Charleston Currents – 2015

Aug. 31+: Music, dancing, fair fun ahead

Aug. 31, 2015 and beyond: Lowcountry Jazz Festival, Shaggin’ on the Cooper, Lee Robinson reading, Chase After a Cure, more

by Charleston Currents · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · calendar

LETTERS: On race, ostracism

When reading Kendra Hamilton’s column, I was reminded of a conversation I had a few years ago with an African-American co-worker. I’ve forgotten what it was we were discussing specifically, but whatever the conflict was, we were able to discuss it honestly and resolve it successfully.

by Charleston Currents · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Feedback

HISTORY: Early S.C. gardens

S.C. Encyclopedia | Both home and commercial gardening were essential to the survival of colonial settlements in South Carolina. Early commercial growing was limited to fruit and vegetable crops grown near towns, and consisted mostly of small plots surrounded by wattle or split rail “worm” fences. Home gardening included mostly food crops that could be pickled or stored dry, as the winter climate was too warm for root cellars. Few vegetables were eaten raw, and being more fibrous than today’s varieties, were usually overcooked. To this day, the term sallet or sallet greens is applied by some rural South Carolinians to greens grown to be cooked: mustard, turnip, and rape, for example.

by Special to Charleston Currents · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Features, S.C. Encyclopedia

REVIEW: Hausfrau: a novel

On Hausfrau: You would think that Anna, a 37-year-old American, would be a happy and content person. She’s married to a handsome Swiss banker, has a nice home, three beautiful children, and lives in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. However, Anna is miserable. She’s never learned Schwiizerdutsch, which is the language spoken in the Zurich region. It’s similar to German, but enough differences make it difficult to understand. She really hasn’t learned German either, even though she’s lived there for nine years.

by Charleston Currents · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Features, Reviews

MORRIS: Don’t panic about market’s fluctuations

By Kyra Morris | Ten days ago on Augst 21, the DOW fell more than 500 points. Then on Monday, August 24, the DOW fell again another 500 points. By Tuesday, August 25, it looked like the DOW was on an upswing, but then in the last hour of the day it fell and closed again down more than 200 points. Whoa! Then … here comes Wednesday and Thursday with a rebound that was one of the best two-day percentage gains in more than six years. What’s happening and what will be next?

Most financial professionals doubt that this will be a repeat of the 53 percent drop experienced from October 2007 until March 2009. Why – what’s the big difference? The lack of a real negative economic event like we had back then makes this different.

by Kyra Morris · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

Old cars cruise along the Prado in central Havana day and night.

BRACK: Cuba faces big changes in thaw with U.S.

By Andy Brack, Havana, Cuba, Aug. 27, 2015 | In dozens of ways, Cuba isn’t ready for the prime-time expectations of a projected tidal wave of Americans unfettered by decades of travel restrictions.

Yes, these new yanqui explorers to the 776-mile-long island south of Florida will be able to smoke smooth Cohiba cigars, drink potent mojitos and see shiny 1950s Chevys, Fords and Plymouths powered by a hodge-podge of Russian, American and Chinese engine parts.

by Andy Brack · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

This young woman is a drummer and singer in a band that plays Afro-Cuban music at an art studio in El Callejon de Hamel in Havana.

PHOTOS: The faces of Cuba

Set aside political ideologies and international affairs. Cuba, at its heart, is defined by her people, a mélange of black, brown and white seemingly filled with a joie de vivre captured in quick smiles, infectious rumba and a welcoming spirit.

Here are several photos that show some of the faces of Cuba encountered during a nine-day August trip organized by Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

by Andy Brack · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Photos

GOOD NEWS: Avery Center to present camp meeting exhibition

A new exhibition of black and white photography of the history and traditions of camp meetings will open with a 7 p.m. reception on Sept. 3 at the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Center.

by Charleston Currents · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

MYSTERY: Rabbits or snails?

Contributing photographer Michael Kaynard jokes that the frills at the top of this Charleston building look like rabbits or snails. Seriously, where was this picture taken? (And for extra points, what are the frills?) Send your answer to editor@charlestoncurrents.com. Make sure to include your name and contact information, including hometown.

by Charleston Currents · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos

8/31, full issue: The market; Cuba; more

In the Aug. 31, 2015 issue, Kyra Morris looks at market volatility. Andy Brack offers thoughts on Cuba after a recent trip, plus a host of photographs that show faces of Cubans. Good news from the Avery Center and more.

by Charleston Currents · 08/31/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue