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Issue
1.16 | Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 |
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LIST GOOD
NEWS ALSO INSIDE ___::
CALENDAR: Coming events |
ABOUT US CharlestonCurrents.com is a new online twice-weekly publication that offers insightful community comment and good news on events. It cuts through the information clutter to offer insight and news on the best of what's happening locally. More. |
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TODAY'S
FOCUS JAN. 5, 2009 -- I decided to attend the Charleston School of Law in part because of its commitment to a student body with diverse public-service interests. Since the school is in its infancy, students play a unique role in the school's development. We are encouraged to develop programs and societies that address social and legal issues in our community. With the help of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the first South Carolina student branch of ALDF- - the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) -- was recently established.
The SALDF is dedicated to the advancement of the lives of animals through the law and education. As a student group, we hope to expand the growing field of animal law through promotion and awareness. By lobbying for key legislation, we aim to enact laws that allow for the implementation of regulations that better protect animals. Because enacting legislation requires public support, we are building a foundation of community support. Initially, we developed a relationship with Pet Helpers, a local animal shelter and rescue organization. The experienced leaders at Pet Helpers provided SALDF with guidance in identifying the animal issues specific to the Lowcountry, such as feral cat colonies, backyard breeders, and pet licensing. Through Pet Helpers we have developed pro bono opportunities for law students who want to devote their time to solving these issues. This partnership allows interested students to foster a love for animals while developing legal research and writing skills.
Additionally, the SALDF is hosting speakers from the Humane Society of the United States next semester as part of the school's professionalism series. The content of the speeches will be directed to law students and law professionals in Charleston with the hope of building a strong community of people advocating for animals. We hope that these speeches can be the beginning of real change in the Lowcountry. In addition to bringing experts to Charleston, the SALDF is also advocating for the implementation of animal-law curricula. Animal law is a growing field which is largely unknown and unexplored. It encompasses the more traditional forms of law such as the principles of contracts, torts and property, but is cutting edge is its application of these principles. As important as education is to the animal protection movement, public support and awareness is key to the success of animal law. We hope to help promote support and awareness of animal law by hosting literature tables, informational movie nights and social events aimed at education. Positive word of mouth will also be instrumental in advancing the lives of animals through animal law. The members of SALDF are enthusiastic about our efforts within the law school and throughout the community. As a brand new organization, we are testing the waters on what will work in the Charleston community. Some mistakes have been made, but ultimately the Charleston School of Law SALDF will be successful in advocating for animals. For further information, please contact Danielle at csolsaldf@gmail.com. To learn more about the national organization, please visit http://www.aldf.org. CURRENTS
JAN. 5,
2009 -- All residents of South Carolina should be inspired by the Manning
High School Golden Pride band, which earned a much-coveted invitation
to perform in the Presidential Inaugural Parade on Jan. 20, 2009. Clarendon
School District Two Chairman Bobby Fleming said the whole Manning community
had a great sense of pride in being picked to represent the state in the
parade.
“The
great grandparents of these children came up in a world that was totally
different,” Fleming said. “Now these children have a chance
to participate - - not just observe - - in history. This is just unbelievable.” http://www.statehousereport.com/manning.htm * * * S.C. music writer Kevin Oliver reminded me of something I knew but forgot when in a column last week about three great Southern magazines. He writes:
Ahh, I was too young then too, but my memory may show now that I'm getting older! Andy Brack is publisher of CharlestonCurrents.com. You can reach him by email at: publisher@charlestoncurrents.com. FEEDBACK
SPOTLIGHT
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring CharlestonCurrents to you at no cost. This issue's featured underwriter is Southeastern Galleries, a family-owned store that offers the best in upscale furniture in one of the largest showrooms in the state. The store's highly-trained professional interior designers offer complimentary design assistance for customers, including space planning, furniture and fabric selection, window treatments, wall coverings, carpeting and rugs. Design services involve working from architectural plans for new construction and in-home consultations for existing homes. To learn more about the outstanding furniture offerings and design help from Southeastern Galleries, visit the company online at: www.southeasterngalleries.com, or stop by its West Ashley location at 1885 Ashley River road in Charleston. Phone: 556-4663.
GOOD
NEWS The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce's Area Business Councils will host two forums this month for members of the community to hear from civic leaders. Mount Pleasant Town Administrator Mac Burdette will speak to the East Cooper Area Business Council from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Jan. 21 at the Holiday Inn Mount Pleasant. On Jan. 28, Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley will address the Charleston Area Business Council from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Doubletree Guest Suites Historic Charleston, 181 Church St. The cost for each event is $15 for Chamber members, $30 for nonmembers. For more information, go to www.charlestonchamber.net or call Diane Owens at 805-3094. Plans had been for North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey to address the North Area Business Council on Jan. 14, but that program was cancelled because it conflicted with a community breakfast in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Chamber officials say Summey will speak to the group at a later date. Citadel graduate is new commander of Blue Angels A 1990 graduate of The Citadel has taken over as commander of the U.S. Navy's prestigious Blue Angels flying team.
Cmdr. Greg McWherter majored in civil engineering at The Citadel and was a soccer player and a member of the Second Battalion staff. After graduation, he entered aviation training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., where the Blue Angels are based. McWherter also graduated from the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School. A panel of admirals and former Blue Angels selected McWherter to join the elite team in the fall of 2007. McWherter's previous assignments include serving as commanding officer of the World Famous Golden Dragons (VFA-192), where he also served as executive officer, Joint Close Air Support (JCAS) branch chief of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, VFA-34 at NAS Oceana, Virginia and Top Gun instructor. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Medals (Strike Flight), two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and a number of campaign and unit awards. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform in Beaufort May 16-17. It will be their first trip to Beaufort since a Navy pilot died during a Blue Angels performance in April 2007. Free class to offer guidance on e-commerce
Choosing an effective e-commerce program for a small business involves an array of decisions, including choosing the right software, selecting a cost-effective e-payment system and picking a reliable web hosting service provider. McDuffie will discuss the options as well as potential pitfalls, then lead a question-and-answer session. More info: 805-6930. REVIEW
HISTORY
SPOTLIGHT Located on the low, sandy strip of land "South-east of Wandoe river" in modern Charleston County, Christ Church was one of the ten original parishes created by the Church Act of 1706. Shortly after Charleston was founded in 1670, settlement spilled across the harbor onto the Wando peninsula. A brisk provisions trade in beef, vegetables, and orchard products soon developed between the small farmers of the area and the city. With the introduction of rice as a staple crop in the early eighteenth century, Christ Church became a parish of planters and slaves. By 1720 African slaves made up nearly eighty-six percent of the parish population, and by 1730 the threat of insurrection in Christ Church had become so great that, as one early rector noted, "the People are forced to come to Church with Guns loaded." The first church to serve the parish was a small timber structure built in 1707. The congregation quickly outgrew the church and was already in the process of planning a larger one when the building was destroyed by fire in 1725. Construction of a new brick church began immediately and was completed in 1727. Although the edifice was burned by the British in 1782 and its interior demolished by Union troops in 1865, the original walls still stand as part of the present Christ Episcopal Church in modern-day Mount Pleasant. With the abolition of the parish system in 1865, Christ Church Parish became part of Berkeley County.
CREDITS CharlestonCurrents.com is provided to you twice a week by:
© 2008-2009, Statehouse Report LLC. All rights reserved. CharlestonCurrents.com is published every Monday and Thursday by Statehouse Report LLC, PO Box 22261, Charleston, SC 29413. |
You can now also subscribe by RSS. Click here or check the options on our blog. Five tourism honors for 2008 Five honors for the Charleston area in 2008, according to the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau:
"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful." -- Ann Landers (1918-2002) Customer Relations Coaching: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Jan. 7, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, 2750 Speisegger Drive, North Charleston. Part III of the chamber's "Managing Through an Economic Crisis" series. Session focuses on how to deliver the kind of customer service that wins and retains clients. Cost: $15 for chamber members, $30 for nonmember. Click to register. Oyster Roast, Civil War Walk: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 10, Dill Sanctuary, James Island. Charleston Museum's annual oyster roast includes curator-led tours of the Civil War fortifications, views of the Stono River and bluegrass music by Blue Plantation. Barbecue and all the fixings, as well as a full bar, are included in the ticket price. Cost: $25 museum members, $35 nonmembers. Civil War walks begin at 3 p.m.; food and drink available throughout the event. Reservations: http://www.charlestonmuseum.org or 722-2996, ext. 264. Digital TV Primer: 11 a.m. Jan. 10 and Jan. 17, John L. Dart Library, 1067 King St. (722-7550); 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Dorchester Road Regional Library, 6325 Dorchester Road (552-6466). The Digital TV conversion happens on Feb. 17. Are you ready? What do you need to know? How will this change your television viewing? Experts from WCSC-TV (Channel 5) will explain the ins and outs and answer questions. CALENDAR: ONGOING AND SOON (NEW) MLK Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Jan. 14, Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St., Charleston. Annual business and professional breakfast, hosted by the YWCA of Greater Charleston, to honor the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speaker: Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers Jr., president of Voorhees College. Cost: $25. Tickets: 722-1644. Power
of Making a Difference: 7 p.m. Jan. 15, Admissions Auditorium,
Robert Scott Small Building, College of Charleston, St. Philip and Calhoun
streets, Charleston. Speaker: Former CNN anchor Daryn Kagan, author of
"What's Possible! 50 Real People Who Dared to Dream They Could Make
a Difference" and founder of the inspirational online community,
DarynKagan.com.
Cost: $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Information/tickets: Center
for Women, Sophia
Institute or 720-8528. Marsalis at Music Hall: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., Charleston. Multiple Grammy Award winner Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will perform at a benefit for the Charleston Concert Association. A fundraising gala will follow at the William Aiken House, 456 King St., featuring a black-tie dinner with the musicians and entertainment by local jazz musician Quentin Baxter. Tickets for Marsalis' performance are $35, $55 and $100. Gala/dinner tickets are $250, which includes a ticket to the concert. Call the Charleston Concert Association at 571-7755 or Ticketmaster at 554-6060. MLK Concert:
4 p.m. Jan. 18, Mount Moriah Family Living Center, 7396 Rivers
Ave., North Charleston. "Perseverance: Where Do We Go From Here:
A Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.," presented by the Charleston
Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir and the city of North Charleston's Cultural
Arts Department, featuring music, historical audio and video footage.
Free; donations will be accepted at the door to support the choir's community
outreach work. First-come, first-served entry tickets available at the
Gaillard Auditorium Box Office in downtown Charleston; Mount Moriah Family
Living Center in North Charleston or the North Charleston Cultural Arts
Department. Camellia Clinic: 1 p.m. Jan. 24, Garden Market and Nursery at Middleton Place, Highway 61. Free seminar on camellia care with Sidney Frazier, Middleton's vice president of horticulture, and nursery manager Matt Jackson. Learn about which varieties work best in local gardens and get advice on when, where and how to plant. In addition, seedlings from some of Middleton's historic, internationally known camellias will be available for purchase. More info: http://www.middletonplace.org. 26th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 25, Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant. Enjoy oysters, live music, an oyster shucking and eating contest, and a kids corner with pony rides and a jump castle. Sponsored by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association; money raised goes to Ronald McDonald House, Hollings Cancer Center, and Charleston County Schools Science Materials Resource Center. Tickets: $10 in advance from the GCRA Web site or Applebee's restaurants; $12 at the gate; free for children under 10. Oysters sold by the bucket (3 dozen to 4 dozen for $8). More info: 452-6088. (NEW) Murray Boulevard Centennial: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Charleston County Public Library's Main Branch, 68 Calhoun St., downtown. The most scenic drive on the Charleston peninsula celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2009. Using archival documents and images, Dr. Nic Butler of the Charleston Archive will present an illustrated review of the boulevard and how it was developed by the city. Details: 805-6930. In this section, we offer a list of good reads that you might want to consider reading:
FOCUS ARCHIVES 12/29:
Polomski:
Holiday plant cures THRASH ARCHIVES 12/18:
Holiday
spirit is alive BRACK ARCHIVES 12/29:
Three
Southern magazines LIST ARCHIVES 12/29:
Wentworth:
Favorite poets SISTER PUBLICATIONS We encourage you to check out our sister publications:
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The
Charleston County Public Library will offer a free class Jan. 21 to help
small-business owners learn about choosing e-commerce solutions. Tina
McDuffie of WebWoman LLC will lead the class, which meets from 7 p.m.
until 8:30 p.m. at the library's Main Branch, 68 Calhoun St. 
