BIRDS 'N' HERBS: The weathered remains of a pot of flat-leaf parsley provided a pair of mourning doves with a place to rest and some vegetation to pick at on a chilly morning earlier this week. Courtship is in full flush now for doves, with males and females pairing up for an entire breeding season and building nests together. Pines, dogwoods, cedars and low-growing shrubs are all places you're likely to start seeing nests in the weeks to come. (Photo by Ann Thrash)

FEEDBACK
:: Send us your opinions, letters

BUSINESS INDIGO
:: Promoting Lowcountry tech, big tour

THE LIST
:: Wine + Food tickets available

GOOD NEWS
:: New tech group, award, films

ALSO INSIDE

___:: CALENDAR: This week ... and next

___:: REVIEW: Send us your recommendations

___:: HISTORY: She crab soup

___:: QUOTE: King on Southern pride

___:: SPOTLIGHT: Meet an underwriter

UNDERWRITERS AND PARTNERS

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 | Reader testimonials

TODAY'S FOCUS
Weeklong celebration fosters pride in Lowcountry parks
By JIM MARTIN
Executive director, Charleston Parks Conservancy
Special to CharlestonCurrents.com

MARCH 4, 2010 -- You'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't appreciate parks. Even someone who doesn't spend a lot of time in parks can recognize the way they bring beauty to a community, foster togetherness and provide a respite from the busyness of life.

Martin

With spring oh so very close, it's the best time of year to get out and explore the many parks and green spaces Charleston has to offer - 120 to be exact. To encourage the use of our local parks, the Charleston Parks Conservancy is hosting its first Park Week, beginning this Saturday. The Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to further beautifying city of Charleston's parks and green spaces through community support and pride in the parks.

We have daily events planned at different parks around town, providing a variety of ways for people to connect with their parks. From planting and tending to flowerbeds, learning about gardening at a free class, hanging out with your dog at Yappy Hour, doing yoga in the park or stargazing in the night sky, we feel certain everyone will find a way to enjoy Park Week.

Park Week ends with a fundraiser for the Conservancy, a street fair-style event called Party for the Parks: Amusement on the Avenue, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 13 on Ashley Avenue overlooking Colonial Lake.

Our hope is that Park Week will continue beyond this one week and into the spring, summer and fall. The Holy City is known for its historic homes and buildings, its cobblestone streets and waterfront sunsets. We hope visitors will be compelled to add parks to their must-see list and that locals will connect with a new park whenever they have the chance.

Through our Park Angels volunteer program, we have a number of ways people can work with us to beautify and promote our local parks. If you enjoy digging in the dirt and planting flowers and if you want to work alongside trained horticulturists, join us for Garden in the Parks events. If you prefer to keep your hands clean, work at our Park Angels booth at various events and spread the word of our mission. Or simply promote the Conservancy to your friends and neighbors.

If you love your local parks, you're already a Park Angel. Just sign up online (it's free) and get your official wings.

One of the many benefits of our program is the opportunity to learn more about gardening in the Lowcountry. Our Web site has a number of resources and videos that offer tips and advice.

This year we launched our Educate You program with a series of gardening classes (see the box accompanying this article). We invite you to take what you learn and turn your own backyard or patio into your own personal park.

See you in the park!

For a complete list of Park Week events and upcoming classes, visit the conservancy online.

Jim Martin is the executive director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy and a lifelong gardener who has worked in public horticulture for more than 20 years, including at the Riverbanks Zoo Botanical Garden, Mepkin Abbey Botanical Garden and Brookgreen Gardens.

CURRENTS
Lawn mower swap to help gardeners go green, save green
By ANN THRASH, editor

MARCH 4, 2010 -- If you've got a gasoline-powered lawn mower, you're generating as much air pollution every hour you use it as you would if you drove a car from Charleston to Greenville.

Thrash

That's one of the most eye-opening statistics we've seen in a while, and it's worth bearing in mind as lawn-mowing season starts to crank up again. And if you're as dismayed by that statistic as we were and want to do something about it, here's your chance. It's called the Tri-County Lawn Mower Exchange.

The exchange will be part of the Tri-County Carolina Yard Experience, planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 13 at the fairgrounds in Ladson (officially known as the Ladson Exchange Park and home of the Coastal Carolina Fair). Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley county residents can bring their gasoline-powered mowers to the event and get a discount on the purchase of a new energy-efficient, cordless electric mower. Several brands will be offered, as well as reel mowers and electric and propane-powered yard tools.

"At last year's event, 135 battery-powered lawn mowers were purchased, and over 150 gasoline mowers were recycled," said Randy Cook, an air quality planner with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The lawn mower exchange is not just about going greener in your backyard; it's also about promoting healthy air quality in South Carolina. While cars and trucks are the state's single biggest source of air pollution, off-road pollution sources such as gasoline-powered lawn mowers do serious damage to the environment as well. "Using a gasoline-powered lawn mower for one hour generates the same air pollution as driving a typical car for 200 miles," according to the organizers of the mower exchange.

Here's a look at the models and prices (including taxes) for the electric lawn mowers that will be offered at the exchange. Retailers have discounted prices between $20 and $100, and a limited number of additional $40 discounts will be offered first come, first served - so get out there early.

• Black & Decker CM1937 with 19-inch cutting path: $376.
  
• Black & Decker CMM1201 with 19-inch cutting path: $296.
  
• Earthwise 60120 with 20-inch cutting path: $340.
  
• Neuton CE5 with 14-inch cutting path: $274.
  
• Neuton CE6 with 19-inch cutting path: $374.

The mower swap, now in its second year, is one of several eco-friendly aspects of the Yard Experience, which is being held for the first time. Check this out:

• Stations will be set up for people who want to turn in old electronics, pesticides, paints, or other hazardous household materials that require careful disposal.
  
  
• A bunch of talks will be offered throughout the day with expert advice on keeping your yard looking good in an environmentally conscious way.
  
  
• Bring your own bucket - did someone say "BYOB"? - and a shovel, and you can take home as much free compost as you want.
  
  
• If you bring in your lawn mower blade, you can get it sharpened for free.
  
  
• You can also buy great native plants from the brothers of Mepkin Abbey, and plants, books and more from the Master Gardeners.

Kudos to the sponsors of the lawn mower exchange -- Wilbur Smith, Kapstone and CSX Transportation-- as well as the sponsors of the Yard Experience: Clemson Extension Master Gardeners from Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties; Clemson Cooperative Extension; the Exchange Park; DHEC; the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium; Carolina Clear; Keep Charleston Beautiful; Lowcountry Earth Force; and the city of Charleston.

To get a detailed schedule of events, including times and details on presentations, click here.

Ann Thrash is editor of CharlestonCurrents. She can be reached at editor@charlestoncurrents.com.

FEEDBACK
Send us your letters, opinions

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
BB&T

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.

BUSINESS INDIGO
Group promoting Lowcountry as hub for tech companies
By PETER LUCASH, contributing editor

Lucash

MARCH 4, 2010 -- A group of technology companies, including eThority, PeopleMatter, Telogical Systems, Life Cycle Engineering, Monolith Software and Blackbaud, has collaborated with Charleston's Business Development Office to conceive and launch Charleston Works, a comprehensive workforce development initiative designed to promote Charleston as an emerging premium destination for technology professionals.

"This is an exciting time in Charleston for the technology sector. Given the growth of eThority, we are very enthusiastic about joining forces with other thriving companies to attract and retain professional and technical talent in our community," said Erin Scheffer, human resources director for eThority. "Charleston Works is a win-win for everyone."

The initial components of Charleston Works include the Web site http://www.charlestonworks.com to promote Charleston's knowledge economy; promotion of career opportunities in Charleston at university job fairs; and an employer-only resource portal.

"Cringely's (NOT in Silicon Valley) Startup Tour" launches

Charleston resident Bob Cringely (of "I, Cringely") just launched an interesting project: He is soliciting readers' nominations for interesting startup companies in six general categories -- biotech, energy, entertainment, information technology, materials and transportation. Working with the Kaufman Foundation, he will whittle the number down to 24, then, come June, Cringely will set off with his family in their RV to visit all 24. A small camera crew will join them for a summer of blogging and end with a 13-part TV reality series. See his blog post here and nominate companies here.

Stash your MacBook in a BookBook

Twelve South has introduced BookBook, a distinctive new leather MacBook case that looks just like a vintage book. BookBook features a hardback cover and a padded leather spine that keeps your Mac safe and secure if dropped or bumped - and, as a disguise, it reduces the risk of theft. BookBook is available at http://twelvesouth.com for $79.99. BookBook comes in two styles: a classic-looking brown with a black spine or a more vibrant brown with a red spine.

Twelve South makes one-of-a-kind accessories exclusively for the Mac. The company was formed in 2009 by former executives from the fashion and consumer electronics industries, and its design team includes the original designers of landmark products like the Griffin iTrip and iCurve, and the DLO HomeDock and DLO Relaxed Leather cases.

GOOD NEWS
Local tech experts establish PATH to support nonprofits

It is no secret that many nonprofit staffs are overworked, while others operate without any paid staff at all and rely solely on committed volunteers. Whether there are paid staff or not, many nonprofits need technology help - and a new local organization hopes to fill that need.

The Palmetto Technology Hub, or PATH was formed "to provide technology support and resources to the S.C. Lowcountry not-for-profit community." It was launched by Michael Carnell of Palmettobug Digital and Tina Arnoldi of the Coastal Community Foundation with support from others in the technical community.

Arnoldi says dozens of nonprofits responded to a needs assessment survey within only a couple of days. "Some of the most pressing needs are Web site development, Microsoft Office training, learning about 'open source' and maintaining hardware," she says. "Nonprofits in need are seen across the whole spectrum of geography and field, from arts groups downtown to human needs organizations in North Charleston to afterschool programs in rural areas."

She says PATH is not asking for money, but for people's time. "Are you a tech-savvy person? Do you have an hour or so a month to help out a nonprofit with their computer needs?" she says. "If so, we invite you to visit the Web site http://www.scpath.org and fill out a survey with your interest and availability."
Those interested can also e-mail palmettotechhub@gmail.com, call 608-8482 or follow on Twitter.

City's Longborough Cottages receive state housing award

The city of Charleston's Cottages of Longborough have earned the Housing Development Award from the State Housing Finance and Development Authority for outstanding achievement in the affordable housing development arena.

The complex consists of 20 two-bedroom/two-bath units and 22 three-bedroom/two-bath units downtown. Ceiling fans, Energy-Star rated appliances and washer-dryer connections are offered in each of the condominiums.

Eight of the units are currently available for purchase. Buyers must be first-time homebuyers (or they must not have owned a home in the past three years) and must also meet income guidelines, pass a background check, attend a first-time homebuyer class, and have acceptable credit to qualify for a mortgage.

Film Society gets new home, will show movies weekly

The Greater Park Circle Film Society's Olde North Charleston Picture House has a new location at 4820 Jenkins Ave., across from Attaway Field, and is now showing films every Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Picture House is one of just two nonprofit movie theaters in South Carolina. The Film Society presents independent films, documentaries, film classics and shorts, with a focus also on educating the public about the art of film, supporting local filmmakers and fostering civic engagement.

Films to be shown this month include: March 6, "Barking Water," by Native American filmmaker Sterlin Hario; March 13, "The Real Dirt on Farmer John," shown in collaboration with Local Lowcountry First and including a discussion after the film led several local farmers involved with Community Supported Agriculture; March 20, "Rocket Science," a Sundance and Independent Spirit Award nominated comedy; and March 27, "Rebecca," Alfred Hitchcock's first U.S. film and part of the film society's Silver Screen Classics series.

For more details on the films or the Greater Park Circle Film Society, go to http://parkcirclefilms.org or call 628-5534.

RECOMMENDED
Send us your reviews

HAVE A REVIEW? If you have a review or recommendation 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.

She-crab soup is uniquely Charlestonian-a silky seafood chowder with a European heritage. The dish helped put Charleston on the regional culinary road map as surely as Philadelphia's cheese steaks or Chicago's deep-dish pizzas did the same for those locations. Shrimp and grits are perhaps the only items appearing more often on the menus of Charleston restaurants than this elegant appetizer. "There's nothing quite like it on this side of the Atlantic," said John Martin Taylor (known as "Hoppin' John"), cookbook author and the notorious arbiter of Lowcountry cuisine.

Although some Charleston-area restaurateurs bemoan it as nothing more than a novelty item slurped by the gallon by gullible tourists, Taylor maintained that the soup is an example of a delightfully distinct regional cuisine that at times has been bred into mediocrity by chefs taking shortcuts such as thickening it with flour ("wallpaper paste," he says with disgust).

Food historians believe that she-crab soup is based on the Scottish seafood bisque partan bree, which was brought by settlers to the New World in the early 1700s and was localized in Charleston with the addition of boiled and pureed long-grain rice and the roe of blue crabs. During a 1909 visit to Charleston, President William Howard Taft supped on she-crab soup at the home of Mayor R. Goodwyn Rhett. The recipe for the soup calls for the meat of a dozen female crabs, fish stock, milk, spices, and heavy cream. A blending of the New and Old Worlds and served hot, she-crab soup's finishing touches often include a sprinkling of the orange crab eggs across the surface of the thick soup, followed by a dollop of a fine, dry sherry such as amontillado.

-- Excerpted from the entry by Dan Huntley. 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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CREDITS

CharlestonCurrents.com is provided to you twice a week by:

• Editor: Ann Thrash, 843.494.4468
• Contributing editor, business: Peter Lucash
  
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Address: P.O. Box. 22261 | Charleston, SC 29413

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© 2008-2010, 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
Tickets available

The fifth annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival starts today, and you can still get tickets to some of the weekend's notable events, including the five listed here. But click quickly -- they were available at press time, but they're going fast.

• King Street Sip 'n' Stroll - 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, $40. Talk with winemakers, taste gourmet food and check out the spring merchandise at various shops on lower King Street.
  
  
• Saturday Morning Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Marion Square, $75. The Culinary Village is a great way to pack a lot of the festival into one ticket. Eat, drink, shop, get a commemorative wine glass, and see the Art Institute of Charleston's cooking competitions.
  
  
• Pinot Envy Uncorked - 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Waterfront Memorial Park, Mount Pleasant, $85. Taste Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc wines from around the world while enjoying fresh-off-the-boat seafood from the chefs at Crew Carolina restaurants.
  
  
• Locals Sunday Culinary Village and Tasting Tents - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Type in your local ZIP code and get tickets for $45 each (out-of-towners pay $55).
  
  
• BBQ, Blues & Brew - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Main Tent at Marion Square, $75. Southern pitmasters and 'cue professional will serve barbecued everything - whole hogs, brisket, ribs, shoulder, chicken and more - and local favorite band the Blue Dogs will play the festival out in true Lowcountry style.

QUOTE
On Southern pride

"Southerners have a genius for psychological alchemy. ... If something intolerable simply cannot be changed, driven away or shot, they will not only tolerate it but take pride in it as well."

-- Florence King, Southern writer (1936 - )

FOLLOW US
Follow ChasCurrents on Twitter

We've launched a new Twitter account and suspended our old blogfeed so we could provide fun information in between publication dates. We encourage you to follow us through Twitter @chascurrents.

CALENDAR: THIS WEEK

"Lowcountry Boil": Various dates and times, March 4 through March 27, PURE Theatre, Upper Lance Hall, 150 Meeting St., downtown (on the grounds of the Circular Congregational Church). Writer/director R.W. Smith describes "Lowcountry Boil" as "part 'Pulp Fiction,' part 'Clerks' and all Charleston." It's a sequel to "Horse Tranqs & Carriage People," but PURE says you don't have to have seen that show to enjoy this one. The March 4 show is a Pay What You Can Preview; March 5 show includes a complimentary beer tasting with Charleston Beer Exchange. Tickets range in price from $20-$30 and are available online or by calling 811-4111.

Southern Politics: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 3 and 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 5, The Citadel. Author and former Alabama congressman Glen Browder will speak on race and Southern politics. The March 3 event is an author presentation and book signing; Browder is the author of "Stealth Reconstruction: An Untold Story of Racial Politics in Recent Southern History" and "The South's New Racial Politics." The March 5 event is a panel discussion during the Symposium on Southern Politics, an examination of the 2008 elections. More info.

Yuriy Bekker and Friends: 7 p.m. March 5, Christ Episcopal Church, Mount Pleasant, and 4 p.m. March 7, St. John the Beloved, Summerville. "Orchestral Section Highlights" is an intimate, musician-led performance that takes the audience through each section of the orchestra. The program will showcase the wind, brass and string sections individually, as the entire orchestra as well. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 students. Purchase online, at the Gaillard Auditorium Box Office, or any Ticketmaster outlet.

Dogmore Stew Festival: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 7, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Lowcountry Animal Rescue sponsors the festival, which includes a silent auction, prizes, a pet fashion show, dog training and grooming demos and more. Tickets include hors d'oeuvres, Frogmore stew and desserts along with admission to the plantation and gardens. Cost: adults $17 ($20 at the gate); $10 for ages 6-12; $5 for ages 3-5; free for age 3 and under. Well-behaved, leashed pets get in free. Buy tickets at local All is Well locations (Summerville, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island) or by calling 343-8063.

Lee Brothers Book Signing: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 7, Blue Bicycle Books, 420 King St., downtown. Celebrated Southern food pros Matt and Ted Lee will sign copies of their latest book, "Simple Fresh Southern," which features recipes with Deep South flavor and healthy, everyday ingredients (easy ambrosia; cherry tomato and soybean salad; Caesar salad with catfish "croutons," etc.). Peanuts will be boiled and beer will be served. Free and open to the public. More info: 722-2666.

"Whistler's Women": 3 p.m. March 7, Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St., downtown. The Charleston Chamber Opera and the Gibbes will present an afternoon of opera in the rotunda, the setting for the "Whistler's Travels" special exhibition. Soprano Patrice Tiedemann, mezzo soprano Lara Wilson and baritone Paul Soper will explore the life and loves of artist James McNeill Whistler (who was married but had several lovers, one of whom bore him several children and another of whom raised his son by yet another woman). The clever mix of art song, opera and theatrical flair will include the music of Debussy, Saint-Saens, Mahler, Gilbert & Sullivan and others. Tickets: $10 museum members and students; $20 nonmembers. Buy online, at the museum store or by calling 722-2706, ext. 18.

CALENDAR: ONGOING AND SOON

(NEW) Women of Drayton Hall: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in March, Drayton Hall Plantation, 3380 Ashley River Road. The historic site will mark Women's History Month with special programs focusing on the lives of the women of Drayton Hall, both black and white, who have distinguished themselves over the past three centuries. Tour included with regular admission: $15 adults; $8 ages 12-18; $6 ages 6-11; free for ages 5 and under. Reservations (recommended): 769-2638.

"Ferdinand the Bull": 7:30 p.m. March 12, 3 p.m. March 13 and March 14, Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., downtown. Charleston Stage will present a bilingual version of the funny, family-oriented musical about a bull who doesn't want to fight and butt heads like all the other bulls - he just wants to take care of his beloved flowers. Charleston Stage says, " 'Ferdinand the Bull' is an exuberant romp about being yourself and refusing to be bullied into acting like someone you're not. Kids and adults will love the clever wordplay, comical characters and lively music." Tickets: $19 adults, $15 students. Available online or by phone at 577-7183.

Stiletto Stampede: 10 a.m. March 13, Houston Northcutt Boulevard, Mount Pleasant. An offbeat 100-yard dash in which contestants must wear 3-inch heels (both male and female). The top male and female finishers get $5,000 from Gwynn's of Mount Pleasant, and Charleston Magazine will give $1,000 to the runner with the best costume. Post-race food and entertainment offered in the Whole Foods parking lot. Proceeds from the run benefit MUSC Children's Hospital. Race fee: $30. Entry form/more info.

Party for the Parks: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 13, Ashley Avenue overlooking Colonial Lake, downtown. "Amusement on the Avenue," sponsored by the Charleston Parks Conservancy, will feature live music from the Flatt City bluegrass band, the Plainfield Project and DJ Trailmix along with roller skaters, breakdancers, jugglers and hip hop dancers. Food provided by Oak, Muse, the Bagel Shop, Queen Street Grocery, Taco Boy, Closed for Business and La Fourchette; there will also be a cappuccino bar by Royal Cup and a tasting for a new vodka from Firefly. Event is open only to those age 21 or older. Tickets: $55 in advance, $75 at the event. More info.

(NEW) Shagging on the Cooper: 8 p.m. March 13, Mount Pleasant Pier at the Memorial Park, 71 Harry Hallman Blvd. (under the Ravenel Bridge). Dance to live beach music by 17 South on the scenic 1,200-foot-long Mount Pleasant Pier. First of eight dances at the pier sponsored by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission from March through October. Gates open at 7 p.m. and live music begins at 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 per person; only 800 will be sold. Tickets cannot be purchased prior to March 13, but may be purchased from the Mount Pleasant Pier shop beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the event. More info: 795-4FUN or online.

Museum House Furniture Tours: 4 p.m. March 18 and March 19, and 10 a.m. March 20, Heyward-Washington House, 87 Church St. downtown. The Charleston Museum's Heyward-Washington House will host furniture-focused tours with special information on the significant 18th-century English and Charleston-made furniture collection housed there. Visitors can learn about Charleston cabinetmakers, locally harvested and imported wood, and the influence of Thomas Chippendale. Reservations not required. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children (free for museum members). More info: 722-2996, ext. 235, or visit online.

Economic Outlook Conference: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24, Charleston Area Convention Center. The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce's annual Economic Outlook Conference will feature an 18- to 24-month look ahead at the region's key economic sectors. Keynote speaker is Matt Martin, senior vice president and Charlotte regional executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Cost: $95 chamber members, $150 nonmembers. Registration/more info.

CSO Backstage Pass: 7 p.m. March 25, Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St., downtown. Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents a concert titled "Beyond Belief," which will include classical and contemporary pieces all tied to Greek mythology. The show is casual, interactive and intimate and will last about an hour. Tickets: $25 adults, $5 students with valid student ID. Available at the door the day of the show beginning at 5 p.m. or online.

(NEW) Lowcountry Cajun Festival: Noon to 6 p.m. March 28, James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive. Featuring music, food, crawfish-eating contest, children's activities, and more. Performers include Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. No coolers, outside beverages, or dogs permitted. Tickets: $10 adults; free for Gold Pass holders and children 12 and under. More information: 795-4FUN or online.

Dock Street Reopening: 6 p.m. April 1, Dock Street Theatre. Gala concert planned by Spoleto Festival USA for the reopening of the theatre after three years of renovations. Performances include a sneak peek of the Spoleto opera "Flora," which was first performed at the Dock Street in 1736. Events include champagne reception, performance and seated dinner. Tickets range from $250 to $1,000. Call 579-3100 or buy online.

Hat Ladies Easter Promenade: 11 a.m. April 3, Meeting Street between Broad and South Battery, downtown. Members of the Hat Ladies and their families will take their annual elegant stroll down one of the city's most recognizable streets in honor of hat-wearing traditions. Free. More info online or call 762-6679.

FOCUS ARCHIVES

7/1: Shaffer: Picky Eaters Group
6/28: Bender: Fishy Fourth
6/24: Belden: Society 1858
6/21: Stevenson: Summer reading
6/17: Handel: On Jim Fisher
6/14: Reeves: Summer dress
6/10:Martin: Garden tips
6/7: Dubrofsky: Green homes
6/3: McCutcheon: Young pros
5/31: McFaddlin: Health benefits
5/27: Ledbetter: Senior riders
5/24: Myers: Microloan's impact
5/20: Gadson: Rural Mission's needs
5/17: Bender: Bocce bashing
5/13: DeMarco: Homeless help
5/10: Spencer: Ending violence
5/6: Westmeyer: Fish to buy
5/3: Maas: Spoleto tips

• More of Focus in the archives

THRASH ARCHIVES

3/4: Green mowers
2/25: Get outdoors
2/18: Local guide book for kids
2/11: Reviewing Jenny's book
2/4: MSNBC looks at success
1/21: Tell Mt. Pleasant
1/14: Winter plant tips
1/7: New books

• More Ann Thrash in the archives

BRACK ARCHIVES

3/1: Cut all of the cuts
2/22: A look at summer camps
2/15: School district Einsteins
2/8: About mules
2/1: Bauer should get out
1/28: Gibbs at White House
1/25: Friend's new show
1/18: Rockwell painting
1/11: Palmetto Priorities
1/4/10: Piggly Wiggly visit

• More Andy Brack in the archives

BUSINESS INDIGO

3/4: Lowcountry tech hub
2/4: Advice on working with Boeing
1/21: Co-working group
1/7: Free library text questions

LIST ARCHIVES

3/4: Tickets still left
3/1: Eat & Run
2/25: RiverDogs' auction
2/22: Recycling bins
2/18: Designer data
2/15: SC Olympians
2/11: Prohibition cocktails
2/8: Tops for Charleston
2/4: Sweet treats
2/1: Free at SEWE
1/28: Artists' gift
1/25: Sharks at Aquarium
1/21: Church turns 100
1/18: 3 helping Haiti
1/14: Civil War lectures
1/11: 5 for King Day
1/7: New at SEWE
1/4/10: Staying warm

• More Lists in the archives