South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) releases free app to help citizens during natural disasters

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The South Carolina Emergency Management Division released a free mobile app earlier this month to help citizens stay safe during natural disasters including hurricanes and tornadoes.

The app features the latest information on S.C. state office closings and delays, helps users find their evacuation zone, includes information on planning for and recovering from emergencies, allows users to send their location to emergency contacts and includes an SOS flashlight. Users can also set up their own emergency plan including a pet checklist, meeting places and emergency contact numbers.
The app is free to download in the iTunes app store or Google Play.

If you have any questions about the app contact Derrec Becker, SCEMD chief of public information & external affairs via email, his cell at (803) 737-8500 or office at (803) 530-2193.

We race to fall in love in our minds yet we are afraid to execute

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By Mark A. Leon

It is a big night on King Street. Dressed to the nines and the bar is packed.  Then it happens!  Their eyes meet from across the room. At first, a glance, then an extended stare and finally, for a brief moment, you are the only two in the entire room. It is that exact moment when you imagine an entire life together scripted in your mind and acted out in just a few seconds. It is the living dream of unconditional love and the fantasy of the dream life that keeps us energized in the pursuit of true love.

How can you not feel euphoria when you two strangers come together and find what they are both pursuing. The hard part of reality. Reality throws the curve balls that unfortunately eliminate even the great ones.

We spend most of the evening talking ourselves out of the risk. The more we drink, the more encouragement we get from our friends, the harder it seems to get. So strange this phenomenon. With divorce rates always higher than any of us want to see, it makes you wonder, what if some of these moments of unspoken bliss came to fruition.

So many questions run through our minds during these bar/club/coffee shop hours…

1. Should the guy approach the guy or can a girl make the first move?
2. What if his/her friends don’t like me? Then I don’t have a chance no matter what.
3. What line do I use? Or should I be myself? Or is being myself a line?
4. What if he/she rejects me?
5. What if the great speech in my head doesn’t come out right and I sound like a bumbling idiot?
6. What if we have nothing in common? Should I lie?
7. What if he/she is not looking to get picked up and they are just hear to spend time with friends?
8. What if he/she likes one of my friends better?

After all those questions race through your mind, is there any reason to even try?

Of course there is!!!

Life’s greatest rewards comes from the greatest risk.

You can second guess life all your want, but in the end we will continue to breathe one day at a time until our bodies decide not to. Life will move one minute at a time and we will continue to make decisions at work and home that affect every aspect of our lives. So why is the prospect of saying hello to a complete stranger so frightening? I don’t know either. Make it a homework assignment the next time you go out, to say hello to a stranger and engage in conversation. But if you see someone that makes you hair stand on end and gives you feelings you cannot control, you had better make that move otherwise you are going to live a night in regret if not longer.

Maybe if a few of us start taking this advice, more soul mates will truly find their partner.

Lowcountry Blessing Box Feeding the Community One Box at a Time, But Still Need Your Help

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On June 21, 2018, the Lowcountry Blessing Box implemented their 40th location.

They want to thank all those that have supported this incredible project and also ask for your help:

“Thank you for supporting our project. With so many locations, it is difficult to keep them full, especially at the end of the month.I’m getting messages from many of our hosts that the boxes are empty, so please donate if you can. It would be amazing if we could all do FORTY cans in honor our 40th box! I thought we were really cool when we had five boxes, and look at us now!!”

Their Story

Blessing Boxes are stocked with non-perishable food items, basic toiletries, baby supplies, and anything else that might be considered a blessing to someone who finds themselves in need. Items are anonymously donated and anonymously received. A simple rule applies – Leave what you can, take what you need.

Locations

NORTH CHARLESTON
– 1919 Bolton St (N Chas Rec Center)
– 1125 E Montague Ave (N Chas United Methodist Church)
– The Bend, 3775 Azalea Drive
– 2704 Saratoga Rd (Dorchester Waylyn)
– 7610 Dorchester Rd (Second Chance Auto Club)
– 1517 Greenbay Drive (Charleston Farms)
– 1633 Sumner Ave (Charleston Farms Community Center)
– 4852 Foxwood Drive (Forest Hills)
– 5300 Dorchester Rd (Adams African Methodist Episcopal Church)
– Trident Technical College Grocery Vault (on campus, for students & TTC staff only)

WEST ASHLEY
– 1622 Mulberry St (Ardmore)
– 1601 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. (Grace UMC Charleston SC)
– 1336 Fifth Avenue, West Ashley

DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON
– 302 Ashley Ave
– Laundry Matters, 51 Reid Street, Eastside
#CommunityCabinet for clothing donations is on America Street near the playground by the old Fraser Elementary school.
– Trident Technical College Grocery Vault (on campus, for students & TTC staff only)

MONCKS CORNER/ GOOSE CREEK
– 1389 N Highway 52, Moncks Corner (Living Tees)
– 1616 S. Live Oak Drive, Moncks Corner (Ebenezer UMC)
– 102 Marilyn Street, Goose Creek (Law Offices of DeLuca Maucher)
– 27 Westfield Ave, Goose Creek
– 1127 Dorothy Street, Devon Forest Elementary school, Goose Creek

JAMES/ JOHNS / WADMALW ISLANDS
– 5605 Katy Hill Rd, Wadmalaw Island (Community /Senior Center)
– 828 Folly Rd, James Island (Hair duJour)
– Martello Drive, James Island (Martin Luther Lutheran Church by Firestone off of Harborview Rd.)
– 2812 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island (Southern Brews Coffee)

Mt. PLEASANT/ AWENDAW/ McCLELLANVILLE
– 690 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant (Hibben UMC)
– 822 Pinckney St, McClellanville (MCVL Realty)

SUMMERVILLE
– 610 N Cedar St (behind Oscar’s of Summerville)
– 888 Central Ave. (Cornerstone Baptist Church)
– Sangaree Library, 595 Sangaree Parkway
– 102 Sangaree Park Ct
– 209 Mikel Drive (Quail Arbor)
– 106 E. Doty St (Little Cottage Community Café)
– 183 Apache Drive (Indian Springs)

LADSON/ HANAHAN
– 3357 Fairview Drive, Ladson
– 1202 Dickson Ave, Hanahan

WANDO/ DANIEL ISLAND/ HUGER
– 1615 Charity Church Rd, Huger (Merritt’s Blessing Box)
– 1527 Clements Ferry Rd. (St Paul Baptist Church)
– Philip Simmons Elementary, 2095 Seven Sticks Road, Wando

BONNEAU
– 1120 Mail Route Road (Victory Baptist Church)

RAVENEL
– Muddy Creek Farmer’s Market (by Hardee’s at 165)

SANTEE/SUMMERTON
– Smith’s Gas Station, 9039 SC-6, Santee, SC
– 10 S Duke Street, Summerton, SC

Career Adaptation – Why Change is Necessary

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By Mark A. Leon

I had an interesting debate last evening on whether graphic novels are considered literature or comic books.  Academia in the United States will have a varied opinion on this question with extreme views leaning heavily on no and yes.  It does pose an interesting line of discussion that goes much deeper than black or white.  The traditionalist view of comic books is that there is an inherent struggle between good and bad; heroes and villains; right and wrong.  That methodology of thinking has changed introducing a deeper shade of gray.  With the upcoming adaptation of the graphic novel into film, we will witness Batman and Superman pinned up against each other.  Both have battled their own inner demons in the past, but they represent the moral good.  Why would they be battling each other?

Graphic novels today are taking us to a new way of thinking and a new way of learning.  A form of storytelling that was once deemed unacceptable in schools is now a part of literary teaching.

Why do graphic novels add a new element to the way students are learning literature:

  • Graphic Novels / Comics are understandable and engaging to today’s youth.
  • They allow us to overcome our own real life fears and struggles by connecting to the heroes and all they had to overcome (alienation, abandonment, death).
  • There is a sense of loyalty to the battle.  Heroes and villains have a history that is uncovered with each issue that deepens the impact of the struggle.
  • Today’s society no longer has clear cut definitions of right and wrong.  We struggle every day with poverty, overpopulation, unemployment, mental illness, social alienation, relationship barriers and more.  Sometimes decisions that may be morally wrong in some eyes have a greater good to another.
  • Graphic novels are not linear.  We must look closely at images, dialogue and story to uncover hidden secrets and truths within the lives of the characters.  There is a true complexity within the stories.
  • So many thrive for a world of escape.  Whether it is better or not is not the critical question.  Why we need this temporary escape is.  If this weren’t true, Marvel films would not be making 1.3 billion dollars with each Avengers release.
  • In the world of academia, we will always need Shakespeare, Steinbeck, Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.  We also need to find a way to relate to a generation wrought with creativity, angst, apathy and doubt.

Now, how is this comparable to a adaptation within your career?

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be value in this article.  Change is inevitable.  I have witnessed in my professional career, the birth of the internet, applicant tracking systems, automation, social networking, video interviewing and Infographics.  The entire playing field has changed.

During my first internship in recruitment:

  • I recorded our job openings on a cassette tape for candidates to dial in and listen to.
  • All resumes were in a tan metal filing cabinet
  • All applicants had to do a basic math and English test in the lobby
  • We manually called each candidate to reject or extend offers

bat2Big changes.  As professionals we need to embrace change.  I am not telling all of you seasoned professionals you should drop Turner Classic Movies and start an Instagram account.  Nor am I saying learn Ruby on Rails or HTML web development.  I am saying to never lose site of the pure thirst for learning.  Employers offer thousands of internal and external resources to continue to develop your skills.

In fact, I was forced to learn basic HTML web page editing when we did not have a resource and I learned all I needed from YouTube videos.

A few tips:

  • Look at where you are and where you are going.  What is your long term career passion?  Do you have the skills for where you want to be and if not, what is your goal to get there?
  • What is your action plan?  Create a project plan on how you want to achieve your goals.
  • Do not walk in with any personal limitations.  If you feel like you cannot learn a skill, you won’t.  It is that simple.
  • Reward yourself with each milestone.
  • Continue to re-invent your personal brand

There you have it.  Never stop expanding your mind.  It is a simple rule for success.  We can thank Superman and Batman for today’s lesson.

8 Ways Women Can Impress Their Man and Spice It Up

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By Mark A. Leon

Here we go. You officially have your man. Prince Charming, the love of your life, your true soul mate and as time passes you with both develop a set of routines and consistent behaviors. One morning you are both going to wake up and realize that there is no longer any mystery. The zest has fizzed out and the only logical progression is the demise of the romance and spice. This is a period of a relationship so many of us have had to deal with. You may find yourself sitting in bed one evening pondering ways to add a twist to the relationship to make it new and exciting once again.

We are here to assist. Right before your eyes are a few sure fire ways you can step up to the plate and show the love of your life you are ready to play the game and keep the fire burning for a long time to come.

Tips to Keep Things Spicy and Energized in the Relationship

1. Speak your mind and say it loud. Do not be afraid to disagree with your significant other and justify your point. A good healthy discussion builds strong character and intense will power. Go toe to toe and show him that you are as strong in your convictions as he is. Guys like a girl that agrees with him, but not all the time.

2. Show your wild side a little more frequently. I am positive the intimacy is still healthy yet take a look at your routines in bed and see if there are some patterns of repetition and look within yourself to find new things you have never tried before such as a stripper pole, tying him up, blind folds, new lingerie, a little playful sex game, toys or a wild new position. Take the initiative and make it happen.

3. Go natural. We love make up and all the effort your put into your hair and face. Sometimes though, we want to know our girl is confident enough to go out just the way she is. We can look at magazines or four star restaurants to see women with hundreds of dollars of MAC products on, but there is something sensual about a girl that can walk out the door with nothing but a smile and work it.

4. Be impulsively spontaneous. Show up one day with tickets to a bed and breakfast or lessons to go sky diving or a road trip for the evening and the bags are already packed. Doing something completely unexpected with not only keep him on his toes, but will set the plateau higher for him to top you.

5. Show your inner geek. Play some video games or be a dork and dance in a water fountain. Dorky is the new sexy. Try it and let me know if I am right.

6. Laugh until it hurts inside and out. Laughter is the key to all happiness. Finding and embracing your love of laughter is the most cherished gift in the world. Whether you are at a movie or cuddling on the couch let yourself go. You will be shocked how turned on a guy can be when a girl is laughing her little butt off.

7. Take a chance on your passions. Men love to see a woman that shows a desire to learn something new and sticks with it. It shows focus, determination and accomplishment. Men by nature have a competitive instinct so when our lady shows an interest and follows it to completion, we are very impressed.

8. Be independent and be your own woman. Independence is very sexy. If you want girl time to go to the gym, sit in a warm bath or dance with your friends, go out and have fun. In a strong healthy relationship trust is the single strongest bond. If you both have that level of trust, we love letting you go and being on your own, because in the end it is the love that brings you back into each others arms.

There you have it, the guide to keeping your man impressed and maintaining a level of vigor and punch in your relationship. Keep it sensual, seductive and playful.

Now go give your special man a hug and a long kiss.

 

Sunset Wine Tasting Cruise – Charleston Schooner (Wednesdays)

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What:  Sunset Wine Tasting Cruise

Where:  Schooner Pride – 360 Concord St, Charleston, South Carolina 29401

When:  Wednesday’s, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (April 18 – October 24, 2018)

Cost:  $67.50 (Official Ticket Purchase Site)

Event Details

Official Event Website

Board the Schooner Pride for a relaxing evening with Executive Wines and Foodies Catering.
Executive wines invites you to enjoy some of their favorite wines and sample some light hors d’oeuvres from Foodies catering. Each cruise will feature 4-5 wines hand selected by an Executive Wines consultant and shared with you!

Experience the wonder of sailing Charleston Harbor on a classic 84 foot tall ship. As we pull away from the dock, help us hoist the sails if you wish, and then sit back and watch the wind fill them, moving the Schooner Pride through the waters of one of the oldest ports in the country.

On this sail you will enjoy:

  • A delicious tasting of 4-5 wines hand-selected by the Wine Experts at Executive Wines. Each wine tasting cruise is unique and all of the delicious wines are sure to please.
  • Light hors d’oeuvres provided by local favorite, Foodies Catering.
  • The sight of dolphins playing and racing across the bow and pelicans perform diving acts
  • See the impressive Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge, one of the longest cable stayed bridges in the Western hemisphere.
  • You are sure to return to the dock feeling refreshed and relaxed and in awe of the beauty of a Charleston Sunset! We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

What Is Not Included?

Your sail will include hors d’oeuvres provided by Foodies Catering and delicious wines provided by Executive Wines SC. Keep in mind that this is a wine tasting and wine’s will be available for purchase by the glass after the tasting if you’d like.

Meeting Location

Aquarium Wharf Downtown (Charleston, SC)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)

FAQs

Do I have to book tickets in advance?

Sails often sell out, so we strongly recommend that you book your tickets in advance, as soon as you’re sure you would like to attend.

Can I get a refund or reschedule my tickets after buying them?

Because we are guaranteeing your space on the sail, tickets cannot be refunded nor rescheduled once purchased.

What exactly do we see on the sail?

We sail by the Battery and Waterfront Park. We sail in the harbor but we go with the wind so sometimes we get closer to The Yorktown or Fort Sumter. Our guests get a good overall view of the harbor and the local wildlife.

Is food served during the sail?

There will be light hors d’oeuvres served on this sail.

Will I get full glasses of wine?

4-5 tastings will be included with your ticket. These will not be full glasses, but most people find the amount of wine to be sufficient. There will also be additional wine available for purchase from the bar.

Can I bring my own drinks aboard?

No, it is illegal for you to bring alcohol of your own on board. During our day-time sails, sodas, water, beer (domestic and imported), and wine are available for purchase on board.

What should I wear?

We suggest that you dress comfortably, and weather appropriate. Keep in mind that it is significantly cooler on the water, and so layers are suggested.

Is the Schooner Pride safe?

Absolutely, the Schooner Pride is a safe, gentle vessel. Aside from your captain we have several crew members to take care of our guests onboard. We also have life-jackets on board for all of our guests.

How steady is the sailing? Am I likely to get seasick?

The Schooner Pride is a steady, gentle vessel and it is very rare for our guests to become seasick. While most people do not experience any sea sickness on the Schooner Pride, you may want to consider light medication if you normally take it for motion sickness. We cannot officially advise you to take any medication, however.

Are any areas of the ship covered?

While there are no parts of the boat that are air-conditioned, guests are more than welcome to go below deck or stay in the shade of the sails to keep out of the sun.

Do we always see wildlife on the sail?

While we do not guarantee seeing wildlife, more often than not we see dolphins, pelicans, and other local wildlife while sailing in the harbor.

Where does the sail finish?

Our sail will end at the same pier from which it departed.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, the boat is equipped with a clean restroom that is accessible at all times.

Is there seating on the boat?

There is bench style seating available for all aboard the sail.

Are there any stops along the way?

No, there are no stops. We will be sailing for the entire 2 hours.

How fast does the Schooner Pride go?

It depends on the wind, but it can go up to 10 knots.

Can I stow anything (eg, my briefcase) during the sail?

There is some room below deck where you may store your belongings. Please keep in mind that this area is not guarded, so we cannot take responsibility for any broken, lost or missing items. But we have not had any problems with items being left on prior sails.

Do you ever cancel sails due to bad weather?

The sail usually runs in light rain and other moderate weather situations. The only time we cancel a trip is in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. Cancellations are made on the day of the sail up to 1 hour prior to sail time. In the rare event that a sail is cancelled, you will have the opportunity to reschedule your tickets (subject to availability) or receive credit towards a future event.

Is the ship wheelchair accessible?

No, the Schooner Pride is not wheelchair accessible. We will do our best to accommodate disabled persons, but there are 5 stairs then a gangplank to cross to board. The “head” is also below deck and you will need to negotiate stairs to use it.

Can I book a private charter sail?

Yes. If you are interested in booking a private sail, please contact us by clicking the “Contact SailThePride” link.

Can I smoke aboard?

We are proud to be a smoke free / tobacco free environment. Smoking is not permitted on our vessels.

Are pets allowed onboard?

Yes, pets are allowed onboard so long as they are kept on a leash or in a carrier.

What kind of hors d’oeuvres will be served on the sail?

There will be hand selected wines for each cruise. Each wine tasting cruise will be unique in the wine selection. Thus, the staff at Foodies Catering will use their expertise to provide the most complimentary hors d’oeuvres selections.

About

The Schooner Pride, is an 84-foot, three-mast schooner modeled after the classic coastal trading schooners. She is an authentic tall ship and possesses all the character and class of a ship designed during the great days of sail. She is USCG certified to hold up to 49 passengers.

We aim to make your experience of sailing aboard the Pride as enjoyable and thrilling as it is for us. Our captain and experienced and friendly crew are more than willing to do whatever they can to ensure that your sailing experience with us is a pleasurable and relaxing one.

South Carolina Ranked 10th Worst Suicide Rate Percentage Increase (1999-20016) in CDC Study Release

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The Center for Disease Control has analyzed suicide rates from 1999-2016 and looked at increases by state as part of their analysis report.  South Carolina has come in as the 10th worst state in the United States with an increase of 38.3%.  That’s well above the national average (25.4%) and more than three times as high as the 12.7 percent uptick in neighboring North Carolina and more than twice as high as the 16.2 percent increase in Georgia.

The United States national average for this period is 25.4% increase.

Here is how the worst 10 ranked in incidences of suicide (Percentage change)

  1. North Dakota – 57.6% increase
  2. Vermont – 48.6% increase
  3. New Hampshire – 48.3% increase
  4. Utah – 46.5% increase
  5. Kansas – 45.0% increase
  6. South Dakota – 44.5% increase
  7. Idaho – 43.2% increase
  8. Minnesota – 40.6%
  9. Wyoming – 39.0%
  10. South Carolina – 38.3%

South Carolina Breakdown

  • Overall rate change – +4.9
  • Overall rate change ranking – 17
  • Overall percentage change – 38.3%
  • Overall percentage change ranking (worst to best) – 10
  • Male Average – 24.13 per 100,000 annually
  • Female Average – 6.3 per 100,000 annually
  • Worst period – 2014-2016

Other Important Facts

  • Suicide rates went up more than 30% in half of states since 1999
  • Nearly 45,000 lives lost to suicide in 2016
  • More than half of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition

Know the 12 Suicide Warnings

  • Feeling like a burden
  • Being isolated
  • Increased anxiety
  • Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Increased substance use
  • Looking for a way to access lethal means
  • Increased anger or rage
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Expressing hopelessness
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Talking or posting about wanting to die
  • Making plans for suicide

Complete study

CDC Suidice Report By State 1999-2016

Saying Goodbye: 20 of the Greatest Television Show Finales of All-Time (You will need tissues)

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Television has become such a pivotal part of our lives that we often take it for granted instead of acknowledging its parental power as it shapes our perceptions and decisions. Many shows and characters are a mirror image of ourselves and in these characters we see who we are and who we want to be. We develop relationships and emotional ties to these men and women that come to us each week with a story.

When that moment comes to say goodbye, millions of us come together to not only say farewell to those that have become a part of us, but look back and reflect on how important they have become.

I thought I would take a moment and glimpse into the past and focus on some of the greatest series farewells. It is not hard to remember where you were when you said goodbye to Sam, Hawkeye, Jack, Bob, Kevin Arnold, Mr. Feeny, Felicity, Ross and Rachel, Mary and Frasier.

They are a part of us and though not invited into our homes each week any longer, they remain in our memories as we look back on our own lives.

Enjoy this journey on the boat of television memories.

Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

Newhart (1982-1990)

ER (1994-2009)

The Wonder Years (1988-1993)

Scrubs (2001-2010)

The Middle (2009 – 2018)

West Wing (1999-2006)

Mary Tyler Moore (1970-1977)

Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Frasier (1993-2004)

Lost (2004-2010)

Felicity (1998-2002)

Golden Girls (1985-1992)

Entourage (2004-2011)

The Fugitive (1963-1967)

Cheers (1982-1993)

M.A.S.H. (1972-1983)

24 (2001-2010)

Friends (1994 – 2004)

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

South Carolina Ranked 3rd Worst State for Dangerous Roads in Latest Study

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Wall Street 24/7 has released its latest study of United States Roadways, ranking the safest and most unsafe by state.  Coming in as the safest state is Rhode Island with Mississippi coming in as the worst.  Six of the top ten worst regionally fall in the Southeast with South Carolina coming in this year’s survey as the 3rd worst state for roadway safety.

Here is how the Top 10 in both categories ranked.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads

10. Louisiana
> Road deaths per 100,000: 16.2
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 757 (19th most)
> Seat belt use: 88%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Martin Luther King’s Birthday (14 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 49%

9. Oklahoma
> Road deaths per 100,000: 17.4
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 683 (21st most)
> Seat belt use: 87%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Labor Day (8 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 62%

8. Montana
> Road deaths per 100,000: 18.2
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 190 (11th least)
> Seat belt use: 76%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Labor Day (4 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 89%

7. Arkansas
> Road deaths per 100,000: 18.2
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 545 (25th most)
> Seat belt use: 75%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Memorial Day (9 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 66%

6. Kentucky
> Road deaths per 100,000: 18.8
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 834 (16th most)
> Seat belt use: 87%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (11 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 73%

5. Wyoming
> Road deaths per 100,000: 19.1
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 112 (4th least)
> Seat belt use: 81%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (2 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 81%

4. New Mexico
> Road deaths per 100,000: 19.3
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 402 (20th least)
> Seat belt use: 92%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (10 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 56%

3. South Carolina
> Road deaths per 100,000: 20.5
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 1,015 (13th most)
> Seat belt use: 94%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Martin Luther King’s Birthday (16 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 60%

2. Alabama
> Road deaths per 100,000: 21.3
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 1,038 (11th most)
> Seat belt use: 92%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (18 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 62%

1. Mississippi
> Road deaths per 100,000: 23.1
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 690 (20th most)
> Seat belt use: 78%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Independence Day (11 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 98%

Top 10 Safest

  1. Rhode Island
  2. New York
  3. Massachusetts
  4. New Jersey
  5. Minnesota
  6. Washington
  7. Connecticut
  8. Maryland
  9. Hawaii
  10. Illinois

Note:  9 of the top 10 Safest are Northern States

Methodology

To rank the safest and most dangerous states to drive in the United States, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed roadway fatality data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety along with urban and rural travel data from the Federal Highway Administration, each for 2016. The number of fatal roadway deaths was then adjusted for the population, noted as fatalities per 100,000 residents. Seat belt use rates and the share of fatal accidents on rural roads are also from IIHS and are all for 2016. Fatal injuries due to vehicle accidents include pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Data on holiday deaths are for 2016 and came from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

Charleston Based, Women and Veteran Owned Dynepic Completes Techstars Program with Funding to Bring Safe, Secure Connected Play to the Masses

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CHARLESTON, S.C., June 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dynepic, creator of playPORTAL, a groundbreaking platform that makes developing child privacy-certified and secure apps fast and easy, announced it has received $675,000 in a recent funding. The financing occurred with its completion of the Techstars Boulder program, a seed accelerator, designed to provide entrepreneurs with market exposure and access to financial resources. Participating in the oversubscribed round are Good Growth Capital, Black Lab Sports, Charleston Angel Partners, and Techstars. To date, Dynepic has raised $1.5M.

“Dynepic participated in the 2018 Techstars Boulder program and we were impressed with their team and the importance of their technology,” said Natty Zola, managing director of Techstars Boulder. “We believe that children should have safe access to the online world and have seen firsthand the ways in which playPORTAL is revolutionizing connected play. We couldn’t be more excited about Dynepic’s mission and the impact playPortal will have on millions of families.”

“We are honored to bring these well-respected investor groups into the Dynepic family to help us grow and influence the way families play and connect through technology,” said Krissa Watry, CEO and co-founder of Dynepic.

Dynepic will use the capital for marketing and engineering to expand its playPORTAL platform, and grow its developer community of innovators, toy makers, and brands that look to extend their connected products to Gen Z with personalized cutting-edge technology and play patterns.

Dynepic now offers playPORTAL platform software development kits (SDKs) backed by a kid-safe and secure family network. The solution allows developers to achieve instant COPPA- (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) compliance with the highest level of verifiable parental consent for their apps, games, and connected devices.

The platform addresses the complex issues surrounding COPPA compliance, which forbids most developer SDKs and APIs from use in child-specific apps without in-depth knowledge of privacy laws or parental consent. Failure to comply with COPPA guidelines can result in considerable fines and legal consequences. SDKs for iOS, Android, Unity, and Java Script are in closed beta and will be available later this Summer for public access.

“As a smart toy inventor, myself, I know all too well the challenges of trying to understand and meet the child privacy laws,” Watry explains. “There was no easy solution, so we decided to build one. Today, playPORTAL is the only child privacy-certified platform with the tools that help protect developers creating apps for kids under the age of 13.”

About Dynepic
Launched in 2014, Dynepic, Inc. is the creator of playPORTAL, a secure platform that makes developing child privacy-certified apps fast and easy. With cross-platform Software Development Kits (SDKs) backed by a first-ever kid-safe family network, developers can now create apps with instant Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) compliance allowing game-developers, app-developers and toy-makers to focus on making amazing personalized and social connected products that include kids, while playPORTAL handles the data security and privacy compliance. playPORTAL is architected with Dynepic’s portable profile cloud data vault technology, ensuring users are in complete control of their and their kid’s personal information on the platform.

Media Contact:
Traci Massaro
Winkowski Public Relations, LLC., for Dynepic
tampublicrelations@gmail.com
617-877-1293