Charleston Currents – Michael Kaynard

FEEDBACK: On early education and sales tax holidays

George Graf, Palmyra, Va.: I strongly agree with Mr. Kaynard, but would like to add my two cents. Concerning education and good jobs, I also strongly believe that we as an American society and more so, the parents need to address the problem with a child’s education at an early age. Many research studies have shown that the overwhelming majority of children of a low socio-economic class are far behind higher economic classes on the first day of formal schooling.

by Charleston Currents · 08/08/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Feedback

MYSTERY: Peaceful Lowcountry scene

Hint: This tranquil scene may not be in Charleston County. Third person who is correct in identifying the general location of this photo will get a pair of RiverDogs tickets. Send your best guess to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com — and make sure to include the name of the town in which you live.

by Michael Kaynard · 07/25/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos

FOCUS: Let’s start fixing a broken system

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.

by Charleston Currents · 07/25/2016 · 3 comments · Focus, Good news

MYSTERY: Government building

Not to state the obvious, but this is a pretty impressive government building somewhere, but where? And what is it? Send your best guess to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com — and make sure to include the name of the town in which you live.

by Charleston Currents · 06/20/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos

FOCUS: Music of doves ascending

A poem by Marjory Wentworth, poet laureate of South Carolina:

Yellow crime tape tied to the rod iron fence
weaves through bouquets of flowers
and wreaths made of white ribbons,
like rivers of bright pain flowing through the hours.

Weaving through bouquets of flowers,
lines of strangers bearing offerings
like rivers of bright pain flowing through the hours.
One week later; the funeral bells ring;

lines of strangers still bring offerings.
Nine doves tossed toward the sun.
One week later; the funeral bells ring,
while churches in small towns are burning.

Nine doves tossed toward the sun.
Because there are no words to sing,
while churches in small towns are burning,
a blur of white wings, ascends like music.

by Palmetto Poem · 06/06/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news, Palmetto Poem

PHOTO ESSAY: Around town with Spoleto

PHOTO ESSAY: Nancy Sommer poses for a photo by husband Blane Sommer in front of a black-and-white photo that’s part of renowned photographer Jack Alterman’s outdoor exhibit that illustrates people who work along the 500 block of King Street. Other Spoleto photos by Leigh Sabine, Michael Kaynard and Andy Brack.

by Charleston Currents · 05/30/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Photos

Contributing edition Michael Kaynard is offering 11-inch by 14-inch limited edition prints of the above photographic collage as a way to honor the life of librarian Cynthia Graham Hurd. All of the proceeds will go to a memorial fund. More information is outlined below.

GOOD NEWS: New Hurd Foundation to have month-long children’s’ book drive

Staff reports | A new foundation is honoring the life of a much-loved librarian who was one of the nine people murdered last year by a gunman at Emanuel AME Church. The Cynthia Graham Hurd Foundation for Reading & Civic Engagement has been set up by her family to increase literacy and spread a passion for reading throughout Charleston, where […]

by Andy Brack · 05/16/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

MYSTERY: Something’s missing

In photography, “cropping” is the practice of slicing away parts of a photo that aren’t wanted so the viewer will focus on what the photographer things is important. But it also can be used to obscure, as we’ve done this week with an image snapped by contributor Michael Kaynard.

by Charleston Currents · 04/11/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos

MYSTERY: What a gate, but where?

This is the kind of Charleston gate that you won’t forget if you see it, but where in the world is it? (Hint, downtown). Send your best guess to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com — and make sure to include the name of the town in which you live.

by Charleston Currents · 03/14/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos

MYSTERY: Fish out of water

If you’ve been driving around the Charleston peninsula over the last couple of years, you might have noticed this in a public, but kind of off-the-beaten-track location. Where is this photo taken by contributing editor Michael Kaynard? Second correct guess gets a pair of tickets to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Send your guess — and the name of the town you live in — to editor@charlestoncurrents.com.

by Michael Kaynard · 02/22/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Mystery Photo, Photos