Charleston Daily

Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.

Lowcountry

Charlotte Regional Business Alliance names Andrea B. Smith as interim CEO and announces search partner

May 7, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The board of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance has named Andrea B. Smith interim President and CEO. Smith is regarded in the Charlotte community as a top business executive, a community leader, and a philanthropist. The CLT Alliance also announced that Thaddeus Jones, the Founder and Managing Partner of Nexus Search Partners, has been retained to conduct the search for the organization’s full-time President and CEO.

Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Interim President & CEO Andrea B. Smith

As a trailblazer and champion for women in banking, Smith held a number of senior leadership positions for Bank of America during her 34-year career with the company. Those included such roles as the head of Global Human Resources, where she transformed the bank’s hiring, employee benefits, and diversity and inclusion efforts and subsequently Chief Administrative Officer. Among her numerous recognitions include American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking, Business North Carolina’s Most Influential Business Leaders in North Carolina, and Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year by Queens University.

Smith was also the Chair of the Executive Committee for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce in 2017, one of the CLT Alliance’s two predecessor organizations.

“I am proud to support the CLT Alliance and the board as we continue the important work to grow the economy, advocate for business, and help create opportunities for everyone to thrive,” said Smith. “Thanks to the support of hundreds of investors, partners, and a dedicated professional staff, we are confident the organization is poised for the future.”

In 2021 Smith was named the Citizen of the Carolinas, the CLT Alliance’s most prestigious award given to a Carolinian who has made great strides in the betterment of the quality of life in the Charlotte region and the country through years of accomplishment in community leadership. She has been an ardent supporter of equitable economic mobility in Charlotte, including serving as the inaugural Co-Chair of the Leading on Opportunity Council. Smith also currently chairs the Bank of America Alumni Network.

“We are thrilled to have Andrea Smith lead the organization during a period of transition, as she has provided decades of steadfast leadership in the Charlotte area. We know she will help us create even more impact during a time of great economic opportunity for this region,” said Ali Summerville, Chairman of the Board of the CLT Alliance. “Andrea’s consistent commitment to supporting local leaders, especially women- and minority-owned businesses, has provided more people in our community the opportunity to advance and thrive.”

In addition to announcing the interim CEO, the CLT Alliance has retained Thaddeus Jones, the founder of Charlotte-based executive search and advisory firm, Nexus Search Partners, to conduct the search for a permanent president and CEO. Nexus Search Partners has a mission to connect clients with executive leaders who can help accelerate growth. With a focus on increasing diverse representation at the executive level, Nexus partners with clients to find and evaluate the industry’s best leaders. Since launching the firm, Jones and Nexus have placed several top executives at leading corporations nationwide.

“Andrea is certainly highly experienced and poised to help guide the CLT Alliance, and we are grateful she has accepted this interim role,” said David Longo, Vice Chair of the CLT Alliance Board. “We are also grateful to have Thadd and his firm’s specialized expertise conducting a thoughtful search for our next full-time CEO who will lead us into our next phase of growth. Nexus has successfully led many important executive searches, including the recent CEO search for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.”

Since its creation the CLT Alliance has helped generate over 37,000 jobs and $15.2B in capital investment in the region, with the announcement almost 400 companies choosing to expand or relocate to the Charlotte Region. In addition, the CLT Alliance has been instrumental in the successful passage of three bond referendums, advocating for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, as well as the legalization of sports betting.

SOURCE Charlotte Regional Business Alliance

Lowcountry

Dr. Juliette Walker Honored as 2024 Woman of the Year at Make-A-Wish South Carolina’s W.I.S.H. Society Luncheon

May 7, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Charleston, SC – Make-A-Wish South Carolina celebrated the conclusion of its 2024 W.I.S.H. Society campaign in the Lowcountry with an awards luncheon at the Harbour Club of WestEdge, where Dr. Juliette Walker was honored as the Woman of the Year for her exceptional efforts in supporting the foundation’s mission.

The W.I.S.H. Society (Women Inspiring Strength and Hope) recognizes dynamic women each year who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements and a steadfast commitment to fostering compassion and resilience within their communities. Upon nomination, each honoree embarks on a three-month campaign to raise funds aimed at granting the heartfelt wishes of children battling critical illnesses.

Dr. Walker, a dedicated pediatrician, surpassed all expectations by raising an impressive $18,342, significantly contributing to the overall $105,000 raised by the Society this season. This collective effort will ensure that at least 14 magical wishes are granted to children in need in the Lowcountry. Throughout the state of South Carolina, nearly 400 qualified children are waiting for a wish and 70 of those reside in the Lowcountry area.

“We are immensely grateful to Dr. Walker and all the remarkable women of this year’s Lowcountry W.I.S.H. Society for their dedication and generosity,” said Make-A-Wish South Carolina President Misty Farmer, at the luncheon. “Their collective efforts have truly made a difference in the lives of many children and their families.”

In addition to Dr. Walker, the luncheon recognized the philanthropic contributions of ten other distinguished women from the Lowcountry W.I.S.H. Society:

Brooke Ryan
Emilie Zulhowski
Hart Peary
Karalyn Christman
Kimmy Powell
Lynn Tu
Mary Pate
Melissa Kubu
Natalie Holst
Sandra Reyna

These women together have played a pivotal role in raising $105,000 and granting 14 wishes, highlighting the powerful impact of community and compassion.

Dr. Walker, who operates Paragon Pediatrics in Charleston, has been particularly noted for her commitment to serving underprivileged families. Her involvement with Make-A-Wish has been driven by her experiences in hospital corridors, witnessing the fragility of life and the transformative power of granting wishes. “As a pediatrician, I diagnose and treat children with critical illnesses. W.I.S.H. Society gave me the opportunity to provide children and their families hope and joy during critical moments,” stated Dr. Walker.

For more information about the W.I.S.H. Society and how you can support Make-A-Wish South Carolina, please visit wish.org/sc/wish-society-women-inspiring-strength-hope.

About Make-A-Wish South Carolina
Make-A-Wish South Carolina creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since its inception, the foundation has sought to provide hope, strength, and joy by giving children a piece of their childhood back during their most challenging times. For more details, please visit wish.org/sc

Lowcountry

Did You Know: Wes Craven’s “Swamp Thing” was filmed at Cypress Gardens and Aiken-Rhett House

May 6, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Wes Craven’s “Swamp Thing” released in 1982 has become a cult classic in some circles. What many may not know, is that much of this movie was filmed at Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner. We all know about the famous romantic scenes from “The Notebook”, but now you know about the campy horror/sci-fi connection to our beloved attraction.

At the center of Wes Craven’s 1982 film Swamp Thing is the distinct landscape of the South. While the film is set in Louisiana, the filming took the cast and crew to South Carolina where the boggy Cypress Gardens and historic Aiken-Rhett House served as the backdrop for the movie.

Check out some of these clips below:

Official Trailer

Romantic Scene

Arrival of Swamp Thing

Protecting Alice

Burned Alive Scene

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Lowcountry

Department of Transportation Affirms $4B Commitment To Replace The Don Holt

May 3, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By: EMMA SLAVEN, EMMA@THEDANIELISLANDNEWS.COM

On the heels of the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore that killed six people in March, the South Carolina Department of Transportation affirmed its plans to replace the aging Don Holt Bridge spanning across the Cooper River with a wider and taller structure.

The replacement bridge, between North Charleston and Daniel Island, is projected to have a clearance of 186 feet above the water, allowing bigger ships to travel in and out of the North Charleston terminal.

The current bridge, built in 1992, stands 155 feet above water and limits the passage of cargo vessels to those ships holding 8,000, 20-foot containers or less.

Yet, more modern ships can carry twice as much.

“Modernizing the terminal, raising the Don Holt Bridge, deepening the Cooper River, and purchasing the former WestRock property are all critical components that will yield a state-of-the-art North Charleston Terminal,” State Ports Authority President Barbara Melvin said in a March 19 announcement.

The State Ports Authority recently announced the purchase of the WestRock paper mill in North Charleston to support its expansion of the nearby terminal, and raising a replacement bridge would further enhance the ports’ ability to attract bigger cargo ships.

The roughly $4 billion plan to replace the Don Holt is part of a bigger $8 billion dollar project called the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor that would see a massive overhaul to the 23-mile connection of roads and bridges linking West Ashley to Mount Pleasant.

“The project is currently in the very early stages,” said Kelly Moore, DOT’s public engagement director. “We expect the next steps, including a major public involvement initiative, to begin in the 2030s. After the next phase begins, we expect to have a better construction timeline to share.”

With reviews and permitting estimated to start sometime in the next decade, many questions regarding the actual cost, who will pay for it, and the design plans of the bridge are still undecided, according to Moore.

Moore emphasized that at this early stage, it’s premature to finalize maintenance plans outlining how roads will look during the interim period leading up to construction.

But transportation officials, at this point, do have nine potential design options in the running, including one early plan that would have one bridge with eight travel lanes and a bike and pedestrian path, and another option proposing two separate four-lane bridges.

In an effort to expand the lanes and accommodate Charleston’s growing traffic, the new bridge could be much like the Ravenel Bridge, with enhanced safety measures put in place.

SCDOT public information officer Hannah Robinson reassured Charleston drivers that the Ravenel Bridge has an “elaborate system” of protection and that it was designed to withstand a high level of impact, including the loss of cables.

According to Robinson, the existing Don Holt Bridge already has protective measures that surround the bridge, designed for the type of cargo traffic that travels through the channel.

“We would expect that as we move to replace the Don Holt in the near future, we would adopt similar safety measures to what is in place on the Ravenel,” she said. “We anticipate this [new bridge] will be a larger, higher structure that will be in alignment with Ravenel and support the continued growth of our port.”

Source: Daniel Island News

Lowcountry

Son of one of the 4 slain officers in Charlotte, NC writes and emotional poem as a tribute to his dad

May 2, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Officer William “Alden” Elliott, was was a 14-year veteran of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, former U.S. Marine, husband and father. On April 29, 2024, he was one of 4 officers killed in the line of fine. Since the tragedy, tributes have been pouring in for the 4 victims, but Officer Elliott’s son, Theo James wrote a poem that is filled with raw emotion and love.

William “Alden” Elliott’s 12 year old son, Theo James Elliott writes this poem as a tribute to his fallen father and personal hero:

My daddy is a hero.

He died getting the bad guys, that’s what he was good at.

He is a Marine.

He is a Police Officer.

He is kind and patient.

He keeps my mom and I safe.

He is my daddy; the best daddy.

We love playing video games together. He really likes Mario, Zelda, and Metroid Return of Samus.

We collect Pokemon cards. I have a Charizard that he helped me get graded.

He and I have watched every Star Wars movie and series.

My daddy loves playing and watching baseball. His favorite team is the Dodgers.

He is an expert marksman, perfect score every time.

For my 12th birthday he bought me a dirt bike. He bought himself one too, so that we could ride together.

I will learn how to ride it and we will ride together one day, Daddy.

He was the best man I will ever know.

And I hope to be just like him.

Lowcountry

PURE Theatre Charleston Announces Season 22 Lineup – It is poised to be a “Season of Delight”

May 2, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

PURE Theatre Announces Season 22: A Season of Delight

Charleston, SC (April 26, 2024) – PURE Theatre is proud to announce Season 22: A Season of Delight. The season begins in September, with five productions including a World Premiere musical and two regional premieres. Performances in the 2024–2025 season will take place at the Cannon Street Arts Center and virtually through PURE Live, the company’s live-streaming program (subject to rights availability).

“Sometimes, we all just want to smile. We want reasons to laugh and to be joyful, especially living in the world today, and that’s what Season 22 is all about,” says PURE Theatre Artistic and Executive Director, Sharon Graci. “Each of the five plays in our upcoming season has the unique ability to spark laughter and ignite delight, while also fulfilling our promise to always leave you with something to talk about. Whether we’re studying birds in a biosphere in Papua New Guinea, on a boat in the middle of the ocean making one of the world’s most iconic films, or following the crimes of a supervillain in a modern imagining of Sherlock Holmes, we’ll always find something to learn about ourselves – and we’ll have fun along the way!”

Season 22 kicks off in Fall 2024 with the South Carolina Premiere of Fat Ham by James Ijames. When the ghost of his father shows up in the backyard demanding revenge for his murder, it feels like a familiar story to Juicy, a queer Southern college kid who is well-versed in Hamlet’s woes. Against the backdrop of an uproarious family barbecue, Fat Ham is a delectably modern reinvention of a classic recipe seasoned to perfection.

Following Fat Ham is The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown. First produced at PURE 15 years ago, this freshly reimagined staging showcases his and hers vocal powerhouses accompanying each other in a passionate and intimate take on one of contemporary theatre’s most beloved musicals.

Winter 2025 will feature the Southeast Regional Premiere of The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon. It’s 1974, and filming of the future megahit Jaws is delayed…again. As Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss suffer at the hands of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star, alcohol flows, egos collide, and tempers flare on a chaotic voyage that just might lead to cinematic magic—if it doesn’t sink them all.

Spring 2025 ushers in the Southeast Regional Premiere of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill. Oddball female roommates Sherlock Holmes & Joan Watson join forces to emerge from pandemic fog as a deeply codependent, quasi-dysfunctional adventure duo—solving mysteries and kicking butts until they come face to face with a villain who seems to have all of the answers. A darkly comic modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth and sidekick, this fast-paced romp reexamines the world’s most famous detective story with a bold new feminist lens.

Season 22 will conclude with the World Premiere of Pleasure Never Lies, a new musical by Brad Moranz, Marshall Hagins, and Noah Brody. Dr. Samantha Williams is a brilliant but slightly insecure ornithologist…and let’s face it, who wouldn’t be, with radical, slightly feminist ideas about evolution bubbling up in one’s head? Ideas like the pursuit of pleasure (gasp!) is the second great engine of evolution! What if “survival of the fittest” is only half the story? Sam along with a ragtag group of bird scientists struggle to prove their theories on love, life, and evolution from deep within the jungles of Papua New Guinea in this quirky and clever world premiere musical from Broadway veterans Marshall Hagins, Noah Brody (Fiasco Theater), and Charleston’s own Brad Moranz.

PURE Theatre’s Season 22 Flex Pass is on sale now and includes five flexible tickets for the mainstage season, concierge ticketing services, first invitations to all PURE events, and discounts on additional ticket purchases. The Flex Pass also includes access to PURE’s Dining Benefits Program in partnership with the Charleston Arts Festival, giving you discounts and specials at your favorite local restaurants throughout the season. Current and retired K-12 educators can receive a special discount on their Flex Pass by contacting PURE.

Patrons and ticket buyers should visit PURE Theatre’s website at puretheatre.org for additional information on Season 22. Information on purchasing season passes as well as individual tickets is also available on PURE’s website, social media platforms, and via PURE Theatre’s box office at 843-723-4444, Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

ABOUT PURE THEATRE

PURE Theatre is a professional regional theatre in Charleston that creates consequential theatre experiences by and for a diverse gathering of artists and audiences. PURE produces work that inspires thought, ignites dialogue, heightens consciousness, and contributes to our community’s urgent exchange of ideas, viewpoints, aspirations, and inspirations.

PURE’s staff includes Sharon Graci (Co-founder and Artistic Director), Rodney Lee Rogers (Co-founder and Director of New Media and Education), David Mandel (Associate Artistic Director), Joy Vandervort-Cobb (Associate Artistic Director), Richard Heffner (Technical Director), Shivam Patel (Education and New Media Associate), Meagan McMahon (Patron Experience and Marketing Manager), and Tippy Trombly (Patron Experience Associate).

Michael Culler (President), Peter Calcagno (Treasurer), Chris Burgess (Secretary), Amy Gaffney, Bridget Durkan Laird, Liza Elsner, David Smalls, Brad Erickson, Stephanie Hunt, and Drew Childers serve on PURE Theatre’s board of directors.

Lowcountry

$73 Million Sale of New Orleans Marriott Courtyard and Springhill Suites Hotel to Group Lead by Louisiana Businessman Robert J. Guidry

May 2, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

First Major Hotel Sale Since Early 2023 Signals Rebound of Hotel Market Sales

NEW ORLEANS, May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Len Wormser, Senior Vice President and Scott Stephens, Senior Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Hospitality Real Estate Counselors (HREC), together with Cushman Wakefield Commercial Real Estate Services, are pleased to announce the sale of the 410 room Marriott dual branded New Orleans Courtyard and Spring Hill Suites Hotels located near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center/Arts and Warehouse District of the Central Business District. The purchase price was $73 million.

Robert J. Guidry along with Guidry Land Partners and Orlando businessman David Bansmer purchased the properties. These AAA located hotels were sold unencumbered by management and fee simple. InterMountain Management has been selected as the new management company, they also operate the buyer’s 19 story 232 room Residence Inn on St Charles Avenue.

“Clearly I am very bullish on New Orleans as with this purchase we now own three hotels with 642 rooms in this city and no doubt in my mind we will add to the portfolio over time”, said Guidry. He went on to say, “this city simply has more to offer visitors than any other in our country”.

“This transaction represents the first hotel of any significance sold in the New Orleans CBD French Quarter market in the last 16 months,” said Wormser, the Louisiana broker of record. “It was a pleasure working with both the seller and buyer, and HREC looks forward to future transactions with both in the City, and elsewhere, stated Wormer.

“Moreover, the New Orleans lodging market is and will experience significant positive tailwinds in 2024-26 anchored by a full convention calendar 2024-2026, highlighted by the Taylor Swift three night concert in October 2024 and Superbowl returning to the city for the 11^th time in February 2025,” said Wormser.

“These events coupled with over 120 recurring events and festivals each weekend in NOLA, will increase revenue for the hotel NOLA market double digits 2024-2026 compared to 2023.”

Wormser representing HREC is the most active Hotel Investment Advisor in the New Orleans and Southeast U.S. market. Throughout his career Wormser and HREC has sold and/or developed over $550 million in closed Lodging transactions (approx. 4,500 rooms) representing approximately 25% of the core New Orleans market. including recent sales of the 220 room Bourbon Orleans at a price of $90 million, and the 309 room New Orleans Airport Hilton located in Jefferson Parish for $53 million.

For more information about this transaction or the Southeast U.S Hotel Industry, please contact:
Len Wormser
Louisiana Broker License 995680273-ACT
850-830-4595
lwormser@hrec.com
Visit HREC®’s website at www.hrec.com

SOURCE Hospitality Real Estate Counselors (HREC)

Lowcountry

ThinkAndor, an AI-first platform, transforms emergency care at the Medical University of South Carolina

May 2, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

ORLANDO, Fla., May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Andor Health, an AI-first company reimagining virtual care, announces a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming the patient experience in MUSC Health emergency departments. The program uses artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ThinkAndor® to reduce wait times and enhance the quality of care for patients.

Figure 1: This graph compares the provider productivity for provider-in-triage (PIT) providers from January through February of 2023 to January through February of 2024. ThinkAndor Virtual Rounding and virtual triage capabilities were leveraged for ED triage beginning in 2024.

The demand for emergency care continues to rise, leading to overcrowding and excessive wait times. By leveraging ThinkAndor Virtual Rounding, ambient documentation and virtual triage capabilities, emergency departments can identify and address patients’ needs more efficiently, ultimately improving experiences and outcomes. ThinkAndor’s novel approach to emergency department (ED) triage significantly reduces the proportion of patients with “leaving without being seen” (LWBS) dispositions by 17%.

Health systems can optimize emergency care delivery by integrating AI-powered ThinkAndor Virtual Rounding and virtual triage capabilities into traditional ED workflows. Upon arrival, patients are promptly placed in dedicated consultation rooms where they receive initial assessments and treatment from MUSC clinicians who are remotely based and perform assessments virtually. Providers monitor patients’ progress through ThinkAndor’s Virtual Command Center and update patients as they await further evaluation.

With significant reductions in wait times and LWBS rates, early results from MUSC’s program have been promising. For example, when fewer beds were available to move patients through MUSC’s ED, LWBS rates should have risen. However, after implementing ThinkAndor Virtual Rounding and virtual triage capabilities, MUSC’s LWBS rates remained flat because patients were triaged upon arrival, accelerating time to care and disposition. Additionally, due to a remarkable increase in the number of patients receiving medical screening examinations with ThinkAndor AI-first capabilities, MUSC experienced an improvement in productivity by approximately 500% (see Figure 1) when compared with traditional in-person triage.

“Through our strategic partnership with Andor Health, we are transforming emergency care. With ThinkAndor supporting the Emergency Department, we have experienced better outcomes, improved ED throughput and increased patient satisfaction. Even during peak demand when the hospital is at- or overcapacity, the virtual care we are delivering through ThinkAndor ensures optimal outcomes,” said Morsal Tahouni, M.D., assistant professor and medical director of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina.

“By implementing ThinkAndor, we were able to maintain our LWBS rates under 4%, below the national average, even when capacity at each campus was greater than 100%,” explained Jeanhyong “Danny” Park, M.D., assistant professor and director of ED Clinical Informatics, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina.

“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do, and our AI-first approach to transforming emergency care is a testament to that commitment,” said Raj Toleti, chairman and CEO of Andor Health. “We recognize the need to automate key workflows of collaboration, documentation and observation within care delivery with an AI-first approach, and ThinkAndor achieves that goal.”

Visit Andor Health at ATA Nexus 2024 booth 619 to learn why ThinkAndor is the leading AI-first virtual care collaboration platform.

About Andor Health
Andor Health revolutionizes clinical care through generative AI-powered virtual experiences across the continuum. ThinkAndor® empowers healthcare providers with actionable insights and ambient monitoring by harnessing generative AI to procure, process, and intelligently translate data and signals trapped in various systems, including electronic medical records and biometric devices. With proven ROI, ThinkAndor® puts AI into action by improving workflows, time to treatment, patient outcomes, and clinical productivity. For more information, visit Andor Health or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a unique mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates more than 3,200 students in six colleges – Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy – and trains more than 900 residents and fellows in its health system. MUSC brought in more than $300 million in research funds in fiscal year 2023, leading the state overall in research funding. MUSC also leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health funding. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Patient care is provided at 16 hospitals (includes owned or governing interest), with approximately 2,700 beds and four additional hospital locations in development; more than 350 telehealth sites and nearly 750 care locations situated in all regions of South Carolina. In 2023, for the ninth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $5.9 billion. The nearly 31,000 MUSC family members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, students, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.

Lowcountry

Spirit Airlines to begin nonstop flights from Charleston, SC to Detroit, MI

May 2, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Attention Charleston, South Carolina: The Motor City, Detroit, Michigan is calling!!!

You’re just a flight away thanks to Spirit Airlines. Beginning July 10, 2024 Spirit Airlines will be offering nonstop flights to Detroit 4 times a week!

Flights are on sale now. Click HERE to search and book!

The tail of a Spirit Airlines Co. aircraft is seen on the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S., on Friday, June 02, 2017. Photographer: Saul Martinez/Bloomberg

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Lowcountry

Mellow Mushroom Celebrates their 50th Anniversary – Check out what is in store!

May 2, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Festivities to Take Place Across Various Mellow Locations, May through November

Featuring Special LTO Menu Items, Pop-Up Mellow Pint Nights, New Merch & More

Mellow Mushroom – the stone-baked pizza brand with 160+ locations nationwide – celebrates 50 years of business this year and is set to mark the golden anniversary with a kaleidoscope of celebratory events across locations from May 14 to November 2024.

Mellow Mushroom will commemorate five decades with the launch of a company-wide, limited-time-only anniversary menu featuring a mix of returning fan-favorites and brand new menu items – including an official 50th anniversary cocktail – alongside a 50th-inspired happy hour experience set to pop up at Mellow locations across the country, newly minted packaging, exclusive 50th themed Mellow Shop merchandise and a national ad campaign.

“As the commemoration of this 50th milestone begins, we want to thank the Mellow Mushroom guests who have recognized our unwavering commitment to quality pizzas, munchies, salads and more for a half century,” said Anne Mejia, Senior VP Brand Development at Mellow Mushroom. “With each Mellow Mushroom restaurant, Mellow owners have created a truly unique and very Mellow experience where guests have celebrated countless first dates, birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions throughout the last 50 years.”

50th Anniversary Menu Covers

Mellow Mushroom Launches 50th Anniversary LTO Menu Items

May 14 through November 11

Available across all Mellow Mushroom locations, the LTO menu items will be listed within a special 50th anniversary section of the menu. This section includes new items like the Super Pepp Pizza featuring a Mellow Red Sauce base topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, Mama Lil’s Peppers, dollops of seasoned ricotta cheese & a swirl of Mike’s Hot Honey^®, Chop To It Salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet onions, Mama Lil’s Peppers, black olives, provolone & julienned salami on a bed of chopped Romaine lettuce topped with house-made croutons served with gluten-free red wine vinaigrette on the side, and Honey Sriracha Wings featuring nine double baked honey sriracha wings sprinkled with sesame seeds & chives served with celery, carrots & a choice of ranch or bleu cheese dressing. in addition to revived classic pizzas including The Marley featuring jerk chicken, mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage & sweet onions on a pesto base crust andThe Maui Wowie featuring a pesto base with mozzarella, honey ham, pineapple, jerk chicken, banana peppers & applewood-smoked bacon. Mixed to perfection to complement the new flavors, the brand will also roll out an official 50th Anniversary cocktail – The Disco Peach made with Jim Beam Bourbon, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, peach, fresh sour & Coca-Cola^® – while the recently launched Lavender Groove Lemonade Mocktail (also available as a cocktail) makes its return!

In addition to mouth-watering food and beverage offerings, Mellow Mushroom will introduce three new menu cover art designs, three new pizza box designs, newly branded cups and to-go packaging, 50th themed gift cards and a variety of new themed retail offerings that will be available to shop via the Mellow Mushroom Shop beginning May 14.

Mellow Pint Night: Cheers to 50 Years

Leaning into the brand’s deep-rooted love for pizza and beer, Mellow Mushroom is toasting the big 5-0 with the launch of a pop-up happy hour set to take place across various Mellow locations throughout summer and fall. While guests can already find a huge selection of the best local and international beers on tap at every location, Mellow Pint Night will serve as a one-night-only experience at select Mellow restaurants in an effort to spotlight regional beer partners and their standout pours with featured collectible 50th anniversary pint glasses. To stay up to date on future Mellow Pint Night’s, keep an eye out on local Mellow social pages and news from the brand’s Shroom Room e-club. More details to come!

Touted for its following and counterculture essence, Mellow Mushroom blends the boundaries between art, music, high quality ingredients and passionate standards for dining. Each individual restaurant is uniquely reflective of its local community while holding true to Mellow Mushroom’s core values and brand. Widely known as the originator of hand-tossed, stone-baked, one-of-a-kind pizza, the main menu – anchored by its coveted “secret dough” recipe – boasts fan-favorite pizzas like the Holy Shiitake Pie with olive oil and garlic base, shiitake, button and portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, mozzarella, and Wisconsin aged white cheddar, finished with a garlic aioli swirl and a spritz of black truffle oil, garnished with fresh chives and shaved parmesan. Highly customizable Build-Your-Own pizzas are also available, creating the perfect canvas for a kaleidoscope of ingredients with options for meat-lovers, vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free and other dietary-conscious diners, alongside a revolving door of munchies, greens, burgers and sweets.

Founded on pizza and beer, guests will also find a huge selection of the best local and international beers on tap at every location. Behind the Mellow Mushroom bar, a variety of made-from-scratch mixers and electric spirits come to life in the form of Liquid Karma Cocktails with standouts including The Campfire Peach Margarita made with Casamigos Blanco & Mezcal Tequilas, peach, jalapeno & house-made agave sour.

About Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom has been serving out-of-this-world, stone-baked pizzas since 1974. Founded in Atlanta, Georgia & now operating 160+ locations across 17 states, the iconic pizza bakers are all about being high on pizza, people and passion. Elevating the dining experience with A Higher Order of Pizza™, Mellow Mushroom’s coveted secret dough recipe and red sauce have garnered a cult-like following over the years.

Mellow Mushrooms’s menu of hand-tossed, stone-baked pizzas also includes calzones, hoagies, munchies, greens, sweets & more with plenty of gluten-free & vegan options. Behind the Mellow bar, guests can enjoy a selection of fun, specialty cocktails & mocktails, wines and a selection of local beers.

Each location is locally owned and operated, providing a local flare baked in with Mellow’s trippy vibes, high quality, fresh ingredients and psychedelic artwork. Touted for its following and counterculture essence, Mellow Mushroom blends the boundaries between art, music, high-quality ingredients and passionate standards for dining. Mellow out…

For more information visit www.mellowmushroom.com.