Author: Charleston Daily

Property reinforces Charleston County’s Urban Growth Boundary and the island’s rural heritage 

Charleston, SC, November 12, 2025 – Lowcountry Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to preserving Lowcountry landscapes and waterways for current and future generations, is proud to announce the permanent protection of a 37-acre property on Johns Island that the same family has stewarded for more than 115 years. The conservation of this beloved land not only preserves vital agricultural soils, forested wetlands, and wildlife habitat but also honors the island’s deep-rooted rural character, reinforcing Charleston County’s Urban Growth Boundary and helping to manage growth and resiliency in the region.

The generational property conserves two valuable habitats that are integral to the local landscape and ecosystem—just over 13 acres of upland areas containing prime agricultural soils and forested wetlands that support biodiversity, improve water quality, and help mitigate flooding. The conservation easement was fully donated by the family, continuing their enduring legacy of care for the land. This act of generosity ensures the property will remain both undeveloped and protected forever, serving as a testament to Johns Island’s heritage and modeling the impact of private land conservation in the Lowcountry.

“Lowcountry Land Trust is honored to have been entrusted with the perpetual protection of this special family land,” said Sam Seawell, community lands director at Lowcountry Land Trust. “The owner’s foresight and conservation of the property helps maintain the rural landscape of Johns Island, an undertaking that is seemingly hard, yet possible, to achieve.”

The protection of these 37 acres reinforces the Urban Growth Boundary, which is defined by Charleston County and its residents in the Comprehensive Plan as a means of managing growth by directing development to areas with existing infrastructure and limiting it in rural areas by protecting land, maintaining area resiliency. While conservation easements protect only 8% of Johns Island, 80% of its land is located outside the urban growth boundary and remains largely undeveloped and rural, yet still not permanently protected. 

The conservation of this property reflects landowners’ and Lowcountry Land Trust’s ongoing commitment to partnering to preserve the region’s most ecologically and culturally significant landscapes and waterways, while simultaneously and proactively managing growth, maintaining resiliency, and enhancing residents’ quality of life.

Stay connected by following @LowcountryLandTrust on social media and signing up for their email newsletter to receive the latest updates on conservation efforts and ways to get involved.

ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST

Lowcountry Land Trust—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—permanently protects land throughout coastal South Carolina that is foundational to the area’s ecosystem and residents’ quality of life. Having protected over 163,000 acres since 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust is one of the most impactful land trusts in the country. Its work includes the stewardship of privately owned land and iconic public places, such as the future Angel Oak Preserve—a 44-acre passive park and living museum in partnership with the City of Charleston. More information about Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org. 

Today, The Select in downtown Charleston, South Carolina at 465 Meeting Street has announced they will be closing. No official closing date has been shared in the message.

We want to thank and wish the team all the best.

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By Mark A Leon

Charleston’s culinary scene has long been defined by its deep roots, coastal bounty, and the creative brilliance of its chefs. The 2025 Charleston Food & Wine Festival — a five-day celebration of Southern hospitality, innovation, and indulgence — will once again shine a light on the city’s finest. This year, four local chefs are taking center stage, each embodying the spirit of Lowcountry cuisine in their own unique way: Chef Michael Zentner of Merci, Chef Nikko Cagalanan of Kultura, Chef Mike Lata of FIG and The Ordinary, and Pitmaster Hector Garate of Palmira Barbecue.

Together, they represent the heart of Charleston’s dining culture — where heritage, passion, and a respect for the ingredients of the South come together in unforgettable dishes.

Chef Michael Zentner – Merci

Participating in the Grand Tasting and Dine Around, Chef Michael Zentner continues to make waves at Merci, his celebrated downtown bistro known for refined yet soulful cuisine. Zentner’s approach is one of balance — a French-inspired foundation paired with a distinctly Charleston sensibility. His plates are elegant but never fussy, emphasizing seasonal produce and precise technique.

At the festival, Zentner will bring his signature attention to flavor and artistry to the Grand Tasting, offering guests a glimpse into the thoughtful simplicity that defines Merci. For the Dine Around event, diners can expect a collaborative and intimate experience where Zentner’s inventive palate — think delicate sauces, crisp textures, and local seafood — takes the spotlight.

“Charleston has a rhythm,” Zentner often says. “You can taste it in the ingredients — from the farms to the coast.” His food celebrates that rhythm, making him one of the most anticipated local names at this year’s festival.

Chef Nikko Cagalanan – Kultura

Also featured in the Grand Tasting and Dine Around, Chef Nikko Cagalanan of Kultura is redefining Charleston’s idea of “homegrown” cuisine through his bold Filipino flavors and cross-cultural storytelling. A 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist, Cagalanan has become a beloved figure in the city’s dining community for his ability to weave the flavors of his Filipino heritage into the local food tapestry.

At Kultura, every dish tells a story — from adobo with local pork to coconut-based stews infused with Charleston-grown herbs. His cooking is deeply personal yet perfectly aligned with the festival’s mission: celebrating authenticity, creativity, and connection. Expect Cagalanan’s festival dishes to showcase both heart and heat — bridging continents and bringing something beautifully different to the Charleston table.

Chef Mike Lata – FIG + The Ordinary

A cornerstone of Charleston’s restaurant renaissance, Chef Mike Lata needs little introduction. As the James Beard Award–winning chef behind FIG and The Ordinary, Lata has spent years championing local ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and impeccable technique.

This year, he will participate in both a cooking demonstration and the Oyster Roast, two events that perfectly capture his mastery of coastal fare. Lata’s demos are famously engaging — equal parts education and inspiration — as he shares the stories behind his signature dishes. At the Oyster Roast, he’ll celebrate the region’s seafood heritage, honoring the Lowcountry’s time-honored traditions with his characteristic finesse.

Lata’s presence at the festival underscores the continued influence of Charleston’s veteran chefs — those who built the city’s culinary reputation from the ground up and continue to mentor the next generation.

Pitmaster Hector Garate – Palmira Barbecue

Finally, no Charleston food event would be complete without barbecue — and Pitmaster Hector Garate of Palmira Barbecue brings the smoke, soul, and storytelling that define Southern cooking. As a featured chef at the Lowcountry Tailgate, Garate will showcase his Cuban-inspired approach to Carolina barbecue, a style that blends Latin spice, sweet smoke, and traditional pit techniques.

Garate’s food is a love letter to his heritage and to Charleston’s diverse culinary identity. At Palmira, brisket, pork, and ribs are slow-cooked to perfection, often paired with yucca, plantains, and tangy house sauces that pay homage to his roots. Expect lines — and plenty of satisfied smiles — at his station during the festival.

Together, these four chefs illustrate the breadth of Charleston’s food story — from fine dining to fire pits, from global fusion to local farms. The 2025 Charleston Food & Wine Festival isn’t just a showcase of great food; it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the chefs who keep the city’s culinary flame burning bright.

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By Mark A Leon

Look Up Charleston Art Collective sits at 128 Meeting Street (upstairs) in the heart of downtown Charleston, and it feels less like a shop and more like a neighborhood living room for makers. Founded by a rotating roster of local artists and curators, Look Up Charleston is a vibrant, intentionally inclusive cooperative where creativity is both displayed and nurtured. Stepping inside, visitors encounter a hand-picked constellation of work — ceramics with salt-scorched textures, bold screen prints, hand-stitched textiles, and small-run zines that speak directly to the city’s layered stories.

As you carefully weave your way through the storefront, you will experience 50+ unique art vendors, 2 artist studios with active work being created and a few other treasures to uncover.

The artists themselves are the real attraction. Emerging talents share wall space with more established local names, creating an inspiring cross-pollination: a potter who throws functional dinnerware beside a fiber artist exploring narrative through quilting; a printmaker whose limited runs reference Lowcountry landscapes across from a jeweler whose pieces riff on maritime history. That diversity of practice is mirrored in the makers’ backgrounds — students and retirees, multi-ethnic creatives and first-generation entrepreneurs — each bringing a distinct voice to the collective. Learning the story behind a maker’s technique or the inspiration for a series of paintings is part of the visit; labels and conversations invite curiosity as much as purchase.

Products at Look Up Charleston resist the one-size-fits-all model. Instead of mass-market sameness, the collective specializes in small-batch and one-of-a-kind pieces that feel personal and intentional. A shopper can find a minimalist ceramic mug stamped with a neighborhood map, a hand-bound artist book filled with poetry and linocuts, pop culture art, revamped vintage fashion, a modular necklace perfect for layering, or a locally formulated herbal salve. 

Everything has provenance; tags tell the maker’s name, the story behind the piece, and often the process — firing temperatures, inks used, or reclaimed materials rescued from Charleston’s built environment. 

The result is a selection where everyday objects are imbued with craft, history, and meaning.

Community is woven into Look Up Charleston’s DNA.  For many makers, this spot is less a sales outlet than a studio-away-from-studio — a place to test new ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate on projects.

What sets Look Up Charleston apart is its gentle, democratic spirit. It’s not polished to the point of exclusion; it’s welcoming, warm, and full of the delightful surprises that happen when makers and community meet. Whether you’re hunting for a meaningful gift, looking to support local artisans, or hoping to be inspired, 128 Meeting Street offers a rotating gallery of the city’s creative life — a small, radiant proof that great neighborhoods are built by the people who make them. 

Visit Look Up Charleston to meet the makers, attend an event, and take home a piece of local story. Of course, do not forget to stop in and explore Southern Ruetz Custom Hat Bar downstairs.

Official Website

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By Mark A Leon

Even in the rare chill of a Charleston winter, the Holy City stays full of warmth, history, and flavor. When the palmettos are shivering and you’d rather skip the harbor breeze, here are ten cozy ways to enjoy the city without freezing your fingers off.

1. Warm Up with She-Crab Soup at 82 Queen

There’s no better cure for a cold Charleston day than a steaming bowl of she-crab soup, the city’s signature dish. 82 Queen’s creamy, sherry-kissed version has been a local favorite since 1982, served in a romantic courtyard setting that still feels warm even in winter.

🕰 Hours: Lunch & dinner daily

🌐 82queen.com

2. Explore the Gibbes Museum of Art

Located on Meeting Street, the Gibbes Museum is an elegant refuge from the cold, housing centuries of Southern art, portraits, and contemporary works. The skylit atrium café is ideal for sipping a latte between galleries.

🕰 Hours: Tue–Sun, 10 am–5 pm

🌐 gibbesmuseum.org

3. Tour the Nathaniel Russell House

Step back to 1808 in this neoclassical mansion, complete with a free-flying spiral staircase and painstakingly restored interiors. It’s one of Charleston’s finest examples of Federal-style architecture — and a warm way to spend a winter morning.

🕰 Hours: Daily, 10 am–5 pm

🌐 historiccharleston.org

4. Sip Local Spirits at High Wire Distilling Co.

Tucked just off King Street, High Wire Distilling Co. offers tastings and tours featuring handcrafted bourbons, gins, and their signature Jimmy Red Corn whiskey. The barrel room smells like toasted oak and spice — a cozy sensory escape.

🕰 Tours: Wed–Sat

🌐 highwiredistilling.com

5. Catch a Show at the Dock Street Theatre

The oldest playhouse in America, Dock Street Theatre glows with history and warmth. Charleston Stage fills the stage year-round with musicals, dramas, and comedies that make for the perfect cold-weather evening.

🌐 charlestonstage.com

6. Cozy Up in a Coffeehouse

Charleston’s coffee culture thrives even when it’s 40 degrees and breezy. Harken Café (Queen Street), Second State Coffee (Beaufain), and Clerks Coffee Company (inside Hotel Emeline) offer top-tier espresso, local pastries, and plenty of ambiance for reading or people-watching.

7. Visit the South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium provides an indoor journey through coastal ecosystems — from mountain streams to ocean reefs — all under one roof. Don’t miss the Sea Turtle Care Center, where rescued turtles rehab before release.

🕰 Hours: Daily, 9 am–5 pm

🌐 scaquarium.org

8. Take a Cooking Class at Zero George

Too cold to dine al fresco? Zero George’s intimate cooking classes turn a winter afternoon into a delicious, hands-on culinary experience. Learn to craft Lowcountry dishes with wine in hand inside a charming 19th-century home.

🌐 zerogeorge.com

9. Go Antiquing on Lower King Street

Wander Charleston’s antique district between Broad and Queen Streets — a treasure trove of silver, art, furniture, and heirlooms from centuries past. Each shop feels like a warm pocket of history, filled with stories and craftsmanship.

10. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day at The Wentworth Mansion or Hotel Bennett

When the temperature drops, indulge in some Charleston-style self-care. The Spa at Wentworth Mansion offers massages and aromatherapy in a historic setting, while Hotel Bennett’s Spa pairs luxury treatments with champagne and plush robes — the ultimate way to warm up in winter.

🌐 wentworthmansion.com | hotelbennett.com

Charleston in winter may trade its sultry heat for crisp air and quiet streets, but that’s part of its charm. When it’s freezing outside, the city’s warmth moves indoors — to its art, flavors, and people.

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Local hospitality community mobilizes to address rising food insecurity across the Lowcountry as SNAP benefits run out 

WHAT:
Charleston’s hospitality community has long shown what’s possible when it comes together. With recent cuts to SNAP assistance, more Lowcountry families are facing food insecurity, and Feed the Need is stepping in to help bridge the gap. This month, Feed the Need launches a community-wide fundraising campaign in partnership with restaurants and hotels across Charleston to raise essential funds for the Lowcountry Food Bank.

Participating establishments will include check presenters encouraging patrons to donate directly, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Lowcountry Food Bank and the neighbors most affected by reduced SNAP benefits. Every dollar raised helps ensure that more families have access to nutritious meals during a time of heightened need. 

Donate now at FeedtheNeedCharleston.org. 

WHEN:
Tuesday, November 11 through November 30, 2025 

WHERE:
Participating restaurants and hotels throughout the Charleston area.

A comprehensive list can be found here.

WHO:
Feed the Need Charleston is a nonprofit organization founded by members of Charleston’s hospitality industry to address food insecurity through community collaboration, meal support, and rapid-response initiatives.

Lowcountry Food Bank works to lead the fight against hunger across 10 coastal South Carolina counties, distributing nutritious food to children, seniors, and families experiencing food insecurity.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: Right whales were spotted by fisherman off Hilton Head Island and Savannah, GA on Wednesday 11/5/25. There was also a whale sighting off Cape Lookout, NC on Saturday but it’s unknown if these are the same whales. 

As the calendar turns toward winter, North Atlantic right whales are beginning their crucial southward migration to the waters off the Southeastern U.S., from North Carolina to Florida, to give birth. With only approximately 380 individuals remaining, every successful birth is vital for the survival of this critically endangered species, making safe boating practices paramount this season.

The official right whale calving season spans from November 15th through March, but sightings often begin earlier in November. Mothers and their newborns frequently swim close to the shoreline and just below the surface, making them difficult to spot and extremely vulnerable to vessel collisions. Last year, the first whales were sighted off South Carolina waters.

Lauren Rust, executive director of LMMN, emphasizes the danger:

“It is important for boaters to be aware that right whales are off our coast over the next six months, many with new calves. They may be closer to shore, just below the surface, and moving slowly. Be vigilant and report all sightings immediately. Keeping track of these animals may be the best way to their survival. Vessel strikes can be deadly to a whale and can potentially cause unsafe damage to a vessel.”

To minimize the risk of vessel strikes, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) lead regular aerial surveys throughout the Southeast. When right whales are spotted, researchers immediately alert the U.S. Coast Guard and mariners of their locations. Boaters are critically urged to heed all warnings and alerts and steer clear of known whale locations.

Boaters are reminded that due to their slow movement and often submerged position, a vessel strike can be dangerous for both the whale and the vessel itself. Mariners are encouraged to slow down, maintain a sharp lookout, and stay at least 500 yards away from any whale.

“LMMN is the only South Carolina Stranding Permit Holder and leads the South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SCMMSN) to respond to marine mammal strandings all along the state’s coastline,” continued Rust. “The team at LMMN is always on standby to receive and share information about all marine mammals along our coastline. In the instance an animal strands, LMMN, along with other coastal agencies, is ready to respond.”

All marine mammals are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and only those authorized under the MMPA may legally handle live and dead marine mammals. Dolphins and other marine mammals strand when they are sick or injured; pushing a marine mammal back into the water delays assessment and treatment from trained responders and can lead to further injury, suffering, and eventual death. Stay at least 500 yards away from the critically endangered Right Whale and never pursue or follow one.

If you see an animal, follow these steps to help:

1.     Report all sightings by calling 877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343), hailing the U.S. Coast Guard on marine VHF channel 16 or using the Whale Alert app (https://www.whalealert.org).

2.     Collect a GPS location and move away.

3.     Do not follow or pursue animals. 

4.     If an animal is dead floating or has beached itself in South Carolina, report it to the SCDNR wildlife hotline at: 800.922.5431. Collect a GPS location and photograph.

If the stranded marine mammal is alive, call to report it ASAP! This will allow experts to have the most success possible in locating the marine mammal.

For more information about LMMN, its response to marine mammal strandings and what to do if you find a stranded marine mammal, please visit https://www.lowcountrymarinemammalnetwork.org/stranding-response.

About the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network: The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on protecting marine mammals in South Carolina waters. Their mission is to raise awareness about marine mammals in coastal South Carolina, educate the general public on federal regulations, and foster young stewards in ways to protect both marine mammals and their environment. They achieve this through a number of education, monitoring and school programs.

By Mark Leon

Eureka Day is a highly charged, thoughtfully scripted examination of navigating the turbulent waters of parenting in an era of content overload and cultural polarization.

Set in Berkeley, California, the play centers around the Eureka Day School, governed by a committee of five well-meaning parents who pride themselves on making every decision by consensus. Their idealistic harmony, however, is shattered when a mumps outbreak divides the council — and the community — igniting a moral and ethical debate over vaccination, healthcare, and public safety.

The production’s seasoned ensemble cast — Joy Vandervort-Cobb (Carina), Camille Lowman (Suzanne), David Mandel (Don), Anna Lin (Meiko), and Addison Dent (Eli) — delivers exceptional performances that blend humor, heart, and human frailty. Together, they create a dynamic chemistry that makes the play’s ethical quandaries feel immediate and deeply personal. Through both spoken and unspoken exchanges, we are drawn into the uncomfortable and often awkward spaces that mirror our own real-world interactions. Parenting, as depicted here, is messy, frustrating, and profoundly real — but ultimately worth every ounce of struggle.

One of the play’s most memorable moments comes in a virtual community forum scene that can only be described as Chaplin meets Lucille Ball meets the Farrelly Brothers. What begins as a sincere attempt at dialogue quickly devolves into chaos — an uproarious, brilliantly choreographed sequence that leaves the audience howling with laughter while squirming in recognition of our shared digital dysfunction.

As with every PURE Theatre production, Eureka Day thrives on the unexpected. A powerful, emotionally charged exchange between Suzanne and Carina shifts the tone entirely, grounding the satire in raw humanity. It’s a scene that lingers long after the curtain falls, challenging us to reconsider not only the characters’ motivations but our own convictions as well.

In the end, Eureka Day is more than a play — it’s a mirror. Whether you’re a parent, a student of the human condition, or simply an observer of modern life, you’ll find pieces of yourself reflected on that stage. It’s real. It’s unsettling. And it’s deeply, incredibly satisfying.

Click HERE for tickets

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Photo credit: Ray Jugao