Before I start the roundup, I want to give a quick plug to all our volunteers from the month of June.  We had great turnout, with contributions from James, Heidi, Chuck, Jared, Caanan, Kathy, Vera, Eugene, and Josh.  This sort of help transforms Lowcountrybloggers from being a part time job that doesn’t pay anything into a community project that we really enjoy.  It also means that you get a wider variety of viewpoints, which is more fun for everybody.  There are plenty of slots available for July and August, even if you contribute 1 or 2 roundups, it all adds up!

Now, on to the roundup.

Andra is officially a Certified Management Consultant.  Congratulations Andra!

Richard Bell has a great album of photos from the Harborfest.  Here’s one of my favorites:

Kristin at ChasRunner fears she is losing her Marathon Mojo.  I hope she gets it back!

Geoff gives us an update on his trip, and describes the pieces of the trip that were lost with his stolen equipment:

Although everything physical that was taken can be replaced, the digital moments that those items recorded though, unfortunately, cannot.

The folks at Blue Ion share some pics of the progress on their new building at 301 King.

Heidi shares a cautionary tale of her cell phone experiences.

And last, but not least, some creepy advertisements.

Ok, so here’s my first roundup. I have to admit it’s been a while since I really dove into the LCB deep feed and swam around. After an hour of flowers, food, mangled pitbulls, and all-things-Sanford, I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re all freaks! But, my kind of freaks. I’m glad to see so many local blogs continuing to thrive here.

First up, Geoff’s saga turns for the better as his community stocked coffers grow to  $4,000:

I was also somewhat embarrassed, certainly humbled to the extreme when I spoke to my man Ken at TheDigitel yesterday and found out that the various help Geoff pages that were spawned off of Mondays events has got me around $4000 in donation money from people - which is just staggering.

And ponders an NRA membership:

We got talking to other residents in the Greensboro neighbourhood yesterday where we were staying. Turns out that a few other cars had been broken into in the last few weeks - it wasn’t an isolated incident. A girl in a car who was driving by and stopped and talk to us, told us that she had gone out “And bought herself a 9mm because of it”. And what was really shocking is that my reaction wasn’t one of “A Gun! My goodness, a GUN!” like it might have been a while ago - instead I just duly nodded and said “Uh hu”, and understood completely where she was coming from.

Meanwhile, Mark “Marky Mark the Megastud” Sanford continues to elicit reaction in the Chucktown blogosphere:

Uncle Zoloft:

Hypocrites are not accepted into heaven so grab what you can now.

Rev. BigDumbChimp:

I think I’d rather have Sanford sit up there spinning around bringing more shame to himself, his party and his supposed Christian moral values. Bauer is terrifying in a “who gave that drunk 7 year old a loaded 12 gauge” sort of way.

Shadow of Diogenes notes 3 things that will not happen

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford will not get the “soul mate” of the year award.

Jonathan Pearson

Integrity is rare to find in today’s world. It seems like every week we are learning about another leader doing something to disqualify themselves to lead. It seems like all people, especially leaders have forgotten the importance of integrity. It seems to be an epidemic that continues to spread.

The Column Reloaded

President Bill Clinton said oral sex wasn’t sex. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says in his latest revelation that he “crossed lines” with women other than his wife and Argentine mistress, but “didn’t cross the sex line.” He wouldn’t say what that meant.

Earl Capps

One must wonder how a Governor who disappears for days at a time can exercise proper stewardship of state government. The failures of SC DSS resulted in mega-million dollar fines which compounded the state’s budget shortfall, allowed millions to be embezzled, and asked no questions when children died in DSS care. Similar problems of neglect and lack of leadership plague other agencies under the Governor’s authority, including Corrections and PRT.

But, there are other questions to ponder. On learning that OJ is bad for your teeth, Old Controller asks:

What if you cut the orange juice with vodka? Is it still bad for your teeth?

Badbadivy shares her love for volume shopping:

I’m a fan of warehouse store shopping- there’s nothing that thrills me more than a giant thingy of toilet paper.

On a more serious note, New Wars comments on Russia’s potential yard sale of Project 636 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine:

If anyone doubts the utility of old fashioned diesel electric submarines when navies now operate nuclear attack submarines, fast attack supercarriers, and very sophisticated anti-missile destroyers, apparently Russia does not share this skepticism. Realizing that to a minor power, a conventional sub is a capital ship, and also that such silent and stealthy craft cause even superpowers major concern, the former communist power plans on selling to anyone with a need, according to Ria Novosti.

Joshua Curry is head web dude at the Charleston City Paper, leaving behind a graveyard of now defunct blogs including Today’s Special and Lucid Beaming.

You don’t have to look far to learn my opinion of on our role in community. Today’s round up is a look at the community in action.

This Friday run a 10k to help raise money for Forester’s fight with cancer:

PLEASE join us for Seabrook Island’s 2nd annual 10k charity run/walk & silent auction! You’ll get a groovy t-shirt and help us with the burden of medical bills! Before and after the walk/run there will be the opportunity to bid at a silent auction. Also, a cash bar with Bloody Marys and Mimosas will be available before and after the race! Mimosa before running? Sounds like a great idea!

Cross-promotion is a clear benefit of community participation.

Have you been paying attention to Geoff’s mishap? It’s encouraging to see so many locals rallying behind him.

JanetLee:

Geoff is getting an idea of the real America - yes, bad things happen, but that’s when we come together.

JJ weighs in and shares a quote from Helen Keller:

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”

Pam:

It seems that folks from the Lowcountry and beyond are determined to help Geoff stay on the road - and at the same time redeem his frustrated view of this country.

Charleston City Paper:

According to Dan Conover at Xark!, the fund-raising effort has been largely decentralized and has garnered support from the North Carolina blogging/Twitter community in addition to widespread local response. Conover writes, “Online communities are communities nonetheless.”

And of course, we need to hear from the man himself:

What do you say when someone sets up a ‘help Geoff‘ website for you? When ‘#helpgeoff’ becomes a Charleston hashtag of the day. Or most of all, when people are willingly parting with their hard earned dollars in these tight-times to cough up for me for new equipment and keep me on going some. Today I learned the definition of the word ‘humbled’.

‘Humbled’, of course, cannot begin to sufficiently describe how it made me feel. No way will “Thank you” go anywhere near towards really thanking you for you help, love and support.

By the afternoon, my mind was made up. I carry on. Because giving up would be … well … just giving up, wouldn’t it? And as another favourite quote of mine goes … “You can’t fail, if you don’t give up”, which means that giving up is not an option.

Janet wants to know what the Lowcountry creative tech community needs:

what YOU would do — with a building that could have shared infrastructure in terms of both space and tech. I’m talking about a really spacious spot, with room for cooperative workspace, offices, artist studios, classroom space, editing bays, event venue, commercial kitchen, even conference and workshop space. Maybe a gallery. The concept I’m in love with is downtown. It is HUGE, though, and mostly ready to go.

What does downtown Charleston/rest of Lowcountry need?

Our blogging and Twitter community frequently leaves the comfort of the monitor’s glow to meet up. Another opportunity will soon be here. The Social Media Club of Charleston will be meeting at the downtown Taco Boy July 14 from 6 - 8pm. If you’re on Facebook, send an RSVP.

Geoff had his car broken into and several thousand $’s worth of photography, video and computer equipment stolen while on a stop in the Greensboro, NC area! The LCB community and associated social network is kicking into gear to set up stuff to help Geoff out. If you’re in the Greensboro, NC area and can do anything to help Geoff recover his equipment, leave a comment on his blog post. Stay tuned to @helpgeoff and the HelpGeoff blog for further details.

If you want to help Geoff out with a donation, TheDigitel has donation links for you.

I *was* supposed to do this yesterday, but it completely slipped my mind that it was Sunday yesterday thanks to taking Friday off.  Long weekends are nice, but they always mess up my schedule.  Boy, was there ever a lot of stuff going on this weekend.

It was hot out. Really hot by my standards. Hot enough for a tornado in Hanahan even.  That was some pretty serious rain that passed through Saturday night (Saturday night. S-A-T-U-R..). Valerie captured some pretty spectacular shots of lightning from the storm over the harbour.

Charleston harbour lightning by Valerie Schooling

The heat didn’t deter HarborFest go-ers though.  Lots of photos all over the Lowcountry blogosphere.  Not all the ships made it to Charleston unscathed though, but fortunately there were no injuries.

Hunky Pirate photo courtesy of Joan Perry

Wouldn’t you just love to go cruising around the Charleston Harbour in one of these?

Malaysian Mothership KD Sri Indera Sakti

Comings and Goings

Sherry posts a tribute to her husband, who passed away last week.

Both MojoSteve and David Farrow noted the passing of informercial dude Billy Mays.

White ribbons for Charleston Blacksmith Philip Simmons.

James shares a note that will be read at Camp Happy Days, about his daughter Jessica who passed away 8 years ago.

Congratulations to Angie Mizzell and family on their new arrival. Congrats also go out to Elizabeth on Catelynn’s arrival.

Don’t forget that you can do your own wandering around the Lowcountry Blogoverse. Here, use this handy Google Reader link or just do some random clicking in The Big Blogroll. And if you’re interested in adding your own perspective to the LCB roundups, we’d love to have you!

Eugene blogs about his dogs and whatever else spills out of his head over at Imablog.

Image courtesy of Pam

The news has been filled with death and drama lately between Gov. Sanford’s revelations and the passings of Ed McMahon,  Phillip Simmons, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson.

Whew!  How about some shrimp and grits, tomato soup,  cherry tarts and a milkshake,

A walk through the Majorelle Gardens sounds lovely.

Look at something old or common in a new way.  Examples from Joan and Leslie Walker Photography.

Where is Geoff? In  West Virginia,  Columbus, Ohio and Detroit.

Yesterday evening, Eugene took the short drive to Ridgeville for the Lowcountry BBQ Meatup.

A white ribbon tribute for Phillip Simmons.

D’ou est-ce que l’inspiration vient? (Where does the inspiration come from?)

Lisa had a scare with the quads, but things are fine now, and she’s in her 24th week.  I’ve still haven’t decided what to knit for them just yet…

Consider the the tiger lily.

Karen Chandler: The Jazzastorian.

Enjoy the summer.

Today’s round up focused primarily on the death of Michael Jackson and Mark Sanford’s folly. As always, remember the opinions highlighted belong to the blog authors and highlighting a post does not signify agreement with opinions contained therein. Got it? Good.

Josh:

Whether you’re young, old , a toddler, or an ancient, you should know at least one Michael Jackson tune.

Mojo Steve:

There’s thousands dying on the streets of Iran, the economy is still in shambles, unemployment is at record highs, North Korea wants to nuke Hawaii, and there’s minute-by-minute scrutiny of the final act of a pop-star’s train wreck on every channel.

Jeft Tompkins:

Viewers were also treated to riveting aerial views of the top of a building, reportedly the hospital where Jackson passed away, but which could have been virtually any large building in any major city in the world.

Coverage of trivial matters, such as the struggling freedom revolution in Iran, was all but forgotten.

Jason Bradford:

Michael Jackson, thanks for recording your life.  Thanks for making some of the best records ever.  You truly were Off The Wall.

Eric Something:

Somewhere along the line the wheels came off, and the public ate it up. He developed the look, which spurred a lot of comaprisons to the then-woeful Atlanta Braves — both wore one glove and no one was sure why.

Rose:

He was the true talent in the family. He kept everyone of them in the luxury they felt they deserved. When he would be with other children, he was trying to get his childhood back, I don’t think he liked or trusted adults.

Pam:

I suppose there is alot to be said.  But this is the Michael Jackson that I’ll remember - a young boy with a beautiful voice and amazing talent.

Mary Morelli:

What a week it’s been. First Ed McMahon and now Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Not to mention the death of mister Mark Sanford’s political career. As for the Sanford thing, I was over it the day it came out. I really don’t care to read the emails or articles about his mistress. Unless something crazy happens; this will be all I have to say about it.

David Farrow:

Jackson’s death wiped Sanford off the international television screens – but not off the local radar screen. Indeed as 12:30 looms, the state holds its collective breath. Will he stay or will he fight on?

Patrick:

Sanford was one who voted for impeachment against Clinton.  So why’s he still the governor?  Not that I dislike the man…he seems quite personable, very friendly.  But either he believes what he said or was playing politics.

Dan Conover:

Of course, my old friend Schuyler Kropf managed to get more out of John O’Connor, and after reading Schuyler’s story this morning it occurs to me that O’Connor should have stuck to his original silence. What The State has revealed about its handling of the Mark-Maria e-mails offers a rare glimpse of the hollow state of the modern American newsroom.

Southern Avenger:

And yet last week, by his own actions, Sanford ended up in the same sort of tawdry, sleazy, and politically predictable place typically reserved for less sincere, less principled and simply, lesser men.

JanetLee:

He was wrong. Clinton was wrong. Every other politician or trusted public figure who has committed adultery is wrong. Just because you identify with one or another doesn’t make it acceptable to try to find an excuse for them.

Sorry gang, its a bit late sending this round-up.. but here goes my picks for today…

Farrah Fawcett - sad to hear that she passed away…

BrwnDerby has a new song from Pastor Troy - if you’re into Rap.

Our very own Rob Fowler is on a Alaskan cruise and if you’re following his adventures be sure to drop by his blog!

Here’s a great recipe that calls for Vidalia Onions - its sound very tasty!

And at last here’s a collections tweets from Xark for the Sanford shenanigans am sure you’ll have fun reading all the comments!

That’s all for now, sorry for being late, will try not to be too late next time - too much going in real life! I bid all a goodnight’s dream and see you on the flip side!

As always you can find me at the Filipino Friends!

I debated whether or not I wanted to go there, but the overwhelming topic on everybody’s mind is today’s revelations from Governor Sanford.  Here’s a sampling of what the local blogosphere has to say:

David notes many of the official statements.

There is a general theme of disappointment, and sympathy for the family.  Many think things are going to get worse before they get better.

Earl urges people not to exploit the personal tragedy for political purposes.

Many are more concerned about the abrupt disappearance and use of state funds than with the moral issues.

Firefighter Hourly speculates on the changes that could occur if Sanford were to resign.

Chuck wonders about how long the dishonesty has gone on.

There was also a mock twitter stream, and the requisite pun.

I just finished reading a book this weekend, so the reviews of The Attack on the Liberty and Wishful Drinking were timely and helpful in my search for new reading material. How many books are you going to read this summer?

Josh Marthers explained the flooding downtown.

Eugene got some great pictures of streaming sunlight, and Joan posted a gorgeous picture with shades of blue.

You can find me at LowcountryWebSolutions.com or over on twitter.