My Home, My Love – Original Poem

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By Mark A. Leon

You fuel the passion of my dreams

Your lips, a gateway to the soul
Your body, my home

Sailing off into the life you have created for us on this life canvas
Colors rich in tone and texture
Layers of complexity washed away with the gentle stroke of your brush

You are an artist and I am your muse
You are my inspiration for salvation and hope

I lay under the stars, you head rested on my warm chest
No blanket, no roof, no foundation

This is my home
With you in my arms, I have found this place
Hidden for years under the lies
The truth was only what I allowed myself to see
Always beside me, always in my thoughts

I knew you, years before our eyes met
Years before the first kiss
Years before I loved you

I knew you as a vision of beauty
A spirit blowing in the wind

I knew you, as you were painted on the canvas that created all my dreams

In you, I am home
Forever safe

Charleston’s Gale Restaurant will be re-opening Friday, June 19 for take-out

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One of Charleston’s newest hotspots Gale Restaurant will be re-opening this Friday, June 19 for take-out for both lunch and dinner! 

Owner and Chef Brett Chizinski has developed an Italian-inspired menu focusing on local ingredients with small plates, pizza, pasta, and large plates. Favorites include his Sambal Margherita Pizza (made in his pizza hearth with chili oil and honey from his Mother Gale’s backyard), Parisian Gnocchi with housemade sausage, and Mushroom & Squash Lasagna.

Guests can enjoy free parking around the corner for pick-up 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch, and 5-8 p.m. for dinner (closed on Tuesdays). Gale Restaurant is located at 601 Meeting St

With the re-emergence of COVID-19 cases among restaurant employees, Gale Restaurant is delaying dine-in until they can fully assure the safety of their employees. You will be among the first to know once they set an opening date.

Sullivan’s Island to continue with Carolina Day event but scaled-down

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The historical event commemorated each year on Carolina Day, June 28th is the Battle of Sullivan’s Island that took place on that date in 1776. Even though the entire conflict took place on the island and was one of the first great American victories of the Revolutionary War, little had been done on Sullivan’s Island to mark the event until last year when the town, along with Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, began to reestablish a commemoration to complement activities in downtown Charleston organized by the Palmetto Society.

This year Carolina Day is scheduled to be celebrated on Saturday, June 27th. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the activities planned for Carolina Day in downtown Charleston have been canceled.

Sullivan’s Island has made the decision to go ahead with a scaled-down celebration that will take place on the plaza in front of Town Hall on Saturday morning, June 27th, at 9 AM. Activities will include the raising of the Moultrie flag, a proclamation by Mayor Patrick O’Neil, participation by the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a remembrance of the life of William Moultrie. All citizens, including students of all ages, interested in learning more about the first significant event in Sullivan’s Island history are encouraged to attend the ceremony on June 27th. Social distancing should be maintained at this outdoor event. Attendees are strongly encouraged to consider wearing masks.

Dashi Launches Wine Flight + Flights & Bites

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Dashi just launched two new menu offerings- a Wine Flight and Flight & Bites- available during regular business hours to enjoy inside or on their patio (live music on Thursdays and Saturdays).

For just $9, guests can enjoy a Wine Flight of three pours (one white, red and rosé) of Dashi’s premier collection of Spanish, Portuguese and South American wines.

For just $18, diners can also indulge in a wine flight of three pours, paired with three bites- one Steam Bun (choice of chicken, shrimp, pork belly or tofu), Socarrat and Thai Cucumber Salad.

Photo Credit: @Hangry_Mess

Love is Everything – Original Poem

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By Mark A. Leon

Love is everything
Everything
Without it, we are invisible

Invisible to the sound of a morning rain
Invisible to the smile of a rose blossoming in Spain
Invisible to the sight of long slow kiss
In this life, there is so much we can miss

Love is enchanting like a warm summer breeze
A tingle, a wink, a sigh, a touch of a cool spring day

It is the reason we rise
The struggle to survive
The euphoria of time
The essence of rhyme

Love breathes
It protects
A blanket so safe

A song
A whisper
A kind eye

With the simplicity of words
Words are spoken in the air
Linger, journey, invite you near

Take hold
Take flight
Find meaning
Stop thinking; just be
A disease infecting my very soul

Love is everything
Meant to be lost
To be found

Hold for a second
A risk
Take a picture
Keep it for all time
It will last forever
With the winds of change, I will be reminded of the smile that has stopped in time

With the strength of a thousand “I Love Yous”
I feel so alive now
So alive with you

You are the escape I have dreamed about
An imaginary world come true

With you, love is everything

Seeking Your Old Charleston Family Photos

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We are blessed with a storied history. Generations of Southern upbringing, family values, hospitality, warmth, and the natural aesthetics of beautiful coastal living.

As times change and progress takes the helm, so many of our readers yearn for a piece of the past. We want to help make that a reality.

This is the part where we partner with you, our loyal readers. We are asking you to send us your old family pictures. We want to do an expose showcasing the amazing past this community has and take it out of hiding for all the world to see: A true celebration of our Lowcountry history.

If you would like to contribute, please email us your favorite photos with the following information:

  1. Who is in the photo
  2. Photo Credit (Who took or owns the photo)
  3. The year it was taken
  4. Location of the photo
  5. Caption (if applicable) – What is special about this photo
  6. Email us at mark@charlestondaily.net

We look forward to your submissions.

Sound of My Soul – Original Poem

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By Mark A. Leon

Can you hear me?
My heart racing with emotional bliss
Powerful impulses sustaining the will of eternal refuge
A lifelong struggle to connect
With meaning; with definition; with faith

These words I sing to you are my opus
To all of you in search of the one
The one to wake you from your deep sleep
The one to influence your journey to greatness

Not the greatness found on monuments

Nor awarded with medals
The perfection of love from soul to another
Heaven isn’t shared my millions
It is a place of honor and sanctuary
It can be tasted by the purest pallet
Only big enough for two

Can you hear my soul?
Its harmony is in sync with the beat of your heart
When it sings, shivers race down your spine
You know
You have always known

In that workshop in the sky, we were built together
We shared the same craftsmanship

Now I sing to you so that I can warm your heart and rest your head on a pillow of clouds in our heavenly home

On The Road of Life – Original Poem

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By Mark A. Leon

There is nowhere to go but everywhere
Like a dream on the road where the mountains weep and the flowers bloom.
A place with boundary; limitless

Sliding down the rainbow of possibility into the ocean blue
Swimming toward the sun splashing me with its warmth until I can kiss the sand and be tickled by the grace of Earth free and open

A dreamer with a home between the clouds and grass

A verse for every step through this great land
A story with every heartbeat
Adventures born from fairy tales and raised by the imagination

I am born to a vision of wonder
Scared by darkness; excited for the light

Raised on the love of the road
A wanderer guided by the sky so blue

So, endless
So, euphoric

This is the love I know
It is here, it is everywhere

It is in the comfort of a stranger’s words
The safety of the countless stars
It lies within all of us

It is now

Lowcountry Rapid Transit Launches Virtual Public Meeting for Recommended Alternatives and Stations Areas

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Virtual Meeting Available Through July 10 

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 10, 2020) – The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) launched the latest virtual public meeting for Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) on Wednesday, unveiling the recommended route and potential station areas for the proposed 26-mile bus rapid transit system. The virtual meeting is available through July 10 and can be found by visiting LowcountryRapidTransit.com.

“The virtual public meeting presents a great opportunity for the public to learn about and provide input on the project from the comfort of their home,” said Sharon Hollis, BCDCOG principal planner and LCRT project lead. “COVID-19 has changed the communication landscape and how project information is delivered, so we’re happy that we can provide the online meeting as another avenue of engagement with the community.”

Hollis said that since the last public meeting in June 2019, the project team has taken steps toward advancing LCRT into the second phase of development, during which the project team is working to position the project to qualify for federal funding. The virtual public meeting provides a platform to share these developments and continue to educate the community about South Carolina’s first mass transit system.

Through public and stakeholder input, environmental and ridership analyses, and early steps in the transit orientated development study, BCDCOG has:

  • Identified a preferred alternative alignment that would connect the Medical District, downtown Charleston, North Charleston and Summerville
  • Worked to position the project to qualify for the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program
  • Identified potential station areas

Comments and community input continue to play a vital role in the success of LCRT and can be submitted to the project team throughout the duration of the virtual meeting, which ends on July 10. More information about Lowcountry Rapid Transit and ways to submit comments can be found on the website LowcountryRapidTransit.com.

ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY RAPID TRANSIT

Lowcountry Rapid Transit is a bus rapid transit system that will travel the spine of the Lowcountry, along US 78 and US 52 (Rivers Avenue). A comprehensive study conducted by the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments identified bus rapid transit as the best transit solution to combat increased congestion in our region.

LCRT will transform the infrastructure in our region, improving transportation for public transit riders, commuters, and pedestrians. This modern transportation system will connect the communities of Charleston, North Charleston and Summerville and will be a catalyst for economic growth and upward mobility throughout the area. For more information, visit the project website at LowcountryRapidTransit.com.

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 duplication, and make joint decisions. For the latest on BCDCOG, visit BCDCOG.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @BCDCoG.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Daniel Brock, Regional Strategist
BCDCOG
(919) 820-2612
danielb@bcdcog.com


Allison Lane, PR & Social Media Supervisor
Rawle Murdy Associates
(843) 693-5311
alane@rawlemurdy.com

SpiritLine Cruises Announces Reopening of Tours, Cruises

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Company outlines extensive safety and cleaning measures 

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Fort Sumter Tours and SpiritLine Cruises are once again offering harbor cruises and trips to Fort Sumter. The company has implemented detailed protocols and cleaning procedures to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff.

All tours had been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders. 

Beginning today, Fort Sumter Tours will offer ferry trips to Fort Sumter from both Liberty Square and Patriots Point. Visitors should be aware that Fort Sumter Museum, water fountains and America’s National Park museum stores at Fort Sumter and Liberty Square remain closed to the public. 

Ferry trips will have limited capacity so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at www.fortsumtertours.com. Trips will depart from Liberty Square at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from Patriots Point at 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Liberty Square Visitor Education Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with limited capacity 

Gray Line Charleston is running a limited historic city bus tour at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Only 10 passengers are allowed on the bus for each tour, and seats will be blocked off alternating rows to promote social distancing. 

All visitors and Gray Line Charleston guides are required to have a facemask or face shield for the duration of the tour. Guests are encouraged to bring their own masks. Anyone who does not have a face mask will be provided one free of charge. 

Similar cleaning procedures and safety measures are underway for harbor tours and dinner cruises, which will run on their normal tour schedule. Employees will be required to wear masks, and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks as well. 

Capacity is limited for both harbor tours and dinner cruises. Guests are encouraged to book in advance online at spiritlinecruises.com.

Visitors may be required to state (online or verbally) they are healthy and have not exhibited any signs of the COVID-19 related illness in the last 14 days. Crew members will have their temperature checked each morning before boarding the boats. Everyone will be encouraged to practice social distancing, and hand sanitizer will be available at all facilities. 

“We are eager to welcome visitors back to our tour buses, boats and to historic Fort Sumter,” said Ian Harris, director of sales and marketing. “The safety of our guests and staff is of the utmost importance so we have worked hard to implement cleaning procedures and safety protocols. We are following guidelines from the City of Charleston, state of South Carolina and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We want to provide both a safe and fun experience for our guests.”

Purchase tickets and access detailed safety information at spiritlinecruises.com.

About SpiritLine Cruises

SpiritLine offers daily harbor tours, evening public dinner cruises and private charters. In addition to harbor tours and special events, in 1961 the Campsen family of Charleston founded Fort Sumter Tours to provide daily excursions to the Fort Sumter National Historic Park. For more information, visit spiritlinecruises.com

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