A bird in the hair beats two in the...oh never mind.

I want to hang out with the woman who can rock this Charm School Design double bird headpiece, and I want her to get married at Lowndes Grove this minute! Ok? Thanks.

In other news: holy salmonella, Batman, how about those tomatoes? Here's another reason to EAT LOCAL! Um, you know it's bad when Reuters says: Florida's "whole tomato industry is in complete collapse." Just so you don't whip yourself into a fearful frenzy, bear in mind that it only applies to Florida-grown raw red plum, red Roma, red round tomatoes and products containing those tomatoes. So, be careful but not paranoid and ya know, eat local 'maters.

As of today, you can officially no longer get any kind of concession from the American Theater concession area. Moment of silence, please. And, scene.

Longtime PP friend and architect Glenn Keyes is the subject of a great article written by our pal Kathleen Dayton at the Charleston Regional Business Journal.

BTW: sent out this email today about Fish's final Dollar Dim Sum BEFORE THE REFRESHING BEGINS...

Good afternoon,

We at Fish realize it’s hotter than the fringes of…well, you know.

In light of the heat, rising gas prices and the tomato/salmonella debacle, we’d like to offer a simple, delicious and affordable pleasure.

Dollar Dim Sum. That’s right. Chef Nico takes what’s fresh and tasty and puts it together in a perfectly delectable package. All for a dollar (that’s $1) a piece.

Fill up your belly. The rest can wait.

I suppose I should have mentioned that Sean would also be happy to whip up a very refreshing strawberry mojito for you as well. Yes, with local strawberries. Come over.

From seat 14 at American Theater

Today at PP starts demolition in a very real way at American Theater, and it's super exciting. Check out the pics. It's fast and furious in there! Director of Human Resources Elizabeth Kitchin came in today decked out in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers, ready to jump in and help with the removal of the theater seats, most of which are going to our pals at the Terrace Theater on James Island.

It was a big weekend for Charleston cuisine as Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill won the prestigious James Beard award for Best Chef in the Southeast. (FIG's Mike Lata and McCrady's Sean Brock were also nominated, Lata for best chef in the Southeast and Brock for rising star chef of the year.) Congrats to all! Love it when Charleston gets props for the amazing cuisine we continue to produce and refine.

Take a look at this powerful interactive piece Patagonia put together about the environmental impact of a sampling of their products. The phrasing of their environment commitment was particularly well-worded: "cause no unnecessary harm." It states the obvious: all business, whether small or large, impacts the environment, but also speaks to a mindfulness that there are lots of things we can all be doing to "tread more lightly." Nicely done.

In fish news (lowercase f), the mighty Chinook Salmon from the Pacific Northwest is in big trouble, due to a temporary decline in the plankton and the small fish it feeds upon and then, of course man-made issues. What can you do? Downshift your salmon consumption and support legislation that reduces fishing quotas and commits money to restore their habitat.

Now, in Fish news, remember, this is the last week to join us before we close for the big refreshing! Saturday dinner is our last service until we reopen. What are you waiting for? Gas is nearly $4 and you can still have Dollar Dim Sum tomorrow night and half-priced wines on Wednesday. For the love...call us 843.722.FISH or just come on by!

Friday at Charleston's finest hospitality company

The very good folks at Dragon Boat Charleston are stars of an incredible documentary called Awaken the Dragon by my friend and filmmaker Liz Oakley. Last weekend, American Theater played host to an Amazing Race fundraiser for the documentary that raised nearly $12,000. We received this lovely thank you through our friends at Grand Ideas:

“Thank you, my friends… I wanted you to know we had a very successful event and believe we raised over $12K for the documentary’s editing. As I told you, Liz Oakley is an amazing woman and a true professional. I can’t wait to see her collect that Academy Award! Thank you for allowing us the use of the American Theater yesterday. The event was a GRAND success and many families I spoke with at the Finish Line said we should do it next year because it was an event kids could really enjoy and there weren’t that many things for kids to do around Piccolo outside of Marion Square on Saturday mornings…"

Hey, Internet, here's your quick list of South Carolina produce that's currently in-season. Of course, it may not all be currently available, but check out the Farmer's Market tomorrow and see!

• Beans
• Beets
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cantaloupe
• Cucumbers
• Green Onions
• Leeks
• Peaches
• Peas
• Peppers
• Radishes
• Yellow squash
• Strawberries
• Sweet corn
• Tomatoes
• Watermelons

And now, I shall be on my way. A nod to The William Aiken House, dressed in its finery for tonight's event, a wave to Lowndes Grove as the breeze from the Ashley River greets me, the sweet smell of the delicious sauces simmering at Fish. Goodnight, John Boy.

Guerilla gardening, pong & Vogue

We here at PP are all about a grass roots movement and interesting and creative ways to tackle challenges. Check out this LA Times article about the guerilla gardener movement. Basically, it's a bunch of stealthy gardeners who, under the cloak of darkness, plant and beautify land that doesn't even belong to them, like say highway medians and vacant lots. Rather cool that unused land is being turned into something beautiful and/or edible. Here at PP, we've got a pretty fantastic little herb garden near our parking lot, maintained by one of Sous Chefs, Trung Duong. He doesn't do it under the cloak of darkness or anything, but it's still quite wonderful.

By the way, over at 440 King Street, the soon-to-dining room of Fish, there is butcher paper up in the windows. Why? Because we like to surprise you, silly. Besides, we can use the butcher paper for interesting messages to curious passersby. You should definitely plan on joining us at Fish, like say on Saturday, Saturday June 14, which is our last day before the refreshing begins. Hang out with Jodie and Evan. Raise your glass. It'll be fun, promise.

In other news, Nico informed me the other day that he has purchased Wii. For those of you who recall, Nico recently injured his knee on the soccer field as well as made a truly memorable comment. Let me just say this about Wii. One, I have never played it. Two, I did, however, spend an inordinately large portion of my childhood playing Pong, Space Invaders, DonkeyKong and Ladybug (in that order). Whole years went by in a blink because of those games. We can only hope and pray that Nico doesn't become addicted to Wii, and we find one him one morning curled in a ball, fingers bleeding from Guitar Hero. Please Nico, be careful.

Received a text from Director of Events Jennifer Goldman this morning as she sped across France on her way to Normandy. (Everything in me is trying NOT to be jealous right now.) Anywho, the text said that The William Aiken House is mentioned in the current issue of Vogue, which is a really nice thing to wake up to, I must say.

Steaks, Mani-Pedis & Town & Country

If you have not spent much time on Upper King Street, you are truly missing what I can only describe as an eclectic experience. The PP headquarters offices have a rather unassuming presence (no blazing signage) on King Street. And yet, at least three times in the past couple of weeks, our wee office has been beseiged by aggressive (yet kind) sales folks. Mere minutes ago, a nice fellow stuck his head in to inquire if we were interested in purchasing "the last two boxes of steaks in my truck...really cheap, $2." As appealing as the offer was, we had to respectfully decline. A few weeks ago, we had a very energetic lad sashay up to the office and offer us discounted beauty and spa services. Steaks and mani-pedis. Really?

In other news, due to our upcoming refreshing and expansion of Fish and The American Theater, there has been a WAVE of Spring/Summer cleaning, the likes of which I've never seen currently underway at PP. Yesterday, ladies from The William Aiken House delivered an obscene amount of paper, office supplies and sundry wedding photo albums and books to PP headquarters. (Note: when in doubt, everyone says, "Give it to Marketing, they can use it.")

Anywho, while sorting through the masses, I came across a copy of Town & Country's Elegant Weddings. Published in 2001, the book is a comprehensive guide for anyone planning high-end nuptials. Though the book is only seven years old, some of the photography seems quite dated. It's amazing to see how swiftly wedding fashions come and go. Editor Pamela Fiori offered up her own wedding photographs, to which I say BRAVO. (Her 1950s dress was amazing, but her hair said '80s in a very real way.)

In happy news, congratulations to Amy Pastre of Gil Shuler Graphic Design. She and her husband are the new, proud parents of baby Otto.

And finally, some insights from my very own brother about knowing the source of your food:

"A friend of mine lives “out in the country” on an acre or so of land, large enough and sunny enough to put in a fairly good size vegetable garden and raise several chickens and ducks. We usually meet for lunch once a week at a local restaurant where he barters duck eggs for lunch. One day he had an overabundance of eggs and asked me if I would like some. I had never eaten duck eggs, so I gladly took a free dozen to try them. After that, I began to get chicken and duck eggs from my friend on a regular basis.

One morning I stood staring at an egg poaching in my morning stupor thinking to myself, “Ah, having some of Kurt’s eggs.” It then occurred to me that I had often had this same thought as I cooked my eggs. I thought of my friend Kurt in his garden. Sometimes I thought of his chickens, too, and wondered which one had laid this particular egg, because I had seen the chickens in person and knew Kurt had several breeds. Some had brown shells, some white while the ducks laid slightly larger, white-shelled eggs.

Preparing my egg breakfast made me think about my friend and wonder how he was doing. I thought about his chickens and wondered how they were doing. Had a raccoon eaten one of them or the owl that lived in the bordering woods? Were they all well? In short, I now had a vested interest in the source of my food, because I personally knew it. I wanted to know more about the farmer and the farm animals. I wanted to be sure they were safe, that they were getting good feed, and that their water was clean, because I was eating what they had eaten. I wanted to be sure they were protected from predators. I wanted to be sure that my friend, and I would meet for lunch again. It then occurred to me: people care about what they are familiar with."

Lowndes Grove: just ducky, thank you.

New photos as we near the end of our renovation.

What a feeling!

Dear Internet,

"First when there's nothing...but a slow, glowing dream..."

Okay, that is a bit dramatic, but it also sets the stage for what I have to say perfectly. I have been dying to share our big news. Really, like giddy with anticipation. Starting June 16, we’re having some work done. We meaning Fish and The American Theater. That sounds sort of like plastic surgery, doesn’t it? Of course, when you undergo plastic surgery, you don’t want people to ask if you’ve had “something” done; you just want to look fresh and fabulous, right? That’s what we’re going for.

So yes, we're expanding, refreshing. ("Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.") Want details? Of course you do.

Let's start with Fish and a little back story. Gibson, Thompson, Guess Architects were the original designers of the restaurant back in 2000. And, because they're so fantastic at what they do, they're back to work their magic once again. What's changing? Our super-cool purple heart wood bar will triple in size. Helloooo, bar dining! And behind the bar? Antiqued mirrors, stainless steel accents and of course, the original, beautiful brickwork. The "new" first floor dining room will move into the first floor of 440 King Street. Picture reclaimed cherry tables, large mirrors, creative lighting and a great vibe.

Now to The American Theater. We're revamping the second theater and concession area to make an elegant ballroom. Think Art-Deco glamour and warmth. Think Deitrich. Think once-in-a-lifetime events, like say an incredible corporate incentive gathering, a 1940s-inspired wedding reception or perhaps a royal coronation. It could happen. Glenn Keyes, who just finished up things at Lowndes Grove, leads the project. The front theater and Star’s Bar will stay the same. The reason for the change? Folks continue to throw ever bigger, ever more fabulous events and really, who are we to say no?

I know this is a lot of information to process, but don't worry, I'm here to help. And, of course, we'll be photo-documenting these changes so you're always in the know.