Hotsheet; Columbia’s Newest Listings
August 18, 2008 by Leave a Comment
“Famously Hot” Columbia, Tries Again
August 10, 2008 by 4 Comments
Finally, We Are Superlative At Something.
I know Columbia has a hard time branding itself. I’ve actually tried to come up with something clever myself (w/ the heat being my #1 subject). For a while, I thought Columbia needed to “name itself,” to create its brand (Charlotte = The Queen City). The new slogan, and logo come very close to this. I wish the font was bolder, but I actually like what they’ve done with the logo.
Further, “Famously Hot,” has some sort of superlative flair to it. The slogan may stick this time, but I’m not sure it will recruit anyone to visit Columbia. >>Go to http://www.famouslyhot.com/ to view the new website.
From the article in The State, it seems like Columbia wants to bring conventions here, and fill hotel rooms. In my mind, two things will need to happen before we can accomplish Columbia’s goals.
1) Conventions; Get on the phone. Our people need to work the phones, cut deals with cities and groups, and ask organizations to have their conventions in the midlands.
2) Fill Hotel Rooms; Get the Gamecocks consistently in the Top 10, in football and/or basketball. Nothing will fill hotel rooms faster, than a great SEC major sports program. The Gamecocks are Columbia’s quickest route (if we can do it), to the national map.
Don’t get me wrong. The effort is fine, and the new slogan is far better than, “Where Friendliness Flows”. I’m just not sure that continuously presenting Columbia as a destination city, is the thing to do. I’m just not sure it’s who we are…
Below are some of the ads that will appear in print, with puns galore. The T.V. ad is actually upbeat. I’m not sure that it will recruit companies and organizations to visit, but the music and flashing pictures are pretty upbeat. FJ
‘Make your gathering sizzle’
Wording from one of Columbia’s “Famously Hot” ads that will appear in travel industry journals
Go ahead, put our feet to the fire. We’re hot but never bothered.
Our city and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau are ready and eager for any challenge. We’ve got a well-placed Convention Center in this historic state capital that simmers with cool river-edged scenery, open-air restaurants, live music, sports and concerts.
Or if you’re looking for something different, we’ve got plenty of other venues — from the high-tech and mod, to perfect postcard locations of columned mansions and sprawling oak trees.
Hungry? Cuisine here ranges from grits to gourmet. (Actually, in the kitchens of some of our hottest chefs, grits are gourmet.)
Columbia’s heat is legendary. If your event has been singed by false promises and poor service, look no further. Our mix of Southern hospitality and fiery dedication will make your gathering sizzle.
Conspiracy Theory; 13ish Years Later
August 8, 2008 by 1 Comment
Tanneyhill Only One Cuffed; I Was There…
USC Trustee: Campus Cops Targeted Athletes
“One of the longest-serving and most influential members of USC’s board of trustees believes Gamecocks athletes have been targeted by the university’s police force.
Eddie Floyd, a Florence surgeon who has served on the board since 1982, said several months ago he was told that some campus police officers were overzealous in their investigations and arrests of athletes”.
The State Newspaper I don’t know if Dr. Floyd is on to something, or not. I can tell you from first hand knowledge though, that something fishy seemed to be going on around 15 years ago.Around ’94-’95, there was a HUGE party at what we called “the soccer house,” on Green St. There were tons of people there, and the front yard was flooded with drinkers. I was a little worried about the spill over crowd, because three of the soccer players were Sig Eps, and I was president.
Nevertheless, I happened to be sitting next to USC quarterback, Steve Tanneyhill. He hadn’t been there 5 minutes, and had just gotten his first beer. Within 1 minute of Steve taking a seat, I noticed something going on outside the front door.
When I noticed that it was the police, I leaned over (said, “Steve”) and nudged him. I put my cup on the table beside me, and he put his on the floor. The moment the uniformed fellow squeezed between everyone blocking the door, he pointed directly at us (Tanneyhill). He didn’t even LOOK at anyone else. I mean, it was a laser towards the guy. They stormed right up to us (I was scared to death), and told Tanneyhill to get up. They cuffed him, and left. I followed them out, and watched the front yard start booing the situation.
Those officers could have arrested anyone on the premises. It would’ve been like fishing in a keg. Nevertheless, they chose not to ask for anyone else’s I.D.
I’m sure everyone has experienced events, that’s left them scratching their heads. For me, this is one of them. Tanneyhill seemed to get a raw deal that night, just because he was a (the) high profile USC player.
Consultant Diagnosed w/ Brain Tumor
August 7, 2008 by Leave a Comment
“As a political consultant and a newspaper publisher, I’m familiar with “spin”… but there’s not really much way to spin this: A few days ago, tests revealed I have a cancerous brain tumor”. Rod Shealy
See interview with Rod on link below;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzgVqTCg2mE
Updates on Rod Shealy (written by his son at, http://www.scbarbecue.blogspot.com/ )
8/6/08: Surgery has now been set for Monday.
8/5/08: The news from MUSC today was good regarding my dad. The tumor is operable, and there does NOT appear to be any recurrence of melanoma from his 1983 melanoma. Although there is no firm time and date, as of now, there is likely to be an operation scheduled in the next few days, possibly as early as this Saturday. The operation will occur at MUSC in Charleston.
Thank you for your prayers.
The Shealy Family
As a brand new Realtor, Rod sold me an ad in his then popular 20/20 Magazine (a freebie paper, in thousands of locations in the midlands), while having lunch at Mr. Friendly’s. As lunch went on, he became fascinated by the story of my late wife, and how we turned our terrible time in the hospital, into (of all things) a decorative mailbox flag business.
The next thing I knew, Rod had me on the cover of 20/20 with two other entreprenuers. During the “photo-shoot,” he told me where to stand (in front of a mailbox of course), and helped me fan out about 15 different flags in my hands. It was hot as hell, but we had fun.
Inside his magazine had my very first ad as a Realtor (1/16 of a page, I think), while the cover had a piece of my immediate past. There’s no telling how Rod’s cover may have jump started my real estate career.
I’m glad he seems to be in such good spirits. Get back to Columbia soon, Rod!
Columbia’s Newest Listings…
August 6, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Bring It, Mr. Quarterback…
August 4, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Can Stephen Garcia Bring the Noise?
Below, are the thoughts from our fellow bloggers at http://www.palmettoscoop.com/. I’m posting it because I thought Garcia’s statements were interesting, to say the least. All we can say in Gamecock Nation is; Bring it…Just bring it. FJ
Stephen Garcia is chipper
By Adam Fogle Thu, Jul 31, 2008 – 4:20 pm Posted in Around the state
FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK GETS UMPTEENTH CHANCE
By Adam Fogle Thu, Jul 31, 2008 – 4:20 pm Posted in Around the state
FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK GETS UMPTEENTH CHANCE
As you can see in the picture above from The State, University of South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has been reinstated two weeks early from a suspension for underage drinking and he is so excited that he’s frolicking around like a Unicorn chasing a rainbow. He even issued a statement through USC thanking the school for not giving up on him the last 742 times he screwed up.
I thank everyone at the University of South Carolina that was involved with my reinstatement – for giving me another chance to be a student-athlete here.
All I can say is that I will try to be the best student-athlete I can during my career here and make this decision a positive one for our university.
The media attention needs to go to Tommy Beecher and the other players on our team.
I will not start talking to the media until I begin playing in the real games here at Carolina.
Facebook Lost Your “Flair!”
July 30, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Some of you aren’t on the “New Facebook” yet, so you won’t know what I’m talking about.
For everyone that likes to see the “Flair” application on other peoples pages, and now can’t because of the “New Facebook” format……Fbook is working on it. Apparently, there is a TON of complaining going on about it (I heard some of it at Starbucks today).
See below for instructions, that were sent to my team manager yesterday… FJ
There will soon be an option to add a Flair tab to your profile, post flair directly onto your profile or a friend’s profile, and a few other cool new features.
In the meantime, if flair is not showing on your boxes tab on the new Facebook site, follow these steps to get it back.
– Click on Pieces of Flair in your Applications menu to go to the app
– In the Applications menu, click on “Edit Pieces of Flair Settings”
– A settings box will appear
– Click on the “Profile” tab
– Next to Box, click “add”
This should put your flair back on your profile. Make sure you have also clicked on the blue “Update Profile” button in the app.
I am working on a new way to let you show off your flair on the Wall and Info sections of your profile. It will be available later this week.
Louis’s and Fish Camp, are Closing…
July 28, 2008 by 5 Comments
In a sad state of affairs, Louis’s has been sold to a Charleston restaurant group. Stunned….
Louis’s and The Fish Camp Bar, is one of our favorite places to go at the beach. It’s location, in the Pawley’s Island Hammock Shops, made it easy to get to, and a fun place to hang out.
Every time we are in the Litchfield/Pawley’s area, we visit Louis’s more than any other place. Whether it was an after golf drink (she crab soup), late night hangin’ out, nice dinner or Sunday brunch (on the way home), we loved the place. We probably have 10 of his “frosted cups” in the kitchen. I even have a couple of T-Shirts.
It seemed to be the hang out for DeB0rdieu, Litchfield and Pawley beach goers. We often saw people we knew, and loved it when “Deez Guys,” or “The Ross Holmes Band” were jammin’ in the gazebo beside the playground.
We’ve heard that it will be closed for some months, so the new owner can re-model the place.
I’m sure the new restaurant will be great, but I’m still shaking my head.
Columbia’s Newest Listings
July 28, 2008 by Leave a Comment
$$$ For $$$, This Is A Good One…
July 24, 2008 by 5 Comments
15 Westshire, Is For Sale…For $299,900.
This house is awesome. It has 3 BR’s and 2.5 Baths, and “lives” large. Some features include hardwoods, smooth ceilings, awesome carpet upstairs, designer colors throughout, a large master suite and a great screened porch. The home sets up nicely for supper clubs and parties.
The eat-in kitchen sports white cabinets, stainless appliances, a cool island and granite slab counter tops.
“The Hamptons” is one of Columbia’s most popular neighborhoods. It is packed full of newer (less than 10-20 year old) houses, that have popular floor plans, for today’s entertaining families.
I must say, that if anyone out there is in the market for a house under $300K (or knows someone),…… this is probably it. When I walked in, I was impressed. If the downstairs doesn’t sell it (inside and out), then the master and nursery will close the deal.
Call, email or text if you want to see inside….
