5 Ways the Charleston Government can make the Lowcountry liveable again

July 21, 2018 by 4 Comments
Read More

Yesterday’s flooding was not a wake up call for most that live in the Lowcountry, but the harsh reality of life on the coast in the heart of a targeted hurricane area.  Not only did the flooding cripple drivers throughout the area, but it has created concern on the health of our waters and the unsafe bacteria that can cause harm to children and adults enjoying basic recreational activities.

Mayor Tecklenburg and his staff made promises of “Better Liveability” in the Lowcountry if elected.  That is a subjective term and has room for multiple interpretations.  At its core, it is defined as:

1. suitable for living in; habitable; comfortable: to make a house livable.
2. worth living; endurable: something to make life more livable.
3. able to be lived with; companionable (often used in combination with with): charming but not altogether livable-with.
Many have voiced concerns that with the flooding issue still a critical area of worry, bridge structural and design issues in play, traffic continuing to spiral out of control, safety issues in the waters and cost of living in excess of the national inflationary rate due to a priority on tourism, we have not had any of our promises met.
We would like to take a stab and make a few proposals on how to provide the necessary funding to turn the tide and try and make this a place worth living for our residents that call Charleston home.

 

5 Ways to Raise Budgetary Funding to Provide Solutions to our Growing Liveability Struggles
  • Stronger zoning restrictions and higher zoning fees – Hotels, condominiums, housing, apartments and massive retail complexes are the new norm in Charleston.  When you leave the downtown Charleston area in any direction, cranes are a part of the scenery in all directions.  Construction seems to be running amuck with no signs of slowing down.  One Solution:  Add more zoning restrictions and higher zoning fees to raise more revenue and curtail the speed of expansion.
  • More in-depth land surveys on the long term effects of construction on specific plots of land – There is a growing concern of development in areas that have long term concerns around structural safety, flooding and destruction of wildlife homes and preserves.  With development going up on marshes and traditional flooding areas, there seems to be a lack of ethics and an abundance of greed.  We need to put safety and long term sustainability first.  When will this start to happen?
  • Non-resident tolls for Lowcountry beach entrance – Charge a tool for the entrance to Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach and Edisto Beach for non-residents.  If tourism is our bread and butter, we should gain additional revenue to fund projects that will help our residents and justify the 5 million plus tourists we have to see flood our area each year.
  • Higher property tax for a period of 3 – 5 years for all new construction – For all new commercial and hospitality construction, we should levy additional property tax for the first 3 to 5 years and then stagger back to the current rates.  Charleston is a commodity and there is a lot of profit to be had here.  We need to acknowledge that.
  • Increase luxury tax on high end items – Some argue Charleston has two classes, rich and poor with a very limited, almost non-visible middle class.  With some hotels charging up to $600 plus a night and high end retail throughout the city, we have an opportunity to levy increased luxury taxes to help fund our local projects.

There are our proposals.  We welcome all comments as well.

Charlestowne Hotels Welcomes Hotel Clermont to Charleston, S.C.

July 19, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

Management company continues expansion in adaptive reuse market with historic Atlanta building

Charleston , SC – Charlestowne Hotels proudly welcomes Atlanta’s famed Hotel Clermont as the newest addition to the company’s expanding portfolio. Experienced in historic preservation projects, Charlestowne Hotels worked in partnership with Oliver Hospitality to oversee renovations for the nearly century-old Hotel Clermont and will now take over hotel management. Standing above the Clermont Lounge, an Atlanta institution, the 94-room boutique hotel features whimsical and lavish design elements that pay tribute to nine decades of Atlanta history. The hotel also includes four food and beverage outlets, including a swinging French-American brasserie with Southern accents and a rooftop bar with city skyline views.

To usher Hotel Clermont into the present while maintaining touchstones of its iconic past, Charlestowne worked closely with local partners, including the Georgia Historic Preservation Division and National Parks Service to develop a refreshed identity for the Clermont. “We looked to integrate modern, luxury amenities and services while still utilizing Hotel Clermont’s eccentric background as a foundation forbrand development,” says Michael Tall, president and chief operating officer of Charlestowne Hotels. “The hotel’s historic significance is an intrinsic storytelling element that guides the rest of our programming, dining and guest experiences.”

Hotel Clermont maintains signature architectural details of the original building, including the trademark Clermont signage and 65-foot radio tower from 1940. Interior design elements pay homage to Atlanta past and present, including wallpaper featuring the famous “Clermont Ladies” and Georgia peach trees, along with quotes from Atlanta rap duo Outkast etched along the walls.

A rarity among boutique properties, Hotel Clermont offers 15 bunk rooms with en-suite bathrooms and modernist twin bunk beds to sleep up to four people per room. The hotel will also feature three luxury suites and 76 guestrooms with king or queen beds. “Hotel Clermont was notorious as a dynamic and colorful gathering place,” Tall says. “Honoring this legacy, the bunk rooms, open bar areas and group packages are a nod to the hotel’s roots as a communal melting pot.”

The Hotel Clermont joins Charlestowne’s growing collection of preservation projects including The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens in St. Augustine, Florida, The Fairlane Hotel in Nashville, The Bristol Hotel in Virginia (opening September 2018) and The Foundry Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina (opening September 2018). Known for a tailored, hands-on management approach, Charlestowne will integrate strategic sales and marketing initiatives along with significant community outreach to ensure the property reaches full revenue potential.

For more information, please visit www.hotelclermont.com.

About Charlestowne Hotels

Founded in 1980, Charlestowne Hotels is a leading full-service hospitality management company offering innovative expertise in hotel development, operational controls, marketing management, revenue optimization, and financial reporting. Now regarded as one of the top hotel management companies in the U.S., Charlestowne Hotels leads its properties to consistently achieve RevPAR growth nearly double the national average. The brand offers a robust portfolio of properties around the country, from independent inns and resorts to franchised hotels and condos. By employing a proficient management style that hones in on the guest experience, Charlestowne Hotels drives its properties to regularly receive industry accolades on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List and Readers’ Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for “Top City Hotels in the Continental U.S.” and “Top 100 Best Hotels in the World,” and top standings on TripAdvisor. For more information please visit www.CharlestowneHotels.com.

Lowcountry

Charleston on a Budget: 7 Incredible Deals For Each Day of the Week in the Lowcountry (Plus Burger Bonus Deals)

July 18, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

Your budget tight?  You feeling the pinch?  Or do you just want a really good meal at an affordable price.

We have your solution.  Here are 7 incredible deals for each day of the week in the Lowcountry

7 Great Dining Deals in the Lowcountry

Sunday

Sake House – 4952 Centre Point Drive #112, North Charleston, SC / 9770 Dorchester Road, Unit 103, Summerville, SC – Selected Sushi Rolls – Half Price All Day Long

Monday

Rutledge Cab Company – 1300 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC – $5.00 Burgers All Day and Night

Tuesday

Paisanos Pizzeria – 1246 Camp Road, James Island, SC / 1798 West Ashley River Road, West Ashley, SC – Calzones (2 Meats and 2 Cheese) – $6.00 (Can’t beat that deal)

Wednesday

The Lowdown Oven & Bar – 967 Folly Road, James Island, SC – Half Price wine and half price specialty pizza pie night

Thursday

Fast and French – 98 Broad Street, Charleston, SC – Fondue Thursday – Choice of 6 types of fondue with choice of soup or salad and assorted breads – $15.50 – $16.00 – Great for sharing

Friday

Early Bird Diner – 1644 Savannah Highway, West Ashley, SC – $5.00 All You Can Eat Pancakes (Note:  They are open until 3 AM on Friday, but the special ends at midnight)

Saturday

Coleman Public House – 427 West Coleman Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC – 5:00 PM – Close – Half Price Bottles of Wine

Bonus – Burgers Deals

  • Garage 75 – 1175 Folly Road, G, James Island, SC – 1/2 Price Burgers on Monday’s and Bingo from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Ms. Roses – 1090 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC – Mondays:  Burgers, Beers and Brains!!! Trivia at 7:00 PM – Half Price Burgers – All Local and Craft Beer – $4.00
  • The Roost – Avondale – 825 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC – Mondays:  $6.00 Burgers and Live Trivia.  Protein and intellect.  That is a full night.
  • Ye Old Fashioned – 474 Savannah Highway, West Ashley, SC – Mondays:  Half Price Price Burgers
  • TJ BBQ and Burgers – Goose Creek and Summerville, SC – Every Monday from 4 – 9 PM, Buy One Get One Free on Burgers and Sandwiches.
  • Planet Follywood – 32-A Center Street, Folly Beach, SC – Bingo – 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM – $6.00 Burgers.
  • Bay Street Biergarten – 549 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC – Mondays:  Half Price Burger Night
  • 60 Bull Cafe – 60 Bull Street, Charleston, SC – Tuesdays:  From 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Every Tuesday – Burger and Fries for $6.00
  • Melvin’s BBQ – 925 Houston Northcutt Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC – Tuesdays:  Half Price Burgers – 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Smoky Oak Taproom – 1234 Camp Road, Charleston, SC – Tuesdays:  $3.00 Hamburgers All Day
  • My Father’s Moustache – 1405 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Suite 103, Mount Pleasant, SC – Tuesdays:  Half Price Hamburgers
  • The Shelter Kitchen and Bar – 202 Coleman Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC – Half Price Burgers from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Every Tuesday
  • Bohemian Bull – 1531 Folly Road, James Island, SC – Wednesdays:  Build your own burger starting at $3.00 from 4:00 PM til Kitchen close
  • Big Billy’s Burger Joint – 5070 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC – Half Price Burgers every Thursday.  Thursdays from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM – $2.50 House and $4.00 Premium Bourbon
  • Lowdown Oven and Bar  (L.D.O.B.) – 967 Folly Road, James Island, SC – Half price burger night

Complete Charleston Daily Deals



3 ways recruiters and organizations are missing out in the recruitment game

July 17, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

By Mikkie Stump, Digital Recruitment Specialist/Manager and Mark A. Leon, Sourcing Executive, IBM

The talk of the town in Talent Acquisition is technology, AI, innovation, chat bots and any way to create a marketable edge in the war on talent. While companies are sucking budgetary funds into all these new systems and technology, they seem to have forgotten the fundamental principal of talent acquisition and that is the relationship piece.

In recent years, we have witnessed corruption in politics, global trade wars, fake news, spammers and social media content overload? One common thread: Lack of trust. That lack of trust is creating a new level of complexity in the ability to engage talent.

  • We try calling, they don’t recognize our number and ignore
  • We try high volume email campaigns, but our content is coming across as spam-themed and generic
  • We stalk them online and perhaps scare them away

What happens once we connect? We jump right into the fire with the “Let me help you, help me” pitch. There isn’t even a grace period to set the seeds of a relationship.

Has human capital become the new assembly line of the talent industrial revolution?

Now for the focus of the article. There are 3 critical and cost effective avenues, that are falling by the waste side, yet have so much potential to enhance your ability to hire the best talent available in the marketplace.

All three follow a set of core principles, we will call the 3 “R’s”: Respect, relevancy and relationship

  • Press Releases: How many out there have used Newswire or PRweb to send a press release celebrating the openings you have in a specific location or facility? Not many I presume. For under $400, you can publish a press release that can be picked up by over 4500 media outlets including an option customize the media outlets by region, specific publication or industry. On top of that, they offer state of the art analytics to assist in drawing ROI conclusions. Let us theorize that 5% of the media outlets pick up on your press release of 200 job openings in your new manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina (Fictional example). That means your press release will appear on 225 digital or print publications and all for $400. Let’s get bold and say 10%. That gives you 450 media outlets cheering on your big news.

Picture that headline: “Company A to grow 200 jobs in Region B in 2018” You can’t buy better press – Pun intended.

  • Building an organic network on LinkedIn and cherishing the relationship – I know what you are saying to yourself, “self, I already do that”, but you don’t. At least you don’t do it well. I recently sent out an email to approximately 200 people (those in the industry know that mass email campaigns have an average open rate of 15% – 25% with 34% and above considered industry strong). This email was opened by 87% of the audience I reached out to. How did I do that?

As a recruiter, you have a responsibility for job promotion and social employment brand awareness. That bridges a connection between yourself and the roles/company you support. That isn’t a hidden fact. As a result, people reach out and try to network with you. Sometimes you offer a few minutes on the phone or urge them to apply or even ask for their resume, but that approach isn’t consistent and will not build a long term affective network.

This is my approach: Every time a potential lead reaches out to me because of a connection, I urge them to apply if they feel they are a strong potential fit. Simultaneously, I ask for their resume and offer to put in a good word (No one ever says no to offering their resume to get further exposure). I then put in a positive word and add them to my personal networking folder. Each week, I send a personal thank you for the connection. No forced action. Nothing needed in return. Nothing more than a genuine reminder of the importance of networking. That simple act of kindness will build something much stronger than any forced referral or blind outreach.

  • Advertising on targeted successful blogs – Advertising is everywhere (newspapers, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, magazines, newspapers, television, radio). The pitfall so many of us run into is feeling we need to advertise with the media outlets with the highest traffic ranking. Wrong!!!

Example: Major media newspaper (San Francisco Gate, New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune). They put out 60 – 100 articles a day, along with commentary, editorials, sports stats and more. They also have hundreds of advertisers.  Even if they put out a tweet or Facebook post every hour, the exposure you get is so limited, the value added is almost pointless in many cases. With that high volume of content, the traffic ranking is naturally high.

Take a targeted blog that has a strong established audience, reaches the right population and has more limited content. That will be less expensive, hit the right audience and have a higher potential ROI to convert potential talent.

There we are, three often overlooked means of identifying, reaching and engaging your passive candidate pool that is cost effective and has a high potential ROI. Happy Hunting.

Higher Education Institutions Trust Blackbaud CRM to Power Growth and Success

July 16, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

Tech leader’s fundraising and relationship management solution helps institutions enhance constituent engagement, fundraising outcomes and collaboration

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, today reported strong satisfaction rates of Blackbaud CRM™ among higher education institutions seeking to power their advancement needs, expand campus-wide collaboration and develop the infrastructure needed to support future growth. The company will share the latest innovations within its Cloud Solution for Higher Education as a platinum sponsor of CASE Summit 2018, which is currently underway in New York City.

“With new challenges ranging from dispersed alumni communities to new expectations from donors and shifts in the funding landscape, we understand higher education institutions need trustworthy, end-to-end, secure solutions that scale to meet their unique needs,” said Tim Hill, president of Blackbaud Higher Education Solutions. “Blackbaud is committed to providing higher education institutions with the most innovative tools needed to drive digital transformation. By leveraging Blackbaud’s powerful cloud capabilities, our customers are equipped to dramatically optimize how they work so they are able to help their students achieve even more.”

A growing number of higher education institutions trust Blackbaud CRM as the right solution for managing alumni and constituent relationships with analytics, multichannel marketing and expertise that empower institutions to increase fundraising dollars, retain more donors and advance engagement.

After completing a comprehensive request-for-proposal process, Clemson University Foundation selected Blackbaud CRM to power its growing advancement needs, increase campus-wide collaboration and establish the infrastructure needed to support its future campaigns. “During our selection process, our goal was to find one single solution for constituent demographic and gift data that would strengthen the ability of both academic and athletic fundraising and donor stewardship,” said Larissa Kelly, senior director of Advancement Services at Clemson University Foundation. “As an existing Blackbaud customer, we were familiar with Blackbaud’s quality of product and customer support, and felt confident in making this choice. Blackbaud CRM will bring us a more sophisticated, flexible, scalable and secure cloud solution to help power the University’s mission forward. We look forward to the implementation of the solution and trust that Blackbaud will help us streamline our fundraising process.”

Among the users of Blackbaud’s flexible cloud solution is the Georgia Tech Foundation, which is aiming to enhance constituent engagement, fundraising outcomes and collaboration across campus units, including the Georgia Tech Office of Development, Georgia Tech Athletics Alexander-Tharpe Fund (A-T), and the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. “All of our project launch metrics are tracking positively,” said Dwight Dozier, chief information officer of the Georgia Tech Foundation. “The Georgia Tech Foundation and our related Georgia Tech affiliates are deploying an array of solutions to help us achieve diverse and rigorous goals.”

Learning that Marquette University needed to implement sooner than planned, Blackbaud accelerated the implementation schedule and successfully launched Blackbaud CRM in 13 months and significantly under budget. “Implementing Blackbaud CRM has allowed Marquette University to achieve its goals of supporting its growing fundraising needs and empowering users from across all 11 colleges with a consistent, comprehensive user experience,” said Missy Egelhoff, senior director, Advancement Information Services at Marquette University. “The solution is successfully bringing together departments across campus and gives us a true 360-degree view of our alumni, donors, and constituents. Blackbaud has been a great partner, working effectively and efficiently to complete our project ahead of schedule and under budget through a smooth implementation.”

To learn more about how Blackbaud CRM is helping higher education institutions advance their missions, connect with Blackbaud this week during CASE Summit 2018 by visiting the Blackbaud booths located near the center entrance of the Westside Ballroom on the fifth floor. For more information about Blackbaud CRM, visit www.blackbaud.com/blackbaudCRM.

About Blackbaud

Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, foundations, companies, education institutions, healthcare organizations and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through cloud software, services, expertise, and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing, and analytics. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.

Media Contact

Nicole McGougan
Public Relations Manager
843.654.3307
media@blackbaud.com

 

Summerville & Goose Creek, SC

Dunkin’ Donuts Opening New Restaurant in Summerville, South Carolina on Tuesday, July 17th

July 16, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Dunkin’ Donuts Restaurant to Open in Summerville

Summerville, S.C. (July 13, 2018) — Dunkin’ Donuts today announced that it will open a new restaurant in Summerville at 4720 Ladson Road on Tuesday, July 17th.

The new Dunkin’ Donuts in Summerville will keep people running with the brand’s beverage offerings including high-quality, freshly-brewed Hot and Iced Coffees, Frozen Dunkin’ Coffee, Cold Brew and Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Dark Roast, along with a Rainforest Alliance Certified™ espresso lineup that includes Americano, Cappuccino, Espresso, as well as Hot and Iced Lattes and Macchiatos. Dunkin’ Donuts will also serve a full menu of Premium Hot Teas, Coolatta® frozen beverages, delicious donuts, sandwiches and bakery goods –including the new warm and crispy Donut Fries — that pair perfectly with the brand’s coffee beverages. All Dunkin’ Donuts menu items are available any time of day, and guests are encouraged to customize their favorite food and drinks.

The new Summerville location will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will employ approximately 30 crew members. Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating will provide a welcoming environment for guests to enjoy Dunkin’ Donuts’ high-quality coffee beverages in a friendly atmosphere. Guests will also be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi access at the new restaurant.

With Dunkin’ Donuts’ On-the-Go Mobile Ordering, members of the DD Perks® Rewards Program can order in advance using their mobile phone, speed past the line and go straight to pick up when they get inside the store. Guests can also pick up their mobile order at the drive-thru. Guests can place a mobile order up to 24 hours in advance, then simply confirm via the Dunkin’ Mobile app when they are at the restaurant and ready to pick up their order.

Coastal Franchising LLC is the franchisee for the new location in Summerville and currently operates 46 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in North and South Carolina. “Dunkin’ Donuts is one of the world’s leading brands and is proud to keep busy, on-the-go people energized with delicious coffee, food and other beverages throughout the day,” said George Ross, CEO of Coastal Franchising LLC. “We are very excited to serve the people who live and work here in Summerville and look forward to becoming a popular destination for this community.”

Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, selling approximately 2 billion cups of hot and iced coffee and espresso-based beverages per year and 2.9 billion donuts and MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats combined globally per year. Today, there are more than 12,500 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants worldwide in 45 countries, including more than 9,000 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants across the United States.

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or subscribe to the Dunkin’ Donuts blog to receive notifications at https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog.

####

About Dunkin’ Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced regular/decaf/flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 12 years running. The company has more than 12,500 restaurants in 45 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

Media Contact:

Drew Porcello
PivotPR
(704) 774-9271
drew@pivotpublicrelations.com

‘Sheltering wings:’ Charleston memorial plan conveys solace – Mother Emanuel AME

July 15, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

By JONATHAN DREW, AP (Associated Press)

Designs for a memorial to nine black worshippers slain at a South Carolina church began not at a drafting table, but with questions from grieving family members to prospective architects. They didn’t want to see any drawings until they sat down with the eventual designer to discuss how best to honor loved ones lost in the racist attack at Emanuel AME Church.

The result of those conversations, the planners say, will be less of a solemn monument and more of a heavenly embrace to those visiting the historic Charleston church.

Church officials unveiled detailed plans Sunday afternoon for the permanent tribute designed by the architect behind the 9/11 Memorial in New York. The announcement, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the church known as “Mother Emanuel,” will be followed by a push to raise the money needed to build the memorial and prayer garden.

Church officials say the design conveys both solace and resiliency. A marble fountain with carvings of the victims’ names will be flanked by curved stone benches that rise above visitors’ heads and cradle the space “like sheltering wings,” according to a news release.

“When you walk into the memorial, it’s going to give you the feeling of being embraced, just embraced with warmth,” said City Councilman William Dudley Gregorie, a church trustee who lost a loved one in the June 2015 attack.

The nine worshippers were shot during Bible study by a man who said he intended to kill people at the historic church to stoke racial tensions. He’s been sentenced to death.

In honoring the victims, architect Michael Arad said the project also will pay homage to the church’s history as a living community, not just a geographic location.

“At the heart of the design of the new memorial is the notion of congregation — of creating a place that fosters a sense of community that invites people in,” Arad said in an interview.

The church, among the oldest black congregations in the South, has stood as a beacon for the past two centuries despite adversity. It was torched by whites in its early years after a failed slave revolt, and since then, it has been rebuilt or repaired after natural disasters.

Thus, Gregorie said, the memorial and prayer garden will also give visitors a “sense of resiliency and survival.”

Discussions about a permanent tribute to the victims began in the months after the shooting, said local businessman John Darby, who helped set up a memorial fund for the church. Darby estimated it could take more than $15 million for construction and an endowment to maintain the memorial.

At the outset, prospective architects were asked not to submit designs but to answer written questions about their emotional reaction to the shootings, said Arad.

Arad, announced as architect in June 2017, began developing the designs through further conversations with the victims’ loved ones, other congregants and a church committee.

“It was really about bringing things to the table and discussing them with the group and hearing responses and understanding what resonated,” he said.

The design process was often intertwined with grief.

“There were days we just passed around a tissue box,” Darby said.

Such moments helped to make sure that the design serves the families and wider congregation, Arad said.

“Unless you develop this firsthand knowledge and connection of who you’re meant to serve in designing a memorial, you’re not going to be able to develop the empathy required for the appropriate response,” the architect said. “So, yes, as you can imagine it was difficult, but it’s absolutely essential.”

___

Follow Drew on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JonathanLDrew

Summerville & Goose Creek, SC

Historic Flowertown Players Theatre in Summerville: A Reminder of the Traditional South Carolina Communities

July 14, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

By Shelly Woodward

I have lived in Summerville, South Carolina for almost a decade, finding my home here in 2009.  During these years, it has been a goal for me each week to try a new local restaurant or business.  My son and I have explored numerous places.  The one surprise is when I was asked to tour the Flowertown Players Theatre, a historic foundation in Summerville whose doors I have never walked through.

I grew up with a love of musical theatre and Broadway.  Two of my favorite musicals are RENT and West Side Story. As I walked the hallowed hallways, rooms, corridors and stage, I was mesmerized visualizing images in my mind of what it was like in the beginning and knowing over 80 years of history lived and breathed under this roof.  Courtney Bates, Executive Director of Flowertown Players, was a wonderful tour guide providing warm and insight throughout my tour.

History of Flowertown Players:  Summerville’s Community Theatre

Back in 1935, a building stood across from Hutchison Square in Summerville, South Carolina.  It started off as a theatre, then a cinema and once again a theatre where it has been performing community performances since 1976.

Sidney Legendre owned multiple theaters in the South with his brother.  In 1935, the brothers purchased the building.  They were not interior decorators by any means, covering the walls with various hunting trophies from hunting expeditions.  They operated the theater until the 1950’s, converting it into a cinema and featuring showcase Hollywood stars including Grant, Hepburn, Tracy and Bogart.

Movies continued to be featured until 1976, when a theater group named the Flowertown Players asked for permission to use the stage inside where they produced several local community shows.

In 1986, after the cinema was closed for repairs, the Flowertown Players purchased the building.  The group finished the restorations on the building and it was named after founding member James F. Dean.

The mission for the Flowertown Players was to produce and show great community shows that helped to educate and promote performing arts.  This also provided projects for local creative people to explore and produce theatre shows utilizing local talent.

Since 1976, when the Flowertown Players purchased the theater, they have been the only running community theater in Dorchester County.  This past June, auditions were held for its 43rd season.

The theatre will be undergoing additional renovations this year with the addition of a waiting area for theatre goers to enjoy drinks and conversation prior to the performances. The theatre group also purchased a building behind the core performance space where smaller shows will be held and players can get ready for shows.

There is also an additional building, one which houses all the scenery and where sets are built.  You can even stumble on the very cute theatre mascot.

Flowertown Players has truly defined itself as the true ideology of community, passionate performing arts, volunteerism and creative collaboration.

How Can You Help or Attend as a Patron of the Arts?

They are always in need of volunteers to help build sets.  If you have a desire to learn the process and be a part of something special, give Courtney a call at 843.875.9251.

There are many great shows coming this season.  School of Rock will be on the stage October 7-8, 2018.  Crimes of the Heart is another great show coming in January 2019.  Titus Andronicus is a Shakespeare adaptation and not for the faint of heart.  It is based around the Roman Empire and will be violent and bloody as most Shakespearean tragedies are.

This is only a small list of upcoming shows.  Visit the Flowertown Players Official Website for complete listings.

I plan to attend several.  I look forward to seeing you at the theatre.

Real Estate

LandSouth Building Apartment Community in Historic Charleston, South Carolina

July 12, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

CHARLESTON, S.C. – LandSouth Construction, an award-winning Jacksonville, Fla. based general contractor specializing in multifamily, senior living and mixed-use development has begun construction on The Merchant, a $37 million luxury apartment community in historic Charleston, S.C.

Developer Pollack Shores Real Estate Group of Atlanta, Ga. chose Cline Design Associates of Raleigh, N.C. as the architect for the gated, 10 building, three and four-story development that sits on six beautifully landscaped acres. Completion is scheduled for December 2019.

“The Merchant’s architectural design and construction takes full advantage of its location and appeal to the city’s young professionals and students. The 244,940 square foot project will offer a host of on-site amenities including communal gathering spots and residences configured in one and two-bedroom floor plans.  It will also include commercial space that will further enhance the urban living experience,” said James Pyle, LandSouth President and CEO.

In its 20-year history, LandSouth Construction has completed more than 15,000 multifamily units, including apartments, senior living, condominiums, and townhomes.

The community’s Classic Revival architecture will be reflected in stand-alone apartment buildings with stucco and brick exteriors with cast stone columns, corbels and detailed cornices and paver sidewalks. Buildings will have interior corridors. The design signifies formal symmetrical design, decorative door surrounds, columns and sidelights.

The Merchant will feature 231 well-appointed apartment homes in 15 spacious floor plans in one or two bedrooms ranging from 565 to 1,074 square feet. Residences will feature luxury vinyl and carpeted flooring, stainless appliances, granite counter tops and shaker cabinets, tile back splashes and glass shower enclosures, washer and dryer, walk-in closets and six convenient elevators.

Stylish community amenities include a large clubhouse with a resort-style pool, clubhouse with gaming area, modern fitness center, Yoga studio, pet spa, and bike lounge. There will be abundant parking with surface space available as well as a mail room.

Located in trendy Nomo neighborhood of vibrant Charleston at 15 Huguenin Ave., residents will enjoy all that Historic Downtown Charleston has to offer including King Street shopping, entertainment and dining, The Merchant is convenient to the College of Charleston as well as the iconic Citadel and remarkable Fort Sumter national monument

The experienced LandSouth team is led by Project Manager Ryland Thompson, Field Superintendent Brian Stress and Project Administrator Sara Farrell. The Merchant is being managed by Matrix Residential.

LandSouth Construction is currently working on apartments, senior living and mixed-use developments throughout the Southeast including Charlotte, N.C., North Augusta, S.C., Boca Raton, Tampa, Bradenton, Kissimmee, Jacksonville, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Sanford, ChampionsGate, Winter Springs. Port St. Lucie and Orlando Fla., Chattanooga, Tenn., Hixon, Tenn., and senior living developments in New Port Richey, Nocatee, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers, Fla.

LandSouth uses its unique integrated construction approach where each service component works together to provide a seamless delivery system.

These components have been designed and refined to be complementary and each is performance enhanced with proven procedures, tested systems and the very latest technology. By emphasizing results and exceptional service, LandSouth Construction has created a construction process to provide the best possible value for clients.

For more information call (904) 273-6004 or visit www.landsouth.com.

Charleston’s Blackbaud Strengthens Relationship with NetHope as Founding Partner of The Center for the Digital Nonprofit

July 12, 2018 by 0 Comments
Read More

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Blackbaud (BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, and NetHope, an organization that unites the world’s largest nonprofits with technology innovators worldwide, today announced that Blackbaud has expanded its role in the NetHope community as a founding partner of The Center for the Digital Nonprofit. Through this expanded partnership, Blackbaud and NetHope will help accelerate and scale digital transformation across the nonprofit sector through collaborative innovation, best practice adoption at scale, and technical expertise.

“As a longtime philanthropic and collaborative supporter of NetHope, Blackbaud believes in NetHope’s mission to foster collaboration between the world’s most innovative nonprofits to drive digital transformation, elevating their collective ability to create positive change in the world,” said Jay Odell, president and general manager, Enterprise Nonprofit, at Blackbaud. “Through our new partnership with The Center for the Digital Nonprofit and our expanded relationship with NetHope, Blackbaud continues to advance our work to strengthen the social economy, while also giving back to the nonprofit community at a global scale.”

NetHope, a consortium of 56 nonprofits that account for over 60 percent of all annual, non-governmental international aid, launched The Center for the Digital Nonprofit (CDN) in October 2017. Through collaboration, The Center brings together the expertise of the technology sector with the on-the-ground experience of nonprofits to create a foundation for forward-looking organizations to deliver aid, relieve suffering, and build hope. By providing the expertise, resources, tools, guidance, and grantmaking needed for digital transformation, The Center helps nonprofits achieve the efficiency of tomorrow today.

Leveraging Blackbaud’s unmatched data set and deep nonprofit expertise, the partnership will drive collaboration to build platforms that dramatically improve efficiency and effectiveness across the nonprofit sector; establish programs that enable NetHope members—and the nonprofit sector at large—to imagine, design and execute best practices proven to drive impact, such as gifts-in-kind lifecycle management; and expand support and digital expertise that advances the progress of NetHope’s working groups, including the Enterprise Architecture Working Group and the CRM and Data Working Group.

“This partnership with Blackbaud has powerful implications for digital transformation in the global nonprofit sector,” said Lauren Woodman, chief executive officer of NetHope. “NetHope and Blackbaud share a common vision for changing the world through technology and collaboration. As needs outpace available resources to solve current global issues, we are excited to work together with Blackbaud to help the nonprofit sector successfully navigate and scale digital transformation—both to improve efficiency and to stimulate worldwide momentum in achieving the Global Goals.”

Blackbaud joins Microsoft and Okta as founding partners of The Center for the Digital Nonprofit. Each company has committed to partner with NetHope and The Center to apply their expertise, resources and networks to advance innovation and collaboration that support The Center’s strategic objectives.