Billy Pierce, Hartsville: “I worry about an America where everyone expects the government and the working taxpayers to guarantee them at least a $15/hour job (but don’t expect them to work overtime or have good attendance), child care, food, housing, health insurance and the latest iPhone! But then they don’t expect to pay taxes or want all of it refunded with Earned Income Credits!”
By Michael Kaynard, contributing photographer | Over my 65 years, I have seen a lot of change in our communities. I came from a Georgia town with water fountains and bathrooms marked “coloreds.” I still see black and white and it shames me to admit it. I don’t understand why, but it is there. For us to move forward, we have to stop seeing in black and white.
I used to see the police as more brutish than now. I now see them trying to do the best they can with not a lot of support from their communities. I know they are there to protect us, but I also know some should never be police. To be honest, the overdeveloped muscles and generally-uniform shaved heads are intimidating. I think they could do something to soften their image. If we had more officers, they could spend more time becoming a part of the community and not just enforcers.
It is said that a high tide lifts all. Has it? One of the greatest problems I see is economic inequality. I met a woman who works at Lowe’s part-time because her 15-year position in hotel reservations downtown doesn’t pay enough. Many people have to work two to three jobs to keep afloat. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Charleston history lectures: These history lectures will be held at the Main Library: The Forgotten Pleasure Gardens of Charleston, Main Library, July 20 at 6 p.m. Colonial Lake: A Brief History, Main Library, July 28 at 6 p.m. (NEW) John’s Island book sale: All day starting at 9 a.m., July 22 and July 23, John’s Island Regional Library, 3531 Maybank […]
Staff reports | Some 150,000 ladybugs will be released July 23 at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in what has become the Lowcountry’s largest release of the environmentally friendly insect. It’s an event where kids can have fun and win prizes, too. ALSO: Rockin’ the River concert series in North Charleston; Latin beats at Kiawah.
On the calendar from July 4, 2016: Holy City art show on King Street; Charleston history lectures at the library on Robert Smalls, gardens and Colonial Lake; Yappy Hour and Reggae Nights.
Reviewed by Darryl Woods: The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, by Vivek J. Tiwary
Settling the debate, Paul McCartney once said “If anyone’s the fifth Beatle, it’s Brian Epstein.” This graphic novel explores, in vivid color, the life of the man who is the subject of the song “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.”
Staff reports | Learn about Olympic athletes throughout July and win prizes with this year’s Book On Downtown scavenger hunt.
Pick up a scorecard at any Charleston County Public Library branch or download a scorecard here, then enter the names of the athletes featured on the Book On Library posters displayed at various businesses in downtown Charleston.
Also in Good News: Honors for George W. McDaniel, Joe Riley III and Darla Moore. Begin With Books is enrolling in North Charleston.
This sea turtle at the S.C. Aquarium is having a ball swimming in the big tank. Some fun facts according to the Aquarium: Sea turtles have small brains and are opportunistic feeders who eat just about anything. Loggerheads are the state reptile. Loggerheads, classified as threatened since 1978, have lived on earth for about 150 million years — before even the times of dinosaurs. Photo by Courtenay Brack.
The Board of Trustees of the Charleston County Public Library has elected Charleston Currents publisher and businessman Andy Brack to serve as its chairman.
Other officers elected include tax professional Steven Clem of James Island as vice chairman, MUSC program assistant Maya Hollinshead of North Charleston to remain as secretary and retired Illinois library director Susan Strunk of West Ashley to serve as treasurer. Officer terms begin July 1 and run through June 30, 2017.
On tap in coming weeks after June 27, 2016: Carolina Day lecture, Yappy Hour, Reggae Nights with Selah Dubb. Click to learn more.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina! (2019) by editor and publisher Andy Brack offers incisive commentaries on the American South, politics, the common good and interesting South Carolina leaders. Available exclusively for Kindle for $7.99. A paperback version will be ready soon. Learn more.
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