Beaufort news: The most controversial topic this month is the resolution of the parking problem. Articles in the Tribune & the Gaz say that the new Downtown Parking Plan WILL be going thru. It’s a compromise plan affecting the 476 park-ing spaces & includes recommendation to lower the fine for tickets from $15 to $10, increase hourly rates from .50 to $1, eliminate most of the time limits, install new parking pay stations that accept credit & debit cards,& maintain 132 coin- operated meters. (The pay stations will cost about $151,000). Many folks are upset about extending the evening parking (til 9PM) as this might hurt the restaurant traffic. Many of the downtown merchants have voiced their concerns. Speaking of restaurants I just learned of a new website: go to www.restaurants.com & purchase discounts from a list of restaurants (typical is a discount of $10 for a $25 discount-some limitations apply). I went on the site using 29902 & found 13 restaurants participate including: The Gullah Grub, The Great American Grill, The Office Sports Bar & Grill, Claude & Ulis Bistro, Main St Café & Pub, Rosie O’Gradys, Jensei Japanese Cuisine, Montana’s Rest, Upper Crust, Bistro Patois, Plumbs, Urban Bistro and Saltus River Grill. By the way, according to the Post & Courier, 2/17, a study by R W Johnson Foundation & the Univ of Wisconsin’s Population Health Inst, says “Bft has the healthiest people in the state.”The report ranked the state’s 46 counties based on quality of health care, education & jobs, to access to healthy foods & quality of the air. An article in the Tribune, 1-21, states that according to the Bft Co ’09 Comprehensive Financial Report, the top 5 largest employers in Bft county are all in the public sector: Bft Co Sch Dist, Bft Mem Hosp, Bft Co, Marine Corps Recruit Deport, & Marine Corps Air Station. Altogether the 5 public entities employ 45% of the total # of people employed in the county. The list does not include the military employees of Parris Isl, the Air Station & the Naval Hosp - & when these are added it comes toapprox 75% or more of the total employment. In other words, Bft –especially northern Bft,- are wards of the gvt. Remember, gvts do not pay taxes, None of the 5 largest employers in Bft county pays a penny in taxes. The Bft Film Festival was the best one ever. The USC Perform-ing Arts Center was packed with an enthusiastic audience & participants + there was an Oscar Award style ceremony – complete with clips. Besides the famous actors, the addition of our local Fripp Island resident Pat Conroy (author/screen-play/writer): The Great Santini, The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides & Forrest Gump) was great. The films were reported as absolutely GREAT – & there was an estimated attendance of 4000 (from Australia, London, California, Atlanta, Asheville, Nashville, etc) so next year plan to go & support the festival. Saint Peter’s Church is having their annual ‘Oyster Roast & Microbrew Festival’ at the Live Oaks Park in Port Royal March 6th @ $20/pp. It features all-U-Can Eat oysters & Beer, live music, a silent & live auction, raffles, games (& a free kid’s menu 14 & under). Rain date is 3/7. Tickets available at St Peters, Bill’s Liquors on Lady’s Isl & in Bluffton. In Bluffton, the May River Theatre presents “Pal Joey” end of Feb & March 5-6-& 7th at the Ulmer Auditorium at the corner of Bridge & Pritchard streets in downtown Bluffton. Also, in Bluffton, there is a new nightspot, Bluffton Live - & it’s located at 2 Gateway Village on Rte 278, next to Home Depot. For more info, call 815-5483 or go to www.blufftonlive.com. This past month at the Eliz Wallace Theatre at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on HHI was “Boeing, Boeing”-a hilarious comedy with an outstanding cast. The SpringFest 2010 will be on HHI March 11-13th ! It features the largest outdoor Wine Festival on the East Coast. Then, in April, don’t forget the Verizon Heritage of Golf from the 12th to the 18th. For tickets 843-785-3673. This follows The Masters @ Augusta Nat’l on 4/8-11th.
Design by IMC, Articles by HomesOnFrippIsland.com © Copyright 2006
Top of Page
|
