S.C. Aquarium considering 4-dimensional theater

South Carolina Aquarium officials are considering bringing a four-dimensional theater experience to the attraction next year.

That means visitors watching a short film about ocean life, in addition to watching with 3-D glasses, also could feel a spritz of water hit their faces or what appears to be a fish swimming across their feet.

Kevin Kampwerth, director of brand communications, said the addition could recover some of the aquarium's group business, which took a hit this year in the wake of cutbacks in corporate and school spending.

Aquarium officials did not know if the theater would operate within an existing space or in another structure.

Smart move

Another technical institute wants to start offering classes in the Charleston area as existing programs see unprecedented demand during the recession.

ITT Technical Institute has formally asked the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education for clearance to open new campuses in North Charleston and Conway.

Locally, the group has leased about 20,000 square feet of space on Aviation Avenue in North Charleston.

The school has notified the higher-ed commission that it wants to offer degrees in paralegal studies, computer and electronics engineering technology, computer drafting and design, information technology and computer network systems, information technology and web development, construction management, electronics and communications engineering and information systems security.

Institute spokeswoman Lauren Littlefield would not speak about the school's plans and declined to give a projected opening date. But the company's latest quarterly earnings release disclosed that it has the goal of opening six to eight new locations in 2009.

"A key part of our organic growth strategy involves increasing the number of locations in our system," ITT Educational Services Inc. Chairman Kevin M. Modany said during a conference call to discuss second-quarter earnings with analysts. "We expand geographically by adding new ITT Technical Institutes ... and new learning sites of those institutes. ..."

No horsing around

The city of Charleston's Tourism Commission asked that a panel of three veterinarians take a look at five topics within the ordinance governing carriage tour company operations.

That decision followed a report made to the commission last week by the equine veterinarian who performed an inspection of the city's horse-drawn tour companies this year.

Amy Hayek, owner of East Coast Equine, found code violations among all five companies. City officials set deadlines for each to make improvements.

The commission asked city tourism director Vanessa Turner-Maybank to impanel three veterinarians to study the existing ordinance for its requirements on stall size, temperature, hoof care, staff training related to harnesses and staff training related to animal conditions. Each of those topics stood out as particular areas of concern for Hayek.

The ordinance was developed after three years of monthly meetings held by a group that included industry professionals and a veterinarian.

Win thin

Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle, who became famous for dropping a bunch of weight on a diet of the chain's sandwiches, is bringing his get-fit challenge to South Carolina.

To help curb the trend of students becoming more obese, Subway is sponsoring a video and poster competition through Oct. 8 for students in elementary, middle and high schools across the state.

Participants are asked to show how they stay healthy and fit by either drawing on a poster board or recording a video. Each entrant will receive a $5 Subway gift card. Entries will be judged by a panel of community leaders, with winners awarded in five S.C. markets. Winners will be notified by Oct. 26.

Two grand prize winners -- one per grade categories K-6 and 7-12 -- will be selected to receive an awards package including a $1,000 Subway Card and a $1,000 fitness grant for their schools or clubs.

Fogle will visit the Palmetto State to recognize the winners. His trip to Charleston is set for Oct. 28.

The Trust for America's Health recently reported South Carolina has an obese/overweight children rate of 33.7 percent, ranking 13th among U.S. states.

Seeking feedback

South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. is dangling a chance for a $1,000 gift card from Amazon.com as an enticement to a select group of customers for feedback on how the utility is doing.

The SCE&G Customer Voice Panel will be contacted about once a month through an online survey request to gauge opinions and experiences about its services, marketing materials and general operations. The company wants to learn how to serve customers better. Here's one suggestion that's certain to come up: cut rates.