Charleston Daily

Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.

Lowcountry

Embrace Free Will and Change: Shape the Legacy You Will Become – Commentary

August 15, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Girls become women; women become wives; wives become mothers
Boys become men; men become husbands; husbands become fathers

In a perfect world, that would be a life fulfilled

Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect. It has jaded edges that cut and bleed. There is cancer, accidents, hatred, terror, harm, and fear. They can all bring us down in an instant. An instant when a world is shattered and shortened

How many times have we uttered the phrase, “Life is short” insert the rest? More importantly, how often do we heed the call and seek to will our lives in the right direction?

When we get one day or one hundred years, we are left with a legacy. It is a birthright that is carried on by the living. There is a responsibility as real and unique as a fingerprint that is branded on each living being.

Change

There is an uncontrollable cycle of evolution and change. Some are prepared, mature, and wise to surroundings and understanding while others are forced into an environment filled with the unknown mass of grey.

Through the storms and the sunshine and everything in between, we learn and then impart that wisdom, converting our mistakes into a new generation of successes.

The greatest error in judgment we can make is to believe we cannot change. Everyone can and must. Evolution has given us a shitty plot, “survival of the fittest”. Why not survival of the human, the just, the fair, and the heartfelt? Isn’t that the core of goodness and love? Now is the time to stand up and let your voice and actions be heard. Change the cycle and let humanity dictate the new life for generations to come.

Measuring Life Value

So often we are measured by success and failure; right and left; rich and poor; free spirit and conservative; smart and dumb; careful and careless. What a narrow perspective and one tainted with flaws. That carries through to all of life

War vs. peace
Democracy vs socialism
Individualism vs collective
Gay or straight
Artist vs. suit
Young vs. old

And the list goes on…..

The cycle is not ordained in the stars, but a collective manifestation of free will.

Shape the Legacy You Will Become

Throw out the personality assessments and the cosmic attributes of behavior. We aren’t guided by a packaged set of rules. Yes, we are a result of our surroundings and upbringing taught to think a certain way. We also live. We live through the absorption of all things.

Stop living in a restrictive capacity. The world in all its rich cultures, ideals, and moments of celebration. Explore and rejoice in other ways of thinking and let yourself shape and mold the legacy you will become.

Whether you are a mother, father, grandparent, child, influencer, singer, writer, poet, dreamer, or leader, let today be the first day toward shaping a new tomorrow

#TomorrowisaProductoftheDecisionsToday

Lowcountry

Duke foundation puts $200,000 in grants toward South Carolina equality programs

August 15, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

The Duke Energy Foundation announced the recipients of $200,000 in employee-directed grants to nonprofit organizations in South Carolina committed to social justice and racial equity.

Grants will be distributed to 18 organizations (.pdf) across the state. Overall, the company made a $1 million commitment in June in the seven states where it has electric and gas customers, according to a news release.

Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas tapped Advocates for African Americans, a company employee-led resource group, as well as other diversity and inclusion councils, to help identify and determine which organizations in each state should be considered to receive support. Advertisement

“To say I enjoyed being a part of the process of steering funds to organizations that are making such a positive impact on our communities would be an understatement,” Tiger Wells said in the news release. He is Duke Energy’s state government affairs director in South Carolina and a member of the diversity and inclusion committee of employees who made grant decisions.

“I’m proud of the company’s response and actions we are taking both internally and externally to be a driver for change,” he said in the release.

Organizations receiving support include Big Brothers Big Sisters Upstate.

“We are so appreciative of this grant, especially with the uncertainty and challenges we all are dealing with daily,” Charlene Cheeks, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Upstate. “However, we must take every opportunity to denounce racism, bigotry, and prejudice. Defending potential means we openly and consistently address the systemic barriers our children of color face. Racism is part of the trauma in many young lives. We must name it and act upon it every single day.”

Duke Energy is also strengthening its internal diversity and inclusion programs to foster greater awareness, respect, and inclusion, the release said.

In addition to these grants, employees can support local organizations through the Duke Energy Foundation’s matching grant program, Dollars4Good, as well as its Hours4Good program, which enables employees to earn grants for volunteer hours logged, according to the release.

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Lowcountry

Media Release: Charleston County School District (CCSD) student-athletes able to return to campus next week

August 15, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CCSD student-athletes are able to return to campus next weekCharleston, SC – Student-athletes who compete in high school athletic programs in Charleston County School District (CCSD) will be able to return to campus on Monday, August 17, 2020, to resume non-contact workouts and conditioning.

CCSD student-athletes participated in non-contact drills with their teammates on campus, for a week in late June, before a decision was made to suspend due to an extremely high spread of COVID-19 in the community.

With a continued downward trend over the past few weeks in new COVID-19 cases in Charleston County, CCSD leaders are allowing high school sports to resume.“We want to be clear that precautions are in place at every one of our schools to create the safest atmosphere possible for our student-athletes and coaches,” said CCSD Athletic Director Bob Olson. “We are cautiously optimistic we will able to keep our student-athletes on campus as long as the guidelines are followed and the community does their part to help in preventing the spread of COVID-19.” Olson added CCSD high schools will continue to follow the South Carolina High School League’s guidance and decisions regarding the scheduling of games and competitive events.

For more information, please contact the Office of Strategy and Communications at (843) 937-6303.

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About the Charleston County School District

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is a nationally-accredited school district that is committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students. CCSD is the second-largest school system in South Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 87 schools and specialized programs.

CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), Montessori, and charter schools. Options include programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military.

Lowcountry

College of Charleston Alum Travis Cooper named Athens-Clarke County (ACC) new Chief Information Officer

August 14, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams this week named Travis Cooper as Chief Information Officer for the Information Technology Department, according to a county news release.

Cooper, whose appointment took effect immediately, has served as the interim IT director since December 2019, upon the retirement of the previous director.

“Travis has an exceptional balance of technological expertise and interpersonal skills that are vital for working across all of our departments on their hardware, software, and other IT needs,” Williams said. “He has helped ACCGov quickly adapt to the changing circumstances of providing services in the COVID-19 era and will just as effectively lead the department to achieve several key Internet accessibility community projects in the coming years.”

Cooper has worked for the IT Department since 2010. He also worked as Operations Manager for BizBuzz Search and for Evening Post BizBuzz, where he designed, developed, and maintained websites, internal systems, and Customer Resource Management solutions. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC.

“I am excited to continue leading the Information Technology department to provide exceptional technology services to ACCGov employees and citizens,” Cooper said.

The Athens-Clarke County Information Technology Department provides high-quality computer services, state-of-the-art computer networks and software applications, reliable equipment, and system access, proficient technical support, and assistance that encourages the application of technology to improve the efficiency and productivity of Athens-Clarke County operations. It supports over 40 departments and offices and 65 locations.

The IT Department is also currently working on a community project with the Leisure Services Department in conjunction with the Clarke County School District. The project will provide expanded Wi-Fi access throughout many county parks and community centers in Athens-Clarke County to increase Internet accessibility opportunities for children with Clarke County School System devices.

In the coming years, IT will also coordinate the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 2020 Project #22: Broadband Connectivity Enhancement Project. This project will provide funding to assist with the process of implementing and providing for the enhancement of broadband connectivity throughout Athens-Clarke County.

Lowcountry

Plans for new Mercedes-Benz store in Summerville, S.C. include trails, fish pond

August 14, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLESTON, S.C. – With social distancing the new COVID-19 norm for dealerships and other retailers and public spaces, some of the features of the new Mercedes-Benz dealership that Baker Motor Co. wants to open by the end of the year might be even more valuable.

Stretching over 13 acres at 425 Sigma Drive off Interstate 26 in Summerville, S.C., Baker highlighted its planned dealership is designed to be a nice place to relax or entertain customers while waiting on their vehicles to be serviced. It includes walking and biking trails, a kiddie-land play area, and a pond for fishing.

The company said the site will also include a car wash for all Baker Motor Co. clients, an eight-car showroom, consultation desks, conference rooms, and lounges. The interior design is fully open with screens separating different sections.

The new campus will also incorporate The Baker Collection, a grouping of 12 luxury brands found previously only on Savannah Highway. These ex-loaner vehicles will have been gently used with low miles on them.

“All of them will be the current model year,” Baker said in a news release.

Each section in the area will have its own names such as Mercedes-Benz Lane or Land Rover Boulevard.

Baker said plans for the property include a fully landscaped drive akin to Azalea Drive, the road leading into Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia.

The dealership plans to open this facility in December.

The privately held Baker Motor Co. operates dealerships for 14 luxury brands including Rolls-Royce, BMW, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Land Rover, Jaguar, Smart Car, Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter, Infiniti, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.

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Lowcountry

Fish The Wahoo! Charleston Fishing Charters Announces Expanded Hours in Charleston, SC

August 14, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Aug 13, 2020 (AB Digital via COMTEX) — Charleston, SC – Fish The Wahoo! Charleston Fishing Charters, one of the largest charters in Charleston SC, announces they are expanding their hours of operation, now assisting their customers from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm, the seven days of the week. Fish The Wahoo! has been providing residents and visitors of Charleston with premier deep-sea fishing charters for decades, boasting a fleet of modern boats that are equipped with a variety of amenities for the comfort and safety of their guests.

Fish The Wahoo! Charleston Fishing Charters is operated by a licensed team of experts, who are focused on offering their guest an unforgettable experience onboard any of their three ships adapted to the demands and tastes of their clients: The Wahoo which is a beautifully decorated ocean yacht, The Git R Done, a battlewagon, high for crossing the super heavy seas at full speed. Git R Done can go when and where others can’t and turns rough seas into tranquil seas, and the Teaser 2, which is the only vessel within 100 miles of Charleston licensed to take more than six passengers fishing.

Fish The Wahoo! Charleston Fishing Charters strives to maintain the highest standards of service, which is why in addition to their high-end boats, the company also cares about having an experienced team that meets the needs of their customers, as the company’s spokesman says.

“There is a huge difference between a good captain and a world-class captain. All of our deep-sea fishing charters and coastal fishing excursions are staffed with professional Tour Series-winning captains to optimize your catch and experience.”

Charleston Deep Sea Fishing – Fish The Wahoo! Charleston Fishing Charters offers three types of deep-sea fishing packages that go from a full day experience, 3/4 day, or half-day. All three packages are available on the three different boats with variations in the rates. Whether their guests are looking for a whole day deep-sea fishing experience or just have a few hours to spend in the open sea, Fish The Wahoo! is committed to offering their visitors an unrivaled experience, irrespective of clients looking for a whole day experience or just a few hours.

All their boats are equipped with smoke-free diesel and heavily insulated engine rooms, which means that the crew will not have to be surrounded by smoke coming out of the back, as is the case with most ships, which also produces a lot of noise, unlike these boats. In addition, to get the best out of fishing, the company also features premier equipment, including Rupp Beamers, center rigs, green poles, dredges, downriggers, electric reels, swiveling fighting chairs, 12 fighting belts, 34 Shimano and Penn big game combos and state-of-the-art electronics to find the fish, among other features.

Fish The Wahoo! Charleston Fishing Charters is located at 4 Ashley Point Drive, Charleston, SC, 29407. Contact them via phone at (843) 991-7557 or via email at info@fishthewahoo.com. For more information about Charleston Deep Sea Fishing, visit their website.

Media Contact
Company Name: Fish The Wahoo! Charleston Fishing Charters
Contact Person: John Madden
Email: Send Email
Phone: (843) 991-7557
Address:4 Ashley Point Drive
City: Charleston
State: SC
Country: United States
Website: https://fishingcharterscharlestonsc.com/

Lowcountry

Two Joint Base Charleston Airmen Receive Scholarship Honoring Former Wingman

August 13, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. — The 315th Airlift Wing’s Top 3 organization named two recipients of the George Counts Scholarship Aug. 9, at JB Charleston.

To pursue higher education, both Tech. Sgt. Steven Smith, with the 315th Security Forces Squadron, and Master Sgt. Matthew Skvarna, with the 317th Airlift Squadron here received the $5,000 Senior Master Sgt. George Counts Scholarship, created in memory of the late loadmaster from the 317th Airlift Squadron.

Skvarna, who served alongside the late loadmaster, is pursuing a degree in nursing and was humbled to receive the scholarship after a second year of application in the steep competition for deserving students. All career paths and all degrees were considered by the 315 AW Top 3 board.

Smith is able to contribute the scholarship towards his Doctorate in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University.

After working with Counts, and now with his scholarship recipients, Senior Master Sgt. Tracy Johnson, first sergeant of the 317th Airlift Squadron said, “honoring such a good human being by furthering the education of others makes me grateful to be a part of the 315th AW.”

With education as a pillar in the 315 AW Top 3 organization, this is the second year that the scholarship was awarded to deserving college degree candidates.

“As a father of three, I signed my 9/11 education benefits over to their futures,” said Smith. “I’m grateful to receive assistance for my doctorate. This will help strengthen my contribution as a reservist and an air reserve technician with the 315th SFS.”

The 315th AW applicants were asked to submit letters of recommendation as well as a paper that explains their goals for using their education here at JB Charleston and at home. The 315th AW Top 3 hopes to balance the challenges that Airmen face with the price and value of college education, said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Craig, president of the 315th AW Top 3 here.

“With the price of college growing 5% over the last 10 years, it is always on the rise, and everything counts,” said recent college graduate Master Sgt. Melanie Fredricks. “It’s a wonderful opportunity that we can support one another within our squadrons here at JB Charleston and honor a fellow Airman.”

From our future caregivers to criminal justice experts, the Senior Master Sgt. George Counts Scholarship breaks down the barrier of college debt and builds the airmen of the 315th AW through honoring the memory of Counts, said Craig.

For more information about contributing to this scholarship please contact the 315 AW Top 3 organization at 315AW.top3@us.af.mil.

Lowcountry

BCDCOG Receives $2.7 Million for Construction of Hop Transit Hub and Park-and-Ride Facility

August 12, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

FEDERAL FUNDING TO CATALYZE CONNECTIONS IN UPPER PENINSULA

NORTH CHARLESTON (Aug. 12, 2020) – The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) has been awarded $2.7 million in federal funding for the construction of a Hospitality on Peninsula (HOP) park-and-ride facility and transit hub in the Upper Peninsula.

The project, located at Mount Pleasant Street and funded through the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program, will provide parking and transit connections to the free HOP, Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) and King Street 20 routes, among others. Those lines, operated by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), serve the hospitality workforce, tourists, residents, those traveling to the Medical District, and more.

The 1.65-acre facility will include 115 parking spaces, transit shelters, bike racks, and parking meter kiosks. Real-time signage will provide next-bus information, as well as detour details when roads are closed on the peninsula due to flooding and other impediments.

In the future, the location will serve as a gateway to the Upper Peninsula and the historic Charleston peninsula and provide multimodal connections to the planned Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) line. It will also offer seamless connectivity to the LowLine, a proposed 1.7-mile bike-ped-centric linear park located nearby.

CARTA Board Chairman and Charleston City Councilmember Mike Seekings said the HOP project will support the economic vitality of the region by providing parking and transportation options for the $7.3 billion Charleston-area tourism industry. The transit hub is slated to be completed in about 12 months.

“The HOP transit hub is located at a critical junction in the city and will serve as the multimodal lynchpin in a rapidly growing area along with one of our region’s most essential transit corridors,” Seekings said. “Its location and the resources being invested will significantly increase access and mobility options for the community.”

The FTA on Tuesday announced the award of $464 million in transit infrastructure grants nationwide. A total of 96 projects in 49 states and territories will receive funding.

“We are thankful for the incredible support of our Congressional representatives in helping to secure these critical resources,” said BCDCOG Executive Director Ron Mitchum. “Their support of our staff’s efforts in competing for grant funding is again making a tangible and positive impact in the lives of Lowcountry residents.”

ABOUT BCDCOG:
The BCDCOG is a voluntary association of, by and for local governments, and was established to assist Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester county leaders in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. BCDCOG’s purpose is to strengthen the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions. For the latest on BCDCOG, visit www.bcdcog.com, like us on Facebook, or follow on Twitter at @BDCCoG.

ABOUT CARTA:
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit service, and express commuter routes. For the latest on CARTA, visit www.ridecarta.com, like us on Facebook, or follow on Twitter at @RideCARTA. All customers are encouraged to plan rides and track buses with the CARTA-endorsed Transit app and the CARTA Bus Tracker.

Lowcountry

College of Charleston Athletics Suspends Fall Sports Competition

August 10, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLESTON, S.C. – With the continued focus on the health, safety, and well-being of its student-athletes, coaches and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, College of Charleston Athletics has suspended fall sports competition.

Men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s cross country, and women’s cross country will continue to train and practice for an expected spring season. Year-round sports of men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, sailing, and equestrian will also not compete during the fall portion of each team’s schedule.

All of CofC’s winter and spring sports teams, including men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, beach volleyball and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, remain on schedule.

On Aug. 5, the NCAA Board of Governors issued a statement listing specific requirements for NCAA Division I, II and III-member institutions to be able to participate in fall sports during the preseason, regular season and postseason including (1) guidance for each division to make its decision on championships, (2) criteria for at least 50 percent of eligible institutions to sponsor a championship, (3) a decision on fall sports championships by Aug. 21 and (4) establishing strict return-to-sport medical protocol and testing.

“We thank our local medical community and sports medicine staff for their tremendous efforts of implementing our current return-to-sport medical protocols and testing to get us back on campus safely,” Director of Athletics Matt Roberts said. “With the increased concern around the country and amongst the Colonial Athletic Association-member schools to postpone fall sports competition, we remain hopeful our fall student-athletes and coaches have the opportunity to pursue championships in the spring.”

Classes are scheduled to begin in an online environment for all CofC students on Tuesday, Aug. 25, with a return to in-person classes on campus scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14.

“The safety and well-being of our coaches, student-athletes and staff remain a top priority for us,” Roberts said. “We will continue to provide a safe environment through established protocols and safety measures we have already set in place as our student-athletes report for workouts and in-person classes in the coming weeks.”

Lowcountry

Grand Opening – Cafe Roux in Mount Pleasant – Friday, August 14, 2020

August 10, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Location: Cafe Roux – 1275 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464-4573, United States
When: Friday, August 14, 2020 – 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone: (843) 637-3060
Official Facebook Page

Details

Gator tacos, jambalaya, and beignets, oh my! It’s always a party when #cajunfood is involved but this party is the Grand Opening of our brand new Cafe Roux mobile kitchen! Cafe Roux is on the move and Chef Robert will be serving up your favorite cajun cuisine THIS Saturday and Sunday, August 15, and 16 at Cummings Wealth Management located at 1275 Ben Sawyer Blvd in Mount Pleasant, from 11-8 pm.

Did we mention FREE BEIGNETS with every $20 food order?

Come on out and enjoy some authentic cajun cooking.