Charleston Currents #13.47 | Oct. 11, 2021
IN THE WAY. A telephone pole obviously got in the way of this witch as she was flying around the Byrnes Down neighborhood in Charleston. Area stores are loaded up with candy for Halloween, which will be here before you know it. See something you think our readers would enjoy? Snap a shot and send it along. Photo by Andy Brack.
FOCUS: Bedshred’s recycling keeps mattresses out of landfill
COMMENTARY, Brack: Getting the vaccine is your responsibility to help your community
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: S.C. Ports Authority
NEWS BRIEFS: City Paper’s Ariail is finalist in national cartooning contest
FEEDBACK: Send us your letters
MYSTERY PHOTO: This one might not be so easy
CALENDAR: Musicians to be honored Sunday in Hanahan
Bedshred’s recycling keeps mattresses out of landfill
By Skyler Baldwin | A local mattress manufacturer and retailer has helped to keep more than 125,000 mattresses out of landfills through aggressive recycling and disposal procedures.
K.C. Rennie told the Charleston City Paper last week that his company, The Charleston Mattress, started Bedshred six years ago after seeing the impact that discarded mattresses had on landfills. It now works with Nine Lives Recycling in Pamplico, S.C., where the materials are stored and processed.
“We started BedShred mainly as a way to dispose of old mattresses whenever we delivered new ones through The Charleston Mattress, just because we didn’t want to keep taking them to the landfill,” Rennie said. “They’re torn down, destroyed and never used in new mattresses — the foam becomes carpet padding and the metal goes to the scrapyard and the wood disappears real quick.”
The wood from boxsprings is given away — often making its way into various reclamation projects, according to BedShred’s website.
The pandemic has been a boon for some home-furnishing companies, including direct-to-consumer online mattress vendors. Sales in 2020 were up 30 percent year-over-year, according to one expert who spoke with USA Today.
One thing you don’t get with an online mattress order? The haul-away service of your old mattress you might get if you order from a brick-and-mortar store, leaving you with an old mattress that heads straight to the landfill if you leave it for collection on the curb.
That’s where BedShred comes in. Rennie said, many of her customers are actively looking for a better way to get rid of their old mattress.
“I would say 40 percent of BedShred is people wanting to dispose of their mattress the right way, who don’t want to see the metal go to waste and buried,” he said.
The numbers are good news for landfills, which face big challenges from improper mattress disposal. They take up more than their fair share of space because they’re difficult to compact, clog machinery and create large soft spaces that can turn into sinkholes after filling, according to the Green Business Bureau.
This story first appeared in the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
Help your community by getting vaccinated
A parent waits while a child is being treated for COVID-19 at MUSC. MUSC photo.
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Charter schools, by their very nature, have governing boards made up of parents. They’re publicly funded, which requires them to follow general state education rules and keeps teachers in the state system, but the schools also are independent operationally from county school boards. South Carolina has about 75, which is about 1 percent of the nation’s charter schools.
When an election for four board seats at one charter school came along, we read questionnaires filed by 10 candidates. They were somewhat interesting, but overall, they seemed pretty vanilla — somewhat informative but bland as reflections of the values of the candidates. The only thing that really was different is one guy filled out answers in all capital letters, which made his answers tough to read.
So because the forms included each candidate’s email address, we decided to send a simple question to get a little more perspective:
Q: Are you vaccinated? Yes or no. If you don’t answer the question, I won’t consider voting for you.
Whew, you’d think I was a communist or something.
Six of the candidates freely responded they had been vaccinated. One said it was the easiest question he had received in the relatively quiet world of charter school elections. Another said she’d been vaccinated, but was against vaccine mandates for students, which didn’t make much sense. And another wanted to know why I wanted to know — for personal voting reasons (yes) or to publish people’s answers (no).
Another candidate wanted to know why I wanted to know, but never answered further. Two people didn’t answer.
And then there was this guy — the crank — who attacked:
Him: That is a personal medical question and has absolutely nothing to do with my candidacy. If you are so shallow and partisan as to think answering that question can in any way determine my ability to sit on the board, you my friend, are not the kind of person I am seeking for support.
Me: I obviously disagree. If you do not have a vaccine, you are ignoring science and are not, in my view, qualified to serve on the governing board of a school that needs to encourage students to get vaccinated. Being vaccinated is an investment in the future of our community. Being unvaccinated is an act of selfishness.
Him: Wow, Andy you are so woke! Thank you for your brilliant observations.
Me: (Quoting from his questionnaire): “I can bring fresh ideas. My strength is that my decisions are based in reality.” Reality: 700,000+ COVID cases in SC. 11,000+ deaths.
Actually as of Oct. 7, the picture in South Carolina is bleaker. The confirmed number of cases of COVID-19 was 700,082, but state numbers classified another 171,929 as probable. Deaths totaled 11,141, but another 1,715 are probable. For every 100 COVID tests done, 8.5 are positive — a rate that indicates the virus is still swirling and dangerous in South Carolina, a state with one of the lowest vaccination rates and a don’t-tell-me-to-wear-a-mask syndrome that offers a fertile environment in S.C. for the deadly delta variant of the virus to keep infecting people.
We get it, South Carolina: You don’t like being told what to do. It’s been that way since before Christopher Gadsden developed the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag during the Revolutionary War.
But as a citizen, you have a responsibility beyond yourself to pull together to make your community safe and stronger. Right now, 53 percent of South Carolinians age 12 and over (2.3 million people) have been fully vaccinated and another 8 percent have had one shot, according to state health officials. Imagine how much safer the Palmetto State would be if 80 percent were vaccinated.
Listen to your doctor. Get the shot. It’s safe. It’s effective. And it’s easy.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Charleston Currents, and publisher of the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.
S.C. Ports Authority
Founded in 1942, the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) owns and operates public marine terminals at two port facilities, the Port of Charleston and the Port of Georgetown, in addition to inland ports in Greer and Dillon, S.C. These facilities are owner-operated terminals, meaning the SCPA owns the terminals, operates all container cranes, manages and operates all container storage yards and leads all customer service functions in both the yard and the lanes.
SCPA promotes, develops and facilitates waterborne commerce to meet the current and future needs of its customers, and for the economic benefit of the citizens and businesses of South Carolina. In fact, SCPA facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer drive $63.4 billion in annual statewide economic impact and 1 in every 10 S.C. jobs is attributed to the port.
- For more information, visit www.scspa.com.
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City Paper’s Ariail is finalist in national cartooning contest
One of Ariail’s cartoons.
Staff reports | Charleston City Paper cartoonist Robert Ariail is the only weekly newspaper cartoonist to be a finalist in a national contest for excellence in local cartooning. [See more of Ariail’s cartoons.]
On Friday, the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists named Newsday‘s Matt Davies as the 2021 recipient of the “Rex Babin Memorial Award for Excellence in Local Cartooning.” Ariail, along with David Horsey of The Seattle Times and Matt Murphy of the (Louisville, Kentucky) Courier-Journal were named finalists.
“Robert Ariail tackles his Charleston, South Carolina territory with a new comic strip titled ‘Lowcountry,’” the judges commented. “The narrative is driven by local critters — raccoons, turtles and seagulls — who address political, social and environmental issues that affect the whole state. It’s important work staged in a local, charming style.”
Ariail, who lives in Camden, was the editorial cartoonist for The State newspaper from 1984 until 2009, and was twice named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1995 and 2000. His editorial cartoons now are syndicated.
“What an honor for Robert to be recognized nationally by his peers,” said City Paper publisher Andy Brack. “The City Paper is proud to showcase his talented work to people across the Lowcountry, state and nation.”
The City Paper is the only newspaper in South Carolina with two original editorial cartoonists. Longtime cartoonist Steve Stegelin, also a member of the AAEC, has won multiple state and national awards and served as a panelist on a Saturday discussion about how cartoonists stayed sane during the pandemic.
In other recent news:
Graham spoofed on SNL. James Austin Johnson, a new cast member of Saturday Night Live, portrayed South Carolina’s U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in the opening sketch of a new season of the comedy show. According to the Charleston City Paper, “Johnson’s rendition seizes on Graham’s arcane-but-quaint wonkishness and trailing-off delivery commonly seen on TV, with a little introspective paranoia thrown in.”
Mace says campaign has raised nearly $2.5M. Freshman U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from Daniel Island, announced she has raised more than any other House candidate in the state in 2022 as she seeks to maintain the GOP’s hold on the 1st District. The district flipped in 2018 to Democratic hands, but Mace won it back for her party in 2020. More: AP News.
Newsome honored by maritime group. Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the S.C. Ports Authority, last week was among five maritime leaders who were inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame during a New York City ceremony. “They have won the respect of the international shipping community based on their successes and professionalism and are much deserving of this distinguished honor,” said Edward Kelly, executive director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Federal appeals court keeps S.C. mask mandate ban on hold. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied state Attorney General Alan Wilson’s request that South Carolina’s law prohibiting school mask mandates be allowed to take effect while a lawsuit over the COVID-19 pandemic measure goes forward. More: Associated Press, The State, The Post and Courier.
Murdaugh’s former law firm sues over funds. A lawsuit filed Wednesday claims Alex Murdaugh funneled stolen money from clients and the Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick law firm into a fake bank account for years. Murdaugh’s attorney did not offer comment at this time but said his client has “pledged his full cooperation to get these issues resolved.” More: The State/The Hilton Head Island Packet, Hampton County Guardian/The Greenville News, The Post and Courier.
MUSC Health gets land to build Sea Islands emergency facility. Kiawah Partners has donated six acres of land near Bohicket Marina, upon which MUSC Health will construct a 22,740-square-foot emergency care facility. More: Charleston Business Journal.
Charleston falls to No. 2 in travel magazine small-city ranking. Plagued by rising sea levels and a high cost of living, Charleston was replaced by Aspen, Colorado, in Conde Nast Traveler’s latest Reader’s Choice Awards, released Tuesday. More: Charleston City Paper, The State.
Charleston’s historic Ansonborough Inn sold. After more than two decades of continuous ownership, the Ansonborough Inn in downtown Charleston has been sold for $18.5 million. More: The Post and Courier.
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This one might not be so easy
Unlike last week’s mystery, the one for this week might not be so easy. Hint: This dilapidated building is in Charleston County. But where? And can you tell us anything else about the photo? Send your best guess to editor@charlestoncurrents.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live. And if you’ve got a clever mystery photo for our readers, send it to the same address (Try to stump us!)
Our previous Mystery Photo
Last week’s mystery, “Orange and blue,” was pretty easy for lots of regular Mystery Photo sleuths. It showed the tall steeple at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church on King Street in Charleston.
Congrats to these readers who identified it: George Graf of Palmyra, Va.; Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas; Jay Altman of Columbia; Don Clark and Bill Segars, both of Hartsville; Chris Brooks of Mount Pleasant; Christel Newton of North Charleston; Carol Ann Smalley of Charleston; Howard Bridgman of Summerville; and Archie Burkel of James Island.
Peel provided some context: Today’s mystery photo is of the clock and bell tower of St. Matthew’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church, just below (but not visible in the photo) the 297-foot-tall steeple. At the time of its construction, the church was the tallest building in South Carolina. It remained the tallest building in the state until it was surpassed by the “Tower at 1301 Gervais,” a high-rise office building in Columbia, SC. Even today, the church’s steeple remains the tallest spire in Charleston. According to an article in the SC Picture Project here, “In 1965, St. Matthew’s suffered a devastating fire that destroyed the steeple, sending it ‘crashing spectacularly into King Street.’ The church was quickly rebuilt, including the spire, though a section of the spire remains where it landed as a reminder of the event.”
- 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.
Musicians to be honored Sunday in Hanahan
Photo provided.
By Chelsea Grinstead | The Lowcountry Hall of Fame will be back Oct. 17 for its sixth installment at Hanahan Amphitheater to honor those in the community who have taken part in shaping what the Charleston music scene is today.
“We induct people anywhere from educators to DJs to professional musicians — we’ve even inducted a repair person,” said organizer and Ye Olde Music Shop owner Michael Davis. “It’s all over the place. It’s the whole of music.”
This years inductees are:
- The Malibus, including members Teddy Palassis, Joe Thomas, Tim Hager, Frank Wooten, Max Moore, John Thomas and Caleb Davis.
- East Coast Party Band, including members Jack Tankersley, Beverly Tankersley, Mike Shuler, Mark Black, Jerry Polk, Jason Moore, Jim Moore and Jon Thornton.
- Rob Lamble of Ear for Music.
- Vanessa Harris and Alex Harris of The Pour House.
- Calvin Taylor, posthumously recognized, member of The Drifters.
- Willie McRae, Boone Hall Plantation concert series creator.
- Jim Bowers, posthumously recognized, DJ and radio personality.
- The Jumper Cables, including the Rev. Dr. Johnny Mac, Paul Tucker and Stevie Kent.
- Ernie Cortez, horn player, educator.
- George Kinney, horn player, educator.
- Mike Gennaro of Gennaro’s Italian Ristorante.
- Bill Aycock, pianist.
- Jerry Ray, bassist.
- Gene Ray, bassist.
- Bill Driskell, vocalist.
The event starts at 1 p.m. and will have three performances from The Malibus, East Coast Party Band and the Rev. Dr. Johnny Mac of ‘80s rock trio, The Jumper Cables. Guests are welcome to bring coolers. Barbecue will be served.
Also on the calendar:
October screams at the Terrace. Check out Horror weekends at the Terrace Theater on James Island: The theater will offer weekends featuring slasher, vampire, classic and comedy films. Coming double features: Coraline/Paranorman (Oct. 15-17); Blair Witch Project/Heredity (Oct. 22-24); and Texas Chainsaw Massacre/Halloween (Oct. 29-31).
Jazz at the College: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 11, Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., Charleston. The College of Charleston’s Faculty Jazz Ensemble will feature an evening concert of jazz standards, arrangements and originals performed by Robert Lewis (saxophones), David Heywood (flute), Tyler Ross (guitar), Gerald Gregory (piano), Ron Wiltrout (drums) and Frank Duvall (bass). Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for CofC students and youth (18 and under); and free for CofC faculty/staff. Purchase tickets online or by calling (843) 953-4726.
The Future of Photojournalism: 6 p.m., Oct. 13, Sottile Theatre, College of Charleston, Charleston. Legendary S.C. photographer Cecil Williams will join scholars and his peers to discuss the evolution and challenges of his craft. More. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required via Eventbrite.
Maintenance of Way exhibit: Through Oct. 30, Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King St., Charleston. Redux and Tiger Strikes Asteroid Greenwill are presenting this exhibition of work by Hannah Barnes and Gyun Hur. They = create work that considers place as a mental and physical construct built by layers of time, a collection of striations. Barnes and Gyun explore the idea of maintenance in their practices as a physical and emotional pursuit, connected both to one’s private self and a broader public society. Their work invites the viewer to share in the collective experience of being private selves in public spaces.
Reviving photos. Through Oct. 31, Charleston Museum, Meeting Street. The museum is exhibiting The Lowcountry in Living Color: Making Historical Photographs Come to Life as the latest offering in its Lowcountry Image Gallery. Colorizing black and white pictures allows viewers to see components that otherwise might be overlooked. Buy tickets.
Birds of Prey flight demonstrations: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, Center for Birds of Prey, 4719 Highway 17. Awendaw. The center has reopened its doors to visitors after closing due to the COvID-19 pandemic, inviting people to once again come and explore the world of raptors through an outdoor program and flight demonstration. Tickets: . $20/adult; $15/children age 3-17.
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.
Farmers markets
Closing in October
North Charleston Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Thursday, Felix Davis Community Circle in Park Circle. The market offers fresh, locally grown produce as well as arts-and-craft vendors, specialty foods and live music. More. Closes Oct. 28.
Moncks Corner Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., every Thursday, Market Pavilion at the Regional Recreation Complex, 418 E. Main St., Moncks Corner. More. Closes Oct. 28.
Closing in November
Summerville Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday, First Citizens Bank parking lot near Town Hall, 200 S. Main Street, Summerville. More. Closes Nov. 20.
Charleston Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday, Marion Square, 329 Meeting St., Charleston. More. Tentative closing Nov. 27. Holiday market to open temporarily in December.
Closing in December
Holy City Farmers Market: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday, Holy City Brewing, North Charleston. vendors rotate weekly to provide shoppers with a tiny but mighty shopping experience. vendors will be selling a range of products from specialty foods, home and body care to arts and crafts. More info. Closes Dec. 18 with holiday market.
Open year-round
West Ashley Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday, Ackerman Park, 55 Sycamore Avenue, Charleston. 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. More info.
Sea Island Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., every Saturday. Charleston Collegiate Campus, 2024 Academy Rd., Johns Island. More.
Goose Creek Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday, 519 N. Goose Creek Blvd., Goose Creek. More.
- 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.
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