Guerrilla Cuisine - Chef Nico Romo

Guerrilla Cuisine, Lowndes Grove, Charleston, S.C.

I was lucky to attend the Guerrilla Cuisine dinner last night because the featured Chef was Nico Romo from FISH restaurant and I am a fan. The location is revealed the day before and I was tickled to learn it was at Lowndes Grove Plantation because although I've driven by a hundred times I've never actually been inside the gates. The setting was so beautiful with the tables set to overlook the sunset reflected on the Ashley River.

Chef Nico did a proper French dinner with French onion soup, frogs legs and snails (oh my!), beef wellington and a napoleon treat for dessert. We sat at a the end of a long table and I was thoroughly entertained by members of the military bomb squad next to me who made the evening a treat. Two of our other table companions were celebrating anniversaries made it a festive occasion. Jimihatt and Angel were the perfect hosts as always.

Click here to get on the mailing list for future Guerrilla Cuisine dinners. I put some photos on Facebook last night but will add a few more here for my table companions. Thanks for a fun evening!

A house divided

Pitt St., Charleston, S.C.

Oooops. Usually a house divided in the lowcountry means USC vs Clemson not England and India. Interesting!

Teeny tiny Red Dot store

S.C.

This has to be the teeniest, tiniest red dot store. Cute isn't it? Can you imagine doing business in that little building surrounded by shelves of liquor? It would be a fun short story.

I've afraid I've started my week needed another weekend. Whew. Busy days, kids. I'm off for a long walk before dark. Back later.

Saving the Quirky Lowcountry

James Island Baptist Church, S.C.

Thank you to all my friends who joined the Riverland Terrace Garden Club's dinner last night to raise the money to repair our quirky little windmill. We arrived a few minutes early and walked down to the water to visit the actual windmill. The new mayor of James Island James Woolsey was there with his wife doing the same thing.

We had a very pleasant evening with good company, a great meal provided by Chef Barry Waldrop of Stono Cafe and a silent auction. They needed $3,000 to do the repairs and pay for insurance and I am sure they got what they needed.

Tie up your horse and come on in.......

Charleston, S.C.

A cowboy rode into town and stopped at the saloon for a drink. The locals had a habit of picking on newcomers and by the time he finished, he discovered his horse had been stolen.

He came back into the bar, flipped his gun into the air, caught it above his head without even looking and fired a shot into the ceiling. "Who stole my horse?" he yelled.

No one answered.

"I'm gonna have another beer and if my horse ain't back outside by the time I'm finished, I'm gonna do what I dun back in Texas and I don't want to have to do what I dun back in Texas!"

Some of the locals shifted restlessly.

He had another beer, walked outside, and his horse was back! He saddled up and started to ride out of town.

The bartender wandered out of the bar and asked, "Say partner, what happened in Texas?"

The cowboy turned back and said, "I had to walk home!"

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance - Pineville Chapel

Pineville Chapel, Pineville, S.C.

Here I am - taking you to church and it isn't even a Sunday. Surely I get extra points for that? I've heard two or three people lately joining the "church photo in lieu of attendance" club and I found us a sweetie this time. There isn't much left in what was historic Pineville.

Berkeley County’s wealthy planter class, wishing to avoid the fevers associated with their low lying plantations during the summer months, established inland settlements, particularly in areas wooded with pine trees, beginning in the late eighteenth century.

The Pineville Historic District is composed of four principal buildings, three residential buildings and one Episcopal church, ranging in date from ca.1810 through 1925. In the mid to late nineteenth century, Pineville was a densely-settled village that included as many as one hundred buildings, including an academy, racetrack, library, churches, and residences. Much of the town was burned by Union troops at the close of the Civil War in April 1865.

Cool Spiritual Places

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

The Post & Courier recently featured this article on Cool Spiritual Places in the Lowcountry. They are almost all on my frequently visited list. I've tried to get to Boonie Doone but haven't got past the locked gates when I can get there on a weekend. The last one in Kingstree is unfamiliar to me and may be worth a visit. What do you think of their list?

10 Cool spiritual places to visit in the Lowcountry in no particular order)
Friday, October 8, 2010

Mepkin Abbey: Stroll through the gardens and meditative places of this former rice plantation on the banks of the upper Cooper River outside Moncks Corner.

Meditation Garden at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital: Roam the natural cathedral, the garden of reflection, the spiritual maze under the circle of oaks on the hospital's West Ashley campus.

Chapel at Middleton Place: Renovated several years ago, the small chapel beside the little lake evokes the past. Here, in this illuminated space, slaves gathered for worship.

Magnolia Cemetery: Wandering through this famous graveyard, beneath the Spanish moss and around the tombstones, one sees the evidence of a complicated, fascinating history.

Circular Congregational Church: Formed in 1681, this church on lower Meeting Street originally was called the Independent Church of Charles Towne and was meant for residents who did not attend nearby St. Philip's (Anglican) Church.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church: This church on Anson Street, organized in 1822, was the first place of worship in the country where pews were not rented or sold, but free to all comers. The current building was consecrated in 1836.

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim: This Reform Jewish synagogue on Hasell Street was founded in 1749. It is the birthplace of the Reform movement in the U.S. and the fourth oldest Jewish congregation. It has the second oldest synagogue building in the United States (the oldest in continuous use).

French Huguenot Church: The only independent Hugeunot church in the U.S., this downtown church was built in 1844 in the Gothic Revival style. A beauty.

Bonnie Doone Plantation: This gorgeous sprawl of land near Walterboro is the site of the Charleston Baptist Association's Conference Center. It's a good place for a church retreat, family event or bit of recreational fun.

Springbank Retreat: Run by nuns, this swath of nature near Kingstree specializes in "eco-spirituality and the arts." Wander through the woods or walk along the swamp and the artist in you is sure to be stimulated.

Tulips and Tea

Windmill, Plymouth Rd., S.C.

Does anyone but me have a picture with a windmill and a British black cab in the same shot? I doubt it. :))) A bouquet of tulips and a cuppa hot tea and we'd be all set. This is a reminder about the fund raising dinner the Riverland Terrace Garden Club is having on Saturday night. Details here.

Also, last call to vote for your favorite AHA Moment in this round.

In other news, I finally have my TiVo working again so I can watch John Stewart at breakfast. Whew.

Dot, dot, dot....

Exchange St., Charleston, S.C.

I seem to be collecting pictures of red dot liquor stores.

Busy days at work, kids. I'm beat. I walked down to the new Tabbuli Grill for a quick bite and then crashed.

Camo Baby!

Hand knitted baby bonnets, Charleston S.C.

There is a team of baby luvin' knitters busy at this very moment, all over the lowcountry making sure that our babies are sent home with something hand made for them. Most of the baby bonnets I get are traditional pink and blue with smattering of yellow thrown in for good measure.

Yesterday a lady brought me two bags full of these - hot pink, deep blue, orange and on the top of the pile, a camouflage bonnet! I love it. Some macho dad is going to be very happy. I packed them off and sent them over to the new hospital in Mt. Pleasant to welcome our brand new babies. Thanks Rosemary!

Before and After - Jamie Westendorff

Jamie Westendorff, After!

I get a lot of hits looking for Jamie so this photo is my gift to those of you who want to make sure he is okay. Jamie was seriously burned in an accident with his cooker earlier this year. He was burned so badly on his hands and face that they flew him to the burn unit in Augusta, Georgia and had to use pig skin to repair his face. Here is the Post & Courier article about his accident.

I was at a meeting for volunteer manager's at James Island County Park last month and was delighted to find Jamie back on the job making our lunch. He insisted on posing with the same cooker that burned him and took me to his truck to show me the gruesome photo album documenting his accident and recovery. I got kinda emotional seeing that the very first picture in the album, the "before" picture was one I had taken as well.

What a miracle!

Save Charleston's quirky windmill!

Got dinner plans for Saturday night? Cancel them. Let's save the quirky windmill! The Riverland Terrace Garden Club estimates it needs $3,000 to repair the funky little windmill on the water at the end of Plymouth St. Dinner is just $25, so let's do it!

They are having a silent auction as well and I am sure can use donated items. Call Edith at the number listed below and I'll see you there! Donations accepted.

Windmill fundraiser Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Riverland Terrace Garden Club is raising funds to repair and paint its Dutch-style windmill.

Chef Barry Waldrop, owner of Stono Cafe Catering, will prepare a dinner Saturday to raise the $3,000 needed for the project.

The windmill, built by John Roessler at the Wappoo Cut around 1936, was a landmark along the Intracoastal Waterway. It was donated to the club and moved near Elliott's Cut adjacent to the Plymouth Avenue firehouse boat landing and playground in 2000.

The dinner menu is croissants, fall salad, herb encrusted pork tenderloin with a port wine demi-glaze, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetable medley and a fall berry cobbler. A silent auction will be held during the event, which takes place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the James Island Baptist Church social hall.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Charleston Post Card Co., 182 Plymouth
Ave., James Island. Or call Edith Mclemore, event chair, at 762-0771 or Barbara Knight, president, at 762-1243.

How many times do you get to save a windmill in the lowcountry?

I'm a friend of a friend of the Bishop

NIAF Columbus Day Reception, Harbor Club, Charleston, S.C.

I may have been the only Protestant raised Canadian born guest at the National Italian American Foundation's Columbus Day reception honoring South Carolina Bishop Robert Guglielmone! I got a kick out of going from photographing the Beach Boys on Sunday to the Bishop on Monday. Variety!

Bishop Guglielmone was being honored for his work with the Boy Scouts and Lindsay Raiford from West Ashley High School was awarded a scholarship for $5,000. It was a great group of people and the Italian buffet was delicious. I kept going back to the marinated artichoke hearts and mushrooms and stocked up on the gelato bar for my walk home. Yum!

As I was waiting for the award photo op I heard a familiar whirring sound and was surprised to see that the main photographer for the event was rewinding his film. He said he had perfectly good film cameras and hadn't seen a reason to buy a new one yet. As I watched him fumbling with film rolls and unable to check his shots it made me realize again how happy I am to live in the age of digital cameras.

Mt. Pleasant Hospital opening & Beach Boys Concert

Mt. Pleasant Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I am on the run but here is a link to some of the pictures from the wildly successful opening of the new Mt. Pleasant Hospital including the Beach Boys concert, Wow! What an opportunity to be up there on stage with them looking out at the audience.

Mt. Pleasant Hospital opening & Beach Boys Concert.

Wooden park entrance at Marion Square

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Cool wooden walk through entrance at the King and Calhoun side of Marion Square. I walked through the other night in the dark and they had screens inside the wood lit up naming organizations that support the arts. The fresh wood smells so good. I am sure it will turn out to be part of an upcoming arts festival of some kind.

Bookzilla!

Gaillard Auditorium, Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C.

Today is the last day of the giant Friends of the Library Book sale at Gaillard Auditorium. When I was at the symphony on Friday night I spotted the Bookzilla sculpture so directed my walk this morning in that direction so I could get a shot before it was dismantled.

Bookzilla is a fundraising project that gives volunteers, businesses and the general public an opportunity to support Charleston Volunteers for Literacy's tutoring program for students in high need, local elementary schools.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 by collecting 10,000 books each supported by $5 in donations. Local artist Karl Beckwith Smith, will lead an attempt to set a new sculpture record by collecting and stacking over 10,000 books into a towering art sculpture.

I have complete faith in the Friends of the Library. This book sale is an incredible event each year. Congratulations to them!

The symphony event on Friday was wonderful. Thanks to my readers who spotted me and said hello! You made my weekend :)))

Roadside Fire

Old Gaillard Rd., S.C.

Usually when you see smoke ahead of you on the road it turns out to be a farmer burning leaves at the roadside but not in this case. The unfortunate couple said they pulled over when they noticed smoke coming from from under the hood and in moments the whole vehicle was in full flames. They couldn't believe their eyes.

Thank goodness the passengers got out safely. Firefighters were in the scene in minutes and had the blaze under control. This happened on Old Gaillard Rd. not too far from Eutawville.

In other news - yeah, I am back online! The Comcast gentleman just left after replacing my modem. Once they actually get here they are very nice and helpful. It's getting to them that makes me completely insane.

De Vine House

Coming & Duncan St., Charleston, S.C.

This is a quick update on the house that gets eaten by the vines each year. I follow the progress until the owner has to cut a clearing to see out his windows.

I am in technology hell. Now my modem is on the blink (or rather, not blinking!). As with every contact with Comcast I am ready to shoot myself by the time I get someone on the line who is ready to get my contact information for the third time. At least they were willing to do a service call on a Saturday so here is hoping I will get a new modem by tomorrow night. Grrrrrr.

Meanwhile, y'all behave! There is a lot going on this weekend. I'll be at the Symphony rescucitation concert tonight and actually get to see the Beach Boys up close and personal on Sunday at the opening of the new Mt. Pleasant Hospital. Say hello if you see me!

Sier Lapalang

Sier Lapalang

Part of the reason I went up to Canada over Labor Day was because my sister Shirley and her friend Alex were also flying in from Edmonton. Shirley is a nurse practitioner in a children's cancer hospital and is the musically talented one in our family. The two of them are going over to India this month and have been invited to sing at a local folk festival concert. Shirley found the words to an old Khasi favorite song, "Sier Lapalang."

When I was a kid I used to sit out on our second level porch in the evenings and play this tune on a bamboo flute with our monkey Esau sitting in my lap. Good times.

Namrata, is this one familiar to you?

Tuesday Hodge Podge

King St., Charleston, S.C.

Not just bad but Super Bad! Always a good King St. photo op.

I am eating grape tomatoes like candy. Yum.

Oh. We are definitely going to need some of these: Ice Screaming Ice Cube Trays.

I've always believed that laziness was the mother of invention.

Mental Meatloaf wrote me up. Thanks Marcheline! Spread the word.

All I bought in St. Louis, besides books after book to read in airports, were two miniature sock monkey Christmas decorations.

When I sit for hours in meetings people think I am taking serious notes but I am really calculating how many years it will take to pay off my mortgage using different scenarios. What if I pay this much extra a month, or this much.....what if I got a big tax refund every year or stopped eating?

It's been hot for so long I forgot about dressing for weather. I know I have socks somewhere.

My TiVo broke. My hard drive crashed. It's been one of those stretches. I've had to watch regular tv. Cringe. I've lost photoshop. Sob.

I don't know why I did this to my photo but the Presurfer told me to:

Bicycle Jokes

Basil, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I love Basil Thai restaurant on King St. and like the fact that they kept the old bicycle on it's sign from it's previous life as a bike shop.

Link: Funny bike related photos.

Home again, home again....

Warren St., Charleston, S.C.

Safely home from St. Louis. Uploading hundreds of pictures, catching up on emails and watching trash day time tv. Charleston has cooled down and is bright and sunny to welcome me home. I've got my sheets in the wash and the windows open.

I walked this morning and was pleased to see all the construction action going on at one of my favorite houses on Warren St.

Thank you all for clicking to vote at the AHA Moment site. It's a weird thing to ask people to do but Water Missions is such a great cause!

Time to do some blog hopping to see what y'all have been up to while I've been away.

Vote for AHA moment

AHA Airstream, Charleston, S.C.

Last June I was contacted by the Mutual of Omaha "AHA moment" folks and invited to come to Marion Square to record an "AHA Moment". This photo is from that day.

They went all over the country and apparently are now showcasing some of their favorites and asking people to vote for ones that will be featured on tv. I am terrible in front of a camera, get nervous and talk too fast BUT the cause was Water Mission's International water purification systems. So, if you are inclined, I would appreciate your vote. It might bring attention to this great charity.

It is simple click to vote one time: Click here to vote.

St. Louis field trip day two

Fireman's Statue, St. Louis, MO

Clearly I am still in St. Louis. I am earning my keep at the conference taking pictures but was able to slip out briefly mid day and walked through the Taste of St. Louis. Wow! What an event! I was impressed. I couldn't stay long but it was nice to get out and get a feel for the city.

This evening I joined the group activity getting into the Arch after hours. I took the first ride up the arch and looked out over the city at dusk.

Back in my hotel room now for one last night and back to the lowcountry tomorrow evening.

Apparently I am to ask you all to go to this site and vote: AHA Moments.

St. Louis field trip

Cheese-ology, Delmar Loop, St. Louis, MO

I am in St. Louis attending the national AHVRP conference for volunteer managers in health care. It was a heck of a long drawn out trip after switching airlines and being rerouted I arrived long after the first sessions I was supposed to be taking pictures at. I go to this particular conference every year and they comp my tuition and room charge since I serve as event photographer.

I love settling into a hotel room in a new city, pulling back the curtains and wondering what fresh treats are waiting in the dark city for me to discover. I check the important things - can I make coffee flavored tea (yes pot, no tea), weak wireless access for $38 for the three days (check), no sign of bedbugs (check, check).

Bedbugs have been creeping across the country. We aren't used to them and I don't want them. Been there, done that as a kid. One of my volunteers brought me a giant plastic bag to put my suitcase in after she heard me talking about it. Later I started nibbling on a snack pack of fruits and nuts and every time I spilled a sunflower seed in the sheets I thought it was one of the nasty critters. Heheh. Thanks to the Marriott I have a lovely fresh room.

I don't have much free time but my friend Mike in Charleston had mentioned that his son William and wife Laura had recently opened a Macaroni & Cheese restaurant in St. Louis. How could I not check on that? Yesterday after dashing though the vendor fair I figured out the Metroline and walked down Delmar past the old Pageant Theater to track down Cheese-ology.

What a brilliant idea! Besides a few salads, the menu is entirely macaroni and cheese served bubbly hot in miniature cast iron skillets. Laura came out to keep me company while I ate and it was delicious. She said people often weren't able to finish the whole portion but I licked my skillet clean. It would be a dangerous restaurant for me to live too close to. I love macaroni and cheese. The one I had was a daily special with spicy sausage and mushrooms.

Okay, kids, I need to jump in the shower and leap into action. It won't offend me at all if things have dried up and cooled down a bit before I get back to Charleston.

Ben Timpson at Scoop Gallery

I did a post on Ben Timpson's magical creations last year when he had a show at the City Gallery. Now, I am out of town in St. Louis (twelve hour trip, yawn), but you can see his work at Scoop Gallery on Broad St. starting tomorrow evening. Show info.

Ben Timpson's Inside Nothing is Everything:

From an upcoming biography on Ben and his art process:

"When classically trained painter Ben Timpson turned his artist's eye from large canvases to tiny bits of the natural world, his work entered a mysterious realm of fanciful, dark beauty. Flowers, insects, blood and bone – the eccentric materials Timpson collects find their way into miniature compositions he assembles into slides in painstaking marathons at his light table. These haunting and whimsical photographs, published for the first time in "End of the Roll: Goodnight 35mm," capture a style that trades traditional notions of painting and collage for an evocative visual alchemy. The result is a gallery of alarmingly original images, and the publishing debut of a remarkable young artist."

Y'all behave while I am away. I arrived hours later, missing the keynote speaker and reception I was supposed to take pictures at and no one had tea ready for me.