PRESORT STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID
FOLLY BEACH, SC
PERMIT NO 27

Vol. 1 Issue 5 Folly Beach’s Newspaper December 19, 2008 w FREE

Folly Beach
City Council
T
he Folly Beach City Council
held their regular meeting on
December 9 and revisited the
“Beach Franchise Ordinance” which will
regulate business that is conducted on the
front beach.
The ordinance was originally
introduced by Council member Laura
Beck, but failed by a 4-3 vote at the
last meeting of Council. Mayor Carl
Beckmann encouraged those who voted
against the ordinance to come up with
something before January 1 in order to
avoid an “open season” on Folly Beach
in terms of beach merchants. Council
member Eddie Ellis answered the call
with a re-tooled ordinance referred to as
39-08.
Ellis prefaced the introduction of the
ordinance by saying, “I don’t support
commercial activity on the public
beach.” He went on to say that he didn’t
support the original ordinance because it
included the rental of boogie boards and
toys that reminded him of Myrtle Beach.
He pointed out that there did not seem
to be any objections to the business that
has been conducted in the past, but the
inclusion of boogie board rentals would
create a competition with businesses
that exist off the front beach that did
not need to exist. Although Ellis voted
against the original concept, he says he
used Beck’s ordinance as a model for
39-08.
The main difference in the two
ordinances is that it shortened the list
of products and services that would be
allowed to be rented to: beach chairs,
umbrellas and watercraft only. Beck
introduced an amendment to put boogie
boards back on the list, but it failed on PHOTO BY: Tim McManus
These are just a few of the “wild animals” having a blast at the Folly Beach Christmas
see Council on page 3 Parade on December 13. Check out page 8 for more pictures of the holiday fun.

I
N
S
I
D
E Paper or plastic on page 5 Extras on page 9 Pet certificate on page 11
2 December 19, 2008
I
t has been quite a pleasure seeing
the gas prices fall with the autumn
leaves. The impact on my wallet for
Thanksgiving travel was something for
which I was thankful and the Christmas
trip should be even better. For about a year
now I’ve hesitated to go to the gas station,
wondering if I was even going to make
to the pump as I waited until the needle
nearly bottomed out before purchasing
fuel at $3.50 a gallon. I even started riding
the bus whenever it was possible in order
to fight the financial strain.
I was one of many Americans changing
their driving habits, not only to fight
high gas prices, but also to keep enough
spending cash around for groceries or
electric bills. However, I am concerned
that our return to relatively low gas prices
may have an undesired, negative effect. To
see how, we need to understand the reason
many of us started riding the bus, driving
less, and carpooling.
Tourist season starts in January!
G
ive yourself or someone else the
gift of Charleston and discover
why millions of people visit the
Charleston area each year. Sponsored
by the South Carolina Federal Credit
Union, the “Be a Tourist in Your Own
Town” pass offers local Tri-County
residents free one-time admission to
37 area attractions and discounts at 24
family restaurants. Passes go on sale
November 1, 2008 and are valid for
use during the month of January 2009.
This program has become a favorite for
residents of Berkeley, Charleston and
Holiday gas
By Hangerhead
For most, it was probably a simple
matter of saving money. Paying two and
half times as much as we were used to for
gasoline had a huge impact on those of us
that live from week to week and month
to month. We kept hearing warnings from
politicians and other leaders expounding
the need for alternative sources of energy.
We were suddenly told on a national scale
that we needed to conserve our resources.
Projections of oil supplies were all over
the place. Now, where have I heard these
arguments before? Ah yes, these have been
the suggestions of environmentalists for
years; well before gas prices became an
issue.
My fear is that a great habit of being
conservative with oil will be broken now
that prices have returned to a manageable
state. The fact is, we have needed to
conserve oil for a long time and we still
need to conserve oil. Our efforts to be
conservative should not depend on how
Dorchester counties over the years and
makes a wonderful gift for holidays,
birthdays and anniversaries.
Individual passes cost $20 and Family
passes, for up to four people of any age,
sell for only $50. This year’s added
features include the AirTran vouchers
and Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
discounts.
“Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” passes
may be purchased by logging on to www.
beatourist.net, calling 843-853-8000, or
visiting any local official visitor center in
the Charleston area.
www.follycurrent.sc
much a gallon of gas costs. Even if gas was
50 cents per gallon, it would not change the
fact that it is a non-renewable resource. It
would not make it more environmentally
friendly. It would not stop polluting our
air or waterways. Cheaper gas is not better
gas. It’s still just gas.
We desperately need to continue
conserving. We still need to carpool and
ride our bikes whenever we can. We need
to continue utilizing public transportation.
You can have thirty people riding on the
same gallon of gas. It’s amazing. But
we can’t forget about the changes we’ve
made. We can’t stop seeking an end to
our addiction to oil. But now that gas
prices have fallen, do you still hear as
many politicians demanding plans for a
reduction in our dependence on oil?
While high gas prices may have made
sudden conservationists out of many
people, we should not return to abusing
Injured sea turtles reach
record numbers
Provided by the SC Aquarium
T
he November arrival of four cold
stunned sea turtles has broken
the 2007 record of 11 patients
in the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea
Turtle Hospital at one time. Two green
sea turtles and two loggerhead sea turtles
were admitted to the hospital after the
recent onslaught of cold weather which
led to the major cold-stunning event
in North Carolina. Hard
shelled sea turtles rely on their
surroundings to regulate their
body temperature and sudden
temperature drops in the waters
cause them to become lethargic
and immobile. This makes
migration to warmer waters,
a necessity for their survival,
impossible. Over 65 sea turtles
suffered cold-stunning and
stranded on North Carolina
see Turtles on page 4 Dr. Shane Boylan and volunteer Kayla Spry caring
for a Kemps Ridley turtle.
the environment simply because we can
afford it. If we demand more of ourselves,
then we can demand more from our
representatives. Don’t be hypnotized by the
falling gas prices. Stay alert. While gas is
more affordable today, it’s not always going
to be. If you continue being conservative,
you won’t be taken by surprise when gas
prices rise again. It will happen. There is
only so much oil on this planet. Plus, it’s
the right the thing to do.
Hangerhead spends his evenings wandering
throughout Charleston, philosophizing
and pontificating on soap boxes and street
corners, sharing his life views and ignoring
the strange stares at his ubiquitous cranial
aerial. He doesn’t believe in cell phones or
email, but we can usually find him in one
of his usual hiding places. So if you wish to
comment or question Hangerhead, please
write to info@luckydognews.com.
beaches. Despite the Aquarium’s hospital
being essentially at capacity, staff
responded to the need, working quickly to
adjust animal and tank locations in order
to provide relief to the inundated North
Carolina rehabilitation facilities.
Transported from North Carolina by
DuBose Griffin from the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources, the
Photo by Barbara Bergwerf
December 19, 2008
Council continued from cover
a 4-3 vote with Council members Beck,
Charlie McCarty and Mayor Beckmann
voting in the minority.
The ordinance divides the beach
into two sections. Section One is from
3rd Block East to 3rd Block West and
is the area where the allowable rental
businesses can operate. Section Two is
the rest of the beach. “Lessons, Classes or
Camps, which do not require a franchise
agreement” are allowed on every part of
the beach as long as they do not interfere
with the any of the franchises in Section
One, as well as wedding photography.
Business licenses are required for all
activities permitted in the ordinance.
It also limits the number of rental
businesses that can operate in Section
One. There can only be two personal
watercraft rental businesses, as well
as two beach chair and/or umbrella
businesses for a maximum of four.
Section One will still be segmented
into a grid and companies will still be
required to bid on particular sections of
the beach. However, an interesting point
that Ellis noted is that a single company
can bid on several different aspects
of business. For example, a company
could bid on one section of beach as a
watercraft rental company and another as
a beach chair rental company.
The ordinance passed by a 6-1 margin
with Council member Tim Goodwin
casting the dissenting vote. Goodwin
later withdrew a similar ordinance he had
civic
planned to introduce.
Opine tree
Several residents spoke during the public
comment section of the meeting. Most of
them commented on the City’s increasing
attempt to regulate. Joel Flores, an
employee at the AM-PM store, requested
that the Council not include boogie
boards in the list of items allowed to
be rented on the beach. He argued that
businesses would have a hard enough
time surviving without businesses that
rent boogie boards asking to share the
market.
Other residents argued that there is a
new attempt to restrict business activity
nearly every month. “The overregulation
is hurting businesses,” Mike _, owner of
Snapper Jack’s added. To the contrary,
he pointed out that anything the City
could do to help businesses would be
appreciated. One individual stated that
the business community contributes
about $3.1 million to the City’s annual
budget while residents contribute less
than $500,000 and asked that the City
stop listening to the “vocal minority” and
pay attention to the “paying majority”.
Postponing the Noise
The City Council agreed to postpone
voting on a proposed noise ordinance
until members of the business
community have an opportunity to
meet with Mayor Beckmann and Tim
Goodwin, crafters of the ordinance.
Mayor Beckmann stated that it was
3
an effort for members of the business
community and the Council to “get on
the same page”.
Members of the business community
previously met with members of the
Council to discuss and negotiate the
proposed noise ordinance. However, Lynn Pierotti
after seeing the finished result, members Publisher
of the business community argued lynn@luckydognews.com
that the ordinance did not reflect the
conversations and agreements that they Ali Akhyari
understood to have taken place. The Editor
ordinance would have allowed for fines ali@luckydognews.com
or jail time, as well as the shutting down
Kristin Hackler
of any noise source if it could be heard Managing Editor
from more than 100ft away, in addition kristin@luckydognews.com
to many other regulations affecting the
entire island. Swan Richards
The Council is expected to have Graphic Designer
another version of the ordinance at their swan@luckydognews.com
January meeting.
Brittany Urbach
Light it up Reporter
Council passed first reading of three brittany@luckydognews.com
ordinances that update the City’s codes
Richard Brendel
dealing with “lighting”. The ordinances
Advertising
are 21-08, 29-08 and 31-08. A resolution richard@luckydognews.com
to adopt an “encroachment enforcement
policy” will be postponed until January Chelsea Langan
or February. The resolution will deal with Advertising
the clearing of the City’s right-of-ways. chelsea@luckydognews.com
The City Council is scheduled to meet •
again on December 30 for the purpose Contributors
of passing second reading of the new SC Aquarium
franchise beach ordinance mentioned Mary Gatch
above. Check with the City Hall for an Sierra Gibson
Hangerhead
exact time as it was not available by our
Jeffrey Knighton
print deadline. Emily Laurie
Cortney Ness

Gifts from the heart

Erin Sobony

Published by
Make, bake, and decorate Lucky Dog Publishing
This is an excellent recipe for homemade of South Carolina, LLC
ornaments. The dough is very easy P.O. Box 837
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
to work with, and once baked, the
843-886-NEWS
ornaments are very firm and easy to
paint. Future deadlines:
Ingredients: December 31 for submissions.
1 cup salt
2 cups flour The Folly Current, a wholly owned subsidiary of
1 cup water Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina LLC, is a
free, independent newspaper published every two
2 tablespoons vegetable oil weeks and is for and about Folly Beach. Copies
Water-based paints are mailed free of charge to every active mailbox
in our coverage area and are also available at area
Place dry ingredients in a bowl, add the businesses and by subscription to non-islanders.
Subscriptions are $30 per year for non-residents
water and oil, then stir until blended. and are available by sending a check to Lucky Dog
Once the dough holds together, make it Publishing, LLC, P.O. Box 837, Sullivan’s Island,
into a ball and knead it with your hands SC 29482. Contributions of information, pictures
to make a smooth texture. and articles are welcomed and are used according
to space limitations and news value and cannot be
Place the dough on a cutting board, returned except by special request. Our editorial
and using a rolling pin, roll the dough content is primarily dedicated to the area of distribu-
out into a pancake shape that is a bit
thicker than you would use for regular Folly Beach Police Reports tion; ad space is open to all businesses who want to
reach the Folly Beach market. Complete ad creation
is $50, however, changes of up to 30% of the original
cut-out cookies. Cut out the ornaments ad are included at no extra cost. All advertising
with cookie cutters, design your own rates are listed at www.islandeyenews.com under
From (last date of previous report through December 10) “advertising”.
ornaments using a blunt knife, or shape
December 6- Officers responded to a victim who claimed his vacation condo had
dough with your fingers. Punch or carve
been broken into while he and his wife had been away. The door jam had been
a hole into the top of the ornament.
damaged and appeared to have been forced open. The victim stated he found the
Bake at 250 degrees until hard (for one to
deadbolt and door unlocked and the other doors pulled shut. No items were noticed
two hours).
to be stolen or missing, but he did notice some dresser drawers opened slightly
Once cooled, paint with water-based
and a light left on. The neighbors did not notice or hear anything. However, they
paints if desired, or glue on glitter using
pointed out that a neighboring unit had been broken into and a car had been stolen
white household glue. Thread a string
from the parking lot recently. There were no suspects at that time.
or ribbon through the hole and hang Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC
December 7- At approximately 3:15am, an intoxicated male entered Bert’s Market
the decoration on the tree or elsewhere
and refused to leave after being asked to do so. When police arrived, the subject Publishers of The Folly Current,
in your home. These ornaments can be
stated that he needed help and wanted to go to “detox”. The officer took the subject The Island Eye News and
reused year after year.
to “1 West” and advised him that he was being placed on trespass notice at Bert’s. The Island Connection.
www.follycurrent.sc
4 December 19, 2008
Closing doors
on our children
Provided by Sierra Gibson & Jeffrey Knighton
T
he Boys and Girls Club, a non
profit organization, announced
on Monday December 8 that
by December 12 all seven of their
afterschool locations will be shutting
their doors. This action also closes the
door on the futures for many children
of the Lowcountry.
This is an absolute outrage.
The children in the club range
between the ages of 5 and 18 and
span the Lowcountry. Locations
are in Charleston, Dorchester and
Berkley Counties. According to the
enrolment figures provided by the Post
and Courier, this will effect at least
600 children, not to mention future
generations that will not be able to
utilize the Boys and Girls Club.
Volunteers and staff assisted the
children with their homework and
incentives were given for good grades
and behavior. Positive energy filled these
rooms each day. Inside, the children
had their own gym, game room, arts
and crafts, computer lab, recording
studio and were feed nutritious meals.
With all these wonderful programs,
the children were able to enhance their
knowledge while eating healthy and
participating in physical activities.
However, this holiday season will
mark the end of these activities in
the Lowcountry. No more help with
homework, no safe place to be when
parents are working, no more mentor
guidance and no more healthy meals.
Starting this week, over 600 children
will not have a place to go after
school.
Six hundred children, once guided
by the hands of our community, will
be standing in front of closed doors.
They need their Boys and Girls Clubs.
Something must be done to save not
only their home and their safe place,
but also their hopes and dreams. People
need to understand that the future of
Lowcountry, and the Palmetto State as
a whole, relies on the youth.
Sierra Gibson is a College of Charleston
student majoring in mass media with a
concentration in journalism, a resident of
James Island area of Charleston County
and a former staff member at the Shay
Unit Boys and Girls Club in Charleston
County. Jeffrey Lee Knighton, Chairman
of “Southern Customs, New Ideas,”
is a resident of the West Ashley area of
Charleston County. He is a political
activist and a community organizer.
He has a Masters Degree from Virginia
Commonwealth with a concentration in
education policy.
www.follycurrent.sc
Turtles continued from page 2
four sea turtles received treatment
immediately upon arrival.  Dr. Shane
Boylan, Aquarium staff veterinarian,
admitted the turtles and began slowly
warming their core temperatures,
providing vitamin and antibiotic
injections to prevent pneumonia.  offers a truly memorable opportunity
“The new patients are doing well,”
said Kelly Thorvalson, Sea Turtle Rescue
Program Coordinator.  “The greens have
been a little slower to respond but all have
started to show an interest in food, which
is a really good sign. It’s an exciting time
to come to work,” remarked Thorvalson.
“Every day the Hospital operates, the
Aquarium is making a difference far
greater than just these twelve - we’re
doing our part to help save the species.”
Even with over 14 turtle hospital
volunteers, care for the twelve turtles
costs over $350 a day, an all-time high
for the Aquarium’s hospital, a private
non-profit.  To help support the Hospital,
the Aquarium is offering holiday gifts
that will delight any turtle lover:
Turtle Lovers Gift Basket
Delight the turtle fan in your life with
this great gift basket featuring exclusive
items including personally autographed
copies of New York Times Best-Selling
Author Mary Alice Monroe’s books,
complimentary general admission for
two to the South Carolina  Aquarium
and two tickets for a private Behind-the-
 PetsPetofHelpers
the Week 
BLACK AND WHITE CAT
I am a sweet and petite female
domestic short hair, almost two
years old. I love to be petted so
much that I will jump up to meet
your hand, but I am not crazy
about being picked up.
Pet Helpers is located at 1447 Folly Road, James Island.
Hours: Mon – Fri from 11am – 6pm and Sat from 11am - 5pm.
Closed: Sundays and Holidays.
For more information, please call 843-795-1110.
Support your community,
support your local paper.
Tell them you saw it in
The Folly Current!
Scenes Tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital.
Turtle Hospital Nurse
Join the team and get up close to sea
turtles at the South Carolina Aquarium’s
Turtle Hospital. Help feed and care for the
Aquarium’s rescued sea turtle patients at
South Carolina’s only dedicated sea turtle
rehabilitation facility. This incredible gift
to help endangered and threatened sea
turtles recover from critical injuries.
To get an up-close look at all twelve
patients, representing  three species of
sea turtles, the Aquarium is offering
exclusive Behind-the-Scenes tours of
the Hospital throughout  the holidays
to all Aquarium visitors.  The tours,
conducted on Wednesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays at 1pm, offer a firsthand look
at the efforts of the Aquarium’s team
of trained professionals as they care for
sick and injured sea turtles each day
through the Aquarium’s renowned Sea
Turtle Rescue Program. Attendees will
meet the Hospital’s current “patients,”
and hear about the intensive treatment
and daily care that help to nurse the
vulnerable turtles back to health. 
Tickets to the Behind-the-Scenes Tours
of the Turtle Hospital can be purchased
on-site at Aquarium admissions or by
phone: 577-FISH (3474). Advance
reservations are recommended.  For
more information on tickets and prices,
please visit: scaquarium.org. 
LUCY
Hello! My name is Lucy. I’m a
5-year old, female, Hound/Lab
mix. I was turned in as a stray. I am
super laid back. I get along with
other dogs and I’m housebroken.
December 19, 2008
W
e’ve become accustomed to the regular
question in the grocery check-out line, “paper
or plastic?” There has been a lot of debate
over which is the better option from an environmental
perspective, but the undisputed best response to the
question is “neither”. Using reusable shopping bags
is a simple and painless way for us to make a positive
impact on the environment by reducing the amount of
waste going to landfills. As you are out shopping for gifts
and groceries over the holidays and looking ahead to a
new year, this is a great time for a resolution to avoid
disposable bags altogether.
A new continent was recently discovered on Planet
Earth. It’s located about 800 miles north of Hawaii in
a rarely traveled section of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a large
mass twice the size of Texas and growing. As it turns
out, this new continent is actually a huge garbage patch
comprised of 80% plastic and weighing an estimated 3.5
million tons. It’s an area of our oceans where circular
currents converge to form a ‘resting place’ for much of
the garbage we have added to our oceans.
How does all of this garbage get into our oceans and
make its way to the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’? You
may have seen plastic bags and other trash blowing in
the wind or left on our beaches. Wind-blown bags often
combine with storm water destined for the oceans. You’ve
also seen lots of plastic bags lining our causeways. Many
of these bags are not overtly thrown into the marsh;
rather, they are casually left in the back of pickup trucks
for the wind to easily lift and discard them in the marsh.
While all of our wonderful marsh sweepers do their best
to keep our areas clean, much of this litter makes its way
to the ocean.
The US EPA estimates that each year, people around
the world use between 500 billion and one trillion plastic
bags – more than 100 billion bags of those bags being
used in the United States. Only 1% to 3% of these plastic
bags get recycled. And while recycling does reduce waste,
it isn’t a good solution from an economic standpoint. It
costs about $4000 to process and recycle one ton of plastic
bags, which can then be sold for approximately $32.
Plastic bags are made of petrochemicals, a nonrenewable
resource, and take hundred of years to breakdown. The
many plastic bags that wind up in the environment
pose a health hazard to wildlife (especially to birds and
marine animals). In the US, San Francisco, Oakland and
Portland, Oregon, have enacted bans on plastic shopping
bags. Several countries have either banned plastic bags or
mandated that stores charge a fee for each bag: Bangladesh,
Bhutan, China, Ireland, Israel, and South Africa.
Whole Foods stopped offering plastic bags and offers
5
Paper or plastic?
By Mary Gatch
10 cents for each reusable bag provided by the
customer. IKEA charges for bags that were once
given away. Most DwellSmart customers opt out
of a bag or bring their own, but we have corn-
based, biodegradable bags when needed.
The news about paper bags is nearly as bleak.
They require four times more energy to produce
per-bag than their plastic counterparts. In 1999,
14 million trees were required to produce the 10
billion paper grocery bags used that year. This
presents a “double whammy” for greenhouse gases,
due to the energy required to produce the bags
and the reduction in trees to absorb greenhouse
gases. Toxic chemicals are also used in the
manufacture of most paper bags, contributing to
air and water pollution. The recycle rate for paper
bags is higher, but only 10% to 15% of them have
a second life. And for the great majority that ends
up in the waste stream, they do not degrade or
breakdown significantly faster than their plastic
counterparts, due to the lack of light, water, and
oxygen in modern landfills. And each paper bag
in the landfill takes about 9 times as much space
as a plastic one.
So consider using a reusable bag for everyday
shopping. The “paper or plastic” habit is
surprisingly easy to kick and is a simple step we
can all take that collectively has a great impact.
I’ve had my string bags for seven years, and they
look brand new; each bag holds up to 40 pounds
of groceries! Nobody knows how long this plastic bag was stuck on this
And, if you are still unfortunate shorebird.
looking for holiday gifts,
consider a reusable tote bag
or produce bag – they make
great gifts and stocking
stuffers.
Mary Gatch is an owner of
DwellSmart, a one-stop shop for
healthy and environmentally-
friendly products. Mary lives
on Sullivan’s Island with her
husband James, daughter
Julian, and son Adam. You
can contact her by e-mail at
marygatch@dwellsmart.com
or by visiting the store at 615
Johnnie Dodds Blvd (located
in Mount Pleasant between
Eco Fitness and Twin Rivers
Bowling).
www.follycurrent.sc
December 19, 2008 9

An extra experience
by Chelsea Langan

F
ew jobs could pay minimum wage,
make you wait in your car three hours
burning your own gas to keep warm
in 40 degree weather, choose to terminate
employment and yet still manage to send
you home smiling: participating as an
extra in the big movie production that just
so happens to come to town is one of those
jobs.   The movie Dear John is filming in
various locations in Charleston for a few
months, along with its dreamy lead actor
Channing “The Chan” Tatum, and I
couldn’t have been more thrilled to almost
be a part of it.  It’s ridiculous.
But, it was fun!  The film set reminded
me of a honeycomb abuzz with worker
bees.   Everyone was running around,
tending steadfast to the production.  The
site of this particular shoot was at the end
of Sol Legare Road, a long stretch of scenic
waterfront that begins next to the Folly
Road Piggly Wiggly just before you reach
Folly Beach. A tent and a couple of large
cranes holding big bright lights were set
up around the last little causeway which
ends at the boat landing. Street lights
were set up as props and, although he got
to rehearse in a long green trench coat,
Channing had to walk under the street
lights in shorts carrying a long board when
the cameras were rolling
on that unusually cold fall
night.  They said that’s one
of the reasons he gets paid
such massive amounts of
money.   me, and I was politely
As far as the movie
production hierarchy goes,
I was at the very bottom.  I
was given a walkie-talkie,
but I was only allowed to
listen. All they wanted me
to do was drive my car
through the background
while they were filming.  I
was told to sit in my car
in the parking area of the boat landing
and pretty much eavesdrop until I was
called.   It was exceptionally interesting
to be able to hear everyone coordinate
over the walkie-talkies.  They referred to
Channing as “The Chan”.  I’m pretty sure
I overheard all of the most fundamental
staffers including the director, production
assistants (PA’s), shuttle drivers, the police
officer who was screening traffic, and I
swear I thought I heard “The Chan” do a
brief sound check.   a safety meeting.  Everyone had to attend,
The most I did while on set that day
was drive ever so carefully through the
mob of people working
on the narrow causeway
to reposition my car
… twice.   Ultimately,
however, they “wrapped”
sent home.   Everyone I
met that worked for the
movie seemed genuinely
polite.   A gentleman
driver and myself were
even asked to return to
the set a couple days later,
which, according to the
casting call rep, is quite an
accomplishment.   Apparently, not many
extras are asked back and I was thrilled.
Two days after my first tryst with the
Dear John production, I returned to the
same location to make a second attempt
at a cameo.   Again, it was really my car
that landed the job.  They wanted a dark
car to follow as they filmed a scene in a
purple Volkswagen sitting on the back of a
trailer pulled by a truck.  However, before
everyone got on the road, they had to hold
including the lead actors.   Channing
was looking absolutely dreamy standing
next to the speaker as I tried to pay
attention to the safety issues. He stood
two precisely calculated desperate leaps
in front of me, yet somehow I managed
to restrain myself. But I digress …
We were told to follow at various distances
behind the filming contraption.  Because
of this, I seriously doubt my car will be
in the movie.   By the time they had
mounted the camera on the hood of the
Volkswagen so that it could record my
car, we were trailing behind the farthest
we had all day. However, I’m totally
pleased with the whole experience.   My
long intermittent waits in the car between
takes didn’t compare to the other extra,
who had to sit in his car the entire four
and a half hours. On top of that, they
fed us a crab leg dinner, my favorite, at
about six o’clock.   Oddly, they called it
lunch.  I learned a lot of interesting things
about the movie business, including the
fact that at one point in filmmaking
history, filmmakers had to technologically
advance the camera to be able to keep
up with the rapid speed of Jackie Chan’s
fierce moves.  I would say the Chan on our
set had some fierce, effortless moves of his
own.

Green holiday tips from Charleston County

“I
t is really very easy to be
environmentally conscience
during the holiday season,” said
Theresa Martin, marketing specialist
with Charleston County’s Solid Waste
and Recycling Department. “This time of
year, we create more waste, due to parties
and gift giving, so we need to be mindful
about how we are responsible for our
sensitive environment here in Charleston
County.”
Tips from Charleston County on how
to “go green” over the holidays:
• Give your gifts in reusable
bags instead of using wrapping
paper. Wrapping paper is not
recyclable, while most bags can
be reused (particularly for holiday
shopping).
• Recycle all cardboard boxes at one
of the more than 30 Charleston
County Recycling cardboard drop
sites.
• Compost your real Christmas
tree with Charleston County
by bringing it to the Bee’s Ferry
Landfill from January 3-10, 2009.
Receive a free bag of compost in
return for your tree.
• Many people give electronics, such
as TVs and computers, as gifts over
the holidays. If you are replacing old
electronic equipment, remember
to recycle your old electronics with
Charleston County Recycling.
• Make a New Year’s resolution to
compost and recycle everything
you can.
Other green tips that you can
practice to help save money and the
environment:
Decorations
• Decorate with cranberries,
popcorn, pinecones and homemade
ornaments.
• Put all lights on timers to save
energy.
• Make decorations out of natural
items such as found seashells, holly,
fresh flowers, apples and nuts. Then
compost what you can.
• Decorate your home with
poinsettias, which may be cut back
and saved for another blooming
season.
Wrapping gifts
• Buy recycled greeting cards or make
your own cards.
• Use satin ribbon, which can be
ironed and reused year after year.
• Recycle foam packing peanuts at
local packaging stores.
• Be creative with gift wrap, such as
using cloth napkins, dish towels,
T-shirts and cookie tins.
• Save boxes, wrapping paper, tissue
paper and bows for reuse.
• Save this year’s greeting cards and
reuse them next year as decorative
gift tags or cut the front off and reuse
them as postcards.
Parties
• Serve food on china, ceramic or
stoneware plates with silverware
instead of using plastic, paper or
styrofoam products.
• After the party, recycle glass bottles
and jars, plastic bottles #1 and #2,
aluminum cans, steel cans and all
paper products (except for wrapping
paper and greeting cards, which are
not recyclable).
Presents
• Make edible items such as
homemade jams, salad dressings or
muffins.
• Break off a piece of a plant and re-
pot it for a friend.
• Give your time by offering free
babysitting, yard work or a car wash.
• Give tickets to a play, concert, show
or sporting event.
• Make a donation to a charity in
someone’s name.
For more information on how you can
be green during this holiday season, contact
the Charleston County Solid Waste and
Recycling Department at 843-720-7111 ext.
29 or visit http://recycle.charlestoncounty.
org.

www.follycurrent.sc
10 December 19, 2008
Music
Local, organic muffins
By Cortney Ness

‘T
is the season to be with those
who are close to you and to help
others, so let’s do exactly that.
Let us recognize one of our own fine bands
that we can proudly say is based right
here on the sandy beaches of Folly. Give a
shout-out to local band, Dangermuffin!
This folk/Americana/reggae/rock band
is comprised of Dan Lotti on vocals and
guitar, Mike Sivilli on guitar and vocals,
and new drummer and percussionist
Steven Sandifer, once a member of the
Biscuit Boys. These three men effectively
compliment each other as they come
together to write and perform their own
astounding songs, as well as blow the
crowd away with their incredible covers
(and with influences such as the Avett
Brothers, Band of Horses, Mason Jennings
and My Morning Jacket they definitely
blow the crowd away). Their covers range
from Bob Marley’s ‘Stir It Up’ to Ben
Harper’s ‘Diamonds on the Inside’ to Tom
Petty’s ‘Last Dance With Mary Jane’.
But back to their own songs …
Dangermuffin has released two albums
to date and if you are already a fan of the
band, you will be glad to hear that they
will be sticking around our area for the
winter and spring as they work on songs
for a third album, which is to be released
this spring/summer. Their first album, spots, including: Home Team BBQ, supporting our rising local band, because
Emancee, was released on October 13, Juanita Greenberg’s, the Silver Dollar, once their third album is released they’ll
2008, with a track list of six songs including Surf Bar, Taco Boy and the Pourhouse for be touring regionally and performing
‘Outlaw’s Plan’ and my personal favorite, their pre-New Years show where they will at festivals representing our own Folly
‘Real Monster’. The second album was be opening for Outformation. From the Beach. So be proud of this organic groove
released recently on November 27, 2008, website you can also purchase/download called Dangermuffin and have a Holly
and is titled Beermuda. This album has a their album Beermuda or visit iTunes and Jolly Christmas!
track list of ten songs, including ‘Banjo download both Beermuda and Emancee!
Love’ and ‘Free Man’. When asked which Either way, spread the holiday cheer by
of their songs is most meaningful to them,
Dan replied “Free Man,” because, “It’s all
about being independent and liberating
yourself from that which oppresses you.
We feel it every day on Folly and enjoy the
fact that we are able to create music for
a living.” Wow. How could you not be a
fan?
Stretching across a selection of genres,
Dangermuffin could be labeled a “jam
band” as they play those folk-music guitar
picks that make you want to slap your
knee and stomp your foot. The crisp,
accentuated beats of the drum create a rock
& roll energy, while a slightly scruffy yet
smooth voice articulates and rolls through
the clever lyrics. If any of this sounds
even a bit appealing, check out their
“Upcoming Shows” list at www.myspace.
com/dangermuffin, where it’s ever so easy
to catch one of their shows as they’ll be
Local Folly musicians Dangermuffin will soon be taking their organic, home-grown
performing at a number of our local hot style on the road.

Gifts from the heart

Folly Beach Crab Shack 12/19 Stratton Lawrence
588-3080 12/20 Graham Whorley
24 Center Street
Trivia Nite every Tues Sand Dollar
588-9498
Planet Follywood 3 Center Street Honey walnut spread/topping
588-7380 12/12 & 13 Johnny
32-A Center Street Mac and the Booty
Every Thur, Fri, Sat Dan Ranch A nice way to present walnuts ready-to-eat is to crack them in
Clamp 12/19 & 20 Jeannie large amounts beforehand, put the nuts into the kitchen mixer and
Wiggins Band
chop them quite small. Then pour runny honey into the mixer and
Conch 12/26 & 27 Hed Shop
633-0100 Boys make a delicious spread. Pack the mixture in nice jars and tie a
11 Center Street 12/31 Hed Shop Boys decorative spoon to the outside with a bit of ribbon or lace. You
Mon Trivia Nite could even include a little hole-punched card on the string with
Thurs Folly Beach Bluegrass Surf Bar suggestions for use.
Society 588-2009 What’s it good for? Everything from salad topping to layering on
Chill & Grill
103 W. Cooper Ave
Sun Dangermuffin
Folly music fresh goat cheese, topping your vanilla ice cream, layering between
588-2060
14 Center Street
scene sheets of phillo dough for a quick baklava, folding into croissants,
mixing with turkey bread stuffing, making quick tartlettes: the list
12/17 the Hawkes goes on!

www.follycurrent.sc
December 19, 2008
Adopt the purr-fect gift certificate
A
dding a pet to the family
is a serious, long-term
commitment. It’s a decision
that needs input from everyone who
would be involved in caring for the
animal. When considering adopting
a pet, there are many questions that
need to be addressed thoughtfully:
What type of animal would have a
personality most compatible with the
person or family? Who would be the
primary caregiver of the pet? How
much will it cost to feed and provide
veterinary care? Who would look
after the animal during trips? Could
someone be allergic to the pet? It is
extremely important that the primary
pet caregiver, whether it’s you, a friend
or loved one, is 100% involved in the
adoption process.
Instead of buying a puppy or kitten
as a gift, consider giving a loved one
a Pet Helpers gift certificate instead.
This not only promotes responsible
adoption, but also gives your loved one
a chance to make a personal connection
with the animal.
Shelters too often bear the brunt of
these unexpected gift decisions. If the
11
Provided by Emily Laurie
recipient decides the pet is not that cute
anymore, it is too much work, or they
just weren’t ready for the responsibility,
it is often the local shelter that takes
these animals back. Carol Linville,
Pet Helpers Founder/President, states,
“We need to remember that pets can’t
simply be returned or discarded like a
broken toy. And that if you’re adopting
an animal as a gift, you have to look
at every issue that may occur: such as
moving, allergies, medical cost and
training.”
If you’re looking for that purebred (above) SMOKY: I’m an
8-year old male. I’ve been
pup and you think you can only get
here since my owner
it from a breeder…think again. 10% brought me here in 2004.
of Pet Helpers’ pups are purebred, and I’m very shy at first, but
there are millions of healthy mixed if you give me a chance,
breed animals currently awaiting good I’d like to get to know you.
homes, too. Pet Helpers adoption fees (right) MAUI: Hi! My name
include your animal being spayed or is Maui. I am a 9-month
old Hound. I have a lot of
neutered, up-to-date with vaccinations
energy. I’m super sweet and
and micro chipped. I get along with other dogs.
So if you’re still thinking about Just need an owner who can
adopting as a gift, a Pet Helpers gift keep up with my energy.
certificate may be the best gift you give I’d make a great running
your family this holiday season. partner and I can keep you
company for walks on the
For more information call 795-1110 beach or at the dog park.
or visit www.pethelpers.org.
www.follycurrent.sc
12
Thoughts from a Folly artist : painted remains
I
magine a pig-tailed toddler sitting cross legged,
Crayola curled in her fist, engrossed in the whirl of
color and lines she’s creating. Her mother and father
are in awe as she describes the vivid image as “duck.” The
form actually resembles a duck, and the parents laminate
it and hang it proudly at the local high school where
the toddler’s father teaches. That duck may in fact have
looked like a mere blob of color, but it was my first clear
memory of creating art, and the emotionally evocative
nature of that moment determined that from then on,
creating art would be a life long passion of mine.
The process of making art has always given me a
feeling of serenity. When I was teaching, I saw the same
effect on children who, from their past records, would
normally be misbehaving. This caused me to wonder
exactly how important the aesthetic appreciation of self
expression is to a person. Art provides different modes of
expression, but it does not end there.
There are moments that represent a turning point in
our perspective on life. Spending a long weekend with a
beautifully quirky friend of mine in Chicago represented
one of those moments for me. We spent a whole day
exploring The Art Institute of Chicago. Pollocks and
Kandinskys draped the walls in magnificent shapes,
Erin Sobony stands in front of her tribute to her cat, Eddie.
December 19, 2008
Arts
By Erin Sobony
texture, and colors. I saw the infamous Georges Seurat extraordinary to commemorate my beloved animal
painting for the first time and was stunned by the mere friend. Eddie’s ashes will forever remain with me in
size of it. The next room displayed candies covered in the bright, vibrant hues of my painting, representing
brightly colored foil wrappers, all piled up into a neat perfectly what he once was; a bright and vibrant light
rectangle. The artist’s note to the public encouraged us in my life.
to interact, but I’m not sure how as a women in uniform Art, like the pursuit of happiness, evolves and changes
scolded us for touching the art. It was at that moment with discovery and knowledge. Whether through
that I decided displaying in galleries or museums was teaching a friend how to apply paint and seeing pure joy
not quite how I wanted my art to be seen. Though I will when their loved one comes to life in her brush strokes
always love going to museums and am grateful for the or watching my pig tailed niece work vigorously, cross
existence of these cultural establishments, I personally legged, Crayola in fist, I have learned that art is an ever
wanted something different; I just wasn’t sure what that evolving journey of self discovery.
‘different’ was.
Erin is a Folly resident who attained her education at
The next pivotal moment in my blossoming art career,
Ohio State University, but competently completed a degree
however, was not as pleasant. I lived in a charming place
in Art Education at the University of South Carolina.
called German Village where the roads were brick and
She continues the pursuit in everyday inquiries of her
the houses were old and full of character. I tend to
surroundings. If you would like to see more of Erin’s work
enjoy occasional moments of solitude and after work
check out her website at www.paintedremains.com.
I would either read or paint in my backyard with my
two cats and dog. Sometimes my three year old
neighbor would join me, working beside me on
her own canvas. On this particular day I was
busy working on a deadline was stubbornly
ignoring my cat Erin, who would not stop
stepping on my work. He soon stopped
bothering me, but within the hour I
received a tearful phone call. For some
reason I knew what was to follow. In
a dreamlike state I walked to the front
door and someone handed me a box,
telling me not to open it. I felt warmth
exuding from the bottom and a girl with
mascara streaming down her face kept
saying “I’m sorry”, over and over. My
own tears floated down my cheeks as I
mechanically turned around and like my
tears, I felt as if I was floating. What was
I going to do with my sweet Eddie, who
had unconditionally loved me for years?
My decision was difficult. I couldn’t
imagine Eddie’s soft, rabbit-like fur
being no more. So I decided that I would
recreate it. Driven by a desire to display
my compassion and empathy, Eddie’s
death compelled me to do something
www.follycurrent.sc