2016 Lexus RX 450h

In Charleston for the Lexus Media Event featuring the 2016 Lexus RX 450 and other SUVs.

Drive and ride great and with the latest technology.

Even more fun taking one in and around the Citadel.

200 Year Rain Event in South Carolina

About 22 million Americans across the East Coast were under flood watches Saturday as a "once in 200 years rainfall event" started soaking the Carolinas — with the worst yet to come.

As much as a foot of rain fell overnight in Wilmington, North Carolina, and numerous water rescues were reported.

"Our goal constantly is to be overprepared and underwhelmed," North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory told reporters Saturday morning.

South Carolina could get more rain in three days than it normally does during the entire fall, The Associated Press reported. Saturday was the third consecutive day of the relentless onslaught of rain, with a plume of precipitation expected to last through the weekend and only start to let up on Monday.

Officials on Saturday reported 17,000 power outages across North Carolina.

Family Circle Cup Announces 2012 Tickets On Sale Nov. 15

If you are thinking about spring and what it might be like to watch tennis in the great city of Charleston, SC this coming April, here's a deal for you.

The Family Circle Cup will be held March 31 – April 8, 2012 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in the Best Tennis Town in America, Charleston, S.C.  Marking the tournament’s 40th year, tickets for the 2012 Family Circle Cup will go on-sale at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 15th.  This year, there’s an extra incentive to buy your tickets early.

Would you like to have lunch with some of the world’s best female athletes or see how it feels to walk on to Stadium Court through the player tunnel?  Here’s your chance.  Any patron who purchases tickets before January 2, 2012 will be entered into the tournament’s “VIP for a Day” Sweepstakes, and eligible to win weekly prizes, culminating with a Grand Prize VIP Experience.

The Grand Prize VIP Experience will include a behind-the-scenes tour featuring the tournament’s Clubhouse, Media Center, Stadium, ESPN2 Production Trailers, as well as lunch in the player dining area, VIP gift bag including an autographed t-shirt, upgrade for two to Box Seats for a day, pre-match coin-toss, photo opportunity with players prior to a Family Circle Stadium match, valet parking and Terrace Club access.  The Grand Prize VIP Experience winner will be announced on Monday, January 2, 2012.

“Our VIP for a Day contest is the most exciting opportunity we’ve ever offered to our fans, providing unprecedented access to players and areas that are traditionally off-limits to spectators,” said Margaret Shaw, Ticket Coordinator.

The first weekly winner will be awarded on November 25 and every Friday through the end of December. Weekly prizes include a pre-match coin-toss on Stadium Court during the Family Circle Cup and a photo opportunity with the players.

Buy your tickets now, they are a great holiday gift and then just dream of warm ocean breezes, historial landmarks, Southern cooking and WTA tennis in Charleston.

For detailed information on ticket packages and individual session tickets, please visit:  www.FamilyCircleCup.com/Tickets 

Family Circle Cup Sponsors Become Part of the Action

Sponsorships and marketing deals are nothing new to the world of sports.  Tobacco companies were major sponsors of baseball back as far as the early 1900’s, and who can forget all the Miller Lite ads in the 1980’s and 90’s that featured ex-jocks promoting sports and beer.

But sometime in the 1990’s sponsors started being called partners as they wanted more say how their marketing dollars were utilized.  Companies wanted more than a name on a scoreboard or sign, they wanted to be identified with the event and venue.  For years sponsorship spending rose by more than 10% a year, says IEG, a Chicago trade publication that follows the sponsorship and naming rights industry.  That all came to a screeching halt in 2009 when spending on sports sponsors hips shrank by $100 million.  Some may blame a weak economy and some attribute it to the changing landscape of sports and all the scandals that started making the front page of newspapers and not just the sports pages.

The Family Circle Cup and it’s rich history is known throughout the world.  This event is lucky to have a stable title sponsor that has been with this great event for almost 40 years.  That is almost unheard of in sports in any era.

Events like the Family Circle Cup need more than a title sponsor to be successful, and they have them.  From Dove, and the City of Charleston to SunTrust, Mohawk and Island House; national and local sponsors are needed for a major tennis event like this.

Who appreciates the sponsors?  Players, fans and tournament officials all have the sponsors to thank.

Companies still receive the usual signage

How is this done in Charleston?

At the Family Circle Cup, sponsors roll out the red carpet for both the players and fans, literally.  Fans entering the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center pass over a plush red carpet with the name Mohawk emblazoned across it.  Genius.  

The red carpets are also visible on center court as the players chairs are placed on top of the Mohawk red carpets.  Great idea!

Speaking of the chairs where the players sit on changeovers, they aren’t chairs at all.  They are plush wicker sofas, something like you will find in your sunroom.  All provided by Island House.  Great exposure and very visible to the fans in the stadium and those watching on ESPN 2.  

Speaking of ESPN 2, the television coverage featuring Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver is basically a 2-hour commerical for Charleston and Daniel Island as they wax poetic about the great restaurants, endless shopping and historic sites you can tour.

I’m not event mentioning the presenting sponsor, Dove who is handing out free samples of their products onsite and Dell, who has a huge tent showcasing their computers, tablets, and new technology that is coming in 2011.  

As a nice touch for the local sponsors, the tournament invites them to toss the coin and pose with players before Stadium Court matches and in between matches a local chiropractor led the crowd in exercises to stay fit and pain-free while watching tennis in the South Carolina sun.

Call them what you want, but sponsorships still rule the world of sports.  The Family Circle Cup, being the fan-friendly and special event it is handles sponsorships, err partnerships better than most.  They are unique and blend in with the flavor of the tournament, they don’t stick out like a sore thumb; you remember them and you want to use their products.  A win-win situation for all involved.

 The plush Island House changeover sofas

I've never seen such comfortable chairs for the linespeople

A local doctor tosses the coin before the Melanie Oudin match

Maria Sharapova Passes on Wildcard in Charleston

World No. 13 Maria Sharapova has rescinded her wild card entry, and will not appear in the 2011 Family Circle Cup.  The tournament continues to be highlighted by four Top 10 players including World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, World No. 5 Samantha Stosur, World No. 7 Jelena Jankovic, and World No. 10 Marion Bartoli, as well as former Cup champions Nadia Petrova and Sabine Lisicki.  Marking the tournament’s 39th consecutive year, the Family Circle Cup is scheduled April 2-10, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in the Best Tennis Town in America, Charleston, SC.

“Maria Sharapova is a superstar talent, and her presence in our player field will be missed by the tournament and the fans alike,” said Bob Moran, Family Circle Cup General Manager.  “We knew there was a chance she would withdraw depending on her performance in Miami when she accepted our wild card in January, and we congratulate Maria on her success at that event.  Despite the loss of one high profile competitor, our draw still boasts four of the Top 10 players in the world, as well as four Family Circle Cup champions and a host of other marquis players.”

Qualifying matches continue today and main draw action begins Monday.