FREE
see&be seen this spring
a good-bye party & a plantation fete lowcountry social diary, 10-11
The Island News covering northern beaufort county
www.yourislandnews.com
Cycling Classic
april 28 - may 5, 2011
WHAT’S INSIDE?
FEATURE
The five finalists chosen for our Mommy Makeover. see page 8
FASHION
Columnist Laura Trask lives life on the wedge. see page 14
By Marie McAden The Fifth Annual Beaufort Memorial Cycling Classic will bring 200 professional cyclists to town Tuesday, May 3 for another hair-raising, heartpounding race through downtown. The 70 female and 118 male competitors participating in this year’s event will be riding a .6-mile course that begins on Bay Street, turns onto the onelane Scott Street and continues around Craven and Newcastle streets. At top speed, the cyclists will hit 40 mph. “It’s like NASCAR on bicycles,” said
Joe DeVito, one of the race organizers. “They’re diving into turns at very fast speeds in a constant battle to stay in front. And they’re riding just inches from each other.” The women will make 50 laps — the equivalent of 30 miles. The men will ride around the course 75 times or 45 miles. Averaging speeds of 25 to 30 mph, it will take the cyclists one and a half to two hours to finish their heat. Unlike long, arduous road races such as the Tour de France, criterion racing
involves short, fast courses in urban areas, providing cycling fans with nonstop excitement. Rather than see the riders cruise by them once, spectators are watching the pack pass every 90 seconds. They also are able to walk the course during the race to get different perspectives of the action. In the Beaufort competition, the first turn is one of the most harrowing as the cyclists come off Bay Street’s long straightaway onto narrow Scott Street. CYCLING continued on page 18
M
arine Corps Air Station Beaufort will host nearly 150,000 of its closest friends and neighbors at the 2011 Beaufort Air Show on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no cost for the general public to attend the show. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to watch the performers, especially the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. There will be plenty of parking, and refreshments (including beer) will also be available at concession stands. This event is fun for the whole family.
American Cancer Society • 2011 Beaufort Event
RELAY FOR LIFE FRIDAY, APRIL 29 • BEAUFORT MIDDLE SCHOOL • 7:00 PM JOIN US FOR FUN, FOOD, GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT
CELEBRATE REMEMBER FIGHT BACK
PROFILE
A trio of businesses opens downtown in the old Firehouse. see page 16 INDEX
Arts 3 Business 6 Voices 7 Social Diary 10-11 Sports 12 Profile 16-17 Lunch Bunch 26 Wine 27 Pets 28 Events 29 Directory 30 Classified 31