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High tide flooding at King and Huger streets | Photo by the CHStoday team
When you receive our daily emails, you’ll notice we share the tide times at the top of our newsletter. Have you heard of what an exceedingly high tide is called?
King Tide is a nonscientific term describing Perigean spring tides, the highest tides that happen yearly. The average high tide in Charleston is ~5.5 feet, and during a King Tide event, the high tide can reach 7 feet or higher.
This event happens when the moon is either new or full, and is closest to the Earth in its monthly orbit.
Sometimes, the effects of a King Tide can go unnoticed, but other times, they can cause or worsen flooding. It can make things worse if these events happen during the same time as a storm. We saw this during last year’s Tropical Storm Idalia.
The National Weather Service Forecast in Charleston has set these marks in place for flooding:
Action stage - 6.5 feet
Minor flooding - 7 feet
Moderate flooding - 7.5 feet
Major flooding - 8 feet
The last King Tide we saw was during last month’s eclipse, and the next predicted King Tide is Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 8. Keep an eye out for flooding if you reside or travel in an area prone to flooding.
You can keep track of King Tide events with the City of Charleston’s TideEye Tracker.
Get involved
The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control welcomes the community to capture these events, while emphasizing the importance of avoiding hazardous situations, particularly during storms. If you experience the effects of a King Tide, you can submit your pictures to their mobile app.
Halsey After Hours | Friday, May 3 | 5-7 p.m. | The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, 161 Calhoun St., Charleston | $10 | Attendees can drink in the views of the two current exhibitions.
FOUR WOMEN | Friday, May 3 | 8 p.m. | Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., Charleston | $20 | Charleston jazz + soul songstress Tonya Nicole will perform tributes to Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill.
Saturday, May 4
Bask deLuxe | Saturday, May 4 | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave., North Charleston | $50 | Come and enjoy a morning with a self-centering yoga session paired with stimulating music followed by breakfast bites and mocktails.
Birding Walk | Saturday, May 4 | 9-10:30 a.m. | The Dill Sanctuary, 1163 Riverland Dr., Charleston | $25-$40 | Learn more about the birdlife that call the Dill Sanctuary home or that pass through during migration.
Pickers Hullabaloo May Flea Market | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston | $5-$20 | Shop 100+ vintage dealers + artisans boasting an array of furniture, housewares, nostalgic collectibles, and rugs.
5k Fun Run | Saturday, May 4 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co., 1505 King St., Ste. 115, Charleston | $0-$50 | Run, walk, or jog this “Star Wars” Fun Run then celebrate at the finish line.
Live Wild Festival | Saturday, May 4 +Sunday, May 5 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Ave., North Charleston | $140+ | Discover, experience, and connect at this health and wellness festival.
Lowcountry Street Taco Festival | Saturday, May 4 + Sunday, May 5 | 12-5 p.m. | Dorchester Heritage Site, 984 Hwy. 78, Ridgeville | Price of purchase | Get ready to indulge in a variety of street tacos that will make your taste buds dance.
Kentucky Derby Watch Party | Saturday, May 4 | 3-8 p.m. | Islander 71, 80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms, SC 29451, Charleston | Free | Come dressed to the nines in your best pink seersucker, floral patterns, and bow ties with loud patterns and colors, and of course, big hats.
Sunday, May 5
Climbing Technique Essentials | Sunday, May 5, Sunday, May 19 | 12:30-2 p.m. | James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston | $25 | Immerse yourself in the art of climbing technique, honing precise footwork, and mastering optimal body positioning.
Cinco De Mayo Block Party | Sunday, May 5 | 4 p.m. | Mex 1 West Ashley, 817 St. Andrews Blvd., Charleston | $15-$20 | Don’t miss this night of multiple outdoor bars, food tents, local vendors, and live music.
Fourth-generation jewelers of Croghan’s Jewel Box, sisters Mariana Hay “Mini” Avant and Kathleen Hay Hagood, have expanded with a new shop to showcase their jewelry line, The Goldburg Collection. The store is located at 44-A Spring St. Check it out. (The Post and Courier)
Environment
Dominion Energy plans to cut down 519 palmetto trees on Sullivan’s Island. The company says this is to keep the area’s power lines from “hazardous vegetation.” Palmetto trees cannot be trimmed without killing them. Read what some residents have to say. (Charleston City Paper)
Development
The Stern Student Center on the College of Charleston’s campus has plans for renovations. The center will close at the end of this summer. New features will include outdoor landscaping, an event space, additional dining options, and will house the college’s fitness center. The renovation is expected to last ~2 years. (The College Today)
Award
The Charleston Metro Chamber announced the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) will be the recipient of the Community Impact Champion Award for “active leadership role through their involvement in business, civic, and social service organizations.” CCPL will receive this award on Wednesday, May 22 at The Honors Award Ceremony.
Cause
NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan made a pit stop in Charleston to hang out with families at the Ronald McDonald House. Deegan has partnered with Airbox to install air purifiers at the site. The families will get to see Deegan in action at a race in Darlington later this month. (WCIV)
Travel
Take flight to the Midwest. The Charleston International Airport announced new nonstop flights to Detroit, Michigan (DTW) four times a week. Service begins Wednesday, July 10.
Show
Comedian Chelsea Handler will bring her nationwide “LBB” tour to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Friday, Sept. 13. Handler rose to fame with her E! show “Chelsea Lately.” Tickets go on sale today, May 3 at 10 a.m. (WCBD)
Fun Fact
Critter, a Charleston Border Collie who competes under the name “Iron Man,” is participating in the 2024 International Federation of Cynological Sports World Agility Championship in France this weekend. The competition includes obstacle courses for dogs. Critter was a medalist in last year’s competition in England. Go Critter.(WCBD)
Legacy
Herbert Rovick, the longtime owner of the now-closed George’s Loan & Music Co. on King Street, died at the age of 107. The business started as a pawn shop in 1936 and offered new and used musical instruments and accessories. The shop closed in 2017. (The Post and Courier)
Drink Up
Drink Up Week — our annual celebration of Charleston’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming July 22-July 26. If you’re a local business, you’re going to want to get in on the buzz. Be our exclusive presenting sponsor and advertise your brand with us during Drink Up Week.
Travel
Need a reason to visit the North Carolina Zoo? We’ve got 50. Celebrate the Zoo’s 50th Anniversary with these 50 Fabulous Finds in Randolph County. Bonus: Snag a free 2024 travel guide, too.*
Our final spotlight for this week’s small business series goes to Turning Page Bookshop in Goose Creek at 604 St. James Ave., Ste. I. This local bookstore is described as a “literary heaven for book lovers and community enthusiasts” and opened in 2014.
The shop offers a range of books and gift items for all ages and several programming opportunities. Think: Book clubs, author events, and children’s storytime. Did you know? It’s currently the only Black-owned brick-and-mortar bookstore in the state — owned by VaLinda Miller.
Thank you to everyone who nominated local businesses. It was hard to choose just five, so we thought we’d drop some honorable mentions that were submitted and include our Instagram post that received hundreds of nominations.
Happy Friday — I’m especially happy for the weekend because there are so many events going on in Charleston, and my birthday is tomorrow. See you in your inbox next week.
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