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Santee Cooper Debt Quiz

Take This Quiz: Will The Santee Cooper Debt Affect You And Your Family?

In 2013, Santee Cooper and SCE&G began construction on their V.C. Summer Nuclear Project hoping to bring new energy sources to their customers. Four years later, Santee Cooper and it’s direct-serve and co-op customers remain billions in debt and growing a million each day, while SCE&G customers were sold to Dominion and have been elevated from some but not all of their debt burden.

Santee Cooper alone has $8 billion in debt, half of which comes from the failed nuclear project. If all things remain unchanged, the state-owned utility has no other option but to raise rates on all direct serve and co-op customers in order to pay off the debt. That is, unless, state lawmakers make the decision to sell to a private utility who can absorb the debt.

 

How will the failure of V.C. Summer impact your family’s bottom line?

Take this quick quiz to find out!

Palmetto Promise Institute, an organization that researches, studies, and promotes public policy which supports a free and flourishing South Carolina, has a quiz that will test your knowledge on the Santee Cooper fiasco and let you know if you’ll be affected by the debt.

Take the quiz here.

Events

Charleston Events Happening In March

9 Charleston Events You Won’t Want To Miss: March 2019

Featured Image Source: Charleston Wine + Food Facebook

We hope your social calendar isn’t too full because Charleston is serving up some awesome events this month. And, we didn’t even include all the St. Paddy’s Day events (keep an eye out for all of those soon)!

Here are 9 Charleston events you won’t want to miss this month:

Frothy Tuesday

When: March 5, 5 pm – 10 pm

Where: Frothy Beard Brewing Company, West Ashley

What: Celebrate Fat Tuesday with the friendly staff at Frothy Beard Brewing (get it? Frothy Tuesday)! They’ll have music, blackened chicken sliders, and a Mardi Gras themed beer slushie. YUM and FUN.

2019 Charleston Wine + Food Festival

When: March 6 – March 7

Where: Marion Square, Downtown Charleston

What: A festival all about wine and food – what’s not to enjoy? The delicious two-day event gathers the top chefs, winemakers, and food enthusiasts to give cooking demonstrations, enjoy delicious food and wine, and celebrate the Lowcountry’s diverse culinary and hospitality community.

Rugged Maniac

When: March 16, 9 am – 5 pm

Where: Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant

What: 1/2 festival, 1/2 mud run, the Rugged Maniac is back in Charleston. As the host describes the event, “it’s like recess but for adults”. Grab a pair of old tennis shoes and join thousands of other people to have a fun day playing in the mud and getting a good exercise in. This 5k is made for all levels of experience.

23rd Annual Mount Pleasant ArtFest

When: March 16, 11 am – 3 pm

Where: Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre, Mount Pleasant

What: Not so much into exercise? No worries, Mount Pleasant’s 23rd Annual ArtFest is also on the 16th and will give attendees the chance to browse exhibits featuring local artists, musicians, and dancers.

Mumford and Sons Concert

When: March 18, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Where: North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston

What: There are only a few tickets left, but here’s your chance to see Mumford and Sons live! They’re coming to the North Charleston Coliseum with Cat Power as part of their 2018/2019 Delta Tour.

Frothy’s Six-Year Celebration

When: March 23, 11 am – 11 pm

Where: Frothy Beard Brewing Company, West Ashley

What: Frothy Beard Brewing Company is turning six years old and they’re inviting everyone to help celebrate the big six and support a good cause, a fundraiser for TJ Sigmon. Other guests in attendance include Charleston Animal Society with some sweet animals, the Holy City Cupcakes Food Truck, and tunes by Foxwood Music.

Woofstock A Lowcountry Dog Festival

When: March 23

Where: Brittlebank Park, Downtown Charleston

What: This rain or shine event benefits a handful of local animal rescues and clinics and is a FUN time. Bring your pup, listen to some awesome music, and enjoy great company at the Woofstock Dog Fest.

2019 Charleston Bluegrass Festival

When: March 29 – 30

Where: Charleston Woodlands, West Ashley

What: Are you a fan of indy, blues, and folk rock? If so, you won’t want to miss the 5th annual Charleston Bluegrass Festival. Musical acts include Chatham County Line, The Dirty Grass Players, Jon Stickley, and many more!

Charleston Mimosa Festival

When: March 30, 12 pm – 4 pm

Where: The Bend, North Charleston

What: Celebrate everyone’s favorite meal (brunch, duh!) with brunch bites from local restaurants, mimosas, bloody marys, beer, wine, and lots of music. VIP tickets are on sale for $69 right now and include unlimited drinks and early entry at 11 am.

Which events are you going to? Don’t forget to tag us in your pics!

Featured

Spas In Charleston

5 Transformational Spa Experiences In Charleston

Nothing gets rid of stress better than a relaxing day at a spa and there is no shame in spending some extra money on self-care. You work long hard days and deserve to reward yourself with a day of pampering. Whether you splurge on a facial, massage, or a full package, spa days are the best days.

Here are five spas in Charleston that will send you into a heavenly bliss of stress relief:

Elyon Boutique Spa

Elyon Boutique Spa has a long list of massages and skin care treatment services that will help relax your mind and body and keep your skin in tip-top shape. They’re also one of the few places in Charleston certified in the Dr. Christine Schrammek Green Peel which has been known to transform skin. Their services are totally customizable to fit any budget or needs.

Spa Adiago

This full-service day spa is located in the Francis Marion Hotel across from Marion Square in downtown Charleston. A day at Spa Adiago will leave even the most stressed person feeling rejuvenated and renewed. Some of their services include full body massage, aromatherapy, wrinkle lifts, facials, wraps, lash lift, and so much more.

The Spa at The Belmond Charleston Place

If you’re looking for a luxurious spa experience, the Charleston Place spa is the one for you. You can expect full body rejuvenation that will soothe your limbs, boost your energy, and dissolve tension from a variety of energizing treatments. They also have a full-service salon for all your hair needs.

Stella Nova Spa

Stella Nova has three different locations around the Charleston area with highly skilled massage therapists providing top notch service. A visit to any Stella Nova will satisfy your body and soul after you receive any of their treatments. They have an extensive list of hair services to leave it feeling healthy and shiny. All therapies are customizable to your needs.

The Spa At Hotel Bennett

The self-proclaimed luxurious wellness retreat does NOT disappoint. It’s the newest spa in Charleston and it came to wipe out the competition with a full list of relaxing services. They offer eight different massages and three different massage enhancements including CBD balm for all those currently obsessing over CBD oil and the amazing benefits. Want to try a gold facial? They’ve got it. A rose quartz facial? Check.

Go ahead. Book your appointment guilt free. We all need a little r&r sometimes.

Eat & Drink

Charleston Live Music

Check Out These 5 Places In Charleston For A Fun Live Music Experience

If you’re a fan of live music, there are plenty of great places in Charleston for you to enjoy a show. I mean we’re home to Hootie & the Blowfish, so duh!

These are just a few of the best places in Charleston offering great live music, Charleston vibes, and sometimes (fingers crossed) free entry.

Charleston Pour House


Charleston Pour House offers one of the best live music experiences in Charleston. Their mission is to be the “regional epicenter for music lovers, artists, and other like-minded individuals”. They welcome local musicians and touring bands of all levels to their stages. On a nice day, you can catch a show on the back deck in the afternoons and early evenings. Don’t worry though, the music doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, it just moves inside.

Royal American


Located in the building that was once the local source for commercial ironwork, the Royal American welcomes music acts of all levels. They are home to some seriously delicious bar food (you have to try the beef jerky), cheap beer, and some of the best live music acts in town. Royal American is proudly a dive bar located on Morrison Drive on the outskirts of downtown Charleston.

Revelry Brewing


Named for the definition of Revelry – lively festivities, while enjoying beer – this venue is where you want to go if you want a large selection of local beer, an upstairs deck that screams Charleston, and some awesome live music. It’s truly a Charleston gem and definitely a local favorite.

Uptown Social


What happens when you combine a Brooklyn legend and a group of hospitality pioneers? Uptown Social. It’s one of the hottest bars in Charleston and with good reason. They have a total of four bars which means you can grab a drink without missing any of the show whether it’s downstairs, upstairs, or on the back deck. Helpful hint: GET THE PIZZA.

King Street Dispensary


One of the best bars on King Street, Dispensary offers nightly live music, killer specials, and a mouthwatering brunch on Sundays. There’s nowhere else you can enjoy $6 burgers and fries, $3 bourbon, and some of the best local music acts, but here. As soon as you order a drink the staff makes you feel like a friend and the atmosphere is one of the best in Charleston.

Grab your friends and head to one of these venues to catch some pretty amazing talented musicians.

 

Featured

The Real Reason Why Boeing Gives Non-Union Employees Larger Bonuses

Featured Image Source: Boeing Facebook

First, the union tried to take our jobs, now this . . .

Since Boeing came to the Low Country, we’ve seen a lot of great things happen, and we’ve all felt enormous pride that our neighbors make what is generally considered to be a game-changing airplane, one of the most sophisticated products made by any company anywhere. Charities, schools, and numerous other organizations have benefitted dramatically from Boeing’s corporate philanthropy. Hardly a day goes by that we do not see some worthwhile group or cause get a much-needed shot in the arm from the generosity of Boeing and its employees.

As important as anything, though, Boeing has provided thousands of our friends and neighbors with jobs that pay well and bring with them great benefits. The impact on those families has been dramatic, but the good news hasn’t stopped there. Boeing employees have bought houses and new cars; they’ve gone out to eat, and they’ve shopped at thousands of small businesses in the Charleston area. Simply, the economic impact of Boeing in this region has been explosive and has made our community a better and more prosperous place.

That should make folks happy, huh? Well, apparently not if you are the International Association of Machinists. You remember them, don’t you? That is the union that asked the National Labor Relations Board to stop Boeing from bringing 10,000 jobs to Charleston. They are the people who said South Carolinians were basically too stupid to make airplanes. Yeah, those people.

Well, we weren’t at all surprised to see the union complain about Charleston’s non-union employees getting larger bonuses than the IAM’s Boeing members. That’s right. Boeing’s non-union members got much larger bonuses than the union members, and the union is mad. We wondered how that was possible, so we reached out to a couple of lawyers we know to see why the union employees didn’t do as well. Here’s what we learned in a nutshell.

Unionized employees are under a contract, and the contract spells out what they get. So, when the company does really well and wants to give bigger bonuses to its employees, they can’t if those employees belong to a union. Non-union employees, on the other hand, can get larger bonuses, and that’s exactly what happened.

If you think that’s bad enough for union members, you haven’t heard anything yet. One of our friends told us that if the company even tried to give the union members a larger bonus, the union would immediately file a complaint with the NLRB to stop them, a complaint the union-friendly NLRB would be all too happy to support.

So, the same union that tried to stop Charlestonians from going to work at Boeing now complains when those same folks get larger bonuses than union members. And that same union would file charges against Boeing in front of the NLRB if Boeing tried to give union members more money. With friends like these, who needs enemies.

Events

Folly Gras

Join Charleston’s Largest Mardi Gras Celebration This Weekend At Folly Gras

Couldn’t quite swing the trip down to New Orleans this year? No worries! Charleston knows how to throw a good Mardi Gras celebration too.

The largest Mardi Gras in Charleston, Folly Gras, is back this Saturday and every year the festival brings thousands of people to the city of Folly Beach annually.

The festival includes local vendors, crafts, live music, drink specials, and an all around good time. There will be three stages with different musical acts including Candy Cigarettes, Dangermuffin, Sundy Ledford, and more.

Festivities begin at 10am on Saturday the 23rd with the Folly Gras parade, and wrap up around 4pm. Admission is $10 per person but free for Folly Beach residents and children. Parking is limited so the city of Folly Beach is encouraging visitors to take Lyft or Uber; Lyft coupons will be available at the festival.

Check out this video to see some highlights from Folly Gras last year!

If you’re looking for a fun filled day with great energy and crazy costumes then Folly Gras is definitely the event for you!

Looking to keep the party going? here are other Mardi Gras celebrations also happening in Charleston in the coming weeks at The Royal American, Lola Cajun Food, and Frothy Beard Brewing Company!

Eat & Drink

Charleston Happy Hours

5 Charleston Oyster Happy Hours That Are A Shuckin’ Good Time

What’s better than happy hour? Happy hour with oysters.

Here are a few of our favorite oyster happy hours around Charleston:

Chubby Fish


Tucked away in Charleston’s Historic Elliotborough neighborhood, Chubby Fish proudly serves local sustainable seafood and produce. For happy hour, Tuesday through Saturday locally-sourced, shucked-to-order oysters are only $1. Even better, you can pair them with $2 Tecates or $6 glasses of Oysterman wine from French importer Frederick Corriher.

The Darling Oyster Bar


Located on King Street, pedestrians can see the stunning interior of the Darling Oyster Bar from the huge windows looking into the restaurant. During the week, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., select oysters are only $1. Sit at the raw bar for a great view of King Street while enjoying a $2 Miller High Life Pony alongside your dollar oysters.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar


Tucked away in the newly renovated 19th-century cigar factory, Rappahannock Oyster Bar offers half-off oysters from its Virginia farms and $1 dollar select oysters Monday through Friday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Discounted bar snacks, as well as beer and wine selections, go along great with the bivalves.

The Ordinary


Known for its top class seafood, at top class prices, Charleston residents and visitors can experience the well-known seafood mecca with half-price oysters from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar


It’s hard to find a better-priced dozen of half-shells than Amen Street with dozens during happy hour (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays) only costing $9.95. Pair that with house liquor drinks for $3 or High Life Bottles for $2 and there’s no better deal on the peninsula.

Next time you and your co-workers want to have an after work adult beverage head to one of these Charleston oyster happy hours and pair your favorite seafood with a delicious beverage.

Happy shuckin’

Featured

Poll Shows That Informed Voters Want Santee Cooper Sold

Last week the South Carolina Senate decided to not move forward with the consultant responsible for the vetting and research for the possible sale of Santee Cooper, a move that could leave the 2 million direct-serve and co-op customers of Santee Cooper responsible for the $8 billion debt they owe.

Despite this decision, S.C. Club For Growth, a group of South Carolinians whose mission is to promote economic growth in the state, recently released a poll that showed overwhelming support for the sale of Santee Cooper among informed voters.

Nearly three-quarters of the state was more likely to support the Santee Cooper sale if a private company agreed to pay down the $8 billion debt and prevent customers from carrying the weight of paying down the debt.

However, the poll also found that a large amount of the state is still unaware of the V.C. Summer Project that caused a majority of the debt owed by Santee Cooper.

The poll showed that only 48.3% of the state is even aware of the debacle. And, when you look at just Santee Cooper and co-op customers, that number is even lower.

With news of the South Carolina Senate not wanting to move forward with ICF Consulting, the future of Santee Cooper continues to be unclear. And, as more South Carolinians become aware of the billion dollar problem and the effect it may have on them, frustrations will continue to grow and support for the sale will increase.