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.
On the eastside of Charleston, South Carolina, Tobin’s Market has quickly become more than just a bar or restaurant—it’s a vibrant community gathering place that’s redefining what it means to come together in the neighborhood. Located at 197 Jackson Street, this unique venue blends the charm of historic Charleston with a modern, inclusive spirit, offering locals and visitors alike a place to connect, celebrate, and unwind.
The Experience: Food, Music, and Connection
Tobin’s Market is best described as “Charleston’s Backyard Party.” The venue features a shaded outdoor patio, lounge seating, and a dog-friendly atmosphere, making it a welcoming spot for all ages and backgrounds. The menu is casual yet creative, with favorites like bao buns, breakfast burritos, and sushi, complemented by a rotating selection of craft beers and wines.
What truly sets Tobin’s Market apart is its commitment to live music and local culture. Nightly performances by local and touring artists transform the space into a lively music venue, fostering a sense of camaraderie and celebration.
The market also hosts regular events such as trivia nights, farmers markets, and pop-up shops featuring local vendors, artists, and crafters. These gatherings encourage neighbors to mingle, support small businesses, and enjoy Charleston’s creative energy. As of June, the venue is now open to book weddings and other very special life changing events.
Let us not forget, Tobin’s is very dog friendly.
Impact on the Eastside
Tobin’s Market has become a catalyst for community engagement on the eastside. By providing a platform for local musicians and artists, the venue helps nurture Charleston’s creative scene. Its inclusive approach—welcoming families, friends, and even pets—breaks down barriers and brings people together in a relaxed, joyful setting. The market’s monthly farmers market and special events, like wine tastings and charity fundraisers, further strengthen neighborhood bonds and support local causes.
Where history and tradition meet community
The market is housed in one of the historic Freedman’s Cottages on Jackson Street, a nod to Charleston’s rich heritage. Since opening, the owners have focused on creating an environment where everyone feels at home, whether they’re enjoying a quiet afternoon or celebrating a special occasion.
Looking Ahead – Continuous Evolution
As Tobin’s Market continues to grow, its influence on the eastside is unmistakable. By blending great food, live music, and a genuine sense of community, it has redefined the neighborhood get-together for Charleston’s next generation.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, Tobin’s Market offers a taste of what makes Charleston’s eastside so special: connection, creativity, and a true sense of belonging.
Become part of the action and follow Tobin’s Market on Instagram.
The Charleston Police Department (CPD), following an operation in Charleston’s Eastside led by the department’s Special Investigations Unit, has made numerous arrests targeting illegal drug distribution.
The investigation began in March of this year following a series of complaints from community members regarding drug activity in Mall Park and Hampstead Square.
The following individuals were arrested as a result of the investigation:
Laron Eva Horlback (46, of Charleston) is charged with three counts of distribution of cocaine base and three counts of distribution of a controlled substance in close proximity to a school. Horlback is under the supervision of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services for previous drug offenses.
Timothy Robert Harrison (38, of Goose Creek) is charged with distribution of cocaine base. Harrison is under the supervision of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services for previous drug offenses.
Travis Jerome Simmons (49, of North Charleston) is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and distribution of a controlled substance in close proximity to a school.
Anthony Lamont Simmons (31, of North Charleston) is charged with two counts of distribution of cocaine base.
Melvin Clearance Horlback (46, of Hanahan) is charged with distribution of cocaine base and distribution of a controlled substance in close proximity to a school.
One suspect remains outstanding:
Chevelle Antoine Hamilton (45, of North Charleston) has an active warrant for distribution of cocaine base. Anyone with information on Hamilton’s whereabouts is requested to call Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch at 843-743-7200 or tips can also be submitted anonymously at www.charleston-sc.gov/tips.
All of the individuals charged have been arrested on multiple occasions for drug offenses in the Charleston area.
Chief Chito Walker said, “Our communities deserves parks and playgrounds that are free from the influence of illegal activity: places where families can gather without concern. These community-driven operations will continue in order to protect the quality of life in every Charleston neighborhood, and we remain dedicated to holding those committing crimes fully accountable.”
Charleston, S.C. – On July 3, 2025, shortly before 10:00 p.m., Charleston Police officers responded to a report of a shooting near the intersection of Rutledge Avenue and Peachtree Street. Officers arrived to find a victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to their arm.
While canvassing the area, officers located the suspect hiding under the porch of a nearby residence. The 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody and charged in connection with the shooting. Charges include:
Attempted Murder
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Crime
Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under 18
The preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect and the victim were known to one another.
In addition, this same juvenile suspect is also charged in connection with a separate shooting that occurred on June 14, 2025, near S. Enston Street and Simons Street. Charges in that incident include:
Armed Robbery
Assault and Battery 1st Degree
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Crime
Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under 18
Additional information regarding this incident will be released in the coming days.
Both investigations remain active. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the on-duty Central Detective at 843-720-2422.
Beloved ice cream brand captures the essence of summer with new flavors, LTO sundae, and free fudge sauce on National Ice Cream Day.
It’s the last day of school, and you can taste the freedom of sweet summertime. On your way home, you stop at a local candy shop, pocket full of quarters, to celebrate with your favorite treat – life is good.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams new summer collection, “Super Fun Times,” is inspired by the feeling that only the first day of summer can evoke. With nostalgic delights like Pink Bubble Gum and Toasted S’mores out now, and a second flavor drop on July 3, Jeni’s latest release captures the bliss of summertime with six limited-edition flavors.
Schools out for summer! The first three flavors in the collection are currently available online and in Jeni’s scoop shops:
Pink Bubble Gum – Wonderfully juicy and intensely fruity. Tastes like the first (and best) 30 seconds of classic gum.
Root Beer Float– Root beer ice cream with marshmallows. Tastes like the creamy, refreshing, frothy foam atop a frosty mug of root beer.
Toasted S’mores– Toasty vanilla bean marshmallow ice cream with gooey milk chocolate and graham cracker cookies.
Just in time for the holiday weekend and National Ice Cream month, three more nostalgic delights – including the iconic Strawberry Pretzel Pie – will hit shelves and scoops on July 3:
Watermelon Taffy – Like an uber creamy, tart candied watermelon.
Strawberry Pretzel Pie– Pretzel streusel and strawberry sauce in cream cheese ice cream.
Popcorn Brittle – Sun-popped popcorn ice cream with a corn-toffee crunch.
On July 17, Jeni’s will launch their new Sundae Fudge Sauce in scoop shops nationwide. It’s a velvety chocolate sauce that, just like their Buttercrisp Waffle Cone, is made to specially pair with ice cream — rich and bittersweet with a sprinkle of sea salt that provides a sharpcontrast to cool ice cream.
Bonus! To celebrate, on National Ice Cream Day, July 20, customers can add Sundae Fudge Sauce to any order for free. Giving ice cream lovers just one more reason to indulge this
summer. The ideal order? Try the sauce on Jeni’s limited-edition, drumstick-inspired sundae that layers Honey Vanilla Bean and Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks with Sundae Fudge Sauce and whipped cream in a Buttercrisp Waffle Bowl.
The Super Fun Times collection is Jeni’s ode to the golden days of summer — nostalgic, playful, and irresistibly delicious.
About Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is an American ice cream company devoted to making the finest ice creams the world has ever known. Founded in 2002 by James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker Jeni Britton, Jeni’s has emerged over the past 20 years as the new standard by which all other ice creams are judged. Jeni’s continues to make one-of-a-kind flavors with Direct and Fair Tradeingredients and super fresh milk from family dairy farms. Today, Jeni’s is a Certified B Corporation known for its social, environmental, and business leadership with more than 90 scoop shops, an online shop at jenis.com, and distribution in top grocery stores across the country.
Ever wonder what crazy laws have been on the South Carolina law books over the years?
We thought we could lighten things up by providing you with some very unique and even off the wall South Carolina laws in our storied history.
Disclaimer: These were or are actual state laws!!!!
Summary: A person must be eighteen years old to play a pinball machine.
SECTION 63-19-2430. Playing pinball machines.
It is unlawful for a minor under the age of eighteen to play a pinball machine.
Summary: By law, if a man promises to marry an unmarried woman, the marriage must take place.
Title 16 – Crimes and Offenses
CHAPTER 15.
OFFENSES AGAINST MORALITY AND DECENCY
ARTICLE 1.
MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES
SECTION 16-15-50. Seduction under promise of marriage.
A male over the age of sixteen years who by means of deception and promise of marriage seduces an unmarried woman in this State is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined at the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than one year. There must not be a conviction under this section on the uncorroborated testimony of the woman upon whom the seduction is charged, and no conviction if at trial it is proved that the woman was at the time of the alleged offense lewd and unchaste. If the defendant in any action brought under this section contracts marriage with the woman, either before or after the conviction, further proceedings of this section are stayed.
Summary: Railroad companies may be held liable in some instances for scaring horses.
Title 58 – Public Utilities, Services and Carriers
CHAPTER 17.
THE GENERAL RAILROAD LAW
ARTICLE 27.
SAFETY; NOTICE OF ACCIDENTS
SECTION 58-17-3360. Electric hand lanterns shall be used in switching and moving trains.
All railroad carriers shall equip trainmen in their employ engaged in switching and train movements in intrastate commerce in this State with electric hand lanterns, of a type approved by the Public Service Commission, containing at least one extra bulb capable of being immediately lighted in case of failure of the main bulb. The use by any railroad carrier of oil lanterns in connection with such movements is hereby prohibited. Any railroad carrier violating any of the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars and each day during which any flagrant violation shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 58-17-3400. Removal of hand or lever cars from track and leaving it near crossing shall be unlawful.
It shall be unlawful for any railroad section master or any person in charge of or connected with any hand car or lever car to remove it from any railroad track and continue it stationary within fifty yards of any public crossing other than at any regular railroad section house except when necessary to avoid an approaching train or when in charge of employees engaged in actual work upon such crossing, and then only for such a period as is necessary to avoid such train or to perform such work. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not exceeding fifty dollars or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty days. Any railroad company shall be liable for damages for any horse frightened as a result of the violation of the provisions of this section by any of its employees.
Summary: A permit must be obtained to fire a missile.
Title 23 – Law Enforcement and Public Safety
CHAPTER 33 – MISSILES
SECTION 23-33-10. “Missile” defined. A “missile,” as contemplated by this chapter, shall be defined as any object or substance hurled through the air by the use of gunpowder or any other explosive substance whether purchased by the individual or compounded from chemicals.
SECTION 23-33-20. Permit required for firing missile. Before any person shall fire or attempt to fire or discharge any missile within the borders of this State, he shall first procure a written permit from the Aeronautics Division of the Department of Commerce on such form as it may prescribe.
SECTION 23-33-30. Exemptions from application of chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the firing or discharge of missiles by any agency of the Federal or State government, to small firearms or to fireworks now authorized by law.
SECTION 23-33-40. Penalties. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days or both, in the discretion of the court.
Summary: It is illegal to give or receive oral sex in South Carolina.
That one is self explanatory.
Summary: Fortune tellers are required to obtain a special permit from the state.
Title 40 – Professions and Occupations
CHAPTER 41.
PEDDLERS AND HAWKERS, HORSE TRADERS AND FORTUNETELLERS
ARTICLE 5.
FORTUNE TELLERS SECTION 40-41-310. Licenses required for itinerant fortunetellers.
It shall be unlawful for any person to follow the business of fortunetelling in any of the counties of this State, by traveling from place to place, without first obtaining from the clerk of the court of the county in which he wishes to follow his trade, a license permitting him to so do. Such license shall be issued by the clerks of court of the counties of this State to any person applying for it upon payment by the applicant of the sum of one hundred dollars. The license shall specify the name of the applicant and his former residence and shall be for a period of one year from the issuance thereof. But this section shall not be effective in any county until the county board of commissioners of such county authorize, by resolution, the collection of such tax. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days for each and every offense.
Summary: Dance halls may not operate on Sundays.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep open or admit persons to any public dancing hall owned or operated by him or to allow any person to continue thereat between the hours of twelve o’clock, midnight, Saturday and twelve o’clock, midnight, Sunday, and all such places shall be and remain closed to the public between such hours. The violation of the provisions of this section shall subject the offender to a fine of not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars for the first offense and for the second offense not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days.
SECTION 52-13-10. Operation on Sunday forbidden.
Title 52 – Amusements and Athletic Contests
CHAPTER 13 – DANCE HALLS
SECTION 52-13-20. Location near churches and cemeteries forbidden.
It shall be unlawful to operate or maintain outside the limits of any incorporated town or city within the State a dance hall within one fourth of a mile of a rural church with an active congregation or a rural cemetery that is either maintained as a cemetery or has been used for the burial of the dead within five years previous to the operation or maintenance of such dance hall. Every operation or maintenance of a dance hall within a period of twenty-four hours shall be considered a separate and distinct offense if in violation of this section.
SECTION 52-13-30. Counties not included in provisions of SECTION 52-13-20.
Notwithstanding the provisions of SECTION 52-13-20, in Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Darlington, Florence, Georgetown, Jasper, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Sumter Counties the governing body of the county may, in its discretion, grant and revoke licenses for the operation and maintenance of dance halls at any location within the county outside the limits of any incorporated town or city and fix license fees for such businesses not to exceed ten dollars per annum for each such business. It shall be unlawful to operate or maintain outside the limits of any incorporated town or city within any such county a dance hall without first procuring the issuance of such license from the governing body of the county.
SECTION 52-13-40. Violations.
Any violation of the provisions of this article other than SECTION 52-13-10 shall be punishable for the first offense by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars nor less than twenty-five dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days and for a subsequent offense by a fine of not less than seventy-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not less than twenty-five days nor more than thirty days.
Summary: Musical instruments may not be sold on Sunday.
Title 53 – Sundays, Holidays and Other Special Days
CHAPTER 1.
SECTION 53-1-60. Sale of certain items on Sunday prohibited.
The sale or offer to sell the following items on Sunday is prohibited: Clothing and clothing accessories (except those which qualify as swimwear, novelties, souvenirs, hosiery, or undergarments); housewares, china, glassware, and kitchenware; home, business and office furnishings, and appliances; tools, paints, hardware, building supplies, and lumber; jewelry, silverware, watches, clocks, luggage, musical instruments, recorders, recordings, radios, television sets, phonographs, record players or so-called hi-fi or stereo sets, or equipment; sporting goods (except when sold on premises where sporting events and recreational facilities are permitted); yard or piece goods; automobiles, trucks, and trailers. No inference shall arise from the foregoing enumeration that either the sale or the offering for sale on Sunday of items or articles not mentioned is permitted.
Two Charleston City Laws:
The Fire Department may blow up your house.
It is against the law to drive a motorized vehicle on King Street.
True South Carolina Laws:
Horses may not be kept in bathtubs.
It is a capital offense to inadvertently kill someone while attempting suicide.
All schools must prepare a suitable program for Francis Willard Day.
It is perfectly legal to beat your wife on the court house steps on Sundays.
When approaching a four way or blind intersection in a non-horse driven vehicle you must stop 100 ft from the intersection and discharge a firearm into the air to warn horse traffic.
You can be fined for not denouncing “the evils of intemperance” on the fourth Friday of every October.
It is considered an offense to get a tattoo.
It is illegal to communicate with a woman using obscene messages.
Fountain Inn, SC: Horses are to wear pants at all times.
Be warned, some of these are still enforceable.
When you step into the polling booth, know what your candidates stand for, especially if you have a pet horse.
Pelato – Charleston, located at 1085 Morrison Drive in Charleston,SCbrings a lively, Brooklyn-inspired twist to Charleston’s dining scene with a menu built for sharing and savoring. The tapas-style format encourages guests to gather, taste, and enjoy a variety of flavors—making every meal feel like a celebration.
This is a wakeup call to all those raised on traditional Italian dining. We all remember the big meal that could feed 2-3. That same meal became leftovers for the next day, or we took it all in like a champion and felt it later that night because it was so good. Times have changed. Dining is more intimate and meant to be shared and spaced with careful consideration. Thus the birth of tapas style Italian. Charleston has Pelatoto thank for this. Grazie!
Let us guide you through some insights and recommendations
Let us be clear, you will not make a poor selection. The menu is small, and each recipe has been created and refined to almost absolute perfection. Though only open 2 months, Pelato deservedly is one of the best dining experiences you will have in this sought after foodie city.
Eggplant stuffed bread
Casual Deliciousness
Start with the broccolini, charred to perfection and tossed with garlic and lemon for a bright, addictive bite. The eggplant stuffed bread is another standout, offering a crispy, chewy exterior and a rich, cheesy interior—perfect for tearing and sharing among friends. Don’t miss the meatballs al forno, tender and steeped in a robust, homemade red sauce that’s a true tribute to Italian American comfort. These meatballs are a must for any table, embodying the Scotto family’s dedication to classic flavors.
Confession: The broccolini is one of the best tasting items I have eaten in Charleston.
For the main attractions, the chicken parm is a nostalgic favorite—juicy, breaded, and layered with melted cheese and tangy tomato sauce. The radiatori vodka pasta is another crowd-pleaser, with its al dente, ridged noodles coated in a creamy, tangy vodka sauce—ideal for passing around the table. We tried it under the pretense it is the number one seller. We know why. A beautiful dish that offers layers of flavor on your palate.
Sometimes I love to break from tradition and Pelato realizes there are many like me, so they offer two robust saucy tapas-style dishes for the Italian food risk takers: Fusilli Pesto, a dish of homemade fusilli pasta, basil pesto, sugar snap peas and Parmigiano Reggiano or Campanelle Shrimp Limone, an appetizing dish made with creamy lemon and Parmigiano Reggiano both will satisfy the non-traditional Italian food lovers.
Interior Bar
The libations have been designed to complement the variety of tapas style dishes as well as the weather patterns of the Lowcountry with 19 white, red, rose and sparkling wine options, 9 signature cocktails, a few choice beers and mocktails.
Leave room for homemade, hand-crafted desserts with the same care as the savory dishes. Options like Mama Theresa’s potato croquettes or the warm San Genaro zeppoles (served in a paper bag for a fun, authentic touch) provide a sweet and sometimes savory finish to your meal.
It’s all about family
At the heart of Pelato is its family origins. The restaurant is a true labor of love, with recipes and stories rooted in the Scotto family’s Brooklyn heritage. Every detail, from the family photos on the walls to the warm, welcoming service, makes you feel like you’re dining at a friend’s home.
Hoemade desserts
As overwhelming as the positive public response, the gratitude from the family and staff has been equality reciprocated.
“The reaction from the Charleston community has been nothing short of amazing. Everyone has been so welcoming, and we’ve had nonstop bookings since the opening – a lot of them being repeat guests! Our Brooklyn-Italian dishes are really resonating with folks, and we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on the overall atmosphere. We’ll be rolling out brunch service on the weekends, so we’re excited to continue the momentum and give Charleston another taste of Pelato, soon!”, adds Theresa Scotto, co-owner when asked about how much this restaurant has meant early on to the Charleston community.
Overall, Pelato is a winning formula of tapas-style sharing, Italian American classics, and Charleston charm coming together for a memorable, communal dining experience.
It truly is an exalting delight and one we fully intend to repeat.
1 Million Cups (1MC) is a national entrepreneurial program rooted in the belief that great ideas and solutions are often discovered over coffee and conversation. The initiative began in April 2012 in Kansas City, launched by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Kauffman Labs for Enterprise Creation. Since then, 1MC has expanded to over 100 communities across the United States, including Charleston, South Carolina.
The vision of 1 Million Cups is to foster a supportive, inclusive environment where entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and grow together. The program is not a pitch competition or a networking event, but rather a space for open dialogue and community-driven support.
In Charleston, as in other cities, 1MC is typically organized by local entrepreneurs and community leaders who are passionate about building a thriving startup ecosystem.
Several times a year, 1 Million Cups Charleston brings together local entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors, and interested community members for a structured but welcoming gathering. Presenters—usually early-stage founders or business owners—are given a brief window to share their ideas or challenges, followed by an open discussion where attendees offer feedback, share experiences, and brainstorm solutions.
This format encourages peer learning and collaborative problem-solving, helping entrepreneurs refine their ideas and build confidence.
The goals of 1 Million Cups Charleston are clear: to educate, engage, and inspire local entrepreneurs by leveraging the collective wisdom of the community. The program aims to break down barriers to entrepreneurship, foster meaningful connections, and provide practical advice and encouragement to those just starting out or facing challenges in their business journey. By creating a regular, accessible forum for entrepreneurs to be heard and supported, 1MC Charleston helps drive innovation, resilience, and economic growth in the region.
Ultimately, 1 Million Cups Charleston is about building a stronger, more connected entrepreneurial community—one cup of coffee at a time.
Limelight Charleston to Feature Hotel and Residences in Historic Downtown, Marking the Brand’s First East Coast Property and Seventh Location Overall
CHARLESTON, S.C. – July 1, 2025 – Aspen One, parent company of world-class brands including Aspen Snowmass, The Little Nell, Limelight Hotels, and Aspen Collection, is excited to announce the latest addition to its rapidly-growing Limelight Hotels brand. This new venture, set to open in 2028, will feature both a hotel and branded residential project located in Charleston, South Carolina. This marks the Limelight brand’s first property on the East Coast, and it will be located at 306 King Street and 86 Society Street in the core of Charleston’s historic district, near the College of Charleston. Limelight Charleston will be another remarkable hotel within the Limelight portfolio, which includes locations in the most desirable places across the country, within premium, high-barrier-to-entry, leisure markets.
The 50-room Limelight Charleston will include the brand’s quintessential “living room” – a gathering place and community destination featuring dynamic programming for locals and guests alike – and its celebrated, design-forward approach to development. The mixed-use project will feature a restaurant, bar, rooftop pool and dining, meeting spaces, 16 private residences, and a parking garage.
This new property is being developed in partnership with Category Company. Limelight’s expansion to Charleston will mark the brand’s seventh location. The modern hotel and residences will join others within the Limelight portfolio in Aspen, Snowmass, Denver, and Ketchum, with two more hotels slated to open this year: Limelight Boulder (opening late summer in Boulder, Colo.); and Limelight Mammoth (opening this winter in Mammoth, Calif.). While the company has taken a measured approach to growth, focusing exclusively on top markets, the brand has grown from three open locations as of early 2023, to seven open or in-development locations. Each property is known for being in the best location within their respective markets.
“Expanding the Limelight brand to Charleston is a milestone moment for us, and the Limelight brand brings a differentiated experience to this historic, ever-growing, and dynamic community,” said Jeff Toscano, CEO of Aspen Hospitality. “The continued growth of Limelight Hotels in a thoughtful, intentional way brings authentic connections to the country’s most interesting and exciting destinations. Embarking on this development in such a great location within Charleston is a moment worth celebrating, especially as we continue to build a portfolio that pairs beautiful design with a sense of adventure.”
“Aspen Hospitality and Category complement each other perfectly,” said Daniel Pourbaba, Founder & Chief Executive of Category Company. “Our partnership represents a shared desire to create a first-class property in Charleston—one that honors the city’s character and storied architecture, and that can become a genuine part of the community’s fabric for generations to come.”
ABOUT LIMELIGHT HOTELS
Limelight Hotels by Aspen One provide authentic and contemporary connections to their communities and the adventures that surround them. Set in the heart of elevated and unique locations, each Limelight hotel is carefully designed with distinctive design and purposeful functionality, created to evoke a sense of place and a point of view.
Current locations include those across Colorado in Aspen, Snowmass, Denver, and Boulder (coming late summer 2025); Ketchum, Idaho; and Mammoth, California (coming by the end of 2025).
For more information, visitwww.limelighthotels.com or follow @limelighthotel on X, Instagram or Facebook.
ABOUT ASPEN ONE
Aspen One renews the mind, body, and spirit with a portfolio that redefines luxury, adventure, and leisure. With world-class and innovative brands and businesses, including Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen Hospitality, and Aspen Ventures, Aspen One propels the expansion of the Aspen ethos globally.
Whether it’sAspen Skiing Company providing unforgettable experiences at the confluence of nature, culture, and recreation across its four legendary mountains—Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk; orAspen Hospitalityelevating guest experiences in unforgettable ways by developing, owning, and operating a growing set of luxury and upper-scale hotels, private clubs, and branded residential properties in prime locations under The Nell and Limelight brands; Aspen One is deeply committed to providing unparalleled service, creative programming, community engagement, and unique opportunities for exploration. The company’s commitment to innovation is central to its evolution, includingAspen Ventures‘ amplification of the Aspen brand globally through new business lines that embody its values and heritage such as Aspen Collection.
For more than 75 years, the Aspen brand and community has pointed its compass toward new paths, people, and possibilities—and today, as Aspen One, the future is limitless. The company is a leader in sustainability and advocacy, with a legacy of modeling leading-edge solutions and changing policy locally and globally. As a collection of brands driven by tightly held core values, Aspen One aims to inspire a better world. For more information, visitwww.aspen.com.
This year, 7 students from the American College of Building Arts in Charleston, South Carolina will participate in the prestigious Annual Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The community is so proud to be represented for creative arts and these seven individuals represent a vision of the future that will celebrate art, life and individuality.
Participants
Christina Rae Butler, provost, professor of historic preservation
Tatum Connor, stone carving student
Markus Damwerth, chair of architectural carpentry
Thomas Dezii, architectural carpentry student
Joseph Kincannon, chair of architectural stone carving
Phillip Smith, professor of classical architecture and design
Isabel Wood, classical architecture student
The excitement and ambition of being a part of this festival was shared by Tatum Conner, saying:
“The festival is a great first step to get the youth of America interested in trades and history. In order to preserve such trades and history, we must also be looking to the future tradesmen and women who may help in our aim. To be able to help spark an interest in stone carving or historic trades at all is exactly my goal for my participation at the Folklife Festival. It’s quite the honor to be able to participate and help inspire.”
To Christina Rae, Tatum, Markus, Thomas, Joseph, Phillip and Isabel, enjoy this special moment.
About the Festival
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival presents a wide-ranging theme this year: “Youth and the Future of Culture” featuring lowrider cars and bikes, skateboarders, teen fashion, filmmaking and traditional building arts and a Saturday night prom. Each part of the festival is led, created or presented by young people.
The festival opens Wednesday, July 2, and runs through Monday, July 7, along the National Mall on the Madison Avenue side, Seventh Street to 12th Street, and inside the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building. Admission to the festival is free, and hours are from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, with featured concerts going later Thursday through Sunday. The schedule is available on the festival’s website. The festival is presented by the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and co-sponsored by the National Park Service.
Streetwise
A large tent called “Streetwise” will highlight three forms of youth expression: lowrider culture, street art and graffiti, and skateboarding and skate arts. Visitors can watch the restoration of two cars with the iconic bold painting, special suspension system and chrome details, which are the hallmarks of the lowrider tradition that began in southern California in the 1940s and later spread around the globe. The action in “Streetwise” features skating demonstrations, painters working on murals and skate decks, teens customizing cars and bikes, and artisans from Indonesia making stylized adornments for lowriders. Music for this program is provided by teenage DJs. The lowriders program curator is Sojin Kim.
Museum of the Contemporary Teenager
The concept of the “teenager”—along with all the ideas, misconceptions, concerns and beliefs it evokes—was officially introduced to the American public in a 1913 newspaper article in Wilmington, Delaware. It became popular in the ’40s and ’50s as advertisers sought to reach a younger demographic of potential consumers.
The Museum of Contemporary American Teenagers (MoCAT) was started in 2017 by high school and middle school students in Montgomery County, Maryland. Their first pop-up museum was in an empty, single-story building scheduled for demolition. The first exhibit had installations on first love, phone addiction and risk taking. This first of many pop-ups also featured a maze of mental health, a FOMO (fear of missing out) pit and a ride-share simulator that recreated the experience of being a teen stuck in a car with an inappropriate driver.
For the Folklife Festival, MoCAT will bring together teenagers from across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia to collaborate on exhibitions that highlight some of the dynamic and often overlooked youth movements that shape American culture. Their setting will feature venues representing a high school hallway, classroom, bedroom and bathroom where teens can share everything from fashion to their futures. Through performances, discussions and demonstrations, teen participants will explore topics as varied as “third spaces,” social media, fashion, slang and coming of age. MoCAT will also explore pressing topics such as school lockdowns and mental health, presented from the perspective of young advocates and activists. MoCAT students curated this area themselves under the guidance of Smithsonian curator Michelle Banks.
Tatum Connor, a stone carving student at the American College of the Building Arts, uses a pneumatic hammer to carve a large fountain sculpture. Photo by Lindsey Cockburn.
Music
The week will feature a variety of daytime and evening musical performances, showcasing youth groups and traditional music apprenticeship programs that honor and preserve their musical heritage. The lineup of local and national young musicians spans a broad range of genres, from mariachi to orchestral ensembles and folk contradance.
The featured concert series kicks off Thursday, July 3, with “Homegrown Futures: The Sound of D.C.,” dedicated to performers from the capital region. The festival celebrates July 4 with “Roots and Voices: Americana Reimagined.” “Prom in the Park” July 5 invites visitors to dress up and dance, and July 6 features “On Key: Next-Gen Music Ensembles” and a community contradance. The final day of the festival will close with a talent show.
Performers will also host a series of workshops and hands-on activities in the afternoons where visitors of all ages can explore the process and stories behind the music. The music program curators are Cristina Diaz-Carrera, Pablo Molinero-Martinez and Eloy Neira de la Cadena.
Films and Discussions
The Arts and Industries Building will serve as a theater during the festival with film screenings, workshops and talks with emerging media makers. The short films have been created by the Ghetto Film School (Los Angeles), Action Youth Media (Silver Spring, Maryland), Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Project (Washington, D.C.) and Wide Angle Youth Media (Baltimore). In addition, WXOX ARTxFM will be streaming live to 97.1 FM in Louisville, Kentucky, and online, capturing the sounds of the festival.
A special screening of the award-winning 90-minute documentary film The Ride Ahead, by disability activist and filmmaker Samuel Habib, will be held in the National Museum of American History’s Warner Bros. Theater. The film series program curator is Amalia Cordova.
Next Generation Artisans in the Traditional Building Trades
Skilled craftspeople in the building arts are vital to preserving the nation’s built environment and cultural heritage, but today many of these centuries-old skills are endangered—there are not enough young people practicing the traditional trades. Festival-goers will meet inspiring young craftspeople—stone carvers, decorative painters, preservation carpenters, stone masons, blacksmiths and ornamental plasterers—who are learning the building crafts from master artisans dedicated to passing on their knowledge and skills to the next generation. One of the best-known places for young people to get hands-on training from professionals is the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, South Carolina. Stone carvers, architectural carpenters, architects and historic preservation specialists from the college will demonstrate their skills, share their experiences teaching and learning the building arts, and discuss why hand craftsmanship matters to them.
The Campaign for Historic Trades focuses on the skills needed to maintain, preserve, restore and reconstruct historic structures in local communities. It partners with the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center, which provides hands-on, historic preservation trade skills training to young people.
Festival visitors will meet experienced preservation carpenters and talented interns from George Washington’s Mount Vernon and learn about the 18th-century tools and techniques they use to preserve this iconic historic estate and its important American story.
Two highlights of this program come from the New Orleans Master Crafts Guild and the Washington National Cathedral Earthquake Restoration Project. A master blacksmith and plasterer and their apprentices from New Orleans will demonstrate their craft skills and share their thoughts on why teaching and learning the traditional trades is important to them. Cathedral craftspeople will demonstrate their techniques for restoring earthquake-damaged pinnacle stones, discuss on-the-job training in preservation craftsmanship at the cathedral and share information about opportunities for young people interested in stone carving and heritage masonry. The building trades program curator is Marjorie Hunt.
Native Language Reclamation
The Native American Languages Act of 1990 inspired a movement among Native communities to reclaim their native languages; many had not been spoken or written in a century. Today, youth are at the forefront of driving reclamation. The festival features four groups representing different languages and regions: Oklahoma, Indiana and Ohio; Upstate New York, Ontario and Quebec; Hawaii; and Kodiak Island, Alaska. In the Language Lodge, visitors can learn about these languages and how they can be passed on to future generations. To complement the language sessions, there will be lacrosse demonstrations, Kodiak Alutiiq social dances and demonstrations of Mohawk basket making.
Some Mohawk participants graduated from the Akwesasne Freedom School, which is one of the longest-running Native language schools. In addition to basket making demonstrations for festival-goers, they will offer cooking demonstrations using a traditional clay pot for their white corn dish. The language reclamation program curator is Mary Linn.
Architectural carpentry student Thomas Dezii works together with master carpenter Markus Damwerth, chair of the architectural carpentry department. Photo courtesy of the American College of the Building Arts.
Accessibility
The festival strives to maintain an accessible and inclusive environment for all. Outdoor festival venues and activities are located in shaded grassy areas that are accessible via concrete sidewalks and/or packed gravel walkways. Accessible seating areas are available at all presentation venues and a limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan each day. All narrative and performance stages are equipped with assistive listening. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and real-time captioning are available for selected events. Additional ASL interpreting services may be requested and are provided as available. Verbal description tours and sighted guide services are available, along with large-print and Braille festival brochures and menus. A Sensory Map of the festival is also available. Accessibility service schedules and additional resources are available on the festival’s websiteor by visiting the Accessibility Tent on the festival site.
On Sunday morning, July 6, the festival will host “Morning on the Mall” for neurodivergent individuals and their families or others who may benefit from a more relaxed and supported environment. To find out more about this event or to request other access services not listed above, visitors may call (202) 633-2921 or email access@si.edu.
Sustainability
The festival’s sustainability program diverts as much waste from landfills as possible so it can be repurposed as a sustainable resource through recycling or compost. The program began in 2011 when the festival debuted water bottle collection and free water stations. The following year, a pilot composting program was launched at a staff event. These early steps culminated in a waste diversion project in 2013, which was the first year of composting, and it resulted in keeping 74% of the waste from landfills. By 2017, the festival hit 97% waste diversion, meriting an excellence award for sustainability from the American Alliance of Museums.
This year, the festival will continue efforts to achieve a diversion rate of over 90%. At stations located throughout the festival grounds, volunteers will help guests properly sort their trash. In addition, all festival staff and vendors receive training on festival sustainability guidelines while working on-site.
About the Festival
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, inaugurated in 1967, honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them. Produced annually by the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the festival has featured participants from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Sabrina Motley is the director of the Folklife Festival, and Cliff Murphy is the director of the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
Stone Carving student Tatum Connor and master stone carver Joseph Kincannon, chair of the stone carving department, have been working together to carve a large fountain sculpture. Photo by Lindsey Cockburn.
CHARLESTON, S.C., June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Afaxys, Inc., a Public Benefit Corporation and first-of-its kind socially conscious healthcare company focused on serving public health professionals and their patients, today announced the renewal of its alliance to support access to Twirla® (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) transdermal system, and additional Exeltis products, in the public health market. The renewal follows the August 2024 acquisition of Agile Therapeutics by Insud Pharma, the parent company of Exeltis USA, with whom Afaxys has partnered since 2022.
The renewed partnership between Afaxys and Exeltis underscores both organizations’ ongoing commitment to expanding access to innovative contraceptive options within the U.S. public health market, like Twirla, a low-dose, non-daily contraceptive patch.
“Our partnership with Exeltis reflects our shared vision to ensure that women have consistent access to high-quality, affordable contraceptive options that fit their lifestyles,” said Ronda Dean, CEO & Co-Founder of Afaxys. “Together with Afaxys, we’re making it easier for women to access Twirla—when and where they need it,” added Eduardo Fernandez, EVP of Corporate Development at Exeltis USA.
The promotional alliance enables Afaxys and Exeltis to continue supporting healthcare professionals with education, resources, and expanded access to Twirla, reinforcing both companies’ focus on improving reproductive health outcomes nationwide.
Christian Bloomgren, President & CCO of Afaxys, added, “Our alliance with Exeltis expands our impact across public health by broadening the range of solutions we offer to healthcare professionals and the patients they serve. The renewed partnership strengthens our combined ability to deliver innovative, affordable options that address the diverse needs of women across the country.”
About Afaxys Afaxys, a Public Benefit Corporation, uniquely partners with public health and private industry to ensure healthcare professionals have stable pricing and reliable access to the products and services they need to care for their patients.
The Afaxys enterprise comprises a family of companies that operate under three wholly owned subsidiaries: Afaxys Pharma, LLC, Afaxys Drug Development, LLC and Afaxys Group Services, LLC (AGS). Afaxys Pharma provides a broad portfolio of branded and generic contraceptives to the public healthcare market. Afaxys Drug Development provides development and regulatory services of pharmaceutical products with a focus on rapid and efficient launch readiness to promote Afaxys’ strategic goal of cost-conscious product commercialization. AGS is a strategic sourcing operation that negotiates favorable pricing across a broad base of products and services through its Group Purchasing Organization. For more information, visit www.afaxys.com.
About Exeltis Exeltis USA is part of the global pharmaceutical company Insud Pharma. Exeltis is focused on delivering innovative solutions in women’s health and beyond, with a growing portfolio of prescription products designed to meet evolving patient needs.
About Insud Pharma Insud Pharma is a pharmaceutical group with more than 45 years of history, presence in around 50 countries, 9,000 employees worldwide and 20 manufacturing plants.
Insud Pharma operates throughout the value chain of the pharmaceutical industry, offering specialized knowledge in scientific research, development, manufacturing, sale and marketing of a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage forms (FDFs) and pharmaceutical products of brand for the care of humans and animals and biopharmaceuticals.
Insud Pharma seeks to improve health throughout the world by providing accessible, effective, safe and quality pharmacological treatments through its different business units, with continuous investment in R&D and the latest technology.
About Twirla® Twirla (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) transdermal system is a once-weekly combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) patch that contains the active ingredients levonorgestrel (LNG), a type of progestin, and ethinyl estradiol (EE), a type of estrogen. Twirla is indicated for use as a method of contraception by women of reproductive potential with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 for whom a combined hormonal contraceptive is appropriate. Healthcare providers (HCPs) are encouraged to consider Twirla’s reduced efficacy in women with a BMI ≥ 25 to <30 kg/m2 before prescribing. Twirla is contraindicated in women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Twirla is also contraindicated in women over 35 years old who smoke.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from CHC use. Twirla is designed to be applied once weekly for three weeks, followed by a week without a patch.
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