Charleston Chronicle Exclusives
Chucktown Bar & Grill – Good Food, Good Entertainment, Good Place To Meet Friends
By Barney Blakeney Just mention the words “Chucktown Bar & Grill” and many people, exalting accolades to finish the statement, know just what you’re talking about. In the two short years since Cedric Smalls opened the West Ashley food, beverage and entertainment venue its reputation for good eats and first class entertainment has spread far…
Read MoreQuality Feeder Schools Essential Among The Building Blocks In Education
By Barney Blakeney No one likes the term failing schools, but beyond the semantics the reality is that the academic performance of many Charleston County School District students is tied to the schools they attend. The foundations of their academic careers are elementary schools which are the feeder schools to middle and high schools. I…
Read MoreHomicides Stats Double Since April In Charleston/North Charleston-Not An Uptick Say Officials
By Barney Blakeney In April there had been three homicides in the City of Charleston and six in North Charleston. Since April those numbers have doubled in Charleston and almost tripled in North Charleston. As of August 13 there have been six homicides in Charleston and 17 in North Charleston. Three homicides have been committed…
Read MoreTraditional Hard Work – No Matter How Profitable, You Just Can’t Give It Away, Says Retiring Bricklayer
By Barney Blakeney In 2014 professional brick mason Allen Roper planned to retire the following year. That was five years ago. He had one regret about the 53-year career in the trade that provided a comfortable living for him and his family – he regretted at retirement he was among the last of a dying…
Read MoreBits & Pieces
By Barney Blakeney The Charleston community is a busy one. In the small pockets across the metropolitan area a lot of activities take place. Here is some of what’s been happening: May 16 Malakiyah Eliyah Eugene Bentovia Kingsly Jenkins, son of Eugene Jenkins, participated in the 14th commencement exercises at Harvest Time International Academy joining…
Read MoreAlabama Freedom Riders Make Stops In Charleston
By Barney Blakeney Some 82 Freedom Riders trekking from Selma, Alabama to Washington, D.C. to continue the push for voting rights, justice and equality passed through Charleston Sunday, August 4. The intrepid sojourners stopped at Charity Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston and Emanuel AME Church in Charleston before going on to Jamestown, Virginia where…
Read MoreLeague Of Women Voters Mark Voting Rights Legislation With Vigilance
By Barney Blakeney August 6 marked the 54th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. For many the monumental civil rights event went unacknowledged. Barbara Zia, Citizen Education coordinator for the Charleston Area League of Women Voters, called the event an important one prompting a Charleston vigil August 6 at the…
Read MoreTecklenburg’s Hungry For Another Four Years As Charleston’s Mayor
By Barney Blakeney Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg says he’s the best choice for mayor in the November 5 municipal elections for a lot of reasons, but primarily because he’s the only candidate with the proven ability to lead the city. Filling that role after former Mayor Joseph Riley’s 40-year tenure seemed daunting, but Tecklenburg feels he’s…
Read MoreMaritime Industry, State Port Authority Offer Career Opportunities
By Barney Blakeney S.C. Ports Authority (SCPA) recently was named as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina. Charleston’s port is the ninth largest. The maritime industry in South Carolina generates some $60 billion and accounts for one in 11 jobs in the state, said Maritime Association of South Carolina President Heather Holmquest.…
Read MoreCity Funds IAAM Construction, Economic Inclusion Question Still Unresolved
By Barney Blakeney July 16 Charleston City Council approved a contract totaling about $59 million for the construction of the International African American Museum. Councilman Perry Keith Waring, a member of the IAAM Board of Directors called the approval a milestone moment. Additionally council approved a construction management contract with Cumming Construction Management, Inc. in the amount…
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