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If you have not seen the official police cam video on the treatment and tasing of Jamal Sutherland, it is important to see. We may be moving in the right direction, but we aren’t there yet
Please watch with caution
Author: Charleston Daily
West Ashley Restaurant “Spanglish” is now “Patois”
Spanglish Cocina + Bar located in West Ashley at 652 St. Andrews Blvd, an up-and-coming neighborhood, has unveiled a new concept – Patois. Charleston’s newest pan-Caribbean restaurant, Patois, introduces diners to an array of diverse, colorful and refreshingly minimalistic dishes, showcasing the best flavors spanning from the West Indies to Mexico. Under new ownership, employees of the restaurant are excited about new changes and new possibilities.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to share our concept of simple, ingredient driven cuisine influenced by the agricultural heritage shared with the various lands surrounding the Caribbean sea,” says Chef Mike Fitzhugh. As the previous Chef de Cuisine of Spanglish, Chef Mike says there is growing support for the restaurant’s new direction. “We have received substantial support from the community already and look forward to showcasing our simple yet sophisticated cuisine to our guests.”
Chef Mike has finalized his mouth-watering lunch menu, now available for dine-in (inside or on al fresco on Patios’ patio) and delivery via UberEats. Guests can enjoy lunch favorites like Tomato Salad with avocado mousse, fresh cheese, and pistou, Cuban Sandwiches; and Chicken Torta with red chiles, maduros, and black bean spread, all inspired by Chef Mike’s travels around the globe.
Patois’ Chef’s Dinner menu features the choice of an appetizer, entrée and side for $35. Diners can savor starters like Pork Belly with agave, citrus and herbs; and Shrimp Ceviche with leche de tigre, onion and radish; alongside delicious entrées like Merlot Steak with charred onions, red chimichurri and arugula. Savory sides feature the freshest Lowcountry produce to create dishes like Roasted Carrots Escabeche with chermoula and yogurt, and Sea Island Red Peas Sofrito – to name a few.
During the transition period from Spanglish to Patois, guests will receive a complimentary cookie from WildFlour Pastry, who will provide many of the restaurant’s delectable baked goods and desserts.
Patois is BYOB, allowing diners to bring their favorite wine and beer to drink alongside their meal for no additional fee. Non-alcoholic beer will be available, along with a selection of exciting Patois mocktails – coming soon. As part of the rebranding effort and commitment to community support, the restaurant recently purchased fine china from ReTail, a resale store that sells a variety of furniture, appliances and decorative items, and donates 100% of all proceeds to Pet Helpers.
Patois is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., and 4:30-9:00 p.m.
More information and menus can be found at https://www.patoischs.com/
“Apron” section of the Folly Beach Pier reopens while remainder of the pier continues reconstruction
[FOLLY BEACH] – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) is pleased to announce that the newly rebuilt “apron” section of the Folly Beach Pier has reopened to the public. This portion of the pier structure includes the gift shop, observation deck, restrooms, showers and beach access. The rest of the Folly Beach Pier will remain closed through Spring 2023, while it undergoes a complete reconstruction project. Guests to the pier can now visit the Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop, which will offer limited food service, including ice cream, and bait for sale for surf fishing.
Fishing off the pier is not available.
Guests can now also access the pier’s restrooms, showers and changing stations, as well as its observation deck and beach access. These amenities are open daily from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. A portion of the Folly Beach Pier parking lot – about 30 spaces – is also now open for visitors. Due to limited parking, visitors are encouraged to arrive early, carpool when possible, and expect delays entering the parking lot.
The Pier 101 Restaurant and bar is currently closed and is expected to reopen in Spring 2022. The remainder of the Folly Beach Pier, including the pier walkway itself, remains closed during construction and is not expected to reopen until Spring 2023.
Lifeguards are not currently on duty on the beach surrounding the Folly Beach Pier.
Starting May 29, the area will be lifeguarded on weekends only from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Starting June 21 through mid-August, lifeguards will be on duty daily.
Standard vehicle parking fees at the Folly Beach Pier during the summer season (May through Labor Day) are $10 Monday-Friday and $15 Saturday-Sunday and select holidays. Folly Beach Pier parking is no longer a Gold Pass benefit as of December 2020. Guests who purchased their Gold Passes prior to Nov. 30, 2020 may still use them to access the Folly Beach Pier parking lot until their Gold Pass expires. CCPRC is replacing the Folly Beach Pier with a new pier that will provide unobstructed views of the ocean, modern improvements and a longer lifespan, while remaining reminiscent of the old wooden pier, which opened in 1995. Two locations along the pier walkway will be slightly widened to allow additional fishing opportunities and more efficient pedestrian access.
The new pier will be designed and constructed using a combination of concrete pilings, and wooden decking, benches and shade structures.
For updates on the construction project or more information on the Folly Beach Pier, please visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.
Owned and operated by the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC), the Folly Beach Fishing Pier is located at 101 East Arctic Avenue on Folly Beach. The mission of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six regional parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, a historic plantation site, a skate park, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. CCPRC also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs and much more. For more information on CCPRC, call 843-795-4386 or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.
North Charleston Mayor Summey releases a statement today on the death of Jamal Sutherland
Today, Mayor Summey released an 8-minute statement on the death of Jamal Sutherland.
Enjoy this brand new video tour of the Hotel Bennett – One of Charleston’s newest luxury hotel experiences
The Hotel Bennettis a unique experience that takes you to another place where you can escape and capture the magic that is life. Enjoy this new virtual tour video and see all the beauty and wonder.
Experience the beauty and elegance of The Dewberry In Charleston, SC with this new video tour
The Dewberry has gained recognition throughout the country and world as a hotel of elegance and style. This gorgeous experience sits in the heart of Historic Charleston, South Carolina.
Enjoy this new video tour
Performers, Exhibitors Sought for Mount Pleasant Youth Council Cultural Fair
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (May 6, 2021) –Interested in having your organization performpieces of cultural significance to the community? Are you an exhibitor and would like to showcase items of cultural interest? The Mount Pleasant Youth Council is sponsoring a fair and now is your chance to sign up to perform or exhibit at the first-ever Youth Council Cultural Fair slated for Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Park West Recreation Center, 1251 Park West Blvd.
All activities are free to the public. All performers must arrive at the stage and be ready to perform no later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled performance time.
Performance times depend on the number of entries. Please list all special requests on the Performer information sheet you are returning. A final performance schedule will be sent the week of the event. You must have your music ready for the stage manager. Click here for the Exhibitor information sheet.
Music and performance choices should reflect the family-oriented event and must be child-friendly. For more information, contact Mount Pleasant Community and Government Affairs Chief Lauren Sims at (843) 884-8517 or lsims@tompsc.com.
Town of Mount Pleasant Participates in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Gregorie Ferry Towns
Mount Pleasant, S.C. (May 7, 2021) – Housing for All – Mount Pleasant, Chairman of the Board, Bobby Sommers, presided over the groundbreaking festivities for Gregorie Ferry Town, Wednesday, May 5th, 2021. Attended by members of the Housing for All – Mount Pleasant Board of Directors & Advisory Council, the Honorable Mayor Will Haynie, members of the Town of Mount Pleasant council, and Property Builders, LLC Tony Berry and Tammy Stevens Wilson. Through its partnership with Housing for All – Mount Pleasant and close cooperation with several lenders, Prosperity Builders, LLC is building 36 new townhomes which will be available to qualified buyers earning between $40,000 and $64,800 per year. For many new home buyers, down payment assistance is available, making the dream of homeownership a reality.
Tony Berry, President, and Tammy Stevens Wilson, partner of Prosperity Builders, LLC, the developer of Gregorie Ferry Towns, has created the first attainable workforce and senior housing community in Mount Pleasant, with townhomes priced from the mid $200,000. Construction is underway on buildings one, two, and three; eighteen townhomes, each townhome includes 2-3 bedrooms, 2 baths, designer kitchen, and one car garage. An estimated seventeen townhomes are already under purchase contract with new homebuyers moving in by end of summer. “This is a cooperative effort that can and should benefit everyone,” concluded Berry. “We see it as a way to strengthen Mount Pleasant, and give hard-working people – school teachers, healthcare workers, police, firefighters, restaurant and retail workers – a place right here in Mount Pleasant where they can live, own, and take pride in.”
The cost of living in Mount Pleasant continues to rise as apartment rents are now averaging $1,500 per month and the average median home price is up to $472,700. Housing for All – Mount Pleasant is delighted to be working with Prosperity Builders, LLC to make owning a home in Mount Pleasant a reality for individuals and families earning less than $64,800 per year.
Please contact Ali Bring, Carolina One New Homes at 843-226-1043 or email ali@pbofsc.com if you are interested in purchasing in the Gregorie Ferry Town. Visit www.gftowns.com for more information.
Please email info@HousingforAllMtP.com if you are interested in renting or purchasing attainable workforce or senior housing over the next five years. Housing for All – Mount Pleasant looks forward to bringing additional for purchase or rental attainable workforce and senior housing to Mount Pleasant.
Special thanks to Carolina One New Homes, Premier Lending, Shelter Mortgage, United Community Bank, and Origins SC for their help with the first attainable housing development in Mount Pleasant! Thank you, Tony, Tammy, and Prosperity Builders, LLC for assembling a world-class team.
Help curtail disturbing activities by area juveniles in retail locations in North Charleston (Non-Parental Supervision Curfew at local area locations
We are asking for your help to curtail disturbing and potentially dangerous activities.
In the recent months, North Charleston Police officers have faced challenges from large groups of unsupervised juveniles, leading to fights, disruption of businesses, and disturbing the peace in retail locations. These incidents have occurred in the evening around Northwoods Mall, Tanger Outlets, and Frankie’s Fun Park, among others.
Northwoods Mall, Tanger Outlet, Frankie’s Fun Park, and the Northwoods Cinema each have a policy requiring parental supervision of juveniles (under 17 years old) after 6:00pm or 7:00pm, and we are asking parents to adhere to these reasonable guidelines set forth by these businesses.
Charleston Based Benefitfocus Appoints Proven Industry Leader Matthew Levin as New CEO to Further Advance Growth Strategy
CHARLESTON, S.C., May 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Benefitfocus, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNFT), an industry-leading benefits technology platform that simplifies benefits administration for employers, health plans and brokers, announces that Matthew Levin has been appointed president and chief executive officer and to the Benefitfocus board of directors, effective May 10, 2021.
Levin succeeds Stephen Swad, who served as the company’s CFO and was appointed CEO in 2020. In order to ensure a seamless handoff of leadership responsibilities, Swad will serve as an advisor to the CEO until September 2021. Thereafter, Swad will continue to serve as a Benefitfocus board director.Levin has more than fifteen years of experience in the benefits administration, health insurance and health care technology industries, and a distinguished track record leading growth strategies and building companies into industry leaders. His expertise spans corporate development, strategic planning and developing successful strategies for expansion into growth adjacencies. Levin most recently served as the chief strategy officer of ADP (NASDAQ: ADP), a leading payroll company.“On behalf of the board and everyone at Benefitfocus, I am delighted to welcome Matt as the company’s next CEO,” said Doug Dennerline, an independent director on the Benefitfocus board who will become chairman at the 2021 Annual Meeting. “Matt is a seasoned leader who has demonstrated his ability to execute innovative growth strategies. He will be an outstanding leader for Benefitfocus, with the skillset and experience to continue advancing the company’s strategy and take its performance to the next level.”
Dennerline added, “We also thank Steve for his willingness to step in and provide leadership to the company during a particularly dynamic and challenging period. Thanks to Steve’s leadership, the company has strengthened its foundation and is now ready for its next chapter. The board and management team are committed to ensuring a smooth transition, and we are all grateful that Benefitfocus will continue to benefit from Steve’s experience and perspective.”
“I am humbled by this opportunity and excited to join the company at a pivotal moment in its history,” said Levin. “I look forward to working with the team to drive innovative growth strategies and build on the company’s strong foundation to unlock even greater value. Thanks to the initiatives Steve and the team have been implementing over the past several quarters, I believe Benefitfocus is poised to create customer value-enhancing opportunities. I am particularly excited to help realize the company’s tremendous upside potential as a partner to employers, health plans and brokers, ensuring employees and members are maximizing the value of their investments in health care.”“I echo Doug’s enthusiasm in welcoming Matt as Benefitfocus’ next CEO,” said Swad. “The board and I agree he is the right leader to build on our progress and strategy. I’m also pleased to share we are coming off a solid quarter and are reiterating our full year guidance. We have great confidence in the company’s future and look forward to providing more details on our previously scheduled earnings call later today.”The company will also file a Form 8-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with additional details regarding the leadership succession.
About Matthew Levin
Matthew Levin joins Benefitfocus from ADP, where he served as Chief Strategy Officer since 2018, and was responsible for strategy, corporate development, ADP Ventures and the ADP Research Institute. Before joining ADP, Levin was a managing partner at Psilos Group Managers, a growth equity firm, where he specialized in technology-enabled health care services investments. Prior to Psilos, Levin was executive vice president and head of global strategy for Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm that provides a broad range of insurance and human capital solutions. Earlier in his career, Levin served as senior vice president of corporate development and strategy for Hewitt Associates, a leader in health, retirement and human capital consulting, and outsourcing services. Levin was a core member of the team that led the $4.9 billion merger between Aon Consulting and Hewitt Associates, creating an industry-leading benefits and human resources solutions firm.
Levin began his career in the First Scholar Program at First Chicago NBD, now JP Morgan Chase. Levin holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. He was also named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2011 “40 Under 40” and the World Economic Forum’s “2013 Young Global Leaders” program.
About Benefitfocus
Benefitfocus (NASDAQ: BNFT) unifies the entire benefits industry through innovative technology solutions that bring efficiency, cost savings and simplicity to employee benefits administration. Our powerful cloud-based software, data-driven insights and thoughtfully designed services help employers, insurance brokers, health plans and suppliers address the complexity of benefits enrollment and engagement, while bringing easier access to health, wealth and lifestyle products through a world-class benefits experience. Our mission is simple: to improve lives with benefits.
Learn more at www.benefitfocus.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.