Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Dixie Youth AA Machine Pitch Region II Tournament

The City of North Charleston will host the 2010 Dixie Youth AA Region 2 Machine Pitch Tournament at Park Circle from Friday, July 23 - Tuesday, July 27.

This tournament brings athletes from throughout the Southeast all vying for the regional title. The Northwoods and Pepperhill communities, some of the finest young ball players in the State of South Carolina, will represent North Charleston.

Participating teams include: Alabama champion, Alabama runner-up, Florida champion, Florida runner-up, Georgia champion, Georgia runner-up, South Carolina champion, South Carolina runner-up, South Carolina 3rd, South Carolina 4th, Northwoods, and Pepperhill.

Admission prices are as follows:
Adults (Day 1) - $7.00*
Adults (Days 2-4) - $6.00
Students (Day 1) - $4.00*
Students (Days 2-4) - $3.00
Children under 6 - free
*The increased admission cost on day 1 will benefit the Dixie Scholarship Program.

For additional information, call the Recreation Department at 745-1028.


View Larger Map

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Parent-Tot swimming lessons

The North Charleston Recreation Department is offering Parent-Tot swimming lessons at the Northwoods Park and Danny Jones pools for children 6 months - 4 years old.

Session 1
June 28 - July 14
every weeknight
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Session 2
July 19 - August 6
every weeknight
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

To register, visit the office at either location. A $30.00 fee is required.

For more lesson information, call Northwoods Park (572-5410) or Danny Jones (745-1032).

Friday, June 11, 2010

4th of July Festival in North Charleston

The City of North Charleston will hold its July 4th Festival at Riverfront Park on Sunday, July 4, 2010, 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm. The event is free of charge and all general admission.

The following is a schedule of events:
3:00 pm Festivities begin
3:30 pm Welcoming remarks, Mayor R. Keith Summey
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CoastRunner
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm The Blue Dogs
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Quiana Parler & Friends
9:00 pm – until Show of fireworks over the Cooper River

Riverfront Park is located on the former Charleston Naval Base, easily accessible from I-526 and I-26. Enter the former Charleston Naval Base by the McMillan Avenue or Virginia Avenue gate and turn onto Hobson Avenue. Riverfront Park signs are visible for easy to follow directions. All parking is free and shuttles will be available for the convenience of guests.

View Riverfront Park in a larger map

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as there will be no seating provided. No alcohol is permissible within the park. A wide variety of food vendors will be on site. Children activities will be available free of charge, including inflatable jump castles, games, the play area, the giant sandbox, and the water fountain.

Riverfront Park is open to the public year-round and has become a favorite destination for residents and visitors. Set on the banks of the beautiful Cooper River, the park is adjacent to the historic homes once occupied by the Charleston Naval Base officers, surrounded by graceful grand oak trees and peaceful river vistas. Bordered by Noisette Creek, the park boasts a magnificent contemporary Performance Pavilion and meadow.



Riverfront Park is home to the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial, erected in honor of the countless military personnel and civilians that served the United States and the Greater Charleston region while the Charleston Naval Base was operational. The Memorial is the only location in the United States that displays both the Lone Sailor and the Homecoming statues. Riverfront Park is also the location of North Charleston’s 5th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. A component of the 2010 North Charleston Arts Festival, the Competition and Exhibition features large-scale contemporary sculptures on display throughout the year.

Here's a glimpse at last year's Festival

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Watch the June 10, 2010 City Council Meeting


North Charleston wins Chamber 1773 Award

For the third year, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce honored 12 dynamic businesses and industries that make up the Charleston region’s economy and best reflect the vision, mission and core values of the Chamber through the 1773 Chamber Awards. The winners were announced at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting June 3.

The 1773 Awards is named for the year of the Chamber’s establishment. Awards were given to organizations that best reflect the core values of the Chamber; Leadership, Relevance, Integrity, Diversity and Innovation. Winners of each category will be vying for the 1773 Chamber of the Year Award being presented at the Annual Gala on July 9.

North Charleston received the Public Sector Award. The Chamber wrote:
PUBLIC: City of North Charleston
This past December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the 2009 Environmental Justice Achievement Award for the Mitigation Agreement Commission and the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC). A large part of this important effort was due to the tireless and inspirational efforts from the City of North Charleston’s involvement with the LAMC revitalization master planning work and the ongoing collaboration with the South Carolina Ports Authority on the community mitigation for the port expansion. This partnership was one of 5 in the U.S. to receive the 2009 award.

The City of North Charleston has spent a lot of time, talent, effort and dedication by collaborating in a truly exceptional community‐City partnership. The City of North Charleston has distinguished itself through its work and service for its residents in the face of tremendous economic and social challenges and reached out to other universities such as the University of South Carolina and other partners in its approach to community revitalization. These multi‐disciplinary and multi‐partnership efforts move beyond excellent work to what is exemplary and remains a model for cities not only in South Carolina but in the U.S.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Construction Begins on Victoria Avenue Sidewalk Project

Construction is underway on this 4,600-foot sidewalk and a pedestrian bridge in North Charleston.
All motorists traveling through the project area are asked to be aware of equipment and crews during construction. The public is asked to take notice of traffic control signs and to note that all road work is dependent on the weather.

The project description is as follows:
  • The sidewalk will be 4,600 feet in length and will be five feet wide
  • It will begin at the intersection of Park Place and North Rhett Avenue, and will be constructed along the north side of Park Place to Victoria Avenue.
  • It will continue along the east side of Victoria Avenue ending at the existing sidewalk on Maxwell Street.
  • Portions of the existing ditch on Victoria Avenue will be filled with drainage pipes to accommodate the new sidewalk.
  • A pedestrian bridge will be constructed over the existing canal.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held on June 9, 2010 to kick-off the construction effort, which is expected to be completed in September 2010. Following public input meetings held in 2008, staff compiled the input and brought a recommendation to Charleston County Council, which approved the project as a 2008 Local Paving Project.

The following local officials spoke at the event:
As other work on the project that could disrupt traffic arises, notifications will be announced through news releases issued to local media and posted on both the Charleston County Government and Charleston County RoadWise Web sites.Click here to view the 2008 public meeting handout for more details.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Atlas Executive Consulting opens firm at Lowcountry Innovation Center

Atlas Executive Consulting, LLC, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), announced today that its new headquarters has opened at the Lowcountry Innovation Centerat the Navy Yard. The company is headed by CEO Paul Kitchin, a former Marine and disabled veteran and COO George Friedl, and includes offices in North Charleston, SC and San Diego, CA. Founded in 2006, the firm offers consulting services to Department of Defense (DoD) agencies that incorporate advanced business management techniques including data visualization and analytics, integrated project management, and sustaining and strategic support.

“The bottom line is that we’re achieving savings and uncovering efficiencies for our clients within the Department of Defense and, ultimately, for the US taxpayer,” injects Friedl. “We provide a simple Value Proposition – deliver thought leadership, creativity, and unparalleled talent at lower rates than our competitors.”

Atlas accomplishes this by maintaining a lean organization with an optimized overhead structure. “Our services can apply not only to government clients, but the private sector as well,” adds Friedl. “Atlas is developing smarter, innovative ways to operate and delivers exceptional quality in its products.”

A sample of the firm’s services includes: Business Analytics, employing business dashboards based on sophisticated analytical and statistical techniques, optimizing an organization’s elements based on metrics and objective data; Organizational Strategy focused on understanding clients’ goals and objectives and providing insight to accomplishment; and Resource Management, overseeing interconnected areas like program, financial, and human capital.

Atlas’ clientele includes the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program under the auspices of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). The scope of Atlas’ work is nationwide including SPAWAR Headquarters, SPAWAR Pacific (San Diego) and SPAWAR Atlantic (North Charleston).

“We’re working on base closures across the country,” says Friedl. “To support these, we have deployed the full range of our services including project management, industrial and electrical engineering, analytics, and overall implementation support. We are currently assisting our clients with the construction, design, and engineering of a world class laboratory in Charleston focused on cloud computing, server virtualization, virtual storage, and other state of the art cyber capabilities.”

Currently, Atlas has 20 employees, 12 at the North Charleston headquarters, and 8 in San Diego. “Our goal is to expand smartly in strategic areas where we can deliver exceptional value and impact,” adds Friedl. “Long term, we’re looking at opportunities with private sector clients as our services contribute toward success and optimization, making a significant difference in an organization and, ultimately, in its bottom line.”

Los Angeles native Friedl moved from San Diego to North Charleston, after visiting the Lowcountry on business with his wife. “We had a contract on another building in North Charleston, but a contact told me about the unique, ‘open salon’ approach offered by the Lowcountry Innovation Center. Already, the open environment here has led to new business for us.”

Eager to create strategic relationships with firms who hold values similar to its own, Friedl says Atlas has collaborated on projects with fellow LIC tenant Trinity Systems Engineering, LLC. “We provided subject matter expertise to one of their clients who needed support and they’ve been great in working with us to provide innovative solutions.”

The company is highly selective in hiring its consultants, who are chosen not only for their education and experience, but for their work ethic and professionalism. Atlas consultants include former Senior Executive Service civilians, military leaders from the officer and enlisted ranks, and top management consulting firm talent. Their backgrounds include extensive experience in information technology management and operations, mathematics and statistics, economics, commercial finance, program management, and human resources.

“A big part of our story is that our CEO Paul Kitchin is incredibly talented and a disabled vet,” shares Friedl. “It was of the utmost importance to Paul to continue to serve the DoD from the private sector after suffering active duty military career-ending injuries.”

The use of a SDVOSB is required for certain mandatory targets set upon both public sector agencies and private sector prime contractors. “Atlas is becoming the partner of choice for our large business teammates due to our rigorous business processes, responsiveness, and quality,” concludes Friedl. “Customers shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality when fulfilling an SDVOSB quota, and we ensure that they do not.”

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey commented, “Atlas Executive Consulting is an example of the high caliber firms that are locating in the Lowcountry Innovation Center. Their work encompasses important roles for the Department of Defense, and has an impact nationally. We’re excited that Atlas chose North Charleston as their headquarters.”

Friday, June 4, 2010

Construction Begins on Greenridge Road Intersection Improvements in North Charleston

Construction begins this week on Greenridge Road from the Rivers Avenue intersection to Antler Drive in North Charleston. The work is expected to be completed by mid-December 2010.

Greenridge Road improvements will include:
  • Adding a left turn lane on Greenridge Road at St. Ives Road
  • Extending the left turn lane from Rivers Avenue onto Greenridge Road
  • Adding a right turn lane on Greenridge Road at the Rivers Avenue intersection

Some daytime road work will occur, however, any roadwork that requires lane closures will only occur at night from 9 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. to minimize effects on traffic. At no point will the entire roadway be blocked to traffic. The public is asked to take notice of traffic control signs and message board information. All road work is dependent on the weather.

The intersection project is funded by the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax and managed by the Charleston County RoadWise Program. Charleston County Council approved the project as a part of its 2008 Transportation Sales Tax annual allocations for intersection improvement projects.

Charleston County RoadWise is the name of Charleston County Government’s management program for the construction of roads, highways, resurfacing, paving and drainage projects that are funded by the Transportation Sales Tax.

Visit the official Web site at www.ccroadwise.org for public meeting notices and up-to-date news and information about all Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax road projects.

All information above was provided by The Charleston County Government.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

North Charleston selected for national health & wellness effort

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) selected North Charleston and 39 other U.S. communities to advance the nation’s efforts to prevent chronic diseases and related risk factors through local collaboration. Action Communities for Health, Innovation, and EnVironmental ChangE (ACHIEVE) is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Healthy Communities Program. ACHIEVE brings leaders together from all sectors of a region to build healthier communities by promoting policy, systems, and environmental change strategies that focus on physical activity, nutrition, tobacco cessation, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.


The ACHIEVE approach promotes health through lifestyle and environmental improvements, such as safe locations for physical activity and increased access to healthy food options at schools, worksites, places of worship and in the general community.

ACHIEVE combines the expertise of state and local governments and public health departments with the experience of community-based organizations that presently provide support and outreach. North Charleston, like the other 39 ACHIEVE communities, will engage and mobilize leaders in the local community to respond to the public health challenges of obesity, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.

“We are not the healthiest nation by a long shot,” said Robert M. Pestronk, NACCHO’s executive director. “These partnerships create intentional momentum in the right direction, based on successful strategies at work, home, and play to reduce our nation’s burden of chronic disease.”

The South Carolina DHEC Public Health Region 7 office was selected for ACHIEVE after a competitive review process. The local effort addresses the critical issue of obesity and the availability of healthy food in the southern end of the City of North Charleston through assessment and planning in the first year of the grant.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “Our local health departments play a key role in providing a cohesive response to lifestyle and health challenges through a team based approach. By establishing a network of community organizations, ACHIEVE increases the opportunities and awareness of active living and healthy eating. Laying a foundation for positive lifestyle choices allows for the reduction of chronic diseases that would otherwise plague our community in the future. Mayor Summey continued, “I salute our local ACHIEVE and their key initiative to increase accessibility to healthy foods in the southernmost portions of North Charleston.”

For a complete listing of all funded communities, visit the ACHIEVE website at www.achievecommunities.org or CDC’s Healthy Communities Program’s website at www.cdc.gov/healthycommunitiesprogram. Find North Charleston information at www.northcharleston.org.

Members serving on the North Charleston ACHIEVE team include:

  • Karla Beckwith, MUS, RD, LD, Director of Nutrition/Clinic Manager, SC DHEC Region 7
  • Anne Bergin, Director of Health, Trident United Way
  • Sharon Crossley, RDH, MPH, Health Educator, SC DHEC Region 7
  • Vonie Gilreath, Mobility Manager, BCD Council of Governments
  • Kyle Lahm, Coordinator, City of North Charleston Mayor’s Office on Ed., Youth and Family
  • Patricia Mack, Volunteer, Tri-County Black Nurses Association
  • Wannetta Mallette, CMP Project Manager, LAMC, City of North Charleston & SCSPA
  • Dr. Lisa Robinson, Community & Faith-Based Advocate
  • Katy Simison, Magnet Coordinator, Chicora School of Communications
  • Brenda Strople, RN, District 4 Nurse Liaison, CCSD Office of Health Services
  • Dr. Gwendolyn Todd-Houston, Director, Franklin C Fetter Clinic
  • Deborah Williamson DHA, MSN, CNM, Associate Dean of Practice, MUSC College of Nursing

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation's 2800 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments protect and promote the health and well-being of their communities.