July 2003 - Publisher's Note Just Say Ahhh! Ahhhh. Beach season. My favorite! Whether you have visiting guests or just have a hankering to be outdoors - building sandcastles, riding waves, or chillin' out in a lounge chair - the beach is the place to be in July. Often, for beach goers, the dilemma is how to survive a day in the sun without frying your skin, frazzling your hair or winding up in the emergency room. This issue is chock full of ideas for ways to make the most of the summer season and come out unscathed, from beach safety tips and sting remedies to products for protecting your skin and hair. Feeling adventurous? Cowabunga! Read about the surfing surge right here in our home stretch of the Atlantic (p. 90). Looking for a more relaxing day at the beach? Hang out and "hang on" with Pool Bar Jim, cocktail king/island icon, offering the best frozen concoctions in town (p.155). On a more serious note, the beauty and accessibility of our beach and surrounding waters bears protecting.

The beach is not only the best entertainment in town, but more importantly, a major source of revenue. We certainly must concern ourselves with protecting this precious commodity for the sake of our environment and our economy. Read about the importance of beach renourishment and the current controversy surrounding the dredging process (p. 22). If you can't take the heat and prefer to be indoors, crank up the air conditioning, curl up with your Hilton Head Monthly and contemplate sprucing up your home. Find out about the latest and greatest materials, appliances and fixtures for your kitchen and bath, and get ideas from some of our area professionals who can turn your vision into a reality (p. 97). Perhaps a self-improvement project is part of your summer plan. With all the available products and procedures, more and more men and women are seeking ways to look and feel great. Isn't it time to treat yourself? See page 58. Meanwhile, have a safe and fun Fourth of July. See you at the beach. Ahhhh!