Charleston Currents – Andy Brack

Articles by: Andy Brack

REVIEW: Lafayette in the Somewhat United States

Reviewed by Jennifer Lively: Sarah Vowell’s latest work, Lafayette in the Somewhat United States, published last fall, quickly found an audience among readers whose daily lives have been inundated with stories regarding the Founding Fathers. From the latest Broadway sensation, Hamilton, and talk of changing the face on the $20 bill, to patriotic bellows seeking to “make America great again,” the country’s revolutionary lore is seemingly at an all-time high.

by Andy Brack · 12/05/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Features, Reviews

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, at podium, discusses formation of the Senate Opportunity Caucus at a Capitol Hill press conference in September.

BRACK: It’s just common sense for Scott to stay in Senate

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Perhaps the best job in the world for anyone passionate about policy and politics is to be a United States senator.

It pays well. You get to travel. You become part of an exclusive club where you can actually do big, meaningful things. You learn about a lot of different topics. And it can be a special kind of wonky fun, despite long hours, politicking, fund-raising and endless meetings.

by Andy Brack · 12/05/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Uncategorized

S.C. Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster giving a nomination speech at the 2016 GOP convention.

BRACK: A look at Henry McMaster as governor

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | The Palmetto State is still rocking from last week’s earthquake announcement that S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley will leave office to be the country’s ambassador to the United Nations in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.

by Andy Brack · 11/28/2016 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views

CALENDAR: Starting to ring in the cheer

On the calendar: Yuletide on the Ashley this weekend, followed by Yuletide Madrigal Feast, That Holiday Book Sale, Open house at Central Mosque, and Tom Tisdale’s new book launch.

by Andy Brack · 11/21/2016 · Comments are Disabled · calendar

BRACK: Time to think more deeply about state’s 2018 leaders

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | News that President-elect Donald Trump is considering S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley and Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster for prominent roles in his administration highlights how we need to start thinking now about who we want to lead South Carolina in the future.

With the 2016 elections over, Haley is considered a lame duck as her second term as governor ends in two years. As a rising minority star in the Republican party, it’s natural that Trump’s team would look for a big role for Haley, who met Thursday with Trump for what was called “a good discussion,” by a spokesman.

by Andy Brack · 11/21/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

MYSTERY: This one will be tough

We’re betting none of our readers have actually seen this building, but maybe the computer wizards will be able to figure out where it is using Internet smarts. Two clues: First, it’s not in South Carolina. Second, it’s not associated with Red Roof Inns (the expert searchers might understand this.)

Send your best guess to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com — and make sure to include the name of the town in which you live. There might even be a special prize for this one.

by Andy Brack · 11/21/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos

PHOTO: Deep orange: Smoke on the water

Guess who the only folks to get any kind of benefit from all of the smoke that has blown into the area from mountain wildfires? Photographers. The particulates in the air have created deep reds and oranges that excite the lenses of professional and amateur photographers, as highlighted by this shot taken from the Pitt Street Bridge in Mount Pleasant by past contributor Leigh Sabine of Mount Pleasant. Thanks for sending the shot, Leigh!

by Andy Brack · 11/21/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Photos

View of U.S. MIlitary Academy in West Point, N.Y., looking north up the Hudson River, 2001. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

BRACK: New “afterlife” novel by Watkins is hard to put down

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Local author Andra Watkins thrills at bringing history alive. She did it earlier this month in a talk at the Charleston County Public Library. And she does it in her new supernatural mystery thriller, Hard to Die.

On Nov. 2, about 30 people gathered at the library to hear what I thought would be a regular author talk by Watkins to help the launch of a new book, which came out the day before. Her talk was anything but regular.

by Andy Brack · 11/14/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Reviews, Views

PHOTO: Holding hands

This Charleston couple held hands last week as they headed into a polling place in West Ashley to vote. While GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump carried the state and nation, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton carried Charleston County giving local Democratic officials hope for a brighter future in local races. (Photo by Andy Brack)

by Andy Brack · 11/14/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Photos

REVIEW: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up:

Reviewed by Christine Strampp | Has your New Year’s resolution of decluttering your house not been achieved yet? Then “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” might be the book for you. Marie Kondo guides you through the decluttering and organizing of your home, but it is not your usual organizing method. Her method involves surrounding yourself with only items that you love or need. The rest of your “stuff” goes to a donation center or the garbage. It is liberating to let things go that you really did not need or love. When you are done with this process, items that “Spark Joy” will surround you.

by Andy Brack · 11/07/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Features, S.C. Encyclopedia