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5 Awesome Dog Parks in Charleston County (plus additional resources)

October 2, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Charleston County offers several excellent dog parks for your furry friends. Here are 5 that will keep your dogs frolicking, playing and swimming:

James Island County Park (871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412): Features large grassy areas, sandy beaches, and a lake for swimming. Separate sections for small and large dogs are available. Admission to the park is $2.00 per person or Free with an annual Gold Pass members and children two & under (FYI: You can reserve a free weekly Charleston County Parks Gold Pass from the Charleston County Library System for free).

Hampton Park Dog Park (83-147 Grove St, Charleston, SC 29403): A shaded, fenced area ideal for summer play, though it can be smaller than others. Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.

Hazel Parker Playground (70 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401): Located in Downtown Charleston, SC, this park has a gravel area and opens to a grassy field for off-leash play after 5:00 PM.
Palmetto Islands County Park: Offers a spacious grassy field and picnic areas, perfect for energetic dogs.

The Splash Paw at Wannamaker County Park (8888 University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406): A unique water park for dogs with both wet and dry play areas. There are also separate fenced in areas for larger and smaller dogs.

Palmetto Islands County Park Dog Park (444 Needlerush Parkway
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464): Located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, this long fenced in grassy field is where your dogs can run like crazy! There’s a small-dog area at this park and a few picnic tables for the people to take a break at, too. This dog park lacks shade, but it’s perfect for your pup to get some energy and socializing. Park Admission: $2 per person / Free: Gold Pass members and children two & under / $1.50 per person: Educational group fee, Monday-Friday. Call Park & Program Services at 843-795-4386 for details.

Additional Resources

Top 4 Dog Parks In Charleston – Charleston Dog Walker

5 Of Our Favorite Charleston Dog Parks – Blog, Luxury Simplified

Dog Parks | Charleston County Parks and Recreation

Off-Leash Dog Parks in Charleston, SC – BringFido

Top 9 Dog Parks in Charleston, South Carolina – Rover.com

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Asheville-Based Animal Shelter A Total Loss, 150 Animals Displaced; Donations Needed

October 1, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

ASHEVILLE, NC (Oct. 1, 2024) – Less than 24 hours before Hurricane Helene decimated Asheville, NC, the small staff at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (Brother Wolf) made a desperate plea to the Asheville community for help. Approximately 100 animals needed to be relocated into temporary foster homes to ride out the storm, “just for the weekend”, joining the 50 animals already in foster homes (for a total of 150). The community stepped up in a big way and remarkably, every kennel was emptied within two hours. The homeless pets were all scheduled to return to the shelter on Tuesday (Oct. 1), but less than 24 hours later, the entire community, including Brother Wolf, was in crisis.

After the storm moved out, Brother Wolf’s Executive Director, Leah Craig Chumbley, made the heartbreaking discovery that there was no longer any shelter for the animals to return to. All three buildings, along with all three of the shelter’s animal transport vehicles, and their mobile medical unit, were completely destroyed. Now four days later, the shelters are nearly unreachable. There is still knee-high mud and suspected sewage covering the areas where the flood waters once flowed. The buildings are all expected to be condemned, and there is nowhere for the 150 animals in Brother Wolf foster homes to return to.

Many of Brother Wolf’s 34 staff members had to either flee their homes or be rescued, some are still unable to return home. Only three staff members were able to return to work immediately, working from a make-shift office in one of the city’s few areas with any internet service. Cell service is spotty, roads are impassable, there is no power, no water, and fuel is hard to find, so they now walk miles every day, working round the clock.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue impacts more than 5,400 animals each year, and more than 60% of them come from small, rural shelters in Western North Carolina who depend on Brother Wolf to provide a second chance for their animals. Many animals come from rural shelters that have neither the resources nor the adopters to be able to provide a lifesaving outcome. This immediate, unexpected halt to Brother Wolf’s sheltering operation will have a ripple effect far beyond their Asheville location, impacting the communities and animals who depend on them most. Brother Wolf has an urgent need for financial support at this time in order to resume operations at a temporary headquarters so that they can continue to support animals in need.

Lowcountry

Smartpress selects Spartanburg County to establish first South Carolina operation – $9.6M Investment and 150 new jobs

October 1, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Smartpress, a commercial online printing company, today announced it selects Spartanburg County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation. The $9.6 million investment will create 150 new jobs.

Headquartered in Minnesota, Smartpress is one of the fastest-growing printers in North America for businesses and creative professionals. The company operates out of offices and production facilities in seven locations across the U.S. and ships hundreds of orders every day.

Smartpress will lease the 94,000-square-foot print production facility located at 1061 Duncan Reidville Road in Duncan, allowing the company to better serve East Coast customers.

Operations are expected to be online in November 2024. Individuals interested in joining the Smartpress team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

QUOTES

“Our decision to expand Smartpress into South Carolina was driven by the region’s dynamic population growth and a talented workforce eager for opportunity. We are proud to bring our 100% employee-owned company to Spartanburg County, knowing the local community will play a key role in our continued success and innovation in print production.” -Smartpress Vice President Matt Chapman

“South Carolina is an ideal location for a company like Smartpress to establish operations. We congratulate the company on this $9.6 million investment in Spartanburg County and look forward to a strong and successful partnership.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are delighted Smartpress is expanding into South Carolina, creating 150 jobs and joining our state’s thriving business community. This investment in Spartanburg County showcases the company’s commitment to our state, and we are excited to witness Smartpress’ success in the Upstate.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“The investment Smartpress is making in Spartanburg County is impressive, and we’re grateful to play a role in the company’s expansion of services nationwide.” -Spartanburg County Council Vice Chairman and Economic Development Committee Chairman David Britt

FIVE FAST FACTS

Smartpress selects Spartanburg County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation.
The $9.6 million investment will create 150 new jobs.
Smartpress is a commercial online printing company.
The company will be located at 1061 Duncan Reidville Road in Duncan, S.C.
Individuals interested in joining the Smartpress team should visit the company’s careers page.

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Operation Airdrop is accepting donations and volunteers to help recovery and relief efforts from Helene

October 1, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Mission and Objectives:
Operation Helene is dedicated to providing immediate disaster relief in response to Hurricane Helene. Our primary mission is to deliver essential supplies, hot meals, and support to communities significantly impacted by the storm. We aim to mobilize volunteers and resources swiftly to address urgent needs and assist in recovery efforts, ensuring that affected individuals receive the aid they require.

Need for Assistance:
Hurricane Helene is expected to bring severe flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage in several regions, making access to food, water, and medical supplies critically limited. Many families are facing hardship as they navigate the aftermath of the storm. Your support is essential in helping us reach those in need and restore hope in these challenging times.

Sign-Up to Fly
Sign-Up to be a ground volunteer
Donate financial support
Official Operation Helene Airdrop Website

There are donation locations throughout the Tri-County. Here are the essential supplies needed:

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Google grows South Carolina footprint with new Dorchester County operations, expansion in Berkeley County

October 1, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Google today announced plans to grow its South Carolina footprint by establishing two new data center campuses in Dorchester County and expanding its existing data center campus in Berkeley County. The company’s combined investment of $3.3 billion will create hundreds of new jobs across both counties.

Data centers support the company’s digital services including Google Cloud, Search and Maps. These tools have become an essential part of daily life, molding Google into a global brand with 17 operational data center campuses in the U.S.

The new Dorchester County facilities, located in the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville and Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George, represent a $2 billion investment and will create 200 new operational jobs. The facilities will support growing demand for the company’s cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI).

In Berkeley County, Google will invest $1.3 billion to expand its existing data center campus, located in the Mount Holly Commerce Park in Moncks Corner, and support continued job growth. Established in 2007, the Berkeley County operation was the company’s first in South Carolina.

Individuals interested in joining the Google team should visit the company’s careers page.

QUOTES

“Today marks a significant milestone in Google’s collaboration with South Carolina. Our continued investment is a testament to the state’s exceptional workforce and thriving business environment. Google data centers are the backbone of digital services that underpin our modern lives, along with tech innovation like AI. We’re grateful for the collaboration with leaders in the state to not only grow our digital infrastructure here but contribute to this thriving community.” -Google Global Vice President of Cloud Supply Chain and Operations Monique Picou

“Google’s latest investment will strengthen South Carolina’s position as an emerging leader in technology and innovation. We are proud to support Google’s operations in Dorchester and Berkeley counties and look forward to the many opportunities our continued partnership will create for our people.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are thrilled Google has once again chosen to invest in South Carolina by establishing two new data center campuses in our state and expanding existing operations. The company’s significant investment of $3.3 billion will greatly benefit the Dorchester and Berkeley communities and beyond for years to come.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“We welcome Google’s historic investment in Dorchester County and the transformative economic opportunities it will bring. This project will have a lasting positive impact on our county, providing new jobs, elevating our schools, and enhancing the quality of life for our residents. Google’s proven track record of empowering local workforces and strengthening communities, including right here in the Lowcountry, makes them an invaluable partner for our region, and we are excited to work with them to build a brighter future for Dorchester County together.” -Dorchester County Council Chair Todd Friddle

“Google’s growing footprint in the Lowcountry is indicative of the company’s successful partnership with the counties in our region. Over the years, Google has brought critical capital investment and job opportunities to our communities; and we look forward to seeing how expansions, both in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, positively impact our area.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb

FIVE FAST FACTS

Google is growing its South Carolina footprint with new operations in Dorchester County and an expansion in Berkeley County.
The company’s combined investment of $3.3 billion will create hundreds of new jobs across both counties.
The expansion will support growing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence.
Google’s two new data center campuses will be located in the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville, S.C. and the Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George, S.C. The existing data center campus is located in the Mount Holly Commerce Park in Moncks Corner, S.C.
Individuals interested in joining the Google team should visit the company’s careers page.

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Lowcountry

Governor Henry McMaster’s Federal Major Disaster Declaration Approved in South Carolina

October 1, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster announced that South Carolina’s September 28 request for an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to provide federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Helene has been approved. The initial list of counties approved for assistance is not final, and additional counties are likely to be added as further damage assessments are completed.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Individual Assistance program help to Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties. This program provides direct financial assistance to residents who incurred uninsured damages to their property as a result of the storm. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service, or others, give FEMA the number for that service. More information about this program can be found here.

FEMA also approved Public Assistance for Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. Under the Public Assistance program, state and affected local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved costs under certain categories. The division of the remaining 25 percent will be determined later. More information about this program can be found here.

Additionally, the declaration approves Hazard Mitigation Grant program assistance, which makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce or mitigate future disaster risks. Funds under this program will be available to state agencies, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations only. A wide variety of potential projects are eligible. More information about this program can be found here.

An expedited declaration request is available when the scale and severity of damage are evident, even before complete damage assessments have been conducted. Counties selected for expedited assistance were identified by emergency management officials based on immediate communication with local officials, resource requests, fatalities, and power outages.

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Resources in South Carolina focused on prevention and support those impacted by domestic violence or child abuse

September 30, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

In South Carolina, several organizations focus on preventing domestic violence and child abuse. Here are a few resources available to you:

1. Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina: This chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America works on adverse childhood experiences prevention, home visiting models, and advocacy efforts.

2. Children’s Trust of South Carolina: A statewide organization providing resources and training to prevent child abuse and neglect through building strong family support systems.

3. Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA): Offers community outreach, safe sleep education, and foster care services in the Lowcountry.

4. Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence: Works to reduce sexual assault, family violence, and assists victims in several counties. 24/7 Crisis Line: 843-669-4600 or (toll-free) 1-800-273-1820

5. Family Justice Center of Geogetown and Horry Counties: Provides support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in Georgetown.

Additional Resources

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4 Thai Restaurants in the Charleston County (South Carolina) that will satisfy all your cravings

September 29, 2024

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

Looking for great Thai and/or sushi in Charleston County? Here are some of the best Thai restaurants in the area that will leave you completely satisfied:

Pattaya Thai Restaurant: Located at 607 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, Pattaya is known for its takeout options and friendly service and has become a jewel to the Mount Pleasant community. Hours: Monday – Friday 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Saturday – Sunday 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM.

Thai Elephants Restaurant: Situated at 915 Folly Rd, James Island, Thai Elephant restaurant offers authentic dishes inspired by family recipes including incredible pineapple fried rice and Pad Thai. Pay extra close attention to the detail of the wood carvings in the tables and chairs while you are there. Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM / 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Sunday 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Closed Monday – Tuesday.

Taste of Thai: Found at 874 Orleans Road, Charleston, Taste of Thai has been praised for its fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes. Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

Zen Asian Fusion Restaurant: Location at 2037 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407, Zen offers an exceptional culture with a dining and bar area, full menu and sushi bar. With each visit, there is consistently quality food and customer service and an artistry to the presentation of their sushi and Thai dishes. A gift for the West Ashley community. Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM, Friday – Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM.

Here are some additional resources

Lowcountry

Want to Stay at Prince’s House in Minneapolis? Beginning in October Wendy and Lisa would love to host you

September 28, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Beginning October 2, 2024, Wendy and Lisa, formally of The Revolution, will be offering a chance in a lifetime to spend the night in Prince’s house and celebrate in the purple majesty.

This two bedroom, two bath, four guest experience could be yours. Think about the Instagrammable moments you will capture.

Click HERE to view photos and stay informed of the grand opening of this musical experience.

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