|
TODAY'S
FOCUS
First Museum
Mile Weekend will open doors to history
By RACHEL CHESSER
Events chairperson, Charleston's Museum Mile
Special to CharlestonCurrents.com
SEPT.
14, 2009 – Visit five museums, six historic buildings and a
powder magazine – all for just $20! Charleston’s Museum
Mile on Meeting Street will offer its first Museum Mile Weekend
on Sept. 26-27. A single pass will get visitors into 12 sites along
the Mile.
Chesser |
Launched
in 2008 as a cooperative marketing effort among nonprofit organizations,
the Museum Mile features the richest concentration of cultural sites
open to visitors in downtown Charleston. Along and around the one-mile
section of Meeting Street, visitors can discover museums, nationally
important historic houses, scenic parks and a Revolutionary War
powder magazine. Essentially, the Mile is a group of cultural sites
in a distinct area that have banded together to strategically use
limited marketing resources to drive visitation. In 2008, the Mile
sites, as a group, saw a 5 percent increase in attendance, despite
a decline in overall visitation to the Charleston area.
All
proceeds from the Museum Mile Weekend will support the group’s
efforts to get the word out about Charleston’s Museum Mile.
Sites
participating in the Museum Mile Weekend are the Aiken-Rhett House,
the Charleston Museum, the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry,
the Joseph Manigault House, the Confederate Museum, the Powder Magazine,
the Gibbes Museum of Art, the Old Slave Mart Museum, the South Carolina
Historical Society, the Heyward-Washington House, the Nathaniel
Russell House and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon.
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Museum
Mile Weekend
When:
Sept. 26-27.
Where:
Charleston’s Museum Mile downtown.
Cost:
$20 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and younger (free for those
younger than 1 year old).
Get
Tickets: Buy
online, at the downtown or Mount Pleasant Visitor Centers
or by calling 722-2996, ext. 235.
Schedule
details: Visit the Web
site.
|
Many
of the Museum Mile Weekend sites are offering special hours and
programming for the weekend. Activities range from cupcake decorating
at the Children’s Museum to living-history programming at the
Powder Magazine. Go on a docent-led tour at the Gibbes Museum or
explore various areas of the collection with curators at the Charleston
Museum. Take advantage of the rare opportunity to tour the Fireproof
Building and view the “Women in South Carolina” exhibit
at the South Carolina Historical Society. Learn more about World
War II history at the Joseph Manigault House or culinary traditions
at the Heyward-Washington House.
Buying
tickets is easy! You can buy
them online before Sept. 23 or purchase passes in person at
the downtown or Mount Pleasant Visitor Centers now through the end
of the Museum Mile Weekend. You can even call me at 722-2996, ext.
235, and I would be happy to help you with an order over the phone.
On
behalf of Charleston’s Museum Mile events committee, I hope
you will join us for a beautiful fall weekend along the Mile. If
you do participate, please let us hear from you. Our goal is to
make this an annual event, and we would love to have your input.
Please contact us at charlestonsmuseummile@gmail.com.
Rachel
Chesser is events chairperson for Charleston’s Museum Mile
and the public relations and events coordinator for the Charleston
Museum.
CURRENTS
City of Charleston needs better neighborhood debris policy
By
ANDY BRACK, publisher
CharlestonCurrents.com
SEPT.
14, 2009 – There are some people in West Ashley who still pretty
ticked off at the City of Charleston and its Code Enforcement office
for some unfriendly, impractical policies.
Brack |
Seems
that a Code Enforcement officer was riding around the Wappoo Shores
neighborhood on Sept. 1 and spotted some debris piles and unmowed
grass. Yes, the world was falling apart. (At this time of year,
grass grows alarmingly fast as it matures to the seed stage.)
Several
homeowners around the neighborhood got a ticket-looking Livability
Notice on Sept. 3 that said they had 10 days to remove debris, get
rid of weeds and cut grass. An attached letter informed them that
if they didnt' do so, they faced possible sanctions of up to 30
days in jail or a fine of more than $1,000.
For
the record, our yard was one of those cited. Also for the record,
we have a yard service that cuts grass every two weeks, just as
do a lot of people in the neighborhood.
We
called the Code Enforcement office three times before we finally
got in touch with the officer who gave us the notice. (Our neighbors
apparently were vocal and also made calls). It was clear from the
conversation that the officer didn't have a clear idea why our yard
was cited. To this day, the only thing we can figure is that we
had a small pile of some trimmed oak branches next to the curb,
just like most families who stack clippings, leaves and other debris
for the city to take it away.
The
problem, apparently, is that the city only allows debris to be piled
by the road 48 hours before the trash is picked up. So for us and
hundreds of others who put things by the road on the weekends –
because that's when most people do yardwork – we apparrently
were in violation of a city ordinance againt junk being by the road
for more than 48 hours.
In
other words, residents of Charleston, deemed one of the most polite
cities in the country, unwittingly find themselves to be likely
code violators any time they do yardwork more than 48 hours ahead
of debris pickup. The ironic thing is that most of the people who
do yardwork are doing it to IMPROVE their yards.
Perhaps
you can see where I'm going: Here is another dumb law – an
ordinance that requires nastygrams to be sent to people who more
than likely cleaning up their yards. For sure, this isn't something
that will win the city more awards for politeness.
So
here's a suggestion we've discussed with city officials. Instead
of residents getting nasty-looking Livability Notices and threatening
letters as a first warning, perhaps the Code Enforcement people
could give written warnings (marked “Warning') and let people
know about the law. Education about the meat of ordinances is a
much better tactic for long-term compliance than instilling fear
in little old ladies and big old men.
As
an alternative, maybe this particular law needs to be changed from
a two-day window for leaving leaf piles and debris on the side of
the road to five days. Here's the reasoning: If someone puts out
waste on Saturday, the Code Enforcement people won't see it until
Monday. Then, they could start a five-day counter at that point
for a property. After the five days, they could drive by again (which
they do anyway when a Notice is given) and, if they find the problem
remains, then they could send the nasty Notice. Fortunately, most
of the “violations” likely are taken care of by mere circumstance
as the debris-removal folks come by before Friday. So when the Code
Enforcement people drive by to check the second time, most of the
problems would have automatically taken care of themselves. If not,
then they could send the nasty notice and letter.
Bottom
line: There's got to be a better way to ensure neighborhoods
are tidy. Politeness and pragmatism should be the city's guides,
not strongarm tactics.
Andy
Brack, publisher of CharlestonCurrents.com, no longer has a trash
pile next to his driveway.
He can be reached at: publisher@charlestoncurrents.com.
FEEDBACK
Send
us your opinions on public issues
Have
a comment or want to vent? If you have something to
say about leadership in South Carolina, the state of baseball
today, good barbecue or something about your community's government,
drop us a line to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
Please send no more than 200 words and include contact information
(phone number, hometown) so we can get in touch with you.
SPOTLIGHT
Maybank
Industries
The
public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring CharlestonCurrents
to you at no cost. This issue's featured underwriter is Maybank
Industries, LLC of Charleston, SC. With broad experience in
commercial and government operations, Maybank Industries applies
deep-rooted commitment to teamwork, reliability and personal service
to provide innovative business solutions for project development,
information technology, logistics, vessel design, shipping agency
services and marine terminal operations, both locally and internationally.
Maybank Industries applies a powerful blend of professional expertise
to research, analyze and develop tailored solutions with thorough
plans of action, combining a heavy dose of common sense to solve
today's needs that can adapt to changing or evolving requirements.
More: Maybank
Industries and Maybank
Systems.
GOOD
NEWS
Library
to help patrons while branch temporarily closes
The
Charleston County Public Library’s West Ashley branch in South
Windermere will be closed for repairs this week, and during that
time the library will take extra steps to keep patrons from being
too inconvenienced.
The
branch will be closed beginning Sept. 14 so the heating and air-conditioning
system can be replaced. It will reopen at 10 a.m. Sept. 21. To help
accommodate patrons, an additional book drop will be added in front
of the library, and late fees for overdue items at the branch will
be waived for the days the facility is closed. Patrons who get a
notice that a requested item is on hold will have until Sept. 26
to pick it up.
For
questions or more information, call 805-6930 or go to http://www.ccpl.org.
Quarterly
luncheons planned for young professionals
The
Charleston Young Professionals group has launched a new series of
quarterly luncheons with topics designed to appeal to young business
people living and working in the Charleston region.
The
first luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 15 at
the Tate Center on the College of Charleston campus. Attendees can
park at either the George Street garage or the Wentworth Street
garage.
The
program will focus on career navigation and creating a path to success.
Information will be available from local schools that offer graduate
programs, including the Charleston School of Law, the Art Institutes
of Charleston, Trident Technical College, College of Charleston
Graduate School, Charleston Southern Graduate School, Citadel Graduate
College and the Lowcountry Graduate Center.
Dr.
John Clarkin of the Tate Center for Entrepreneurship will speak,
as will Ivie Parker and Adrian Sims Truluck of Parker-Sims Interiors.
Parker and Truluck, who own an interior design business, will share
their insights into starting your own company. In addition, the
College of Charleston Career Center, FastTrac entrepreneurial program
and job counselor Jane Perdue, CEO of the Braithewaite Group, will
give advice on jump-starting a career or business.
The event costs $15 for CYP members or $25 for nonmembers. To register
or for more information, visit http://www.charleston-yp.com.
Wine
+ Food Festival announces signature local charities
Louie’s
Kids and Slow Food Charleston will be the signature charities for
the fifth annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, scheduled
for March 4-7.
“This year the signature charity process was open to local
nonprofits through an application process, and we received requests
from some great organizations,” said Angel Postell, the festival’s
executive director. “We are excited to have chosen two organizations
that are doing so much for the Charleston community.”
Louie’s
Kids raises money and offers programs to fight childhood obesity.
Slow Food Charleston advocates for a food system based on the principles
of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability and social
justice.
The
festival has already begun raising money for the groups, raising
approximately $3,000 at the Sept. 3 Launch + Benefit Party at Charles
Towne Landing. Last year’s festival and associated events raised
an estimated $77,500 for charities and scholarships.
For
more information about the festival, visit
online or call 727-9998, ext. 4.
REVIEW
Send
us your opinion
HAVE
A REVIEW?
If you have a review of a book, movie, restaurant or local arts
endeavor, please send no more than 150 words to editor Ann
Thrash. Make sure to include your name and full contact information.
HISTORY
SPOTLIGHT
Dixie
Hummingbirds
Started
in 1928 by twelve-year-old James Davis and neighborhood friends
Bonnie Gipson Jr., Fred Owens, and Barney Parks, the gospel quartet—and
later quintet—influenced scores of gospel, soul, and rock and
roll artists. First called the Sterling High School Quartet, named
for the high school the young men attended in their hometown of
Greenville, the group made the transition from a cappella harmony
singing at the Bethel Church of God to electrified music.
 |
The
group was singing professionally in churches and on the radio by
the mid-1930s, and Davis wanted to name the group the South Carolina
Hummingbirds but determined that that would be too long. The Birds,
as their fans affectionately came to call them, drove to New York
City to record twelve old-time harmony sides for the Decca label
in 1938. That same year, with the addition of the thirteen-year-old
singer and Spartanburg native Ira Tucker, the group moved toward
a more powerful electric sound that served as a precursor to rock
music. The group moved to Philadelphia in 1942, and Tucker worked
his way from backing tenor into the group’s fiery and flamboyant
(for the times and the genre of music) lead singer. By their 1952
recordings on the Peacock label, the Birds were on their way to
gospel stardom.
The
group is perhaps best known for their re-recording of “Loves
Me Like a Rock” with the singer-songwriter Paul Simon in 1973,
for which they won a Grammy Award. Artists as prominent as Stevie
Wonder credit the Birds as a direct musical influence, drawing on
Tucker’s audience interaction and his soaring, pleading vocals.
William Bobo, who joined the group after Tucker, is considered to
be one of the great bass singers in the history of American popular
music. One reviewer wrote that the group claimed “almost universal
recognition as the greatest Southern quartet of their generation.”
–
Excerpted from the entry by Alan Richard. To read more
about this or 2,000 other entries about South Carolina, check
out The
South Carolina Encyclopedia by USC Press. (Information used
by permission.)
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 THE
LIST
Shrimp baiting
Shrimp-baiting
season opened last Friday and runs until noon on Nov. 10. The S.C.
Department of Natural Resources predicts an average year, depending
on the weather; tropical storms and heavy rains can cause small
shrimp to migrate prematurely. Here are five shrimp-baiting facts
from DNR:
- Sales of
shrimp-baiting licenses hit a peak in 1998, when 17,497 licenses
were sold.
- The number
of licenses sold has dropped steadily since 1998, with 8,346 licenses
purchased last year.
- DNR has
been surveying shrimpers at the end of each season since 1988,
and those surveys put recent total catches at less than 1 million
pounds per season (heads on). The peak total catch was more than
3.6 million pounds in 1997.
- Despite
the decline in total catch, the average catch per trip has stayed
mostly stable at 20-22 quarts per trip since 2001. DNR experts
say the stability means that “shrimp abundance” has
remained relatively good, and that the lower overall harvest is
the result of fewer licenses being issued and the number of shrimping
trips being down.
- The catch
limit is 48 quarts of shrimp measured heads-on (29 quarts heads-off)
per boat or set of poles per day. Each boat is limited to a set
of 10 poles.
QUOTE
On
words and actions
Adams |
“We have
too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond
with them.”
–
Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams (1744 – 1818)
CALENDAR:
THIS WEEK
Young
Professionals: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 15, Tate Center
for Entrepreneurship, College of Charleston. The Charleston Young
Professionals are hosting a luncheon that will focus on career navigation
and creating your own path to success. Cost: $15 CYP members, $25
nonmembers. More
info/registration.
League
of Women Voters Fall Kick-Off: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16, Renaissance
on the Harbor, 100 N. Plaza Court, Mount Pleasant. Two S.C. House
members representing Charleston County -- Republican Jenny Horne
and Democrat Anne Peterson Hutto -- will talk about their experiences
as first-term representatives and their priorities for the upcoming
legislative session in January. The Charleston County League of
Women Voters will also provide information about its activities.
Free. Parking available across the street in the Belvidere lot and
next door at the Motley Rice building. More info: 745-5166 or stacey.lindbergh@psysolutions.com.
(NEW)
Third Thursdays: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 17,
downtown Summerville. The Summerville D.R.E.A.M. group (Downtown
Restoration, Enhancement and Management) sponsors the event the
third Thursday of each month to promote local businesses and community
spirit. This month's event features the Cobblestone Jazz Trio playing
selections from Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and other favorites.
Businesses will be open for shopping and dining, and artists will
display their work on Short Central Avenue as part of the Art Central
Art Walk.
ECCO
Hurricane Party: 7 p.m. Sept. 18, Omar Shrine Temple,
Mount Pleasant. To mark 20 years of service, East Cooper Community
Outreach, which was founded in the wake of Hurricane Hugo in 1989,
is having a Hurricane Party featuring a an auction, music and dancing
to the music of the Mighty Kicks, heavy hors d'oeuvres by Cru Catering
and an open bar featuring hurricanes. Tickets: $50 in advance, $60
at the door. More info/tickets: 971-9500 or online.
Lowcountry
Spiritual Journey: 7 p.m. Sept. 19, Christ Episcopal
Church, 2304 Highway 17 North, Mount Pleasant. The newly formed
Charleston Symphony Orchestra Spiritual Ensemble, under the direction
of Nathan L. Nelson, will kick off its first full season with this
performance, which is free (donations are accepted) and open to
the public. A pre-concert voice recital featuring lyric soprano
Shanelle Woods of Charleston Southern University will begin at 5:30
p.m. More
info.
CALENDAR:
ONGOING AND SOON
(NEW)
ABWA
Meeting: 6 p.m. Sept. 21, Wescott Country Club at Wescott
Plantation, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, Summerville. Meeting of the
Jessamine Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association.
All local business women are welcome. Meeting lasts about two hours
and includes dinner; the guest speaker is Sue Mac Ridgeway of Divine
Creations, speaking on interior design. Networking starts at 6 p.m.;
meeting and dinner are at 6:30 p.m. Optional dinner cost: $15 (includes
tax and gratuity) payable at the door by cash or check; cash bar
will also be available during the networking time. Reservations
(required): Send an email
to Shirlie Taylor, 873-6769.
(NEW)
ECMOW Golf Tournament: Sept. 22, RiverTowne
Country Club, Mount Pleasant. The 11th Annual Outback Steakhouse
Charity Golf Classic to benefit East Cooper Meals on Wheels will
feature a daylong tournament and banquet. More info: 881-9350 or
visit here
online .
MOJA
Festival:
Sept. 24 through Oct. 4, various locations. Tickets are now
on sale for the annual arts festival, which highlights black artists'
contributions to dance, music, literary arts, visual arts, theater
and the overall cultural community in Charleston. Schedules, tickets,
more info: http://www.mojafestival.com.
SEWE
Fall Party: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 25, Charleston Visitor
Center, 375 Meeting St. Casual event to unveil featured artist Luke
Frazier's official poster for the 2010 Southeastern Wildlife Expo.
Includes oysters, barbecue and side from Buck Ridge Plantation,
plus live music by Triple Lindy, an open bar, and a silent auction
and raffles to benefit Ducks Unlimited. Attendees must be 21 or
over. Tickets: $40 in advance through http://www.sewe.com
or by calling 723-1748; at the door, if available, tickets are $50.
Benefit
Fashion Show: Noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 26, Jasmine Porch
restaurant, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island. Fashion show and luncheon
will benefit the Center For Women. Models will wear fashions from
Eden Boheme and Cose Belle, and jewelry designers will display their
work. Three-course lunch includes champagne. Cost: $45 plus tax
and gratuity; portion of the proceeds go to the Center for Women.
Lunch guests also get complimentary beach access at The Sanctuary
for the day. More info/reservations: 768-6253. The Center For Women
is a nonprofit partner of CharlestonCurrents.com.
Concert
in the Park: 6 p.m. Sept. 26, Mayflower Court park, next
to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race St., Charleston.
The concert is part of the church's year-long centennial celebration.
Program will feature Holy Trinity's Centennial Choir performing
liturgical music as well as secular selections in both Greek and
English; in addition, Ann Caldwell and the Magnolia Singers will
perform spirituals. Cost: $15 for adults; $3 ages 17 and under.
Tickets available at the Hellenic Center, 30 Race St., or by calling
577-2063 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays before Sept. 25).
Entertaining Charleston Style: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays,
Sept. 30 through Nov. 18, Culinary Institute of Charleston's
Palmer Campus, 66 Columbus St., Charleston. A series of short courses
celebrating the many facets of entertaining with a focus on Charleston
style and traditions. Guest presenters include hosts, event professionals,
authors, collectors, stylists and other specialists known for their
distinctive contributions to local hospitality and tourism. Light
beverage and cocktail samplings will be provided. Cost: $149. More
info/registration.
(NEW)
Pork and Politics in the Park: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park. Mix and
mingle with candidates for Mount Pleasant mayor and Town Council
at this event sponsored by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Cost: $30; includes food and beverages. Registration.
FOCUS
ARCHIVES
9/14:
Chesson:
Museum Mile
9/10: Barnette:
Chas. Ballet
9/3: Deaton:
Thrive Prize
8/31: Rawl:
Charting courses
8/27: Jurcova-Spencer:
Creatives
8/24: Brooks:
Rural Mission
8/20: Yarian:
New local music CD
8/17: Fisher:
Uses of social media
8/13: Hall:
Time for renovations
8/10: Morris:
Dog days at Drayton
8/6: Lindbergh:
Gifted school
8/3: Jackson:
Insurance tips
7/30: VanBogart:
Singles
7/27: Stewart:
Get it clean
7/23: Rosenberg:
Elect women
7/20: Nathan:
Turtle release
7/16: Johnson:
Online school
7/13: Thiers:
Protect skin
7/9: Lee:
Scoring supplies
7/2: Shockley:
Company wellness
THRASH
ARCHIVES
11/19:
LowCANtry
holiday
11/12: Hawks
vs. doves
11/5: Improving
turnout
10/29: Celebrating
a year
10/22: Good,
bad signs
10/15: Bob's
new food show
10/8: Robot
ice cream
10/5: Costumes,
snarks
9/24: Must-see
TV
9/17: Fall
leaves
9/3: Cold
comfort, more
8/27: Being
a fan
8/20: Good,
bad, spineless
8/13: Locals
on Runway
8/6: Cookie
contest
7/30: Vote
on car tags
7/23: True
confessions
7/16: New
way of tithing?
7/9: Lookout
for manatees
BRACK
ARCHIVES
9/14:
Debris
policy
9/10: Mystery
solved
8/31: This
and that
8/24: SC's
treasures
8/17: RIP
to old clunker
8/10: Lots
to squeeze in
8/3: On
flying Delta
7/27: Conspiracy
theories
7/20: Protect
carriage animals
7/13: Economic
thaw here?
LIST
ARCHIVES
9/14:
Shrimp
baiting
9/10: Day
of Caring
9/3: Free
legal clinics
8/31: CofC
Class of 2013
8/27: Citadel
Class of 2013
8/24: 7
stores, 7 days
8/20: You
know you're from...
8/17: On
the school menu
8/13: Wines
for grilling
8/10: First
Day Fest facts
8/6: Sales
tax holiday
8/3: Twittering
tips
7/30: Fall
planting
7/27: 5
for teens
7/23: Consignments
7/20: Beach
reads
7/16: Save
the books
7/13: Hot
plants
7/9: Staying
cool
7/2: Old
Exchange 5
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