Plus, a local chef is making a change after three decades at a downtown resturant.
 
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Today’s Forecast

88º | 58% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:40 a.m. | Sunset 8:08 p.m.
High tide 2:14 p.m. | Low tides 7:41 a.m. + 8:37 p.m.
 

A Message From Our Team
Reminder: Nominations for Today’s Best are due Friday, August 16. Shout out your favorite Charleston businesses for a chance to vote on the best of the best.
 

What’s the porpoise of strand feeding?

What is strand feeding?
dolphin strand feeding
Dolphins on Kiawah Island work as a team to catch their dinner. | Photo by @thewildstein
Have you ever seen a dolphin splashing and rolling along one of our shorelines or muddy marsh banks — like this? This practice is called strand feeding, a special technique that bottlenose dolphins have perfected to catch fish. You can see it in action right here in the Lowcountry.

So what is it? Strand feeding is when a group of dolphins herd fish into shallow waters, then use their bodies to create a large wave to push their prey and themselves onto shore to eat, before quickly returning to the water. Teamwork makes the dream work. Fun fact: this is a learned behavior that the animals learn from their mothers and isn’t commonly seen in areas outside of SC + GA.

You can spot dolphins strand feeding year-round, but for the best chances, keep an eye out during late August through November, especially when the tide is rising. This window is particularly active because mullet (the fish dolphins are after) migrate from rivers and creeks to the ocean, and dolphins look to load up as they prepare for winter.
    Middleton Place
     
    Events
    Monday, Aug. 12
    • Art Room Surprise | Monday, Aug. 12 | 3-4 p.m. | Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry | Free with museum membership or admission | Children three and older are invited to learn and try a new art process.
    Tuesday, Aug. 13
    • Acoustic Open Mic Night | Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 7:30-11:30 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free | Jam out, or take it slow — whatever you do, enjoy the show.
    Wednesday, Aug. 14
    • Know Your Lawmaker | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | USS Yorktown | $30-$40 | Talk about business and community topics with your lawmaker.
    Thursday, Aug. 15
    • Bouquet Bar Pop-Up | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 1-3 p.m. | The Jasper | Price of purchase | Create your own bouquet using fresh, local flowers.
    Try something new this week
    Click here to have your event featured.
     
    News Notes
    Opening
    • Get ready to dig in. Volpe’s, a new Italian spot will open on Rutledge Avenue next month. James Beard nominated chef, Ken Vedrinski, will offer a four-course family-style dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
    Sports
    • Two Lowcountry natives have added Olympic wins to their resumes. Georgetown’s Melissa Jefferson helped Team USA win the Gold medal in the Women’s 4x100. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who graduated from Fort Dorchester High School claimed the Bronze medal for Puerto Rico in the women’s 100m hurdles. (WCSC)
    Announced
    • The Charleston Place is saying goodbye to chef Michelle Weaver after nearly three decades. The hotel has named chef Gabriel Haaz to be its new culinary director. (The Post and Courier)
    History
    • The National Park Service awarded The College of Charleston ~$357,000 in American Battlefield Protection Program grant funds. The college will restore a powder magazine and two cisterns at Fort Johnson. The restoration will aim to boost education + recreation opportunities.
    Weather
    • Check the numbers. We’re getting a look at just how much rain Debby brought the Lowcountry over the past several days. Moncks Corner is the town at the top of the rainfall totals list with ~22 inches of rain.
    Cause
    • Lend a hand. This fall, The Green Heart Project, a group that leads garden learning projects to cultivate community through growing + celebrating food, is seeking volunteers for Green Heart Buddies, Garden Champions, and Urban Farm Docents. Get the details on these volunteer opportunities.
    Wellness
    • Pop quiz. What’s the body’s most abundant protein? The answer: collagen. Get it from a grass-fed, pasture-raised source (with 18 grams of protein per serving).*
     
    Environment

    Watching wildlife safely

    Best practices for viewing marine mammals safely and legally
    Dolphins playing side-by-side break the surface of the Cooper River with their fins.
    Bottlenose dolphins are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. | Photo by Matt R.
    Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network and SCDNR are reminding beachgoers + nature watchers to put wildlife first.

    Here is a quick refresher on the rules + tips for safe and responsible viewing of dolphins and other marine mammals.
    • Dispose of trash properly | Garbage (especially plastic) threatens marine mammals. Go the extra mile and participate in a beach clean-up.
    • Keep your distance | Stay at least 50 feet back on land and 150 feet away when you’re on the water.
    • Follow boating rules | Use caution in shallow waters and obey “no wake” zones.
    • Move away slowly | Never chase or follow a marine mammal; if one approaches your boat, put the engine in neutral and let the animal pass.
    • Observe quietly | Don’t make loud noises or sudden movements that could startle marine mammals.
    • Report stranded or injured animals | Call the marine mammal hotline if you encounter a stranded or hurt animal.
    The Buy

    The Buy 8.12.24 (Affiliate)
    Amazon’s No. 1 new release — a rechargeable vacuum sealer. Preserve food in your kitchen with this portable, leak-proof sealer that offers up to 30 BPA-free, microwave safe bags to ensure high quality storage.
    More worth The Buy
     
    The Wrap
     
    CHS_CallieBrown

    Today’s edition by:
    Callie
    From the editor
    I know the Olympics just wrapped up, but I’m already missing the competition + watching the incredible athletes.

    The SC Aquarium had some fun on the last few days of action — check out how Liberty the bald eagle celebrated the Paris Games.
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