Hurricane Experts: Be Prepared and Leave Early if Storm Threatens

If a hurricane threatens Beaufort County, err on the side of caution and evacuate early. That was the consensus advice from a team of experts who spoke on July 1 at a Hurricane Preparedness Briefing for Palmetto Bluff property owners. “The Golden Rule of Hurricanes: He who leaves first gets the closest and the best hotel rooms,” said William Winn, Director of the Beaufort County Emergency Management Agency. Winn recalled the last time an evacuation was issued for the area, when Hurricane Floyd threatened in 1999. Though the storm ultimately bypassed the Palmetto State, traffic was a disaster, with Florida, Georgia and South Carolina residents choking the interstates and vying for the same inland hotel rooms.

Winn and Lt. Col. Neil Baxley of the Beaufort County Sherriff’s Department both recommended departing early if a voluntary evacuation order is issued. In that situation, traffic is typically still light and residents may travel on any route they choose. Should a mandatory evacuation be ordered (by Governor Mark Sanford, the only individual with the power to do so in South Carolina), residents do not have a choice of departure route. (Click here  for a PDF file of the Beaufort County evacuation plan.)

Winn, a self-proclaimed “hurricane junkie” who is widely respected in the emergency management field, also recommends residents schedule a one-on-one meeting with their insurance agent to discuss the details of their homeowners policy and determine what to expect in the event of a catastrophic storm. (For a brochure on questions to ask your insurance agent, click here.) Also speaking at the briefing were Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner, Lt. Katherine Sours of the Bluffton Police Department, Chuck Wise of the South Carolina State Patrol and Daniel McManus, Director of the State Urban Search & Rescue Team, all of whom emphasized the importance of being prepared, leaving early and having a family evacuation plan. (For a hurricane preparedness brochure from the Beaufort County Emergency Management Division, click here.)

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Conservancy Lecture/Grace Cruise Combo Offered on July 11

With July 4 falling on a Friday this year, the Conservancy decided to schedule its monthly First Friday program for a week later, in conjunction with a property owner Grace cruise. On Friday, July 11, beginning at 5 p.m., Michelle Johnston of the University of South Carolina will present her research on detecting fecal coliform bacteria in American alligators on Palmetto Bluff. Fecal coliform concentrations are used as a water quality standard for recreational and shellfish waters. Hence, these findings correlating alligator fecal levels and surface water quality may enhance the development of effective watershed models, aid in the regulation of shellfish harvests, and determine associated human health risks in nearby areas.

Following the presentation, Michelle and Kimberly Andrews will board the Grace to discuss Palmetto Bluff wildlife and their habitats. The cruise departs the Canoe Club dock at 6 p.m. Cruise RSVPs should be directed to Nick Dennis at 843.706.6603.

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EarthCraft House Training Set for July 25

The Conservancy will host EarthCraft House Builder Training on Friday, July 25. EarthCraft House is a green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes which reduce utility bills and conserve resources. The certification essentially ensures that architects, builders and their subcontractors design and build to the highest possible standard. A list of EarthCraft-certified builders –  and architects who can design using EarthCraft principles – may be found in the Design Review Center. If your builder is not certified and would like to attend, call Patty Kennedy (843.706.6443) or Karen Dill (843.706.6023), or click here to download a registration form. Though the workshop is designed primarily for building professionals, it is highly educational and helpful to property owners as well. The cost is $125 per person for the event, which takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the River House Ballroom. Click here for more on EarthCraft House.

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Canoe Club Hosts Classes in Yoga, Spinning, Pilates and Toning

The Canoe Club offers weekly fitness classes including Yoga, Spinning, Prop Pilates and Tone & Stretch – click here to view the schedule. Classes are limited to 12 people, with the exception of Spinning, which is limited to 11. Entry is on a first-come first-serve basis, and all participants are asked to sign in. Classes are closed 5 minutes after the start time. Children must be at least 16 years of age, accompanied by an adult and have prior experience with the type of fitness class they are attending. Cell phones must be turned off. Personal trainers, personal Pilates instruction, swim lessons and other private classes are also available through the Canoe Club – call 843.706.6608 to schedule.

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Bike Patrol Officers Take to the Streets

Five bicycle patrol officers are providing additional security in Wilson Village, Longfield Stables and surrounding areas. The bike patrol is one of several initiatives new Security Director Charles Huggins has taken in his first months on the job. These steps also include strengthening policies and procedures for Main Gate access, such as numbering of guest passes and adding a map detailing public and private areas; reducing the delay on the gate arm from 17 seconds to 7 seconds, thereby allowing only one vehicle through at a time; and increasing Wilson Village vehicle patrol to 24 hours a day. Questions or concerns about security may be directed to the Main Gate at 843.706.6000 or directly to Huggins at 843.706.6021.

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Two Boat House Row Shops Open for Business

Two retail shops are now open at Boat House Row along the May River behind Buffalo's. Fine Furniture Galleries/Coastal Living Interiors offers an eclectic mix of classically styled upholstered and leather pieces, as well as an impressive array of accessories. Michael Rainey Antiques features 18th-century and early 19th-century American furniture and associated decorative objects. Both shops are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. For more information, call Fine Furniture Galleries at 843.815.7898 and Michael Rainey Antiques at 843.521.4532.

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Tickets on Sale for Tyler Florence's Lowcountry Celebration

Tyler Florence, Palmetto Bluff and Coastal Living invite you to the second weekend-long culinary celebration highlighting the tastes of the LowCountry. Tyler Florence’s Palmetto Bluff Lowcountry Celebration, sponsored by Coastal Living magazine, will feature cooking demos, Lowcountry cuisine, live music, food and wine tastings with guest chefs, vintners and brewers from around the region, mixology demonstrations and more. Tickets may be booked at www.musictoyourmouth2008.com. (Note: All bookings must be made online.) Questions? Click here to email.

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Conservancy Plans 2009 Amazon Voyage

Interested in cruising the Amazon River? Join the Conservancy on its 2009 Amazon Riverboat Voyage, scheduled for January 16-25 in partnership with AAA Vacations and International Expeditions. For more details, call Kimberly Andrews at 843.706.6032, or click here for a complete brochure in PDF format.

 

 

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Caution Advised during Alligator Nesting Season

Alligator nesting season has arrived, which means female gators are building nests and laying eggs on lagoon banks. This will continue through July, then hatchlings will emerge in late August and September. During these times, female alligators will defend their eggs and babies. For your safety – and to conform with South Carolina law – please be careful to never approach or feed alligators. Always exercise caution when you are in an alligator's habitat, and don't allow dogs or small children in or near the edges of the freshwater lakes. When fishing, don't keep fish on the bank next to you or on a stringer. If you clean a fish, please discard the remains in the trash, not back into the lake, as this causes the same results as feeding. If there is any immediate concern regarding the presence of an alligator, call Security at 843.706.6000.

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Longfield Stables Announces Visitation Policy

All visits to Longfield Stables must be scheduled in advance, preferably with at least 24 hours notice. Visitors are requested to arrive by automobile or on foot, and to come directly to the Main Barn, where they will be greeted by a staff member. Although they seem innocent, bicycles are often perceived by horses as a threat, and a spooking horse can throw a rider or cause a significant accident with a horse carriage. For this reason, bicycles are restricted from use at Longfield Stables.

 

The staff looks forward to showing visitors the elements that make Longfield Stables such a unique facility, and explaining the horse husbandry practices that are followed. For those who desire equine-related activities, Longfield Stables offers private carriage tours of the grounds and cross-country area, and beginner through intermediate huntseat riding instruction. Due to horses being under quarantine, visitors are not allowed in the Receiving Barn and surrounding paddocks.

 

Longfield Stables’ visitation policy allows the staff to ensure the safety and proper care of clients’ equine partners. The majority of the animals residing at Longfield Stables belong to clients and have great meaning and value to their owners. Each animal has its own unique behaviors, some of which are encouraged, and others – such as biting or kicking – that are discouraged. It is not possible for guests to know the idiosyncrasies of each animal, so it is important that unannounced visits are not made to Longfield Stables. Scheduled visits to Longfield Stables may be arranged by contacting the Stables office at 843.706.9559.

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Do Not Miss Good Tidings from Palmetto Bluff – Share Your Email Address with Us!

Does everyone in your home receive Tidings, Palmetto Bluff’s monthly property owner email newsletter? It is the POA’s goal to have an email address on file for every individual property owner, including spouses, business partners and other owners associated with a given property. To ensure that we have all relevant email addresses in our database – and that each is an individual’s preferred address, if he or she has multiple addresses – please click here and complete the information update form, which also includes the option to have certain contact information included in the PB Online Member Directory.

Please be aware that some email programs filter messages sent from unfamiliar addresses. We encourage you to check your email program’s spam folder and filter settings to be sure you receive Tidings, which is sent from communications@palmettobluffonline.com. Please be sure your email filters are set to allow mail from this address. The current issue of Tidings is also accessible from the bottom of this page, and back issues are available in the POA/Communications section of PB Online.

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