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Lowcountry

SVN | BlackStream opens 6th location in Charleston, SC

November 22, 2019 by 0 Comments
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SVN | BlackStream Taps Local Heavyweights to open Charleston Office

SVN | BlackStream, a fast-growing commercial real estate firm headquartered in Greenville, SC has opened its new Charleston, South Carolina office on James Island with Chip Limehouse and Tom Hartnett as Co-Managing Directors. Both Limehouse and Hartnett have long and successful histories in Charleston real estate. Chip has been associated with Limehouse Properties, a leader in hospitality and parking garages. Tom comes from Hartnett Realty, the oldest family-owned real estate business in Charleston.

This will be the sixth commercial office in the Carolinas for SVN | BlackStream and the eighth overall. BlackStream is also the Christie’s international affiliate in Greenville and Asheville, North Carolina. BlackStream’s other offices are in Columbia, Charlotte, Asheville, as well as its, headquarter city. The company was the recipient of South Carolina’s Top Work Places earlier this year and has won several CoStar Power Broker awards as a top-performing commercial real estate firm.

Founded in 2014, BlackStream is one of the fastest-growing real estate firms in the Carolinas, having grown from one person to over 150 today. “We are very excited to be working with Chip and Tom in Charleston, “says Alex Dmyterko, BlackStream’s President. “With its rapid growth and job creation, it is an area that our customers and clients have been asking us to serve. We feel that we have found the perfect partners for our expansion into such a great city”. According to Hartnett, “I am grateful to be a part of the SVN | BlackStream team. The size of the company and the systems utilized will allow us to give our clients more exposure on a national level. “With this partnership, our services expand in leaps and bounds. It’s only natural for us to partner with a professional group like BlackStream,” said Limehouse.

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About SVN | BlackStream

SVN | BlackStream was formed in 2014 and now operates franchises in Greenville, Columbia, Charlotte, Charleston and Asheville with over 50 Advisors. SVN | BlackStream provides commercial real estate services to local and regional property owners, investors, and national investment funds. In 2018, SVN | BlackStream ranked 7th out of over 220 worldwide SVN offices. For more information, visit www.svnblackstream.com. All SVN offices are independently owned and operated.

About SVN®

SVN International Corp. (SVNIC), a full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN® brand, is comprised of over 1,600 commercial real estate Advisors and staff, in more offices in the United States than any other commercial real estate firm and continues to expand across the globe. SVN® is based in Boston, MA and has grown to over $11 billion in sales annually. All SVN® offices are independently owned and operated. For more information, visit www.svn.com

Lowcountry

CARTA Moves Bus Stop, Helps Homeless Veterans Gain Needed Access to Transit

November 20, 2019 by 1 Comment
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A BERKELEY-CHARLESTON-DORCHESTER COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PROGRAMC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Nov. 11, 2019) — Charleston’s regional transit system recently took an important step to improve access by relocating one of its stops on the lower end of Rivers Avenue near Montague Avenue to a new key location.

In a much-needed move, CARTA collaborated with staff at Patriot Villas, a facility for homeless veterans, to get the stop location relocated, providing the veterans with a much closer and safer access to transit services.

“Patriot Villas is meant for homeless veterans, and we really appreciate CARTA moving the stop closer to us,” said Kristina Goins, Patriot Villas property manager. “Relocating the stop offers our veterans a chance to have more independence by allowing them to find affordable means of travel by themselves, and that’s key to help them feel like they are succeeding in life.”

Opening its doors in 2017, Patriot Villas has remained at full capacity, serving the Charleston area veteran community by providing affordable housing options. Residents have access to a number of services including therapy, counseling and support groups, as well as meeting and job training spaces. Rooms at the Villas are equipped with full bathroom and kitchenette sets, as well as laundry.

With an estimated 38,000 homeless veterans nationwide, according to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development office, having a safe and reliable transit option nearby for homeless veterans there at the Villas was an important move for both the Patriot Villa residents and CARTA.

“It’s more than just transporting people to us. We’re thankful for the sacrifices our veterans have made for our country, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the freedoms we have today,” said Ron Mitchum, executive director at the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments. “Their service doesn’t go unnoticed, and we’re glad to work in partnership with the staff and system riders there to relocate the stop, providing additional access to transit and helping improve their quality of life.”

View the feature video for the project.
 

ABOUT CARTA
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit service, and express commuter routes. For the latest on CARTA, visit www.ridecarta.com, like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @RideCARTA. All customers are encouraged to plan rides and track buses with the CARTA-endorsed Transit app.

Lowcountry

Bank of America Names Lowcountry Local First as Its Inaugural Neighborhood Champion in Charleston as Part of Its Commitment to Economic Mobility and Nonprofit Leadership

November 18, 2019 by 0 Comments
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Program Provides $50,000 in Grant Support and an Opportunity for Virtual Leadership Training

Charleston, S.C.— Bank of America has named Lowcountry Local First as its inaugural Neighborhood Champion awardee. Neighborhood Champions supports the role strong nonprofit leaders play in advancing economic mobility and is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Alongside Charleston, S.C., the bank has brought the program to 40 communities across the U.S. this fall as part of its commitment to investing in the long-term health of communities.

As part of the program, Lowcountry Local First will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector. After a rigorous review process, Lowcountry Local First was the organization that stood out to the local market selection committee and to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Lowcountry Local First was chosen by the committee based on their efforts toward cultivating an economy anchored in local ownership and fostering a better environment for creating and sustaining local businesses.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Neighborhood Champions program to Charleston,” said Mark Munn, Charleston Market President for Bank of America. “Through flexible funding and leadership resources, partners like Lowcountry Local First have the power to plan strategically for growth and long-term sustainability, and we look forward to seeing how this investment helps Lowcountry Local First make even greater strides to support local businesses.”

Your World On Film www.yourworldonfilm.com

The Neighborhood Champions program is invitation-only for nonprofits who are poised to take their work to the next level. Leading members of the community participated in a collaborative selection process to identify this year’s awardee. Examples of the topics for the virtual leadership training awarded include human capital management, increasing financial sustainability, and storytelling.

“We are humbled and honored to be the inaugural recipient of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Champions award,” says Jamee Haley, Executive Director of Lowcountry Local First. “The support allows us to fuel economic and social progress by providing aspiring entrepreneurs with business training, mentorship, and incubation. This key partnership with Bank of America is critical to helping us transform lives, build legacies and support economic self-sufficiency. The grant will have a significant impact on supporting the growth of the organization as we look to build a more equitable economy where all have opportunities to prosper.”

Over more than fifteen years, Bank of America has invested $240 million in 49 communities through Neighborhood Builders, partnering with more than 1,000 nonprofits and helping more than 2,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills.  The Neighborhood Champions program in Charleston will strengthen the bank’s commitment to advancing economic mobility and nonprofit leadership.

Bank of America is very committed to the local Charleston community. In fact, the Bank has invested nearly $650,000 this year alone to support various efforts, including community development, basic human needs, and workforce development.

Over the past 5 years, Bank of America has contributed more than $2.5 million to the Charleston market through grants. Bank of America employees gave over $500,000 to local causes – most of which was matched by the Bank of America Foundation. The Bank’s employees also contributed more than 24 thousand volunteer hours over the past five years.

Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom. Click here to register for news email alerts.

www.bankofamerica.com

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Lowcountry

Crowd Cow: Farms to Table – Buy Local Directly from the Farm

November 18, 2019 by 1 Comment
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Mission

To create an alternative to the current meat commodity system, and to create a meaningful connection between the farmer and the customer, so people can know and appreciate exactly where their food comes from.

We are the marketplace for high-quality craft beef and meats from farms and ranches around the world. We only work with farms that we know personally because we believe that when you know where and how your meat was raised, you’re able to make better decisions for yourself, your family and your health.

Story

Our co-founder Ethan went to an upscale grocery store to pick up some steaks and found himself wondering where the meat was from and why it cost so much.

In talking to his friend Joe, they discovered that many of their friends had purchased beef directly from local farms, and had bragged about how great the meat was. But the trouble of finding a good ranch, coordinating payment and pickup, and the idea of having to purchase and store up to a year’s worth of beef at once was too much.

There had to be a better way. Ethan suggested they “crowdfund a cow” so that 50 people could each buy a tiny amount of beef directly from a local farm. After a couple of weekends visiting ranches and building a website, Crowd Cow was launched and the first cow was sold in 24 hours.

Come join the food transparency movement, and taste the difference, because the difference tastes better.

How it works

DISCOVER
By farm or by cut, it’s easy to explore and shop our high-quality craft beef, pork, and chicken.

GET PUMPED
Your vacuum-sealed, frozen meat is being sustainably shipped directly to your door.

ENJOY
Share the experience of this incredible craft meat with friends and family around the table.

Lowcountry

“FORTUNATE” Art Exhibit at the Vendue raises over $13,000 for I Heart Hungry Kids as new rotating art exhibit is unveiled

November 16, 2019 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, SC (November 11, 2019) – The Vendue, in collaboration with Robert Lange Studios, is pleased to announce that “Fortunate,” the latest in a line of rotating art exhibits at the hotel, has raised $13,377 which will be donated to I Heart Hungry Kids. The money was raised through the sale of limited edition prints by Robert Lange and Nathan Durfee, in addition to proceeds collected from fortunes generated by the hotel’s Zoltar machine.

“We could not be more thrilled to be able to give back to our community and use art as a vehicle for philanthropy. I Heart Hungry Kids is such a wonderful organization and we are glad to help in some small way,” said Jonathan Weitz, owner and operator of The Vendue, Avocet Hospitality Group.

I Heart Hungry Kids is a local nonprofit founded in 2013 by three brothers Jackson, Gabe and Riley Silverman – all under the age of eight. They saw a need to help source food for needy classmates on weekends and organized monthly backpack food packing parties that were then distributed to area children in need. Six years into their mission to help kids beat hunger they have been recognized at local, state and national levels.

“This charity is extremely close to our hearts! Knowing Jackson his entire life and seeing how he and his brothers have impacted thousands of young people is beyond heartwarming. Every charitable collaboration we’ve done with The Vendue has been amazing. The donations we’ve raised really highlights how much positive impact can come when we all support each other,” said Rober Lange, owner of Robert Lange Studios

The donation will be presented to I Heart Hungry Kids during the opening reception of GLOW, the hotel’s next rotating art exhibit. The reception will be held on November 14th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in The Vendue’s lobby. The event is free, open to the public, and will feature live music, complimentary cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.

Lowcountry - Mount Pleasant, SC

Charleston Lash & Beauty Bar Grand Opening (Mount Pleasant, SC) – Friday, December 6, 2019

November 15, 2019 by 0 Comments
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What: Charleston Lash & Beauty Bar Grand Opening

When: Friday, December 6, 2019, at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Where: 1151 Queensborough Blvd, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464

Celebrate our grand opening with us! ? Swing by and grab a bite, a drink and check out our new salon!

Details TBA (hint…giveaways, pop shops, holiday sales and much more)

Lowcountry

Local Charleston Artist Fer Caggiano is shining the light on strong and inspiring women in the Lowcountry through art

November 13, 2019 by 0 Comments
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Like A Girl Project – Showcasing Strong & Inspiring Women by Fer Caggiano

Dare to Dream and Make your Mark on the World

I have always found myself called to use my voice for causes that are important to me. From recycling to animal cruelty, I learned to speak up and voice my opinion from a young age. I have come to the realization, that through my art I can promote and shine a light on issues and matters that deserve awareness and attention.   

While I am happy to offer my clients a window to a landscape or scene where their minds can find joy and peace, art has always served a higher purpose when used to tackle difficult subjects and ideas. Art is all about creating a shift in someone’s mind. If you are uneasy, art can bring you peace. If you are stagnated, art can make your move.   

This is how the project Like A Girl (Strong & Inspiring Women) came to life. In the last thirty to forty years, women in America have been told they can be anything they want to be. But can they? What hindrances does society impose on them? What obstacles do they run into that men do not? How can we ensure this next generation of women can see themselves in leadership roles, in male-centric or male-dominated industries, as a CEO, a pilot, a politician? It is our responsibility to shine a light on women leaders, wherever they may be, so our young girls can find role models that look like them, whatever their race, sexual orientation, or country of origin.   

Through portraits of fascinating women in our community, each with very unique and inspiring stories, our girls will see themselves on a canvas: strong, powerful, beautiful, inspiring, and ready to take on the world.   

I believe that “like a girl” should be something to aspire to, and these portraits will let women and girls everywhere know that women can, women will, and women are achieving greatness.   

Art and Project Details: 

  • 20-50 portraits: 30×40” oil paintings 
  • Art Book with the paintings and stories of all women in this project. 
  • Reception evening and speech from some of these inspiring women. 
  • Partners: The Power Filled Woman, Skirt Magazine, others to join.   

The biggest goal on this project is awareness, however, a percentage of the proceeds will go to female support associations such as “Women in Aviation”, “Women in Construction” and “Girls who Code”.

Some of the amazing women in this project: 
Allison Arriola, Barbara Ashe, Janet Bates, Karen Lucht, Gabrielle Forgione, Yeakia Johnson, Yvonne Gilbert, Arianne King, Beth Ann Crane, Vicky Johnson, TIA Clark, Pixie Paula, Kelly Trager, Erin Mansour, Carol Wilhite, Jessica Koenig, and Kenya Dunn.

Gabrielle Forgione

My youngest model. Gabrielle is involved with Girls Who Code. Programming is a mostly male-dominated field and she is outstanding at coding. I have decided to add a glow in the dark ink to resemble a computer screen.

Karen Lutch

Former NASA employee with some outstanding accomplishments. 
Currently works for Make a Wish foundation. Watch this Interview with Karen regarding her Space Shuttle Transition and Retirement project at NASA.

Karen Lutch
Janet Bates – President of Women in Construction
Art selected for the exhibition at the
R.W. Norton Art Gallery – 4747 Creswell Avenue
Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
www.rwnaf.org

Lowcountry

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management names Doug Hornberger Market Executive for Southeast Coastal Market – He will now call Charleston Home

November 13, 2019 by 0 Comments
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Merrill Lynch Wealth Management announced that Doug Hornberger has been appointed Market Executive for the Southeast Coastal market, which incorporates Savannah, Skidway Island, Hilton Head, Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, Beaufort, Statesboro, and St. Simons. 

“Doug brings a wealth of experience to this new role. He understands the importance of personalized investment advice to achieve client’s goals,” said Eric Schimpf, Southeast division executive, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

Prior to his most recent role, Doug was Market Executive for Carolina East for the Indiana market and an NC Triangle Market Integration Executive. Doug holds his undergraduate degree from Susquehanna University and graduate degree from The Catholic University of America in Music Performance. He will be relocating to Charleston.

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment services for individuals and businesses globally.

Lowcountry

Recipient Carolyn Allen says East Cooper Meals on Wheels saved her life

November 9, 2019 by 0 Comments
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Meals on Wheels Delivers More than Meals to Isolated Neighbors

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. –Nearly 10 million people in this country do not know where their next meal is coming from. Millions more experience the negative effects of living alone, including depression and isolation from social interaction with friends and family. Locally, East Cooper Meals on Wheels has found that the daily visit from a caring volunteer is just as important as delivering a healthy, delicious meal.

“Meals on Wheels saved my life,” shares 89-year-old Carolyn Allen. “I feel like I’m 50 again, but I’ll be turning 90 in June. It’s not just the food that has helped. Having people visit that I can share stories with is so special,” says Allen, a Meals on Wheels recipient since June of 2016.

According to her family, Allen has progressed from a state of isolation and depression to having a real joy for life again. They attribute this in large part to the love received daily from her volunteer delivery drivers, whom she now calls true friends.

The daily visit from a Meals on Wheels volunteer positively influences many aspects of life for the homebound in our community—physical health, safety, loneliness, mental health, and so much more. In fact, research from Meals on Wheels of America identifies the significant impact isolation and depression have on our physical wellbeing—the same as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“We’re the only organization east of the Cooper equipped to serve the homebound by providing not just the food they need, but the tangible benefits of friendship, conversation, and genuine concern for each recipient’s overall well-being,” said George Roberts, president, and CEO of East Cooper Meals on Wheels. “We help our homebound neighbors live with greater dignity, respect, independence, and vitality by knocking on their doors every day and giving them the gift of our time—a truly life-giving connection for someone who lives alone, which is especially important as we approach the holiday season,” he said.

The local nonprofit serves almost 300 recipients daily, who currently range in age from 35-98. Now through December 31, 2019, donations of $100 or more will be matched by several local partners, including:

Carroll Limited Partnership will match up to $1,000 of Isle of Palms donations.

Daniel Island Community Fund will match up to $5,000 of Daniel Island donations.

Edward and Sallie Pritchard will match up to $2,000 of Sullivan’s Island donations.

Feed The Need will match up to $10,000 of Mt. Pleasant donations.

During the holiday season, the organization works especially hard to ensure that no homebound neighbor is forgotten or hungry. East Cooper Meals on Wheels serves anyone who is homebound and cannot prepare a meal, including people of any age and any income level. Because the organization is 100% funded through community support, contributions ensure that the organization can continue its mission of delivering more than a meal to residents of Daniel Island, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Cainhoy, and Wando. There is never a waiting list and never a charge for meals. Anyone can refer a friend, family member, neighbor, or themselves to begin receiving meals—call 843.881.9350, email rhamilton@ecmow.org, or visit www.ecmow.org.

Donate today by visiting, www.ecmow.org/donate or by calling 843.881.9350.

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Hashtags #ECMOWMorethanameal


About East Cooper Meals on Wheels
East Cooper Meals on Wheels delivers daily nutrition to residents within its service area (Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Cainhoy or Wando) who are homebound or unable to provide their own meals. Recipients have physical or mental limitations or short-term physical limitations (such as recovery from surgery or chemotherapy). The organization also advocates on behalf of recipients whose needs exceed the scope of its program. For more information, visit www.ecmow.org.