Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

Clemson University was named one of the best colleges in the South, in addition to earning top 25 national rankings in several categories ranging from school spirit to career services, in The Princeton Review’s latest annual rankings.  

The Princeton Review recognized Clemson as Best South in the 2026 Best Colleges: Region by Region rankings. According to the publication, the featured schools are ones “that we consider academically outstanding and well worth consideration in your college search.” 

In addition, the University was ranked No. 16 in The Princeton Review’s Students Love Their School Teams list, a ranking that evaluates which colleges have the most popular intercollegiate sports teams at their schools. Clemson also ranked No. 24 nationally in Best Athletic Facilities, a measure of recreational and athletic facilities available to students.  

Clemson ranked No. 20 in Best Career Services. The award-winning Center for Career and Professional Development supports students with career counseling and assessments, resume and cover letter reviews, information workshops, and job search assistance. In 2024, 72 percent of graduates who completed a bachelor’s degree completed participation in one experiential education opportunity (co-op, internship, student teaching, nursing practicum, etc.), while 58 percent completed two or more. In addition, 85 percent of recent graduates feel prepared to interview for jobs and further educational opportunities. 

The Princeton Review also lauded Clemson as a Best Value College, No. 6 Top 20 Best Alumni Network (Public Schools) and No. 11 Top 20 Best Schools for Internships (Public Schools) in its June rankings.  

Source: Clemson University

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By Mark A Leon

If you’re a young couple in your 20s looking for the perfect downtown Charleston escape, here are three top-notch hotels that combine trendy vibes, central locations, and unforgettable experiences—crafted with you in mind:

1. The Spectator Hotel

Stylish and full of character, The Spectator exudes Roaring ’20s glam with its Art Deco design and speakeasy-inspired bar. It’s a AAA Four Diamond gem that goes the extra mile with 24-hour butler service—imagine having breakfast delivered to your room whenever you want it  . Nestled just a block from City Market, it’s the ideal launching pad for exploring downtown. The combination of plush luxury, thoughtful extras, and unbeatable style makes it perfect for young couples wanting both flair and comfort.

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2. The Vendue Hotel

Dubbed Charleston’s “Art Hotel,” The Vendue immerses you in creativity with over 300 pieces of original art displayed throughout its historic buildings  . Its rooftop bar offers sweeping views of the harbor and Ravenel Bridge—an ideal spot for sunset cocktails or a cozy moment together  . Situated in the French Quarter, you’ll be within walking distance of Market Street, Waterfront Park, and vibrant King Street. With its artsy ambiance, rooftop social scene, and history-forward design, The Vendue is great for couples who appreciate a hip, expressive atmosphere.

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3. The Restoration Hotel

A blend of boutique elegance and modern comfort, The Restoration charms with its stylish interiors and standout rooftop venue, The Watch—a rooftop bar and restaurant offering panoramic views of Charleston’s skyline  . Located just steps from King Street, you’re perfectly placed to shop, dine, or stroll through historic streets  . It’s ideal for couples who want a mix of relaxed sophistication, social flair, and proximity to Charleston’s best. The hotel includes a phenomenal coffee bar, The Rise Coffee Bar, with amazing coffee, pastries and vibe!

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Why These Hotels Work for Couples in Their 20s

Summary

Whether you’re into vintage glamour, creative energy, or slick modern design, The Spectator, The Vendue, and The Restoration each offer a unique blend of style, convenience, and romance. They’re perfect for making your Charleston getaway both vibrant and unforgettable.

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Photo Credit: Charleston Daily, The Spectator, The Venue, The Restoration

Guardsmen Subject to Immediate Recall for Hurricane or Natural Disaster Response

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today authorized the deployment of 200 South Carolina National Guardsmen to Washington, D.C. The guardsmen will support federal law enforcement activities under President Donald J. Trump’s executive order to Restore Law and Order in the District of Columbia.

The guardsmen are subject to immediate recall if a hurricane or other natural disaster requires their return to South Carolina.

“South Carolina is proud to stand with President Trump as he works to restore law and order to our nation’s capital and ensure safety for all who live, work, and visit there,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “As our National Guard works to support President Trump’s mission, should a hurricane or natural disaster threaten our state, these men and women can and will be immediately recalled home to respond.”

The governor’s order comes at the request of the Pentagon’s National Guard Bureau. The deployment will be funded by the federal government under Title 32.

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Source: Office of the Governor of South Carolina

Entering its 19th season in Charleston, South Carolina, Annex Dance Company has created a reputation of fostering an environment of creative release using music, movement, dance and artistic celebration to entertain and foster generations of dancers.

We are so proud to spotlight this wonderful company that we met at a recent event at Gibbes Museum of Art.

Let’s learn more about Annex Dance Company

Annex Dance Company is committed to providing accessibility to professional modern dance in Charleston, SC. Under the artistic direction of Kristin Alexander, the company is rooted in modern dance tradition while pushing the boundaries of movement invention through relationships and intention. Performance, collaboration, and education remain at the forefront of every season. Annex Dance Company supports the arts through collaborative projects with artists of different mediums.

Annex Dance Company teaches classes weekly out of the studio at Dance Moves of Charleston, 349 Folly Road on James Island. Visit our website at https://annexdancecompany.org

Want to learn more?

• Click HERE to purchase tickets or donate to their upcoming events.
• Official Website for Annex Dance Company
• Stay connected and follow on Instagram.

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Photo Credit: Annex Dance Company

(Charleston, SC). Middleton Place Foundation is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant from the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) in support of a major new exhibit, Conversations of Freedom: The American Revolution at Middleton Place, opening to the public on April 1, 2026.

This grant supports the development of a new exhibit in the South Flanker of the House Museum at Middleton Place, commemorating South Carolina’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. As the home of Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a National Historic Landmark with deep Revolutionary ties, Middleton Place offers an authentic setting to explore the layered meanings of liberty and independence.

Conversations of Freedom will present a more complete narrative of the Revolutionary period (1770–1783), inviting visitors to engage with history through multiple perspectives. The exhibit will explore how the ideas of freedom influenced the daily lives of Arthur Middleton, his family, and the people he enslaved.

“The Foundation is deeply grateful to the SC250 Commission for this opportunity,” said Dana Hand Evans, President & CEO of Middleton Place Foundation. “This grant helps us reimagine how we tell the story of the American Revolution by expanding the lens to include voices that have been left out of the national conversation.”

Through thoughtfully curated period rooms and gallery spaces, Conversations of Freedom will examine the ideological, political, and personal struggles of the era, encouraging visitors to reflect on the complexity and contradictions of freedom in the nation’s founding.

The exhibit will be accompanied by a year-long series of public programs, special tours, and educational initiatives tied to the 250th commemoration. These efforts aim to deepen understanding, spark meaningful dialogue, and foster engagement with the legacy of the American Revolution.

Conversations of Freedom will be included with general admission to Middleton Place beginning April 1, 2026.

For more information, visit www.middletonplace.org or contact Alana Long at along@middletonplace.org / 843-266-7476. 

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STARLING CHEVROLET SURPASSES $80,000 RAISED FOR CAMP RISE ABOVE

Charleston, S.C. – Starling Chevrolet has proudly surpassed a significant fundraising milestone, raising over $80,000 for its philanthropic partner, Camp Rise Above, since their partnership began in 2022.

Starling Chevrolet General Manager Joe Sarro presented a check representing the cumulative total of the dealership’s contributions through its All Stars Initiative, community events and customer-driven fundraising efforts.

“Camp Rise Above has a mission that hits home for me. It’s about giving kids the chance to be kids, no matter the challenges they face,” said Sarro. “We’re proud to help water the flowers in our own backyard, and this partnership is one of the most rewarding ways we can give back to the Lowcountry.”

Founded in 2008 by Barbara Van Thullenar Denton, Camp Rise Above provides life-changing camp experiences for children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and life challenges. The organization serves hundreds of children each year through high-quality, medically supportive programs and has the long-term vision of building a permanent, fully accessible camp facility in the Charleston area.

“Joe and the Starling Chevrolet team have become part of the Camp Rise Above family,” said Erin Ulmer, Executive Director at Camp Rise Above. “Their generosity has fueled opportunities for our campers that simply wouldn’t have been possible otherwise — and the joy on the camper’s faces is proof of the impact they’re making.”

Starling Chevrolet’s dedication to the community extends well beyond Camp Rise Above, supporting local programs such as Toys for Tots, Mount Pleasant Recreation Department, Oceanside Academy and the Wando High School Band.

Starling Chevrolet is part of the Starling Automotive Group and is open Monday–Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To learn more about the dealership, visit www.southcarolinachevy.com, follow on Facebook @StarlingChevyMP, and Instagram @StarlingChevroletMP. To learn more about Camp Rise above, visit www.campriseabove.org, follow on Facebook @CampRiseAbove, and Instagram @CampRiseAbove.

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Since 1897, Florence Crittenton Programs of SC has been serving young pregnant women, moms and children by providing safety, stability and the foundational skills to build a bright future. After 125 years of service, Florence Crittenton has stepped into a new era and rebranded as Young Moms Together – a name that honors the young mothers at the heart of their mission and reflects a belief that life’s challenges are best faced together.

While their mission to support and empower young moms remains the same, the name Young Moms Together better reflects the evolution of their service model and amplifies the voices and experiences of the young women they serve. 

“After years of research, planning and careful consideration, we’re excited and prepared to take this next step as Young Moms Together,” shares Cheryl O’Donnell, executive director of Young Moms Together. “We’re building a stronger, more responsive and more community-rooted system that opens doors for young moms and allows us to collaborate with partners, supporters and like-minded forces.” 

For decades, Young Moms Together provided housing for young moms in their residential home on St. Margaret Street in addition to offering rental assistance and support services for young moms facing homelessness and housing instability. Building on that foundation and responding to challenges young moms currently face, Young Moms Together is shifting towards a more inclusive, community-based service model rooted in real-world settings and long-term stability. 

Through a collection of synergetic services grounded in evidence-based Parents as Teachers curriculum and delivered through a holistic ‘Success Coach’ model, Young Moms Together will now serve every young mom under one unified program. This holistic approach utilizes techniques such as:

• Dedicated Case Managers: One case manager will stay with each mom throughout her journey–coordinating all services, building trust and ensuring continuity of care– equipping her with tools, resources and education to thrive independently and with the goal of breaking the cycles of poverty and trauma. 
• Holistic, Family-Centered Care and Training: Support will not only focus on the moms’ immediate needs, but also those of their family and caregivers. Foster parents, kinship care providers and caregivers will also receive specialized training to better understand the needs of young moms, creating an environment that fosters stability and connection.
• Highly Accessible Services: Moms will no longer need to reside in the residential home to receive services. Instead, Young Moms Together will meet moms where they are, connecting them with local programs and housing support to ensure they stay integrated with their support systems. 

For more information, please visit the Young Moms Together website.

Photo credit: Young Moms Together

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Without much fanfare or media, Stars Restaurant and Satellite Bar (Rooftop) have closed their doors after almost 13 years at 495 King Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina to unveil a brand new concept: Events at 495.

Events at 495 will be offering multiple spaces and full catering menus to suit anyone’s taste and party style from bridal showers to business meetings; bachelor parties to corporate celebrations.

There will be 3 indoor room areas and the rooftop available for your special event.

Click link to learn more: Official Website

Photo Credit: Events at 495

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Manufacturing facility will operate with nearly 70 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – ATI Inc. (ATI), a global aerospace and defense leader, today celebrated its growth in South Carolina with a new operation in Chesterfield County. At full production capacity, the facility will operate with a workforce of nearly 70 newly created jobs.

ATI’s new facility, located at 340 Industrial Park Lane in Pageland, produces titanium alloy sheet. Technically challenging to produce, this material is critical to airframe manufacturers, bringing strength and durability to aerostructure components and assemblies. The company recently announced long-term agreements with Airbus and Boeing for materials produced at this facility.

Headquartered in Texas, ATI produces materials and solutions for the aerospace and defense markets, as well as applications used in the electronics, medical and energy industries. The company’s existing presence in South Carolina includes a specialty materials production facility in Richburg.

Operations at the Pageland facility are already online. Individuals interested in joining the ATI team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. The council also awarded a $550,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Chesterfield County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

QUOTES

“With our Pageland facility fully online and in production, ATI now offers a full complement of titanium materials, producing quality titanium sheets wider and longer than anyone in the industry. We appreciate South Carolina’s support for our expansion and look forward to partnering with them for decades to come. This new offering further extends both ATI’s and South Carolina’s position as an aerospace leader, giving customers extraordinary manufacturing capability and flexibility.” -ATI President and CEO Kimberly A. Fields

“ATI’s latest investment in our state and our people is a testament to South Carolina’s capabilities in the manufacturing industry. We applaud the company on creating nearly 70 new job opportunities in one of our state’s rural communities and congratulate ATI and Chesterfield County on this announcement.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“South Carolina continues to prove itself as a state that provides businesses with the support needed to grow and succeed, from launch to legacy. We are proud to see ATI establishing another manufacturing facility in our state and look forward to continuing our partnership with the company as it invests in Chesterfield County.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Chesterfield County celebrates ATI’s global specialty materials business located in Lynches River Industrial Park in Pageland. This facility underscores our county’s strengths in workforce readiness, infrastructure and business climate. ATI’s transformative investment here reflects confidence in our ability to support advanced manufacturing for the critical sectors of aerospace and defense.” -Chesterfield County Council Chairwoman Mary Anderson

FIVE FAST FACTS

• ATI Inc. (ATI) is growing its South Carolina footprint with a new operation in Chesterfield County.
• ATI is a global aerospace and defense company.
• The company’s manufacturing facility will employ nearly 70 people when at full production.
• The new operation, producing titanium alloy sheet, is located at 340 Industrial Park Lane in Pageland, S.C.
• Individuals interested in joining the ATI team should visit the company’s careers page.

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Deadline Tonight at Midnight – Lock in the Lowest Price of the Year Before Headliners Are Revealed

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AUGUST 13, 2025) — Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF) The East Coast’s largest outdoor country music fest is officially kicking off its journey to 2026. Today marks the final day to sign up for Early Access to Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF) tickets, with the deadline set for midnight tonight.

Past ticket holders are automatically included, while new fans can secure their spot by registering before the deadline. Both groups will get the exclusive advantage when Early Access opens tomorrow, Thursday, August 14, at 10 a.m. This coveted window offers the lowest ticket prices of the year and first choice of ticket types — from General Admission to the exclusive Super VIP experience — before tiers start selling out. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 15.

Set for June 4-7, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., CCMF will once again transform the iconic coastal destination into a four-day country music takeover, featuring more than 40 of today’s hottest artists and rising stars performing across multiple stages just steps from the ocean.

Since its debut in 2015, CCMF has grown into a nationally recognized destination fest, drawing fans from all over the world. Known for its unique beachfront setting, star-powered lineups, and immersive fan experience, the event has been recognized by USA Today, Billboard, Rolling Stone and Country Living as one of the premier country music events in the nation — and has sold out four years in a row.

Why Early Access:

● Best Price of the Year: Secure tickets before headliners are announced and save big.

● First Pick of Ticket Types: Beat the rush and claim your preferred experience.

● Tiered Pricing Advantage: Once tiers sell out, prices go up — even during Early Access.

● High Demand: With four consecutive sellouts, Early Access is the safest bet to guarantee your spot.

“Early Access is our way of saying thank you to the incredible fans who make CCMF possible,” said Bob Durkin, co-founder of Southern Entertainment. “It’s your chance to lock in the best deal and be part of an unforgettable weekend.”

Fans can also follow along as #CCMFHints continue rolling out on social media this week, offering cryptic clues about the four superstar headliners set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

To sign up for Early Access before tonight’s midnight deadline, explore ticket options, and join the tradition, visitCarolinaCountryMusicFest.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok. 

About CCMF: 

Carolina Country Music Fest™, (CCMF), the East Coast’s largest outdoor country music fest, is located in Myrtle Beach, SC, at the Boardwalk within the Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place. CCMF is host to the industry’s biggest stars with 40+ artists at the beach, June 4th-7th, 2026. CCMF hosts a unique blend of today’s country headliners, regional stars, up-and-comers and locals favorites on multiple stages. With the combination of country music and the scenic beach backdrop, this family-friendly, four-day fest is a summer vacation destination.

About Southern Entertainment: 

Southern Entertainment is a full-service event and production company with an unwavering commitment to excellence that has produced more than 500 events across the United States. For more information, visit www.southernentertainment.com

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