GOOD NEWS: Tecklenburg to perform at opening of CJO’s 8th season

The Charleston Jazz Orchestra (CJO) will present When Swing Was King on Feb. 20 at the Charleston Music Hall as the first concert of its eighth season. Special guest will be pianist and new Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg.

The group will perform a variety of tunes from the 1930s and 1940s birth of swing era during two shows, one at 5 p.m. and another at 8 p.m. Featured will be songs such as the “Chattanooga Choo Choo,”  “Minnie the Moocher,” and two pieces by Fud Livingston, “I’m Thru With Love” and “I Found A New Baby.”  In addition to a song roster that takes jazz lovers through the Big Band era, Charleston’s newly-elected mayor, John Tecklenburg, will be a special guest artist performing two pieces by Fud Livingston.

Tecklenburg has been performing and participating in the Charleston music scene for years and comes from a family deeply rooted and devoted to live music.  His great uncle was Fud Livingston, who co-wrote and arranged the original “ I’m Thru With Love.”  On Feb. 20, guests will have a chance to hear the mayor sing and perform a version of the song, arranged by music director, Charlton Singleton.

“I always delight in the opportunity to perform with the enormously talented members of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra,” Tecklenburg said in a news release. “It is especially personal and moving for me, as I will perform ‘I’m Thru With Love,’ which was co-written by my great-uncle, Fud Livingston. I look forward to honoring him during the performance.”

For tickets and more information visit, http://jazzartistsofcharleston.org or purchase at the Charleston Music Hall Box Office.

In other good news:

Valentine’s at Southern Season. The foodie store offers to events just in time for Valentine’s Day:

Valentine’s Confections, 5 p.m., Feb. 12, Southern Season, 730 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant. Join chef instructors Nancy Dye and Nicole Marriner to see how easy it is to make homemade sweets and treats. Treat your Valentine to an extra special box of confections this year by booking two spots in this tasty class.

Cookie Decorating, 11 a.m., Feb. 13, Southern Season. Mount Pleasant. Grab the kids and head to Southern Season for a special hands-on, Valentine cookie decorating class. Parents and kids will team up to learn how to make cookies like a pro to take home and enjoy for Valentine’s Day. Limited seating. Call 855-716-1240 for tickets. More info.

SCE&G warns of phone scams.   SCE&G customers have reported instances of individuals portraying themselves as company employees over the phone, warning of a late utility bill. Scammers will often threaten to turn a customer’s service off if the customer doesn’t make a payment immediately. In some cases, the scammer instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card, or the scammer may ask for the customer’s credit card information. “SCE&G may call a customer about an overdue account balance, but we will ask the customer to provide information that only the customer and SCE&G would know, to validate that the call is legitimate,” said Sam Dozier, vice president of customer service for SCE&G. “If customers have any doubt whatsoever about the legitimacy of a caller, they should hang up and call our customer service line at 1-800-251-7234.” More info.

CRDA has new website. For the first time in nine years, the Charleston Regional Development has a new economic development site to tout the region’s competitive advantages. Go to: CharlestonEconomicDevelopment.com. Says CRDA President and CEO David Ginn: “To ensure the Charleston region remains a globally competitive location for business, it’s imperative our website is engaging, fast and easy-to-use. As our ‘24-7 storefront,’ this website is one of Charleston’s most powerful storytelling tools.” Designed for site selectors, corporate decision makers, and entrepreneurs considering bringing their business to the region, the website offers new user-friendly features, including visual data and infographics, interactive tools on real estate, new resources and more.

County needs poll managers. Charleston County’s Board of Elections and Voter Registration needs extra poll managers for the Feb. 20 GOP and Feb. 27 Democratic president preference primaries. Pay is $120 — $60 for training and $60 for working on election day for each election worked. Apply here.

Free admission to county parks. Everyone is invited to enjoy all of the play with none of the pay during Customer Appreciation Day at Charleston County Parks! On Sunday, March 6, the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) says “thank you” to its regular and first-time visitors by offering free gate admission to many popular park facilities. For more information, including hours of operation and directions to the parks, call 843-795-4386, download the Charleston County Parks mobile app, or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.