ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: sales@charlestoncitypaper.com For staff email addresses, visit us online.
EDITOR
PUBLISHER Andy Brack
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Cris Temples
NEWS
Staff: Skyler Baldwin, Herb Frazier, Connelly Hardaway, Jessica Mischner, Jack O’Toole
Cartoonists: Robert Ariail, Steve Stegelin
Photographers: Ashley Stanol
Contributors: Amethyst Ganaway, Vincent Harris, Chloe Hogan, Helen Mitternight, Kyle Petersen, Michael Pham, Tiare Solis, Abby Tierney, Kevin Young
SALES
Advertising Director: Ashley Smith
Account team: Kristin Byars, Hank Lunn, Kate Robbins
National ad sales: VMG Advertising
More info: charlestoncitypaper.com
DESIGN
Art Director: Scott Suchy
Art team: Christina Bailey, Ashleigh Keiser
DISTRIBUTION
Circulation team: Stephen Jenkins, Aidan Lauderdale, David Lampley, Spencer Martin, Judy Narry, Aidan O’Connor
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Charleston City Paper takes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts.
ACCESSORIES
Middleton readies for next 2 years as Charleston County Council chair
By Skyler Baldwin
Members of Charleston County Council elected the Rev. Kylon Middleton, a West Ashley Democrat, to be its new chairman in a Jan. 2 shift away from the elected fivemember Republican majority. The key that led to the flip was support for Middleton by Republican Larry Kobrovsky, who was elected as vice chairman.
“Over the next two years as chair, I am most excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of Charleston County and work toward restoring their faith in county government,” Middleton said in an interview.
Voting 5-4 in the majority were Middleton, Kobrovsky and Democratic council members Henry Darby, Teddie Pryor and Rob Wehrman. Those voting in the minority were Republicans Joe Boykin, Jenny Honeycutt, Brantley Moody and Herb Sass, the past chairman.
The Charleston City Paper spoke with Middleton about his priorities now that he’s at the helm. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
City Paper: Can we safely assume that I-526 is now officially dead? What projects should the county expedite to bring short-term traffic relief to West Ashley and the islands?
Kylon Middleton: The failure of the I-526 bond referendum highlights the need to prioritize other critical infrastructure
projects that are feasible and directly impact Charleston County residents. Moving forward, the county should focus on projects outlined in the 2024 bond referendum that address pressing needs such as road improvements, public transit expansions and flood mitigation. High-priority projects might include enhancing local roads to reduce congestion, fully funding the Lowcountry Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and implementing flood control measures in vulnerable areas to improve resiliency.
To ensure progress, Charleston County should establish a transparent priority list based on factors like project readiness, community impact and funding availability. A potential list could start with road improvements such as the S.C. Highway 41 expansion and rural road upgrades, completing the Lowcountry BRT system, expanding CARTA services for greater accessibility, accelerating drainage and flooding infrastructure projects, and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle pathways. By concentrating on these achievable initiatives, Charleston County can deliver tangible results while fostering public trust and demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
CP: There’s a strong sense that county council lost a lot of voters’ trust over the half-cent referendum. How will you go about winning that trust back?
KM: Winning back voters’ trust requires a commitment to transparency, openness
Charleston breaks ground on Ashley bike-walk bridge
The city of Charleston officially broke ground Wednesday on a long-awaiting pedestrian-bike bridge spanning the Ashley River and connecting West Ashley to downtown Charlesotn’s Medical District.
The Ashley River Crossing project has been in the works for almost 15 years. After several changes and design revisions, the plan is complete, approved and funded. Project leaders long planned to start construction on the West Ashley side of the bridge and build across to the downtown side at Brittlebank Park, Bee Street and Lockwood Drive.
The project will cost about $90 million, most of which comes from federal funding. —Skyler Baldwin
325
and direct engagement with the community. My intention is to ensure county government operates with greater accountability by making decision-making processes more accessible and inclusive. For example, I will implement regular public updates on county projects and spending, ensuring residents know how their tax dollars are being used. Additionally, I will host charrettes and town hall meetings on key issues like infrastructure, housing and transit, creating opportunities for citizens to provide input and voice concerns. By attending neighborhood meetings and organizing community forums, I will engage directly with residents, listen to their priorities and build partnerships to address the challenges facing Charleston County. These efforts will foster trust and demonstrate that county government is truly working for the people.
CP: What’s your take on the county’s dispute with the Charleston Animal Society over sheltering stray animals?
KM: The ongoing dispute between Charleston County and the Charleston Animal Society over sheltering stray animals is a pressing issue that needs resolution. I believe this service is essential to public health and animal welfare, and it is encouraging that our legal department is working collaboratively with the Animal
The number of firearms the North Charleston Police Department confiscated in 2024. City police seized 32 unlawfully carried or illegally owned guns from the streets in December alone. North Charleston police also made 314 illegal gun–related arrests in 2024. Source: WCSC TV
NEW
CP GROCERY TRACKER
Dec. 27–Jan. 3, 2024
Every time you visit a grocery store or a gas pump, you may notice a price change. We’re now keeping track of fluctuating costs so you don’t have to. Numbers are based on weekly average costs nationwide.
Milk (half-gallon): $1.59 ( $0.13)
Eggs (dozen, large white): $3.96 (no change)
Cheese (8-ounce block): $2.36 ( $0.17)
Bananas (per pound): $0.53 ( $0.01)
Avocados (each): $1.58 ( $0.34)
Gas (per gallon, U.S. avg.): $3.069 ( $0.02)
Gas (per gallon, S.C. avg.): $2.832 ( $0.08)
Sources: ams.usda.gov, gasprices.aaa.com
Skyler Baldwin
Middleton (second from left) was sworn in Jan. 2 by 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson
Proposed state tax cuts could be bait-and-switch, experts suggest
By Jack O’Toole
Imagine a car dealership where the sticker prices were high — but thanks to automatic rebates and deep discounts on all but the most expensive luxury vehicles, it was actually the cheapest place in town for the average person to buy a car.
Experts say that’s how South Carolina’s current tax code works for most state residents — high sticker-price rates, but some of the lowest tax bills in the country after deductions, credits and exemptions.
And it’s why they warn that state GOP leaders’ promise of “historic” tax cuts in the 2025 legislative session could lead to a bait and switch, where tax rates go down but the average South Carolinian sees no real benefit — or possibly even a backdoor tax increase. After all, if the car dealer eliminates or caps rebates and discounts to slash the sticker price on luxury automobiles, the person buying a regular car could easily wind up paying more.
“Since 2021, about half the states in the country have cut income taxes,” said Neva Butkus, a tax policy analyst with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy in Washington, D.C. “And they eventually have to pay for that with something — usually raising or expanding sales taxes and fees or kicking responsibilities down to the locals, all of which ask more of lower- and middle-income families.”
The current system
To follow the debate, experts say it helps to know a few facts about the state’s current tax system and the debate surrounding it.
• South Carolina’s $14 billion general fund relies on two principal sources of tax revenue — the income tax, which produces about half of all state revenues, and the sales tax, which produces almost 40%. The state also collects an additional $2.7 billion from corporate taxes and other sources.
• At 6.2%, S.C. has the highest nominal income tax rate in the Southeast, though it’s set to fall to 6.0% under current law. GOP leaders in the Statehouse have pledged to get it “below that of our neighbors” during this legislative session — presumably referring to Georgia’s 5.5% and North Carolina’s 4.5%.
• In theory, the average Palmetto State resident is in the state’s top 6.2% income tax bracket — but in reality, only pays 2.7% after deductions, credits and income adjustments. Experts say this typically results in lower tax bills than in Georgia or N.C.
• 45% of South Carolinians pay no income taxes at all, while the top 10% of income earners pay almost 65% of all income taxes collected. As a result, any major cut would
primarily benefit high-income residents.
• The state sales tax is 6% — but due to a broad array of exemptions, including food, medicine and most services, it only applies to about 30% of the things people buy. In North Carolina and several other states, lawmakers have “paid for” income tax cuts in part by expanding the sales tax to cover more goods and services. And by extension, that meant that average wage-earners subsidized tax cuts for the wealthy.
The case for tax reform
Despite South Carolina’s low rates for most people, the state’s current tax system is far from ideal, according to many tax policy analysts.
First, it fails the basic test of transparency due to the wide gulf between the official rates and what most people pay, adding complexity for collectors and confusion for residents. And second, because the tax rate is actually higher than the Southeastern average for wealthier individuals — the luxury car buyers who don’t enjoy the full benefits of rebates and discounts — it can limit their willingness to move to the Palmetto state and invest in its economy, leading to lower growth for everyone.
“Right now, we have the highest [income tax] rates in the Southeast — higher than North Carolina, higher than Georgia and Mississippi and Alabama, and higher also than Tennessee and Florida, which have zero,” said Sam Aaron of the S.C. Policy Council. “That’s a huge deterrent to people who are looking at South Carolina.”
Moreover, while Aaron says “a portion” of the money needed to fund a major tax cut would probably come from expanding the sales tax to cover more items, he believes the bulk of it can and should come from spending reductions.
“Over the past decade our state budget has doubled from $6.1 billion to $12.4 billion, which is just off the charts,” Aaron said. “So the main way you’re going to have to go about this is with some sort of spending restraint … like our ‘Responsible Budget’ plan.”
Under that plan, which was released Jan. 6, future state spending increases would be limited to population growth plus inflation.
But some, such as S.C. Rep. Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley), head of the House Freedom Caucus, favor an even more aggressive approach to spending cuts, with an eye toward eliminating the income tax entirely.
“The question most people ask is ‘where are we gonna find the money?’ or ‘what are we going to replace it [the income tax] with?’”
Pace told Statehouse Report on Jan. 6. “And my answer would be nothing. Cut spending.”
S.C. Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto
WHAT IS A TRUST?
A Trust manages property and assets and states exactly how inheritances are to be distributed
Helps avoid probate court
Provides for your family after your death, or if you become disabled or ill
Ensures your privacy with no public records
Can avoid or reduce estate taxes It can set up charitable donations that are often tax deductible
FREE LOCAL SEMINARS
breaks with GOP to turn council purple
Charleston County Councilman Larry Kobrovsky, the former chair of the Charleston County Republican Party, now stands as vice chair of the council alongside Democrats like the Rev. Kylon Middleton.
Kobrovsky said he had to make a difficult decision to stand so fervently with Democratic members of the council this month in council’s leadership election.
“It took a lot for me to do this,” he said. “But I love Charleston, and I see myself as a fiscally conservative conservationist. I see myself as an [late Congressman] Arthur Ravenel Republican — what would he have done? I think he would have done what I did.
“I love Charleston more than any of the partisanship, and I saw us losing ourselves,” Kobrovsky said. We’re here hopefully because we love Charleston, and I see it eroding. I don’t want to become like suburban Atlanta or Charlotte, and that’s what’s at stake.”
He added the change in leadership away from GOP control is a direct response to the November election, during which voters loudly rejected the county’s proposed $5.4 billion sales tax referendum to fund several road projects, including the Interstate 526 extension project.
“We have to show voters that we responded,” Kobrovsky said. “The previous leadership had total control over the agenda and what they put out there every way they wanted it. … The voters — this unique grassroots protest of fiscal conservatives and conservationists — that’s who I want to be and represent.
“I feel like they didn’t have a place at the table, and they do now.”
Skyler Baldwin
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
(D-Orangeburg) agrees that a carefully crafted tax cut could make sense for South Carolina, but says “the devil’s in the details.”
Society’s legal team to find a solution. To ensure fairness and sustainability, I support a cost-sharing model where both the county and local municipalities contribute to funding this critical service.
A unified approach reduces the risk of disease outbreaks, enhances animal adoption rates and minimizes potential conflicts between jurisdictions. Resolving this dispute with a fair, collaborative solution is a step forward in strengthening relationships with municipalities and ensuring a better quality of life for residents and animals alike.
CP: What ‘s your top priority as chair?
KM: As chair of Charleston County Council, my top priority is to restore faith in county government and rebuild trust with the citizens we serve. Over the past decade, a series of unresolved issues — including delays in road projects, the Navy hospital scandal and the lack of progress on affordable housing — has eroded public confidence. To address this, I am launching a comprehensive four-point plan designed to refocus the county’s agenda on transparency, accountability and the priorities that matter most to our residents.
First, we will conduct a countywide audit to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively, holding ourselves accountable for every cent.
Second, we will refocus on the basics by addressing the issues citizens care about most: breaking ground on stalled road projects to relieve traffic, accelerating the development of affordable housing and implementing robust flood prevention measures.
Third, transparency will be at the heart of our efforts; the business of the public will be conducted in public through clear communication, accessible meetings and regular updates on key initiatives.
Finally, we will ensure that our sheriff and solicitor have the resources necessary to maintain public safety and meet the needs of our growing community. By taking decisive action on these fronts, we can restore confidence in county council and demonstrate that we are here to serve the people of Charleston County with integrity and purpose.
What’s more, Hutto notes that the kind of unprecedented spending cuts some of his colleagues are discussing may not be possible as the state’s population continues to explode.
CP: Some of council’s critics say it doesn’t focus enough on preparing for waterrelated disasters. How does county council need to act to meet this huge challenge — and what does it need to do now that it hasn’t yet done?
KM: Charleston County Council must take decisive action to prepare for waterrelated disasters and the growing threats of flooding exacerbated by climate change. As the sponsor of the Charleston County Climate Resolution, which laid the foundation for the Climate Action Plan, I have worked to position the county as a leader in addressing these challenges. The Climate Action Plan outlines five transformative strategies, known as the “Five Big Moves,” which include prioritizing natural solutions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building resilient infrastructure, fostering community resilience and leveraging datadriven decision-making. These strategies provide a comprehensive framework to mitigate the risks of flooding and enhance our community’s sustainability and resilience. … We must now follow through on the strategies and actions outlined in the Climate Action Plan and allocate appropriate funding to achieve these goals.
CP: So far, affordable housing development has been kind of piecemeal. What can be done to accelerate construction in smart ways so people can afford to live near their jobs, not miles and miles away?
KM: Charleston County must take bold and strategic steps to accelerate the construction of affordable housing to address the urgent need for thousands of units. The Charleston County Housing Our Future Plan has already provided a strong foundation by outlining actionable strategies to increase affordable housing availability. By focusing on innovative approaches like land banking and creating an affordable housing trust, we can preserve and expand housing opportunities for our teachers, police officers, firefighters, food service workers and other essential employees. These efforts will help ensure that the people who serve our community can afford to live near their jobs, reducing the strain on families and alleviating traffic congestion caused by long commutes.
Charleston police on Jan. 2 responded to a West Ashley apartment after residents reported stolen items, including their couch, yoga mat, full-size bed and frame, two dressers, a space heater, five pairs of shoes, two cowboy hats, a Stanley water bottle and more. Forget “new year, new me,” how about “new year, new stuff?” Now all the suspected thief needs is some pots, pans and silverware.
Off to a great start
North Charleston police on Jan. 2 found a man asleep in the driver’s seat of his vehicle on City Hall Lane with a half-full 12 oz. bottle of beer in the cup holder. Police opened the door and put the vehicle in park (no, the vehicle was not already in park), before waking up the man and placing him under arrest for the open container. Happy New Year, man.
Rent-free (well, almost)
“We all support tax reform and think it’s a very appropriate discussion for us to have,” Hutto said in a Jan. 6 interview. “Nobody wants any citizen to be paying any more taxes than they absolutely need to — but it’s kind of hard to just up and say we’re going to change one tax without doing a global look at how it’s gonna affect every citizen and the state as a whole.”
“We’re the fastest growing state in the nation, which means that as people move in here, our infrastructure needs — roads, schools, fire departments, water and sewer — are growing, too,” Hutto said. “We just need to make sure that as we lower one tax, we don’t unwittingly leave ourselves without enough money to run state government.”
Wesley Tharpe, the senior advisor for state tax policy at the Washington-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, says he
shares those concerns about basic services. But even more, he argues, draining state government coffers with upper-income tax cuts limits the flexibility future leaders may need to address critical concerns.
“Those could be over-the-horizon investments like strengthening the road network, or environmental investments along the coastline in an era of climate change, or maybe bolstering the foster care system,” Tharpe said. “And whenever these big tax cuts are passed, there’s an implicit choice being made not to hold onto those dollars to make those important investments down the road.” Tax
The owner of a Mount Pleasant storage facility on Jan. 5 told town police that someone was living in a unit. Officers later found a man who admitted to living in the storage unit that he pays for, since he works close to the facility. There is no note regarding whether the man was “evicted” from the unit, and frankly, we aren’t sure which would be more dystopian.
By Skyler Baldwin Illustration by Steve Stegelin
The Blotter is taken from reports filed with area police departments between Dec. 30 and Jan. 5.
Go online for more even more Blotter charlestoncitypaper.com
SPONSORED BY
Kobrovsky
Grade for Charleston’s new mayor: Meh
Charleston Mayor William Cogswell has been in office for a year now, so it’s probably a good time to check in with how he’s doing.
If you believe a Jan. 7 email from the city (“Top Ten Highlights of 2024”), everything is going swimmingly. But if you look behind the rhetoric and examine the actual record, you’ll probably draw a different conclusion. Consider these points:
Flood mitigation. Cogswell glows about creation of the city’s Active Flood Mitigation Plan as a top success. But wasn’t most of this stuff already in the works by former Mayor John Tecklenburg? Cogswell gets credit for no-wake zones during flooding, but not really for flood pumps, lowering lakes, road closures and storm drain maintenance. Furthermore, he gets a big Thumbs Down for pushing out Dale Morris, the really smart guy who steered the city’s flood strategy by incorporating principles learned during the Dutch Dialogues.
Restructured city government. If you want to give Cogswell credit for hiring a chief of staff to act as a city manager and take virtually all direct contact with the mayor away from department heads, you could count this as a win. We don’t. We classify it as the mayor implementing a way to do less work and still get paid $225,000 a year.
Union Pier. Cogswell gets credit for pushing through a Tax Increment Financing District to fund infrastructure and
other development in Union Pier. But it’s still worrisome about how much revenue the county school district will lose as pier district properties become taxable.
New communications efforts. While the mayor and his team say they’re promoting engagement and transparency with residents by pushing the newsletter and putting his campaign’s social media company on the city payroll to make feel-good videos, he gets a huge Thumbs Down for accountability. He continues to refuse to talk with the Charleston City Paper (no interviews still since his election), and his communication team routinely erects communications roadblocks. Other media outlets also notice his reticence. And just look at the city’s fiasco of redoing its historic seal. Some council members didn’t even know about the thousands of dollars spent by Cogswell and company on what turned out to be a juvenile-looking, embarrassing new brand.
The city also touts successes of a King Street safety initiative (another rebranded Tecklenburg item), Angel Oak rezoning and cost-savings on an operations facility. But Cogwell conveniently leaves out the collapse of his plan to build more housing for the homeless, interference that threatened a longsought pedestrian-bike bridge over the Ashley River and a lack of details or specifics on how the city will build — and fund — hundreds of units of promised affordable housing. A one-year score for Cogswell as mayor: Meh.
CHARLESTON CHECKLIST of
community objectives
We encourage community leaders to act on these audacious priorities:
1. Deal with the water. Build a strong resiliency plan to harden infrastructure and make smart climate change decisions about development, roads and quality of life.
2. Fix roads, traffic. Repair and improve roads and reduce traffic. Speed up alternatives, including more public transportation.
3. Be smarter about education. Inject new energy into the broken Charleston County school board by focusing on kids, not national mantras.
4. Conduct public business in public. Be transparent in public business. Stop the secrecy.
5. Invest in quality of life. Build more parks. Have more festivals. Invest in infrastructure that promotes a broad sense of community.
6. Engage in real racial conciliation. If we embark on more conversations and actions on racial reconciliation, our community will strengthen and grow.
7. Develop fewer hotels, more affordable housing. Make Charleston a more affordable place to live for everyone.
8. Develop Union Pier at scale. Let’s not put ship-sized buildings on the coveted Union Pier property downtown. Instead, make what comes appropriate.
9. Build and follow a 50-year plan. Plan for the county’s long-term future and follow the plan.
10. Pay people more. Pay a living wage. Push South Carolina lawmakers to set a real minimum wage.
CHARLESTON NAVAL SHIPYARD WESTVACO
How county council can get on a better strategic path
By Fred Palm
It’s tempting to focus on the red and blue team jackets that Charleston County Council members wear and suggest that the election of a new Democratic chairman, the Rev. Kylon Middleton, is a realignment that’s simply the same old back-and-forth.
But if you closely examine the November vote on the half-penny sales tax referendum that failed, the significant voter majority (61% versus 39%) — comprised of red and blue voters and those in between — all shouted, ‘No way.’ The vote was not about team colors, but the road-building proposal at hand.
“There is no Republican or Democratic way to pick up the garbage,” Depression-era New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia stated. He was emphasizing that local governments and county councils oversee municipal services. The performance of these essential services for many communities is a core of the council’s function.
The failed ballot referendum basically was a 2050 strategic survival and growth plan. It was a funding program for a street project in the city of Charleston, rather than a conceptualization of transportation or a way for everyone to get from one place to the next. And this frame is an excellent starting point for reshaping and reevaluating the county’s service agenda.
The newly formed majority, chaired by Middleton, needs to put aside the jackets, sharp spikes and counter-programming to concentrate on the needs of county residents. We are already experiencing a high level of dysfunction in which issues compound and interact more, becoming increasingly complex and expensive to untangle.
Unpredictable travel times, increasing delays, extended area commutes, rising water impacts, lack of affordable housing and groundwater stresses are just a few of the urgent threats facing Charleston County’s pulsing economy. Addressing these challenges will require active input and participation from the business community and resident taxpayers, not closed-door or secret sessions of a select few.
Navigating the county’s current state to a newly defined common ground will be challenging, take longer than desired and require phased steps to secure a vision. There is no magic solution to eliminate discomfort or fund all aspects of the vision. Deliberate speed spoken in timetables for action is needed.
Trust and open communication are fundamental and will demand genuine, multi-level efforts to provide adequate municipal services. Council members should limit discussions in executive secret sessions to the specific issue at hand. If the discussion pertains to a contract, cover all elements except the specifics of legal threats, trade secrets, negotiating strategy and the like in an open session.
If you worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard plant or the Westvaco plant before 1982, you may have been exposed to asbestos
You could be entitled to multiple cash settlements from special asbestos trusts.
If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer (even if you are a smoker) or another cancer, or know someone who died from one of these cancers, call
If you wish to engage the public, continue the current outreach by posting performance statistics and finding ways to enhance its utility, quality and quantity. Separate the bimonthly, time-restricted listening session from the business calendar so that you can truly listen and understand.
Neither the council nor voters are traffic engineers. But both groups have valuable insights into local conditions that need to be considered, such as opening up traffic flow (turning lanes, traffic controls, speed bumps, widening, etc.). Secure meaningful outside expertise and inform the public as you tackle challenging questions.
In our increasingly wet environment, many existing roads will deteriorate faster, necessitating a revision of specifications based on expected lifespan. Travel during low tide may become necessary in low-lying areas. Roads and water are inextricably linked, affecting housing choices, resale values and the risk factors influencing insurance availability and pricing. Livability, sustainability, growth and equity cannot be neglected and should not be seen as mutually exclusive.
We are surrounded by water and areas that absorb it. We try to mimic wetland water storage in our flood remedies but too often treat the existing wetlands as an uncoordinated system lacking efficiency or a coherent natural system that stores water. The more water we retain within existing wetland infrastructure, the less we will need to replace with green or gray solutions funded by taxpayers.
Fred Palm of Edisto Island is a retired professor of oversight and investigations at the John Jay College School of Public Management and a former executive director of the Association of Inspectors General.
Natural and lab-made diamonds are forever
By Toni Reale, special to City Paper
It’s engagement season — the magical time between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day when nearly half of all couples commit to each other. This period is filled with romance and nostalgia, fueled by family gatherings and celebrations of gratitude and togetherness. Naturally, it’s also when many begin the exciting journey of choosing their engagement ring.
Rings have been a symbol of commitment in various cultures since ancient Rome, where iron bands represented strength and permanence. Over time, iron gave way to gold and by the Middle Ages, gemstones like sapphires and rubies adorned rings. Diamonds didn’t gain prominence until 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed with a diamond ring, setting a trend that would eventually dominate the market. Today, diamonds are deeply embedded in our culture as the standard for engagement rings. But while these sparkling stones are undeniably beautiful, they often come with significant environmental and social costs. Enter lab-made diamonds — a modern alternative that challenges tradition while addressing some of these concerns.
The journey of natural diamonds
Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s crust at the base of continents where extreme heat and pressure transform carbon into crystalline structures over billions of years. These diamonds reach the surface through volcanic eruptions that produce a type of rock called kimberlite, often referred to as a “diamond elevator.” Unlike familiar volcanoes like Mount St. Helens or Kilauea, these eruptions occur at depths of over 200 kilometers, beneath the oldest and thickest parts of the Earth’s crust.
As molten material rises to the surface, it picks up diamonds along the way. Because the process happens rapidly, many diamonds remain intact as the kimberlite cools and crystallizes on the surface. For centuries, diamonds were primarily found in river deposits, where eroded rocks left behind their sparkling treasures. This changed in 1866 when a large diamond was discovered in its host rock in South Africa, revolutionizing the diamond industry.
Environmental, social costs
Diamond mining has significant environmental and social impacts, often leaving a lasting footprint on ecosystems and communities for generations. Environmentally,
mining disrupts vast areas of land, leading to deforestation, soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. Open-pit mining requires largescale excavation, the use of heavy machinery and water-intensive processes that deplete natural resources and pollutes waterways.
Socially, diamond mining has a history of horrific and exploitative labor practices, unsafe conditions and ties to conflict zones where proceeds from diamond sales have funded violence and human rights abuses.
In Africa alone, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and displaced through diamond-related conflicts. Although governments and market demand have helped curb the trade of “conflict diamonds,” consumers still grapple with the ethics of purchasing mined diamonds.
An alternative
Lab-made diamonds are becoming increasingly popular because they are chemically identical to natural diamonds and nearly free of social and environmental baggage.
The processes used to create lab-made diamonds mimic the Earth’s natural heat and pressure conditions that originally create diamonds. While the process does take a lot of energy likely fueled by fossil fuels, the impacts pale in comparison.
TheKnot.com’s 2023 survey for newly engaged couples found that one in three couples are choosing lab-made diamonds. They can afford a larger stone and can feel confident that their choices did not come with a side of war and destruction. For those still choosing naturally made diamonds and other gems, there are ways to still be more ethical. Look for designations showing that your stone was certified as conflict-free or better yet choose a vintage or used stone that can have new life.
Getty Images
A natural diamond nestled in kimberlite
Jadoon’s Park Circle Market caters to locals
By Connelly Hardaway
It started, as many good stories do, with craft beer.
In 2010, Ayaz Jadoon opened a convenience store, Kwik Stop, on North Rhett Avenue in North Charleston. Pretty quickly, Park Circle residents started making requests for certain beers to fill the store’s coolers.
Owais Jadoon, Ayaz’s son who helps run the convenience store, remembered the demand for craft beer in the little store.
“By 2012, we’d installed a 14-door cooler,” he said. The early 2010s marked a heyday for craft brews, not just in the country but also in South Carolina, where local breweries led the charge to change archaic state laws. By 2007, it was finally legal to operate a taproom — and serve beer over 6.25% ABV (alcohol by volume) — in South Carolina. Kwik Stop got in on the skyrocketing craft beer trend.
“We were just kind of in the neighbor-
hood at the right place with the right equipment,” the younger Jadoon said.
But he’s not giving himself enough credit.
A brief family history
The origin story of Kwik Stop is rooted in craft beer, but the narrative has evolved over the past 14 years. Today, it includes more provisions, sure, but just as importantly, more meaning, too.
Most notably, of course, is the store’s recent rebranding. At the end of 2024 Kwik Stop became Jadoon’s Park Circle Market, a move that Owais Jadoon said was a long time coming.
“We wanted to put our roots down,” he said. “We want to have this represent the entrance to Park Circle. We want it to be something that is a quick stop, but beyond a Kwik Stop.”
Running a successful convenience store may be in the family’s blood. Ayaz
Above, the Kwik Stop was rebranded Jadoon’s Park Circle Market at the end of 2024 Ayaz Jadoon (far left) in a convenience store he owned in Karachi, Pakistan, in the 1970s
Ashley Stanol
Jadoon owned a small convenience store in Pakistan in the 1970s.
“Father had a very similar, very unique neighborhood market back in Karachi 40 years ago,” Owais Jadoon said. “It’s crazy to think about, but you know, from thousands of miles away, we’re kind of doing the same thing. It was unique in its time. … It had huge community support too.
“The majority of our products are from small, local businesses,” he continued. “It keeps the local economy going versus a huge chain coming in.”
At Jadoon’s, you can find goods from area producers, such as Sarah’s Dumps, Levity Cannabis Spirit, Life Raft Treats, Lowcountry Creamery, Scratch Cookie Co., Edisto Gold Honey and Prophet Coffee, which recently opened a coffee cart within Jadoon’s Market.
Owais Jadoon said that while Pakistan may have any number of political issues, at the social level, small businesses manage to thrive.
“You’ve got the butcher shop next to the milk shop next to the vegetable shop, all feeding each other in a local economy and it sustains an entire country,” he said. “Here in Park Circle, we have a little bit of that, too.”
After years of leasing the space, the Jadoons now own the land on which the market is located. And while that’s a good thing, it’s also a complicated one.
“As new property owners, we didn’t realize how all this worked,” the younger Jadoon said. “It was a lot of permitting.”
If you’ve driven past Jadoon’s Market recently, you’ve likely noticed the store’s snazzy new circular sign in the parking lot — one that is much shorter than the sign that previously held its place.
The reason?
Hurricanes. If the pole at its original height were to fall, it could fall not onto the store’s property, but into the road. “It makes sense,” Jadoon said. “It’s just very expensive and very hard to figure out.”
from
You can get beer at Jadoon’s, but you can also get ice cream, snacks and locally made lasagna. The store has an extensive nonalcoholic and alternative beverage selection, as well as a carefully curated wine shelf. There’s even a section dedicated to Park Circle residents’ favorite pastime: disc golf.
“We wanted to put our roots down. We want to have this represent the entrance to Park Circle. We want it to be something that is a quick stop, but beyond a Kwik Stop.” —Owais Jadoon
Permits have been a hurdle this past year, but one thing that’s never been a challenge for the Park Circle store is consistent business. Jadoon said that the store, on average, sees about 250 customers a day.
Beer is still a big seller (have you seen their selection?), but Jadoon said that the market has so much more to offer these days.
Beyond beer
“We were known as the beer store. I’m really proud of our selection and happy about it,” Owais Jadoon said, “but for me, also, we do this, too. I try to bring more attention to the other things that we’ve put just as much thought into.”
Jadoon said Covid-19 inspired the store to stock a large selection of discs for folks looking to partake in outdoor, socially distanced activities.
While the younger Jadoon, who doesn’t drink, considers himself fairly welleducated on the beer, wine and alternative beverage markets, he admitted that he leaves disc golf selections to the experts.
“Disc golf folks are kind of like craft beer [consumers]. They’re super enthusiastic about it and they’ll let you know the latest and greatest [discs],” he said.
The customers are, in fact, always right at Jadoon’s. Jadoon said that he spends a lot of time reviewing how well products are selling in the store and listening to feedback from customers on the floor.
“It goes back to the community and the loyal customers, in the sense that they give us the freedom to try,” Jadoon said. “They are open to new things and new experiences. And then they’ll report back or the sales will show [if something worked.]”
Whether you’re in the market for local snacks, Jadoon’s branded basmati rice, or disc golf discs, Jadoon’s Park Circle Market has got you covered
Owais Jadoon said that the market gets maybe 100 new items a week — which means 100 old items are leaving shelves.
“You have the velocity to respond quickly to what people are wanting,” he said.
“From seeing it to just feeling it.”
He has a good feel for the store — he’s worked in it since he was a teenager.
“This place raised me,” he said. “We don’t have any sophisticated POS [pointof-sale] software. I need to work on that. I don’t have a huge database. I don’t have algorithms, like, you know, Walmart or something. [It’s] just literally me being here, talking to people.”
Now that the Jadoons own the convenience store and the land on which it sits, they believe the sky is the limit for growth. Jadoon said that the family hopes
by Ashley Stanol
to develop the land and eventually add another, larger structure that is similar to the existing market.
“I think if I have more space, I can do a better layout,” Owais Jadoon said. “I can add a little bit of a kitchen element to it with Pakistani food. We can do a lot more of the market where [we bring in] more frozen, refrigerated and ready to go items … and make this a little bit more of a neighborhood place, which it already is, but make it even better for the community.”
Above,
left: Ayaz Jadoon, Owais Jadoon, Griffon Bates and Wasim Jadoon help keep the popular Park Circle market running
Photos
What To Do
1
SATURDAY
Mex 1 Snowboard Rail Jam
The annual Rail Jam is back, bigger and better than ever. Join Mex 1 at Firefly Distillery this weekend for the ultimate winter party — now with an even larger ramp, more snow and, of course, more action. Expect flips, tricks and high-flying moves as top boarders from across the country take on the custom rail setup, all while you jam to local tunes by The Midnight City Band.
Chamber Music Charleston’s acclaimed Ovation Concert Series continues on this weekend at the historic Dock Street Theatre. This performance will feature an exquisite program of music for piano quintet, including Franz Drdla’s “Hey, Hay! Three Hungarian Dances, Op. 30 No. 4” and Robert Schumann’s “Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44.” The concert will also feature guest violinist Anthea Kreston and pianist Phillip Bush.
Jan. 12. Concert starts at 3 p.m. Ticket prices vary by seat. Dock Street Theatre. 135 Church St. Downtown. chambermusiccharleston.org
THURSDAY
Homeschool History Day: Lowcountry Safari
Journey through the Natural History Hall on a safari that will take you through time as you learn about animals that lived millions of years ago as well as animals that live here today — keep your eyes peeled as you may spot some exotic animals, too. Homeschool History Day programs feature a field trip experience, a chance to go through the Museum and an educational activity.
Jan. 16. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. $5/student registration; $15/non-member adult reservation. The Charleston Museum. 360 Meeting St. Downtown. charlestonmuseum.org
SATURDAY
Medicinal Practices of the Enslaved
Visit Middleton Place Stableyards for a drop-in discussion and explore how enslaved people throughout history approached and utilized herbal and botanical therapies to treat sickness and disease. Take home complimentary seeds from select medicinal varieties and start your own home physic garden. This event is part of the African Seed Exchange project.
Jan. 11. 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. $29/general admission. Middleton Place. 4300 Ashley River Road. West Ashley. middletonplace.org
NEXT WEEKEND
Taste of Folly
Head to Folly Beach and kick off a weekend full of local bites and tasty treats with a cocktail competition at the Tides in the Pavillion Ballroom next Friday. Follow it up with Savory Saturday as Center Street is closed and taken over by Folly businesses serving up their best dishes and showing off with live demonstrations. Enter the hot dog-eating contest, one pot showdown and oyster-shucking contest for some thrilling competition.
Jan. 17 through Jan. 18. Kick off at 6 p.m., Jan. 17. $45/cocktail competition; $15/Savory Saturday. Locations vary. Folly Beach. visitfolly.com/taste-of-folly
Courtesy Mex 1
Take advantage of advanced show ticket pricing and save on SEWE general admission tickets before prices increase on February 1.
SCAN QR CODE OR VISIT SEWE.COM TO PURCHASE TICKETS.
Cuisine
Resolve to eat and drink well in 2025
By City Paper staff
Charleston is, for many folks around the country (and the world!), a dining destination. We’re lucky enough to live and eat here every day and we never take our local bars, restaurants, bakeries and breweries for granted. We polled our staffers and writers for their best bites and sips of 2024. We’ve detailed them here, and we challenge you to get out there and try some of the city’s best bars and restaurants this year.
Cris Temples, Associate Publisher
Temples kept it both decadent and classic with his recommendations, which include:
• East Bay Deli’s chocolate cake
• Loaded tots with pulled pork and runny egg at The Triangle
• Fried crawfish at Gene’s Haufbrau
• Brisket from Lewis Barbecue
• Any cupcake from Sugar Bakeshop
Libby Swope Wiersema, cuisine writer
Lenoir’s Blueberry BBQ Chicken Wings
Confession: I’ve never been a fan of chicken wings. So, I am just a bit flummoxed that Lenoir’s Blueberry BBQ Chicken Wings have been weighing on my mind. Smokey, crispy wings tossed in a tangy-sweet blueberry barbecue sauce and served with a scattering
What’s new
A variety of bars and restaurants around town are celebrating Dry January with drink specials this month. Be sure to check out a restaurant’s social media for the most up-to-date info on alternative and nonalcoholic (NA) beverages on deck.
The Matador offers three exclusive NA cocktails featuring Lyre’s NA spirits. Guests can choose from the scratch margarita, pomegranate mule and cucumber paloma. The restaurant also serves a “fresh sheet” menu that features lighter fare, such as carne asada lettuce wraps and Guajillo Chile marinated pork tacos. Learn more at matadorrestaurants.com.
Hotel Bennett serves mocktail menus at its three dining outposts: Camellias, Gabrielle and Fiat Luxe. Guests will find a variety of mocktails made with NA spirit Seedlip at each location. Gabrielle also serves NA beer, such as Heineken Zero and NA wine like Hand on Heart, a Cab Sav from California. Learn more at hotelbennett.com.
of thinly sliced celery, scallions, benne seeds and fresh blueberries — well, it was a gamechanger for this hard-core thigh girl.
Everything Bagel, Holey City Bagel
Because I owned a bagelry in a former life, sitting down to a generously encrusted Everything bagel (my favorite!) at Holey City is comforting and nostalgic for me. Rising before the sun to hand-roll, boil and bake a heap of bagels requires a whole lot of sweat equity. I appreciate the aesthetic of this little shop that churns out bagels good enough to represent the entire Southeast at New York BagelFest. (Last year, they snagged third place finishes for Most Creative Bagel and Schmear of the Year for their pimento cream cheese.) My overall assessment: These bagels are banging.
Old Fashioned Tacos, Rancho Lewis
When I’m craving tacos, I’m not dreaming of drippy little hand-helds made with flour tortillas. Give me crunchy! Rancho Lewis’s Old Fashioned Tacos speak to my affinity for crispy corn tortillas, freshly fried and filled with chunky pico, savory proteins (in this case, chicken tinga and beef picadillo) and a nest of cool lettuce and shredded cheese. As a native Southern Californian, I grew up eating the likes of Pup-n-Taco, Taco Lita, Del Taco and Taco Bell — no apologies. While my adult palate won’t tolerate the indulgences of my childhood, the tacos at Rancho
Lewis capture the simplicity and texture I love with an elevated flavor profile to please my more grown-up sensibilities.
Samantha Connors, CP contributor
Crispy Fried Eggplant and Gin & Tonic Salmon Crudo from The Archer I had a difficult time resisting the urge to order every small plate on The Archer’s menu, but these two were standouts. I’ve never had an eggplant dish quite like this one. The whipped buttermilk, lime and Thai chili provide a light, acidic balance to the rich flavor of the lightly fried eggplant, which literally melts in your mouth. And, the G&T crudo is an inventive take on a simple dish with gin-cured salmon, crunchy cucumbers and locally made tonic from Sweatman’s Garden.
Tamal Montado from Kooben Cafe Mexicano
A new restaurant in Hanahan on Yeamans Hall Road, this breakfast and lunch cafe offers authentic Mexican dishes and fun coffee drinks, aguas frescas and smoothies. The tamal montado is a delicious breakfast offering with two tamales over beans topped with an egg and red sauce.
Adult Four Loko from Sissy Bar
If y’all want to relive the early days of Four Loko without the malt liquor and heart
Kwei Fei and Beautiful South are serving special menus this month, inspired by Hong Kong’s “greasy spoon” diners, also called cha chaan tengs. Kwei Fei’s dishes include a Char Siu BLT made with seared pork belly, pickled green tomato and green leaf on housemade milk bread and the fried chicken sandwich served with chili crisp comeback sauce on a steam bun. Beautiful South serves macaroni-and-ham soup as well as lobster yee-mein. Both menus will be available until Jan 31.
Bodega Mount Pleasant now serves $7 smashburgers on Wednesdays for the whole family. Kids can get a kick out of daily happy hour, too, with half-off nuggets and fries every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at eatdrinkbodega.com.
What’s hot
Two of Charleston’s restaurants made the Robb Report ’s list of “The 27 Most Beautiful New Restaurants in 2024.” South of France–inspired bar, La Cave, was noted for its faux stone walls and herringbone parquet floors. Fellow King Street restaurant Legami was also recognized for its pastelgreen banquettes and white Carrara marble tables. Find the full list at robbreport.com. — Connelly Hardaway
Snag inventive — and delicious! — cocktails at Coast Brewing
The Archer’s salmon crudo is made with gin-cured salmon, crunchy cucumbers and locally made tonic from Sweatman’s Garden
Survive Dry January in Charleston with Crescent 9 THC Seltzer
Sponsored
Stay high and dry this month with Charleston’s number one THC beverage, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer. With seven different flavors and a variety of potencies, there’s a Crescent 9 for everyone.
“Once a customer tries Crescent 9, that’s the only THC seltzer they buy,” said Danny Sullivan, manager of Charlie’s Grocery on Spring Street. “It is a great alternative to alcohol. I enjoy drinking one at lunch and being relaxed and productive for the rest of the afternoon.”
Launched in New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2023, Crescent 9 is a proudly Southern company with production facilities in Charlotte, N.C., and Murfreesboro, Tenn. Crescent 9 THC Seltzer is made with premium cannabinoids and naturally sweetened with fruit juices and purees.
“These seltzers taste great, and in just a few minutes you start to feel the effects,” says Charleston-area local Caroline Moeller. “It’s a great mellow body high that lasts and makes me feel relaxed without causing drowsiness.”
Unlike edibles, THC drinks produce effects in 15 minutes to 30 minutes — about as fast as alcohol does. They provide an uplifting and euphoric buzz that is great for partying or relaxing at home.
“Crescent 9 Tropical THC Seltzer is the perfect
combination of caffeine and THC,” says Charlestonarea resident Sarah Fils-Aime. “I like to have one before tackling a big chunk of chores or when I want to spend an entire evening delving into my creative hobbies.”
Crescent 9 THC Seltzer delivers intoxicating effects without causing a hangover or other negative health effects of alcohol. These drinks are made with hemp-derived THC, so they’re federally legal and available in stores throughout Charleston.
“Crescent 9 is one of our fastest-selling products,” Steve Swan, assistant manager of Smoke ‘N Brew on James Island, said. “Our customers say the highpotency seltzers have a kick!”
Crescent 9 THC Seltzer‘s 7 flavors
Enjoy seven different flavors and potencies ranging from 5 mg THC to 50 mg THC per can.
• Ginger Lemonade THC Seltzer: 5 mg of THC and 4 mg of CBD
• Wobble Strawberry Pineapple THC Energy Drink: 10 mg THC and 100 mg caffeine.
Where to find Crescent 9 seltzers
You can find Crescent 9 THC Selzer in the Lowcountry in these and other locations:
• Bert’s Market: Folly Beach
• Bottles Beverage Superstore: Mount Pleasant and Summerville
• Charlie’s Grocery: downtown Charleston
• Smoke ‘n Brew: James Island
• Total Wine & More
Find a store near you or order Crescent 9 THC Seltzer online at crescentcanna.com. Stock up for Dry January today!
palpitations, this cocktail is for you. An upgraded espresso martini that swaps vodka for anejo tequila, the Adult Four Loko is a delicious, classy cocktail for a quick pick-me-up.
Gabriela Capestany, cuisine writer
Da Toscano Fugazzi at Revelry Brewing I truly don’t know why my initial expectations were low when first trying the new food at Revelry — maybe because brewery and pub food can be so exceptionally hit or miss. Chef Michael Toscano delivers (per usual) with such satisfying, delicious “unauthentic” Italian food that pairs perfectly with a beer (or several). The chicken parm quesadilla is unmatched. Take this recommendation for Fugazzi as another reason to visit Revelry, which remains my favorite brewery in Charleston and brews the best IPA in the city: Never Sunny!
Drinks at Coterie
It’s no secret that the trellis patio at Coterie is one of the most relaxing places in town. This is not an easy feat considering its proximity to the buzz of King Street, but the convenient location is all part of the appeal. The outdoor bar has quickly become a staple in my rotation and offers a distinctly laid-back yet upscale vibe when you need that sort of thing
— the kind of place where I’ve taken a prewedding-night bride and groom who wanted a lowkey sip with friends, but also my lively Cuban father who wanted a pre-dinner gin martini (shout out to the bartenders for playing along with his hijinks). Best of all, they have some of the most complex, interesting cocktails in town where I can always try something new and exciting.
Pho Lucky and Boba Tea
I’m from Seattle, so I know the importance of a solid neighborhood pho spot. It’s frequently a topic of conversation among my friends in the Pacific Northwest, as everyone has their own opinion on who provides the best value, broth and meat slices. My boyfriend, who is Vietnamese, excitedly told me that he finally found a spot in Charleston that has “the most authentic” pho in town and took me to Pho Lucky. Sure enough, this place takes me right back to the no-frills pho spots he and I would frequent around the University of Washington. Not only was their Pho Tai delicious, I also had enough leftovers for a second meal.
Connelly Hardaway, cuisine editor
Fra Diavolo at The Establishment
Last year, The Establishment implemented some roof-to-table dining with a new collaboration with hyper-local hydroponic farmer Garret Fleming of Ghost Grow 843. Two of Fleming’s hydroponic towers
refreshing and just a little bit unexpected. Pair it with the brewery’s tallow fried chicken wings.
Makan’s stink beans (RIP)
live on The Establishment’s rooftop, where executive chef Elliott Howells and his team pick fresh herbs and produce to incorporate into the restaurant’s dishes. The Fra Diavolo, named for a spicy Italian tomato sauce, is made with tagliatelle, shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes and, of course, rooftop peppers and basil. It’s both decadent and fresh and made even better if you snag a seat at the chef’s counter to watch the magic happen before your eyes.
Coast Brewing Company’s OBD?
Coast Brewing makes great beer, of course, but don’t sleep on the brewery’s killer craft cocktails. The “ODB?” is made with Arbol mezcal, Suze, St. Germain, lime, simple syrup and celery bitters and is tart,
A BEER WITH A VIEW
Recently shuttered Malaysian restaurant Makan served up an inventive shrimp dish, Sambal Udang Petai, that featured the cheekily named “stink beans.” You can find the bitter, nutty bean in Southeast Asia, where it grows on trees and, with its high concentration of amino acids, puts off a smell reminiscent of methane gas. The slight crunch of the bean with the spice of the dish was so interesting and delicious that I knew I’d never think of the word “stink” the same way again. Sadly, Makan closed last month, serving as a reminder that Charleston’s great restaurants cannot exist without the city’s support. If you like a restaurant, spend money there!
Harbinger Cafe’s winter caprese sandwich
I’d already come up with my best bites of the year when I bit into The Harbinger Cafe’s winter version of its caprese sandwich and I knew the sammy needed to be added to the list asap. The cafe serves a different iteration every season and the winter version is made with housemade bread, beet butter, marinated sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, asiago, spinach pesto and house salad. Get it warmed up and enjoy it in the cafe — or scarf Provided
Harbinger serves up a delightful seasonal caprese on housemade bread
Culture
Tragedy inspires Platt’s new poetry book
By Bill Thompson
Soft-spoken and genial, Eugene Platt wears his 86 years jauntily, like a feather in a hatband.
But it does not obscure the thoughtfulness of the man, a poet of distinction.
As French essayist Joseph Joubert so aptly noted, “Life is a country that the old have seen, and lived in. Those who travel through it can only learn from them.” Especially when seeking and learning remains their life-long commitment.
As it does for Platt, who believes a poet’s vision deepens and broadens with age.
“It’s about the three E’s,” he says, “emotions, encounters and experiences.”
A fixture of the local poetry scene for decades, Platt, a Charleston native, is celebrating the release of his seventh collection, Slaughter of the Innocents (Revival Press). The book was launched on Dec. 15 at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, accompanied by Wayne Helmly’s performance of Tombeau, a new work for organ by composer Carson Cooman.
The music was inspired by the title poem of Platt’s collection, which itself grew out of a horrific event in American history.
“The genesis of Slaughter of the Innocents goes back to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012,” Platt said in an interview with the Charleston City Paper. “It affected me as deeply as any tragedy I had even heard of. As poets often do, you feel you should respond in some way, as was also the case after the Emanuel AME Church shooting here.
“It was my literary response to the tragedy. It was also an appropriate springboard for the collection as a whole, which contains two poems that came out of the ongoing tragedy in Gaza.”
Platt, who currently serves as poet-in-residence at St. Stephen’s, said Cooman is also preparing an ensemble work for piano, brass and timpani inspired by the poem. He anticipates the piece will premiere in December.
Platt is a life member of the Poetry Society of South Carolina, and his verse has
“
The genesis of Slaughter of the Innocents goes back to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012. It affected me as deeply as any tragedy I had ever heard of.” —Eugene Platt
appeared in numerous literary publications. He has also given more than 100 public readings, including at the inaugural Dublin Arts Festival. He was also the first poet laureate of the Town of James Island.
Upon his graduation from St. Andrew’s Parish High School, Platt served three years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and chaplain’s assistant with the 11th Airborne and 24th Infantry divisions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Carolina in 1964, and taught composition at Clarion (Pa.)
Arts, etc.
Rock out to lasers at Charleston Music Hall
There are still tickets available to catch Paramount’s Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular tonight at Charleston Music Hall. The multi-media laser and light show presents the original music of Pink Floyd as a theatrical and visual experience, combining audio, video and other special effects to bring the sonic stories to life within the performance space. There’s even an opportunity for audience participation. Tickets range from $25 to $45 ($95 for a box). Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. Check out charlestonmusichall.com to book.
Workshop new material at Improv 101
University while pursuing his masters degree in English in 1970. Platt later did graduate study at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, focusing on the literature of Ireland in the English language.
Platt is politically, as well as culturally, involved. He served as an elected member of the James Island Public Service District Commission from 1993 to 2020 and, as a staunch environmentalist, was the Green Party nominee for U.S. Congress in 2013. He lives in Charleston with his Montrealborn wife, Judith, their corgi Bess and two cats, Finnegan and Maeve.
Most writers like to think their latest work is their finest. But Platt demurs on whether Slaughters of the Innocents is his most accomplished volume.
“Let me put it this way,” he said. “I think it is a good place for me to retire from actively writing poetry. With what time I have left I think it’s a good time to move on and focus my creative energy on drama. I know it’s a long shot, but I’d like to see my plays Perennial and Believing Is Seeing produced for the stage.”
Platt will give a reading from Slaughter of the Innocents on Feb. 29 at the Waccamaw Library on Pawleys Island.
Check off the “take a class” box on your list of New Year’s Resolutions — and have some actual fun in the process — by enrolling in Theatre 99’s improv training program. The first Intro to Improv course ($189/ person) on the just-released 2025 schedule kicks off Feb. 18, and runs for six consecutive Tuesdays. Classes start at 6:30 p.m. and last around 90 minutes. No previous theater or comedy experience is required. And, since the session is limited to just 12 people — all the more reason to book early! — the environment is supportive, non-competitive and focused on group cooperation. Check out theatre99.com for more information on classes and registration.
Learn to weave like an artist
Join local artist Kristy Bishop Jan. 25 at the Charleston Museum to learn the ins and outs of weaving — from how to warp the loom to pattern-making (horizontal stripes, vertical stripes and checkerboard designs will be covered). All materials, including a take-home kit, instructions and finished weavings, are included in the workshop fee ($110, Museum members; $140 Nonmembers). Reservations required. Find out more at charlestonmuseum.org. Jessica Mischner
Provided
Poet Eugene Platt finds inspiration in “emotions, encounters and experiences”
Hey there, Mr. Blue Sky!
Erode the Dream puts their nightmares on neon vinyl
By Stratton Lawrence
Mauricio Masáre’s English tutors were James Hetfield, Chris Cornell and Jerry Cantrell. As a kid in the coffee-growing town of Pereira, Colombia, the budding artist saw music — specifically American metal and grunge — as a window to the globe. Today, the Metallica, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains singers that inspired him as a teen are also frequent subjects of his paintings, which layer lines — often in three-dimensional fashion — to form an image.
Visual art first brought Masáre to Charleston. He met Scott Parsons, owner of Revealed Gallery on Church Street, at an airport bar, leading to a show and then a move to the U.S. But his band, Erode the Dream, could be his next ticket to fly. On the group’s five-song debut, Neon Nightmares, which drops Jan. 11, Masáre delivers vocals that transition from a purr to a growl to a guttural bellow with power and ease, framing a dual guitar onslaught that sounds like a lost recording from early ’90s Seattle.
The group formed from jam sessions between bassist Robbie Weise, drummer Steven Wilson and guitarists Ryan Martin and Jon Stout (the latter another multidimensional artist known for his photography as BadJon).
“It’s fun to disconnect from one type of art and translate those ideas to a different medium,” said Stout of developing Erode the Dream. When photographer Steve Aycock
sent Stout a video of Masáre singing, it was clear they had found their leader.
Masáre wrote the lyrics he sings on Neon Nightmares. The neon-pink vinyl’s back cover and insert also feature art by Masáre, complementing cover art by Fletcher Williams III that reflects the complicated beauty within the record’s grooves.
On “Becoming Ghosts,” a track with thundering kick drum rolls, Masáre bemoans the difficulty of maintaining a relationship with his girlfriend in Colombia: “The memories that we have are footprints in the sand/That unless we walk them again, those will fade, will be washed away.” The song also features vocals from singer Bekka Rice and production from Eric Ricket at Charleston’s Big Animal Studio, including overlaid voicemails that make the frustrated long-distance feelings immediately relatable.
Several tracks draw from Masáre’s experience as an immigrant. “Salt” references his first months in Charleston, trying to build a name as an artist and supporting himself by working at Lowes, a job he still holds. “It’s the tears of being in a new place and dealing with nostalgia and putting that emotion into a song to get your blood and heart pumping so you can just keep going,” Masáre explained.
On “Pink Rope,” a “dramatic, progressive rock, Nine Inch Nails kind of thing,” per Masáre, he relates an experience with a girlfriend via a simple prop the singer
once used in a moment of passion. “That was a very hot thing,” he said, laughing. “Once a concept arrives in my brain, I try to stay in the zone and write everything around it in the moment.”
Masáre often writes in English, but he leans into his native tongue on “Vagabundo,” a song that compacts his melancholy and rebirth as he accepts that he’s “here for good” after a year in Charleston. “It’s a kind of religious thing, straight from the Bible and the story of Lazarus,” Masáre said.
Stout and his bandmates go back decades in the Charleston music scene, emerging from the hard-core scene at Summerville’s All Books & Company in the ’00s. By adding Masáre atop that history, Erode the Dream resuscitates Holy City hard rock. Neon Nightmares’ shakes the mellowing of families and careers, jolting a band of 30 and 40 somethings with fresh sonic aggression.
Erode the Dream releases Neon Nightmares with a release show at LoFi Brewing on Jan. 11. Acid Hawk and Infinite Freefall open the show.
The band’s five-song debut features deeply personal tracks and original artwork
Across 1. It comes to mind
5. Presidential nickname
8. About to run out
11. Sonnet division
13. Reaction to some memes
14. Additional
15. Rodeos and Axioms, e.g.
16. Miranda July novel that made The New Yorker’s “The Essential Reads 2024” list
18. Netflix “true story” miniseries that was #2 on The Guardian’s “50 Best TV Shows of 2024”
20. Quaff made with honey
21. Build up
25. Jason who’s one half of Jay & Silent Bob
28. Screw up
30. Andean wool source
31. Wood-chopping tools
32. Iconic toy store ___ Schwarz
33. Onetime office note-takers
34. Dinghy propeller
35. Poker-themed roguelike deck-builder nominated for The Game Awards’ 2024 Game of the Year
37. “___ Been Everywhere”
38. Marvel mutant with cold powers
40. “___ Meninas” (Velazquez painting)
41. “Slumdog Millionaire” actor Kapoor
42. Reserved
43. Attached document, sometimes 44. Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew 45. Tailless breed
47. Growing business?
49. Country crossover album that made many “Best of 2024” lists
54. Character paired with Wolverine in a 2024 title, the highest-grossing R-rated film ever
57. ___ del Fuego
58. Where eye color comes from
59. Penn who’s not opposite Teller
60. Pants length measurement
61. ___ see ew
62. Greek letter found within other Greek letters
63. “Don’t change that,” to an editor
for that”
7. “Grey’s Anatomy” star Pompeo
8. “Skip To My ___”
9. Hockey star Bobby
10. “Isle of Dogs” director Anderson
11. Member of the fam
12. Out sailing
14. Personnel concern
17. Was defeated by
19. Best possible
22. Froglike, to biologists
23. Film appropriate for all ages
24. Art studio props
25. “Little Red Book” ideology
26. Bet at Churchill Downs
27. “___ American Band” (1973 Grand Funk Railroad album)
29. Author Dahl
32. Season ticket holder
33. School elders, for short
35. Half a stereotypical interrogation team
36. Confection that gets pulled
39. Shared albums around the 2000s?
41. Seat adjunct
43. JFK’s craft in WWII
44. Zombie chant
46. Got up
48. Play’s opener
50. Mexican earthenware vessel
51. Elm, palm, or maple
52. Part of QED
53. L.A. football player
54. Part of a party spread
55. Period of history
56. Financial help
“THE BEST OF 2024” —let’s look back, one more time.
Real Estate Services
VACATION PROPERTY
ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 1.5 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.
WE BUY HOUSES!
We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-855-704-3381
West Ashley
WEST ASHLEY
GREAT LOCATION! Close to schools, grocery, public library, shopping, hospitals (MUSC & Roper St.Francis) & restaurants. Upgraded house in Carolina Bay. 4 BR, 2.5 BA w/ car garage, 2-story home in West Ashley. Beautiful wide plank flooring on the 1st floor & hardwood flooring on the second floor, ceramic tile in all bathrooms. Granite kitchen counter tops & smudge proof stainless appliances. Open floor plan w/ great space for entertaining. Second features large master suite and 3 additional large BRs & 2 full BAs. Easy to maintain house cleanings. Large master suite with large walk-in closet. Plantation shutters & nice fixtures throughout. Carolina Bay has 3 community pools, 3-acre park & playground, walking/jog trails. CB is minutes to I-526 and Hwy 17 & West Ashley Greenway. (917) 292-0748 or joetune.chs@gmail.com
2 year old male. For more information, call (843) 871-3820 or adopt@dorchesterpaws.org
PEPPERONI
3 year old male terrier mix. (843) 747-4849, www.charlestonanimalsociety.org
THOMAS
Adult male. Bundle of joy and eager to make new friends. Call (843) 795-1110, www.pethelpers.org
RETAIL ASSOCIATE
Looking for an entry level Retail Shop Associate at Roadside Blooms -
CITY OF CHARLESTON PUBLIC NOTICE - Abandoned Boats
The City of Charleston is preparing to remove and dispose of the following abandoned boats in and around the waters of the City of Charleston; descriptions and locations are shown below:
Financial
CA$H FOR GUITARS
We Buy Vintage Guitar’s! Looking for 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-855-402-7208.
DENTAL INSURANCE
from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! Call: 1-855-397-7030. www.dental50plus.com/60 #6258
Misc
24/7 LOCKSMITH
We are there when you need us for home & car lockouts. We’ll get you back up and running quickly! Also, key reproductions, lock installs and repairs, vehicle fobs. Call us for your home, commercial and auto locksmith needs! 1-833-237-1233.
AGING ROOF?
NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-292-8225.
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES
In as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call 1-877-510-9918.
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES
in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-402-6997.
CLEANING GUTTERS?
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-875-2449.
DISABILITY BENEFITS
YOU MAY QUALIFY for disability benefits if you are between 52-63 years old and under a doctor’s care for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now! 1-877-247-6750.
DRIVER JOBS
ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS-
In 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1.5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.
NEED NEW WINDOWS?
Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames? Need outside noise reduction? New, energy efficient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & FREE quote today. 1-877-248-9944.
PEST CONTROL
PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-237-1199.
PORTABLE OXYGEN
Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call: 1-833-230-8692.
PREPARE FOR OUTAGES with Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect(TM) standby generators – the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty of 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-855-212-3281.
STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE! A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their car insurance. Let us show you how much you can save. Call Now for a no-obligation quote: 1-866-472-8309.
TOP CA$H FOR WATCHES!
CASH PAID FOR HIGH-END MEN’S SPORT WATCHES. Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-855-402-7109.
VIAGRA & CIALIS
Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaran teed. CALL NOW: 1-866-472-4367.
WALK-IN TUB
Safe Step. North America’s #1
Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1,600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-852-0368.
WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & restoration. A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. We do complete repairs to protect your family and your home’s value! For a FREE ESTIMATE, call 24/7: 1-888-290-2264.
Notices
ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION
In 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1.5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.
Vessel Name- Kwa Heri
Vessel Description- 35’ Dufour
Sailing vessel with a white hull
Vessel Location- 32°46’50.6”N / 79°57’37.0”W
Fed Doc #- 1078591
Vessel Name- Scorpius
Vessel Description- 33’ Tartan sailing vessel with white hull, stranded in marsh
Vessel Location- 32°55’41.1”N /
79°49’52.9”W
Fed Doc #- 620856
Vessel Name- unknown
Vessel Description- 27’ Hunter
sailing vessel with white hull, sinking in river
Vessel Location- 32°46’00.9”N /
80°00’30.5”W
SC Reg #- SC5832CB
Vessel Name- Mudd Dauber
Vessel Description- 28’ Lear
Siegler sailing vessel, sunk with mast visible
Vessel Location- 32°46’35.6”N
79°57’22.1”W
SC Reg#- SC2099BZ
Vessel Name- unknown
Vessel Description- white Sea Ray
cabin cruiser, stranded in marsh
Vessel Location- 32°45’27.5”N
80°00’41.8”W
Fed Doc #- 958630
Vessel Name- unknown
Vessel Description-37’ Pearson cabin cruiser, stranded in marsh
Vessel Location- 32°45’27.5”N
80°00’41.8”W
NC Reg#- NC8145DA
Vessel Name- Imagine
Vessel Description-24’ Bristol sailing vessel, stranded in marsh
Vessel Location- 32°48’20.3”N
79°58’26.7”W
SC Reg#- SC7663BL
If you are the owner of any of the above boats or if you have abandoned a boat in or around the waters surrounding the City of Charleston, please contact the police department at (843) 577-4727. Any of the above boats not claimed will be removed and disposed of by the City of Charleston.
(843) 577-4727 merrillm@charleston-sc.gov
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHARLESTON IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DOCKET NO. 2024-DR-10-1586
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES VERSUS SAIR RICHARDSON, RIAS RICHARDSON AKA RIAS RICHARDSON, JR., AND MARQUIS GRAHAM IN THE INTERESTS OF: MINOR CHILD BORN 2022.
TO DEFENDANT: MARQUIS GRAHAM AND RIAS RICHARDSON AKA RIAS RICHARDSON, JR.
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint for Termination of Parental Rights in this action, filed with the Clerk of Court for Charleston County on July 16, 2024, at 9:07 a.m. Upon proof of interest, a copy of the Complaint for Termination of Parental Rights will be delivered to you upon request, and you must serve a copy of your Answer to the Complaint on the Plaintiff, the Charleston County South Carolina Department of Social Services, at the office of its
Attorney, W. Evan Reynolds, Legal Department of the Charleston County Department of Social Services, 3685 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, S.C. 29405 within thirty (30) days of this publication, exclusive of the date of service. If you fail to answer within the time set forth above, the Plaintiff will proceed to seek relief from the Court.
W. Evan Reynolds, SC Bar No. 102352, 3685 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405, 843-355-2000.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHARLESTON IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DOCKET NO. 2024-DR-10-1042
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES VERSUS Jasmine Del Castillo and Christopher Bailey Gale DEFENDANTS. IN THE INTERESTS OF: MINOR CHILDREN BORN 2024
TO DEFENDANT: Christopher Bailey Gale
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action filed with the Clerk of Court for Charleston County on April 15, 2024 at 7:46 am. Upon proof of interest, a copy of the Complaint will be delivered to you upon request from the Charleston County Clerk of Court, and you must serve a copy of your Answer to the Complaint on the Plaintiff, the South Carolina Department of Social Services, at the office of its Legal Department of the Charleston County Department of Social Services, 3685 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, S.C. 294055714 within thirty (30) days of this publication, exclusive of the date of service. If you fail to answer within the time set forth above, the Plaintiff will proceed to seek relief from the Court.
Charleston County Department of Social Services, Legal Office, 3685 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, S.C. 29405, (843) 953-9625.
***********
Estate of:
PENNY SUSAN WILLIAMSHADEL 2024-ES-10-2159
DOD: 10/30/24
Pers. Rep: HAMPTON WILLIAMS 65 CYPRESS, CHARLESTON, SC 29403
Pers. Rep: AUSTIN WILLIAMS 2944 E. MAPLEWOOD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80121
Atty: JOHN E. ROMANOSKY, JR., ESQ. 1 COOL BLOW ST., #201, CHARLESTON, SC 29403 ***********
Estate of: KATHERINE MARIE SHIVER STRICKLAND 2024-ES-10-2257
DOD: 11/10/24
Pers. Rep: WILLIAM A. STRICKLAND 2186 BOATWRIGHT RD., JOHNS ISLAND, SC 29455 ***********
Estate of: ALICE
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHARLESTON IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DOCKET NO. 2024-DR-10-2521
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES VERSUS Christine N. Wilson, Sean Wilson and Justin Meyers, DEFENDANTS. IN THE INTERESTS OF: MINOR CHILDREN BORN 2010 and 2013.
TO DEFENDANT: Christine N. Wilson
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action filed with the Clerk of Court for Charleston County on September 4, 2024, at 3:07 pm and the Amended Complaint in this action was filed with the Clerk of Court for Charleston County on September 5, 2024, at 3:48 pm. Upon proof of interest, a copy of the Complaint will be delivered to you upon request from the Charleston County Clerk of Court, and you must serve a copy of your Answer to the Complaint on the Plaintiff, the South Carolina Department of Social Services, at the office of its Attorney, Angelica Gonzalez, Legal Department of the Charleston County Department of Social Services, 3685 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101, Charleston, S.C. 29405 within thirty (30) days of this publication, exclusive of the date of service. If you fail to answer within the time set forth above, the Plaintiff will proceed to seek relief from the Court.
Angelica Gonzalez, SC Bar # 106325, 3685 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101, Charleston, S.C. 29405, (843) 953-9637.
All persons having claims against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the Personal Representative indicated below and also file subject claims on Form #371ES with Irvin G. Condon, Probate Judge of Charleston County, 84 Broad Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401, before the expiration of 8 months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or one year from the date of death, whichever date is earlier, or else thereafter such claims shall be and are forever barred.
Atty: ROGER S. DIXON, ESQ. 105 WAPPOO CREEK DR., #3B, CHARLESTON, SC 29412
All persons having claims against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the Personal Representative indicated below and also file subject claims on Form #371ES with Irvin G. Condon, Probate Judge of Charleston County, 84 Broad Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401, before the expiration of 8 months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or one year from the date of death, whichever date is earlier, or else thereafter such claims shall be and are forever barred.
Estate of: GRACE MUCKENFUSS SPELL 2024-ES-10-2197
DOD: 9/27/24
Pers. Rep: BRUCE M. SPELL 115 BRADD ST., SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483
Atty: P. BRANDT SHELBOURNE, ESQ. 131 E. RICHARDSON AVE., SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483
***********
Estate of: BRIAN COURTNEY FOKES 2024-ES-10-2231
DOD: 7/5/24
Pers. Rep: BRIAN COURTNEY SAMUEL-FOKES 104 N. ROMNEY ST., #A, CHARLESTON, SC 29403
Atty: ROBERT A. WALTERS, ESQ. 1534 BLANDING ST., COLUMBIA, SC 29201
***********
Estate of:
ABRAHAM BROWN, JR. 2024-ES-10-2239
DOD: 11/13/24
Pers. Rep: KIMBERLY S. MATHENIA 8666 GRASSY OAK TRAIL, NO. CHARLESTON, SC 29420
***********
Estate of:
DAVID MYERS GRAHAM, JR. 2024-ES-10-2242
DOD: 11/29/24
Pers. Rep: BURKE L. GRAHAM 853 FOOTPATH LANE,
1525 SAM RITTENBERG BLVD., #208, CHARLESTON, SC 29407 2186 BOATWRIGHT RD., JOHNS ISLAND, SC 29455
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF CHARLESTON
Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, PLAINTIFF, vs. Natashia R Singleton, and if Natashia R Singleton be deceased then any children and heirs at law to the Estate of Natashia R Singleton, distributees and devisees at law to the Estate of Natashia R Singleton, and if any of the same be dead any and all persons entitled to claim under or through them also all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, interest or lien upon the real estate described in the complaint herein; Any unknown adults, any unknown infants or persons under a disability being a class designated as John Doe, and any persons in the military service of the United States of America being a class designated as Richard Roe; Imani J Singleton; The United States of America, by and through its Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development; A O, a minor; K D, a minor; A B, a minor, DEFENDANT(S)
SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF FILING OF COMPLAINT (NON-JURY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE)
C/A NO: 2024-CP-10-03751 DEFICIENCY WAIVED
TO THE DEFENDANTS, ABOVE NAMED:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint herein, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, or otherwise appear and defend, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint upon the subscriber at his office, Hutchens Law Firm LLP, P.O. Box 8237, Columbia, SC 29202, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, except as to the United States of America, which shall have sixty (60) days, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, or otherwise appear and defend, the Plaintiff in
this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded therein, and judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that should you fail to Answer the foregoing Summons, the Plaintiff will move for an Order of Reference of this case to the Master-in-Equity/Special Referee for this County, which Order shall, pursuant to Rule 53 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically provide that the said Master-in-Equity/Special Referee is authorized and empowered to enter a final judgment in this case with appeal only to the South Carolina Court of Appeals pursuant to Rule 203(d)(1) of the SCACR, effective June 1, 1999.
TO MINOR(S) OVER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE, AND/OR TO MINOR(S) UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND THE PERSON WITH WHOM THE MINOR(S) RESIDES, AND/OR TO PERSONS UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY: YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED to apply for the appointment of a guardian ad litem within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by the Plaintiff immediately and separately and such application will be deemed absolute and total in the absence of your application for such an appointment within thirty (30) days after the service of the Summons and Complaint upon you.
NOTICE OF FILING OF SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT
TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE NAMED:
YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the foregoing Summons, along with the Complaint, was filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court on July 24, 2024 and the Amended Summons and Complaint were filed on December 4, 2024.
THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.
IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.
Attorneys for Plaintiff Hutchens Law Firm LLP P.O. Box 8237 Columbia, SC 29202 Firm Case No.: 21453-104136
TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVENAMED:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer upon John J. Dodds III at his office located at 858 Lowcountry Blvd., Suite 101, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, 29464, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, exclusive of the date of such service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
NOTICE OF FILING
YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Summons, Certificate of Exemption, Lis Pendens, Notice and Complaint in the above action were filed in the office of the Clerk of Court for Charleston County on February 15, 2024.
LIS PENDENS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an action has been commenced by the Plaintiff against the Defendants for, among other things, the foreclosure of that certain Notice of Lien filed by Plaintiff against Defendants and recorded in the Register’s Office for Charleston County on July 20, 2023, in Book 1192, at Page 506. The property which is the subject of this action was at the commencement of this action and is now situate in the County of Charleston, State of South Carolina, and is more fully described as follows: ALL that certain condominium unit known and designated as UNIT NO. F, BUILDING 3, Riverland Place Horizontal Property Regime, a horizontal property regime, established pursuant to the South Carolina Horizontal Property Act, Section 27-31-10, et seq. 1976, South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended and submitted by Master Deed dated June 11, 2003 and recorded on June 19, 2003 in RMC Office for Charleston County in Book M453 at Page 109. Said dwelling unit conveyed hereby being shown on the Exhibits attached to the Master Deed. SUBJECT to any and all restrictions, easements, rights of way, covenants and conditions of record. CONVEYED TOGETHER WITH an undivided percentage in the common elements, restricted common areas and facilities of the property described in said Master Deed attributable to said Unit. BEING the same property conveyed to Derek Byzinski and Marilyn McNeil by deed of Fannie Mae a/k/a Federal National Mortgage Association, dated January 22, 2015, and recorded on January 27, 2015, in Book 0453, at Page 956 in the Register’s Office for Charleston County, South Carolina. TMS # 343-07-00-212.
Notice of Self Storage Sale
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHARLESTON IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT CASE NO.: 2024-CP-10-00862
RIVERLAND PLACE HORIZONTAL PROPERTY REGIME, Plaintiffs, vs. DEREK BYZINSKI AND MARILYN McNeil, Defendants.
Please take notice Extra Room Self Storage - North Charleston located at 8911 University Blvd. North Charleston SC 29406 intends to hold an Auction of storage units in default of payment. The sale will occur as an Online Auction via www.storagetreasures.com on 1/21/2025 at 10:00AM. This sale is pursuant to the assertion of lien for rental at the self-storage facility. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods, furnishings and garage essentials.
Lori Singletary unit #1069; Vincent Leroy Gathers unit #2074; Tomas Lopez unit #2214; Markeyle (Rudy) Miles unit #3025.
This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply.
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries poet Charles Baudelaire said that if you want to fully activate your personal genius, you will reclaim and restore the intelligence you had as a child. You will empower it anew with all the capacities you have developed as an adult. I believe this is sensational advice for you in 2025. In my understanding of the astrological omens, you will have an extraordinary potential to use your mature faculties to beautifully express the wise innocence and lucid perceptions you were blessed with when you were young.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In many Asian myths, birds and snakes are depicted as adversaries. Their conflict symbolizes humanity’s problems in coordinating the concerns of earth and heaven. Desire may be at odds with morality. Unconscious motivations can be opposed to good intentions. Pride, self-interest, and ambition might seem incompatible with spiritual aspirations, high-minded ideals, and the quest to transcend suffering. But here’s the good news for you, Taurus: In 2025, I suspect that birds and snakes will cooperate rather harmoniously. You and they will have stirring, provocative adventures together.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Using a fork to eat food was slow to gain acceptance in the Western world. Upper-class Europeans began to make it a habit in the 11th century, but most common folk regarded it as a pretentious irrelevancy for hundreds of years. Grabbing grub with the fingers was perfectly acceptable. I suspect this scenario might serve as an apt metaphor for you in 2025. You are primed to be an early adapter who launches trends. You will be the first to try novel approaches and experiment with variations in how things have always been done. Enjoy your special capacity, Gemini. Be bold in generating innovations.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Psychologist Abraham Maslow defined “peak experiences” as “rare, exciting, oceanic, deeply moving, exhilarating, elevating experiences that generate an advanced form of perceiving reality, and are even mystic and magical in their effect upon the experimenter.” The moment of falling in love is one example. Another may happen when a creative artist makes an inspiring breakthrough in their work. These transcendent interludes may also come from dreamwork, exciting teachings, walks in nature, and responsible drug use. (Read more here: tinyurl. com/PeakInterludes) I bring these ideas to your attention, Cancerian, because I believe the months ahead will be prime time for you to cultivate and attract peak experiences.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to my analysis of the astrological omens, your life in 2025 will be pretty free of grueling karmic necessity. You will be granted exemptions from cosmic compulsion. You won’t be stymied by the oppressive inertia of the past. To state this happy turn of events more positively, you will have clearance to move and groove with daring expansiveness. Obligations and duties won’t disappear, but they’re more likely to be interesting than boring and arduous. Special dispensations and kind favors will flow more abundantly than they have in a long time.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): One of my most enjoyable goals in life has been to expunge my “isms.” I’m pleased that I have made dramatic progress in liquidating much of the perverse cultural conditioning that imprinted me as I was growing up. I’ve largely liberated myself from racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heteronormativity, looksism, and even egotism. How are you doing with that stuff, Virgo? The coming months will be a favorable time to work on this honorable task. What habits of mind and feeling have you absorbed from the world that are not in sync with your highest ideals?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Here’s one of my predictions for you in 2025, Libra: You will reach the outer limits of your domain and then push on to explore beyond those limits. Here’s another prediction: You will realize with a pleasant shock that some old expectations about your destiny are too
By Rob Brezsny
small, and soon you will be expanding those expectations. Can you handle one further mind-opening, soul-stretching prophecy? You will demolish at least one mental block, break at least one taboo, and dismantle an old wall that has interfered with your ability to give and receive love.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): If you’re not married and would like to be, 2025 might be your best chance in years to find wedded bliss. If an existing intimate bond is less than optimal, the coming months will bring inspiration and breakthroughs to improve it. Let’s think even bigger and stronger, Scorpio, and speculate that you could be on the verge of all kinds of enhanced synergetic connections. I bet business and artistic partnerships will thrive if you decide you want them to. Links to valuable resources will be extra available if you work to refine your skills at collaboration and togetherness.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I wonder how you will feel about the fact that I’m declaring 2025 to be the Year of the Muses for you Sagittarians. Will you be happy that I expect you to be flooded with provocative clues from inspiring influences? Or will you regard the influx of teachings and revelations as chaotic, confusing or inconvenient? In the hope you adopt my view, I urge you to expand your understanding of the nature of muses. They may be intriguing people, and might also take the form of voices in your head, ancestral mentors, beloved animals, famous creators, or spirit guides.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Astrologers in ancient China had the appalling view that over two-thirds of all omens are negative, threatening, or scary. I haven’t seen formal research into the biases of modern Western stargazers, but my anecdotal evidence suggests they tend to be equally pessimistic. I regard this as an unjustified travesty. My studies have shown that there is no such thing as an inherently ominous astrological configuration. All portents are revelations about how to successfully wrangle with our problems, perpetrate liberation, ameliorate suffering, find redemption, and perform ingenious tweaks that liberate us from our mind-forged manacles. They always have the potential to help us discover the deeper meanings beneath our experiences. Everything I just said is essential for you to keep in mind during 2025.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Over the years, a few people who don’t know me well have accused me of “thinking too much” or “overthinking.” They are wrong. While I aspire to always be open to constructive criticism, I am sure that I don’t think too much. Not all my thoughts are magnificent, original, and high-quality, of course; some are generated by fear and habit. However, I meticulously monitor the flow of all my thoughts and am skilled at knowing which ones I should question or not take seriously. The popular adage, “Don’t believe everything you think” is one of my axioms. In 2025, I invite you Aquarians to adopt my approach. Go right ahead and think as much as you want, even as you heighten your awareness of which of your thoughts are excellent and which are not.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I’m pleased, bordering on gleeful, that your homecoming is well underway. All the signs suggest that as 2025 unfolds, you will ripen the processes of deepening your roots and building a stronger foundation. As a result, I expect and predict that your levels of domestic bliss will reach unprecedented heights. You may even create a deeply fulfilled sense of loving yourself exactly as you are and feeling like you truly belong to the world you are surrounded by. Dear Pisces, I dare you to cultivate more peace of mind than you have ever managed to arouse. I double-dare you to update traditions whose emotional potency has waned.
Synthetic Ice Skating at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Lookout Pavilion
Nov. 28 - Jan. 20
Thursdays through Sundays
SKATE RENTAL
$18 per hour
skates included in rental.
*Includes crafts and jump castle with rental
FIRE PITS
$40 per hour
Rink side Firepit Experiences
Rink side fire pit seats up to 4
Charleston, we're Ice Skating on the Point!
$5 extra per person - to be paid at rink
* 1 S’mores kit comes with fire pit rental*
GONDOLA RENTAL
$55 per hour
Seats 4 inside the Gondolaand 4 outside by the firepit overlooking the Charleston Harbor
