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- 4/24/25 - This Mayor’s Beard Is the Talk of the Town (Plus Weekend Picks)
4/24/25 - This Mayor’s Beard Is the Talk of the Town (Plus Weekend Picks)
Inside: Bearded mayors, blue trail kayaks, and the best new pizza slice in town
Beau Whitaker
April 24, 2025
Weather: 78°F ☀️ | Tomorrow: 76°F | Rain Chance: 10%
From the Editor
Hey y’all —
This weekend’s shaping up to be classic Charleston: sunshine, music in the air, and plenty of ways to soak up the Lowcountry charm. We’ve pulled together stories worth sharing — from a bearded mayor stirring things up to a new stretch of river just waiting to be paddled. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Top Stories
Mayor Cogswell’s Beard Is Making Headlines
Meet Charleston’s Bearded Trendsetter
Mayor William Cogswell is shaking things up — with facial hair. He’s the first bearded mayor Charleston has seen in 140 years, and his salt-and-pepper look has sparked a city-wide style shift and a deeper conversation about modern leadership.
Kayak Launch Expands River Access
Dorchester Co. Opens Second Kayak Launch
Adventure just got easier. A new launch site along the Ashley River Blue Trail gives paddlers a second gateway to 30 scenic miles. Picnic tables, shaded spots, and river views make this a perfect Earth Day detour.
Events & Activities
Today
Brewery Comedy Tour @ Indigo Reef – 7:30PM, Hanahan
Summerville Art & Garden Stroll – 5PM–8PM, Downtown Summerville
This Weekend
Charleston Jazz Festival – All weekend, various venues
Black Food Truck Festival – Exchange Park Fairgrounds
Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival – Sunday, Mount Pleasant
Editor's Pick
Tutti Pizza on King – Pizza lovers, rejoice. This new spot from the team behind Graft is already making waves with fluffy NY-style rounds and crispy Sicilian squares. Grab a slice and a glass of wine just steps from Upper King.
Community & Culture
Inclusive Superhero Dance Party
Mount Pleasant’s Superhero Bash
Capes, beats, and pizza: Mount Pleasant’s inclusive dance party is built for joy. Designed for residents with disabilities and their families, it’s a night of music, community, and superhero moves.
Students Take On Vertical Farming
OpenSTEM at College of Charleston
Lettuce from a vending machine? Believe it. College of Charleston’s OpenSTEM project turns hallway tech into leafy greens and real-world science lessons. It’s innovation you can taste.
Food & Drink
Frank & Jack’s Is Almost Here
New Restaurant Alert in Mount Pleasant
This summer, Frank & Jack’s opens with big flavor and bigger vibes. Expect comfort food remixed: short rib poutine, nostalgic pot pies, and an ice cream shack for the kids. Bonus: live music and cocktails on tap.
Upper King’s new pizza joint is already earning a cult following. Whether you’re a fan of airy New York-style rounds or crisped-up Sicilian squares, Tutti hits the mark. Come for the pie, stay for the vibes.
Recreation & Outdoors
Water Trail Adventure
Float your stress away. The Ashley River’s 30-mile Blue Trail just got easier to access, thanks to a new launch spot with parking, picnic spots, and smooth paddling ahead.
Aiken’s Generations Park to Get $10M Upgrade
Generations Park Set for $10 Million Transformation
More green space, more shade, and a full-on amphitheater? Aiken’s Generations Park is about to level up, with community feedback steering a three-year transformation plan, it’s a bit of drive but could be worth it after a day at Augusta.
Business & Development
Dock Blocks Moves Production to the USA
Local Marine Co. Goes All-American
Dock Blocks is ditching overseas delays and bringing dock-building back home. The Charleston company now makes all its modular marine systems in the U.S. — faster builds, better quality, and a big win for local manufacturing.
Sola Salons Opens in Charleston
Charleston stylists are going solo — literally. The new Sola Salons location empowers beauty pros to run their own studios inside a shared space. Think flexible hours, creative freedom, and boss energy.
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Sports Report
Beach Volleyball Brilliance
Chanticleers' Novello & Ehlers Win Big
Four matches. Four wins. Coastal Carolina’s Novello and Ehlers dominated the sand at the Palmetto Invitational — and they’re not done yet.
Pegula’s WTA Comeback in Charleston
Pegula Takes Down Collins in Decisive Comeback
After losing the first set 1-6, Pegula stormed back to defeat defending champ Danielle Collins at the Charleston Open. Her eyes are now on the semi-finals — and the title.
Montzingo Brothers Join the RiverDogs Lineup
Baseball meets TikTok: viral stars Peet and Andrew Montzingo are suiting up for a good cause in June’s Legends in the South charity game. Expect big laughs and even bigger swings.
Health & Wellness
MUSC's DNA Program Saves a Life
One Man’s Unexpected Genetic Discovery
Carson Thomas thought he was just exploring ancestry. What he found? A life-saving genetic mutation tied to cancer risk. MUSC’s free DNA program changed his health outlook — and maybe his life.
Safe Harbor Business Program Offers Security
MUSC Expands Local Safety with Business Partnerships
If you ever feel unsafe in Charleston, look for the Safe Harbor sticker. This new initiative from MUSC turns local businesses into quick-help zones for students, staff, and neighbors.
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Did You Know?
Charleston was the first U.S. city to establish a public college!
The College of Charleston opened in 1770 — before the U.S. was even a country.
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