Choose Charleston

It amazes me, every so often, not only how quickly change can occur but also how quickly we adapt to change.

Just yesterday, I was swapping e-mail messages with a local editor about just how many of our daily tasks are now done in front of a computer these days. Everything from casual correspondence with friends to browsing for books, submitting a resume, paying taxes,  and ordering dinner can be done with just a few deft strokes to the keyboard.

Not so long ago, while swiping my debit card at the local grocery store, I remembered reading - way back when in my high school days - a newspaper article about how we were beginning to move toward becoming a cash-less society. Back then, I thought, “Ridiculous!”

Time proved me wrong!

Modern technology has even re-aligned how we connect with others and share our stories. Remember when pen pals swapped anecdotes with pen and paper? Remember licking stamps?

Today, I can follow the lives of boatloads of local bloggers with ease. I can discover not only how people react to the latest stories in the Post & Courier, Charleston City Paper, Skirt, and Charleston Magazine, I can also catch a glimpse of the daily life of a downtown pastry chef, read the reflections of a retired photojournalist, walk with a charming lady, and see Charleston through the eyes of an Englishman still somewhat new to our shore.

It’s a whole new way of approaching the old time sitting on the porch and chatting up the neighbors thing.

Now in its fourth year, the Folly Festival Film Festival supports, encourages, and acts as a showcase for filmmakers, in particular for local talent from South Carolina.

The Folly Felder is a beautiful fit for Piccolo Spoleto, a local arts extravaganza that runs alongside the more internationally flavored Spoleto Festival each year.

Short film has become an increasingly accesible art form, thanks in large part to digital technology and new ways and means of distribution now possible.

A well-made short can be a special delight. Time constraints force artists to make full use of their talents, to snip away unneeded bits and keep the story in tight focus throughout.

This year’s festival paid special recognition to three extraordinary shorts. The bronze went to local filmmaker Richard Almes of Mt. Pleasant, the silver to Merrill Weekley, just up the coast in Surfside Beach, and a well-deserved gold to Barry Battles and Griffin Hood of Alabama.

The major film industry, as we all know, has had more than a few flirtations with Charleston and other South Carolina locations. While this is an obvious choice for films about the American Civil War, it is also becoming recognized that the spectacular landscapes and beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry make it outstanding for other features as well.

Hey, here in Charleston, we’re always ready for our close-up.

Many of you have at least read, if not sent, letters to the editor about the change in format of the morning show at WXLY, Y102.5. Allison Keller and Leo Windham were dumped for some nationally syndicated morning team. At least Allison is still there, Clear Channel let Leo go.

This was a very disappointing turn of events. I’ve always enjoyed Leo, especially when he worked with his brother, Woody, on the old Breeze radio network. I really miss those stations and their Beach, Boogie and Blues format.

Well, Leo is back. Not on the air, but in a new format, which I hope really catches on. Check out LeoWindham.com. You can read Leo’s Blog, learn more about the man himself and listen to his podcasts, full of some of the best music around.

Oh, and while you’re there, check out some of Leo’s real estate listings, too. Longe live the Breeze.