 |
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENTS THE
LIST FOOD
+ WINE CHARLESTON
GREEN GOOD
NEWS HISTORY
ALSO INSIDE :: FEEDBACK: Send your letters :: SPOTLIGHT: Twenty Six Divine :: CALENDAR: This week ... and next :: QUOTE: No flower lover |
UNDERWRITERS/PARTNERS
ABOUT US CharlestonCurrents.com offers insightful community comment and good news on events twice each week. It cuts through the information clutter to offer the best of what's happening locally. What readers say |
|
OCT. 17, 2011 -- The Sustainability Institute will host a Nov. 10 party to premiere a short film about the decade-long impact the organization has had on individuals, businesses, organizations and municipalities across the Lowcountry to further educate consumers on the importance of being more energy efficient.
The event entitled, "A Night for our Future," will be 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 10, The Hippodrome, 360 Concord Street, Charleston. Additionally, attendees will experience live music from Joel Hamilton and the Shrimp Family Collective, and sample food and cocktails from local and new businesses. "The positive response and growing interest we continue to receive from the Charleston community is not only encouraging, but also inspiring for our organization to keep educating people about the need to be more energy efficient," said Bryan Cordell, executive director of The Sustainability Institute. "We hope that through an event like "A Night for the Future," we can help more people engage in our mission and most importantly become better stewards of the environment."
The event is open to the public but attendees must be at least 21 years of age and can purchase tickets for $40 at The Sustainability Institute's Web site or Facebook page. Sponsorships from Kiawah Island Real Estate, PDA, Duvall Events, The Cocktail Club, Allagash Brewing Company, Cathead Vodka, La Wine and La Bubbly from Social Wine Bar and Awendaw Green as well as proceeds from the event support the programs and initiatives of The Sustainability Institute. The Sustainability Institute is an award-winning, nonprofit, 501c(3) organization with a mission of empowering South Carolinian's to reduce our energy consumption where we live and work. The institute partners with individuals, businesses, organizations and municipalities to create programs that educate and create a workforce, in order to increase energy efficiency.
 About campaigning and fixing things By ANDY BRACK, publisher OCT. 17, 2011 -- Campaigning is a lot more fun than you may think.
More than anything else, it has made me feel even more connected to Charleston and what's happening here. Not only have I met kind people, such as the retired KLM pilot from Amsterdam and a man who wants Savannah Highway traffic to slow down a little, but I've learned more about our community that I ever thought. Over the last few weeks, I've knocked on hundreds of doors and talked with hundreds of people in West Ashley and James Island. Many have asked what it's like to talk to people in their front yards, so here goes:
To learn more about the campaign, visit www.AndyBrack.com. * * * Here's a great book for holiday presents: "How to Build a Fire and Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew," by Erin Bried.
While I already knew how to do many of the things in the book -- how to build a fire, tie a bowline, paint a room, hang drywall, give a speech, shake hands, iron a shirt, gill a steak, make a good cup of coffee and more -- the book offered lots of great tips. Among interesting things learned:
We plan
to buy a few copies and spread the practical joy at the holidays.
OCT. 17, 2011 -- It's not often that you get to say "thank you" to someone you've never met who just happens to have changed your life -- so when I unexpectedly got that chance about 10 days ago, I didn't want to let it slip by. I'd agreed to help out my friend and former colleague Teresa Taylor, the food editor at The Post and Courier. Teresa was hosting the annual convention of the Association of Food Journalists, a national group of newspaper, magazine and online food writers. Since I was a member of the group myself when I was the paper's food editor about a dozen years ago, I was glad to help when Teresa asked if I could spare a few hours on the convention's opening day to check in all the visiting writers when they arrived in Charleston at the Double Tree hotel in the Market. I thought it would be fun to catch up with some old pals after all this time, and it really was.
She and a writer from the Village Voice strolled into the room, talking about New York restaurants, and when they finished their conversation, she looked at me and said hello. I introduced myself and blurted out, "I have to tell you, you changed my life." She looked a little taken aback -- understandable, since she didn't know me from Adam -- and asked, "I did?! What did I do?" So I told her how she taught me to make great rice. For years I struggled to make good rice (or even halfway decent rice). Mom always used one of those old steamer pots, so when I grew up and got a place of my own, that's what I tried to use, too. I could never make it work. In all the times I tried, I can't remember a single pot that ever turned out well -- too sticky, too undercooked, too dry, burned on the bottom of the pot, etc. So I just quit trying -- even though I dearly love rice. I still ate rice at my mom's house or at restaurants or any other chance I got. I just stopped attempting to make it myself. If I absolutely HAD to have it at home, I used -- yes -- the boil-in-the-bag kind, but that's just not the same. It was my secret shame when I became food editor at the paper in 1996: I couldn't make rice. But a few months into the job, I went to a food writers' gathering in Hilton Head where Ms. Grosvenor was the keynote speaker during lunch. And during her remarks, she started talking about cooking rice. My ears perked up. I remember scribbling her instructions in my reporter's notebook and feeling a flicker of hope about how easy it sounded. No steamer. No perforated bags. No ruined pots. Maybe I could actually pull it off. So as soon as I got back home, I tried it. It was perfect. I've made rice her way ever since, and it's never failed. She changed my culinary life. When I told Ms. Grosvenor that story, she smiled and looked genuinely pleased. I'm sure I'm not the first cook (or the last) that she's rescued from ruinous rice. So once again, thank you, Vertamae Grosvenor -- and my husband thanks you, too. I think he actually loves your rice even more than I do. Here's how you do it, just as Ms. Grosvenor wrote in "Vibration Cooking: or, The Travel Notes of a Geechee Girl," originally published in 1970:
Cooking
Class Spotlight
OCT. 17, 2011 -- It was great to see a contrarian voice speaking out about the problems with nuclear power and promoting cleaner, renewable forms of energy. Howie Hawkins, a Green Party founder, put in a guest appearance Oct. 8 in Mount Pleasant at the "No Nukes Tour: Organize the South!" With the South home to 90 percent of new projects before the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Hawkins said, "It is an assault on our wealth and an assault on our health." Charleston County Green Party head Larry Center also encouraged the nation to focus on other green sources of energy.
The second annual Diversity Week at the College of Charleston starts Oct. 24 with events ranging from dynamic music offerings to tasty foods from around the world, a film series, dance, a multicultural fashion show and more.
Opening ceremonies at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Stern Center Gardens feature reggae music by Mystic Vibrations. Special guests for the week's celebrations include Hawk Hurst, a Native American storyteller, Taikoza, Japanese drummers, and a jazz duo featuring David Patterson and Ann Caldwell for the closing ceremonies on Oct. 28.
Deadline is Thursday for emerging fashion designers Aspiring fashion designers have until Thursday to apply in the Emerging Designer Competition East that's part of Charleston Fashion Week, which will be March 20 to March 24 next year.
The mission of the EDC:E is to offer a platform for aspiring designers living in the Eastern United States to showcase their talent on the runway at Charleston Fashion Week and gain the attention of national press and buyers. Past finalists have achieved national recognition, including two who were on the television show, "Project Runway."? Volunteers sought to clean up county Nov. 5
During 2010, 2,336 volunteers removed 53,726 pounds of litter from primary and secondary roads, according to a press release.
Union fleet heading South
hit by storm OCT. 17, 2011 -- Though the specter of combat had not returned the shores of South Carolina, the early fighting in Northern Virginia weighed heavily upon everyone as Palmetto State troops were engaged. On October 18, poems were read by children at the Charleston Orphan House celebrating the anniversary of the charitable institution. One of the poems, "Appeal for the Soldiers," was printed in the Charleston Courier. It read in part: I
ask a gift, but not for us;
In the fleet were 36 transports, with more than 13,000 troops, formed in three columns. They were preceded by the flagship USS Wabash, a 44-gun steam screw frigate, and 14 men-of-war. The makeshift fleet included everything from the most powerful warship to a New York ferryboat. The column of 51 ships stretched six miles long in the ocean. Commanding officer Brigadier General Thomas W. Sherman issued an order that no fried meats would be allowed during the voyage. His General Order No. 13 stated, "Soups, boiled meats and hard bread compose the true and healthy diet of the soldier on transport at sea." The transports, in addition to the troops, were loaded with supply wagons, ambulances, tools, surgeon's supplies, medicine, fresh water, and coffins. No sooner than the fleet set sail, they encountered a great storm at sea the next day. Several of the smaller ships had to return to Hampton Roads. The USS Isaac P. Smith had to dump its guns to stay afloat. Three ships -- the USS Union, USS Peerless, and the USS Osceola, carrying food, supplies, and ammunition, were lost. Other ships made for shore on the North Carolina coast. By the next morning, the fleet was reduced from 51 to 31 ships still in formation.
SISTER PUBLICATIONS We encourage you to check out our sister publications:
CREDITS Charleston Currents is provided to you twice a week by:
UNSUBSCRIBE We hope you'll keep receiving the great news and information from CharlestonCurrents.com, but if you need to unsubscribe, click here. © 2008-2011, Statehouse Report LLC. All rights reserved. Charleston Currents is published every Monday and Thursday by Statehouse Report LLC, PO Box 22261, Charleston, SC 29413. |
Art is busting out all over We've gotten a lot of emails about art exhibits and shows so we thought you might enjoy hopping, skipping and jumping around the area to see what's what. Of interest: Art Uncorked at Jasmine Porch. The Wells Gallery and Jasmine Porch will host a wine tasting ($10) and art walk (free) for two hours starting at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 and Oct. 27 at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. Oct. 20 features the work of Karen Larson Turner; Oct. 27 features Betty Anglin Smith. More: WellsGallery.com "Juxtapose," Leo E. Osborne Solo Show: Through Oct. 31 at Martin Gallery, 18 Broad Street, Charleston. Don't miss an exhibit that pairs a new collection of paintings with sculptures by Leo E. Osborne. Each painting will be shown with the sculpture from which it was inspired. More. MartinGalleryCharleston.com. 34th annual S.C. Watermedia Exhibition, Nov. 5 through Dec. 31, The City Gallery at Waterfront Park. The City of Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs will host this exhibition by 62 award-winning South Carolina artists of their paintings in watercolor, acrylic, gouache and other water-based media. Admission is free with a reception open to all at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5. "Moments
on Canvas" exhibit. A retrospective of the art career of Mount
Pleasant artist Chevis Clark will be held Nov. 10 as a tribute to the
creative spirit that continues in spite of losses experienced with Alzheimer's
disease. Selected works will be for sale to benefit Respite Care Charleston.
The event is scheduled 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Cooper River Room
at Mount Pleasant Waterfront Memorial Park. Tickets are $30, which includes
food, beverages and live music. More: RespiteCareCharleston.org Two shows at the
Gibbes. From Oct. 28 through Jan. 8, 2012, the Gibbes Museum of Art
will have two new exhibitions. "Breaking Down Barriers: 300 Years
of Women in Art" in the museum's Main Gallery, will highlight challenges
faced by women artists over three centuries. A lecture series will be
held Nov. 2, 9 and 16 at 6 p.m. "Camera Works: Masters In Photography"
in the Rotunda Galleries, will highlight 20th Century masters of photography
from museum and private collections. More: GibbesMuseum.org "I hate flowers. I paint them because they're cheaper than models and they don't move."
Give Back Night:
5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Oct. 19, Mosaic Café and Catering, 1150
Hungryneck Blvd., Mount Pleasant. East Cooper Meals on Wheels will partner
with Mosaic Café and Catering for a benefit night to raise funds
in support of meal delivery to homebound seniors. Thirteen percent of
the pre-tax receipts from both dine-in and carryout orders will be donated
to East Cooper Meals on Wheels. The evening will also feature live musical
entertainment and a signature cocktail. Reservations are not required
but can be made at OpenTable.com or by calling (843) 388.1490. Folly Beach Challenge, 8 a.m., Oct. 22, Folly Beach County Park. Do you have what it takes for this beach triathlon with a twist? The 3rd annual challenge is an off-road triathlon that features paddling, biking, and running. Participants will paddle a 3-mile stretch of the Folly River to Folly Beach County Park, then bike approximately 8.5 miles on Folly Beach, and then run a 3-mile section of the beach. Register individually or as part of a three-member team. Online registration ends Oct. 20. If available, late registration will take place on Oct. 21 at packet pick up. There will be no race-day registration. This race is capped at 300 participants. For more information on the Folly Beach Challenge or to register, call (843) 795-4386 or visit online. (NEW) Avondale 5K Run + Walk: 8:30 a.m., Oct. 22, Triangle Char and Bar, 828 Savannah Highway, Charleston. The second annual race/walk will feature an after-race party at the restaurant that includes live music, food and drinks. The "green" event, hosted by the Avondale Business Association and the restaurant, will benefit the Charles Webb Center, which serves children with developmental disabilities and special needs. Registration: $30. More info is online. Blue Jamboree: 5:30 p.m., Oct. 22, Charleston Maritime Center. Guest speakers include Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sen. Vincent Sheheen, and state party Chair Dick Harpootlian. Includes live bands and entertainment, food and beverage vendors and voter registration. Tickets: $10. More Blue Jamboree information. Antiques Book
Signing: Noon to 3 p.m., Oct. 23, John Pope Antiques, 180 King
St. Antiques expert Judith Miller will sign her book, "Miller's Antiques
Handbook & Price Guide, 2012-2013." CALENDAR: ONGOING AND SOON (NEW)
Dracula:
Through Oct. 30, Charleston Stage Company, Dock Street Theatre, 135
Church St. Count Dracula is back. Centuries before the TWILIGHT Saga began,
the original Prince of Darkness reigned over the shadowy world of the
Undead. Rediscover the classic tale that launched a thousand teeth. Intense
content, please see parent guide by clicking
here. For ticket information, go
online. 10th Annual Rein and Shine Barn Raiser: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 29, at the Rein and Shine barn in Awendaw. The therapeutic riding program celebrates its 10th anniversary with food courtesy of 17North, music produced by Awendaw Green, silent and live auctions, beer, wine, champagne, and kid-friendly refreshments, pony rides, face painting, pumpkin carving and costume contests. Adults $30 in advance, $40 after Oct. 25; couples $50 in advance, $60 after Oct 25; children (under 15) $10 in advance, $15 after Oct 25; children (4 and under) are free. To purchase tickets go online.
Calligraphy Workshops: 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Nov. 12. The Charleston Museum and professional calligrapher Natasha Lawrence invite you to learn the art of creative lettering. Morning workshop will be Introduction to Calligraphy and afternoon will be Wedding Calligraphy. All materials are included: calligraphy pen to keep, workbook, practice paper and more. Each workshop is $30/member and $35/non-member. Advance reservations are required. Register online or call 722-2996 x235. (NEW) Rural Mission Oyster Roast: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 20, Bowen's Island Restaurant near Folly Beach. The fundraising event ($25 advance, $30 at the door) supports the nonprofit's ministry for outreach and home repair on the Sea Islands. More info: 768-1720. Tickets are available online. Tech Entrepreneur Training: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 12 at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, 4500 Leeds Ave. BizBuilderSC, which offers statewide entrepreneur and small business training, is offering the 10-week course "NxLevel for Tech Entrepreneurs." Tuition is $345, and includes materials. For more information or to register, visit online or contact Laura Williams at 843-805-3102. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
FOCUS ARCHIVES
1/9: Greene:
Black male depression DOUG
BOSTICK: 12/27: Defending
Charleston ANDY BRACK 1/9:
Visits
for candidates MARSHA GUERARD 9/1:
Bill
Regan, more ANN
THRASH: 1/2:
Using
leftover bubbly PETER
LUCASH: 8/25: 2
tech companies move here GREG
GARVAN: 12/27: Coal
ash, more LIST ARCHIVES 1/9:
Herrick's
5 winter foods IN OUR SISTER PUBLICATION
Twitter
feeds via TweetsWind:
a Twitter widget
|
Since
2003, the Institute has trained more than 6,000 local residents and documented
more than $1.8 million in energy savings as a result of their programs.
A
follow-up to "How to Sew a Button," this book really does offer
instruction for some really neat things from outdoors activities ("How
to split firewood") and leading ("How to handle bad news")
to prospering ("How to buy a suit") and relaxing ("How
to play the harmonica").
What
I wasn't expecting was that in the middle of that Wednesday afternoon,
Vertamae Grosvenor would walk into the "press room" where I
was stationed. Ms. Grosvenor is a native of Hampton County who's an authority
on Lowcountry cooking -- basically an anthropologist of our food culture
(as well as being a prominent cookbook author, NPR correspondent and more).
Although I knew of her and her work, I'd never met her during my time
as food editor. However, I can honestly say that I think about her several
times a week when I'm cooking supper. So I was surprised when, out of
the blue, there she was.
Mount
Pleasant writer and editor Ann Thrash can be reached at: 
Greg
Garvan of James Island is president of Money with a Mission, an 18-year-old,
fee-only financial planning firm that specializes in socially responsible/
'green' asset management. On the Web: 
The
purpose of Diversity Week is to:
Designers
must present collections for Fall 2012 or Swimwear/Resort 2013 and include
12 looks in total. Twenty winning designers from the eastern United States
will show collections during Charleston Fashion Week. One will be crowned
the winner, who will receive $5,000 cash, a $10,000 marketing and promotional
package and more.
If
you want to do something about litter on the side of county roadways,
you can join Charleston County Adopt-A-Highway on Nov. 5 for a county-wide
litter clean-up. Volunteers will be picking up trash through a program
coordinated by Community Pride Inc. of Charleston County. 
At
Hampton Roads, Virginia, on October 29, the massive Federal fleet finally
departed, heading south. The captain of each ship carried sealed orders,
only to be opened at sea, revealing their mission and destination. Confederate
agents were there to report on what they could learn of the expedition.
Despite all the efforts to keep the mission secret, the New York Times
published a front-page article entitled "The Great Naval Expedition,"
which listed the details for the assembled force and announced their destination
- Port Royal, South Carolina. It seemed the ships' captains were the only
ones at dock unaware of the full mission of the expedition.
While
the Union fleet was being assailed by the gale force winds of the storm,
Confederate Captain Josiah Tatnall assembled his "fleet" at
Port Royal to meet the enemy. Unfortunately, the Confederates could only
muster three small river steamers and a tug to defend Port Royal Sound.
Tatnall was a former officer in the U. S. Navy with experience in the
War of 1812 and fighting pirates in the Caribbean. Each ship was armed
with two 32-pound smoothbore guns and positioned at the mouth of Skull
Creek, though they were certainly no match for the great fleet headed
their way.
Douglas
W. Bostick grew up on James Island, and his ancestors in South Carolina
date back to colonial America. He is the author of several books and
numerous articles that have appeared in historical journals, magazines
and national newsletters. A graduate of the College of Charleston, Bostick
earned a master's degree from the University of South Carolina. He is
a former staff and faculty member of the University of South Carolina
and the University of Maryland.
