Veterans Day in North Charleston, a Tribute to our Veterans

The City of North Charleston will host its annual Veterans Day tribute on Monday, November 12, 2012 from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at Park Circle. We ask veterans and the public to join Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council in this special ceremony. Last year, over 500 veterans in attendance were honored.

The Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee has once again selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2012. North Charleston is the only regional site in the State of South Carolina and has been selected for 3 consecutive years.

All veterans in attendance will be recognized and will receive a specially designed commemorative coin. To receive a coin, Veterans are urged to RSVP no later than October 25 to (843) 740-5801, (843) 745-1028 or via email at cdambaugh@northcharleston.org.

Lieutenant Colonel Vernon F. Lightner will be the event’s keynote speaker. A native of Great Falls, South Carolina, Lt. Col. Lightner graduated Livingstone College in 1991 and subsequently received a commission in the US Army Military Police Corps. He has served in a variety of leadership positions from platoon leader to battalion commander, most recently serving as the Director of Emergency Services at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Lt. Col. Lightner stands at attention during ceremony - Flickr user Fort Bliss Garrison PAO

Lt. Col. Lightner served in several operational deployments, including Operation Intrinsic Action in Kuwait, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He currently serves in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, as the Regional Director, Southeastern Region, for the Soldier for Life Office.

More Photos of Lt. Col. Lightner

Prior to the ceremony, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am, a story swap will be held in the Felix Davis Community Center. Veterans will have an open opportunity to share memories and stories about their service with fellow veterans. The story swap is open to the public. Veterans wishing to speak should RSVP to (843) 740-5850.

Outback Steakhouse is once again sponsoring lunch for all of the event’s attendees. Outback has sponsored the event for four consecutive years.

From past Veterans Day events

Photos: Veterans Day 2011


Photos: Veterans Day 2010


Video: Medal of Honor recipient Major General Livingston on Veterans Day


Video: 10 year old Tre’ Williams on what it means to be a veteran


Video: Major Joe Lysaght on the history of the Pledge of Allegiance

Watch the October 25, 2012 City Council Meeting

Backporch Storytellers set the scene for Halloween at North Charleston Ghost Walk

Get into the Halloween spirit with spooky tales and creepy legends appropriate for all ages at the North Charleston Ghost Walk on Saturday, October 27. The Olde Village section of East Montague Avenue in North Charleston will host up to eight storytelling stations featuring lively presentations of local folklore and traditional ghost stories by the talented members of the Backporch Storytellers of Charleston.

This exclusive one night only event will take place from 6:00-8:00pm. Groups will begin their haunted adventure at The Meeting Place, located at 1077 East Montague Avenue. Guests may visit any number of storytelling stations, with the full tour lasting approximately one and a half hours. Stations are located both indoors and outside. Participants are encouraged to add to the Halloween fun by attending in costume.

Tickets are available for purchase on the night of the event and cost $4 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under. A special rate of $6 is being offered for groups consisting of one adult and three children. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the City’s Christmas Charity benefiting needy families. Homemade treats and hot chocolate will be available for purchase.

About the Backporch Storytellers
The Backporch Storytellers is a non-profit organization created in 1987 to serve as a storytelling support group for adult storytellers and listeners and a resource for people interested in oral literature. The mission of the group is to preserve and perpetuate the ancient art of Storytelling and to preserve the multi-cultural stories of the Old South, which includes Sea Island and Gullah tales and stories. Several members are listed on the Artist in Residence in Education roster for the South Carolina Arts Commission. For more information, visit backporchstorytellers.com.

The North Charleston Ghost Walk is sponsored by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department. For more details about the event, or for information about other programs and services offered by the department, visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts, call 843-740-5854 or email culturalarts@northcharleston.org.

North Charleston goes pink for breast cancer awareness

From buildings to employees, the City of North Charleston is going pink this week to raise breast cancer awareness; October 22-29, 2012.

Throughout the week, city facilities will be decorated pink, city employees will wear pink attire, and the City’s pink Fire Truck can be seen around town. Even City Hall has gone pink. At night, the exterior of City Hall is lit in bright pink, along with our fire stations, the Power House on the former Navy Base, and the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial at Riverfront Park.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey said, “This is an effort put forth by our employees to show our support for women, men, and families that are battling the ill effects of breast cancer. It’s encouraging to see the enthusiasm of so many North Charleston employees in raising awareness.”

All residents and businesses are encouraged to participate.

Shimano expanding its North Charleston facility in Palmetto Commerce Park

Shimano American Corporation, a maker of fishing tackle and bicycle components, today announced the expansion of its distribution center in North Charleston. The expansion will double the company’s original investment and increase employment at the facility by 50 percent. The company broke ground on the new construction today.

“With this investment, it’s much more than just doubling the size at our South Carolina facility – we'll also be prepared for both current and future distribution needs for all our brands,” said Dave Pfeiffer, president of Shimano American Corp. “Taking our original investment in 2003 in a 25,000-square-foot distribution center in North Charleston’s Benchmark Industrial Park to another level again, this a needed positive step in order to increase services to our business partners up and down the East Coast, and throughout the Midwest and Southern states. We look forward to our South Carolina facility playing a larger role in Shimano’s operations in the U.S., and we appreciate the cooperation we’ve received from local, regional and state agencies in our expansion plans.”

The new construction adds nearly 99,000-square-feet to the current 102,000-square-foot facility at 9550 Palmetto Commerce Parkway, built by Shimano in 2006. The addition will be ready in August 2013.



“It’s always exciting to see one of our existing businesses increase its footprint in South Carolina. We celebrate Shimano’s decision to expand its North Charleston facility with an additional investment and the creation of new jobs. We work hard every day to strengthen our business-friendly climate so we will continue to see South Carolina companies expand and create more jobs,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

Along with the added capacity, the expanded facility “will allow Shimano to improve our material handling automation processes, and will also provide us with nearly 3,000-square-feet of needed office space,” said Shimano’s senior manager of operations Allen Johnston. He notes that along with Shimano bicycle components and fishing tackle, the company distributes its G.Loomis fishing rods and PowerPro fishing line from the North Charleston facility. When the improvements are complete, Shimano will add the distribution of its Pearl Izumi technical cycling and running products, and also Jackall brand fishing lures, to the facility.

“When companies need to get products to customers on the East Coast or throughout the Southeast, South Carolina offers the best options for reaching those markets. Shimano’s decision to expand its Charleston County facility provides another example of that, and we look forward to the company’s continued growth here,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“Our congratulations go out today to the entire Shimano team on the momentous occasion of their expansion,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor. “An expansion is the ultimate corporate testimonial that a community can receive, and we are happy to see that the Port of Charleston, the Charleston area workforce, and our business climate have proven to be fertile soil for the company’s success. We at Charleston County have thoroughly enjoyed our relationship, and we will remain steadfast partners to Shimano in the years to come.”

“In 2003, North Charleston welcomed Shimano to our great city, and since that time we have been fortunate to see the company’s growth within our community. Today, we congratulate Shimano on its second expansion at Palmetto Commerce Park,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “It is our commitment to maintain a local environment that is friendly to commerce and accommodating to the needs of Shimano and all of our North Charleston businesses.”

Shimano American Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Shimano, Inc., a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of fishing tackle and bicycle components. Along with its Irvine, Calif. sales, service and distribution operations and its Pearl Izumi USA headquarters in Louisville, Colo., Shimano manufactures its PowerPro braided fishing line in Grand Junction, Colo., and its G.Loomis fishing rods in Woodland, Wash. Beginning in January 2013, it will also handle the sales, marketing and distribution of Jackall Lures in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit www.shimano.com.

Watch the October 11, 2012 City Council Meeting

Download the City Council Agenda

The Friends of Charleston Center to host spaghetti dinner

Flickr user HatM

The Friends of Charleston Center will host a Spaghetti Dinner on November 17 at 6:00 pm at Felix C. Davis Community Center to support its mission to assist Charleston County residents battling substance abuse.

The Charleston Center helps the residents of Charleston County live productive lives, free from the impact of alcohol, other drugs and addictive behaviors. Charleston Center promotes active recovery for persons whose lives are affected by substance use and related conditions.

The Advisory Board and “Friends” of the Charleston Center are committed to supporting the work of the staff and volunteers of the Charleston Center through increasing awareness, and establishing Charleston Center as the centerpiece of prevention and recovery from addiction and related conditions in Charleston County.

Over the next 7 months, the Charleston Center Advisory Board will work to raise $70,000 to support 7 specific areas of need at the Charleston Center:

1. Recreation and Entertainment Items
2. Furniture Items
3. Educational Materials
4. Indigent Care Items and Assistance
5. Infant and Child Items
6. Patient Care and Equipment
7. Therapeutic Decor

North Charleston seeking “Citizen of the Year” nominations

The North Charleston Citizen Advisory Council is seeking nominations for the 2012 “Citizen of the Year.” Each year, North Charleston citizens are nominated to identify, honor, and reinforce the activities of exceptional citizens whose service or performance positively contributes to the quality of life in North Charleston.

All applications are welcome, and should include a detailed explanation for the nomination along with the nominee’s name, address, and phone number. Also, the individual(s) submitting the application should include their name, address, and phone number as well. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by Tuesday, November 1, 2012 for consideration.

Nominations may be submitted below or mailed to:

City of North Charleston
Citizens Advisory Council
c/o Executive Department

P.O. Box 190016

North Charleston, SC 29419-9016

Join the Red Cross for a Tour of Duty experience, win free stuff!

Take a quick break from your workday and join the Red Cross of the Lowcountry for a fun, free hands-on experience of their mission in North Charleston on Friday, October 12 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the Charleston Area Convention Center.

Experience a Red Cross Shelter, learn Compression-Only CPR, practice your preparedness knowledge and make holiday cards for our troops. Watch the Charleston County Fire Fighters Competition throughout the day.

All for Free! Even the t-shirts!

Attendees have a chance to win 2 round-trip tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines!

Space is limited, registration closes October 7th. Event is appropriate for ages 16 and up.

To register click here.