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.

12 Wonderful Volunteer Opportunities to Bring Hope and Goodwill to the Lowcountry

November 5, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Humanitarian

Lowcountry Food Bank – Fight hunger in the Charleston community. Donate food or host your own food drive.

One80 Place – Serve lunch to the homeless in One80 Place’s Community Kitchen.

Habitat for Humanity – Help build homes and shelters for those in need.

MUSC Children’s Health – Volunteer opportunities ranging from playrooms to pet therapy.

Ronald McDonald House of Charleston – Wonderful opportunities to help families that need your support. Must be 18+ to volunteer

Windwood Family Services – Every year, Windwood provides volunteer opportunities for over 500 people through workdays, special events, and engagement and learning opportunities

Environment

Charleston Surfrider – Protect and clean our oceans and tributaries by participating in beach and marsh sweeps.

Keep Charleston Beautiful – Take part in ( or even organize!) a community clean-up – anything from just picking up litter to planting a beautiful garden.

SC Aquarium – Help keep our waters safe and clean for all its inhabitants

Animals

Charleston Animal Society – Give some love to dogs and cats that are homeless, abused, or sick.

Vets for Pets – Be a foster home for shelter pets waiting to be paired with an American veteran in need of a best friend.

Pet Helpers – Always looking for special loving people to give love to pets in need.

Risks of Eating Steamed Oysters and Health Benefits: Things You Need to Know Going into Oyster Season in the Lowcountry

November 4, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

We are all excited in the Lowcountry about Oyster Season. Everywhere you turn restaurants and festivals are celebrating with buckets of oysters for all. Before you dive in, understand some of the possible risks and ways to reduce the occurrence of illness. Be safe and have a great oyster season.

Possible Bacteria

Each year, millions of Americans enjoy eating raw molluscan shellfish — especially oysters and clams. But if you have a liver disease, diabetes, or a weak immune system, raw oysters or clams containing the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus can make you seriously ill.

You can avoid illness simply by:

a.. Eating only oysters or clams that have been thoroughly cooked.

b.. Eating raw oysters or clams only if they are treated and labeled “Processed to reduce Vibrio vulnificus to non-detectable levels.”

What is Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria that can cause sever illness or death to at-risk people who eat raw oysters or clams.

From 1989 to 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recorded 282 serious illnesses associated with consumption of raw oysters and clams containing the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. While illnesses are infrequent, about half (149) have resulted in death.

Where is it found?

Vibrio vulnificus is found naturally in warm coastal waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico, where levels of the bacteria are elevated during the summer months. Vibrio vulnificus is NOT a result of pollution, and can be found in waters approved for oyster and clam harvesting. Vibrio vulnificus does NOT change the appearance, taste, or odor of oysters or clams.

Are you at risk?

You are at risk of serious illness if you eat raw oysters or clams and have any of these health conditions:

a.. Liver disease (from hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism, or cancer)

b.. Iron overload disease (hemochromatosis)

c.. Diabetes

d.. Cancer (including lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease)

e.. Stomach disorders

f.. Or any illness or medical treatment that weakens the body’s immune system

Side Effects of Eating Oysters

Allergic Reaction

About 3.5 to 4 percent of people worldwide suffer from food allergies, according to researchers at the University of Nebraska; a portion of these people have an allergy to shellfish, including oysters. Evidence presented in the 2008 issue of “Advances in Food and Nutrition Research” indicates that tropomyosin, a protein, is the allergen in oysters that triggers a reaction. Some side effects of eating oysters, both raw and cooked, when you have a sensitivity to tropomyosin include skin rashes and other skin problems, mouth or facial swelling and abdominal pain as well as more serious effects, such as anaphylactic shock that can lead to death.
Hemochromatosis

Oysters are quite high in iron – a 3-ounce serving contains 44 percent of the daily value. While getting the iron you need is important for your red blood cell count, people with hemochromatosis, a genetic condition that causes over-absorption of iron in your digestive tract, may need to avoid eating oysters so they don’t experience the adverse health effects associated with this condition, including abdominal pain, lethargy, loss of body hair and a change in your skin color.
Gastrointestinal Problems

Eating oysters may cause stomach problems, and not just from allergies or bacterial infections. Three ounces of oysters contain 67 milligrams of zinc, or 445 percent of the daily value. Even this quantity of oysters may be enough to trigger gastrointestinal reactions, since it is above the tolerable upper intake level of 40 milligrams per day. These reactions include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The problems caused by the zinc in oysters generally hit within three to ten hours of consumption and fade quickly after your zinc level returns to normal.

Bacterial Infection

It is best to determine where and when the shellfish were harvested — oysters picked in certain locations and times of year are more prone to make you sick because they can contain potentially dangerous bacteria. The Vibrio vulnificus bacterium lives in naturally warm coastal waters, and the number of these bacteria increases during hot summer months. However, this bacteria is present at all times of the year, so even oysters picked during the colder months can cause illness. Side effects of consuming oysters infected with bacteria include chills and fever, vomiting, diarrhea and skin reactions. You may also go into shock and die if the infection is not treated. People with certain medical conditions are at greater risk from infected oysters. Heat destroys Vibrio vulnificus, so one way to avoid eating this bacterium is to only eat properly cooked oysters.

Health Benefits

Aphrodisiac

As an aphrodisiac, oysters can help boost sexual performance and libido, primarily in men. The zinc content of oysters is nearly unbelievable. They contain more than 1500% of the daily requirements of this essential mineral in a single serving. Zinc has also been closely linked to sexual dysfunction in men, while impotence and erectile dysfunction are closely associated with zinc deficiency. Therefore, eating them can give men their sexual edge back and increase feelings of masculinity.

Weight Loss

Oysters represent one of the most nutrient-packed foods with the lowest calories versus the volume of serving size. This means that people trying to lose weight can keep their body packed with the nutrients it needs, without adding too much weight. Compared to an equal serving size of a chicken, oysters have nearly half the calories, and chicken breasts are often turned to for low-calorie, protein-rich meals. Oysters are far superior in this respect, but it must be noted that they do have a high content of sodium. So for people already suffering from obesity, oysters may exacerbate the problem.

Protein Content

Proteins are an essential part of our diet, and oysters are a very strong source. Proteins are often broken down by the body’s enzymatic activity and then reconstructed into usable human proteins in every part of the body. This ensures proper metabolic activity, tissue repair, cellular growth, muscle strength, and a wide variety of necessary aspects of human health. The importance of protein in the diet cannot be overstated, and a single serving of oysters provides nearly 1/3 of the daily requirement.

Protect Heart Health

Oysters can positively impact heart health in a variety of ways, but primarily the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids versus omega-6 fatty acids are what impact the cholesterol so greatly. Omega-3 fatty acids are known as “good” forms of cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), and the high ratio of “good” to “bad” (LDL cholesterol) (omega-6 fatty acids) makes them a major player in heart health. They can reduce the content of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream and inhibit it from binding to the blood vessels and artery walls. In this way, the chances of plaque accumulation are minimized and a variety of health complications, including cardiovascular diseases, says Dr. William S. Harris, Metabolism and Nutrition Research Center, University of South Dakota. Furthermore, the high potassium and magnesium content of oysters can help lower blood pressure and relax the blood vessels, thereby increasing circulation and oxygenation of the blood and reducing strain on the cardiovascular system as a whole. Finally, vitamin E in oysters increases the strength and flexibility of cellular membranes, which is the third level of protection against dangerous heart diseases.

Speed up Healing

Oyster has unprecedented levels of zinc, as per the Journal of The American Dietetic Association. This result in a number of health benefits, including quicker wound healing rates and a boosted immune system against various infections and microbes. As an essential mineral, zinc is also important for proper growth and development of children and adults, as well as the maintenance of bodily function for people of all ages.

Increase Blood Circulation

Oysters are also a very impressive source of iron, says Dr. Ralph G. Smith, ex-professor at the University of Michigan in his study. They contribute to more than 90% of our daily requirements in each serving. Iron is a key component in the formation of red blood cells in the body and is the primary defense against anemia, also known as iron deficiency, which can lead to fatigue, cognitive malfunction, stomach disorders, and general muscle weakness. Also, with a fresh supply of healthy blood cells in the circulatory system, organ systems have high levels of oxygenated blood to stimulate their activity, making them function efficiently and boosting the overall metabolic rate of the body.

Maintain Bone Health

The mineral content, as we’ve explained, is quite impressive in oysters, and is also a major contributor to the strength of your bones. The high levels of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium contribute in their own way to increase the bone mineral density and durability, thereby protecting you from developing conditions like osteoporosis. This is confirmed by a study published in Elsevier’s journal: Bone and Mineral.

Boost Immune Function

Boosting the immune system is yet another possible health benefit of eating oysters. The vitamin C and vitamin E content, as well as various minerals that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are able to defend the body against free radicals that are byproducts of cellular metabolism. They can attack healthy cells and mutate the DNA into cancerous cells. These dangerous free radicals cause heart diseases, premature aging, and general body disrepair wherever they lodge themselves. Antioxidants and various vitamins can eliminate these free radicals from the body, thereby boosting the immune system.

Brandy Sullivan is the Queen of Improv in Charleston

November 3, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Theatre 99 – Charleston’s Home for Improv Comedy

Story and Photos by Tonya McGue

At a recent packed show at Theatre 99, Brandy Sullivan was a small child, then a Walmart shopper and then a sultry girlfriend, all within 30 minutes. The laughter in the small theatre was contagious as Brandy and other company members improvised their way through two hours of non-stop improv comedy.

Improv performers have no costumes, no sets, no scripts, and no time to prepare. All they have is an empty stage, audience suggestions and each other. They must be spontaneous and witty, work well as a team and be able to change characters every few minutes. It’s brilliance, comedy and acting all mixed together.

Brandy, co-founder and co-artistic director at Theatre 99, has been making people laugh in Charleston for almost 25 years. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Theatre and Speech, it wasn’t long before she started doing improv during Piccolo Spoleto with her college friend Greg Tavares and three other friends. They called themselves The Have Nots! because Greg had a difficult time finding a space to do shows during the festival and felt like “a Have Not.” They did 16 shows during the 1995 Piccolo Spoleto season and “we became hooked on improv,” Brandy said. Nine months later Timmy Finch joined the group and the three of them have been performing together ever since.

The Have Nots! performed in over 80 different spots in the Charleston area including bars, churches, schools, hotel ballrooms, movie theaters and every once-in-a-while in a real theatre. They even took their show on the road, rented a van and toured 225 colleges in 26 states over a six-year period. They averaged 100 shows a school year, and during one busy season did 72 gigs in 67 days. “Those first years were fun, but also a little rough,” Brandy said.

After four years of college touring and stage-hopping in Charleston, they saved some money, and thought, “maybe we can find a home base and have the audience come to us,” Brandy said.

They rented a place on Cumberland Street in 2000 and named it Theatre 99 because it had 99 seats. In 2005, they found their current location at 280 Meeting Street (above the Bicycle Shoppe). Even though they now have 130 seats, they kept the name. The Theatre 99 company has grown to over 45 active performers, and they perform four shows a week.

The Have Nots! show is still produced once a month and is the longest running performance in Charleston. They have performed during Piccolo Spoleto since 1995 and started Piccolo Fringe in 2001. They also founded the Charleston Comedy Festival in 2004 and are now partnered with The Charleston City Paper for the 4-day citywide festival each January.

“I love the Theatre 99 community,” Brandy said. “We have a lot of fun. It’s a very healthy place. Doing improv feels like part of who I am. I grew up around funny people – my parents, brother, cousins, aunts and uncles and even my grandmothers. We had a lot of laughs.”

She became captivated by comedy in middle school watching Saturday Night Live. In high school, she performed in productions and gravitated toward the comedic side. “I loved Second City, Gilda Radner, Robin Williams and all those great comedians. It became my dream to be on Saturday Night Live.”

When she switched her college major from political science to theatre, her family was supportive. Brandy said, “They did have the feeling, ‘Isn’t that just a hobby?’ They are very happy that I have been able to use my degree.”

Brandy, a native of Columbia, met her husband, Sean, 21 years ago through mutual friends. He was a professional juggler at the time. He later owned a used book store for several years. Sean has also worked with Brandy at Theatre 99 for over 20 years. He is the funny MC who adds a lot of laughs to the show or as Brandy calls him, “the cute guy in the booth.”

Brandy and Greg, co-founders and artistic directors of Theatre 99, both turned 50 in June and are sharing their gift of comedy with younger generations and anyone else interested in improv. Theatre 99 offers several classes and a multi-level educational program.

“Brandy is a great teacher,” said Belvin Olasov, who recently completed her Level 1: Intro to Improv course. “She totally transforms on stage to very dramatic, extreme, animated characters. She uses a lot of different voices and huge mannerisms. She’s got improv down after decades of doing this and she seems happy to share her talent and knowledge. She’s full of energy, kind and encouraging.”

Brandy said she sees her future as continuing to grow the business and improv community. “I want to keep this going. Greg and I have an awesome partnership. I love improv and what we’re doing at Theatre 99. I meet so many great people. It’s like a family. I feel really lucky.”

Though Brandy hasn’t made it to Saturday Night Live, she has brought the world of improv comedy to Charleston, and for that, we’re the lucky ones.

Go support this local treasure. The hundreds of 5-star online reviews say it best, “Go. Go. Go. Do not hesitate for one minute.” “It’s a fun night out in an intimate space and the drinks are totally affordable.” “Theatre 99 is certainly the place you go for a good laugh.” “Have not laughed this hard for a while.”

The cost is only $5 on Wednesday and Thursday and $12-16 on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are highly recommended. Seating is general admission (first come, first serve) so arrive early and be ready for a fun night.

Black and White Photo Credit: Adam Chandler

SC Ports State of the Port Emphasizes Importance of Infrastructure Investment to Support Ongoing Growth Projections

October 30, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLESTON, SC – October 29, 2018 – Today, South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) president and CEO, Jim Newsome, presented the annual State of the Port to an audience of approximately 600 customers, elected officials and shipping industry representatives at the Charleston Area Convention Center. Jim’s presentation focused on the Port’s successes, strategic infrastructure investments to support continued container volume growth, new initiatives to increase Port productivity and overall industry trends that will impact the Port in the future. The Propeller Club of Charleston hosted the event which marked Newsome’s tenth address since joining SCPA in 2009.

SC Ports volumes for the 2018 fiscal year, which ran July 2017 through June 2018, were record-breaking. The Port handled 2.2 million twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), an increase of three percent over the previous fiscal year. March through June marked the highest months of container volume in the Port’s history. In breakbulk, or non-containerized cargo, Charleston handled 760,501 pier tons during FY2018. Within the breakbulk business segment, SCPA moved 232,390 vehicles across the docks of the Columbus Street Terminal.

Approximately 22 percent of the Port’s container cargo moves via intermodal rail including freight moving to Inland Port Greer which is 212 miles from Charleston in the upstate. The Greer facility achieved 117,812 rail moves in FY18. With the success of Inland Port Greer, SCPA opened Inland Port Dillon, in the northeastern part of the state, in April.

Key financial metrics include operating cash flow of $85 million and nearly $214 million in capital expenditures.

In addition to volume growth, SCPA achieved significant progress of key infrastructure projects in FY2018. The nearly three-year effort to strengthen and refurbish the Wando Welch Terminal wharf was completed in July, which allows the facility to handle three neo-Panamax ships at the same time. Construction on the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project to 52 feet, which began in February, is well underway with three Great Lakes Dock and Dredge Company dredges currently at work in the Entrance Channel. The Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal also saw progress in FY18 with the completion of the fill phase, and the SCPA Board approved a $53.8 million contract for construction of the wharf structure for phase one of the facility, which has begun. The new terminal will open in 2021 to accommodate growth of the Port’s containerized cargo business.

“We had a really good year in fiscal year 2018,” Newsome said. “We saw record cargo come through the Port, and we completed the Wando Welch Terminal refurbishment project. We worked together as a team towards a vision of being the preferred port of the top 10 U.S. Ports.”

Looking ahead, the Port will continue to invest heavily to accommodate container volume growth and the efficient handling of big ships. East Coast ports have seen a continued increase in container volumes since the Panama Canal expansion. A nearly $400 million enhancement project is underway at the Wando Welch Terminal. Upon completion, the facility will offer 15 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes with 155 feet of lift height; 65 rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes; 25 empty handlers; 40 gates; a dedicated chassis yard; and optimized operations allowing for a 2.4 million TEUs capacity.

Construction on the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project continues to progress, marking a historic accomplishment that will make Charleston the deepest harbor on the East Coast. Newsome announced today that an updated benefit-cost-ratio (BCR) of 3.1 was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which meets the requirements for inclusion in the President’s Budget. The BCR recalculation took several factors into account, highlighting the fact that SCPA’s projected volumes out-performed the estimates used in the original study.

Vital to the Port’s ability to sustain the volumes and revenue required for such investments is the expansion of its cargo base. SCPA closed on the purchase of a nearly 1,000-acre industrial tract in Ridgeville, South Carolina to support import distribution and export growth. The rail-served site offers approximately 750 developable acres for port-related industry use.

Along with investments in the Port’s terminals are enhancements to intermodal efficiency. Newsome said as the Port grows, it must intelligently expand its reach by rail and improve the condition of the chassis fleet through the creation of the Southern States Chassis Pool (SSCP).

“We talk all the time about equipment and investments, but investments alone do not lead us to a winning outcome,” said Newsome. “The best people lead to the best outcomes, and through cooperation and collaboration we have worked together to build this port up. Our future is very bright and our best years are ahead.”

Click to view Jim Newsome’s State of the Port presentation.

About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state’s General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 billion annual economic activity. SCPA is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet, and the Port is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. For more information on SCPA, please visit www.scspa.com.

Media Contact:
Kelsi Childress
External Affairs Coordinator
SC Ports Authority
843-577-8676
kchildress@scspa.com

Charleston’s Southern Current Named SC’s Fastest Growing Company

October 29, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

SC Biz Recognizes Solar Company’s Expanding Footprint

CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Southern Current has been named the fastest growing company in South Carolina for 2018 by SC Biz News and its Roaring Twenties awards. Headquartered here, Southern Current operates in 10 states and is a market leader with nearly $450 million in investments for 500 MW to date. In the past year, Southern Current’s team has doubled in size to nearly 100 members.

Twenty large companies and 20 small companies gathered last night at an event in Columbia to recognize the finalists at the Roaring Twenties presentation. This honor recognizes the state’s fastest-growing companies based on both dollar and percentage increases in revenue from 2016-2017.

“We are honored to be named the fastest growing company in South Carolina, a state with such a robust collection of organizations,” said Jon Downey, President and CEO. “As our team and our footprint grow across the country, we remain fully committed to our home state and helping make it an even better place to live and work.”

In order to qualify for the Roaring Twenties designation, companies must have a physical presence in South Carolina and be a for-profit entity or a unique, non governmental nonprofit organization.

Company size was determined by gross revenue and percentage growth, year over year. Southern Current was selected as the fastest growing among all 20 finalists.

About Southern Current: Founded in 2016 with the merger of Sustainable Energy Solutions and Solbridge Energy, the company creates solar energy infrastructure in 10 states. The company focuses on large-scale, commercial and residential solar development and deployment. To date, Southern Current has invested $450 million in 500 MW to date, with $2 billion additional investment committed.

SOURCE Southern Current

North Charleston, SC

Truesdale Medical Center Opens in North Charleston, Offering HIV Care and Primary Medical Care

October 27, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Truesdale Medical Center, offering both primary medical care and treatment specific to those living with HIV, has opened in North Charleston. The center operates in partnership with Palmetto Community Care, a nonprofit providing complete compassionate HIV care and prevention education awareness in the Charleston area.

Truesdale Medical Center is located at 6296 Rivers Ave., Suite 310 in North Charleston, in the Trident United Way building. It provides a variety of services, including HIV medical care, HIV primary care, primary care for non-HIV patients, treatment for acute illness and chronic illness as well as gynecological services, viral hepatitis management and prevention and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections.

“Truesdale Medical Center is committed to providing excellence in health care as well as focusing on complete, compassionate HIV care and preventative medical services,” said Bradley Childs, CEO of Truesdale Medical Center and Executive Director of Palmetto Community Care. “This is a much-needed resource for the community and for HIV-positive clients at Palmetto Community Care.”

While clients at Palmetto Community Care will be able to receive both HIV care and primary care services at Truesdale Medical, members of the community ages 16 and up can seek care at the center as well. The general public can pay for services with insurance, Medicaid and Medicare.

Jami Dybik is the center’s practice manager. She previously was financial services coordinator for Palmetto Community Care. Samantha Wadford is the family nurse practitioner. She has 18 years of experience working in community and hospital nursing, most recently as the family planning nurse consultant for S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The center’s physician is William D. Largen, MD, a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in infectious disease at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has a strong passion for managing the complexities of HIV care, including the special psycho-social support it requires.

“With more than 500 HIV-positive clients at Palmetto Community Care, we know that our community needed another medical provider for HIV primary care. Our central location at the epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the Lowcountry combined with 27 years of work in the HIV/AIDS community ensures that we are very well equipped to help all HIV-positive patients with a full spectrum of medical care, and focus on those most at need for complete, compassionate medical care and preventative services,” Childs said.

Truesdale Medical Center is named in memory of James Edward “Jimmy” Truesdale who passed away on Feb. 12, 2017, at the age of 76. Truesdale was a dedicated supporter of Lowcountry AIDS Services (now Palmetto Community Care) for many years, including serving as president of the board of directors.

Truesdale Medical Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday; and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. To schedule an appointment, call 843-266-3870. Learn more about Truesdale Medical Center at www.truesdalemedical.org.

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About Truesdale Medical Center
Founded in 2018, Truesdale Medical Center’s mission is to improve the health of those it serves through excellence in patient care and the utilization of evidence-based practices. Truesdale Medical Center, located in North Charleston, focuses on providing excellent health care to its clients with a focus on complete, compassionate HIV Care and prevention. Learn more at www.truesdalemedical.org or at www.facebook.com/TruesdaleMedical.

James & John's Islands, SC

CARTA, Town of James Island Cut Ribbon on Camp-Folly Bus Stop Shelter

October 27, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority
A BERKELEY-CHARLESTON-DORCHESTER COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PROGRAM

CARTA, TOWN OF JAMES ISLAND CUT RIBBON ON CAMP-FOLLY BUS STOP SHELTER

Town funded construction of the new structure

James Island, S.C. (Oct. 22, 2018) – Charleston Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and Town of James Island officials today cut the ribbon on the transit system’s newest shelter at the intersection of Camp Road and Folly Road.

The Town funded the $32,000 shelter, built on land provided by Walgreens. The structure was part of the Charleston County-led Camp Road at Folly Road Intersection Improvement Project.

“This is an excellent example of partnership among multiple government agencies and the private sector,” said CARTA board of directors chairman Mike Seekings. “The CARTA board thanks to the Town of James Island for funding the shelter, Walgreen’s for providing the necessary easement and Charleston County for their role in the project.”

“The Town recognizes the importance of public transit on James Island and placing a shelter at this important intersection made sense,” James Island Mayor Bill Woolsey said. “We also hope to find further ways to partner with CARTA in the future.”

The ribbon cutting comes ahead of a public meeting next week to discuss possible service changes on James Island that potentially include shorter headways and more trips per day. The meeting will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Oct. 29 at St. James Presbyterian Church, 1314 Secessionville Road.

Elsewhere in the system, CARTA is in the midst of constructing more than 60 shelters this fall.

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.

Food & Bev

Brown Dog Deli – A Game Changer in the Charleston Sandwich Scene

October 25, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

We have all walked past Brown Dog Deli located at 40 Broad Street hundreds of times. Perhaps on your way to the Art Walk or Blind Tiger. Maybe you were looking up at the church steeple and you didn’t even notice. It is a small unassuming restaurant that provides a safe haven of dining and delivery to the Broad Street, Battery and peninsula community. As you walk in, there is a casual look and feel. A nice bench in the front window as you wait for take out; a soda machine and two vats filled with sweet and unsweetened Ice Tea; tables in a small open setting and staff scurrying around to meet your needs.

Brown Dog is a traditional deli offering:

Salads
Wraps
Traditional Deli Classic Sandwiches
Specialty Sandwiches
Assortment of homemade sides (We recommend the hummus or macaroni salad)

Here is what you need to know and this is the secret we are finally going to unleash: The food is outstanding. The peninsula has transformed itself to a foodie paradise where inventive dishes have created a competition that lives and breathes on its own. Hidden in this renaissance is a traditional deli environment surrounded by lawyers and fine art that delivers some of the most enticing salads and sandwiches in Charleston.

There are two specialty sandwiches we would like to tell you about that we recently tried:

“The Grateful” Duck Club – This memorable gourmet sandwich includes: apple-smoked duck breast, cashew butter spread, peach-ginger-pepper jelly, bacon, colby-cheddar cheese, arugula, & sherry walnut apple salad on a toasted sourdough bread. Let me ask you, how long does it take to typically eat half a sandwich (yes, we shared it)? I am thinking five to ten minutes, maybe fifteen if you engage in a thought-provoking discussion. This half a sandwich took over 45 minutes to eat. Not because I was super busy with work, but because I savored each and every bite. The sweetness of the jelly and apple salad combined with the hearty bacon and duck was heavenly. I was a little surprised at the thought of arugula, but it added a refreshing tartness to the sandwich. As referenced in the title, this is a game changer.

Apple “Butter” Jeans – A beautiful autumn creation made with warm melted brie, sliced Granny Smith apples, local apple butter, fresh arugula, mesquite smoked turkey, honey ham, and applewood-smoked bacon served on a panini-pressed local French baguette. Some sandwiches scream a season and if one was born for the fall and winter, this is it. Typically, you cannot go wrong with brie and apples on a baguette, but add smoked turkey, ham and bacon and oh my do you have a meal. Once again we shared and one half of this sandwich was enough to fill your appetite.

Brown Dog Deli does offer a combination option that includes a drink and side to make your meal complete.

If these two gourmet delights do not put you in a curiosity frenzy to stop by for lunch, then the Salmon, watermelon, feta cheese salad, chipotle chicken cobb salad or Mesquite Turkey Croissant (brie cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, sprouts, red onions & cranberry-pepper jelly) should completely win you over.

Wesley Denney, is titled a cuisine artist on the website and the mastermind behind the menu, What he does is more than create culinary art, he has mastered a true marketing victory. By catering to the traditionalists and the creative salad and sandwich diners in a comforting setting, he has built a home for northern tourists, locals and business professionals from government officials to art curators. With fresh local ingredients, gluten-free options and refreshingly explosive menu of mouth-watering dining treats, Brown Dog Deli is a winner in the Charleston casual dining space.

If you are looking for a craft beer to wash down these great menu selections, rest assured, they do offer a fine selection of drafts and bottles. Come in for lunch or dinner, but not too late, they do close at 8:00 PM. Come in for lunch or dinner, but watch out, it could get addictive.

Charleston’s The Avian Conservation Center & Partners Bring “Year of the Bird” to Cainhoy Elementary

October 20, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Corporate and Foundation partners invest in under-served students, inspired learning, and avian conservation

The Avian Conservation Center, a renowned educational, conservation, and scientific organization in Charleston, has received a $12,500 grant from BP America and a $20,000 grant from the Daniel Island Community Fund to fund the Year of The Bird Program at Cainhoy Elementary School.

In 2018, we commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the most powerful and important bird-protection law ever passed. In honor of this milestone, nature lovers around the world are joining forces to celebrate the “Year of the Bird” and commit to protecting birds today and for the next one hundred years. The need for this focus on avian science and conservation has never been more urgent. Today nearly one in eight species of birds (~12% of all birds worldwide) is at “real” risk of becoming extinct in the next 100 years – 50 times the historical rate.

Building on the Center’s past work at Cainhoy Elementary School funded by BP America, the Year Of The Bird Program will expand the Center’s impact on Cainhoy students from a role of programmatic support to that of cultural transformation. Cainhoy Media Specialist, Ashley Illig, has been designated as a liaison between Cainhoy faculty and the Center’s Education Staff. Illig completed a three-week internship at the Center over the summer, becoming immersed in the Center’s medical, educational, research, and conservation work.

Center educators led a day long Teacher Training Workshop for all Cainhoy Elementary teachers on the Center’s campus in August. During this workshop ornithology curriculum was integrated with problem-based learning and STEAM connections into classroom lesson plans intended for the Cainhoy students. Illig is helping teachers create year-round, hands-on grade level projects for students utilizing this curriculum.

Funding from BP America, the Daniel Island Community Fund, and Coastal Expeditions will provide monthly programs for Cainhoy students conducted by the Avian Conservation Center’s staff. The first of these programs took place at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston in September featuring new work by the Italian artist Hitnes. The exhibition is a culmination of The Image Hunter project, in which Hitnes retraced Audubon’s travels in the United States and created work during a residency in Charleston, SC.

Next month students will visit the Center’s campus during fall raptor migration to participate in the annual SC Coastal Raptor Migration Survey. This survey, part of the Hawk Migration Association of North American’s international research on avian migration, will utilize novel radar technology to track migrating birds. Funding from the corporate and foundation partners of this project will make nature and wildlife more accessible to Cainhoy students in a way stimulates a renewed and sustained interest in learning and the STEAM disciplines.

“The decisions we make today directly affect the status of environmental conservation for generations to come. By exposing students to programs incorporating live birds of prey, we are able to encourage active participation in the natural world with a scientific perspective. It is our obligation to assist these young students in developing an understanding and appreciation for our crucial role as stewards of our cherished natural resources,” says Jim Elliott, Founder and Executive Director of the Avian Conservation Center and Center for Birds of Prey.

About the Avian Conservation Center

Founded in 1991 in response to the crucial need of an avian conservation center in South Carolina, the Center utilizes the unique role of wild birds as unsurpassed indicators of the overall health of our ecosystem to preserve the future of the natural world, upon which we all depend. The Center’s mission is to identify and address vital environmental issues by providing medical care to injured birds of prey and shorebirds, and through educational, research and conservation initiatives. The Center for Birds of Prey is the principle operating division of the Avian Conservation Center and is open to the public every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org or call 843.971.7474.

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Contact: Kara Bale
843.606.3400
kara.bale@avianconservationcenter.org

New Charleston Nonprofit Aims to Change the Way Dyslexic Students are Taught to Read

October 19, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — A newly formed nonprofit organization is giving hope to children who struggle with reading, spelling, writing and reading comprehension. The Orton-Gillingham Center of Charleston was established by Mount Pleasant mothers Renee Byrd McCaslin and Lindsey Propes Ballenger, both of whom were seeking change in the way struggling readers are being identified and taught to read, write and spell.

Orton-Gillingham is a multisensory approach to learning with each lesson personalized and structured for an individual student’s needs and goals. It incorporates phonemic awareness and both reading and spelling are taught together.

This teaching approach was developed by Samuel Torrey Orton (1879-1948), a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist who was a pioneer in focusing attention on reading failure and related language processing difficulties. Anna Gillingham (1878-1963), a skilled educator and psychologist, worked with Orton to train and publish instructional manuals.

For more than 50 years, the Orton-Gillingham Approach has become the most widely used intervention designed expressly for remediating the language processing problems of children and adults with dyslexia.

Locally, the Orton-Gillingham Center of Charleston is committed to elevating the Orton-Gillingham Approach in the Lowcountry by training more professionals and ensuring completion of the accreditation process. The center is located on the campus of Coastal Christian Preparatory School, 681 McCants Drive in Mount Pleasant, but is an independent entity from Coastal Christian Prep.

The Orton-Gillingham Center of Charleston is working to train more people in the Orton-Gillingham Approach and, with a training fellow on the team, can ensure those who are trained complete a 100-hour practicum through the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. The center also provides a space for student instruction and resources for parents.

McCaslin has an extensive background in education while Ballenger has worked in nonprofit fundraising and business administration. Both have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.

“This is our ministry,” Ballenger said. “This is what we’ve been called to do.”

McCaslin says she is most excited about tying all her professional and personal experiences together, and bringing together educators, experts and families to impact the community.

The organization is awaiting final approval of its federal nonprofit status, so it can begin fundraising to support teacher training in Orton-Gillingham and to provide scholarships for students who may not be able to afford the private instruction.

Parents can get in touch with the Orton-Gillingham Center of Charleston to schedule a parent meeting and informal assessment to see if their child might benefit from the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The center does not provide an official diagnosis; that must be done by an educational psychologist. Learn more at www.ogcharleston.com.

Educational forums for parents and educators are being planned for early 2019. The center is bringing together professionals from a variety of background to offer families comprehensive support. A parent mentor also will be available to help families navigate resources for their children.

Part of the center’s mission, Ballenger said, is to educate the public about dyslexia. It’s more than just seeing letters backward, as so many people think.

Dyslexia is a neurological, lifelong condition. People don’t outgrow dyslexia, but, with the right instruction, it is possible to minimize the effects. Dyslexia is also hereditary and occurs on a spectrum from mild to profound.

One in five people have some form of dyslexia, meaning the need for early intervention is critical. Ballenger said research shows that offering specialized instruction to children with dyslexia in kindergarten and first grade can close the achievement gap. It’s why she’s so passionate about helping other parents recognize the red flags and signs of dyslexia early.

About Orton Gillingham Center of Charleston

The Orton Gillingham Center of Charleston was established in 2018 by Charleston educational leaders seeking change in the way dyslexic learners are taught to read. The center is committed to elevating the Orton-Gillingham Approach in the Lowcountry by training more professionals and ensuring completion of the accreditation process with The Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. The center offers intervention support by qualified practitioners to students throughout the Charleston area. Learn more at www.ogcharleston.com.

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