Lowcountry

Enjoy the Ride: Charleston Inspiration Can Be Found in the Most Unusual Places – Thank you @koote23

April 30, 2022 by 0 Comments
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By Mark A. Leon

Street art is no new to Charleston. In fact, we have witnessed a renaissance over the last several years from Shepard Fairey to the Avondale Outdoor Art Gallery, to the walls of Park Circle.

Sometimes, you have to hunt harder to find artistic works of inspiration. Just south of 526 on Savannah Highway in West Ashley, on the side of a run-down Antique Auction House is the works of famed street artist Koote23 (www.instagram.com/koote23).

On the walls with the kind light of the sun, you will find the visual imagery of Bourdain, Einstein, Hendrix, and Dali. These four men help define the legacy of culinary arts, science, music, and art.

Yet, so many in the Lowcountry have missed this artistic treasure, so powerful in its color and imagery.

Koote23, we thank you for bringing this beauty and inspiration to what would otherwise be another neglected building.


Lowcountry

Things to Know Before You Go to Charleston, SC – New Video from Creative Travel Guide

April 29, 2022 by 0 Comments
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About Video

Today we share the things to know before you go to Charleston, South Carolina, perfect for those planning a trip to Charleston. We share the best time to visit Charleston, and tips for getting to Charleston and getting around Charleston without a car. We also share the typical prices in Charleston and how to save money in Charleston so you know how to visit Charleston SC on a budget. We also share the east things to do in Charleston SC and travel tips for Charleston SC.

Lowcountry

Holy City Hospitality Introduces Captain Harry’s Blue Marlin Bar (Perhaps Charleston’s smallest bar)

April 29, 2022 by 1 Comment
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Holy City Hospitality is excited to introduce Captain Harry’s Blue Marlin Bar. This will certainly be Charleston’s Smallest Bar–with only 4 barstools inside the small space on Hutson Alley, between 39 Rue de Jean, and Coast Bar & Grill. However, there will be additional tables outside on the Alley, and both cocktail service and counter service. We will offer a curated selection of canned beers and cocktails as well as signature frozen drinks. The food menu will be operated out of Coast, and will feature Coast favorites such as fried shrimp, bacon-wrapped scallops, and Coast Crab Dip. 

Captain Harry’s Blue Marlin Bar has a long and storied history in Charleston. Originally located on Cumberland Street in the late 70s, it was a bar that catered to all walks of life. In the late 90s, Captain Harry’s Blue Marlin Bar re-opened on John Street, in the location that is now home to Coast Bar & Grill. We are excited to bring this bar back to Charleston, and start a new chapter!

Blue Marlin Bar will be officially open for business again on Thursday May 5th at 4pm, with live music from Ronnie Johnson. Please follow us on social media for updates! @thebluemarlinbar

Lowcountry

Charleston County Parks launches “2033: Parks and Recreation for ALL” Plan

April 29, 2022 by 0 Comments
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Charleston County Parks launches a comprehensive master plan update for parks, open spaces, trails and facilities

(CHARLESTON COUNTY) – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is embarking on a comprehensive planning process to establish community goals and recommendations for the agency’s parks and facilities, open spaces, trails, programming and land acquisition strategies for the next 10 years. 

The plan will be called “2033: Parks and Recreation for ALL” (abbreviated as PARFA). This title points to the importance of creating a truly inclusive and community-driven planning process where the recommendations are directly informed by community priorities, needs and ideas. Those interested in learning more about the PARFA planning process and its progress can sign up on the PARFA webpage, ccprc.com/PARFA.

“This plan will develop implementation strategies for making our parks, facilities and recreational programming more resilient, relevant, accessible, connected and equitable as our county grows and changes. I hope every Charleston County resident, stakeholder and park user will participate in this process to help us identify priorities for the next 10 years of Charleston County Parks,” said Charleston County Parks’ Executive Director David Bennett. “With your support, Charleston County Parks will be well-positioned to continue providing high-quality programs, well-maintained facilities, transformative experiences and a great quality of life for all.”

PARFA is Charleston County Parks’ second 10-year comprehensive parks, recreation, open space and trails plan; the first comprehensive plan (called Parks for Tomorrow) was completed in 2013. As Charleston County Parks’ foundational comprehensive plan, Parks for Tomorrow laid the groundwork for enhancements at existing parks, the acquisition and development of new parkland, and the expansion of programs and services.

Public Engagement

Project information, resources, and updates will be posted on the PARFA webpage at ccprc.com/PARFA. Public feedback will be encouraged through two primary modes: surveys (questionnaires) and workshops.

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Needs Assessment (a statistically-valid survey process) will kick-off the public engagement phase of the planning process. The survey will be mailed to approximately 4,000 randomly-selected Charleston County residences in May, to ask residents about their level of satisfaction and priorities for a wide range of park and recreation services. Additional surveys and other opportunities to share feedback will be available both online and at several public workshops for all county residents to voice their opinions.

Save the date! The PARFA planning process will include a series of six workshops throughout Charleston County during the week of June 27 – July 1, 2022. Exact times and locations of these workshops will be finalized and posted on the PARFA webpage in the near future.

Additional public engagement measures will include web-based and printed surveys; targeted community-scale workshops; pop-up-style information stations; and focus group meetings with community advocacy groups, existing and potential public and non-profit partners, park and recreation-oriented businesses, mobility and accessibility advocacy groups, and cultural and natural resource agencies and organizations. For more information about upcoming events and ways to participate, visit ccprc.com/PARFA.

About the Project Team

The consulting team leading the PARFA planning effort is Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Agency Landscape + Planning. The project team also includes Alta Planning for connectivity and trails, BerryDunn for recreation programming and operations, and ETC Institute to develop and deploy a statistically valid community survey. Charleston-based Community Solutions Consulting is also on the team and brings recent, hands-on knowledge of reaching area communities from their work on the Charleston City Plan. Dr. Tiffany Johnson of Rocket Solutions brings her expertise in organizational structures in parks and recreation. Lead consultant Agency Landscape + Planning is a mission-driven, women-owned practice dedicated to addressing social equity, cultural vitality and environmental resilience through design excellence, strategic planning and community-engagement on projects across the country. The firm has led parks and open space planning projects for over a decade, including system-wide plans for communities including Denver, CO; Mecklenburg County, NC; Howard County, MD; Greensboro, NC and Jersey City, NJ, among others.

About Charleston County Parks

The mission of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes four day parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, a historical plantation site, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. The park system also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. For more information, call 843-795-4386 or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.

Lowcountry

CARTA Announces “No Pay May” Initiative

April 29, 2022 by 0 Comments
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FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, CARTA SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED FOR FREE

NORTH CHARLESTON (April 28, 2022) – During a press conference this morning, Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) leaders announced a new “No Pay May” initiative, which aims to encourage new ridership by offering all CARTA services at no cost for the month of May.

The initiative, which is a first in system history, will begin on Sunday, May 1, 2022, and run through Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

“With mask mandates lifting and our world increasingly getting back to normal, we’re making it easier than ever for folks throughout the region to come check out everything that CARTA has to offer,” said CARTA Board of Directors Chairman Mike Seekings. “Don’t just take our word for it – get on board and see for yourself.”

The “No Pay May” initiative excludes CARTA OnDemand rides, which are contracted separately.

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 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.

Lessons about Charleston Life from Nicholas Sparks Quotes

April 28, 2022 by 2 Comments

“The best love is the kind that weakens the soul, that makes us reach for more, that plants fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I hope to give to you forever.” – The Notebook

“The ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together.” – Message in a Bottle

“I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, every day we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours.” – The Notebook

“When I sleep, I dream of you and when I wake, I long to hold you in my arms. If anything, our time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend my nights by your side, and my days with your heart.” – Nights in Rodanthe

“Loving someone and having them love you back is the most precious thing in the world.” – The Rescue

“Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work’s important, family’s important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You’re cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what’s coming.” – Three Weeks with My Brother

“Dusk is just an illusion because the sun is either above the horizon or below it. And that means that day and night are linked in a way that few things are there cannot be one without the other yet cannot exist at the same time. How could it feel I remember wondering to be always together yet forever apart.” – The Notebook

“What it’s like to be a parent: it’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever do but in exchange it teaches you the meaning of unconditional love.” – The Wedding

“You should be kissed every day, every hour, every minute.” – The Lucky One

“Love is fragile. And we’re not always its best caretakers. We just muddle through and do the best we can. And hope this fragile thing survives against all odds.” – The Last Song

“How far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?”– The Choice

“Every time I read to her, it was like I was courting her, because sometimes, just sometimes, she would fall in love with me again, just like she had a long time ago. And that’s the most wonderful feeling in the world. How many people are ever given that chance? To have someone you love fall in love with you over and over?”– The Wedding

“The saddest people I’ve ever met in life are the ones who don’t care deeply about anything at all.” – Dear John

“I do not use profanity in my novels. My characters all go to church.” – Nicholas Sparks

“I think that enduring, committed love between a married couple, along with raising children, is the most noble act anyone can aspire to. It is not written about very much.” – Nicholas Sparks

“In the end, people should be judged by their actions, since in the end, it was actions that defined everyone.”– Nicholas Sparks

Lowcountry

New Lifestyle Video: “A Weekend in My Life in Charleston, SC – A Girls Bachelorette Trip”

April 28, 2022 by 1 Comment
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This new video is courtest of Natalie Lawyer

About the Video

Today’s video is a girl’s trip I recently took to Charleston, South Carolina for one of my best friends’ bachelorette! it was so much fun, so I wanted to share some of the moments with you all! xoxo nat

  • Let’s be friends!!
  • Instagram: @natalielawyer
  • Tik Tok: @natalielawyer
  • Pinterest: @natalielawyer
Food & Bev - Lowcountry

New Lowcountry Concept Restaurant Experience: Savannah’s Rhett (from the team behind Hank’s) Evolves into a Southern Coast Concept

April 27, 2022 by 0 Comments
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]The convivial, seafood-focused restaurant aims to deliver a comfortable and homey atmosphere all overlooking the historic stairs and river thoroughfare

Savannah, Ga., – Created and operated by independent restaurant team, Makeready, Rhett, Savannah’s signature River Street restaurant, announces its reimagined fare comprised of local ingredients, inspired by the spirit and cuisine of the coastal American south.

Situated atop the Savannah River in the Plant Riverside District, Rhett’s surroundings of Savannah’s shipping port have served as a muse and inspiration behind the refreshed menu that celebrates the bounty of the Lowcountry while honoring Southern classics. Committed to bringing River Street back to its original roots of authentic interaction, commerce, and conversation, Rhett’s menu offers guests the comfort and approachability of what we have come to love from coastal American cuisine.

“From day one, Rhett has been a favorite among locals and diners thanks to its great location and classic menu offerings,” says Arthur Sertorio, Corporate Service Director, Food and Beverage at Makeready. “Our evolution reflects our team truly embracing the local culture and wanting to spotlight the tastes and essence of the Lowcountry. We’re sticking to our Southern favorites, yet we’ve incorporated smart and thoughtful menu replacements and additions to give our diners the Coastal freshness and quality they crave.”

Expertly executed by Executive Chef Javier Hernandez, the new menu has retained favorites like the Cheddar Drop Biscuits, Mushroom Risotto and Rhett Burger that diners have come to know and love over the years. For dinner, guests can expect high-quality, sustainable seafood from the area’s best purveyors and fishmongers. Menu highlights include Seafood Towers, Stuffed Rainbow Trout with mushrooms, leeks and cured lemon pan sauce and Shrimp and Grits with andouille, smoked tomato gravy and scallion oli. Small plates, perfect for sharing with friends new and old, include Mussels and Fries, Smoked Fish Dip and She Crab Soup.

The newly debuted raw bar features Tuna Crudo, daily selections from nearby May River Oyster Company, a selection of wines that quench with salinity, cocktails, and beer, all in harmony with the seafood-focused menu. Additionally, Rhett’s signature brunch offered seven days a week now includes an all-new and soon- to-be legendary Bloody Mary menu with six variations to choose from.

Rhett is open Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch and Monday to Wednesday, 5 to 9 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner. View the current menus or make a reservation at diningwithrett.com.

ABOUT RHETT

Located at the intersection of Savannah’s bustling River Street, Rhett is a lighthearted hub for Coastal fare and warm hospitality. The menu combines local ingredients and Southern culinary heritage to provide playful, accessible plates for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and signature brunch, seven days a week.

ABOUT MAKEREADY

Great meals and good stories satisfy. Makeready is designed from the ground up to create truly independent hotel, restaurant and bar brands that provide individual points of view and concepts that revolve around their own story. The team lends decades of experience to making sure of it.

Makeready is committed to developing independent concepts that are an essential part of each community, cultivating deep, emotional connections across guests, teams, and local brands to create sustainable value.

The portfolio spans seven cities with over 40 restaurant and bar brands currently, with highlights including Frannie & The Fox, Little Palm and Hank’s Seafood Restaurant in Charleston, SC as well as The French Room, City Hall Bistro and Rodeo Bar located in Dallas plus Hidden Bar, Drug  Store Coffee and Rare Bird in Nashville, TN. 

Find us online at www.makereadyexperience.com or on Instagram at @makereadyexp.

Lowcountry

Palmetto Community Care releases 2021 Annual Report

April 26, 2022 by 0 Comments
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In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Subsequently, South Carolina ordered the closing of all non-essential businesses. Determined to provide essential services to the many clients that depend on the agency, we quickly and strategically pivoted the agency, and at no point as an organization shut down or discontinued services. Despite the pandemic, we sustained and grew as an organization by servicing more individuals in our community. Numbers do not mean everything but they do serve as the vital signs of an agency, painting a larger picture of health. Here are some comparative statistics to not only paint that picture but illustrate the incredible growth of PCC over the years:

  • In 2019-2021 the prevention program performed over 12,200 STI tests. More than 500 persons tested positive for STIs and were referred to medical care. A total of 106 new PrEP patients were enrolled in the 340B program.
  • Medical Case Management provided over 42,000 direct services for clients over the three-year period. These services include medication assistance, nutritional support, legal services, housing assistance, insurance co-pays, deductibles, etc.
  • Housing and utility assistance increased by 45% from 2019 to 2021. These vital services prevent homelessness and offer stable housing so our clients can focus on their medical needs and remain medically compliant.
  • In 2019, the agency paid $692,758.00 for medical insurance coverage compared to $1,099,939.00 paid in 2021. By focusing on a vital need, we enrolled more clients in the program, increasing premium payments by 59%. Access to health care ensures a better quality of life for our clients and reaches the ultimate goal of viral suppression.
  • PCC was selected to participate in the Federal Ending HIV Epidemic (EHE) Grant Pilot project through DHEC for prevention services. We received funding to implement the programs for $149,000 through a competitive grant award. These additional funds are a 56% increase to the agency’s prevention budget.

It’s a new day, and we are no longer the small non-profit around the corner.  Our communities need us, and we must plan accordingly.

Please take a moment to review our 2021 Annual Report and learn more about last year’s projects and our impact in the Charleston community.


Lowcountry

First Tee – Greater Charleston receives a 150K donation from a private investment firm

April 26, 2022 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C. – First Tee – Greater Charleston, a local nonprofit committed to empowering kids and teens through the game of golf, announced the organization received a $150,000 donation from Ryan Hanks and Madison Capital Group. The donation will provide critical resources to support the growth and sustainability of First Tee programs that served 17,000 kids and teens in 2021 alone.  

“We are thrilled to invest in this wonderful organization,” said Ryan Hanks. “Their work is inspiring and will have a generational impact on children and families across the Greater Charleston community for years to come. We invite others to join us in furthering First Tee’s mission of empowering children and teens.” 

The Greater Charleston Chapter of the First Tee was started in 2008 and currently has 150 volunteers as coaches and mentors. There are more than 17,000 youth that participate in First Tee – Greater Charleston programs on golf courses, in schools, and in partnership with other youth serving agencies across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties. While many First Tee alumni have gone on to start successful careers, graduate college and play collegiate golf, First Tee is most proud of its efforts in Building Game Changers for our community.

“This donation is transformational for a nonprofit like ours. It gives the organization the essential resources to not only grow programs to reach more kids, but also invest in areas like coach training, transportation, and access that will have a lasting impact on the children and families that we serve,” said Bucky Dudley, Executive Director of First Tee – Greater Charleston. “We are tremendously grateful for Ryan and Madison Capital’s partnership and investment in our kids and teens!”

Individuals interested in getting involved or supporting First Tee – Greater Charleston should contact, Bucky Dudley, Executive Director at bucky@firstteeCHS.org. To learn more visit: www.firstteechs.org and Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

About Ryan Hanks and Madison Capital Group
Ryan is Founder/CEO of Madison Capital Group, based in Charlotte, NC and focuses on the acquisition, development, and management of suburban, garden-style multifamily communities in the Southeast and Southwest, self-storage facilities on a national scale as well as Boat and RV storage acquisition and development opportunities throughout the Southeast.  For more information: www.madisoncapgroup.com.

About First Tee – Greater Charleston 
First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. Serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties, First Tee reaches 17,000 kids and teens annually on-course, in schools, and through community partnerships.  For more information, call (843) 864-4200 or visit www.firstteechs.org.