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Issue
1.26 | Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 |
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FEEDBACK THE
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 FEB. 9, 2009 -- Jason was my youngest son. He was an average 16-year-old. He got mostly Bs on his report card, and he loved sports, especially football. He was active in his youth group and he had a lot of friends. Jason was the one who was always up for going places and trying new things. From all appearances ... my son loved life.
But on July 16, 1997, everything changed. My son Jason became a statistic of the silent epidemic of youth suicide. In trying to come to terms with what happened, I began researching youth suicide. The statistics are alarming. Did you know that, on average, more than 100 young people this week will become victims of youth suicide? But my research also gave me hope, because it showed me that teen suicide can be prevented. That's what The Jason Foundation is all about. We want to equip communities who want to help fight the silent epidemic of youth suicide with information, tools and resources.
The Jason Foundation's programs build an awareness of the national health problem of youth suicide, teach participants to recognize the warning signs or signs of concern, provide information on identifying at-risk behavior and elevated risk groups, and direct participants to local resources to deal with possible suicidal ideation. Our educational and awareness programs include a school-based program for students, staff development training for educators, seminars for parents, community-based presentations, web-based programs and a resource line. All programs are offered at no cost to participants. Since 1997, more than 2,352,700 people have participated in one or more of JFI's programs. I will never hug my son again. But I can and will work alongside you - perhaps to save your friend, your neighbor's child, a relative or even your own son or daughter.
I will be a speaker at the Child Suicide Prevention Seminar sponsored by Palmetto Behavioral Health System and presented by the North Charleston Breakfast Rotary Club on Feb. 13 at the Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center. This event will provide teachers, school counselors, district administrators and other child-serving organizations with information about youth suicide and its prevention. To register for the seminar, contact Stacy Lindbergh or call 745-5166. For more information about The Jason Foundation, visit www.jasonfoundation.com. Clark
Flatt is the founder of The Jason Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit rganization
for youth suicide awareness and prevention. The Jason Foundation's corporate
office is in Hendersonville, Tenn. CURRENTS FEB. 9, 2009 - Remember when "PDA" meant "public displays of affection" instead of "personal digital assistant?"
These two versions of the shorthand "PDA" have been in the thoughts of recent days. First, I've been thinking about good old citizenship - - public displays of affection for the country. Seems like people are very willing to put a flag sticker on a car, wear a flag lapel pin or make some kind of patriotic display. But more people should show patriotism by participating in our democracy. Instead of focusing on athletic contests, television or things around the house, our democracy would be healthier if everyone let local, state and federal lawmakers know what they thought about issues of public importance. It's not hard to show PDA for the USA. As noted in a Saturday speech to folks at Natural Awakening magazine's Green Living Festival in Mount Pleasant, participating publically in democracy is as easy as phoning a state representative, writing a letter to a congressman or gently cornering an elected official at an event. Tell them what you think about the stimulus package or the state's dependence on coal as fuel for 60 percent of the state's power or something else you care about. The point is that they're elected to represent you. For them to do a better job in representing you, they need to hear from you. (Note to officials - this means you have to listen too, and not default to your partisan leanings.) * * * The other kind of PDA - - the handheld computer - - has been in the news because a cell phone camera or iPod or some other device is thought to be behind a fall pot-smoking incident involving Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps at the University of South Carolina. Unless you've been in a cave somewhere, you will recall that someone snapped a photo of Phelps taking a hit from a bong at a USC party. While Phelps has apologized and even lost millions in sponsorships over behavior that most would concede is bad judgment, I'm wondering about the person who snapped - - and apparently sold - - the photograph to a British newspaper. Seems like it's another shameless example of greed. Just because you can take a photo and sell it doesn't make it right. * * * Finally,
news that The Post and Courier on Friday cut 25 positions, including
several reporters, isn't good for our democracy. Fewer reporters looking
into what's going on in the Lowcountry means more opportunity for people
who want to game the system. While some may want to argue that the layoffs
reflect a continued diminution in the quality of the local newspaper,
the sad news is the thinning newspaper means there are fewer vigilant
eyes on how our community is working. And that can't be good for anyone.
Andy Brack is publisher of CharlestonCurrents.com. He can be reached at: publisher@charlestoncurrents.com FEEDBACK
SPOTLIGHT
The public spiritedness of our underwriters and nonprofit partners allows us to bring CharlestonCurrents.com to you at no cost. This issue's featured nonprofit partner is the Center for Women, the only comprehensive women's development center in South Carolina. The Center for Women is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make personal and professional success an everyday event for Lowcountry women. The Center, honored in 2006 by Oprah's Angel Network with a $25,000 grant, has reached more than 70,000 women since it started in 1990. Not only has it connected thousands of women to professional sources for practical help, support, counseling and referrals, but it continues to provide outstanding educational programs to help women in their careers and businesses. Learn more: http://www.c4women.org
GOOD
NEWS Trident United Way's Countdown to Kindergarten program will hold its kickoff event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at North Charleston Elementary School, 4921 Durant Ave, two blocks northeast of Park Circle. Any child who will be entering kindergarten this fall in Charleston, Berkeley or Dorchester counties is welcome to attend.
The program is designed to help prepare children for success in school. The kickoff will include live music and entertainment, free health screenings (dental, vision and hearing), information on the local school districts, learning activities, and health and nutrition advocacy. In addition, approximately 1,500 backpacks and T-shirts will be given away. The program is a partnership of Trident United Way, the four local school districts, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Head Start/Early Head Start, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester First Steps, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, and the City of Charleston Mayor's Office for Children, Youth and Families. For more information or to register, go to http://www.tuw.org or call 740-9000, ext. 271. Conservancy seeks residents to share memories of parks Anyone who wants to leave his or her stamp on Charleston's history will have the chance at the Charleston Parks Conservancy's "Plant Your Memories" program from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 22 at the John Rutledge House Inn, 116 Broad St. The purpose of the free event is to collect new and old photos, videos, stories and comments about our parks from local residents. All the materials will be added to the first-ever Charleston parks wiki. The goal of the project is to preserve the information for future generations. At the Plant Your Memories event, conservancy volunteers will take care of the "tech" part of the wiki for Charlestonians by digitally scanning participants' current and historic photos and typing in their stories and memories. "We want to start a repository of everything there is to know about Charleston parks and we want it to be a collaborative effort by everyone who lives in this city," says Jim Martin, executive director of the Conservancy. "We thought this event would help jump-start the process and make it easier for those a little less tech-savvy to still share their old photos and amazing memories of our parks with the rest of us." Attendees can also take a free tour of the inn, which was built in 1763 and is the former home of John Rutledge, one of the 55 signers of the U.S. Constitution. It is one of only 15 homes belonging to those signers to survive, and it's where George Washington stayed during his visit to Charleston in 1791. For more information about the Charleston Parks Conservancy, read Martin's Today's Focus column in the Jan. 26 edition of CharlestonCurrents.com. For more on Plant Your Memories, visit the Conservancy online. SEWE, county team up for Wildlife Expo recycling effort The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and the Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling Department are planning a joint effort to provide plenty of recycling opportunities to those attending this weekend's Expo.
The following recycling opportunities will be available: • At
Marion Square, the site of a number of Expo events, approximately 10 recycling
bins will be available for plastic bottles (No. 1 and No. 2), aluminum
cans, steel cans and glass bottles. • Volunteers
will be stationed at each set of recycling bins and trash cans to give
guidance about which items are recyclable and which items belong in the
trash.
"We are excited to have recycling containers available during the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, and we especially want to encourage everyone at the Marion Square location to recycle," says Theresa Martin, Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling marketing specialist. "However, we also want to remind everyone to not throw items that the county's Recycling Department does not accept in the recycling bins, such as plastic cups." Conference seeking stories of inspirational women in business Know any successful, inspirational businesswomen? If so, it's time to tell their stories. This year, for the first time, the local Women in Business Conference will feature the stories of five working women who have overcome obstacles on their way to career success. The conference, sponsored by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Women, will be held March 27 at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston.
Success stories should be limited to 300 words and are due by March 2. They can be about a colleague or acquaintance, or about oneself. Five winners will have the chance to share their stories at conference breakout sessions, and the stories will be printed in the event program. One grand-prize winner will be invited to address the full conference and will receive additional prizes. Winners must be able to attend the conference.
The Women in Business Conference is designed to integrate female business owners and professionals into mainstream networks and expand their business opportunities. More than 300 women are expected to attend. Breakout session topics include "Succeeding in an Economic Downturn: A CEO's Perspective," "Career and Life Transitions," "The New Generation of Online Marketing," "Sharpening Your Management Skills," and "Refreshing Your Professional Image." There will also be a luncheon fashion show and speed networking opportunities.
REVIEW
If you have time or can make time, please consider seeing "Moments of Joy: An Evening with Joy Vandervort Cobb." I wasn't sure I would like this one-woman show because I found it difficult to imagine how entertaining and relative to life the performance could be. Joy is a teacher at the College of Charleston. She filled the audience with interest from her students, coworkers, young, old(er), black, white, Asian, other thespians and those of us who are farthest from being a thespian of any sort. This performance is simply entertaining and you'll leave feeling good with a smile on your face.
Completed in 1841, Market Hall was one of several monumental buildings that arose along Meeting Street in Charleston during the 1830s and early 1840s. Located at 188 Meeting Street, Market Hall occupies a narrow lot between North and South Market Streets that had been used as the public market since the late eighteenth century.
Market Hall was designed in the form of a Roman temple by Edward Brickell White, the most successful Charleston architect of the late antebellum period. The two-story building is set on a rusticated base and is built of brick covered with a brownstone stucco. The second story is scored in an ashlar pattern. A double flight of brownstone steps leads to a pedimented portico supported by four Doric columns. The elaborate entablature includes bucrania, ram skulls, and triglyphs. The moldings of the column capitals and bases extend along the side and rear elevations. Behind the building, sheds stretch toward the river, which provided space for merchants selling meats, produce, seafood and other goods in earlier years. The United Daughters of the Confederacy have met in the building since 1899 and in the early twenty-first century used it for their Confederate Museum. Market Hall sustained damage during Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and underwent a $3.5 million restoration that was completed in 2002. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1973.
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. |
We're all heart this Valentine's week, so we asked Amy Mendez, a registered dietitian with MUSC's Seinsheimer Cardiovascular Health Program, to tell us her top five foods to avoid in order to have a healthier heart. For more information, go to HeartHealth. And stay tuned: On Thursday, we'll have Amy's list of the top five good-for-your-heart foods
"Every journalist has a novel in him, which is an excellent place for it."
Singles in the City Mixer: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 10, Tristan Restaurant, 55 S. Market St., Charleston. Singles in the City, a local social networking group for those age 35 and older, will hold a Valentine's mixer with cocktails, appetizers, socializing and party games. Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Tickets/details. (NEW) 'To Kill A Mockingbird': Feb. 11-28, Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St., Charleston. Charleston Stage production of Harper Lee's moving novel is directed by Julian Wiles. Tickets: $15-$29. For show dates and times, visit Charleston Stage online. (NEW) Moments of Joy: 8 p.m. Feb. 12; 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 14, and 3 p.m. Feb. 15, Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St., Charleston. The Company Company presents "Moments of Joy: An Evening with Joy Vandervort Cobb" to celebrate Black History Month. Cobb, an actress, comedienne and singer, gives a one-woman show recounting the people and moments that have shaped her life and what she has learned from death, relationships, faith, motherhood, the creative muse, failure and success. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students and seniors; available at The Company Company's Web site. Child Suicide Prevention Seminar: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 13, Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston. Sponsored for the community free of charge by the North Charleston Breakfast Rotary Club, the seminar is designed for teachers, school counselors, district administrators and staff from other organizations that serve children. Speakers include a child psychiatrist, a cyber-bullying expert, a state lawmaker who sponsored anti-bullying legislation, and the parent of a child who committed suicide. regarding the facts about child suicide and how to prevent it. Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) are available to counselors, social workers and psychologists. Register by email or call Stacey Lindbergh at 745-5166. Southeastern Wildlife Exposition: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 13 and Feb. 14; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 15, downtown Charleston (eight venues). SEWE features 120 artists, lectures, Busch Wildlife shows, sporting outfitters, and conservation exhibits. In addition, the popular Dock Dogs competitions return, along with retriever demos, free flight shows by the Center for Birds of Prey, and children's activities. Tickets start at $10 & kids 10 and under are free. VIP packages available. More info/tickets: http://www.sewe.com or 723-1748. (NEW) RiverDogs Job Fairs: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 14, Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Apply for game-day working positions with the RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. On Feb. 14 applications will be taken for positions in the RiverDogs' food and beverage department; apply for other game-day positions, including ushers, ticket-takers and Kidz Zone staff, on March 14. More info: Jake Terrell, 723-7241. CSO, CBT Collaboration: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., Charleston. The Charleston Ballet Theatre and Charleston Symphony Orchestra will offer a joint performance of three ballet masterworks underscored by works from a trio of celebrated composers. Tickets: $35-$45, available only through the CBT box office, 477 King St., by calling 723-7334 or ordering online. CALENDAR: ONGOING AND SOON Sea and Save: Throughout February, S.C. Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston. Reduced admission fee of $10 for all South Carolina residents during the month, a savings of $7 off regular adult admission. Proof of residency required. More info online or at 577-3474. 'Uptown in Downtown Charleston': Throughout February, Saul Alexander Gallery, Charleston County Library Main Branch, 68 Calhoun St. Watercolors by artist Andrea Hazel, a native Charlestonian, will focus on the neighborhood people, corner stores and small businesses that becoming harder to find in downtown Charleston. The paintings are part of an ongoing series that reflects Hazel's love for her hometown and the streets where locals live and hang out. Winter Golf Classic: Feb. 16, Wild Dunes Resort's Links and Harbor courses, Isle of Palms. Sponsored by Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, with 60 teams and plenty of chances to network. Following the event, there will be a Business After Hours at the Sweetgrass Pavilion. Sponsorships still available. Tournament cost: $650 per team, or $200 per individual. To register or learn more, click here. For sponsorship info: Laura Kate Whitney, 805-3113. Entertaining with Nathalie: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 16 through Feb. 20, Culinary Institute of Charleston, Palmer Campus, 66 Columbus St., Charleston. Join internationally known cookbook author and Charleston resident Nathalie Dupree for "Entertaining With Ease," a week's worth of classes on the art of entertaining, including recipes, ideas and tips for preparing ahead. Each day's class includes a brief talk and demo followed by hands-on cooking with Nathalie. The week concludes with dinner at Nathalie's Charleston home on Feb. 20 featuring the menu prepared that day. Cost: $899. Click here to register (it's course number is XPOC 657-501) or phone 574-6152. (NEW) Web 2.0 Workshop: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Feb. 18, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, 2750 Speissegger Drive, Suite 100, North Charleston. The workshop, "Making Sense of Web 2.0 - How Facebook and Other Interactive Media are Changing Business," will help business people get a handle on Facebook, podcasts, YouTube, wikis, social bookmarking and similar tools that have become vital to staying competitive and creating a workplace that can recruit and retain tech-savvy talent. Cost: $15 for Chamber members, $30 for nonmembers. To register. visit the Chamber online. An Evening in the Orient: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 21, Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston. Annual fundraiser sponsored by Friends and Needed Supporters (FANS) of the Charleston Museum. Far East food, culture and items from the museum's Asian collections are showcased. George Read of Sotheby's will preside at an auction, with items including vacations, jewelry, Charleston silver, a 100-person oyster roast, a quail hunt, and artwork by local artists. Tickets: $60 members, $70 nonmembers. To register: 722-2996, ext. 264, or http://www.CharlestonMuseum.org. Chefs' Feast for Food Bank: 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 22, Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center, North Charleston. 10th annual Chefs' Feast fundraiser for the Lowcountry Food Bank features approximately two dozen chefs from the area's top restaurants serving samples of their best dishes. More than 95 percent of proceeds support programs that fight childhood hunger, and all money raised stays in the community. Tickets: $150 per person, available online. Corporate and event sponsorships: Miriam Coombes, 747-8146, ext. 104, or mcoombes@lcfbank.org. (NEW) BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival: March 5-8, various venues. The fourth annual festival highlights Charleston's distinctive restaurants, culinary history and cuisine while allowing guests to meet stars of the food world from around the nation, including chefs, authors, wine makers and pitmasters. Events include dinners, a gospel brunch, tastings of food and wine, cooking demonstrations (including a burger demonstration with Food Network star Bobby Flay) and more. MUSC's Children's Hospital is the signature charity for the festival. Details, tickets and more info: click here. Photographing Your Baby: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 15, Charleston Center for Photography, 654 King St., Suite D, Charleston. Portrait photographer Julia Lynn will lead this workshop, giving demonstrations and teaching students how to choose the right location for shooting, properly position the baby and get a great exposure every time. Aperture, shutter speed, ISO and lens selections will be discussed as well. Cost: $125. Register here. Penguins 'n' Pajamas Family Sleepover: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. March 20, S.C. Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston. Sleep with the penguins at the aquarium on the night that the new Penguin Planet exhibit opens. Family sleepover will offer special chances to watch the penguins dive underwater, learn about penguin colonies and discover what makes them march. One adult required per two children attending the event. Reservations and advance payment required. Cost: $30 per member child, $40 per member adult; $40 and $50 for nonmember child and adult, respectively. Reservations: 577-3474. More info. In this section, we offer a list of good reads that you might want to consider reading:
FOCUS ARCHIVES 8/20:
Yarian:
New local music CD THRASH ARCHIVES 8/20:
Good,
bad, spineless BRACK ARCHIVES 8/17:
RIP
to old clunker LIST ARCHIVES 8/20:
You
know you're from... SISTER PUBLICATIONS We encourage you to check out our sister publications:
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