Lowcountry

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GALLERY: Discover Georgetown, South Carolina: America’s Coastal Small Town

July 10, 2017 by 7 Comments
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By Mark A. Leon

Just a stone’s throw away from Charleston, one hour north on Highway 17, is Georgetown, South Carolina, one of the many beautiful reminders of small town America.  This marina based town is rich in tradition, history and family values.  At its core, it is a proud town built on manufacturing and coastal commerce.  Over the years, this family rich culture has maintained the simplicity and wholesomeness of its founding days nearly 200 years ago.

Over the course of the day, we were greeted with open arms as the locals charmed us with an inviting atmosphere.  During the mid afternoon, I was walking on the marina boardwalk and I heard an acoustic guitarist singing “Let Her In” by Hootie and the Blowfish.  As he concluded, he shared an anecdote about playing guitar on King Street in Charleston when Mark Bryan, stopped and offered to play his second guitar and jam together.  This was one of the many warm feelings we had throughout the day, but none more enriching then breakfast at the Coffee Break Cafe among the locals over a fresh cup of hot coffee and a croissant sandwich.

The pride of Americana and the warm Southern charm of a traditional small town is alive and well in Georgetown, South Carolina.  We invite you to make an outing and discover Georgetown.  If you have the time, take Cap’t Rods Lowcountry Boat Tour’s 4 hour excursion which includes a boat ride to the old lighthouse, Shell Island, rice fields and so much more for only $35.00 a person (Monday – Saturday).  Of course, stop in to the local sweets shop for a mint OREO or homemade praline or the ice cream parlor for a cup of Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Ice Cream.

Come with us as we share our gallery of life in Georgetown, South Carolina

 

Coastal Carolina Research Boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee Break Cafe

 

 

 

 

Mural Street Front

 

 

Are you ready to your next South Carolina discovery?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lowcountry

Top Reasons Charleston Is Choosing Tourism over Basic Resident Livability

July 8, 2017 by 31 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

In a destination  city environment, the municipality walks a fine line between catering to the tourists and the local community.  It is a challenge to balance the needs of one without neglecting the other.  A number of factors play into the decisions around how each group is treated.  Often times, perception plays a part in people’s reactions to some decisions that may affect one group adversely.  We have looked at perception and reality and determined that is there a strong sentiment that local residents are losing the battle to tourism.

The separation point of perception and reality is data.  Data will always provide substantiated evidence.

We have looked at some data points, daily observation and chatter to compile a list of the reasons we feel the city is choosing tourism over resident livability.

  • Multi-million dollar investment firms from out of state and locally are monopolizing on an opportunity to reduce the historic footprint and create a new hospitality center focused on boutique hotels, luxury stay experiences and high end shopping and dining.  These investments range from small to large, including a group of New York investors that purchased the building housing Blind Tiger on Broad Street and the new $100M complex that is being planned for Spring and King.  In between, we are showered by the Dewberry, Spectator, Grand Bohemian, Zero George, Hyatt, Holiday Inn Suites and Hotel Bennett that are changing the face of historic Charleston.  When you have a hotel that can charge $600 a night while you still have issues around waste management and homelessness, it is time to re-think strategy.
  • Generation old local business are being forced out or into retirement due to urban pressures and rising rents.  2016 saw the end of Hughes Lumber, Bob Ellis Shoes, King Street Grille and Morris Sokol.   Those four foundations closing their doors speak volumes.  Even this past week, we heard that Fish will be closing on Upper King Street.
  • Limited improvements in roadway infrastructure.  A recent article in the Post and Courier indicated that Charleston residents are paying $1850 annually on average for car repairs due to the poor road systems as a result of the increased traffic in the surrounding counties.  In the cross town we added an aesthetically pleasing divider, yet there are cones, cranes and construction throughout the entire span with some projects taking us through 2020 and beyond.
  • Cost of dining and entertainment have forced many locals to reduce the amount of leisure activity.  With a 10.5% dining food tax and 15% alcohol and increased base prices across the board, the dining experience is shifting from a locals experience to a tourist luxury.
  • Increases in the price of parking garages and more opportunistic valet options.
  • Corporate transition of downtown Charleston – Hyatt, Vans, Forever 21, West Elm, 3 Starbucks on King Street alone (8 total downtown), Panera, Walgreens, Carolina Ale House, Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers, Chik-fil-a, Subway, Williams-Sonoma, Urban Outfitters and Earthbound.  The local names and generational families businesses are losing out to corporate brands.
  • Removing the only neighborhood grocery store in the Northern central part of the peninsula where most of the East Side would shop and masking the concern by funding short term busing options for the residents to get groceries out of the city limits.
  • A poorly managed parking meter system and mass transit service.  There are a few groups that are working hard to change the culture and promote a change in thinking around mass transit, but that isn’t enough.  When cities like Beaufort and Asheville have credit card meters and apps where you can pay, we are lagging far behind.
  • No monthly or annual subsidized parking for employees who work in downtown Charleston.
  • Limited enforcement of jaywalking laws and thus increasing risk of injury.  Limited proposals and implementations around increased biking options for residents.

These are a few of the major reasons, the emphasis is on the tourist and local residents are faced with daily challenges that will continue to mount over the upcoming years.

Lowcountry

Charleston, SC based Timesheet Panda Announces Launch of New Site for Employee Management

June 30, 2017 by 0 Comments
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TimesheetPanda.com provides free online timesheet software for managing employee time and schedules

Charleston, SC – June 30, 2017 /MarketersMedia/ —

Efficient and accurate employee scheduling is an essential part of a company’s success in today’s extremely competitive environment. Unfortunately, many company HR departments struggle with this process week after week. Traditional, manual methods of scheduling multiple employees are no longer efficient and can be impacted significantly by human error.

In an effort to help reduce the occurrence of scheduling mistakes and issues, Timesheet Panda has launched a new website at www.timesheetpanda.com.

“Our new site is designed to help companies see how our services can help them save both time and money,” stated Timesheet Panda representative Tom Cross. “No longer do businesses and employees have to deal with trying to read sloppy handwriting or try to figure out if employees are engaging in “time stealing.” Our process helps to automate everything, allowing a company’s HR department to focus on more pressing tasks.”

Timesheet Panda is designed to handle an array of tasks when it comes to employee’s schedules and the scheduling process. This includes tracking employees from any smartphone, tablet or computer, to provide instant alerts for early departures or late starts and provide managers the authority to edit worker’s timesheets.

“We want to make the entire process of creating timesheets easier and more efficient,” continued Cross. “It allows our clients to easily and quickly create schedules for a month, week or day, customize a shift according to title, pay rate and location and enables employees to facilitate their own shift switches with other works.”

Simplifying the scheduling process allows companies to improve employee satisfaction and ensure fewer mistakes are made. The innovative software solutions offered by https://www.timesheetpanda.com/, the recently launched website of Timesheet Panda, provides superior solutions that many companies are searching for, reducing wasted time, mistakes and unhappy workers.

ABOUT TIMESHEET PANDA

Timesheet Panda, which is a company that has been providing affordable and advanced employee time management solutions for 20 years, has recently launched a website explaining the services offered and making the more accessible by local companies. Dedicated to customer satisfaction, the company is continually searching for new ways to enhance the services they offer while ensuring time management is a top priority. The staff is committed to offering the highest quality products and guarantee their clients the lowest prices in this industry today. The company loves to help their clients grow and achieve successes they only dreamed were possible.

Contact Info:
Name: Tom Cross
Organization: Timesheet Panda
Phone: (866) 549-3101

Source URL: http://marketersmedia.com/timesheet-panda-announces-launch-of-new-site-for-employee-management/212968

For more information, please visit https://www.timesheetpanda.com/features

Source: MarketersMedia

Lowcountry

Crimson Screen Fest Horror Film Festival 2017: A Retrospective Look Back

June 12, 2017 by 0 Comments
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By Carla Adams

One may think that audience members at the Crimson Fest wear clown hair with fake blood drooling from their mouths as well as open wound makeup all over their arms, yet nothing could be further from the truth. For the past two years, I have attended the Crimson Fest Horror Film Festival in North Charleston and each time I have either laughed until it hurt, squished my eyes tightly shut while covering my ears, grabbed my neighbors arm or yelled out “can’t look yet” multiple times.

Besides the gore films at the Crimson Fest, there are also films of suspense, plain frightening ones or just silly ones like the “Scream” movies. The diverse range include full length features, shorts, animated and Claymation.

What truly sets the film fest aside from others I have attended is that these directors, producers and actors are having a blast doing what they love.

Along with the showings, many of the creative minds behind the films do the festival circuit attending and speaking with the guests about their films, process and inspiration. They are so enthusiastic about their craft. You are just as drawn into their process as the films themselves. Seeing them so excited about wanting to share this with their audience is totally cool and has made my experience better for it.

They openly shared their ideas from concept to reality, how they raised funding/backing, photography and filming tricks and writing process during the panel discussions. In fact, many took notes on what other filmmakers were saying. It really showed the collaborative mindset of the film industry.

So, if you are interested in spending a hot or rainy day inside a very dark theater in May 2018, attend the Crimson Screen Fest Horror Festival. It is affordable, entertaining and with the setting being in Park Circle, you can take part in the rich culture of the area with ample dining, bars and coffee shops.

Now if you will excuse me, I must try on some temporary scab tattoos I picked up for free at the festival.

Lowcountry

Charleston, SC Is Officially The Largest City in South Carolina: 4 of top 7 in Lowcountry

May 31, 2017 by 1 Comment
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The new census data reveals that Charleston now has 76 more people than Columbia making them the largest city in South Carolina.  Our area has 4 cities in the top 7:  Charleston #1, North Charleston #3, Mount Pleasant #4 and Summerville #7.

South Carolina’s largest cities

1. Charleston – 134,385

2. Columbia – 134,309

3. North Charleston – 109,298

4. Mount Pleasant – 84,170

5. Rock Hill – 72,937

6. Greenville – 67,453

7. Summerville – 49,323

8. Goose Creek – 42,039

9. Sumter – 40,723

10. Hilton Head – 40,500

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2016 population estimates

Also, Greenville is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States between 2015 and 2016.

Lowcountry

Beautiful Musical Tributes to Chris Cornell

May 28, 2017 by 0 Comments
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We lost a legend in the music industry. Chris Cornell was one of the pioneers of the early 90’s grunge sound that catapulted out of Seattle and took the music world by storm. His entrancing voice and poetic soul blessed us with Soundgarden, Audioslave and perhaps one of the most perfect partnerships, Temple of the Dog with Eddie Vedder.

His deeply penetrating lyrics and raw sound made him a visionary that will carry on for generations.

Over the last few days, artists around the world have paid tribute with comments, renditions and tears.

We have compiled some of the most amazing versions of Chris’ songs covered with poignancy and respect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPD8xQHbNDk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwL0i9BECb0

Rest Well Chris Cornell

Your music and poetry live on

Lowcountry

Charleston, South Carolina: Making Everyday Moments Count

May 25, 2017 by 0 Comments
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Walgreens Team Volunteers at the Charleston Ronald McDonald House

By Mark A. Leon

A community is measured by the acts of its people.  A collective passion for caring, giving and wellness.  A true partnership of innovation, conservation, change and faith.  These are the factors that make some places just a little bit more special.  It is the union of education, innovation, respect and promise that truly defines greatness.

Here in Charleston, we believe that our people define our culture.  It is a culture of hospitality with a smile, warmth through acts of kindness and faith in valuing the principles of the past and the possibility for the future.

Through our lifestyles, dining, activities, festivals, sense of family and marriage of nature, city and history that we have opened our gates and let our sunshine radiant onto you.

It is this foundation that of roots that continues to blossom with the rich colors of our Southern lifestyle.

We would like to share some of our stories of kindness and generosity with you.  Come with us as we tell a visual story to you of life in Charleston, South Carolina

 

Girl Scout Troop 446 volunteering at the Charleston Ronald McDonald House: Instagram – rmhcharleston

 

Wando Relay for Life volunteering their time at the Charleston Hope Lodge: Instagram – wando_r4l

 

Susan G. Komen Walk for Breast Cancer Research: Instagram – lolotaylo

 

Walk for Water – Water Mission: Instagram – bricwoods

 

Honoring Mother Emanuel AME: Instagram – imonly_saraa

 

Sea Turtle Rescue – South Carolina Aquarium: Instagram – scaquarium

 

Father and son team at Sandy Hill Organic Farms bring organic produce to local CHS businesses: Instagram – growfoodcarolina

 

Charleston Moves – Biking for a cause: Instagram – ryanmckieran

 

Preserving our beauty at the Charleston Parks: Instagram – charlestonparks

 

Charleston Friends of the Library with Lowcountry Live before big Beer for Books Fund Raiser: Instagram – chslibfriends

 

Nostalgic Graphic Tees donates to Lowcountry Orphan Relief: Instagram – nostalgictees

 

World Water Day support: Instragram – donate.squared

 

Thank you to all that care.

 

Lowcountry

Blackbaud CTO Mary Beth Westmoreland Named One of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology

April 11, 2017 by 0 Comments

Charleston, S.C. (April 07, 2016) – Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, today announced that Mary Beth Westmoreland, Blackbaud’s chief technology officer, has been named one of the 2017 Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council. This definitive list honors the most extraordinary female leaders, influencers and achievers impacting the technology industry.

Mary Beth was recognized for her leadership in Blackbaud’s transformation to a cloud software company that is innovative, agile, and successful, for her mentorship to inspire other women and for her commitment to corporate citizenship. She was named alongside women executives from other leading software companies including Angela Ahrendts of Apple, Safra Catz of Oracle, Ana Corrales of Google, Peggy Johnson of Microsoft, Virginia Rometty of IBM and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook.

“I want to thank the National Diversity Council for the honor of being named an influential woman in tech alongside these amazing leaders,” said Mary Beth. “But it’s the work of our talented engineers, architects, designers and all of our staff that made this possible. They challenge and inspire me every day, and I’m proud to share this recognition with them. I’m excited to be a part of an innovative, purpose-driven team and company that is truly powering an ecosystem of good.”

The National Diversity Council is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow in their knowledge of diversity and inclusion. The annual list recognizes female executives, influencers and achievers who contribute to the growth or strategic direction of their organization; demonstrate a commitment to corporate citizenship, integrity and ethical behavior; and serve as role models and mentors to inspire future generations of female professionals.

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, 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 relationship management, digital marketing, advocacy, accounting, payments, analytics, school management, grant management, corporate social responsibility, and volunteerism. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.

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

Lowcountry

Oak Steakhouse in Charleston, SC Named by TimeOut as one of the Top 20 Steakhouses in the United States

March 24, 2017 by 0 Comments

One of our own distinguished dining establishments has been given an amazing honor, named by TimeOut as one of the Top 20 Steak Houses in the United States.  For their 2017 survey results, Oak Steakhouse was named #15 standing proud with names like Peter Luger in New York, Cut in Los Angeles, and Dickie Brennan’s in New Orleans.

The article speaks very highly of Oak Steakhouse saying “Chef Jeremiah Bacon’s name might reference the humble pig, but his oeuvre at this Charleston steakhouse located inside an 1848 bank building is all beef, focusing on classics such as filets, rib-eyes and strips. Chef Bacon’s stints at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Le Bernardin and Per Se are on display in elevated starters and sides, including seared foie gras with Meyer lemon jam and decadent mac and cheese studded with pristine lobster.”

The Entire Top 20 Includes:

  • Cut – Los Angeles, CA
  • CarneVino – Las Vegas, NV
  • Peter Luger – New York, NY
  • Keens Steakhouse – New York, NY
  • Nick and Stef’s Steakhouse – Los Angeles, CA
  • Dickie Brennen’s Steakhouse – New Orleans, LA
  • Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse – Chicago, IL
  • Harris’ – San Francisco, CA
  • Red, The Steakhouse – Miami, FL
  • Moo – Boston, MA
  • Alfred’s Steakhouse – San Francisco, CA
  • Edge Steakhouse & Bar – Miami, FL
  • Charlie Palmer Steakhouse – Washington, D.C.
  • Butcher and Singer – Philadelphia, PA
  • Oak Steakhouse – Charleston, SC
  • Lonesome Dove – Fort Worth, TX
  • The Prime Rib – Baltimore, MD
  • Precinct – Cincinnati, OH
  • St Elmo Steakhouse – Indianapolis, IN
  • Kevin Rathbun Steak – Atlanta, GA

Complete List of Top 20 Steakhouses in the United States – TimeOut

Congratulations to Oak Steakhouse!

Lowcountry

Hutson Alley and its Family of Restaurants Take You Back to a Time of Hemingway and Gatsby

March 3, 2017 by 1 Comment

By Mark A. Leon

It is often said, we yearn for simpler times when a cocktail took time to be made properly with love and dining was an experience.  From the Ivy on the walls, live Jazz echoing throughout the alley to an eclectic mix of global dining options, Hutson Alley takes you to a different time.

So often overlooked, between the bustling King Street, Charleston Music Hall, Bus Depot, Museum Mile and Marion Square, but right in the heart of the social madness of Charleston’s economic stimulus, lies an alley that truly defines Southern charm.  With grace and dignity, this alley houses some of the finest dining and cocktails in all of Charleston, South Carolina.

On Thursday evening, I spend several hours exploring the culinary delights of Michael’s on the Alley, the Italian creations of Vincent Chiccos and the artistic cocktails of Victor Social Club.  During the evening, we were gracefully serenaded by a soothing jazz duo infusing 80’s and 90’s hits to jazz rhythms.

Starting with the Men Without Women cocktail, comprised of house infused fig bourbon, Grand Marnier and fresh lime, I was comfortably relaxed right under the stars surrounded by the marque lights of the restaurants and quiet alley corridor.  A beautiful creation that cooled the palate and complimented the assortment of appetizers which included bruschetta, Oysters Rockefeller and an assortment of sharp and mild cheese.

As you sit outside, feeling a slight warm night breeze giving you goosebumps, you somehow feel something enchanting happening as if you are taken back to the past when ladies wore flappers and the Charleston dance was all the rage.  Something almost beyond explanation.  It is difficult to explain how an alley just one street block long can provide an access point to a great escape filled with wonderful food, drink and memories.  There is an intimacy that has become a foundation in Charleston.

The relationship between the restaurant, food, service and patrons is becoming one as true as Southern folklore.  During our stay, Victor Social Club General Manager Roscoe came out and shared some of his stories of travel and hospitality offering up recommendations in Savannah and Raleigh.  His intimate knowledge of food and beverage and shared experiences created an atmosphere closely aligned to a family dinner.

Our server brought a certain warmth you rarely find.  Her smile and attention to detail was as important to the experience as the food itself.  Donning from the Charlotte area, she now calls Charleston home and she expressed that with a smile that went from cheek to cheek.

After we finished our food and cocktails, in a slightly belated act of kindness, the staff offered champagne and a heavenly torte to celebrate my birthday that occurred just a day earlier.

Hutson Alley Family of Restaurants

What makes the restaurants in Hutson Alley so special is not just the diverse range of global food offerings, exquisite service or inviting alley ambiance, but the feeling of family.  That is simple to explain.  Holy City Hospitality owns and operates 39 Rue de Juan, Coast Bar and Grill, Vincent Chiccos, Michaels on the Alley and Victor Social Club.  When you come for one experience, you are getting a collective embodiment of a truly large family.

The inspired chefs of this family of restaurants utilize the freshest local seasonal ingredients and with careful care and a little magic create a unique dining experience that will leave your palate wanting more.  It is the careful attention to detail and love that goes into their dishes that exemplify the Charleston food experience.  With a fine selection of wines from Italy at Vincent Chiccos and Cuban themed cocktail creations from Victor, the pairings will solidify the completeness of your evening out.

Hutson Alley

In a little alley in the little historic town of Charleston, South Carolina, there is a place where you can go to Paris, Havana or Rome.  It is a place where the ivy grows on the walls, the sound of live music echoes down the corridor and you are met with a smile.  This place will masquerade your worries and take you to a place of happiness.  There is no traffic, no lewd noise, nor interruption; just the marquee lights and the stars.

This is a place called Hutson Alley.  Whether you are a tourist or a local, it is a place for two or three hours a night, you can call home.