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.

10 Charleston activities to warm the winter blues

January 23, 2016

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

As we wistfully watch the snow flurry disappear from our radar and bask in our moment of wintry bliss, we are reminded of the few months a year where we must dust off our winter attire and embrace those days of chilly temperatures. As we continue into the last remaining months of winter, we wanted to provide you with a list of 11 indoor activities that are fun, engaging and will keep you warm while the weather is cold.

Wine & Design – 1331 Ashley River Road, West Ashley, SC – How about you and that special someone or your closest group of friends enjoy an evening of wine and paint. Unlock your creative side while enjoying a nice velvety Cabernet or Malbec.

SkyZone – 411 Wando Park Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC – Trampoline! Trampoline! Trampoline! You won’t find a better way to relief your body from a day of inactivity and work all those muscles than jumping on trampolines.

Coastal Climbing – 708 King Street, Charleston, SC – Yes, Charleston has indoor rock climbing. Get out your gear and reach for the skies.

Museums – Charleston has some wonderful museums that can be shared with children and adults alike. We would like to recommend two for you. North Charleston Fire Museum and Charleston Museum.

Comedy Anyone? – Charleston has a small but talented comedy scene and one worth checking out. With a blend of localized humor and national subject matter, you are bound to find some great evenings of laughter. We recommend Theater 99 at 280 Meeting Street with shows every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and many shows on Thursday.

This one may seem a little silly for this list, but why not ice skating. Carolina Ice Palace at 7665 Northwoods Blvd, North Charleston has skating 365 days a year including lessons, open skate, ice hockey leagues and party rentals. We sometimes go just to watch a little league play.

Live Team Trivia – Throughout the Lowcountry bars and restaurants open their venues one night a week for competitive live trivia. Play alone or bring ten friends. This is an opportunity to have a drink or dinner, test your knowledge of history and pop culture and win some bar cash. Find a local spot and stretch those brain muscles.

Storytime Hours – Charleston County Public Libraries – Our library system offers open story readings for all ages throughout the county. Bring the infants and young adults for a day or night of imagination.

Charleston Rush Indoor Go-Karting and Lazer Tag – 3550 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston – Open 365 days a year, this indoor fun park offers karting, lazer tag and an arcade to keep everyone’s energy level high.

Redux Studios Adult Creative Classes – 136 St. Philips Street, Charleston, SC – From etching to drawing to painting, Redux offers classes to help you fine tune your creative skill set. Register today and begin to share your talents with the world.

Yelp honors its top contributors with the first Yelp Charleston Awards at 5Church

January 21, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon - Photo by Victoria Armstrong — By Mark A. Leon – Photo by Victoria Armstrong

Last evening, the most noted members of the Yelp Charleston community, arriving in dresses, tuxedos and bow ties took part in an award ceremony in an intimate room at the new 5Church Restaurant on Market Street. Hosted by community manager Scotty Carpenter, this dinner and ceremony celebrated the thriving restaurant and retail industry in Charleston, SC and decorated those that have dedicated themselves to providing insightful reviews for locals, tourists and future patrons.

Yelp is a multi-platform website and app where patrons can review businesses, provide tips and photos and make reservations through its online system SeatMe. This platform is used globally and allows for honest and open shared conversation about experiences including restaurants, retail, parks, sites and services.

Many geographic regions have a community of socially aware users that partner to provide the most detailed perspective so customers can make educated decisions on where to dine, shop and play. With the close microscope on the growing scene at home, Charleston is no exception. Each region has a manager who serves as event planner, coach and cheerleader. Charleston’s group is led by Scotty Carpenter, who just celebrated three years in the role.

Charleston’s cultural explosion in hospitality and retail has donned a great deal of excitement and competition and through nothing more than dedication, this group of “Elite” users are giving back by providing the best input of their personal experiences.

On Tuesday Night, 5Church, in the location formally housed by Mad River, hosted this group of super users with an Oscar worthy three course meal, wine and cocktails. The Yelp Elite community was treated to a night where Yelp corporate and the collective businesses of Charleston said thank you.

From Review of the Year to Most Valuable Yelper to Best Photographer, the winners came up through the red carpet, posed for pictures and there was even room for a speech for the Lifetime recipient.
The next time you are dining out and not sure if you want to take the risk, turn to Yelp and think about those that utilize their writing and photography skills to provide you with insightful content to help you make the most educated decision.

The key to life is happiness; the key to happiness is good judgement and the fuel is knowledge sharing.
To the Tim’s, Wendy’s, Mike’s and Lauren’s, bon appetite and thank you for sharing your thoughts on Charleston with the world.

Finding Hope in Tragedy: Threshold Repertory Theatre presents a riveting adaptation “Of Mice and Men”

January 18, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon - Photo courtesy of Mystic Productions — By Mark A. Leon – Photo courtesy of Mystic Productions

Companionship is the only thing that keeps this lonely journey of life bearable.

During the Great Depression, America became lost; a feeling so void of emotion that the idea of existence was the only medicine in a society exposed to a viral disease leaving our country numb. Within this melting pot of nameless faceless wanderers without dreams, without hope, were the migrant farmhands who bailed hay to make enough money to drown their sorrows in whiskey and the company of a young woman behind closed doors. This is the world of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Director Chris Weatherhead took this depression-era classic and has given it a new life at the Threshold Repertory Theatre in Charleston, SC

Actor Daniel Jones’ depiction of the mentally-delayed Lennie, whose brute strength and infantile maturity, was one blessed with inspiration. Some of his more poignant moments came when he did not speak, but as a member of the audience you were drawn into his empty gaze. Within his eyes, one can see Lennie is disconnected from reality and viewing the world from a place of imagination. I found myself reflecting on my youth when I saw Lennie’s limitless world, where his dreams blocked the harshness of reality. Lennie’s American Dream was that of a young boy who liked to embrace comforting objects, laugh and find a place to call home.

Philip Gajewski’s empowered performance as George was one filled with palpable frustration. Through years of caring for a mentally challenged friend, George developed a facade of mistrust and aggressive, yet gentle vigilance over Lennie. He also showed an inviting side, making him authentic and approachable. As a first time player at Threshold, he gave a masterful lead performance.

Daniel and Philip were complimented with seamless synergy by the supporting cast that included the tall gentleness of Paul O’Brien as Slim and rough jealousy of Mike Kordek as Curly. Nat Jones played the role of Candy beautifully, with his one arm holding on to the last bit of hope and Kyle Taylor portrayed a damaged and subjugated soul who has accepted his place in society (Crooks) as a black man during the Depression. Daniella DeRobbio, one of the only female cast members, plays the painfully lonely farmer’s wife.

With each passing interaction, the thought of two men traveling together baffled the farmers and even led Slim to theorize that maybe we are all just afraid of each other. Trust plays a deep underlying theme in this production as this group of strangers must determine what elements of trust can be extracted in order for them to fulfill their personal dreams.

This production exposes the audience to a deep underlying theme of unspoken friendship. In a period where blacks and whites were treated differently and the poor were second class citizens treated with just enough respect to keep them from insanity, this play drives three key relationships: Candy with his aging crippled dog, Slim and Crooks who value companionship over societal norms favoring racism, and Lennie and George whose unique caretaker/partner relationship is more complex than it seems.

From the opening scene, where Lennie and George lounge on a hilltop by a tree stump eating beans, looking at one chapter of their lives close and another about to begin, you see a bond established in the backdrop of a nation struggling for answers. Like a father to his child, George tells a tale where Lennie plays with the rabbits all day, they have a home to call their own, they work only 7 or 8 hours a day and they live by their own rules. George doesn’t believe his words, but he knows Lennie does. As the story evolves, Candy, Crooks and even George begin to believe. Not just because they truly feel this dream is attainable, but because they have to believe there is something better.

The conflict of the play comes in the form of a beautiful, dark-haired young lady who belongs to the boss’s son, Curly. She is torn by a life of emptiness and unfulfilled promise of a new beginning in Hollywood. Her alienation from the men and jealousy of her husband drives a spike through her foundation of sanity. Her loneliness clouds the judgement of the men and creates the illusion she is a tramp, not a woman, just seeking a friend to talk to.

The foreshadowing of her ambitions and flirtatious behavior scripts an impending doom and casts a cloud over a group of ranchers who cannot remember the feel of sunlight warming their souls.
The director and cast remind us that good and bad is not black and white. We are all flawed; flawed by our upbringing; our surroundings, our influences; our ambitions and fears. It is this dichotomy that as an audience member, left me mixed with hope, rage, pain and faith.

The cast collectively took the characters in this classic and channeled them the way not many theater companies could. They internalized a life of struggle and put themselves in a position of alienation, where the only means of survival are the brief moments of escape. They captured the crudeness of slang language, fleeting moments of trust between untrusting humans and the rough conditions of poverty, bringing the audience to a place we have never seen or experienced. This production was poignant and hopeful for better days ahead, the days that our nation now enjoy.

We urge you to join Chris, Daniel, Philip and the rest of the exceptional cast for a night of reflection, struggle, friendship, hope and moments that will resonate with your own life.

Ticket Information for Of Mice and Men

What is the value of living in Charleston, SC?

January 12, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

I know many have witness an increase in prices across the board from restaurant meals, to rent, to housing costs, to entertainment. We have been engrossed in a renaissance of cultural and economic explosion and it has affected our wallets. Lets look at Charleston by the numbers and see the changes by the statistics.

Household Value / Rent / Income Summary

Median Gross Rent (2013): $970
Median Household Income: $54,970 ($35,295 in 2000)
Estimated average house and/or condo value: $241,500 (SC Average: $139,200)

*city-data.com

2015 Charleston City Budget – 187,752,856 (Up 4.75% from 2014)

Revenues: $149,378,687

Expenditures: $154,496,385

General Fund Deficit: -$5,117,698

Per Capita Income (www.usa.com) – Based on Data from 2010-2014

Charleston – $33,117
South Carolina – $24,222
United States – $28,555

Median Individual Annual Income:

Charleston – $30,706 / South Carolina – $26,972 / United States – 30,815
Males: Charleston – $35,663 / South Carolina – $31,966 / United States – $36,116
Females: Charleston – $26,782 / South Carolina – $22,711 / United States – $25,692

Taxes:

Sales Tax – Charleston, SC – 8.500% / South Carolina – 6.000%
Hospitality Tax / Restaurant Tax – Charleston, SC – 2.000% / Total Restaurant Tax – 10.500%
Tour Tax – Charleston, SC – $0.50 fee on every ticket of admission
Hotel Tax – Charleston, SC – 12.500%http://www.areavibes.com/charleston-sc/cost-of-living/

Population Categorized by Career Industry

Top population: Management, Business, Finance – 15.160%
Lowest population: Farming, fishing, forestry – 0.170%
Top income category: Less than 15K – 16.510%
Lowest percentage income category: Between 150K – 200K – 4.420%

Cost of Living Index – Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC – 112
South Carolina – 95
National (United States) – 100
Housing Index: Charleston, SC – 131 / South Carolina – 78 / United States – 100
Utilities Index: Charleston, SC – 112 / South Carolina – 104 / United States – 100
Groceries Index: Charleston, SC – 108 / South Carolina – 109 / United States – 100
Health Care Index: Charleston, SC – 107 / South Carolina – 100 / United States – 100

Friends to Avoid on Facebook

January 12, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Facebook has become a wonderful tool for global social interaction without actually having to interact. We can check the local weather from friends posting on their drive to work, get the most recent viral videos about crazy cats or dancing old ladies and of course endless online game requests. It clearly is the next stage in our evolutionary development. We would have no clue about the next celebrity death if it wasn’t for our favorite social media frenzy trends.

There are also key indicators and behavior that give us a better understanding of the types of friends we interact with and there are some “friends” you want to avoid.

Here are a few clear signs of Facebook friends you want to avoid in “real” life.

The friend that does daily affirmation posts about what they are thankful for – This is a very strong indicator of low self-esteem and an individual yearning for acceptance, even in a virtual community.
The constant self portrait taker – First, this person has a lot of time to themselves. That could be a big red flag and they continuously post pictures of themselves in the mirror, car, beach or sitting at home. If they need to be their own personal paparazzi for attention, this is an indicator of someone that needs attention constantly.
The Constant Game Requester – Just plain annoying. We went through the Atari, GameBoy, PlayStation, Xbox and Wii addiction already. It is old and boring.
The Foodie – If you feel the obsessive need to take a picture of every meal and describe every ingredient, start a food blog unless you are too lazy to actually put effort into writing.
The Check-In Person – The one who checks in to every place they go including but not limited to laundry mats, bakeries, restaurants, work, bus stops, beach, bathrooms, rest stops, airports and grocery stores. Is there a reason we need to know everywhere you go on a given day? Does this make your life more important than ours? Inquiring minds want to know.
The “What is everyone doing today” Person – Yes, there are those that have 1000 Facebook friends but need to reach out to everyone to find someone to have brunch with or hang out with. This could be a big blinking light of “panic”.
The Political Activist – Political activism is a good thing. It is a healthy part of our democratic process. Facebook gives us the option to write quick and candid posts without thinking through the logic and consequences of the comment. Sometimes a little too radical can go a long way in the wrong direction.
The Bad Mouther – The person that takes every little wrong in life and blames someone publicly on Facebook and typically with a rated “R” dialogue. That doesn’t need much more explanation.
The Facebook Stalker – They are a little harder to detect, but they are constantly checking your status updates. A few signs you have a Facebook are are 1. They comment or “like” on most of your posts, 2. Show up randomly at places you have checked into or 3. They start liking things you like on Facebook or adding friends that you are friends with.
Pet Profile – This is the person that creates a profile for their pet cat, dog, hamster, gerbil or other little furry creature. Some give them human characteristics and some disguise it as their own profile to avoid others knowing about their deviant lifestyle. Either way, a little weird.

There you have it.

Your personal guide to the people you should avoid on Facebook.

Print it out.

Bookmark it,

Put it in your wallet and use it often as a reference.

Are you registered Charleston? It’s time to make a difference and give back

January 12, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Polish off those walking shoes and dust off your wallets. Stop hiding under the covers thinking it could not possibly get any colder. Dust off that Fitbit and make a difference in Charleston. It is time to think about health and wellness and your emotional openness to the community.

Here are a few events you should be a part of because Charleston cares.

10th Annual Charleston Walk for Water – Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM – In some areas of the world, women and children walk 2 – 3 hours to find, collect and carry water for basic survival. This event brings awareness and raises funds to help communities who deal with these basic struggles every day.
2016 MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund Raising Events Calendar
Chase After a Cure 8th Annual Gala – Saturday, February 6, 2016 – Chasing away childhood cancer with every dollar raised.
33rd Lowcountry Oyster Festival – Sunday, January 31, 2016 – Benefiting: The Ronald McDonald House, Hollings Cancer Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Charleston County Schools Science Materials Resource Center.
Gourmet and Grapes – Friday – Sunday, February 19 – 21 – Kiawah Island – Don’t miss Gourmet & Grapes at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. This weekend-long culinary extravaganza will include a black-tie dinner with a James Beard Award winning chef, champagne, wine and food seminars, a grand Wine Odyssey Gala, and exquisite Sunday Brunch. Gourmet & Grapes also features a live and silent auction with a vast selection of items including international getaways and one-of-a-kind private dinner parties.
JDRF One Walk – Sunday, March 6, 2016 – Daniel Island – The goal of creating a world without Type 1 Diabetes.
Push-up & Up Challenge – Saturday, May 14, 2016 – Marion Square, Charleston – Push-Up & Up’s mission is to raise awareness and money to support proven programs in dropout prevention.
Relay for Life – Supporting the American Cancer Society – Saturday, May 14, 2016 – West Ashley

Show how much you care for Charleston and its people.

Message in a Bottle – A Letter to the World Launched from Morris Island Beach

January 11, 2016

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

This morning I took the opportunity to spend a comfortable winter day on the beach and connect with the Morris Island Lighthouse on Folly Beach just outside of Charleston. As a gesture to the new year and the annual time of reflection, I wrote a letter. This was a letter to those in my past and those yet to be in my future. It is a message of thanks.

This letter was carefully placed in a bottle and sent out to the vast wide ocean. Where it ends up, I do not know, but what better way to send a message to everyone that has and will be in my life than to send it out to the most awesome thing on this Earth, the ocean..

Here is the letter that is hidden in a bottle floating in the ocean…

To all the wayward travelers of the world, on land and sea,

Life is a journey, corrupt to the core but full of majesty in very unexpected places.
With each passing day, we are faced with challenges and decisions that bring our virtues to the brink.
Life is not an easy path.

For some with faith in humanity and religion, it is but a test to the greater haven of eternity. For others, it is an eager opponent strategizing the next move. We will transform from innocent children to mature elders and along the way create a scrapbook of memories. Not just to look back on and reflect, but to hand down to the next participants in this game of Life.

Today as I look out upon the ocean, I see my future and my past crashing down with each wave. Some high and mighty; some soft and subtle. The ocean is the truest metaphor of life. It is infinite to the human eye, more powerful than any living being and yet so soft and comforting as the waters coat our bodies.

I am in awe with each footstep in the sand I leave behind.

I yearn for peace, I pursue adventure, I welcome silent comfort.

That is just it.
All of it.

We all need a spectrum of emotion to make us complete.

I have loved and lost, like most of us.
Do I live in regret for any of the loves I have lost?
I do not.

Some have married, made dramatic change and achieved great success.
For those, I smile and continue to wish them well

Each life that has passed through me reinforces my commitment to dream. As I work to make my dreams a reality, I offer this letter of thanks.

The letter and the bottle that I place it in is a vessel being sent out to all those that have been a part of my past and those in my future yet to meet.

I toss this into the ocean in hopes someone will find and carry this message forward.

Charleston Girl Perfume – The Fragrance of Elegance

January 10, 2016

by Charleston Daily 3 Comments

I had the pleasure of sitting down and getting to know Kelly Gaskins, creator and owner of Charleston Girl Perfume. She has got to be one of the most driven young ladies that I have ever met. Since launching her brand in 2012, Kelly went from 300 bottles that she filled, packaged, marked and sold by herself, to having a multiple product line that can be found in 70 stores, along with her online store. And she’s not stopping there! She is continuously coming up with ideas to grow the brand, and will be attending the largest retail trade show in America in just a few days.

How does one go from having such a small product size to having body lotion, shower cream, a rollerball, and of course the original eau de parfum? Kelly built her business slowly, smartly, and with a lot of passion. She believes in her product and believes that her customers deserve nothing but the best. Her products are paraben-free, without any harsh chemicals, and she wouldn’t dream of animal testing! They are also all made right here in the USA. She even gives each bottle a touch of love with her signature red bow that is handmade right here in Charleston, SC.

What makes Charleston Girl stand out against other perfumes? Aside from it’s enchanting scent, Charleston Girl products are easy on the skin. As a redhead who is sensitive to products with a lot of smelly stuff in them, I was excited to try Charleston Girl. As someone who also has eczema, I can personally attest to the sensitiveness of these products. I can’t use a lot of fragrancy lotions and such, but I had no problem with Charleston Girl products!

The perfume will become one of your favorite fragrances without overpowering you or those around you. The shower cream will leave you feeling extra refreshed, and the body lotion leaves your skin feeling silky smooth.

When Kelly found herself unhappy with her situation as a journalist in Tennessee, she did some soul searching to figure out where her true calling was. She found it back here in Charleston, right where she started. She won’t hesitate to admit that it hasn’t been without obstacles, but nothing that a strong Charleston lady like Kelly couldn’t overcome. She also gives back to the community through her business. Just this past December, Charleston Girl Perfume donated 5% of all online sales to Keeper of the Wild, a local non-profit who cares for injured, sick, orphaned or displaced wildlife with the intention of returning them to their homes in the wild.

Charleston Girl is more than just a perfume. It is a symbol of what Charleston is. Whether you have lived in Charleston all your life, or have visited for the weekend, Charleston is a place that never leaves your heart. Charleston Girl is a reminder of those fond moments you have while you are here. Even if you have never visited Charleston, you can feel the sophistication, elegance, and sexiness when you wear Charleston Girl products. It is a fragrance that goes with every season, and every occasion.

For more information on Keeper of the Wild, and their upcoming oyster roast, check out their Facebook page.

20 Ways to Start Out The New Year Right – Because it’s not too late!

January 10, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Send out Thank You cards.
We know you got at least one awesome Christmas present! Chances are you got more, maybe even more than you needed. Let your loved ones know just how much their hard thought, time and money is appreciated!
Download a new album. –Or for us old school folks, buy a new CD.
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” –Berthold Auerbach Crank it up, kick off that dust and live life!
Start setting a little money aside each week for that dream vacation.
Summertime sneaks up and you are left with a wanderlust accompanied by a low bank account. Avoid this disappointment in 2016 by anticipating your getaway.
Get involved.
With so many opportunities around Charleston to participate in a worthwhile cause, you have no reason not to get involved. It doesn’t have to be a long term commitment; it can be something as simple as hanging out with the animals at one of the local shelters. Need ideas on how to get involved? Check out our article Volunteer Opportunities in the Lowcountry – Get Involved.
Drop the resolution!
I’ve never really believed in New Year’s resolutions, for a few different reasons. #1) If you really want to make a change in your life, you should do so now, not wait for the beginning of a new year. #2) Chances are you’ll just end up disappointing yourself. Even if you start off with the best of intentions and things are going great, most of the New Year’s resolutions I hear about simply do not stick. By the end of February, if not earlier, they are forgotten about all together. #3) That’s a lot of stress to put yourself, and your loved ones, under. Usually these resolutions involve some massive change and you tend to think the change can come January 1^st. Why do that to yourself? #4) They usually involve something completely unoriginal and something that really didn’t have a lot of thought put into it in the first place. You deserve better for yourself than that.
Wash your car.
Don’t neglect the thing you rely on most everyday. Add it into your organizational plans.
Pick up a book.
Books help open our minds and allow us to escape to anywhere our imaginations can go. Make the time to unwind, relax your mind, and snuggle up with a good story.
Decide to love yourself.
This doesn’t mean simply saying you love yourself, but just like in your relationships with others, you have to show yourself that you do. This includes eating right, getting enough sleep at night, exercising regularly, taking time for yourself, saying “no” when you can’t do something for someone -and feeling okay about it- and any other special way you can prove to yourself that you matter.
Change your air filter.
Another friendly service reminder courtesy of Charleston Daily. You’ll thank us later!
Meditate.
There are so many benefits to meditation! It is a stress relief, it helps with focus, it helps to reduce anxiety, it boosts your creativity, and it can aid in relieving depression, but the list goes on! Just devoting ten minutes a day can make a significant difference in your life.
Go watch a movie by yourself.
It’s really not as bad as it sounds. Trust us on this one and give it a chance.
Make a plan.
This can include absolutely anything. You’ve just got to get the ball rolling. Totally different than a resolution! Really put some though into it, set small goals and work on them at your own pace. You’ll have more success with the results sticking this way. The best ideas start out with a good plan.
Spend a sunset at the Battery.
There are many beautiful spots to watch the sunset around Charleston. The Battery is one of our favorites. You can spend the afternoon enjoying White Point Garden, have a picnic, walk around, or relax on one of the benches, then take in a spectacular sunset before ending your day.
Spend the night at a fancy hotel or bed and breakfast (preferably one with a big tub).
Just have a change of scenery for a moment. It can help give you new insights on what’s really going on in your life. Do it locally so you eliminate the stress of traveling. Our recommendation? The Battery Carriage House Inn located in beautiful downtown Charleston.
Donate to a local charity.
Of course charities will always welcome a monetary donation. But you actually don’t have to have any money at all to donate to most charities. Clean out your closet, clean out your pantry, clean out your garage. You will find lots of things to donate to different organizations. You can also pick a charity, visit their website for their Wish List and grab something extra next time you are at the store.
Take a sunrise walk on the beach.
I realize this was included in our “List of things to do before the end of 2015”. Well, did you do it? There’s never a bad time to take a sunrise walk on the beach. -I might recommend waiting for a day when it’s not raining, but other than that you’re pretty golden!-
Pay off your lowest credit card.
When working on getting out of debt, experts recommend paying off the card that has the lowest balance first. Don’t neglect other cards you may have, but even if you can put an extra $10/month towards that one card, you will start seeing a difference a lot faster. –It also helps if you don’t add anything else to that card! –
Wake up fresh.
This idea comes with appreciation from my best 5 year old friend. When asked what I was writing, and I explained it to him, he took it upon himself to contemplate the subject and this was his first idea. I like it, a lot actually. So get your behind in bed at a decent time, snuggle in for more than your usual few hours, and wake up fresh!
Purchase that perfect outfit.
Start this year off looking and feeling fabulous! –Hey, everything’s on sale right now anyway! –
Have a dinner party.
This is a great way to connect or re-connect with friends. Plus throwing a party is just fun anyway. Good food, drinks, music, your closest friends…sounds like a great night to me!

20 Ways to Start Out The New Year Off Right – Checklist

Things that happened at the Trump Rally on the Yorktown you didn’t know about

January 9, 2016

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

The stage was set for a momentum building patriotic moment on the Yorktown on Pearl Harbor Day, 2015.

South Carolina, the most patriotic state in the United States; Check
The USS Yorktown, a symbolic of naval power and pursuit of freedom; Check
The leading Republican candidate for president; Check
Pearl Harbor Day; Check

Nothing could taint this event. Maybe a bombshell announcement from Donald Trump about banning Muslims from the US borders. That did sound shock waves through the media, but much of the disgust of the evening happened beyond the scope of the camera lenses.

This event was free to the community, a set number of tickets were allocated, TSA offered their service and equipment and the evening was a set for a structured and historic political event. Families, students, couples and veterans waited patiently on line to witness history.

Mistake #1 – They over allotted tickets and 300 plus people could not get in after some waited over two hours on line.

The honor of the political system was celebrated with hats, bumper stickers, shirts, hoodies and other memories of the event.

Mistake #2 – A group of nomadic opportunists travel from event to event seeing as much high profit merchandise as possible. Hats started the evening at $20.00 each and ended at $5.00. Hoodies were $40.00 initially and $20.00 at the conclusion and instead of bumper stickers that read “Trump for President” many read “Hillary for Prison” and “Bomb the Hell out of ISIS”. It was a poor representation of our nation. After many were cut off from being a part of the event on the Yorktown, organizers offered ground signs as a consolation.

The audience was comprised of civil minded individuals with open minds and strong supporters of the political process.

Mistake #3 – The traditional archetype of a Republican is a middle-upper class or upper class white professional with conservative views. Let us look at the current atmosphere of our nation. We have had a black president for two terms who has bailed out large corporations, forced healthcare and paid premiums on all Americans that do not have healthcare, opened the doors for the world to enter and failed in many foreign affairs. Now we have a very large disgruntled population: White, poor, now further enhanced racists who no longer want to support the liberal Democratic front and need a voice to follow. Take an out-spoken politician who believes every event should be a circus and now this large group of racially drive white trash has a leader.

As we stood on line, the mood got slowly worse until one statement was made that turned the tides for us and really set the stage for an embarrassing ending of the night. Right behind us, in front of his wife and children a father said “If if wasn’t for these dang Muslims, we wouldn’t be waiting here.” This statement was in reference to the TSA machines and the security check. We were embarrassed for Charleston and America in less than ten seconds.

Shortly after, a small group of protesters organized at one end of the parking lot. As the line continued to wait and people got impatient, pockets of attendees, mostly young adults started screaming “Get a job” or “Go home and get a job” (there were added profanities as well). To keep in line with the circus theme many got in front of the protestors, signs and police and began to take selfies to mock the event and get some much needed attention on Facebook.

It didn’t take long to walk away from this event and realize how bad we are letting ourselves become.

I have no opinion for supporters of Donald Trump. We are in a democratic society where we each have the right to vote and all I can say is that we need to exercise that right.