Mattress storein Charleston, SC

On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized an Omicron-specific booster, marking the first redesign of coronavirus vaccines since they were rolled out nearly two years ago. The Omicron variant has been the dominate strain since early this year, with the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants being especially transmissible.

It is anticipated that on Friday, Sept. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will sign off on the authorization. After that, it’s all systems go.

“Once it’s given the OK, we’ll put in an order, and it should ship pretty quickly. The entire process should take about a week, meaning we should have it available to anyone who wants it the week of Sept. 12, maybe sooner,” said Danielle Scheurer, M.D., MUSC Health System chief quality officer.

The new booster comes at a point in the pandemic when approximately 90,000 infections and 475 deaths are being recorded daily in this country. Though hospitalizations have become much rarer, COVID-19 is still the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Though this targeted booster should help to slow the spread of the virus, Scheurer is skeptical that it will fly off the shelves.

“My guess is the uptake will be low. So many people have gotten COVID at this point, and many just aren’t getting that sick. I think people are just over it. I hate to say it, but I think a lot of folks are going, ‘I’ll just take my chances,’” she said.

But Scheurer cautioned that people who are at higher risk, such as older Americans or those with preexisting health conditions, should seriously consider getting this booster. And for those who aren’t in the higher-risk category, one motivator to get this booster might be to avoid getting long COVID, when virus-related symptoms can linger indefinitely beyond an infection.

As for the science behind the new booster, Scheurer said it was synthesized in the same way the first vaccine was, only it’s bivalent, meaning the encoded messenger RNA targets two spike proteins, instead of one: the original virus and Omicron and its known subvariants. Additionally, the dosage for this one is a little lower.

“I think it’s important that people know that this is intended to act as a booster, not a stand-alone vaccine,” she said. “Meaning that for people who haven’t been vaccinated, the course of action is to get your original two doses and then this.”

Two boosters will be available: one by Pfizer BioNTech, for use in people age 12 and up, and the other by Moderna, targeted to those 18 years and up. MUSC expects to receive the Pfizer booster.

Though MUSC is in the process of decommissioning all of its stand-alone vaccine sites, the new booster will be offered at the MUSC Health Pharmacy at Rutledge Tower as well as by most, if not all, MUSC Health affiliated primary care physician sites.

Though things seem to be trending in the right direction in this country, Scheurer still remains vigilant.

“Given the volume of people who have gotten Omicron, I’m kind of surprised we haven’t had another rapidly evolving variant,” she said. “I think we’ve been pretty lucky. But then again, this might just be the new normal – a world where we coexist with COVID and life goes on.”

Fall is fast approaching, and it is one of the most delightful times of the year in the Lowcountry. For anyone trying to decide when to visit Charleston, South Carolina, the return of the local oyster season ticks another box for planning an autumn escape.

Charleston's flat coastline, an extensive network of tidal creeks, and bountiful natural reefs, combined with water temperatures conducive to a long spawning season, create an ideal oyster habitat. The harvests are in-demand nationwide, and the area has even been dubbed the 'Napa Valley of Oysters'. Whether it's fine dining, trendy raw bars, or rustic shuck-your-own outdoor roasts that float your boat, Charleston's oyster scene has it all.

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When Is Oyster Season in South Carolina?

The steadfast yet unofficial rule when it comes to oyster consumption is to stick to the 'r' months. Shellfish aficionados have long followed this well-established norm and only eat oysters from September - April, and evidence shows this practice dates back thousands of years!

Originally, there were several layers to avoiding oysters during the summer months. As they spawn when the water is the warmest, restricting oyster harvesting during this season was a sustainability practice so that they could be given time to reproduce each year. Furthermore, spawning oysters do not have a nice taste or texture; they tend to be small, watery, and flimsy.

The other factor stemmed from food safety. The waters around Charleston (and the southeast in general) get very hot in the summertime, raising algae and bacteria levels that could be absorbed by wild oysters and cause food poisoning if consumed. With the scorching air temperatures, reliable refrigeration (especially during transportation) was also a concern in the past.

Yes and no. With the surging popularity of oysters and aquaponics advancements, restaurants and suppliers are no longer relying solely on wild harvests. Cold water oyster farms safely produce tasty harvests all year round. Warm water farms have triploid breeds, which are sterile and therefore avoid any issues relating to reproduction.

Another thing to remember is that ocean temperatures vary significantly from location to location. While local oysters may be out of season in Charleston in the summer months, restaurants often source them from somewhere else in the country (or even the world) at this time of year. Those in the know come to appreciate different varieties of oysters in much the same way as one would with wine from different regions. Water quality and transportation are closely monitored, and all fresh oysters must be stamped with origin information.

With all of that said, if one is really looking for the most authentic experience of sampling fresh, wild, locally-harvested Charleston oysters, then sticking to the 'r' months is the best idea. More specifically, the official shellfish harvesting season in Charleston opens annually on October 1st.

What Is An Oyster Roast, And Where To Attend One?

Oyster roasts originated in the Charleston area, and they continue to be a much-loved seasonal tradition. Bushels of fresh oysters are steamed over hot coals in a kettle or fire-pit using a burlap sack. They are then served family-style in the middle of a large, communal table stocked with the standard accompaniments of saltine crackers, lemon wedges, and hot sauce (oh, and plenty of cold beer too). Guests gather around with special shucking knives and help themselves to oysters as freshly-steamed batches continue to be piled onto the table.

There are large-scale oyster roasts frequently held at Charleston area plantations, with Boone Hall Plantation annually hosting the largest oyster festival in the world. More low-key oyster roasts pop up frequently at local breweries, parks, bars, and literally anywhere else with a bit of outdoor space. Here are a few other favorites worth checking out:

The Best Restaurants To Eat Oysters In Charleston

Raw oysters and oyster-based dishes grace many a menu across the Charleston peninsula, and its surrounds, but below are a few tried and true favorites to get started. These restaurants have withstood the test of time and have solidified their reputation for serving up a fresh and delicious oyster selection year after year.

The DIY Approach To Eating Oysters In Charleston

For anyone feeling particularly adventurous, there is also the option to harvest your own oysters. There are three recreational shellfish grounds that are open to the public; just be sure to first obtain a South Carolina Saltwater Fishing license. Head out around low tide with a sturdy pair of boots for the pluff mud, and don't forget a hammer, gloves, and bucket. Regardless of the bounty, it's certain to be a fun experience!

The World Is Your Oyster

Charleston has been a go-to foodie destination for years with its wide range of culinary offerings and countless award-winning chefs and restaurants. Oysters are yet another highlight to add to the roster, and whether visitors are experienced aficionados or just dipping their toe into the world of oysters for the first time, they won't be left disappointed! With the oyster season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning the next (or first) Charleston getaway.

With Charleston ranking No. 1 on Travel + Leisure’s list of the Top 10 U.S. Cities 2022 and undertaking multiple high-profile developments this year, we figured it was time to talk about the cost of planting some roots in the Holy City.

The median household income in Charleston County is $67,182 according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, South Carolina is 41st in the country for median income at ~$54,864 per household.

The overall cost of living in Charleston is higher than the national average and higher than the rest of the state.

In Charleston, the cost of healthcare is lower compared to other parts of the state + the US. The cost of transportation is also lower than the national average. However, the cost of groceries, housing, and other miscellaneous expenses in the city have higher average costs than other cities in South Carolina and the country overall.

Breaking down the numbers

Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $50,000 annually – according to experts — you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your monthly gross income on rent and utilities. Don’t worry, we did the math for you — your max monthly rent budget would be $1,250. The average monthly rent for an apartment in Charleston is $1,872 — putting you over budget.

According to a recent study by ATTOM Data Solutions, it’s actually more affordable to rent a home in Charleston County than to buy.

Take a look at the chart below to see how Charleston’s cost of living compares to that of the Soda City.

Interested in seeing Charleston’s cost of living compared to cities in other states? We played around on nerdwallet’s cost of living calculator, where you can put in any city along with your current pre-tax household income to find out what other cities are affordable for you to live in.

We also took a look at the cost of living in Charleston compared to Greenville. Hey, GVLtoday. Here’s what we found:

The city also has the Department of Housing and Community Development, entities such as the Palmetto Community Land Trust + other government-funded programs to help develop more affordable units.

There are also a number of local organizations working on apartments seemingly all the time — from the renovation of the former Archer School on Nassau Street, expected to be converted into affordable housing for older adults, to the affordable housing planned for Lowline Park for those earning 30-70% of the area median income.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - It takes someone with a big heart to step in and care for a child if their parents cannot.

The state agency that oversees South Carolina’s foster care system said, in many cases, the best person to do that is someone the child already has a relationship with and who knows them.

“Caregivers are special people, and it’s not easy. It’s not easy being a caregiver,” Virgie Anderson, a kinship caregiver in the Lowcountry, said.

It is a role Anderson knows well, having cared for five of her grandchildren at one point and still caring for one now.

“There were lots of needs for the children,” she said. “They were going through so much. They needed financial help and there were mental problems, so there is so many needs that we have, so I’m glad for today.”

Anderson joined state leaders and fellow caregivers Thursday at Charleston HALOS — an organization that supports family members and loved ones who step into a caregiving role for children in the foster system — to celebrate a new state law, which Gov. Henry McMaster commemoratively signed.

.@henrymcmaster ceremonially signs a new SC law allowing fictive kin — people who aren’t related by birth, adoption or marriage to a child but have a significant relationship with them — to receive resources + support from @SC_DSS if they serve as that child’s kinship caregiver. pic.twitter.com/0y4gnPzKiT

— Mary Green (@MaryGreenNews) September 22, 2022

The law, which went into effect in May, expands the definition of kinship care, which is when a loved one cares for a child when their parent is not able to do so, to now include fictive kin.

Those are people not related by birth, marriage or adoption to a child but who share a significant emotional relationship with them, like a family friend, neighbor or coach.

“This new law will help us protect children, getting them to a safe environment while lessening the trauma that comes with removing a child from the home,” Sen. Katrina Shealy, R – Lexington and the bill’s sponsor at the State House, said.

Shealy’s bill passed both the state Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously, and South Carolina is now the 29th state in the country with this type of legislation in place.

The new law allows fictive kin caregivers to receive support and resources from the state to help them, as well as access services, such as being able to obtain a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

“... When you’re taking on children, it costs money, right,” Department of Social Services Director Michael Leach said. “So this allows at least children who may have come into the foster care system to work toward a connection with kin and maybe the broader fictive kin to where we can support them.”

Leach’s department oversees South Carolina’s foster care system, and currently, about one in five children in it are being cared for by a kinship caregiver.

DSS estimates there are about 70,000 kinship caregivers in South Carolina at this time, though not all of them are in the DSS system.

“We’re seeing children enter the foster care system, but we know they have connections — family connections, fictive kin-type connections — and we need to make sure that they’re connected with those folks to minimize trauma, to help with cultural connections because they do better,” Leach said.

This new kinship care law isn’t the only one passed this year to strengthen South Carolina’s foster system: Another recent change now allows children in the state’s custody to receive DSS support and services until they are 21. Those resources had previously been cut off at 18.

But Leach said the work is far from done to help children in South Carolina’s foster system.

When the new legislative session begins in January, he is asking the General Assembly to approve a type of program that supports permanent placements for foster children living with kinship caregivers if they are out of state custody. Leach said 40 other states already have a program like this in place.

People who are interested in fostering, in the traditional sense or through kinship care, can learn more by visiting heartfeltcalling.org. Leach said South Carolina is in particular need of caregivers for teenagers, who make up about 30% of kids in the foster care system.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - It takes someone with a big heart to step in and care for a child if their parents cannot.

The state agency that oversees South Carolina’s foster care system said, in many cases, the best person to do that is someone the child already has a relationship with and who knows them.

“Caregivers are special people, and it’s not easy. It’s not easy being a caregiver,” said Virgie Anderson, a kinship caregiver.

It is a role Anderson knows well, having cared for five of her grandchildren at one point and still caring for one now.

“There were lots of needs for the children,” she said. “They were going through so much. They needed financial help and there were mental problems, so there is so many needs that we have, so I’m glad for today.”

Anderson joined state leaders and fellow caregivers Thursday at Charleston HALOS — an organization that supports family members and loved ones who step into a caregiving role for children in the foster system — to celebrate a new state law, which Gov. Henry McMaster commemoratively signed.

The law, which went into effect in May, expands the definition of kinship care, which is when a loved one cares for a child when their parent is not able to do so, to now include fictive kin.

Those are people not related by birth, marriage or adoption to a child but who share a significant emotional relationship with them, like a family friend, neighbor or coach.

“This new law will help us protect children, getting them to a safe environment while lessening the trauma that comes with removing a child from the home,” said Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington and the bill’s sponsor.

Shealy’s bill passed both the state Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously, and South Carolina is now the 29th state in the country with this type of legislation in place.

The new law allows fictive kin caregivers to receive support and resources from the state to help them, as well as access services, such as being able to obtain a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

“When you’re taking on children, it costs money, right,” Department of Social Services Director Michael Leach said. “So this allows at least children who may have come into the foster care system to work toward a connection with kin and maybe the broader fictive kin to where we can support them.”

Leach’s department oversees South Carolina’s foster care system, and currently, about one in five children in it are being cared for by a kinship caregiver.

DSS estimates there are about 70,000 kinship caregivers in South Carolina at this time, though not all of them are in the DSS system.

“We’re seeing children enter the foster care system, but we know they have connections — family connections, fictive kin-type connections — and we need to make sure that they’re connected with those folks to minimize trauma, to help with cultural connections because they do better,” Leach said.

This new kinship care law isn’t the only one passed this year to strengthen South Carolina’s foster system: Another recent change now allows children in the state’s custody to receive DSS support and services until they are 21. Those resources had previously been cut off at 18.

But Leach said the work is far from done to help children in South Carolina’s foster system.

When the new legislative session begins in January, he is asking the General Assembly to approve a type of program that supports permanent placements for foster children living with kinship caregivers if they are out of state custody. Leach said 40 other states already have a program like this in place.

People who are interested in fostering, in the traditional sense or through kinship care, can learn more by visiting heartfeltcalling.org. Leach said South Carolina is in particular need of caregivers for teenagers, who make up about 30% of kids in the foster care system.

Copyright 2022 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

Early last week, the S.C. Department of Revenue sent out a public notice with tax tips for people renting rooms in South Carolina, noting that beginning Oct. 1, they must have a retail license and electronically file and pay accommodations taxes, just as hotels and motels do. It was a reminder that the short-term rental business continues to grow for better and, at least sometimes, for worse.

Currently, two different types of businesses pay these taxes. Those operating single-unit rentals must provide the location address of their rental property on their tax account, but property management companies and third-party booking sites have been allowed to report lump sums by municipality. A new state law requires that latter businesses also provide the department with a list of all addresses that they are reporting sales for.

We urge the department to share that information with municipalities, several of which continue to struggle to find the right balance between supporting property owners interested in offering short-term rentals — and the tourism benefits they provide — with legitimate local concerns that many such rentals worsen a housing affordability crisis, erode neighborhood cohesion and create problems with noise, trash and parking.

Having additional data from the state about the specific locations of these rentals will help local officials find the right balance between letting homeowners rent out part, or in some cases all, of their property and ensuring that the home’s neighbors and the wider community are not adversely affected. It’s a debate that has flared up anew not only in coastal cities such as Isle of Palms, Folly Beach and Port Royal but also in Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg and Rock Hill.

Several local governments have had to go to the expense of buying software to identify short-term rental locations because not all property owners were stepping forward to get their proper licenses and pay accommodations taxes. In Port Royal, for instance, the software helped town officials identify more than 100 such units when the town previously had known about only 60-65 of them. The town has sought more information from the Revenue Department, with no luck so far. “Their argument is they don’t have the manpower or software to track this thing,” town manager Van Willis tells us, “but if they can do this for Ubers, they can do it for a house that’s not moving.”

It would be helpful if municipalities could get information on short-term rental locations within their city or town limits without having to spend tax money buying software, says Scott Slatton with the Municipal Association of South Carolina. We agree, and should companies have proprietary concerns, those could be addressed along the same lines as information about business revenue, which is reported to the state to calculate taxes and business license fees but is not available to the public.

“From the statewide perspective, the biggest help cities and counties can get with short-term rentals is getting an inventory of all of them. Where are they?” Mr. Slatton notes. “It’s first and foremost an issue of ensuring the character and quality of life within our cities and towns. That’s the first concern. The revenue comes into play, but that’s not the motivating factor for wanting to figure out where they are.”

While short-term rentals have been around for generations in some form, the advent of websites such as Airbnb and VRBO has led to tremendous growth. Municipalities have responded differently, with some mix of new laws, some more controversial than others. These include hotlines for complaints, guest limits, parking requirements, limits on the number of guests and more. While a state legislator filed a bill to prohibit cities from banning all short-term rentals within their jurisdiction, we know of no city that has attempted such a step.

But as local debates continue on adopting or refining short-term rental rules — as they most certainly will in the months and years to come — everyone should agree that the first, best step toward responsibly balancing all the interests involved is getting reliable data on where the rentals are occurring.

Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Ian could gain hurricane strength late this weekend, according to predictions by the National Hurricane Center.

As of the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. update, Ian was about 270 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 520 miles southeast of Grand Cayman.

The storm had max sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving west at 15 mph.

The NHC said the center of Tropical Storm Ian will move over the Caribbean Sea Saturday, gathering strength as it makes its move toward Jamaica and the Cayman Islands Sunday.

By late Sunday afternoon or Sunday night, Ian could gain hurricane strength, according to the NHC advisory. By Monday, Ian is expected to be near or at major hurricane strength when it approaches Cuba.

“Ian will likely impact the state of Florida early to mid-week as a strong hurricane,” meteorologist Amanda Holly said. “Our forecast will depend largely on exactly where the center of the storm tracks, and there is still some uncertainty on if it will go a little farther south or even to the north.”

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

While Tropical Storm Ian is still a long distance away from Florida, the future hurricane largely is expected to make landfall on the western coast of Florida, with Tampa Bay included in the potential path. However, other paths have it possibly entering the Gulf of Mexico or hitting the Gulf of Mexico.

he NHC said heavy rains could begin for the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula through the mid-week, with flash and urban flooding possible. River flooding is also possible, according to the NHC.

“If we see those direct impacts, they could start as early as Tuesday evening with the worst of the weather on Wednesday night and into Thursday,” Holly said.

As of the latest update, the Florida Keys and South Florida could see one to three inches of rain through Tuesday morning, with a local maximum of five inches.

However, the more immediate threat is to the islands in the Caribbean — such as Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands — which could see heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides.

September introduced the Atlantic’s first named tropical storm of 2022, and with the aftereffects of Hurricane Fiona, which devastated Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos Islands with flooding and damaging winds, late summer is often a vivid reminder of the damage these storms can cause and the importance of preparation for communities on the South Carolina coast.

“And the time to prepare is now,” said Bryan Wood, MUSC emergency manager, Department of Public Safety.

Wood and members of MUSC’s Office of Student Engagement participated in an annual hurricane seminar for students on Aug. 24. The team reviewed preparation basics, including establishing a hurricane plan, preparing a hurricane kit, explaining the use of Code Red Alerts and providing information related to Lowcountry storm shelters and managing pets during a storm. At the event, the first 25 students received a ReadyAmerica Emergency Kit, which included enough food bars and water pouches to last three days, gloves, light sticks, a survival blanket, weather radio, flashlight and an emergency plan. The event was sponsored by the Center for Global Health, Office of Student Engagement and Department of Public Safety.

Wood emphasized that all individuals and families should make hurricane preparations every year.

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian brought high winds and rain to the Lowcountry and Carolina coast, leaving 270,000 households without power.

Wood recommends creating a hurricane kit with enough supplies for three days. Contents of the kit should include: · Water – 2 gallons of water per person per day, which includes 1 gallon for drinking and 1 gallon for general use. · Food – plan for a three-day supply per person, including high-protein, nonperishable items. · Flashlight/lanterns and batteries. · Weather radio and batteries. · First aid kit. · Toilet paper. · Miscellaneous entertainment in case of a loss of power: deck of cards, games, etc.

If a hurricane warning forecasts a threat that most likely will affect this area, Wood recommends elevating readiness and doing the following: · Fill prescription drugs. · Have cash on hand. · Fill cars with gas. · Prepare detailed video documentation of your home, inside and outside, including contents, using a smartphone

Wood recommends the resource Hurricanestrong.org, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- and NOAA-sponsored website, from which to download a family hurricane preparedness guide and the hurricane safety and preparedness checklists, when starting your preparation.

MUSC students and employees are encouraged to download and use MUSC Alerts – an emergency notification system through the MUSC Alert System that includes SMS text messaging, voice messaging and desktop alerts for up-to-date progress on storm progress, campus preparations and related announcements.

A valuable statewide hurricane resource is the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s S.C. Emergency Manager Mobile app, which is downloadable via the Apple App Store and Google Play. It helps users to build an emergency plan and provides Zone evacuation updates, closings and delays in addition to emergency shelter locations and other resources.

“These are all practical tips and activities that anyone can do now, or anytime, to ensure they’re ready for hurricane season,” Wood said.

A joint venture of CP Capital, a highly disciplined U.S. real estate manager specializing in multifamily investments, and Greystar, a leading, fully integrated real estate company with expertise in investment management, development, and property management, today announced they will be developing ‘Montague Corners’ – a 336-unit multifamily development project in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Montague Corners will be situated immediately off I-526, just southwest of the soon to be expanded I-26/I-526 interchange – providing seamless commuter access to all areas of the Charleston metropolitan area. The community will be strategically located at the epicenter of the rapidly growing market, just two miles from Charleston International Airport, one mile from the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center, and three miles from Joint Base Charleston.

The project is expected to break ground in October 2022. The first units are anticipated to deliver in Q1 2024, with construction expected to be completed during the summer of 2024.

“Charleston has displayed incredible economic resilience since the start of the pandemic, benefiting from consistent in-migration resulting in impressive job and population growth,” said Paul Doocy, Co-Head of CP Capital. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Greystar to deliver Montague Corners and consistently generate value for both our partners and the communities where we invest.”

Montague Corners will feature an expansive pool with outdoor entertainment, co-working spaces, a fully equipped fitness center, and charming lounge areas as well as upscale interior finishes such as stainless-steel appliances, stone-surface countertops, and vinyl wood flooring.

The three-story, surface-parked community will also benefit from its proximity to the Tanger Outlets, an open-air shopping destination, and the Park Circle area, a burgeoning hub of eclectic retail and dining options. Immediately south of Park Circle, Jamestown plans to redevelop a 45-acre site into a mixed-use project consisting of 1.2 million square feet of office space, residences, shopping, dining, and a concert hall.

“We are thrilled to continue developing multifamily spaces in the high-performing Charleston market, and could not ask for a better partner in CP Capital,” said Ben Liebetrau, Greystar Managing Director, Carolinas. “Montague Corners’ combination of a convenient, central location and best-in-class amenities will provide renters with the perfect environment for their modern lifestyle, and allow the Greater Charleston area to continue its already impressive growth.”

CP Capital, formerly known as HQ Capital Real Estate, has partnered with Greystar on five development projects in the past, most recently the Brighton Park Apartments in Brighton, Colorado.