Month: July 2016

Seabrook Island Town Council Meeting Highlights – July 26th

IMG_2431Highlights from the July 26, 2016 Town Council Meeting

John Gregg reported that the Public Safety Committee has completed its review and enhancement of the Town’s “Are You Ready for Flooding” pamphlet. The revised draft has been reviewed by County officials, their recommendations incorporated by the committee, and the final draft distributed to Council members for review and comment by August 2nd. A meeting with Philips & Jordan, the organization contracted for post-disaster debris removal, has produced an agreement on how fees may be fairly allocated between Town and SIPOA for work done on behalf of each entity.

Mr. Gregg also announced that advertisement of a solicitation for bids to provide air ambulance services produced only one proposal, and the Town is beginning negotiations with AirMedCare Network for a “municipal site” agreement. Under this program, Seabrook Island property owners will pay no fees beyond what their insurance coverage allows when receiving air ambulance transport within the county from one of AirMedCare’s participating providers (e.g., Meducare based at Charleston International airport).

John Wells reported some statistics about visits to the Town’s website, noting that the percent of visitors who linger within the website has been steadily growing and traffic to the website’s “Travel” page has increased by 45%. He added that the Town’s advertising in Southern Living (paid from Accommodations Tax income) will continue into the Fall, a time when the magazine’s readers are highly interested in learning about Southeastern vacation destinations. The Town’s contract with Obviouslee Marketing will end in December, and Town representatives will begin meeting in early August with its new marketing group (Lou Hammond & Associates) to plan for 2017 marketing efforts.

Skip Crane summarized activities his Community Relations role has involved him in, from SIPOA/Club Planning Committees to SIPOA Safety & Security and some work on behalf of the Marina and St. Christopher Camp.

Mayor Ron Ciancio reported that arrangements are in place for students at The Citadel’s Business School to conduct an Economic Impact Study of contributions to the region made by residents of Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island, St. Christopher Camp, and Freshfields. The study will take place over the next two school semesters, its only cost being for the Towns of Kiawah and Seabrook to cover about $500 in expense reimbursement. Focus of the study will include number of jobs created, amount of taxes paid, spending patterns in the Charleston area by both residents and visitors, and extent of volunteerism expressed in both numbers of volunteers and hours of effort.

The Mayor also reported that he and Kiawah’s Mayor Lipuma met on July 25 with Charleston Mayor Tecklenburg, members of City Council, and Senior City Staff. They introduced Paul Roberts, Kiawah’s long-time traffic engineering consultant, and used statistics compiled by the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments in a discussion of the positive impact that a parkway across Johns Island could have on the region.

The final business item on the agenda was to approve a Temporary Use Permit for the Alan Fleming, Sr., Tennis Tournament (October 4-8, 2016) that allows a large tent and three banner signs.

For additional information on some of these topics, see Minutes of the July 19, 2016 Ways and Means Committee Meeting on the Town’s website. Following approval by Town Council at its August meeting, minutes of this July 26 meeting will be posted to the website as well.

– Submitted by Tidelines Staff

Tech Notes: Backing Up Your Data

droze header SAVE
Backing Up Your Data

File backup is probably the most important thing when we talk about the gadgets and computers we use nowadays. However, there are many ways to back up with pros and cons for each type. All backup strategies can fall under one of two ty
pes:

‐Local Backup : this means your data is backed up to another device that is physically with you. Whether it is an external hard drive, USB flash drive, CD or DVD, or SD Card, you can physically touch and hold these devices.

‐Pros : generally cheaper. More control. Not vulnerable to security breaches.

‐Cons : more room for error, less automated, can be stolen, misplaced, or damagaged.

‐Cloud Backup : this means your data is backed up “off site” to another system out in cyberspace.

‐Pros : More automated. Less Room for User error. Good if your place has been damaged by fire, electrical or flood or a victim of theft. No hardware to buy.

‐Cons : more expensive in the long run.  A little less control of your data. More vulnerable to security issues/breaches.

Let’s talk about the different devices we need to backup:

‐Computers (PC or Mac) – can be backed up locally using built in software (Apple – Time Machine, found in Preferences or Windows – Windows Backup – found in Control Panel) or you can sign up with a 3rd Party Cloud Backup (Carbonite – http://www.carbonite.com or Mozy – http://www.mozy.com)

‐Smart Phones and Tablets (Androids, iPhones, iPads, iWatch) – generally easier to back them up using the Cloud (Apple products – Settings >> iCloud >> Backup or Androids ‐ Settings > Accounts > Google account > Settings > Backup & Reset).

However, it’s a good idea to also occasionally backup these devices locally to your PC or Mac. For Apple products, plug your device in using it’s charger/sync cable and open iTunes. Find your device on the left hand side and click Back Up Now under Manual Backup. For Androids, plug your device into your Computer and go to Explorer >> Look for the SD Card and Drag it to your Desktop to create local backup.

When many of our customers have run out of room on their computers, they purchase an External Hard Drive or Flash Drive and offload some files (photos, documents, etc) to these devices in an effort to free up space on their systems. That’s a great idea in theory, but, if you move those files to an external hard drive, that means there’s still only one copy of those moved files. If that external hard drive dies, or flash drive gets broken, (which can and does happen), you still don’t have a second copy of those files. Be careful when doing this.

For our many Apple products (iPads and iPhones) we highly recommend upgrading to the 50GB iCloud package through Apple (.99 cents). With 50GB, that will backup all data on most users devices, unless you are a very heavy photos and videos user, then you may need more Cloud space to accommodate the space needed to backup these types of files.

Finally, concerning local backups, it might be a good idea to keep your backup device in a separate place in the house when not in use. If fire, water, or electrical damage or theft were to occur, you lessen the chances that both your computer and backup are damaged simultaneously. It would be similar to having your house key and the spare key on the same key ring. Just not good common sense!

-Submitted by Chad Droze

http://www.compu‐experts.com and http://www.twitter.com/c0mpuexperts
Post and Computer Center (Freshfields Village)

Charleston Gaillard Center: Dance Theatre of Harlem – October 6th

HarlemCharleston Gaillard Center Presents:

Dance Theatre of Harlem  on October 6th at 7:30pm

Known for its thrilling performances that successfully challenge preconceived notions, The Dance Theatre of Harlem consists of 14 racially diverse dance artists who perform an eclectic, demanding repertoire. Francesca Harper will create a new work to Attacca String Quartet. The Dance Theatre of Harlem brings new life to the classical ballet art form. They celebrate African American culture through treasured classical and neo-classical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, to cutting edge contemporary works.

Tickets are on sale now.  Click here for tickets.

Location:  The Charleston Gaillard Center is located at 95 Calhoun Street, Charleston.

The presentation of Dance Theatre of Harlem was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional Support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

(Photo credit:  CGC website)

-Submitted by Tidelines Editor

Jazz Artists of Charleston: The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 – January 21st

ManhattanJazz Artists of Charleston Presents:
The Manhattan Transfer & Take 6 on January 21st at 7:30 pm at the Charleston Gaillard Center, located at 95 Calhoun Street, Charleston.

Single tickets will go on sale to the public on July 27th.  Click here for tickets.

The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6
THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER and TAKE 6, two of the most acclaimed, award-winning vocal groups in pop music, create an unforgettable concert event that will thrill audiences of all ages. Between them, the two groups boast a remarkable 20 Grammy Awards, and a range of styles that covers nearly every genre of popular music; from jazz to swing, from gospel and R&B to pop.

As The Manhattan Transfer mark the 40th Anniversary of their debut recording on Atlantic Records, original members Janis Siegal, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne roll out a thrilling career retrospective with the help of newest member Trist Curless.

Continue reading “Jazz Artists of Charleston: The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 – January 21st”

Rocking’ the River Outdoor Concert Series – August 4th, 11th and 18th

RockinRockin’ the River Outdoor Concert Series

Rockin’ the River is a family and pet-friendly summer concert series that takes place at the beautiful and historic Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Admission and parking are FREE. Gates open at 5:30, band takes the stage at 6:30 and ends at 9:30.

Upcoming Dates:
August 4 – Dave Matthews Tribute Band
August 11 – Ellen Drive w/Jump Castle Riot
August 18 – Departure, The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band.

LOCATION:  Riverfront Park, 1001 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston

Food trucks, beer and wine vendors and a kid’s zone adds to the fun. Bring your chairs. NO coolers, please.

(Photo credit:  CVB website)

-Submitted by Tidelines Editor

Sunday Matinee at the Lake House – Kung Fu Panda 3

Sunday Matinee at the Lake House – KUNG FU PANDA 3

Join us at The Lake House Sunday afternoons for a movie, popcorn and fun! Sunday Matinees will begin at 1:00 PM in the Live Oak Hall. You are welcome to bring your favorite snacks or refreshments. Water and popcorn will be provided.

PandaThis week’s (7/31) movie: KUNG FU PANDA 3

Continuing his “legendary adventures of awesomeness”, Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to his home.

-Submitted by the Lake House

Charleston Gaillard Center: The Colour of Music Festival – October 20-23rd

The Charleston Gaillard Center presents the Colour of Music Festival

Colour of Music Festival Masterworks I: St. Georges’ The Anonymous Lover
October 20th at 8:00pm.  The Anonymous Lover petit opera will make its world première in South Carolina featuring Léger and her considerable vocal athleticism and ringing high notes. Continuing the French musical motif, Maestro Daniel welcomes virtuoso French-born violinist Romuald Grimbert-Barré serving as guest Concertmaster and soloist performing Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 44 in G Minor.

Colour of Music Festival Masterworks II: Bruch, Debussy, Scott, Dvorak

October 21st at 8:00pm  Led by German-born and South American-based Concertmaster Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, the orchestra welcomes 17-year old piano virtuoso Clayton Stephenson, a founding competitor of the inaugural Van Cliburn Junior Competition.

Colour of Music Festival Masterworks III: Clayton Stephenson/Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana

October 22nd at 7:00pm.  This black tie gala performance will be led by Roderick Cox, Associate Conductor of the renowned Minnesota Orchestra, conducting Carl Orff’s magnificent choral masterpiece Carmina Burana.

Colour of Music Festival Masterworks IV: Brahms, Faure, Mahler

October 23rd at 5:00pm.  The Festival concludes with an Ode to the Emanuel-9, its survivors, and congregation with a moving performance of Johannes Brahms’ Schicksalslied, Op. 54 (Song of Destiny), and Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem under the baton of Atlanta’s Morehouse College conductor David E. Morrow.

Tickets are on sale now.  Click here for tickets.

The Charleston Gaillard Center is located at 95 Calhoun Street, Charleston.

-Submitted by Tidelines Editor

Disaster Awareness: Preparation

Disaster Awareness: Preparation.

Things to Do Now.

June 1st was the beginning of hurricane season and we’ve had three named storms already. There are things you can and should do now to prepare for a disaster whether it’s a hurricane, flood, tornado or earthquake.

  • Check your wind & hail, flood, earthquake and life insurance policies to make sure you know what each covers, that you have the right coverage and that your policies are up-to-date.
  • Sign up for Smart911 at Smart911.com and CodeRED on the Town’s website (click here) if you haven’t already done so.
  • Take an inventory of your property if you haven’t done so in a while. Make a list of valuables, furniture, and electronics. Take photos or a video in your home so you have a visual inventory, which will be helpful if you have to make an insurance claim. Cell phones have the capability to take pictures and videos.  Place a copy of your inventory/photographs/video away from your home.
  • Get your propane tank filled, so it doesn’t pop out of the ground because it is not heavy enough if we have serious flooding on the island.
  • Make sure the flood vents in your garage are not blocked in any way, get ride of excess boxes, old paints and chemicals and other debris that seem to accumulate in the garage, and move things up onto shelves so that the garage doesn’t turn into a waterlogged disaster zone if we have flooding.
  • If you don’t have storm windows/shutters, buy plywood to cover your windows.  (Please note that ARC Policy & Procedures states, “The use of plywood for hurricane protection is not allowed for buildings completed after 12/31/08.”  It also says, “every effort must be made to remove this type of material as soon as the emergency has passed.”)
  • Buy tarps that you can use to cover damaged sections of your house after the storm until repairs can be made. During and after a disaster event, plywood and tarps will be in short supply.
  • If the disaster is a fire, make sure you have egress from your upper floors.  You may need to purchase an escape ladder.  Learn how to use it.
  • Check emergency supplies that you have on hand and replace any missing or expired items.
  • If your pets haven’t been microchipped, get it done now.
  • Work down the excess food in your freezer and refrigerator and keep your cold foodstuffs at a minimum level so that you don’t lose too much food to spoilage.

Five to 7 days before the hurricane makes landfall:

  • Notify friends/family of where you will go if you need to evacuate.  Have a local and out-of-town friend/relative to call in case your family becomes separated by the disaster.
  • Use up excess food in your refrigerator/freezer.
  • Make hotel reservations in the event that you have to evacuate. Residents in our area will be routed toward North Augusta and Aiken County.  Make sure the hotel/motel you choose is beyond the evacuated area.
  • Don’t let the gas in your car drop below ¾ of a tank.  Be prepared to evacuate by backing your car into the garage or parking it in an open space facing the direction of your escape.  Shut car doors and roll up the windows.  Leave the key in the ignition.  Keep a spare key in your pocket.  Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.  Disconnect the automatic garage door opener.
  • Listen to the local weather updates. Here are some sources of information.
    • Local Live5 weather at http://www.live5news.com/weather,
    • NOAA’s National Hurricane Center at hurricanes.gov,
    • The local National Weather Service at weather.gov/chs.  At weather.gov/chs they will provide impact graphics, storm surge height, storm warnings and watches.
    • The South Carolina Emergency Management Division at scemd.org.  This site provides list of resources plus weather alerts.
    • WEZL 103.5 radio, WIWF 96.9 radio and ETVradio 89.3 radio are participants in the nation-wide Emergency Alert System.
    • Tidelines will also provide updates, but check the above sources of information as well.

Please note, the Weather Channel will not have the same level of local reporting that the sources above will have. Also, keep in mind that the Limehouse bridge is closed when the winds reach 40 mph or greater, so evacuate before that happens or you will be stranded here riding out the storm.

  • Gather your supplies together. Check over everything and make sure flashlights work, you have sufficient food that has not passed its expiration date, buy more bottled water, etc.

During a hurricane watch, the storm will usually make landfall within 36 hours,

  • Bring in unsecured items (outdoor furniture, grill, bird feeders) – – anything that could become a projectile.
  • Cover windows/glass doors, move furnishings away from windows.

The hurricane warning is issued when the storm is expected to make landfall within 24 hours.

  • If told to evacuate, secure your home and leave immediately.
  • If you are not advised to evacuate, remain indoors away from windows.

Your disaster supply kit should include:

Continue reading “Disaster Awareness: Preparation”

Turtle Patrol to Inventory Nests 12 and 13 – July 26th

baby turtleTurtle Patrol to Inventory Nests 12 & 13 on Tuesday, July 26th

The Turtle Patrol has announced that nests 12 & 13 will be inventoried on Tuesday, July 26th at 8:00 AM. Nest 12 is located several hundred yards south of boardwalk #9 near the twin palm trees. Nest 13 is located between boardwalks 8 & 6 about 100 yards south of the yellow house. Nest 12 will be inventoried first.

-Submitted by Gary Fansler

Town Preparations for Natural Disasters

How is our community preparing to respond to natural disasters?

The Town of Seabrook Island coordinates the Disaster Recovery Council, a group made up of staff and volunteers who represent the various entities and institutions on the island. The Council’s membership includes representatives from our Town government, Property Owner’s Association, Club, Utility Commission, Camp St. Christopher, our St. Johns Fire District Commissioner, and our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), along with the Town’s consultant, Scott Cave.

These entities have worked together for several years to test and improve the Town’s Comprehensive Emergency Plan, which is intended to guide preparation and response to disasters ranging from hurricanes to earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.

The Disaster Recovery Council Meeting on July 22, 2016, was a review and assessment of the Hurricane Training Session/Exercise conducted on June 6‐7. Many, many details are already included in the Emergency Plan but the topics discussed at this session, which will lead to enhancing portions of the plan, included the following:

Progress on CERT’s activity to recruit Block Captains and gather information about residents who might need assistance in order to evacuate the island

  • Status: CERT has recruited some Captains, but more are needed. SIPOA has created a database to hold information about residents who might require assistance but data is needed; there is a need to publicize the CERT’s Evacuation Assistance initiative to gather the data and recruit more Block Captains.

Overview of the many skills available within the CERT group—capabilities that result from FEMA basic disaster response training on topics that range from determining safety of a structure to performing light search and rescue, emergency communications, and disaster medical operations

  • Status: The Town will review and determine how, and at what points in both evacuation and initial recovery stages, it can best utilize CERT members’ skillsets.

Review of plans for streamlining contractor‐related regulations during the “blue tarp” timeframe when only limited access to the island is permitted but it is necessary to install interim protections for buildings and perhaps remove trees and limbs from structures

  • Status: Both Town and SIPOA have developed straightforward processes for this time period, including waiver of the Town’s Business License and Building Permit requirements for contractors who can show printed evidence of homeowner (or insurance company) authorization for projects designed to prevent additional damage to property following a disaster. The Town is developing processes to streamline the follow‐on stage of recovery when repair and restoration work is being done, including investigating use of online resources available from Charleston County that will assist in issuance of the Town’s Zoning Permits and Business Licenses. The county has represented to the Town that its software has the ability to confirm validity of contractor’s State licensing (whether in SC or any other state). SIPOA will station ARC staff at Town Hall to expedite ARC sign-off on urgent repair projects.

Review of plans for Town communications during an emergency

  • Status: The Town continues to urge that all property owners and people visiting Seabrook Island participate in the S.C. Emergency Management Division’s CodeRED Emergency Alerts so they will directly receive up‐to‐the‐ minute emergency and weather warnings. The Town will also post information to its website, its 800 telephone number (888‐314‐3177), its Twitter account (@Seabrookislnd87), the SIPOA Highlights eblast, and Tidelines.

The next Town‐sponsored Disaster Recovery Exercise will be held in January 2017.

‐Submitted by Tidelines Staff