Fast Facts

American Express -- The local American Express office is at 10 Carriage Lane (tel. 843/556-9051), open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Camera Repair -- The best option is Focal Point, 4 Apollo Rd. (tel. 843/571-3886), open Monday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm, and on Friday 9am to noon.

Dentist -- Consult Atlantic Dental Association, 61 West Building, Ste. 105 (tel. 843/356-3838; www.charlestonsfinest.com).

Doctor -- For a physician referral or 24-hour emergency-room treatment, contact Roper Hospital, 316 Calhoun St. (tel. 843/724-2000) or Doctor's Care (tel. 843/556-5585) for the names of walk-in clinics.

Emergencies -- In an emergency, dial tel. 911. If the situation isn't life threatening, call tel. 843/577-7070 for the fire department and tel. 843/577-7077 for the police.

Eyeglass Repair -- Try Jackson Davenport Vision, 379 King St. (tel. 866/228-8430 or 843/722-4416; www.jacksondavenportvision.com), open Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Hospitals -- Local hospitals operating 24-hour emergency rooms include AMI East Cooper Community Hospital, 1200 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant (tel. 843/881-0100) and Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Ave. (tel. 843/792-1414). For medical emergencies, call tel. 911.

Hot Lines -- Crisis counseling is available at tel. 843/744-HELP (4357).

Newspapers & Magazines -- The Post and Courier is the local daily.

Pharmacies -- Try CVS Drugs, 1603 Hwy. 17 N. (tel. 843/971-0764), open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 10pm and on Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

Post Office -- The main post office is at 83 Broad St. (tel. 843/577-0688), open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Safety -- Downtown Charleston is well lighted and patrolled throughout the night to ensure public safety. People can generally walk about downtown at night without fear of violence.

Taxes -- South Carolina has a 6% sales tax. Charleston tacks a 6% accommodations tax (room or occupancy) onto your hotel bill and 7% on food.

Toilets -- These are available throughout the downtown area, including at Broad and Meeting streets, at Queen and Church streets, on Market Street between Meeting and Church streets, and at other clearly marked strategic points in the historic and downtown districts.

Transit Information -- Contact the Charleston Area Convention Visitor Reception & Transportation Center, 375 Meeting St. (tel. 843/853-8000).

Weather -- Call tel. 843/744-3207 for an update.