Good news

Charleston City council member Mike Seekings speaks at the shelter unveiling.  Photo provided.

GOOD NEWS:  New bus shelter unveiled at airport

Staff reports  |  Charleston International Airport has installed a state-of-the-art bus shelter to accommodate an increasing number of passengers and airport workers riding Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) vehicles to and from the airport.

“With passenger numbers booming at Charleston International Airport, we couldn’t be happier that the Aviation Authority has stepped up to partner in such a big way,” said CARTA board chairman Mike Seekings, who also is a Charleston city council member. “As more visitors than ever come to the Charleston area, we have to mitigate traffic impacts throughout the region, and a $3.50 direct connection from the airport to downtown is one way to do just that.”

by · 12/04/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs
Fanning in Berlin.

FOCUS: 3 life lessons from trip to Berlin

By Ben Fanning, contributing columnist  |  I recently returned from a trip to Berlin, Germany, and learned several life lessons you can apply to your next trip. 

ONE:  You can do a lot in the freezing rain

We visited Berlin during the off-season to take advantage of the low rates for airfare and hotels.  Also, many of the sites were less crowded than usual.  Of course, this meant we faced freezing rain and wind every day, but we came prepared with heavy jackets and multiple layers.

I had an old band director who repeatedly said, “never wait on rain;” While freezing rain in Berlin might be a deterrent to some, it didn’t slow us down one bit. 

by · 11/27/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Careers, Focus, Good news
GOOD NEWS:  Where you can buy local

GOOD NEWS:  Where you can buy local

The good folks at Lowcountry Local First have a lot of suggestions for where you can buy local holiday gifts during the organizations Buy Local month, Nov. 15 to Dec. 15. 

You can explore its Holiday Shopping Market Calendar to find many pop-up markets and events that highlight unique gifts made by local makers and craftsmen throughout the season. 

by · 11/27/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs
Photo courtesy of Charleston International Airport.

FOCUS: Plan ahead, arrive early if you’re flying over holiday weekend

Staff reports  |  As many as 100,000 people are expected to fly into or out of Charleston International Airport over the Thanksgiving holiday making it the busiest time of the year for the facility.

Last year, just over 95,000 passengers came through the airport during Thanksgiving. And so far this year, passenger counts are up over last year, which airport Executive Director and CEO Paul G. Campbell Jr. said he expected to continue through the end of the year.

“We are having a great year and we will reach, and possibly top, 4 million passengers in 2017,” Campbell said in a press release. “This next week we expect to be very busy with Thanksgiving travelers so we encourage everyone to plan ahead and arrive at the airport early.”

by · 11/20/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news
GOOD NEWS: Park for two hours for free in Charleston Nov. 24-Jan. 1

GOOD NEWS: Park for two hours for free in Charleston Nov. 24-Jan. 1

Staff reports  |  The city and county of Charleston are offering two free hours of parking at participating garages during the holiday season, starting on Thanksgiving and ending on New Year’s Day.

Click the link above to find out how to print the voucher. (Hard copies of the voucher will be a part of local water bills.)

Garages participating in the “holiday magic” present to area shoppers include the those at the visitor’s center, 34 St. Philip St., Concord-Cumberland, East Bay-Prioleau.  According to the flyer, “additional automated garages are participating,” but you won’t be able to see a list of them until later this week at this link. 

by · 11/20/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs
FOCUS: S.C. gun safety advocacy group seeks middle ground to curb tragedies

FOCUS: S.C. gun safety advocacy group seeks middle ground to curb tragedies

By Lindsay Street, via StatehouseReport.com  |  A gun safety lobbying group founded in 2015 after South Carolina’s mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston  is still struggling to get lawmakers to listen.  On Tuesday in Charleston, they’ll explain what they’re working on to get lawmakers’ attention.

Arm-in-Arm, a South Carolina grassroots group, said it is having trouble despite 2015 and 2016 polls showing more than 80 percent of South Carolinians favor stricter background checks on gun purchases.

“It’s reckless and irresponsible for South Carolina to not have reasonable laws that prevent people from getting guns if they should not have them in the first place,” spokesman Meghan Trezies said. “The biggest battle is to be heard.

by · 11/13/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news
Charleston sunset, by Missy Hanahan.

GOOD NEWS:  Great sunset plus accolades for restaurants, groundskeeper, more

Staff reports  |  Here’s one of the best Lowcountry sunset photos we’ve seen in a while.  Taken last week by Missy Hanahan of Charleston, it’s hard to tell whether the sky or reflection is at the top of the picture of a still pond near Ashley River Road.  (Answer: Sky is at the top.)  Thanks, Missy, for the photo.

Also in Good News: Bertha’s, The Grocery:  Hats off to these two Charleston area eateries for making Eater’s annual list of America’s Essential Restaurants.  They’re two of 38 restaurants across the U.S. that made the list.  On Bertha’s in North Charleston, the site noted, “Albertha Grant founded the restaurant in the early 1980s, and many of her specialties — meaty okra stew, tomato-stained red rice, creamy lima beans, and turkey prioleau (a sustaining rice dish available only on Tuesdays) — originate from the culinary traditions of the Gullah, former slaves who established themselves in Lowcountry hamlets and the nearby islands.”  On The Grocery, Eater says, “he Grocery has steadily bloomed into one of the city’s most remarkable and welcoming restaurants. This is the circa-right-now modern American menu, Lowcountry edition: delicata squash with pomegranate and herbed tahini-yogurt sauce; smoked mackerel flanked by crackers with everything-bagel seasoning; triggerfish over cornbread puree, bacon, and pickled mushrooms.”

by · 11/13/2017 · 1 comment · Good news, News briefs
FOCUS:  Holiday Festival of Lights starts this week

FOCUS:  Holiday Festival of Lights starts this week

Staff reports  |  It’s already that time of the year again – time to enjoy the dazzling annual display at the Holiday Festival of Lights at James island County Park. 

The 28th edition of the annual attraction opens Friday, Nov. 10, and will feature more than 700 bright, beautiful light displays of all shapes and sizes every night through Jan. 1, 2018. And starting Nov. 13, you can get $5 off the price of admission if you visit in the evenings from Mondays through Thursdays with a can of food for the Lowcountry Food Bank.

by · 11/06/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news
Photo by Michael Kaynard.

GOOD NEWS: Magnolia offers holiday food drive to help feed S.C. families

Staff reports  |  For the sixth consecutive year, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is collecting food for the Lowcountry Food Bank, which serves 10 counties in coastal South Carolina. Since 2012 Magnolia’s guests have donated more than 15 tons of food that has benefited families in the food bank’s service area. The food drive began Nov. 1.

“I am challenging other tourism-related businesses like Magnolia to support food drives of their own to help needy families during the holiday season,” said Tom Johnson, executive director of the attraction. 

Also in Good News: A new local beer; a new Living Your Truth talk, CYDC gets nod from state; law school rated highly; and two law firms make national list.

by · 11/06/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs
FOCUS:  County library system unveils new, dynamic website today

FOCUS:  County library system unveils new, dynamic website today

Staff reports  |  It’s been a long time coming, but the Charleston County Public Library today is unveiling a spiffy, new website that’s much, much easier to use.

It offers dynamic content, easy-to-use links to multiple platforms of downloadable content, and an interface that’s pleasant, modern and relevant.

“With changing web technologies, growing information needs of our patrons, and the introduction of new library services, it was time for a comprehensive redesign of our digital branch,” said CCPL Executive Director Nicolle Davies.

by · 10/30/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news