Charleston Currents #13.18 | March 15, 2021
DOG JOY. Just look at how much the dog in front is enjoying a Sunday night ride through West Ashley. The cyclist didn’t slow down to give us his name and those of the dogs, but the photo seems the perfect tribute to a great spring day. See something you think our readers would enjoy? Snap a shot and send it along to editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
FOCUS: $1 million challenge grant to fuel no-kill effort to save animals
COMMENTARY, Brack: Why budget reporting matters
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Morris Financial Concepts, Inc.
NEWS BRIEFS: Wienermobile made Mount Pleasant appearance Thursday
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: Few clues for this stumper
CALENDAR: Junior League to hold Little Black Dress initiative March 22-26
$1 million challenge to fuel no-kill effort to save animals
Via Charleston Animal Society.
Staff reports | The Charleston Animal Society on Sunday announced plans to make South Carolina become a “no-kill state” for animals by 2024 through a $1 million challenge grant from the Petco Foundation.
“Our efforts with No Kill South Carolina over the past six years have made tremendous gains in the fight to save animals in every corner of the state,” said Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore during the organization’s 147th annual meeting. “The trending shows that we can make this groundbreaking initiative a reality by 2024.”
According to the society, “no kill” is a term used in animal welfare that refers to the goal of saving “all healthy and treatable dogs and cats, typically about 90 percent.” No-kill communities do not euthanize animals for space. Instead, they use data-driven and research-based strategies to bring euthanasia rates down and improve the quality of care for animals.
Since No Kill South Carolina began six years ago, animal shelters across the state have saved more than 500,000 animal lives with 30,000 fewer animals euthanized, something the society said was unheard of in the South, a region historically plagued with high euthanasia rates.
“No Kill was introduced in the collective sense, as in building a No Kill nation; however, some animal shelters co-opted the term and proclaimed themselves No Kill shelters for fundraising advantages, making the concept shelter-centric instead of community-centric, which has led to much division in the animal welfare community,” Elmore said. “Unnecessary euthanasia, like homelessness, illiteracy, hunger and other social issues, are community issues requiring everyone to work together to overcome.”
The society’s statewide initiative is funded through a challenge grant from the Petco Foundation, which has been fueling the efforts of No Kill South Carolina since the beginning. Now with the goal in sight, the foundation is making a $1 million challenge, which Petco Foundation President Susanne Kogut said could be achieved by 2024 if S.C. organizations work together. The effort now becomes “No Kill South Carolina 2024” to culminate with Charleston Animal Society’s 150th anniversary.
According to the society, when No Kill South Carolina was started six years ago, 19 percent of dogs and 47 percent of cats were euthanized in shelters across the state. After effective collaborations, innovative adoption strategies and other leading practices among shelters around the state, the euthanasia rate of dogs has dropped more than half to 8 percent and to 18 percent for cats.
“The progress is amazing, but we still have substantial work to do, especially in saving more felines from euthanasia,” said No Kill South Carolina Program Director Abigail Appleton “None of this would be possible without the amazing input and efforts from shelters across South Carolina.”
To help, Appleton suggested that South Carolinians should “go to your local shelter and let them know you’d like to help. You can adopt, volunteer or donate and help us all reach this tremendous achievement.”
- For more information, visit www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org.
- To view the society’s 147th annual meeting, watch here.
- Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
Why budget reporting matters
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Media have gotten so streamlined that only one newspaper wrote a story earlier this month when the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee approved a $9.8 billion budget.
That’s billion with a “B.” And that “B” means that it matters. But without reporters meticulously covering what’s going on with your state tax dollars throughout the whole process — and not just at the end when all of the deals have been cut — then there’s a better likelihood that someone will stick a pet project or two in the budget.
“When every daily newspaper had a Columbia bureau, competition was fierce,” recalled Sid Gaulden of West Columbia, who staffed a bureau with me years ago. “Everyone wanted to beat everyone else on just about every story – big or small. Unfortunately with the demise of The State, coupled with the lack of bureaus from Spartanburg, Greenville and even Myrtle Beach, no longer does that competition exist.” (Note: The State was the newspaper that wrote the 2021 budget story!)
It’s a sad state of media affairs, but it should be expected as newspapers cut budgets and people to cover the Statehouse. There may be another reason too — a new breed of editor has probably bought into a long-held belief that people don’t care about stories with numbers in them, which is something also perpetuated by some lazy reporters who don’t like math.
What’s even more disconcerting about the whole mess is press officials across the country celebrate Sunshine Week starting March 14 to pay tribute to the importance of free public information at a time most outlets aren’t covering the budget, one of the biggest and more important bits of free information there is.
In the old days of 30 years ago, a phalanx of reporters covered the Statehouse with a thirst for breaking news and beating the other guy. There were budget stories all over the place. Yes, they were hard to put together and often, there seemed to be no need for them. But it was important to get legislators on the record to make sure they had the people’s interest at stake.
“I also remember being competitive with the other reporters to be the first to find suspicious line-items [in the budget],” said former Associated Press reporter Trip DuBard. “They were like loose strings — if you pulled them, the seam came undone and someone’s pants fell down. And yet, every year they’d slide another one in.”
Budget-related stories can have impact. Remember when cell phones were all the rage? It was a status symbol for someone to have a car phone or a bag phone. After churning out dozens of Freedom of Information requests to state agencies, it was easy to spot abuse — officials who were spending thousands of state dollars on cell phones, including one guy who spent beaucoups of state dollars calling his wife many nights on long drives to his home.
“While I can’t claim to have inside knowledge, I get a strong impression the TV stations here are not staffing legislative coverage on a sustained basis,” said retired TV reporter Jack Kuenzie of Columbia. “Management had zero interest in process/policy stories with sound from suits. Bad TV.”
Gary Karr, who worked for The Greenville News before going to the AP, said he recalled sitting in the House Ways and Means committee room for hours as lawmakers plowed through the various departments.
“Budgets are the main way governments express their priorities, so it’s sad to see that the day-in day-out government process stories get such short shrift,” said Karr, who later worked as a spokesman for David Beasley when he was governor.
DuBard enjoyed the “treasure hunt (that) it was to find the baloney in the budget.”
At one point, two senior Democratic state Senate budget writers, both of whom are dead, blocked DuBard from attending a budget subcommittee meeting
“When it was finally released, there was — as I remember — a tax increase [Sen. James] Waddell had slipped in … Robert Arial had a great cartoon showing Waddell and [Sen. Jack] Lindsey feeding the taxpayer into a sausage-making machine. The result was that they had to back down and retract the tax increase.”
Budget stories matter. Let’s demand more so we can all follow the money.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Charleston Currents, and publisher of the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
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Wienermobile made Mount Pleasant appearance Thursday
Karen Byko with the Wienermobile. Photo by Rob Byko.
By Rob Byko, contributing photographer
“THE WIENERMOBILE IS IN TOWN!” Karen Byko shouted excitedly. “One day, if I’m really, really lucky, I will be the driver of this awesomely fabulous vehicle!”
For 35 years, my wife’s not-so-secret dream was to one day captain the world-renowned Wienermobile. On Thursday afternoon, the 27’ long wiener with mag wheels and a sports car suspension put in an appearance at Mount Pleasant’s Patriots Point.
While we couldn’t wrestle away the keys from the “hotdoggers,” as the drivers are affectionately known, they did let us step inside to bring Karen one step closer to realizing her lifelong dream: to captain the Wienermobile…Hotdoggery!
Commenting later on the experience, Karen said, “My first time seeing it in person-it did not disappoint!“
Also in recent news:
Help the Lowcountry “mask up.” I Serve with Joy is a South Carolina nonprofit that is distributing masks and PPE directly to schools as well as to individuals at events, alongside food distribution, or out and about in the community. So far, the organization, which has partnered with the North Charleston Police Department to boost distribution, has provided more than 3,000 masks in the effort to keep Lowcountry residents protected from COVID-19, which it says is needed despite increasing spread of vaccines. It seeks to distribute 20,000 masks by May 1. You can donate money ($100 pays for 500 masks), supplies or spread the word to keep residents safe. More.
S.C. distilleries fight for fairness in legislature. A bipartisan bill sponsored by nearly 30 state lawmakers could address what spirits industry leaders say is a fundamental issue of fairness that has kept the state’s 28 micro-distilleries from being able to serve customers after 7 p.m. or on Sundays like breweries and wineries can. They also can only sell their own brands of liquor. And they can’t serve food or a cold beer. Learn more about what distilleries are trying to get lawmakers to do.
Hate crime bill stripped of LGBTQ, other protections. South Carolina’s LGBTQ community may not be protected by a proposed hate crime law after a Republican-controlled S.C. House subcommittee stripped provisions that would strengthen penalties for crimes committed because of gender and sexual orientation, observers say. As originally proposed, H.3620 calls for protections for people victimized because of their “race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability.” A House subcommittee unanimously approved an amendment Thursday that removed language related to sexual orientation, creed, gender, age and ancestry. “I think this amendment will go a long way to alleviating a lot of the concerns of our membership,” said S.C. Rep. Chris Murphy, R-North Charleston. Read more in the Charleston City Paper.
Judge allows McMaster, Lucas to intervene in abortion law case. A federal judge allowed SC Gov. Henry McMaster and House Speaker Jay Lucas to enter an ongoing lawsuit Tuesday contesting the state’s new anti-abortion fetal heartbeat law. More: The State.
House approves ‘step’ raises for teachers. The S.C. House gave unanimous approval Wednesday to a proposal greenlighting public teachers’ small annual raises that were stalled by budgeting in the pandemic. The proposal is now heading to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk. McMaster has expressed support for the bill. A lump sum covering the entire school year could be in teachers’ checks by June 15. More: AP News.
U.S. House passes Clyburn’s gun fix for Charleston loophole. The U.S. House Thursday passed Congressman Jim Clyburn’s bill to enhance background checks for gun purchases in a 219-210 vote. More: The Post and Courier.
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Few clues for this stumper
This one could be tough. Yes, it’s marsh and, yes, it’s in South Carolina, but where? Be specific if you can. Send your best guess to editor@charlestoncurrents.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live.
Our previous Mystery Photo
Last week’s mystery, “Where is this bridge?” is a swing bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in Little River. It is named for Captain Archie Neil “Poo” McLauchlin, a well-known local mariner.
Congratulations to several people who correctly identified the photo sent in by reader Wayne Beam of Clemson: Jay Altman of Columbia; George Graf of Palmyra, Va.; Chris Brooks of Mount Pleasant; Marnie Huger of Richmond, Va.; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas.
Graf provided more info: “Archie McLauchlin is a lifelong resident of the North Strand, known by many in the North Myrtle area. When he was a baby, his father took him to see the opening of the bridge that bears his name. He was a large infant, and his sister gave him the nickname ‘Poo’ after an early 1930s cartoon character known as ‘Poo the Giant.’
“He grew up along the Intracoastal Waterway and made a career out of being a Coast Guard certified captain after serving in the Air Force. To honor him, a group of community members, who call themselves the Poo Crew after McLauchlin’s old fishing tournament fish crew, have convinced the South Carolina state legislature to rename the swing bridge in his honor.”
- Send us a mystery: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send it along to editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
Junior League to hold Little Black Dress event March 22-26
Photo provided by JLC.
Staff reports | The Junior League of Charleston (JLC) will hold its 2021 Little Black Dress Initiative March 22 to March 26 to draw attention to the local effects of poverty.
Junior League members and other local women will wear the same black dress for five consecutive days during the initiative to illustrate the lack of resources many women face due to financial hardship. According to a press release, COVID-19 exacerbated the plight of many women who were struggling paycheck to paycheck, increasing the cycle of poverty.
JLC members participating in the fundraiser will post to their personal social media accounts daily for campaign. In addition, each member will have their own supporter page through the online fundraising site, Just Giving.
“The JLC is a leadership organization that empowers women to take active roles in our community and that is why we feel it is so important to be a part of the Little Black Dress Initiative,” said JLC President Beth Meredith. “This campaign allows us to create a dialogue with colleagues, friends and strangers alike to raise awareness of such an important issue and make a direct impact to our local community.”
Also on the calendar:
Wine Down Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m. March 17 and March 31, Old Towne Creek County Park, West Ashley. You can enjoy a glass of wine and explore Old Towne Creek County Park, a West Ashley gem, with the return of this evening event. Guests will enjoy wine and live music from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from a local Charleston performer, while experiencing the beauty of this natural site. A commemorative wine glass is included with admission. Food truck fare will be available for purchase on-site. Cost: $15. Ages 21 and up. There is no onsite registration. You must purchase tickets in advance.
Birding Day at Dill: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 27, Dill Sanctuary, 1163 Riverland Dr., James Island. You can enjoy a wide array of bird life at the Charleston Museum’s 580-acre sanctuary on the Stono River. Tickets are $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Learn more.
Safe Sounds: Series starts April 17, Firefly Distillery, North Charleston. Here’s a list of some of the shows at the beginning of the 15-concert series:
- Saturday, April 17 – 20 Ride
- Saturday, April 24 – Randall Fowler with special guest
- Sunday, April 25 – The Allman Betts Band
- Thursday, April 29 – Sam Bush
- Saturday, May 1 – On the Border – “The ultimate Eagles tribute Band”
- Head over to citypapertickets.com to secure a spot. Tickets are available now. (Editor’s note: City Paper Tickets, which is run by sister publication Charleston City Paper, is operating ticketing for Safe Sounds.)
Ongoing
Drawdy on display: Through March 31, Park Circle Gallery, 4820 Jenkins Ave., North Charleston. The representational and abstract paintings of Summerville artist Stephanie Drawdy will be on display this month at the North Charleston public gallery for free.
Like A Girl: Dare to Dream: Through May 2, City Gallery, Prioleau St., Charleston. Featuring portraits of more than 35 South Carolinian women, Like a Girl is a new exhibition by artist Fer Caggiano that brings attention to women who have excelled, each with unique and inspiring stories. In them, girls and other women will see on canvas their potential: they can be strong, smart and beautiful, and ready to make their mark on the world. Learn more.
Sunday Brunch Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday, Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island. While the market is discouraging people from spending too much time hanging out during the market, everyone is invited to shop their local vendors.
Bird-watching at Caw Caw. Every Wednesday and Saturday — particularly through the end of February — you can see a plethora of birds at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel as they make their way through the Lowcountry. The two-hour regular walks, which start at 8:30 a.m., are through distinct habitats that allow participants to view and discuss a variety of birds, butterflies, and other organisms. Registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. A paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Max. 10 participants. Fee: $9; free for Gold Pass holders. Open to all ages. More: Caw Caw Interpretive Center.
- If you have any online events, drop us a line (editor@charlestoncurrents.com) and make sure to put “Online event” in the subject line. Similarly, if you’ve got cool ideas for stuff to do while in isolation at home, send them our way.
- ORDER NOW: Copies of our new book, 350 Facts About Charleston, are in Lowcountry-area bookstores now, but if you can’t swing by, you can order a copy online today.
As more people stay home to deal with the coronavirus crisis, people are looking for things to do. You can find some fun things to do online in our calendar section below, but let us also encourage you to FORWARD your issue of Charleston Currents to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. It’s got a great price, as you know: Free! We hope they’ll enjoy our coverage.
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