TODAY'S FOCUS
:: Piccolo Spoleto offers variety

CURRENTS
:: Napa's not intimidating

THE LIST
:: Hot tips for Spoleto

BUSINESS INDIGO
:: Manufacturing a future key?

GOOD NEWS
:: Goodwill, Community Pride

HISTORY
:: Jonathan Maxcy

ALSO INSIDE

___:: CALENDAR: This week ... and next
___:: FEEDBACK: Let the process work
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___:: QUOTE: All ears

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CharlestonCurrents.com offers insightful community comment and good news on events twice each week. It cuts through the information clutter to offer insight and news on the best of what's happening locally. What readers say

Piccolo Spoleto offers a variety of special experiences
By ELLEN DRESSLER MORYL
Special to Charleston Currents

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and Piccolo Spoleto founding director Ellen Dressler Moryl.

MAY 19, 2011 - Since it began in 1979, Piccolo Spoleto Festival has celebrated the human imagination by presenting a vast array of arts programs - literary, visual and performing -- that educate, entertain and inspire us that help us see our world in a more positive way. Chamber music has been a favorite of our festival from the beginning.

This year's Spotlight Concert Series has something special for just about everyone in a variety of beautiful settings and venues. The programs include:

• Chamber music of all descriptions;
  
  
• Symphonic music including a concert of overtures and arias by Gian Carlo Menotti, Spoleto Festival USA's founder whose 100th birthday anniversary is being observed this year;
  
  

• "Flutter," the 2011 Spotlight Concert Series poster image by Karin Olah.

  Sunset Serenade at the U.S. Custom House featuring Charleston Ballet Theatre with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Orchestra;
  
  
• A solo piano recital by Laura Magnani, appearing under the auspices of the Spoleto, Umbria/Charleston, S.C. Sister City Committee;
  
  
• Outstanding choral music presentations; and
  
  
• Music for the pipe organ in the French manner and two very appealing programs at the beautiful Mepkin Abbey Church in Moncks Corner -- one by The Orchestra of St. Clare at Mepkin Abbey and the other by the Taylor Festival Choir.

Cicoria

Robinson

Of special note is a most unique concert planned for June 5th at The Citadel's McAlister Field House, called From Athletes to Artists. This event features two former football greats from The Citadel: Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone Morris Robinson (class of 1991) and Dr. Tony Cicoria, (class of 1974) an orthopedic surgeon who began a second career as a composer and concert pianist after he was struck by lightning in 1994. Both performers will appear with the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Orchestra conducted by Maestro Donald Portnoy. Robinson will sing favorite opera arias and Broadway musical selections including Ol' Man River; Cicoria will perform the world premier of a concerto he wrote for piano and orchestra. The concert will benefit The Citadel Football Association's Scholarship Fund. You should not miss it!

"Gold Marsh," the official 2011 Piccolo Spoleto poster by Dee Schenck Rhodes.

We remember with gratitude, Gian Carlo Menotti's lasting musical legacy and his genius for bringing the arts to the people. When he established Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston in the springtime of 1977, everyone was captivated by the magic and excitement that resulted. It was powerful and unforgettable.

Two years later, Piccolo began as a "little sibling" to Spoleto Festival USA, presenting local and regional artists in a series of admission-free concerts against the stunning backdrop of Spoleto's international arts extravaganza. And with the advent of Piccolo Spoleto, Menotti's artistic gifts to South Carolina were amplified exponentially.

In all of this, South Carolina has been changed for the better. For that is what the arts do for everyone. They tap into our imaginations, they create community, they give people hope, they make the world a better place. Enjoy!

Ellen Dressler Moryl is director of the city of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and is founding director of Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

MAY 19, 2011 - When my daughter announced that she wanted a trip to the Napa Valley for her college graduation present, all I could think about was that 2004 movie, "Sideways."

Salvestrin Winery

Paul Giamatti starred brilliantly, and scarred me forever with his devotion to Pinot Noir and his pretentious scorn for Merlot. I like both, and a host of other wines as well, and don't know enough to scorn much of anything except what tastes bad. In short, I am not sophisticated enough for a trip to the Napa Valley. I rely on The Wall Street Journal's wine selections to keep me sideways.

My daughter graduated May 7 from Azusa Pacific University near Los Angeles, so traveling up to Napa was a reasonable request. We planned to take my older daughter and her husband, both of them College of Charleston graduates who deserved a dream trip of their own.

Olives are milled at harvest time using these twin Italian marble one-ton stones.

We enjoyed the obligatory winery tour and tasting, though we chose a small winery that had been in the Salvestrin family for three generations. The tour included only our family, and it provided the perfect, informal chance to ask questions and get educated. Happily, within a week of returning to Charleston, our shipment of a dozen Salvestrin wines has arrived.

With even greater anticipation, I await my shipment of olive oils and vinegars. We visited Round Pond, another relatively small winery. Rather than do another wine tasting, we hit the olive oil side of the street and learned more than I thought possible about the production of this heart-healthy oil, as well as wine vinegars.

The olive oil tasting room is ready to go at Round Pond.

We coughed a bit at the slightly spicy Italian varietal oil, savored the buttery Spanish, and tried both the blood orange and Meyer lemon oils on everything they set before us -- cheese, veggies, bread.

Want to test out a rich wine vinegar? Place one sugar cube on your plate, pour on a few drops of really fine vinegar, then suck it out of the cube. Yum.

I'm no more sophisticated upon my return, but I'm looking forward to dinner!

Mount Pleasant writer Marsha Guerard edits Charleston Currents. You can reach her at: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.

Let the process work

To Charleston Currents:

Thanks for the Boeing article ["GOP should chill out on the Boeing matter," Monday].

I feel the same way you do in your last two paragraphs and that includes whether its Charleston or anywhere else. If there is an opportunity to bring highly-skilled labour and develop local skills to any place and give us job security, then I am all for it. The fact that Boeing wants to invest money in these financial times should be encouraged and not have brick walls thrown up everywhere.

-- Phil Jackett, Sydney, Australia

• Drop us a line. We love getting input from you. If you have an opinion you'd like to share (150 words or less), send your letters to the address below. We look forward to hearing from you!
  
  
  • editor@charlestoncurrents.com

Rural Mission

The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring CharlestonCurrents to you at no cost. This issue's featured nonprofit partner is Rural Mission on John's Island. The organization is many things to man people: a hand up in times of crisis and need … a mission, service and faith volunteer experience for the young and older … a caregiver and advocate for young migrant children and a support system for migrant families … a provider of a warm, comfortable home in winter and … a greatly appreciated giver of desperately needed home repairs to make low income homes safe, healthy and decent. For all, Rural Mission is a source of hope for low- and very low-income residents, the elderly and families living in the rural underserved Sea Islands of Charleston County, from Johns Island to Wadmalaw to Edisto and Yonges Islands. To learn more about this extraordinary organization, visit Rural Mission online. To talk to someone about giving your time or money to help, phone: 843.768-1720.

Is manufacturing a smart bet for S.C. economic development?
By PETER LUCASH, contributing editor

MAY 19, 2011 -- As an ex-BMW exec, it's somewhat expected that S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt would believe that manufacturing is the path to wealth and growth in the state - - a theme that Gov. Nikki Haley has picked up (despite treating Amazon warehouse jobs in the same class as standard retail jobs).

But a study by the respected strategy and consulting firm Boston Consulting Group lays out a compelling argument that that the U.S. will be on a strong competitive basis with China within five years.

Wages are rising rapidly in China, wages represent only about a third of manufacturing costs, and the cost and complexity of managing the supply chain and logistics for far flung plants has raised the cost of off-shore production; and, with U.S. workers tending to have higher skill levels and be more productive, U.S. locations will be competitive with off-shoring.

Ask Boeing -- one of the (many) problems with the 787 Dreamliner (emphasis on "dream") production is the complex supply chain - hence the plane is three years late, STILL does not have approval, and Boeing built a second plant in Charleston partially to try to play catch up once production can begin.

Anyway, here's the link to the study executive summary.

What's happening

• Lots of events coming up: See the latest issue for the full list, beginning with the AITP dinner meetings this evening at Mad River Bar & Grill downtown. More.
  
  
• Pecha Kucha next Thursday evening. More.
  
  
• The public library has several workshops from SCORE and others.

ArborGen IPO postponed
The long-anticipated initial public offering of Summerville-based ArborGen, a developer of genetically engineered seedlings, was postponed by the company this past Tuesday, reportedly due to market conditions. New Zealand based Rubicon, MeadWestvaco and International Paper each hold investments in the company.

Peter Lucash is a Charleston-based businessman who runs Digital CPE, a training, consulting and information media company that works to improve the business management of organizations. You can read and subscribe to the full edition of the Business Indigo blog here.

Gap partners with Goodwill in the Donate Movement

Gap and Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina have announced a partnership encouraging consumers to clean out their closets for a cause. Beginning today through May 29, participating Gap stores in the tri-county and Myrtle Beach area will accept clothing donations in support of the Donate Movement, an effort powered by Goodwill to educate the public on the positive impacts donations can have on both people and the planet.

During this time, customers who donate to Goodwill at participating area Gap Retail stores will receive 30 percent off their entire Gap purchase. Donations will go toward supporting Goodwill's mission of helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.

"As a company, we invest in career exploration and job readiness for youth, and thousands of our employees volunteer to help young people prepare for the workforce. Giving our customers and employees the opportunity to donate clothing in support of Goodwill is a great fit with our community efforts," said Bobbi Silten, head of global responsibility and president of Gap Foundation.

Donating to Goodwill also has a positive impact on the planet. Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items in environmentally sound ways, and diverts clothing, electronics and household items from local landfills.

"Through the Donate Movement, Goodwill has the opportunity to raise consumer awareness of the power their donated goods can have in strengthening their communities," said Goodwill President and CEO Robert Smith. "When you donate to Goodwill, you help people in your community receive vital skills training and succeed at work."

To learn more about the Donate Movement and calculate the positive impact donations will have on people in the community, visit donate.goodwill.org.

For more information on how you can help your community -- join Goodwill on Facebook or on Twitter.

RiverDogs and Gilden partner to help peninsula youth

Many children who step onto a baseball or softball diamond dream of putting on a big league uniform. Although few will realize that goal, the youth of Charleston's peninsula will now be able to come close.

The Charleston RiverDogs have partnered with Gildan Distributors to lend free T-shirts to all Peninsula Parks and Recreation youth baseball and softball teams.

"We appreciate so much the contributions of the Riverdogs and Gildan to the baseball playing youth of our city," said Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. "Pride in their team and what they learn is a big factor of success and the T-shirts will be a great contribution to success."

Peninsula youngsters will also have the opportunity to "Be Your Own Fan" and save their parents some cash at every Sunday home game. Any child that comes to Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park sporting their uniform will receive a free general admission ticket to our Family Sundays, which feature Free Parking and Kids Eat Free.

Dressing like the Yankees of tomorrow is one thing but taking the field with them is another. On Sunday, May 22, Peninsula Parks and Recreation baseball and softball players will get to do both as the RiverDogs host the inaugural Peninsula Youth Sports Day. Prior to the RiverDogs game versus the Augusta GreenJackets (5:05 p.m. first pitch), all Little Leaguers will be invited onto the field to participate in a pregame parade in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

Tickets for all home games may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, online or by calling (843) 577-DOGS (3647).

Aquarium benefits from Sustainable Seafood dinner

This spring, get hooked on sustainable seafood, and support the South Carolina Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Initiative at the same time.

Executive Chef Nate Whiting of Tristan restaurant in downtown Charleston is preparing a fresh, simple and seasonal four-course dinner paired with wine for guests to enjoy. Chef Whiting will use his years of international culinary experience to bring surprising twists to the dinner table.

Offerings include:

• Blue crab salad, carta di musica, capers, lemon and butter powder paired with Urban Riesling;
  
  
• Littleneck clams, ditalini pasta, tesa, pickled garlic and basil caviar paired with Martin Codax Albarino;
  
  
• Sustainable local grouper, spring vegetable ratatouille and piquillo butter paired with Azura Pinot Noir; and
  
  
• Mango merengue tart with star anise and lime paired with Simi Late Harvest.

In a city filled with antique Southern venues, enjoy a refreshing contemporary environment, while experiencing a memorable four-course meal. The Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Initiative Coordinator Megan Westmeyer also will be on hand to talk to guests between courses about fisheries, seafood sustainability, as well as tips on buying and serving fresh fish.

The dinner is $75 (plus tax and gratuity) per guest and takes place on May 25 at 7 p.m. at Tristan, 10 Linguard St. under the French Quarter Inn. Reservations can be made by calling (843) 534-2155. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the South Carolina Aquarium in support of the Sustainable Seafood Initiative.

Local clubs, individuals honored for beautification efforts

Community Pride, Inc., of Charleston County held its 45th Annual Awards Luncheon May 13 to announce Incentive and Pride Award winners being honored for their outstanding efforts to improve our community in 2011.

Steve Connor, chairman of Pride Board of Directors, presided over the event, and the awards were announced and presented to the recipients by Charleston County Council members Teddie E. Pryor and Dickie Schweers, Mount Pleasant Mayor Billy Swails and Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.

"There is tremendous value in recognizing the individuals, clubs, businesses, and government or civic organizations that are dedicated to providing a cleaner more attractive environment for citizens and visitors to the area," Connor said.

The award winners for 2011 are:

Garden Clubs Awards

• Environmental Education Award 1st Place - Berkeley Hills Garden Club
  
• Community Improvement Award 1st Place - Camellia Garden Club

Adopt-A-Highway Awards

• 3rd Place - McCarn Court Reporting
  
• 2nd Place - Cub Scout Pack 63
  
• 1st Place - West Ashley Outboard Motor Club

Education Awards

• Hanahan Elementary School
  
• Hanahan Middle School
  
• Hanahan High School

Contractor/Developer Awards

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Mount Pleasant
• Captain Pride Awards
  
• The Barbeque Joint
  
• DwellSmart
  
• Doody Calls
  
• City of Charleston
  
• Medical University of South Carolina
  
• HUSK Restaurant, Neighborhood Dining Group
  
• Avondale 5 K Walk/Run for the Charles Webb Center
  
• Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)
  
• The Sustainability Institute and the City of Charleston
  
• North Charleston Coliseum, Convention, and Performing Arts Center

Mamie Williams Award

• Nikki Seibert

Gene Ott Award

• Chapman Lucas

Barrett S. Lawrimore Award

• The Rev. Alma Dungee

Send us your recommendations from around town

• 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 Marsha Guerard. Make sure to include your name and full contact information.

Drunken students nearly did in college's first president

College president and minister Jonathan Maxcy was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on September 2, 1768, the eldest son of Levi Maxcy and Ruth Newell. Prepared at Wrentham Academy, he graduated with highest honors in 1787 from Rhode Island College (later Brown University). Baptized in 1789, Maxcy studied for the ministry and was licensed to preach the following year.

Maxcy

Jonathan Trumbull painted his portrait (1793) as "preacher of the First Baptist Society of Providence," a position he assumed on September 8, 1791. Maxcy married Susannah Hopkins, daughter of Commodore Esek Hopkins of Providence, on August 22, 1791. Six of their ten children survived infancy. He was elected president pro tempore of Rhode Island College on September 7, 1792, and the youthful Maxcy formally became the school's second president in 1797. Harvard College awarded him the doctor of sacred theology in 1801.

From 1802 to 1804, Maxcy served as the third president of Union College in Schenectady, New York. In 1804, drawn to a warmer climate by chronic health problems, he accepted the $2,500-a-year offer to become the first president of South Carolina College in Columbia. The college opened in January 1805 with nine students and two professors. Maxcy, professor of belles lettres, criticism and metaphysics, also served on the board of trustees. In 1810, the trustees required the president to submit semiannual reports on the courses offered and student progress, and in 1813 they insisted that juniors and seniors study theology.

The constant problem of disciplining intoxicated and unruly students seriously threatened Maxcy's position from 1813 to 1815 and undoubtedly undermined his health. The faculty tried to gain control over students by imposing suspensions, but the trustees seldom mandated expulsions.

When Maxcy's chapel speeches failed to tame students, the trustees' investigating committee charged him, on April 21, 1813, with "many and great derelictions of duty." Experiencing what he described as "the most painful occurrence of my life," Maxcy defended himself (April 24, 1813), but the trustees required the faculty to submit weekly reports to their standing committee. On February 8, 1814, the town militia had to subdue a student rebellion against the disciplinarian professor George Blackburn. The trustees expelled student ringleaders and forced Blackburn to resign. In November 1815 Maxcy's ill health resulted in a trustee resolution for his dismissal, but he successfully defended his presidency. During that time faculty raised academic standards and the college expanded to seven buildings.

Of the three colleges that he presided over, Maxcy made his greatest impact on South Carolina College. Recognized as a teacher more than a scholar, Maxcy emphasized, in Principles of Rhetorick and Criticism (1817), "how 'rhetoric' was to contribute to the general collegiate curriculum." Deeply committed to the principle of religious toleration, Maxcy believed that neither civil harmony nor salvation required doctrinal consensus. He died on June 4, 1820, and was buried in the cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church, Columbia. The Maxcy Monument, an obelisk designed by Robert Mills, was dedicated on campus on December 15, 1827, by the student Clariosophic Society, of which Maxcy was a founder and the first honorary member.

-- Excerpted from the entry by Marcia G. Synnott. 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

Charleston Currents is provided to you twice a week by:

• Editor : Marsha Guerard , 843.270.1814
• Contributing editor, business: Peter Lucash
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• Contributing editor, green: Greg Garvan
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• Publisher: Andy Brack, 843.670.3996
  

Address: P.O. Box. 22261 | Charleston, SC 29413

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Hot tips for Spoleto

Folks at the Spoleto Festival USA are crazy busy these days getting ready for the 2011 festival, May 27 to June 12. But they took a few minutes to generate a list for us. The first three answers are this season's hottest-selling shows and the last two tips are ways in which you can save on your Spoleto Festival tickets.

1. The Gospel at Colonus: This foot-stomping music spectacular combines Sophocles' Greek tragedy with an old fashioned revival. This production features North Charleston's very own Royal Missionary Baptist Church choir as the Greek chorus.

2. The Medium: In celebration of Spoleto Festival's founder Gian Carlo Menotti's 100th birthday, the festival is mounting a new production of his beloved opera The Medium.

3. Circa: This isn't your ordinary circus! This troupe from Australia combine heart stopping acrobatics with modern soundtracks that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

4. Come down to the Gaillard Auditorium in downtown Charleston and purchase your tickets at the Spoleto Festival USA Box Office. There, you will pay no handling fees and you can speak to a knowledgeable staff person who can help you select festival events.

5. Discounts. Spoleto Festival USA offers many discounts on tickets, including senior, student, and military discounts.

All ears

"No man ever listened himself out of a job."

-- Calvin Coolidge

THIS WEEK | permalink

David Mamet's "Race": 7:30 p.m., May 19, 20, 21 and 2 p.m., May 22. PURE Theatre's production of "Race" by David Mamet will be presented at PURE Theatre at Ansonborough Square Shopping Center, 334 East Bay Street, Unit I. Multiple Award-winning playwright/director David Mamet tackles America's most controversial topic in a provocative new tale of sex, guilt and bold accusations. Tickets are available online or by phone at 866-811-4111. Also, the box offices opens half an hour before showtime.

Running Well workshop: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 21, at Trident Tech's main campus. The school will offer this course that uses the physiology of running to assess and achieve optimal running form. To register or learn more, click here or contact Steve Price.

Free dog training: 11 a.m., May 21, at Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston, and 11 a.m., June 4, at James Island County Park. Charleston County Parks will be hosting local dog experts from Bark Busters Home Dog Training for free seminars. Open to the public and presented within the three county dog parks, these programs will aim to teach dog owners about their pet's behavior as well as some recommended "dos" and "don'ts" during park trips. These programs are free and open to the public, but regular park admission fees of $1 per person still apply.

Trees and Tree People: 6:30 p.m., May 22, 297 East Bay St. "Trees and Tree People: Greening Ourselves, Saving the Planet" with Jean Shinoda Bolen. Her words will lead us from knowledge of what trees are and what they do, to the symbolic, sacred meaning, soulfulness and wisdom of trees. To read more and register, go online.

CALENDAR: ONGOING AND SOON

(NEW) Upstairs at McCrady's: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets, May 25 to June 10, McCrady's, 2 Unity Alley. Jazz Artists of Charleston announces its 4th Annual JAC Jazz Series, regular sets at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. featuring some of Charleston's premiere jazz musicians, along with regionally, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. The series will include two special events, Holy City Homecomin' featuring Art of the Song and The Charleston All-Stars. Detailed ticket and program information are online.

Slavery in the Movies: Myths and Misconceptions: 6:30 p.m., May 26, Mount Pleasant Regional Library, 1133 Mathis Ferry Road. This fascinating presentation shows how the portrayal of slavery in movies has changed over the years. Presented by Donel Singleton and Nate Johnson of Fort Sumter National Monument.

Pro Bono Law Seminar: Immigration Law: 6:30 p.m., May 26, Dorchester Road Regional Library, 6325 Dorchester Road. Robert A. Condy will lead the seminar with a lecture followed by an open discussion.

(NEW) Shakespeare Alive: 6 p.m., May 28, 4 p.m., May 29, Gage Hall, 4 Archdale St., Charleston. The Charleston Chamber Opera presents "Shakespeare Alive!" as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival's Spotlight Concert Series. Join Puck from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on a journey through some of opera's most intriguing settings of Shakespearean works. Interwoven with narration by actress Terry Bell-Aby with piano accompaniment by musical director Steven Morris, the concert marks the debut of Savannah, Ga., soprano Rebecca Patrick Flaherty, Columbia, S.C., soprano Mary-Therese Heintzkill, and Boston-based tenor Kevin Hayden, with the return of Greenville Light Opera's baritone Christian Elser, and Charleston's own mezzo soprano, Lara Wilson. Tickets are $26 and are available through OvationTix, Piccolo Spoleto, or at the door.

My Father, Myself: Creative Resilience in Aging: 6:45 p.m., May 31, Main Library, 68 Calhoun St. Can art save us from the ravages of dementia, or transform the experience of aging? Jerald Winakur discusses how art can help the aging and their caregivers cope with the changes in their lives. Winakur is the author of Memory Lessons: A Doctor' Story which chronicles his life as a geriatric doctor and his experiences caring for his father, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. A book signing will follow the lecture; books will be available for sale.

Chamber's Annual Meeting: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., June 2, Francis Marion Hotel. The Charleston Metro Chamber's annual meeting will feature Scott Lillie on Inside the Magic: Leadership Principles from a Life at Disney. Cost: $179 for non-members; $129 for members. Register.

North Charleston Arts Festival: The city of North Charleston's Arts Festival continues through June 13 with dozens of lectures, concerts, displays and performances. Admission to these events is free. Go online for a complete listing. A few highlights:

• From Chaos, works by Timothy Pakron, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., through June 13. Mysterious portraits in hand painted silver gelatin prints and oil paintings through loose brushstrokes, splashes, and drips, resulting in portraits that are created "from chaos."
• Structures, works by Liz Whitney Quisgard, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through June 13. Quisgard presents sculpted columns, towers, obelisks, and wood turnings in brilliant geometric patterns reminiscent of pointillism, ancient Moorish architecture, Islamic decorative art, Navajo textiles, and Byzantine mosaics.
• Art/Humanity, 5th Annual Quilt & Fiber Art Exhibition, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through June 13. Inspired by a quote from Brock Peters, "In art there is compassion, in compassion there is humanity, with humanity there is generosity and love," African-American art quilters from across the nation will explore and depict themes of Art, Humanity, Compassion, Service, Generosity, and Love in cloth through traditional and non-traditional fiber techniques, including innovative and original wearable art..
• 2011/12 National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, North Charleston Riverfront Park, 1001 Everglades Ave., dawn to dusk through March 2012. The sixth annual, National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition is installed at the North Charleston Riverfront Park. The 11-month exhibition features large-scale sculpture by 14 established and emerging artists among 10 acres of walking paths. Visit the Cultural Arts section of the city's Web site for maps, images of the installed sculptures, and artists' statements.
• North Charleston City Gallery Exhibit: Works by Pedro Rodriguez, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, through May 31. Pedro Rodriguez, winner of the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival Design Competition, will exhibit works in oils in a variety of subjects, including his winning piece, "Strings."

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FOCUS ARCHIVES

7/25: Keelor: Berkeley hospital
7/21: Williams: Biz training
7/18: Trotta: Bike ride for kids
7/14: Read: NOLA art trip
7/11: Stanko: First Day Festival
7/6: Brown: Getting outside
6/30: Jones, Derreberry on cruises
6/27: MacIntyre: Thomson Park
6/22: Bender: Use new "r" word
6/16: Cooney: Preventing burns
6/13: Vaughn: Crosstown work
6/9: Waldman: N. Chas health
6/6: Roberson: Email coupons
6/2: Lesemann: Red Cross survey

• More of Focus in the archives

DOUG BOSTICK:
CIVIL WAR HISTORY

7/14: Blockade intensifies
6/9: Hampton's Legion
5/12: Beauregard prepares city
4/14: First shots fired
3/10: Student vs. instructor
2/10: War prep offsets horseracing

ANDY BRACK

7/25: Time for Ard to go
7/18: Camp Ho Non Wah
7/11: Higher ed flexibility
7/6: A different Eden
6/27: Numbers tell story
6/22: Kansas state of mind
6/13: New West bio
6/9: Why I'm running
6/6: Haley, drama queen

• More Andy Brack in the archives

MARSHA GUERARD

7/21: Sunscreen and tennis
7/14: A good birthday
6/30: Help name a dog
6/16: Rain good; more needed
6/2: Family lexicon
5/26: Can Boomers earn encore?
5/19: Napa's not intimidating

ANN THRASH:
FOOD & DRINK

7/25: Figs on steroids
7/11: Lady Baltimore cake
6/27: Palette & Palate
6/13: That's the Spirit
5/30: Hook, Line & Dinner
5/2: Royal wedding cake
4/18: Brock on TV
4/4: G&G food brackets
3/14: Market counting
2/28: Wine + Food
2/7: Frozen Frogmore stew
1/27: Home cooking
1/20: SEWE 2011
1/13: Dry-erase board of shame
1/6: Restaurant Week

• More Ann Thrash in the archives

PETER LUCASH:
BUSINESS INDIGO

7/14: Business training
6/30: Witty makes Inc. list
6/16: Boeing opens
6/2: Digital corridor expanding
5/19: Manufacturing key?
5/5: PeopleMatter's funding
4/21: AITP event
4/7: Enviro firm, more
3/24: April tech events
3/10: Networking about blogs
2/24: Internet addresses
2/10: Companies at conferences
1 /27: Levelwing head to speak
1/13: Health care reform

GREG GARVAN:
CHARLESTON GREEN

7/21: Port gets nod
7/6: Marketplace dissatisfaction
6/9: New green jobs in Jasper
5/26: Good for business
5/2: Boeing and green power
4/14: Green economy moving
3/17: New offering
3/3: Recycling more
2/17: Veggies profitable
2/3: Companies at conferences
1/20: Green initiative
1/6: Green initiative

LIST ARCHIVES

7/25: Google Analytics
7/21: Book sale 5
7/18: Glowing gracefullyl
7/14: Optimism falls
7/11: 5 in Georgetown
7/6: Pesky #!*$&! mosquitoes
6/30: On immigration forms
6/27: PGA fun facts
6/22: Helping Special Olympics
6/16: 5 reasons to read more
6/13: 5 summer festivals
6/9: 5 ways to help turtles
6/6: Nutrition tips
6/2: Completed projects

• More Lists in the archives
  
  
• Let us know if there's a broken link

IN OUR SISTER PUBLICATION

Here's the latest from our sister publication, Statehouse Report:

• NEWS: Is new Admin Department DOA?
  
  
• MY TURN: Don't make computer mistake
  
  
• POLITICS: Budget debate drags
  
  
• STEGELIN: Weekly cartoon
  
  
• SCORECARD: From Martin to tax breaks and voter I.D.

TWITTER UPDATE: acbrack