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A Curious Life – Original Poem

April 26, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

I want to remember this moment just as it is
A perfect picture of time
Frozen

It’s funny how the special things in life never last
Maybe they do in this curious life

The picture albums stored in our head
The postcards with words we almost said
A vision of a time when we were so carefree
Birds in the wild flying out to sea

A curious life filled with minutes and seconds
Pressed between the books dried and preserved

In pictures and film and stories we tell
A legacy we will leave for the next generation to tell

There won’t be snow in Africa
Nor rain inside this desert
Children will pray for food while we hope for the sun to shine on our beaches
Guns kill the innocent
Greed destroys the ideals of the generous

In this curious life

Flipped upside down with terror on top
A world of mayhem led by the devil’s own
Jester and joker so wild and free
No sign of superhero to save you and me

In this curious life

We feed our mind, body and spirit with the loins of the Earth
Energy exchanged
A soul to search
A time to hope, a time to pray
Spinning out of control, a world in dismay

Here I stand, a moment so pure
Holding on tight, so secure

In this curious life

Lowcountry

Charleston is asking its residents to save our hospitality industry but did the city and the industry turn on its locals first?

April 25, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

You all remember the moment when you saw the first crane over the Charleston skyline. Then another. Then another. Seven years later you don’t remember a moment when every corner of the city and within the metro was nothing more than a constant race up to the sky. That is when the narrative of our city began to change. Our story took a turn and residents no longer became the characters, but the audience as the focus became very clear: Design a city with a single focus, tourism and an economic model focused on the profitability of this new population of travelers.

Eager investors both locally and outside our region saw this as an opportunity while others bore witness to gentrification and a cleansing. The city of Charleston was changing, but not for the betterment or wishes of its citizens. A body of elected individuals turned their backs on its own people to open the flood gates of tourism, spiked prices, rents, and taxes.

Within our local media, there was an opportunity to become ambassadors to speak on behalf of its readers, but they sensationalized the news they knew would sell newspapers and advertising. For every new development, hotel, boutique, and high-end store that opened or came under contract, they promoted it as top news knowing it would stir the emotional pot and sell media.

Today we look upon the empty restaurants and wake up each day to a new reality. Our local leaders are asking its residents throughout the Lowcountry to come in and save the same industry that turned on them over the last five-plus years. COVID-19 may be the symptoms driving this new way of life, but it wasn’t the sole cause of the struggle.

Even restaurant proprietors saw the decline in local repeat business and began to franchise outside the city limits to Summerville, Nexton, Mount Pleasant and West Ashley.

As Charleston County began to grow at one of the fastest rates in the country for mid-sized communities, business owners and landlords began to take advantage by raising rents with no sign of rent controls or subsidized support.

Now a $1.75 billion seawall proposal in which Charleston would pay $600 million is being proposed to alleviate the pressures of the flooding. Not only is this 6 years late on a promise made by our current administration, but it is focused on the peninsula only where the tourism and economic drivers lie. For the communities outside of downtown Charleston, this will not address your flooding issues that will remain.

Walking the streets of Charleston is both beautiful and heartbreaking. To see the empty streets gives us the perspective to reflect on the history, architecture, and sincerity of its Southern roots, but to witness empty restaurants, curbside parking signs, blockaded parks, and restless uncertainty is difficult to see.

When and if we return to the life we once knew, it may be time to look at balance. Though tourism is crucial to our economic growth, we have a body of people new and old that have called Charleston home. We have chosen this area for its natural beauty, beaches, dining, countryside, recreation, dining, and sense of family. We have starting to drift away from that. It may take a catastrophic wake-up call, but now is the time to rethink our future.

Lowcountry

Charleston Non-Profit Amor Healing Kitching Announces Seed to Soul Home Dining Experience

April 24, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Charleston, S.C.- April 23, 2020- Charleston nonprofit Amor Healing Kitchen, which provides healthy meals cooked by teen chefs for locals facing serious health challenges, today announces its Seed to Soul home dining experience. While last year’s first annual Seed to Soul dinner took place under the stars on Johns Island, this year brings a 100% locally-curated four course meal directly to Charleston homes for Mother’s Day weekend. Families can purchase this home dining experience online for pick up at the Counter Culture Training Center (85 ½ Spring St.) on Saturday, May 9 (from 12-3 p.m.), with all proceeds going towards Amor Healing Kitchen’s mission to provide nutritious meals to those recovering from surgery and other medical treatments.

“Having to adapt fundraising efforts to our current times, we invite Charleston families to enjoy a beautiful, nourishing dinner together for Mother’s Day weekend,” shares Amor Healing Kitchen Founder and Executive Director Maria Kelly. “Every Seed to Soul order not only supports our local farmers, but provides healing meals to Charleston residents with severe health issues.”

The Seed to Soul at home dining experience is priced at $60 for one person, $120 for two and $200 for a family of four and includes:

· Four course meal from Chefs Justin Booher, utilizing 100% local ingredients:

1. Crudité, Green Herb Hummus & Crostini

2. Amor Healing Abundant Salad

3. Succotash with Fried Red Pea Patties, Spring Roasted Veggies w. Herb Pesto

4. Assorted Sweets and Cakes

· S.C. Flowers from Roadside Blooms

· Handmade Amor Healing Kitchen Candle

· Amor Healing Kitchen video showcasing table setting tips

Tickets can be purchased at www.amorhealingkitchen.org.

Diners are encouraged to take pictures of their Seed to Soul experience and tag @Amor_Healing_Kitchen on Instagram and Facebook.

Images of last year’s Seed to Soul dinner can be found HERE.

About Amor Healing Kitchen:

Amor Healing Kitchen provides nutritious, healthy food made with love by teen volunteers for people facing health challenges. Amor Healing Kitchen believes: food can be used as medicine to aid in recovery from surgery and medical treatments; educating ourselves and our community uncovers the connection between food and our health; teens can be empowered by teaching them kitchen and leadership skills; supporting our local farmers supports our overall economy; and making connections within our community builds a positive foundation for the future.

Lowcountry

A Message from Mayor Tecklenburg – Your Thoughts Needed (Flooding Related Issues)

April 23, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 crisis and keeping our citizens safe, we continue to work on important flooding related issues to ensure the long term resilience and viability of our City. One of these first steps was signing the agreement nearly 18 months ago (pictured below) for the City to partner with the Army Corps of Engineers. This important step is crucial as it is the key to unlocking federal dollars for large infrastructure projects related to flooding and sea-level rise.

Just a couple of days ago, the Army Corps of Engineers released its initial plan. The Corps put together a very helpful video that I wanted to share with you by clicking here. In addition to the video, the draft plans and frequently asked questions can be found by clicking here.

I encourage all of our citizens to review this plan carefully and offer comments. The next 60 days of public input will be vital to refining the plan, and helping to ensure that it meets the high standards set by our recent Dutch Dialogues Charleston project.

Again, here is the link to the project’s website to learn more about the project and to have your voice heard on this important project for our City.

Sincerely,

Mayor John Tecklenburg

Lowcountry

Palmetto Goodwill Opening its Retail Stores on April 25, 2020

April 23, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Palmetto Goodwill is committed to the health and safety of our employees, donors, shoppers, and program participants. As we continue to monitor the current situation and news coming out of our governor’s office, we want to make sure you all are kept informed with any new developments for our organization.

Beginning this Saturday, April 25, our retail stores will re-open with modified hours of operation and added safety precautions. Thanks to our generous donors, our stores will be full and able to support our valuable mission of getting people back to work.

Additionally, seven of our Career Opportunity Centers will reopen with limited hours and added safety precautions beginning Monday, April 27. Our virtual career center will also continue its operations to assist those unable to travel or prefer online services. Click here to learn more.

Even after our retail stores re-open, you may still choose to shop Goodwill from the convenience & safety of your home. Follow this link to visit Palmetto Goodwill’s online store and thrift great items at amazing Goodwill prices – all without getting up from your couch!

For more information on our re-opening, updated safety precautions, social distancing guidelines & other information please click here.

Lowcountry

Benefitfocus Launches Benefitplace.com Providing Lower Cost Health & Benefit Options for Displaced American Workers

April 22, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Platform offers essential benefit alternatives for people in a time of transition

Charleston, S.C. – April 22, 2020 – Benefitfocus, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNFT), a technology platform provider enabling rapid innovation for employers, health plans and consumers, has activated the next phase of its recently announced “For You” initiative to support employees of customers who have lost their job in these challenging economic conditions. Today the company launched www.benefitplace.com, a new website that makes accessible a variety of affordable individual and family health plans for employees who have been offered COBRA by their employers and are seeking lower-cost alternatives, as well as a variety of other products and services to support the well-being of displaced workers through this time of crisis and beyond.

“Connecting America’s workforce to the products and services that improve their health and financial well-being is at the core of what we do, and this is more relevant today than perhaps any time in the past 50 years,” said Ray August, president and CEO of Benefitfocus. “We are in a period of severe economic crisis and many workers fear for their continued health and other benefits coverage. With the launch of benefitplace.com, we’re here for our customers’ employees and their families to continue access to affordable and quality options.”

Now, with BENEFITFOCUS BENEFITPLACE™, as employers are faced with a cycle of workforce transition, affected employees have ready access to high-quality, cost-effective benefits. Within Benefitplace, workers who have been displaced and need options will be able to access:

· Health Plans: Flexible options for employees to purchase short- or long-term health plans for individuals and families in addition to ACA exchange policies or COBRA offered by their former employer

· Supplemental benefits: A comprehensive catalog of discounted benefit related products and services, such as dental, vision and accident coverage

· Year-round access: As affected employees transition into new job opportunities, or as family needs change, Benefitplace offers a range of options for them to make changes and select new benefits that will meet their life needs

· Employment Resources: Access to temporary or freelance employment opportunities with Benefitplace partners and customers

· For Life: Ability to maintain individual plans regardless of employment status, and stay connected to their prior employer for possible re-engagement when the business climate improves.

The launch of Benefitplace.com furthers the company’s mission to connect people with the benefits that improves their lives. As employers deal with this period of crisis, Benefitfocus offers tools and support to enable future return-to-work initiatives. To learn more, the business community is invited to join the ongoing series of webinars to discuss employee well-being, the national relief effort, business continuity strategies and HR best practices to inform employers’ pandemic response.

Connect with Benefitfocus

Access www.benefitplace.com

View webinar series

Like Benefitfocus on Facebook

Follow @Benefitfocus on Twitter

Follow Benefitfocus on LinkedIn

Follow Benefitfocus on Instagram

About Benefitfocus

Benefitfocus (NASDAQ: BNFT) unifies the entire U.S. benefits industry on a single technology platform to protect consumers for life. Our powerful cloud-based software, data-driven insights and thoughtfully-designed services enable employers, insurance brokers, health plans and suppliers to simplify the complexity of benefits administration and deliver health, wealth, property and lifestyle products through a world-class benefits experience. Learn more at www.benefitfocus.com, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results or performance might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the need to innovate and provide useful products and services; privacy; security and other risks associated with our business; the immature and volatile nature of the market for our products and services; risks related to changing healthcare and other applicable regulations; our ability to compete effectively; management of growth; our ability to maintain our culture and recruit and retain qualified personnel;  and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in our SEC filings, copies of which are available free of charge within the Investor Relations section of the Benefitfocus website at http://investor.benefitfocus.com/sec-filings or upon request from our investor relations department. Benefitfocus assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. 

Lowcountry

Palmetto Project is #heretohelp with your insurance and unemployment benefit options

April 21, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

We want you to know that during the COVID-19 stay at home order, Palmetto Project and Insure SC staff are working remotely and we are still #heretohelp.

If you or a family member have recently lost a job and/or insurance, please call us so that we can discuss your health insurance and unemployment benefit options.

Our staff is committed to helping all South Carolinians access quality, affordable preventive, primary, and specialty healthcare services. We are also able to help you navigate state government to access benefits and services for which you qualify.

Text PALMETTO to 56512 to receive our Palmetto Project text alerts

Lowcountry

Mayor Tecklenburg outlines a 3-Step Plan from Response to Recovery

April 19, 2020

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

When the City of Charleston issued the stay-at-home order a few weeks ago, the primary goal was to “flatten the curve” so as to not overwhelm our hospital capacity and to greatly reduce the spread of contagion. I have been encouraged by the most recent numbers which are a testament to our citizens staying smart, staying distanced, and listening to medical experts. The plan to “flatten the curve” has and is continuing to work and we must be vigilant to keep Charleston from becoming a “hotspot”.

As we continue to flatten the curve, it is time to ready our strategic reopening to avoid any resurgence or spikes of the virus. I view this challenge in three ways:

• Protecting the lives and wellness of our citizens
• Keeping our hospitals from being overwhelmed
• Maintaining economic activity and core government services until a vaccine or treatment becomes available

Step I, we are still in the midst of, we are not out of the woods yet as we will continue to practice steps to stop the spread of the virus.

Step II, A strategic reopening relies on certain healthcare conditions being in place and then appropriate actions that we are planning for now:

After a strategic reopening, we can then start Step III of the plan to fully restore our economy with added resilience but we must rely on the advice of our medical experts. To see the full slideshow on the three-step plan for recovery that was discussed this week at City Council, click here.

I know this has been an unprecedented and tough time for our community, our state, and our nation but I also have faith in our resilience. Working together and keeping Charleston from becoming a “hotspot” will greatly increase our economic recovery. Thanks to everyone for your collaboration!

Sincerely,

Mayor John Tecklenburg

Lowcountry

Charleston Announces Adopt a Local Restaurant Campaign

April 18, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Charleston Announces Adopt a Local Restaurant Campaign

Charleston, S.C.- April 17, 2020 – Lowcountry Local First (LLF), Charleston’s 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to cultivate an economy anchored in local ownership, has partnered with local business coach Thomas Heath to launch the “Adopt a Local Restaurant” campaign. Aimed to help the Lowcountry’s food and beverage companies and their staff stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis, this campaign encourages the community to participate in one of two ways:

“Adopt” your favorite local restaurant, brewery, distillery, or wine distributor by pledging to order from them a minimum of once a week (be sure to call the restaurant directly to place your order).
If your favorite food or beverage business has paused its operations, “adopt” them by pledging to contribute to their employee fund or virtual tip jar.

“The initial idea for the campaign came to me after I ordered takeout from one of my favorite local restaurants, the Grumpy Goat on James Island,” shares Heath. “I saw how much they were struggling and decided right there that I would ‘adopt’ them by ordering take out at least once a week while encouraging others to do the same.”

“The new Adopt a Local Restaurant campaign aims to further engage our Charleston community in assisting our beloved food and beverage employees during this time of desperate need,” shares Lowcountry Local First Executive Director Jamee Haley. “Our hope is that hundreds and eventually thousands of locals will participate is this generosity movement and give back to our favorite Charleston restaurants that have always given so much to us.”

Patrons who wish to pledge their support are encouraged to upload this graphic to their social media, filling in the blank to signify they are adopting a restaurant in one of the two ways listed above. In addition, Charleston food and beverage businesses wishing to be “adopted” are encouraged to upload this graphic to their social media. Both restaurants and patrons should use the hashtag #adoptarestaurantchs when sharing their campaign experiences. A list of businesses offering take-out / delivery and more can be found at buylocalchs.com.

The Adopt a Local Restaurant campaign is made possible with the support of local graphic designer Andrew Barton and PR professional Charlotte Berger.

For more information on the Adopt a Local Restaurant campaign, including access to graphics, visit www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/adopt.

Lowcountry

When the World United in Music – Through the Years

April 16, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Musicians, actors, and celebrities coming together in song for a cause have been part of our global culture for a long time. It is times like that that we look to reflect. What better way to reflect than to look back at some of the group musical causes.

Voices That Care – Supporting ou Soldiers (March 13, 1991)

Do They Know Its Christmas – Band-Aid (Recorded November 25, 1984) – Famine Relief in Africa (UK)

Tears Are Not Enough – Northern Lights – Recorded February 10, 1985 – Famine Relief – Canada

Imagine – Unicef World Version – Recorded September 23, 2016

We Are the World – Recorded January 28, 1985 – Famine Relief – United States

We Are the World for Haiti – Recorded February 1, 2010 – United States

Artists Against AIDS Worldwide – What’s Going On – Recorded October 30, 2001

Rap Against Dictatorship – 2018 Worldwide

Playing for Change – What a Wonderful World – 2012 – Worldwide

Broadway for Orlando – 2016 – What the World Needs Now