Family Circle Cup - Number One City

Which city was voted the Number One City in the United States in Conde Nast’s Reader’s Choice Awards for the 4th time in 2014?

Family Circle Cup - If I See Just One More Pineapple on a Home or Business...

What’s with all the ornamental pineapples?

Five Reasons to go to the Family Circle Cup

We aren't going to provide press coverage for the Family Circle Cup (beginning April 4) this year or have prize drawings and handouts, but we are going the last few days, hopefully to simply relax and enjoy some great tennis.

Perhaps, we may provide a few blog posts or a few tweets while we're there.

Here a few reasons you should go to this WTA tournament if you can:




1. Family Circle Tennis Center is a wonderful facility. No, it's not Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. It's homier and there is usually plenty to enjoy, see or do while matches aren't underway. The event and facility staffs are fantastic and helpful. There are a vast number of national and local vendors there, tennis-related and otherwise. Also, because this is not a monster of a stadium, even the highest seats are good seats.

2. Daniel Island is a beautiful community and you don't have to go far for some fantastic food; vistas of rivers, creeks and marshlands; or to perhaps find your next home.

3. Charleston is within view of Daniel Island and is only a 10 to 15 minute drive away. Voted one of the top U.S. cities to visit for many years, its history, architecture and style of living is not all there is to take in. There are usually some local events beginning this time of year aside from all the fantastic shopping, not to mention that Charleston has received high regard from the culinary industry nationally and beyond. Also, there are beaches east and south of Charleston and plenty of water sports to partake.

4. There is much history behind Family Circle Cup and is the largest women's only tournament of the year. Andrea Petkovic is back to defend her title from last year and although there is obviously only one singles and doubles winner, almost every player has said they enjoy the tournament, the atmosphere and the people.

5. It's Tennis.

So, if you haven't made plans to go the Family Circle Cup, do so. The links above should help you in discovering what you need to know.

And, we'll be providing some posts over the next several days to highlight some items you may find interesting.

Save Money on Just About Everything!

Up On the Rooftop, Ouch, Ouch, Ouch

Many years ago, several business associates and I attended a trade show in Dallas and were asked by our boss to come down a few days early to enjoy ourselves while he and the CEO were to play a few rounds of golf with some customers. 

We didn’t spend an ounce of time surveying our accommodations at our hotel upon arriving and soon headed out the lobby doors to explore Dallas.

Simons Says, "Come Back to Visit."

(This article is also published at exploreStSimonsIsland.com)

Although we had crossed (a brief drive over a well-manicured causeway) the moat, the castle bridge had been drawn and we were not visiting today. At least this is what we were politely told by the casually dressed guards, who more so resembled a cruise ship company's private island reception staff than keepers of the gate.

I could almost swear I had stepped foot on or perhaps stuck a toe in the Atlantic via the beaches at Sea Island, Georgia at least once back in my road-tripping, island-hopping, beach-cruising days.

I have most always found a way to gain access to any resort, not for any felonious purposes or to take undue advantage of any services or facilities, simply to check the place out in consideration of a future stay. 

This wasn't happening here as the dutiful guards/welcoming-committee gave us an 800 number and no further recommendation. Well, I hadn't planned for this.

Joe's 2nd Street Bistro

Okay, so I and my girlfriend (future wife at the time, now ex-wife, wonderful woman-now, just joking KP, love ya) used to sneak up to Fernandina Beach when I lived in Jacksonville, Florida.

We didn't truly sneak up there, not like we were hiding from anyone, but it sounds more romantic. 

All I knew is we both loved the beach and we got tired of Jax beach because we beached all the time. I had no clue Fernandina was on Amelia Island back then, nor did I care. I did know there was some silly sign on the beach that read something to the effect of "No Alcoholic Beverages Beyond This Point" and we stayed on the side of it that was in our favor. There was no spring water or sports drinks in our cooler. Even if they existed way back then, that would have been terribly laughable.

Amelia Island - Beautiful Tennis Tradition

Each word of "Beautiful Tennis Tradition" stands on its own, easily.

Sometimes you simply need to get away for a few days, but you may not want to leave the country nor go somewhere so unfamiliar, so foreign.

This is why I chose to zip off to Amelia Island, Florida, not only for its tennis, but for the memories I had visiting the area over twenty years ago when I was stationed in Jacksonville with the U.S. Navy.

My jaunts from Jacksonville up to Fernandina Beach, on Amelia Island, so long ago, never included nor indicated what this island has become, yet the community still hasn't lost what I loved so much back then.