Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival in Charleston

When: Sat., June 2, 12-8 p.m.
Phone: (843) 856-9732
www.sweetgrassfestival.org

The festival will put you up close and personal with some of the most skillful and talented sweetgrass basket makers in the Lowcountry. Browse a craft showcase, hear stories, find a beautiful basket for your home and more.

Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant

Sand Sculpting Competition at Isle of Palms

When: Sat., June 2, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Phone: (866) 811-4111
Price: Free
www.piccolospoleto.com

Awaken your inner child by entering this year’s Sand Sculpting Competition on Isle of Palms.  They are separate competitions for different ages and you can win prices too!

If you rather like to watch, come out and see what the sculptors will create.  In the past, you could see the Mona Lisa and a piano-playing octopus.  Bring a lot of buckets if you want to participate.

Front Beach of the Isle of Palms, Isle of Palms

Exploring the New Neighborhood

Every time you move into a new neighborhood, you need to find out where everything is.  Usually you start small and get your house unpacked, so that you can find where the spoons are in your kitchen.  Once you have the house settled, you need to go exploring.  I am sure before you decided for the house, you checked out the schools in the area and where the closest grocery store is.  Now it is time to think about where the closest hospital is.  You never know when you might need it and then is not the time to Google it.   Additionally, drive from your new place to the school.  Is there any other route in case there is a lot of traffic in the morning?  What other stores are close to you?  Where is the closest store for tools?  Plenty of times you can just not find that hammer when you need it and your only way is to get a new one.

 

Then, you start to explore the neighborhood.  If you have children, it might be interesting to know where the closest playground is.  Is there a pool?  How do you get there from your new home?  Take a walk in your neighborhood and see how other people have their front lawn or garden.  Maybe you get some good ideas on what to do in your front yard.  Where are the houses with play equipment in the yard?  Those are good to know when you have children, since most likely there are children living there as well.

 

Have fun exploring your new neighborhood!

Living History Days in Middleton Place, Charleston

When: Sat., May 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun., May 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: (843) 556-6020
Price: General Admission
www.middletonplace.org

The special programming focuses on springtime activities on the plantation. Visitors will learn about the beginning of the planter’s agricultural year and immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of a bygone era.

Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Rd, West Ashley

Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston 2012

**Selected By the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event**

May 25-June 10, 2012

For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston, South Carolina’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with over 120 performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in disciplines ranging from opera, theater, music theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music, as well as the visual arts.

Spoleto Festival USA has firmly established itself as one of the world’s major arts festivals, presenting 100 world premieres and 93 American premieres since its inception in 1977.

Come to the Spoleto Festival USA Opening Ceremony!

When: Fri., May 25, 12 p.m.
Phone: (866) 811-4111
Price: Free
www.piccolospoleto.com

Charleston City Hall, 80 Broad St., Downtown

5 Basics You Need to Cover When You Move into a New Home

Once you move into your new house, there are several basic things you need to take care of:

1.      You need to call the utility companies: electric, cable, telephone, garbage service, electric and water.  Make sure you find out when your garbage will be picked up.
2.      Change your address: make sure you inform banks, magazine subscriptions, insurance, friends and family of your new address. You can change your address with the post office online.
3.      Find Your Main Circuit Breaker: If you need it, it is good to know where it is instead of starting to look for it then.  Label all the breakers, so you will find the right one in a pinch.
4.      Find the Off Switch for the Water: Locate the main water shut-off.
5.      Protect Your Floors:If your new home has hardwood, ceramic, or tile floors, don’t forget to put protective covers under furniture legs.

Enjoy your new home as soon as you have taken care of these 5 basics.

Village Street Sale in Charleston

When: Sat., May 19, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Price: Free
www.villagestreetsale.com

The sale takes place on East Montague Avenue in the Old Village, featuring families and residents selling furniture, kitchen items, housewares, CDs, books, clothing, baby items, toys, arts/crafts, and more.