Mega Million just went up!!!!! $640 Million

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Spring Wine Sale at R & D Wine Boutique!

Phone: 843-837-3747

www.rdwine.net

BLUFFTON ROTARY HOSTS INAUGURAL BEER FESTIVAL AT BUCKWALTER PLACE!

BLUFFTON, SC -- The Rotary Club of Bluffton will hold the inaugural Firkinstock, the Greater Bluffton Beer Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at Buckwalter Place on Buckwalter Parkway in Bluffton.

The festival will boast more than 20 craft breweries and over 10 Firkins (cask ale) from local and regional boutique breweries for sampling. Each Firkin will offer the taster the freshest representation of that brewer’s craft with the added possibility of something special. A Firkin is a keg of Real Ale that is traditionally served fresh. Brewers use the Firkin to showcase their unique and original beers. Some of the popular breweries attending include Highland Brewing Co., Stone Brewing Co., Oskar Blues, Avery Brewing Co., Allagash Brewing Co., Thomas Creek Brewery, RJ Rockers Brewing Co., Holy City Brewing Co., Westbrook Brewing Co., Terrapin Beer Co., Bell’s Brewing Co., Victory Brewing Co. and Rogue Ales.

All net proceeds from the festival will benefit the Waddell Maricultural Center. “This beer festival is not only a chance for the community to taste some of the finest craft beers our region has to offer, but a chance to build awareness and support of our natural resources,” says Festival Chair Mike Tripka. “The importance of water quality and continued healthy marine resources is vital to this area, and the Waddell Maricultural Center is an integral part of sustaining those resources.”

The event will include music by popular local band White Liquor and on-site food vendors Bluffton BBQ, Bluffton Oyster Factory Fiddlehead Pizza and the Bluffton Rotary with their signature hot dogs and brats. Special lodging rate is available at Comfort Suites, Belfair Village.

Admission is $40 per person ($10 for non-sampling Designated Drivers) and entitles guests to all the unique beer tastings. Food will be sold separately. Tickets are available at Growlers Craft Beer Store on Hilton Head Island; the UPS Store in Belfair Village, Bluffton; and Coastal States Bank (Sun City) or online at Firkinstock.com.

For information, call 843-321-9556, email contact@blufftonbeerexpo.com or visit www.firkinstock.com Get updates on additional breweries and other event happenings when you like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Firkinstock.

Buckwalter Place is planned to become the focus and nexus of a significant amount of economic, commercial, governmental, educational, entertainment, social and cultural activity in southern Beaufort County. For more information on Buckwalter Place, please visit the website at www.buckwalterplace.com. To view more project related articles, please visit the blog at www.buckwalterplace.com/blog

10 Body Language Mistakes That Sabotage Most Interviews

Question — how much of what you “say” is actually interpreted through body language and tone of voice? Well, if we are to believe Albert Mehrabian, almost all of it.

Professor Albert Mehrabian has stated that only 7% of a message is conveyed verbally, through words. The other 93% is split between tone of voice (38%) and body language (55%). In fact, it’s widely known as the 7-38-55 rule.

Now, you may take or leave that kind of statistic, as it clearly cannot be true in all cases. And furthermore, it cannot include the written word. If it did, authors would not sell books, and we would never sign contracts!

But even so, it’s true that tone of voice and body language can betray our real feelings. And in a job interview, it’s important to take control of your body language as much as possible. After all, even though you may say all the right things, your body can be telling the interviewer a completely different story.

Here then are 10 body language mistakes to avoid. Keep them in mind before your next interview, and keep them under control when you’re in the hot seat. (See also: 16 Ways to Improve Your Body Language)

1. Don’t Make a Feeble First Impression

It’s been said that employers can spot the right candidate within 30 seconds, and that’s all about body language. Be confident, but not arrogant. Walk in with a smile, without fiddling with anything you’re wearing, and give a firm handshake. Firm, by the way, means just that; enough pressure to say you mean business, but not the Vulcan death grip that so many men (and some women) try and impose. Also, a floppy “dead fish” handshake is just as bad, if not worse. And if you’re sweating from nerves (or something else), wipe your hands before entering the room. That sweaty palm will not do you any favors.

2. Stop Touching Your Face!

Did you see the movie Contagion by Steven Soderbergh? A doctor played by Kate Winslet states that the average person touches their face between 2,000 and 3,000 times every day! You’ve probably touched it a few times while reading this article. Now, while you can’t stop yourself from doing this all the time, you must stop during the interview. We’re all guilty of touching our nose, our lips, and our forehead, but these all imply that we’re either nervous or dishonest. Perhaps we associate nose touching and dishonesty with Pinocchio. Also, you’re then going to shake hands again at the end of the interview. Any germophobics (think Donald Trump or Howie Mandell) will not be pleased that you’ve had your hands on your mouth and nose for the last half hour. 

3. Don’t Do the Leg Wobble

Look around you today and see how often you spot the leg wobble. It comes in many forms. Some people will be seated at a table and will jiggle one leg up and down beneath it. Some will cross their legs and jiggle one foot. And some will have both legs going at once. It can be due to nervous energy, restless leg syndrome, or just bad habit. But whether you do it a little or a lot, do not do it in an interview. The message you’re sending is loud and clear — I’m anxious, and I can’t wait to get out of here. And a potential employer does not want to know that you can’t wait to be out of his or her presence. 

4. It’s a Cliché Because It’s True: Don’t Cross Your Arms

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again — and there’s a good reason. When you cross your arms, you are saying that you are closed off, closed minded, defensive, or just plain bored. It doesn’t matter if you find it the most comfortable way to hold your arms; this is an interview, and it’s not a good idea to practice the most widely known negative piece of body language in front of a potential employer.

5. Don’t Sit Up Too Straight, but Don’t Slouch Either

Have you ever been sat opposite someone who sat up so straight that you just couldn’t relax around them? It’s a strange feeling. They’re not really doing anything wrong; in fact, they’re displaying good posture, but at the same time it just seems like they’re being stiff and prudish. You don’t want to seem this way in front of the interviewer, and you also don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable around you, either. After all, who wants to work with someone who makes them feel awkward? So relax. Sit up straight, but not so straight it looks like you’re craning your neck to the ceiling. And of course, don’t be so relaxed that you slouch. This looks messy, disrespectful, and lazy.

6. Props Are for Magicians and Comedians

You may very well have your hands full when you enter the room. This can be unavoidable, especially when going from one interview to another. If you can, go to the interview with everything you need in one suitcase or bag. When you’re called to the interview, rise gracefully and pick it up from the side of your chair, then sit it down beside you when you sit for the interview. If you’re playing a balancing act with pens, organizers, your cell phone, resumes, and other paraphernalia, you look ill-at-ease, clumsy, and unprepared. And if you start dropping things, you make it even worse.

7. Eye Contact Is Good; Staring Is Not

It can be difficult to remember every point in a list, and some people will jot down memory aids and take them literally. One such point is “maintain eye contact.” Before you know it, you’re staring down the interviewer with a gaze that could put a statue to shame. As with all things in life, do this in moderation. You don’t want to have your eyes wandering the room looking for an exit, but you also don’t want to fix a laser-like stare into the interviewer's soul. Janine Driver, a body language expert with the nickname “the lyin’ tamer,” suggests that 60% eye contact is ideal, looking at the upper triangle of the other person’s face (this goes from the left to right eyebrow, crossing the bridge of the nose). If there’s more than one person in the room, make eye contact with each person. And don’t stare at the mouth or forehead. In fact, don’t stare, period. Remember to blink, please! 

8. Watch Those Hands

If you’re following rule number four and rule number two, you may be wondering what on earth to do with your hands. This can be especially true if you’re someone who uses his or her hands a lot when talking, to express enthusiasm or to convey a point. Well, that’s fine. After all, if it helps you elaborate upon what you’re saying, and it’s also a part of who you actually are, then don’t mess with a good thing. But be careful. Mark Bowden, author of the book Winning Body Language, suggests keeping your hands and arms in the “truth plane.” Ideally, this is an area that fans out 180 degrees from your navel, stopping below the collarbone. Keeping gestures within this place keeps your hands away from your face, as noted earlier, and shows that you are calm, centered, and controlled. So, by all means use your hands, but don’t go mad.

9. Don’t Be a Nodding Dog

People often believe that nodding in agreement at everything the interviewer says will stand them in good stead. That’s not actually the case. While it’s all well and good to nod in agreement when you do genuinely agree with something, you need to avoid the “nodding dog syndrome.” Nodding in agreement with everything, regardless of the message, makes you look somewhat sycophantic, perhaps even spineless. Even worse, if you’re not paying attention and then get asked a question related to the issue you were nodding about, you could look like a real idiot. “Why on earth were you agreeing with something that you had no idea about?” Keep the nodding under control. Of course, on the other end of the spectrum, shaking your head should be kept to a bare minimum. No one wants to be sat opposite someone so disagreeable, and it’s also a sign of trying to dominate others.  

10. Don’t Keep Your Distance or Get in Their Faces

In most interviews, you’ll be sat on one side of a desk with the interviewer sat on the other. This is standard practice, but with body language you can change this dynamic with both good and bad outcomes. For a start, if you purposefully shift your chair away from the desk, perhaps crossing your legs, then you're putting more distance between you and your potential employer. This is a suggestion of distrust or nervousness. Similarly, if you bring the chair up too close to the desk and start leaning over, you are being intimidating and also showing that you have something to hide. So stay at a comfortable distance from the desk, showing enough of your upper body to indicate that you have nothing to hide. If there’s no desk, follow the same rules. Don’t get so close that your breath is in their face, but don’t back off so far that you’re clearly trying to avoid them.

Of course, as with all lists, remember not to be so focused on this advice that you forget the main reason you’re in the room. Practice before the interview; don’t jot this down on the palm of your hand and become a body language robot. Be relaxed, be natural, and for the most part, be yourself.

Popcorn the New Super Snack?!

Eating healthy just got a whole lot crunchier. A team of researchers from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania has found that popcorn contains more antioxidants than other fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are substances that many scientists believe help protect against cancer and heart disease. According to Joe Vinson, PhD, who presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, "popcorn may be the perfect snack food." Vinson is known for his pioneering research on micronutrients in chocolate, nuts and other foods. 

Although earlier research had already discovered antioxidants called polyphenols in popcorn, Vinson's study measured the exact amount and found that it contains about twice as many as fresh sweet corn or fruit per serving. Polyphenols are diluted up to 90% in most fruits and vegetables because of their high water content. They are more concentrated in popcorn because it only contains about 4% water. And those annoying hulls that get stuck between your teeth? "They are nutritional gold nuggets," declares Vinson. He points out that dried fruit also contains more antioxidants than fresh fruit based on the same principle. 

The study also extols popcorn as a whole grain. "It's the only snack that is 100 percent unprocessed whole grain," says Vinson. "One serving of popcorn will provide more than 70% of the daily intake of whole grain. The average person only gets about half a serving of whole grains a day, and popcorn could fill that gap in a very pleasant way." 

Vinson cautions against replacing fruits and vegetables, which contain many other important nutrients, with popcorn. He also warns that drowning it in butter or sugary flavorings is going to offset the nutritional benefits. To get your daily dose of antioxidants and whole grains, its healthiest to stick with plain, air popped corn. The second best option is microwave popcorn.

Just a friendly reminder....

We hope everyone had a great weekend soaking up the sun! Please remember that there is NO alcohol allowed at the pool!  Should you continue to violate community policies we will be forced to ban you from the pool.  We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

Courtney Bend Management

Happy Puppy Day!!

If you stare at the blinking pink dots, you will see only one color, pink. If you look at the the + in the center, you'll see a circle of pink dots and a rotating green dot.

Now, stare at the + without moving your eyes.The pink dots will disappear and you will see only a rotating green dot.
It's amazing how our brain works. There really is no green dot and the pink ones don't really disappear. This is proof that we don't always see what we think we see.

Beaufort Twilight Run and Oyster Roast

The Lowcountry’s BIGGEST 8K! This USATF sanctioned running festival for all ages has a competitive 8K Run and 5K Run, a 5K Fun Walk and a 1/4 mile Kid’s Fun Run. The evening is capped off by a traditional Lowcountry Oyster Roast. The event is located in the village of Habersham and benefits Riverview Charter School in Beaufort. Our mission is to host a fun, competitive and memorable annual event for Beaufort.

When: Saturday March 24

Where: Habersham Marketplace

For more info visit: http://eventful.com/beaufort/events/beaufort-twilight-run-and-oyster-roast-/E0-001-046827525-8

Almost time to enjoy your weekend! Happy Thursday everyone!

Need Pest Control?

Don't forget Bee Green is on property every Thursday.  If you would like your apartment treated please contact the leasing office at 888-317-3899.

Thanks!

Courtney Bend Management

Garage Special!!!

Now offering a *limited time deal* on garage rentals! Lease a garage today for only $65 per month! 

Stop by the office today to reserve your garage now! Be one of the 1st 10 to reserve one and receive an additional $15 off April 2012 garage rent.

Please keep in mind that all parking is first come first serve and ALL guests should be parking in spots labeled “G.”.  You also MUST be parking in a spot!  Should you be found in violation of this policy, your car will be towed at the owners expense! 

Thank You,

Courtney Bend Management

Good Morning!!!

Just a friendly reminder.....

Join us at the Pool!

We all know that warm weather is here and all of our residents would like to utilize the pool.  Please make sure that you follow the guidelines of the pool:

·         GLASS and ALCOHOL are NOT allowed at the pool area

·         NO pets are allowed in the pool area

·         You can only have two guests per apartment home, and you must accompany your guests at all times

·         The pool closes at 10:00PM

·         If you move the pool furniture please put it back where you found it.

·         No one under the age of 14 is to be at the pool without supervision. 

·         You must also remember that you and your guests are not the only resident’s enjoying the pool so please keep the level of your voice down!   

If you have any questions about the Pool Rules please stop by the office.

ENJOY!!!!

Courtney Bend Management

Savannah St. Patrick's Day Festivities!

Savannah will truly paint the town green this March in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, a favorite holiday in Georgia’s First City.

Named after Ireland’s beloved patron saint, St. Patrick’s Day enjoys a lively and spirited annual celebration in Savannah, in what has become one of the largest festivals in the Southeast.

The 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade will officially kick off on Sunday, March 4th, Grand Marshal Public Investiture at the Savannah Civic Center at 2:45 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day is Saturday, March 17th, 2012. More than 300,000 people are expected to visit Savannah to help celebrate the second largest St. Patrick Day Parade in the United States and to enjoy the city-wide festivities. Held in Savannah’s National Landmark Historic District, the parade begins at the corner of Abercorn and Gwinnett Street and culminates at the corner of Bull and Harris Street.

Expect to see approximately 350 floats and marching units featuring representatives from various local Irish groups, Irish pipe bands, local and regional celebrities, area politicians and military units make regular appearances in Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. You may even have the chance to drink green beer or to sample emerald-colored grits, for a true taste of St. Patrick’s Day, Savannah-style.

A beloved annual tradition, the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade marched through the shady streets of Savannah in 1824. In its earlier days, the parade was more of a military spectacle, with soldiers from various regiments marching in honor of St. Patric’s Day. Except for major wars, including the Civil War and World War 1, the parade has run nearly every year for the past 187 years.

On Saturday, March 17th, River Street will host the biggest party of the year with the popular St. Patrick’s Celebration on the River. This nationally-recognized festival features multiple stages of non-stop live entertainment, as well as intreactive games, food, cold beverages and much more. Or join the folks at City Market for live music, food and fun as they celebrate all things Irish! Festivities begin on March 10th and continue through March 17th.

The event on River Street is free and open to the public. Be sure to bring I.D. to prove that you are over 21 – and of course, don a bit o’green into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day!

Savannah’s hospitality is truly the stuff of legend. You’ll feel right at home in the Hostess City of the South during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Erin Go Braugh!

Information in this article is subject to change. For more information about St. Partirck’s Day events in Savannah, contact:

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee – 912-233-4804 – savannahsaintpatricksday.com
River Street – Savannah Waterfront Association – 912-234-0295 – riverstreetsavannah.com
City Market – Event Info-Line – 912-525-2489 – savannahcitymarket.com

St. Patrick’s Day Events Calendar:

Greening of the Fountain (Date and time to be announced)
Celtic Cross Ceremony Sunday, March 11th.
Jasper Green Ceremony Friday, March 16th.
St. Patrick’s On The River Festival Saturday, March 17th.
Saint Patrick’s Day Mass Saturday, March 17th.
2012 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 17th.

March on In.....We LOVE our residents!

Don't forget our St. Patty's party tonight in the clubhouse at 6:30PM.  We will have fun, food and drinks! We can't wait to see you there!

New Parking Permits

We have purchased additional parking permits that do not bear the community name.  If you are interested in a permit that does not list “Courtney Bend” as the community name, please come to the office.  You will need to bring your old decal with you for it to be switched out.  Please remember that we will continue to strictly enforce the parking policy to ensure better parking for our residents.

Should you have any questions please contact the leasing office.  

(888)-317-3899

***Also, don’t forget about our St. Patty’s party, Thursday 3/15 at 6:30PM.***

Courtney Bend Management

Check out the Shamrock Scramble!

Savannah Fun Tours will present "Shamrock Scramble", a City Wide Scavenger Hunt, on Thursday, March 15 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Blowin' Smoke BBQ at 514 MLK.

During the "Shamrock Scramble" teams will compete against each other for cash prizes in a variety of categories including: Best Green Costume, Best Pink Spirit and Finishing. All participants will be eligible for door prizes contributed by sponsoring businesses.

Tickets to this event are $20 per person and include a commemorative cup, inclusion for door prizes, and the post event oyster roast party. Participants can register by visiting www.shamrockscramble.com.

Funds from the event will be donated to local breast cancer organizations Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia Affiliate and Young Survival Coalition, Savannah Affiliate. 100% of all net proceeds will be given to the listed charities.

For more information, contact Cayce Girardeau at cayce@savannahfuntours.com or (912) 667-9760.

Happy Monday!

Its the weekend!

We are sorry for the inconvenience.....

The gates are currently in-operable on the left side of the community. The part is on order, and we will notify you as soon as it is in working condition. We appreciate your patience during this time. 

Please make sure your guests know that guests cannot park in spots labeled “R.” They must park in a guest parking spot labeled “G” to refrain from being towed. There are guest spots on both sides of the community. Residents are listed in the call box at both gate entrances, so you can buzz your guests through on either side to park in the correct spot. The parking policy is enforced nightly. Please make sure your guests aware of this policy to refrain from their vehicle being towed. We appreciate your attention to this matter. 

Courtney Bend Management

Today is International Women's Day!!

For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women's_Day

There’s always something to do in sunny Bluffton, SC! Now that the new year is fabulously underway, and the new year’s festivities have begun to wane, local foodies and wine enthusiasts know that the best is yet to come. The 27th annual Hilton Head Island Wine and Food festival is a six day event that provides wine, spirit, and gourmet food lovers a chance to experience the best of all that nearby Hilton Head and the rest of the Lowcountry have to offer. 

Festival Events

March 5 - 10, 2012 - Great Chefs of the South Wine Dinners; Check www.hiltonheadwineandfood.com for details 

Friday, March 9, 2012 - Grand Wine Tasting & Silent Auction; The Sea Pines Resort - Harbour Town Conference Center, $65 per person, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Admission includes a Grand Tasting souvenir wine glass and premium wine tastings.

Saturday, March 10, 2012 - Wine & Food Festival and Auction; Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, 12 – 3 p.m., $45 per person, advance discount tickets available for $39.99. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass and access to all of the free tastings from the domestic and international wineries, vineyards, wine distributors and more!

Just a friendly reminder.....

Residents.... as the weather starts to warm up we know that you will be enjoying the Pool! Please keep in mind  that we strictly enforce the following rules:

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the leasing office at (843) 208-3420.

Courtney Bend Management

Don't Miss the Carolina-Georgia Cook Off!

Carolina – Georgia Border BBQ Cook-Off & Brew Fest 

Hilton Head Lakes, 3171 Independence Blvd. (Hwy 278) 

Friday, March 2nd, 5-8pm and Saturday March 3rd, 10am-5pm 

$10 each day/Free: Kids 12 & Under 

Friday night features the “Anything But Pork” Party. Competing dishes include Hot Wings, Steak Kabobs, BBQ Chicken, and Brunswick Stew. Cook teams will offer their favorite dishes and you will have the chance to meet and mingle with other guests, event sponsors, organizers, and judges. The fun starts at 5pm and we expect to see you there! 

Saturday is BBQ & Ribs Competition day with Grand Marshal Lake High, president of the SC BBQ Association and special guest. Trained and certified judges from the SC BBQ Association will select the official contest winners but you decide who wins the People’s Choice award. 

Live music with Cranford & Sons, Bluesman Bill DuPont, Smooth N' Groove, and Bill Gallagher. 

See you at the BBQ!

It's Rent Time!

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!! Can you believe it is already March 1st?!? Residents please remember that rent is due today! You can pay online at www.courtneybend.com, choose "online Payments" or stop by the office with a check or money order.  Remember there is also a RentPayment App where you can pay straight from your phone!  Visit www.erentpayer.com for more details!

Thanks and have a GREAT day!!