|
TODAY'S
FOCUS
WTF (Water the
Future) is Waterkeeper's mission, message
By CYRUS BUFFUM
Executive director, Charleston Waterkeeper
Special to CharlestonCurrents.com
OCT.
5, 2009 -- September marked the one-year anniversary of the local
nonprofit organization Charleston Waterkeeper and the launch of
the Water the Future (WTF) campaign. While typically anniversaries
reflect on the past, Charleston Waterkeeper is choosing to focus
on the future, inviting every citizen of the tri-county area to
celebrate the importance of our waterways while standing together
to see that they are protected.
Buffum
(Photo by Chrys Rynearson) |
The
mission of Charleston Waterkeeper is simple: to defend our waterways
from pollution, to protect the public's right to clean water and
to improve the quality of our waterways in such a way that we leave
our natural playground healthier, cleaner and more enjoyable for
today and tomorrow. Combining the roles of investigator, scientist,
lawyer, educator and community organizer, Charleston Waterkeeper
strives to improve the quality of Charleston's waterways while raising
awareness in the community that we all have a fundamental right
to clean water and that it is our responsibility to see that this
right is protected.
Charleston Waterkeeper invites the public to "Water the Future"
in three different ways:
- First,
people can submit their photographs of our waterways, the good,
the bad and the ugly. In order to protect our waterways, it is
first essential for the community to see the two faces of our
waterways: the beautiful and the impaired.
- Second,
people, businesses and organizations are invited to join Charleston
Waterkeeper by becoming members. The stronger the community working
to improve the quality of our waterways, the greater the impact
will be.
- Finally,
everyone is encouraged to spread the word. This movement must
be controlled not by one organization, but by an entire community.
Water
is the common thread that links every individual together throughout
our diverse communities. It is essential that we preserve and protect
the quality of our waterways for this generation and for future
generations to enjoy. To find out more information on Charleston
Waterkeeper and the Water the Future campaign, please visit http://www.charlestonwaterkeeper.org
or http://www.waterthefuture.org.
CURRENTS
Costumes, mothers-in-laws,
and sharks vs. snarks
By
ANN THRASH, editor
CharlestonCurrents.com
OCT.
5, 2009 -- A couple of short notes today, beginning with a follow-up
on Charleston entrepreneur Leslie Haywood's appearance last week
on the ABC show "Shark Tank." Haywood went on the show
to pitch her idea for Grill Charms to a panel of five self-made
multimillionaires, with the goal of getting them to invest in her
company and take it to the next level.
Thrash
|
Grill
Charms are little markers that you can put on grilled meat, chicken
or whatever so you can easily tell what's what - in other words,
so you don't have Haywood's experience of getting a super-spicy
chicken breast when you thought you were getting a mildly seasoned
one.
All
four of the male sharks seemed very impressed with the Grill Charms
idea and with Haywood herself. The exception on the panel was the
lone female shark, poor thing, who didn't have much to offer other
than a rather snarky remark about not knowing whether the men really
liked Haywood's business idea or were just googly-eyed over her
charm.
The
sticking point in the deals that three of the sharks offered was
that they wanted too big a piece of the Grill Charms pie. Two sharks
wanted 50 percent ownership of Haywood's company in return for the
$50,000 she had requested, and another said he'd give her the money
and settle for just 20 percent of the company, but only if he received
a 7 percent royalty on sales. In the end, Haywood went with the
shark who offered exactly what she'd asked for at the beginning
of the show: $50,000 and 25 percent ownership of the company.
The
winning shark is one of the countless tech multimillionaires out
there who the majority of us have probably never heard of. His name
is Robert Herjavec, and ABC says he's the son of Croatian immigrants
whose family savings were lost when his mother, who could barely
speak English, was swindled by "a smooth-talking vacuum salesman."
He ended up establishing his own technology company, selling it
to AT&T, then negotiating another tech company sale to Nokia
for $225 million. He lives in a 50,000-square-foot mansion that
no doubt is now well-supplied with Grill Charms. Way to go, Leslie
Haywood!
Mother-in-Law
Points: Did you know there's actually a Mother-in-Law's Day?
Even more importantly, does your mother-in-law know there's a Mother-in-Law's
Day? The only way your intrepid Charleston Currents reporter knows
that is because the folks at the Woodlands in Summerville recently
sent us information on their special Mother-in-Law's Day brunch.
Seating begins at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25 (that's Mother-in-Law's Day)
for a three-course brunch that includes a glass of champagne, a
special tasting menu from the chef, a framed photo of your mom-in-law
and family, and complimentary valet parking. The whole shebang is
$39 per person, not including tax and gratuity. For reservations,
call 308-2115. And hey, Woodlands: Thanks for the heads-up.
 |
No
Tricks, Just Treats: Stumped about what to wear to that Halloween
costume party? Tired of dressing like yourself when you take the
kids out trick-or-treating? If so, you're in luck in a big way.
The Footlight Players are having a costume-shop sale on Oct. 17
that will offer some great deals on center-stage-worthy costumes
and benefit the theater group at the same time. "You won't
believe what we found!" says a Footlight notice about the sale.
"Vintage hats, band uniforms, shoes, suits, evening and cocktail
dresses, clothes for everyday wear, and even furniture. Many of
the items could be used as a Halloween costume, or there are plenty
of items where you could make your own." The sale will take
place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 17 in Philadelphia Alley, which
is right next door to the Footlight Players Theater at 20 Queen
St. Sounds like a fun and unusual way to support one of our most
venerable local arts groups; we wish them the best.
Ann
Thrash, editor of CharlestonCurrents.com, can be reached at: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
FEEDBACK
Send
us a letter
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
Center
for Women
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
Local
company makes WSJ list of top small businesses
A
North Charleston company has been named to a list of the nation's
top 15 small businesses that's compiled by the Wall Street Journal
and Winning Workplaces, an Illinois nonprofit that helps small and
midsize companies create better work environments.
Advanced
Technology Institute, a private nonprofit that facilitates research
programs between companies, universities and government agencies,
has 54 employees and brought in $50.5 million in revenue in 2008,
according to the Wall Street Journal.
The
top-15 list noted that the company, which was founded in 1998, has
a "rigorous talent-management program." The WSJ story
took particular note of ATI's hiring process, saying that job interviews
were expanded from an hour or two to a longer evaluation process
that includes a candidate having lunch with employees to help evaluate
the prospect's skills, as well as a final interview with company
president Rick Self to determine whether the prospect and the company's
culture are a good fit for each other.
ATI
also recently began offering a $500 bonus to any employee who refers
someone who is hired and stays at the company at least six months.
Italian
TV show gets a real taste of the Lowcountry
The
cast of an Italian television series took a bite out of the Lowcountry
recently when participants came to Charleston as part of a special
tour of the Americas. The popular show, "Donnavventura,"
selects six young women from more than 65,000 applicants to serve
as "travel reporters." The women take a 100-day trip to
sites around the world, recounting their adventures and insights
not only for the television show, but for Italian magazines, radio
and Internet outlets as well.
The
show's producers worked with the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation
& Tourism, which asked Mitchell Crosby of JMC Charleston to
come up with a distinctive way to show off the area. Crosby collaborated
with Justin Croxall and Paul Cheney of Frogmore Catering to give
the cast and crew of the show an outing to the Crosby Docks. The
young women got to see firsthand how shrimp and fish come off the
boat, and Croxall taught them how to devein shrimp, fry them and
make hushpuppies. Cheney prepared his specialty, Frogmore stew,
and also served Johns Island corn and tomatoes.
The
Italians also enjoyed horseback riding at Seabrook Island and a
ghost walk led by Bulldog Tours. They were based at the Market Pavilion
Hotel. "This was a great way to give the girls of 'Donnaventura'
a little taste of the Lowcountry," said Crosby. "It was
such a pleasure to be a part of their experience, and it just proves
that there are no language barriers when you are having a good time."
The
group's tour started in the Caribbean, wound its way to Florida
and has been traveling up the East Coast. It will end in Quebec
and is expected to air in Italy in January.
DNR
director is new president of national wildlife group
S.C.
Department of Natural Resources Director John Frampton, who grew
up in the Lowcountry, was recently selected as the president of
the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at the group's 99th
annual meeting in Austin, Texas. Frampton has more than 35 years
of experience with DNR, where he started his career as a field biologist.
Frampton |
AFWA,
based in Washington, D.C., serves as the collective voice of North
America's fish and wildlife agencies at every level of government.
It provides member agencies with coordination services that range
from migratory birds, fish habitat, and invasive species to conservation
education, leadership development and international relations. AFWA
also represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before
the administration on key conservation and management policies.
Frampton
says that during his one-year tenure as president, he plans to pay
particular attention to the issues of climate change and energy
development; the Teaming With Wildlife and State Wildlife Action
Plans; Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund reauthorization;
and bridging the gap between state agencies and the fishing, hunting
and shooting sports industries.
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
Amethyst
Amethyst,
the state gemstone, is violet or purple-colored quartz. The word
amethyst comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning "not drunken."
This reflects the tradition that ancient Greeks and Romans liked
to drink wine from cups studded with the stone, believing that they
would not become intoxicated. For centuries it was customary for
bishops to wear amethysts in their rings, giving rise to the term
"bishop grade" for the finest stones of deep purple.
In
medieval England, the amethyst was believed to be a protection against
disease, and King Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042-1066) is said
to have worn the stone for that reason. Amethyst was one of the
gems set into the breastplate of ancient Israel's high priest, and
it figures in the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) as one of the
precious stones in the foundation of the wall of the Holy City of
Jerusalem.
Amethyst
became the official South Carolina gemstone by a law signed by Governor
Robert McNair on June 24, 1969. The legislators noted that South
Carolina is one of the few states "where the gem stone amethyst
of good quality is found in the United States" and that "the
amethyst is the most prized type of quartz for its wide use and
various shades and hue from deep orchid color."
One
of the best amethyst finds in the United States occurred in 1965
at the Ellis-Jones Amethyst Mine, near Due West in Abbeville County.
This was a fifteen-pound cluster of amethyst crystals of rich purple
color. A large group of the Due West crystals was put on display
in the Gems and Minerals Section of the National Museum of Natural
History in Washington, D.C., and appeared on a postage stamp issued
in 1974.
--
Excerpted from the entry by David C.R. Heisser. 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
THAT Big
Book Sale
Tens of thousands
of "gently used" books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, videotapes
and rare collectibles will be on sale during the 27th annual THAT
Big Book Sale, which the Friends of the Charleston County Public
Library will sponsor this weekend at the Gaillard Auditorium. Sale
hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 and Oct. 10; and 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. Oct. 11. Here are five numerical facts about the sale, compiled
especially for CharlestonCurrents.com by the Friends of the Library.
For more sale specifics, go to this Web
site.
- 60,000:
Estimated number of books, DVDs and CDs available at bargain
prices at this year's sale.
- $1:
The starting price for books.
- 300:
Dedicated volunteers needed to run the event.
- 26:
Number of years that the longest-serving volunteer, Clara Mae
Neuman, has helped organize and work at the sale.
- 50: Subject
categories of available books, including fiction, travel, biography,
children's books, cookbooks, spy and state history.
QUOTE
On
grassroots power
Reagan |
"All great
change in America begins at the dinner table."
-- Ronald
Reagan, 40th president of the United States (1911-2004)
CALENDAR:
THIS WEEK
(NEW)
FCC
broadband hearing: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 5, Ravenel Community
Hall, 5700 Connor Street, Ravenel. Two commissioners of the Federal
Communications Commission will hold a consumer hearing on development
of a National Broadband Plan. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the commissioners
will hold a field hearing at Palmer Campus of Trident Tech in downtown
Charleston with industry and other representatives.
"Blithe
Spirit": Various times, Oct. 7-Oct. 18, Sottile
Theatre at the College of Charleston, 44 George St. Charleston Stage
will present Noel Coward's classic ghostly comedy just in time for
Halloween. The plot in brief: Charles is celebrating his second
marriage when the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, shows up to join
in the celebration. When his old wife and his new wife cross paths
at a séance, spirits and tempers fly. Tickets: Online
or call 577-7183.
Mom
to Mom Sale: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 10, National Guard
Armory, 245 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant. Sponsored by the
MOMs Clubs of Mount Pleasant, the sale features toys, books, clothing,
baby equipment, bedding, furniture and more from 100 different consigners.
The event also includes a special half-off sale from 12:30 p.m.
to 2 p.m. for all remaining items. Proceeds will benefit the Charleston
Autism Academy and Carolina Children's Charity. There is a $1 entry
fee to the sale. Send e-mail
for more information..
Teddy
Bear Picnic: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11, Hampton Park.
Free, family-focused event hosted by the Park Angels, the volunteer
group of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. Events will include storytelling,
face painting, crafts, music, a parade with children and their dressed-up
teddy bears, and a booth where children can plant seeds. Food and
drinks will be available for purchase, or attendees can bring their
own picnic fare. More info: 724-5003 or visit
online.
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.
CALENDAR:
ONGOING AND SOON
Personal
Branding Seminar: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 12, Wescott Plantation
Clubhouse, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, Summerville. Sponsored by the
Summerville chapter of the American Business Women's Association
(ABWA), the program is open to the public and will ABWA members
Shauna Heathman of Mackenzie Image Consulting and Cheryl Smithem
of Strategic Marketing & Charleston PR, experts on personal
image, strategic marketing and public relations. They will be discussing
the significance of building an effective and appealing personal
brand to help you reach your career goals. Cost: $20 ABWA members,
$25 nonmembers; price includes dinner and tea or water. Register
by Oct. 3 by contacting Kathy Berman by email
or at 795-9751.
Growth
Forum: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20, Charleston Marriott.
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Growth Forum
will have recommendations from the city of Charleston’s Green
Committee (CGC), which is advising the city in the creation of a
local action plan for climate protection and sustainability. Charleston
County Deputy Administrator Kurt Taylor will provide an update on
major road projects that are being funded through the half-cent
sales tax program. Cost: $45 chamber members, $60 nonmembers. To
register: visit
this Web page.
Making
Great Presentations: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 20, Center
for Women, 129 Cannon St. The Entrepreneurial Woman Series, which
focuses on helping women create, manage and build businesses, will
look at how to make a great presentation and maximize your time
in front of a client or customer. Debbie Cooler of Dale Carnegie
and Claire Gibbons of Powerspeak Communications will lead the program.
Cost: $20 for CFW members, $40 nonmembers. Register
online.
Museum
Picnic: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25, Dill Sanctuary, 1163
Riverland Drive, James Island. The Friends and Needed Supporters
(FANS) of the Charleston Museum will host their annual family picnic,
which includes nature walks, live bluegrass by the Eagle Creek Band,
a Lowcountry dinner (fried chicken, ham, red rice, etc.), a
touch tank with marine animals, games, hayrides and demonstrations
by experts from the Center for Birds of Prey. Cost (all-inclusive):
$15 FANS member adults; $20 nonmember adults; $7 for children; free
for ages 5 and under. Advance reservations are required; call 722-2996,
ext. 264, or register
online through the calendar.
The
Red Party: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 29, Old City Jail,
21 Magazine St. The American College of the Building Arts will present
the party, during which the always-spooky Old City Jail will be
transformed into a rich red venue. Attendees are asked to dress
in red and wear masks. The event features a raffle and silent auction
with items such as luxury trips to Africa and the Caribbean. DJ
Arthur Brouthers will provide music for guests to dance to on a
color-changing, illuminated dance floor. Open bar; food by Carolina
Catering. Tickets: $55 in advance, $65 at the door. To purchase,
call 577-5245, visit
online or e-mail
Brittany Darwin.
(NEW)
Nighttime at the Museum: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct.
30, Charleston Museum. A special Halloween-season edition of
the popular event will feature glimpses of rarely seen animal mounts,
fencing demonstrations, a colonial nautical touch table, new historical
figures, and an elaborate scavenger hunt. Kids will be able to make
Halloween crafts, learn about the Museum's funerary collection,
and more. Costumes welcome. Cost: museum members, $10 per adult,
$5 per child; nonmembers, $20 per adult, $10 per child; under 3
get in free. A light pizza supper is included with the ticket price.
Registration (required): online
or 722- 2996, ext. 264.
FOCUS
ARCHIVES
12/23:
Christian:
Mannie's story
12/17: Bender:
Polar Plunge prep
12/14: Brooks:
Homes for Christmas
12/10: Doll:
Enjoy holidays sans lbs.
12/7: Yarian:
Instruments of Hope
12/3: De
Armas: Latin biz expo
11/30: Blevins:
Autism
11/23: Hutchisson:
Giving
11/19: Barnette:
Nutcracker
11/16: Franklin:
Reverse mortgages
11/12: Wutzdorff:
Be a principal
11/9: Haley:
Buying local
11/5: McCutcheon:
Work gap
11/2: Ohl:
On carpooling
10/29: Wiedman:
Women at Gibbes
10/26: Matouchev:
Bear markets
10/22: Conover:
BarCamp buzz
10/19: Wilson:
Symphony update
10/15: Bender:
Special Olympics
10/12: Baron:
Breast Center
10/8: Ginn:
Growing prosperity
10/5: Buffum:
Waterkeeping
10/1: Personal
branding
THRASH
ARCHIVES
12/17:
Cookbook,
shopping
12/10: The
Pig's wines
12/3: Neat
shopping
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
12/23:
Photographer
Meyer
12/14: Ain't
over on Sanford
12/7: Back
off a little
11/30: Sanford
presses on
11/16: Now
is time for courage
11/16: Alliance's
good news
11/9: SC's
hidden gems
11/2: Boeing
highlights needs
10/26: No
place for prejudice
10/19: Have
fun at Halloween
10/12: Renovated
Gaillard?
10/1: Napa
wine trip
9/28: Anti-crime
measures
9/21: Caw
Caw park
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
12/23:
Blackbaud
5
12/17: 4
on holiday lights
12/14: Eco-holiday
12/10: Five
about oysters
12/7: Winter
finds
12/3: Free
parking
11/30: Holiday
parades
11/23: Home
fire stats
11/19: Being
a tourist here
11/16: Growing
your business
11/12: Electronics
recycling
11/9: Beyond
the lights
11/5: Weather
watching
11/2: 5
cooking classes
10/29: Best
lists of year
10/26: Oyster
recycling
10/22: Howl-o-ween
fun
10/19: Literacy
10/15: Giving
blood
10/12: Top
ratings
10/8: Major
league
10/5: Book
sale
10/1: Citadel
football
|
