Month: July 2017

Charleston Based Blackbaud Empowers “The Connected School” at Annual K-12 User Conference

July 14, 2017 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C., July 13, 2017 — Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, today welcomed hundreds of change-makers for its annual three day K-12 user conference. Private school professionals from across the sector convened in Boston to discuss industry best practices, collaborate with peers, participate in over 90 hands-on training sessions and hear from company executives.

“We designed this event to further educate, connect and support private school administrators and staff who make so much possible in the world,” said Travis Warren, president of Blackbaud’s K-12 Solutions. “We are working every day to deliver on what you need to ensure your school stays competitive, innovative and sustainable. Our priority is to revolutionize the way private schools operate by creating one solution for school data that enables schools to better achieve their goals.”

Blackbaud’s President and CEO, Mike Gianoni, kicked off the conference reflecting on the company’s rapid innovation highlighting stories of customer success and making commitments to continue delivering purpose-built, high-impact, integrated and open solutions for K-12 private schools.

Dr. Natalie W. Nixon, design strategist at Figure 8 Thinking and founding director of the Strategic Design MBA program at Philadelphia University, joined as opening keynote to share some of the disruptive thinking around inventiveness, play and the future of learning that has been transforming the field of education over the past decade.

Blackbaud highlights latest innovation in response K-12 community needs:

  • Unmatched efficiency to private schools through one solution
  • Rapid innovation and advancements powered by Blackbaud SKY™
  • High-velocity enhancements conceptualized by the community
  • A doubling of Blackbaud Partner Network™ providers to expand solution offerings for K-12 private schools

“We’ve completed a significant number of ideas from our K-12 community such as rubrics, schedule maker improvements, gradebook enhancements and contracts integration with Smart Tuition™ and onBoard™,” said Mike Gianoni, Blackbaud’s president and CEO. “We know that adopting intelligent solutions has moved from important to critical in the K-12 space, and our Intelligence for Good™ approach — combining big data, analytics, artificial intelligence and expertise — in the our solutions can help schools optimize that data to make strategic decisions.”

Blackbaud’s Chief Technology Officer, Mary Beth Westmoreland, shared more on the company’s open cloud innovation, including SKY API™ and SKY Reporting™. Westmoreland and her team discussed roadmap plans that resulted from customer feedback in the areas of: helping schools turn student data into actionable insights, communicating performance, problem-solving for the registrar’s office and more.

Blackbaud will wrap its third and final day of its K-12 user conference on Friday, July 14. To learn more about its annual K-12 User Conference, visit http://k12.blackbaud.com/bbk12uc/. For more information about Blackbaud’s K-12 solutions, visit k12.blackbaud.com.

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through software, services, expertise, and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and relationship management, digital marketing, advocacy, accounting, payments, analytics, school management, grant management, corporate social responsibility, and volunteerism. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.

Media Contact
Nicole McGougan
Public Relations
843.654.3307
media@blackbaud.com

Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks related to our dividend policy and share repurchase program, including potential limitations on our ability to grow and the possibility that we might discontinue payment of dividends; risks relating to restrictions imposed by the credit facility; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud’s investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

Charleston, SC, one of 5 new cities, to join National What Works Cities Initiative

July 13, 2017 by 0 Comments
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Eighty-five Cities Now Partnering with National What Works Cities Initiative

Five new cities commit to using data and evidence to address challenges from homelessness to public safety

NEW YORK, July 12, 2017 – Today, Results for America announced that five new cities have been selected to join What Works Cities: Arlington, TX; Charleston, SC; Fort Collins, CO; Memphis, TN; and Sioux Falls, SD. Launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in April 2015, What Works Cities is the largest philanthropic effort to improve the effectiveness of local governments by enhancing the use of data and evidence. With today’s new cities, the initiative is now partnering with 85 U.S. cities that are home to more than 27 million people in 37 states and have annual budgets exceeding $94 billion.

“Across the country, cities of all shapes and sizes are producing better results for their residents by identifying and investing in what works,” said What Works Cities Executive Director Simone Brody. “Cities are increasingly showing themselves as the country’s drivers of progress, and we’re thrilled to welcome these new cities to this growing movement.”

Through technical assistance from What Works Cities’ expert partners, participating cities are developing data-driven tools to best determine priorities, drive progress toward them, allocate resources, and tackle their toughest challenges – from homelessness to public safety and economic development. Cities are also fostering trust with their communities through greater transparency around city data in efforts to increase collaboration toward developing solutions.

Planned projects in the five new cities include:

  • Arlington, TX, will upgrade its ability to manage and open data as part of a larger city priority to become more efficient, grow the local economy, and increase transparency by embracing new technologies.
  • Charleston, SC, will use performance analytics to improve housing affordability and share progress with residents. The City will also utilize results-driven contracting to improve outcomes from its waste management agreements.
  • Fort Collins, CO, will focus on improving neighborhood livability and social healthby better managing, sharing, and analyzing related data.
  • Memphis, TN, will develop a more robust open data policy, drawing on community feedback, with the goal of making the City’s data more usable and accessible to the public.
  • Sioux Falls, SD, will strengthen its open data practices, with a focus on enabling the City and residents to develop collaborative approaches to improving neighborhood services.

Examples of how participating cities have been applying such strategies to improve their residents’ lives can be found in a new report What Works Cities released last month.

Participating cities are also leveraging What Works Cities’ extensive learning network of local leaders and global experts actively sharing best practices for outcomes-focused government. Cities are replicating each other’s successes and learning from each other’s challenges. What Works Cities is expanding that network with the launch of its new certification program earlier this year. The program, which is open to any city with a population over 30,000 people, sets the first-ever national standard for data-driven local government and serves as a roadmap to advance the practices of all cities.

The current participants in the What Works Cities initiative are: Albuquerque, NM; Anchorage, AK; Arlington, TX; Augusta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Birmingham, AL; Boise, ID; Boulder, CO; Buffalo, NY; Bellevue, WA; Boston, MA; Cambridge, MA; Cape Coral, FL; Charleston, SC; Charlotte, NC; Chattanooga, TN; Corona, CA; Denton, TX; Denver, CO; Des Moines, IA; Downey, CA; Durham, NC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Fort Worth, TX; Gilbert, AZ; Glendale, AZ; Greensboro, NC; Gresham, OR; Hartford, CT; Independence, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Jackson, MS; Kansas City, KS; Kansas City, MO; Knoxville, TN; Laredo, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Lewisville, TX; Lexington, KY; Lincoln, NE; Little Rock, AR; Louisville, KY; Madison, WI; Memphis, TN; Mesa, AZ; Miami, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Modesto, CA; Naperville, IL; Nashville, TN; New Haven, CT; New Orleans, LA; Norfolk, VA; Oklahoma City, OK; Olathe, KS; Orlando, FL; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; Raleigh, NC; Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Riverside, CA; Salinas, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Scottsdale, AZ; Saint Paul, MN; Sioux Falls, SD; South Bend, IN; Syracuse, NY; Tacoma, WA; Tempe, AZ; Topeka, KS; Tulsa, OK; Tyler, TX; Victorville, CA; Virginia Beach, VA; Waco, TX; Washington, DC; West Palm Beach, FL; and Wichita, KS.

About What Works Cities:
What Work Cities, launched in April 2015, is the largest-ever philanthropic effort to enhance cities’ use of data and evidence. The initiative is providing technical assistance to 100 cities on a rolling basis through 2018. Cities around the country are receiving support, guidance and resources to succeed through a consortium of leading organizations assembled by Bloomberg Philanthropies: the Behavioral Insights Team, the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University, the Government Performance Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School, Results for America and the Sunlight Foundation. In 2016, What Works Cities was named by Forbes as “one of the ten most promising philanthropic bets” of the year and by Engaging Local Government Leaders as the “most important company operating in the local government arena.” In March 2017, the initiative launched What Works Cities Certification, the first-ever national standard for data-driven governance. The report “What Works Cities: How Local Governments Are Changing Lives,” released in June 2017, summarizes cities’ accomplishments with the initiative. For more information, visit whatworkscities.org.

About Results for America:
Results for America is helping decision-makers at all levels of government harness evidence and data to make progress on great challenges. The organization’s mission is to make investing in what works the “new normal” so that when policymakers make decisions, they start by seeking the best evidence and data available, then use what they find to get better results. For more information, visit results4america.org.

Contact:
Results for America/What Works Cities, Sharman Stein, (914) 522-4102, sharman@results4america.org

Results for America/What Works Cities, Kristin Taylor, (646) 854-5572, kristin@results4america.org

Why we choose to bail out the litterbugs on our Charleston, SC beaches

July 13, 2017 by 0 Comments
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By Mark A. Leon

On the morning of July 5, 2017 at 5:50 AM, news crews were on-site at Folly Beach to talk about the clean-up event scheduled for 6:00 PM that evening. A group of conscientious patrons organized a post July 4th clean up volunteer effort to help pick up all the garbage left behind from the July 4th festivities.

The beach was a forthright mess. Beer bottles, water bottles, wrappers, clothes, towels, chairs and more draped the normally scenic backdrop of the ocean sand. There were even chairs on the edge of the sand in the water. Some debris even potentially disrupting the sand patterns of the sea turtles.

It was a saddening site to see as I took my sunrise walk.

As a woman spoke to local reporters and then walked the beach with a bucket and pick, I began to ponder the pros and cons of this event. I naturally admired the dedication of the residents that were going to bond together to bring the beauty and cleanliness back to our beach, but that wasn’t what dominated my thoughts.

Why are we not holding people accountable for their disrespectful and dangerous behavior?
This event sets a precedent that we tolerate this behavior and that if people litter the beaches, someone else will pick it up for them.

I started thinking about how we could let these actions happen?

  • Understaffed enforcement – We know the patterns of behavior of beachgoers including the typical time frame for arrival and departure. Why do we not patrol and if litter is left behind, we fine on the spot?
  • Promoting a clean-up event on Facebook enhances the perception that people can get away with this behavior.
  • We do not take any serious action to remind people of the privilege of being on our area beaches. We need to partner with law enforcement and local businesses to remind and reinforce the need to keep our beaches clean.

I continued to walk that morning, watching the miracle of the sun rise from the ocean into the sky, but this morning was a little different; a little sadder.

I know July 4th is an anomaly happening once a year like Memorial Day and other holidays, but I have witnessed waste remains during non-holiday weekends and weekdays.

We allow people to take advantages of a gift without holding them responsible for their actions and this behavior needs to be addressed soon.

Ridge Breaks Ground on 686,300 SF Speculative Project At Charleston Logistics Center

July 12, 2017 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C., July 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ridge, the industrial development arm of Transwestern Development Co., today announces it has broken ground on a 63-acre site at Interstate 26 and Jedburg Road in Jedburg, South Carolina, approximately 30 miles northwest of Charleston. The site will house a total of 686,300 square feet of speculative industrial space in Charleston Logistics Center. The two state-of-the-art industrial buildings are slated for delivery beginning first quarter 2018.

“Charleston is ramping up for significant growth in the industrial market, driven by the Port of Charleston and corporate expansions that have added 8,000 jobs in the region,” said Steve Kros, Executive Vice President at Ridge. “The market is served by a single interstate, creating a scarcity of functional sites for industrial development. Charleston Logistics Center will stand out among competing parks due to its superior access to I-26 for truck transportation as well as employees.”

The two Class A buildings are designed for multitenant use. Each rear-load building will encompass 343,150 square feet, 32-foot clear height, 54-by-48-foot column spacing, 60-foot staging bay, ESFR, 64 dock doors, two drive-in doors, 202 car parking spaces and 76 truck parking spaces.

Collier’s Simons Johnson and Peter Fennelly are leasing the project.

ABOUT RIDGE
Ridge, the industrial arm of Transwestern Development Co., is a leading provider of corporate real estate development and investment in state-of-the-art warehouse, distribution and manufacturing facilities throughout North America. Ridge’s principals have been involved in the development, construction, ownership and management of more than 125 million square feet of institutional-quality real estate and have an average 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. Ridge is based in Chicago, with regional offices across the U.S. in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Houston and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

What you should know about the Travel & Leisure Best of Announcements Today (Carolinas Have Room to Celebrate)

July 11, 2017 by 0 Comments
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There was a lot of great information relevant to our area that came out today.  There is also room to celebrate for the Southeast

We want to share some additional information you may not know.

 

Three North and South Carolina Hotels Made the Top 100 in the World List

  • 91 – Inn & Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head, South Carolina (Score:  95.45)
  • 66 – Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Highlands, North Carolina (Score: 95.89)
  • 45 – The Willcox, Aiken, South Carolina (Score:  96.38)

Charleston, South Carolina is the #2 City in the World (Top 15 Revealed)

 

Charleston, South Carolina is the #1 City  in the United States

 

Two Charleston, South Carolina Hotels Made the Top 15 City Hotels in the United States List

  • #12 – Zero George – Charleston, SC
  • #9 – The Vendue – Charleston, SC

 

Carnival Cruise #7 Mega Ship Ocean Cruise Line

 

Hilton Head, South Carolina Ranked #2 Best Island in the World

Congratulations to all

Lowcountry

Erin Brockovich’s Response on Facebook to Mount Pleasant/Charleston Water Quality Concerns

July 10, 2017 by 34 Comments
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Posted on Erin Brockovich Facebook 1 Hour Ago:

“There are more unanswered questions about Mount Pleasant and Charleston, South Carolina’s water quality than there are answers.

First, consumers in Mount Pleasant need to understand… most of the year your drinking water is supplied from the City of Charleston. At peak demands… as much as 50% “can be” produced locally… but  many of you get 100% Charleston water everyday of the year. The attached press conference is more than just misleading, its crap… and constantly bragging about pristine ancient water that requires reverse osmosis is just bizarre. Further, the City of Mount Pleasant buys so much water from Charleston… several months out of the year they actually inject the severely contaminated excess surface water into Aquifer Storage and Recapture (ASR) wells.

Charleston claims to do thousands of water quality tests but doesn’t really report very much to you the consumer… the USEPA “suggests” they customize the report for the local source water conditions… Charleston DOES NOT.

Your drinking water system uses chloramine as a disinfectant… a poor choice. In fact your drinking water has confirmed toxic chloramine byproducts in it called nitrosamines (NDMA) as a result of the use of ammonia.

Your source water has many pesticides (Dieldren), herbicides (Atrazine), pfoa/pfos (scotch-guard/Teflon), pharmaceuticals (estrogen/Viagra) and other “unregulated” contaminants in it TODAY. These should have been reported to you… some have health advisories, some have maximum contaminant levels (MCL), like atrazine.  The herbicide atrazine… if detected, even below the MCL must be reported… it is not.

The citizens of Mount Pleasant and greater Charleston are entitled to more respect and full disclosure… What have they got to hide? If there are contaminants in your drinking water you have the right to make a choice of what your family consumes and what it does not.”

ABC Article: Mount Pleasant Waterworks responds to concerns about water quality

Bluegreen Vacations(TM), a subsidiary of BBX Capital Corporation, Announces Grand Opening of Charleston’s King 583 Resort

July 10, 2017 by 0 Comments
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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL and BOCA RATON, FL–(Marketwired – July 10, 2017) – BBX Capital Corporation (“BBX Capital” or the “Company”) (OTCQX: BBXT) (OTCQX: BBXTB) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bluegreen Corporation (“Bluegreen Vacations” or “Bluegreen”), recently welcomed its first guests to its newest resort, King 583, located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Newly built, Bluegreen’s King 583 offers timeshare owners and guests 50 luxurious units. Located on historic King Street, acclaimed as one of the Top 10 most famous streets in America, the resort is situated in Charleston’s revamped retail district. This site is within walking distance to restaurants, art galleries, chic boutiques, funky bars, and trendy nightlife.

Marked by a modern, sophisticated vibe, King 583 stands five stories high and features 22 studios, 19 one-bedroom accommodations, 5 two-bedroom units, and 4 two-bedroom luxurious presidential suites. Amenities generally include half-and-full kitchens, complimentary WIFI, flat-screen televisions, granite countertops, fireplaces, balconies, and a Zen-type courtyard.

“There is nothing our owners love more than an exemplary new resort,” said David Pontius, Bluegreen’s Chief Strategy Officer. “With the introduction of King 583, owners will be offered the terrific features synonymous with Bluegreen resorts. This new resort gem is well situated in the unique tourist area of Charleston, where the warmth of Southern Hospitality reigns supreme.”

Developed as part of Bluegreen Vacations’ “fee-based services” business model(1), this project follows Bluegreen’s Horizons at 77th, located in the neighboring town of Myrtle Beach. King 583 is Bluegreen’s second resort in Charleston; Bluegreen’s The Lodge Alley Inn™ is located nearby on the city’s historic waterfront.

(1) Bluegreen markets, sells and manages vacation ownership interests (“VOIs”) in resorts, which are generally located in popular, high-volume, “drive-to” vacation destinations. The resorts in which Bluegreen markets, sells or manages VOIs were either developed or acquired by Bluegreen, or were developed and are owned by third parties. Bluegreen earns fees for providing sales and marketing services to these third party developers. Bluegreen also earns fees by providing management services to the Bluegreen Vacation Club and property owners associations (“POAs”), mortgage servicing, VOI title services, reservation services, and construction design and development services. In addition, Bluegreen provides financing to FICO® score-qualified individual purchasers of VOIs.

About BBX Capital Corporation:
BBX Capital Corporation (OTCQX: BBXT) (OTCQX: BBXTB), formerly BFC Financial Corporation, is a diversified holding company whose principal activities are its ownership of Bluegreen Corporation and, through its Real Estate and Middle Market Divisions, the acquisition, ownership and management of joint ventures and investments in real estate and real estate development projects and middle market operating businesses.

About Bluegreen Corporation:
Bluegreen, founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, is a sales, marketing and management company, focused on the vacation ownership industry. Bluegreen manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation ownership plan with more than 200,000 owners, 66 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,300 resorts worldwide. Bluegreen also offers a portfolio of comprehensive, fee-based resort management, financial services, and sales and marketing services, to or on behalf of third parties.

As of March 31, 2017, BBX Capital had total consolidated assets of $1.4 billion, shareholders’ equity of $477.9 million, and total equity of $521.6 million.

For further information, please visit:
BBX Capital: www.BBXCapital.com
Bluegreen Corporation: www.BluegreenVacations.com

BBX Capital Corporation Contact Info:
Investor Relations: Leo Hinkley, Managing Director, Investor Relations Officer
954-940-5300
Email: LHinkley@BBXCapital.com

Media Contact:
Kip Hunter Marketing, 954-765-1329
Jodi Goldstein / Nicole Lewis
Email: jodi@kiphuntermarketing.com, nicole@kiphuntermarketing.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements based largely on current expectations of BBX Capital or its subsidiaries that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All opinions, forecasts, projections, future plans or other statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as “plans,” “believes,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “our view,” “we see,” “would” and words and phrases of similar import. The forward looking statements in this press release are also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. We can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. The Company’s investment in Bluegreen Corporation exposes the Company to risks and uncertainties, which include but are not limited to, the risks of Bluegreen’s operations, markets, products, services and business strategies; risks inherent in the vacation ownership industry; the risk that developments, including the King 583 resort, will not be as successful, attractive or popular as anticipated. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in BBX Capital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and BBX Capital’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which are available to view on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, and on BBX Capital’s website, www.BBXCapital.com. BBX Capital cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive, and we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any obligation, to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of changes in circumstances, new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

Press Contact:
Jennifer Williams
305-300-1002
Jennifer.Williams@BluegreenVacations.com

GALLERY: Hunting Island Lighthouse / State Park – A View from the Top in South Carolina

July 10, 2017 by 2 Comments
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Located 20 miles east of Beaufort, lies the scenic natural wonder of the Lowcountry, Hunting Island State Park.  With acres of forest and wildlife, miles of open beachfront, picnic areas, camping options, cabins, a majestic view of the sunset, gift shop and the only lighthouse in the state of South Carolina where you can walk up, Hunting Island State Park offers the total family package.

Fee spoiler alert:  There is an admission of $5.00 a person (unless you have an Annual Palmetto Passport) and $2.00 fee to walk up the Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is 185 steps to the top and 132 feet above sea level with the ability to see up to 40 miles on a clear day and what a view it is.

Come along with us on a virtual trip as we provide you pictures and some fun facts to entice you to pack the car and make a great day or overnight trip.  (P.S. – Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort is a stunning place to watch the sunrise and sunset).

 

 

The original brick lighthouse was constructed between 1857-1859 on the North end of the Island standing at 95′ tall.

 

In 1861, the lighthouse was destroyed by the Confederates so the Union would not be able to use the light against them.

Stairwell to the top
Stairwell to the top

 

The new lighthouse was build and completed in two years in 1875.  For all the hard work and upkeep of the lighthouse, keepers and assistants earned $500-$700 annually.

 

In 1889, due the ocean water reaching the base of the lighthouse, it was dismantled and moved 1 1/4 miles southwest.  It took only 4 months to rebuild.

 

Reflection of the lighthouse while looking down
Reflection of the lighthouse while looking down

 

View to the North
View to the North

 

 

View straight out to the oceanfront
View straight out to the oceanfront

 

South side view
South side view

 

Lighthouse base view
Lighthouse base view

 

Let us take a walk on the beach together.

 

 

 

Sand Art
Sand Art

 

 

 

 

Keep our parks clean
Keep our parks clean

 

 

Visitors Center Entrance way
Visitors Center Entrance way

 

Bonus:  Sunset in downtown Beaufort, South Carolina

If this doesn’t warm your spirits and get your yearning for the great outdoors, then I don’t know what will.

Make a plan to explore South Carolina and see one of the most beautiful state parks.

 

 

 

 

Lowcountry - Photography

GALLERY: Discover Georgetown, South Carolina: America’s Coastal Small Town

July 10, 2017 by 7 Comments
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By Mark A. Leon

Just a stone’s throw away from Charleston, one hour north on Highway 17, is Georgetown, South Carolina, one of the many beautiful reminders of small town America.  This marina based town is rich in tradition, history and family values.  At its core, it is a proud town built on manufacturing and coastal commerce.  Over the years, this family rich culture has maintained the simplicity and wholesomeness of its founding days nearly 200 years ago.

Over the course of the day, we were greeted with open arms as the locals charmed us with an inviting atmosphere.  During the mid afternoon, I was walking on the marina boardwalk and I heard an acoustic guitarist singing “Let Her In” by Hootie and the Blowfish.  As he concluded, he shared an anecdote about playing guitar on King Street in Charleston when Mark Bryan, stopped and offered to play his second guitar and jam together.  This was one of the many warm feelings we had throughout the day, but none more enriching then breakfast at the Coffee Break Cafe among the locals over a fresh cup of hot coffee and a croissant sandwich.

The pride of Americana and the warm Southern charm of a traditional small town is alive and well in Georgetown, South Carolina.  We invite you to make an outing and discover Georgetown.  If you have the time, take Cap’t Rods Lowcountry Boat Tour’s 4 hour excursion which includes a boat ride to the old lighthouse, Shell Island, rice fields and so much more for only $35.00 a person (Monday – Saturday).  Of course, stop in to the local sweets shop for a mint OREO or homemade praline or the ice cream parlor for a cup of Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Ice Cream.

Come with us as we share our gallery of life in Georgetown, South Carolina

 

Coastal Carolina Research Boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee Break Cafe

 

 

 

 

Mural Street Front

 

 

Are you ready to your next South Carolina discovery?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lowcountry

Top Reasons Charleston Is Choosing Tourism over Basic Resident Livability

July 8, 2017 by 31 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

In a destination  city environment, the municipality walks a fine line between catering to the tourists and the local community.  It is a challenge to balance the needs of one without neglecting the other.  A number of factors play into the decisions around how each group is treated.  Often times, perception plays a part in people’s reactions to some decisions that may affect one group adversely.  We have looked at perception and reality and determined that is there a strong sentiment that local residents are losing the battle to tourism.

The separation point of perception and reality is data.  Data will always provide substantiated evidence.

We have looked at some data points, daily observation and chatter to compile a list of the reasons we feel the city is choosing tourism over resident livability.

  • Multi-million dollar investment firms from out of state and locally are monopolizing on an opportunity to reduce the historic footprint and create a new hospitality center focused on boutique hotels, luxury stay experiences and high end shopping and dining.  These investments range from small to large, including a group of New York investors that purchased the building housing Blind Tiger on Broad Street and the new $100M complex that is being planned for Spring and King.  In between, we are showered by the Dewberry, Spectator, Grand Bohemian, Zero George, Hyatt, Holiday Inn Suites and Hotel Bennett that are changing the face of historic Charleston.  When you have a hotel that can charge $600 a night while you still have issues around waste management and homelessness, it is time to re-think strategy.
  • Generation old local business are being forced out or into retirement due to urban pressures and rising rents.  2016 saw the end of Hughes Lumber, Bob Ellis Shoes, King Street Grille and Morris Sokol.   Those four foundations closing their doors speak volumes.  Even this past week, we heard that Fish will be closing on Upper King Street.
  • Limited improvements in roadway infrastructure.  A recent article in the Post and Courier indicated that Charleston residents are paying $1850 annually on average for car repairs due to the poor road systems as a result of the increased traffic in the surrounding counties.  In the cross town we added an aesthetically pleasing divider, yet there are cones, cranes and construction throughout the entire span with some projects taking us through 2020 and beyond.
  • Cost of dining and entertainment have forced many locals to reduce the amount of leisure activity.  With a 10.5% dining food tax and 15% alcohol and increased base prices across the board, the dining experience is shifting from a locals experience to a tourist luxury.
  • Increases in the price of parking garages and more opportunistic valet options.
  • Corporate transition of downtown Charleston – Hyatt, Vans, Forever 21, West Elm, 3 Starbucks on King Street alone (8 total downtown), Panera, Walgreens, Carolina Ale House, Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers, Chik-fil-a, Subway, Williams-Sonoma, Urban Outfitters and Earthbound.  The local names and generational families businesses are losing out to corporate brands.
  • Removing the only neighborhood grocery store in the Northern central part of the peninsula where most of the East Side would shop and masking the concern by funding short term busing options for the residents to get groceries out of the city limits.
  • A poorly managed parking meter system and mass transit service.  There are a few groups that are working hard to change the culture and promote a change in thinking around mass transit, but that isn’t enough.  When cities like Beaufort and Asheville have credit card meters and apps where you can pay, we are lagging far behind.
  • No monthly or annual subsidized parking for employees who work in downtown Charleston.
  • Limited enforcement of jaywalking laws and thus increasing risk of injury.  Limited proposals and implementations around increased biking options for residents.

These are a few of the major reasons, the emphasis is on the tourist and local residents are faced with daily challenges that will continue to mount over the upcoming years.