Speedee of Mount Pleasant is excited and proud to be the first oil change business in Charleston to offer an eco-friendly motor oil. "Eco-Power" is an advanced re-refining technology that processes oil with exceptional purity & lubricating properties. "Eco-Power" uses up to 85 percent less energy to produce than oil refined from crude oil. "Eco-Power" reduces dependence on foreign crude and has been tested since 2008 on military vehicles, police force vehicles & large fleets.

Speedee will carry 5W20 for most Fords, Hondas,Toyotas & all hybrids. The cost is $45.99 for up to five quarts of oil. Speedee will continue to carry conventional oil--10W30, 5W30, 5W20, Mobil 1 synthetics & High Mileage. Valpac & Internet coupons will be honored.

Speedee's mission is to continue to seek products that will preserve & protect your cars along with our community and planet. Visit them at 1498 Highway 17N, Mount Pleasant or call 849-2221.

Continuing its support of aspiring artists, Guitar Center (www.guitarcenter.com), the world's largest musical instrument retailer, today announced that Mount Pleasant's own Daniel Wright has been named one of 214 store finalists in its fourth annual King of the Blues (www.guitarcenter.com/kingoftheblues), the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered blues guitar player. Daniel Wright and other store finalists will gather on June 24 at one of 25 district final competitions at Guitar Centers across the country to perform in front of a panel of judges and compete for a slot in the regional finals that take place July 15. If Daniel Wright makes it all the way to the finals and is crowned Guitar Center's King of the Blues, he will receive $25,000 cash, endorsement deals from Gibson, Ernie Ball, Boss and Egnater, a feature in Guitar World Magazine, a Gibson 1960 50th anniversary ES-335, an Epiphone 1965 Elitist Casino, an Egnater Renegade full-stack amplifier, and a Boss GT-10 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor and effects pedals.

"Guitar Center is scouring the country in search of true original talent--someone who deserves to be recognized for his or her ability to take the blues, a rich and deep musical art form, and make it their own," said Dustin Hinz, Director of Music and Entertainment Marketing for Guitar Center. "The competition is fierce as we're down to just 214 store finalists, and that much closer to crowning this year's King of the Blues."

Local King of the Blues competitions were held at Guitar Center locations nationwide, beginning May 13. Each contestant was required to give a live guitar solo, performed over one of thirty original backing tracks, developed by Grammy Award-winning producer/guitarist, Pete Anderson. One winner from each store was chosen to move up to district competitions (25 locations), and one winner will be chosen from each district competition to compete in the regionally hosted semifinals (five locations). These will culminate in the King of the Blues finals competition Sept. 2 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Here, the five finalists will perform in front of a live audience and a panel of celebrity judges, and share the stage with world-renowned guitarist Derek Trucks, leader of the Grammy Award-winning Derek Trucks Band and member of the Allman Brothers Band. The success of last year's reigning champion, Kirby Kelley, is testimony to Guitar Center's support of aspiring artists, as he was recently selected to play at the Eric Clapton-curated Crossroads Guitar Festival on June 26 at Toyota Park in Chicago, IL, opening for a long list of legendary artists including: Allman Brothers Band; ZZ Top; Steve Winwood; BB King; Jeff Beck; Vince Gill; Sheryl Crow; Buddy Guy, John Mayer and Clapton himself.

King of the Blues is one of many Guitar Center initiatives created to foster growth and success within the music community, including its annual On-Stage, Your Next Record, Guitar Center Sessions, and Drum-Off undiscovered artist programs.

Daniel Island Academy has promoted Stefanie Penland to Curriculum Coordinator to oversee the school's highly rated Creative Curriculum. Previously, Penland was a full-time teacher with the school for three years.

Creative Curriculum is the nation's leading online assessment, program planning, and reporting system for children up to age five. Penland will work with classroom teachers to effectively implement curriculum components, including parent conferences, and develop and organize community field trips and outreach programs.

"Our youngest children start at one year of age and each is treated as a unique learner beginning his or her educational life," stated Penland. "I enjoy working with the school's teachers and their students, and helping to create an environment in which children can become eager and engaged learners for a lifetime."

Penland graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood, from the College of Charleston, and spent a semester in the study of Reggio Emilia in Italy, working with four- and five-year-old children. Reggio Emilia centers on the early years of development, when children are forming who they are as an individual, and the use of a self-guided curriculum. Penland also holds a certificate in Childcare Management.

Daniel Island Academy is an early childhood education center offering full time, part time, and mother's morning out programs. Please visit the school's website at www.danielislandacademy.com or call the front desk at 971.5961.

DETAILED Home Maintenance is a new recurring home care service being offered by Tom Acker, general contractor with 35 years experience, for people who either don't know how to maintain their homes, or who are not available.

It is a subscription service, so homeowners choose frequency of service and spell out their particular requirements. After inspecting the home and grounds, Tom creates a proposal tailored to their needs for a year's assistance. Repairs, new projects, problem solving and ordinary upkeep, both interior and exterior, are available--as well as special requests. Contact Tom for an appointment to meet at your home!

Tom continues as President of Kitchens By Design, Inc. while opening this new division of the company.

Pete Loy, President of Citadel Enterprises, was recently honored by Home + Design Magazine as one of Charleston's most influential home and design professionals. He is one of 40 area architects, builders and interior designers to receive the acknowledgment.

"I am humbled that Citadel Enterprises is in company with the other recognized professionals," said Loy. "It's an honor to be acknowledged for the basics that are part of our every day mission - hard work and attention to detail."

In the article published in the Summer 2010 edition of the magazine, Loy talks about his lifelong interest in the construction business and the establishment of Citadel Enterprises in 1991. He also discusses his involvement in several community activities, including the Coastal Conservation Association and the South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Board. Additionally, he credits his staff for their professionalism and commitment to providing excellent service and a quality product.

"It is important to me to go to sleep each night knowing I am doing the best I can to satisfy clients, and to take care of my employees, trusted subcontractors and vendors. Business has become much more fast-paced since I started Citadel Enterprises, but the fundamentals will never change: honesty, hard work, and follow-up," said Loy.

Citadel Enterprises, Inc. provides remodeling, repair and design-build services with an emphasis on trust, service and neatness for the client who desires to work with an award-winning and industry-leading firm.

Neil Whitman, President of Dunhill Staffing Systems of Charleston, announced today that he has exited the Dunhill franchise system and purchased all Dunhill's trademark rights. When the franchisor decided to end franchise support, Dunhill's Charleston office, the most successful of the past decade, was offered the trademark and brand.

"The opportunity to operate independently and retain the name Dunhill Staffing Systems, a highly respected 58-year-old staffing entity, fit perfectly with our long term strategy," Whitman said. "Since the Dunhill system once operated over 300 franchised offices across the country, and is still widely recognized, I believe as the economy begins to generate new jobs we'll be able to leverage this well known name."

Dunhill provides contingency search and temp or temp-to-hire services for technical, administrative, sales, and finance positions in manufacturing, government, and service-related industries.

Carol Williams, real estate professional for Keller Williams Realty, announced today that Paul Remoll has joined the Williams Team as a Realtor specializing in relocation programs. With the addition of Remoll, The Williams Team has grown to four professionals specializing in business relocation.

Remoll grew up in San Diego, California before moving to South Carolina in 1990. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's degree in English and a Master's degree in Teaching, and taught for four years before getting into sales. Remoll has a great deal of experience working with first time and experienced buyers, since he started selling real estate in 2003. With two school-aged children and a wife who teaches, Remoll enjoys introducing people to the Charleston area.

Williams expressed her excitement about the new addition to the Williams Team, stating, "People are often overwhelmed with the process of relocating to a new place. Remoll combines his love of Charleston with a great understanding of relocation to provide clients with the best transitional experience possible." By blending social media tools with the power of professional networking in a strategy Williams deemed "Techworking Real Estate," the Williams Team has continued to provide clients with innovative strategies in the ever-changing real estate market. "Having gone through the relocation process myself, I am committed to helping clients have a smooth transition with the least amount of stress possible. The unique strategies set in place by the Williams Team go much further than your typical real estate company and I am excited to share my love for Charleston with individuals interested in moving to the area," Remoll stated.

The Williams Team is Charleston's leader in business relocation and consists of Carol Williams, David Williams, Paul Remoll, and Ginn Maiers. The Team offers clients excellent buyer representation along with superior professionalism. With a team well-versed in knowledge of the Charleston area and a plethora of real estate connections, The Williams Team works hard to achieve smooth transitions for local and international clients. Please visit www.williamsSChomes.com for more information.

Jason T. Mikell, Attorney-at-Law, proudly announces the grand opening of his practice in Mount Pleasant at 321 Wingo Way, Suite 201 just off Mathis Ferry and Johnnie Dodds Boulevard.

Mr. Mikell is very excited about opening the office in Mount Pleasant, which provides a very central location for the firm's clients who can easily access the firm's offices from any part of the Charleston area. Specializing in Personal Injury, DUI, Criminal Defense and Family Law cases, the Mikell Law Firm is unique in that it offers clients and potential clients 24-hour access to an attorney. Meetings in the privacy and comfort of the client's home or office are also available.

"We take pride in being accessible to our clients, who are usually at a very stressful time in their lives," Mikell said. "We want to relieve as much of that stress as possible by ensuring they can reach us whenever they have a question or need guidance."

A Charleston native who is deeply rooted in his community, Mr. Mikell has spent his entire professional career in the Lowcountry since graduating from law school at the University of South Carolina. He spent the first five years of his career working for the Charleston County Public Defender's office, during which he handled thousands of cases. Every one of his clients who contested a criminal charge received a "not guilty" verdict at trial.

Mr. Mikell writes a regular legal blog which discusses important legal issues relevant to South Carolina and the Lowcountry in his areas of practice. To learn more about Jason T. Mikell, the Mikell Law Firm or to follow his blog, visit the firm website at www.MikellFirm.com.

NFTE chose to honor Misty Marie Pallotta, of Wando High School, as Teacher of the Year for her commitment to excellence in the classroom, and her innovative approaches to bringing the NFTE curriculum to life for young people around the world.

Misty says that one of the best things about her job is that she knows she's teaching her students skills that will be used for the rest of their lives. She has been teaching NFTE through licensed partner YEScarolina for two years, and loves that the NFTE curriculum encourages experiential activities and games, which allow her to use her own creativity to teach various lessons.

(Send your business news to news@moultrienews.com.)