GOOD NEWS:  Library makes progress on new Bees Ferry branch

The design of the new library in Mount Pleasant’s Carolina Park.

Staff reports  |   Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will hold a community meeting in West Ashley on July 24 to share updated planned designs for a new library that will be built near West Ashley High School in the Bees Ferry area.  The one-hour meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Drayton Hall Elementary School cafeteria, 3183 Ashley River Rd., Charleston

The new branch is one of five new library buildings being constructed following the overwhelming approval of a $108.5 million bond referendum in November 2014.  On July 24, library officials and architects will make a presentation of the project’s design and take questions from area residents.

Other library projects are moving forward, too.  A groundbreaking is planned on July 25 for a new library branch near Wando High School in the Carolina Park neighborhood.  Groundbreakings are also planned for mid- to late-fall for branches being built on James Island and in the Hollywood area.  All three of those projects have had community meetings similar to the one being held July 24 at Drayton Hall school.

The only new project that remains off track is a new branch to be built on the site of the Cooper River Memorial Library in North Charleston.  While demolition of some structures near the current library has been mostly completed, the design process is behind schedule.

• To learn more about what’s happening with library construction, go to:  CCPL.org/construction.

In other Good News:

The Wedding Singer.  The Footlight Players will open a new season Aug. 11 with the popular musical comedy, “The Wedding Singer.”  The play will run through Aug. 27 at the Footlight Theatre, 20 Queen St., Charleston.   The musical is based on the 1998 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The musical version appeared on Broadway in 2006. It was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Performances are 8 p.m. Aug. 11, Aug. 12, Aug. 18, Aug. 19, Aug. 24, Aug. 25, Aug. 26 and matinees at 3 p.m. Aug. 13, 20 and Aug. 27. Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for military/seniors and $25 for students. Order tickets online at footlightplayers.net or by calling the box office at 843-722-4487.

New restaurant board.  The Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, Inc. has picked industry veteran Randall Goldman, chief executive officer of Patrick Properties Hospitality Group (PPHG), as its new president.  Sam Mustafa, CEO of Charleston Hospitality Group, remains vice president and Athan Fokas, manager of Old Town Grill and Seafood, continues as secretary/treasurer.   New board members include Chris Sullivan, Carolina Ale House; Jessica Slaughter, FIG/The Ordinary; Caitlin Toscano, La Farfalle; Jonathan Kish, Queen Street Hospitality; Robin Griffith, City of Charleston; and Tommy Hall, Hall Management Group.  

Time is running out.  If you want to tell the federal government about what you think about seismic testing for oil and gas along our coast (we’re opposed!), you have until July 21 to have your say as the comment period has been extended. According to the S.C. Coastal Conservation League, hundreds of South Carolinians have already sent comment letters to the Trump Administration.  The organization says seismic testing hurts whales–in addition to being the first step toward offshore drilling for oil and gas that coastal communities have soundly rejected.

• You can send a letter by clicking on this link: coastalconservationleague.org/no-seismic