Now it is even uglier. (The building… not the car that happened to be driving past).

It was all black the last time I posted on this new paint job.

I often get emails from people that are moving and relocating to Florence, SC and have searched google for something related to Florence, SC. I have found that I LOVE these emails. I love helping people understand neighborhoods, schools, things that they may be interested in. This is all done on a one to one basis as I need to know more in depth information about their particular circumstances. However, there is some general information that I am happy to pass along to anyone searching.

A while back I did a post called “Welcome to Florence.” That post deals with how to meet people and how to get involved in Florence.

I have also added a “Realtor” section to the Florence, SC links page. You will need to email me to get added to this list.

The City of Florence and Florence County have two of the best websites I have seen for municipalities. When I look at the websites of other places, I am amazed at how far behind us they are.
There is also information on the Florence, SC Chamber website.

The Florence County website has a section providing general information on Florence, including Climate, population, etc. I also learned that:

In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007 FLORENCE COUNTY recycled:

71.95 Tons of Glass
393.64 Tons of Metal
4,914.59 Tons of Paper/Paperboard
279.29 Tons of Plastics
104.41 Tons of Used Oil
3.25 Tons of Used Oil Filters
678.67 Tons of Waste Tires

They won’t take my glass though, so I need to research that issue further.

If you are moving here, please email me and ask any questions. I want Florence to grow and be successful and I am happy to give you names of realtors, information on neighborhoods, and any other information that I know.

The Florence County Planning Department has a blog with updates on issues affecting planning in Florence. They currently have a post up about the widening of Highway 51. If you have questions, you may be able to have them answered there, so check it out!

The South Carolina Dance Theater is a wonderful part of the Florence, SC community. Their 32nd season opens with “The Nutcracker” which will be performed at the Florence Little Theatre from Friday, November 13th to Sunday, November 15th. Friday night and Saturday night performances are at 7:30 pm with matinees on Saturday at 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 3:00 pm. Information about memberships and sponsorships is here.

Now is the time that the arts need all the help we can give. Your presence, your purchase… your support is needed in all aspects of the arts. I know that times are tough and the temptation is to cut back, but we have got to build this community to make it better and bring more employers here.

Their first event for the Season will be a Halloween Brunch presented by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The party will take place on Saturday, October 31st, at All Saints Episcopal Church and the themes of Nutcracker and Halloween will be combined to make for a very fun and entertaining party.

I know that I will be doing everything I can to take my daughter to the Nutcracker. I love this ballet, it is a classic that I can watch over and over again. I also want her to learn to find the culture around her– regardless of where she may be.

If you have any questions, all of the contact information is located on this page. Please do not hesitate to contact them for information– they are very open to questions!

(In the spirit of full disclosure this post is in addition to a paid ad in the sidebar.)

Reader Joel recently emailed me about this event, a party to support our troops.
From the website:

The US Army Pathfinder Company of the 101st Airborne has been serving in Afghanistan since December last year. For those who know Joel and Connie, you know that Connie’s brother-in-law is the 1st SGT for the company. Some of us here in Florence have been supporting these guys with care packages since they left. He wants to do something special for his soldiers when they return this December and we want to help and want everyone to come join, have fun and help as well.

The City of Florence Comprehensive Plan kicks off this week! If you have no idea what that means, here is an explanation. The meeting is tonight at Poyner Education Center at 6:00. Everyone that has an interest in the future of Florence should try to attend!

I am a HUGE fan of the Florence Little Theater. I don’t know how many of you realize how amazing it is that we have this vibrant theater and theatrical community. There are many towns the same size as Florence that can not pull off a full season of plays. I was thrilled beyond all belief to receive an email from Frankie Sullivan soliciting my help for the Theater. Honestly? I can not carry a tune in a bucket and I can not dance, so I am happy that there is SOME way that I can assist (other than NOT auditioning for a play).

The good thing is that YOU can also help. How? It is SO EASY! ALL you have to do is answer the following question.

What shows would you like to see Florence Little Theater produce in upcoming seasons?

Answer below, converse in the comments. I will compile the responses for the Theater to review. (Come on now, we don’t want to be embarrassed with one or two answers… we need REAL conversation.) To sweeten the deal, I will choose one of you to get a $10.00 gift certificate to a local retailer. (Local Retailers feel free to step up )

Last year during the summer I struggled with finding content. It seemed as if everyone in Florence packed up and left for three months. This summer hasn’t been as difficult, there has been a good bit going on. It is still slower than the fall, winter, and spring.

It has been nice in some ways. For a while I was trying to capture EVERY event in Florence and be on top of everything. That is pretty ridiculous for me to attempt. I have a job, a family…. and a lot going on. This is an unpaid hobby and I have to remember the word “Hobby” sometimes. I am not a reporter, a full time writer, or a taxi driver that is always cruising town. So, I have been getting back to my original mission. That is to spotlight certain events and encourage people to step outside of the box and do something different. I also will review local businesses and restaurants and help you to discover new places right here in Florence (and the Pee Dee). I ask for and LOVE your emails with events and things to do. I apologize in advance that I can’t post about everything. Sometimes it just doesn’t fit in with my personal goals and wishes for this site. Sometimes it does– there is never any way to tell. I may post about a garage sale, a jewelry sale, or a car wreck holding up traffic. If you email me and I don’t send you an answer? Feel free to email me again. However! Sometimes? I am out of town, just not around, or spending time with my family. (My email is “theflossip@gmail.com”) I especially want any “Flossip Success Stories.” Did you go to the Black Creek Kayak Festival because you read about it here? Did you try out a new store and score big? (Also, if you tell me NOT to use your name I will protect your identity.)

Since I started the Flossip, I have challenged myself, attended events that I normally would not have, and entered businesses I had driven past and wondered about. I have learned about hyperlocal blogging and expanded my knowledge of social media marketing (which I can use in my day job). I am copied on PRESS RELEASES (LOVE THIS) and people send me wonderful emails about their lives and experiences.

I was at a party the other night with some big wig types and I heard about lots of exciting things coming to Florence. People there were EXCITED about opportunities and possibilities. It was one of the first times I remember a large group saying “Its GREAT to live in Florence”! There was no complaining about a lack of things to do– because there isn’t a lack of things to do. You may have to look around a little, but I am here to help you with that.

I LOVE this hobby, I love talking to people about Florence, and I THANK ALL OF YOU for continuing to read! Hopefully we can make Florence a better place to live!

(You may follow me on twitter and I will be maintaining some time with AIM online chat, username: theflossip)

The Pee Dee Business and Professional Women’s network is having their monthly meeting tomorrow. It is NOT too late to reserve a space! What a great opportunity, I am so glad that our community has this resource.

Via Email:

Our monthly meeting is this Thursday from 12-1:30 at the Florence Country Club and it is visitors month. We are encouraging business and professional women in the Pee Dee area to come see what we are all about. We will have a fantastic catered lunch, testimonials from current members, an overview of our group and the benefits of membership, and fantastic door prizes, including a free membership for one of our visitors. If anyone is interested, please contact Barrett Jackson by email – info@tulipsandtoadstools.com to reserve a seat. Guest lunch is 17.00.
www.peedeewomensnetwork.com

We meet on the 4th Thursday of each month at the Florence Country Club from 12 until 1:30.

When I moved back to Florence after college, I became aware that Florence had a local employer by the name of ACS Technologies. The father of two kids I babysat for worked there, and I kept hearing good things about the company.

When I started the Flossip, I quickly learned that the key technology people in this area are almost all connected to ACS. As the years go by, every time I hear ACS mentioned it is in a positive light. If you have never been sure of what ACS does, they provide software for faith based organizations.

I have also become aware that in the midst of this recession– ACS is HIRING! This company is continuing to grow when others are not, and I am quite sure it has a lot to do with the high caliber of people working there and their mission and vision statements.

We focus development and service efforts in six key areas: mega, medium/large, and small churches, organizations, schools, and the Catholic market.

The bedrock of who we are and what we do for you is service. We are committed to providing you the the most up to date and useful technology integrated with unmatched, high quality service (Overview of ACS Technologies)

ACS has over 300 employees and over FIFTY THOUSAND clients throughout America. According to their Human Resources department,

Just this year, we have already hired 22 people and have job postings for 4 positions (our website, monster.com & peedeehelpwanted.com) and we are going to post one more position in the next few days. Once we hire all those, we will have hired 27 people since January!

If you are a local job seeker, make sure you keep their “Job Opportunities” page bookmarked. If you are involved with a church that needs any of the services provided by ACS, I can’t imagine looking anywhere else for your needs.

Florence is very lucky to have such a good corporate citizen.

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