As we are approaching the end of 2020 and moving into a new year that holds much promise, I am sitting here on a cold winter day in Columbia and feeling grateful as I reflect on my many blessings. Earlier this week, I spoke with a longtime comrade of mine about how he and I both endured several considerable life challenges this year; yet, our respective trials paled in comparison to our innumerable blessings, not the least of which having good friends.

I am extraordinarily fortunate to have some of the best friends a person could ever ask for, and since the arrival of COVID-19, we have all needed our friends more than ever. If this pandemic has taught me anything, it is that our quality of life is built on strong relationships, but we too easily take them for granted. So, as we enter 2021 and life (hopefully) begins to return to normal, I am going to be periodically featuring some of my friends in the KellyGram and sharing why our friendship is so dear to me.

Over the holidays, I invite you to reflect on your own blessings—especially that of friendship—and to remind your loved ones that they are cherished. May God bless you and keep you safe this weekend!

Growing up, my father was a local merchant in the business of selling men’s clothing and accessories. Following in his footsteps, I opened my own local business in 1981 before subsequently founding Mike Kelly Law Group in 2004. Through hard work and the grace of God, the firm is still thriving as we approach 2021! Needless to say, in light of my background, I am a huge supporter of local businesses—they are, after all, the backbone of our great nation! So in this week’s KellyGram and going forward, I have decided to periodically give shout-outs to local businesses that I admire!

Today, I’d like to spotlight Saki Tumi, a local grille and sushi bar in downtown Columbia owned by my good friend, David Shaw. Dave is an entrepreneur with multiple businesses, including an ad agency called Flying Napkins, but must say I am especially fond of his contributions to the local restaurant scene, particularly when it comes to brunch!

As my long-time KellyGram readers know, I am a huge fan of brunch, and Saki Tumi has become my go-to place on Sunday. Dave’s brunch menu embraces the style that Ryan Whittaker pioneered at 116 Espresso & Wine Bar, and last Sunday he collaborated with Bill Gause—a former Carolina athlete and owner of Billy G’s Carolina BBQ—to create some truly spectacular offerings! They paired brisket and barbecue with traditional brunch items, and the result was yum, yum, yum!!

During this holiday season and beyond, please keep small businesses thriving by supporting your local merchants and vendors, including my friend Dave Shaw at Saki Tumi! Saki Tumi is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm, and for brunch on Sundays from 10 am to 1:30 pm! Bon appetit!

Over the past several years, new-home construction in South Carolina—especially in the Midlands, the Pee Dee, and the Grand Strand areas—has been rapidly expanding, and in 2020 particularly, the housing market has been absolutely booming. Moreover, now that more people are working from home than ever before, we’ve seen a surge in home remodeling and renovations. With this increase in construction activity, however, Mike Kelly Law Group is also receiving more and more inquiries from homeowners about what to do when issues start to arise after the home purchase or renovation process is complete.

Although we generally expect buying a new house or upgrading an old one to be an exciting undertaking and a worthwhile investment, unfortunately, it is not uncommon for major problems to arise months—or even years—after the fact due to unseen construction defects. These defects can manifest in any number of ways—from water intrusion, to cracking walls, to a sinking foundation and sagging floors—and the cost of repair can be prohibitively expensive, especially in the wake of financing a new home or renovation project. We at Mike Kelly Law Group know just how financially and emotionally devastating these discoveries can be for homeowners and their families, and we have helped many clients across the state recover the funds necessary to restore their homes from the builder, contractor, or other at-fault parties.

If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, we may be able to help. Please feel free to call us at (803) 726-0123 to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team, or visit our website for more information. The year 2020 has presented unimaginable challenges, but financial hardship arising from defects in the construction of your home should not be one of them.

We’re releasing the KellyGram on Wednesday this week, in time for me to share reflections on a very special holiday: Thanksgiving. As we grow older, we become less interested in material things and more focused on those that really matter, such as faith, family, and the many blessings that we’ve been given.

In my own life, I am so thankful for each morning that I wake up and am able to come to work, where I can pursue my passion of improving the lives of my clients and spend my days with our outstanding team at Mike Kelly Law Group. I am grateful that I continue to be in good health and for making a quick recovery from my heart scare several months ago. And most of all, I am blessed to have my two wonderful sons, my sister, my sister-in-law, and my family. They have been there for me through the ups and downs of my life, and I only grow to appreciate them even more with each passing day!

Clearly, with COVID-19 numbers still rising, the way we celebrate Thanksgiving this year will be different than what most of us are used to. We’ve been advised to avoid traveling and large gatherings, which is what this holiday is generally all about. That being said, for those of us who live with family members or have been fortunate enough to regularly see those closest to us (with precautions in place, of course!), this year presents an opportunity to really celebrate those cherished relationships. It seems that sitting down with our children, parents, or siblings and sharing a meal is a rarity in this day and age. So in that respect, I would like to think that enjoying a more intimate Thanksgiving dinner this year with the people we see every day—and perhaps take for granted more than we’d like to admit—will be a blessing in and of itself.

This year has taken a heavy toll on us all, and that can make it difficult to remember the things for which we are grateful. However, when I really stop to think about my life, I realize that Mike Kelly is a happy camper and one lucky man! So this Thanksgiving, I encourage everyone to take a pause, count your blessings, and open your heart to gratitude!

Over the past several days, it has finally begun to feel like fall—just in time for the holidays, which are right around the corner! I love South Carolina 24/7/365, but I must say that as I’ve gotten older, I have grown to especially love our state in the fall and spring. After several recent weeks of 80-degree temperatures, I’m excited to finally breathe in that crisp fall air, set the thermostat to heat in the Mike Kelly abode, and get cozy in my long pajamas!

Even with Covid numbers still on the rise, and the tremendous impact this pandemic has had on our lifestyles, there’s still tremendous fun to be had this season in and around my hometown of Columbia. I found pleasure in strolling along the Columbia, Cayce, and West Columbia River Walks this season, and it has me looking forward to the future Gills Creek Watershed greenway that will be right outside my back door! I’ve also enjoyed going to Soda City Market and taking advantage of the many eateries around town that have outdoor dining with heaters, fire pits, and the like.

Right now, it’s more important than ever that we stay focused on finding joy and goodness in the day-to-day. So with that said, I ask you to join me in celebrating fall in South Carolina, with all of its beauty and glory!

As 2020 begins drawing to a close, I wanted to raise awareness about an extraordinary resource available to the people of our state: the South Carolina African American History Calendar, which has been in publication for 31 years and counting! If you’re not familiar with the Calendar, it is a project spearheaded by the South Carolina Department of Education which chronicles key dates and events in South Carolina’s African American history. Each month honors an outstanding individual who has made a significant impact on our state and celebrates their achievements and legacy. The Calendar is available to the general public and distributed each year throughout schools and community centers in South Carolina to inspire our youth and introduce them to African American role models with local ties. That being said, I would say it is an equally valuable educational resource for adults!

Looking through my 2020 Calendar, I was excited to see that the featured Honoree for the upcoming month is the Taylor family. The Taylor family has operated the Taylor Brothers Construction Company since the 1930s, distinguishing themselves in the Midlands for four generations. The current generation of Taylor brothers happen to be friends of mine, and it is wonderful to see them receive this recognition. Their work is extremely impressive and well-known in the Midlands region, to include projects such as the Darla Moore School of Business and the new facility of my alma mater, University of South Carolina School of Law, located in downtown Columbia.

I would encourage you to take a few minutes to visit the Calendar’s website, where you can read about the incredible accomplishments of all of the individuals who were recognized in 2020. While you’re at it, the 2021 Calendar and Honorees were unveiled this week, so you’re welcome to take a sneak peek at what next year has in store and request a copy of the 2021 Calendar!

As I write this week’s KellyGram, there are quite a few races for positions in the House, the Senate, and most notably, the Presidency, that are undecided or facing legal challenges that could go on for some time. During this period of uncertainty, it is imperative that our nation come together and be unified despite our differences so that we can begin healing the deep wounds that have been inflicted on our country during this unprecedentedly contentious campaign. I would urge all of us to take deep breaths, engage in prayer if you are so minded, and consider what actions you can take individually to help restore our scarred nation and bridge the toxic divide between the American people. It doesn’t matter which side of the political aisle you stand on, now is the time to come together.

As everyone who reads the KellyGram knows, I am a dedicated Anglican and a lifelong member of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States. Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, speaks out on national unity quite often, and he did so yesterday morning on NBC’s Today Show. His words resonated with me. Bishop Curry reminded viewers that our nation’s motto, “E Pluribus Unum,” translates to, “Out of many, one.” “We all came here on different ships,” he said, “but we’re all in the same boat now.” Bishop Curry is right, and it is time to steer our ship away from the current “us versus them” mindset. Let us move toward an America where we can disagree without being disagreeable and once again live as one, indivisible nation.

Be safe, and be unified!

Saturday is Halloween 2020, and it’s sure to be one to remember! With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, trick-or-treating will be very different this year to accommodate social distancing and other best-practices. For example, my neighborhood is arranging for the 15 or so kids living there to pick up goodies at a safe, central location where folks will be spread out and wearing face masks. While the kids in our community may not be getting the traditional Halloween experience this year, I think this is a great compromise that will allow them to have some much-needed fun and excitement while also prioritizing safety.

However, the pandemic is only one reason why Halloween 2020 is one that we won’t forget. Needless to say, 2020 has come with more than its fair share of “tricks,” but Mother Nature has a momentous treat in store for us on Saturday. This year, we get to experience the first global Halloween Blue Moon since 1944! This means that every time zone across the world will see a blue moon—the second full moon of the month—on October 31st. Though it’s an uncommon phenomenon, I suppose it would only make sense that Halloween and a full moon—two events often associated with superstition and the supernatural—would coincide in this unusual year! Spooky, right?

We have a big Election Day coming up on November 3rd, and as my long-time readers know, politics is an off-limits topic for the KellyGram. My intent today is not to tell you how to vote, but to say that no matter which candidates you support, please do get out and vote! Voting is perhaps THE most important right – as well as responsibility – that comes with being a U.S. citizen. That’s especially true this year, as the American people’s level of interest in the outcome of the election (particularly on a federal level) is at an all-time high!

With COVID-19 still very much among us, South Carolina’s election officials have made voting much more convenient this year by creating the option to cast an absentee vote in-person. There are numerous locations across the state where you can go to vote early and avoid the long lines and crowds on November 3rd. Personally, I do not plan to wait until Election Day in the midst of this pandemic to hit the polls, so I’ll be visiting one of these sites in the next few days. I encourage you to consider doing the same – check out SCVotes.gov to find the early voting location closest to you!

Stay safe, and VOTE!

This week, I am delighted to introduce Joe Scibelli as Mike Kelly Law Group’s newest attorney! Though Joe has been a member of the MKLG family since August, he has spent the past two months working closely with our legal team learning the ins and outs of the firm’s practice areas and operations while awaiting his Bar Exam results. As of last Friday, the wait is over—we’re proud to announce that Joe passed the Bar and is now a licensed South Carolina attorney!

As a new lawyer, Joe brings a lot to the table in terms of interest, enthusiasm, and talent, and he shares Mike Kelly Law Group’s values and commitment to helping others. He will be practicing out of our Myrtle Beach office, working primarily with our clients in the Pee Dee region and along the coast. We are excited to have Joe join our team of attorneys—now seven in total—as we continue to carry out Mike Kelly Law Group’s mission of providing exemplary client service to folks across this great state. Here’s to Joe Scibelli!

We’re the Mike Kelly Law Group, and we’re here for the people of South Carolina!