Red Cross breaks ground on new facility by City Hall

Today, the American Red Cross and Mayor Keith Summey joined Owner, Mall Drive 2424 LLC and Lender, National Bank of South Carolina as they broke ground on their new building that will be the future home of the Red Cross in the City of North Charleston.

The new building will be centrally located in the City of North Charleston at 2424 City Hall Drive and will provide the Red Cross with over 10,000 square-feet of office, educational, training and storage space to better serve its clients across the Lowcountry. The new building is scheduled to open in December 2013.

“The new facility will be a place for our volunteers to come together and learn,” said Mason Holland, board chair, American Red Cross, Carolina Lowcountry Chapter. “The opportunity to expand our volunteer base and their knowledge will increase our capacity to support our Lowcountry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through lifesaving education and response. The centralized location in North Charleston will allow for a more efficient response to disasters across our region and will allow us to better serve our community.”

The Carolina Lowcountry Chapter serves Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton and Jasper counties and is part of the Palmetto SC Region. The Red Cross provides food, shelter and emotional support after disasters, assists members of our armed forces and their families, teaches lifesaving skills and supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. A financial donation can be made by sending a check to the American Red Cross, Charleston, SC Region, 8085 Rivers Ave., Suite F. North Charleston, SC 29406 or by calling (843) 764-2323 ext. 368. For more information or to make a secure online donation, please visit www.LowcountryRedCross.org.

Be a Force of Nature during National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partnered to designate March 3-9, 2013, as National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, and is calling upon all Americans to Be a Force of Nature.

We live in an area prone to flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and hurricanes, and should be aware that this weather can strike anywhere and at any time.

Last year across the United States, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries. Each time severe weather threatens we hear stories of ordinary Americans who do the extraordinary to save loved ones – a mother protecting her children by shielding them from flying debris, a homeowner opening up his storm shelter to neighbors, neighbors helping a senior in a wheelchair get to a safe shelter, individuals ensuring friends are aware of the current watch or warning in their area.

Building a Weather-Ready Nation requires that every individual and community take action because severe weather knows no boundaries and affects us all. Be a Force of Nature by making a public pledge to be prepared at ready.gov/severe-weather.

What can you do to Prepare?

Knowing your risk, taking action and being an example by sharing your knowledge and actions through your social network are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared and assist in saving lives.

Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Every state in the United States has experienced tornadoes and severe weather, so everyone is exposed to some degree of risk. Check the weather forecast regularly and visit ready.gov/severe-weather to learn more about how to be better prepared and how you can protect your family during emergencies.

Pledge and Take Action: Be Force of Nature by taking the Pledge to Prepare at ready.gov/severe-weather. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes filling out your family communications plan that you can email to yourself, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved.

Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and check to see if your cell phone is equipped to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials. Stay informed by having multiple sources for weather alerts - NOAA Weather Radio, Weather.gov, and Wireless Emergency Alerts. Subscribe to receive alerts at www.weather.gov/subscribe.

Be an Example: Once you have taken action and pledged to Be a Force of Nature, share your story with your family and friends. Create a video and post on a video sharing site; post your story on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, comment on a blog, or share through any other social media site. Technology today makes it easier than ever to be a good example and share the steps you took to help us achieve the vision of a Weather-Ready Nation. Join us today and pledge to prepare for the severe weather in our area.

Information on the different types of severe weather such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding is available at www.weather.gov and ready.gov/severe-weather or the Spanish-language web site www.listo.gov.

Fire Department to conduct Hydrant testing. Find out how this could affect you.

The North Charleston Fire Department will be conducting hydrant testing throughout the City of North Charleston in the month of March. Firefighters will flow each hydrant to ensure that the hydrant functions properly and that adequate water will be available in the event of a fire.

Firefighters will be posting signs in the neighborhoods to inform residents that hydrant testing is in progress. Firefighters will be as careful as possible to minimize damage to lawns or landscaping from the flow of water.

Despite all precautions, there is the possibility that sediment from the water system may become visible in residential tap water. If a resident encounters discolored water they should run the faucet in their home until the water runs clear.

The North Charleston Fire Department thanks residents in advance for their understanding as we perform this required task to ensure the safety of our City.

If you encounter any other problems with your water, please contact your water department. Charleston Water System can be reached at (843) 727-6800 or Dorchester County Water and Sewer Department may be reached at (843) 832-0075.

North Charleston After School Programs celebrate African American literature during Black History month

The City of North Charleston’s After School Programs are participating in the 24th National African American Read-In, sponsored by the Black Caucus of National Council of Teachers of English and National Council of Teachers of English. The intent of the Read-In is to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. 

Children ages 5 to 12 years old were read selected books, poems and speeches by African American authors. Charleston County Public Library staff selected and provided over 100 books featuring African American writers, which were read by Continental Society volunteers. Over 200 children in the City’s After School Programs were read to during the month of February at community centers. 

The Continental Society is an international public service organization dedicated to the socioeconomic and cultural welfare of underprivileged children and youth. 

The National African American Read-In has been endorsed by the International Reading Association. Over 1 million readers of all ethnic groups from the United States, the West Indies, and African countries have participated.

Senator Tim Scott sings "Hold On To Your Dreams"

US Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) sang "Hold On To Your Dreams" at RB Stall High School in North Charleston, SC to the student body. Although he admits he left his singing voice in Washington, DC.

Senator Scott graduated RB Stall in 1983. In his speech, he recounts being in high school and the difficulties and uncertain future he faced while growing up in a single parent household.

Senator Scott is a native of the City of North Charleston. Sworn in on January 3, 2013, he is one of eight African-American members to have ever served in the US Senate. Senator Scott was elected in 2010 to the 112th Congress and served as the 1st Republican African-American Representative from South Carolina since 1897.

Wannamaker Park North Trail

The Wannamaker North Trail runs within the north portion of Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston and also is accessible from Goose Creek. The 8-mile trail is designed for and open to mountain bicyclists of all experience levels. The trail is also open to hikers, walkers, and runners, but pedestrians should know that the terrain contains tight curves and elevation changes.

Design & Terrain
Trail designer Brad Phillips and volunteers from local mountain bike group, Lowcountry Fat Tire Freaks, donated over 1,500 hours of work to build the ultimate mountain bike trail experience. Trails wind by beautiful live oaks and beech trees, while offering thrilling natural and man-made trail elements. More experienced bicyclists will enjoy traveling the northeast section of the trail, following along and over-top of an elevated ridge.

Hours & Admission
Open daily from sunrise - sunset
$1 per person
Free: Individual and Gold Pass Members
Directions
The physical property address is: 455 Westview Blvd. (Google Maps, Bing, and Map Quest are not reliable for directions, so please see information below.)

GPS
LAT 32.998999 / LONG -80.059173

From I-26
Take Exit 209A, merge onto U.S. 52 W/Rivers Ave. toward Goose Creek (go 5.0 miles)
Slight left onto St. James Ave. (go 0.6 miles)
Left onto Westview Blvd. (go 1.0 mile)
Driveway to the trailhead will be on your left; follow directional signage to parking area

From Wannamaker County Park Main Gate
Left onto University Blvd. (go 0.9 mile)
Take ramp on right toward Rivers Ave./U.S. 52 W (go 0.9 mile)
Continue onto Rivers Ave./U.S. 52 W (go 0.9 mile)
Slight left onto St. James Ave. (go 0.6 miles)
Left onto Westview Blvd. (go 1.0 mile)
Driveway to the trailhead will be on your left; follow directional signage to parking area

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.