Charleston Currents – 2018

Archive for July, 2018

FOCUS: National Lighthouse Day is Aug. 4 on Sullivan’s Island

Staff reports | You can celebrate National Lighthouse Day on the grounds of the U,S, Coast Guard Historic District from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 4.

“We hope that people from the local communities and those from afar will come out and explore the grounds of the U.S. Coast Guard Historic District and learn about Charleston Light,” said Chief of Interpretation Paula Ogden-Muse.

Visitors may view exhibits in the historic life-saving station boathouse, according to a press release from the National Park Service. Activities for children include boat building and a special junior ranger activity to earn a badge. Additional exhibits will focus on water safety and lighthouse preservation.

by Andy Brack · 07/30/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

Part of the Equal Justice Initiative memorial to people who were lynched in Alabama because of their color. An Alabama museum tells the story of injustice and terror endured by people of color during long struggle from slavery until today. Photo by Bill Sutton (Lynched in Alabama eji, Montgomery) [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

BRACK: Markers needed to remember victims of S.C. lynchings

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | As part of Renaissance Weekend several years ago in Charleston, some participants gave downtown walking tours to visitors wanting to know more about the Holy City.

Mine was called the “Liar’s Tour.” The dozen people in the group were told that everything they heard on the tour was true – except for one thing. Their job was to figure out the lie.

So they heard about the Big Brick, a high-end brothel on Fulton Street that now is a fancy restaurant. They learned about the fire that destroyed a Catholic cathedral in 1861, an inn that was home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Four Corners of Law and the nation’s oldest theater.

by Andy Brack · 07/30/2018 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views

GOOD NEWS: Literary festival lasts through Saturday, more

Staff reports | The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is celebrating writing this week through Aug. 4 with the Write On! Literacy Festival with talks with authors, workshops and other writing activities.

On July 28, the festival included the first OtrantoCon 2018, a free event for all ages who love anime, comics, science, fiction, fantasy and cosplay, at the Otranto Road Regional Branch.

by Andy Brack · 07/30/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

WHAT WE LOVE: Just about everything!

Gary Crossley of Charleston sent in a list of what he loves about the Charleston in which he was born. He loves it so much, he tells us, that he even assigned the name Charleston as his son’s middle name. Gary’s list of reasons for loving Charleston (the city):

** The city is not too big or not too small.
** The cobblestone streets which had pirates like Blackbeard/Edward Teach and Stede Bonnet roaming back a hundred plus years ago….

by Charleston Currents · 07/30/2018 · Comments are Disabled · What We Love

MYSTERY PHOTO: This one should be pretty easy

There are two reasons we’re offering what should be a pretty easy mystery photo this week. First, the last couple of weeks have been particularly difficult. Second, we’d like to see if we can get the most number of correct guesses for a single photo. If memory serves, that means we’ll have to get at least 14 correct guesses. Send your best guess – plus your name and the town in which you now live – to editor@charlestoncurrents.com. In the subject line, write: “Mystery Photo guess.” (If you don’t include your contact information, we can’t give you credit!)

Last issue’s mystery: The July 23 extreme close-up mystery photo brought more correct guesses from out-of-towners (though some grew up here) than people who live in the area.

by Charleston Currents · 07/30/2018 · 1 comment · Mystery Photo, Photos

7/30, full issue: Lighthouse Day; Lynching markers; Literary Festival

IN THIS ISSUE of Charleston Currents #10.38 | July 30, 2018

FOCUS: Visit Sullivan’s Island Aug. 4 to celebrate National Lighthouse Day
COMMENTARY, Brack: Markers needed to remember victims of S.C. lynchings
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Morris Financial Concepts, Inc.
GOOD NEWS: Literary festival lasts through Saturday, more
WHAT WE LOVE: Just about everything!
FEEDBACK: Whipper is a gift to us
MYSTERY PHOTO: This one should be easy
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Lynching in South Carolina
CALENDAR, July 30+: Tax-free weekend is just days away

by Charleston Currents · 07/30/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue

FOCUS: Visionary Whipper has made good things happen

By Steve Skardon | It is hard to imagine The Palmetto Project without Carrie Fulse Whipper.

For eighteen years, she has guided some of our most essential programs, including our signature statewide initiatives in African American health. After this month, she will be moving on to new work that also includes time for her grandson, Benjamin.

Carrie is the definition of a change agent. When she came to The Palmetto Project, she already had a vision for new ways that religious and community institutions could turn around soaring rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke in marginalized communities.

by Charleston Currents · 07/23/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

BRACK: Trump on Russia makes S.C. GOP leaders squirm

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | It’s been pretty easy to vote Republican in South Carolina for the last two decades thanks to the recurring mantra about less government and lower taxes.

But now with President Donald Trump’s European Summer Vacation blitzkrieg across Brussels, London, Scotland and Helsinki, mainstream, old-school Republicans are finding support of the Trump GOP to be somewhat uncomfortable.

by Andy Brack · 07/23/2018 · 2 comments · Andy Brack, Views

GOOD NEWS: New Charleston Waterfront Pass debuts

Staff reports | The South Carolina Aquarium, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, and the Charleston Water Taxi have announced a new, joint promotion: the Charleston Waterfront Pass. For the first time, the three organizations have partnered to create a special pass that is perfect for families and visitors who want to see two of the top Charleston-area attractions and enjoy a boat ride across the harbor.

by Charleston Currents · 07/23/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

MYSTERY PHOTO: Extreme close-up

You’ve probably see this picture before, but just not so close-up. What is it? Send your best guess – plus your name and the town in which you now live – to editor@charlestoncurrents.com. In the subject line, write: “Mystery Photo guess.” (If you don’t include your contact information, we can’t give you credit!)

Last issue’s mystery: The July 16 mystery photo might have made your skin crawl – if you thought about all of the bugs you will encounter in the summer in the Congaree National Park in lower Richland County, which is where the photo was taken.

by Charleston Currents · 07/23/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos