Valid Ethics Complaint – Or Just Whining?

Jim Kimmons of About.com: Real Estate Business reacted to the article by the Charleston Regional Business Journal discussing a grievance filed against rehava for running a clever advertising campaign that created a lot of buzz about the company in Charleston. Jim Kimmons wonders if the reaction of some local real estate brokers is just “whining…” Please read more in the article and see the comments on about.com.

Ethics Complaint – Or Just Whining? by James Kimmons, About.com

Amazon Backs Off Text-to-Speech Feature on Kindle

This February, Amazon launched a new version of its popular e-book reader Kindle 2. The Kindle 2 is thinner (thinner than an iPhone), has a crisper black-and-white display, turns pages much more quickly and should hold its battery charge for about 25 percent longer than the previous model. New features were also supposed to include text-to-speech and the ability to transfer content to other devices (such as mobile phones and other Kindles) at the same price as the original Kindle model of $359. Amazon started shipping the new product on Feb. 24. However, today Amazon announced that it will let publishers decide whether they want the new Kindle e-book device to read their books aloud. In any case, Amazon maintains that the feature is completely legal as “no copy is made, no derivative work is created, and no performance is being given.”

The text-to-speech feature allows Kindle owners to have books read to them in a male or female computerized voice. Al Katz’ new book, A Journey with Mac: Rediscovering the Fundamentals of Business that is helping businesses and organization get back to basics and survive this recession, is now available in Kindle on Amazon.com.

Award Winning Charleston Artist J.B. Boyd Presenting Newest Works at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park

J.B. Boyd’s works are usually on display at Robert Lange Studios but this Friday, February, 27, the City Gallery at Waterfront Park will host an opening reception in honor of J.B. for his newest exhibit, Grey. The reception starts at 6pm. Sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in conjunction with the Griffith Visual Arts Fund of Coastal Community Foundation, Grey will be on display until April 20, 2009.

J.B. paints from his vast collection of panoramic photographs. For the duration of the exhibit, Tuesday through Saturday from Noon to 5 p.m., he will be present working on one of his paintings, and will also hold special lectures regarding his work each Saturday from Noon to 1 p.m., starting Saturday, March 7.

An acclaimed oil painter who trained professionally at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Mass., J.B. has shown his work across the nation, including in Los Angeles at The Space and in New York City at Spike Gallery. J.B. was also the recipient of the 2008 Michael and Donna Griffith Lowcountry Artist’s Award.  For more information of J.B. Boyd and his paintings please visit, www.jbboyd.net.

Who Would Think that TV Hosts Can Get Excited about a Slope Level…

I find it very fascinating how people can greatly improve a product with a simple invention. Watch what the Do-It-Yourself Network Hosts say when they come across the Montgomery Slope Level at a trade show.  It is interesting that a mechanical level that was invented in mid 1600s has not been improved upon since 1920s. Well, Charleston’s own Matthew Montgomery changed that in 2005 when he invented arced vial for measuring degree or pitch.  The level will be featured on the home page of HomeDepot.com tomorrow.

Charleston Fashionistas Read CHARLIE

CHARLIE is an online magazine that recognizes the forward-thinking people and things that are shaping the future of Charleston; celebrating fashion, society, current issues, travel, food and wine, local people, places, art, design, literature and health & beauty, all bringing fresh and inventive perspective to the Lowcountry. Caroline Nuttall, the publisher of CHARLIE, moved to Charleston three years ago from the Hills of LA and discovered a gem of a city. She has launched CHARLIE to create a community of stylish and creative individuals and to explore what the city’s culture is really about.

Local News and Events on TheDigitel.com

Charleston is becoming a “digital” city, at least in terms of how many on-line publications launch weekly. Charlestonians used to reading either the Post and Courier or the City Paper to keep informed now have a selection of on-line news sources including charlestoncurrents.com, charleston.net, charlestoncitypaper.com and now thedigitel.com. TheDigitel is becoming the ultimate source for the local news, events, arts, food as well as videos for those that do not like to read their news. More than 200 people turned out for TheDigitel launch party or debutant ball. Stylee PR joined the christening party, check out Geoff Marshall’s video from the launch!

http://www.thedigitel.com/top-stories/our-debutante-ball-was-well-incredible-2873-0129

Coalition Carnival: It’s a Bloco Featured in the Charleston City Paper

The Charleston City Paper featured the Coalition Carnival: It’s a Bloco in an article on February 19. However, those who have not sent their rsvps in before Feb. 19 are not going to be able to participate as the carnival reached full capacity. We are very excited about the response from the community. Stay tuned for photos and a video for the carnival.

Renewed Arts Coalition gives block party

Come Together Now
BY JOHN STOEHR

http://charlestonartscoalition.com

In the beginning, Charleston’s arts community was formless and nameless. Darkness covered the abyss while a mighty wind swept over the waters.

That was then. This is now. A new organization has emerged, after an initial misstep and brief period of renewal, to give Charleston’s large community of artists a name, structure, and a unified voice.

But it began with a lot of bluster. Last summer, a group of passionate, well-meaning, and unorganized artists, calling themselves the Charleston Arts Coalition, tried to make the case for a “unified center for the arts.”

The idea was that a building in which artists could gather and work would be an antidote to arts groups being pushed off the peninsula. It seemed right for the time. Redux Contemporary Art Center and the Charleston Ballet Theatre were facing the loss of their venues along Upper King Street. Prior to that, PURE Theatre lost its venue. Cumberland’s shut down. And the American Theater has been redesigned so that arts groups can no longer afford it.

Click here to read more:

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=63469

Rehava’s Advertising Campaign Sparks Controversy

Although rehava-real estate store is playing by the book, it is not enough. The company’s challenging of the status quo not received well in Charleston. Read more in the Charleston Regional Business Journal:  

Rehava ads spark ethics complaint
By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com

One local real estate company’s ad campaign — encouraging homebuyers to “break up” with their agents — has stirred up so much controversy that the broker in charge is canceling it.

Steve deGuzman, owner of the Rehava Real Estate Store that opened last summer in North Charleston, says he has done nothing wrong. Still, deGuzman said he will halt the campaign out of “professional courtesy.”

Some billboards have already come down, and deGuzman said the advertisements posted on the stall doors of dozens of public restrooms will disappear soon. He also plans to take down the campaign’s accompanying Web site, www.breakupwithyouragent.com.

Read the story at:

http://tinyurl.com/bdsyj4

Dori Chitayat, Flamenco Guitar Player, Performs Every Wednesday at Neil Jordan’s Steakhouse in Mt. Pleasant, SC

Dori Chitayat performs every Wednesday night at Neil Jordan’s Steakhouse in Mt. Pleasant, SC and every Saturday night at Med Bistro on James Island, SC. Dori has been a musician and drummer/percussionist for over 25 years. He has performed in rock, jazz and Latin genres as a solo artist as well as being part of bands/ensembles. In the past six years, he has dedicated all his musical focus to develop the techniques and compositions to perform advanced Flamenco compositions.

Mellow Mushroom in Charleston, SC Presents Winter Jazz Series

Mellow Mushroom and Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC) present a new seven week Winter Jazz Series every Monday at 7:30 p.m. in February and March. The jazz series started on February 2, 2009 and will run through March 16. Mellow Mushroom is located at 309 King Street, Downtown Charleston 

Many of the finest musicians in the Charleston area will be featured in this listener friendly atmosphere. I attended the Charlton Singleton Quartet jazz performance and it was sold out!

Upcoming Perfomances:

February 16 Robert Lewis Quartet

February 23 Duda Lucena Trio

March 2 Pulse Trio

March 9 George Kenny Quartet

March 16 Quentin Baxter Trio

Tickets for the Winter Jazz Series at Mellow Mushroom are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the door for $5. For more information about the Winter Jazz Series, including table reservations, please call (843) 327-0346 or email mellowmanager@gmail.com.