Friday, June 29, 2007

Sad Stories From the iPhone Line

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Fri, Jun 29, 2007 at 3:31 PM

click to enlarge unknown.jpg

With less than two hours to go, here’s five sad stories from the iPhone line, via CNN. In the spirit of full disclosure, I've got to tell you that I would buy this phone in a second if I didn't have a mortgage, a car, and, you know, the need to eat.

1. A 54-year-old marketing specialist who was first in line claimed he’d been offered $1,200 for his slot.

2. The man who was fifth in line was planning to propose to his girlfriend with a ring and an iPhone.

3. For lunch Friday, a 44 year-old graphic designer who was No. 88 in line ordered foie gras and sparkling lemonade delivered.

4. Evan Herman, 28, first went to an AT&T store several blocks away, but said the line was too short. “Half the fun is the experience of the line,” said Herman, adding that there was talk within the line of having a post-purchase celebration.

5. Customers can also order an iPhone at Apple’s online store.

Ravenels Get Daily Show Jab

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Fri, Jun 29, 2007 at 9:47 AM

The Ravenels got some love from The Daily Show last night, including a jab at Thomas' alleged philanthropy when it came to handing out his stash.

"Not to sell, but to share," Stewart said. "And you call yourself a Republican. That's not capitalism. That's welfare."

Watch it here...

Topics: Ravenel

Thursday, June 28, 2007

$630,000 in Firemans Fund

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 3:41 PM

People from around the country have donated more than $630,000 for the city's Firemans Fund honoring the nine firefighters lost in last week's Sofa Super Store blaze. The city held a press conference Thursday to accept a $51,000 donation from Metropolitan Grapevine, a D.C.-area marketing firm that's founders, Andrew Williams and Isaac Smith, came from Charleston.

Mayor Riley and City Councilwoman Frances Bleeker praised the support the city has received.

"It has brought out the best in people and the generosity and love and spirit," Bleeker said.

Heroes are too easily forgotten, Smith said, noting he wanted to see buildings and schools named after the fallen firefighters.

"We want them to be remembered every day, not just this week," he said.

Topics: Sofa Store Fire, City Hall

Rusty Tweaks His Tune

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 3:32 PM

In this morning's P&C, Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas didn't take too kindly to folks suggesting things could have been done differently at the site of the Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine firefighters last week.

Roger Yow, president of the Charleston Firefighters Association, said Wednesday that the department needed to implement federally recommended standards on chain-of-command at fire sites. While the local policy allows the person in charge to actively battle the blaze, the recommendation is that the person in charge stay behind to coordinate a broader look at the fire situation.

Thomas told the paper those changes weren't going to happen.

"Our firefighting techniques are not going to change in the city of Charleston Fire Department," he said.

"We're safe, we've got the best equipment, we've got the best people and that's the way we fight fires," he said.

Considering that the very hush-hush investigation of the fire is ongoing, it was surprising that the chief would take such a dedicated stance that no changes were necessary. Mayor Joe Riley has all but promised that lessons will be learned from this fire. And the simple fact that nine guys walked in and didn't come out would suggest that there's something that could be done next time to protect these guys.

Come this afternoon, the chief had changed his tune — a little.

"If we had to do it again, our guys would do it the same way," the chief said, though noting that if the reports show tweaks are necessary, they'll be implemented.

"If we can make improvements to make our department better, that's what we'll do," he said.

Thomas noted that he hasn't been against change in the past, pointing to lessons he's learned from 9/11 and elsewhere regarding firefighter protection and communication. But with a incident command procedure he considers a model for other departments, the unions recommended changes aren't likely to come without arm twisting and the aid of an agency with a little more clout.

Mayor Riley, who has hardly let an opportunity in front of the podium pass without praising Thomas, once again said Thursday that his support is behind the chief 100 percent.

"I've never seen a better example of leadership than Chief Thomas that night,' he said. "We've got the best chief and the best department."

Topics: Sofa Store Fire, City Hall

Dems Get Ready for Debate

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 3:14 PM

With the Democratic Debate heading to Charleston on July 23, the question on everybody's mind is how to get tickets. The answer from state party chair Carol Fowler can roughly be translated to, "Good luck." It's likely going to come down to who you know in the Democratic Party or at the Citadel. Fowler said she's hopeful that there can be a drawing for some tickets, but details are far from complete.

The expectation is that there will be viewing parties around town, with most of them likely hosted by the campaigns. The party is also organizing an after-party following the debate for attendees, with donations going to the City's Fireman's Fund.

The "hook" if you will for this debate is the ability for average Joes to ask the questions, via YouTube submissions. I've taken a quick look and I've got to tell you that people are getting creative. There's background music. There's photos of George Bush. There's thought-filled questions. And there's ridiculous mind-numbing stupidity. Wow. It is American.

Topics: City Hall
Older Entries »

Greg Hambrick
News Editor

Press Time Tweets

City Paper Blogs

RSS Links

Classified Listings
{ more } Recent Comments
{ more } Reader Reviews
Most Viewed

Powered by Foundation   © Copyright 2012, Charleston City Paper   RSS