This post is coming to you live from North Myrtle Beach where I have  spotty connectivity and a teeny-tiny keyboard. Thus, this round up is short and sweet.

Have you been following the recent conflict between CSX (railroad maintenance) and the City of North Charleston? The city has a new blog and has posted a video of the confrontation between Mayor Sumney and the CSX employee removing signage.

JanetLee has a serious public service announcement:

Another family frantically called 911. Another EMS crew worked feverishly in the back of a bouncing, speeding ambulance, siren screaming the warning all the way to the hospital. The ER staff with nursery support pulling out all stops, doing everything possible to revive the infant. The family standing by speechless, in shock, as it became evident that the baby had been without oxygen for too long.

If memory serves, that is the 8th baby in the tri-county area to be accidentally smothered to death while sleeping with an adult this YEAR.

Construction zone safety is close to home for Earl Capps:

That simple advice works with the vast majority of drivers who are responsible and make efforts to be cautious when traveling through construction work zones. However, there are those drivers who just don’t get it. Those drivers who don’t want to drive safely and obey the posted speed limits get to meet the troopers who’ve been assigned to patrol the work zone. Those troopers work long hours and in some dangerous conditions. Having watched these troopers work on a lot of nights, I can’t say enough about them.

Caroline Murray on the health care crisis:

We want our food, fast, fried, sugary, and caffeinated. We also want it cheap. But it doesn’t come cheap.  In fact the newest report says the obesity epidemic is costing this country $147 billion dollars a year.

A less urgent, but still important plea:

Simple civility is called for. Are we so preoccupied with our own self-importance that we have forgotten we occupy this Earth with other humans? Have we become so used to inferior service in the marketplace that we undervalue our own service interactions with others?

Have you been out to the new Mt. Pleasant waterfront park? Christopher Donahue reports in with pictures.

I have had an amazing day with several local bloggers, hence the late round up. Here’s a quick trip around the blogs.

Joan had a behind the scenes and on the set experience of shooting a meal for a magazine.

Pat suggests watching the Gordon Brown TED talk.

The Mircrobial Laboratory’s recipe for a perfect day includes a stop at local icon’s Timbo’s peanut stand.

Two miles from my house and the Mustang does not stop by for a visit? See what Windviel found near the Corner.

Sully has a request:

If you are a charleston resident this message is for you guys. I need your help this wednesday, if you own a unique, cool, hip, beat up, expensive, stolen, inexpensive bike I need you to stop by my studio at 253 A St Phillip street.

Earl notes Bill Gates’s bail on Facebook.

Jeff has absolutely nothing to talk about so don’t head to his place to hear about zebra bites, why you don’t attack Russian hairdressers, or inappropriate and offensive sausage advertisements.

Finally folks, remember, the AP doesn’t want anyone quoting their articles.

Heather writes for Home Ec 101 and occasionally her personal blog, but that’s only when she isn’t distracted by absurd headlines like
Ukeles Have Gone Viral.

That’d be Mark Sanford, of course. Don’t worry, there’s a bit more than politics on this round up.

Rev. BigDumbChimp:

I’m hard pressed to remember a piece from a recently publicly exposed hypocrite that so deflects personal responsibility as much as Sanford did with his exercise in shifting the burden on to his religion.

Patrick:

But when you campaign against someone after setting a high moral standard that you say you expect everyone to follow, then abandon that moral standard — and the consequences you insist go with failing to meet it — when you take a tumble, it makes your apology lose a good bit of its impact.

Earl Capps:

It’s not my place to judge the Governor on his personal actions (he’ll have to be his own judge on that one). However, it is fair to hold him accountable for his failure to lead, his modus operandi of sowing divisiveness, dishonestly and hurt wherever his legislative agenda casts its shadow, and his history of waving around the Bible and saying he’ll do a better job of working with people next time.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, I didn’t find any supportive posts to contrast with the negatives. (Feel free to correct me if you found one.)

Ready for a more pleasant topic?

Marking a more celebratory event, Jeff Tompkins notes the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

Head over to Audubon SC to see  birds that bake off their parasitic pests.

The Charleston Park Angels are putting out a call for volunteers in Hampton Park.

Photo Credit: Rita Polk

Try not to squee, ok? But, look baby feet!

Speaking of babies, Ms. Margo has some ’splainin’ to do.

Like Tilt Shift? Check out St. Michael’s church yard.

Dave checks in with a reminder, don’t forget the bike is on the roof rack. If you do, at least you aren’t the first.

If you have ten minutes, catch up with Geoff and his mum as he checks in from his Underground USA road trip.

Heather Solos can be found at Home Ec 101 and occasionally at her place in Moncks Corner.

I apologize for the late round up, but there was a little Social Media Club meet-up at Taco Boy this evening.

Has Twitter killed blogging?

Do you Bing?

Brwndrby supports the 10% Local Shift. Are you on board?

Victoria explains she believes the call for Sanford’s resignation has ebbed.

Jack Hunter counters Mark Levin’s jibe:

Something tells me he might have noticed this. Something also tells me Levin probably didn’t like it and this is the most logical explanation for why I would end up on his little enemies list at this point in time. But Levin did not link to my piece at Taki’s. Instead Levin linked to a September, 2007 article on “blowback” from the Charleston City Paper

The Newsless Courier takes local media to task:

Over a month ago, local media briefly noticed two local women: Teista Burwell and Katherine Waring. The first had been missing for almost two years, and the P & C picked up the story that she was finally put on a national missing persons data base. The second made the front page of the P & C only five days after she disappeared. Nothing since.

No doubt the P & C and local TV stations will say in their defense that they dropped the stories because no developments have occurred. Really? Well, then, why bombard us with repetitions of other stories without developments ad nauseum? Has anyone on the planet not heard of Governor Sanford’s trip to Argentina?

Heather Solos can be found at Home Ec 101 and sometimes rarely updates Moncks Corner Moments

We’re all over the map today, as it’s always hard to get back into the swing of things right after a holiday.

Even the beaches looked hungover. Thanks for helping with the clean up, Syd.

James shares his efforts to get back on track through diet and exercise:

Keeping track of all my calories makes me aware of exactly what I am putting in my mouth and it keeps me from eating emotionally. I read the other day that my mindset about eating should not be that of entertainment but rather to think of eating as using food as fuel.

Book Czuck on personal loss:

It can be the dance of a cardinal, bright red against the foliage, or a glimpse of the moon nearing fullness. The smell of onions simmering. A phrase of music. The feel of the yarn in my hands as it slips across the hook. The juice of a fresh peach that I lick from my fingers. And then, I remember, she’s gone.

BrwnDrby ponders a loss of a less personal sort:

I, for one, will NEVER be able to forget HOW he passed and that bothers me–because this stuff doesn’t usually get to me. One of the VERY FEW heroes I allowed myself to have proved to be shockingly human…and I am left speechless. Down right dumbfounded.

A Monday morality muse comes from Patrick:

You see someone park in a handicapped parking space, pull a handicapped parking permit from their glove compartment and hang it on the rear-view mirror, and then walk — without any difficulty — inside a store. If you see that the person is alone and therefore doesn’t need the handicapped space, and you then see that someone who is legitimately handicapped is forced to park several spaces away, how likely are you to report the first motorist to a passing police officer? Why or why not?

Speaking of muses, the Diva’s has awakened.

If you’re looking for a year that the Confederate flag is not making news in South Carolina, don’t hold your breath.

Old Controller reports in from the Tea Party in Columbia:

I realize the organizers wanted to plus up the numbers participating, as it’s a fledgling movement and the more bodies we can get out there, the better. But the Tea Party movement, in my opinion, needs to separate itself a bit more from the fringe element. Yesterday, not only did the fringe element have a place at the gathering (tents, tables, handing out brochures, getting signatures on petitions) it was given a place at the podium.

Lastly, Jeff Tompkins notes and comments on Sarah Palin’s resignation:

Then she quit.

Palin accused people of attacking her son Trig, who has Down Syndrome. The governor’s staffers worked throughout the weekend to find evidence backing up this claim but ended their search Sunday afternoon, telling reporters, “It would be easier to find evidence of Bigfoot. We’re outta here.”

Heather Solos can usually be found at Home Ec 101, but sometimes she sticks close to home in the Corner.

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.

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.

Jared may be in his element, but it was Patrick Philips whose lightning photo made the rounds on Twitter.

Did you see today’s funnel cloud over Daniel Island?

Although it’s not safe to swim when thunder’s rumbling, Wendell Gilliard is seeking to make swimming a mandatory requirement for graduation.

Babbie on the proposal:

Here is a perfect example of why students graduate from high school without learning to read well enough to fill out a job application. What should be the role of the public school in our society? If the schools have too many responsibilities to fulfill, none of them will be accomplished properly.

A natural segue from reading takes us to writing. Janet finally pills it with her post, Who Killed the Fourth Estate:

And when confronted with the natural results of competition and poor business practices, they are suddenly willing to edge up to the lines they claim to guard. (And the notion that this decline blindsided execs or is solely caused by the current economic meltdown or Google is ridiculous.)

Journalism has, as most human efforts do, the good, the bad and the ugly. There are legitimate uses of the freedom of the press to expose abuses, explore the human condition and serve as a vital check on corruption and secrecy. There are boring and poorly written stories that miss the point, or just serve no more purpose that fill some space around advertisements.

Did you miss the Southeast Linuxfest? Eugene has a recap.

WWJT? Yep, someone went there.

Joan checks in from Planting Seeds of Hope:

What a treat. The whole event started after I suggested it as a fundraiser for our new Cancer Center and Andre’ Guillet and his staff at McCrady’s turned it into a wonderful event for about ninety people. They even let our Cancer Center nursing staff do a crash course to serve as waitstaff!

If you’re looking for fundraisers, Kristin is cooking up dessert on the 25th for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training Program. Thursday the 18th, ladies are invited to break out their little black dresses for Dress for Success.

From seeds come flowers and Compost in My Shoe shares a delightful gardening surprise.

As a final note, remember Forester? There has been some bad news, take a moment and encourage his family as he battles cancer.

Day to day Heather can be found at Home Ec 101 and goofing off at Moncks Corner Moments.

Get your right clicks ready, this round up is quick.

1. What happens when Blue Ion and Hook join forces? An Addy, that’s what.
2. Frida has a thoughtful post on the things we do to appear strong while we’re in need of help.
3. Have you ever interviewed another blogger? Angie Mizzell interviewed local Jennie B who lives on dreams and Spagghetti-Os
4. What has a funny name? Pecha youbetcha.
5. Looking for a positive influence? So’s Kelly, she’s got a list of things that tick her off.
6. Have you been to Port Royal? The Mustang rolled into town, but the freighters have gone.
7. Joan is starting her next project and is looking for input. What do you think of her Don’t monkey around with heart disease idea?
8. Didn’t get to Spoleto this year due to the cost of admission? Fried Green Tomatoes has a great tip for the next time the festival rolls on through.
9. Already planning next year’s flower garden? Compost in my Shoe has two suggestions.
10. Believe it or not, houses are selling in the Charleston area.

When I’m not chasing kids, I can be found at Home Ec 101 or at home in Moncks Corner. Have a great week.

It’s about the time of year where we just sigh at each other and say, “Hot enough for ya?”

Brendan Clark takes water safety seriously:

 I almost drowned when I was 8 years old.  In five feet of water, a pool surrounded by family and friends during a July 4th outing.  I went down for the final time when a lady named Mrs. Cunningham jumped in and saved my life.

That was 30 years ago but I still remember every horrifying second of it.

Babbie calls it as she sees it and diagnosed a problem with the Charleston County Council: FTPA.

Frank-o cites an AP report noting that SC’s economy grew in 2008?

Speaking of growth, {e} House Studio has launched two more sites.

I love the part of adulthood where we begin to carryon the traditions. Chells is baking her Gran’s shortbread.

However some habits don’t need to continue.

Chuck’s been getting his fill of Jazz, but I have a feeling he won’t be missing Drink Small.

For our last look, head over to Xark where Dan Conover describes The Newspaper Suicide Pact:

This is folly, of course. Even MIT Technology Review Editor and Publisher JustinJason Pontin concluded that news and opinion must be given away to the aggregators, and that was in an essay advancing the case for paid content.

You can also find Heather Solos at Home-Ec101.com and her personal blog that started the obsession Moncks Corner Moments.