Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that modern Americans are much fatter than they were just a few decades ago. Take one look around a shopping center or strip mall and it seems that half the people present are struggling with obesity. Recent data from the CDC supports those observations - more than 39% of adults in the United States were considered obese from 2015-2016. That number is up from 33.7 percent in 2007-2008.
Perhaps more alarming is the fact that severe obesity is on the rise as well. The same report from the CDC tells us that nearly 8% of Americans were severely obese from 2015-2016, which is up from 5.7% in 2007-2008. When you read between the lines, those statistics mean that almost 4 in 10 adults are obese in the U.S., and almost 1 in 13 are severely obese.
Unfortunately, "fixing" obesity isn't something that can be done overnight. There is no quick fix that is also safe and non-surgical. The obesity problem in the U.S. is only getting worse as more adults and children choose the ease and convenience of fast food sugar-packed products over healthy eating, exercise, and positive lifestyle choices.
Besides the challenges of being overweight, like clothes that don't fit and hurtful comments, the health risks are much more serious. Obesity can endanger your life, and those who rely on you may lose you earlier than expected. Over time, the likelihood of developing severe and life-altering health problems grows.
The good news is that a new medication called semaglutide in North Charleston, SC, is available for people struggling with obesity. This game-changing treatment approaches obesity as a chronic metabolic disease rather than a problem that can be solved through willpower alone.
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we now ioffer semaglutide as part of our custom weight loss program. If you've been struggling with obesity and have tried other diets with little to no success, don't lose hope. With the help of our medical and nutritional providers, you can lose weight, keep it off, and take meaningful steps toward better health.
Our weight loss program with semaglutide starts with a comprehensive consultation and evaluation process. During this phase, we will determine the ideal semaglutide dosage for you and provide personalized nutrition and exercise guidelines. Once we have a better understanding of your body and your weight loss goals, you'll begin receiving regular injections of semaglutide in North Charleston, SC.
It's your responsibility to incorporate lifestyle changes, specifically in your diet and exercise, to reach your weight loss goals. However, we'll be there every step of the way and conduct regular check-ins to help you stay on course. We'll also closely monitor your progress and overall health to ensure that your weight loss is safe and sustainable. The purpose of our semaglutide weight loss program is to offer a comprehensive weight loss treatment that helps you achieve natural, long-lasting results. That's the VIP Cosmetic Surgery difference.
Patients who sign up for our semaglutide weight loss program benefit from the following:
For semaglutide to have the biggest impact on your weight, you've got to make changes to your diet. When you eat nutrient-dense, whole foods that support weight loss and healthy living, you're setting yourself up for long-term weight loss. Our nutrition plans are comprehensive and customized to your needs and lifestyle. That way, when you're ready to make real changes in your life, we'll be there with a nutrition plan you can follow to make the journey easier and more sustainable.
One of the biggest reasons why people fail to achieve their weight loss goals is because they try to do it all on their own. When you sign up for VIP Cosmetic Surgery's semaglutide program, you benefit from monthly check-ins with Dr. Farr to see how your progress is going. During this meeting, you can talk to the doctor about your progress and what hurdles you're still trying to overcome. The doctor will give you advice and guidance based on his experience and - perhaps most importantly - help keep you on track so that you can lose weight and keep it off for good.
Our practitioners will provide tests to ensure that your body is healthy, hydrated, and well-fed. By checking your hydration and nutrition levels, we can help ensure you're losing weight in a healthy manner and not starving yourself. By maintaining optimal health throughout your weight loss journey, you're giving yourself the best shot at long-term weight loss.
For individuals working to lose weight and stay healthy, sticking to a consistent diet and exercise routine can be tough. Between work obligations and important tasks like picking your kids up from school, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to eat healthy foods. After all, McDonald's is on the way home, and your little ones are screaming for food.
Fortunately, many busy people find semaglutide to be a valuable tool in their weight loss journey. This FDA-approved injection, used for treating both diabetes and obesity, functions by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and promote long-term health.
In more simple terms, semaglutide imitates glucagon in the body, signaling to the brain that you're full and don't need to eat more. When you take semaglutide and try to overeat, your body sends a message that says, "That's enough." In essence, it makes you feel full, so you're less likely to binge eat, especially at night when food tends to sit in your stomach.
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By minimizing glucose spikes after meals, it lowers inflammation, which is a crucial step in optimizing your overall health. Moreover, Semaglutide assists in insulin secretion by the pancreas regulates glucose levels in the body and even possesses anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling with weight loss, treatments such as semaglutide can make a substantial difference for you.
In summary, semaglutide helps you lose weight in a few different ways, including:
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, one of the most frequently asked questions our providers receive from curious weight loss patients is whether or not semaglutide is supported by clinical trials. As it turns out, many trials have been conducted measuring the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss, and the results are very promising.
Semaglutide is designed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who are attempting to shed at least 10% of their total body weight without success with other methods. Clinical trials involving over 1,900 obese adults who were unable to lose five percent of their body weight after a year of treatment with other medications demonstrated that semaglutide increased average weight loss from 2% to 20% over a treatment period of just over one year compared to a placebo.
In a different trial involving 1,387 patients with obesity (but not type 2 diabetes), participants were randomly assigned to different doses of semaglutide: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or placebo for 104 weeks. The group that took the higher dose of semaglutide lost an average of 31 pounds, while those on the lower dose lost an average of 11 pounds.
According to the NCBI, the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People With Obesity (STEP) trials have shown the efficacy of semaglutide, as well. In large randomized controlled trials, patients who received 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide lost a mean of 6% of their weight after 12 weeks and 12% of their weight after 28 weeks.
So, what do all these statistics mean for you? If you're looking to shed some pounds, it's worth giving semaglutide injections a shot. This type of treatment isn't a miracle drug, but it can significantly boost your chances of weight loss success. That's why, at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we have incorporated semaglutide as a fresh treatment option for individuals grappling with obesity, especially those who have exhausted other remedies and are seeking something new.
As is the case with promising therapies like semaglutide, people considering the drug have a lot of questions about whether it's right for them. Keep reading to get answers to some of the most common questions relating to semaglutide.
If you're an adult dealing with obesity, excessive weight, or weight-related medical conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, semaglutide injections could be a suitable option for you. To qualify for semaglutide weight loss services at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you must meet the BMI range criteria established by the FDA. If you're unsure whether semaglutide injections are the right choice for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our weight loss practitioners today.
Our doctors and practitioners often hear from patients asking whether semaglutide is safe for long-term use. It's natural to have concerns about a medication that impacts your body. Simply put, as long as you meet the criteria, it is safe to take this weight-loss medication. Even patients with endocrine, kidney, heart, and liver conditions can safely use semaglutide. As of June 4, 2021, the Food & Drug Administration has given the green light for semaglutide injections (2.4mg once weekly) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and at least one weight-related condition.
Weight loss medications such as semaglutide may cause people to regain weight once the treatment is stopped. According to a clinical trial featured in Practice Update, participants regained 11.6% of their lost body weight within a year of discontinuing semaglutide medication and lifestyle intervention. Researchers suggest that this weight gain could be linked to the reversal of the cardiovascular benefits associated with semaglutide treatment, including stable blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
This data underscores the importance of continued medication and ongoing treatment for obesity as a chronic health condition to effectively manage its impact on quality of life and heart health. The key takeaway here is that due to its nature as a weight loss treatment, it's best to take regularly over time for the best results.
That length of time will vary depending on factors such as:
There's no question about it - semaglutide is making waves in the medical community. Thousands of obese men and women in the U.S. are using the treatment to get a handle on their weight and live healthy lives. With its ability to reduce blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss, it makes sense that patients are looking for ways to get the most out of their regimen.
Keep reading to learn a few of the best tips to maximize your journey with semaglutide.
Before you start taking semaglutide or make any changes to your treatment plan, make sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider who prescribes semaglutide. They will evaluate your specific needs, determine the right dosage for you, and give you important instructions on how to use the medication properly. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, our weight loss practitioners work one-on-one with every patient who takes semaglutide to ensure they're staying healthy, hydrated, and committed to our semaglutide program.
Make sure to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels as recommended by your semaglutide provider. While semaglutide can assist in reducing blood sugar levels, it's important to regularly monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments. When you begin a weight loss program at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you can rest easy knowing we check your blood sugar levels periodically.
Regular physical activity can boost the effects of semaglutide. It's best to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week to support weight loss and overall health improvements.
It's important to understand that results may not happen right away and could take some time to become noticeable. Try to be patient as you follow your treatment plan, maintain consistency with lifestyle changes, and have confidence that positive results will come gradually.
To maximize the effectiveness of semaglutide, it's very beneficial to eat a well-rounded diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Always try to choose nutrient-rich options over high-calorie, high-fat foods. That way, you can achieve your weight loss objectives quicker. When you work with weight loss experts like the doctors at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you'll have access to customized nutrition plans that will help expedite your weight loss and keep off the pounds once you reach your goals.
Make sure to set up regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to track your progress, make any necessary changes to your treatment plan, and talk about any concerns or questions you might have. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, follow-ups and check-ins are built into our semaglutide program, giving you one less thing to worry about as you lose weight.
Are you striving to reach a healthy weight and live a more fulfilling life? Are you eager to have a positive impact on yourself and your loved ones? Take the first step toward better health by contacting VIP Cosmetic Surgery. Our experienced, compassionate practitioners will collaborate with you to identify your weight-loss goals. Once we know more about you and your body, we'll create a custom plan and provide the cutting-edge strategies and treatments you need to see real results. If you're ready to make a meaningful change, we're ready to guide you on the path to success.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - One Lowcountry high school science teacher is looking for a way to help his students stay engaged and comfortable in class.James Barton is a science teacher at Fort Dorchester High School“I love teaching. This is my 32nd year teaching and I love being in the classroom with them,” Barton says.He has an engaging classroom with things he has collected over the years on display.“I have a large collection of specimens, some animals and some live creatures here in the ro...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - One Lowcountry high school science teacher is looking for a way to help his students stay engaged and comfortable in class.
James Barton is a science teacher at Fort Dorchester High School
“I love teaching. This is my 32nd year teaching and I love being in the classroom with them,” Barton says.
He has an engaging classroom with things he has collected over the years on display.
“I have a large collection of specimens, some animals and some live creatures here in the room because the more you engage students in that hands-on and what’s around them, the more interested they become,” he says.
Barton also teaches a 90-minute lab class to students about twice a week. He says this is a long block of time for students to be standing on their feet, especially when some are not medically able to do so.
“I’ve had a couple of students who needed to be able to sit because they couldn’t stand for a long period of time,” Barton says. “Several students who were on crutches or had had some issues with standing, and I had to borrow a lot of stools from fellow teachers while we were doing lab.”
He is looking for a set of lab stools so that his students who cannot stand for a long time will be able to focus on the lab.
“It removes one of those obstacles from the students being able to focus on what’s going on,” Barton says.
Barton says this will greatly help his labs during the next school year as he continues to do what he loves every day.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to teach to the youth of today because they’re going to be the hard leaders tomorrow,” Barton says.
Click here to become a Live 5 Classroom Champion by donating to help fund this project.
Donors Choose collects the money, purchases the items the teacher has requested, and sends them directly to the teacher. That way, you know that your donation is used appropriately, and all donations are tax-deductible.
If you are a teacher who wants to be featured on Classroom Champions, email us at classchamp@live5news.com.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Last night, July 11, Phish touched down in North Charleston, S.C., for the first of three performances at their longtime launchpad of the North Charleston Coliseum. In the weeks leading up to their first shows in The Palmetto State since 2022, the legendary jam quartet’s current tour had been an uninterrupted stream of bar-raising stagings, bringing a slew of deep cuts and ambitious improvisation to stadiums across the country. Friday’s series kickoff was no exception, as a day off on Thursday and the indoor setting–both me...
Last night, July 11, Phish touched down in North Charleston, S.C., for the first of three performances at their longtime launchpad of the North Charleston Coliseum. In the weeks leading up to their first shows in The Palmetto State since 2022, the legendary jam quartet’s current tour had been an uninterrupted stream of bar-raising stagings, bringing a slew of deep cuts and ambitious improvisation to stadiums across the country. Friday’s series kickoff was no exception, as a day off on Thursday and the indoor setting–both meaningful factors in the missile of a summer run–combined to bring out the band’s very best in a fistful of rarities and record-setting explorations, including a sprawling second set “Down with Disease.”
Phish stepped into the spotlight at the North Charleston Coliseum, which they’ve frequented since 1995, with a 10-minute take on “Free,” which set a radiant tone for the ensuing “Rift” and a cover of Little Feat’s “Spanish Moon,” performed for the first time since October 2023 and only the fourth time since its 2010 debut. “Reba” channelled this momentum into the first set’s jam centerpiece, which skipped the whistling to reach out to 12 minutes before the first appearance of Fuego deep cut “Devotion to a Dream” since October 2016 and another 12-minute foray into the oddball prog of “The Final Hurrah,” their Kasvot Växt holdover’s longest version to date.
To tee up their big swing into the set break, Phish brought out the bluegrass romp of “My Mind’s Got a Mind of Its Own,” continuing a marked tour trend of reviving more traditional Americana cuts in cities associated with the style, like Austin, Texas, and Boulder, Colo. The brooding retro funk of Evolve standout “Hey Stranger” built steam with its slow but intense funk, leading the group into a set-closing sprint through “Taste” and the breakthrough peaks of “Walls of the Cave.” For all the first frame’s curveballs, the evening’s best was still yet to come.
Refreshed from the set break, Phish waded into the second half of their performance with a focused warm-up “Llama” that fell somewhere between its former breakneck speeds and notable recent slow-motion arrangements. With a knowing glance, the band jumped into “Down with Disease,” a tried and true pick for the two-slot that’s hosted some of the band’s biggest Summer Tour jams.
From a shadowy, cryptic intro section led by terse interplay between Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, the Hoist essential plunged into darkness before grabbing a rhythmic ledge and scaling back up to a bliss jam near its halfway point. As they cleared the 20-minute mark, the group cycled through a daze of contrasting but equally infectious dance grooves, morphing funk into boogie and a hard-rock lurch. An electrifying second peak dropped the group into one last riff before they merged into “Twist” after 34 minutes, edging out a memorable “Disease” from last year’s Sphere run to claim the classic’s longest performance yet.
After that exhilarating tour highlight, Phish turned in a well-rounded second set with substantial but never next-level versions of “The Well,” “Chalk Dust Torture,” “Suzy Greenberg” and a 17-minute exploration of Ghost of the Forest’s “Sightless Escape,” Phish’s fourth rendition so far and its third and final record-setting jam of the evening. The encore mixed Phish’s first cover of Los Lobos’ “When the Circus Comes” of 2025 and a grand finale of “First Tube.”
Phish will return to the North Charleston Coliseum tonight, then wrap up the series on Saturday. They’ll continue on the road through the end of the month with standout stagings like two nights at Queens, N.Y.’s beloved Forest Hills Stadium on July 22 and 23 and tour-closing three-night return to Saratoga Springs’ Broadview Stage at SPAC from July 25-27. Following their Summer Tour, the band will embark on a seven-stop fall series from Sept. 13-21. Find tickets and more information here.
Read on for Friday’s full setlist.
View this post on Instagram
PhishNorth Charleston Coliseum – North Charleston, S.C.7/11/25Set I: Free, Rift, Spanish Moon, Reba+, Devotion To a Dream, The Final Hurrah, My Mind’s Got a Mind of Its Own, Hey Stranger, Taste, Walls of the CaveSet II: Llama* > Down with Disease > Twist, The Well, Sightless Escape -> Chalk Dust Torture, Suzy GreenbergEncore: When the Circus Comes, First TubeNotes:+ No whistling.* Performed in a slow, funky arrangement.Setlist via phish.net.
Phish 2025 summer tour is in full swing. This summer will see the Vermont foursome visit venues old and new in Colorado, Ohio, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. But what happens when the lights come up after the encore and you inevitably turn to your friends and ask, “What do now?” For those who want to ...
Phish 2025 summer tour is in full swing. This summer will see the Vermont foursome visit venues old and new in Colorado, Ohio, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. But what happens when the lights come up after the encore and you inevitably turn to your friends and ask, “What do now?” For those who want to keep the night going, there is the siren song of Phish after-parties.
We’ve assembled a list of the after-parties we could find for the remaining dates on the 2025 Phish summer tour. Check them out below, organized by chronology, or text-search this page (cmnd + f) to find the specific city you’re looking for. If there’s an after-show we missed, email michael@liveforlivemusic.com and we’ll add it to the list.
See you at the afters!
Galactic ft. Jelly Joseph Date: Thursday, July 3rd Venue: Boulder Theater Tickets: On sale here.
Flying Mojito Bros Date: Thursday, July 3rd Venue: Fox Theatre Tickets: On sale here.
Lettuce ft. GZA w/ Nigel Hall DJ Set Date: Friday, July 4th Venue: Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom – Denver Tickets: On sale here.
Arc De Soleil Date: Friday, July 4th Venue: Boulder Theater Tickets: On sale here.
Steely Dead Date: Friday, July 4th Venue: Fox Theatre Tickets: On sale here.
The Motet Plays Jamiroquai Date: Saturday, July 5th Venue: Boulder Theater Tickets: On sale here.
Magic Beans Do Magic Weens (A Tribute To Ween) Date: Saturday, July 5th Venue: Fox Theatre Tickets: On sale here.
Marcus Rezak Date: Wednesday, July 9th Venue: Woodlands Tavern Tickets: On sale here.
Big Blitz w/ Tasting Colour Date: Wednesday, July 9th Venue: Summit Music Hall Tickets: On sale here.
The Hose, Nomadic Earth, Juls And The Ghouls, Act Casual Date: Wednesday, July 9th Venue: 745 Taylor Ave, Columbus, OH Tickets: Available at the door ($20).
Kendall Street Company Date: Thursday, July 10th Venue: Charleston Pour House – Deck Stage Tickets: On sale here.
Bears Gone Phishin’ Date: Thursday, July 10th Venue: Charleston Pour House – Main Stage Tickets: On sale here.
Runaway Gin – A Tribute To Phish Date: Friday, July 11th Venue: Charleston Pour House Tickets: On sale here.
Airwolf Date: Friday, July 11th Venue: LO-Fi Brewing Tickets: On sale here.
Adam Knights Buried Alive (Phish Tribute) Date: Saturday, July 12th (2 p.m. show) Venue: Charleston Pour House – Deck Stage Tickets: On sale here.
Wolf Mask ft. Jake Brownstein (Eggy) Date: Saturday, July 12th Venue: Charleston Pour House- Deck Stage Tickets: On sale here.
Airwolf Date: Saturday, July 12th Venue: LO-Fi Brewing Tickets: On sale here.
Space Armadillo ft. The Dude Of Life Date: Sunday, July 13th Venue: Charleston Pour House – Main Stage Tickets: On sale here.
Winderman Colman Kimock ft. Rob Compa Date: Tuesday, July 15th Venue: Ardmore Music Hall Tickets: On sale here.
The Reality Check Experiment Date: Tuesday, July 15th Venue: 1220 W College Ave, Philadelphia, PA Tickets: Free
Winderman Colman Kimock ft. Jake Brownstein Date: Wednesday, July 16th Venue: Ardmore Music Hall Tickets: On sale here.
The Reality Check Experiment Date: Wednesday, July 16th Venue: 1220 W College Ave, Philadelphia, PA Tickets: Free
Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit ft. Melvin Seals, Jeff Sipe Date: Friday, July 18th Venue: Epiphany Center For The Arts Tickets: On sale here.
Flying Mojito Bros Date: Friday, July 18th Venue: Garcia’s Chicago Tickets: On sale here.
Hack ‘N Wheeze Date: Saturday, July 19th (4 p.m. show) Venue: Haymarket Pub & Brewery Tickets: Free
Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit ft. Marc Brownstein, Aron Magner Date: Saturday, July 19th Venue: Epiphany Center For The Arts Tickets: On sale here.
Marcus Rezak Date: Saturday, July 19th Venue: Everything Bar Tickets: Available at the door ($10).
Mitch Please Date: Saturday, July 19th Venue: Garcia’s Chicago Tickets: On sale here.
Marcus Rezak Date: Sunday, July 20th (12–4 p.m. show) Venue: Everything Bar Tickets: Available at the door ($10).
Eggy Date: Tuesday, July 22nd Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Tickets: On sale here.
DJ Brownie w/ DJ Richie G Date: Tuesday, July 22nd Venue: Bloom Botanical Bistro – Forest Hills Tickets: On sale here.
DJ Airwolf Date: Wednesday, July 23rd Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Tickets: On sale here.
Round Trip Date: Wednesday, July 23rd Venue: Bloom Botanical Bistro – Forest Hills Tickets: On sale here.
Eris Drew b2b Mark Farina Date: Wednesday, July 23rd Venue: Nowadays – Ridgewood, NY Tickets: On sale here.
Space Armadillo ft. The Dude Of Life w/ The E-Block Date: Thursday, July 24th Venue: Putnam Place Tickets: On sale here.
The Niche (ft. Rob Compa) Date: Sunday, July 27th Venue: NaNola – Malta, NY Tickets: On sale here.
Phish rolled into North Charleston, South Carolina on Friday night, the first of another three-night run. This tour has six three-night runs (including Hampton), four of which are indoors. They’re back indoors again, and after a day off, they headed into this one at North Charleston Coliseum with ambition and energy.Is the switch from an outdoor to an indoor venue going to give the crowd and band some more comfort and energy? Are we back to the &ldq...
Phish rolled into North Charleston, South Carolina on Friday night, the first of another three-night run. This tour has six three-night runs (including Hampton), four of which are indoors. They’re back indoors again, and after a day off, they headed into this one at North Charleston Coliseum with ambition and energy.
Is the switch from an outdoor to an indoor venue going to give the crowd and band some more comfort and energy? Are we back to the “it’s all about the energy” era, where compositions are secondary to the jamming? These are questions we were asking going into Friday night’s show.
The first set showed the band getting comfortable with runs through “Free,” then “Rift,” and in the third slot came “Spanish Moon.” Phish hadn’t performed the Little Feat classic since their October 2023 three-night stand at Chicago’s United Center. Next up was “Reba” without the whistling. The “Reba” jam was short, but was heart-wrenching for a few moments, wringing the feeling out of this dependable crowd favorite.
We heard the first “Devotion to a Dream” in 322 shows, which was a bit apparent based on the playing. And this tour has been full of bustouts and songs dusted off after a while on the shelf. You can hear the dust on some of them, but the flip side is it shows the band is loose, open, comfortable and willing to take risks — which pays off in the jams.
In “The Final Hurrah,” we saw some of the payoff of this approach. It was the first time played in nearly a year (August 4, 2024), and it stretched out into a nice, relaxed groove, that turned toward a peak at the end. The band was relaxed with nowhere to go for a few days.
Trey was eager to get into “My Mind’s Got a Mind of Its Own,” the first in 149 shows, teasing the riff before launching into a solid version. “Hey Stranger” was next, giving Page and Trey room to turn on the effects in another slow tempo but satisfying jam.
Set one ended with “Taste,” and a full white-lights “Walls of the Cave,” sending fans into setbreak full of breathless anticipation.
Set two kicked off with “Slow Llama”! This was the song before “the jam,” one of my favorite moves of the past several years. On the Helping Friendly Podcast, we often talk about the inevitability of “Down With Disease.” Often, I have to ignore the nagging feeling of “again?” because it almost always delivers something special.
This “DWD” was a true adventure. In the first part of the jam, Trey was chord vamping in sync with Page’s piano, then they all slowed down a bit, and it got a little darker, like climbing down a ladder into the dankness of the sewer, or maybe like a boat going under the surface of the ocean.
We’re submerged, then Trey went into the major key and pushed the jam back up toward the light. Then back down again, and our boat was capsized — effects pushing us underwater, and then we rose again, fighting the huge waves.
After 18 minutes, we’ve conquered the storm, and we’re back on calm seas. The sun is out, our clothes have started to dry, the beauty of being at sea has returned.
Then, about 21 minutes in, the band appeared on the deck of the boat and started a big dance party! Page on piano, Trey with a grungy tone that pushed the jam forward. Tempo was totally manageable, not too fast, but never stopped.
From there, they built to a full-band peak, with Trey sustaining notes and holding it to the end, earning the big, celebratory, trilling finale, before they returned to the song for a brief finish.
Following this huge adventure, we’re back in it with “Twist” — grungy, spacey, short and setting up a fun duel between Mike, Page and Trey. A trip to “The Well” followed.
“Sightless Escape” came next, another surprise and a balance of the approach of performing songs that haven’t been played in a while, which overlaps with the freedom to jam. A loose and free-sounding upbeat jam emerged, a reminder that any song can get “out there.”
The set ended with standard versions of “Chalk Dust Torture” and “Suzy Greenberg,” and they encored with a one-two of “When the Circus Comes” and “First Tube.”
The unpredictability, openness and patience that came from this show led me to believe that we are in for another two nights of adventure on the high seas, leaving from the port city of North Charleston.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A North Charleston resident shares environmental concerns as the neighborhood pond fills up with more than just water.North Charleston resident Derek Norman says potential illegal oil dumping is plaguing a neighborhood pond that sits behind his home. Norman says he connected the dots to motor oil when he saw the shiny purple and green layer sitting over the water back in March.“It has to be coming from the pipes; that means someone is putting it in one of the grates,” Norman says. &ld...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A North Charleston resident shares environmental concerns as the neighborhood pond fills up with more than just water.
North Charleston resident Derek Norman says potential illegal oil dumping is plaguing a neighborhood pond that sits behind his home. Norman says he connected the dots to motor oil when he saw the shiny purple and green layer sitting over the water back in March.
“It has to be coming from the pipes; that means someone is putting it in one of the grates,” Norman says. “The grates that are on top of the pipes. The first one we looked at in this little garden at the end of the house is just soaked with oil on top.”
Oil dumping, including vehicle oils on the ground, in a septic tank or down a storm drain, is illegal for residents in South Carolina, according to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. The department says dumping used motor oil poses risks to the environment as it can impact the state’s lakes, rivers and groundwater.
Norman says the water has been treated after reaching out to neighborhood leaders and city officials. He says that only treatment is not enough to clean the pond.
“They can treat the pond all they want, but until you clean the pipes and you stop the actual cause of people dumping it, it’s not going to do anything,” Norman says. “It’s just treating what’s there and what you can see then and there.”
Norman urges people to dump oil legally to avoid similar pollution in other areas.
The department reports that there are over 900 collection sites across the state that recycle used oil to transform it into a valuable resource. The list includes participating auto retailers such as Advance Auto Parts and Auto Zone.
Collection sites also include county and municipal government programs. Charleston County Environmental Management Program Manager Christina Moskos says used oil can negatively impact Lowcountry waterways.
“Used oils are insoluble,” Moskos says. “They contain heavy metals, and these heavy metals can contaminate the water supply. They can lead to negative environmental impacts, they can threaten the ecosystem and eventually lead to a public health concern.”
Charleston County accepts motor oil and cooking oil from county residents at eight collection sites across the county. Residents can empty their material into containers at each site.
“We live in a coastal city,” Moskos says. “We’re so close to so much water, and we want to preserve those ecosystems and also preserve the health of our communities, so we want to make sure that used oils are disposed of properly so that there aren’t any health concerns that can arise from that.”
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Call Now: 843-705-1515
