FREE: Fourth of July Festival in North Charleston - largest show of fireworks in the Lowcountry

Join in on the Facebook event

The City of North Charleston will hold its Fourth of July Festival at Riverfront Park on Thursday, July 4, 2013, 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm. The event and parking are free of charge and all general admission.

North Charleston’s Fourth of July Festival will feature the largest show of fireworks in the Lowcountry and one of the largest in the State of South Carolina.

The following is a schedule of events:

3:00 pm 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm 4:15 pm – 5:30 pm 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm 7:45 pm – 9:15 pm 9:15 pm – 9:45 pm

Festivities begin Island Trio Calvin Taylor Band Plane Jane Blue Dogs featuring Skylar Laine (from American Idol) Show of fireworks over the Cooper River by Zambelli Fireworks International with music performed by North Charleston Pops

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as there will be no seating provided. 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.

Food vendors attending the event: Vendors: DIG Rig, Smoothie Time, Kool Katz Italian Ice, Tony the P-Nut Man, Jeans Peanuts, Philly’s Italian Ice, Sweets N Treats, Zeus Grill and Seafood, Just Lemonade, Chucktown Mobile Seafood, Cast Iron Food Truck, Charlie Brown Seafood, Dulce Truck, Charleston Festival Foods, That’s How We Roll, Charleston’s Poboy Food Cart.

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.

Open to the public year-round, Riverfront Park 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 Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. A component of the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival, the Competition and Exhibition features large-scale contemporary sculptures on display throughout the year.

Photos of previous Fourth of July Festivals.

Watch until the end to see Mayor Summey’s solo

City Marks Milestone in Park Circle Revitalization Effort

Earlier today, the City of North Charleston announced that a news conference will be held on Friday, February 8, 11 AM, at the entrance of Oak Terrace Preserve neighborhood in Park Circle (1500 East Liberty Park Circle, North Charleston, SC 29405).

Mayor Keith Summey and Councilman Bob King will speak, marking the beginning of Phase 2 of the City’s award-winning Oak Terrace Preserve neighborhood, with comments on upcoming redevelopment projects in the historic district of North Charleston.

The news conference will also address the City’s pending plans to revitalize sections of Rivers Avenue, and the northern end of the former naval base, after the December 2012 rails settlement with the State of South Carolina.

As a follow up for the public, a block party will be held on Saturday, February 9, as a free event, from 11 AM to 3 PM. The event is designed to celebrate the neighborhood’s progress over the past six years, and the construction of Phase 2, featuring food, fun, games, kids’ activities, and live entertainment.

“Oak Terrace Preserve opened the doors for the revitalization of Park Circle’s residential neighborhoods,” says Summey. “Until construction began on Phase 1, there had not been a new housing development in the Park Circle area for 50 years. Now, young families are coming back to the neighborhood, and private residential developments, like Mixson and Hunley Waters, are now gearing up with new construction as the recovery is gaining momentum after the national housing recession of 2008.”

Summey cited the unique advantages of Oak Terrace Preserve for families, with the Charleston County School of the Arts and nationally-ranked Academic Magnet High School within short walking distance of the neighborhood.

As a city owned, public-private project, Oak Terrace Preserve has received national recognition over the past five years, including Green Builder Magazine lists for top ‘green’ neighborhoods in the United States. Other City honors include the National League of Cities Award for Municipal Excellence and the Home Depot Foundation Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development.

Over the past two years, publications like This Old House, Bloomberg Business Week, and Men’s Journal have all recognized Park Circle as one of the nation’s ‘cool,’ up-and-coming neighborhoods. The Charleston City Paper readers voted Oak Terrace Preserve as the Charleston area’s “Best New Development of 2009”. KaBoom! cited North Charleston as a Playful City USA Community.

“This notoriety is a product of public and private efforts to redevelop a neighborhood that could have easily been lost without careful planning and investment,” adds Summey. “We’ve come a long way in six years, but I truly believe the best is yet to come.”

Oak Terrace Preserve is a 55-acre sustainable community owned by the City, and developed by private contractors. Homes are EarthCraft® Certified, and feature neo-traditional designs with a Lowcountry vernacular. Upon build-out, OTP will feature 374 homes and town homes, which includes a network of pocket parks, and some hundreds of preserved trees, including many grand oaks. Phase 2 will encompass the construction of 52 single family housing units and 16 town homes over the next 18 months.

Recent videos on the neighborhood:

Oak Terrace Preserve – Community

Oak Terrace Preserve - Schools

Mayor Summey on Oak Terrace Preserve's phase 2 and proximity to schools

Mayor Summey on Oak Terrace Preserve and Park Circle's revitalization

Information and video on Oak Terrace Preserve are in the media kit, at http://bit.ly/otpmediakit

For questions on the news conference, contact Ryan Johnson at the above email address and phone number. For inquiries on Oak Terrace Preserve, call or email Keith West, at the above email and phone number.

Information on Oak Terrace Preserve can be accessed online at http://www.oakterracepreserve.com.

Oak Terrace Preserve residents launch North Charleston's community video series

The City of North Charleston has released two video shorts, which depict residents of the City's Oak Terrace Preserve neighborhood discussing quality of life issues in their community. The videos, entitled "Community", and "Schools" were recorded in August, following a voluntary, unscripted format. The videos, on the City's YouTube Channel, are the first in a series of videos chronicling the progress of revitalization in the neighborhood.

"The videos illustrate a major impact of the City's efforts at attracting young homebuyers to Park Circle," says North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. "The influx of young families moving to the Park Circle area, and North Charleston, has been impressive. It's a sign that our revitalization strategy is working, even in relatively lean economic times. The number of young, white collar professionals coming to Oak Terrace, and the greater Park Circle area, has been fueled by major employers, as well as up-and-coming entrepreneurs".

Oak Terrace Preserve is a City-owned green residential project, which is privately developed by a team of builders and architects. Homes at the neighborhood are market rate, and combine the latest innovations in sustainable living with neo-traditional neighborhood design.

Community
Oak Terrace Preserve residents comment on their community's recognition as one of the nation's 'coolest, trendiest' neighborhoods, with its unique combination of green living, quality of life, and central location.



Schools
Parents and future parents see family-friendly Oak Terrace Preserve as uniquely positioned for their children's education, as the nationally-ranked Academic Magnet High School and the upcoming arts-infused elementary are within walking distance of the neighborhood.

Charleston County Reminds Citizens of Election Dates and Deadlines

Republican Presidential Preference Primary Election 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2011

The Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration office reminds the public of the following important dates related to the upcoming Republican Presidential Preference Primary election on Saturday, Jan. 21:

Friday, Jan. 20

• Deadline for in-person absentee voting is 5 p.m.
• For more information on absentee voting, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/absentee.htm

Saturday, Jan. 21

• Election Day polls are open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• 7 p.m. is the deadline for absentee ballots to be returned.
• For more information on voting on Election Day, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/voting.htm.

Thursday, Jan. 26:

• Challenge/provisional ballot hearing and certification at 10 a.m. at the Elections Office located at 4367 Headquarters Road in North Charleston.

For any election related questions, contact the Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration as follows:

• Online at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/index.htm.
• By email at bevr@charlestoncounty.org
• By phone at (843) 744-VOTE (8683)

Help shape the future of the Neck Area - public meetings Sept 26-30

Flickr User Saikofish

Do you live or work in the Neck Area?  Help define the future of key locations in the Neck Area of North Charleston and Charleston and capture their stories through pictures, words, and design.

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments’ (BCDCOG) Partnership for Prosperity: A Master Plan for the Neck Area of North Charleston and Charleston invites residents, employees, property owners, business owners, and neighborhood friends to participate in a community design charrette during the week of September 26 to September 30th, 2011 at Sterett Hall -1530 7th Street and Hobson Avenue on the former Navy Base.

Public sessions include:

Kick-Off Meeting from 6:00-8:00pm on September 26th

Public Pin-Up Session from 5:00-8:00pm on September 28th

Open House with a Closing Presentation from 5:00-8:00pm on September 30th.
all sessions at Sterett Hall, 1530 7th Street and Hobson Ave, N. Chas, SC 29405
Easily accessible by CARTA Routes 10 and 101

Sponsored by the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG), the Charleston Neck Partnership for Prosperity Plan is a cooperative effort to shape the future of the tri-county region's core area. The plan will include strategies to spur economic vitality, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance quality of life for people and businesses within the historic neighborhoods, new communities, and emerging job centers between the Charleston International Airport and US 17-Crosstown in Charleston. more.

Between now and the fall of 2012, the people of Charleston and North Charleston will create a plan that answers the following questions:

What do we want the core of our entire region to look like in 10 years - 25 years- 50 years?

• Neighborhoods & schools
• Shopping & job centers
• Sidewalks, bike routes & transit services
• Streets, highways & rail lines
• Greenways, blueways, & parks

How can we work together to achieve our vision?

• Public investments
• Private development
• Plans and policies
• Desired Outcomes

The plan will be...

• A shared vision of this region's residents
• A guide for decisions about growth & development
• A resource for updating local plans & policies

The plan will NOT be...

• A replacement of the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) Revitalization Plan or local comprehensive plans
• A zoning ordinance
• A rigid "prescription" for regional growth

Find complete information at http://www.neckprosperity.org

9/11 memorial service to remember lives lost, honor nation’s first responders and military personnel

A memorial service commemorating the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 is set for Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:00 am at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The public is invited to attend the event.  There will be no charge for admission or parking.

The event, wholly planned by Charleston area first responders and military personnel, will include participation from nearly every public safety agency in the region.

A portion of the service will include remarks from first responders who were at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC on September 11, 2001 and will feature music by the Charleston Police Pipes and Drums and the Academic Magnet High School Vocal Ensemble.  In addition, fire apparatus from agencies throughout the Charleston area will be on display surrounding the Performing Arts Center.

“We hope to come together as a local community of first responders to commemorate this anniversary,” said North Charleston Fire Chief Greg Bulanow.  He continued, “It provides an opportunity to appropriately honor and reflect on the enormous sacrifices that were made that day in the service of duty.  We hope that many will join us, including young people, who perhaps were too young to understand or remember September 11, 2001, but who are growing up in a world that was shaped by that day.”

Charleston County EMS Director Don Lundy stated, “That date changed the way of life for all of us, but particularly for the men and women who protect our loved ones every day. For that, we should honor those who gave their lives and remember those who continue to do this work every day, without fear or trepidation. They all are the real heroes walking among us."

Participating agencies:

Joint Base Charleston
South Carolina Highway Patrol
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
Charleston County EMS
Charleston County Emergency Management
Charleston Police Department
Charleston Fire Department
Charleston Police Department Pipes & Drums
North Charleston Police Department
North Charleston Fire Department
North Charleston Fire Museum
Mount Pleasant Police Department
Mount Pleasant Fire Department
College of Charleston First Responders
Isle of Palms Police Department
Isle of Palms Fire DepartmentSt. Andrews Fire Department
St. Johns Fire Department
Summerville Fire Department
Ashley River Fire Department
Caromi Fire Department
James Island Fire Department
Awendaw Fire Department
Dorchester County EMS
Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department
Goose Creek Fire Department
Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy

Non-public safety participants:
The Boeing Company’s Safety Officials
Royal Missionary Baptist Church
CCSD’s Academic Magnet High School

Park Circle Films announces Lowcountry Indie Shorts 6, opens film submissions

 Photo Credit: Dave Fancher

The Greater Park Circle Film Society, host of the Charleston area's only nonprofit filmhouse, is accepting submissions of short films for the next edition of Lowcountry Indie Shorts. The event will take place September 24th at the Olde North Charleston Picture House, 4820 Jenkins Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Lowcountry Indie Shorts is a semi-annual event with a focus on regional filmmaking, showcasing the best short films from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Animation, comedy, drama, documentaries, music videos, and genre films are all encouraged. Submissions are free, and filmmakers whose works are chosen will be invited to participate in a panel discussion and audience Q&A session afterwards.

Films must have been made in 2011, and are allowed to have been shown in other fests and events. Total running time must be at least 2 minutes and not more than 30 minutes. Submissions must be received by September 15, 2011. Submission forms can be downloaded from http://parkcirclefilms.org/pages/lowcountry-indie-shorts

Admission to a block of shorts is $5 general admission and $2 for Film Society members. Depending on the number of shorts received, there will be one or two blocks, with different films shown at each block.

Public planning effort for Boeing and neck areas

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) invites all residents of Charleston and North Charleston to participate in the Partnership for Prosperity planning effort to shape the future of tri-county region's core area between the new Boeing complex in North Charleston and US 17- Crosstown in Charleston.   The first Community Forum to launch this planning effort will be held Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Military Magnet Academy, located at 2950 Carner Avenue.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, who chairs the BCDCOG, reflected on the importance of this partnership and its planning effort, citing the growing attractiveness of the region to new businesses and residents. “The opportunities in and around the Neck area are great,” said Summey. “The challenge is generational, and we are laying that groundwork for change today. As we create value, we change the concept of how this vital area is perceived.”

According to BCDCOG planner Jeff Burns, the study is a great opportunity for community members to work together shaping the future for themselves and their children.   “What do we want the core of our entire region to look like in 10 years - 25 years- 50 years? And how can we leverage public dollars with private investments to reach the goals of this area spanning two municipalities?”

Building on several local and regional planning efforts conducted over the past few years, the Partnership for Prosperity master planning effort provides an opportunity to gather the various ideas and initiatives into a coherent strategy for development that supports community character and vitality.

At the May 19th forum, staff from the BCDCOG and a consultant team headed by Renaissance Planning Group will ask participants to help identify the strengths of the region, including places they want to preserve and opportunities for growth and change. “It’s important for us to take a fresh look at what’s truly special about this area so we can capitalize on its best assets,” said Burns. “The Neck area and its surrounds feature a unique blend of industry, community, history, and nature. We need to capitalize on these assets in order to build – and rebuild – its communities into places that people cherish.”

Summey urged the leaders and citizens of Charleston and North Charleston to use this opportunity to truly form a “partnership for prosperity” in this vital core area for growth. “The goal is unification of the two cities around positive economic change. We no longer live in isolation. Every area has a direct effect on its neighbors, and there is a direct tie-in economically for the whole region by changing areas in a positive way.”

For more information about the May 19th Community Forum or the Partnership for Prosperity initiative, visit the BCDCOG website at www.bcdcog.com, contact Jeff Burns at (843) 529-0400 or jeffb@bcdcog.com.

Boeing to Place Second 787 Assembly Line in North Charleston

Below is a compilation of news stories, videos and pictures from various sources regarding the announcement by Boeing to place a second 787 Assembly Line in North Charleston.







Boeing
Boeing to Place Second 787 Assembly Line in North Charleston, SC

Charleston Regional Business Journal
Excitement reigns as Sanford signs Boeing incentive
Molly Parker

Boeing Co. bringing 787 plant to North Charleston
Molly Parker

Boeing billing North Charleston plant as strike-proof as optimism spreads
Molly Parker

Upstate has tools for Boeing
Scott Miller

Post and Courier

Bringing Boeing to S.C.THE ART OF THE DEAL
Allyson Bird

Experts: Boeing move a message to unions
Dana Hedgpeth, The Washington Post

State relied on power of tax breaks, incentives
Rudolph Bell, The Greenville News

Staying focused was key, Mayor Summey says optimism was order of the day
Schuyler Kropf

Sanford signs incentive package for Boeing
Associated Press

TRIDENT TECH: Gearing up to teach thousands assembly skills
Katy Stech

Welcome to town, Boeing
Brian Hicks

BOEING: Aircraft giant lands here, Aviation giant expects to break ground on new assembly plant within the next few weeks
John McDermott, Yvonne Wenger

Summey foresees booming future, Mayor says spin-offs will add to number of jobs
Warren Wise

Boeing lands here, Aviation giant expects to break ground on new assembly plant within the next few weeks
John McDermott, Yvonne Wenger

Lawmakers offered lure worth $450M
Katy Stech, Yvonne Wenger

At the controls, notable 787 executives
Staff Report

Boeing could lead state's rebound, economist says
The State

Boeing: 'Hiring in the thousands,' Details not available yet, but open slots are estimated to be about 3,800
Katy Stech

Boeing, in their own words
Staff Report

This is bigger than big
Ken Burger

WCBD News 2
Sanford, state lawmakers laud Boeing decision to come to SC


Boeing jobs impact to be felt immediately


Rep. Henry Brown congratulates lawmakers for landing Boeing plant

Boeing to put 787 plant in North Charleston, bringing 4,000 jobs


WCIV News 4
North Charleston Mayor Reacts to Boeing News


The History of Boeing's Arrival to Charleston


Banking on Boeing


State Leaders React to Boeing Announcement


Boeing to Place 787 Assembly Line in North Charleston

WCSC News 5
Boeing banks on Charleston, stakes claim for new 787 facility

Summey press conference

Gov. Sanford gives credit to many for Boeing's arrival


The Seattle Times
Recreating local plants in S.C.
Dominic Gates

Machinists disappointed, call union 'a handy scapegoat'
Lynn Thompson, Sonia Krishnan, Melissa Allison

'We did all we could' to keep 787 work, Gregoire says, but GOP disagrees
Andrew Garber, Kyung M. Song

Hutchison faults Gregoire, Constantine on 787 decision
Bob Young

Who's to blame for losing the second 787 line?
Jon Talton

Boeing: South Carolina reaction


KOMO News 4
Second 787 assembly line goes to South Carolina


Sen. Murray: 'We're all really disappointed'


Gregoire: state remains strong aerospace player


KING News 5
Boeing Everett workers worry about Charleston 787 quality


Watch: Boeing historian: Charleston a bad move for Boeing


Watch: Snohomish Co. Executive reacts to Boeing South Carolina decision


Watch: Boeing Machinists union president reacts to S.C. decision


NBC Nightly News
Boeing 787 Goes South


The Associated Press
Boeing picks South Carolina for 2nd 787 line
Dianel Lovering, George Tibbits

Bloomberg News
Boeing Doubles Bet on 787 Scheme That’s 2 Years Late (Update1)
Peter Robison, Susanna Ray

Wall Street Journal
Boeing Selects S.C. for Dreamliner Plant
Peter Sanders

Market Watch
Boeing picks South Carolina for 787 assembly hall
Jim Jelter

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing picks S. Carolina for 2nd 787 line

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
What now? Boeing move sends state scrambling
Levi Pulkkinen, Eric Nalder, Scott Gutierrez

Financial Times
Boeing to build 787s in South Carolina
Hal Weitzman

Reuters
Machinists Dispute Boeing Strike Concerns

Dallas Morning News
Boeing to put second 787 line in South Carolina
Terry Maxson

Clemson University
Clemson University experts on Boeing's decision to bring 787 production to South Carolina

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner
Take a virtual tour

The Plane

About the 787 Family

More 787 Videos

15 Years as Mayor

On Mayor Summey's 15th anniversary as Mayor of North Charleston, he sat down with Schuyler Kropf of the Post and Courier for a question and answer session.

"Last week, North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey hit the 15-year mark of running South Carolina's third-largest city. During that time, he's seen the city recover from the closing of the Navy base, a population ebb and expansion and the opening of a new $37 million City Hall. He's also adopted a more healthy lifestyle, shedding more than 100 pounds.

On Wednesday, October 7, 2009, Summey sat down for a question-and-answer session with The Post and Courier, where he said he definitely will seek another term as mayor in 2011. And, though he's never been a supporter of embattled Gov. Mark Sanford politically, he doesn't think the governor should resign or be removed anytime soon."

Kropf, Schuyler. "Mayor reflects on city." Post and Courier. Evening Post Publishing Company, 11 Oct. 2009. Web. 11 Oct. 2009. http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/oct/11/mayor-reflects-on-city1/

Watch the interview segmented into 12 parts.

Part 1 - It’s been 15 years, how has the City changed for the better and for the worse during that time?

Part 2 – North Charleston has always seemed to have had an inferiority complex when compared to the City of Charleston and Mount Pleasant. How have you worked to overcome that?

Part 3 – The most recent crop of police recruits was the most diverse you have ever seen. What does that say about the changing face of North Charleston?


Part 4 – There is no escaping that the State House will pick up the fight in 2010 of the rail lines that run through the Noisette redevelopment area. How are you preparing for that?

Part 5 – The Noisette investment project has had some financial and legal issues recently. What happens if that effort fails?

Part 6 – North Charleston seems to be annexing a lot of property. How much has the City’s boundary grown lately and why? Is it manageable, especially in regards to city-wide police protection?

Part 7 – You are 62 and the Mayor’s seat is not up again until 2011. Are you going to run for another term?

Part 8 – You once tipped the scales at 360 pounds. What are you down to now and how is the weight loss coming along.

Part 9 – Should Mark Sanford resign? He is the top economics officer in the state and North Charleston’s future is tied to that.


Part 10 – What is the one thing that most people would be surprised to hear about Keith Summey?


Part 11 – Your son Elliott is paving his own political path on County Council where you once served. Are you following his career and what political advice are you giving?


Part 12 – Where do you see North Charleston in 5 years?