We already knew Chef Mike Lata of FIG Restaurant was the epitome of Charleston inspiration, but now his message is resonating across the country. In a recent issue of Southern Living magazine, he talks about the importance of eating locally, and the fact that when he moved here ten years ago, almost no one was buying from local growers. Now, with the huge help of the Slow Food Movement making its way into Charleston, that has drastically changed.

Lata says, “Now I see it as part of the fabric of our cuisine here in Charleston. My peers inspire me daily with how they are buying locally and cooking locally.”

How can you get on board? Eat locally, frequent your farmer’s market, and get involved in your community!

See the entire article here!

Redux Art Center is teamed up with B’zar Clothing creating their own inspiration this weekend. Friday the 22^nd of August, they are hosting The Munny Show 2.0. The event was created to feature and support the diverse underground local art scene as well as give back to the local community through youth-focused art programs.

The viewing will be held at the Redux Art Center in downtown Charleston from 6 to 8 pm, followed by the auction from 8 to 9:30, then ending with a party from 9:30 to 11 pm. All proceeds will go to support the free and local education and outreach initiatives of Redux Art Center.

So, what is a Munny? Create your own! The artists involved range from graphic designers, painters, illustrators, graffiti artists, clothing and jewelry designers, as well as many other artistic voices.

Not sure how to “be green” like everyone’s telling you to be? Coming up September 28^th, the Charleston Green Fair will be held in Marion Square.

Reputable green festival planning company, Seven Star Events, has been hired to ensure the fair is truly sustainable and has zero-impact. Enjoy a variety of entertainment: speakers, musicians, demonstrations, as well as plenty of food and “green” exhibitors for family, home and office, food, health and wellness.

Still not convinced? Charleston’s finest Mayor Joe Riley is on board supporting the green effort! The Lowcountry has so many amazing programs and services to offer, so come check them out. You’ll be surprised how easy it is being green.

Photo courtesy of CharlestonGreenFair.org

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.

Canadian rocker Bryan Adams continues his special acoustic solo tour across the United States with this visit to Charleston Music Hall on July 21st. Originally conceived to debut songs from his latest disc, 11, the acoustic tour works, Adams says, because that’s how the songs began. “The album started out as an acoustic record, and halfway through I sort of switched gears and decided to make sort of an acoustic rock record,” says Adams.

11 was released in Canada and throughout the world, in the fall of 2007, and released in the spring of 2008 in the United States, where it is available exclusively at Wal-mart stores. 11 debuted atop three international charts, including Canada, India and Switzerland, and was Top 10 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, the UK and Holland. The appropriately titled disc, produced by Adams, is his 11th album of all-original music and features 11 songs.

The show starts at 8:00 p.m., doors open at 7:00 and tickets are $40. To purchase, visit any Etix outlet, Cat’s Music, call (800) 514-3849 or visit Etix.com

To request a review copy of 11 and an interview with Bryan Adams, contact: Marlene Palmer, marlenepalmer@shaw.ca, 604.763.2284

Photo courtesy of charlestonmusichall.com

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

Well this time I don’t have to say much as Budget Travel does it for me. Need more reasons to love Charleston? Look no further… this magazine articulates the beauty and intrigue of Charleston with 25 great ways to enjoy the Holy City. Everything from green spaces to hospitality is covered in this piece…

Check it out: Budget Travel

I was recently informed by another fellow Charleston Inspired supporter about the initiative of a few local heroes who are out there trying to provide post-secondary opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization is called College Transition Connection and what a great cause it is!

After reading some of the stats on their website, it became perfectly clear why they are focused on this effort. For example, ” research shows that students with intellectual disabilities who have some type of postsecondary experience are much more likely to obtain competitive employment, require fewer supports and earn higher wages.”

So, congrats to this organization for inspiring our next generation and providing educational opportunities for some that otherwise might have been left out.

Just a quick note to say how inspiring it was Monday to watch community leaders meet under one roof to help establish a framework for the region’s future. I’m talking elected officials, developers, conservationists and business executives… more than 150 participated in Charleston’s Reality Check, which was put on by the Urban Land Institute.

The goal of the game was to use legos to plot growth in the tri-county area, focusing on infrastructure, population/household growth, commute times and affordable housing. So many of the participants with their own formulated opinions, yet by the end of the day all were committed to core values:

“the desire to maintain green space; the need for sustainable communities where people can work, live and play without long commutes; the demand for a public transportation system like a light rail to connect outlying areas to Charleston; and the high-priority need to redevelop blighted urban areas and establish affordable housing.”

Charleston is in good hands… and if these leaders hold up to even a small portion of their commitment to the cause, Charleston will only continue to thrive and prosper.