I remember the day when I met Philip Simmons. At the age of 94, he was still very much involved in the arts community, and that day, he was present to support the American College of the Building Arts.

Simmons passed away June 22, but his legacy and works will continue to inspire future generations. This master blacksmith’s work can be found all over the city, and also at the Smithsonian Museum, the National Museum of American History and the South Carolina State Museum.

His interest in iron work began after moving downtown from Daniel Island. He began an apprenticeship at age 13, and was a full-fledged blacksmith by 18. Over his quarter-century career, over 500 gates, fences, columns, window grills and other works (not including pokers and other tools) were produced. 

Simmons earned the “National Heritage Fellowship” from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1982, and received an honorary degree from SC State University in 2006.

Check out some of his work at the following locations in Charleston:

• The gazebo at the Charleston International Airport
• Gates outside the Charleston Vistors Center
• The egret gates at Waterfront Park
• The Gadsden house gate at 329 East Bay St.
• The gate at 2 st. Michael’s Alley
• The railings and window grilles at 45 Meeting St.
• The heart gates at St. John’s Reformed Episcopal Church at 91 Anson St.

Also, check out the wrought iron at Liberty Square and the Philip Simmons Park on Daniel Island to see works designed by him.

Lowcountry author, Dorthea Benton Frank, is set to publish a sequel to her best-selling book, Sullivan’s Island, on June 30. Sullivan’s Island earned a spot on the New York Times best seller list in 2000.

A book launch will be held July 2  at the Charleston Library Society (164 King St.). Frank will discuss and answer questions about the book, and each guest will receive a signed copy. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets are $75 per person (includes the cost of the book) and can be purchased by calling 843-723-9912.

Book summary from Amazon.com:

Whether you were away from the Lowcountry for a week or for years, it was impossible to remember how gorgeous it was. It never changed and everyone depended on that.

Newly graduated from college and an aspiring writer, Beth Hayes craves independence and has a world to conquer. But her notions of travel, graduate study, and writing the great American novel will have to be postponed. With her mother, Susan, leaving to fulfill her own dreams in Paris and her Aunt Maggie, Uncle Grant, and stepfather, Simon, moving to California, Beth is elected by her elders to house-sit the Island Gamble. Surrounded by the shimmering blue waters of the Atlantic, the white clapboards, silver tin roof, and confessional porch have seen and heard the stories of generations of Hamiltons. But will the ghosts of the Island Gamble be watching over Beth?

Buoyed by sentimental memories of growing up on this tiny sandbar that seems to be untouched by time, Beth vows to give herself over to the Lowcountry force and discover the wisdom it holds. She will rest, rejuvenate, and then reenter the outside world. Just as she vows she will never give into the delusional world of white picket fences, minivans, and eternal love, she meets Max Mitchell. And all her convictions and plans begin to unravel with lightning speed.

There is so much about life and her family’s past that she does not know. Her ignorance and naivetÉ nearly cost her both her inheritance and her family’s respect. But Beth finds unexpected friends to help her through the disaster she faces: her wise and charming Aunt Sophie; Cecily Singleton, the granddaughter of Livvie Singleton; and Woody Morrison, the solid young investment banker.

This wonderful ensemble of characters could be your own family, but watch what unfolds as they succumb to the island’s spell. If everything happens for a reason, then Beth’s return to Sullivans Island teaches her that betrayal and tragedy are most easily handled when you surround yourself with loyal family and friends in a magical place that loves you so much that it wants to claim you as its own.

The Palmetto Artisan Program, a week-long, after-school entrepreneurship class, has won first place in the US Conference of Mayors’ city livability awards. Palmetto roses are created from Palmetto Tree fronds and are a recognizable art form in Charleston.

The program was developed after residents and officials complained about children selling palmetto roses, so in 2007, the City of Charleston created the program. To teach worthwhile business practices and promote their talent in a positive way, middle- and high-school students learn lessons in customer service, marketing techniques and social skills at the class. The kids also get snacks, mentoring and free palmetto fronds. Upon graduation from the program, youths are permitted to sell palmetto roses.

To read the whole story from Post & Courier, click here.

Next Generation Consulting (NGC) has announced its “Next Cities” rankings, and Charleston has been named #2 for Mighty Micros (100,000 – 200,000 population). The “Next Cities” index lists the best places to live and work for young professionals  in three population categories.

NGC has studied the residential and relocation patterns of 20-40 years olds since 1998, and has developed a one-of-a-kind indexing system that evaluates a city based on the assets that are important to next gen workers. According to NGC, the seven indexes of a “Next City” are:  Earning, Learning, Vitality, Around Town, After Hours, Cost of Lifestyle, and Social Capital. 

NEXT CITIES RANKED BY POPULATION
Mighty Micros – Next Cities with Population of 100,000-200,000

1.  Fort Collins, Colorado
2.  Charleston, South Carolina
3.  Eugene, Oregon
4.  Cedar Rapids, Iowa
5.  Springfield, Illinois
6.  Cary, North Carolina
7.  Ann Arbor, Michigan
8.  Sioux Falls, South Dakota
9.  Pueblo, Colorado
10.  Gainesville, Florida
11.  Stamford, Connecticut
12.  Des Moines, Iowa
13.  Spokane, Washington
14.  Syracuse, New York
15.  Huntsville, Alabama
16.  Peoria, Illinois
17.  Springfield, Missouri
18.  Salt Lake City, Utah
19.  Richmond, Virginia
20.  Hampton, Virginia

View the entire list of “Next Cities” here.

Charleston native and host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert, will be broadcasting his final show from Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq tonight.

I find it inspiration to see a Charlestonian work his way up in the entertainment industry to eventually get his own comedy show, and to broadcast in Iraq among America’s finest, is certainly a great honor.

Colbert is known for his playful, political commentaries and brought that spirit to entertain the troops at Camp Victory. The series of four tapings began with a head shaving and follows a similar format as US tapings with skits and news-style reports. The Colbert’s series, “Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando,” is the first time anyone has broadcast a taped, non-news talk show fully produced and broadcast from Iraq as part of a USO tour. 

He has also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which helps injured service members and their families. Colbert even has an Ben and Jerry’s ice cream named after him, Stephen Colbert’s AmeriCone Dream, which raised funds for the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Watch full episodes from the series until now: June 8, June 9, June 10

According to the Pop-Up Shop Charleston Facebook page, “pop-ups are the epitome of our high-speed, short-attention-span culture. They are restaurants, bars, clubs and shop that spring up in unexpected locations, cause a storm, and disappear just before the fashion crowd moves on to the next big thing.”

North Charleston’s Park Circle neighborhood has earned placement in the list of “Best Neighborhoods in America” in the Southeast in Men’s Journal.

Here’s what they said about Park Circle, which is a cute neighborhood located off East Montague Avenue in Olde North Charleston…

“Left-leaning Park Circle, in the north, has long flown under the radar in the state, and while development tends to change a place, its recent housing boom has left its liberalism intact. Sure, there are lots of new residents, but they seem to have the same unique, character-driven, fun-loving attitudes as the pioneers.”

To learn more about Park Circle, visit http://perfectlyparkcircle.com or http://www.myparkcircle.com/.

Good news…we live in a walker’s paradise! Check out this website we stumbled upon…walkscore.com. Just plug in your address, and it will calculate the “walkability” of your neighborhood based on how close you are to restaurants, grocery stores, bars, coffee shops, schools, libraries, movie theaters, etc. Charleston overall scored a 94 out of 100. While that calculation was mostly based on the downtown area, check out your own neighborhood’s walkability. If it doesn’t score so high, do something to change it! You’ll help create or enhance the overall sense of community, collaboration and inspiration.

It’s always exciting when someone else sees the greatness of our area! In the latest issue of Homestyles Magazine, author Lisa Rogak gives her input on the best places to eat, drink, shop, and stay, and her taste is impeccable! Noting our 11^th win of the “Most Mannerly City” award, Rogak hits all the hot spots. From the elegant and historic Wentworth Mansion, to the always cozy Vendue Inn. Dining at fabulous locations downtown and in Mount Pleasant, then on to shopping and exploring the city.

Rogak’s opinion is highly regarded, as she is a member of International Association of Culinary Professionals and the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, and has written over 40 books, including A Boy Named Shel, The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein, and edited the book Barack Obama, In His Own Words.

The inspiration is catching on! North Charleston’s Noisette community was featured in Cottage Living magazine’s annual list of “Top 10 Cottage Communities.” Each neighborhood is chosen based on homes and architecture, walkability of streets and sidewalks, people with a vision for their neighborhood, innovative thinking, and those that have a unique aspect or approach to them.

Check out the video for a virtual tour the neighborhood, and meet some of the friendly faces who are inspired by their community more and more each day.

Photo courtesy of cottageliving.com