2019 WESTIE AWARDS
To The Future and Beyond ... Honoring 10 members of our community who are helping make tomorrow better Every year for more than a decade, the West Of Free Press has recognized people within the community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help...
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Rolling Up Their Sleeves
The West Ashley-James Island Business Association (WAJIBA) is only a quarter of a way into its eighth year of existence and there seems to be a renewed infusion of energy this year. With an almost completely new board at the helm, the business group seems to be...
Greening of West Ashley
All Harry Lesesne sees is opportunities as he walks down the newly finished parts of the city’s renovation of the West Ashley Bikeway. “Over there could be a community garden, over there could be planted with ornamentals, maybe a playground there, or a community...
Good-bye West Of … Hello West Of Free Press
This issue marks the 652nd weekly edition of West Of. Every Wednesday since February 2005, we have covered the good, the bad, and the ugly that has taken place in West Ashley. But this edition marks the end of an era and the dawning of a new one for West Of. One that...
Home Team BBQ Rocks The Block
Ever since Home Team BBQ opened its first restaurant along Ashley River Road more than 10 years ago, the owners of the West Ashley restaurant have worked hard to give back. As they continued to grow, opening other locations on Sullivan’s Island, in downtown...
West Ashley Flashback
On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States was now totally committed to World War II. Employment of skilled workers at the Charleston Naval Yard was a huge issue. Thousands of potential workers would come to the area seeking the economic...
Get Wild at Caw Caw
Get your running shoes ready — it’s time to get wild. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) hosts its annual Where the Wild Things Run, a 5K run and walk on Saturday, March 3 at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in West Ashley. Like many of the...
Mug Shots
The following were taken from actual incident reports filed last week by the City of Charleston Police Department. These are not convictions and the names of businesses, complainants, and suspects have been left out to protect the innocent. All suspects are innocent...
Beauty As Action
What really matters? Surprisingly, it is Beauty! True beauty, not the glamour that distracts us these days. Each of us bringing beauty into our everyday life can actually help change the world. Why? Practicing “True Beauty” helps to shift our culture from competition...
Right On Key
Every year the Charleston Music Teachers’ Association (CMTA) holds an audition to encourage and reward students who have demonstrated achievement and dedication to their musical studies. The Louise Mathis Scholarship awarded thereafter allows the students to continue...
Putting an End to Gerrymandering
Perhaps it was naivete, youth or idealism. Maybe all three. But I never felt trapped by gerrymandering during a run for Congress in 2000. I believed people from Seabrook Island to Little River in the First Congressional District were ready for someone different....




