A Hidden, Healthy Treasure in Savannah

Brighter Day, right off Forsyth Park in Savannah, has a long-standing, rich tradition of offering countless healthy treasures on its jam-packed shelves. But this is not all. The cozy, family-style atmosphere, the friendly and exceedingly knowledgeable staff, the mini cafe in the rear, the nutritional knowledge based offered in the store, the owners’ extreme knowledge of health food and nutrition, and the constant flow of eclectic clientele combine together to offer something very special.

For those used to small style health food stores with limited offerings, or for those more familiar with super-sized health food stores with a bit more sterile supermarket style atmosphere, Brighter Day truly is a one of a kind treasure. It has an abundance of product especially considering its smaller size, but it also offers the personal care and attention of a smaller store.

As for product, the choices abound. From rows of all natural vitamins and nutritional supplements, to organic and local farm produce, to hefty and scrumptious sandwiches and snacks to eat onsite, to delicious frozen treats, to a wide variety of just about everything healthy, Brighter Day truly offers its regular customers and new visitors alike a plethora of healthy fare.

For those who need a break from their shopping, outdoor tables offer the perfect opportunity to break open a healthy snack or meal, grab a friend, tie a dog’s leash under the table, and enjoy watching the constant traffic of a big mix of local art students, typical bigger city passerby, families, and more.

Brighter Day, situated next door to the super popular Sentient Bean coffee shop and café, is truly a bright spot in a big city, a treasure trove of healthy choices, and the perfect stopping off point for people crossing the bridge from the Bluffton area who may well want to make a day of seeing the sites and enjoying Savannah’s culture and events.

Brighter Day, located on the corner of Park Avenue and Bull Streets in downtown Savannah, can be found at 1102 Bull Street, Savannah GA or online at www.brighterdayfoods.com.

Has Bluffton Gone to the Dogs?

Bluffton, South Carolina, unlike so much of the South that is nationally renowned for its dire need for help with an epidemic of abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs, is a well-known hot spot when it comes to helping homeless dogs.

Bluffton and the surrounding area are in no way immune from pet overpopulation and bursting-to-the-seams animal shelters and rescue groups, but the Bluffton area offers the perfect antidote. Bluffton, Hilton Head, Okatie, and Ridgeland boast an enormous number of animal rescue groups and shelters. And, this is not all when it comes to the Low Country’s efforts to help homeless dogs – and cats, for that matter.

The big number of animal welfare organizations in the area is coupled with countless animal welfare workers – most of whom are volunteers who work tirelessly, and endlessly, for the simple reward of being blessed by giving. Given the size of the area, which is relatively small compared with other metropolitan areas in the South, some may be surprised by just how many groups exist to help animals in need.

Palmetto Animal League. Maranatha Farm. Brooke’s Haven. Hilton Head Humane Association. The Malachi Foundation. Jasper Animal Rescue Mission Camp Green Dog. Walk by Faith Ministry. Rainbow’s Edge Animal Refuge. Noah’s Arks Rescue. Probably more. Some are better known, some are lesser known. Are there really that many dogs – and cats – in need in the area? Yes, and no.

Certainly, numerous dogs in the area need help. Homeless, neglected, abandoned, abused, surrendered due to foreclosures and personal challenges. But still, is there really a need for this many organizations? Given the huge hearts of animal rescue workers in the area, the Bluffton area has been known over and again to help animals that don’t even necessarily originate in the area.

Brooke’s Haven and Maranatha Farm just took in a big number of dogs from a neglect case in Savannah, GA, in which a man had 71 dogs living in his home. The dogs were turned over to the shelter, which of course could not handle such an enormous number. Quickly, Maranatha Farm and Brooke from Brooke’s Haven stepped up to the plate.

Noah’s Arks Rescue, nationally renowned for rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing some of the nation’s worst cruelty and neglect cases, takes in dogs from nationwide. The rescue group has been featured in USA Today, and is well known among rescue workers nationally as they seek special help for some of the dogs in the most dire need.

SNAC: Spay Neuter Alliance and Clinic in Ridgeland is a high-volume, low-cost spay neuter clinic offering affordable surgeries, free transport to multiple areas, and what is known to be the number one way to end pet overpopulation, shelter overcrowding, and the resulting euthanizations in shelters.

Walk by Faith Ministry, a Christian ministry that shares the Gospel as it ministers the Lord’s love to people and homeless dogs, also specializes in some of the most extreme cases of special needs.

Maranatha Farm, with a special focus on sick and injured dogs, is one of the largest and most well-known groups in the area.

The list goes on. But why? The Bluffton and Hilton Head area are renowned for being dog-friendly. Whether people were born and raised in the area, or moved to the area at some point in their lives, there tends to be a big predisposition to loving animals.

However, unlike parts of the country where people tend to simply enjoy their own pets, Bluffton and beyond are different. The Low Country’s population goes far beyond enjoying its own pets. Countless people go to extreme lengths – and beyond – to help animals from this location and beyond.

With one local group paving the way to opening up a Bluffton dog park, and with one dog park already in existence on Hilton Head Island, locals have plenty of opportunities to take the pets out for fun. This is not all. The list of opportunities for pet-friendly events, activities, and more goes on. But that is another story.

For those dogs that have nowhere to go, for dogs that have known only cruelty, for those dogs that have never known love, for those that are injured, sick and disabled, they will quickly learn in Bluffton, South Carolina that there is great potential for new lives, for new love, for hope, and for the possibility of knowing what a region can be like when it has gone to the dogs.

If you are interested in learning more about local animal shelters and rescue groups, about fostering or adopting a dog, or volunteering or donating, please visit www.petfinder.com for a list of local shelters.

The dogs featured in photos in this article are available for adoption through www.walkbyfaithministry.com.

AAA Storage City Offers a Whole Lot More

Some storage unit facilities are just what they say they are, and others are a whole lot more – more than storage, that is. Some storage facilities are not all they are cracked up to be, and others humbly do not speak as highly of themselves as they deserve to. Such is the case with AAA Storage in Okatie, South Carolina, where the superbly friendly staff offers abundantly more than storage.

Stumbling upon AAA Storage City, which is conveniently situated not too far from the corner of Highway 170 and Argent Boulevard in Okatie, is just like stumbling upon a treasure box of goodies.

Goodies? At a storage facility? Absolutely. If you are on the move due to a recent home sale or home purchase, if you are merely trying to empty your overcrowded house, if you are considering a move in the future and don’t know where to store your extras in the meantime, or if you have a hobby or business that requires extra space, you will likely find yourself poring through the Yellow Pages to find a local storage facility.

AAA Storage has plenty of space in an assortment of various sized storage units, but this is not all. Like some other storage facilities, it also offers truck rentals. AAA Storage offers rentals through Penske to help you with moving your stuff. So why exactly is AAA Storage different than the typical storage facility? What’s the big deal, right?

Stephanie and David of AAA Storage City in Okatie

Just pull up to the front security gate and find out why – in a matter of minutes. The customer service is not only superior, but the level of friendliness and helpfulness is a bit like stepping into a family home. The staff genuinely cares about its clients, and it is not uncommon for conversations to take place concerning job searches, animal rescue dogs in need of homes, church, Facebook, the next storage unit auction, travel, and more. Staff introduces itself on a first-name basis, and friendships can form quickly.

On a more professional note, the front office offers far more than a typical storage unit. Mailboxes are lined up outside for mail delivery to customers, and bigger packages can be delivered inside for customer pickup. If you need something more than AAA Storage advertises it offers, just ask. If the staff can’t help you through AAA Storage, it may offer you tips and suggestions on where to go for the help you need.

Okay, but all storage facilities have storage rentals, Penske truck rentals, superior customer service, mailboxes, and package delivery, right? Well, no. And, even for those that do, they might not offer what is perhaps one of AAA Storage’s best perks.

Local small business people, hobbyists, artists, and more rent storage units not only to store their work and artwork, but they use them – including the warehouse sized units – to set up shop. AAA Storage is a community in and of itself. The community that sets up shop at AAA Storage comprises people who reach out to one another, have been known to share birthday cake with one another, join together when it’s time for the latest AAA Storage festival (like the Fall Festival), and interact with the gracious staff.

People driving down Argent Boulevard toward the Hardeeville, South Carolina, Wal-Mart, would hardly believe everything AAA Storage offers behind its security gate. But a tour of the place by one of the staff is enough to reveal AAA Storage in Okatie truly does offer a whole lot more than storage.

If you happen to be driving around looking at communities nearby – like Oldfield, Riverbend, River’s End, or Sun City – you may want to stop by AAA Storage and see how you can make use of its many offerings should you have any storage or truck needs – or anything else AAA Storage City in Okatie may have to offer you.

For a virtual tour, visit www.AAAStorage.biz.

Highway to Everywhere

Ever heard of the highway to nowhere? Some highways may truly go nowhere, but others seem to go everywhere. Such is the case with the highway in the Bluffton, South Carolina, area that remains the underdog when it comes to the “Who’s Who” among the area’s highways.

While William Hilton Parkway (aka Fording Island Road), affectionately and sometimes not so affectionately termed “278”, remains the number one talked about highway in the area, there is a lesser discussed highway that will undoubtedly become increasingly well known as the area develops and people discover its incredible value.

People have stuck close to talking about Highway 278 most likely because it traverses so much of the area – from Hilton Head to Bluffton, from Bluffton to Hardeeville, and off it goes to Highway 95. But just because 278 sprawls over so much of the area, island included, does not mean that it is the only highway in the area.

Underdogs may be less talked about, but are often discovered to be priceless treasures once they are discovered. Why exactly would Highway 170, which crosses perpendicular over 278, be such a treasure?

When once attention was focused almost exclusively on Hilton Head and that area’s main highway, attention has been increasingly focused on the Bluffton area. And Highway 170, which forms its cross over 278 at the outskirts of Bluffton, is well immersed in the wonderfully growing area of Bluffton, Okatie, Sun City, and Hardeeville.

But this is not all. For anyone who lives off Highway 170, or crosses over it, or even adventures down it in one way or another, this treasure’s benefits are quickly apparent. Highway 170 has a benefit above all benefits that not all highways can claim. It goes everywhere, at least such is its beauty in the eyes of the beholder.

Take 170 in one direction, and you will discover beautiful waterside Beaufort and all its wonderful small town charm. Beaufort is surrounded by sea islands, and Beaufort is not so very far from charming Charleston.

Don’t feel like driving that way? Take 170 the other way. Take a few turns, and find yourself in historic Savannah along with the growing and family friendly suburbs.

Not interested in all 170 has to offer? Head back to 278, and turn one way to head toward downtown Bluffton or stunningly beautiful Hilton Head Island. Or, go the other direction on 278 and discover Hardeeville’s new growth. Ridgeland lies a bit further beyond.

Or, stay on the highway that seems to go to everywhere. Highway 170 may be the underdog still in people’s minds and speech, but probably not for long. As Bluffton and beyond continue to grow, more and more people will likely search properties along Highway 170.

The communities that abound, from upscale Oldfield, to gated River Bend, to more affordable Mill Creek, to simpler, older homes along the way, are interspersed with nearby shops, restaurants, a miniature post office situated in a cleaner’s of all places, and more.

If you like to route for the underdogs, you might want to start routing for Highway 170. Soon enough, it will be a household name. In the meantime, why not take a drive up or down the highway that goes everywhere? And when you’re finished, head back to 278 and discover why someday soon they will share their glory and help people realize both come with their blessings.

The Three R’s: Relocate. Retire. Rest?

If you’re planning to retire and relocate to Bluffton, South Carolina, or the surrounding Low Country but have no intention of slowing down your life, you will be happy to know opportunities abound to develop and pursue new dreams.

While some people facing retirement would love nothing more than to slow down and make up for years of hard work and exhaustion with plenty of rest and relaxation, others desire to take full advantage of the chance to start or continue activities, hobbies, jobs, travel, and much more than they had time to fully pursue in years past.

Bluffton, along with nearby Hilton Head, Hardeeville, Okatie, Sun City, and Ridgeland, combined with slightly farther away Beaufort, Savannah, and Charleston, offer a healthy menu of endless possibilities.

Part-time jobs abound for those who desire to earn a little income and perhaps try new work; volunteer jobs in Bluffton exist with a wide variety of local non-profit organizations; indoor and outdoor sports are offered in abundance; cultural options are ever on the increase; events are well publicized in numerous local publications; churches boast an enormous assortment of worship services, events, seminars, and classes; and clubs and meetings are offered seven days a week to people of all ages with all sorts of interests.

The Island Packet, Bluffton Today, Savannah Morning News, Beaufort Gazette, Charleston Post Courier, and Connect Savannah are just some of the area’s publications that offer a great resource both in print and online for those moving to the area who plan to retire with the desire to maintain an active, abundant lifestyle.

If you are retiring and relocating to Bluffton but desire to slow down, Low Country life also offers numerous opportunities to unwind, rest, relax, and enjoy a quieter, more peaceful lifestyle.

It’s your retirement. It’s your choice. You are bound to find what you need for the perfect retirement in Bluffton and beyond, regardless of the pace you choose to go in this next stage of your life.