GOOD NEWS:  Tired of traffic congestion? Here’s a way to help

Congestion at Main Road and U.S. Highway 17

Staff reports  |  The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments is seeking public input in three meetings to help it develop the region’s 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

The federally-mandated long-range plan is a multimodal effort that sets priorities for spending federal funds on transportation projects in the region over the next 25 years. Funding includes highways, roads, bridges, transit facilities and service, bicycle and pedestrian routes, and related enhancements.

People interested in collaborative activities and sharing ideas on improving transportation can participate in any of three symposiums:

June 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Stern Ballroom, College of Charleston, 71 George Street, Charleston.

June 21, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., S.C. Research Association, 315 Sigma Drive, Summerville.

​June 21, Noon to 2 p.m., Goodwill Industries (behind donation center), 2150 Eagle Drive, North Charleston.

• If you plan to attend, you are asked to RSVP to Planning Director Kathryn Basha at kathrynb@bcdcog.com.

In other Good News

Memorial announced.  Israeli-American architect Michael Arad has been chosen to create a permanent memorial at Emanuel AME Church to honor the nine victims of the shooting tragedy that occurred their two years ago.  The project, initiated in July 2015 with the creation of a memorial fund by The Beach Company, will be guided by church and community leaders, the church announced.  Arad is best known as designer of the National Sept. 11 Memorial in New York, N.Y.

Matching challenged announced.  East Cooper Community Outreach says local residents can double the impact of local giving after the Daniel Island Community Fund committed to match the donations dollar-for-dollar by June 30 of up to a total of $20,000.  To join the challenge, visit http://www.firstgiving.com/55402/FY2017.

Promoting pollinators.  Hats off to the Charleston Parks Conservancy for supporting efforts to enhance habitats for pollinators.  It has supported a project spearheaded by Charleston Audubon and Natural History Society and Audubon South Carolina to add more native plants and pollinator habitats to Elliotborough Park and Community Garden, which is managed by the Conservancy.  You can learn more about pollinators at a presentation with Miriam ‘Mimi’ Jenkins , a researcher at Clemson University Coastal Research and Education Center, as part of National Pollinator Week June 19-25. The presentation is 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24 at Medway Park and Community Garden, 2101 Medway Road on James Island.