Photography

Charleston Affirmations – Quotes and Photos Inspired by our home

December 23, 2017 by 0 Comments
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“With the love of Southern soil, a tree becomes a symbol of beauty and a foundation of strength”

“In a world surrounded by hate, sometimes love has a way of creeping up on you and lighting your darkness”

“Take a moment to be thankful for our home, the people and the love we share”

“Find inspiration in the embrace of a neighbor; find comfort in choosing peace; find faith in the sun and the stars and always remember your Southern home”

“Let hope guide you; let persistence and motivation take you to the finish line”

“Charleston, where moments take your breath away”

“Charleston taught us to trust the soul of a person; not the color of their skin”

“Live with passion; act with promise; dream without limits; succeed without compromise.  You will define your path”

“Aim high.  Dream for the clouds.  Never limit the realm of possibility”

“The human spirit is blessed with the exceptional power to meet adversity with the greatest strength on Earth; love”

“Let yourself be swept away by the cool breeze of the ocean; the radiance of the sun.  Let the sand sprinkle your toes for paradise is found”

“Where will the day take you?  Life’s greatest journeys begin with the courage to take one step”

My Charleston Home – Original Poem

 

 

Charleston Charity Spotlight: Fields to Families Harvested and Donated over 80K Pounds of Fresh Produce in 2017

December 22, 2017 by 0 Comments
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Founded in 2006, Fields to Families believes everyone deserves access to fresh produce! We bridge the gap between farmers and a community in need by collecting, harvesting, growing and distributing fruits and vegetables to our partner agencies, free of charge.

Who do we serve: Currently we have 28 agencies that we partner along side throughout the Tri-County. Food banks, shelters, churches, after school programs, soup kitchens, foster homes, senior communities and low income housing units can have the produce that we collect.

Who helps us: We are a local non profit organization, we are volunteer based. Our board is consisted of all volunteers. Folks working the farmers markets, harvesting in the fields, growing in the garden are volunteers. 
Why do we do it: We believe everyone, no matter their life situation, deserves access to fresh, healthy produce. According to the USDA, 27 percent of our national food supply is thrown away every year because of cosmetic damages, mislabeling, weight errors and overproduction. Twenty-six million tons of food is wasted each year in the United States.
Where does your money go: When you donate to Fields to Families, you are adding to the bigger picture to better our community:
  • Our volunteers helped distribute 80,100 pounds valued at $164,205 worth of local produce put back into the community. Your support has helped provide 64,000 nutritious and healthy meals this year!
  • Supporting our program provides a chance for our community to serve. This year we have had nearly 400 volunteers give 1,169 hours of their time to help us. Volunteers have traveled 9,892 miles to farms, gardens and markets to support our mission.

Thank you for considering Fields to Families when you are making your year end donations.  Your support will help continue to make an impact in the community.

Click Here to Donate

My Encounter with an Opportunistic Charleston Homeless Man

December 21, 2017 by 2 Comments
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Drinking coffee

By Mark A. Leon

Last evening I was approached by a friendly homeless man on a bike with sweet grass flowers on the corner of Market and Church.  He politely introduced himself and asked my name and made an immediate assumption I was from New York and then when I corrected him, saying I live here, he defaulted to Summerville.  Close, James Island.

After the formalities were out of the way, he indicated that he was not asking for money, but just wanted to be able to put some food in his stomach.  I was pondering for a moment where this conversation was going if he wasn’t asking for money, but wanted food.  I obviously knew where the conversation would lead, but didn’t want to disrupt his elevator speech too quickly.

After a few more sentences, I kindly disrupted, letting him know I only had a phone, car keys and a credit card and absolutely no cash on my person.

He then asked, if I had money, would I have given him some.  I naturally said yes.

Then he said, “Can I ask you a serious question?”

My immediate reaction was that he wanted to ask my opinion on his sales pitch.  A little startled, I said yes as I looked to my right, eagerly awaiting the arrival of my dinner date.  He pointed to the end of Market Street saying, “If you go to the corner right over there and make a right, there is an ATM”.

There it was, a homeless man had just asked me to go to an ATM to get him money.  He wanted me to walk two blocks, get money from an ATM and come back and give it to him.

Now that was bold and opportunistic.

The only flaw was that I haven’t had an ATM card for over 15 years.

The times they are a changing in Charleston.  Opportunity and greed come at all levels.

Happy Holidays Charleston and don’t forget your ATM card.

Mom’s Choice Awards Names Local Charleston Book Among the Best in Family-Friendly Products

December 19, 2017 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C. – Mom’s Choice Awards has named “While Mommy Is Out” among the best in family-friendly media, products and services. West Ashley mom Teri Errico Griffis wrote “While Mommy Is Out” earlier this year as way to help children prepare for being left with a sitter or child care provider. The book is illustrated by Tami Boyce, a local graphic designer.

The Mom’s Choice Awards evaluation process uses a proprietary methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements, including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost.

“We are thrilled to earn the Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence Seal of Approval,” Errico Griffis said. “We know all the great things the MCA does to connect consumers, educators, and caregivers with the best products and services available for families.”

To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five samples to reviewed by evaluators in the Mom’s Choice Awards database. Evaluators are bound by a strict code of ethics not only to ensure objectivity, but also to ensure that the evaluation is free from manufacturer influence. The five evaluations are submitted to the Mom’s Choice Awards executive committee for final review and approval.

“Our aim to introduce families and educators to best-in-class products and services,” said Dawn Matheson, executive director of the Mom’s Choice Awards. “We have a passion to help families grow emotionally, physically and spiritually. Parents and educators know that products and services bearing our seal of approval are high-quality and also a great value.”

Inspired by true events from Griffis’ days as a nanny, the book follows Little One’s day as Mommy announces she will be heading out and leaving Little One with a babysitter for the first time. Little One faces his biggest fear – making a new friend – while discovering Mommy does indeed return home ready for hugs. “While Mommy is Out” is a narrative for children needing an introduction to the concept of a babysitter and why it’s not a scary situation, as well as reassurance mommy will always come back home to her little one in the end.

“While Mommy Is Out” is available for $12 at www.WhileMommyIsOut.com. Join Errico Griffis for a book reading event 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Maxtrix Kids Rooms, 816 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in Mount Pleasant

About the author

Teri Errico Griffis began her career in the early 2000s when she first interned with the writing staff of ABC soap opera “All My Children” in New York City. From there, she reported for local newspapers and magazines before being recruited by the global company, WWE, to help launch their first children’s magazine. She also won a New England Press Association Award. She moved to Charleston in 2012 and spent years volunteering to improve children’s education through nonprofit work. Today she resides in West Ashley with her family where she writes and edits several successful publications. www.wordsbyteri.com

About the illustrator

Tami Boyce is a Charleston-based illustrator and graphic designer. Her work can be found at various establishments around Charleston, including Theatre 99, Early Bird Diner, Frothy Beard Brewery and ReForm Studios, as well as ZaPow! Gallery in Asheville, N.C. Boyce pulls inspiration from her humor and heart. Some of her illustrations are observations on life, memories, or just wishful thinking as to how animals might actually behave in the wild. tamiboyce.com

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While Mommy Is Out

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhileMommyIsOut

 

Local Students Design, Build Pavilion at Medway Community Garden

December 13, 2017 by 0 Comments
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CHARLESTON, S.C. – Two years ago the Charleston Parks Conservancy offered James Island residents a garden-to-table option at Medway Park & Community Garden. Quickly, residents began filling the 60 leased beds with produce and flowers while meeting their neighbors and learning more about growing their own vegetables and herbs.

Now the garden is in a second phase of development as graduate students from the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston spent their fall semester designing and building a new garden pavilion at Medway Community Garden, 2113 Medway Road. With input from Conservancy staff and community gardeners, a dozen architecture students learned how to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional structure that’s both a gathering place for gardeners, storage area for tools, work space for cleaning produce and focal point for the community’s use of the park.

Construction began in early November, and students are putting the finishing touches on their work this week.

The Conservancy is funding the cost of the materials at about $10,000. Additional fundraising is underway to complete a water collection station that is being designed into the garden pavilion. The cost to complete that piece of the project will be $4,000 and donations are still needed.

In November, the Conservancy received a $5,000 grant from Publix Supermarket Charities for Medway Community Garden. The first phase of the garden was funded largely by donations from The Standard James Island and Olde Charlestowne Sertoma Club.

In the past, undergraduate students at the center have worked on projects in the Conservancy’s other two community gardens: Elliotborough on the peninsula and Magnolia Community Garden in West Ashley.

“We’re fortunate to have forged such a positive relationship with Clemson Architecture Center. The students are gaining real-world experience designing and building something that people will use everyday, and, in turn, we can enhance the community gardening experience with a pavilion where people can gather with their fellow gardeners or simply sit and admire the fruits of their labors,” said Jim Martin, director of programs.

Anyone interested in contributing to the work at Medway Community Garden can donate online at www.charlestonparksconservancy.org/donate.

About the Charleston Parks Conservancy

The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the people of Charleston to connect with their parks and together create stunning public places and a strong community. The Conservancy opens doors to individuals and organizations in Charleston wanting to engage with their parks and green spaces in a kaleidoscope of positive ways. With the help of its Park Angels, the Conservancy improves, enhances, and invigorates these spaces, making Charleston even better, stronger, and more successful. For more information about or to support the Charleston Parks Conservancy, please visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org.

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Charleston Parks Conservancy on social media:

Twitter / Instagram @charlestonparks

Facebook www.facebook.com/CharlestonParksConservancy

Eminence Kids Foundation Expands Organic Produce Donation to Charleston, SC

December 13, 2017 by 0 Comments
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The Eminence Kids Foundation proudly expanded its United States impact to Charleston, South Carolina on December 6. Eminence Kids is donating two large boxes of organic produce each week via South Carolina’s own esteemed distributor, Green Lite Organics, to a Charleston area long-term care facility.

Rachel Morrison, Director of Marketing for the long-term care facility in Charleston shared their deep appreciation for this new avenue of organic nutrition. “We are so grateful for our new partnership with the Eminence Kids Foundation, which will provide organic fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis. Our families will have the healthiest of foods, while caring for their critically ill children at MUSC Children’s Hospital, and we couldn’t be happier.”

#SpasPushingLimits Made This New Eminence Kids Role in Charleston Possible

Eminence Kids Expands Charleston South CarolinaThe Eminence Kids Foundation’s new partnership in Charleston was made possible by the incredible fundraising efforts and huge heart of spa leader Monica Helmstetter. Helmstetter, a triathlete and Event Director for Spatec North America, created #spaspushinglimits, which encourages spa professionals to train for challenging fitness competitions, while fundraising for esteemed charities. Helmstetter led a team of #spaspushinglimits athletes to compete in the Victoria Half Ironman last June. The athletes created fundraising pages documenting their training and race day efforts with all proceeds benefiting Eminence Kids totaling over $10,000. “I am humbled and proud to be part of the new opening of Eminence Kids in Charleston. Working with the Eminence team on this initiative has been a joy, and I look forward to being part of the program for years to come,” shared Helmstetter. “I am also very thankful for all the generous donations and encouragement our group received from our families, friends, neighbors and colleagues. This would not have happened without their support.”

Eminence Organics President, Boldijarre Koronczay, Expresses His Gratitude for the Foundation’s Growth

Boldijarre Koronczay, President of Eminence Organic Skin Care and founder of the Eminence Kids Foundation, is touched by the spa industry’s incredible support. “We are extremely honored and humbled that the spa industry united to support the Eminence Kids Foundation’s mission and spread the importance of organic food worldwide.” The Charleston location is the second in the United States following the launch in Austin, Texas just over a year ago. The Eminence Kids Foundation was developed by Koronczay following his own personal journey with a rare form of childhood leukemia.

How You Can Get Involved with the Eminence Kids Foundation This Holiday Season

Eminence Kids FoundationYou can help the Eminence Kids Foundation share nutritious meals packed with organic fruits and vegetables from the Eminence Organic Farm and our partner farms to children undergoing treatment in the United States, Canada and Hungary. There are a number of ways for you to get involved:

  • Donate – Your monetary contribution to the Eminence Kids Foundation will gift a sick child a nutritious, organic meal. No donation is too small.
  • Host an Event – Businesses and individuals worldwide are coming up with creative ways to fundraise, such as Live Love Spa and #SpasPushingLimits.
  • Volunteer – From volunteering at local organic farms to offering your services at long-term care facilities, every hour of time donated is not only a huge help, but is also incredibly rewarding.

The Eminence Kids Foundation is active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, showcasing the benefits of organic nutrition, sharing untold and heartfelt stories and providing information about upcoming events. As well, a portion of the sales from every Eminence Organic Skin Care product you purchase supports the Eminence Kids Foundation.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott now open in Charleston, South Carolina

December 13, 2017 by 0 Comments
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“We are excited with the continued growth of the TownePlace Suites brand in the Charleston area,” said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager, TownePlace Suites. “At TownePlace Suites, we get it. We want to go above and beyond to do everything we can to make our guests feel comfortable. We encourage our guests to be real, and help them to do so by providing a seamless residential atmosphere with a friendly staff who genuinely care about our guests. That is what our brand is all about, and this property is a great example of that.”

All service team members are thoroughly trained on local knowledge and look forward to connecting guests to the local area. Our floor-to-ceiling TowneMap also helps guests instantly acclimate themselves to Charleston by featuring great places to eat, play and live (explore). The TownePlace Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center is located just two miles from the Charleston International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown. The new hotel offers guests convenient access to the Tanger Outlets, Park Circle, numerous golf courses and the local beaches. The hotel also offers guests easy access to Joint Base Charleston, Boeing, SAIC Inc. and Trident Medical.

Ideal for travelers who need accommodations for longer stays, this new property offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, as well as separate living/working and sleeping areas. Guests can work and relax on their own terms in modern suites that feature full kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, adjustable work spaces with built-in shelves and lighting, a large flat screen television, as well as luxurious new bedding. Most rooms also feature the Home Office Suite, designed to provide guests with plenty of storage and flexible space to spread out and make it their own.

The TownePlace Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center allows guests to maintain a healthy lifestyle with an array of food options. While on property guests can create their own complimentary hot breakfast every morning in the custom lobby area, and can fire up their stay by grilling up dinner on our outdoor Weber grills. The 24-hour In a Pinch market and On Us® coffee service offer guests the chance to get their snack and caffeine on whenever they feel the need.

“We are proud to continue our long term commitment to serve the Charleston market,” said D.J. Rama, president and CEO, Auro Hotels. “This is our sixth Marriott branded hotel in Charleston, and this addition to our portfolio was a strategic move to allow us to better serve the needs of all types of travelers in the beautiful and desirable Charleston area.”  

TownePlace Suites helps its guests stay organized on the road with the help of our partners the Container Store. While staying at the TownePlace Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center travelers can unpack their suitcase in a custom elfa® closet. From drawers to shelves to smart hanging space, you’ll find everything you need to make you feel right at home. Other hotel amenities include a fitness center open 24 hours per day, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, an outdoor patio with fire pit, laundry facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and on-site business services, including copying, faxing and printing. The hotel also offers 500 square feet of conference space to accommodate functions of up to 20 people. As a brand TownePlace Suites recognizes that your family may include more than just humans, that is why the hotel is pet-friendly (fees may apply).

Announcement: Make Up Artistry And Skincare Colur Studios Opens Its Boutique Store on King Street in Charleston

December 11, 2017 by 0 Comments
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Premier natural and organic make up artistry and skincare Colur is happy to announce the opening of its boutique store on King Street in Charleston’s wellness corridor.

December 11, 2017 /MarketersMedia/ — Colur Studios, Charleston’s premier natural and organic make up artistry and skincare boutique is announcing their opening on King Street in Charleston’s wellness corridor. Colur Studios is poised to offer the highest quality natural and organic products, with make up artistry by the city’s top aestheticians.

The fun and relaxing environment is meant to inspire creativity and build confidence. Colur Studios offers a highly curated selection of products, makeup artistry services, and other beauty treatments in studio and provide our clients with an unparalleled lounge experience for individuals, groups, bridal parties and more.

Whether soft and romantic or utterly glamorous, Colur Studios offers expert makeup for engagement photos, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and day-of wedding. Our artists work closely with the bride to achieve their desires look and feel for their special day.

Colur Studios offers high end, skin friendly product lines such as Kjaer Weis, RMS Beauty, Vapour Beauty, Jane Iredale, BEAUTYCOUNTER, and Eminence Organics. Their talented professional makeup artists provide personal consultations to ensure that the very best in service and product applications are attained. In addition, their highly trained estheticians offer facials, LED light therapy and brow & lash applications within the confines of the luxurious private treatment room setting.

Colur Studios also offers an industry unique subscription service called Colur Club. Colur Club features two services per month with a choice between an express facial or makeup application as well as 10% off all retail and other services offered.

“We are excited to bring the concept of Colur Studios to life, and to create an environment where women can discover their best selves through the artistry of our talented staff and the curated products available. We want every guest to leave Colur Studios feeling confident and inspired.” ~Drew H. Radziwon, Co-founder & CEO

Contact Info:
Name: Drew Radziwon
Organization: Colur Studios
Address: 562 King St., Suite 100, Charleston, SC 29403

Source URL: https://marketersmedia.com/announcement-make-up-artistry-and-skincare-colur-studios-opens-its-boutique-store-on-king-street-in-charleston/276115

For more information, please visit https://colurstudios.com/

Source: MarketersMedia

Food & Bev

The Castejóns: Bringing a Taste of Spain to the Lowcountry – Restaurant Review

December 11, 2017 by 0 Comments
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Provided by feature Food Blogger Cookin’ with Booze

One of the best parts of being a food blogger in Charleston is the amazing chefs/fellow foodies you get to meet. In the case of the Castejóns, they are a chef/foodie power couple that I aspire to be when I grow up. I met them through #TastemakersCHS (a group of top culinary social media influencers) and they were kind enough to host the group at their pop up restaurant at Charlestowne Fermentory. Their authentic Spanish cuisine with a sprinkle of the Lowcountry was so delicious I want to shout it from the rooftops (but I guess posting it on here is a better/less obnoxious option).

the dynamic duo #goals

In addition to being kick ass chefs, the Castejóns are probably two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, which makes you feel at home when you’re enjoying your Spanish feast. In traditional Spanish style, we started with a few appetizers to warm us up for the star of the show: the paella.

holy aioli!

We started out with the fritos (fried goodies) which included croquetas de pollo (fried chicken croquettes) and empanada de verduras (vegetarian empanadas). The croquetas were crispy on the outside and had a tender,flavorful pork/chicken filling. The best part of the dish, however, was definitely the spicy aioli it was served with. I wanted to take a jar of that home to put on everything I eat from now on.

The empanadas de verduras were filled with goat cheese, caramelized onion, eggplant, and collard greens (shout out to the Lowcountry). The goat cheese made the filling incredibly creamy and the caramelized onion added a nice sweetness to it. They were served with a refreshing dipping sauce chock full of herbs, so it balanced out the richness.

Give me all the pork

Although it was hard to resist eating 20 of the croquetas, we moved on to the next course: the Serranito. The Serranito was a sandwich composed of marinated pork loin, poblano peppers, cured spanish ham, and a fried quail egg to top it all off. This sandwich struck the perfect balance between spicy, salty, and porky goodness. The runny yolk from the quail egg acted as a sauce and added a nice richness. Did I eat the entire platter of them?…maybe.

the star of the show

The last savory dish of the evening, the paella, was the masterpiece we were all waiting for. The paella is stunning in both flavor and presentation. It is presented in the cast iron skillet it is cooked in to preserve the socarrat. As Alfonso explained to us, the socarrat is the flavorful, crispy rice stuck to the pan. It is a staple in a well-made paella and I felt transported to Sevilla (their Spanish hometown) when I plated it up.

To put a Lowcountry twist on their paella, the Castejóns add in local seafood. The fresh shrimp and clams were my favorite part of the dish by far. Along with local ingredients, they also import paprika, olive oil, and saffron from Sevilla to ensure an authentic flavor.

If you haven’t had the chance to yet, head over to Charlestowne Fermentory and check out the Castejóns. You can’t go wrong with the combination of authentic Spanish food and local craft beer. Follow their adventures on their website and social media!

Charleston, South Carolina Entitlement Bill of Rights

December 10, 2017 by 0 Comments
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We ordain these words to the people of Charleston as the standard rights of entitlement as a Charleston citizen

Charleston, South Carolina Entitlement Bill of Rights

  • We shall always remain the Number 1 City in the United States and World under the doctrine of Conde Nast and no other publication, survey or list shall matter.
  • We shall continue to abolish homelessness and drive the poor black and white communities out of the proper
  • Cranes will serve as worship deities from above ruling the skies of the once Holy City
  • The history books will remember us as a city of racial injustice (Walter Scott / Emanuel AME) and weep for us
  • We shall be the leader in Instagram instant gratification filling the social platform with pretty people, pretty food and pretty things
  • We shall rejoice for Christmas with holiday parties, theater, comedy, dining and parades and shun the thought of cold weather
  • We will develop and praise the birth of the $500 a night hotel with butlers, carriages and $20.00 cocktails, yet not offer up a professional sports franchise for the locals to rally around
  • We shall drink on every occasion and every non-occasion, declaring all Charleston festivals a time of spirits and beer
  • The weekends of September through January will be National Holidays celebrating the piety of the Gamecocks, Tigers and Panthers
  • We will pray on rooftop bars bringing us closer to the heavens. I’ll toast to that
  • The beaches will be worship palaces of the flesh
  • Humidity will cleanse the soul by releasing all the inner toxins

In Charleston, we trust