Never underestimate the ingenuity of artists in Charleston, especially when they leave the studio and easel for street and façade.

Don’t worry, these artists are not necessarily trigger-happy teenagers with a can of Krylon. Graffiti is a process: scouting for the perfect spot, imagining an appropriate piece for that location, and lastly, but most importantly, finding a way to paint the piece without getting caught.

Although the city’s graffiti scene is young compared to Baltimore, New York and Paris, when it started, it started in full sprint. So much so, in fact, that it quickly caught the attention of the city and those in charge of keeping the peace.

Good graffiti is well thought out, and it should be since the fine for getting caught has more than quadrupled in recent years. There are more police patrolling the city now and, consequently, the number of thought-provoking pieces has declined.

But in this rebellious recession, artists remain optimistic.

“When I see graffiti it creates a feeling of true love. I don’t think that punishment can stop someone when it is a true love,” says Ishmael, the highly-regarded local graffitist who derives his nom de guerre from Daniel Quinn’s novel of the same name.

Local taggers admit that, for a number of reasons, including Charleston’s natural and historic beauty, we’re not a graffiti-friendly city. Although they say that a good graffiti writer knows what is appropriate and inappropriate to write on.

“I have a respect for history. Just because I do graffiti does not mean I hate our city or country,” says a rep of a local graffiti writer crew.

So, why graffiti?

The medium holds more power than a paintbrush and canvas. It is a way to leave your mark, to be seen by a larger audience. It reminds younger kids that there is art in Charleston that exists outside of Rainbow Row or a lonely Palmetto tree and crescent moon.

Of course, there is always the allure of doing something solely because someone in authority told you not to. In this sense, graffiti is an expression of the question everyone thinks at some point, “Well, why can’t I do it?”

It’s a valid question. Artists such as Ishmael and others risk a lot when they ask it.

But graffiti artists are resilient. One nameless artist says, “If you are a true graffiti writer you are never going to stop doing it, no matter what the law is.”

The rules that prohibit this art are the very ones that enable it. After all, there is no rebellion where there are no rules.

See works by Ishmael and other nationally acclaimed graffiti artists at Eye Level Art’s “Familiar Strangers” show on 10/22.

Story by: Seth Amos

Everyone’s been talking about gRAWnola. Now it’s time to meet the superman behind the superfood.

Only a few years ago, Ken Immer’s story was an all too common tale: working the kitchen in one restaurant after the other, going out for drinks – and stuff harder than drinks – in his off-duty hours.

He was overweight and overcompensating, trying too hard to beat back the blues with vices. Many a man in his family had gone to the grave early. One day he asked himself: Was he going to be the next in line or was he going to do something different?

He took his first step toward change in a yoga studio.

Yoga taught him to examine the reasons why he was doing what he was doing, namely, repeating negative patterns in his life.

“I got to the point where I was asked to train to become a teacher. But we had to follow a vegetarian diet while we were in training. Part of me was like, ‘No, this is a deal breaker.’ But when I examined why I was reacting that way, I saw how much of my identity was still tied into that old pattern, my old way of doing things.”

In that moment of clarity, he realized that he was making the choices he thought he was expected to make, not the choices he wanted to make. Understanding the difference completely changed the direction of his life.

“I felt better when I changed my diet,” he says. “I lost weight immediately. But I did miss the taste of the food that I used to eat. That’s one of the things about ‘health food.’ It’s often viewed as a sacrifice.”

That was the epiphany that brought Ken’s life full circle. His early years had taught him how to make food taste good. Couldn’t he apply that knowledge using healthy, wholesome foods?

Fast forward to today and Ken is a happy, healthy holistic chef. His signature gRAWnola, proof that healthy food can taste great, will soon be on Whole Foods shelves throughout the entire Southern region. He hosts a vegan potluck the first Wednesday of every month at Earth Fare, teaches classes at Trident Tech, leads an all-men’s yoga practice, will be hosting a “Mindful Eating” cooking class at Whole Foods on Sept 28 at 6pm, and has many a pot of future plans simmering on the back burner, including a cookbook.

That’s not just talking about change. That’s living it.

What’s refreshing about Ken is that even though he credits yoga and holistic food with turning his life around, he does not preach the typical “it worked for me so everyone must do it” line. By Ken’s way of thinking, many paths can lead to the same place.

Lucky for us, the Guru to lead us there is right here in Charleston.

Om-Cooking.com
Upcoming Events
Order gRAWnola online

Story and photos by: Jason A. Zwiker

Ah, the hotel lobby. Some of the stereotypes are just so unfair. Bad art, sterile hallways, uncomfortable seating.

Those are all in the past. Hotel lobbies have been making a comeback, with a local renaissance of revamped interior designs and hip watering holes worthy of a Friday night.

Which is why we’ve decided to give the lobby a little love. Here, a few of our favorites for relaxing, people watching and late-night cocktailing:

If modern’s your thing, check out…
Aloft in North Charleston
The real time to go is after 4 p.m., when the bar lights up and the outdoor fireplace starts roaring in the winter. You’ll find seriously modern décor and lots of free stuff: Wi-Fi, a pool table and even a chess game made of Martian men. True, it’s not in an ideal location (airport hotels never are), but it is the hotel of choice for Ben Folds and other visiting coliseum performers.

If you love the shore, visit…
The Holiday Inn at Folly Beach
If you haven’t already, that is. Most locals know that since last year’s $5.5 million renovation, this hotel lobby – which is definitely not your typical Holiday Inn – has the best beachfront experience in town. This fall, in fact, it’ll break away to become The Tides, an independent hotel. The lobby is all about chairs you can sink into, walls of glass and an overall breezy, beachy feel. Wednesdays feature weekly Locals Socials with $5 tapas and drink specials. Feel free to bring Fido, too: the outdoor deck is pet friendly.

If you don’t like crowds, stop at….
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
Technically, it’s not the lobby you want to hang out in, but the outdoor area it leads to. Now that Rockin’ on the Point is over and kids are back in school, the harbor-front bar tends to be fairly quiet. Grab a cocktail and watch the sunset from the pier or a swinging chair on the sandy, man-made beach. It’s the kind of first-floor hotel experience that would be swamped in a large urban area. But in off-season Charleston, you could almost call it a place to practice zen.

If you love the action, don’t miss…
Market Pavilion Hotel
It doesn’t get much better—or more quintessentially Charleston—than the Market Pavilion. Most folks (yes, this includes us) head straight to the elevator for one of the best views in town at the Pavilion Bar. But today we’re reminding you of the mystique that is the hotel’s lobby. Where else will you be greeted by white-gloved valets before walking straight into a prime beef steakhouse and a bar where creative mixology means martinis chilled with liquid nitrogen?

If it’s December and you find yourself missing snow, pop in…
Charleston Place Hotel
Nobody does the holidays like this lobby. Fresh greens with giant bows and twinkling lights, an immaculate train set winding through a miniature snow-covered town and dozens of locally-designed wreaths in each store window will have you feeling like a kid again. The best part? That kid can sit in the Thoroughbred Club and sip a hot toddy while watching the other awe-stricken faces of lobby-goers.

We could go on and on, but it’s Friday, after all. Time to go give one of these hotel lobbies a little love…

Story by: Heather Mueller

We love an “underground” dining experience.

There is something so cool about an off-the-radar supper club that turns dining into a full-fledged giddy adventure.

There’s our widely loved Guerrilla Cuisine put on by the one-of-a-kind jimihatt. There was a Fork + Brush stint at Eye Level Art with collaborators Mike Elder and Iverson Brownell. And now, a new act is born.

Enter L.I.M.E.

Local. Impromptu. Moveable. Evening.

L.I.M.E. is the new top-secret, upscale traveling foodie event in Charleston, brought to you one Saturday per month. It will generally be all-inclusive (including tax, gratuity and a charitable donation), and feature a sommelier or mixologist handling pairings for each course. The first L.I.M.E., for instance, is featuring a mixologist who hinted at a strawberry infused Grand Marnier that she’s pairing with a dessert course. L.I.M.E.s will range from $75 (BYOB, complete with suggested pairings) to $175 (top shelf everything included).

The dinners will be held at different locations and never in a restaurant, but of course, there’s a L.I.M.E. twist. Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll receive instruction to go to a local business to pick up your mystery bag. The bag will contain clues and further instructions that will ultimately lead you to the destination du jour. Apparently, you’ll be requested to wear one of the items in your mystery bag, but we were given no other explanation. Perhaps it will turn into a game or conversation starter over dinner. The most exciting part of all includes a blindfolded transport to the final location, but don’t worry – you will have a cocktail in your hand at all times and will never be put in a trunk.

The concept comes to us from Chef Renata Dos Santos, a recent Culinary Institute of Charleston grad, who has garnered a ton of praise and recognition so early in her career. She hails from Trinidad, where liming is a way of life and she’s incredibly excited to bring it to Charleston.

One of the neatest things Dos Santos will be doing is selecting Culinary Institute grads as the featured chefs. You’ll get young Sean Brocks, young Frank Lees…an experience you can’t get in any restaurant. Sometimes these young chefs will be paired with our local rockstars, but not always. So, in all of your indulgence and delight, you’re also helping bring exposure and learning to the young talents of tomorrow.

L.I.M.E. is about the full experience and appealing to all of the senses, from delicious food to beautiful decor to interesting mingling and beyond.

When asked why Charleston needs another underground supper club, Dos Santos gives homage to jimihatt, whom she calls “the Godfather of Lowcountry Underground Supper Clubs,” but answers by saying, “Why does Charleston need another underground supper club? Why does Charleston need another restaurant? Because Charleston foodies are on the culinary edge and they’re always hungry for more.” No arguing with that.

So get your blindfold on before everyone’s doing it. You heard it here first, limers.

The first installment of L.I.M.E. is Saturday, Sept. 18 at 5pm. Chef: Renata Dos Santos. Cost: $125. Beneficiary: Simply Divine Garden. Get your ticket here.

LimeInCharleston.com
L.I.M.E. on Facebook

Story by: Caroline Nuttall

Remember how much fun field trips used to be? Now imagine a field trip that opens a child’s eyes to the world of creativity, and perhaps changes the course of their entire life.

That’s what Kids with Cameras is all about. Enriching the lives of inner city children. Opening minds to new possibilities. Plastering megawatt smiles on tiny faces.

That’s why on a given day, mentors with the program weave around The USS Yorktown, for instance, guiding kids – coaxing a slightly different angle here, or explaining how to focus a shot there. The result is a group of ten giddy, proud, supremely happy 7-14 year olds. Most of whom have never before crossed the bridge venturing outside of downtown Charleston.

Recently cemented into a brand spanking new 501 C-3 (or non-profit status), Kids with Cameras’ works under a concept called photovoice, or the idea that disadvantaged individuals and communities can be empowered to bring about social change through photography.

Fairly rad, right?

While the official mission of Kids With Cameras is to create “self-confident and empowered children within the inner city through the art of photography,” key members Jennifer Tarsio, Lauren Johnson and Shon Isenhour speak to so much more. Namely, they all strive to combat the negative effects of creative budget cutting in local public schools.

“During one shoot I talked to at least three kids who said they don’t have art class any longer,” said Johnson. Tarsio agreed, saying, “It’s a big problem. It’s so important to be able to express yourself and this is something that these kids aren’t getting in school. Creativity can let out a lot in somebody and helps in dealing with things at home and school.”

For these kids, all of whom are recruited from local housing projects, a healthy “way to deal” is crucial. Kids with Cameras does this by acting as a surrogate art program of sorts, offering a safe place for kiddos to develop creativity and the ability to communicate, while learning healthy expression, elevated social skills, self confidence and a skill set. Plus, it’s super fun.

Mentors teach kids to operate digital cameras and take them on location, shooting photos in their communities, on beaches and in national parks. Kids are taught to edit their work and print favorite shots. Several times a year, their work is shown in local exhibits and entered into competitions. Johnson and Tarsio gush about how rewarding it is to see them open up, develop confidence and bond with family members.

Like any good non-profit, this one has needs. Going forward, Isenhou hopes to recruit more mentors to the movement so additional kids can be reached.

Mentors like you. No need to be intimidated, you don’t need to be a pro. As Isenhou says, Kids with Cameras is simply “a mentoring group that uses photography.” Anyone may join. You only need a love of children and a desire to help.

So get involved, and you’ll be so happy you did.

You know what they say about a picture. It’s worth…everything.

CharlestonKidsWithCameras.org

Story by: Karen Briggs
Photos: Provided by Kids with Cameras

Something special is going on in Awendaw.

You may already be a fan of the Southern comfort food at the famed SeeWee restaurant, but the real question is, have you been to a Barn Jam?

Charleston is home to some great music venues and gifted musicians. Maybe you’ve noticed recently that there is a concert you’d love to go to nearly every night. If only it didn’t start so late. If only you could bring your kiddos. If only you could afford to run up a big bar tab. Well, Awendaw Green’s Wednesday night Barn Jams may be your answer to all of that.

Bands formed. Songs written. Memories made. That’s how Eddie White, the messiah of Awendaw Green, sums up what his experiment is all about.

White, a local dentist whom people actually look forward to seeing, has become an avid promoter of live music in the Lowcountry. His mission is to bring people together and foster community through music.

Hence Awendaw Green, a non-profit organization funded mostly by donations and staffed by volunteers with a passion for the cause. Every Wednesday from 6-10pm, there is a Barn Jam concert – a laid-back haven for live music lovers.

Right off of Highway 17, across from the SeeWee restaurant, musicians have a place to reach a broad audience in a gorgeous outdoor setting. There’s a bonfire, a big tent with a professional sound technician, crickets chirping, BBQ sandwiches for sale, dogs and kids running around and people mingling. Hundreds of bands and solo artists have performed there since its inception. And it’s all free. Free for musicians and audience alike.

It doesn’t end there. Awendaw Green hosts S.C.’s own ridiculously talented Danielle Howle as its artist-in-residence on the compound. There’s a full-on recording studio for budding musicians to bring their music to the world. And then there’s Rocktoberfest, a four day music festival in October with a dreamy lineup of local and regional acts. Any way you slice it, Awendaw Green has become a real music boom for our area.

So saunter up the sweetgrass highway and get your good vibe jam on.

AwendawGreen.com

Story and photos by: Dee Dee Arthur
Poster by: Gil Shuler

How do I get in touch with George Clooney’s fan club? Can you help me solve this crossword puzzle? How long do I cook spaghetti? How many ways can we make change from a dollar? These are just some of the off-the-wall questions reference librarians tackle every day at the 16 branches of the Charleston County Public Library, CCPL.

The public library is the cultural touchstone of our community. It’s the living repository of our history, our stories and our shared experiences. And everyone is welcome. Even the Old Spice guy is hip to the library.

NPR just predicted on its blog last week that “The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries.” Why? Among many reasons: Librarians know stuff. Libraries are green and local. Libraries will give you things for FREE.

If you haven’t set foot into a library since school, you’re missing out. And we’re not just talking about books. Think concerts, lectures, art exhibits, classes, movies, children and young adults’ programming and much more.

Your passport to the land of learning is simply a library card, which you can pick up at any branch. Last year about 3,500 people took classes at the library.

Looking for work or to grow your skill set? The CCPL offers computer access for your job search, resume & cover letter writing classes and courses on Microsoft Office, Web site development, digital cameras and so forth. All for FREE.

Want to start a business, take the civil service exam, nurse’s exam, LSAT, MCAT, GRE or any other acronym test? The library has you covered with access to 80-100 databases, most available free online.

Databases include practice tests for new career fields, Valueline for investing, Ancestry.com for genealogy research, even resources on how to value antiques. Plus, there are invaluable librarians, a.k.a. skilled researchers who patiently and expertly help you navigate the most complicated quest.

No question is too basic or too obscure. Charleston County’s reference library is by far the biggest and most comprehensive in the state, handling two million calls a year. Too hot to leave the house? Librarians will help you find what you need via Live Chat, IM, text messages and email seven days-a-week.

The list goes on…

Call-ahead option to have your book or movie waiting for you at the front desk.

CCPL’s Online Book Club, sending you teaser pages to gauge your interest in a new read.

NextReads, emailing you a list of book suggestions per your subject interests.

Downloadable audiobooks, and more than 500 of them at that.

So check out your local library and connect with them on Facebook to get to know your new life-long friend.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, there are 293 ways to make change from a dollar.

CCPL.org

Story by: Claire Gibbons
Photos by: Ben Walters

Behind every great dish is a chef. The star of the show. The master of the meal.

But behind that chef is someone equally important. The unsung hero of the kitchen who goes by all manner of names, and is there working the line night after night, not asking for (or getting any) public recognition or glory. Chad Stalnaker, Sarah Adams and Daniel Heinz are all one of them.

Hit Blind Tiger on any given afternoon and you’re bound to bite into a juicy burger prepared by Chad Stalnaker. He works under Executive Chef Thad Stuckey and claims to have held at least 20 different food + bev positions in his young career.

“I guess you could just call me a cook,” he says. Stalnaker never went to culinary school. He just needed a gig and picked up his cooking skills on the job.

“You start out doing dishes, then move on to a prep cook or a line cook,” he says. “We’re definitely back there sweating and working the knife right there with the chef.”

While diners relax over the BT’s signature crab cakes, Stalnaker’s at the ready, working to plate the busy Tuesday dinner crowd’s Butcher Steak, mussel and perogie orders.

“I love working here,” Stalnaker says with grin. “The chef has to deal with the orders and the payments; I don’t want to do that stuff. I like working on my own thing.” He may not get to take all the credit, but working the line is exactly where Stalnaker wants to be.

For others, the end goal is their own restaurant and a solid reputation.

Sarah Adams is one such individual. She got her degree at CofC in Religion and Anthropology, but ended up as a prep cook.

“I just needed a job and applied to do prep work at a restaurant in Mt. Pleasant,” she tells us. That job led to a gig at Peninsula Grill and eventually landed her at her current position with James Beard loved Mike Lata at FIG. Whenever you take that first nibble of the John’s Island Tomato Tarte Tatin (sooo good) or sweet corn and field peas, it’s Adams’ hands that have lovingly prepared them.

She arrives to FIG daily at 8am to collect the deliveries from area farmers and preps for the evening’s meal. With the attention the restaurant has garnered, Sarah says you have to be on your ‘A’ game every night, but she loves the challenge and appreciates learning as much as she can from Lata.

“I see myself going further and eventually opening a place like FIG, bistro style,” she says. Until then, she’s just happy to be part of an award-winning team.

As is Daniel Heinz, the lead line cook at McCrady’s.

“I expedite the four stations and handle the meat,” Heinz explains. He came to McCrady’s after working famed Norman’s Restaurant in Miami.

“I did a lot of research and knew I wanted to work with Sean Brock,” he says. His opportunity came when he volunteered to work for free at the restaurant. He was “hired” within days.

Heinz admits that when you work for a James Beard winner in a highly competitive food + bev town like Charleston, the pressure is always on. “You have to be passionate and be able to get satisfaction from the job every day,” Heinz says he does. He hopes to follow in his boss’s footsteps and one day run a place like McCrady’s that’s all his own.

“Brock was 27, my age, when he became Executive Chef at the Hermitage Hotel. Hopefully when I’m 30, I’ll have my own place.” Heinz may be working the line today, but he’s well on his way.

So, while your meal should always be attributed to the vision of its head chef, never forget the men and women slaving on the line to put that meal on your plate. Your unsung heros will never ask for recognition, but just maybe you’ll surprise everyone and give it to them anyway.

Story by: Kinsey Gidick
Photos by: Chrys Rynearson

Some were born with the gene to thrift.

And power to them. They get big, gold stars in the economic and environmental categories.

Meanwhile, you’re still a bit confused as to how anyone can find anything in one of those stores.

Years of shame are over. The official CHARLIE guide to secondhand love is here:

Community Thrift

Best for: Everything under the sun.
With over 2,500 new items delivered daily, this place is an oasis for everything secondhand. Need a bike? Check. Delightful bedroom set? Yep. Wedding dress? You get the picture. From sports equipment, electronics and housewares to all the random trinkets you could desire, this mega store is a one stop shop for all things thrift. Aside from its diversity, the majority of the store is filled with racks upon racks of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, always filled with good finds. Some digging will be required.
Check them out:
5300 Rivers Ave.
N. Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 554-3733

Love Me Again

Best For: Name brand denim, unique accessories and the beginner thrifter.
Splashed with jolts of hot pink and tin foil covered walls, Love Me Again isn’t your typical, musty, secondhand store. Owned by former Chicago vintage store proprietor Jenny Nelson, the clothing exchange is immaculately merchandised with gorgeous accessories, handbags, men’s, women’s and children’s apparel. Find beautiful cocktail dresses and blouses interspersed with sharp tweed jackets and kid’s rompers. Don’t miss the stacks of perfectly worn name brand denim or the “Harder to Love” room, featuring sale items priced at $2.
Check them out:
183 Coming St.
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 475-5123

The Trunk Show

Best For: Designer wear. That’s all you need to know.
By far CHARLIE’s top pick for where to go when your style craves the designer touch but your budget thinks better. Still a little pricey – think Chanel suits still retailing for over $2K – but if designer is what you desire, there’s no better stop than this fine consignment shop. There is also a nice selection of men’s designer wear tucked into the back room, conveniently located next to the $10 rack of women’s clothes. Best of all, the store offers additional discounts on clothing Fridays and Saturdays.
Check them out:
281 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-0442

Albert’s Attic

Best for: Furniture and those who don’t want to shop.
At first glance, Albert’s Attic was less than something to write home about, full of hobby hazards (i.e. stacks of Avon cosmetics). Upon chatting with the staff however, we discovered their trick. Albert’s specializes in custom buying discount furniture for you based on the your personal wants, and get this – doesn’t require you to take home the finds. Simply take a look, then take it or leave it. If this isn’t good enough, they also host a 30% off warehouse sale every Saturday in Walterboro where you can get these custom finds at an even deeper discount.
Check them out:
1797 Main Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-5008
823 St. Andrews Blvd.
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-0001
Walterboro Sales: (843) 549-9221

Recycled Cowboy

Best For: Costume party garb and petticoats aplenty
Worth the drive past N. Charleston to Ladson…kind of like Charleston’s version of Queens. Head straight back for racks of vintage Western apparel and the piece de la resistance – an entire room devoted to square dance duds for all cowgirls and boys. Those fluffy trashbags on the floor? Peek inside for a rainbow of petticoats. Go ahead, let your inner Loretta Lyrnn shine while saving your Hocus Pocus dollars.
Check them out:
181 College Park Rd.
Ladson, SC 29456
(843) 569-7573

Final Tips

For the advanced thrifter: Check out garbage pick up schedules towards the end of the month, especially in swankier ‘hoods. No, we’re not kidding. Often those moving and looking to get rid of great furniture grow tired and simply throw it on the curb. Turn a drive on a boring Sunday into a great loot expedition.

For the beginner thrifter: A seasoned guide to no-no’s and where to start:

1) Never ever buy anything that can’t be washed, bleached, hosed, disinfected or cleaned in some similar fashion.

2) Anything that you wouldn’t borrow from a friend needn’t be bought from a stranger. See underwear, swim articles, linens, etc.

3) Toe the line with shoes: If a pair seems relatively unworn, go for it. Beware of well worn soles no matter how delightful.

4) Ease your way into the thrifting world by taking a look at Consignment shops, well merchandised Clothing Exchanges and off priced resources like T.J. Maxx. It will give you a feel for rummaging and a thrill from saving loads of cash.

5) Even thrift stores have sales. At the end of the season these guys practically pay you to take unsold items.

6) Remember that everything is negotiable. Check furniture for nicks and tears. If it’s noticeable, ask for a discounted price slightly below what you want to pay, then reach an agreement from there.

Thrift it up. Enjoy your big, gold stars.

Story by: Caroline Millard and Karen Briggs
Photos by: Wendy Mogul

The Sale Soiree. More appropriately described as The Sweat Soiree. Ah, but that’s Charleston summer for you. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation teamed up with Charleston’s fashion elite for a shopaholic’s dream party, complete with great deals on big fashion, yummy cocktails, and of course, plenty of sweat to go around.