The gold star is what distinguishes a REAL ID. | Photo via Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
After years of delayed deadlines, it’s finally getting real — the official deadline to obtain a REAL ID is exactly one month away.
Why do I need one?
You’ll need a REAL ID (or another approved ID, such as a US passport) if you plan to fly domestically or enter secure federal or military facilities starting May 7. Take this 30-second quiz to help.
How can I get one?
If you currently have a SC driver’s license or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at any SCDMV branch.
Make sure to bring the following(originals, not copies):
Proof of identity (Ex: Birth certificate, passport)
Two proofs of current SC Address (Ex: Utility bill, bank statement)
Proof of legal name, if you’ve had a name change (Ex: Marriage license, divorce decree)
Pro Tip: You may be able to skip the line and do everything from the comfort of your home. If your required documentation is on file with the SCDMV, you can purchase a REAL ID driver’s license online — just make sure to electronically submit proper documentation by an SC-licensed eye care professional.
Asked
Asked
Which of the following will you need a REAL ID (or another federally approved form of ID) to do beginning May 7, 2025?
A. Register to vote
B. Drive
C. Apply for federal benefits
D. Access military bases
Pizza Making Class In The Den | 5 p.m. | The Den at Frannie & The Fox | $75 | Enjoy cocktails or wine while learning how to make woodfired pizza alongside Chef Paolo Rossin.
Tuesday, April 8
All Natural Egg Dyeing Workshop | 5-7 p.m. | A Maker’s Post, Sullivans Island | $75+ | Learn how to dye eggs naturally with ingredients like plants and spices.
Cocktail Class feat. Lalo Tequila | 6-8 p.m. | Little Palm | $50 | Join Little Palm’s lead bartender and create two signature cocktails — your ticket also includes a selection of Little Palm bites.
Wednesday, April 9
Spring SWEAT Series | 6-8 p.m. | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre | Free | Beginners and experienced yogis alike can take part in this outdoor slow + comfortable vinyasa flow.
Henry’s History Tour April 2025 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Henry’s On The Market | $75 | Walk North Market Street and hear stories delving into Charleston’s history — your ticket includes two craft cocktails + food.
Thursday, April 10
Etto x Waterkeeper Sullivan’s Island Cleanup | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Mex 1 Coastal Cantina, Sullivans Island | Free | Help do your part to clean up the island, then celebrate your hard work with $6 margaritas at Mex 1 — RSVP online.
CSO Season Finale: Brahms + Rodrigo | Thursday, April 10-Friday, April 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center | $26+ | Experience classical guitar and orchestra + celebrate the CSO’s season finale with Conductor José Luis Gomez and three-time Grammy-nominated artist Mak Grgic.*
Friday, April 25
Liberty Antiques Festival | Friday, April 25-Saturday, April 26 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Liberty Antiques Festival, Staley, NC | $10 | Dealers pack this 100-acre farm with various kinds of furniture and accessories, pottery, glass, clocks, dolls, toys, military items, advertising, decoys, jewelry, quilts, folk art, and other finds.*
The Gibbes Museum of Art’s five-day arts festival, Art Charleston, is coming up Wednesday, April 23-Sunday, April 27. This year’s event will be fashion-inspired, taking influence from the museum’s current featured exhibition, “Statement Pieces.” View the schedule + purchase tickets.
Community
$132,000. That’s how much the North Charleston City Council awarded a construction company to renovate the Persephone Moultrie Community Center. The money will go towards getting a brand-new playground, redoing the basketball courts, and renovating the inside of the center. (WCSC)
Feel Good
The South Carolina Aquarium recently took a trip to Jacksonville, FL to release five rehabilitated sea turtles: Croissant, Eggs, Hydrangea, Marmalade, and Snowdrop. Want to see rehabilitated sea turtles yourself? Visit the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center.
Cause
Applications for Spoleto Festival USA’s Open Stage Door program — through which festival tickets are distributed to service-oriented nonprofit organizations — are now open. Apply online.
Eat
Beginning July 1, SC will implement new blue crab regulations. Among other new rules, the law will implement a harvest limit of one bushel per person, per day — or two bushels per boat. In the meantime, we’ll be enjoying the soft-shell crab po’ boy + crisp SC soft-shell crab salad by Chef Edgar Kano at Gabrielle. (Post and Courier)
Watch
North Charleston Chef Shuai Wang is still in the running to win Season 22 of Bravo’s “Top Chef” competition. Cheer him on in episode 5, airing this Thursday, April 10 at 9 p.m. Pro tip: Episodes are also available the following day on Peacock.
Mansion Monday
This four-bedroom, five-bath Daniel Island Park home is basically the setting of a movie. The house is set on 0.84 acres overlooking marshland, with a private porch + pool that’s perfect for hosting summer parties. Explore it for yourself.
Announced
Calling all business owners and hiring managers — we’re growing our CHStoday Job Board, which means you can post unlimited job listings for free. No tricks or gimmicks — simply create an account and start posting your open jobs.
Try This
Turn fabric into art with expert quilter Rick Sanchez at The Charleston Festival on Tuesday, April 8. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the art of hand stitching and quilting an Antique Block. No experience needed — just bring your creativity. Buy tix.*
Category
Travel
✈️ Once you get that REAL ID, it’s time to fly
With these airport tips, you’ll be a travel pro in no time. | Photo by @missadventuresome
So, you got your REAL ID — now it’s time to hit the skies. Check out some of our favorite nonstop flights from Charleston International Airport, including a few new and coming soon options.
Pro tip: Remember that flight times and schedules will often change — you should rely on your respective airline for exact timing and to stay updated on any changes.
Bermuda (BDA) | BermudAir | Service begins April 19, 2025
Rochester, NY (ROC) | Breeze Airlines | Service begins May 8, 2025
Burlington, VT (BTV) | Breeze Airlines | Service begins May 30, 2025
Albany, NY (ALB) | Breeze Airlines | Service begins June 13, 2025
Toronto, CA (YYZ) | Air Canada
Seattle, WA (SEA) | Alaska
Chicago, IL (ORD) (MDW) | American, Southwest, United
New York, NY (LGA) (JFK) | American, Delta, JetBlue
If you’re eager to give your friends or loved ones a fun, spring-themed gift, why not make them a seasonal basket of goodies? Here’s some inspiration to get you started:
🧺 Start with a sturdy woven basket that they can reuse as a versatile storage solution.
🍊 Add this refreshing room diffuser with notes of green tea, cotton, and orange peel.
🌱 Include “The Complete Gardener’s Guide” so they can learn everything they need to create their perfect garden.
🌷 Throw in this Amazon exclusive set of floral Happy Socks.
🍬 Complete the basket with the best-selling Owala FreeSip in the fun Candy Store colorway.
The marshland views from today’s Mansion Monday listing reminds me of scenes from “Where the Crawdads Sing,” which was actually filmed in Louisiana. That doesn’t mean the Lowcountry is a stranger to film sets, though — check out our list of shows and movies filmed around Charleston.
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