.

“Just guess who will be leading the pack of dogs and humans,” Zusack said. 

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

A Line in the Sand Santa Claus

A r t i c l e b y F r a n k D u n n e, J r.

Photography BY ANNE

Yes,Courtney, there is a Santa Claus.

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know this because the Kringles are my neighbors. Yup, Santa’s workshop is just a few glaciers north of my Fortress of Solitude up in the Arctic. Nice folks. And the elves always invite me to their New Year’s party, which you’d have to see to believe.

Those little guys sure know how to blow off steam after the Christmas rush. I definitely loosen the red cape a little for that one!

Okay, are the kids in bed yet? That Rankin/Bass Productions version was for their benefit, because I don’t think they’d like the rest of this. Don’t get me

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wrong, I really do believe in Santa, but not the one who slides down the chimney with a sack of toys. Seriously, if you could really hit every home in the world in one night, don’t you think there’d be an iPhone app for it by now? The real Santa Claus is there, though. You’ve just got to know where to look; but first you’ve got to recognize who Santa is not.

I know a bunch of you thought you voted for Santa Claus three years ago, only to discover that you really voted for the Grinch…but this Grinch’s heart didn’t grow three sizes that day. Now look at us. All the Whos down in Whoville are left with nothing but some hooks and some wire on the walls; the last can of Who Hash is gone, and there’ll be no roast beast to carve for the Christmas feast.

You see, children, you can’t find your way in the world, earn a living or become wealthy without any effort on your part (unless your name is Kennedy). The world doesn’t work that way. And if you believe Heat Miser, Snow Miser, and Burgermeister Meisterburger’s promises that you can if you vote for them, you’ll end up miserable on the Island of Misfit Toys with those ignorant, vile, lice-ridden reprobates calling themselves Occupy [Insert Name of City Here].

They seem to think…wait…strike that.

They’re incapable of cognitive thought.

They live under the delusion that Santa will fill their stockings with whatever they want if they destroy property and disrupt others’ lives, shout profanities, vapid slogans and racial slurs, and provoke violence. But look at them now, wallowing in their own excrement and finding nothing but America’s scorn in their stockings. Well, that and the Grinch’s enthusiastic support.

Kids, do you want to find the real Santa Claus? Think about this: you were born with the greatest gifts ever: your mind, your soul, and your free will. Plus, you live in the USA, history’s only nation founded on the idea that you are born with the right to use those gifts to pursue your aspirations, reap the rewards, and determine for yourself what to do with those rewards.

Whether it’s providing for yourself and your family, buying a few toys, or giving it all away, it’s still up to you.

The point is, the real Santa Claus is between your own ears. This year, instead of making a list of things you want others to give you, make a list of things that you would like to make happen—in your own life or in the lives of others—this Christmas, next year, and beyond, and go for it.

Merry Christmas! Chanukah Samaech!

Happy New Year! And God bless us every one! Especially you, Courtney. 

Decmber 2011

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A Line in the Sand Of course there is a Santa Claus

Article by Courtney Hampson Photography BY ANNE

I imagine there was some skepticism among my adoring fans after my antiHalloween rant. However, in the spirit of the season, Frank and I decided that we would put a moratorium on our monthly war of words and, instead, celebrate this magical time of the year by coming to consensus.

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t’s a Christmas miracle!

Of course there is a Santa Claus.

In fact, this will be my 39th run-in with the jolly ol’ man. He and I will, once again, awkwardly navigate my perching on his knee (it got awkward when I surpassed the 100-pound mark),

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as I accept my first Christmas Eve gifts and smile for my mom’s camera, just as I have done for nearly four decades. It never gets old. And I love the tradition.

Of course there is a Santa Claus.

Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen certainly think so. If anyone knows the “weight” of this conundrum, it’s the nine of them.

A Facebook group of 200,000 people “believes in Santa Claus,” 8,676 books about Santa are available on Amazon. com, and each year the U.S. Postal Service receives hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to Santa.

Sometimes it may be hard to believe there is a Santa. I know you want to get into the spirit of all things merry and bright, but your tolerance level may not be able to handle a 90-day Christmas season. After all, Christmas, like most holidays (ahem, Halloween) has become an over-commercialized money-making scheme, aimed at making children greedy and leaving parents feeling inadequate because they can’t meet the need or the greed. Christmas decorations go up before the Halloween candy has even depleted.

The “Christmas rush” takes on a whole new meaning when it starts in October, for crying out loud. (Right now Frank is saying, “Ah, there’s the Courtney we know and love to hate…”)

Could we maybe, just maybe, let Christmas come as it should? After Thanksgiving. (One holiday at a time please!) By making “the holidays” a little less pressure-filled and a lot more pleasantfilled, I think everyone may change their tune to fa la la la la.

You have to believe. If you have doubts, maybe you just aren’t looking hard enough.

Santa exists here in Beaufort County within the thousands of caring hearts and minds

who reach out this time of year to make the Christmas dreams of others come true.

In 2010, the Toys for Tots campaign in our area collected 25,924 toys and an additional $21,200 in donations for less fortunate children in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire. In 2010, Bluffton Self Help fulfilled the wishes of more than 1,000 children through their “adopt a family” program in which local families adopt another and assist in fulfilling children’s “Christmas lists.” Over the past 21 years, Furniture Warehouse Design Gallery’s annual coat drive has collected more than 37,000 gently-used coats for families in need at holiday time.

This year you can do more than believe.

You, too, can be Santa. Yes, you! Clean out your closets. Dig deep! Those gently-used coats can be dropped off now through December 31 at the Furniture Warehouse Design Gallery, on 170 in Beaufort, and at the BB&T branch offices in Bluffton and on Hilton Head. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Harris (michael.o.harris@usmc.mil) is looking for folks to assist with this year’s Toys for Tots efforts. Check out their website (toysfortots. org) and plan to attend one of the 13 events planned in Beaufort Country this month to benefit the charity. Visit blufftonselfhelp.org to learn more about adopting a family for Christmas.

In The Miracle on 34th Street, Kris Kringle says, “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind... and that’s what’s been changing.

That’s why I’m glad I’m here; maybe I can do something about it.” Kringle goes on to prove that he is, indeed, Santa Claus. He convinces the court system, the U.S. Postal Service, the owner of Macy’s and the entire New York City metro-area population, proving that a little bit of spirit goes a long way.

Beliefs can’t usually be changed without proof. We have proof.

I believe. 

Decmber 2011

CHarIty Corner

SECOND HELPINGS D E l i V E r i N G F O O D A N D H O P E T H r O u G H T H E H O l i D Ay S A N D b E yO N D Peter Zink

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ou can’t stand in one spot all day to learn what Second Helpings is all about. If you did, you’d see something like this: dozens of early morning volunteers boarding three trucks just as dawn breaks.

Six days a week, the Second Helpings trucks fire up their diesel engines and rumble out on daily routes. They come back the way they leave: empty, betraying nothing but a refrigerated container in the back. To the casual eye, it’s like nothing happened. but what happens between the time the trucks leave and the time they return is anything but ordinary. each week, Second Helpings trucks visit 56 donors and deliver donated food from their refrigerated trucks to over 78 nonprofit agencies and churches, absolutely free of charge. The results of these weekly efforts are staggering: last year alone there were over 2.2 million pounds of food delivered to children and

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needy adults, which is over 1.1 million meals in beaufort county alone. While it might be surprising to hear such a high number of needed meals for just the bluffton and Hilton Head areas alone, executive director Peggy Warnke said needy children and families are not as uncommon as one might think. “The need is definitely there. everyone thinks Hilton Head is only a place of prosperity, but 54 percent of children in beaufort county schools are on free and reduced lunch programs.

They live below the poverty line,” Warnke added.

Heading into its twentieth year, Second Helpings originally started as a grassroots movement from the Greenwood Forest neighborhood in Sea Pines.

Volunteers literally used their own station wagons to pick up and deliver food each day. even with this initial fledgling effort, they delivered over 46,000 pounds of food in the first year. relationships with local donors have since fueled the growth of Second Helpings.

As the chairman of the donations committee and a volunteer with over 12 years’ experience, bruce drake saw the growth with his own eyes.

Last year, Second Helpings partnered with a Feeding America food bank out of charleston to assist with brokering contracts with large supermarket chains, which allowed Second Helpings to deliver 30 percent more food alone last year. “We just

HOw TO VOluNTEEr

Volunteer by calling (843) 689-3689 or e-mailing secondhelpings@ hiltonhead.com. Send donations to Second Helpings at PO box 23621, Hilton Head Sc 29925.

might find ourselves needing another truck,” drake said with a chuckle. but it’s not just the donors that impressed drake every day. “I’m continually amazed by the response we get from the recipients of our food,” drake said.

“No one will take more than they need. They know the need is so great, they don’t take more than their people can use,” Warnke pointed out.

While it’s clear that both recipients and donors do the best they can to handle demand, the costs of diesel fuel and other demands make it challenging for Second Helpings to keep it up. As they do every year, they will host a christmas day dinner at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront for recipients, and they always need help with their deliveries. 

decmber 2011

A r t i c l e B y D av i d T o b i as

Head of Its Class

I

magine the apple of your eye, the kid you thought you knew, the one you pictured going to college someday bringing home an “F.” What do you do? Grounded for life? A long, stern talk? Back behind the woodshed wit-cha?

What if it’s the whole school bringing home an “F” on its report card—a big, glaring, ugly “F” from the South Carolina Department of Education? Now what do you do?

For the Hilton Head Island High School administration, and especially principal Amanda O’Nan, an “F”—a rating of “at risk” five years ago— initiated a mission to turn things around in a big way, dedicating staff and resources to make sure that this spot at the bottom of a statewide rating system didn’t happen again. In fact, the

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On Sunday, November 6, O’Nan learned that her high school had

report cards were goal was to flip things 180 degrees, turn this moved to the head of released statewide the class, achieving on Thursday, high school on its head November 10. That’s and come out of it with an “Excellent”—one when all 1,184 Hilton an above average grade— of only four in the Head High School maybe even an “A.” students found On Sunday, November entire county— out—via computer6, O’Nan learned that her jumping two grade generated avatars— high school had moved levels from an that the whole to the head of the class, school would be achieving an “Excellent”— “Average” last year. jumping for joy one of only four in the that afternoon, entire county—jumping two grade levels from an “Average” celebrating success in bouncy houses last year. The rating was based on a on the high school football field, with graduation rate that went up 11.1 percent, snow cones and pizza and cotton end-of-course U.S. History exams up 30 candy for all. It wasn’t a party, O’Nan percent and High School Assessment was quick to point out, but truly a Program marks that increased, surprise celebration.

“I figure we worked hard,” she said, according to O’Nan, “quite a bit.”

O’Nan kept the secret until “so we should be able to play hard.” 

Decmber 2011

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Decmber 2011

Article By Courtney Hampson

H

A Christmas Story W

hen I was a kid, I stole $40 from my dad’s Speaking of presents, trees, and twins, my friends wallet and bought myself a watch. I wrapped Missy and Melanie would always open their presents it and put it under the tree with a tag that read, while sitting back to back, because Santa always brought “To Courtney, From Santa.” I got away with it, too. For them either the same exact gift or the same gift in a about six hours… at which time my grandfather sat different color. By sitting back to back, if one of them me down and said, “Look, you and I both know there’s was more dexterous with the wrapping paper, it wouldn’t no such thing as Santa Claus, so where’d you get the give away the surprise. Good thinking Mom and Dad. watch?” I thought I was pretty clever, but Grandpa While we’re on the topic of moms and dads, how (and Santa) knew better. awkward does Christmas become during the first postI must confess. The petty thief divorce holiday shenanigans? My Ah yes, the joy of the is actually not me. This is my friend friend Corey can tell you. Being Brandon’s story. I can’t make this the fabulous mom and woman she holidays, that ol’ Christmas stuff up, which is why I had to ask my is, she invited her ex over at 7 a.m. spirit. It warms our hearts, friends about their notable Christmas so he could see their two-year-old memories. The responses came quickly. gives us a renewed sense of son’s face light up with joy when he Ever been driving down the came down the stairs on Christmas hope, mends old fences…

Bluffton Parkway only to watch morning and saw the bounty that and gives your crazy someone’s Christmas tree take a Santa brought. Seemed like a great tumble from its perch atop the roof neighbor poetic license on and mighty benevolent idea at the of a car? Yup, that was my neighbor time... until, for the first time in his exterior home décor.

Heidi. The family picked out a tree 700 days of life, her son slept ’til and strapped that fresh fir to the 8:15, leaving Corey and ex-numb-nut roof of the minivan. Heidi loaded her twin boys in the to stare awkwardly at each other at a smoldering level van and started the few-mile-trek back home, where of festering holiday cheer for an hour and 15 minutes. they would decorate the tree, bake cookies, and sing Yep, he should be down any second now. More coffee? carols. Okay, I made the last part up, but if you know Needle for your eye?

Heidi, you know she is mom and neighbor of the Ah yes, the joy of the holidays, that ol’ Christmas year (she brings over veggies from her garden and spirit. It warms our hearts, gives us a renewed sense of baked goods!), so it may not be a stretch. Anyway, hope, mends old fences… and gives your crazy neighbor the tree takes a spill in “rush hour” traffic and gets run poetic license on exterior home décor. A couple of notes over. Best part of this story? It was the third time it for DIY-over-zealous-Christmas-decorator-guy: one happened. Third time being a charm and all, they have color man, one color. If you are thinking white twinkle since gone the artificial tree route. Good thinking, lights, stick with white twinkle lights. Colored, retro, Heidi. (Please keep the tomatoes coming.) three-inch bulbs from the year you bought those sweat

The single busiest shopping hour for the holidays is December 24 between 3 and 4 in the afternoon.

5,340 Average number of times Visa Cards are used every minute during Christmas time pants, just don’t go with the mini string lights. Further, the nets of lights are meant to actually “net” or fall over your bushes. You don’t hang these from your home with a rusty nail. Now, that big blow up of Bart Simpson, dressed as Saint Nick, next to your palm tree? Um yeah, Bart has nothing to do with Christmas, nor does The Family Guy, Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, Goofy or any of Walt Disney’s gang.

Now I know the holidays can be stressful—what with that fiasco your hubby has created on the front lawn, your yard lit up like an airport runway, you padding SCE&G’s Christmas bonus fund. I know you’d like something to go right, right?

Well, that’s a tough one when Cousin Eddie and his RV move in for the month. Come on now, we all have a Cousin Eddie.

He may be Aunt Sue, or mother-in-law Phyllis, or crazy Uncle Bo, but every family has one. He/she is the one in the same Christmas sweater photographed since the Polaroid made its appearance under Christmas trees in 1948. He/she is also likely sporting a reindeer pin. You pull the string and his nose lights up. Yeah, you know the one.

Cousin Eddie is also probably not all that adept at picking out and placing under the tree exactly what you’ve been dreaming of, which creates a whole new set of issues.

It’s about this time of year that I start dropping subtle gift hints and begin daily practice sessions for my fake giftapproval face and positive encouragement nod. If this tactic isn’t perfected well in advance, you may find yourself in the “Oh wow, I love it. I do. Really I do. Yes, I said, I do!” situation, which is just uncomfortable for everyone.

So while you’re standing in line at the store, having grabbed the last cashmere scarf, the hot breath of the woman behind you raising the hairs on the back of your neck, anticipating the bumper-to-bumper exit from the parking lot, mentally checking items off your “Christmas list,” remember what the season is really about: Presents!

I’m kidding!

Christmas is a state of mind. Embrace the spirit of the season, listen for the children’s laughter, take notice of the small things, and maybe, just maybe (cue Christmas music) Christmas Eve will find you where the love light gleams.

You’ll be home for Christmas, if only in your dreams.  We asked the second graders at Hilton head Christian academy:

What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten at Christmas?

Liam - Guinea pig Alex - Cotton Candy Machine Liza - Gumball machine Braden - I don’t know Olivia - A guitar Dominik - I Touch Jacqueline - My dog. I got her last Christmas.

Charlotte - A labradoodle dog Molly - My dog

Emma - My dog Sydney - American girl doll Andy - A cd player Christian - I got half of my toy animals Sarah - Loving Jesus JT - Air soft gun Annika - a stuffed horse and book Jackson - Toy bomb launcher Matthew - A guitar

Cheers!

Hot and cold cocktails for the holidays

“I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year”… a perfect description for December and all of the holiday cheer that coincides with it. It’s also the time for new cocktails and new liquors to enter the market, and this year is no exception. Ciroc Peach Vodka, Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka, Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka are all brand new items that have just been shipped to South Carolina. And since we never know if it’s going to be warm and sunny or cold and rainy in December, here is a hot and cold recipe for each of these new items: Ciroc Peach Vodka: This vodka is made from distilled grapes, yet has all of the fresh, ripe peach flavor we expect in the Lowcountry.

Ciroc Peach Spiced Tea 1 oz. Ciroc Peach Vodka 1/2 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum 1 tea bag of your choice (I prefer black tea for optimal flavor, but green tea works well, too.)

1 clove stick (or 1 cinnamon stick) Steep teabag in hot water to your liking. In a mug, pour in your Ciroc and Captain Morgan, then top with the hot tea until almost full. Add the clove or cinnamon stick as a garnish and to stir. This tea is super easy to make and quite delicious for cold nights. It’s also wonderful if you are feeling that any sort of cold or chill.

The Ciroc Peach Sparkling Cosmo 1 oz. Ciroc Peach Vodka 1/2 oz. Triple Sec 4 oz. chilled sparkling wine Splash of cranberry juice (white cranberry juice is fabulous) Twist of lime, lemon or orange for garnish In a champagne flute, pour your Ciroc and triple sec. Add the chilled sparkling wine and finish with the splash of cranberry juice. Garnish with your choice of fruit. (The orange twist looks fabulous.) This cocktail would also be a fun choice to ring in the New Year!

Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka: There are plenty of whipped cream vodkas on the market, but this one has a hint of vanilla bean and tastes homemade.

Smirnoff Whipped Cream Caramel Coffee 1 oz. Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka 1 oz. Bailey’s Caramel Irish Crème 4 oz. hot coffee Whipped cream for garnish Caramel drizzle for garnish (can be found in the ice cream aisle of any grocery store) Into a mug, pour your Smirnoff Whipped and Bailey’s Caramel, top with hot coffee, stir. Garnish with the whipped cream and drizzle with the caramel.

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Decmber 2011

HiGH SPiriTS Krissy cantelupe

SMirNOFF wHiPPED CHOCOlATE rASPbErry MArTiNi 1oz. Smirnoff whipped Cream Vodka 1oz. Godiva Chocolate raspberry Vodka 3 oz. half & half Chocolate sauce for drizzle raspberry for garnish In a shaker filled with ice, pour the Smirnoff Whipped, Godiva chocolate raspberry and half & half; shake until well chilled. Take a martini glass and line the chocolate sauce up and down the sides of the glass so you have a pretty swirl of chocolate; pour the contents of the shaker over top. Add a fresh raspberry for garnish.

SMirNOFF FluFFED MArSHMAllOw VODKA: when you open the bottle and smell, it’s like opening a bag of fresh marshmallows. but when you take a sip, it’s more of a toasted marshmallow flavor.

SMirNOFF FluFFED SPiCy CiNNAMON HOT COCOA 1oz. Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka 1/2 oz. Goldschlager 5 oz. hot cocoa (homemade or instant) Tiny marshmallows for garnish Ground cinnamon for garnish Pour your Smirnoff Fluffed and Goldschlager into a mug.

Top with hot cocoa and stir. Add the marshmallows and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon. This will definitely take the chill off.

THE ulTiMATE S’ MOrES MArTiNi 1oz. Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka 1oz. Godiva Chocolate liquor 3 oz. half & half Graham cracker (one for each martini) Ground cinnamon Chocolate sticks (optional) Chocolate dipped marshmallows (optional) In a baggie, pound the graham cracker to fine crumbs, then pour onto a plate and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Take a martini glass, splash the rim with water and then turn upside down onto plate so the graham cracker/ cinnamon mixture sticks. In a shaker over ice, pour the Smirnoff Fluffed, Godiva chocolate and half & half; shake until well chilled. Pour into the rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a chocolate stick and a chocolate dipped marshmallow.

SPECiAl GiFT iDEA: JOHNNiE wAlKEr DOublE blACK SCOTCH This is a new limited edition Johnnie Walker Scotch that just hit the shelves the beginning of November. It’s a must for any scotch drinker. basically, they use Johnnie Walker black as the base and then add heavily peated malts as well as malts aged in deeply charred oak casks. This Scotch whisky is best served neat or on the rocks.  december 2011

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Health Note

Article By Thomas Beller, M.D.

A m e r ic a n

Th o r a cic

S o ci e t y

An n o u nc e s

N e w

G uid e lin e s

A look at what it means for asthma care

T

he American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently released its official clinical practice guidelines, providing strong recommendations for measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) to determine airway inflammation in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. The new guidelines will transform how more than 20 million Americans are tested for the disease which accounts for 217,000 emergency room visits, and 10.5 million doctor’s office visits every year.

FENO’s role in diagnosing asthma FENO serves as a marker for airway inflammation, which is the underlying cause of asthma, inducing the recurring symptoms associated with the disease, including wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. While traditional and widely used asthma testing, such as spirometry, is very effective in detecting airway obstruction, it leaves

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inflammation untested. Higher levels of FENO have been shown to have a significant correlation with the presence of eosinophilic airway inflammation; the most common type of airway inflammation is asthma, which also increases sensitivity to allergens.

What ATS guidelines mean for physicians and their patients Measuring FENO levels in a patients’ breath can help determine the type of airway inflammation as well as: • Confirm asthma in patients • Determine whether patients with chronic respiratory symptoms will respond to corticosteroid treatment • Monitor airway inflammation in current asthma patients to ensure the condition does not worsen.

• By gaining an accurate measurement of FENO,

Decmber 2011

Health Note

Each case of asthma is unique and requires a unique course of treatment.

There is no universal cause, and therefore, there is no universal solution.

physicians can better diagnose asthma and confidently recommend treatment procedures tailored to each individual case.

How to test for FENO Currently, there is only one device on the market in the United States that offers physicians the ability to measure inflammation while analyzing FENO, all while the patient is in the office. The handheld test is very easy to use and only

requires a single breath of 10 seconds.

This device, NIOX MINO, also makes it possible for physicians to obtain a more accurate reading of patient adherence to current treatment plans and manage their asthma on a truly personalized basis.

This device helps to predict exacerbations and, most importantly, helps to prevent them. It also affords physicians the ability to change prescriptions and tweak dosage schedules in order to keep FENO and inflammation levels manageable. In addition, by predicting and avoiding asthma exacerbations, patients have been less likely to accrue emergency medical costs.

Up until now, airway inflammation testing methods—including biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage techniques and sputum analysis—have not been used in physician offices due to cost and the fact that they are far too invasive and timeconsuming in most cases. NIOX MINO is a compact, inexpensive, handheld device that is easy to operate and provides results in less than two minutes. This new technology can help physicians adhere to the new ATS guidelines and, in turn, help patients live a life that is less affected by asthma symptoms.

Each case of asthma is unique and requires a unique course of treatment.

There is no universal cause, and therefore, there is no universal solution. However, by monitoring FENO, physicians specializing in asthma may be able to further optimize treatments individually for patients, improving their quality of life and decreasing asthma’s physical and economic burden.  T h o m a s B e l l e r, M . D. i s b o a r d certified in internal medicine and allergy & immunology. He currently practices at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Hilton Head. For more information, visit hiltonheadallergy.com.

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Decmber 2011

DECEmBER SUNDAy

mONDAy

TUESDAy

wEDNESDAy

ThURSDAy

NOV. 29 - DEC. uPCOMiNG EVENT? lET uS HElP yOu GET THE wOrD OuT!

1 FrEE PiCTurES wiTH SANTA

CrAFT HilTON HEAD 2011

Fine Art crafts Guild debut exhibition Artist Opening Thursday december 1, 5-7Pm Show runs November 29 – december 30 Art League of Hilton Head Walter Greer Gallery, Arts center of coastal carolina call 843-681-5060 or visit www.ArtLeagueHHI.org for more information.

4 27TH ANNuAl CHriSTMAS TOur OF HOMES

dec. 4, 12pm - 5pm Tickets: $25 if purchased in advance, $30 day of event at Gateway real estate office at belfair entrance. 843-706-2729 or hiltonheadchoralsociety.org

TASTEFul TuESDAy

benny Hudson’s Seafood retail Seafood market (175 Squire pope Road) december 6th @ 6pm come join the Hudson family & gang for some food, history and fun!. This is a free event and space is limited so reservations are required. Stop by the market at or call 682-3474 to sign-up.

SAT

iMElDiFiC FiliPiNANA FASHiON SHOw

dec. 3, 3rd Annual

ulTiMATE FriSbEE CHAriTy Gib-A-wAy

Sat. dec. 3rd 10 Am, 8:30 registration chaplin Park, HHI entry Fee: Unwrapped gift for a kid Toys donated to local charities. questions?

9

A Kaleidoscope of carols. december 9; 8pm First Presbyterian church on HHI. Tickets start at $20 per person. For more visit: hiltonheadchoralsociety.com.

december 3 8:00am - 2:00pm (843) 842.4090 or www.uwlowcountry.org

bluFFTON HiSTOriCAl PrESErVATiON SOCiETy CHriSTMAS GAlA

SAlTy DOG: SHriMPFEST

The Heyward House, 70 boundary Street, bluffton. $60 per person. call 843-757-6293 or email heywardhouse@gmail.com

dec. 7, 4pm - 12am Salty dog café at South beach marina in Sea Pines. 843-671cAFe or www.saltydog.com

13

THE SOuNDS OF CHriSTMAS

14

17

15 bluFFTON FArMEr’S MArKET

country club of Hilton Head. 8pm For tickets and more information, email richardmomar@hotmail.com

3 bluFFTON xMAS PArADE

dec 2nd, 3pm – 8pm captain Woody’s Tree lighting @ 7pm. come Join us for carolers, Hot chocolate & Hot Totties All of calhoun St. & Promenade Shops Open.

8

7

moss creek clubhouse dec. 7. The cost is $26.00. contact Katie miller at 681-6448.

AAuw HOliDAy luNCHEON

11 mON, EVERy wED,FRI,

lEAGuE OF wOMEN VOTErS HOliDAy luNCHEON

SAT-

2

liGHT uP THE NiGHT iN OlD TOwN bluFFTON

First three Wed. & Thurs. of december 3pm - 7pm South beach marina in Sea Pines

6

december 6 - 11:30 a.m. Sea Pines country club Tickets are $25. All are welcome. 843-341-6638.

FRIDAy

every Thursday From 2 - 7 Pm

HilTON HEAD JiNGlE JiNGlE 5K ruN

rOCK SHOw KArAOKE AT GiuSEPPi’S bluFFTON

dec. 17, 10pm dec. 17, 10am - 2am 11:30am come sing your Family 5K run & favorites. Food & drink Health Walk. For more specials. www.giuseppi-

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21

lAST DAy OF FAll bluFFTON FArMEr’S MArKET

A VEry PiNElAND CHriSTMAS

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MErry CHriSTMAS!

christmas display artist, richard coyne, has created a 200-square-foot christmas village which will be open to the public every monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoon (from 3 to 6 Pm) from now through New Year’s eve. It is a drop off location for Toys for Tots, deep Well, and on december 10, for military families.

22

From 2 - 7 Pm

*Watch for our new Winter Hours starting

EVENTS THrOuGHOuT THE MONTH: THE COMMuDrOwSy CHAP- NiTy DONATiON ErONE yOGA

Sundays in december 12:00pm 1:00pm Jiva Yoga center 843-247-4549 or www.jivayogacen-

MAiN STrEET yOuTH THEATrE PrESENTS THE bEST CHriSTMAS PAGEANT EVEr december 16th-18th. main Street Theatre – 25 New Orleans rd. call 689-mAIN or visit our website www. msyt.org

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GrEG ruSSEll’S CHriSTMAS SHOw

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dec. 23, 7:30pm9pm Join us under the famed Liberty Oak in the Sea Pines resort’s Harbour Town for a

NEw yEAr’S CElEbrATiON AT THE ArTS CENTEr

31

dec. 31, 9:30 p.m. ring in 2012 at the Arts center with a special 9:30 p.m. performance of “The drowsy chaperone.” Laugh in the New Year and enjoy complimentary champagne, party favors and a midnight New Year’s countdown with the cast of “The drowsy chaperone” following the show!

Tickets for this special event are $65.

Information: www.artshhi.com; 843-842-ArTS.

HAPPy NEw yEAr!

 Golf Tips From a Pro

Pete Popovich,

Golf Performance Academy

Draws and Fades Specialty Shots Part 2

Photography by Anne

L

ast month we explained how to control the golf ball’s trajectory for high and low shots, including wind play. This month we will discuss how to control the ball’s left and right flight, i.e. shaping shots. By doing so, you will be able to reach those pins that have been tucked in corners of the greens as well as get out of trouble and back to the fairway.

In a world of larger club heads, longer and lighter shafts and balls that spin less, it is more difficult to maneuver your golf ball than in decades past. Manufacturers have made it easier to hit the ball straight, but as a result, golfers have lost the ability to move the ball left and right—to draw and fade it. Ask 100 people how to hit a draw or fade, and you will get 100 answers. Yet few if any go back to the fundamentals of proper setup, and even fewer are guaranteed to work for you. At the Golf Performance Academy, we have a proven, simple, yet effective way to shape shots and lower scores.

In our last article on how to control the trajectory/height of a straight shot, we stressed the importance of controlling ball spin. In shaping shots left and right, it is, again, controlling spin that brings success. (Please keep in mind that we are not discussing slices and hooks, which are the evil cousins of fades and draws. Fades and draws are subtle movements of the ball in a desired direction. Slices and hooks occur when subtle turns to drastic, exceeding the boundary of desire.)

The mechanics involved in hitting fades and draws are not as difficult as most believe. Actually, it is a simple change in the proper setup for hitting the ball straight. This proper setup is (Picture 1)

(Picture 2)

(not closed like this)

(not open like this)

body lines (feet, knees, hips, shoulders, arms) parallel to the path on which you intend to hit the ball. In other words, you are squared up to your intended target line (pic #1). The clubface is square, i.e. perpendicular to the ball’s target line (pic #2). From here, if the swing is fundamentally sound, the golfer will produce a straight shot. (If this is not happening to you, schedule an appointment with us and we will show you how to hit it straight.) Now, assuming your setup is proper for hitting straight shots, fading or drawing the ball requires a simple adjustment to body alignment, and the results come almost automatically.

For example, if you want (Picture 3) to hit a fade, adjust your stance open so that your body lines are left of the target line (the target line is always the line from ball to target) while the clubface stays aimed at the target (pic #3). Now swing the club along the lines of your body the same way you would swing when hitting a straight shot. Swinging along your body lines and across the target line will start

 Some golfers claim that draws have over spin and go farther than straight shots or fades.

There is no such thing as overspin on a ball in flight.

(Picture 4)

the ball on a path left of the intended target and, because the clubface is open in relation to the club head’s path, the ball has left to right spin causing it to move from left (where the body was aimed) to right (where the club face was aimed.)

If you would like the ball to curve more, align your body further left, but make sure to keep the clubface aimed at the target. To hit a draw, adjust your stance closed so your body lines are slightly to the right of the target line while maintaining the clubface’s position at the target (pic #4). As you swing along your body lines, the clubface will come into the ball slightly closed, imparting right to left spin on the ball and curving it from right to left.

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Some golfers claim that draws have over spin and go farther than straight shots or fades. There is no such thing as overspin on a ball in flight. The biggest reason a draw seems to go further is that hitting with a slightly closed clubface reduces the effective loft of the club, leading to less spin (read the November 2011 issue of CH2 & CB2 for further explanation on spin). Less spin, at times, allows the ball to roll more upon landing. Fades, which are hit with more effective loft due to the clubface being open, tend to fly higher and shorter with less roll. They also tend to drop and stop more than draws.

The most important thing to remember in shaping shots is that it all starts from a consistently proper setup. Then, any change to that setup will produce a desired change in ball flight, putting you in control of your game.  If you would like to better control your ball flight or any other part of your game, contact the Golf Performance Academy-Hilton Head at (843) 338-6737, www.golfacademyhiltonhead.com, or on Facebook at Golf Performance Academy-Hilton Head.

Decmber 2011

december 2011

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Decmber 2011

12.2011

AFTer dArK

 !

drINK SPecIALS LAdIeS NIGHT LIVe mUSIc GAme NIGHT FOOd SPecIALS

mONdAYS

TUeSdAYS

black Marlin Hurricane bar - Happy Hour (4 - 7pM) Coconuts bar & Grill - Karaoke !

Frankie bones - $10 Off Any bottle Of Wine (9pM) Hudson’s - mike Korbar LIVe Kingfisher - Joseph the magician !

Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7pM) reilley’s - Lobster Night $12.95 / Happy Hour (4-7pM) The Jazz Corner - Live music The Salty Dog Café - Free Nacho & Hotdog bar (During Monday night Football Games)

Antonio’s - 1/2 Off drinks & Food (5:30-7pM) (Valid in the Bar onlY) black Marlin Hurricane bar - Happy Hour (4 - 7pM) Coconuts bar & Grill - bluffton’s Got Talent !

Frankie bones - Ladies Night Kingfisher - The Steppin Stones / Fireworks Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7pM) reilley’s - Kids eat Free Night / Happy Hour (4-7pM) remy’s - Shag Lessons (5:45pM) !

The Jazz Corner - Live music The lodge - Pinch The Pint Night The Salty Dog Café - LIVe mUSIc wild wing Café - 2 Fer Tuesday / Team Trivia !

WedNeSdAYS

THUrSdAYS

black Marlin Hurricane bar - Happy Hour (4 - 7pM)Coconuts bar & Grill - All request dance Frankie bones - $10 Off Any bottle of Wine Kingfisher - Alexander Newton (Motown/R&B) !

The lodge - Kick The Keg Night Mellow Mushroom - Trivia Night !

Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7pM) reilley’s - Happy Hour (4-7pM) remy’s - Treble Jay The Jazz Corner - Live music The Salty Dog Café - Live music (6 - 10pM) wild wing Café - rock Idol Karaoke competition ! wise Guys - Ladies Night

Antonio’s - 1/2 Off drinks & Food (5:30-7pM) (Valid in the Bar onlY) black Marlin Hurricane bar - Happy Hour (4 - 7pM) Coconuts bar & Grill - $1 Vodka / dJ mxm Ela’s blu water Grille - LIVe music Kingfisher - david Wingo The lodge - burgers & beer Night (onlY $5) Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7pM) reilley’s - Happy Hour (4-7pM) remy’s - The Trio The Jazz Corner - Live music The Salty Dog Café - Live music (6 - 10pM) wild wing Café - Live music / drink Specials

FrIdAYS

SATUrdAYS

bistro Mezzaluna - The band Target LIVe black Marlin Hurricane bar - Happy Hour (4 - 7pM) Captain woody’s (bluffton) - mike Korbar LIVe Coconuts bar & Grill - Weekend dance Party !

Ela’s blu water Grille - LIVe music HH Prime - dean St. Hillaire LIVe (5-7pM) Kingfisher - earl Williams’ band One Hot Mama’s - dJ and dancing reilley’s - Happy Hour (4-7pM) The Jazz Corner - Live music The Salty Dog Café - Live music (6 - 10pM) Smokehouse - LIVe mUSIc at 9:30Pm wild wing Café - All double drinks Only $1 more wise Guys - Food & bev. Happy Hour (10:30pM) xO lounge - Live music

black Marlin Hurricane bar - drink Specials (12 - 7pM) December 24th - crab crackin Coconuts bar & Grill - Weekend dance Party !

Ela’s blu water Grille - LIVe music HH Prime - Live music (5-7pM) Mellow Mushroom - Karaoke Night (10pM) !

One Hot Mama’s - dJ and dancing reilley’s - Happy Hour (4-7pM) The Jazz Corner - Live music The Salty Dog Café - Live music (6 - 10pM) Skillets - david Wingo Live Smokehouse - The Simpson brothers (9:30pM) wise Guys - Food & bev. Happy Hour (10:30pM) xO lounge - Live music

cHrISTmAS IN THe LOWcOUNTrY

SUNdAYS black Marlin Hurricane bar - drink Specials (12 - 7pM) Coconuts bar & Grill - Funday All day! !

HH Prime - November 20 - david bohn (5-7pM) Kingfisher - Joseph the magician !

Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5 - 7pM) reilley’s - Happy Hour (4-7pM) The Salty Dog Café - Live music (6 - 10pM) Skillets - david Wingo Live wise Guys - Food & bev. Happy Hour (10:30pM) december 2011

Christmas Special Dinner: HH PRIME

december 24th & 25th - 5-10Pm

New years Masquerade Party: COCONUTS december 31st - 9Pm-close

New years Eve Celebration: HH PRIME december 31st Seatings at 6Pm-9Pm 4-course Prix Fixe menu

XO LOUNGE

december 31st - 9Pm - 1Am Playing Southern blues & classic rock

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 59

abe Paul Crd (rR ture) efer to pic n)

nd 3 luffto (the 2nd a in Hilton Head/B n o rs e P Coolest

My name is Paul “Chad” Rabe, but my friends call

me “Hey

you, get me another drink!”. You may bartending at One Hot Mama’s/ Skull Creek Boathouse or my moustache teaching yoga to girls suffering from vertigo.

I grew up in the boring/exciting Southwest Suburb town of Chicago, Orland Park. have seen me

(circle one)

When I was five, my hero was I looked up to my dad; he was tall with a moustache and could get me snacks, but now now I look up to everyone; I’m short and I still need snacks.

Damn Top Shelf! It’s been twelve years since I first came to Hilton Head Island, and to me, the biggest change

is BLUFFTON IS GETTING AN OLIVE GARDEN! SALAD AND BREADSTICKS FOR ALL! If someone were to ask me for advice about

facial hair, I would tell them “with great power comes great responsibility.” My line of work is a demonstration in patience and I chose this profession because someone has to teach 21yearolds how to act in a bar.

If I were mayor of HHI/Bluffton, my first order of

I don’t think you heard me: BLUFFTON IS GETTING AN OLIVE GARDEN! SALAD AND BREADSTICKS FOR ALL! (circle one)

business would be

My favorite time of the year on HHI/Bluffton, is

during the offseason when SERG restaurants do their BOGO passports because you can eat at all their restaurants for “half price.” (circle one)

In closing, when you turn the page, I hope you

I’m the guy on the back of the bike or was it the front?, but definitely not to ALWAYS tip your bartender.

remember

Keep it Real! Stay Yellow, ………………….. Manila Ice 

Photography By Mark Staff

Sake House: Where Japanese Cuisine Meets the American palate

L

an Chen, manager at Bluffton’s Sake House Japanese Sushi/Seafood & Steak, giggled at the question: what’s the best thing on the menu? Like a mother declining to choose a favorite amongst her children, Chen answered diplomatically. “It depends.

You have sushi people and hibachi people.” And both are entitled to special treatment at Sake House.

“We do Sushi Night (Thursdays) and Hibachi Night (Sundays), and we have Happy Hour every day.

Something’s going on every day.”

A r t icl e b y F r a n k D u n n e , J r . photog r aphy b y A nn e

Sake House:

The Bluffton location is the second of two in the area, both owned and operated by Chen and her husband and sister-in-law. “My husband (Jackie) and his sister opened the one in Beaufort about three years ago,” she said, “and I came in after I married him.” Now, with Jackie—a trained hibachi chef—running the back of the house and Lan out front, the Bluffton Sake House is ready to celebrate one year of successful operations in January.

If you’re already a sushi fan, Sushi Night is your big chance to really splurge, because almost everything on the menu is half-price. “It’s a select menu,” said Chen, “but all of our rolls are there.” For newbies, here’s a great chance to get your feet wet.

It’s not all raw fish, if that’s what’s been holding you back, so come on in and let Chen and the staff ease you in.

“I’ll ask the customer, ‘Do you eat raw?’” she said. “Sometimes if they’re just starting sushi, they don’t want to eat anything raw, so I’ll say, ‘oh, if you don’t eat raw, come over here and have something cooked.’ We don’t want our sushi choices to be narrow, only for the people who eat raw. So anybody can have a sushi!”

“My fish is all very fresh. My tuna, my salmon, we have it coming in every other day. Fish has to be fresh.”

Hibachi Night also features a select menu, but most of the regular hibachi menu is offered at 25 percent off the regular price. “You don’t have some of the combination plates, but everything else is in there. That’s for Sundays,” Chen said, while emphasizing the importance that

Sake House places on freshness, particularly the fish. “My fish is all very fresh.

My tuna, my salmon, we have it coming in every other day. Fish has to be fresh.”

She also added that Sake House’s hibachi room with 13 grills is unusually large when compared to others. “We have more seats so there’s less waiting!”

Entering Sake House for the first time is somewhat of a surprising experience.

While the name implies the more stereotypical demure atmosphere that we tend to associate with a Japanese restaurant, the reality stands in stark contrast. The space is a very spacious, contemporary open floor plan with a large common area and decorative fountain distinguishing the bright, animated sushi bar from the more subdued tone of the hibachi room. You notice the fountain immediately and feel a sense of movement and energy that creates a lively dining experience. “We want to appeal to American tastes (in terms of design), so we made it very American, but with some Japanese accents,” said Chen pointing to some wall hangings and other subtle décor elements. “It’s refreshing, and kind of fancy.”

Happy Hour is 4-7 p.m. every day, and there’s a full bar, not just sake as the restaurant’s name might imply. Is there a lot of call for sake at the bar? Chen, visibly amused by that question as well, again took the “there are two kinds of people” approach. “It depends. Some have had it before and they like it. But for a lot of people, it’s their first time, so I’ll let them try it and they’ll go ‘ooooooh I don’t like that!’” she said wrinkling her nose to illustrate. “They just need to get used to it.

It usually takes three or four times before they get used to it.” With over 20 sake and plum wine selections, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get used to it, or you can just stick to your usual. The bar is stocked with a range of imported and domestic beers, call and well liquors, and an impressive list of reds, whites and bubblies from California, Oregon, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia.

If you’ve yet to give Sake House a try, you have no excuse now that you know about Hibachi Night and Sushi Night. You can’t beat the value of half-off sushi and 25 percent off the hibachi menu, especially when the food lives up to the full price.  Sake House Japanese Sushi/Seafood & Steak is located at 1017 Fording Island Road, F105 in Bluffton. For more information, call (843) 706-9222.

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meet the top ten bachelors pHotograpHy by mark staFF stylIng by palmettoes

IT’S TIME TO CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CH2’S BACHELOR OF 2012.

log on to www.celebratehiltonhead.com to watch behind the scenes footage of their photo shoots, read through their questionnaires and pick your favorite. the winner will be on the cover of the January 2012 issue of CH2. polls open from december 1-12.

c.j. steedley Age: 25 Occupation: database manager, boys & girls Club of the lowcountry Hometown: bluffton, sC

ben neil Age: 22 Occupation: emergency room tech Hometown: Hilton Head Island

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Decmber 2011

meet the top ten bachelors

arthur meeder Age: 55 Occupation: attorney Hometown: louisville, ky

kevin martin Age: 30 Occupation: director of operations, marriott’s vacation Club International Hometown: northville, mI

brad pettway Age: 38 Occupation: Future golf professional Hometown: monroe, la

preston ketchum Age: 36 Occupation: advertising Hometown: sugar loaf, ny

meet the top ten bachelors

meet the top ten bachelors

jim hess Age: 31 Occupation: mortgage Consultant Hometown: norcross, ga

sammy long Age: 51 Occupation: plumber Hometown: Huntsville, al

todd white Age: 43 Occupation: High school teacher/ Insurance agent Hometown: spartanburg, sC

mike a. notartomaso Age: 25 Occupation: server Hometown: Hilton Head Island

meet the top ten bachelors

Betsy Rogers: Jewelry, Hand-crafted Silver

Angela M. Misthal: Sculpture, Cast Bronze

Mark Larkin: Bob Goes To the Store, Welded Sculpture – 2

Donna Ireton: Long Leaf Porcupine, Pine Needle Sculpture

Sheri Farbstein: Musicians, Ceramic

Art

Article By Frank Dunne, Jr.

League of Hilton Head

W

hen sitting down to dinner, have you ever taken a look at the fork in your hand, the chair that you’re sitting on, or all the furnishings in the room for that matter, and considered them works of art? “Look at that fork,” challenges local artist Sheri Farbstein. “Somebody designed it. Art is all around us—your shirt, your furniture, whatever. Somebody designed all of it.”

Farbstein works in two- and three-dimensional fine art crafts: sculpture, glass, metalwork, jewelry, and woodwork to name a few, and she’s on a mission, spreading the word that art is everything and everything is art. “Three-D artists do not get the exposure they deserve,” she said. “People are educated in terms of paintings.” And the fine art crafts too often get left out of the conversation in her view. So she decided to take matters into her own hands in terms of changing perceptions—or perhaps, misconcep-



Caroll Williams: Grids, Boxes and Drawers – Assemblage Judy Mooney: Summertime Crown, Clay Sculpture

tions—about, and opening more eyes to the fine art crafts.

To that end, Farbstein has spearheaded the launch of the Fine Art Crafts Guild of the Art League of Hilton Head with a goal “to have a piece of quality art in every home,” starting with our own little corner of the art world. Designed as a showcase for the most innovative and original fine art crafts in the Lowcountry, the guild gives member artists a venue to exhibit their work at the Art League’s Walter Greer Gallery with an “Official Crafts” seal, designating excellence of craftsmanship, and all of the privileges that come with Art League membership. Additionally, they’ll have an opportunity to have their work judged in an annual show called CraftHiltonHead. The inaugural CraftHiltonHead 2011 takes off this month with a reception and opening on December 1, and the work will remain on display all month in the Walter Greer Gallery’s featured exhibition space.

“The 3-D arts have long been neglected,” said Art League vice president Carolyn Males. “So, Sheri decided to rectify this by starting the guild, which promotes excellence in fine crafts.

No cute wooden duckies or crocheted toilet paper holders here!

Just beautiful ceramics, weavings, metalwork, bronzes, basketry, jewelry, assemblage…there is no other show like it in the area.”

Farbstein isn’t quite sure why 3-D art doesn’t receive the attention and exposure that it deserves. Maybe it’s because, in many cases, it’s right under our noses (like she said, art is all around us) and we just don’t notice. Or perhaps it’s a matter of perception, where we might associate the term crafts with souvenir shop merchandise. If you’re of either of those mindsets or are just growing more curious, a visit to CraftHiltonHead this month is in order. You might be surprised at what you see. “It’s going to be quite eclectic,” said Farbstein. “For example, I’m a sculptor, and I do big floor pieces. I face walls and fireplaces, but I also make tea pots.”

Without giving away the store, Farbstein hinted at some of the other things you might see at CraftHiltonHead, including massive pieces by artists who work with unexpected materials like railroad ties, or even sewer pipe. And there will be exhibits from artists with whom Art League members and fans are already familiar. Sculptures by Mark Larkin and master metalworker Kevin Eichner, and assemblage works by Caroll Williams are some examples. “These are high-end, excellently done crafts,” Farbstein said. “I think I’m going to do some things with heads this time.”

Heads? That’s intriguing isn’t it? I could tell you what she means by that, but then I’d have to kill you! So you’re going to have to drop by the Walter Greer Gallery at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina to check it out for yourself. CraftHiltonHead runs throughout the month of December. It’s a great opportunity to see art in a different way and a chance to learn something new. This, by the way, is exactly what the Art League of Hilton Head wants you to do: learn about and get excited about art.

It started as art foundations so often do: groups of artists getting together to form a community and create channels to 78

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Decmber 2011

Local Art Galleries



The Complete Home 41B Calhoun Street Bluffton, SC 843-815-2729

An eclectic shop filled with everything to complete your own home or your gifting list. The selections are unique and tasteful often with a coastal theme. The original artwork ranging from oil and acrylic paintings to photography and sculptures features work from local artists Amos Hummell, Angelo Keith, Mary Ann Hart, Joan Salob, Steve Wilson, Rhonda Fantozzi, and more. There is truly something for everyone!



Karis Art & Design Gallery 33 Widewater Road Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Gallery hours are 11AM to 7PM, Monday through Saturday.

Appointments can be made by calling the gallery at 843-785-5100 or by email at karis@karisartgallery. com.

Karis Art & Design Gallery has recently opened its doors at the Village of Wexford.The gallery occupies 1900 square feet of retail space on the first floor across from Eat Restaurant and down from The Jazz Corner. A wide diversity of American artists are represented in a variety of styles and mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, custom jewelry, glass, pottery and art wearables.



Nash Gallery Shelter Cove Harbour (Left of the Famous King Neptune Statue)

843.785.6424

MADE IN THE USA! Looking for an American made gift? Nash Gallery has Elizabeth Keith Designs been representing N. American craft art- Large Grin on Metal Sun ists for the past 20 years! The gallery Ray is a visual treat, showcasing a sophisti- 28 inches in diameter cated collection of extraordinary work

by America’s finest craft artists including, glass, metal, ceramics, wood, jewelry, outdoor art,cards, and so much more! Everything in the gallery has four elements. It’s different, it’s functional, it’s interesting, and it’s artistic.

ALL MADE IN THE USA BY AMERICAN CRAFT ARTISTS. Many thanks to our loyal local customers, we couldn’t be here without you!

get their work out in the open. The Art League of Hilton Head began in 1971 when approximately 30 local artists created a community in conjunction with an exhibit of famed local painter Walter Greer’s work. Today, the League has over 500 members, including 220 exhibiting artists, and makes its home in the gallery bearing Greer’s name at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina after a number of years in the Pineland Station shopping center and various locations around the island prior to that. Art League officials feel that with the recent move into the Arts Center, the group is finally, truly home. “We’re so proud to be in this beautiful Walter Greer Gallery because it helps make a better overall art center,” said publicist Gabriele Hoffman.

Excited as they are about their new digs, though, the Art League of Hilton Head has intentions far beyond the walls of the Greer Gallery, and we’re not just talking about the satellite, or “pop-up,” galleries at Bear Creek Golf Club in Hilton Head Plantation and at Hilton Head Hospital. “One of the things we’d all like to see is that we become the visual arts organization in this community,” said Males. “We see december 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 79

Art

League

this as a creative hub. We bring artists together and give them a place where they can educate and train themselves and then have a place to show their work.” She then asks hypothetically, “Can we make Hilton Head and the Lowcountry another Santa Fe?” Who knows? But the Art League of Hilton Head is certainly going to try with their formula of: Love Art. Live Art. Learn Art. Love it at the Walter Greer Gallery, where you can see a new featured exhibition every month, and you might be surprised to find that owning beautiful, original art is not necessarily out of reach. “The art can be affordable and you can have original pieces instead of prints,” Hoffman said of one of the greatest benefits to having an organization so dedicated to promoting the work of local artists. Wouldn’t it be great to know that the picture hanging on your wall or the planter in the corner of your living room is a one-of-a-kind original?

Live it at the Art League’s series of regular events like Fabulous Fakes, where artists put their own, often whimsical, spins on classic works, or Got Art? where you could win a chance at purchasing a donated original piece for only $100; or the National Biennale, a juried show that occurs every other May at the Greer Gallery. This is a chance to experience the work of artists from around the country and around the world. “We’ve had entries from 30 states and abroad,” Hoffman said.

Learn it at the Art League of Hilton Head Academy. The Academy, located on Cordillo Parkway, offers classes in painting, pastels, drawing, mixed media, photography and printmaking, and the 3-D arts like sculpture, ceramics and jewelry. Courses are offered for all skill levels, beginner to professional, and are

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also a great way for collectors to gain a deeper knowledge of the pieces that they buy.

“There’s a misconception out there that you have to be a member (of the Art League) to take advantage of all of this,” Hoffman said, “and that only artists can be members.” Neither is true. “We’re here to help everybody learn about and enjoy art.”

To that end, Hoffman—and everybody at the Art League—has a special message for those who may be a little intimidated, or feel that the world of art is out of their league (no pun intended).

If you’ve rarely or never set foot in an art gallery, give the Art League of Hilton Head a try.

“You might be surprised at what you see…something that you wouldn’t expect to see on Hilton Head and how affordable an original piece can be,” Hoffman said. Or, if you’re not quite ready to jump into originals, she added, “Print processes are so sophisticated these days that you can have these beautiful pieces if you need a more affordable option.”

Looking to the future, the Art League plans to branch out even further with mixed media events, pairing art with fashion or art with food for example. “And we would like to start a lecture series on various topics like how to frame or how to appreciate and how to buy art,” Hoffman said.

With all of that going on, maybe that “next Santa Fe” thing isn’t so far out of reach. We’ll just do it with palmetto trees instead of cacti.  For more information, call the gallery at (843) 681-5060 or the academy at (843) 842-5738 or visit ArtLeagueHHI.org.

Decmber 2011

ďƒł

Kelsey Borden Senior Phobia 2, AP Drawing Bluffton High School

Up &

Coming

C2 scoured local schools in search of the next Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh and we found an abundance of local talent blooming in the Lowcountry. Special thanks to the student artists and teachers of Hilton Head High School, Hilton Head Preparatory, Christian Academy and Bluffton High School for sharing their artwork with us.

ďƒł

 Lanie Miller 12th grade Planting, AP Drawing Bluffton High School

 Heidi Stine ‘Poodle-licious’ Composite Drawing in color pencils Drawing III Honors Sophomore, HIlton Head HIgh School



Jessica Bonilla ‘Careful with what you create’ Multi-media AP Art Senior HIlton Head HIgh School

 Miles Helman Skatebook Page 1 AP Photography Senior HIlton Head HIgh School

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

Brooke Bishop 12th grade Hilton Head Christian Academy



Sarah Bundy 11th Grade Hilton Head Christian Academy



Caitlin Baltzley 12th grade Hilton Head Prep



Marielle Alexander 12th grade Hilton Head Prep

december 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 85

Article By Debbie Szpanka Photography by John Brackett

Family business runs on a good

night’s sleep

The Mattress King

Sleeps Here Bet you didn’t know that the mattress king sleeps here. Living on Hilton Head Island, Gary Fazio brings nearly 40 years of bedding industry know-how to the Lowcountry. Known among industry leaders as one of the most influential people in

the

bedding

business,

Fazio has spent his life learning how you can rest more peacefully.

The Sleep Masters of Mattress Firm (left to right): Adam Fazio, Rachelle Hobus, Robert C. Moul, Edward Anthony, Charles Taylor, Kimberly Morris and Rashad Brantley

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Decmber 2011

Fazio is currently CEO of Simmons, based in Atlanta, after major stints at Sealy and Mattress Firm. Lucky for you, his son Adam Fazio owns the local Mattress Firm store in Bluffton and can pass on their collective knowledge to you as a benefit of living in the same town as the royal family of mattresses.

Adam instinctively knows he must pass on his wealth of knowledge to grow his empire. His employees are degreed professionals who work at Mattress Firm as a career, not just a job, he said. This level of expertise makes mattress buying an educational experience for the customers, not just an item to cross off their to-do list.

“All of our managers go to Houston, Texas, where Mattress Firm and its Sleep School are headquartered. Under the guidance of Dr. Michael Breus, known as ‘The Sleep Doctor,’ each employee learns what makes a mattress and what makes sleep restorative,” Adam said. “Even our delivery guys have degrees and mattress training.

I am serious about this business, and everyone who represents my stores must be informed about the latest business trends and information.”

Mattress Firm employees are sleep therapists: you tell them intimate details of your life in order to improve the quality of your sleep and life.

“Sleep is the foundation of life. Without proper rest, we don’t have the energy to live life at our best levels,” Adam explained. “When customers come into the store, we don’t ask them what mattress they want to see. We ask them what their sleeping patterns are, if they have any physical issues, and how their sleep behaviors help or hinder the sleep of their partner, and then we show them the mattress which may best fit their needs.”

Adam didn’t start his career following the pillow imprints of his father. He owned a computer business and specialized in Web application and development for government agencies. He sold the company to a Washington, D.C.-based federal contractor and then moved to the Lowcountry to open his first Mattress Firm store.

Just like the computer biz, Adam knows that technology and attention to details create industry leaders. He found the best location in Bluffton, as the store firmly faces Highway 278. “Neil,” a life-size astronaut is usually in front of the store. The caricature symbolizes the discovery of the Tempur-Pedic mattress while NASA was experimenting with materials to better cushion and support astronauts during lift-off.

While Gary continues to manage the industry on an international level, Adam is growing the family dynasty on a local level. Adam plans to expand his Hilton Head Island- Savannah franchise within the next six to nine months. The first expansion was a Super Center adjacent to Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, which has been open for about 18 months now. The next opening is scheduled in Pooler, Georgia, on Pooler Parkway near the Savannah airport. Adam was also excited to tell us that the Island could have it’s very own Mattress Firm location near the Fresh Market Shoppes as early as late Spring. Proud that Mattress Firm is the only specialized sleep store with sleep shops in all four time zones, Adam plans to own stores from south of Charleston to north of Jacksonville, Florida. And when you meet him, you may get the impression he lives, eats and…well, sleeps this mission.

“Once I found the Bluffton location during Thanksgiving of 2007, I gutted the building and rebuilt it in four weeks,” Adam said. “I opened for business in 2008 when the economy was in recession and the bedding industry numbers had sunk to 2002 levels. However, I have a low-price guarantee, hired professional people, offer more than 500 models, display more than 60 of them and now our momentum is revving up by opening more stores in Georgia and South Carolina.”

Adam attributes his success to customer service such as next-day service, shipping mattresses to people’s homes in other states, offering better warranties and

knowing how a mattress can better a person’s life. “You can’t sell a multi-thousand dollar Tempur-Pedic bed by putting a sign on it,” he said. “You have to know the science behind restful sleep.” He wants the consumer’s needs, not what’s in stock or what may be a quick sale, to dictate the bed. “You keep the customer’s needs first and everyone wins,” Adam said.

According to Adam, the forthcoming Savannah Super Center will have more mattresses on display than any other Mattress Firm store in the country. It will also feature a “Tempur-Pedic Sleep Experience Center,” a state-of-the-art, computerized sleep simulator that customers can experience as part of discovering what mattress best fits their needs.

Tempur-Pedic, known as the highest echelon of mattresses, has selected Adam’s new store to be one of the first in the United States to offer this sleep simulator. The Bluffton Mattress Firm store already has a proven track record since it is the only retailer in South Carolina to display all of Tempur-Pedic models.

Being the son of the mattress king, Adam has grown up listening to his father’s management philosophies. One of his dad’s strongest tenets is never to be satisfied and always to strive for the next goal. His dad said many times that success is not an accident.

In addition to his family taking note, Gary’s leadership has been recognized

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Decmber 2011

Adam Fazio, Charles Taylor and Rob Moul

by national groups. In July 2011, the Anti-Defamation League honored Gary as one of the home furnishings executives who have created a corporate culture which “benefited the lives of others and advanced the goals central to the mission of the Anti-Defamation League.” (The civil rights and human relations agency, which fights all forms of bigotry, also honored renowned model and furniture designer Kathy Ireland.)

“The last four years of being in the business has taught me a greater appreciation of what my dad created. I am proud of his vision and that he saw a gap between manufacturing and retail and has filled that gap to create a better experience for the customer,” Adam said.

While his employees aren’t related by bloodline, Adam said they are a part of his plan and bond with him through shared experiences and goals. He calls his Bluffton store manager, Charles Taylor, “son.” Two other employees, Kimberly Morris and Rachelle Hobus are roommates. And Adam’s colleague from his computer days, Rob Moul, will assist in expanding the Mattress Firm franchise to other states.

Adam learned much from his dad and continues to pass it on. “We are family here,” he said.  For more information on your next mattress, call 843.837.FIRM.

Thrifting:

Turning Clutter into a Cause to Shop

L

owcountry culture is rich with reminders of the past. Our collective and individual past and present are all around us in historic markers, environmental preservation and beauty. As a community, we often nurture what was left behind as we try to make our present more meaningful. With this pervasive philosophy wafting through our world like the ocean breeze, no wonder thrift stores thrive here.

“Thrifting” fits our culture. Add in the charitable angle, and people have a cause to shop. Since Native American and freed slaves discovered this piece of paradise, residents haven’t stopped discovering its treasures. Locals and guests are now treasure hunting at thrift stores, digging through someone else’s items of the past to honor the recycled, reused and recovered.

“It’s not unusual to go into our store’s parking lot and

see license plates from Massachusetts to states all along the East Coast,” said Carol Nyquist, a volunteer for Hospice Community Thrift. “Besides the beaches, golf, tennis and world class resorts, people are coming here to sift through our donated stuff.”

David Leininger, a retired preacher and self-proclaimed thrifter, said he has bought several high-end suits from thrift shops and loves to brag about his finds. “After losing 80 pounds, I was asked to perform a wedding on Hilton Head Island. After donating all my ‘fat’ clothes to thrift stores, I went back to them to find a suit. My Barney’s suit, which doesn’t sell for less than $3,000 in New York, cost me eight dollars,” he said.

“We have wonderful junk here. We live in a fairly highend community so when someone discards their old stuff, they are usually discarding high-end stuff. Since people out-

Article by Debbie Szpanka

In every thrift store, it’s the connections with the causes, the people and the past and how they go forward into the future that makes thrifting such a spirited sport and a meaningful shopping experience.

Thrift listings Palmetto Animal League Thrift Store 1 Sherrington Drive, Sheridan Park, Bluffton (Next to Tuesday Morning)

Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm (843)837-6369

The Bargain Box 546 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head

(Between Mile Markers 5 & 6 – Behind First Presbyterian Church)

Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1:00pm-4:00pm Thursday 2:00pm to 5:00pm / Saturday 9:15am to 12:15pm (843)342-2469

Goodwill Industries (3 Locations) 95 Mathews Drive, Hilton Head (Across from Sam’s Club)

Monday-Saturday 9am to 8pm / Sunday 12 Noon to 6pm (843)681-2280 509 Island Park West, Bluffton ( Next to Stokes Toyota)

Monday-Saturday 9am to 8pm / Sunday 12 Noon to 6pm (843)815-6550 137 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort Monday-Saturday 9am to8pm / Sunday 12 Noon to 6pm (843) 470-1734

Calhoun Station Thrift Store 77 Prichard Street, Bluffton (Behind City Hall)

Open Wednesday and Saturday 10:00am to 1:00pm (843)757-5191

God’s Goods Thrift Store 53 Persimmon Street, Suite 103 , Bluffton Tuesday-Friday 10am to 4pm / Saturday 10am to 3pm (843) 757-2024

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The Church Mouse Thrift Store 19-D Dunnagan’s Alley, Hilton Head (Between Palmetto Bay & Arrow Road)

Open Tuesday & Saturday 10am to 3pm Wednesday & Friday 10am to 2pm / Thursday 1pm to 6pm (843) 785-2322

Hospice Community Thrift 3-A Mathews Court, Hilton Head (Across from Port Royal Plaza and Sam’s Club) Tuesday/Wednesday/ Friday 10am to 4pm Thursday 12 Noon to 4pm / Saturday 10am to 3pm (843)689-5455

The Litter Box Thrift StoreHilton Head Humane Association 46 Old Wild Horse Road Open Monday through Saturday 10am to 4pm (843)842-6369

Off Island Thrift-Cancer Awareness (2 Locations) 4375 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton (Across from Neighbors Gas Station) Open Tuesday-Friday 10am to 5:30pm / Saturday 10am to 4pm (843) 815-SAVE (7283) Off Island Thrift #2 18 Plantation Park Drive (Down from Dairy Queen)

Open Tuesday-Friday 10am to 5:30pm / Saturday 10am to 4pm (843)815-7770

live other people, we always have a supply of really good stuff,” Leininger continued.

Thrift store volunteers and employees also say many feel good about their shopping experience because they are finding bargains while helping a cause, charity or civic organization. Bluffton’s oldest thrift store, Calhoun Station, started in 1989 by a group of Bluffton women who wanted to donate money to a low-income resident who lived offisland. Its first location was an abandoned gas station on Calhoun Street, and the name was born. Now, 22 years later, the proceeds from the store have raised more than $1.5 million dollars for nearly 30 different non-profits in the area.

The granddaddy of the local thrift industry, The Bargain Box, started in 1965 with three ladies from First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island. While The Bargain Box is its own separate entity from the church, the mission of assisting the region’s needy has taken on a life of its own.

“From 1965 to 2010, The Bargain Box has awarded more than $11.5 million worth of grants to nearly every social and charitable organization in the Lowcountry. We have also partnered with other organizations and given away nearly $500,000 worth of our items to people recovering from illness, house fires and other sorts of distress,” Dean Roberts, office manager of The Bargain Box, said.

The local thrift store industry represents how businesses can prosper in a win-win-win situation. As people downsize, clear their clutter or renovate, they receive tax deductions for their donations. Non-profit organizations have a constant revenue source to fund their causes. Thirdly, treasure hunters can find unique, often long-sought-after items that seem to appear at the right moment for a fraction of retail prices.

Bobbi Helton, manager of The Litter Box, recalls one story of a retired man who had wanted a rosewood dining room table since he was in college. He walked in the store one day and was shocked to see a rosewood dining room table. Helton said he couldn’t get over the fact that the table was just sitting there, almost as if it was waiting for him to come in and claim it.

Employees of area thrift stores have stories to share about a customer, or an item or how the store revenues really helped the charity during a tough time.

The Palmetto Animal League’s most consistent revenue source, especially during the recent recession, helped them maintain its services while building a new adoption center with a strict budget and few employees.

“During 2008-2009, the revenue from Animal House Thrift supported our entire foster program with medical care being the biggest chuck of our expenses,” Amy Campanini, executive director of the Palmetto Animal League, said. “We were able to focus on building our new adoption center while our thrift store maintained our current programs to shelter and foster animals.

“Donating to our thrift stores also gives supporters a way to be involved in our cause of saving animals. Sometimes people can’t walk dogs; sometimes people can’t write Decmber 2011

a check; however, most times, people can clean a closet and donate items or help us by shopping in our store,” Campanini said.

God’s Goods, one of the newest thrift stores in the area, just celebrated its first year of operation and its manager echoes the sentiment that everyone involved benefits from thrifting.

Kim Perri is referred to as a “ministry leader” since the thrift store benefits the missions, ministries and outreach programs for The Church of the Cross in Bluffton.

“After a group of church members returned from a mission trip in Belize, we started the store as a way to fund more trips,” Perri said. “Looking back at our first year, I am blown away about how many ministries have grown out of the store.

All the volunteers are blessed by serving, the people who need low-cost items are

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blessed by receiving and many of us are blessed every day by just being here.”

The Church Mouse is also a fundraising ministry of its parent church, St. Luke’s of Hilton Head Island. Phyllis Neville, its shop manager, said the store also does its best to honor and worship Mother Earth.

“We work hard to be a ‘green’ shop.

We recycle everything we can. We bring hangers to local tailors, collect scrap metals, break down cardboard, give books to schools,” Neville said. “We try to find a way to repurpose and recycle almost everything that comes into our shop.”

Every store has its own story about why it was opened. Karen Matthews said she was motivated to open a store (Off Island Thrift) after she watched her father suffer from cancer. Realizing that cancer treatments consume so many parts of a person’s life, she wanted to ease the process for others.

“My dad’s legacy became my passion.

Watching him, I wondered how people going through chemotherapy and radiation must feel helpless. They can’t go to

work or provide for their families, so my passion is to help people through this process,” Matthews said. “Last year, through the store, I was able to directly donate $584,000 to cancer patients as well as to homeless shelters in Georgia and Florida.”

Despite the increased competition and the repressed economy, more area thrift stores are opening and expanding with no signs of the trend slowing. One of the area’s largest, Off Island Thrift, is about to expand its empire. Matthews has recently added more stores and is shifting her inventory so shoppers have specialty stores within her organization. She just took over the Stone Works building in Bluffton off of Bluffton Parkway. That store, to be named Off Island Thrift Furniture Showcase, will feature housewares and furniture. The current store off of Bluffton Parkway will be renamed Off Island Designer Clothing and Accessories, and the 20,000-square-foot building in Plantation Parkway will remain Off Island Thrift. Matthews refers to her success and expansion in words from the Bible. “We are

Decmber 2011

Despite the increased competition and the repressed economy, more area thrift stores are opening and expanding with no signs of the trend slowing. pressed down, shaken together and running over,” she said.

A major thrift store presence in the Lowcountry and the nation is Goodwill Industries International, with a 25,000-square-foot store in Bluffton, a 15,000-square-foot store in Beaufort and an estimated 3,000-square foot store on Hilton Head Island. The non-profit and its store work together to get people back to work. Its mission is to “enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities as they help people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.” Many Goodwill jobtraining centers are located in the stores, so job seekers can apply for jobs, work on their résumés and even buy work clothes in the same location.

Acco rd i n g to E r i n B u r n ey ko, a spokeswoman from Goodwill Industries

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of Lower South Carolina, more than 90 percent of all thrift store revenue is used to support Goodwill’s mission. In Coastal South Carolina, which covers Beaufort and 17 other counties, its 2010 revenue translated into assisting more than 22,000 with employment and placing 478 people into new jobs which lasted three months or more.

In every thrift store, it’s the connections with the causes, the people and the past and how they go forward into the future that makes thrifting such a spirited sport and a meaningful shopping experience.

Carol Nyquist, a volunteer with Hospice Community Thrift reminisces about how this year’s dollhouse project captured the rich spirit of giving and receiving someone’s past treasures. “A local gentleman donated a 14-room dollhouse

to us before he moved to an assisted living center,” she said. “I spent six months repainting, reroofing, re-wallpapering, rewiring and renovating it. It had a certain magic to it since the man and his wife, who was dying of cancer, built it together in 1978. “He even donated a shoebox full of furniture for the dollhouse. One of the rooms was a replica of their bedroom.

Another room had a real brick fireplace with bookcases with tiny, tiny books. It was just beautiful,” Nyquist added.

A woman in her 80s was thrilled to buy it, saying she had been looking for a dollhouse for five years. The new owner said she would send a picture of the dollhouse in her house when she gets it set up for the holidays. Nyquist will add that picture to a photo album showing the transformation of the dollhouse, which she will then send to the gentleman who donated the house so he knows his treasures live on. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE / Styling by Stephanie Lamkin-Pona

Dave Leininger wasn’t always this dapper. “I lost over 80 pounds in just a year,” he said with enthusiasm. “Thrift store shopping was really born out of a need to buy clothes while I was losing the weight. You don’t want to spend a lot on suits you won’t be in for more than a week or two.”

Leininger was a Hilton Head Island resident from 1973-1981. “I started the first local radio station, WHHR. I was the first Monty Jett,” he laughed. In 1981, Leininger went off to seminary. He spent the next several years serving Presbyterian congregations from Ft. Meyers, Florida to Warren, Pennsylvania. Two years ago, he retired, moving back to Hilton Head with his wife Christie.

Shortly after his return, he discovered the booming industry of destination weddings. “Folks kept asking me if I did weddings,” Leininger said. “I was meeting with the first couple I married, and I asked them if they wanted me to wear my robe. They said ‘No, just a suit would be fine.’ It was then that I realized I didn’t have a suit that fit!”

Thus began Leininger’s journey through dramatic weight loss and the discovery of local thrift shops. What began as a way to find inexpensive ways to dress through the stages of losing weight became a hobby as he found brand new Lanvin tuxedos valued at $3,700 for only $8.

“We have the best thrift shops in the world right here,” Leininger said, as he modeled his double-breasted blue blazer for our shoot.

Amen Dave, Amen!

DARK TUXEDO BY LANVIN, ST. FRANCIS THRIFT, CIRCA $12.

GREY FEDORA BY STETSON, THE CHURCH MOUSE, CIRCA $10.

WHITE DRESS SHIRT, THE CHURCH MOUSE, CIRCA $4.

CHARCOAL GREY SUIT BY DEANSGATE, THE BARGAIN BOX, CIRCA $8. PURPLE & TEAL TIE BY BERT PULITZER, ST. FRANCIS THRIFT, CIRCA $.50.

BLACK TUXEDO BY THOS. STUART FOR HOLLIS CLOTHING (WITH BOW TIE & CUMBERBUN) FROM ST. FRANCIS THRIFT, CIRCA $20. GREY FEDORA BY STETSON, THE CHURCH MOUSE, CIRCA $10.

WHITE DINNER JACKET, ST. FRANCIS THRIFT $4.

TUXEDO SHIRT, THE CHURCH MOUSE, CIRCA $3.

SILVER LAME’ TUXEDO JACKET, THE LITTER BOX, $.25. BURBERRY SCARF, THE CHURCH MOUSE, $4.

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Pizzazz 430 William Hilton Parkway 843.342.2273 pizzazzhhi@gmail.com 6” Silver Shell Dish Beach Christmas Napkins in Assorted Sizes Large Silver Shell Dish Decorative Occasions 4-Section Tempered Glass Serving Bowl Decorative Occasions 3-Section Condiment Dish with Silver Shells

Outside Hilton Head The Plaza at Shelter Cove and Palmetto Bluff 843.686.6996 www.outsidehiltonhead.com

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JBanks 35 Main Street 843.681.5122 www.jbanksdesign.com Assortment of Bracelets and Rings with a Cork Theme

UGG Earmuffs - Great for cold weather and perfectly stylish UGG Fur-Trimmed Boots - It’s boot season!

Why not have the most stylish winter boots around? These will keep you toasty warm on those colder winter days and nights UGG Leather Hat - Perfect cherry on-top for your winter wardrobe!

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KPM 35 Main Street – Suite 110 843.342.4955 www.kpmflooring.com An assortment of nature-inspired outdoor pillows.

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Luciana 37 new orleans road suite C 843.686.5620 www.lucianafashion.com

Mainly Monogramming 843.671.6811 www. mainlymonogramming. com

Fur Vest - short and sweet. excellent for lowcountry winters

Striped and Polka Dot Stockings - perfect meaningful gift for any family member Embroidered Throw Pillow with Christmas tree

Grey Alphabet Coat with red accent scarf and red heels

by Lalla

The Porcupine the village at wexford 843.785.2779 www.porcupinestyle.com Deux Lux Feather Clutch beautifully embroidered and sparkled with gold chains making it possible to put over the shoulder as well. In shimmering silver and black Handcrafted Emerald Ring with beautiful detail in both gold and silver Handcrafted Ruby Ring Intricate gold and silver details on sides

Nash Gallery shelter Cove 843.785.6424

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Patricia’s village at wexford 843.785.7795 www.beachboutique.com

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Niobium Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings by California artist Holly Hosterman niobium is more precious than silver, rarer than gold, light as a feather and 100% hypoallergenic.

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Funkey Monkey 71 pope ave.

843.715.0512

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pamper your loved one with items from the Funkey monkey. whether it’s a fir-lined purse, leather tasseled shoulder bag, or a soft animal-print hat, you can find all types of treasures for the holidays.

Gifted Hilton Head the village at wexford 843.842.8787

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Leatherock Leather Shoulder Bag with stone and jewel decor, this purse proves to be the perfect gift for any woman.

Mariana Jewelry - matching necklace and bracelet set with flowers and jewels in fall and winter colors

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Heritage Fine Jewelry pineland station 843.689.2900 heritagejewelershhi.com

The Blue Parrot the village at wexford 800.252.6653 www.blueparrotgifts.com West & Co. Tide Clock rustic-looking tide clock perfect for any islander who likes to be on the water.

Stock Exchange t The street village t main 843.689.6777 www.thestockexchangeinc.com Mink Cap by michael kates Tiffany Python Large Tote with “tiffany blue” lining Vintage Rhinestone necklace with vintage rhinestone earrings

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Palmettoes sea pines Center 843.363.6800

sparkly holiday apparel for a night out on the town.

Dress - by adrianna papell Shoes - by beverly Feldman Clutch - by eric Javits Scarf - by shawlsmith london

In the STORY series there is a wide selection of bracelets from sleek or braided suede, to the raw look, with beautiful gem stones with secure magnetic locking clasp. now you get the opportunity to share your life “story” through small removable charms. exclusively at Heritage Fine Jewelry.

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Go-Tri Sports

24 Palmetto Bay Road 843.842.4786 www.gotrisports.com

Country Club of Hilton Head

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FuelBelt Water Bootle Holder Women’s Sugoi Gloves Beetle LED Bike Lights EliteTech Ultra Lightweight Sock Guy Socks Tifosi Optics Pink Sunglasses Mizuno Wave Precision Sneakers Trigger Point Therapy Starter Set

Hilton Head Plantation 843.681-4653 www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/ Country-Club-of-Hilton-Head

Get your sporty love some workout gear – for the course or the track.

Wilson ProLite Racket Palmetto Dunes Tennis Towel Wilson ProLite Racket Bag

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Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center www.palmettodunes.com 843.785.1152

Palmetto Dunes Golf www.palmettodunes.com Robert Trent Jones Course 843.686.9137

Robert Trent Jones Adidas Polo Shirt Adidas Pink, Black, and White Plaid Shorts Sport Haley Brown Cheetah-Print Vest Maui Jim Women’s Sunglasses

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Lowcountry Saddlery Moss Creek Village 843.837.8700 lcsaddlery@hargray.com

Fjord Jacket - Equine couture takes style to a whole new level with this stunning winter jacket - includes a snap on/ off hood with faux fur trim MacKenzie Saddle Bag - Preppy takes on a whole new meaning with these incredible Equine Couture Madras Check saddle bags Roundabout Socks- Bamboo/Cotton Equine

The Village Spa Bluffton 843.815.4811 www.thevillagespabluffton.com

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We carry several full lines of professional hair care products.

Loreal Professional and Matrix are two of our most popular- We also custom order to suit each individual client’s needs.

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Matrix Limited-Edition StyleWinder Mini Matrix Biolage Delicate Care Masque Matrix Biolage Delicate Care Shampoo Loreal Professional Paris Vitamino Color Shampoo Loreal Professional Paris Vitamino Color Protecting Masque

The Sanctuary A European Day Spa Park Plaza 843.842.5999 www.sanctuaryeurospa. com

Guinot Gommage Facile Smoothing Body Scrub Guinot Longue Vie Corps Vital Body Care Cream AgeLogic Minceur Silhouette Refining Stubborn Cellulite

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Faces Day Spa The Village at Wexford 843.785.3075 FACESdayspa.com

Decorated Headband - Ornamented with jewels for sparkling holiday style.

Tanda Zap - Used for all skin types and tones. Clears or fades individual acne blemishes within 24 hours RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner - A great cosmetic innovation that will dramatically enhance the beauty of all-natural lashes Royal Apothic - Perfumed fragrance oil created to be worn individually or blended to create a unique scent Okab.- Flats designed for comfort and to “love you” Glossware - Long lasting lip gloss in Soap Star colour

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Spa Soliel Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa Spa Soliel 1 Hotel Circle 686-8420 www.csspagroup.com

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Zents Hydrating Elixir (Mandarin). Luxurious elixir spray feels light and silky on the skin.

Nourishing jojoba, sunflower and grape seed leave skin gorgeously healthy and soft.

Zents Hand and Body Wash- leaves skin lavishly clean and moisturized. Rich Shea butter permeates the skins surface for a deep noticeable softness. These products are made with the finest ingredients.

Spa Ritual-Twinkle is inspired by the magical warmth of the Holiday Season. Live the good life. DBP-Free and Vegan

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Heavenly Spa by Westin Two Grasslawn Avenue 843.681.1019 www.westinhiltonheadspa.com

Sonic Skin Cleansing for face and body - Invented by Sonicare Neil Morris Rainflower Parfum Neil Morris Afire Parfum

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t t Island Girl Coligny Plaza 843.686.6000 South Beach Marina 843.363.3883 www.islandgirlhhi.com Fun and girly items for the fashionista in all of us.

Gold Holiday Dress by Muse Pink Clutch by Hobo International Gold Heels by A. Marinelli

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Salty Dog Cafe 232 Sea Pines Drive 843.671.CAFE moblile.saltydog.com A treasure chest of gifts endorsed by Jake the Dog! ( Especially the treats.)

What you need to

know about

Year-End Tax Planning 2011

Ar ticle by Lew Wessel

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Photography by Anne

Year-end tax planning is as basic a financial exercise as balancing a checkbook or checking your credit score from time to time. Yet, my guess is, a ridiculously small number of taxpayers actually perform this vital function. If you are part of that vast majority who don’t start thinking about taxes until early April, I urge you to mend your ways. Here’s what you need to know…

“W

hat’s done is done” (or the equally obnoxious: “It is what it is.”) Well, not quite. For the most part, your tax information is complete on January 1, but there are a few opportunities to affect your tax situation postDecember 31. Let’s discuss those first: • Retirement Savings Accounts: Contributions to IRA’s, Roth or regular, of up to $5,000 ($6,000 for those over 50) are allowed right up until the tax filing deadline of April 17, 2012. The decision as to which IRA account you choose is critical. Remember: contributions to a regular IRA are deductible right away, but ALL distributions will eventually be taxed at ordinary tax rates; contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible right away, but all distributions will be totally tax-free. Rule of thumb: the younger you are and the lower your tax bracket, the more likely the Roth IRA will be the correct choice.

• If you earn self-employment income, even from a second job, you have an even more powerful and flexible postDecember option: the SEP IRA. This retirement savings option can be set up and funded as late as the tax filing date with extensions, or October 15, 2012. The limit for SEP contributions is a whopping $49,000 or 20% of self-employment income. The ability to defer the contribution to so late in the year is a terrific cash-flow opportunity for any small businessperson.

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Contributions of up to $6,150 ($7,150 for those 55 and older) to HSA’s can be made up until the April 17, 2012 filing date. As I’ve discussed in the past, if

you qualify for this account, use it! It’s a total tax no-brainer.

• 529 Plan: Speaking of “no-brainers,” if you are paying for college for someone—a child, grandchild, or even you, running those contributions through the South Carolina Future Scholar program generally will make total sense. Contributions are deductible on the South Carolina 2011 1040 if they are made prior to April 17, 2012 (do it by April 15, just in case) and will save you up to $700 for every $10,000 you contribute. Of course, make sure you are comfortable with the underlying investments in the plan.

• Dig, Dig, Dig…Think, Think, Think: Probably the most effective tax-savings action you can take after December 31 is to work really hard on gathering up your tax information. If you use a tax professional to do your taxes (and you should), he or she is pretty much relying on you for the raw data. It’s up to you to remember the details and supply the documentation. For example, out-of-pocket expenses, including mileage, are deductible for services you perform on behalf of a qualified charitable organization, but you are the one who needs to record, document and remember to tell your tax professional about them.

The basics of year-end tax planning It all begins with you or your tax professional using a tax software program to do a mock 2011 tax return, both federal and South Carolina, based on year-to-date information. Make sure to do this no later than December 15, so you’ll actually have time to

implement all your ideas. I won’t kid you; this is tedious work, painful even, for the non-debit/credit crowd. But, it has to be done. The good thing is that we’re talking estimates here, and rounding to the nearest $1,000 is fine.

Once the “return” is complete, it’s time to play the “What If” game. In each iteration of this exercise, you and/or your tax pro will insert a new #, e.g. a higher charitable contribution, in the mock tax return and calculate the effect on federal and state taxable income. When you are done, you’ll have a list of actions to implement prior to year-end. Here are some of your focus areas: • Roth Conversions: Unlike contributions, conversions of regular IRA’s to Roth IRA’s must be done prior to year-end.

This is a powerful tax-planning tool and is now available to all taxpayers, regardless of income level. A Roth IRA conversion, thoroughly discussed in prior articles, involves moving regular IRA funds to a Roth IRA so that future distributions from the IRA will now be tax-free. The tradeoff

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is that the converted amounts are taxable in the year of conversion.

It is vital to run calculations of the entire mock tax return at different conversion levels to assess the total tax impact, which may very well include the alternative minimum tax (AMT). For those in low or negative income situations, this planning opportunity falls clearly in the “shame-onyou-if-you-miss-it” category.

• Capital Gains and Losses: If you own equities or fixed income instruments in a non-qualified account (e.g. not in an IRA), you have lots of flexibility to generate gains or losses that will impact your 2011 tax bill.

If you have generated capital gains this year, one basic planning tool is to “harvest” existing capital losses in your brokerage account to offset these gains or even generate an overall loss; capital losses up to $3,000 are deductible on your current return. This is easier said than done; however, as “wash-sale” rules preclude recognition of a loss if you buy back the same investment within 30 days. One perfectly

legal way around that prohibition, besides waiting 31 days, is to immediately replace the sold investment with a different but similar one; e.g. sell Vanguard’s Value Index Fund and buy Schwab’s Value Index Fund (Note: This is an EXAMPLE—don’t take this as investment advice…please!)

Before you go all gung-ho on this winter harvest, make sure you actually do want to wipe out those capital gains.

Since capital gains for those in the 10% and 15% bracket are currently tax-free, you may actually want to increase them if your taxable income is low or even negative. Increasing capital gains also might be desired by a taxpayer who thinks capital gains rates will go up dramatically in the future. The good news is that there is no law against “wash-sale” gains; you can harvest gains till the cows come home.

Note: Gains and losses inside your IRA or 401K are not recognized for tax purposes. The tax planning techniques above will only work in a taxable account.

• Charitable Contributions: Again, here’s a chance to lower your taxable income that is well within your control up until December 31. Putting a check in the mail or dropping off clothing (in good condition) at the Bargain Box on the last day of the year will work fine (although in the past, area charities have been known to stop accepting contributions well before year-end). As discussed in previous articles, another good idea is to donate appreciated long-term stock to a “Donor Advised Fund” (e.g. Fidelity’s Gift Fund) prior to year-end. This not only gets you a charitable deduction, it also makes the capital gain included in the stock price non-taxable. Setting up an account at a brokerage firm or the Low Country Foundation may take some time, so don’t wait till the last minute.

• Estimated State Income Tax Payments: The fourth installment of the 2011 SC Estimated Taxes isn’t due until January 15, 2012, but you are free to pay it in December 2011 if your planning indicates it will serve you better to include the extra deduction on the 2011 tax return. If you have failed to make required federal or state estimated tax payments, there are year-end tactics that can legally make up the entire shortfall and save you some penalties. Consult your tax professional for these ideas.

• Other Personal Deductions: As year-end approaches, you have the power to control whether some deductions will be taken in 2011 or 2012. These include real property taxes (unless escrowed), personal property taxes, medical deductions Decmber 2011

What you need to

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about

and certain miscellaneous deductions.

Correctly deciding which year to direct them to depends on a number of factors, including your current and projected adjusted gross income as well as your AMT situation. If you are right on the edge between taking the standard deduction and itemizing, you can and should play the perfectly legitimate game of maximizing your itemized deductions, including charitable contributions, every other year.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): If you are a lucky employee with an FSA account, don’t forget to zero out the account by year-end (or shortly thereafter if the plan allows). This is a use-it-or-lose-it situation; don’t be a loser.

• Required Minimum Distributions (RMD’s): These are the annual distributions a taxpayer over 70 and a half must take out of his or her retirement account (e.g. IRA, 401k, etc.) prior to year-end (Note: There is a grace period until April 1 for the first

december 2011

year’s RMD requirement). RMD’s are actually a tax compliance, not a tax planning concern; i.e. there’s no choice—you have to take them. The penalty for failing to make an RMD is draconian—a whopping 50% of the required distribution. Pay attention to this issue; it’s amazing how many taxpayers overlook it.

A final word If you haven’t already done so, call your tax professional now to set up a yearend tax-planning meeting. If it were legal (it’s not) every tax pro I know would be happy to offer you a guarantee that he/ she will save you more money—a lot more money—in that meeting than you’ll be paying in accounting fees.  To comment or for more information, e-mail lewwessel@hargray.com.

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Guard your Nest Egg

A few steps seniors can take to help protect against fraud

P

rotecting your retirement nest egg and sustaining your investment decision should also raise a red flag. Don’t be afraid retirement income are challenging enough. When you add to ask questions or to seek a second opinion. And beware of in the fears and concerns unique to older persons, it’s clear guarantees to make money or to achieve a guaranteed rate of that seniors should consider taking extra precautions to guard return. Con artists use promises of high returns to lure people their investments. into a financial scam.

Older people can be common targets for fraud and Free meal seminars may seem appealing. Though many financial crimes. Several qualities that are characteristics of of these events are legitimate, some are not. Some of these older people tend to make them targets for scam artists and seminars turn into high-pressure events where you may be unscrupulous sales people. Older people are generally trusting; given bad advice or pressured to open an account that is not they may be home alone during the day; they are accustomed to suitable for your financial situation. The cost of a free meal answering the door or the phone; and they may be reluctant to may be greater than you think if it results in your purchasing an report fraud. Scam artists are well aware of unsuitable investment product. all this, which makes seniors susceptible to Contact your law enforcement agency Older people can be the methods unscrupulous people employ, immediately if you suspect someone is common targets for fraud including phone calls, e-mails, personal sales employing fraudulent actions. Investment and financial crimes. pitches, and pop-up ads on the Internet. fraud can take many forms. There are Several qualities that are Let’s start with a few basics. Proceed Ponzi schemes, for example, where characteristics of older with care; don’t jump into an investment just fraudsters advertise high rates of return because you have been approached through on client investments. High payouts may people tend to make them one of these communications tactics. Prior targets for scam artists and continue until new investors are no longer to investing in any investment product or available. Then the scheme and all the unscrupulous sales people. service, it is important that you consider money disappear. your overall financial situation in order to Other schemes have been reported, determine if the product or service is right for you. You should including pyramid schemes, scams involving coins and precious be aware of your liquidity needs, fees and costs associated with metals, ownership interests in oil and gas interests, viatical an investment as well as your income needs and the overall risk scams, and affinity fraud through community groups, clubs and you can afford to bear with any investment. even places of worship. Healthy skepticism is a wise strategy for Beware of misleading information. There is some wisdom seniors when approached by salespeople. to the old adage, “If it seems too good to be true…” Offers of For more information about how to protect against an investment with an above-average rate of return or income financial fraud, obtain the free Wells Fargo Advisors publication rate and little-to-no risk are almost always deceptive. Some Guide to Financial Protection for Older Investors by calling Gary representatives and salespeople may use scare tactics to Bezilla at 843-681-1400. There are many ways that you can gain access to seniors’ savings and investments, such as the protect yourself, including monitoring your personal financial threat of physical or financial harm, intimidating statements information and being selective in providing access to this or recurring phone calls. Services described as a “limited-time personal data. Your financial health is an important aspect of offer” or any person who pressures you to make an immediate your retirement. Guard it carefully. 

This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Gary T. Bezilla, managing director-investments of the Bezilla Kinney Group of Wells Fargo Advisors on Hilton Head Island. He can be reached at (843) 681-1400.

Investments in securities and insurance products are not FDIC-insured/not bank-guaranteed/may lose value. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

M A Yor

Drew Laughlin Hilton Head Is land Photography By Anne

Strategic Planning with the Town Council

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s this month’s edition of Celebrate Hilton Head is being delivered, town council will be in the middle of its strategic planning workshop held December 1-3. Santa has his workshop; we have ours. While each of us wishes we could deliver gifts and grant wishes to all who have asked, our job is a little different from Santa’s annual mission.

One of the benefits of our workshop is the total concentrative effort we dedicate over the three days. We allow ourselves to think big, think in future terms, and make policy decisions for the year ahead. From these policy decisions typically come items that we believe we can accomplish in the year, and some are left for study within the year. We prioritize groupings of policy decisions into top, high, and moderate priorities. For example, a top priority from last year’s workshop was to seek and secure the long-term future of the Heritage golf tournament. With your support, the town will participate in comparatively minor funding in relation to the title sponsor RBC’s and presenting sponsor, Boeing’s funding commitment. An example of a high priority from last year was the redevelopment of Shelter Cove Mall, including the conceptual plan, direction, and the town’s role. These plans are scheduled to be rolled out prior to publication of this edition. An example of a moderate priority from last year was determining the direction of Fire Station #6. Construction of the new station will begin in the near future.

In addition to these policy decisions, the town council develops a management agenda for the town manager with top and high priorities. An example of a high priority last year was residential recycling development. This was accomplished and has been a huge success.

During the workshop, we are guided by professional facilitator Lyle Sumek. His job for us, among others, is to keep council focused on an outcome that, in the end, is a product of extensive and thoughtful discussion. As elected officials, we are obligated to make decisions that we believe benefit the community of our island.

Santa gets to make everyone happy; we do not. Almost all requests for various services and projects would be of benefit to our island. We are incredibly fortunate to have a talented citizenry that proposes enhancements and new amenities. As council members, we have to live within our means and pare down the wish lists we are sent. As a result, we don’t make everyone happy, but I promise that we seriously consider and study all requests.

We’ll do our best this year. Final adoption of priorities will take place at a public meeting, most likely in late December. 

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Decmber 2011

M A Yor

Lisa Sulka B LU FFTON Photography By Anne

The May River Watershed Action Plan

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he May River Watershed Action Plan was adopted at the November town council meeting after many months of preparation and feedback from the community. Council saw the need of this action plan, because the town saw a very fast-paced development over the last decade. The most recent census figures show that the town of Bluffton has seen an 883 percent population growth. This is only in the incorporated areas; add in the population in unincorporated areas of the town, and the increase was much greater. In 2009, shellfish beds in the May River Watershed closed for harvesting. The May River is the number one amenity in our town and is the reason all of us call Bluffton home. To keep this river clean and healthy, council directed staff to begin the process of creating this action plan. To help implement this plan and look at the testing that is being done, the town also created two committees: the May River Watershed Implementation Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee.

The May River Action Plan includes strategies and projects that provide for a sustainable watershed, a dynamic and adaptable plan that allows for future calibrations, and measurable goals as well as partnerships and funding opportunities.

The May River Watershed Action Plan provides for a coordinated proactive approach, addressing two areas: 1) restorative measures, which include pilot projects, retrofit projects and septic/sewer conversions and 2) preventative measures, which include transfer of density rights, purchase of density rights and development standards.

The May River Action Plan includes strategies and projects that provide for a sustainable watershed, a dynamic and adaptable plan that allows for future calibrations, and measurable goals as well as partnerships and funding opportunities.

This plan, which went in to effect as of November 9, 2011, can be viewed on our town website at townofbluffton. com. While you’re there, take the time to look over the many accessible items, including our agendas, past meeting minutes, and current projects. One of our goals is to be as transparent as possible, and I believe that our website is one of the best in the area in terms of providing details of town business and events. � december 2011

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THe lOCAlS INdex yOur TOOl FOr FiNDiNG THE bEST DiSCOuNTS iN TOwN

EATS SWeeTS & SPiriTS

Jump & Phil’s bar and Grill, p. 55 Hilton Head Plaza, 785-9070 10% Off Food Kingfisher, p. 58 Shelter cove marina, 785-4442 10% Off Food

Antonio’s, p 121 Village At Wexford, 842-5505 See Ad For details

Main Street Café & Pub, p. 83 843-689-3999, hiltonheadcafe.com See Ad For details

Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Cafe, p. 124 (back cover) 69 Pope Avenue, 785-7700 See Ad For details

Market Street Café, p. 83 coligny Plaza, 686-4976 10% Off entire check

Captain woody’s, p. 119 Palmetto bay marina, 785-2400, 10% Off Food Catch 22, p. 35 37 New Orleans road, 843-785-6261 10% Off dinner bill Chin Dynasty, p. 37 108 buckwalter Parkway, 843-757-7998 See Ad For details Chocolate Canopy, ltd., p. 88 Palmetto bay rd, 842-4567 10% Off Non-Sale Items (with minimum purchase) Coconuts bar & Grille, p. 47 39 Persimmon Street, 843-757-0602 See Ad For details Cq’s restaurant, p. 55 Harbour Town, 671-2779 See Ad For details Ela's blu water Grille, p. 46 1 Shelter cove, 843-785-3030 See Ad For details Electric Piano, The, p. 59 Park Plaza, 785-5397 10% Off With cH2 card

Mellow Mushroom Pizza, p. 37 Park Plaza, 686-2474 10% Off Old Fort Pub, p. 28 Hilton Head Plantation, 681-2386 See Ad For details Palmetto bay Sunrise Cafe, p. 88 Palmetto bay marina, 686-3232 10% Off monday-Friday Palmetto bluff, p. 45 www.palmettobluff.com, 843-706-6542 See Ad For details reilley’s Grill & bar, p. 124 (back cover) Hilton Head Plaza, 842-4414, Port royal Plaza, 681-4153 See Ad For details Sake House, p. 64 1017 Fording Island, rd, F-105, 843-706-9222 15% Off entire bill (see ad for details) Skillets Café, p. 83 coligny Plaza, 785-3131 See Ad For details wild wing Cafe, p. 9 Hilton Head - 843-785-9464 or bluffton - 837-9453 See Ad For details

HEAlTH FITNeSS & bEAuTy Coolidge Plastic Surgery, p. 6 208-2808 See Ad For details Core Pilates 32 Office Park road, Suite 306, 681-4267 10% Off With cH2 card Dermatology of the lowcountry, p. 51 689-5259, Offices on Hilton Head, bluffton/Okatie/beaufort See Ad For details Eye Site of bluffton, p. 88 104 buckwalter Parkway, Suite 1c 843-757-9588 complimentary eye exam Faces Day Spa, p. 105 The Village at Wexford, 785-3075 See Ad For details Heavenly Spa by westin, p. 107 2 Grasslawn Ave., Port royal Plantation 681-1019, See Ad For details lava24 Fitness, p. 18 811 William Hilton Parkway, 843-842-3225 See Ad For details Metabolic Medical Center, p. 108 7 Simmonsville rd., Suite 200, 843-706-0814 See Ad For details Nail Talk, p. 59 841 William Hilton Parkway, 843-681-2818 $5 Off, See Ad For details Sanctuary, The - A European Day Spa, p. 112 Park Plaza, 843.842.5999 See Ad For details Spa Soliel, p. 107 843-686-8420, www.csspagroup.com See Ad For details Stephens Pharmacy, p. 51 2 marshland rd. in the HH Health & Wellness building, 686-3735 See Ad For details The Village Spa, p. 105 14 Johnston Way, bluffton Post Office complex 815-4811, See Ad For details Tracee Spencer, p. 112 843-368-1247, spencert1@hotmail.com complimentary Gloss Treatment

SHOPS bOUTIQUeS & MOrE Complete Home, p. 78 41b calhoun St., 843-815-2729 See Ad For details GemJewelry, p. 35 Port royal Plaza - HHI, 843-342-3663 See Ad For details Great Frame up, p. 83 belfair Towne Village, 815-4661 See Ad For details island Girl, p. 105 coligny Plaza Seaside - 686.6000 South beach marina - 363-3883 See Ad For details

lowcountry Saddlery, p. 112 1541 Fording Island rd., Suite 3, 837-8700 10% Off Your entire Purchase luciana, p. 103 37 New Orleans rd., Suite c 686-5620, 10% Off Nash Gallery, p. 78 13 Harbourside Lane, 2H 843-785-6424 See Ad For details Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront resort, p. 109 www.Palmettodunes.com 843-785-1138, See Ad For details

Palmettoes, p. 16 71 Lighthouse road, Suite., 414, 363-6800 See Ad For details Pizzazz HHI, p. 103 430 William Hilton Parkway, #209A 843-342-2273, 10% Off with Ad Porcupine, p. 26 The Village at Wexford, 785-2779 See Ad For details Stock Exchange, p. 112 1401 main Street Village, 689-6777 See Ad For details

SErViCES Advanced integrated Controls, p. 12 www.thataudioguy.com, 843-681-2771 10% Local builder discount American Paving Designs, p. 8 843-706-PAVe (7283) $250 OFF Next Project / $100 Off American wood reface, p. 88 40 Pennington drive, Suite c, Sherridan Park 843-815-6700 See Ad For details Ask A Nation, p. 83 www. AskANation.com See Ad For details bruno landscaping, p. 41 109 dilon road, 681-7022 or 682-2624 20% Off everything In Nursery Celebration Events Catering, p. 31, 84-85 689-7526, call For details Covert Aire, p. 27 7 estate drive - bluffton 706-5090, See Ad for details

E.A.C., p. 44 681-3999, See Ad For details EnergyOne, p. 41 270 red cedar Street, Suite 104 www.energyoneamerica.com See Ad For details Epperson Heating & Air, p. 65 843-681-9297, See Ad For details Foundation reality, p. 4-5 www.HiltonHeadrealestates.com www.blufftonrealestates.com 686-4002, See Ad For details

lowcountry Motors, p. 88 www.lowcountrymotors.com 843-815-5100 See Ad For details Mattress Firm, p. 21 1172 Fording Island road 837-FIrm (3476), See Ad For details rCH Construction, p. 58 1 Hobnoy court, 843-683-5811 See Ad For details Village Park Homes, p. 23 See Ad For details

Healthy Environments, p. 38 Hilton Head: 363-6751, bluffton: 757-5522 ridgeland: 726-4729 Free Home evaluation Hilton Head Cleaning Company, p. 112 843-689-9907 10 % Off with Ad island Car wash, p. 110 Hwy. 278, 785-9274, Kitties crossings, 815-4666 - $5 Off Gold Wash

ACTiViTiES batters box Hilton Head, p. 119 2 Southwood Park dr., Suite b 843-715-2737, See Ad For details

Mulligan's Golf balls & More, p. 55 102 buckwalter Pkwy., #3m 815-2624, See Ad For details

bluffton Farmers Market, p. 52 calhoun St., Old Town bluffton, 843-415-2447, every Thurs. 2-7Pm

North ridge Cinema, p. 88 342-3800, See Ad For details

lowcountry Golf Cars, p. 57 649 N. Okatie Highway, 987-8272 See Ad For details

quality Golf Cars, p. 55 212 Okatie Village drive, bluffton, 705-6655, See Ad For details

ExTrEMEly iMPOrTANT DiSClAiMEr! becAUSe THere IS NO AccOUNTING FOr HUmAN errOr...AdVerTISerS ANd c2 Are NOT HeLd reSPONSIbLe FOr THe dIScOUNTS ANd INFOrmATION LISTed ON THIS PAGe.

NEED A C2 CArD? CAll 843.342.9190 TO STArT SAViNG TODAy.

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