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.

Charleston, S.C. Ranked #76 Among Most Popular Cities for Millennial Homebuyers in Latest Survey

March 20, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — LendingTree®, the nation’s leading online loan marketplace, has released the findings of its study on the most popular cities for millennial homebuyers. The study found millennials in Des Moines, Pittsburgh and Buffalo are pursuing homeownership more than their counterparts in any of the nation’s 100 largest cities.

Young homebuyers are at the forefront of an increasing number of buyers returning to the housing market. The largest single-age population in the U.S. is 27-year-olds at almost 4.8 million, suggesting that millennials’ influence on the housing market has years to run before it peaks.

LendingTree analyzed mortgage requests and offers for borrowers ages 35 years and under between Feb. 1, 2017 and Feb. 1, 2018, along with requests from the total population of mortgage-seekers based on the location of the property to be mortgaged. The city rankings are generated from the percentage of total purchase mortgage requests received by LendingTree from borrowers in the millennial generation.

Most popular cities among millennial homebuyers

1. Des Moines, Iowa

Share of purchase mortgage requests coming from millennials: 42.4%
Average loan amount: $141,785

2. Pittsburgh, Pa.

Share of purchase mortgage requests coming from millennials: 41.9%
Average loan amount: $120,093

3. Buffalo, N.Y.

Share of purchase mortgage requests coming from millennials: 40.5%
Average loan amount: $114,087

Key findings

Millennial homebuyers make up one-third of mortgage requests. 32.5 percent of all mortgage requests through LendingTree between Feb. 1, 2017 and Feb. 1, 2018 came from consumers 35 years and younger. The average loan amount requested from this age group is $166,863.

Where millennials aren’t vying for homeownership. At the other end of the scale, Sarasota, Fla., Fort Myers Fla. and Honolulu had lowest shares of millennial buyers at 17.9 percent, 19.8 percent and 21.8 percent respectively. The Florida communities are popular with retirees while Honolulu is a high-cost metro, which makes it challenging for millennial buyers who are just starting out on building financial and real assets.

Other findings

The study also looked at other borrower characteristics and found some interesting results on the average age of the borrowers and their credit scores.

Highest average age
San Francisco, San Diego, New York and Los Angeles made the top four cities with the highest average age for millennial homebuyers, all at 29.5 years and above. These cities also have the highest down payments, and the age of millennial homebuyers here reflects the long lead time needed to save for a down payment.

Lowest average age
Millennials can get on the real estate ladder quickest in Charleston, W.Va., where the average buyer under 35 is 28.2 years old. Borrowers there need to raise an average of $11,942 for their down payment and borrow $102,394.

Highest credit scores
Millennials in San Francisco had an average credit score of 691 and borrowed an average of $462,724 to fund their dream homes. Likewise, in Honolulu, millennials averaged a 684 credit score to borrow $407,641.

Lowest credit score
Jackson, Miss. was the most accessible for millennials with lower credit scores at an average of 608. Millennials can often have low scores because of not having a long history of credit, so for prospective buyers it’s encouraging that there are cities where lower score borrowers can access the mortgage market.

“The biggest challenges for millennial homebuyers are having funds for a down payment and a good credit history,” said Tendayi Kapfidze, Chief Economist at LendingTree. “Potential buyers should educate themselves on how to improve their credit scores and create a savings plan to raise the down payment.”

Kapfidze continued, “From a housing market perspective, tight inventory is boosting prices in many markets and millennial homebuyers must now contend with rising mortgage interest rates reducing their buying power. As affordability declines, borrowers should consider all the programs available to assist them in becoming homeowners, such as FHA loans.”

For more information on the study, visit https://www.lendingtree.com/home/most-popular-cities-millennial-homebuyers/.

Rank	City	% of Purchase Requests (<35)	Avg Age of Buyers (<35)	Avg Credit Score Value (<35)	Avg Down Payment (<35)	Avg Requested Loan Amount (<35)
1	Des Moines, Iowa	42.4%	28.8	645	$17,793.73	$141,785.25
2	Pittsburgh	41.9%	28.7	646	$16,880.10	$120,093.12
3	Buffalo, N.Y.	40.5%	28.6	647	$16,030.21	$114,087.09
4	Lansing, Mich.	40.0%	28.4	624	$13,285.93	$103,718.58
5	Fort Wayne, Ind.	39.2%	28.3	623	$15,626.07	$112,680.76
6	Grand Rapids, Mich.	39.0%	28.4	628	$16,343.96	$124,379.48
7	Scranton, Pa.	38.9%	29.1	628	$14,374.94	$107,523.89
8	Syracuse, N.Y.	38.9%	28.7	640	$14,009.32	$110,024.73
9	Youngstown, Ohio	38.6%	28.3	617	$10,384.06	$93,792.22
10	Minneapolis	38.4%	28.9	660	$26,560.72	$184,187.23
11	Albany, N.Y.	38.3%	28.8	641	$19,193.30	$138,964.52
12	Salt Lake City	37.8%	28.5	663	$28,540.59	$216,063.09
13	Charleston, W.Va.	37.8%	28.2	614	$11,942.33	$102,393.99
14	Madison, Wis.	37.6%	28.9	646	$23,579.09	$161,692.34
15	Columbus, Ohio	37.6%	28.6	633	$18,444.08	$136,194.68
16	Rochester, N.Y.	37.5%	29.0	642	$16,632.94	$110,464.02
17	Omaha, Neb.	37.4%	28.9	649	$19,386.87	$143,904.03
18	Lexington, Ky.	37.4%	28.4	631	$16,817.11	$135,230.05
19	St. Louis	37.3%	28.5	620	$13,077.69	$111,945.59
20	Cleveland	37.3%	28.6	635	$15,216.80	$113,337.67
21	Harrisburg, Pa.	37.0%	28.6	633	$16,929.10	$136,488.44
22	Cincinnati	36.7%	28.7	636	$17,215.80	$132,027.03
23	Lafayette, La.	36.7%	29.0	618	$14,819.34	$116,029.03
24	Wichita, Kan.	36.6%	28.8	629	$13,007.59	$113,515.55
25	Kansas City, Mo.	36.4%	28.8	638	$17,788.97	$141,552.79
26	Dayton, Ohio	36.4%	28.3	622	$12,382.42	$108,469.73
27	Indianapolis	35.9%	28.7	631	$18,308.47	$129,493.30
28	Visalia, Calif.	35.8%	28.9	630	$22,223.47	$188,094.73
29	Milwaukee	35.5%	28.9	640	$20,744.89	$146,824.06
30	McAllen, Texas	35.4%	28.9	628	$16,110.79	$122,164.06
31	Springfield, Mass.	35.4%	28.9	634	$18,138.17	$153,841.58
32	Louisville, Ky.	35.2%	28.3	629	$16,558.63	$131,745.95
33	Toledo, Ohio	35.2%	28.6	626	$14,653.31	$103,236.73
34	South Bend, Ind.	35.2%	28.7	618	$20,719.80	$108,732.18
35	Hartford, Conn.	34.9%	29.1	651	$21,116.71	$165,514.06
36	Chicago	34.7%	29.2	656	$30,028.04	$182,822.36
37	Denver	34.5%	29.2	669	$41,893.16	$264,818.96
38	Detroit	34.5%	28.7	639	$20,305.19	$134,187.50
39	Philadelphia	34.5%	29.2	647	$25,502.32	$169,603.21
40	Baton Rouge, La.	34.4%	28.9	622	$21,373.95	$148,897.72
41	Nashville, Tenn.	34.3%	28.8	645	$25,281.95	$183,288.32
42	Birmingham, Ala.	34.3%	28.7	619	$16,228.86	$132,229.09
43	Jackson, Miss.	33.9%	29.1	608	$18,286.91	$132,451.21
44	Greenville, S.C.	33.9%	28.4	623	$16,127.42	$126,502.11
45	Boston	33.9%	29.2	665	$38,351.23	$247,576.30
46	Richmond, Va.	33.6%	29.0	644	$23,007.95	$176,419.26
47	Oklahoma City	33.5%	28.6	633	$17,209.35	$138,535.70
48	New Orleans	33.3%	29.3	634	$24,349.32	$164,404.32
49	Tulsa, Okla.	33.2%	28.6	627	$16,493.62	$127,791.37
50	Washington	33.1%	29.3	668	$38,052.17	$258,911.99
51	Dallas	32.7%	29.2	641	$25,572.88	$182,117.91
52	Colorado Springs, Colo.	32.6%	28.7	645	$25,351.25	$201,010.39
53	Portland, Maine	32.6%	28.7	646	$22,183.19	$165,615.77
54	Greensboro, N.C.	32.4%	28.8	628	$17,186.36	$127,915.55
55	Fayetteville, N.C.	32.3%	28.9	615	$13,534.71	$123,160.41
56	Houston	32.1%	29.2	644	$27,804.07	$181,083.60
57	Springfield, Mo.	32.1%	28.3	626	$13,284.32	$119,473.33
58	Charlotte, N.C.	32.1%	29.1	644	$23,907.17	$168,701.46
59	Knoxville, Tenn.	32.0%	28.3	626	$16,455.36	$126,937.99
60	Little Rock, Ark.	31.9%	28.7	621	$15,786.96	$123,538.99
61	New York	31.9%	29.6	677	$53,787.82	$273,894.48
62	Chattanooga, Tenn.	31.7%	28.4	626	$14,241.67	$124,853.12
63	Portland, Ore.	31.6%	29.0	655	$32,047.37	$229,908.51
64	Fresno, Calif.	31.4%	29.1	643	$25,742.96	$204,774.53
65	Austin, Texas	31.4%	29.4	663	$33,777.22	$216,815.86
66	Bakersfield, Calif.	31.2%	29.0	633	$23,373.57	$190,823.16
67	Huntsville, Ala.	30.9%	28.5	628	$15,719.44	$131,351.49
68	Raleigh, N.C.	30.9%	29.3	658	$26,454.24	$180,963.67
69	Columbia, S.C.	30.9%	29.0	619	$16,075.42	$124,914.19
70	Augusta, Ga	30.8%	29.0	620	$15,363.71	$130,371.16
71	Atlanta	30.8%	29.1	635	$22,760.54	$166,181.94
72	Modesto, Calif.	30.5%	29.0	639	$29,653.92	$215,497.31
73	Savannah, Ga.	30.4%	28.8	626	$18,376.29	$147,348.88
74	Seattle	30.3%	29.3	668	$45,882.32	$284,327.82
75	Memphis, Tenn.	30.2%	29.0	622	$21,052.41	$140,400.01
76	Charleston, S.C.	30.2%	29.1	636	$24,014.39	$174,834.19
77	San Antonio	30.0%	29.1	630	$20,275.56	$162,308.66
78	Virginia Beach, Va.	29.8%	29.1	630	$19,269.35	$175,349.20
79	Jacksonville, Fla.	29.1%	29.1	630	$20,925.15	$154,757.97
80	Boise City, Idaho	28.7%	28.5	639	$21,131.74	$157,950.97
81	Sacramento, Calif.	28.6%	29.4	657	$35,569.75	$249,060.49
82	Phoenix	28.4%	28.8	645	$25,829.34	$194,316.32
83	El Paso, Texas	28.1%	29.4	633	$15,891.58	$142,054.38
84	San Francisco	28.1%	29.9	691	$96,045.17	$462,724.33
85	Mobile, Ala.	27.3%	28.6	618	$17,354.12	$130,894.95
86	Los Angeles	27.3%	29.5	664	$56,305.01	$339,475.05
87	Spokane, Wash.	27.1%	28.6	637	$20,713.56	$168,012.16
88	Orlando, Fla.	26.9%	29.0	639	$23,062.92	$171,350.20
89	Miami	25.9%	29.4	652	$32,747.98	$208,555.15
90	San Diego	25.6%	29.6	677	$58,296.55	$376,406.45
91	Albuquerque, N.M.	25.4%	29.1	638	$21,168.90	$164,236.37
92	Tampa, Fla.	25.2%	29.1	641	$23,156.26	$166,716.42
93	Reno, Nev.	24.9%	28.9	649	$28,798.00	$213,222.64
94	Tucson, Ariz.	24.8%	28.9	637	$18,669.74	$157,116.08
95	Lakeland, Fla.	24.1%	29.0	625	$18,232.45	$145,477.68
96	Las Vegas	22.9%	29.2	644	$28,170.57	$202,295.60
97	Palm Bay, Fla.	22.3%	28.7	643	$20,985.97	$157,738.78
98	Honolulu	21.8%	29.4	684	$55,104.63	$407,641.26
99	Fort Myers, Fla.	19.8%	29.0	640	$24,074.23	$179,450.90
100	Sarasota, Fla.	17.9%	28.8	639	$24,756.05	$173,760.11

About LendingTree
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the nation’s leading online loan marketplace, empowering consumers as they comparison-shop across a full suite of loan and credit-based offerings. LendingTree provides an online marketplace which connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business, as well as an array of online tools and information to help consumers find the best loan. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 65 million loan requests. LendingTree provides free monthly credit scores through My LendingTree and access to its network of over 500 lenders offering home loans, personal loans, credit cards, student loans, business loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, auto loans and more. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of LendingTree, Inc. For more information go to www.lendingtree.com, dial 800-555-TREE, like our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @LendingTree.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Greuling
704-943-8208
Megan.greuling@lendingtree.com

SOURCE LendingTree

Heaven is Being Right Beside You – Original Poem

March 18, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

It was meant to be
Baby, you and me
We are in it for the ride with you by my side
I’m a small-town boy, looking at my small-town girl who said yes to a dance
Now, I never want it to end
Let the music play every minute of every day

Just to hear your voice in my dreams
To see your face just as your lips touch mine

When you asked, “Where have you been all my life?”
I’ve always been there right beside you

In your prayers
A sound in the wind
Always
An energy exchange pure to the heart of two souls wandering with purpose; with meaning

We shared a love in our growing hearts
From the youthful tone of a field of lilies on those northern plains
To the southern breeze so safe and familiar

I grew to know you one syllable at a time
Each piece of the puzzle one step to completing me

Now we are one
A dance in the clouds on a red letter
Free to fly above the reality to a fantasy built for two

A silly thought, but one we share
A promise made by a fortune teller so long ago
A prediction in the stars
A red carpet welcoming us to the ball

Take my hand, my princess
Let me have the first dance all over again

A miracle in heals
A savior in lace
Warm wet fierce rapids racing for the waterfall
Hold on tight

Photography

GALLERY: Life is a Beach: Sunday Morning in the Lowcountry

March 18, 2018

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

There is nothing more meditative than a Lowcountry sunrise to start your day. It also puts balance in your life as you prepare for brunch, your first mimosa and a day of festival hopping.

Not everyone has the luxury of waking up with an endless ocean by your toes. We wanted to share with you the true magic feeling of experiencing a Lowcountry Sunday morning starting with the perfect sunrise.

Sun, sand and the soothing sounds of crashing waves…Priceless.

Sunday Morning in the Lowcountry – Photo Gallery

Photo Credit: Mark A. Leon

To Our Heroes – Emotional Military Reunion, Proposal and Family Videos that Will Make You Cry

March 17, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

“He called her on the road; From a lonely, cold hotel room; Just to hear her say I love you one more time; But when he heard the sound; Of the kids laughing in the background; He had to wipe away a tear from his eye; A little voice came on the phone; Said, “Daddy when you coming home?”; He said the first thing that came to his mind; I’m already there” – Lonestar

We go to movies, read comics, watch television shows of characters of supernatural strength and odd superpowers and call them heroes. Every day, hundreds of thousands of children, wives and husbands go to bed alone while their heroes are in foreign lands protecting our freedoms. We wanted to show our appreciation for their sacrifices by sharing some very emotional videos or gratitude, reunion and love

To all our military around the world, we thank you and think about you every day.

Disclaimer: Have some tissues available. You will need them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfJgfUAr2M8

In war, tragedy, disaster and yearning, the one foundation that leads us to the light is the ability to always love. It is the most powerful weapon of humanity and one that keeps us holding on. We hope these videos remind you of the power of love.

Food & Bev - North Charleston, SC - Photography

Charleston Wine & Food Festival 2018 Recap – Cookin’ with Booze

March 16, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Featured Food Blogger: Cookin’ with Booze

For those of you who don’t know, the Charleston Wine + Food festival is 5 days of heaven for foodies and pretty much everyone else. My experience at the Charleston Wine + Food festival was completely unique because I had a different role each day. I worked as an intern for the Culinary Talent team, took photos at 3 events, and attended as a guest on Sunday. Every role I had was as exciting as it was challenging. I learned a lot and ate a lot over these 5 days, so come along with me as I recap it.

Day 1: Opening Night

Day 1 I was wearing my intern hat (not an actual hat, the figure of speech one) and helped set up the Main Stage before the Culinary Village opened. After a few hours of heavy lifting/unpacking and organizing, it was time for the magic that is Opening Night. My job during Opening Night was to make sure the chefs had everything they needed (utensils, water, etc) and coincidentally they happened to give us their food in return..

My favorite bite of the night by far was the pasta dish from Ken Vedrinski of Trattoria Lucca. In fact, I bragged about it so much that he ran out of it very quickly! It was a pasta shell filled with pork and ricotta, and it was topped with a sun dried tomato pesto and a raw tomato sauce. Raw tomato sauce is something I’ve never encountered on pasta, but now I want it on everything! The pickled shrimp and farro salad was another winner from Chef Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill. To end on a sweet note, I had some strawberry, layered goodness from Andrea Upchurch of Magnolia’s.

Day 2: Winederlust and Photos at 82 Queen’s Garden Party

Helping set up events was a lot of walking and lifting things up and putting them down, but to see the end result was always so satisfying. Winederlust was out at Lowndes Grove Plantation, which is a beautiful venue with a view of the water. The chefs broke out giant grills and cauldrons that made me smell like charred meats for days (which I was obviously ok with) and there was plenty of wine to go around.

The most interesting bite of this event was the charred cabbage from Michael and Tara Gallina of Vicia in St. Louis. They served it with a sauerkraut cream and pancetta and it was tangy, salty, and smoky without being meat! Mind fricken blown at what cabbage can do.

After Winederlust, I headed over to 82 Queen to take photos at their “Garden of the Good + Regal” party. Queen Street Hospitality was represented all around with food from Lowcountry Bistro, Swig & Swine, and 82 Queen of course. All the food was down home Southern, but with a twist. Swig & Swine somehow transformed beef pho into egg rolls, 82 Queen had a shrimp and grits bar, and Lowcountry Bistro has fresh ceviche as well as shrimp etouffee.

They also had sweet treats, such as the banana cream pie cup that was crunchy, creamy, and photographed beautifully! Everyone had a great time at this event because of the music, the food, and the gracious hosts!

Day 3: Photos at Business of Food & watching my bosses crush at Pecha Kucha

My next photography gig was at Business of Food, which was a Q&A session with chefs about their experiences in the industry. Before the panel started, the guests were treated to food from Dough Boyz and Braised in the South. Dough Boyz came to impress with their giant pizza oven inside a trailer and their Brussels sprout, pancetta, and truffle oil pizza, which was to die for. Braised in the South kept the indulgence going with their pulled pork mac and cheese topped with fried onion strings. Just the description of it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

After Business of Food, Charleston Music Hall was transformed for Pecha Kucha, which is a fast paced presentation, which the owners of Huriyali (my bad ass bosses Tom & Ruchi) were a part of. Each presenter told the story of their business and it was inspiring to see so many passionate people looking to make Charleston a better place.

The food was a collection of food trucks including Roti Rolls, Bac’n me Crazy, Lunchbox, and City Limits Barbecue. My favorite bite of the night was the Smoked Brisket Slider from City Limits Barbecue. The brisket was tender, the sauce was spicy, and the pickled onions added some tang.

Day 4: Photos at Iron Mixologist and North Charleston Night Bazaar

Saturday was definitely my favorite day of the festival. I started with taking photos at a cocktail competition at Williams Sonoma: Iron Mixologist. This was obviously right up my ally. The contestants, which happened to be all female bartenders, were challenged to create cocktails with a secret ingredient, all in 7 minutes flat. It was a very fast-paced event, so it was challenging, but exciting to take photos of. In the end, Caroline Woodruff of Proof was crowned the champion because she was able to truly highlight the secret ingredient in each drink.

North Charleston Night Bazaar was hands-down my favorite event of the festival. We got to Night Bazaar early to help set up, and you could feel the energy as soon as you walked in. The DJ was killing it with the music and people were out on the dance floor immediately. The energy of this event was a dream come true for me, because I like to bust a move every once in a while as well as eat international food.

Another highlight of this event was that I got to geek out over meeting one of the judges on Chopped: Maneet Chauhan. She was a super sweet person and her authentic Indian street food (panipuri) was fresh and bright! I also had cold, spicy noodles from Jimmy Bannos Sr. of Heaven on Seven that were bursting with international flavors.

Day 5: Being a Guest at the Culinary Village and closing it out at Toasted

Sunday was my day to enjoy the Culinary Village as a guest, and I was lucky enough to have my whole family join me! As soon as I walked in, my mom was ready to hit the tequila, my dad the wine, and my brother all the food in sight. We simply had to get the wine yokes just to look like an even more ridiculous squad walking around.

I started off with a chorizo breakfast taco, which really fueled me for the 5 hours of eating and drinking ahead. Next, we watched the burger bash and were hand delivered burgers to snack on, which was ideal! After walking 6 miles a day during the festival, it was nice to take a load off and watch people cook burgers.

As the day went on, the lines got longer and the people more impatient. Luckily, since I had been at the Culinary Village the past couple days, I knew where to go to avoid the lines and get the most food I possibly could. My family and I had a great time at the Culinary Village and I’m so glad I was able to give them the inside scoop on this event.

To cap everything off, my intern buddy Zoe and I went to Toasted with the rest of the staff that made this festival possible. It was bittersweet as we were all congratulating each other on the success of the festival and thinking back on all the hard work that went into it. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience as an intern, photographer, and guest at this festival and I hope to be involved again next year! Cheers to year 13!

Lifelong Learning with College of Charleston Professor Nan Morrison Back by Popular Demand This Spring with Hamlet

March 14, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

5 Acts, 5 Tuesdays

Charleston, South Carolina, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The mysteries of Hamlet have intrigued playgoers for over 400 years and inspired innumerable adaptations in 70 languages. This class will consider those enigmas of reason and action, love and power by looking at one act of the five-act drama each successive Tuesday night for five weeks beginning March 27th, from 5:30pm until 7:00pm.

“One if the main tenets of the Charleston Library Society is to inspire a passion for lifelong learning in our members and community,” says CLS Executive Director, Anne Cleveland. “To have Nan Morrison bring her Shakespearean class back to us with Hamlet is exciting and wonderful.”

In prior years, Professor Morrison has taught Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies at the Library Society. This will be the first class taking an in-depth dive into a single play, but with the many twists and turns of Hamlet, discussion is sure to be lively and engaging through all five acts.

Admission for this Lifelong Learning class is $150 for members and $200 for nonmembers. To purchase tickets, please call 843-723-9912 or email dreutter@charlestonlibrarysociety.org.

About Nan Morrison

Nan Morrison is a professor emeritus of English at the College of Charleston where she taught Shakespeare and Southern Literature, wrote articles in those areas, and held the Maybelle Higgins Howe Chair.

About the Charleston Library Society

Founded in 1748, The Charleston Library Society is the oldest cultural organization in the South, and the second oldest circulating library in the United States. Dedicated to serving its membership and promoting a culture of lifelong learning, The Charleston Library Society is located at 164 King Street, in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, and offers a variety of educational and entertaining programs throughout the year.

A History of the College of Charleston: 1936 – 2008 by Nan Morrison

If you see one musical this season in Charleston, see ‘Hollywood: The Golden Age’ at C-PAC

March 13, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

From its opening silent film era montage featuring strobe lights, exaggerated body motions and a larger than life announcer to the ensemble showcase finale of ‘That’s Entertainment’, this three-act celebration of the Golden Age of cinema will leave you singing and tapping in the aisles.

In an age of digital dating, fake news, political upheaval and an overall disconnected feeling in society, it is refreshing to find a play that celebrates all that is good in film, music, dance and love. This is one night at the theater that will leave you smiling all the way home.

With moments of glee, romance and sentimental journey, this musical celebration reminds us of the origins of music and dance on the big screen that pioneered the way allowing us to enjoy the likes of La La Land, Les Miserables, and Glee. It is a reminder of a simpler time when a smile and a vocal could light up a room, a lady was classy and a man was a gentleman.

The 23 musical numbers accompanied by stunning costumes, a simple reflective and illuminated stage, and vocals that are worthy of the lights of Broadway, have a seamless flow throughout the performance. In a phrase, “That’s Entertainment”.

As you listen to Cheek to Cheek performed by Kirk Pfeiffer, Tiffany West and Savannah Shoenborn, you feel the aura of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. When Caitlin Wilson enters stage right in her little pink dress and belts Good Ship Lollipop, the glow you felt seeing Shirley Temple just returns to your face.

Ward Billeison, with his smile that won’t quit plastered across his face charms the crowd on and off the stage with his rendition of Singin’ in the Rain.

Leah Edwards, a guest artist whom recently moved from New York, shows a level of elegance worthy of Ingrid Bergman or Audrey Hepburn. The soft skin and silky hair and emotional vocals made her a dominant, yet inviting presence. Her solo of The Boy Next Door brings back feelings of unrequited love we all felt at one point in our lives.

When she concludes Act I with Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the cabaret style audience exploded in applause.

The company provides some of the finest dance numbers we have seen in the Lowcountry for some time belting out leg kicks, twists, turns and dips. Each costume change was a refreshing zest of life and complimentary of the finely choreographed dance steps.

Leah Edwards and Ward Billeisen, as the guest artists and stars, bring a deep resume to this performance. Leah, a classical vocalist, has been presented in concert at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall along with her Off-Broadway stage work. Ward has been seen on Broadway in Anything Goes with Sutton Foster and Joel Gray, Curtains with David Hyde Pierce and Fiddler on the Roof with Harvey Fierstein and Rosie O’Donnell. With these two leading a very talented cast, it is hard to not be tempted to experience this intimate extravaganza of live theatre.

This performance will be running through April 2, 2018.

Ticket Information and Purchase

Charleston Performing Arts Center Official Website

*Note: If you have never been to the C-PAC on Folly Road, the entrance is in the back and the parking lot is small and tight. Next door at the Hen and the Goat, you can park and walk to the next lot at no cost.

Your Inner Underdog: Finding Reasons to Believe

March 12, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

“Great moments are born from great opportunity” – Herb Brooks

All too often we are dwarfed by the media’s sensationalism of celebrities, money, fame, fortune and all the glutenous impulses that drive us all to the brink of insanity. Why is it we feel the need to live vicariously through Brad Pitt, The Bachelor and Kim Kardashian? I wish I had an answer. I wish I knew why a billionaire in Texas is giving five million dollars to a presidential candidate when every street corner in New York has a homeless person waking up each morning wondering where his next meal is.

Where do we find salvation in the direction life is taking us all?

Many of us joke about the apocalypse. Those that believe in the complete word of the bible do know this would not be the first time wen went through a planetary cleansing exercise. Maybe this is our time. Maybe we are all about to embark on a temporary extinction. With movies like Melancholia and The Road even Hollywood is monopolizing on the anticipation, fear and mockery of the end of the world.

So how do we find hope in a world crippled with the death of morals and convictions?

We live vicariously through the moments where ordinary becomes extraordinary. It is when the underdog, the unknown, the weak create miracles. It is when the Chilean Miners escaped to hug their families one more time, when 20 college hockey players on February 22, 1980, gave the United States a reason to believe again, when a young woman diagnosed with cancer, not only beats the disease but was able to celebrate life.

American freedom was one of miracles of all time. An under-manned, under-equipped, under-nourished army of colonists who had nothing more than the idea of a promise of a better tomorrow, banded together and with nothing short of will and hope defeated the greatest military in the world. A true David and Goliath story.

Then there are moments. Moments that bring us to the brink. Moments that shower us with tears of sadness and happiness simultaneously. It is these unforgettable moments that truly reminds us without spoken word that life is worth living and worth dreaming.

It is the speech by Jimmy Valvano, who had the courage to get up in front of a live audience and an international television audience on the brink of death from cancer to talk openly about his disease and his love for his family, fans and sports, it is Pat Summit, one of the greatest basketball coaches ever addressing her fans and disclosing her early dementia diagnosis and it is John F. Kennedy Jr. saluting a flag at his fathers funeral because he doesn’t know why but knew it is the right thing to do that makes it all memorable.

Sometimes you just have to believe in the unbelievable to find your inner strength.

I am here to tell you, life isn’t easy. I won’t pretend it is or even tell you things get better. We will all undergo challenges, moments of weakness and doubt but something somehow finds its way to us when we truly need it. It is as simple as a hug or a sign but its message is loud and clear.

In a world that is 26,000 miles in circumference and 6.3 billion people deep, I suppose we are all underdogs.

It is those rare few the dig into the trenches of their soul and use all the energy in their heart to find the finish line that keep us all believing in something great.

Without a reason to believe, what do we have?

Greed in Charleston: Downtown Meter Increases; The Latest Example

March 10, 2018

by Charleston Daily 5 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Once again the debate of tourism vs. local livability continues and in a dramatic announcement, the city of Charleston will make a hard-hitting change to the downtown meter system within one month’s time that will put more pressure on our wallets as we try to enjoy the fruits of the historic Charleston peninsula.

As many know, the city of Charleston facilitated a modernizing effort adding new parking meters that allow for credit card payment, replacing the coin only machines in late 2017. Traditional hours of metered enforcement remained at Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM with Sunday being free for all cars.

Last week the city announced a change that will increase the cost 100% from $1.00 per hour to $2.00 and raise the enforced payment hours from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM adding 45% more hours to the payment enforced period.

There are many that are affected by this change. One population is the hospitality community and the locals that commute to the peninsula to work in the restaurants, hotels and retails stores. This accounts for most of the city employees outside of the medical community. The city has committed to opening a 175-spot parking area on Morrison Street and offering a shuttle service for these individuals. This service will add more time and challenge to their existing commute.

The city is indicating the reason for the change is to compete with the rising costs of the parking garages who have arbitrarily raised prices to capitalize financially on the growing tourism traffic that has dominated this city.

Here are a few talking points to outline just another example of the opportunistic greed that is taking over the city of Charleston:

The shuttle service being offered to local workers will add an additional 40 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes of round trip wait and travel to the hospitality workers forcing them to add more time to their personal commute.
Adding a 100% increase in enforced metered cost and a 40% increase in number of hours enforced is a gratuitous example of the growing greed by the Charleston government. This is the same government that took in $1.2 million in meter revenue in 2017 alone.
The effort to drive residents working in the city off the streets and into this shuttle service or parking garages is an unspoken statement that the city wants these meters open for the tourists who are driving most of the inflationary and economic decisions in Charleston.
Justifying the cost increase to compete with the parking garages, currently at $1.00 per half hour with a max of $16.00, does not make logical urban economic sense – Parking fees and locations
- Parking meters have limits where garages do not.
- Parking meters leave cars outside exposing them to the elements of weather and parking garages are sheltered.
- Street parking puts cars in more danger from being hit by moving vehicles.
- For these reasons, the equalizing fee match does not make sense.

For Lowcountry residents, this seems like another slap in the face when dealing with the growing costs of commerce, taxation, rent and now parking that is tainting the city of Charleston.

Do you feel this fee increase and increased hours of enforcement are justified? We would love to hear your thoughts.

The opinions of this article do not necessarily affect the decisions of this publication. They are the expressed thoughts and commentary of the author.

Blackbaud Hosts Emerging Female Leader from South Africa as part of Fortune/U.S. State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership Program

March 9, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Blackbaud Hosts Emerging Female Leader, Vuyiswa Mutshekwane from South Africa, as part of Fortune/U.S. State Department Global Womens Mentoring Partnership Program (PRNewsfoto/Blackbaud)

CHARLESTON, S.C., March 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Today, on International Women’s Day, Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, is pleased to announce that the company will again host an emerging businesswoman mentee as a part of this year’s Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership program facilitated by the U.S. State Department and Fortune. Blackbaud welcomes Vuyiswa Mutshekwane, CEO of the South African Institute of Black Party Practitioners (SAIBPP) in Johannesburg, South Africa, for two weeks of on-site mentoring with its executive leaders.

The Fortune – U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership connects talented, emerging businesswomen from all over the world with top American female executives. With the goal of providing the international women with the skills and experience to support growth and prosperity in their countries, the program begins in Washington, D.C., where they meet with senior women in government, business, and the nonprofit sector. Their two-week onsite professional mentorships give them the opportunity to learn about building a business and critical leadership skills, and cultivate a valuable network of global professionals.

“We’re proud to participate in this program again to empower and support emerging leaders from around the world, advancing the status of women in business,” said Mike Gianoni, Blackbaud president and CEO. “I am proud of the great work our female leaders take on in their communities, sharing their expertise and wisdom with many important causes, such as the Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership program. We hope to provide Vuyiswa the tools she needs and access to networks for strengthening her business and home community after the program concludes.”

Each program participant is assigned a female executive mentor to help the mentee develop skills, network with international leaders, share best practices, and more. Mutshekwane will be paired up with mentor Amy Lucia, who is Blackbaud’s vice president of Corporate Marketing and a former nonprofit CMO. During her two-week visit, Mutshekwane will meet with Blackbaud executives, partner with Blackbaud innovation teams and meet prominent leaders in Charleston’s robust business community on topics including: business planning and strategy, leadership development, marketing and branding, and more.

“Many of Blackbaud’s customers are deeply involved in issues impacting women around the world and it’s imperative, now more than ever, that women everywhere are given access to platforms that enable them to develop their leadership capabilities and to take active roles in shaping society,” said Lucia. “Vuyiswa has built an impressive organization with great potential to scale. As someone who has personally benefited from great mentors and development opportunities throughout my career, I look forward to partnering with Vuyiswa to strengthen her networks and create experiential learning opportunities that will help take SAIBPP and those it empowers to new levels of impact.”

SAIBPP is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 to address the under representation of previously marginalized groups including people of color, women and youth in the property industry and related value-chain. The organization is tasked with creating, running and facilitating programs with a core focus on education, small and medium size enterprise development, skills development, and advocacy in the property sector and built environment. SAIBPP currently has 926 members comprised of corporate members, individuals and state-owned entities / government departments.

“I want to thank Fortune and the U.S. State Department for selecting me to participate in this special mentorship program,” said Mutshekwane. “Through this program and Blackbaud’s mentorship, I’ll be able to collaborate with innovative, purpose-driven leaders to help amplify the work we are currently doing, and most importantly, contribute positively to the future of Africa.”

For more information about Blackbaud, visit www.blackbaud.com.

About Blackbaud

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

Media Contact
Nicole McGougan
Public Relations Manager
843-654-3307
media@blackbaud.com