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CURRENTS THE
LIST FOOD
& DRINK GOOD
NEWS HISTORY
ALSO INSIDE :: FEEDBACK: Letters on schools, vets :: SPOTLIGHT: Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. :: CALENDAR: This week ... and next :: QUOTE: Aww, mom :: BROADUS: Fighting domestic violence |
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NOV. 14,
2011 - While the Charleston community recently celebrated Halloween, the
date also marked the 142nd birthday of a nearly forgotten son of the Holy
City: The naval officer who foresaw a powerful air arm of the United States
Navy.
William Adger Moffett was born in Charleston on 31 October 1869. He was the son of Confederate Capt. George Hall Moffett, who served at Fort Sumter and under Gen. Johnson Hagood and in the 27th South Carolina fighting in Virginia. Unfortunately, Billy (his boyhood name) would lose his father to a freak fall when he was five years old in 1875, and his mother struggled to raise a family of nine children in war-devastated Charleston.
Billy's uncle, George H. Simonton, helped him seek a nomination to the Naval Academy in 1886, but he earned his appointment by getting the highest exam score among the South Carolina boys seeking a Congressional appointment from Congressman Dibble. He entered Annapolis at the age of 16 and quickly became homesick. Billy was proud of his Southern heritage. During one lecture about the origins of the Civil War at the Academy, a Northern professor had stated, "Those dastardly South Carolina traitors started the war." Young midshipman Moffett jumped from his seat and yelled "Rats!" at the speaker. He was immediately joined by half the audience, shouting "Rats." The Academy Superintendent took disciplinary action against Billy and other cadets, but some of the officers came away with an admiration of Moffett's fighting spirit and loyalty.
Graduating from the Academy in 1890, Moffett would go on during his navycareer to command a battleship and receive a Medal of Honor, all before he sought the job as the first Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics. Not only would Moffett become the first air admiral, but he became a model for today's admirals. As the first modern admiral, he used his skills and knowledge of government bureaucracy, politics, manufacturers and public relations to encourage technological research and development to build a powerful air arm of the Navy.
Moffett built and led the Bureau of Naval Aviation from 26 July 1921 until his death on 04 April 1933 in the crash of the airship USS Akron. Over this critical period of 11 years, Moffett's drive and vision led to the construction of our first aircraft carriers, and the formation and training of our first naval air wings. He laid the foundation for a powerful air arm of the Navy that would go on to win a technological war of air power in the Pacific during World War II. William Adger Moffett had become the Father and Architect of Naval Aviation, and we celebrate the centennial of its creation this year. Despite his mighty contribution to the nation, his hometown of Charleston largely has forgotten him. Only a plaque and simple display on the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant commemorate the young boy from Charleston who left home for the Naval Academy in 1886.
 Lessons from an election By ANDY BRACK, publisher NOV. 14,
2011 - I lost a city council election Tuesday. It's OK.
I'm glad I tried. More people need to take their shot.
But being
on the other side of the press as a candidate provided an interesting
twist to my normal role as a columnist. Over the last 10 years, I've been
on the giving end of politics -- giving politicians everything from ideas
to a hard time about various policy proposals. Now after taking a beating
at the polls, I thought you might find it interesting to learn some of
the lessons that politicians experience all of the time during elections.
So the election is over and I'm back to doing what I normally do. It was fun and I learned a lot. And as Albany (Ga.) Herald columnist Carlton Fletcher noted this week, we should all be appreciative for everyone who puts their name in the hat, win or lose. It makes our communities stronger. From Fletcher:
To Charleston Currents:
The Chamber opposes any attempt to change the way the funding from the sales tax is spent and fears this could set a bad precedent. Join us as we oppose the school board in their attempt to interfere with the Wando Middle College sales tax project. There are
two ways to get involved in this important issue:
Goodwill ramping up efforts to help veterans To Charleston Currents: In 2010, more than 20 million men and women in the United States over the age of 18 were veterans. As service members transition to civilian life, they face a bleak job market in addition to other significant challenges that make it more difficult for them to find work, grow their careers and provide for themselves and their families. Physical and psychological disabilities, substance abuse, homelessness, long waits for benefits and other support services, and lack of immediate access to Veteran Affairs facilities are just a few of those challenges.
A new initiative, Goodwill for America's Heroes and Their Families, seeks to increase the number of veterans and their families who access Goodwill's vital support services and are able to successfully re-enter the civilian workforce. This initiative, which kicked off in April, has served more than 750 veterans and their family members locally. More than 20 of these individuals have been placed in employment opportunities in their community. On Veterans Day and every day, Goodwill remains committed to giving back to the men and women who have given so much to preserve our freedom and way of life. Your support of Goodwill helps us serve America's heroes as they build new lives for themselves and their families. For more information on Veteran and other programs, contact Goodwill Vice President of Mission Services Jim Hughes.
Founded in 1947 in Charleston, Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company proudly serves customers at more than 100 stores throughout South Carolina and coastal Georgia. Piggly Wiggly offers the finest quality meats, cut to order by skilled, in-store butchers, more local produce than anyone in the state, and freshly prepared deli foods that satisfy the Southern soul. The Piggly Wiggly family provides legendary customer service, delivered every day by the Employee Owners of our 100 percent employee-owned company. By using their Pig Card, customers earn Greenbax that returns incredible value by offering free gas, free groceries, free gift cards, and many other opportunities to cash in and save. Piggly Wiggly remains deeply committed to investing in the communities we serve by supporting not-for-profit organizations of all missions and sizes to enrich the region’s quality of life. Piggly Wiggly’s roots run deep in the Lowcountry, and Mr. Pig invites Charleston Currents readers to invest in our local economy by shopping The Pig! More: http://www.thepig.net.
NOV. 14,
2011 -- Dad used to tell me bedtime stories about hunting. He grew up
hunting all over the Lowcountry with his father and uncles, and he used
to tell the most marvelous, vivid stories about it. Nothing gory for his
4-year-old daughter, of course -- these were suspense-filled stories largely
about the excitement of the chase, complete with Dad's own sound effects
for baying dogs, shotgun blasts, deer crunching through fallen leaves
as they walked in the woods, and the sound of the horn blasts calling
hunters home after a day's shoot. And I remember that plenty of times
in his stories, whatever he was hunting escaped -- or he missed. Dad was
an honest storyteller.
Eating
out on Thanksgiving Cooking
Class Spotlight
Local food trucks will circle up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, for Crisis Ministries' "Occupy Walnut Street," an event to collect canned goods and drive awareness for Hunger and Homelessness Week.
Philanthropy Week celebrates those who give back November's signature holiday, Thanksgiving, marks the start of the giving season, and for the sixth consecutive year, Philanthropy Week in the Lowcountry brings together local community organizations and businesses to highlight those who set the trend and inspire others to give back. ?
Charleston's oldest performing arts group, The Footlight Players, continue their 80th Season with the Lowcountry premier of the American holiday classic, "It's A Wonderful Life."
The play, which is presented in two acts, is the story of George Bailey, the "everyman" from the town of Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty. As Bailey teeters on the edge of despair, his guardian angel descends upon him on Christmas Eve to show him what the world would have been like had he never been born. This faithful adaption of the 1946 Frank Capra film celebrates the faith of the season and the American philosophy of life: Hard work, fair play and the love and support of one's family are all that any of us need. Performances
will be Dec. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17 at 8 p.m. and
Two local companies get $200,000 investments SCRA's Technology Ventures program, SC Launch, presented a "big check" investment of $200,000 each to two Charleston-area companies during Thursday's SCBIO/SC MedTech Conference. CharlestonPharma, LLC and PatientTrack PRM each received the investment following a keynote address by International BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.
Patient Track PRM (Patient Relationship Management) also was presented a "big check." The company was formed to improve patient compliance and care outside of a clinical office visit. Patient Track PRM allows physicians to be proactive in the delivery of healthcare services by combining its Outreach Management functionality with Patient Database Mining to improve appointment compliance and identify patients with gaps in care based on current disease management and preventive care protocols. With initial funding of $12 million in SCRA retained earnings, SC Launch has supported and funded over 188 South Carolina start-ups, provided business services through a powerful Resource Network to 230 early stage technology companies, and helped position emerging South Carolina Knowledge Economy companies to secure more than $167 million in follow-on funding from angel, venture and other private capital sources. Community Sailing group sets oyster roast for Sunday Local non-profit Charleston Community Sailing, which provides access, facilities and sailing instruction to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, is holding its 5th Annual Oyster Roast at Bowen's Island. The event, from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 20, will feature live bluegrass music, oysters, barbecue and beverages. Tickets are available at Ashley Yacht Sales at the City Marina for $30 for adults, $15 for youth and free for 12 and under. All tickets purchased at the door will be $5 more.
Currently, nine high schools, one middle school, a college team and the S.C. Special Olympics Sailing Team use the facility daily throughout the school year. Charleston Community Sailing also partners with Charleston County Parks and Recreation to provide access for youth and adult sailing classes. There has been tremendous growth in all of the programs and CCS is working diligently to find a spot on the harbor to call home.
Walk with Magnolia's camellia experts through colorful gardens Day Dream, White Doves and Sparkling Burgundy are some of the early camellia varieties that are spreading color during scheduled walks along the paths at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
Magnolia's ancient camellias, first imported by the Rev. John Grimke Drayton in the 1840s from France and Belgium, are producing a colorful display of pinks, purples, reds and white. As the winter turns colder, the Duke of Wellington, General Washington and Julia Drayton are among the other varieties that will make a showing throughout the gardens.
Battle of Port Royal a critical
victory for Union Army By Nov. 3, 1861, the first of the Federal ships that were part of "The Great Naval Expedition" arrived at Port Royal. The CSS Savannah, CSS Resolute, CSS Lady Davis and CSS Sampson moved in to confront the Union ships, but the firepower of the heavily armed enemy quickly chased them off.
On Nov.
7, the weather was favorable, and the Federal ships formed in two columns
to attack the Confederates fortifications, Fort Walker and Fort Beauregard.
The Confederates at Fort Walker fired the first shot at the approaching
column of gunboats at 9:26 a.m. Quickly, the guns facing the harbor at
both forts were engaged. The Union fleet executed its plan of maneuvering
in a column, turning left and reengaging. The Confederate artillery was
ineffective against the moving warships. After the first turn, some Union
ships' captains made independent decisions to pull out of column seeking
particular firing positions. Commander Sylanus Godon aboard the Mohican
moved to fire on a Confederate battery. The three ships behind the Mohican,
now confused, also broke formation. Only the Wabash and Susquehanna followed
the plan, making three passes. The Confederates
suffered 11 men killed, 47 wounded and four missing in action. The Union
fleet only had eight men killed and 23 wounded. While the causalities
were small, the victory provided the Union army and navy what they badly
needed - a Southern base of operations.
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Rest in Peace, Jazz man It was a very sad day here at Charleston Currents when we heard of the untimely death last week of our former Post and Courier co-worker and friend, Jack McCray. Jack, an author, editor and lover of all things jazz, was without doubt one of the kindest men we have known.
1. Deep roots.
With coastal South Carolina being the first place where Negro spirituals
were documented, Charleston's jazz roots are as deep as any other cradle
of jazz. 2. Nurseries.
A group home for boys and girls, the famed Jenkins Orphanage (1891-present),
and a freedmen's school founded after the Civil War, the Avery Normal
Institute (1865-1954), combined resources in the late 19th century to
plant the seeds that led to Jenkins' becoming one of the most prominent
jazz nurseries in America. 3. Sowers.
Charleston jazz musicians participated in spreading America's most original
art form around the world as much as those from any other city. This phenomenon
peaked during and after World War I by way of traveling shows, military
bands and early jazz bands. 4. Green.
Rhythm guitarist Freddie Green (1911-1987), a Charlestonian who learned
music at Jenkins Orphanage as a nonresident, was the principal architect
of the sound of America's quintessential swing band, the Count Basie Orchestra,
according to Basie himself. Green worked with Basie for nearly 50 years,
a distinction that's come to be known as the longest gig in show business. 5. Livingston.
Charlestonian Joseph "Fud" Livingston (1906-1957), a very
accomplished reed player and composer/arranger, wrote the 1931 hit "I'm
Through with Love," which was made popular over the years by singers
such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nat "King" Cole and Marilyn Monroe,
who sang it in the famous movie "Some Like It Hot" in 1959.
"I married the first man I ever kissed. When I tell my children that, they just about throw up."
NOTE: Lowcountry Local First is pushing "Buy Local" month from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15 to showcase unique Lowcountry businesses and encourage people to, umm, buy locally. These events are marked below with a "Buy Local" logo. Trident Health System Meetings: 6 p.m., Nov. 14, American Legion Hut, 180 Ravenel Drive in St. Stephen; 7 p.m., Nov. 15, Moncks Corner Town Hall; and 7 p.m., Nov. 28 at Bonneau Beach Civic Club. Trident Health System will hold Town Hall Meetings throughout Berkeley County to give residents a factual update on the hospital situation and allow them to have their questions and concerns answered about Trident’s proposal to build a 50-bed hospital in Moncks Corner while Roper plans call for a 50-bed hospital at Carnes Crossroads near Goose Creek.
(NEW) 'World on Fire' Book Lecture: 7 p.m., Nov. 15, Bond Hall Room 165, The Citadel. Author Amanda Foreman will discuss her new book, "World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War," in a lecture, question and answer session and book signing. It is free and open to the public. The book follows the delicate and often strained relationships between Great Britain, the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. Offices on Demand Workshop: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Nov. 16, Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce will host a workshop for small businesses on offices on demand — flexspace, virtual offices and other options. Cost: $15 advance, $20 day of Chamber members, $30 non-members. Go online for more information.
(NEW)
Holiday Kickoff Party: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 17, Sweet
Olive, 264 N. Shelmore Blvd., I'On in Mount Pleasant. Refreshments will
be provided during this sneak peek at this year's holiday décor,
locally made gift items and ornaments. ((NEW)
Charleston Music Fest: 8 p.m., Nov. 18, Simons Center for
the Arts Recital Hall, 54 St. Philip St. Renowned Finnish pianist Matti
Raekallio of the Juilliard School joins Charleston Music Fest co-directors
and string virtuosos Lee-Chin Siow (violin) and Natalia Khoma (cello)
in the opening concert of the festival's sixth season. Tickets are $25
and can be obtained through email
or by calling 843-953-0935.
Rural Mission Oyster Roast: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 20, Bowen Island Restaurant at Folly. This great fundraising event will provide support to the good work of the Rural Mission's ministry for outreach and home repair. Tickets prices are all inclusive: $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Children 10 and under are $5. Price includes roasted oysters, food, drinks, terrific music and the atmosphere and setting that only Bowen Island can provide. Purchase tickets by calling 843-768-1720 or online at www.ETix.com. CALENDAR: ONGOING AND SOON Family comedy, Through Dec. 4, Charleston Acting Studio, 915 Folly Road, Charleston. Midtown/Sheri Grace Productions will present 14 performances of "Over the River and Through the Woods" starting Nov. 10. The "heartwarming family comedy" follows an Italian family, but offers universal themes. More info on times, dates and tickets online at: MidtownProductions.org. Holiday Swing: 7 p.m., Nov. 23, Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. The Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Charleston's own resident big band, completes its 2011 season with Holiday Swing. Two sets with intermission. Adult tickets, $30 advance, $40 day of show. Senior tickets, $25 advance, $35 day of show. Student tickets, $20 advance, $30 day of show. Tickets are available online and at www.etix.com, in person, JAC Box Office, 185-A St. Philip St., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and by telephone, 843-641-0011. 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
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Last
November voters passed the one cent sales tax for education with 64 percent
voter approval. The Charleston Metro Chamber organized and led the "Yes
for Schools" campaign, which led the way for this victory, ensuring
our community would have the schools that our children and future workforce
deserve. The entire effort was based on the list of specific projects
that were provided by the Charleston County School District and approved
by the previous Charleston County School Board. The Wando Middle College
project is on the approved list but is now being threatened by certain
members of the current school board. 
That's
why Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina has ramped up its efforts
to prepare veterans for careers post-deployment and connect them to necessary
support services, including housing assistance and primary and mental
health care. Through programs such as Operation Independence, Goodwill
provides training and employability skills and supportive services to
homeless and struggling veterans in the area. This program, funded by
the Department of Labor, placed 19 veterans into jobs in 2010 and provides
opportunities for veterans to acquire skills that will help them regain
self-sufficiency and economic independence
Although
most of Dad's stories involved deer hunting, he did have a few about hunting
for turkeys, which were abundant in the Lowcountry in his youth, and he
did a great turkey-gobble sound effect. I think about those stories especially
at this time of year; I wish I could recall the details, but they're lost
in the sleepy dreams of my childhood. Of course, they wouldn't be the
same without Dad's sound effects anyway.
Mount
Pleasant writer and editor Ann Thrash can be reached at: 
Walnut
Street is parallel to Meeting Street, where the shelter is located. Trucks
from Roti Rolls, Taco Boy, Diggity Dogs and Geechee Island will be on
hand to sell their wares. The shelter invites everyone in the community
to bring nonperishable foods to fill its food truck.
Held
this week, Nov. 14-20, and organized by Coastal Community Foundation,
Philanthropy Week is anchored by National Philanthropy Day, celebrated
around the nation on Nov. 17 and locally with an awards luncheon hosted
by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Lowcountry Chapter. 
CharlestonPharma
is a cancer therapy company that was co-founded by a Medical University
of South Carolina researcher and two veteran biotechnology executives.
The company develops fully human monoclonal antibodies to the cell surface
receptor, nucleolin, which is over-expressed on a wide variety of tumor
cells but is not detectable on the surface of the corresponding normal
cells. This unique profile offers the potential for personalized therapy
and selective toxicity with a first in class targeted agent having a broad
spectrum of tumor activity.
Charleston
Community Sailing engages children and adults in learning experiences
through innovative programs to build character and promote a healthy spirit,
mind and body. In the past six months, Charleston Community Sailing Inc.
has had a surge of growth. More than 250 children, including those in
the new Guppy Program for 5-to-7-year-olds, were exposed to the water
during the summer.
Follow
Magnolia's camellia experts, Tom Johnson and Miles Beach, on daily walks
through the gardens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1:30 p.m.
on Sundays. The walks, limited to groups of up to 25 people, are an added
feature to Magnolia's daily schedule until mid-March. Call the ticket
kiosk to make reservations. 
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.
As
a Charleston Currents tribute to Jack, we thought we would run
again the very first list we ran in this space, which was contributed
by Jack as he offered these five little-known facts about Charleston's
place in jazz history:
Grand
Opening of the Mom and Pop-Up Shop: Noon, Nov. 15, 359 King
St. Shop features everything from local clothing and jewelry, unique book
selections, cookies and olive oil to mattresses. Pick up your new Buy
Local Card and check out all the member vendors. Free.