Charleston Currents

Focus

FOCUS: Lots of places to watch the Aug. 21 eclipse

By Avery and Ellen Brack, special to Charleston Current | With a total eclipse just two weeks away, there are a lot of cool places to watch it.

College of Charleston. NASA will be basing its national broadcast of the eclipse at the College of Charleston’s Rivers Green behind the Addlestone Library. In the Charleston area, the eclipse will begin just after 1 p.m. and end three hours later. The moon will cover the sun completely for about two minutes starting at 2:46 p.m.

Riley Park. The city’s minor league baseball park will open at 1 p.m. so you can see the eclipse before a game against the Augusta GreenJackets that starts at 4:05 p.m.

by Charleston Currents · 08/07/2017 · 2 comments · Focus, Good news

GREEN: Don’t be clueless about your insurance policy

By Bill Green, special to Charleston Currents | If you’re anything like me, then you have a box or a drawer somewhere that you store your important papers. You shove them in there; stuff you need but never actually read. The deed to your house, for example, or the lease on your car. Stuff that’s important to keep, but not what you think about on a daily basis… until something bad happens.

When the rubber meets the road? It’s usually fast. And dramatic. And it often results in your scrambling through that same box, frantically trying to read something you never paid attention to in the first place.

Green
Do you have any idea what’s in your homeowner’s insurance policy? Do you know what your car insurance REALLY covers?

by Charleston Currents · 07/31/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

A covered bridge along the New Hampshire and Vermont border at Lunenburg, Vermon. It is 266 feet long. Built in 1911.

PHOTO FOCUS: New Hampshire’s covered bridges

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | One of the joys of traveling across rural New Hampshire is finding loads of covered bridges. In the northern part of the state just an hour or two from Canada are no less than 28 covered bridges, some dating more than 188 years old to another built just 13 years ago.

Following photos of bridges are some scenic delights from around the Granite State for you to enjoy including a picturesque farm, a 218-year-old meeting house, views from a tall mountain, a typical village green, a ramshackled barn, a nod to politics and lobsters.

by Andy Brack · 07/24/2017 · 2 comments · Focus, Photo Essay, Photos

FOCUS: Tri-county must make free college aid application a priority

By John C. Read, special to Charleston Currents | We, as a culture, don’t expect high school seniors to write a check or hand over a wad of cash to cover their college tuition.

The lucky ones have parents who do so, but most everyone else can only afford to continue their education with the help of federal grants, student loans and work-study funds. For juniors and seniors considering their future, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the first steps they should take, even if they believe college is out of reach. It’s how the government allocates financial aid, and there is far more of it available through grants and scholarships than most families realize.

by Charleston Currents · 07/17/2017 · 1 comment · Focus, Good news

Children along the River Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

PHOTO FOCUS: Views of jolly old England

Photos by Elizabeth Halberstadt, special to Charleston Currents | West Ashley resident Elizabeth Halberstadt spent the last month on an academic trip in England and Scotland. A couple of them have book themes, which makes sense because she’s studying for a master’s of library science degree.

We thought you’d enjoy these picture postcards of life across the pond that give insights into life in a related, but different part of the world.

by Charleston Currents · 07/10/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Photo Essay, Photos

FOCUS: Study ranks Charleston airport as nation’s 6th best-managed

Staff reports | A new study shows Charleston International Airport is one of the best-managed airports in the country.

With operating revenue of $30.4 million and operating expenses of $15 million, the Charleston airport ranks sixth in a new Airport Power Ranking of 89 major American airports. The ranking was developed by the American City Business Journals with research from its 43 newsrooms and analysis by faculty at the Wake Forest University School of Business.

“It’s recognition by outside people about how well this airport is run, how efficient it is and how we are growing,” said airport director Paul Campbell in an interview.

by Charleston Currents · 07/03/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

FOCUS: NASA to anchor eclipse coverage at College of Charleston

Staff reports | This is just plain cool: NASA, the nation’s apace agency, will broadcast nationwide coverage of the historic Aug. 21 total eclipse of the sun from the College of Charleston.

“The college is so thrilled to have NASA broadcasting from our campus during the upcoming total solar eclipse,” College of Charleston President Glenn F. McConnell said in news release. “This will be a once-in-a-lifetime event that our students, faculty and staff will remember for the rest of their lives.

“To be able to share this moment with NASA specialists not only adds to the significance of the occasion, but deeply enriches the student experience we provide at the college.”

by Andy Brack · 06/26/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

FOCUS: Food bank to celebrate millionth meal; Challenge almost met

Staff reports | The Lowcountry Food Bank will create its one millionth meal June 20 in The Zucker Family Production Kitchen.

And if that’s not enough – the Zucker Family has offered a matching gift challenge leading up to the millionth meal to encourage the nonprofit to raise $50,000 before the June 20 celebration. The donations will be used to continue the work done in the production kitchen.

by Charleston Currents · 06/19/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

FOCUS: Emanuel AME Church to honor 2nd anniversary of tragedy

Staff reports | The second anniversary of the June 17, 2015, tragedy in which nine members of Emanuel AME Church were slain will be commemorated with a series of commemorative events this month.

Perhaps the most visible will be Friday’s dialogue on race called The Charleston Forum. The event, which requires tickets, will feature a discussion on a wide range of issues impacting Charleston, the state and the nation. A description from the website:“The Charleston Forum’s dialogue is a step forward together, with no pre-set agenda but with a common purpose. Our discussions will address economics and education, policing and criminal justice, the future of the past, and the Charleston experience….

by Charleston Currents · 06/12/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

FOCUS: Adopt a duck for Rotary’s 11th annual Duck Race on Saturday

Staff reports | Ready for 30,000 rubber ducks to be dropped off a local bridge and float toward victory on the Wando River? The first seven to cross the finish line at the pier at Children’s Park on Daniel Island will win prizes ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

Yep, it’s just about time for the annual Rotary Club Charity Duck Race, which will be held at noon Saturday, June 10.
Festivities start at the park at 10 a.m. with children’s games and activities, including jump castles and face painting. The drop will occur at noon; winners will be announced around 1 p.m. Food and beverages will be available.

by Charleston Currents · 06/04/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news