GOOD NEWS: Institute to focus on environment, health, justice

The day-long Community Leaders Institute (CLI) will start 10 a.m. July 16 in the auditorium of Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston, to explore localized impacts of climate change that require community-level action.

The institute, sponsored by MUSC, the City of Charleston, Allen University, the U.S. Department of Energy, SCETV and the S.C. Aquarium, seeks broad participation to serve as a model for proactive policy initiatives.  A brochure notes:  “True resilience — the ability to anticipate and withstand all that climate change may bring – begins with an informed and engaged community.

Opening remarks will come from Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Aquarium president Kevin Mills, MUSC Professor David E. Rivers, who directs MUSC’s Public Information and Community Outreach, and more.

There is no cost to attend the institute, but registration — which can be done online — is due July 9.  On July 14, there is an Eat and LEARN collaborative meal at Destiny Community Cafe  in North Charleston to strategize about a new collaborative called the Lowcountry Environmental Alliance and Resource Network (LEARN).

In other Good News

Vote for the USS Yorktown:  USA Today Travel is hosting a vote through July 22 in which readers can choose their favorite museum ships.  When the contest is done, the publication will offer a list of the top 10 museum ships in the world.  You can vote every day from now until July 22 by clicking on this link.  (NOTE:  As of June 27, the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey were ranked 6 out of 20.)

Amaker named poet laureate.  Charleston’s first poet laureate is Marcus Amaker after the position was established May 24 by Charleston City Council.  “We established the position of Poet Laureate to encourage the appreciation of poetry throughout Charleston. Marcus is a well-known artist in our community who has the drive, passion and talent to make poetry accessible to everyone.”  In the role, Amaker, an award-winning artist with seven books of poetry, will work with the city to implement a community outreach and education program to encourage writing, reading and performance of poetry in the city, give readings, workshops and lectures, and more.

Reduce recycling contamination.  Charleston County recycling are asked to reduce recycling contamination to keep from slowing processing and to improve the quality of values of recyclables.  There are a bunch of things to NOT include in recycling bins:

• No plastic bags
• No plastic wrap
• No Styrofoam packaging or containers
• No shredded paper
• No electronics
• No food waste or garbage (including soiled pizza containers)
• No scrap metal
• No “rope-like objects,” such as hoses, belts, holiday lights
• No household hazardous waste, such as paint, auto fluids, CFL bulbs
• No diapers or biohazardous waste.

Learn more:  recycle.charlestoncounty.org.