Loris Starnes Isom at City Gallery in January

 Little Miss Sunshine II by Lori Starnes Isom

Works by the City’s current Artist-in-Residence, Lori Starnes Isom, will be on exhibit at the North Charleston City Gallery from January 3-31, 2012.

The artist will host a free reception at the gallery on Thursday, January 5, from 5pm-7pm. The public is invited to attend. 

In Possessions: Portraits of Me, My Family and My Dog, Isom presents a diverse collection of portraits, including studies, practice sketches, and pieces never before exhibited. The works in this exhibit provide a window to the artist’s life and reveal her growth as a painter. “I try to instill in the kids I teach that art is not about perfection. It’s about being true to who you are and honest in expressing what’s important to you,” she explains. “So, the pieces that make up this exhibit are some of my personal favorites. Many were just fun to do, a few challenged me greatly, and others were very cathartic.”

After majoring in Fashion Illustration at Parsons School of Design in New York, Isom furthered her adventures in the arts by working for several years as a dancer and actress in New York and Los Angeles. However, her passion for drawing and painting brought her back to the world of visual arts. As a figurative and portrait artist, she has been commissioned to do hundreds of individual and family portraits, many of which include military personnel and heads of companies. She has also shared her love and knowledge of art by instructing budding young artists in both public and private art sessions. Lori’s work has been featured in the pages of American Art Collector. She has participated in numerous juried exhibitions and has been awarded several fine art awards.

The North Charleston City Gallery is located in the Charleston Area Convention Center with free parking and admission during regular Convention Center operating hours 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, daily.  The Gallery is staffed on Friday, Saturday, and Monday only.   Inquiries regarding artists or purchase information may be directed to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843) 740-5854. For information on the Artist-in-Residence program, additional exhibits, and events, visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website.

North Charleston to swear in Mayor and new City Council

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council will be sworn in on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers at North Charleston City Hall.  The swearing in ceremony follows the November 8 municipal elections for Mayor and all ten City Council seats.

Mayor Summey was re-elected to his 5th full term in office.  Re-elected Council Members include: Ed Astle (District 1), Rhonda Jerome (District 2), Bobby Jameson (District 3), Dorothy Williams (District 6), Sam Hart (District 7), Bob King (District 8), and Michael Brown (District 10).  Newly elected Council Members include: Ron Brinson (District 4), Todd Olds (District 5), and Dwight Stigler (District 9).

Visual & Performing Artists Sought for 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival

The City of North Charleston's Cultural Arts Department is now accepting applications from artists in music, theatre, dance, visual art, crafts, photography, media arts, and literary arts to participate in the 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival to be held May 4-12.

A variety of individuals and groups are being sought to represent national, regional, and local arts professionals, cultural organizations, community programs, and schools.  Artists may apply for inclusion in the Main Event Weekend, held May 5 and 6 at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, as well as for Individual Events, which take place at various locations throughout North Charleston during the festival week.

Visual artists should note that this particular application should be used to apply for events and presentations such as installations, exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, film screenings, lectures, etc., and not for participation in the Festival’s Juried Art Competitions. Applications are available on the web at www.northcharleston.org under Cultural Arts. The deadline for Artist Applications is Wednesday, January 4, 2012.  

The North Charleston Arts Festival is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the Lowcountry, providing thousands of residents & visitors with a fabulous array of performances, exhibitions, and activities. The Main Event, held the first weekend in May, offers free admission and parking to over 40 performances on four themed stage stages; General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, and Bands. Other Main Event activities include judged art, photography, youth art, and fine craft exhibitions, a gem & mineral show, an antique show, children's activities, art & craft booths, and an outdoor food courtyard.  The Arts Festival continues with numerous free or moderately priced ticketed events throughout the week at various locations around North Charleston and concludes with fireworks over the Cooper River at the Grand Finale at North Charleston Riverfront Park.

For information, visit the North Charleston Arts Festival page or download an application.  Call the Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854 for additional information.

A bid farewell to 3 outgoing Council Members

North Charleston City Council and Mayor Keith Summey bid a farewell to three long-serving Council Members during their final council meeting on Thursday, December 21, 2011.

Outgoing members include:
Ms. Phoebe Miller, serving since 2003
Mr. Steve Ayer, serving since 1997
Mr. Kurt Taylor, serving since 1997

Mayor Summey and the 3 outgoing Council Members offer remarks about their time served and future endeavors in the video below.

TWL Precision Announces Expansion in North Charleston

TWL Precision, a worldwide supplier of precision automotive components, announced plans to expand its current operations in Charleston County. The $5 million investment is expected to generate 35 new jobs.

“We are pleased to move forward with plans to expand our operations here,” said Jeff Teague, general manager for TWL Precision. “This expansion will really help our company expand its footprint in the U.S. and help us better serve our customers in the area. Charleston County has provided a great home for our operations.

TWL Precision will expand its current facility in the Palmetto Commerce Park. The expansion will double the company’s current manufacturing space and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2012.

The company first started operations in the area in November 2007. The expansion will bring the number of employees at the company’s plant to 90.

“The expansion of TWL Precision gives us confidence that the City of North Charleston and the greater Charleston region remains a ripe environment for businesses to flourish,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “We applaud TWL Precision’s success and are thankful for the capital investment and job creation that our community will receive.”

“Manufacturing is continuing its upswing in South Carolina, especially in the automotive-related sector. TWL Precision’s expansion is another sign our state’s business-friendly climate is helping companies prosper,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.

Since the beginning of the year, South Carolina has recruited more than $3.9 billion in investment and more than 12,000 new jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“Congratulations are in order for TWL Precision Inc. as they announce this great expansion project,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor.  “TWL Precision Inc. is an international automotive leader and represents the cream of the crop in highly skilled manufacturing in Charleston County. As the company writes this new chapter of its success story in North Charleston, we at Charleston County are glad to be their partners.  We will remain fully engaged to assist the company well into the future, and also to safeguard and further improve the area business climate we believe will be instrumental to continued success.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions in the second half of 2012. TWL Precision Inc. contracts with local staffing agencies that will recruit using local advertising and media outlets.

About TWL Precision
TWL Precision is a VTL Group Company. VTL Group is a progressive international company specializing in the development and manufacture of complex precision parts and assemblies for automotive powertrain applications. The Group is present in Europe, North America, India and Japan employing over 450 people with combined revenues totaling $110 million. For more information, please visit www.vtl-group.com.

North Charleston chosen as award finalist by the International Award for Livable Communities

The City of North Charleston was named a finalist in two categories for the International LivCom awards, which were selected based on applications submitted to the Board of the International Awards for Livable Communities, based in Berkshire, UK earlier this year.

The LivCom awards  are a United Nations Environment Program-backed competition designed to recognize civic environmental achievement. Since the awards competition was held in Songpa, South Korea this year, it was decided to defer any presentations until the competition is held in North America.

“No question, it is an honor to be selected as a leading city for sustainability in the world,” says North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey. “We hope to participate in future LivCom competitions. Nonetheless, this announcement is on a par with the National League of Cities and Home Depot Foundation awards of the past two years.”

Only two other American cities were finalists in the global awards program, Carmel, Indiana, and, Albuquerque, New Mexico. No American cities won awards in their respective categories at the competition in South Korea. Overall, the competition involved three days of intensive evaluation for 77 finalist cities from 26 countries. This was the largest awards event yet for LivCom.

North Charleston was a finalist for Category C (cities with populations from 75,001 to 150,000) in the Whole City awards, for its efforts at sustainable revitalization and urban planning of the East Montague Corridor and Park Circle. The City’s Oak Terrace Preserve residential project was a finalist for the Project Award, for its role as a prototype for sustainable, urban infill development.

Watch the December 20, 2011 City Council Meeting

Download the Agenda

A Christmas message from Mayor Keith Summey

On behalf of the City of North Charleston, Mayor Keith Summey wishes all a very Merry Christmas!

North Charleston officials earn professional achievements

David Dixon, MIS Director David successfully graduated from the 2011 Certified Government Chief Information Officers Program™ at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Government, offered in conjunction with the Municipal Association of South Carolina. The CGCIO™ program is the first local government specific program for CIOs in the nation and began in 2005. The program is designed for local government Chief Information Officers and Information Technology Directors whose challenging responsibilities require a broad understanding of management, leadership, legal, regulatory, and enterprise topics. David Dixon is one of the nine public sector leaders in South Carolina who successfully completed the course this year.

Darbis Briggman, Chief Building Official Darbis was named "Member of the Year" by the Coastal Code Enforcement Association.  Darbis was nominated for this award by the building group responsible for the construction of the Boeing 787 Final Assembly Facility in North Charleston, SC. The nomination cites the project being completed ahead of schedule leading to multiple industry awards.  It continues stating, "these achievements would not have been possible without the cooperation, professionalism, and dedication extended to us by Darbis, and his team at the North Charleston Building Department."

Garrett Academy builds themed playhouses, all to be auctioned for local charities

Garrett Academy of Technology students built four themed playhouses to be auctioned off to benefit three local charities (MUSC Children’s Hospital, Lowcountry Food Bank and The Ronald McDonald House of Charleston).  The playhouses will be on display at the Felix C. Davis Community Center in Park Circle.

Dean Wilson is accepting offers for the auction until December 23, 2011. To bid, call Dean at 345-2458.

Local business partners have donated the materials to the Construction Program at Garrett Academy of Technology for a real life work experience.

The materials, valued in excess of $6,000, were donated by:
CarolinaOne Real Estate - Dean Wilson and Mark Kerse
Harbor Homes
Capitol City Homes
Rex Thompson Homes
CCSD - Garrett Academy of Technology

Watch the December 8, 2011 City Council Meeting

Download the Agenda

Village Antiques & Collectibles HOLIDAY Show

We invite you to the City of North Charleston’s Village Antiques & Collectibles HOLIDAY Show in Park Circle at the Felix C. Davis Community Center on December 10 & 11 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm each day.

Special Friday night preview December 9 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The Show will feature home decor, fine antiques, furniture, collectibles, antique guns, art, jewelry, rugs, crafts, vintage toys & games, silver, pottery, china, silver, salvage items, outdoor decor, vintage instruments, and more.

Admission is $2.00, all of which will be benefits The Spay Not Slay Endowment.

Park at no cost.

A food court to dine.

For more information, contact Lisa Reynolds at (843) 740-2531 or via email at lreynolds@northcharleston.org.

Boeing opens Interiors Fabrication Facility in North Charleston

Interiors Facility under construction, taken in March 2011

Facility will supply Boeing South Carolina with 787 interior components.

Last week, Boeing celebrated the opening of its new Interiors Fabrication facility in North Charleston.

The Interiors Responsibility Center South Carolina team will manufacture 787 interior parts including stowbins, closets, partitions, class dividers, floor-mounted stowbins used by flight attendants, overhead rests for flight-crews and flight attendants, video control stations and attendant modules for Boeing South Carolina.

Elected officials and representatives from community and business groups and local construction companies joined hundreds of Boeing employees to commemorate the opening.

"As part of today's celebration we acknowledge and thank you all for welcoming us into the community, and showing us your support as we bring our facility on line," said Lane Ballard, Boeing Interiors Responsibility Center South Carolina director. "We look forward to delivering our first set of interior components to Boeing South Carolina in 2012."

Boeing's Site Services Group, BRPH and Pattillo Construction were recognized at the ceremony for completing the facility on schedule. Pattillo's crew worked more than 500,000 labor-hours without a lost-time accident. 

The 300,000 square foot (27,871 square meters) facility includes state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, and employees will use the latest Lean processes and tools to efficiently produce interior components to match 787 production rates at Boeing South Carolina.

North Charleston High School students tour Boeing facility

On Friday, November 11, 2011 North Charleston High School Logistics Students earned the privilege of being the FIRST school group to tour the new Boeing facility.

Boeing has partnered with the Charleston County School District to create a new major in Logistics. North Charleston High School has one of only two Logistics programs in the state of South Carolina. After an introduction to the company and a welcome from Boeing Senior Managers, students were taken on a tour of the campus. They were able to view the production line and see first-hand the logistics involved in building an entire airplane.

The highlight of the tour took them through the 787 Final Assembly building, which is the size of 12 football fields. Inside, the first 787 is to be entirely assembled in the North Charleston facility was being finished. The tour ended at the new visitor’s center where the students were given Boeing 787 t-shirts for participating in the Logistics program at NCHS.

Logistics is a class that will prepare students for a successful career in Materials Handling.  Other local businesses such as Piggly Wiggly, CGI, Pearlstine, and Trident Technical Institute have partnered with this program to ensure its success.  All of these businesses hire high school graduates in this area and are committed to hiring NCHS students that successfully complete the Logistics Major.

The Logistics Class is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of Warehousing and Distribution.  It is an introductory course in Material Handling within a warehouse environment. Students will learn the concepts of warehousing and material logistics, as well as, how materials are handled, moved, stored, controlled and protected within a warehouse.