3 Most Affordable Areas of Charleston, South Carolina – New Video by Mikki Ramey

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It’s no secret that the price of a home can make or break your decision to buy. No matter how much you want to live in your dream location, there’s not much you can do if it’s out of your budget.

Fortunately, in Charleston, SC, we have some affordable areas that will be a great place for you to live. I narrowed them down and made a list of the top three most affordable areas here. To learn what these areas are, watch this short video.

Bonus: 5 Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Charleston – Spacewise

Commentary: The Charleston 9/11 Remembrance Bridge Walk – Reflecting on the event and what it means to all of us

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By Johanna Fritz

Undeterred by the excessive heat or the passage of time, a group of first responders, active-duty military, and community supporters made the trek across the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge on Sunday morning to mark the twenty-first anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

I joined the group at the base of the bridge after seeing a Facebook post promoting the walk just a few days earlier. I spoke with a man, retired NYFD who had participated in the event in previous years up until COVID.  As he walked in full turnout gear, the sweat dripping off his face and forehead, he shared some of his personal commentary expressing that as the event had grown so big, including local politicians, the meaning of this day of remembrance has been lost in much of the fanfare. 

“We had a hurricane and COVID after that. I just need to do something on this day…to remember. When we woke up in North Charleston this morning it was raining. On the way downtown, the heavens opened up and we saw it would be a great morning to walk.” 

An Army-trained nurse spoke to me about the disappointment she felt seeing so few turnouts for the Remembrance Bridge Walk.

“I am a teacher and was excited that 9/11 was on the weekend this year. I asked my co-workers to join me. They told me they would be with me ‘in spirit’.” 

At the top of the Ravenel, we stopped for a moment of silence at 10:28 am, to mark the time that the North Tower collapsed, 102 minutes after being struck by Fight 11.  One of the firemen activated his PASS (personal alerting safety system). This device is attached to firefighters and sounds if they stop moving for more than 30 seconds. Today, this distress signal served as a memorial to the first responder personnel who lost their lives while working to free those trapped in and around the towers, and a reminder of those troops, soon to be called up, who were killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. 

“Next year, I would really like to see more people join us,” a woman commented to me as we ascended the bridge. She nodded in the direction of some of the children walking ahead of us. “It is not just important to talk about the sacrifices first responders made on 9/11… and by our military. We need to live and demonstrate that they are more than words. It’s not just a one-day thing. That is the challenge. “

As a former first responder, I challenge all of us in Charleston to “live and demonstrate” that locally. 

When you are planning time with family and friends this Fall and Winter, contact your local fire or police and ask them when is a  good time to send pizza.  Help your kids write a thank you letter or draw a card. In an age where we are burying our heads in our phones, I challenge you to take a moment and find a way to say “Thank You” to those who protect and serve us, always.

Photo Credit:  Johanna Fritz

The Art of Hair: Charleston’s Laura Frazier embodies the soulful elegance of hairstyle and color with a style all her own

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Greatness can be defined by the three “I”s –  independence, innovation, individualism.Activating the senses of creativity and igniting them with the risk of changing the way we think, greatness goes from an idea to a reality.  That is what Redken Artist and Mount Pleasant Certified Color and Design Hair Specialist Laura Frazier brings to the Lowcountry. 

Laura’s unique approach of bringing inner and outer beauty together as a composite extension of oneself has helped her to generate a local and national following.

Meeting Laura, for the first time, I saw an individual that bucked the trend of the traditional conservative Southern culture and is bringing something radical to this community. There was so much truth in that observation once I learned her story.  Adopted at a very young age, Laura’s mother saw something special and encouraged a career in hair and since then Laura continues to exceed her own expectations and push to higher limits.

She may not have grown up with the fairy tale, but since moving to Charleston, proposed to at Angel Oak and married, Laura is finding happiness beyond her imagination in the Lowcountry.  Now she is dedicating her happiness to giveback, helping women and men find their personal confidence and look.

During our talk, Laura’s shyness about herself was very evident, but her sheer passion and skill came out clearly in her smile and the stunning images she shared of her clients. Laura sees hair as the pinnacle of self. It defines the person, sets the tone for the complete self and allows for a level of expressionism that very few parts of the body can share. 

Complete client satisfaction is why Laura continues to push herself to being the best she can be for herself and her clients.  Here are a list of some of her many accomplishments.

Her accolades include:

  • Hair Color and Design Certified
  • 1 of only 4 people in South Carolina that is actively Color Certified
  • Only Design Certified stylist in South Carolina
  • Certificate in Hair Color Authority
  • Certificate in Finish and Know Why
  • Certificate in Color and Know Why
  • Certificate in Cut and Know Why
  • Graduate as Redken Artist in 2016:  Teaches Classes and Attends National Events
  • Named Redken’s “Next Big Thing” in 2018
  • Attended and participated in North Carolina Style Week, Charleston Fashion Week (Kickoff Party), New York Fashion Week, NYX Face Awards (Backstage for Hair) and Redken Symposium (Las Vegas).
  • Supported several short films and commercials(Film/Commercial)
  • Short Films Include:  Anniversary(Crimson Screen Fest – Charleston) and Crosswalk (Tribeca Film Fest – New York / Jersey Shore Film Fest – New Jersey)
  • Worked with Sam Villa, Lindsey Olsen and Danielle Keasling

It doesn’t stop here. Laura is in development of a client blog.  Her goal is to feature the hair styling of her clients and align them with “What Makes Them Great”.  This approach reinforces her commitment to her clients and soon she will share their beautiful stories with others.

Laura offers her services four days a week in Mount Pleasant and truly takes pride in her clients. While we sat over hot tea, a client and the parents of a client stopped over to the end of the bar specifically to talk to Laura.  There was a family spirit in those interactions.  That is a rare quality an done embraced in the Lowcountry.

If complete client commitment, excellence in trade, a family approach and a unique groundbreaking stylist are what you seek, Laura would love to hear from you.

Connect with Laura:

Official Website:   www.laurafrazier.com

Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3RVWoxx

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hairzillaa


Here is a $350K Fixer-Upper in Downtown Charleston, SC – New Listing

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If you are seeking a downtown Charleston home that may need a little TLC, there is a new listing at 10 Killians Street, Charleston, SC.

This $350,000 home was listed 1 day ago.

This seems like a lot of work for a $350K investment, but if you have a passion for those home improvement and home flipping shows, this may be right up your alley.

Is it worth it? We would love your thoughts.

Official Listing

Lies, Politics, and Democracy: FRONTLINE Interview with Mark Sanford

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Mark Sanford served as U.S. Representative for South Carolina from 1995 to 2001 and from 2013 to 2019, and as governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011.

He is the author of “Two Roads Diverged: A Second Chance for the Republican Party, the Conservative Movement, the Nation ― and Ourselves.” The following interview was conducted by the Kirk Documentary Group’s Mike Wiser for FRONTLINE on May 24, 2022.

It has been edited for clarity and length. This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore the transcript of this interview, and others, on the FRONTLINE website:

Official Interview Website and Transcript

Charleston, South Carolina named the Best Place in the U.S. to Retire in the new WalletHub 2022 Study

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WalletHub has released its 2022’s Best & Worst Places to Retire and has named Charleston, South Carolina as the Top Spot to Retire in 2022.

With an overall rating of 58.97, Charleston ranked #1 with Orlando, FL, Cincinnati, OH, Miami, FL, and Fort Lauderdale, FL rounding out the top 5

Click for full study results

Top 25 Cities

North Charleston’s “Paths to Recovery” Program dedicated to awareness and programming to support mental health and substance use disorders

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Paths to Recovery

North Charleston is dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, mental health and substance use disorders. We strive to:

  • Involve communities in raising awareness of substance use and mental health issues and in implementing prevention strategies, and showcasing effectiveness of evidence-based prevention programs;
  • Foster partnerships and collaborations with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to improving public health; and
  • Promote and disseminate quality substance use prevention and mental health promotion resources and publications.

IN ANY EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911

Narcan Training 

Unfortunately, the opioid epidemic in this country does not seem to be slowing down, and so many lives are being destroyed by addiction. Opiates are prescribed to relieve severe pain, and they have the potential to be extremely addictive if misused. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.

To help combat this epidemic, the City of North Charleston has partnered with Charleston County’s Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), more commonly known as Charleston Center, to provide free Narcan training on a monthly basis throughout the City. Narcan, also known as naloxone HCl, is an FDA approved nasal spray that counteracts the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose, and it is often used in emergency settings. Once the life is saved, it is everyone’s goal that the long-term recovery begins.  

To attend one of the City’s free Narcan training classes, please contact Lieutenant Matt Hughes at mhughes@northcharleston.org.

RESOURCES 

Charleston Center (Charleston County Residents Only)

843-958-3300843-722-0100(24hrs)
https://charlestoncounty.org/departments/charleston-center/

Outpatient Services, Intensive Outpatient Services, Residential Services, Residential Services for women who are pregnant and/or parenting, medication assisted treatment, Withdrawal Management (Detox). Financial assistance available.

Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission (Dorchester and Berkeley County Residents Only

843-871-4790
https://www.dadc.org/
Offers a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach to the treatment of alcohol and other drug addiction and mental health disorders.

Kennedy Center 

843-761-8272
http://www.ekcenter.org/
Offer a wide range of prevention, intervention and treatment programs in two central locations convenient to residents throughout Berkeley County. The Kennedy Center is a private, non-profit organization that is designated as a county substance abuse authority by the SCDAODAS, South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.

Center for Behavioral Health 

http://centerforbehavioralhealth.com/
843-529-0700
Outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, Financial assistance available

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

1-855-DRUGFREE
www.drugfree.orgEmotional support, guidance, and resources provided by bilingual master’s level parent support specialists. 5 one hour calls for 5-6 weeks with trained parent coach for free.

MUSC Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs (CDAP)

843-792-5200
https://muschealth.org/medical-services/psychiatry/cdapWalk-in clinic, medication-assisted treatment, outpatient services, counseling, paid research programs. Financial assistance available.

South Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition

prevention@southcarolinahrc.orghttps://www.southcarolinahrc.org/
843-906-4846
Overdose prevention supplies, opioid overdose reversal kits, grassroots advocacy, resource development, coalition building and direct services for people impacted by drug use, sex work, and overdoses.

Favor Lowcountry

Faces and Voices of Recovery
www.favorlowcountry.comPromotes the Long-term Recovery from Substance Use Disorders Through Education, Advocacy and Recovery Support Services

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Local Hotline 843-852-3001
http://www.crna.org/south-carolina/
NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.

Cocaine Anonymous (C.A.)

HOTLINE  803-667-3263
https://ca.org/
Our primary purpose is to stay free from cocaine and all other mind-altering substances, and to help others achieve the same freedom.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Helpline 843-554-2998
http://tcio.org/Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Heroin Anonymous

https://heroinanonymous.org/
A fellowship of men and women who have found a better way of life, free from heroin addiction. Our fellowship is based on a 12-Step Program of Recovery.
5505 N. Rhett Ave. North Charleston, 29406.

Celebrate Recovery 

Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life.
https://www.celebraterecovery.com/
James Island Baptist Church, River Bluff Church, Seacoast Church, and Northwoods Baptist Church

Ben’s Friends

www.bensfriendshope.comBen’s Friends is the food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction.

Creighton’s House

WakeUp Carolina
www.wakeupcarolina.org
All Recovery Meetings

Thursday’s at 7:15pm 118 Royall Ave. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
These meetings honor all pathways to recovery, acknowledging that each individual’s path is unique and reflects their personal strengths. The meetings are an opportunity for social support that focuses on the hope and healing found in recovery and to connect with others who are initiating and maintaining a recovery lifestyle. Come, socialize, share!!

Lights On! Lights, Camera, Action (LOLCA)

www.lightsonlca.org
www.instagram.com/lightsonlca
www.facebook.com/lightsonlca
Dedicated to helping community members improve their mental health  by finding social connection and a voice to help others in their struggle with substance use disorder through education, storytelling, and film.

FOR FAMILIES

Call your local police department and speak with a VICTIM ADVOCATE
Provides resources to those in need of treatment and recovery options for family members and friends. Mental health clinicians available!

NAR-ANON Family Groups

www.nar-anon.org
310-534-8188 (local)  800-477-6291(toll free)
The Nar-Anon Family Groups is primarily for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you. We have traveled that unhappy road too, and found the answer with serenity and peace of mind.

AL-ANON Family Groups

www.al-anon-sc.org
843-762-6999
alanonsc_d7@yahoo.com
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

ALATEEN

www.al-anon-sc.org
Path of Serenity, Tuesday, 8:00PM
Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Hibben St, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464, Grace Hall Basement
Alateen is an Al-Anon group specifically designed just for young people age 19 or younger…Alateen works in exactly the same way and follows exactly the same principals designed by Al-anon, except that you are surrounded by a group of people your own age; people who are experiencing the same difficulties at home with an alcoholic parent, sibling, grandparent, or anyone else who has a problem with drinking behaviors.

Start Your Recovery

https://startyourrecovery.org/
1-800-662-4357
StartYourRecovery.org provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too. We know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges faced by those who misuse alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, or other substances, and we aim to break through the clutter to help people at any stage of recovery.

SOBER LIVING

Oxford Houses

www.oxfordhouse.orgwww.transitionalhousing.org/ci/sc-charleston

Charleston Sober Living

www.charlestonsoberliving.com
203-598-2738
A supportive, substance-free environment of like-minded community and care for men. You receive support from your peers as well as sober coaches, and if you need or require further assistance, we can provide referrals for any clinical support or treatment you might need, including psychologists and other medical professionals.

The Sanctuary Recovery Foundation

www.sanctuary-recovery.com
843-685-2614
Dedicated to providing sober living homes for men.  No matter the stage you are currently in, we are here to help. We welcome you in your choice to remain accountable and to further your recovery.

Magnolia Farm

www.magnoliafarm.org
843-442-4096
At Magnolia Farm our purpose is to provide a structured and stable environment for women recovering from the disease of addiction. We are dedicated to providing a sober living residence so our guests can return to life with an entirely new lifestyle and approach to living.

Magdalene House

www.magdalenehouseofcharleston.org
843-834-6771
Magdalene House of Charleston provides a program of discipline and balance, as well as a structured plan that is individualized for each woman. This plan includes access to: Medical and Dental Care, Group and Individualized Therapy, Programs for Addiction Recovery, Educational Opportunities, Employment Resources

Harbor Moon

www.harbormoonrecovery.com
843-751-3100
Residential recovery program for menwith alcohol & drug addiction. Two residential recovery optionsfor men 18 and older who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction – a Recovery Immersion Program and Transitional Recovery Residences.

Palmetto Project, Inc.

www.Insure-SC.org

(843) 577-4122

Palmetto Project’s Insure SC initiative provides health insurance application and enrollment assistance to any SC resident. These include Medicaid, Medicare, Affordable Care Act. Insure SC’s licensed staff can also help you understand how to best utilize employer-sponsored insurance and community resources, such as community health centers, free clinics, and prescription assistance programs. All services are free of charge. Since 1984, Palmetto Project has been working to identify innovative solutions to some of our state’s most pressing social and economic challenges and puts them into action. 

Transcendence Treatment Center

www.ttreatment.org

854-222-3773

Everyone experiences trauma differently, which is why effective substance use disorder treatment will include individualized, trauma-informed programming. At Transcendence Treatment Center, our multifaceted programs help heal unresolved trauma and substance use disorders by addressing the mind, body, and spirit.

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Where Education, Conservation, and Imagination Come Together: Sea Turtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium

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The SeatTurtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium is made of a remarkable staff dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of our precious ocean friends. The center is open to the public with paid admission and has been an inspiration for visitors for many years.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets for your next South Carolina Aquarium Adventure

Did you know:

  • 30-40 patients treated per year
  • Daily treatment costs $35 per patient
  • 359 sea turtles have been released as of 08/26/2022

All seven species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered, four of which are found in South Carolina: loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, green, and leatherback.

The Sea Turtle Care Center aids sick and injured sea turtles in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).

When a sea turtle is found stranded or injured, SCDNR brings the animal to the Sea Turtle Care Center for treatment.

Sea turtles arrive at the Care Center suffering from a variety of ailments:

  • Debilitated turtle syndrome
  • Predation
  • Boat strike wounds
  • Injuries from accidental interactions with fishing gear
  • Exposure to dangerously low temperatures

The incredible staff veterinarians diagnose each turtle and work with Care Center and volunteers to provide treatments and rehabilitative care. Patients are given IV fluids, antibiotics, vitamins, and other medications. Based on the sea turtle’s condition, a variety of procedures may be performed, such as x-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds.

Rehabilitated sea turtles are released home in hopes that they will become reproductive members of the sea turtle population.

McNair Center for Sea Turtle Conservation and Research serves as the Aquarium’s in-house research facility specializing in sea turtle knowledge. For the benefit of researchers, and sea turtles, all over the world, we share what we’ve learned from 21 years of patient injuries and illnesses and present it to the scientific community.

The Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery area in the Aquarium is open to all guests and it makes the real-life rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles visible to every guest.

Interactive screens allow guests to read each current patient’s story and learn about the rehabilitation process.

Photos courtesy of South Carolina Aquarium

WalletHub releases its 2022 Best Real Estate Markets Survey Results – Where did Charleston, SC rank?

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This year Charleston, South Carolina was overall the 66th best real estate market out of 300 (Top 22%) cities and 21st in the Small City Category out of 135.

Click Here for the Full Results

How were the results compiled?

Whether you’re joining the real-estate business or just looking for a place to call home, it’s important to get a handle on the housing markets you’re considering before investing in a property. This year, the housing market is skewed much more toward sellers, with mortgage rates having nearly doubled in the past year and home values have risen nearly 21% on average.

If you aim for long-term growth, equity, and profit with your housing purchase, you’ll need to look beyond tangible factors like square footage and style. Those factors certainly drive up property values. From an investor’s standpoint, though, they hold less significance than historical market trends and the economic health of residents.

To determine the best local real-estate markets in the U.S., WalletHub compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 17 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength. Our data set ranges from median home-price appreciation to job growth.

Additional Reading: Charleston Rental Forecast 2023

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