Downtown Rocks Your Heart & Soul This Holiday…

The Holidays seem to bring out the best in most folks. Whether you are dropping a few dollars into a Red Kettle, providing gifts for children who are less fortunate or gathering canned goods for our local food pantries, this time of year makes many of us dig a little deeper to help our fellow humans. Combine that sense of charitable giving with some of our great local music, and the combination would make even the “Grinchiest” heart grow three sizes!

The Handlebar has long donated its Listening Room for some of the best fundraising concerts in town, and December is no exception! This Friday, December 14^th, join the guys from Outshyne as they throw a Dixie-Fried Country Christmas Bash to benefit the Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots. Joined by friends and fellow do-gooders, The Smith Outfit, Josh Owens & Anna Leigh, this rockin’ Holiday happening is sure to get your toes to tappin’ & your rump to shakin’! Tickets are $11 in advance and $13 the day of the show (a $2 surcharge is added for those under 21) and the music is set to start at 9PM. Collection bins for toy donations will also be positioned throughout the venue.

For more than a decade, Greenville’s favorite jam band (and all-around nice guys), The Work, has been hosting their annual concert to benefit local charities. This year’s event, The Work’s 11^th Annual Christmas Jam, will take place on Friday, December 21^st at The Handlebar. Joined by such local talent as Acoustic Syndicate, Yo’ Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Millifungus, The Bad Popes, Doug Jones & more, many consider this event to be THE Holiday Party of the year! The guys will be onstage at 7PM and play in a big ‘ol jam session until they decide it’s time to stop. This year, the American Red Cross will benefit from proceeds of this concert, to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy and other disasters. Tickets are on sale now for $15 and will be $18 the day of the show. For more information on this and other concerts at The Handlebar, visit www.handlebar-online.com.

On Wednesday, December 19th, local acoustic artist, Kylie Hinze will be performing her annual concert to benefit The Ellen Hines Smith Girls Home. Taking place at The Channel, this evening of Holiday music will also feature a silent auction & a visit from Santa.  With special musical guests, 4^th Shade Avenue (from Simpsonville), Kylie will take the stage at 7PM until 9PM. A donation of $5 is requested as admission at the door. For more information, visit www.thechannelonline.org.

Downtown Greenville comes alive with music and good will every Holiday season! Take time to enjoy these and other wonderful events that take place in our fair city. I’d be willing to bet you will come away from these celebrations with the “strength of 10 Grinches…plus two!” Happy Holidays, Y’all!

More Downtown Businesses That Are Giving Back in Unique Ways…

• Traveling Chic Boutique – Collects in-store donations for such local charities as Safe Harbor, Cancer Society of Greenville County, Greenville Humane Society, Ronald McDonald House, Meals on Wheels & Loaves & Fishes.
• 864toGo.com – Donating a portion of their December food sales to The Special Olympics.
• Subway – Participating restaurants are hosting Salvation Army Angel Trees to collect toys & clothing for children who would not otherwise receive gifts.
• Red Ribbon ReSale Shop – With an eclectic assortment of items, this resale store benefits the many programs of AID Upstate, which offers support and information for those battling HIV/AIDS.
• Safe Harbor ReSale Store – Featuring mostly gently used, upscale clothing, proceeds from this resale shop supports programs that aid victims of domestic violence.
• Soby’s – Their Thursday Guest Bartender Happy Hour, from 5-7PM weekly, donates 20% of proceeds to area charities.
• The Barkery Bistro – Supports local animal shelters and rescue groups with their monthly Yappy Hour events.
• Coffee Underground – This cornerstone of Downtown’s caffeinated community supports several local charities through donations and fundraisers.

This Weekend Is An Extravaganza of Family-Friendly Fun in Downtown Greenville

If you have kids, there’s a good chance you’ve had your precious little ones look up at you and sigh “I’M BORED”! Well, fear not, my fellow harried parental units, there are so many kid-friendly happenings taking place in Downtown Greenville, you may actually be able to go 48 hours without even hearing that phrase. But there is a possibility it may be replaced with “I’m tired”!

Animal lovers are in luck this weekend, with two fun and furry events featuring  lots of lions and tigers and…DOGS? Yes friends…if you like wet noses and waggly tails, come out to Cleveland Park for the Mutt Strut.  This fun 5K Run/Walk takes place Saturday, August 25^th and  invites individuals, families, competitive athletes and leisurely strollers, and their dogs to participate in this paw-fect fundraiser for the Greenville Humane Society.  Registration begins at 6:30AM at The First Baptist Church  with the race (which goes along the Swamp Rabbit Trail and through Cleveland Park) starting at 8:30AM. Registration fees range from $25-$30. Participants are invited to stay and enjoy the “Mutt Strut Village,” featuring live music, refreshments and treats for two and four-legged competitors.  For more information on this event, visit http://www.ghsmuttstrut.com.

If you like animals of a more exotic type, then come out to the Greenville Zoo for their annual Zoo-A-Palooza. B93.7 is taking over the zoo Saturday, August 25^th and is inviting you to the party! Festivities kick off at 6:30PM and feature food and drinks, BEE prizes and tons of family-friendly fun with acoustic performances by recording artists Austin Mahone and Chris Wallace. Proceeds benefit zoo operations and provide enrichment funds for the animals at the Greenville Zoo. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. For more information, visit: www.greenvillezoo.com.

If you are more of the creative sort of family, then the Upcountry History Museum is the place for you! This weekend, the museum hosts two Folk Art Workshops with artist Lonnie Holley – one for adults and one for families. The Adult Folk Art Workshop is Saturday, August 25^th at 10:30AM and the Family Workshop is on Sunday, August 26^th at 2PM. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Lonnie Holley creates beautiful works of folk art using “found” items. His work is displayed all over the world, including the Upcountry History Museum’s “ Uniquely Southern Folk Art” exhibit (on display until September 2). Join Mr. Holley to learn how to create a work of folk art of your own!  Materials will be provided and kids are free with an adult admission.  For more information, visit www.upcountryhistory.org.

Of course, Downtown Greenville offers many activities to keep both kids and parents happy and occupied. Hunt for the Mice on Main, take in a Greenville Drive game at Fluor Field (they are home this weekend), or visit The Children’s Museum of the Upstate to explore the fun exhibits and take part in the TCMU Summer Olympics.  Afterwards, stop by The Chocolate Moose on Main for a yummy cupcake or Luna Rosa or Blueberry Frog for a scoop of refreshing gelato or frozen yogurt.  Family time in Downtown Greenville is always time well spent!

For More…

Mice On Main – Inspired by the children’s book, “Good Night Moon”, these adorable little mouse sculptures can be found peeking out from various locations throughout Downtown. For a list of hints, visit: www.miceonmain.com.

Greenville Drive – Greenville’s minor league baseball team plays their home games at Fluor Field. For a game schedule and ticket information, visit: http://www.milb.com

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – A fun, interactive museum for children, TCMU continues to be a favorite with kids and parents alike. Current exhibits include Garage Rock, BI-LO Market, Kaleidoscope Climber and Healthy Heroes. Museum admission also includes access to the many classes and activities offered to visitors. For more information, visit: www.tcmupstate.org

 

Adopting a Furry Friend…

Greenvillians definitely love their dogs! With roomy sidewalks, water bowls and waste bag dispensers conveniently located throughout Main Street, a canine bakery and a great dog park, Downtown is very dog-friendly. But what if you don’t have a furry friend with whom to share a Downtown Doggie Excursion? Before you start researching dog breeders online, visit one of Greenville’s animal shelters and rescue groups to find the perfect canine companion.

The Greenville Humane Society has been finding loving homes for Upstate pets for decades. Averaging 450 placements per month, the Society’s new location on Airport Road has allowed them to care for more animals and as a result, they have a large selection of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens – all waiting for a “forever home”.  Adoption fees are reasonable – $50 – $95 for dogs and puppies, $25-$75 for cats and kittens – and the friendly, caring staff are happy to work with you to help find a pet that fits perfectly into your family. There is also a “Best Friend Finder” Program for those looking for purebreeds and specific mixes with an adoption fee of $145. Pet adoptions include: spaying/neutering, basic vaccinations, a bag of pet food and even 30 days of free pet insurance (opt-in and activation required). But pet adoptions are not all…the GHS has a number of services to help you care for your new furry family member. From low-cost vaccinations, microchipping and spay/neutering to full service grooming, the Humane Society helps keep your pet happy and healthy while keeping your budget happy and healthy too!

When the Humane Society moved to their new location, the Greenville County Animal Care Services were able to expand throughout the Furman Hall location.  With more room to house and care for more homeless animals, the GCACS is able to offer expanded adoption services as well as reduced cost veterinary services such as wellness care, low-cost vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, de-worming and some grooming. Adoption fees are reasonable ($50-$125) and include vaccinations, spay/neutering, microchipping and registration, de-worming, flea treatment, heartworm testing, a bag of pet food and coupons to local pet supply stores.  Because of May’s “Focus on Felines” Adopton Drive, many of their cats and kittens found loving homes (although they do still have a few available for adoption). In June, they hope to do the same for their canine friends with their “Who Let The Dogs Out” event on Friday, June 8 (Noon – 7PM) and Saturday, June 9 (11AM-8PM). With reduced adoption fees and fun dog (& people)-friendly activities, the GCACS hopes to find a home for every dog in the shelter!

In addition to the Humane Society and Animal Care Services, there are many smaller, independent organizations that rescue homeless animals. In recent years, the Golden Retriever has been a popualr breed. Unfortunately, people often don’t realize that the adorable ball of fur they adopted will grow into a very large, very rambunctious ball of energy! That’s where the Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue comes in – they find loving homes for Goldens that have been surrendered or are abandoned, abused and otherwise homeless. They are especially  devoted to finding good homes for senior and special needs dogs. Adoption rates vary – depending on the age and gender of the dog and the veterinary costs incurred in rehabilitation. If you prefer smaller dogs, organizations such as Boykin Spaniel Rescue, which rescues, rehabilitates and places the medium-sized breed, and Ararats Doxie Haven, which rescues, cares for and finds homes for dachshunds, may be what you are looking for. Many other non-profit organizations do wonderful work saving and placing homeless Upstate pets including Concerned Citizens for Animals, Carolina Loving Hound Rescue, Enoree River Rescue, Pet Tender Angels and Pet Haven of South Carolina. In addition to many of the organizations listed above, cat lovers can also find the purr-fect feline through Feline Urgent Rescue – whose adoptable pets can been visited at PetSmart on Laurens Road.

Another avenue to finding a furry addition to your family is

www.petfinder.com. This online search engine features adoptable pets from the organizations previously listed as well as other shelters and rescue groups throughout the country. This is especially useful if you are looking for a specific type, size or breed of animal. Most shelters and groups will require you to complete an application for adoption and provide a pictured ID. Some shelters provide a leash or carrier for transport of your new pet, others don’t – so it’s best to ask. There may be a small waiting period while the organization screens your application or prepares the animal for adoption. Guidelines  vary from group to group.

Shelter and rescue animals often come from tramatic backgrounds. Don’t let this scare you. Shelters carefully screen potential adoptees for any socialization problems and work hard to rehabilitate them for adoption into loving homes. As the parent of a rescue dog myself, I can assure you, that with some patience and lots of love, you will have a wonderful pet that will bring joy into your home for many years to come!

Shelter & Rescue Group Info:

Greenville Humane Society:305 Airport Road, Greenville; ;

www.greenvillehumane.com;  Hours: Noon-6:30PM, Monday-Friday; 11AM-5PM, Saturday; 1-5PM, Sunday

Greenville County Animal Care Services:328 Furman Hall Road, Greenville; 864-467-3950;

www.greenvillepets.org; Hours: Noon-7PM, Monday-Friday; 11AM-6PM, Saturday

Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue: 864-234-9739;  rescue@fhgrr.com; www.fhgrr.com

Boykin Spaniel Rescue: www.boykinrescue.org

Ararats Doxie Haven ; : 864-706-5131; scdoxies@yahoo.com

Concerned Citizens For Animals;  864-243-4CCA; concern4animals@bellsouth.net

Carolina Loving Hound Rescue : www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC389.html
Enoree River Rescue ; : 864-505-9061; enoreeriverescue@aol.com

Pet Tender Angels : 864-787-2498; Pet10der@aol.com

Pet Haven of South Carolina www.scpethaven.org

Feline Urgent Rescue: www.felineurgentrescue.org

PetFinder: www.petfinder.com

These shelters and rescue groups are non-profits and rely on donations to continue their good deeds. If you cannot commit to adopting a pet at this time, please ask them about fostering homeless animals or donations.

Downtown Greenville’s Got A Big Heart…

Downtown Greenville, with its fresh beauty and friendly people, is an almost idyllic place to live, work and play. But I believe its true beauty is found in the good-hearted folks who give selflessly of their time and money to help others. From people who volunteer at city-wide events and area non-profits to local businesses who contribute their talents and proceeds to those in need, Downtownies are always willing to do all they can to benefit great causes.  April is National Volunteer Month and DTGVL offers many opportunities to support some wonderful local charities, either by taking part in a benefit event or by volunteering.

The first wonderful event does not actually happen Downtown, but nearby. On April 11, Furman University will play host to the extraordinary athletes of The Special Olympics. Beginning at 9:45AM with a parade of athletes and the lighting of the Flame of Hope, this heart-warming event, coordinated by the Greenville County Recreation Division and Furman, offers a full day of track and field events for over 1,000 Special Olympians.  In addition to track events, participants will also be treated to refreshments and an on-site carnival at “Olympic Town”. The games themselves begin at 10:30AM in Paladin Stadium.

This weekend boasts an eclectic mix of attendance-worthy affairs. If you enjoy a little baseball with your caviar, then make plans to attend “Black Tie and Baseball Diamonds” at Fluor Field. Attendees of this April 14th soiree will enjoy fine food, music and an incredible auction of some seriously cool items including a Gamecocks Football Package, a Clemson Tigers Baseball Package and a Charleston Vacation. Proceeds benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research.

If you’re looking for a Saturday bash that rocks, look no further than The Handlebar.  GumbyFest features a line-up of local faves, including Ramcat Alley, JoJo Taterhead Revival, Decadent Daze and Second to None. Proceeds will help fund cancer treatments for longtime supporter of Greenville’s music community, Charlene Davis. The joint starts jumpin’ at 8PM, but you may want to come a little earlier to buy tickets for their 50/50 raffle.

On Sunday, April 15th, Downtown Greenville will be invaded by digital scavengers taking part in “Seek & Snap 2012”. This digital scavenger hunt takes place from 1-6PM and benefits Let There Be Mom. Seek & Snap is just one of the fantastic annual events benefitting this deserving organization that aids parents facing terminal illness.

Thursday, April 19^th, high fashion goes to the dogs! Join fellow animal lovers at Wyche Pavilion to watch local celebrities and their canine companions strut their stuff on the catwalk. Pet Project Runway is a pawsitively  delightful fashion show that benefits The Greenville Humane Society.  Doors open at 6PM and will include an open bar and yummy hors d’oeuvres – encouraging guests to “sit” & “stay”!

If you want to contribute your time to a worthy cause, Hands on Greenville is worth checking out.  Created for good-hearted people with busy schedules, this brilliant organization offers volunteer opportunities that vary from soup kitchen work to taking underprivileged children on fun outings. On May 5^th, they will be sponsoring their HOG Day 2012, which encourages families, individuals, corporations and teams to give back to their communities through volunteering. Teens that have a love of the literary will also have the opportunity to volunteer at Hughes Main Library. The monthly Teen Volunteer Day encourages young people to participate in public service. April’s TVD will take place on April 14^th for 1-4PM.

This is just a glimpse into all the good work done by area non-profits. Some of these events may already be sold out, but don’t let that deter you! For more information on these incredible charities and their selfless missions, visit their websites (provided below). I encourage you to take part in their mission by attending a fundraiser, making a monetary donation or volunteering your time and talents to help them achieve their goals. It’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

But wait! There’s more…

Special Olympics: The Special Olympics program offers training and competition in 15 different sports. Two full time Recreation District staffers direct these programs with help from hundreds of community volunteers.  There are no fees for Special Olympics programs. For more information, visit: http://greenvillerec.com/activities-and-programs/special-olympics

Black Tie and Baseball Diamonds / JDRF: This fun and  fancy affair seeks to raise funds to  help young victims of Type I diabetes live longer, healthier lives and to reach their goal of finding a cure! For more information on this event and  Juvenile Diabetes Research, visit: https://jdrf-westerncarolinas.ejoinme.org/?tabid=323750

GumbyFest: To find out more about this benefit for Charlene Davis – a cornerstone of the Greenville music community who is battling cancer, visit The Handlebar’s event calendar at http://www.handlebar-online.com/calendar.asp

Seek and Snap 2012 / Let There Be Mom: Let There Be Mom was created to aid parents who are facing terminal illness. LTBM assists moms and dads alike in preserving their memories and  family legacy to pass on to their children. To learn more about this amazing charity, and their annual fundraisers, visit: http://lettherebemom.org/

Pet Project Runway / Greenville Humane Society: This fun fashion event benefits The Greenville Humane Society, who works tirelessly to find good homes for homeless animals. For more information on this event,  animal adoptions and other GHS programs, visit: http://www.greenvillehumane.com/

Hands On Greenville: When an area non-profit needs volunteers for an awareness, service or fundraising event, they turn to Hands on Greenville. This organization matches willing volunteers with deserving area charities in a perfect partnership. Their annual HOG Day encourages residents to participate in public service to benefit their communities. For more information on this wonderful organization or to discover volunteer opportunities, visit: http://www.handsongreenville.org/

Teen Volunteer Day / Hughes Main Library: For more information on this and other Teen programs hosted by the Greenville Library System, email jbabb@greenvillelibrary.org

Why Yes…I AM Ready For Some FOOTBALL!!!

Fall in The South means cooler temps, glorious leaf colors, apple festivals, but most of all, it means FOOTBALL. Now, other areas of the country certainly have their loyal sports fans…but in The South, football is no mere sport…it’s a religion. What team you pull for is the third item in the “Holy Southern Trinity of Your Character” which also includes “Who your people are” and “Where you go to church”. Whether you consider College Football to be sacred or you worship at “The Church of The NFL”, Downtown Greenville offers many options on where to watch “The Game”.

The place you’ll most likely find me cheering for my team is Sharkey’s Pub.  With a prime location on Main Street, Sharkey’s has long been a favorite of Downtown sports fans.  When the temps get cooler, the pub is packed with fans of all ages, watching “The Game” on one of Sharkey’s many big screen TV’s. On particularly nice days, fans congregate at their outdoor dining area (often with their dogs) to people watch as well.

If the owner of Sky Sports Bar, John Oliver, sounds familiar, that’s because he’s the voice of both the Greenville Drive and the Road Warriors. This upscale sports bar, also located on Main Street, not only has a very “retro feel” to it, but is very modern with several high-definition big screen TV’s to choose from. Fans are encouraged to cheer as much and as loudly as they want for their teams… because, after all, this IS a sports bar.

Another long time favorite with Greenville sports fans is Corner Pocket. One of Downtown’s oldest watering-holes, the Corner Pocket started, as the name implies, as a pool hall. But they have quickly become a top sports bar with numerous TVs upstairs and down…and they also still have pool tables, if you want to entertain yourself during halftime. The bar is frequented by a group of Green Bay Packers’ fans, so non-Cheeseheads may have to endure a little good-natured teasing.

A newcomer to the Downtown sports bar community is Carolina Ale House. Located in the old Kimbrell building on Main Street, this family-friendly, sports-themed restaurant boasts 40+ TVs,  as well as an upstairs area with a retractable roof  for outdoor dining. It is popular with the college crowd, so it does tend to get a little crowded on Saturdays.

Other Downtown options for sports fans include Barley’s (has a great beer selection), Ford’s Oyster House (with a wonderful Cajun-inspired menu), City Tavern (another long-time favorite), On The Roxx (for city-sophistication in a comfortable atmosphere) and the familiar Wild Wing Café (the name says it all). But no matter where you choose to watch your favorite team, you are sure to find like-minded sports fans cheering with you. GO TEAM!!!

Dog Day Afternoon

When there’s a hint of Fall in the air,  it’s only natural to want to spend these gorgeous days Downtown. And…if you are a dog owner like me, it’s only natural to want to take your canine companion with you. But which Downtown businesses welcome Fido and which ones don’t?

Greenville is a very dog-friendly city. With water dishes placed strategically along Main Street and plastic bag dispensers  available almost everywhere, Downtown Greenville can be a pup’s paradise. With a little planning, you and your dog can share a happy, fun-filled day together.

Perhaps the happiest place in DTGVL… for dogs anyway… is Canine Corner.  This half-acre, fenced-in dog park is sort of like Disneyland for dogs. Located in Cleveland Park, near the stables and Cleveland Park Animal Hospital, the park provides plenty of room for Fido to run off-leash and play with his furry friends.  Visitors are greeted by the statue of a friendly Great  Dane entitled “High Four”, created by artist (and dog lover) Louise Peterson.  Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome, but aggressive dogs, females in heat and puppies under four months old are not allowed and canine visitors must have current vaccination tags. The park is well-maintained with a mulch surface and plastic bag recepticles for easy clean up.

Another location that is popular with pooches is The Barkery Bistro.  This unique boutique caters strictly to the four-legged set.  After a leisurely stroll down Main Street, pups and their people love to stop in for an array of tasty treats – from “pupcakes” to Bowser Beer. But, be warned, some of it looks so good, you’ll be tempted to take a taste. For a truly tail-wagging good time, check out the Barkery’s monthly “Yappy Hour”, which benefits local rescue shelters.

After some rambunctious play and a belly full of treats, Fido is only too happy to curl up under a table while you sample Downtown’s diverse culinary delights. Many Downtown restaurants happily welcome dogs, provided they are leashed and mind their manners. Along the “main drag” of Main Street, there are many dog-friendly dining options.  Blue Ridge Brewing, Trio, Coffee Underground, Handi Indian Cuisine, Sharkey’s Pub, Guadalajara, Cantinflas, Luna Rosa, Barley’s Tap Room, Wild Wing Cafe, The Cazbah and Soby’s all boast outdoor dining that welcomes your canine companion. If you care to venture further north on Main Street, Northgate Soda Shop also has pet-friendly dining options. Not to be outdone, the West End also offers many opportunities to bring along your doggie dinner date. Mellow Mushroom has an out-of-the-way outdoor patio that is perfect for pooches. The patio is rather small and may cause large dogs to feel crowded so smaller dogs are recommended.  Smoke on the Water, Coffee to a Tea, Saffron’s Sidewalk Cafe and Overlook Grill also have Fido-friendly alfresco dining and, as an added bonus, are in close proximity to Falls Park for an after-dinner romp.

Spending the day Downtown with your dog can make a fun filled day even more so. Some venues may have restrictions on the size or breed of the dog, so it would be wise to call ahead. And, on particularly nice days, other dog owners will likely have the same idea, so you may have to wait for outdoor tables at select restaurants. But with a little extra planning and a little patience, a day trip Downtown with your dog can be a rewarding experience for all.