Opinions

December reads to hunker down with during the holidays

Only truly dedicated readers are reading much during the holidays. This month includes books for them. No mass-market easy reading, but some rewarding, thoughtful, tomes. “Natural History” by Andrea Barrett. This author became one of my favorites in 2013 with her “Ship Fever” story...

ESPN gets college bowl season and playoff system wrong

Yes to college football for expanding its playoffs to determine a national championship. No to college football for expanding the field to 12 teams, beginning in 2024. That’s such a bad idea it could have only come from MENSA, I mean ESPN. That’s the same group that ruined the college...

End-of-year college savings checklist

We all know that December is the bustling month of parties, presents and more; but did you know that December can also be an opportune time to increase your loved one’s educational savings with Future Scholar? To help pack it all in, we’ve identified some quick year-end moves that will...

Berkeley County Board of Education acts with ignorance or arrogance

On Nov. 15, six members of the Berkeley County Board of Education voted to fire the school district’s superintendent and its attorney and hire a new superintendent and attorney. These actions may have been illegal. Meetings of this school board are governed by the South Carolina Freedom of...

Nature nourishes mental health of all ages

It’s a balmy 75 degrees on Daniel Island and the squirrels are jumping from palms to oaks to the top of the roof. I look out the window at the marshes that are looking more golden by the minute in the setting sun, and I’m grateful I have a view of the marsh. The open spaces are...

Massive development on Cainhoy fails to balance growth, environmental protections

Recently, former Mayor Joe Riley commented that Charleston’s continuous growth requires careful and deliberate planning. As conservation leaders, we are mindful of the balance between preserving our community and its natural resources while acknowledging that growth will happen. Mayor Riley...

Responsible, smart growth on Cainhoy Peninsula

Reports of recent, unfortunate litigation compel me to address the facts regarding planned development on the Cainhoy Peninsula. As mayor of the City of Charleston for 40 years, I considered one of my most important duties to be planning for responsible growth to ensure that the city would...

Art community expresses support for equal rights

Last month, you may have seen a giant lavender RV roaming the streets of our neighborhood donning colorful artwork, quotes and signatures from Americans across the south. Artists4ERA and Vote Equality partnered up with other nonpartisan groups like the League of Women Voters to activate...

Magnificent mollusks

A very long time ago, in some coastal marsh or creek, an event took place that changed many lives, including mine, forever. Some human being discovered a jagged, broken, muddy shell with a translucent mass of slimy flesh inside. Perhaps a hunter was spearing fish and cracked the shell...

Patriotism is the tranquil, steady dedication of a lifetime

The 11th hour has become synonymous with Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, in recognition of the document signed at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. In reality, the Armistice ending the war to end all wars was signed around 5 a.m. on Nov. 11th. Over the course of...