Innovative CamStar UAV Drone Video Company Based in Summerton, SC

There I was privately lamenting to a friend that there was a dearth of new, innovative technology companies in our area. He snapped his fingers and said he had recently heard of a new such company in the area called CamStar UAV run by Ms. Christina Darby. He said one of the services they offered was shooting videos using drones, also referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

As soon as I got home, I looked up Christina Darby on the Internet and found links to her company’s Facebook page and web site. From there I went and viewed some of her drone video footage posted on Vimeo of a Sunset over Lake Marion and local churches in historic Summerton, SC. They were great – and I highly recommend you check them out for yourself.

A quick review of the CamStar UAV web site stated that the company was an innovative local advertising and marketing firm providing high quality drone videography, photography, virtual tours, and related 3-D imaging services to both individuals and organizations. Examples of some of their businesses customers include realty agencies, construction companies, insurance adjusters, golf courses, public safety, and other local government and non-government organizations.

Every organization in Summerton and the surrounding Santee Cooper LakeCountry ought to be thinking about adding a video to their Facebook and web pages. To see examples of some of their work, be sure to visit their web site at www.camstaruav.com

Contact Information

Christina Darby

CamStar UAV Drone & Photography

1443 Tom Charles Road Summerton SC 29148 USA
Telephone:  (803) 410-1067

Email:  camstaruav@gmail.com

Lake Marion Artisan's and 'Open' Art Technology

When you visit the new Lake Marion Artisan’s web site, take a look at the selected links to ’Open’ Art Tools & Technology posted on the site. These are some of the best free and open source software (FOSS) tools currently available to artists.

In addition to visiting the web site, if you happen to be traveling through Santee Cooper Lake Country don’t forget to swing by the Lake Marion Artisans art gallery in downtown Summerton and view some of the many art works produced by our local artisans.

The following are links to selected free and 'open source' software & tools for use in the Creative Arts:

• Art of Illusion - A free and open source 3D modelling and rendering studio.
• Avidemux - Free and open source software designed for multi-purpose video editing that can be used with most computer operating systems.
• Blender - A free and open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems.
• Calligra Flow - An easy to use free & open source diagramming and flowcharting application.
• DarkTable - An open source photography workflow application and RAW developer. A virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers.
• GIMP(GNU Image Manipulation Program) - A multi-platform photo & image manipulation tool.  It is an open source alternative to Photoshop.
• GNOME Projects - Hundreds of free and open source GNOME applications are available a vast range of activities, including playing media and editing photos
• Kaltura - A community developed free and open source video management platform and applications.
• Krita - A full-featured, open source sketching and painting application for digital artists.
• Libre Office - A comprehensive open source software suite of office applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet) similar to MS Office.
• MyPaint - An open source graphics application for digital painters.
• Open Movie Editor - A free and open source video editing program, designed for basic movie making capabilities.
• PhotoPrint - A free utility designed to assist in the process of printing digital photographs and posters.
• Scribus - An open source desktop publishing system with and extensive graphics tools.
• Sculptris and ZBrush - Sculptris is a free 3D modeling application for artists. ZBrush is a more advanced commercial product.
• Shape Collage - An open source tool that allows you to create picture collages in any imaginable shape or form.
• Synfig Studio - Free and open-source 2D animation software solution for creating film-quality animation using vector and bitmap artwork.
• TuxPaint - A free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12.

* Also, check out Mobile 'Art' Apps for your Smartphone from Google.

For more detailed information on free and open source software (FOSS) for artisans and art enthusiasts, go to the COSI ‘Open’ Art Tools & Technology web site.

Lake Marion Artisan's and Art Education & Training Resources

When you visit the new Lake Marion Artisan’s web site, take a look at the following selected links to Education & Training events, organizations, and resources for those interested in the Creative Arts. Further, in addition to providing links to a range of free and open source Art software tools, the web site also provides information on the Lake Marion Artisans art gallery in downtown Summerton, its artists, and many of their works.

Lake Marion Artisans - Art Education & Training Classes

• Art education and training sessions are held every month at the art gallery in downtown Summerton, taught by local artisans.For more detail go to Lake Marion Artisans web site.

South Carolina Education & Training Resources

• Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC) - Local college offering an Associated Degree in Humanities & Fine Art.
• Clemson University Art Department - Offering both graduate and undergraduate degree programs in the Fine Arts.
• SC Arts Commission - Links to SC Arts Educations programs and activities.
• SC Art Education Association - Provides instruction and training for art educators and art schools across South Carolina.
• SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities - Visual Arts Program.
• SC Universities: Fine Arts Programs - List of some of the best universities in SC offering degrees in the Fine Arts.

Other Art Education & Training Resources

• Academic Earth - Founded with the goal of giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education.
• Art Education Partnership - A national organization dedicated to advancing the arts in education through research, policy, and practice.
• College Open Arts Textbooks - Providing free and 'open' textbooks to more than 2000 community colleges.
• COSI Open Solutions & the Creative Arts - Information and links to free and open source solutions (FOSS) for the creative arts.
• edX Online Courses - Major universities partnering to provide free high-quality education for everyone, everywhere.
• Europeana - Providing open access to digital resources of Europe's museums, libraries, archives and audio-visual collections.
• Khan Academy - Free, online Art History education & training courses and videos.
• National Art Education Association - The leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators in the U.S.

* Also, don’t forget to check out some of the many free, online art courses now available on YouTube.

Students who study Art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. Federal funding for the Arts & Humanities rolls in around $250 million a year, while the National Science Foundation receives around the $5 billion. President Trump plans to cut the Arts even further.

Come visit the Lake Marion Artisan’s art gallery when next you visit Summerton, S.C.

Three State Titles for Clarendon County Schools This Week

Clarendon County SC - Local Sports News Summary: It was a great week for Clarendon County schools as they clinched three 2017 state titles this week.

• The Laurence Manning Academy Swampcats defeated Cardinal Newman to clench their second straight SCISA Class 3A Baseball state title. See http://manninglive.com/2017/05/16/swampcats-win-state-title/ 
• The Laurence Manning Academy Lady Swampcats repeated as SCISA Class 3A Softball state champions. See http://www.scnow.com/sports/article_fa5dfd06-3bcf-11e7-92ec-236086b17009.html 
• East Clarendon Wolverines won the South Carolina Class A Softball state championship. See http://www.scnow.com/sports/article_bb53f96c-3bcf-11e7-933e-bfb08e98f474.html

Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) and Tools for Churches and Their Members

It's the 21^st century and their are many new ways to use technology to help share your faith and beliefs in the emerging 'Information Age'. The following are a collection of links to selected web sites offering free & open source software (FOSS) and tools for religious organizations and individuals. Check them out and share with others.

• Bible App for Kids - A popular free and open source app for kids.
• Bible Time - A free and open source Bible study program.
• BibleGateway - A web site offering access to an online Bible search engine and other useful research tools and information resources.
• Christian Clip Art - Links to free Christian clip art provided by the Atlantic Fish web site. 
• ChurchBiz Online - Offering a variety of free solutions for churches, e.g. software, eBooks, music, and much more.ChurchInfo - A  free, open source database driven program to help churches track members, families, groups, pledges and payments.
• CrossWire Bible Software - A variety of open source religious software products for use on Laptops, Desktops, and PDAs.
• CyberSpace Ministries - A web site offering free software, Bible games, and other products and services.
• GearDownload - A web site providing a list of numerous open source or shareware religious software.
• Lectionary / Sermon Writer - A web site with free and low cost software, preaching and teaching tools for pastors, chaplains, and other clergy.
• OpenLP -An open source lyrics/media projection application developed specifically for churches
• OpenSong - A a free, open-source software application created to manage lyrics, chords, lead sheets, overheads, computer projection, and more.
• SWORD Project - A Bible software development project that has created a range of related cross-platform open source tools.
• TechMission Christian Software - A collection of freeware and open source software aimed at Christian organizations and individuals. They include church management software, ministry software, Bible study software, and more.
• Ubuntu: Christian Edition - a free, open source operating system geared towards Christians. It is based on the popular Ubuntu Linux.
• Xiphos - A popular open source Bible study software application.

There are many other links to available information and tools that have been posted on the COSI'Open' Religious Technology & Tools web site.

If you know of other free and 'open source' tools, send us the links so we can share them with our readers.