Charleston Currents

Good news

GOOD NEWS: First of new libraries to open June 10 in Mount Pleasant

Staff reports | The first new library of five being built through a $108.5 million county bond referendum will open 10 a.m. June 10 following a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new 40,000-square-foot Wando Mount Pleasant Library is located at 1400 Carolina Park Boulevard in northern Mount Pleasant.

“We are thrilled with this example of library innovation and accessibility for all of Charleston County’s residents,” said Charleston County Public Library Executive Director Angela Craig. “This is one of many new facilities launching system-wide that will provide exceptional library service, as well as access to emerging technologies and resources that the public can embrace as their own.”

by Charleston Currents · 05/27/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

ADAMS: 548 miles down; Only 1,644 to go!

By Jerry Adams, contributing editor, May 14, 2019 | Their chatter let me know they were coming a few minutes before they caught up to me on the trail this morning. I stopped to let the young couple pass and we chatted.

“Since I left Springer in March, more than 500 people have passed me on the trail, “ I said. “But that’s OK. I’m slow. We’ve been out here for more than 500 miles and more than 500 hikers have already left the trail, ending their journey. We’re still here!””

They smiled. We chatted briefly about the two topics on every hiker’s mind — the machete guy and bears. Bears have been wreaking havoc in this area of Virginia, and the machete guy had just been arrested for killing one thru-hiker and cutting up another.

by Special to Charleston Currents · 05/20/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

FESTIVAL TIME: PURE Theatre will offer three shows of Butcher Stories, the world premiere solo-comedy from Andy Livengood (Theatre 99, The Christmas Will Be Televised): 8 p.m. on May 29, 9 p.m. May 30 and 4 p.m. June 2, Cannon Street Art Center, 134 Cannon St., Charleston. More info: PURE Theatre. Photo by Ben Egelson.

GOOD NEWS: Bring on the arts

From May 24 to June 9 all over the Charleston area, the sheer quality of the music, art and culture for 17 days is mind-blowing. Events through the main festival, Spoleto Festival USA, generally cost more that the city-backed Piccolo Spoleto, but the big festival is a draw that brings in people from all over the world. To see all of the offerings, go online here: SpoletoFestivalUSA.org.

by Charleston Currents · 05/20/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS: Photo memories from the 1960s

By Chuck Boyd, special to Charleston Currents | In 1964, I had a picture pending to be on the full MISCELLANY page in LIFE Magazine, but I could not identify where it was taken!

I was in a helicopter, returning inland after taking photos of surfers for my newspaper, the San Diego Union-Tribune. I was a staff photographer for the paper, lugging a bulky 4×5 Speed Graphic camera. I quickly managed to grab two shots as we passed over an apple orchard with the word “QUIET” plowed in the field in huge letters.

Back at the paper, the editor passed on using it, but when I sent a copy to LIFE magazine, the editors immediately called to say they needed a caption with the facts! We photographers at the paper had submitted shots before and always received a polite stock rejection slip… but this time, they phoned me.

by Special to Charleston Currents · 05/13/2019 · 1 comment · Focus, Good news, Photo Essay

Dr. Besim Ogretmen, Hollings Cancer Center researcher, left, and Dr. Shanmugam Selvam discuss their work at the Hollings Cancer Center, home to more than 70 research labs and 400 researchers. MUSC photo by Sarah Pack

GOOD NEWS: Hollings Cancer Center wins renewal as national Cancer Center

Staff reports | The Hollings Cancer Center of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) recently won renewal of its designation as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center.”MUSC is proud to have the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Carolina,” MUSC President David J. Cole said in a press release. “This renewal validates the significant, ongoing and dedicated effort by Hollings Cancer Center scientists toward advances in cancer prevention, diagnoses and treatment, with the ultimate goal of finding cancer cures.”

by Charleston Currents · 05/13/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS: Piccolo Spoleto 2019 has something for everyone

Staff reports | Hold onto your hats for what may be the most memorable Piccolo Spoleto season ever when the city’s annual arts tribute opens May 24 for 17 days.

“The arts resound throughout Charleston year-round, but Piccolo Spoleto’s performances and exhibitions afford special license for the arts to be your guide as you discover landmark houses of worship, historic parks and celebrated public spaces, as well as lesser-known performance venues off the beaten path,” Mayor John Tecklenburg said in his annual welcome letter.

For the 2019 season, artists will be using two new venues — the Cannon Street Arts Center downtown and “The Pearl” at Charleston Stage’s new West Ashley Theater Center. Several shows will take place at the Cannon Street venue, including “Big Mama’s House” (May 24-26); “Butcher Stories” (May 29-30, June 2); “The Why” (June 7-8); “Too Much Memory” (May 29-June 1); “Reality is Overrated” (May 31-June 1); and “Vincent John Doe” (June 6-9). Other shows that caught our attention: …

by Charleston Currents · 05/06/2019 · 1 comment · Focus, Good news

GOOD NEWS: County to replace Folly Beach pier

Staff reports | The 1,045-foot-long Folly Beach Fishing Pier will be replaced by Charleston County Parks to allow the icon to continue to serve the community. Construction is expected to start later this year.

“The 24-year-old Folly Beach Pier, while still currently safe for visitors, is deteriorating, its wooden piles impacted by marine boring worms,” according to a press release. The parks department began dive inspections of the pier pilings in 2013, and encapsulated many of the piles over the past five years in an effort to strengthen them, kill the worms and maintain the integrity of the pier. The walkway has been continually inspected as well.

by Charleston Currents · 05/06/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS: Learn how to avoid enemies of change to realize success

By Anton Gunn, republished with permission | Recently, I have been focused on success. Particularly, I am focused on the changes you need to make to achieve success in your life.

Change is the operative word today. Change is a constant in our lives. Nothing in our lives stays the same. Everything changes. Some changes happen on their own. Other changes happen when we decide to make them happen.

I want you to be aware of the enemies of change. Yes, that’s right. I want you to be aware of the nemeses of the improvements you want to make in your life.

You must avoid them at all cost because they can stifle your success. You must learn how to defend and defeat them.

Here they are.

by Special to Charleston Currents · 04/29/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

GOOD NEWS: CofC offers new digital writing program, more

Staff reports | The College of Charleston’s English department recently introduced a new minor and concentration in Writing, Rhetoric and Publication (WRP) to guide students on how to write in the digital age.

by Charleston Currents · 04/29/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

Finally, we’re back online

Our website has been broken for the last few days for a reason related to a broken database, according to our web host. We still can’t figure out what they were talking about, but after a few hours sparring with technical support, they clicked some kind of button and everything seems to be working. For now.

Because we were down Monday, we postponed our next publication until Monday, April 29. We appreciate your patience. But if you’re jonesing for something to read, check out these features:

New column. There’s a new column by editor and publisher Andy Brack that would have been posted on April 22. An excerpt:”People can have policy differences without being socialists. And if you’re worried about socialism, what do you make about Trump, a tower of jelly whenever it comes to Russia and former Communists running that country?” …

by Andy Brack · 04/25/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Good news