Attention Creative Geniuses

So, I admit, occasionally on this blog I have mentioned that I work for a small non-profit called St. Lawrence Place (SLP). Heck, I may have even shamelessly promoted one or two of our special events in the past...but this time, it's not shameless, I promise! This is really cool, y'all!  And you can get a really cool prize if you help us out!

Just a reminder--SLP provides support services, life skills, and transitional housing for homeless families with children in Columbia, SC.

We are looking to re-brand, and as a first step, we are in search of a new logo!  You can see the details on our website here.

The prize package includes:

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• Dinner for 8 at your home from Pawley's Front Porch Food Truck!  (have you eaten from the Pawley's Food Truck before--it is amazing!)  I had a BLT a couple Saturdays ago and it was heaven...Fried Green Tomatoes, Pimento Cheese, lots of bacon...mmmm.
• Spirits and soft beverages to accompany dinner.
• Serving pieces painted by teens and kids living at St. Lawrence Place, compliments of Mad Platter.  Mad Platter is awesome--they help SLP with numerous fundraisers and events for the kids throughout the year--much love.
• Community-wide recognition, as SLP re-brands using your new artwork as our logo!!  You'll be famous!

So, are you interested?!  Know someone who would be great at this? Please pass it along.  Submissions due October 7th.  See details here.

And, now, I'm hungry...Pawley's Food Truck will be at the All Local Farmer's Market tomorrow morning...I think I'm gonna try the Mahi Mahi Tacos this time...

Happy Friday!
XO, B

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Caw Caw Creek on Cooking Channel

So, since I am not sleeping a whole lot these days--Jones has his days and nights pretty mixed up, and although we're making progress in finding what works for all of us, I am awake at pretty strange hours.  I have found myself watching a ton of HGTV, Food Network and Cooking Channel.

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A couple nights ago on a Cooking Channel show called FoodCrafters, (which will re-air February 5th at 5:30 PM and February 7th at 12:00 PM, but I caught it at 12:30 AM), SC's own Caw Caw Creek pastured pork farm was featured.  Caw Caw Creek owner, Emile DeFelice, talks about his humanely raised and happy pigs.
 

Caw Caw Creek pork products can be found at the All-Local Farmer's Market and the other local markets listed here, as well as featured in many Columbia restaurant dishes, like the CawCaw Bratwurst Sandwich from Hunter Gatherer, or the Caw Caw Creek Burger at Pawley's Front Porch.

Awesome job, Mr. DeFelice!

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And the Kicker Is...Pawley's Front Porch

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Last night was the premiere of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featuring none other than Columbia's own Pawley's Front Porch! James and I spent our "Valentine's" dinner there last night and watched the episode on a projector and under heaters of the front porch of Pawley's. It was a really fun time--the staff and clientele were all really excited for the debut of the episode, aptly named "And the Kicker Is...", referring to Pawley's fried green tomatoes and other house made burger accoutrement.

I ordered the Mahi Mahi Salad, fresh mixed greens, shredded cheese, grilled pineapple, black bean and corn salsa, with a Vidalia onion dressing. (I ordered mine sans pineapple). It was really tasty and refreshingly light, yet filling. James ordered the Caw Caw Creek Burger, which included fried pickle chips, Frank's Red Hot onion rings, cheese, and house-smoked Caw Caw Creek bacon. He got more onion rings as his side. We both agreed the onion rings could have been spicier and more flavorful, (especially with a name like Frank's red Hot onion rings), but he said the burger was great.

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{actual image of the Wadmalaw Burger at Pawley's}

Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring my camera along, so I have no pictures of the night or of our food, but take my word for it, Pawley's serves up some great meals. And the staff is super-friendly too.

Or, if you need more convincing, here's a review by Free Times' Tad trencherman, and here's one posted by blogger Columbia's Lunch Review.

In case you missed it last night, catch the Diners Drive-Ins, and Dives episode featuring Pawley's on February 26th at 9 pm, February 27th at 12 am, or March 7th at 3 pm on the Food Network.

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Local Treats for V-Day Weekend

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Want a lesson in what to do when love goes bad? Head to the Barnes & Noble at Midtown at Forest Acres at 7 pm Friday evening for a book signing by SC first lady, (and soon to be divorced), Jenny Sanford. She will be signing copies of her new book Staying True.

Looking for a Creative and Unusual Valentine's Date or Un-date, as the case may be? Check out 701 Whaley's "What's Love" event. The What's Love Fest 2010 is a sensual celebration of art in all forms- visual art, music, and dance. There will be visual art from over 20 local artists, 4 performance art groups, including the Unbound Dance Company, and music from the quartet Les Paramours, which includes Danielle Howle. There will also be last-minute Valentine's gifts for sale from local vendors, and BBQ from Blythewood restaurant, Smoke. Wow--that's a lot. Starts Saturday at 7 pm, tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Click here for more information.

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Monday is Pawley's Front Porch Party for their debut on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Never seen the show--click here to get an idea of what you're in for. Beginning at 7:30 pm, enjoy cheap drink specials and giveaways as well as miniature versions of the 3 burgers that will be featured on the show. There is even a Guy Fieri look-alike contest! The show airs at 10 pm. Click here to see Free Times' Eva Moore's blog post about the event.

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Love Animals? The Humane Society has started a new fundraiser that will happen once a month. A local restaurant will give 10% of your meal cost to the Humane Society on the particular night. The date for this month's event is next Tuesday, February 16th from 6-9 pm. February's restaurant is M Cafe at 1417 Sumter Street, Downtown Columbia. Print the card here, give it to your server, and 10% of your meal cost will go to help animals locally!

What are your plans for the Valentine's Day weekend?

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Pumpkins, chili, and pretty things

So, this past Saturday was one of my favorties on record...it was jam-packed with fun Columbia events as well as shopping, playing with my nephew and eating great food with a great friend...what else is there? Plus, the weather was rainy and chilly--perfect for fall events.

We started the day at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on Heyward Street for their Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch. (We had originally planned to go to a different pumpkin patch, but this one boasted a band and jump houses for the kids...who could resist?!)

Benjamin, my 2-year old nephew, loved every minute of it--he picked up every pumpkin he could muster, and some he couldn't--he danced all by himself to the music, (don't you just love the audacity of toddlers!), and he wooed the little old ladies selling baked goods.

Ben, channeling Michael Jackson here...

After picking out several fine pumpkins, my sister, Ben, James, my mom and I left the Fall Festival to do a little shopping of the Aunt Ba-Ba variety...Devine Street. I had to go to HandPicked, as they had pashminas on sale for $11 each! I am a complete sucker for a scarf/wrap and wear one almost every day during the fall and winter--I purchased 2 at HandPicked, royal blue and silver. Then we headed into Pupcakes to say hello to Blue and Prada and picked up some treats for our children, Peach and Abby. Ben loved playing with the dog toys!

Stopped in The Bohemian and snapped a pic of this amazing coat...I die...

Then stopped in Just the Thing and glimpsed this awesome turqouise bracelet...Christmas is coming...

After some shopping, the rest of the crew went home for toddler lunch and nap, and James and I headed to 5 Points for the 23rd Annual Group Therapy Chili Cook-off. Such a treat! Not only were there plenty of cheap and tasty chilis to try, but live music, beer, and people-watching too! And all the proceeds from this year's event went to Camp Kemo--I just love a fun event for a great cause!

As much as I wanted my favorite chili of the day to be made by a husband-wife team or the really-country-didn't-spend-money-on-a-frou-frou-sign-or-condiments team, my ultimate favorite chili ended up having been made by Pawley's Front Porch. It had black beans and pintos and a really nice and kind of different flavor...plus they had mini jalapeno corn muffins to go with it.

After we stuffed ourselves with chili, we went home for a lazy afternoon before I headed out for dinner at Granville's. I'll post my review of dinner later.

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