Were you there? Greater Charleston celebrates the 2010 Southeastern Wildlife Expo

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From sewe.com:
Now in its 28th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the globe who present their offerings to over 40,000 attendees. A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education.

Established in 1982, the first Southeastern Wildlife Exposition took place in February of 1983, with approximately 100 exhibitors and 5,000 people in attendance. Its goal was, and is, to produce an event which contributes significantly to the economy while promoting the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife through its educational outreach programs and its focus on the visual arts. 

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is a critical part of the South Carolina and Charleston calendar. Run with the utmost professionalism and pride, an effort that began as a small winter diversion has now become the largest annual event to take place in South Carolina and one of the most popular and successful events in the country.

For complete details visit the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition website at www.sewe.com

Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital

Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital is a full service veterinary clinic offering immunizations, wellness care, dentistry, microchip pet identification, surgery, emergency and critical care, pain management, radiology, ultrasound, nutritional counseling, prescription diet, hospice and euthanasia services.

“New Sherrif” in N. Charleston

Crime in North Charleston comes to a hault thanks to Chief of Police Jon Zumalt.

On a blustery winter night in Wichita Kansas, a young beat cop was on his way to a reported liquor store break-in. Fresh, continuous snow fall slowed his progress to the crime scene. The liquor store’s front window was shattered and sprinkled amidst a few inches of snow on the front curb. Much more interesting to the cop than glass fragments were a set of recent footprints that lead away from the scene. He tracked the size 11 imprints down the block and to the suspects doorstep. The criminal mastermind not only responded to the ensuing knock on his door, but also put his hands up and emphatically said, “I didn’t rob that liquor store!”

The young cop from this story is no longer so young nor hunting down petty thieves in Kansas. He now leads a resilient and no-nonsense Police Department in North Charleston, South Carolina. His name is Jon Zumalt and he has significantly helped transform North Charleston into – dare I say it – a ’safer’ place to be.

Nine years ago,when he came to the south to take over a problematic police force, a man asked him if he came here on a stagecoach, no doubt a half-witted attempt to link him to another famous Wichita Sheriff – someone named Wyatt Earp. Not a very smooth introduction. At least no one said to him, “your not in Kansas anymore.”

If we look back to 2006, North Charleston was on a top-ten list that no city in the USA wants to be on: The top ten most crime ridden cities list.  North Charleston placed 7th in the county that year. Compton California had a better ranking; thats how bad it was. [Editor's note: Of course, those are "per capita" stats, and some argue small towns shouldn't be included in such lists as they lack the massive populations that temper such stats, but the stats are revealing metrics nonetheless... especially considering the positive turn].

Chief Zumalt inherited a city that seemed to be mired in high homicide counts due to tit-for-tat killings, or revenge murders. The community also harbored feelings of deep-rooted distrust towards the police department. Last but not least, there were not enough police officers to handle all the problems. 
That is the old news – the bad news. Now it is time for the new news – the GOOD news. Since 2006, crime has dropped an unprecedented 33% in North Charleston. This is a truly remarkable and dramatic turn around that marks the largest drop in crime of any American city during that time span. Since crime has dropped so rapidly over the last three years, North Charleston is no longer 7nth on the highest reported crime list. As a matter of fact, North Charleston is expected to place in the 50’s, or maybe even the 60’s, for 2009 – according to Chief Zumalt.

I asked the Chief what the biggest reason was for this amazing turnaround. Instead of taking the credit, he humbly gave the accolades to his loyal police officers. Secondly, safety innovations were incorporated within the North Charleston police force from other successful districts. For example, Los Angeles Chief of Police, Charlie Beck, introduced new ideas to help curb tit-for-tat killings or revenge crimes; something that had been a major problem for Chief Zumalt’s city. Chief Beck’s system worked in Los Angeles, and it has worked in North Charleston as well. With this new, west coast offensive system in place, along with a dedicated police force, Chief Zumalt can proudly and accurately boast that the murder rate in North Charleston has dropped 61 percent since 2006. Statistics like these are nearly unheard of in law enforcement over the last three years. In 2009 alone, there was a 25% reduction of aggravated assaults with a firearm as well as a 37% reduction of violent crimes committed with a firearm.

Another gorge that Chief Zumalt had to cross was the deep trench of bitterness and distrust between the residents of North Charleston and the police department. As recent as three years ago, neighborhood leaders felt that the police could not be trusted and encouraged their communities not to help them. This standoffish attitude made it extremely hard for law enforcement to solve crimes and it also made it extremely hard for communities to enjoy safer living situations. However, thanks to strategies set in motion by Chief Zumalt and his team, the gap between North Charleston community leaders and the police force has been filled with proof of trust – as well as the reassurance that working together is the only answer. Today, leaders in North Charleston that were formerly the most outspoken against the law, are now working hand-in-hand with police units within schools to help eliminate drugs and violence.

The best part of bringing community officials and the police department in North Charleston together is the re-establishment of trust. Just how much trust is there now between these two parties? Consider this statistic: Calls that come in to 9-1-1 lines called “Self Initiated Calls”, or calls that people make on their own to help police solve crimes, are up 100 percent since 2006. Another words, citizens of North Charleston are putting more faith in the law enforcement agency that aims to serve and protect them. Trust has officially been restored, the gap has been closed.

Due to the recent renaissance of trust, the North Charleston Police Department is solving crime at an eye-popping rate. For example, if a murder is committed in North Charleston, Chief Zumalt and his men expect to solve the crime 80 percent of the time. Imagine that, a city that can solve 80 percent of it’s murder cases. Unfortunately, murders still happen in North Charleston, as they do in any major city, just not as often as they used to. However, if there is a murder, it will be solved, in most cases. This is made possible because phone lines are lighting up every time there is a major crime committed. People are helping police solve crime by supplying pertinent leads and the police are helping people by ensuring their neighborhoods become safer places.

The last major problem that Chief Zumalt and the North Charleston Police Department had to face was the glaring need for more cops. After the Chief was denied additional funds to hire more policemen by Governor Sanford, his wish was granted by North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. The resulting increase in manpower had an immediate and palpable influence when it came to decreasing the crime rate. Most importantly, it enabled Chief Zumalt to implement a well thought out plan. The plan was to pin-point problem areas throughout the city where criminals are still running things. Then, make sure that there are two policemen, at any given time, on patrol in those areas. Also, an officer was placed into such neighborhoods as a resident, so his presence can constantly be felt. More men, more patrolling and a bigger police presence means less crime.

Indeed, North Charleston has come a long way in the last three years thanks to a proven leader and a hard-working police force. Although it does not snow here, Chief Zumalt has followed the footprints of success to foster a safer and more inviting city. Now, instead of knocking tentatively, with inconsistent tactics, a poor relationship with those inside, and a lack of manpower – the law in North Charleston is now kicking in the door with progressive – cutting edge techniques, a hospitable public image and enough policemen to get the job done.

Shuler Veterinary Clinic

Shuler Veterinary Clinic is a full service veterinary clinic offering immunizations, wellness care, dentistry, microchip pet identification, surgery, emergency and critical care, pain management, radiology, ultrasound, nutritional counseling, prescription diet, hospice and euthanasia services.

Classy Hair Designs

Looking for a hair stylist who specializes in color? Visit Misty Lane Pinckney at her unique salon or give her a call to schedule a consultation on a new look for you. Nothing is more important to a person, man or woman, than his or her hair. If you’re having a bad hair day…you’re having a bad day! Misty welcomes men, women, or children at her salon conveniently located in West Ashley off Orleans Rd. in the Cirque Salon Studios next to Ross and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Expect beautiful results at Classy Hair Designs! Please call 843-224-8797 to schedule your appointment.

Daniel Island Grille Restaurant

This restaurant may be the best kept secret in Charleston. Too bad it’s out there on Daniel Island and not in downtown. If this restaurant was in downtown Charleston it would kick ass!

The food is great, the service is fast and friendly (and the servers are very cute).

My friends went there for the Super Bowl, and just had a great time, we got so hammered that the owner’s made sure we took a cab home.

Great people I strongly recommend it

Why I love the Greater Charleston Website Potential

There are five websites in Charleston that focus on the Greater Charleston Community.

Of the top five all of them but one gets over 10,000 visitors per month. The one that does not is member based.

Now think about that for a minute, you join an association, and you expect to get help online and their website is invisible to the search engines for your products and services.

Not Good.

So why is that? There are two reasons and both are just my humble opinion. First the website was built using technology that the search engines cannot read. And Second, they make their money from memberships and not from helping you grow your business. Despite the fact that is their stated objective.

This site is different, because a) it cost you nothing to join, b) it’s designed so the search engines can find it.

Huge!

Each time that I post an article on this site is can be found by the searh engines – at least that is the premise, I’ll be back later in the week to let you know if it’s working