Charleston Currents

Good news

GOOD NEWS: Small grants available to spark your great idea

Staff reports | Lowcountry On the Table, the community-wide discussion held at hundreds of locations across the region on Oct .4, will offer “Spark Grants” of up to $500 to people who want a little help to get a great idea going.

And it’s pretty darned easy to apply. Instead of being burdened with a bunch of bureaucratic mumbo jumbo, all you have to do is make a short video on your cell phone of what you want to do and send it to the fine folks at Lowcountry On the Table.

by Charleston Currents · 09/24/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

Myrtle Beach crews cut trees to pull them off lines off 48th avenue. (Photos courtesy of Santee Cooper.)

FOCUS, photo essay: Santee Cooper crews restore power

Staff reports | Electrical power started popping off early Saturday as Hurricane Florence lingered, dumping rain throughout eastern North Carolina, the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. More than a million reportedly lost power in North Carolina. In South Carolina in Santee Cooper’s retail service area, more than 50,000 customers lost power in the storm.

But the utility’s crews, ready for days to jump into action, quickly got to work to restore service to homes and 21 transmission delivery points, most of which were in the North Myrtle Beach-Little River region, according to spokesman Mollie Gore.

Crews, who battled foul weather and wind for hours, were able to turn on the lights to 48,000 customers by Sunday afternoon – a huge effort after a huge storm.

by Charleston Currents · 09/17/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news, Photo Essay

GOOD NEWS: It missed us

This week, the good news is simple: Hurricane Florence mostly missed Charleston. There was some wind and rain, but a huge storm surge never materialized. We were lucky.

But our good news is bittersweet, because the storm devastated and drenched eastern North Carolina, the Grand Strand and the Pee Dee. In the days ahead comes the aftermath..

Now, however, is the time to help those who need help – just like millions helped people here 29 years ago after Hurricane Hugo.

by Charleston Currents · 09/17/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Good news

FOCUS: Batten down the hatches: Get ready for Hurricane Florence

Staff reports | Lowcountry residents are being asked by state and local officials to prepare for a major hurricane, including the possibility of evacuation, as the Carolina coast braces for landfall later this week.

“Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best,” Gov. Henry McMaster said throughout the weekend.

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg on Sunday said the city was getting ready.

“This is shaping up to be a major hurricane,” Tecklenburg said. “City government continues to get ready for whatever impacts the storm may bring. We ask that citizens do the same by reviewing your family’s plan and paying attention to any announcements from the Governor or other state emergency officials.”

by Charleston Currents · 09/10/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

GOOD NEWS: Host an Oct. 4 civic discussion as part of community effort

Staff reports | You’re encouraged to host a small-group discussion in your home, at your church, in a local restaurant or in a library anytime on Oct. 4 to take part in Lowcountry On The Table, a citizen-driven process to identify issues and suggest solutions.

Organizers of the tri-county event, the Library Foundation of the Lowcountry, are hoping to engage thousands of area residents in what could be considered a huge local focus group to provide input to local nonprofits and governments on what people believe really matters in the Lowcountry.

by Charleston Currents · 09/10/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS, White: A local example of excellence and exceeding expectations

By Craig White | I have a similar story [to Brack’s column on Joshie the Giraffe] involving the staff of Charleston Place.

My wife, two small children (ages 10 and 7) and I were visiting Charleston over a decade ago. At dinner the night before we were scheduled to head home to Greenwood, my wife started feeling very ill. We decided to get up early the following morning and get her home. As the night progressed, she grew much worse and was in terrible pain. We bundled the kids up and took her to MUSC’s emergency room.

On the way out of Charleston Place, I told the front desk staff that I was taking my wife to the hospital and I would be back as soon as possible to pack and check out. They said not to worry about it and wished us well at the hospital.

by Charleston Currents · 09/04/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

FOCUS: Prints in Clay at Gaillard to celebrate spirituals, culture

Staff reports | As the last vestiges of summer are replaced by the chaos of back to school, the Charleston Gaillard Center is bringing the Lowcountry a reason to celebrate fall with Prints In Clay, a multi-disciplinary event celebrating the impact of the African-American culture on the city of Charleston.

Prints in Clay features an evening of commissioned arrangements of African–American spirituals featuring the powerful voice of mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges accompanied by an instrumental septet and Lowcountry Voices as well as a two-week photography exhibit by the Slave Dwelling Project in the grand lobby of the Gaillard, tours of the back buildings and former work lots of Charleston’s private historic homes, and a historically informed dinner featuring the food of the African diaspora.

The event title, Prints in Clay, comes directly from Joe McGill, founder of the Slave Dwelling Project. In describing one patron’s experience during a slave dwelling tour, McGill noted …

by Andy Brack · 08/27/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

GOOD NEWS: Clemson to host world energy conference her Nov. 12-14

Staff reports | Clemson University will host the world energy conference for the first time in the United States in November in North Charleston.

The IEEE Electronic Power Grid (eGRID) Conference , which will take place Nov. 12-14, will unite several of the globe’s leading energy experts from government, industry and academia so they can share ideas, problems and solutions to the planet’s energy challenges.

by Charleston Currents · 08/27/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS: Start the day with a great breakfast

By Jennifer Bonham, Envolve | Kicking your day off with a breakfast that’s high in protein will help you to keep your energy level up, improve your body’s metabolism, build and repair your muscles, and make you feel fuller longer. The health experts at Envolve, an integrated healthcare solutions company, are pleased to share five easy, healthy and delicious breakfast options that will help you dominate your day.

Opt for oatmeal. Full of protein and fiber, oatmeal isa versatile choice that will keep you full until lunch. Use skim milk instead of water when you’re making it to increase the protein even more. Sprinkle fresh fruit and your favorite nuts like walnuts or pistachios on top to add some crunch and additional health benefits. Looking for a savory breakfast option? Use oatmeal for your base, add some low-fat cheese, dust with pepper or other spices, and top with cut-up veggies like tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach. You can even toss in some turkey bacon or other lean meats to up the flavor and protein. The variations are endless!

by Charleston Currents · 08/19/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

GOOD NEWS: North Charleston library design to be unveiled Aug. 27

Staff reports | Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will host a community meeting y p.m. Aug. 27 to updated designs for the R. Keith Summey North Charleston Library that will replace the Cooper River Memorial Library.

Local residents overwhelmingly approved a referendum in November 2014 to build five new Charleston County Public Library branches and upgrade 13 others.

by Charleston Currents · 08/19/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs