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| Issue 1.04 | Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 | Forward to your friends! |
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FEEDBACK THE
LIST GOOD
NEWS ALSO INSIDE ___::
CALENDAR: Coming events |
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TODAY'S
FOCUS NOV. 13, 2008 -- Your journey begins with a spectacular 3-mile drive. The road is magically transformed as millions of shimmering lights and hundreds of dazzling light displays surround you. Sea Land sparkles with underwater creatures and waves of blue, while Dinosaur Land features displays of Jurassic proportions. And the children love the animated displays of Candy Land and Toy Land.
Celebrate a Charleston tradition this holiday season at the 19th annual Holiday Festival of Lights, a driving tour through James Island County Park that features more than 2 million shimmering lights and 600 individual light displays. Beginning Nov. 14 and continuing through Jan. 4, gather your family and friends and come capture the magic of the holiday season. Throughout your tour, you'll see dozens of displays showcasing the Lowcountry and Charleston landmarks. Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row and the Yorktown are some of the favorites, while the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge display remains one of the most popular. The bridge stands 36 feet tall and 200 feet long and has an astounding 45,000 bulbs. This year, as every year, the elves at James Island County Park surprise visitors with new light displays. Look for new nursery rhyme displays, including "Hey Diddle Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle." There are also additions and updates to current light displays, and every year a new set of animals appears on the Noah's Ark display. The holiday experience does not end with the driving tour. You'll want to stop to stretch your legs and your imagination at Santa's Village and Winter Wonderland. Start by exploring Santa's Village and discover the famous marshmallow roasting pits, the perfect place for making s'mores and warming cold hands. The aroma of fresh baked goods and specialty coffees will encourage a visit to Santa's Sweet Shoppe. Christmas cookies, rich, creamy fudge, and steaming cappuccino are just a few of the treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Other stops
you'll want to make include the awe-inspiring holiday sand sculpture,
constructed by hand with more than 50 tons of sand; the mouthwatering
display of candied creations entered in the gingerbread house competition;
the festival train, which you can hop aboard for an up-close view of the
light displays; and the charming shops, Santa's Attic and the Incredible
Gift Shoppe, which offer an assortment of locally handcrafted gifts, as
well as the official 24kt gold collector series ornaments. Just a short walk from Santa's Village is Winter Wonderland, where the kids can take a ride on the old-fashioned carousel. Feeling adventurous? Try your hand at climbing on the climbing wall. Take a snapshot with Santa. Or visit the giant greeting card display. Created by local students, these 4-foot-by-8 foot displays are part of a holiday art competition and are well worth a visit. Festival hours and fees are 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. The cost is $10 per vehicle (1-15 guests or 6 books of Greenbax); $25 per vehicle (16-30 guests) and $100 per vehicle for 31 or more guests. And if you donate a canned-food item Monday through Wednesday only, you'll receive a $2 discount per vehicle. Donations will benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank. For
more information, call 795-4FUN or visit www.holidayfestivaloflights.com.
ANN
THRASH NOV. 13, 2008 -- The three-course lunch started with a mouthwatering appetizer of pork and ginger pot stickers with daikon radish salad and a sesame-soy vinaigrette. Next up was a velvety roasted sweet potato and carrot soup garnished with fresh blue crab - perfect for a cool fall day. The entrée? Grilled beef sliders with aged white cheddar, caramelized onions, arugula, smoked tomato ketchup, an okra pickle and hand-cut shoestring fries.
It wasn't easy deciding between the sliders and the grilled mahi-mahi and the braised beef short ribs and the lemon-thyme roasted chicken breast - but such is the delicious challenge awaiting lunchtime guests at one of the city's best-kept dining secrets: 181 Palmer. And here's the icing on the cake: The tab for this amazing three-course lunch was just $15. Not per course -- $15 total. If you haven't heard of 181 Palmer, you're not alone. The café is quietly tucked away inside Trident Technical College's Culinary Institute of Charleston at the Palmer campus on Columbus Street near East Bay. The members of the wait staff and the chefs in the kitchen are Culinary Institute students and instructors. The café provides real-world, real-time hospitality-industry training at its finest, and those who dine there are the lucky beneficiaries. Gracious hosts welcome and seat guests, then provide a menu with four categories: appetizers, soups and salads, entrees, and desserts. Guests select a total of three courses from those four categories, with no more than one choice from each category. A recent day's menu included the pot stickers as an appetizer, with the other choices being grilled wild American shrimp with cauliflower puree and caper-currant brown butter, or duck confit with brioche French toast, Camembert and poached quince. On the entrée menu along with the sliders were braised beef short ribs with a Yukon gold potato puree, roasted baby carrots and a red wine reduction; grilled mahi-mahi with Anson Mills farro (that's an heirloom grain), sautéed Swiss chard and a smoked paprika-orange butter; and lemon-thyme roasted chicken breast with Anson Mills grits, caramelized fennel and a wild mushroom broth.
The chefs didn't forget dessert, of course. The choices included a tatin (tart) of apples with sour cream sorbet and salted maple caramel; white chocolate panna cotta (a silky custard) with passion fruit; and dark chocolate rosemary cake with lavender whipped cream. If it sounds like a meal fit for a king or queen, it is. Before you start making plans to head to the cafe, be forewarned: The place is small - it seats only about 50 - and reservations are required. And lunch is served only certain days of the week when classes are in session, which means that in a few short weeks, the cafe will be closed until spring semester. But the good news is that in addition to the cafe downtown, the Culinary Institute also has a dining room at Trident Tech's main campus on Rivers Avenue. According to the school's Web site, it offers a buffet featuring soups, entrees, vegetables, starches and desserts, all for $12 per person. Go to http://www.tridenttech.edu/culinary_institute_of_charleston_5521.htm and you can see menus for both dining rooms and find out how to make reservations. Your palate will thank you! Mount Pleasant native Ann Thrash is editor of CharlestonCurrents.com. You can reach her at: editor@charlestoncurrents.com. FEEDBACK Let us know what's on your mind. We encourage readers to submit feedback or letters to the editor. Send your thoughts to editor Ann Thrash.
UNDERWRITER
SPOTLIGHT
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring CharlestonCurrents to you at no cost. This issue's featured underwriter BB&T, a regional bank that has built on a tradition of excellence in community banking since 1872. BB&T is a mission-driven organization with a clearly defined set of business principals and values. It encourages employees to have a strong sense of purpose, a high level of self-esteem and the capacity to think clearly and logically. BB&T offers clients a complete range of financial services including banking, lending, insurance, trust and wealth management solutions. To learn more, visit BB&T online or drop in to talk with its professionals at the main branch office at 151 Meeting Street, Charleston. Phone: (843)720-5168. GOOD
NEWS The city of Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs plans to establish an online jobs bank that will list open full-time, part-time and contract job positions with Charleston area arts organizations and galleries. The OCA Arts Jobs Bank will also list paid and unpaid internships as well as volunteer opportunities, according to a press release from Ellen Dressler Moryl, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs. The listings, which will be free, will be posted at the OCA's page on the city's Web site. A link to the site will be included in the bi-monthly e-newsletter that the department sends out. Available
jobs are expected to include office internships, freelance grant-writing
positions, poster or flyer delivery services, exhibition installation
work, full- and part-time staff positions and calls for volunteers. Three "open-house" style public meetings are planned, beginning today, to give local residents a chance to see plans and voice their opinions about the extension of Interstate 526 through Johns Island to James Island.
Charleston County plans to spend more than $420 million on the project. Meetings will be held today at Fort Johnson Middle School, 1825 Camp Road, James Island; Nov. 18 at West Ashley High School, 4060 W. Wildcat Blvd., Charleston; and Nov. 20 at St. Johns High School, 1518 Main Road, Johns Island. All meetings will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and interested parties may drop in at any time to talk with officials about any aspect of the project. The Coastal Conservation League, which opposes the extension, is supporting the search for other options through The New Way to Work Alternative. For more information, go to http://www.newwaytowork.com. Center for Women to host networking event Making contacts in the local business community is the goal of the Center for Women's seventh annual Entrepreneurs Networking Event, planned for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Citadel's Holliday Alumni Center on 69 Hagood Ave., Charleston.
The first
part of the program will be a talk by Terry Haas, a Charleston resident
and the host of the popular HGTV show "Designed to Sell." Haas
will discuss how networking has been critical to her career, from her
days in the Atlanta real estate industry to her hosting a national TV
show. The second
portion is a facilitated speed-networking session. Participants will meet
30 women quickly and effectively as they move from table to table. Each
woman will have the opportunity to introduce herself, her business and
her interests to everyone at each table. There will be three 10-15 minute
rounds for participants to make more connections and tap into new resources.
Light refreshments will be offered. The cost
for the event is $10 for Center for Women members, $15 for nonmembers.
Free parking will be offered at Johnson Hagood Stadium (across the street
from the Holliday Alumni Center). To learn more or register: http://www.c4women.org/entrepreneur_networking.htm. The Charleston County Public Library is offering several November programs designed to help entrepreneurs start their own business or identify resources that can make the job easier. "Start Your Business, Step by Step" is the title of a talk planned for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the library's main branch, 68 Calhoun St. Mimi Scharf of the S.C. Women's Business Center will discuss how to write a business plan and share information about starting businesses in South Carolina. On Nov. 24 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., the library will offer a tour of the Business Center at the main branch. The center features online and print resources designed to help entrepreneurs. Both programs are free. More info: 805-6930 or click here. REVIEW
Eugene Peterson says, "This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' did for his. It's that good!"
HISTORY
SPOTLIGHT Louis and Heloise Boudo were among Charleston's best-known and most successful antebellum silversmiths and jewelers. Louis Boudo (circa 1786-1827) arrived in Charleston from Santo Domingo about 1809. He established himself as "goldsmith, jeweler and hairworker" in a brief partnership with Nicholas Maurer before opening his own shop on the corner of Church and Queen Streets. There, in addition to representing himself as a jeweler and watchmaker, he advertised the manufacture of silver spoons and other silver work.
Boudo's best-known piece is a silver map case made on behalf of the state of South Carolina for General Lafayette during his farewell tour of America in 1825; this case is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 1811 Louis Boudo married Heloise (Louise) Simonet (birthdate uncertain), the daughter of Eugenie Magniant and Stephen Simonet of Charleston. The marriage produced three children. Following Louis's death, Heloise Boudo administered his estate and continued in the "manufactory of gold and silver work" at various addresses on King Street, paying cash for gold and silver and carrying on the jewelry business "in all its branches." Heloise Boudo was one of few female silversmiths in nineteenth-century America, and examples of her work are found in the Charleston Museum, Yale University's Garvan Collection, and private collections. She died circa 1837.
CREDITS CharlestonCurrents.com is provided to you twice a week by:
© 2008, Statehouse Report LLC. All rights reserved. CharlestonCurrents.com is published every Monday and Thursday by Statehouse Report LLC, PO Box 22261, Charleston, SC 29413. |
THE
LIST
The five types of inpatient and outpatient procedures most frequently performed at the Medical University of South Carolina, according to MUSC:
"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."
Dark and Bubbly: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 13, Historic Rice Mill Building, 17 Lockwood Drive, Charleston. Tasting of champagne and chocolate to benefit My Sister's House. More details. Faith Hope and Charity: Nov. 13-29, Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St., Charleston. PURE Theatre production of the play by Odon Von Horvath. Set in the socially and economically oppressed South during the Great Depression, the play tells the story of a young woman's struggle to survive. Tickets: $30. Call 723-4444 or click link for more info: http://www.puretheatre.org. Oyster Roast: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 16, Bowens Island Restaurant, 1870 Bowens Island Road. Event benefits the outreach ministry of the Rural Mission. Enjoy the traditions of Bowens Island, food, music and a great sunset. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Order through the mission at 768-1720 or by e-mailing chrislbrooks11@gmail.com. More info: www.ruralmission.org. Holiday Festival of Lights: Nov. 14 through Jan. 4, James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, James Island. Millions of sparkling lights and hundreds of imaginative displays line a 3-mile drive through the park. Also includes marshmallow-roasting and activities for kids, gift shop and walking trail through Winter Wonderland. More info: http://www.holidayfestivaloflights.com. Also see Today's Focus. Grinch in Toe Shoes: Charleston Ballet Theatre's production of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." Performances at 7 p.m. Nov. 14; 11 a.m., Nov. 15 and Nov. 22; and 3 p.m., Nov. 16 and Nov. 23 at Charleston Ballet Theatre, 477 King St., Charleston. Part of CBT's Children's Series, sponsored by the Wachovia Foundation, the Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation and the McNair Law Firm. $20 adults, $10 children. More info: 723-7334 or http://www.charlestonballet.org. Networking: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 17, Holliday Alumni Center, 69 Hagood Ave., Charleston. Seventh annual Center for Women Entrepreneurs Networking Event. See Good News for details. Help for Startups: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Charleston County Library Main Branch, 68 Calhoun St, Charleston. Free talk by Mimi Scharf of the S.C. Women's Business Center. See Good News for details. Sustainable Design: 6 p.m. Nov. 18, Charleston Visitor's Center Theater, 375 Meeting St., Charleston. Part of the Lulan Sustainable Community Lecture Series. Speaker Nathan Shedroff, chairman of the MBA in Design Strategy program at California College of the Arts in San Francisco, will give a talk titled "Design is the Problem and the Solution: The Future of Design Must Be Sustainable." More info: http://www.lulan.com/lulan/series.php. "Old Hickory" Talk: 7 p.m. Nov. 18, Holliday Alumni Center, 69 Hagood Ave., Charleston. Jon Meacham, editor of Newsweek magazine, discusses his new book "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House" as part of the Fulghum Lecture Series at The Citadel. Fundraiser for the S.C. Historical Society. $25. More info: http://www.citadel.edu. Meet Your Legislators: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 20, S.C. Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston. The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce has invited more than 330 local, state and federal elected officials to the event, which gives local residents a chance to speak directly with lawmakers about their concerns. Cost: $75 per person, or $55 Chamber member discount before Nov. 17. Click here to register. HCF Benefit Rug Sale: Nov. 20-23, Aiken-Rhett House, 48 Elizabeth St., Charleston. Peter Pap, a nationally renowned expert on Oriental rugs who frequently appears on the popular PBS series "Antiques Road Show," will exhibit some of the world's finest rugs at the sale. Portion of proceeds will benefit the Historic Charleston Foundation. Free and open to the public. Preview showing 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 20; show and sale hours 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 22; noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 23. More info: 723-1623 or visit http://www.historiccharleston.org. "Doctor Atomic" Simulcast: 12:30 p.m. Nov. 29, Charleston County Library Main Branch, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston. Free. Simulcast from the Metropolitan Opera, "Doctor Atomic" is John Adams' contemporary masterpiece exploring the story behind the creation of the atomic bomb and how it changed the course of history. Auditorium will be open 90 minutes before the simulcast to secure seats. More info: http://www.ccpl.org. 29th Annual Parade of Boats: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, Charleston Harbor. Lighted boats decorated for the holiday season parade through Charleston Harbor, followed by a fireworks display. View the procession along the waterfront or decorate your own boat and join the fun. Parade begins on the Mount Pleasant side of the harbor; viewing from the peninsula begins at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks at approximately 6:45 p.m. More info: 724-7305. In this section, we offer a list of good reads that you might want to consider reading:
FOCUS ARCHIVES 11/13:
Sandstrom:
Holiday Festival of Lights THRASH ARCHIVES 11/13:
Secret
great dining place unveiled BRACK ARCHIVES 11/6: Election reflections LIST ARCHIVES 11/13:
MUSC's
top procedures SISTER PUBLICATIONS We encourage you to check out our sister publications: SC Statehouse Report -- a weekly legislative forecast that keeps you a step ahead of what happens at the Statehouse. It's free. SC Clips -- a daily news compilation of South Carolina news from media sources across the state. Delivered by email about the time you get to work every business day. Saves you a lot of money and time. Sign up for a free trial subscription today. GwinnettForum -- an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.
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