Service distinctions, employee hires among happenings of real estate firms, builders.

PRO’s awards out Local suppliers and vendors were honored recently for prompt and quality service as part of the Pro’s Awards given by the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association. The group’s 230 builder members were asked to nominate suppliers and vendors who met nine criteria. The qualifications were: provide quality work and materials, be accessible, have an accommodating schedule, perform duties in time frame allotted, provide good pricing, have quick response to warranty issues, deliver as promised, provide education and information about their specialty and provide marketing materials when applicable. The 17 winners were Southcoast Electrical & Plumbing Services Inc., Builders First Source, Southern Lumber & Millwork, Moluf’s Supply, Melcer Tile, Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath, Ferguson Enterprises, Wurth Wood Group, Buck Lumber, Charleston Lighting & Interiors, A&A Tile, Jilco Kitchen & Bath, Guy C. Lee Building Materials, Nature’s Calling, Quality Marble, CEMEX and G&S Supply. For your real estate needs got to http://www.sallyandj.com/ Marketing rep named Tiffany Shanklin has joined William Means Real Estate in the firm’s downtown office as a marketing coordinator. She was previously with The I’On Group and has several years of marketing experience. An Ohio native, Shanklin holds a degree in business from Kent State University. Community plans tours Poplar Grove Plantation is hosting an “introduction to kayaking” course taught by Sea Kayak Carolina at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Topics are safety, proper boat fit, getting into and out of your kayak, basic paddle strokes and wet exit. Cost is $50 and includes lunch at the Boathouse after the class. Contact Sea Kayak Carolina at (843) 225-7969 to register. Meanwhile, The Poplar Grove Pedal Tour will be held in the afternoon. Lunch will be at 1 p.m. and the biking 2-4 p.m. Green Drinks Charleston is hosting the event, where bikers discover the natural beauty of Poplar Grove, one of the Ashley River plantation district’s “newest” destinations. Naturalists will be on-hand to serve as trail guides and property historians as you explore the miles of bike trails and children’s routes.