The Charleston Harbor Tour’s vessel, The Carolina Belle, has a great new summertime event going on throughout the Summer! If you are up for a fantastic evening of live blues from Shrimp City Slim and BBQ provide by Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ!

 Looking for something fun to do after work?   Check out Charleston Sports & Social Club where the motto is “Play Sports, Have Fun, Be Social”, !  For the last three years the CSSC has brought thousands of active people in the Charleston area together to network while having a good time! 

Sign ups are every few months.  If you are new to town and looking to meet people contact the CSSC and they can put you on a team, its a great way to meet active people looking to have fun!   CSSC is also perfect for young professionals who have a group of friends looking to try something new.  For more details on how to sign up go to, http://www.charlestonssc.com/default.htm.  Games are played after work at two convenient locations, the JCC’s in West Ashley, and downtown Charleston.   

After the games everyone heads to a local bar that sponsors the league, for a great happy hour!  The CSSC also hosts several social events during the course of the season that let you meet & greet with other teams.  Not to mention the championship game is played at The Riverdogs Stadium. 

Spring Kickball games are taking place now, but sign up forms are available for the upcoming Summer Kickball Leagues.  CSSC also has sports leagues for Football, Volleyball, Softball, & Dodgeball, for more details visit, http://www.charlestonssc.com/forms.htm.  If you are looking to play sports, have fun , and be social, CSSC is definitely for you!

Rehava was able to presented a $1,000 check to the Charleston Breast Center, from proceeds they raised at the Rally Roast & Ride. Rehava ~ Real Estate Store organized the Rally Roast & Ride, a two day event, to help raise awareness about breast cancer, and to give back to a truly amazing local non-profit organization.

The oyster roast, Friday March 27th, was a great success. Participants enjoyed oysters prepared by the Chefs Brigade, and live music from The Bushels. The poker run scheduled for Saturday March 28th was canceled due to weather. American Biker did showcase motorcycles at the event Friday night, and looks forward to next years two-day rally against breast cancer.

Rehava planned the event so they could make a contribution to a non-profit organization that is devoted to saving lives of women in the Lowcountry.  Rehava & the Charleston Breast Center are already planning next years Rally Roast & Ride, make sure not to miss out!

Rehava Real Estate Store & Mixson Community teamed up to celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness on opportunities with Green Building. They have been involved in several events of the past couple weeks that hope to spark enthusiasm on being environmental conscious.

The Charleston Young Professionals, Get on the Bus Tour and Green Expo was Wednesday, April 22nd (Earth Day). The Get on the Bus Tour started was from 5-6, it offered the opportunity to tour North Charleston and see how the community was promoting eco-friendly businesses and neighborhoods. Participants hoped aboard the LEEP Biodiesel Bus and stopped at several locations to hear more details on going green!

The bus tour let out at 10 Storehouse Row, where the Green Expo was held, from 6-8PM. This event offered the opportunity to get information on sustainability tips from companies, non-profits, and developers who know the most about going green. Mixson & rehava attended the Green Expo to help educate on opportunities to build green!

Another event Mixson & rehava pair up on to help educate community members on becoming eco-friendly was the 1st Annual Greenbaud Event. This event was held at Blackbaud April 20th. It was in celebration of Earth Day as an education to Blackbaud employees on “going green”.

The event provided the opportunity for employees to meet with local companies that are helping the Charleston area “go green”, and help raise awareness on how we all can do our part to live more eco-friendly. Mixson & rehava did their part to help educate employees on how cost-effective it can be to build green. For more information on how the Mixson Community & rehava Real Estate Store are promoting “green building” check out www.Mixson.com as well as www.rehava.com.

We’ve been busy sending people to the five recent public meetings held by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on formaldehyde – all spurred by a 2008 petition by the Sierra Club and other health and environmental organizations

Formaldehyde was the health culprit in the toxic trailers distributed to more than 140,000 families after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. I’ve mentioned this issue before in my column, too. Our work has even prompted EPA to schedule one more public meeting in a city they overlooked the first time – New Orleans.

EPA is now considering regulating formaldehyde, a toxic substance they (and other agencies) believe may cause cancer. Many types of composite wood products contain formaldehyde, including particle board and paneling, which begs the question – why aren’t we already regulating a substance our government says may cause cancer?

We already saw the short-term effects of formaldehyde (PDF) on the Katrina and Rita families – they reported burning eyes, throat irritation, bloody noses and headaches. Had this been regulated before 2005, we could have prevented such a crisis for those families.

Public Hearings On Formaldehyde – But Not Along The Gulf Coast?
And for the EPA to hold public meetings around the country about regulating formaldehyde without scheduling a single one anywhere along the Gulf Coast until pressured to do so by the Sierra Club – my reaction is shock and sadness.

Formaldehyde must be regulated because it’s in composite wood products found all over the place – from RVs to house boats to portable classrooms used by schools.

It is time to regulate formaldehyde from composite wood products, and many in the wood products industry agree with us. We’re with those in the industry who say, “Regulate formaldehyde in composite wood products, but make it fair and comprehensive.” (Formaldehyde is also found in other products, including some carpets.)

Unfortunately, some in the composite wood products industry are making excuses and resisting regulation because they don’t want to have to prove they comply with the rule. EPA must stop bowing to industry pressure that favors profits over human health and safety. When the industry and our government talk about the expense of regulation, we point out that EPA should not focus solely on the cost of compliance by manufacturers.

Regulation Of Formaldehyde Would Have Saved Taxpayers Billions
Again, had formaldehyde already been regulated, we could have avoided the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailer fiasco. That price tag went far beyond the $2 billion mark, and was exacerbated a year ago when Centers for Disease Control testing confirmed high formaldehyde levels and FEMA then moved people from the trailers to other housing. In many cases, these were expensive hotel rooms.

It is costing millions of dollars to store the toxic trailers that can’t be used, and FEMA is now being sued by tens of thousands of families. The cost of settling those lawsuits could be huge, and yet nothing will ever repay these families for the suffering that resulted from being exposed to high levels of formaldehyde for a long period of time.

We strongly support the regulations in use by the California Air Resources Board (details in this PDF fact sheet), as do some composite wood product companies.

The Composite Panel Association and other industry groups are also standing with Sierra Club in calling for tougher regulations.

There’s no excuse for profits over human health. If this issue disturbs and motivates you to action like it has to me – then I encourage you to email EPA and tell them to regulate formaldehyde comprehensively and fairly.

We’re still waiting to hear when the New Orleans hearing will be – but we’ll update this post when we find out. That’s another place to let EPA know how you feel. And there is some good news to end on: this week the new EPA director said one of her top five priorities is managing chemical risks in consumer products.

Original Article – http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/industry-enviros-epa-regulate-formaldehyde-save-billions-dollars-taxpayers.php?dcitc=daily_nl

The Mixson Civic Trust is a community organization that works to advance cultural life and civic participation among Mixson residents, and to further a sense of place and well-being within Mixson and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Sample Activities that the Trust Sponsors

* Historic walking tours of Park Circle
* Volunteer days at local schools and charities
* Creation of a community garden
* Dog wash days in the park
* Music and arts events in conjunction with the N. Charleston Performing Arts Center
* Neighborhood holiday celebrations on the Fourth of July and Halloween

The Trust will be funded by 0.5% transfer fees on home resales, contributions by the developer, and, as the Trust expands its work, possible grants for specific projects. While the Trust will draw most of its support from the Mixson community, its work will also extend to the greater community of Park Circle, surrounding schools, and volunteer organizations.

* To improve the quality of life for residents of Mixson and the Park Circle community.
* To connect neighbors with their community by promoting cultural and civic activities and promoting volunteerism.
* To create community value through projects that enhance area schools, streets, and parks.

By providing cultural, educational, and social events, the Trust seeks to channel the enthusiasm of those who appreciate how a deeper sense of civic involvement can enliven one’s mind a enrich one’s spirit.

The positive changes in the Park Circle area are becoming very apparent.  The neighborhood recently held the Metamorphosis Art Walk in Park Circle.  For more details about the event check out the video below.

Displays of local artwork are featured throughout the local businesses.  Local musicians also provided entertainment for the event.  Mixson hopes to increase the energy surrounding Park Circle.

COLUMBIA — South Carolina was the 10th-fastest-growing state from July 2007 to July 2008, according to U.S. Census Bureau state population estimates released this week.

The state grew by 1.7%, from 4,404,914 to 4,479,800 people.

South Carolina also ranked 10th in terms of actual peopled added, with 74,886.

Utah was the nation’s fastest-growing state during the past year, with a growth rate of 2.5%.

Six of the 10 fastest-growing states were Rocky Mountain states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. The others were southern states: Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The Census Bureau said that the West was the fastest-growing region but that the South added the most people, 1.4 million people.

Between the 2000 census and the 2008 estimates, South Carolina’s 11.7% growth rate earned another 10th-place spot.

The state’s 2000 population was 4,011,809. In the past eight years, the state has added nearly half a million people.

The Census Bureau uses births, deaths, administrative records and survey data to develop its annual population estimates. \

Of the 74,886 people added to South Carolina in the past year, 49,736 are counted as the net of people moving here from other states and South Carolinians leaving the state for other states. Similarly, 5,113 represents net migration to other countries.

The remainder of the increase is the net of births and deaths, or 19,613, and a residual factor that census officials say is not attributable to a specific demographic.

2987 Riverwood Dr – Beautiful Dunes West home for sale.  

Traditional Single family home located in Marsh Cove of Dunes West.  This two story 3,140 sq ft, 5 bedroom, 4 bath home features a great floor plan and numerous upgrades including: Beautiful onsite finished hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor, Oil-rubbed bronze door hardware, Rod iron spindles on Staircase, recessed canned lighting in the Kitchen, Great Room, and Master Bedroom, Crown molding in the Dining Room, Great Room and Foyer.

Enjoy relaxing on the screened in rear porch along with the large deck.   This home also features a large family room that has hardwood floors, a coffered ceiling, wood burning fireplace, built-in book cases with base cabinets, pre-wired for sound, and access to the rear deck.

A study with French Doors and hardwood floors.  Large kitchen has hardwood floors, cherry cabinets, Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, double wall oven, gas cooking and an eat-in breakfast area with bay window

Master bath includes crown molding, dual vanities, granite countertops, large separate tile shower, Jacuzzi tub with tile surround and tile floors.  Media/Recreation Room on 2nd floor pre-wired for sound and projection screen

For more informatoin on this featured listing visit www.rehava.com.

To view a video tour of 2987 Riverwood Dr. check out  tv.rehava.com. 

The rehava Real Estate Store has just released a new website dedicated to the Mixson development. The web page features information on the project as well as a video featuring Vince Graham, with I’on.

Mixson is a new neighborhood that is currently being built in the Park Circle area of North Charleston by the I’on Group. The neighborhood is designed around a collection of Urbane streets and lanes, public parks and courtyards, and historic oak trees. Mixson includes a variety of residences, shops, restaurants, and cafes. It offers places of worship and other civic gatherings spots.

rehava’s Mixson Website