Charleston Based and Woman-Owned Artisan Bong Company, My Bud Vase™, Wins the Canadian Cannabis Award for ‘Top Bong’

December 5, 2018 by 0 Comments
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U.S. Woman-Owned Artisan Bong Company, My Bud Vase™, Wins the Canadian Cannabis Award for ‘Top Bong’, Reaching Global Market Status as More Countries Legalize Cannabis

CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The Canadian cannabis market is exploding and on the heels of Canada going recreationally legal, My Bud Vase™, the cannabis lifestyle brand and makers of the original vase bong, was voted ‘Top Bong’ at the Lift & Co. Canadian Cannabis Awards (CCA) Thursday night in Toronto.

“I’m so grateful to be recognized in the Canadian market and to be growing internationally with my products and brand. The outpouring of love my team and I are seeing is beyond expectations and I can’t wait to see what 2019 holds for us,” said Doreen Sullivan, Founder, and Designer of My Bud Vase™.

A lifestyle innovator and career creative, Doreen brings bongs that are discrete and beautiful to the market. The artisan bongs combine floral, form, and function perfect for everyday home decor. Based in Charleston, S.C., her company features a wide array of vintage and decorative vases that they repurpose and manufacture into luxury smoking accessories as well as artfully designed Signature Collections.

“Through My Bud Vase™, I’m bringing much-needed expertise in creativity, sourcing, and manufacturing to the emerging cannabis industry,” said Doreen, “Women deserve a stylish and comfortable tool to consume legal cannabis.”

My Bud Vase™ fulfills a niche recently identified by Bloomberg news. In an article they reported, “The industry has adapted its product offerings to the needs of targeted markets like women, who may prefer beauty and wellness products.”

The My Bud Vase™’s lifestyle brand, My Bud Life, has started a cultural shift in at-home consumption for cannabis users. The legendary cannabis activist and entrepreneur Steve DeAngelo agrees. He recently said of Doreen, “Your works of art are things of beauty— and potently de-stigmatizing. Well done.”

Proudly displayed or hidden in plain sight, My Bud Vase™ is smoking made beautiful. This product is embraced by women in the cannabis space but enjoyed by male consumers as well because there’s a vase for every face. My Bud Vase™ has also been selected by Herb.co as a recommended gift for the 2018 holiday season.

For more information visit www.mybudvase.com, on Instagram, or at Basel House during Miami’s Art Basel Week 2018.

For press inquiries or interviews please contact 18Pr Pro.

Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor Finds Only 57% of Charleston Seniors Have Been Immunized This Season

December 5, 2018 by 0 Comments
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With flu shot rates increasing only 15% over the past month, too many older Lowcountry residents remain unvaccinated going into the height of flu season

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Dec. 4, 2018) – Today, newly conducted survey results released from the December Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor reveal that only 57% of Charleston area seniors have gotten a flu shot so far this season. This is a slight improvement from the findings of November’s Flu Shot Monitor, which showed that 42% of Charleston adults 60 and older had gotten a flu shot.

The latest results demonstrate that there has been insufficient progress on senior vaccination rates this season, prompting the Medicare Advantage insurer to urge all Lowcountry residents to get vaccinated immediately.

Nationally, 60% of seniors surveyed as part of the December Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor have received the vaccine this flu season, compared to 41% in November.

The Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor also found that:

  • Only 53% of African-Americans 60 and older in Charleston have been vaccinated, compared with 60% of white seniors surveyed
  • While 64% of male seniors in the Charleston area surveyed have gotten a flu shot, only 53% of female seniors have been vaccinated this season
  • 69% of those seniors with a household income of $75,000 or more have received a flu shot, versus 54% of those in households earning $35,000-$74,999, and just 52% of those earning less than $35,000
  • Just 52% of local seniors surveyed without an undergraduate degree have gotten a flu shot, compared with 68% of those who graduated from college
  • While 64% of married seniors in Charleston have been vaccinated, only 45% of unmarried seniors have done so

According to the CDC, far fewer people report getting vaccinated against the flu past late November – a dangerous trend, especially for senior citizens.

“Even in December, it’s not too late for Charleston area seniors to get a flu shot,” said Kumar Dharmarajan, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Clover Health. “As it gets colder and people spend more time indoors, it is crucial that Lowcountry residents get vaccinated to prevent the spread of infection in their communities.”

In Charleston, seniors can access free or inexpensive influenza vaccines in a number of locations, including SCDHEC seasonal flu clinics. A complete list of Charleston flu shot locations and pricing details is also available via the national HealthMap Vaccine Finder at vaccinefinder.org.

City of Charleston to Celebrate Arbor Day with Annual Tree Planting

December 4, 2018 by 0 Comments
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In recognition of Arbor Day, the city of Charleston Parks Department will plant several young white flowering Dogwood trees along the newly renovated section of the West Ashley Bikeway, where it intersects with Magnolia Road, at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 7, 2018. Eastern Dogwood trees are native to North America and provide flowers in the spring and brilliant red leaves in the fall.

Arbor Day is an international holiday celebrated annually to encourage citizens to plant trees and care for their natural environment. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits including mitigating storm water runoff, cleaning the air of pollutants, offsetting heat effects, and providing homes for wildlife.

For 36 consecutive years, the city of Charleston has been honored as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.  This designation attests to the city’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and expanding its urban forest, as well as protecting and preserving the natural environment.

City of Charleston Director of Parks Jason Kronsberg said, “We are honored to be recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for our continued efforts to care for our natural environment, and are proud to continue that work this year in celebration of Arbor Day.”

Official Press Release from City of Charleston

2018 U.S. News Report on State Rankings Released – South Carolina #42

November 30, 2018 by 1 Comment
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The latest U.S. News Report on United States Rankings for 2018 has been released.  Here is how South Carolina faired.

Some telling statistics:

  • South Carolina is ranked #48 in the United States in Education
  • Ranked #41 in Healthcare
  • Ranked #41 in Crime and Corrections
  • South Carolina is #39 in Opportunity
  • $25,751 – Median State Salary
  • 37% college educated
  • Overall Ranking:  #42
  • Very healthy economy ranking #15 in the country
  • 80.3% of our high school students graduate
  • Increased from #45 in 2017 to #42 in 2018
  • Energy from renewable sources:  8.6% (National Average:  9.5%)
  • Major roadways in poor condition – 18.6% (National Average – 22%)
  • Commute time:  24.7 Minutes (National Average – 26.6 Minutes)

Full Detailed Report

Overall Ranking

Healthcare Ranking

Economy Ranking

Report Card – Overall

Infrastructure

Imagine a World – Original Poem

November 28, 2018 by 0 Comments
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By Mark A. Leon

Imagine seeing the world for the first time every day
A recharge
A rebirth
To kindle the flame of life with the awareness of a child

Imagine each day, a new beginning

A fulfilled understanding of life’s mistakes
A ride down an endless rainbow
An exploration of the unknown

To bring sight to the blind
Music to the deaf
Healing to the ill
Meaning to the lost

Imagine you and I just met
Longing to know each other and not comprehending why
Just being
A stranger with a hold on my heart
To learn your dreams and draw your fantasies on this blank canvas

Imagine I could stop time during moments of perfection
Freeze enlightenment
Captured, amplified, penetrated into the bloodstream, lighting the mind with the energy of a thousand prophets

Imagine a place so magical, it knows of no hate; void of selfishness; unknown to sin

The crystals of the hourglass have more meaning now
The roads are paved with endless possibility

Imagine a world

Charleston, South Carolina bans plastic bags, straws, and foam

November 28, 2018 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C. — The city of Charleston, nearly surrounded by water, has banned plastic bags, straws and foam containers, saying the trash clogs waterways and is toxic to tourism as well as the ecosystem.

News outlets reported that Charleston City Council voted 11-2 Tuesday to end the use of the containers and plastic straws by 2020. Ten other coastal communities in South Carolina have approved similar bans.

Surveys by the city this year and last year showed about 99 per cent of the businesses and residents questioned support the ban.

Most of those opposing the ban at the meeting represented plastic manufacturer No Volex of Hartsville.

State lawmakers are expected to consider a bill in January to prevent local governments from banning plastics and foam. A similar effort failed this year.

The Associated Press

Local Charleston Author Publishes Love Story Centered Around Folly Beach

November 28, 2018 by 5 Comments
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Local Charleston area author River Wild has just released a beautiful new fictional novel, The Artist’s Special Touch, focusing on Hannah and Jackson set in the backdrop of beautiful Folly Beach.

Book Description:

Have you ever loved someone so much that you never wanted to spend one moment away from them? If you ever got separated, you would find your way back to each other no matter what…

Jackson Henderson makes a magical discovery on the last day of school. He stumbles across a magazine that teaches him how to paint. In a short time, he becomes a Master Painter and discovers he’s been given a special gift.

Hannah Walker is starting a new chapter of her life in the coastal town of Folly Beach near Charleston, South Carolina after losing her mother to breast cancer.

The young couple have a chance meeting on Christmas Eve that turns into a swirling romance that takes them both by storm. As their love grows, they make a solemn promise to be together no matter what. As they navigate the twists and turns of life, tragedy strikes. Can they keep their solemn promise?

Bio/Press Release:  

River Wild grew up in Charleston and fell in love with the magical beauty that is Charleston.  During his childhood, he spent many days on Folly Beach and in the rivers of the area swimming and fishing.  Middleton Place was one of his favorite gardens to visit.  He keenly remembers climbing the storied Angel Oak Tree many years ago as well as visiting all the sites mentioned in the book.  His love of Charleston and its beauty and rich history made it a natural choice to write about.  During high school, he met and eventually married his high school sweetheart.  River served in the military and learned a lifetime of lessons dealing with people and difficult situations.  He and his wife have been married for many years and the love they share was the inspiration for the characters in the book “The Artist’s Special Touch.” The title of the book and some of the specifics were actually inspired by a country music song.  While traveling, a song came on the radio that he’d heard many times before, but now this time, something was different.  The song, “Paint Me A Birmingham,” by country artist Tracy Lawrence, touched him in a special way and this inspiration became a theme of the book.  The book doesn’t follow the song, but the ability of the artist is what captivated him and what became the central theme.  Although the book is a work of fiction, many scenes were part of the author’s life in full or in part.  It is up to the reader to figure out which ones those might be.  River and his family live in South Carolina.

BCDCOG Receives National Innovation Award for Hop Park-And-Ride Shuttle

November 26, 2018 by 0 Comments
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THE CARTA SERVICE WAS INCLUDED AMONG 90 PROJECTS NATIONALLY

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (Nov. 26, 2018) – The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) has been nationally recognized for its work spearheading the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Hospitality on Peninsula (HOP) Shuttle.

BCDCOG recently received the 2018 Aliceann Wohlbruck Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). The awards program recognizes regional development organizations for improving economic and community competitiveness.

Launched in April of this year via a partnership between the BCDCOG, CARTA, the City of Charleston, Charleston County and the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the HOP is the first park-and-ride offering on the Charleston peninsula. The service was developed to assist workers in the hospitality and food and beverage industries who were faced with rising parking meter costs, though the $5-per-day lot and free shuttle are open to anyone.

A recent survey of HOP riders found that 70 percent park their vehicles in the HOP lot, with a majority previously paying an average of $10 per day for parking. To date, 60,0000-plus riders from across the tri-county region have used the service, saving money and obtaining safe, reliable transportation to and from work in the process.

“The HOP showcases what can be accomplished through regional planning and cooperation,” said BCDCOG executive director Ron Mitchum. “Working closely with our partners allowed this innovative service to become a reality and a platform for future success.”

BCDCOG and the HOP were recognized at NADO’s 2018 Annual Training Conference, held in Charlotte, N.C., in October.

“The Aliceann Wohlbruck Innovation Awards program recognizes the important and wide-ranging work of regional development organizations in communities across the country,” said 2017-2018 NADO president Doug Elliott, executive director of the East Central Iowa Council of Governments, located in Cedar Rapids. “These awards demonstrate the value of regional development organizations and highlight their critical role in promoting economic development for the nation’s rural and small metropolitan communities.”

NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies strengthening local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies.

ABOUT BCDCOG

The BCDCOG is a voluntary association of, by and for local governments, and was established to assist Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester county leaders in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. BCDCOG’s purpose is to strengthen the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions. For the latest on BCDCOG, visit www.bcdcog.com, like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @BCDCOG.

ABOUT NADO

Since 1967 the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) has provided advocacy, education, networking, and research for the national network of 540 regional development organizations. NADO members provide professional, programmatic, and technical assistance to over 2,300 counties and 15,000 municipalities.

 

SCANA and SCE&G Settle Class Action Lawsuit with Attorney General and Plaintiffs Related to V.C. Summer Nuclear Costs

November 25, 2018 by 0 Comments
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Cayce, SC, November 24, 2018… Plaintiffs Richard Lightsey, LeBrian Cleckley, and Phillip Cooper have reached an agreement with SCANA Corporation and South Carolina Electric & Gas Company to settle a lawsuit filed in the state Court of Common Pleas in Hampton County on behalf of themselves and current and former SCE&G electric customers. The settlement addresses these customers’ claims and the Attorney General’s arguments related to the Base Load Review Act (“BLRA”). SCANA and SCE&G deny the allegations made in the lawsuit, but have agreed to resolve this matter.

SCANA and SCE&G have agreed to a Common Benefit Fund comprised of the following amounts, to be distributed to the class members:

1) A credit of up to $2,000,000,000.00 in future electric rate relief will inure to the benefit of the Common Benefit Fund in favor of class members over a period of time established in the proceeding pending before the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (the PSC); and

2) A cash payment of $115,000,000.00, which will include the full value of the SCANA rabbi trust funded in January 2018 that was created in whole or in part for executive change-in-control payments; and

3) Transfer of SCE&G owned real estate or sales proceeds from the sale of real properties, including among others, the Ramsey Grove Plantation; the original Charleston Gas & Light Building at 141 Meeting Street in Charleston; and certain Otarre properties in Cayce.

Distribution of any settlement funds is subject to court approval, as well as a final order

by the PSC approving a merger between SCANA Corporation and Dominion Energy, and a closing of the proposed merger between the parties.

Affected current and former SCE&G customers will receive information regarding their rights under the settlement. Eligible settlement class members will receive compensation in the form of a bill credit or a payment of an amount to be distributed by a court-approved class action administrator. Upon the approval of the settlement announced today, the lawsuit will be dismissed by agreement and the claims of SCE&G ratepayers will be resolved.

Former United States Attorney, and lead counsel for the certified class, J. Preston Strom, Jr., had the following to say about the terms of this settlement: “In reaching this agreement, we have been able to secure more than $ 2 billion in relief and accountability for the people of South Carolina. We thank the Attorney General’s office for their hard work throughout this case and particularly in securing the return of funds set aside for executive bonus payments to the ratepayers.”

 

Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following statement: “The settlement reached today is the result of countless hours of work by our office seeking to make SCE&G customers whole for the abandonment of the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project. I am proud of the hard work of my entire team in bringing about this result, starting with the aggressive posture of Solicitor General Bob Cook regarding constitutional issues related to the Base Load Review Act, and continuing through tough settlement negotiations to bring resolution to civil matters related to these issues.”

“At all times, our goal has been to look out for the ratepayer and see that justice is done. We believe that this settlement, which encompasses over $2 billion in benefits, is the largest of its kind in the history of South Carolina. The settlement resolves the injury that SCE&G customers suffered under the Base Load Review Act by refunding revised rates previously collected. We also required that the entirety of the SCANA rabbi trust, which had a number of financial benefits for senior managers of SCE&G, be made available for the payment of obligations of the company.”

“This milestone ends our pursuit for restitution to ratepayers, but does not end our inquiry into the individual actors that may have contributed to the project’s failure. We want to acknowledge the hard work of the private lawyers who zealously fought for the interests of ratepayers as well through various lawsuits filed on the behalf of SCE&G ratepayers.”

“Additionally, we want to thank Dominion Energy for its willingness to provide the financial resources necessary to make this restitution. It is important to note that Dominion Energy was not involved in the creation of this situation, and we appreciate its role in finding a resolution that serves the best interests of SCE&G ratepayers.”

Jim Stuckey, SCANA’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, issued the following statement: “We are pleased that we were able to achieve a mutually

acceptable resolution of this matter so that we can keep our focus on moving forward with the merger with Dominion Energy.”

The State of South Carolina was represented in this matter by Attorney General Alan Wilson. Class Counsel are J. Preston Strom, Jr.; John R. Alphin, Jessica L. Fickling, Mario A. Pacella; and Bakari T. Sellers, of Strom Law Firm, LLC; Terry Richardson, Edward Westbrook, and Daniel S. Haltiwanger, of Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC in Barnwell; Dan Speights and A.G. Solomons, III of Speights and Solomons in Hampton; J. Edward Bell of the Bell Legal Group, LLC in Georgetown; James L. Ward, Jr., and Whitney B. Harrison of McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC; Vincent Sheheen of Savage, Royall, & Sheheen, L.LP.; and Gregory Galvin of the Galvin Law Group. SCE&G and SCANA are represented by David Balser and Jon Chally of King & Spalding LLP in Atlanta, GA; Leah B. Moody of the Moody Law Firm in Rock Hill, SC; and Jamie Becker and Bob Knowlton of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd in Columbia, SC.

PROFILE

SCANA Corporation, headquartered in Cayce, SC, is an energy-based holding company principally engaged, through subsidiaries, in electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy-related businesses. Information about SCANA and its businesses is available on the Company’s website at www.scana.com.

Media Contact: Analyst Contact:
Public Affairs Bryant Potter
(800) 562-9308 (803) 217-6916