Charleston Currents – 2015

"Mother" Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, S.C.

BRACK: Charleston shooting causes sadness, shock, anger, frustration

CHARLESTON, S.C., June 18, 2015 — As I headed to bed Wednesday night, a white gunman shot and killed nine people in an historic black church in the center of town just four blocks from where I used to live. Unaware of the evil, sleep came quickly.

But in the wee hours, the ping of a text from an Australian colleague woke me. I didn’t want to read it and tried to go back to sleep. But after tossing and turning, I read the text, only to learn the heart-wrenching news about what was going on a few miles away. I was dazed. Several instant reactions percolated and struggled to the surface:

by Andy Brack · 06/18/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

CALENDAR, June 15+: Yappy Hour, Juneteenth, more

On the calendar for June 15, 2015, and beyond: Yappy Hour returns, Juneteenth, Carolina Day, July 4, Big Book Sale, more

by Charleston Currents · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · calendar

REVIEW: The Queen of the Tearling

Review by Maggie Mohr of The Queen of the Tearling, a novel by Erika Johansen: Magic, adventure and mystery combine in this captivating tale about a young princess who must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her.

by Special to Charleston Currents · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Features, Reviews

HISTORY: Ever wonder why it’s called Ashley PHOSPHATE Road?

S.C. Encyclopedia | The South Carolina phosphate mining industry began after the Civil War and dominated world production in the 1880s. Mining began in late 1867 on plantations near Charleston after the gentlemen-scientists Francis S. Holmes and St. Julien Ravenel and the chemists N. A. Pratt and C. U. Shepard discovered that local “stinking stones” contained unusually high amounts of bone phosphate of lime (BPL).

by Charleston Currents · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Features, S.C. Encyclopedia

Full issue, 6/15: Independence Day, Boeing video, more

In our June 15, 2015, issue, we offer a look at myriad things to do to celebrate Independence Day. Andy Brack shares a cool new Boeing video. And we’ve got a lot of Good News in our section of news briefs.

by Charleston Currents · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue

FOCUS: Lots to do in area on July 4

Staff reports | Looking for what to do on July 4? The Lowcountry, with one of the nation’s longest and strongest links to American history, offers everything from fireworks viewing and partying to a special history fair at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

The history fair, which is free with regular admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 4, will showcase 24 historic organizations and institutions, including Fort Moultrie, site of the nation’s first victory of the Revolutionary War. Lots of people also spend part of Independence Day wandering the beaches and streets of coastal communities …

by Charleston Currents · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

BRACK: Boeing’s wild, blue yonder

Watch a cool Boeing video with an almost vertical takeoff of a 787; plus a Statehouse Report excerpt.

by Andy Brack · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

The current James Island Public Library.

GOOD NEWS: Council vote on libraries to be June 16

Charleston County Council is expected to vote Tuesday evening on locations for new libraries for James Island and West Ashley. Also: Google milestone, Joe Lasaght, home energy savings

by Charleston Currents · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

MYSTERY: Where’s this construction?

It appears to be steel, and in some intricate pattern. Now tell us where you think this piece of construction is located, and its significance. Send your entries to editor@charlestoncurrents.com and be sure to include where you live.

by Charleston Currents · 06/15/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos

Full issue, 6/8: Folly woman honored; Real estate

In this week’s new issue, you can learn about the Folly Beach woman who was honored for innovation by President Obama. Andy Brack recalls times at Middleburg Plantation, New Real Estate columnist Doug Holmes offers good news about the local market. Good news, letters, a review and a Mystery Picture inside!

by Charleston Currents · 06/08/2015 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue