Charleston Tea Party 4/15/2009

The Charleston Tea Party April 15, 2009!

It was way more than a tax protest at the U. S. Customs House on Wednesday. It was a genuine expression of American Values and Tradition… the right to peacefully assemble, the right to freedom of speech, the right to say ” I am sick and tired of the same old politicians that are blatently ignoring the wisdom of our founding fathers.” As thousands gathered at the steps of the U. S. Customs House waving impassioned signs of disapproval, one could hardly be anything but proud to witness a peaceful protest against the status quo. The sentiments crossed all races, all ages, and all socioeconomic groups. It was billed as a tax protest, but it was more a statement that our Constitutional Rights have been violated at the pleasure of the U.S. Congress. People are standing up and saying they are sick of the government interfereing with every aspect of our lives. It seems this groundswell may soon become a full-fledged earthquake!  LET FREEDOM RING! More photos soon to come.

Warren Ostergard is a Contributing Editor for Greater Charleston… please post your op-ed or similar content below!

Sample the 2009 Cooper River Bridge Run through story, video, and galleries…

It’s about time! I was born and raised in Charleston and currently attend the College of Charleston, yet until this past Saturday, I had never taken part in the legendary Cooper River Bridge Run. Ironically it has been my love for running that has kept me from taking part in this great Charleston tradition. The Bridge Run is always the first Saturday in April, and as a four year track athlete at West Ashley High I’ve had an out-of-town meet every ‘Bridge Run Day’, so I couldn’t even attend the big party at Marion Square. I suppose I could have run the race in middle school, but the Arthur Ravenel Bridge wasn’t built yet, and I remember horror stories of runners feeling the old structure bouncing, swaying, and groaning under every step. For that, I  had a childish certainty that the old rickety bridge would collapse as soon as I reached the top, and that just wasn’t for me.  Thank you cousin Arthur!

So there I was, on the morning of Saturday, April 4, 2009 — 18 years after I took my first steps in this beautiful town — standing in a crowd of over 30,000 people, about to take part in a ‘happening’ that had me awestruck for most of my childhood. Pretty cool.

Like any event of this magnitude, you really can’t appreciate it until you experience it for yourself. You’ve got to be there at the start, stretching awkwardly close to the guy behind you, with your number pinned to your shirt and your running shoes laced to full-torque perfection, to experience the rush of adrenaline that comes with having to run 6 miles, much of it uphill, with thousands of energized strangers. The excitement exceeded all of my expectations. I must admit however, I felt a little out of place at the start. As I looked around, it seemed I was the only one wearing the official 2009 Cooper River Bridge Run t-shirt. I saw a group of women dressed up as “pin-up” nurses, a couple of kids disguised as various boxes of cereal, and I’m quite sure a giant banana ran past me, but few official bridge run shirts. I obviously missed the ‘wear the wackiest thing you own’ memo. At least I got the ‘wear your most comfortable shoes’ alert, unlike one man who ran the entire race in his business shoes and office clothes!

The 6 mile run was by no means easy, even for a relatively experienced runner like me, so I was beyond inspired to see the elderly, the amputees, the young children, and the cancer survivors running by my side, refusing to give up! No matter how much their bodies seemed to fight them, the expression on their faces showed that giving up simply was not an option. At around the 4 mile mark, I noticed one elderly man who was really beginning to struggle. He was favoring one leg over the other and it seemed as if he just couldn’t keep his head up anymore. I tried to catch up with him, but before I could get there, another young man ran to his side and began helping him along. This was just one of the many displays of love and compassion I witnessed along the way.

I will never forget my time running the 32nd annual Cooper River Bridge Run. I will never forget the nervous anticipation before the race began and killer cramp I got within the first mile. I will never forget how surreal it felt to be running on the top of the majestic Ravenel Bridge and to see an ocean of people ahead and another behind of me… especially as we crossed over the river… which looked especially blue that morning, as did the sky. I will never forget the determined faces of the men and women and children who ran by my side. And of course, I will never forget how good it felt to finally cross that finish line! In the end, every mile was worth the while! I can’t wait to run it again!  

Click here to see my short video blog of the race from start to finish.  Enjoy!

Click here to see the full gallery of photos I shot during the race, also from start to finish. I was busy!

Click here for more photos shot by GreaterCharleston staffers at the finish line.

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VIDEO: 2009 Cooper River Bridge Run Video-Blog

This is the video blog I made of the 2009 Cooper River Bridge Run from start to finish! Enjoy!

Germany’s Sabine Lisicki Stunning at the 2009 Family Circle Cup

What a gorgeous week to host ESPN and an international audience of tennis enthusiasts. If you missed it, you missed being in the best place in Greater Charleston last week.

Right off the top professional tennis is among the most exciting sports to watch in person, so you can be sure it’s a very cool experience even in a lesser environment. But the Family Circle Cup is held on pristine Daniel Island right in the heart of Greater Charleston at the time of year when South Carolina weather is at its balmy best. On top of that, you will be hard pressed to find a more family-first big-time sporting event anywhere. Then add in the relaxed festival atomsphere of the Family Circle Cup and pile on the fairy tale story we all saw unfold this year, and you get something magical.

As the 2009 Cup came to a close on Sunday, the crowd had even more reasons to smile extra-wide, as they were treated to seeing beautiful 19 year old Sabine Lisicki (pronounced za-BEE-nuh LEE-si-kee) literally come out of nowhere to win her first professional event ever. Sabine exhibited such skill and passion and grace and power that all in attendance could see this was no fluke, but that a star is born. Despite being ranked just 58^th in the world, German upstart Lisicki made history by winning the prestigious event as the lowest seed (16) and lowest ranked athlete in the history of the cup. Yet as Sunday arrived, no one was surprised by her victory over Denmark’s Caroline Wosniacki – a winners circle veteran – as Sabine’s first round upset of mega-star Venus Williams earlier in the week was a shot heard around the world. The 5^th seeded Wosniacki pulled off a major upset of her own to reach the finals, as her 3 set marathon victory over the top seeded Elena Dementieva (the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist) will long be remembered as one of the most dramatic Family Circle Cup matches in recent history.

Be sure to view our photo essay as it contains dozens of on-court photos from this thrilling match. But in the end, it was all Sabine, and her tearful celebration was as moving as her play was inspiring. She defeates Venus Williams, inarguably one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and then marches through 3 other highly ranked tennis stars on way to winning her first championship. Bravo Sabine… and Bravo Family Circle… thank you for another beautiful week in Greater Charleston!

Click Here to watch our video coverage of the final weekend, wich includes  the full moment that was Sabine’s moving tearful celebration, from right there with her on the court. Also be sure to see our full collection of on-court photos tell a beautiful story. Once in the gallery, be sure to click “Slideshow” for a full screen, customizeable shot-by-shot viewing experience. Feel free to grab a few photos while you’re there. We hope to see you there next year. Enjoy!

Click Here to read all about the Historic Event at FamilyCircleCup.com

Click Here to see hundred of shots
from the court and of the crowd.
Maybe you’ll even see yourself!

See Middleton Place as Never Before, through our Amazing Photo Essay…

You think you’ve seen Middlton Place? Maybe you have. Maybe it was for the Spoleto Festival, or a business retreat, or a field trip of some sort. We agree, it’s impressive for any occasion, at anytime of the year. But have you ever been there at the peak of springtime, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom? Or late in the afternoon when the grounds glow in the “Casablanca Light” that makes Greater Charleston a favorite for Hollywood filmmakers? Or when guests of a small wedding party enjoy carriage rides from one venue to the next? Even the most seasoned local will be stunned at the beauty of Middleton Place at a time such as this… so take a look at a few select shots, and then visit the gallery for the full essay, and once there, be sure to click “Slideshow” in the left menu for a full screen treat. Enjoy the best of Greater Charleston’s Ashley River plantations at the best time of the year!

 

Click Here to see the full amazing essay, and don’t forget to use the slideshow tool (left side menu at the gallery).

Click Here for full details about Middleton Place including the Google Map and the driving direction tool.

The Villages in St. John’s Woods

The Villages in St. John’s Woods established the benchmark in the creation of a low country life style community on Johns Island. This meticulously planned neighborhood features sensible and sustainable homes that are each unique in their architecture and colors. From quaint cottages , bungalows and Charleston singles there seems to be a style and size for singles, empty nesters and families. Home prices range from the $300k’s to the $700k’s, and you won’t find any McMansions here.

The short trip to downtown Charleston (20 minutes) has made it a favorite choice for both professionals and retirees. It is a quick 30 minute ride to your favorite beach at Folly or Kiawah or just hang out at the pool where you are sure to be welcomed by an impromptu gathering of friends enjoying an afternoon barbecue discussing the last softball game. Lots of great people just sitting on their front porch rockers sippin’ sweet tea and saying “hey” to the walkers. It’s very Charleston!

The development of the Parkside and Woodside sections are complete and lots are now available in the Lakeside neighborhood with larger lots and the small lake as the site feature. There are preferred builders or you can bring your own. You can also take your time to begin building as there is no build out date requirements.

Summerville’s Flowertown Festival draws Huge Crowds on Gorgeous Weekend

If you’ve never been to Summerville for the Flowertown Festival, you have been missing the most family-friendly fun in the sun springtime event you’ll find anywhere in the Southeast. With more than 200 artists and craft-makers setting up shop amidst the trees and flowers of Azalea Park on Main Street, the 3 day event has become a national phenomenon. More than 200,000 people visit every year to enjoy the arts & crafts, the live music, the Children’s Jubilee and carnival atmosphere, and the fabulous food served by restaurants and caterers from all over Greater Charleston and beyond. Here are a few of our favorite staff photos from this year’s event, and you can Click Here to jump directly to our full gallery that includes many dozens of photos. If you attended, you might see yourself in there!

Hundreds of Photos from the Cooper River Bridge Run Pouring In!

What a gorgeous day! If you missed it, whether as a runner or a spectator, you missed the perfect day for a road race through Greater Charleston!
Click Here for downtown shots by staff photogs, and Click Here for shots taken in the heat of the race by our street correspondent Amber Caparas. Be sure to check back soon, as Amber will also be writing up a story about her experience and will post video of her jaunt across Cousin Arthur’s big bridge. Amber will show you the Bridge Run from perspectives you’ve never seen unless you’ve run the race, so you won’t want to miss any of it. If you have any photos or video of your own you’d like to share, contact us us and we’ll walk you through the registration process. Until then… here’s to beautiful, 70 degree, sunshine enriched freash Atlantic Ocean air on Greater Charleston’s Mount Ravenel! For more information and history about the race, visit BrideRun.com, where you’re sure to get the full skinny.
Here’s a few more shots to whet your appetitie… Click Here for a cazillion more, and more to come! And again, Click Here for shots taken in the thick of the race.

Andrade: Charleston Stays Busy

When we first met Ernest Andrade he was a relatively new face with a typically small office and an atypical caché of big ideas.  As Charleston’s Annexation Coordinator during the 90’s, he executed a strategy that increased the city’s tax base by 2.5 billion dollars (that’s billion with a B). And after launching Charleston’s Digital Corridor initiative in 2001 (his brainchild), he drew more than $300 million in non-retail investments into our region, including big moves by companies of the Blackbaud, SunCom, NanoScreen and Benefitfocus.com variety. And while most everyone in corporate circles knows of Andrade’s exploits on behalf of the city, Ernest has somehow remained under the radar for the average citizen of Greater Charleston. If that includes you, we’d like to introduce you to our friend Ernest Andrade. The Kuwait born, India-raised, naturalized citizen moved to Charleston in 1981 while still a very young man. And by the sweat of his brow and flexing of his imagination today Andrade has risen within Mayor Joe Riley’s inner circle to become one of Joe’s most accomplished field generals. The enigmatic Andrade has picked up a bit of a swagger since the 90’s, and rightly so, but he’s still every bit as modest and selfless as he was when we first met him. He still rides a bike around town from time to time, and he still works with budgets that would barely cover the petty cash of his counterparts in major cities. And though he now wears several important hats and is raising a young family of four, nothing is slowing Ernest down. He’s currently the city’s Director of Business Development and continues as Director of the Charleston Digital Corridor.

With the current dire condition of the global economy, it would be fair to expect Andrade to be running low on enthusiasm and vision. Yet as he toured us through his latest pet project, the Charleston Business Development Center at the corner of East Bay and Calhoun Street (next door to Starbucks), it’s clear he’s more energized than ever. So we sat with Ernest and asked him to give us his 1^st quarter report card on the City of Charleston’s 2009 economic plan, and you should be encouraged by his report.

As we approached the 2009 calendar year, the City of Charleston established six major initiatives for their Economic Recovery Plan. The first one seemed easy enough, as it was a simple Business License fee incentive for knowledge-based businesses, but being easy to implement doesn’t immediately translate to success. Yet Andrade reports that his office at the Digital Corridor is already leveraging the incentive to the tune of two new firms now considering Charleston for their expansion. That’s pretty good for virtually no investment. Nice start.

Second, the city aimed to develop the aforementioned Business Development Center, which is already looking exactly like the plans (see inset photo) and is just a few weeks away from live activity.

Andrade credits many contributors and partners and is quick to shirk credit for the creation of the new facility, so it was easy for him to give high grades to this effort. From our perspective, this center could prove invaluable over time, as the location is A++ and the site design is ideal for the cross-pollenation of ideas.

Third, the city aimed to work with the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) to facilitate the $5 million redevelopment of the Mattress Factory on upper Meeting Street into the MUSC/SCRA Innovation Center. At first glance this project seemed a bit ambitious in the current economy, especially for that part of town, yet the 30,000 sq. ft. facility has already broken ground and is expected to open operations in time for Christmas. Considering the ultra-high need for investment in that part of town, we give that one a strong A.

Fourth, the city plans to launch a web based portal to aggregate news from all sectors of business in effort to stimulate activity among freelancers and other entrepreneurs. We can tell you firsthand how ambitious any form of “live” web portal can be, but Andrade reports solid progress, and we’ll surely be helping promote the portal, so things are looking solid here too.

Fifth, the city aimed to boost the large restaurant community by moving aggressively to eliminate the fees for sidewalk dining permits and damage deposits while also loosening late-night restrictions. In a city known for iron-clad regulations this goal had all the markings of a lost cause, until the Charleston County Council unanimously approved these ordinance revisions on February 24^th. We’ll give that effort an A+ for speed. It’s nice to see red tape get cut to pieces so quickly. If only the U.S. Congress would take a cue.

And finally, for the city’s sixth initiative for 2009, the Department of Business Services outlined a plan to empower existing businesses through a series of new knowledge forums – a continuing business education of sorts – something often discussed but seldom brought to productive fruition. Yet the first forum was held in March and others are soon to follow. Very encouraging indeed.

So while challenges are real and present for all of us, the City of Charleston is feeling pretty good about the future, and if Andrade’s enthusiasm can be used as a leading indicator (there’s no reason to stop now), then Greater Charleston’s flagship municipality is going to survive the future crises just as it has all others in our long and storied past. To quote the very articulate Andrade, “we’re staying very very busy.” That’s very good news.

Photo by William Bullock Jr.

The Round Holiday Inn on the Ashley

Everyone knows the Round Holiday Inn on the west bank of the Ashley River, and nearly everyone who lives in West Ashley or James Island or Johns Island and its little resort neighbors of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands drives by the round little hotel every week. Yet, as is true of all the other “off the beaten path” must see locations, very few locals have ever stood in its 15^th floor restaurant to take in the outrageous views – a true skyline panorama that offers the dramatic views of Greater Charleston that exceed even those offered by the Ravenel Bridge. For this, just as the photo essay linked below will show, the restaurant of the Round Holiday Inn is a legitimate Greater Charleston Must See. And while the hotel invites all to visit at no cost, you’ll certainly want to take advantage of their full restaurant and bar… great place for happy hour… and it’s almost never crowded. Enjoy!

 

 

Click Here to see our full album of photos from this vantage point as shown in our Gallery

 

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