Folly Current - December 11, 2009

PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID FOLLY BEACH, SC PERMIT NO 27

Vol. 2 Issue 4

I N S I D E

Folly Beach’s Newspaper

Donating time on page 5

Who was David Israel? on page 7

December 11, 2009 w FREE

December fishing on page 11

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December 11, 2009

Immortalizing Charleston’s maritime beacon Bostick’s award-winning book honors the Morris Island Lighthouse

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ust in time for the holiday shopping season, Douglas W. Bostick presents his most recent, award-winning book, The Morris Island Lighthouse: Charleston’s Maritime Beacon. Regardless of the time of year, this is a musthave book for anyone interested in local history and/or the Morris Island Lighthouse. Bostick, historian and former executive director of Save the Light, presents the history of the Morris Island Lighthouse, which has served the citizens of South Carolina for three centuries. He recounts the stories of the many lightkeepers and their families who braved meager provisions, low pay and grueling conditions living on a small island at the entrance to Charleston harbor. Full of personal family photos and covering three centuries of war and rebirth, The Morris Island Lighthouse preserves Charleston’s maritime history as much as it celebrates its own. The Morris Island Lighthouse presents a detailed, yet easy to read, history of the structure, its importance, and even the culture surrounding it over the past 300 years. Part of the success of this literary venture is Bostick’s ability to intrigue the reader, making the lighthouse a part of their own history by the sheer virtue of reading it. The black and white pictures and photographs break up the writing wonderfully and provide the perfect catalyst for transportation into the

Provided past. No flux capacitor needed; only Bostick’s words and your imagination. From the ship Carolina’s landing in 1670 to an official license plate commemorating the lighthouse in 2001 and beyond, the structure has never seemed so alive than in Bostick’s book. The book recently received the prestigious “2009 Book of the Year” award from the Foundation for Coast Guard History in the “lighthouse” category.  Vice-Admiral Howard Thorsen, chairman of the Foundation, said, “This year’s competition was especially keen, with several other books featuring lighthouses from California, Michigan, Maine, Rhode Island, Georgia, New York, and Maryland being among those judged by our thoroughly knowledgeable panel of readers.” One judge described Bostick’s book as “Professional, crisp, and after reading it, I feel like I know a whole lot more about Morris Island than I ever thought I would. In such an instance, all an author can say is ‘mission accomplished.’” See how Bostick made the Morris Island Lighthouse stand out from every other lighthouse in the country. You won’t be disappointed. The book is available for purchase at www. historypress.net and www.amazon.com. Image provided: Douglas Bostick’s account of Morris Island and the lighthouse she claims in his new book is a must have.

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December 11, 2009

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No red carpets on Folly Marshall Tucker Band denied By Ali Akhyari

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s the South Carolina Film Commission continues its work to bring “Hollywood” money to our State and local economies, the lowcountry, epitomizing natural and historic beauty, has become an increasingly popular locale for filmmakers. It’s inevitable, then, that stories featuring cultural icons on very local backgrounds will begin to surface. Folly Beach, has hosted the filming of at least two major motion pictures just in the last year. True to form, an interesting story has come out of it. Fans are usually the ones turned away from a private party or backstage encounter, barring exposed cleavage and skimpy outfits, of course. Generally, the majority of fans who want nothing more than a picture with their musical idol go home with nothing but a dream of the next show as backstage doors are slammed in their face. However, Marshall Tucker and his band got a taste of what it’s like on the other side of the fence during a recent visit to Folly Beach. According to a local source, the Marshall Tucker Band was in town doing a gig for the movie Angel Camouflaged, which is currently being filmed on Bowen’s Island. The film follows “Scottie”

of music before deciding that Scottie should play the music for the bar herself. The Marshall Tucker Band could have been one of the musical acts representing southern rock as Kokonuts searches for an identity. Hopefully, we’ll get to see them perform in the film.

a failed musician who joins her brother in the Florida Keys to reopen a dilapidated bar called Kokonuts, left to them by their recently deceased aunt Marie. After fixing the place up, they “try out” several genres

However, the story is that during the band’s stint in the area, they went to the Sand Dollar Social Club, a veritable shrine to all things southern rock, to hang out on Sunday, November 8. Of course, anyone familiar with Folly Beach knows that this is a very local, private bar to which you see Denied on page 6

Notice

The City of Folly Beach has received a request to name the recreational dock located in the Folly River park as follows:

The Karen Stringer Dock

If citizens of Folly Beach would like to protest the naming of the rcreational dock located in the Folly River Park as stated above, please send all comments to: Toni W. Connor-Rooks, City Administrator, P. O. Box 48, Folly Beach, SC 29439. Comments must be received on or before November 16, 2009.

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Lynn Pierotti Publisher [email protected] Ali Akhyari Editor [email protected] Kristin Hackler Managing Editor [email protected] Swan Richards Graphic Designer [email protected] Lori Dalton Advertising [email protected] Richard Brendel Advertising 843-478-0896 [email protected] Ben Jordan Advertising [email protected] Interns Dylan Sharek • Contributors Sarah Harper Richard Brendel David Farrow Mayor Carl Beckmann Megan Carroll Vince Perna Captain Geoff Bennett Dr. John Nelson Published by Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina, LLC P.O. Box 837 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 843-886-NEWS Future deadlines: December 30 for submissions.

Phillip

Amazin’

Phillip is a real gentleman!  He’s a small six year old Jack Russell who loves to play tug-of-war with a rope or sit in your lap.  He is house-ready with his superb manners, housetraining, and friendliness with humans and other canines.  Meet them at Pet Helpers!

Amazin’ is a seven month old male whose personality is larger than life!  He arrived at Pet Helpers as part of an unwanted litter and had two severely infected eyes.  Pet Helpers vet staff was able to save one of his eyes and he has made a full recovery.

Pet Helpers is located at 1447 Folly Road, James Island. Hours: Mon – Fri from 11am – 6pm and Sat from 11am - 5pm. Closed: Sundays and Holidays. Call Pet Helpers at 795-1110. Adoption fees: $125 cats & dogs (6 mo. or younger), $100 for 6 mo. or older. $55 for rabbits. Includes spaying/neutering, shots, heartworm check, leukemia check, deworming, microchip, collar and tag. Visit www.pethelpers.org.

www.follycurrent.com

The Folly Current, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina LLC, is a free, independent newspaper published every two weeks and is for and about Folly Beach. Copies are mailed free of charge to every active mailbox in our coverage area and are also available at area businesses and by subscription to non-islanders. Subscriptions are $30 per year for non-residents and are available by sending a check to Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC, P.O. Box 837, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482. Contributions of information, pictures and articles are welcomed and are used according to space limitations and news value and cannot be returned except by special request. Our editorial content is primarily dedicated to the area of distribution; ad space is open to all businesses who want to reach the Folly Beach market. Complete ad creation is $50, however, changes of up to 30% of the original ad are included at no extra cost. All advertising rates are listed at www. islandeyenews.com under “advertising”.

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC

Publishers of The Folly Current, The Island Eye News and the Island Connection.

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Island Editorials

December 11, 2009

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The next boat to District 45

or years, I have been ranting about the changes in Charleston. The area has grown like Topsy. The municipalities and county have been trumpeting “green jobs.” What an absolute load of palaver. We are talking about a group of people who closed down the incinerator for the sake of reducing our “carbon footprint”. Okay, fine. So what do we do with the trash? Oh, that’s right. You haven’t a clue. Boeing is coming… Jobs, jobs, jobs. Green jobs? Well, maybe not. A single Boeing 787 generates an annual carbon footprint of 7.6m tons. Well, at least the stimulus is working. Go to Recovery.gov and you find that the 45th congressional district of South Carolina, alone, saved 16 jobs with $1,070,000 in federal stimulus funds. Wow! That’s one of my favorite parts of the state! I savor the memories of lolling in a Pawley’s Island hammock while the tidal creek jumped with shrimp and pelicans wafted above the pristine

Letters to the Editor Send your letters to the editor to: [email protected] Note: Be sure to sign your letters. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Stop Dog Abuse Dear Editor, I recently read the October 16 issue of The Folly Current and cried myself to sleep after reading the Police Reports incident of the man beating his dog over his anger that he had to pay a fine when retrieving his dog from the Folly Beach Public Safety Office because the dog was found roaming without identification and was being kept in a kennel. It broke my heart to even think about what this innocent dog suffered. How can any human hurt a defenseless animal? This dog endured horrific abuse at the hands of a very sick person whom I hope has learned a lesson about how to respectfully treat God’s creatures. And hopefully this dog is now in the care of a kind and loving person and is doing well.  Fortunately, the local resident who observed the abuse of this dog by the owner reported this incident to the police and an officer responded immediately to save this dog’s life. I would encourage any person who observes abuse  to please contact their local police department  immediately to report their observations of cruelty.  Reports  from concerned citizens who observe abuse will help  make the world a safer place for animals. Also, please call or write your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a crime and the police must investigate these crimes. Join the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.ASPCA.org). This is an organization designed to help with the awareness of dog abuse and how to stop it. Unfortunately, dogs are not always treated and cared for as they should be, and it is our responsibility to care for

salt marsh. The district is also known for its high paying jobs. Those sixteen people alone make $66,685 a year. Whew, dodged a bullet there. I was thinking of moving when I realized, “Wait! District 45 doesn’t exist.” It should not surprise you that I think cap and trade is malarkey as well. That doesn’t mean that I don’t think we shouldn’t be good stewards of the earth. Do you not find it ironic that the very group which pats its head publically about the creation of green jobs is encouraging developers headed by friends of the Charleston administration to build a small city surrounding a 2,000 year old oak tree on Johns Island? Probably the best quote I have heard about the Boeing plant was from my mother, Emily Ravenel Farrow. She is 94 and cogent of her surroundings, but she doesn’t spend a lot of time watching the news. When I told her that Boeing was going to build a plant, her head whipped up. and protect them as fellow creatures of this Earth and report any signs of abuse. I sent a donation in honor of this special dog to the Pet Helpers organization in Charleston, www. pethelpers.org,  so that this horrible abuse act would be recognized and that other animals could be helped to live the decent life they so deserve. I’ll end by saying that not only do I pray for that dear dog who touched my heart, but I will also pray for the man who so horribly abused this helpless animal so that he will get help for anger management and hopefully lead a life to help stop the abuse of animals as something learned from this horrible tragedy. We must all remember this statement - “Every day is one that is gone forever. Make sure you do something for someone else, especially those who cannot do for themselves.” Best regards, Jeri Baron Feltner

No expansion in recession Dear Editor: I am writing this letter to give you a perspective about the $1.6 million-expansion plans proposed by Beckmann. I am totally opposed to this idea! I have lived on Folly Beach for fourteen years. When I moved to Folly Beach I had neighbors and I knew everyone. While property values increased so did property taxes and every one of my neighbors sold and moved because they could no longer afford the outrageous taxation. I live in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1100sf oceanside home and I pay $11, 397 per year in taxes. I am recently separated from my husband of 25 years and have been unemployed because of a downturn in the business I was in. We are in the middle of a recession! It is a time to sharpen our pencils and tighten our belts not to expand because building costs are down. My husband has agreed to pay the taxes through 2010 at which time housing values will hopefully increase and we will be able to sell our home. I never wanted to leave Folly Beach but I no longer recognize the place that I fell in love with. I ask that you take a drive around Folly and ask yourself if we really need expansion of City Hall. Folly Beach is not Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms,

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“Where?” she snapped. “North Charleston by the airport.” She was visibly relieved, “Well, as long as they don’t build it in Charleston.” She would be what we call a “been ya”. Although I harp about the changes round these parts, you might be surprised to learn that no one called me to ask if it was all right. No one questioned me on my opinion on any of this… not one bit. Well, I’ll just use the free broadband we were promised five years ago to contact the “powers-that-be”. Darn it, that didn’t happen either. Hmmm… I wonder when the next boat leaves for District 45. Read more by David Farrow at davidfarrow. wordpress.com

Sullivan’s Island, Seabrook, or Kiawah. If I had wanted to live there I would not have chosen Folly Beach. Stand firm against this bill. Jane Lee W. Ashley Avenue

County tax info incorrect Dear Editor, The letter to the editor titled “County abuses tax payers” that was published on November 13 unfortunately included incorrect information regarding the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 budget approved by Charleston County Council and current property tax bills. It appears that the figures referenced in the letter were taken from the FY 2010 proposed budget. That was the preliminary document that County staff proposed to County Council and over which budget discussions occurred. Council’s final budget can be viewed at www.charlestoncounty.org, under “Financial Reports”. The following are corrections to information included in the November 13 letter to the editor: County Council’s budget:  While $1 million was proposed by County staff for the Council contingency fund, County Council reduced that amount to $250,000 in the final approved budget, which is no increase over the prior year. You may also be pleased to learn that, overall, County Council cut its own budget by seven percent from the previous year’s approved budget amount. County Administrator’s budget: Similarly, the FY 2010 proposed budget included $300,000 in the County Administrator’s budget for consultant fees. However, following Council discussions, County Council eliminated that proposed expenditure and it is not included in the approved FY 2010 budget. In fact, the County Administrator’s overall budget approved by County Council was 17.1 percent less than the previous year’s approved budget amount. Entire County budget: County government has had to downsize to reflect current economic conditions. County Council cut the FY 2010 approved budget for the general fund by $3,758,741. see Letters on page 15

December 11, 2009

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Hands on non-profits By Richard Brendel

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very year as the holiday’s approach, I like to donate money to local, regional and national charities. This is a practice I was taught at a young age by my parents. In past years, I just wrote a check or made a donation online and felt I had done my good deeds for the season.  As I look back on 2009, I have found this year to be very different than most. It is the first time in my memory that the economy has been in a true downturn.  I have watched this decline greatly affect my life, as well as those of my friends, co-workers and family. Lack of good jobs, loss of job security and a decrease in salaries has changed all of our lifestyles. One of the main reasons 2009 seems so different in retrospect, besides forcing me to be more thrifty, is that I have found myself with way more idle time than normal.  I am not alone in my abundance of free time. I have many friends who have lost their jobs or had their hours cut back. So how do we handle this lack of work? Do we just sit on the couch and plug in? Do we go out and knock on doors, looking for something to do? Yes, I have been in all those situations this year. Lack of work, more stress, too much couch time, frustration over the economy, and more have all been a part of my calendar year. All of these factors can weigh heavy on one’s heart and can affect your lifestyle, your relationships and your sense of purpose.  As the year is coming to a close, I realize and understand that this year I have something more than just a check to give. I have my time. To volunteer one’s time to do something for someone else in need is a great way to beat this 2009 economic funk. It was a response to this revelation that found me laying shingles on the

Staff Photo

Ian Sanchez, Executive Director of LEEP (Lowcountry Environmental Education Program) discusses characteristics of our local flora and fauna with intrigued third graders on a trip to Bull’s Bay. Many of the children had never seen the ocean before, despite living in the Charleston area. LEEP is one of many local non-profits working to enrich the lives of those around them.

roof of a house for Habitat for Humanity.  It’s what got me tagging along with a group of children on a LEEP trip to Bull’s Bay. I have been a long term supporter of Habitat for Humanity, but had never taken the opportunity to

Mayor’s Letter By Carl Beckmann

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! I want to draw your attention to our Beach Management Patrol (BMP) and what they have been doing since their inception. You should have noticed our beach is cleaner as they educate the public as well as pick up trash. When you see them on the beach, please tell them “thanks”. One of our BMP members, John Crisco, has developed a long range plan for Beach Management. The Council will look at his proposal after staffing and possibly include his ideas into the “trash” discussions. Good work, John and Tim! Since Christmas is coming and the Holiday season is upon us, it’s time for all of us to think of cooperation and goodwill. Hopefully, Council will come together and do the right thing for our employees and our citizens. Peace on Earth and goodwill to men. Merry Christmas.

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volunteer my time, despite the fact that I have worked construction in the past and have always enjoyed swinging a hammer. As I pulled into the neighborhood on Johns Island, I instantly saw the impact of the work see Volunteer on page 15

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New art for the holidays

December 11, 2009

Staff Report

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ontinuing with their parade of visiting artists, At the Bridge Art Gallery will be hosting two wonderfully contrasting artists - Janet Kozachek and Linda Elksnin - during the month of December. Kozachek, a roster artist for the South Carolina State Arts Commission, is an accomplished and traveled painter and mosaic artist. Her art has been exhibited throughout the world and Folly Beach will be her home for the next month. Her eclectic work has been influenced by her experiences in other countries and has earned her awards around the globe. Kozachek uses a classic and unique method to create her paint in this modern age. “I use only the best materials in my paintings, taking time and great care in the preparation of my gesso panels and oil canvases,” says Kozachek. “I often use handground, pure mineral pigments on burnished oil and marble dust gesso grounds for a luxurious, sumptuous look.” Her mosaics are breathtaking and alive. Some are functional; all of them are beautiful. Examples of both will be available for viewing and purchase during December. Elksnin, a Mount Pleasant resident, has only recently dedicated herself to her art, although it has been a part of her life for much longer. Her exhibited work is reminiscent of ancient Native American cultures, with lots of vivid colors and shapes. “Folk, self-taught, and visionary artists from around Denied from page 3 need a membership. Either the bouncer didn’t recognize the group or the Sand Dollar doesn’t bend its rules for anybody; not even a legendary southern musical group who used to play on the Folly Beach pier in the 60s. Either way, Marshall

the world are the inspiration for my mixed media works,” she says. “Appreciation for the textile art of the Kuna, Oaxacan wood carvings, and Haitian folk paintings led me to create paintings by layering watercolor and gouache, then building up texture with colored pencils. Animals, birds, fish, and insects often are the subjects of my paintings.” Elksnin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University and went on to obtain a Masters and Doctorate from the University of Virginia. While in Virginia, she taught watercolor painting before becoming a professor at the Citadel where she spent 23 years. In 2006, she retired Emeritus Professor of Education and took up art. Over the past two years alone, Elksnin has received an honorable mention at the 2008 Art in the Park Juried Outdoor Exhibit in Blowing Rock, NC. Many of her original pieces will be on display and for sale, as well as many of her more affordable prints. However, the originals of both artists are also priced very well. R.T. Shepherd, whose work was displayed with Tyler Blanton’s during last month’s exhibition, will continue to hang through December, as well. This holiday season, don’t forget to stop by At the Bridge for some unique and original art work. At the Bridge is located at 83 Center Street on Folly Beach.

Tucker and his band were denied access to our locals spot. I have to think they laughed as they turned away. I also have to think the bouncer dislocated his own knee in order to kick himself in the crotch for that one. No offense, but I’d want to punch myself for missing an opportunity

S u dok u

to share a drink with Marshall Tucker in my house. This is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, the Marshall Tucker Band may be permanently burned into film performing at our local Bowen’s Island restaurant for the rest of the world to see. How cool is that? Plus, you heard it here first... hopefully. Second, when you’re watching Angel Camouflaged with a friend sometime in the future, you’ll have a little

Folly music scene Woody’s Mondays – Jerry Cooper Drop-in 12/11 - Elise Testone Tuesdays – Open Mic night Chill and Grill Thursdays - The Hawkes Planet Follywood Fridays and Saturdays - Dan Clamp Folly Beach Crab Shack Mondays - Hank Marley open mic Tuesdays - Trivia Wednesdays - Dave Grunstra Thursdays - Folly Beach Bluegrass Society Fridays - Folly Dogs Saturdays - Sara Smile

Solution on page 11

Level: HARD

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story to tell when you see the band playing at Bowen’s Island, I mean “Kokonuts” in the Florida Keys. You’ll look really cool to whoever you’re telling and you might be able to use it as a springboard to “second base” if the situation is conducive to such a thing. Your best friend might find it offensive. Who knows? Anyway, congratulations to “Follywood” for owning the rights to the future Folly Beach. Rita’s 12/11 - Matt & Fred of TrickKnee 12/12 - Howard Dlugasch 12/16 - Mac Leaphart 12/18 - Dave Landeo 12/19 - Joal Rush 12/20 - Joel of Sol Driven Train Surf Bar 12/17 - Shannon Whitworth Sundays - Dangermuffin Mondays - Lonesome Squirrel and the Nuts Acoustic Jam BLU 12/11 - Ted Mckee 12/12 - Private event 12/13 - Nikolai Svishev 12/16 - Howard Dlugasch 12/18 - Mariam Allen Trio 12/19- Calvin Taylor 12/20 - Nikolai Svishev Vince Perna is a Folly Beach real estate expert who also loves music. If you want to know if you can live on Folly, you can find him at 31 Center Street or by calling 588-3800.

December 11, 2009

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Israel’s garden By Ali Akhyari

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ust behind the Folly Beach Community Center is a garden. This place is unlike any other public plot of land on the island. A fountain splashes nearby while tastefully manicured plant life absorbs the stress of daily life. The benches and stones that comprise the walking paths bear the names of loved ones. It is a “memory garden”, a place to relax and be alone with your thoughts, and it exists thanks to the efforts of the Folly Beach Garden Club. And thanks to the memory of one man, it now has a name. The David Israel Memory Garden became official on November 10 when the City Council unanimously voted in favor of Resolution 56-09. “The City was gracious enough to give us the property to build a garden,” said Michael Norton, David’s life partner for the previous six years. “Folly Beach needed a place where people could go to remember their loved ones who are gone.” The fountain was put in by Michael himself, who regularly uses the garden as a place of contemplation and remembrance.

Staff photo

The David Israel Garden became official on November 10, but who was the man this garden memorializes?

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Who was David Israel? In simple terms, David was a gardener. Technically, he was a landscape designer, but for David, it was more than a profession. The man loved plants and had a special way with them. His partner, Michael, had already developed a garden at his home before the two moved in together, but when David arrived, Michael watched him take it “to a whole other level”. In fact, the garden he created was later featured in Better Homes & Gardens magazine. This recognition, as wonderful as it is, only hints at the man’s passion, talent and character. David was born in Maine but grew up in Seattle, Washington. His dark complexion and black hair gives away his Pilipino/ French genes. He was the second of four children and grew up in a see Israel on page 12

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December 11, 2009

Folly Curren

December 11 Friday, December 11 Folly Beach Children’s Christmas Santa is coming to Town and will arrive at the Folly River Park on Folly Beach at 6pm. During his stay he will provide 250-300 children with a stocking filled with candy, fruit, and a toy while also listening to what each one wants for Christmas. Toys will vary depending on age group. The Children’s Christmas is a tradition that has stretched for over 50 years. Come out and let your children see Santa on Folly! Folly Beach Bird Walks Birding experts from CCPRC and the South Carolina Audubon Society explore Folly Beach in this partnership program.  This walk focuses on the southern shoreline of Folly Beach. The program is free, however pre-registration is required. 8:30 – 10:30am. Course #21616. Meet at Folly Beach County Park. For more info, call 795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com. Sing We Now of Christmas Join the Island Choraliers with “Our musical gift to our island friends and neighbors” from 7 to 8 pm at The Church of our Saviour on Betsy Kerrison Blvd. Admission is free; no tickets are needed. A free-will offering will be taken.

Saturday, December 12 First Day of Hanukkah Pat Conroy book signing 1pm to 3:30pm at Blue Bicycle Books. The famed Southern author will be signing copies of his latest novel,  South of Broad. Secure a place in line by getting tickets for the signing on December 11. There is no charge to attend. For info, go to www.bluebicyclebooks.com or call 722-2666.

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Christmas at the Sottile The Charleston Men’s Chorus will present Christmas at the Sottile, a concert filled with joyful and sacred holiday music as only the Charleston Men’s Chorus can sing it. Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. at 3pm. Admission is $15/adults; $10/seniors; Free/children under 6. Tickets at Monster Music & Movies (West Ashley) and Royall Hardware (Mt. Pleasant). For more info, call 720-8505 or visit www. cmchorus.com.   Folly Beach Christmas Parade The annual Folly Beach Christmas Parade is unlike any other in the Charleston area as floats of all kinds decorated by people and residents of all kinds strut their stuff down Center Street tossing candy and goodwill. Mayor Carl Beckmann and Santa will be at the Folly River Park right after the parade to present awards. The parade starts at 1pm and the bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic during the parade starting at that time. Barrier island adventure with Coastal Expeditions Join Coastal Expeditions from 10am – 3pm for a guided walk on Bull Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. For more info and to register, Call Coastal at 843-884-7684. www. coastalexpeditions. Shake off a Blue, Blue Christmas Michael Viljac and the Elvis Tribute Band will perform your favorite holiday songs as performed by the King of Rock and Roll himself at the Glenn L. Jeffers VFW, located at 1411 Stuart Engals Blvd. in Mount Pleasant. If you haven’t seen Michael Viljac performing as Elvis the King, you are missing a fantastic performance. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased by calling 345-9084. Great Outdoor Gear Sale Come out to James Island County Park 9am to 12pm for your chance to get great deals on great gear.  We’re selling some of the tents, kayaks,

December 11, 2009

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nt Calendar

- December 19 mountain bikes, camping accessories, and more that we’ve used.  For more info, call 795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com.

Charleston Ballet presents: The Nutcracker December 12 & 13 Gaillard Auditorium, and December 19 at the N. Chas. Performing Arts Center. Set in the streets of downtown Charleston circa 1865, the ballet has teamed with the dance programs and children of the Dorchester 2 school district for this massive holiday production. This treasured classic is the perfect remedy for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Tickets may be at 723-7334 or at the CBT Box Office at 477 King Street.

Sunday, December 13 Gemenids meteor shower One of the most visible meteor showers of the year, the meteors should become visible between 9 and 10pm, peaking at 2am on December 14 with as many as 50 meteors per hour. Charlton Singleton Trio presents Christmas Jazz Vespers Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. at 6pm. For more info, call 577-6400, email [email protected]. 

Monday, December 14 Bulls Island archery-only deer hunt The harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to manage wildlife populations. Refuge hunting permits are required. For more info, visit www.fws.gov/caperomain, or call 928-3368. December 14 – 19, 2009.

Wednesday, December 16 Folly Island Yoga Every Wednesday from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Holiday Inn. Cost is $40 for 4 sessions. For

more info, call Jenny at 607-9911.

Pet Life Care Plan seminar at Sun Dog Cat Moon Starting at 6pm, Dr. Ruth Roberts will be speaking about developing a life care plan for your pet. She will touch on new vaccine protocols, wellness testing, as well as using food and supplements to help keep the quality of life high for pets as they age. Leashed and social dogs are welcome! 2908 Maybank Highway Johns Island, 437-0063, www.sundogcatmoon. com

Thursday, December 17 Model Ship Building 101 Ship Shapes Maritime Arts is offering ongoing community workshops for aspiring model ship builders. No experience necessary. Instructor William Thomas-Moore, professional model shipwright, will guide you through the steps of building a fine ship model. Folly Beach Baptist Church. Call for schedule and more details. 762-6280. www.shipshapesgallery.blogspot. com.

Saturday, December 19 Pet Helpers Open House Visit us for Pet Helpers Holiday Open House from 11am-3pm. Holiday treats, Santa photos with your pet, and plenty of good cheer! 1447 Folly Road, James Island. 795-1110, www. pethelpers.org. CSO Holiday Pops Join guest conductor Darko Butorac, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and the Charleston Children’s Chorus for holiday sounds of the season. Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St. at 8pm. Admission is $20-45/adults; $5/children. For more info, call 723-7528, and visit www.charlestonsymphony.com.

www.follycurrent.com

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December 11, 2009

A tricky mystery plant By Dr. John Nelson

If the fruit be not ripe it will draw a man’s mouth to much torment. — attributed to Captain John Smith of Jamestown

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Photo by Linda Lee

Any idea what this tasty mystery plant is?

he unripe fruits of this week’s mystery plant are hard and green, slowly ripening to a beautifully frosted pink-orange. Before they are ripe, the fruits are inedible and some would even describe the taste as “astringent”. I have bitten into an unripe fruit just to see what it’s like, and the inside of my mouth turned into medicinal cardboard, a taste that took a long while to go away. Once, on one of my class field trips, I invited a student to bite into one of these things. Not knowing any better, he did and was similarly treated to terrible cardboard mouth. I still feel guilty about doing that, and have vowed never to play a trick on a student again (Well,

Brown-headed Nuthatch

see Plant on page 14

photo by Sarah Dargan Harper

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he Brown-headed Nuthatch is a small passerine (perching bird) about 3.5 inches long. This species of nuthatch, like other members of the nuthatch family, has distinctive foraging habits. Nuthatches feed by hopping up and down tree trunks and sometimes hanging upside down, in search of insects. The Brown-headed Nuthatch is frequently seen using small pieces of bark as tools: the birds wedge the chips between gaps and pry off other pieces of bark from the trunks. This species is found only in the Southeastern United States, mostly in pine forests. (A small and dwindling population of Brown-headed Nuthatches is found in the Bahamas). Although these birds usually forage in pine trees for both pine seeds and insects, they will also frequent bird feeders where safflower seeds or suet are offered. They are curious and are easily-approachable.

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December 11, 2009

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The weather outside is trout-ful D e c e mb e r f i s h i n g r e p o r t

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ith the chilly weather quickly moving in you might think that fish are nowhere to be found, but it’s a different story below the waves. It takes a long time for our local waters to completely cool off from the scorching days of August. Water temperatures are now in the low 60s and will drop modestly into the high 50s by the end of the month. December can be a very hospitable month for both trout and redfish. This crisp weather, with its occasional cold snaps, really turns on the trout. Pretty much all tactics are working for trout: both artificials and live bait are working as the trout are feeding aggressively. This is a great time of year to get your young fisherman (or fisherwoman) “hooked” on fishing. For the trout, we are using 3” D.O.A. plastic shrimp underneath a popping cork and it is a great setup. These shrimp come in a wide assortment of colors ranging from realistic lighter tones to bright attractor colors. I’ve found the best success comes from using the Glow color, which is basically white, as well as their

By Captain Geoff Bennett and setup nearby while waiting for the fish to eventually come close to the boat. Live bait, especially chunks of blue crab, work very well when allowed to sit on the bottom. Redfish will happily devour these offerings! The water is also becoming quite clear as the vegetation that was present in the summer has cleared out. Fly fishing is simply terrific as we stalk these big schools of redfish on the flats. The water clarity allows you to spot redfish from quite a distance. It is an awesome sight to see literally hundreds of fish balled up together in one spot. Watching the water erupt and boil when you hook into one fish is an experience like no other. See you on the water!

Glitter colors which are translucent and filled with glitter. To me, these colors best represent what a live shrimp would look like. The Fiji Chicken color has become popular this season and is quite effective. These artificial shrimp already have weights inside their bodies, with the ¼ oz. weight being the most common. The weight makes the lure fall naturally into

S u dok u -sol u tion

the water. Don’t be afraid to change the length of your leader as trout may sit in different parts of the water column. One of the most interesting phenomena that occur when winter begins is the large schools of redfish that begin to form on the flats. They will develop these giant schools and stay in them throughout the winter. They bunch together as a means of protection from predators, namely bottlenose dolphins. As a result, these schools are quite skittish and spook easily. One of the best tactics is to locate a school

Capt. Geoff Bennett operates Charleston Charter Fishing providing fly fishing and light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of fly rods, artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 324-3332, visit his website at www. charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at [email protected].

Folly B each T i d e Ch a rt

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Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23 Dec 24

3:27am/3:32pm 4:22am/4:27pm 5:14am/5:18pm 6:02am/6:05pm 6:47am/6:50pm 7:29am/7:32pm 8:10am/8:12pm 8:48am/8:51pm 9:26am/9:30pm 10:02am/10:09pm 10:39am/10:50pm 11:16am/11:34pm 11:58am 12:23am/12:45pm

9:31am/9:43pm 10:29am/10:35pm 11:23am/11:24pm 12:12pm 12:10am/12:57pm 12:54am/1:40pm 1:35am/2:20pm 2:14am/2:59pm 2:51am/3:37pm 3:28am/4:13pm 4:07am/4:50pm 4:48am/5:28pm 5:35am/6:10pm 6:29am/6:57pm

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December 11, 2009

Police Reports The following is a summary of police reports provided by the Folly Beach Public Safety Department for November 14-29. November 14: The sexual adventures of a young couple were discovered when an officer investigated an illegally parked vehicle at a beach access. He found them surrounded by 24 ounce Coors Light cans on the beach. As they were getting up, a small bag of marijuana and pipe fell out of the young man’s pants. Furthermore, both were given field sobriety tests and neither were fit to drive. A tow truck was called and an inventory search of the vehicle revealed more marijuana in the center console. Both were cited for the marijuana and paraphernalia possession. The male was additionally cited for the open containers on the beach while the female was cited for underage drinking. November 16: A boat trailer was stolen from the back of a vehicle while parked at the boat landing. November 17: A bicycle was reported stolen and the victim believed the theft occurred sometime in the previous two weeks. The bike was a green beach cruiser with a Grateful Dead sticker on the cross bar between the handlebars and the seat. November 21: An officer using radar caught a woman going 56mph in a 35mph zone on Folly Road. The driver had a suspended license and had two outstanding traffic tickets. She was cited for driving with a suspended license and speeding. The vehicle was towed and a friend of the

subject arrived for transportation. November 23: A car was illegally parked at the 5th Street beach access at about 11pm and an officer discovered three young men on the beach nearby with several empty beer cans scattered next to them. One man identified himself as the driver of the car and the officer noticed him hiding a can of Busch Lite in his jacket as he walked past to move the vehicle. He was told that it was illegal to have an open container on the beach and the officer asked for his identification. With slurred speech, he stated he didn’t have any identification. As a result, he was placed in handcuffs and the officer found the subject’s wallet and identification which stated that he was only 20 years old. He was placed in the back of the police car while the officer spoke to the other two individuals, both 19 years old, who stated all the beer on the beach belonged to the subject. Twice, while the officer spoke to them, the subject managed to bring his hands back to the front of his body and the officer had to restrain him again and advise him to stop. The subject was arrested and the two other individuals picked up the beer cans on the beach. November 27: A man who had been put on trespass notice at the Kangaroo Store returned and had to be told several times by employees to leave. Officers were unable to locate the subject at that time. He was located the next day at Planet Follywood and was cited for the incident at that location after he admitted to being there.

Israel from page 7 pretty rough family situation, but as Michael puts it, “he lived past that”. With a friend, he moved from Seattle to the Washington, D.C. area. When that didn’t work out, they basically put their finger on the map and picked out Charleston, South Carolina, and they lived in the area for five years before calling Folly Beach home. David’s love for plants and landscaping was apparent in his extracurricular activities. David was an active member of the Charleston Horticulture Society and the Folly Beach Home & Garden Club. His beloved garden was the scene for many local social gatherings that often numbered between 200-300 people. The eclectic nature of the party guests was a reflection of the character of Folly Beach. There would be Folly locals, friends from downtown, business associates and more all intermingling together. A very wealthy man would be having a conversation with a financially poor man, Michael noted, but Folly’s unique ability to accept anyone always shone through. “People don’t care what your last name is,” Michael says. Some may remember David for the parties. Others may remember him as a person who really knew his way around the yard. But for those who could call him friend, Michael said the hardest thing to forget will be his smile. “David always smiled,” said Michael, a hint of sadness in his voice. “He had a beautiful smile; a real smile.” Life begets life We usually don’t notice a plant until it flowers, but it

November 28: A man and woman were arrested outside of Bert’s around 4pm after arguing very loudly, being intoxicated and being unreasonable with the responding officers. The male involved had a dog with him which was taken to the City’s kennel. The female involved had a car on the scene and said her parents would pick up the vehicle. Later, after the two were processed, an officer drove past Bert’s and noticed the car was running but parked across the street from the Red Dot with no one in it. The store clerk stated that “they” attempted to buy more alcohol, but service was refused because they were too drunk. November 28: A complainant reported that a man who used to rent one of his properties was making threatening phone calls demanding his deposit back and wanted the calls stopped. An officer called the subject, who stated the complainant was making the threats. Both were advised to leave the other alone and to settle things in small claims court. November 29: Several complaints were received regarding two barking dogs over the previous weekend, but the owner was not home during the times that the police responded. Police were able to make phone contact this day and advised the dogs’ owner of the problem. He gave police permission to take the dogs to the kennel until he arrived home. He was expected to be cited for the noise disturbance upon his arrival.

manner. Police were contacted and they located the dogs and their owner. When asked for identification, the dogs’ owner stated it was at his residence a few houses away and the officer followed him to get it. The subject entered the residence through the sliding glass door and the officer noticed a jar containing what appeared to be marijuana on a table. The officer then told the subject to stop and informed him he was now under investigation for drug possession. The subject and roommate both consented to a search after an explanation of a “voluntary consent search form” was given. Eleven grams of marijuana as well as paraphernalia were confiscated. Both individuals were cited for the “green plant material” and the paraphernalia. The original subject was also cited for his dogs not being leashed. November 29: A golf cart was reported stolen from a residence which was also the object of an attempted break-in. The subject attempted to gain entry through the front door, but was stopped by a dead bolt. He then broke into the area that housed the golf cart. A description of the golf cart was provided to police.

November 29: A woman was walking her dog on the beach when two unleashed dogs ran up to her dog in an “aggressive”

is there long before we see it. It has its own cycle of life; from seed to root to growth, blossom to death. David’s season passed sometime between June 25 and July 2 of 2007. He had been attending real estate school at night and it was not unusual for him to get home as late as 11pm. At some point, he stopped at the Turtle Bay dock before going home. Michael knew something was wrong when he woke the next morning and David had not been home and he frantically began to call his phone. Later that evening, he received a call from David’s cell phone, but it was not David on the line. A man had noticed a set of keys and a cell phone on the dock when he had taken his boat out earlier in the day. He grew suspicious when the items were still on the dock upon his return that afternoon, so he called the last number that had called. David’s body was found on July 2 at Snake Island. His death was ruled as a probable drowning. David had requested that no flowers be brought to his funeral as they would only die and be thrown out. Instead, Michael requested that anyone who wished to express their condolences should give a financial donation to the Folly Beach Garden Club and the Charleston Horticulture Society in David’s name. It was from this response that the memory garden grew. Donations were so overwhelming that there was enough for the costly project of building a garden. With cooperation from the City of Folly Beach, the Garden Club procured the plot of land behind the Community Center and financed the David Israel Memorial Garden.

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An emotional Folly While David’s death resulted in the birth of a garden that will create memories for visitors long after his passing, the search for David’s body revealed the heart of the Folly Beach community for at least one man. While the memory is undoubtedly painful, Michael can recall the love and compassion expressed by the community during those frightful days when David’s fate was unknown. The police were especially careful and polite. Boat owners who did not know Michael and David spent hours a day searching. The local jet ski rental company even closed their business for a few days so that their equipment could be utilized. “It was overwhelming,” Michael recalled. The funeral was held at the couple’s home on Folly Beach. Surrounded by his passion, a woman sang the hymn, “In the Garden”. The words and the beauty of her voice stopped strangers walking by and put tears in the eyes of everyone who sat in David’s garden that day. It is the sad habit of human beings to realize the true value and impact of a person only after they are gone. Long after the memory of David is gone, he will continue to touch others through the Memory Garden. It may become the inspiration for a poem. It may provide comfort to a stranger. It may be the site of a first kiss where a new love will blossom. But it is the memory of love that built the foundation of the garden, and the strength of human compassion that made it possible.

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December 11, 2009

By Megan Carroll

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his animated feature film is another in a growing genre of smart, interesting and meaningful story telling a la Roald Dahl. Fantastic Mr. Fox is exquisite in its execution and is darned fun to watch. With its fidgety stop-motion animation, one can feel the incredible depth and self awareness among the characters, emphasized by the elegantly detailed shots. Director Wes Anderson creates a cunning and witty film for all ages. Although I’ve got to say that kids might enjoy it at one level, adults will enjoy it even more. Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach adapted Roald Dahl’s 1970 children’s book into a fantastic visual and aural journey. Anderson is a well known director and screen writer who is best known for his work on The Royal Tenenbaums. Anderson’s dry sense of humor and ability

to create poignant portrayals of each of his characters allows his work to really come to life. Not surprisingly, the movie centers around Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney), a confident charming fox that promises his fox wife (Meryl Streep) and fox son (Jason Schwartzman) that he will stop the dangerous business of stealing from the hen houses of the Town’s three evil ranchers, and settle down into a normal 9-5 existence. Despite having everything he needs, he still feels the urge to return to his dodgy lifestyle. In his words, “How can a fox ever be happy without - you’ll forgive the expression a chicken in its teeth?” So he creates a master plan to hit the three evil ones-- Boggis, Bunce and Bean -- for one last ride on the wild side! Soon, Mr. Fox finds himself over his head and now what once was a personal war consumes the entire nearby animal neighborhood. The film is a living work of cinematic art. Everything is very real in this film, down to the moving hair on the character’s faces, the miniature hand-sewn outfits, and to the details

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in the puffs of smoke and underground tunnels. I found myself lost, not only in the characters themselves, but in all of the incredibly fine details. It is as though the film actually breathes. Every part of it is alive with fine detail and brilliant character development. It is unlike any other animated film I have ever seen. The film is made all the better by a phenomenal human cast of voices; George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson, William Defoe and Bill Murray are just a few of the verbal actors contributing to the film. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a visually arresting twisted-ly funny. This is tops on the list of holiday family flicks!

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December 11, 2009

The Charleston International Film Festival (CIFF) will conduct a juried poster competition to select the featured image of the 2010 Festival. Finalists will be posted online at www.CharlestonIFF.com, and the public will be allowed to comment on submissions via Facebook and Twitter. The competition is free and open to the public. The winning image will be used as the official 2010 Festival poster which will be displayed at the American Theater and select locations. There are no design guidelines for the poster competition; however, entries that celebrate the art of film and reflect the energy and creativity of the Festival will be most strongly considered. Entries are due by January 4, 2010. The winner will receive $100, recognition in local papers and on the CIFF website, and a VIP Festival Pass valid for all films, panels and after-parties. More information about how to enter the poster competition can be found online at www.CharlestonIFF.com. CIFF is an international film and screenplay competition, dedicated to showcasing the art and talent of emerging filmmakers and writers from the Lowcountry, the U.S., and around the world. This four day event takes place April 8-11, 2010, at The American Theater in historic downtown Charleston. Now in its third year, CIFF attracts visitors and aficionados from all over, and explores all genres of film across a wide range of subject matter.

Plant from page 10 not that trick anyway). This is a common tree from New England into the Midwest, and south through all of Florida, and over to Texas. It is usually a small or “medium” sized tree, although one of the largest in the world is over 120’ tall, right here in central South Carolina. Its bark is rough and checkered, and broken into dark, scaly blocks. The 4-6” long leaves are deep green in the summer (somewhat chalky on the lower side) and they turn a brilliant yellow or orange-red in the fall. Interestingly, wherever a leaf has been chewed on or otherwise wounded, the tissue right around the wound turns black. The trees are either male or female, bearing unisexual flowers. The wood of this species is dark, hard and very durable. In fact, during the era of king cotton, this tree was an important source of loom shuttles in mills. This species is entirely confined to North America, but it has about 200 close relatives in Africa and Indonesia, some of which are prized for their fruits which are often available in markets (One other relative grows in central Texas). All of these species are members of the ebony family, and it is the true ebony tree whose dark, hard wood has historically been the

source for piano keys. Our mystery plant isn’t very picky about where it grows, and it does well in a variety of settings and soils. The combination of handsome bark, attractive foliage (summer and fall) and fruit make this an excellent choice for the home landscape. Back to the fruits. When they are fully ripe, the fruits are delicious. If you’ve never tried one, you must. They are ready to eat when they are soft, almost mushy, and you can gather them from the ground (just brush the sand off and remove the seeds). There are plenty of recipes out there for ripe persimmons, including savory puddings, bread, and even ice cream. John Nelson is the curator of the Herbarium at the University of South Carolina, in the Department of Biological Sciences. As a public service, the Herbarium offers free plant identifications. For more information, visit www.herbarium.org or call 803-777-8196.

Answer: “Persimmon,” Diospyros virginiana

Charleston International Film Festival Poster Competition

Mystery plant pie Ingredients: 1 9 inch single crust pie 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup white sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups half-and-half cream 1 cup mystery plant pulp 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon lemon juice

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Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Combine eggs, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Mix in cream, mystery plant pulp, melted butter, and lemon juice. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake an additional 30 minutes. Cool before slicing.

December 11, 2009 Volunteer from page 5 that Habitat has been providing.  Here were houses filled with families that wouldn’t be able to afford proper housing otherwise. I drove to the end of the neighborhood and pulled up to the job site, not knowing what to expect. They were in the process of working on three houses at the same time.  I met Mike, who worked full-time for Habitat. He asked if I had any roofing experience.I didn’t, but I was willing to try anything. I grabbed my leather tool belt and trusty hammer and the next thing I knew I was roofing. At the end of the day my hands were blistered, but we had laid shingles on a large part of the house. Without the help of volunteers and donations of money and materials, these houses could not be built.  LEEP  (Lowcountry  Environmental Education Program) was founded in Charleston 10 years ago. Its mission is, “to provide opportunities for students of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to explore South Carolina’s natural environment through experiential learning”.  They were kind enough to let me tag along with their Executive Director Ian Sanchez on a trip to Bull’s Bay with a group of kids. I had no idea what to expect.  To start, we greeted a group of third graders and jumped on the Bull’s Bay Ferry. On the Ferry ride, our guide and fearless leader Ian amazed me at the way he instantly grabbed

15 the kids’ attention and proceeded to educate them about the wildlife that existed in the area. At the ripe age of 32, I realized it’s been over 20 years since I had participated in a third grade class discussion and was amazed at the knowledge, curiosity and willingness to learn that these kids possessed. I was told by Ian that most of the kids that go on LEEP trips have never been to the ocean even though they have grown up so close to it.  Watching first hand as we hiked around the island, I could really see what a difference this organization was making on the Charleston community. The highlight of the trip came when we discovered a mother alligator in her nest.  She was far enough away that she was not threatened, but close enough for us to hear her hiss at us. While I was donating my time to help others, the experience was a blessing for me, as well. In fact, the impact was so great that I am determined to continue this work with other non-profits, donating my time as the economy dictates. For anyone who has ever thought about working with a non-profit, the simple response is, “just do it”! You won’t be disappointed.

Letters from page 4 The County’s tax millage did not change. Unfortunately, Local Option Sales Tax receipts, of which County Council gives 100 percent of collections back in the form of a credit against property taxes, decreased substantially due to the recession. Council is still returning 100 percent of collections to citizens as a credit against property taxes, but because sales tax receipts decreased, the credit also decreased. It is important for residents to understand that County Council is mindful of the impact of the recession

For more information or to donate to these great Charleston charities look them up on their Web sites: www.seaislandhabitat.org and www.scleep.org.

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on individual taxpayers and that we eliminated the proposed increases mentioned in the previous letter. I and the rest of Council continue to look at ways to reduce County expenditures and to stretch the decreasing funds under which we are operating. Citizens are welcome to contact me any time with questions by phone at 937-8000 or by e-mail at pthurmond@ tktlawfirm.com. Sincerely, Paul Thurmond Chas. County Council Vice-Chairman

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December 11, 2009

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