The plot thickens

Meet your favorite young adult authors at YALLFest 2023

Explore the Blue Bicycle Books tent during the festival. | Photo provided by YALLfest

When you open a book, you can step into a magical world, embark on an epic adventure, and meet fantastical friends — and this weekend you can take a behind-the-scenes look at these stories.

YALL Fest, Charleston’s Young Adult Book Festival, is back for its 11th year this Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 12. Look forward to more than 70 authors and over 100 mainly-free events that will spark your imagination.

Venues include the festival headquarters at Blue Bicycle Books plus spots like Charleston Music Hall, the American Theater, and The Charleston Museum.

Read on for a handful of the events + authors to expect at this year’s festival.

Events

YALLCrawl | Friday, Nov. 11 | 1-5 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Select authors including Stephanie Garber, Adam Silvera, and Stuart Gibbs will sign their books in shops located up and down King Street.
Opening Keynote | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m. | Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. | $9 | Kick off Saturday with Angeline Boulley, author of “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” and Soman Chainani, author of “The School for Good and Evil.”
Making Magic: Worldbuilding Magical Worlds | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 11 a.m. | Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. | Free | Learn about writing magical stories during a panel discussion moderated by Margaret Stohl.
Banned Books | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 12 p.m. | American Theater, 446 King St. | Free | Discuss banned books in the ballroom during this panel moderated by Rose Brock.
YA Smackdown 2022 | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 6 p.m. | Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. | $12 | Come see your favorite authors on stage with host Nic Stone for games, laughs, and dancing during this YALLfest tradition.

Authors

Ayana Gray | Ayana Gray is the New York Times-bestselling author of the “Beasts of Prey” trilogy, which is being adapted for a feature film with Netflix.
Alex London | Alex London has published over 25 books including the award-winning cyberpunk duology “Proxy” and “The Skybound Saga” trilogy, an NBC Today Show pick.
Angela May | Local Angela May is the New York Times-bestselling co-author of “The Islanders” and “Search for Treasure” with author Mary Alice Monroe.
Ryan Graudin | This local writer started out as a YALLfest volunteer and has since published eight YA novels, including the Carnegie-nominated “Wolf By Wolf.”

Get involved

YALLfest needs dozens of volunteers to make each festival happen. If you’re a local interested in getting involved, visit the volunteer page to apply for possible opportunities and get contact information. You can also make a donation.

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Tuesday, Nov. 8

Harold’s Cabin Christmas Bar | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 4 p.m. | Harold’s Cabin, 247 Congress St., Charleston | Free | Harold’s Cabin launches its Christmas-themed pop-up for the 2022 holiday season tonight with new decorations + specials upstairs and on the rooftop.
Fall Lecture Series: Joshua Lockwood | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 6-7 p.m. | The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston | Free, $10 suggested donation | Join Curator of History Chad Stewart for the final installment of The Charleston Museum’s 2022 fall lecture series to explore the life and career of Charleston’s most prominent colonial period clockmaker, Joshua Lockwood.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Paws on the Patio | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Burtons Grill & Bar, 1875 US-17, Mount Pleasant | $10-$30 | It’s the last Paws on the Patio event this fall — bring your dog to enjoy a happy hour benefiting the Charleston Animal Society with appetizers and drink specials on the patio and a party favor for each pup.
USO Tour at the Joseph Manigault House | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | The Joseph Manigault House, 350 Meeting St., Charleston | $40-$55 | Experience the Joseph Manigault House as it was while it served as a USO post during World War II — enjoy light refreshments and lawn games before the tour in the historic garden and piazza.

Friday, Nov. 11

9th Annual Rockabillaque Charleston | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | East Montague Avenue, North Charleston | This action-packed festival will feature classic cars, live music, pinups, vintage motorcycles, amusement park rides, vendors, and contests and starts with the Kick-Off Party tonight.
Holiday Festival of Lights | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5:30-10 p.m. | James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr., Charleston | $14.29+ | It’s opening night of the Holiday Festival of Lights — cruise along a three-mile display featuring an estimated two million lights.
Veterans Day Tribute | Friday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston | Free | The community is invited to join Mayor Keith Summey for this special ceremony — all veterans in attendance will be recognized and receive a custom designed commemorative coin.

Thursday, Nov. 17

Paint & Sip: Giving Thanks | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 6-8 p.m. | Estuary Beans & Barley, 3538 Meek’s Farm Rd., Johns Island | $35 | Create a holiday-themed painting with instructions from For the Love of Art and get $1 off every pint — come early and enjoy eats from the on-site food truck.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Lung cancer Q+A: Why screenings are so important 🫁

CHS-Roper St Francis Healthcare lung cancer. 11.8.22.jpg

Talk with your doctor about getting a screening, which is especially important for lung cancer since it tends to be fast-spreading + shows almost no symptoms. | Photo provided by Roper St. Francis Healthcare

While lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US, when caught early, treatment can be straightforward and effective. That is why a simple low-dose CT screening is so important – it can save lives.

In honor of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we asked Michael Spandorfer, MD, Pulmonologist and Critical Care Specialist with Roper St. Francis Healthcare, our top questions about lung cancer + screenings:

Q: Who is at risk for lung cancer?

A: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes puts people at risk for developing lung cancer. You are considered high risk if you’re between 50-80, have a “20 pack-year” history, and currently smoke or quit in the last 15 years. Other risk factors include family or pulmonary disease history, second-hand smoke, and radon or occupational exposure.

Q: Should I get a lung cancer screening even if I have no symptoms?

A: Yes, if you’re in a high-risk category, you should be screened using a low-dose CT scan, even if you have no symptoms. Screening is so important because there are generally no symptoms of early lung cancer disease — and early detection is key, since the earlier we find lung nodules or lumps, the more easily and effectively they can be treated.*

SEE THE FULL Q+A

Weather

72º | Mostly sunny | 2% chance of rain
As of Monday, Nov. 7, Subtropical Storm Nicole was expected to strengthen to potential hurricane intensity by Wednesday, Nov. 9. In the Lowcountry, prepare for possible flooding, beach erosion, and heavy rain this week. Track this storm + stay tuned for updates. (WCSC + NOAA)

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 6:42 a.m.
Set: 5:24 p.m.

Tide

Low: 1:14 a.m. + 1:50 p.m.
High: 7:38 a.m. + 7:57 p.m.

Development

Last week, real estate firm Lowe celebrated the completion of vertical construction of The Cooper Hotel adjacent to Joe Riley Waterfront Park. The hotel, expected to open in late 2024 or early 2025, will feature a cafe, rooftop lounge, restaurant, spa, and pool at 176 Concord St. Lowe is working with the City of Charleston to extend Waterfront Park by 400+ feet. Here’s what it will look like. 👀

Civic

The City of Hanahan is asking citizens to weigh in on its Draft Comprehensive Plan — “Hanahan 2040: Pathway to the Future.” Attend an open house to check out the plan and provide feedback from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the City Gym at 1253 Yeamans Hall Rd. View the plan + comment online by Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Today Is

Election Day and Charleston County polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Request voter information to find a polling location near you. To check out this year’s candidates and access more resources, follow along with our Election Day guide here. 🗳️

Eat

Shell, yeah. Islander 71 Fish House and Deck Bar on Isle of Palms will host its first oyster roast on Sat., Nov. 12 from 1-4 p.m. Oysters from Lowcountry Oyster Co. will be roasted on the pit in front of the boat ramp bar + served on new oyster tables. Dig in and enjoy live music from 3-6 p.m. at 80 41st Ave. 🦪
The latest star of a viral board trend: cream cheese. That’s right, cream cheese boards are the latest internet sensation. (Think: fig + honey or everything-but-the-bagel boards. Yes, please.) Pick your base to create your own.*

Number

8,004. That’s how many nests were laid at SC beaches during this year’s sea turtle nesting season — the second-highest number on record. The nests were laid by loggerheads + green sea turtles. In addition, hatchling disorientation decreased this year following efforts on Edisto Beach to use turtle-friendly street lighting. (WCBD)

Announced

Things are about to get ugly because we want to see your best ugly holiday sweater design. If it’s selected, it will be featured on a sweatshirt in our CHStoday Six & Main shop for purchase. How ugly can you get? Email your design to us. 👀

DYK

Did you know there’s still time to share your Black Friday deals with our CHStoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.

Giveaway

In case you missed it, we’ve partnered with the South Carolina Aquarium for a special Aquarium Aglow giveaway. Head to our Instagram to learn how to enter to win a special Aquarium swag box and four complimentary tickets to the dazzling holiday event. We’ll announce a winner on Tues., Nov. 15. ✨*

Try This

Calling all busy bees: We recently visited Synchronicity — Charleston’s premier mind + body resetting oasis — to try their well-being amenities. Think: an infrared sauna, salt chambers, a 38° cold plunge + more. Curious how it went? See what we tried — and check it out for yourself with a free day pass. 🧖*

Beauty

Consider us influenced by this best-selling mascara, which has 20,000+ five-star reviews. Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ delivers a phenomenal look, a non-toxic formula, and even creates longer, stronger, and healthier eyelashes over time. Bonus: Get 15% off your entire first purchase.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Calling all ugly sweaters

How ugly can you get? | Graphic by 6AM City

It’s sweater weather, and we want to make it count.

Send us your ugly Christmas sweatshirt designs for a chance to be featured on our all-over print sweatshirts + added to our online Six & Main store.

We don’t want to see the good, just the ugly.

SEND YOUR DESIGNS HERE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Tatum.

Editor’s pick: Colonial Lake is my favorite place in Charleston, and the park’s annual holiday celebration is coming up. Light the Lake will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 in Harleston Village + all are welcome to attend.

Watch the tree at the center of the pond light up, take part in activities like ornament making and letters to veterans, and visit vendors including Independent Grounds Coffee and BlackOut Burger. Find the park at 46-54 Ashley Ave. I’ll see you there.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See our Election Day guide + get prepared to vote, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alexandra Garian, Tatum Jacaruso, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Stephanie Zapiecki | Advertise with us.

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