Lifestyle

Lowcountry - Mount Pleasant, SC

Grand Opening of All-New Charleston Custom Carts in Mount Pleasant, SC

December 20, 2019 by 0 Comments
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MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., (Newswire.com) – Charleston-based golf cart dealership Charleston Custom Carts had the grand opening of their new location in Mount Pleasant on Saturday, December 7. The new dealership and service center is located at the intersection of 41 and 17 at 1161 Highway 41 in Mount Pleasant.

Charleston Custom Carts’ first location opened on Clements Ferry Road in February of 2019 and experienced tremendous success with their unique custom cart designs and exceptional service department, as well as their perfect five-star Google and Facebook ratings.

With the opening of the second location in Mount Pleasant, Charleston Custom Carts is poised to be the largest Golf Cart dealer in the Charleston area.

They are an authorized Yamaha and Epic Cart dealership and provide new, used and refurbished golf carts and street legal LSVs. The new, state-of-the-art facility is a 9,000 sq ft building that has just gone through an extensive renovation. The massive, new retail showroom and cutting-edge service department are all indoors and set up to help customers feel comfortable during their visits.

Charleston Custom Carts features an all-new, interactive 3D Touch Screen Design Studio where you can build your all-new, completely custom golf cart in real-time on a 70-inch TV. As you choose various features, you can keep tabs on the cost of the build-out so you can stay safely within your budget and view all the parts, accessories and features with a 360-degree view. This 3D golf cart configuration will also be available on their new website (www.charlestoncarts.com) that will be launching this week.

Now having two convenient locations with easy 526 access to the Clements Ferry location and Highway 17 access to the North Mount Pleasant location, Charleston Custom Carts can provide sales, service, and repair to anyone in the greater Charleston area.

For more information, please contact Christian at 843.800.8626 or email mp@charlestoncarts.com – http://www.charlestoncarts.com or http://facebook.com/charlestoncarts 

James & John's Islands, SC - Lowcountry

James Island, SC News: Single-Use Plastic Regulations to Take Effect January 1, 2020

December 19, 2019 by 0 Comments
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Please find the attached Press Release and Flyer regarding the new ban on single-use plastics that goes into effect beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

These new regulations are consistent across the Town, City of Charleston, and unincorporated Charleston County jurisdictions.

Please find the information here: Information on Single Use Plastics 

Its in the Bag Flyer 

Should further information be required, please contact the Town of James Island Town Hall, (843) 795-4141.

Lowcountry

Born to Love You – Original Poem

December 14, 2019 by 1 Comment
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By Mark A. Leon

Flesh to flesh
Bone to bone
You strip me down to my most vulnerable
My words are weak in your presence
To stay the night is the greatest reward, yet we have touched all my life

You raise my hopes with your careless whispers
Innocent and sweet
Filling the pool with insight
Swimming for the ledge, I absorb your wisdom

Every breath from your mouth reminds me I cannot fail
Ambition and love find a home in your nest
Fulfilling your fantasy is my destiny
A mission; a promise
Together we will see the world through the eyes of our childhood dreams

I have never been alone
I have known you were there
Close
Sensing your footsteps in the distance
Waiting for a moment of perfect fate
Scripted by angels long ago
Waiting on a shelf until our chapter is called

I was born to love you
Our hearts beating as one
When you cried, I cried
When you smiled, I rejoiced
When you imagined under the dark sky, you were not without a companion

Each day one step closer to you
In an explosion of big bang proportions, two bubbles burst to form one eternal embrace

Lowcountry

Fresh New Twist on Familiar French Bakery – Baguette Magic under new ownership

December 13, 2019 by 1 Comment
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JAMES ISLAND, SC, December 2019 — Baguette Magic, the well-known French Bakery on Folly Road, has recently changed owners. 

Opened eight years ago, the familiar establishment had been listed for sale for quite some time, with the likelihood of completely closing by year-end becoming a very real possibility. Just a month ago, local sisters Paula and Sam Kramer, made the leap to keep the ‘magic’ alive. 

“I recognized the love so many had for the baked goods, realized the potential for the space, and respected the unique business they had built, which got me really excited about the concept’s potential to be a staple in the community and offer so much more than just baked goods,” says Paula, who has most recently worked in digital marketing for Charleston area restaurants. 

Her sister and head chef, Sam, is the founder of the Matzo & Masa pop-up and has worked in Charleston restaurants for the last 4 years. While all of the previous baked goods are still available, in addition to new rotating seasonal items, the menu has been updated to include a more seasonal range of items. Patrons can still find staples like the Brioche French Toast, Recovery, and Brie-covery Baguette sandwiches. “We have so much love and respect for the baked goods and want to create a menu that showcases that along with a growing variety of fresh, local ingredients like Storey Farms eggs,” says Sam.

Additionally, the sisters are excited to introduce even more opportunities for their guests. Recently partnering with Second State, the bakery will soon boast a full coffee program. Customers are also now able to order their favorite specialty breads through online ordering. In the new year, they plan to offer, private dining experiences, catering, cooking and baking classes headed up by Julian Abarca formerly of One Broad and Coda Del Pesce.

Until then, holiday offerings include Christmas Dinner to-go from Abarca, now available through their online store. Breakfast with Santa from 10 am-12 pm December 14th and Kids Cookie Decorating classes. 

“We recognize that change is difficult and much will be missed about the former Baguette Magic. We hope our patrons will recognize our strong desire to keep the bakery business alive and will continue to show their support.”

Lowcountry

USDA Invests $8.1 Million in Rural Broadband for South Carolina Families

December 10, 2019 by 0 Comments
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HUGER, S.C., Dec. 9, 2019 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jim Hubbard announced USDA has invested $8.1 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 3,780 homes in rural South Carolina. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.

“Rural America needs robust modern broadband infrastructure to thrive,” Hubbard said. “The critical funding we’ve announced today will be used to improve internet speeds for hospitals, public safety, and schools, and provide new opportunities for economic growth.”

Home Telecom will use $8.1 million in ReConnect grant funding to deploy 96 miles of fiber-optic cable in unserved areas of Charleston and Berkeley counties in South Carolina. This investment is anticipated to reach 3,780 rural households, 23 farms, 19 businesses, 19 educational facilities, and eight fire stations.

Background:

In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.

These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Lowcountry

Palmetto Brewing to Release its Famous Milk and Cookie Stout

December 10, 2019 by 1 Comment
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CHARLESTON, S.C. – Palmetto Brewing Co. will release Peace of Cookie, a milk stout crafted to taste like a batch of America’s favorite cookies – chocolate chip, mint chocolate, and good ole fashioned sugar cookie. This decadent dessert stout will be available on draft and 12 oz. 6-pack cans beginning on Dec. 13 at the Palmetto Brewing tasting room and in three-state distribution (SC, NC, AL).

Peace of Cookie begins as a classic milk stout brewed to export strength (6.9 percent ABV), with a blend of roasted barley, wheat, and oats – and sweetened with a touch of milk sugar. Palmetto’s triple-cookie recipe remains a bit more mysterious, but it includes specialty ingredients such as cocoa nibs and an ever-so-subtle dash of fresh mint.

“If the holiday season starts to stress you out, swing by the tasting room for our version of milk and cookies, to get you back in the spirit,” says Palmetto’s Charleston Location Manager, Rick Rice. “We believe that a cookie makes everything better, thus our mantra: make cookies, not war.”

About Palmetto Brewing Co.Palmetto Brewing, founded in 1993, is South Carolina’s first craft brewery. Independently owned by the Pyatt family, Palmetto remains deeply rooted in the Charleston community. Palmetto beers are currently distributed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Visit the brewery and tasting room at its historic original location at 289 Huger Street in Charleston.

For More Information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/473737153244605/

Lowcountry

Lowcountry Street Grocery Begins Residency at Meeting Street Eats Offering affordable, fresh produce to Charleston’s East Side

November 30, 2019 by 0 Comments
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact:
Colleen Troy
ctroy@touchptcom.com
843.296.2033

Charleston, SC: Meeting Street Eats (MSE), downtown Charleston’s premier food truck village launched in October 2019 to offer guests a rotating selection of food truck vendors for lunch-time service. Earlier this month, MSE announced the commencement of breakfast and weekend service. Now, the complex is announcing a partnership with Lowcountry Street Grocery.

Lowcountry Street Grocery advocates for food equality and sustainability through initiatives that support local farmers and streamline the process of getting fresh, local produce to Charleston residents. Lowcountry Street Grocery is a mobile farmers market in a converted school bus named ‘Nell’ – offering affordable local produce to the residents and visitors of the East Side Neighborhood.

Lowcountry Street Grocery will be at Meeting Street Eats, 445 Meeting Street Wednesday through Friday from 9 am until 6:30 pm and Saturdays from noon to 5 pm. Any changes to the schedule will be announced via the Meeting Street Eats feed at Instagram.com/MeetingStreetEats.

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Meeting Street Eats (MSE) is Downtown Charleston’s premiere food truck village located at 445 Meeting Street. Featuring a rotating selection of local food truck vendors, MSE offers residents and visitors alike a welcoming, interactive venue where diners can break away from the norm and experience a variety of culinary experiences, inspired by cities around the world. Meeting Street Eats is open six days a week and offers breakfast and lunch service based on food truck availability. Guests can visit Instagram.com/MeetingStreetEats and follow along for daily announcements featuring that day’s food truck offering.

www.MeetingStreetEats.com

Lowcountry

Charleston Basket Brigade on a mission to feed 3,500 families

November 24, 2019 by 0 Comments
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The Charleston Basket Brigade (CBB) — a nonprofit committed to bringing the community together to provide Thanksgiving meals to local families in need — is gearing up for its 12th annual event. This year, the brigade continues the heartfelt mission to raise $105,000 in order to provide 3,500 families across the region with Thanksgiving meals. The brigade invites community members to volunteer with box assembly, meal assembly, and meal delivery.

It only takes $30 to feed a family of six and all donations raised will be used to purchase food. Each box is filled with the ingredients necessary to cook an entire Thanksgiving meal – a 10-12 lb. turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, fresh rolls and a pumpkin pie.

Also, inside the box is an anonymous letter that reads: “This comes to you from someone who cares about you. All we ask is that you take care of yourself well enough to be able to do this for someone else one day.”

What started in 2008 to feed 75 families, has grown over the past 11 years with CBB raising a total of $850,000 and serving approximately 28,500 local families with Thanksgiving meals.

“Every year is just as monumental as the one before,” said Pam Hartley, co-founder of the Charleston Basket Brigade. “Our mission isn’t only to provide families in need with food; it’s to provide families with a joyous and memorable holiday experience. The physical box of food gives families the ability to cook together, and gather together to enjoy a meal and a special holiday with loved ones.”

“We’re beyond grateful for every donation that we receive, and welcome anyone to participate in our volunteer effort to experience the true awe of the basket brigade. Our hope is that our volunteers leave feeling the amazing impact they made to help our neighbors in need,” added Hartley.

As the largest community effort around Thanksgiving in the Lowcountry, the CBB relies on the efforts of thousands of people each year who donate their time and money. The event is also successful thanks in part to the commitment of its corporate partners — Carolina One Real Estate, which raises money and coordinates volunteers; Piggly Wiggly, which provides discounts on food as well as assistance delivering truckloads of food; Communities In Schools – The Charleston Area, which locates local families in need; and Momentum Marketing, which handles all event coordination, public relations and marketing.

Sign up to volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation online at http://charlestonbasketbrigade.com/

CHARLESTON BASKET BRIGADE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Community members are invited to help with box assembly, meal assembly and meal delivery at the Charleston Area Convention Center in Exhibit Hall C in North Charleston. Due to construction, access to some parking lots and sidewalks will be blocked but volunteers can easily park in Lot C, which is located behind the Convention Center on the side of West Montague Ave.

SET UP & BOX ASSEMBLY: Monday, Nov. 25, 1– 5 p.m. — Help unload food off of the trucks, set up the assembly lines, and assemble the 3,500 boxes needed.

MEAL ASSEMBLY: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 7-10 a.m. — Jump into line and help assemble meals in boxes and load them in cars for delivery. The meal assembly moves fast, so please arrive early. Stay after to help breakdown and clean up.

MEAL DELIVERY: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 8-11 a.m. — Help deliver meals to homes, schools, churches and more. A pre-mapped delivery route and information needed for each stop will be provided to drivers at check-in.

Lowcountry

Birds and Brunch at Hotel Bennett raises over $154K

November 23, 2019 by 1 Comment
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BIRDS AND BRUNCH AT THE BENNETT RESULTS IN SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS RAISED TO SUPPORT AVIAN SCIENCE, MEDICINE, AND CONSERVATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND BEYOND

The Avian Conservation Center’s fall fundraiser was hosted at Hotel Bennett on Sunday, October 27, 2019, and resulted in $154,940 in funds raised

  • The Center received record-breaking results and raised $154,940;
  • Hotel Bennett provided a beautiful and enjoyable backdrop for this sold-out event;
  • Funds raised will be used to continue the Center’s focused work in avian science, medicine, and conservation.

CHARLESTON, SC – For more than 28 years, the Avian Conservation Center has been a quiet yet persistent advocate for avian science, medicine, and conservation in South Carolina and this year they experienced their most successful fundraiser in the history of the organization. Branded as Birds & Brunch at the Bennett, this sold-out event was an inspiring conservation-themed program hosted at Hotel Bennett in downtown Charleston and resulted in $154,940 in funds to support the Center’s ongoing work. With views extending across Marion Square and décor that includes hand-painted murals of birds, Hotel Bennett, downtown Charleston’s newest luxury hotel, was an incredible backdrop for this purposeful brunch experience. Lead sponsors of this event included Benefitfirst, The Boeing Company, Coastal Expeditions, Compass Rose Business Finance, and Equity, and Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP.

Birds and Brunch at the Bennett was a historic success for the Center with an incredibly active live and silent auction, and a great deal of attendee participation and interaction inspired by the expert encouragement of auctioneer and Master of Ceremonies, Erin Kienzle. Special guest speakers from the Center’s “Year of the Bird” program at Cainhoy Elementary spoke eloquently about the profound way this experience changed students and the Cainhoy community. During this truly poignant moment, teacher Ashley Illig and one of her former students each described the impact of the Center’s educational outreach from a personal and heartfelt perspective, and many brunch guests were moved to tears by their emotional presentation.

The event took place in the Crown Ballroom where guests enjoyed a delicious brunch menu and bar with a variety of mini quiches, fresh fruit, shrimp and grits, and Mimosas, Bloody Marys and more. A lively jazz trio sponsored by The Commodore, a historic downtown Charleston jazz club, was the perfect addition to this spirited event adding a lovely musical flow to the day. Both the live and silent auctions were extremely well-appointed with an array of unique curated items and experiences to bid upon. Auction items included an exclusive chef dinner and distilled spirits tasting experience at Firefly Distillery’s brand-new facility on Noisette Creek, an original painting of a Saker Falcon from world-renowned wildlife artist Tim Donovan, a one-of-a-kind shadow-box mounted Male Greater Argus Feather, an expert-guided private native plant/bird walk for 20 at an historic unspoiled ACE Basin property, a long weekend for up to nine people at a newly renovated luxurious mountain cabin in Hendersonville, a brand new sit on top kayak and paddle from Half-Moon Outfitters, a gorgeous his and hers formal accessory set from Brackish, a hand-hewn table from Landrum Tables made from reclaimed dockwood and pine, a sophisticated cloche hat from Carolina Millenary, a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Auldbrass Plantation from the Beaufort Open Land Trust, and a hand-forged “MeMa” ladle from Waller Handmade.

The event held many special opportunities to embrace the beauty and majesty of nature’s apex avian predators. Upon arrival guests were greeted by a Harris Hawk in flight from the hotel’s piazza overlooking Marion Square and a multitude of birds were presented on the fist by the Center’s trained Volunteer Staff inside the hotel and throughout the program. With the help of Center Volunteer Staff, guests event got to take “raptor selfies” with a striking bird of prey in front of the hotel’s hand-painted bird murals. At the end of the program, the winner of the raffle was selected, Lynn Murray, who won a private “Birds, Brews, & Brunch” event for 40 at the Center that will include a catered brunch buffet and beer samples from six of Charleston’s best craft beer producers.

The Center remains humbled by the support of the community including every donor, sponsor, the guest, raffle ticket buyer, and volunteer who made this event a reality. They are looking at the next 28 years with optimism for the advancement of avian science and conservation and encourage others who are passionate about these topics to join them in this important work. You can do so by joining as a member, participating in their educational programs and special events, or by donating your time and talent as a volunteer.

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About the Avian Conservation Center

The Avian Conservation Center is a distinctive regional conservation organization with three primary operating divisions: the Center for Birds of Prey, the Avian Medical Clinic, and the South Carolina Oiled Bird Treatment Facility. As an environmental education asset to South Carolina and the region, the Center for Birds of Prey presents conservation and STEAM education for more than 40,000 individuals and students each year. An epicenter for professional medical services and research pertaining to wild birds of prey and shorebirds, the Avian Medical Clinic has treated more than 10,000 patients since opening in 1991. The South Carolina Oiled Bird Response Facility is held in a constant state of preparedness for response to an oil spill in the region including ongoing oil spill response training and maintaining the readiness of treatment facilities and emergency response supplies. The Center can be found online at www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org and can be reached by phone at 843.971.7474.