Spartanburg City News

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City News Podcast: Previewing 2014 in Spartanburg, Part 1 Dec 31, 2013

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On yesterday's podcast, we talked with Assistant City Manager Chris Story about some of the highlights of 2013, and as long as the list of great things that happened in our city over the last 12 months is, we're convinced that things in 2014 will be even more exciting. In fact, we're so enthused for the upcoming year that we couldn't fit all of it in one podcast, so rather than depriving our loyal listeners of the full spectrum of awesome things coming to Spartanburg in 2014, we've spit our "city wonk prognostication 2014" podcast into three parts. Today, we talk about some of the nuts and bolts changes on the horizon for Spartanburg City government in the upcoming year, including the addition of two new City Council members. Erica Brown won election to the District 6 Council seat in November, and a special election is being held January 21 for the District 1 seat left vacant after the resignation of Council member Sterling Anderson.

City News Podcast: A look back at 2013 in Spartanburg Dec 30, 2013

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There's no denying that 2013 has been quite a year for Spartanburg, especially for our city's blossoming downtown. With 24 new businesses opening, new attractions and events, and the wildly successful Main Street Challenge, we couldn't fault anyone for calling 2013 the most important year for Downtown Spartanburg in recent memory. Today on the podcast, we sit down with Assistant City Manager Chris Story to talk about those, and more of what we believe were this year's highlights.

City News Podcast: Discussing the Spartanburg Academic Movement with Executive Director John Stockwell Dec 23, 2013

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The statistics on educational achievement and economic growth are pretty clear, and for Spartanburg Academic Movement Executive Director, Dr. John Stockwell, those statistics mean that Spartanburg has work to do. As of 2008, fewer than 20 percent of Spartanburg County adults had earned a bachelor's degree, a figure that puts our community below both the state and national average. Tackling that problem takes a renewed focus on educational achievement at all levels, "from "cradle to career" as the new Spartanburg Academic Movement puts it. Today on the Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Stockwell to talk about some of the ways our community can tackle that challenge. Listen to our full conversation below.

Former Mayor Bill Barnet: Why the Northside is important for Spartanburg Dec 17, 2013

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Yesterday, we posted a podcast with former Mayor and current Northside Development Corporation Chair, Bill Barnet. If you haven't listened to it yet, we highly recommend taking a half-hour out of your day to give the entire episode a listen. Within that podcast though, was something we think is pretty special, something that deserves to be highlighted. One of the questions we asked was a simple one: Why should folks in other parts of the City of Spartanburg should care about what's happening on the Northside? Barnet's answer is both direct and compelling, challenging all of us in Spartanburg to have a larger vision of ourselves as a community. We hope you enjoy it.

City News Podcast: Former Spartanburg Mayor Bill Barnet on the Northside Initiative Dec 16, 2013

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In previous podcasts, we've talked with City Community Services Director, Mitch Kennedy about the Northside Initiative, getting the nuts and bolts view of what the large redevelopment program entails, as well as focusing in on one aspect of the initiative, the Healthy Food Hub, which recently broke ground. Today, on the heels of recent news from the Mary Black Foundation of a $1 million grant towards an early childhood development center for the initiative, we shift gears a little, talking with former Mayor and Northside Development Corporation Chair, Bill Barnet about the importance of the Northside to the future of our city. What is the end goal of this redevelopment effort? Why should what happens on the Northside matter to city residents in other areas? We delve into those, and other important questions, on today's podcast.

Arts Roundup Podcast: Artists-in-Residence program returning to Hub-Bub Dec 06, 2013

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Going back to its beginnings in 2006, the Hub-Bub Artists-in-Residence program has been one of the crown jewels in Spartanburg's cultural crown. Every year, four artists from around the country came to Downtown Spartanburg to live free and create, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our great city. Now, after a one-year hiatus, the much-loved AiR program is making a return, refashioned as a six-month residency featuring a filmmaker, a theater artist, and two visual artists. Today on the podcast, we sit down with Hub-Bub Artists-in-Residence Program Director, Eric Kocher to get some details about the resurgent AiR program.

Arts Roundup Podcast: Holiday events and classes at the Chapman Cultural Center Dec 04, 2013

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December is here, and with the holidays upon us, it's time for another conversation with Champan Cultural Center President and CEO, Jennifer Evins about some of the center's great offerings this month. Listen to learn more, and be sure to check out the Chapman Cultural Center's calendar for a complete list of what's happening this month.

City News Podcast: Little River Coffee Bar owner, manager visit coffee farm in Nicaragua Nov 26, 2013

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Among the many places people gather in Downtown Spartanburg to grab a meal or a drink, Little River Coffee Bar is certainly one of the busiest. Serving up espresso drinks and coffee in the Grain Distirct alongside its sister shops Cakehead Bakeshop and Hub City Bookshop, there's hardly a morning at The Coffee Bar where you won't see a who's who of important local figures getting their caffeine fix. Little River isn't just any coffee shop though. For starters, all of the coffee served at Little River Coffee Bar is roasted at Little River Roasting, fewer than two miles away. Much of that coffee also comes from farms that have a direct relationship with Little River, farms located in in far-flung reaches of the world like Cameroon, Costa Rica, and the country Little River owner, Gervais Hollowell and Coffee Bar General Manager, Joey Geier visited earlier this month, Nicaragua. Today on the podcast, we sit down with Geier to get some details of their trip and the unique relationship this great local business has with its suppliers.

City News Podcast: Skating on the Square Opens Friday! Nov 12, 2013

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It was easily one of the most popular attractions in town last year, and on November 15 Skating on the Square returns to Morgan Square in Downtown Spartanburg. Today on the podcast, we sit down with City Special Events Manager Mandy Merck to get details about what to expect this year when you head downtown to hit the ice.

City News Podcast: More on the New Downtown Streetscaping Plan Nov 05, 2013

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After getting the "nuts and bolts" perspective of Assistant City Manager Chris Story on the recently approved $2.3 million Downtown streetscaping plan we thought it might be helpful to take a look at things from a different angle. How does this collection of eight streetscaping projects look to someone who spends more time than most seeing our city on two wheels and two feet? Today on the podcast, we sit down with the chair of our Bicycing and Pedestrian Committee, and avid local cyclist, Randy Cooksey to find out.

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