Month: August 2020

BIFMC: Sporting Clays Tournament October 12

BIFMC Clays for CareSupport a cause that is close to home. Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic will host their Inaugural James M. Hayes MD ‘Clays for Care’ Sporting Clays Tournament on October 12, 2020 at the Kiawah Island Sporting Club. Rain date will be held on October 17, 2020. All proceeds will support free health care services at Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic.

We invite interested players or area businesses to support Barrier Islands Free Clinic provide free, comprehensive health care to uninsured adults across the Barrier Islands through participation in the 2020 Sporting Clays Tournament. Join us for a day of challenging and competitive stations, including a silent auction and awards reception to follow.

Download a PDF of the registration brochure or register online here. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. All entries are requested by September 30, 2020.

-Submitted by BIMFC

(Image credit: bimfc.org)

Turtle Patrol Report for the Week Ending August 23

As the season begins to wind down, the primary activities are monitoring and preparing nests for hatching and conducting nest inventories. Last week, the Turtle Patrol conducted eight inventories, These nests included 633 hatchlings leaving Seabrook Island beaches and heading out to sea. Of the 61 nests laid during the 2020 season, there are still ten incubating and preparing to hatch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Submitted by Gary Fansler

 

Absentee Voting in South Carolina

Coronavirus is still endemic in South Carolina, so the same restrictions may be present for the November election that were in effect for the August election. Masks will probably have to be worn and social distancing will most likely be maintained. There may be long lines outside of The Lake House as social distancing requirements will limit voters to no more than five inside the building.

During the 2016 General Election, 1,214 Seabrookers came to The Lake House to vote (a significant number of Seabrookers voted absentee in the 2016 General Election). That is a rate of about 100 voters per hour. Since the 2016 election, the number of registered voters on Seabrook has increased by 15% to 2,277 registered voters. Consequently, the number of absentee ballots must increase substantially in order to avoid long lines in The Lake House parking lot.

The solution to waiting in line is absentee voting.  You can:

  • Vote in person before Election Day, beginning on October 6 at Election Headquarters. You have to bring a photo identification card. Click here for complete instructions.
  • Vote by mail and the absentee ballot must be received by Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Voting by mail entails applying for the absentee ballot, sending it in, receiving the ballot, and then sending that in. This could take up to two weeks. Click here for complete instructions.

Election Day is only 70 days away. This seems like a long time away but the issues with the Post Office may require additional time if you choose the mail-in option.

The street address of Charleston County Election Headquarters is 4367 Headquarters Rd, Charleston, SC 29405-7402. Please note that the address is Charleston, but it actually is in North Charleston off Leeds Avenue.

The South Carolina Senate is meeting in early September and the House two weeks later. The legislature may modify the rules concerning absentee voting. I will keep you posted on any and all changes the Legislature makes concerning voting for the General Election, particularly changes in absentee voting procedures and rules.

Go to www.scvotes.org to find out more about voting in South Carolina.

-Submitted by George Reinhart, Precinct Clerk

(Image credit: Swlexledger.com)

 

Public Comment on Beach Rules for Pets

Seabrook Island Town Council is currently soliciting public comments as part of its one-year review of Ordinance 2019-09 (“Beach Rules for Pets Ordinance”).

Background

On September 24, 2019, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Ordinance 2019-09, which implemented several major changes to Section 32-44 of the Town Code, more commonly known as the “Beach Rules for Pets” ordinance. Consideration of this ordinance was initiated by a citizen petition signed by approximately 100 residents and received by the town on February 26, 2019.

Adoption of the new Beach Rules for Pets ordinance was the culmination of nearly seven months of careful study by town officials. In recognition of the diversity of interests and opinions surrounding these matters, Town Council solicited feedback from a variety of community stakeholders as part of a comprehensive public engagement effort, including:

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
  • S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)
  • Dog Advocacy Working Group (DAWG)
  • Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN)
  • Seabrook Island Birders Group
  • Seabrook Island Dog Owners Group (SIDOG’s)
  • Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA)
  • Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol
  • St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
  • Barrier Island Ocean Rescue (Town Beach Patrol Contractor)
  • Coastal Science and Engineering (Town Beach Management Consultant)

Prior to adopting Ordinance 2019-09, Town Council also held an official public hearing to receive comments from interested residents and property owners. Ordinance 2019-09 was unanimously approved by Town Council, and the new Beach Rules for Pets went into effect on October 24, 2019.

Documents

To view additional information about the town’s “current” and “former” Beach Rules for Pets ordinances, please click the links below:

​One-Year Review of Ordinance 2019-09

At the time of its adoption, Ordinance 2019-09 contained the following provision: “No later than one year from the effective date of this ordinance, council shall review the terms of this ordinance, and determine whether it has worked effectively and achieved the objective of balancing the interests of all users of the beach. Following such review, council shall amend this ordinance, if and to the extent, it deems necessary.”

Town Council is scheduled to conduct a one-year review of Ordinance 2019-09 during its Ways and Means Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 1:00 pm. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom and will be live streamed on the town’s YouTube page.

Individuals who wish to submit a public comment on the current Beach Rules for Pets ordinance are invited to do so in advance of the meeting using one of the options listed below. Written comments will be accepted until 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting.

​For more information, please call (843) 768-9121.

-Submitted by Joseph M. Cronin, Town Administrator

Charleston Music Hall: United We Laugh August 29

United We Laugh, a special by Russian Comedian Yakov Smirnoff, will be virtually streamed on Saturday, August 29 at 9:00 pm!

Yakov Smirnoff is a Russian immigrant who loves America and being American. United We Laugh is a comedy special brought to you by Yakov that will leave you in stitches laughing and shedding a tear at the same time. After enjoying this 75 min journey, Yakov will have everyone Laughing United.

Tickets are $25. Learn more and buy your ticket here

-Submitted by Charleston Music Hall

(Image credit: Charleston Music Hall)

Wildlife Reporting

As we all know Seabrookers love the abundant nature and variety of wild animals on our island. The Environmental Committee needs the help of Seabrookers to track changes in the wildlife population through the Wildlife Reporting program. As a result, the Committee has automated the program and keeps adding functionality to Wildlife Reporting.

On the SIPOA website, sipoa.org,  go to Wildlife Sightings, which has links to the Wildlife Reporting form and the Wildlife Sightings Map.  When you make a report and click on the submit button, the form will automatically populate the map with your sighting information.

In an effort to improve our wildlife reporting there is a list of the animals that are residents on Seabrook Island on the lefthand side of the map.  You can go to the map and checkmark those animals you are interested in seeing and where they’ve been sighted on the Island.  You can also un-check those animals you are not interested in so you can focus on those that do interest you.

If you want to see a specific animal, click on that animal on the map to see the comments from your neighbors when it was reported.  In addition, you can enlarge the map on the website to see more clearly what was sighted and where. For example, if you un-check all but the bobcat, you’ll see that we’ve only had one recently reported bobcat sighting.

If you’re reporting an unusual bird, such as the roseate spoonbill, please include the type of bird in your comments.

Thanks to everyone for help in reporting animals on Seabrook Island, and as always, please don’t feed the animals.

–Tidelines Editors

Town Council Meeting August 25

Seabrook Island Town Council will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 2:30 pm.

To view supplemental information for specific items on the agenda, please click the links below:​

  • FY 2019 Audited Financial Statements and Auditor’s Discussion & Analysis
  • Financials for the Month of July 2020
  • Letter from FEMA Re: Adoption of New Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)
  • Public Comment Portal: One-Year Review of Ordinance 2020-09 (“Beach Rules for Pets”)
  • Emergency Ordinance 2020-05 (Draft Ordinance to be Posted Prior to Meeting): An Emergency Ordinance to extend requirements related to social distancing and group congregations; to modify the requirements for certain businesses; to extend the prohibition on temporary use permits; to extend the expiration date for active building permits; to extend the requirement relating to the wearing of face coverings at all business establishments within the town; to repeal Emergency Ordinances 2020-03 and 2020-04; and other matters related thereto
  • Ordinance 2020-07 (First Reading): An ordinance amending the Development Standards Ordinance of the Town of Seabrook Island, South Carolina; Article 12, Signs; so as to create new classifications of signs to be called “Community Message Board Signs” and “Electronic Variable Message Displays”; to permit Electronic Variable Message Displays to be affixed to Community Message Board signs under certain conditions; and other matters related thereto; and Article 16; Design and Improvement Standards; Section 16.10, Subdivision Design Standards; Subsection 16.10.40, Arterial Streets; so as to modify the designation of arterial streets within the town; and other matters related thereto

Individuals who wish to submit a question or comment on any town matter (including those not on the agenda) may do so in advance of the meeting using one of the options listed below. Written questions and comments will be accepted until 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting.

For more information, please call (843) 768-9121.

-Submitted by Joseph M. Cronin, Town Administrator

Gibbes Museum: For Which It Stands August 29

Gibbes Museum LogoFor Which It Stands: A Virtual Town Hall
Ecos: Arte Urgente
August 29, 2020
12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

Join in a virtual conversation with South Carolina artists featured in Ecos: Arte Urgente, the Charleston Oral History Program at The Citadel’s multimedia exhibit spotlighting the experiences of Latinx immigrants in the Lowcountry, and in the exhibition Building a Legacy.

What defines the American experience? What makes a community? Inspired by the exhibition Building a Legacy: The Vibrant Vision Collection of Jonathan Green and Richard Weedman, this three-part series invites participants to a town hall-style Zoom with local artists and community stakeholders where we’ll address these and other questions as we grapple with the effects of a global pandemic and a renewed reckoning with racial injustice.

This event is free and open to the public but requires registration. It will take place on Zoom. Registrants will receive the link to the Zoom webinar one day prior to the event.

–Tidelines Editors Continue reading “Gibbes Museum: For Which It Stands August 29”

Charleston Water Week – September 5-13

Charleston Water Week
September 5-13, 2020
multiple activities, multiple venues

Join us in Charleston for exciting activities on the water, in the water, and by the water! If you love this region’s many tidal rivers, creeks, ocean views, harbor, and waterways – then this is the time to immerse yourself! Whether you’re a recreational enthusiast or leisure water buff, Charleston Water Week has something for everyone. Click here for locations and further information.

Continue reading “Charleston Water Week – September 5-13”

Outdoor Dining in Charleston

For those who are inclined to go to a restaurant with outdoor seating, Charleston is open for business. Resy, the online restaurant directory, has a list of suggestions for where to enjoy dining outside this season — sunny sidewalk seating, backyard gardens, tents, and more. Click here for the complete list. Bon appetit and bring your mask!

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: flickr.com)

Beyond the Circle Visit Storey Farms

You’ve probably seen the sign for Storey Farms as you head down Bohicket Road towards the traffic circle. If you haven’t stopped in for a visit, Storey Farms is a relatively new shop. It features locally sourced products from Johns and Wadmalaw Islands such as Geechie Boy Grits in white, yellow, red and blue varieties, homemade sausages and meats, frozen whole ducks, Tea Tree Plantation glycerin hand cream, ice cream novelties and a variety of other items…and the staff is helpful and friendly. So, please support our local farms and producers by supporting Storey Farms.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit:  Veronica L’Allier)

Move Better Fitness Debuts in September

Move Better Fitness Semi-Private Series

When: Wednesdays in September: 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30
Time: 12:05 pm
Location: The Lake House
Cost: $60 (includes 5 classes listed above)

Are you ready to move with more confidence and stability?

It’s time to gain that extra step by challenging and improving your core, posture, and balance through functional exercises.

Functional movements are essential components in all stages of life. Providing confidence and greater performance in all activities in one’s daily life while helping to prevent injury is the focus of this workshop. Everyday activities such as lifting groceries, being able to sit and stand, and even moving flower pots, take strength and balance.

Moving better is fitness itself!

Join Stacey Richardson for this 5-week series to gain the functional strength and range of motion that will make all movements attainable.

For more information on this awesome series or to register, please contact Stacey Richardson at staceyrichardsonfitness@gmail.com.

Please note, space in this semi-private series is limited to 9 participants and preregistration is required. Registration for the series includes the classes listed. This series is not included in the monthly class pass. The fee will be charged to your Property Owner or Club account. No drop-ins or refunds. This series is available to Seabrook Island Property Owners, Seabrook Island Club members, and guests staying on Seabrook Island.

-Submitted by The Lake House