North Charleston to hire 15 firefighters with federal grant

New federal resources have been awarded to the North Charleston Fire Department. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program awarded $1,813,830 on Friday to North Charleston to hire 15 firefighters.

The SAFER grant program supports the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. SAFER grants are awarded directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. In addition, the grant encourages the hiring of veterans. More information can be found http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our residents and communities safe,” said Mayor Keith Summey. “These new federal resources extend the efforts of the North Charleston Fire Department and ensure we have the skilled responders needed.”

“The performance data we gained through the accreditation process helped us clearly demonstrate the need for this additional staffing,” said Fire Chief Greg Bulanow. “The additional personnel will be utilized to increase staff on our ladder trucks to better protect the increasing number of large residential and commercial structures in our thriving city. This will ultimately result in safer and more effective fire protection to the citizens of North Charleston.”

Chief Bulanow continued, “We have very good experience with hiring veterans, as they fit in well with the culture and values of our organization. We regularly attend veterans’ job fairs as part of our recruiting strategy and hope to hire as many veterans as we can to maximize the benefit of this grant.”

Interested applicants can contact the City’s Human Resource Department for applications or visit http://www.northcharleston.org/residents/Departments/HR/vacancies.aspx

Recreation Department is accepting Spring adult sports teams, meeting announced

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The North Charleston Recreation Department is currently accepting teams for the upcoming 2014 Spring/Summer Adult Softball, Men’s Flag Football, Women’s Sunday Soccer, Men’s Over 40- 3 on 3 Basketball, and Women’s Basketball seasons.

The manager’s meeting for all for Adult Spring Sports will be held on Wednesday, February 5, at Park Circle.

Adult Softball managers will meet at 6:30 pm

Flag Football managers will meet at 7:00 pm

Women’s Soccer will meet at 7:30 pm

Women’s Basketball and Men’s Over 40- 3 on 3 Basketball will meet at 8:00 pm

The Softball Leagues offered are Senior Men (50+), Weeknight Co-Ed, Weeknight Men’s Industrial, and Weeknight Women’s Recreation. Softball team entry fees will be $600.00 per team with the exception of the Men’s Senior League (TBD).  Entry fee includes ASA registration fee, league tournament, umpires and awards.  The first nine (9) teams to pay their entry fee in each Softball league will be accepted.

Entry fee for the Men’s Flag Football League, Women’s Soccer League and Over 40- 3 on 3 Basketball league is $250.00 per team. The first (8) teams to pay their entry fee will be accepted into each of these leagues.  All games will be played at the MeadWestvaco Kapstone Park, located at the intersection of North Rhett Avenue and Remount Road.  The Men’s Flag Football League and Women’s Soccer will be played on Sundays.

The Over 40- 3 n 3 Basketball League will be played in the Sterett Hall Gymnasium.

All teams wishing to participate in these leagues must have a representative present at the league meeting. 

For more information, contact Cindy Dambaugh at 843-740-5801, or e-mail cdambaugh@northcharleston.org. For information on all North Charleston Recreation Department Programs, visit our website at www.northcharleston.org .

Citizens Public Safety Academy - learn how government works

The City of North Charleston Police Fire, Code Enforcement and Building Departments announce its Citizens Public Safety Academy program. The program, which begins on February 5, 2014, is designed to bring awareness to the many aspects of public safety.

The Citizens Public Safety Academy is designed to foster better communication between citizens of North Charleston and public safety professionals. During the 11 week program citizens will get an inside look at what Police Officers, Firefighters, Code Enforcement Officers and Building Inspectors encounter on a daily basis. The Citizens Public Safety Academy will be held two times a year (February to April, and May to July).

Course Curriculum:

     Police (Emergency Response, Laws, Arrests, Search & Seizure and Use of Force
     Fire (Emergency Response, Fire Fighting and Inspections
     Code Enforcement (Health and Sanitation)
     Building Department (Building Inspections, Permits and Property Maintenance)

Additional Course Information

Applications for the Academy, also available in person at NCPD Training Unit (2nd floor City Hall).

Release of Liability and Course Agreement

For more information citizens can call (843) 740-2648.

Entries Sought for Statewide Juried Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition

Fine craft artists from across the state are invited to participate in the thirteenth annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Competition and Exhibition. As the state’s only fine craft competition and exhibition, objects juried into the show may compete for cash prizes totaling up to $6500. The exhibition is presented as a component of the annual North Charleston Arts Festival, to be held May 2-10, 2014. The application is only available online and may be accessed via the link at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply. Deadline for submissions is Friday, March 14, 2014.

Organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, this unique exhibition offers fine craft artists from across South Carolina the opportunity to exhibit their inspiring objects in the media of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, and three-dimensional mixed media. Thousands have enjoyed the refined talents of South Carolina fine craft artists during past annual exhibitions. Following the close of the show, up to thirty works will be selected to tour the state through the South Carolina State Museum’s 2014/2015 Traveling Exhibitions Program. Sites across South Carolina may request the exhibit to tour in their facilities, thus providing additional exposure for the selected artists.

Alfred D. Ward NDD, ATD, Emeritus Professor in the Fine Art Department at Winthrop University, will jury this year’s exhibition. Ward was appointed Professor of Art and Design at the University of London in 1966. In 1974 he became the Head of the Department of Silversmithing, Jewelry at the Sir John Cass College of Art in London. As a consultant designer for Spink & Sons in London (by Appointment of her Majesty the Queen) he designed and produced pieces for The Royal Family, Revlon of Paris, and Covent Garden Opera House, among others. An internationally known designer, Ward’s work is featured in many museums and collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Having moved to the United States in 1981, he taught at the University of Michigan and the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. In 1985, he became the Director of the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee and in 1989 became the Chair of Art and Design at Winthrop University in South Carolina. Winthrop University awarded him the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award in 1998 and the Medal of Honor in the Arts in April of 2011.

The 13th Annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition will be on display May 2-10, 2014, at the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. A free public reception and announcement of awards will be held at the Convention Center on Friday, May 2, 2014. For more information about the North Charleston Arts Festival, Palmetto Hands, or other exhibition opportunities, contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843)740-5854, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

North Charleston City Gallery to Exhibit Works by The Goose Creek Artists Guild

Blue Mountains (oil) by Goose Creek Artists Guild member Karen Gaag

The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce that works by members of the Goose Creek Artists Guild will be on exhibit at the North Charleston City Gallery from February 3-28, 2014. A free reception will be held at the gallery on Thursday, February 6, from 5:00-7:00pm. Many of the exhibiting artists will be present and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend.

The Goose Creek Artists Guild, founded in 1982, will present its 31st Annual Judged Show featuring two-dimensional works in a variety of subjects and mediums. Comprised of artists from Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston counties, guild members from all levels of expertise express their talents in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, drawing, and mixed media. Ribbons for Best of Show as well as first, second, and third place in multiple categories will be awarded by guest juror, Mercedes da Silva. Da Silva is a juried member and on the board of directors for the Charleston Artist Guild and has taught Art and Spanish and Northwoods Academy for 15 years.


The Goose Creek Artists Guild meets monthly for live demonstrations and business to further its purpose "to bring together a group of artists interested in self-improvement, public recognition, and the promotion of the arts in the community." For more information, contact the Guild President, Muriel Lanciault, at (843)486-6328.

The North Charleston City Gallery is situated in the common areas of the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Parking and admission are free during regular Convention Center operating hours, 9:00am – 5:00pm daily. The gallery is staffed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday only. Inquiries regarding the artists or purchase information may be directed to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843)740-5854. For information on additional exhibits, programs, and events, visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at http://bit.ly/culturalarts.

Wearable Art Designers and African American Art Quilters Sought for Annual Exhibitions in North Charleston

The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is seeking entries from textile artists from across the nation for two exhibitions presented as a component of the 2014 North Charleston Arts Festival, taking place May 2-10. African American art quilt artists in the United States, Mexico, and Canada age 18 and up are invited to participate in the 8th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, titled JOY. Wearable art artists and fashion designers in the United States age 18 and up are welcome to submit entries for the 2nd Annual Wearable Art Competition and Exhibition. Both exhibitions will be on display at North Charleston City Hall from April 30-June 20, 2014. A $30 entry fee applies to each exhibition opportunity and allows artists to submit up to four entries. Applications for these exhibitions are only available online and may be accessed via the links at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply. Deadline for entries is Monday, March 3, 2014.

8th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition: JOY

Quilt from 2013 (7th Annual) African American Fiber Art Exhibition
Anansi & the Pot of Wisdom by Carolyn Brackat

 

 

Curated by award winning and nationally exhibiting textile artist, Torreah “Cookie” Washington, this unique exhibition offers African American art quilters a showcase to display their original and innovative designs. This year’s installment calls for art quilts inspired by the emotion of joy. Joy can be seen in the eyes of a child or felt while dancing; it can be heard in an exuberant holler when we hear fantastic news or in a squeal of delight when receiving a surprise gift. We can express joy in many ways. The challenge for this year’s exhibition is for artists to show the world their joy through an art quilt. Entries may be hand or machine quilted and embellishment is encouraged.

Following the close of the show, up to thirty works will be selected to tour the state through the South Carolina State Museum’s 2014/2015 Traveling Exhibitions Program. Sites across South Carolina may request the exhibit to tour in their facilities, thus providing additional exposure for the selected artists. Additionally, organizers are proud to extend a special opportunity to young quilt artists who do not meet age eligibility requirements to enter the annual exhibition. Emerging quilt artists under the age of 18 may submit quilts for Our Next Generation, a parallel exhibition that will be on display at the Unity Church of Charleston.

 




2nd Annual Wearable Art Competition & Exhibition

Best in Show from 2013 Wearable Art Competition & Exhibition

Elegant Bits N’ Pieces by Kathy Knapp

Juried by Torreah “Cookie” Washington, with assistance from the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, this opportunity offers emerging and established designers a showcase to exhibit their inspiring fashion designs, wearable art garments and accessories of all styles. The goal is to present innovative and wearable work of the highest quality and to provide a forum to share the growing enthusiasm for an exploration of techniques and materials. Wearable art garments in all styles are welcome, including garments, hats, handbags and accessories. Garments for both men and women are encouraged.

The 8th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition and the 2nd Annual Wearable Art Competition and Exhibition will be on display 8:00am-8:00pm daily from April 30-June 20, 2014, on the 1st and 2nd floors of North Charleston City Hall, located at 2500 City Hall Lane in North Charleston. Admission is free. A public reception in honor of both exhibitions and announcement of winners for Wearable Art will be held at City Hall on Thursday, May 8, 2014, from 6:00-8:00pm. For more information about the North Charleston Arts Festival, these exhibitions, or other exhibition opportunities, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843)740-5854, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series Sings the Blues on January 31

Songstress Laura Ball offers a soulful salute to America's gifted women of the blues in the third performance of North Charleston's 2013/14 Dinner Theatre Series

Another fabulous dinner theatre performance is set to take place in North Charleston on Friday, January 31, 2014, with Black & Blues presented by songstress Laura Ball of UNED!TED. The exquisite cabaret evening of musical history is a soulful salute to America's gifted women of the blues. Dinner for the evening is catered by Embassy Suites and features an entrée of smoked chicken and sausage penne. Tickets are on sale until Tuesday, January 28.

Giving voice to the female singers who put blues on the American map, Miss Ball and her blues trio, The Gentle Time Band, will take audiences on a musical journey from the Mississippi Delta to the back alleys of New Orleans to the to the Charleston Lowcountry. The original program features the songs and stories of such celebrated blues women as Big Mama Thornton, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, and many more.

A native Charlestonian, Laura Ball is an active teacher, music director, composer, and performer known for her innovative collaborations across musical genres and her explorations of contemporary chamber music practices. She grew up with deep roots in the Gullah and Irish song-storytelling traditions and her musical background includes a broad survey as an instrumentalist, choral conductor and vocalist – spanning repertoire from the Baroque to Broadway. She currently works as the music director at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Johns Island, SC, and is the founder and creative director of the UNED!TED Interdisciplinary Arts Concert Series, now in its fourth season. She has been a featured performing artist and composer at SECCA (Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, NC), Panoramic Dance Troupe (Raleigh, NC), and Goddard College (Port Townsend, WA), and maintains ongoing compositional collaborations with Charleston Dance Institute, Chamber Music Charleston, and Annex Dance Company. She has also appeared locally with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Seabrook Island Club, Kiawah Arts Council, Gibbes Museum of Art, and Parliament. For more information, visit LauraBall.com or UneditedArtists.com.

Black & Blues will be presented at the Charleston Area Convention Center Ballroom (adjacent to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center) at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. The ballroom doors open at 7:00pm for dinner. Tickets are $40 per person. Group discounts are offered. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. Tickets for just the play are available for $15. Parking is free. A cash-only bar will be available. To purchase tickets, contact Pam Smith at 843-740-5847 by Tuesday, January 28. For details on the 2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series or information on additional programs and events, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843-740-5854 or visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts.