Plus, try a local bar's take on the espresso martini.
 
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Today’s Forecast

81º | 84% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:19 a.m. | Sunset 8:12 p.m.
High tide 2:07 p.m. | Low tides 7:48 a.m. + 7: 55 p.m.
 
Understanding the Design Review Board
Downtown Charleston
Learn how you can share your thoughts with the Design Review Board. | Photo by @preservationsociety
Class is in session, Charleston. We’re teaching CHS GOV 101, where we break down different aspects of our local government to become engaged citizens who create healthier (and more effective) communities. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the city’s Design Review Board.

What is the Design Review Board?

The Design Review Board (DRB) has established a review process that aims to protect and improve the visual and aesthetic character of development in the City of Charleston. Fun fact: the DBR was established in 1999.

The DRB oversees new construction, exterior changes, and signage for commercial + non-residential and residential projects (eight or more units) where the property lies within certain corridors.

The group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 4:30 p.m. at 2 George St., Ste. 3100. Know before you go, agendas are posted on the city’s website, so you can get a sneak peek at what will be discussed.

Get involved

Feel passionate about a proposed project? You can share your thoughts with those who play a role in the Holy City’s future developments — here’s how:
  • Speak in person at the meeting without signing up in advance
  • Have someone read your comment by submitting a written version by noon the business day before the meeting
  • Mail or deliver written comments to the planning department
If you can’t make it to a meeting but want to know what’s happening, you can follow along with the live stream, watch the meetings back on YouTube, or check the results.

So, how was that for a civic lesson? Up next we’re taking a look at the Board of Architectural Review. Let us know what other areas of our local government you’d like us to explore next.
 
Asked
 
Have you ever participated in a city meeting?
A. Yes, in person
B. Yes, virtually
C. Neither
D. Not yet, but I plan to
 
 
Events
 
Tuesday, May 14
  • Tai Chi | Tuesday, May 14 | 10-11 a.m. | Daniel Island Library, 2301 Daniel Island Dr., Daniel Island | Free | Join 90-year-old Gwen Bihun for a workout for all ages that uses slow and smooth movements.
  • SC Sea Turtles — 46 Years of Stewardship | Tuesday, May 14 | 1-2:30 p.m. | The Camden Room, 375 Meeting St., Charleston | Free | Sea Turtle nesting season is underway — learn which species you’ll spot in the Lowcountry and how to protect them.
Wednesday, May 15
  • Early Morning Bird Walks | Wednesday, May 15 | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Hwy., Ravenel | $9 | Trek through Lowcountry habitats to view and discuss wildlife.
  • Congressional Medal of Honor Panel Discussion | Wednesday, May 15 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Patriots Point, 85 Patriots Point Rd., Mount Pleasant | Free | Join the Medal of Honor Society and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum for a discussion on Legacy and Leadership.
  • Sip & Shop | Wednesday, May 15 | 5-8 p.m. | Satellite Bar, 495 King St., Charleston | Price of purchase | Shop local and enjoy happy hour deals while you soak in panoramic views of historic King Street.
Thursday, May 16
  • Happy Hour | Thursday, May 16 | 4-6 p.m. | Crush Yard, 3365 S. Morgans Point Rd., Mount Pleasant | Price of purchase | Enjoy open play pickleball for $7 and sweet deals on food + drinks.
  • Spring Acoustic Guitar Series | Thursday, May 16 | 5-7 p.m. | Daniel Island Waterfront Park, 1 River Landing Dr., Daniel Island | Free | Relax with live music at Waterfront Park, don’t forget your chair, blanket, and picnic.
Friday, May 17
  • Season of Spritz | Friday, May 17-Saturday, May 18 | 1-6 p.m. | The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting St., Charleston | Price of purchase | Enjoy a refreshing spring cocktail special with citrus or floral infusions.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Charleston Southern University
 
News Notes
 
Weather
  • Stay weather aware, CHS. Today, the forecast calls for lots of rain, and the storm is expected to impact morning and afternoon commutes. (WCSC)
Traffic
  • Drive with caution. Roadwork is underway at River Landing Drive and Fairchild Street, near the Home2 Suites Hotel. The work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, May 22. (WCIV)
Opening
  • Part of the newly renovated St. George’s Rosenwald School, built in 1925, will serve as an extension of the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. The museum has plans to expand to more rural areas of the Lowcountry and is expected to open this spring. (The Post and Courier)
Ranked
  • No. 7. That’s where Charleston ranked on WalletHub’s list of best and worst places to start a career in 2024. The list analyzed 180+ US cities and considered factors like job availability, starting salary, and housing affordability.
History
  • May is Preservation Month. The Historic Charleston Foundation is hosting tours, like of the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, to highlight preservation around the Holy City later this month. Check out the details of the tours.
Plan Ahead
  • Next Tuesday, May 21, Disney On Ice’s “Into the Magic” tickets go on sale. The show will be at North Charleston Coliseum this fall from Thursday, Oct. 10 to Sunday, Oct. 13, so mark your calendars.
Concert
  • This Friday, May 17, tickets go on sale for Air Supply’s “Lost in Love Experience” at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The duo will take the stage on Friday, August 16.
Seasonal
  • Looking for things for your kids to do this summer? Check out Charleston County Parks’ Summer Entertainment Series. This seven-week program starts next month and runs through Thursday, August 8. Check out each week’s theme and the registration details. (Holy City Sinner)
Outdoors
  • Did you see it? Thanks to the strength of solar storms, when folks around the Lowcountry held their camera up over the weekend, they spotted the aurora borealis (northern lights). Look at the stunning pictures of the pink and purple skies from around town. (WCBD)
Fact or Fiction
Eat
Travel
  • Been thinking of visiting the world’s largest natural habitat zoo? This is the year to go. Celebrate the North Carolina Zoo’s 50th Anniversary with these 50 Fabulous Finds in Randolph County. Bonus: Snag a free 2024 travel guide, too.*
 
 
Drink
 
🍸 A fab-brew-lous cocktail
The photo shows a coupe glass filled with an espresso martini.
When trying this recipe on your own, freshly brewed espresso is key. | Photo by KB McCabe
Sip sip hooray, the Espresso Martini is here to stay. The cocktail has climbed in popularity over the years, and a few months ago you all flooded our social feeds and inbox with the best places to grab the drink in the 843.

Now, we’re taking a look at how you can make it yourself. The Palmetto Hotel Lobby Bar’s version is dubbed “The Reveler.” It combines local espresso, aged rum, amaro, and cacao, and you can opt for a dulce de leche foam topping. Yum.
    While the actual dulce de leche foam recipe is secret, here’s how to get pretty close.
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • 3 teaspoons powdered sugar
    • 2 ounces caramel syrup
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    Add all ingredients to a cup and aerate with a frother until soft peaks form. Then top your favorite espresso martini recipe.

    Pro tip: Sip in style with this set of ribbed coupe glasses.
     
    The Buy
     
    Clinique’s Take The Day Off cleansing balm makeup remover. This balm’s silky, buttery formula dissolves long-wearing makeup and sunscreens — and it’s one of the brand’s best sellers.
     
    Answered
     
    How often do you shop at small businesses?
    Weekly: 52.8%
    Monthly: 25%
    Not as often as I’d like: 13.9%
    Hardly ever: 8.3%
     
     
    The Wrap
     
    CHS_CallieBrown Today’s edition by:
    Callie
    From the editor
    Book lovers and bargain hunters, listen up. That BIG Book Sale returns this Thursday, May 16. The sale supports the Charleston County Public Library and offers shoppers 60,000+ books to sift through.
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