West bio shows practical leader who dreamed

JUNE 10, 2011 — What’s missing in today’s overcharged, hyper-partisan world of South Carolina politics is the place at the table for thoughtful, practical leaders who think big.

One such man was the late Gov. John C. West of Camden, a gentle lion who dreamed big dreams to make the Palmetto State a better place.

Do the right thing on redistricting

APRIL 18, 2011 – Redistricting is the political equivalent of the fox guarding the hen house. As important as it is to redraw our political districts periodically to ensure elected officials are representing areas of about the same population, the very people in South Carolina who redraw the lines are those in office.

That makes many cynical about the process because of the potential for backroom nudge-and-wink deals, political gamesmanship and the pressure by incumbents to protect their districts.

The big news this year is that the federal government may look at what’s happening in South Carolina with renewed interest. For the first time in 50 years as reapportionment is being done, Democrats control the Justice Department, which monitors redistricting plans in several states, including South Carolina.

Eating with an edge

MARCH 7, 2011 – “Eater” is the first word that describes Mississippi food writer John T. Edge on his blog. (). Other words that work: Food enthusiast, gourmand, devotee, gastronome or “ultimate Southern foodie.” Edge, director of the Southern Foodways Alliance at the University of Mississippi, is an eater on a mission: to find and preserve traditional Southern food traditions and celebrate the bounteous food cultures we have. With a crack team of researchers, volunteers, professionals, chefs and fellow foodies, the SFA makes documentary films about good Southern food, has conferences, collects oral histories and publishes good writing about what we eat.

Jack Alterman: Still taking a shot at great shots

JAN. 10, 2011 – Day in and day out, getting the good shot has been the motivation for noted Charleston photographer Jack Alterman.

“If I don’t go out and shoot pictures every day, I don’t feel like I’ve woken up,” the Charleston native said recently. “It’s just something I’ve got to do.”

Getting back to our linguistic roots

NOV. 29, 2010 — A few months back, we started running a new section — “Lagniappe” – whenever there was an extra photograph we thought readers would enjoy. As explained when this periodic end-of-the-newsletter section started, a “lagniappe” a word used in Louisiana to describe a bonus — a small gift given with a purchase like a “baker’s dozen” of a product. But in a letter below, West Ashley resident Mimi Dias rightly reminds us that there’s a Gullah word — “broadus” — that captures the same sentiment.