Choose Charleston

It’s here!

The 25th annual Friends of the Library book sale “BookFest 2007” is at the Gaillard Auditorium this weekend. The event kicked off with a catered pre-sale on Thursday and continues through 3 pm on Sunday.

This is the chance to browse through tens of thousands of books donated to support the Charleston County Public Library.

Whether you forgot to pick up the latest thriller when it was on the shelf last summer or are looking for an elusive art catalog, rubbing shoulders with fellow local book lovers at this family-friendly event always makes for a good time.

In the rainy seasons, flooding is never far from the minds of ladies and gentlemen of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Because, of course, Lowcountry means low country, and coastal low country to boot.

Every a heavy day of rain, you can watch cars and trucks bravely attempting to slip through hood-high waters in especially low-lying areas of the peninsula. Quite often, they fail in the attempt and sit, steaming and in need of towing, in the slow rolling wake of other vehicles.

Sandbags in the storeroom. Stocking up on gallon jugs of fresh water, flashlights, batteries, and emergency food items.

All part of living in the potential path of tropical storms.

Now that the hot, dry winds of summer are settling back a bit, the October scares are starting to settle into place.

Creative Spark Center for the Arts, the National Park Service at Fort Moultrie, and Poe’s Tavern are working hand in claw to produce a creepy thrill in the catacombs this Halloween season. Poe: Back from the Grave will feature live actors from PURE Theatre and Cabaret Kiki. Saturday, October 13. 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 PM. $25. For more information, call Creative Spark (843) 881-3780.

And don’t forget the ghosts of Charleston proper.

 Charleston Lore & Legends Ghost Theatre is debuting a brand new show for the season. Check them out one block south of the Market, at 161 Church Street, Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday, 12 PM to 8 PM, if you dare. Shows every hour and a half. Adults $9, Children 4-12, $6, and children 3 and under, Free. For more information, call (843) 937-0916.