IN THIS EDITION
FOCUS: Something a little different — jazz from Oscar
BRACK: Stop dividing America with words evoking racial terror
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Carolina Ports Authority
GOOD NEWS: MUSC’s DuBois earns major honor
FEEDBACK: Why the need to impeach?
MYSTERY PHOTO: Great flower boxes
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Edisto River
CALENDAR: Spooktacular events to chill you to the bone
Staff reports | October 16 was a special day for Palmetto Goodwill as it celebrated 40 years of service to coastal South Carolina. When the organization opened its doors in 1979 with six employees and a $90,000 budget, few envisioned the impact it would have four decades later through training, employment and community services to more than 400,000 people. During the span, Palmetto Goodwill placed 19,157 into new jobs., according to a press release.
“I want to thank every person who has ever donated to Palmetto Goodwill, supported our events, shopped in our stores, partnered with us or volunteered their time,” Palmetto Goodwill President and CEO Robert Smith said. “The Goodwill model only works with a supportive and engaged community and we are lucky to have had that these past 40 years.”
Donations and revenues have grown through the years allowing to provide an annual impact of over 41,000 services to more than 15,000 individuals. It also assists placing more than 3,000 people into new jobs. The organization’s unsold donations received each year also result in over 16 million pounds of waste and e-waste being diverted from area landfills.
Staff reports | The International African American Museum (IAAM) will have a public groundbreaking ceremony 10 a.m. Oct. 25 with a theme of “Illuminating the African American Journey.”
“For almost 20 years, more than 1,000 individuals, corporations and foundations have been working to bring the museum into fruition,” said former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley in a press release. “The groundbreaking ceremony will give us an opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to the donors, volunteers and supporters who have worked so hard to get us to this milestone.”
Gee whiz — this building makes an impression. But where in the Lowcountry is it? Send your guess to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live.
Our previous Mystery Photo
Our Oct. 14 mystery, “Another old building” showed the Hutchison House on Edisto Island, which now reportedly is undergoing a renovation. Thanks to contributor Fred Palm for suggesting it as a mystery.
Staff reports | The 18th annual Harvest Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at Johns Island County Park.
Known for its foot-stompin’ showcase of Charleston’s own bluegrass talent, the festival will offer performances throughout the day will be five bluegrass bands. This year’s lineup will feature entertainment from local performers Blue Plantation, Gravel Road, YeeHaw Junction, Marshgrass Mamas and Red Cedar Review.
By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | Plastic is a growing export business in South Carolina, but the tiny plastic pellets could also be a big environmental hazard — and the next battle in the so-called War on Plastic.
State Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome last week called plastic transportation “a significant part” of the port’s growth strategy.
But downstream from the port’s headquarters on the Cooper River, Sullivans Island Mayor Pat O’Neil said he’s worried. The town’s single-use plastic ban appeared to curb litter. Then in July, a spill of plastic pellets (also known as nurdles) from Frontier Logistics at the port traveled to its beaches. Despite cleanup efforts, pellets remain in the sand, the mayor said. The pellets are used in the production of plastic homegoods.
“Industry is important (and) economic growth is important but we need to be selective and prudent in the types of industries we encourage,” O’Neil said.
Here’s a photo of another old building in the tri-county area. What and where is it? Send your guess to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live.
Our previous Mystery Photo: Our Oct. 4 mystery, “Old picture of an old building” showed the ruins of Biggin Church, a site about two miles from Moncks Corner that burned three times since first being built in 1711. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Staff reports | The League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area will hold a series of non-partisan candidate forums before local elections on Nov. 5. For a list, click into the story
IN THIS EDITION OF CHARLESTON CURRENTS
FOCUS: As local governments ban plastics, port grows plastics business
BRACK: New York trip was a delight for the ears and eyes
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
PHOTO ESSAY: On the road again
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: Another old building
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Author Julia Peterkin
CALENDAR: League of Women Voters to hold 10 candidate forums
Staff reports | The Charleston County School District (CCSD) will receive almost $1 million a year for five years to expand mental health support for children through a Project Prevent grant from U.S. Department of Education.
“The need for additional social-emotional and mental health support has been recognized and supported by the CCSD Board of Trustees and the superintendent,” Jennifer Coker, the district’s executive director of Alternative Programs and Services said in a press release. “The school district has adopted mission-critical action items to address community needs. This grant allows CCSD to expand resources in our highest-need schools.”
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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