🌱 COVID-19 Antiviral Pills + Global Bartending Competition

Good day, people of Charleston! It's me again, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Charleston Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 51 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories in Charleston today:

1. Fetter Health Care Network will participate in the COVID-19 Therapeutics program, which will allow providers to administer oral antiviral medication for qualified patients with COVID-19. Free COVID-19 testing and antivirals will be offered starting tomorrow, January 19th, in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton Counties. Find out more on the Fetter program and locations and times for sites. (CountOn2)
2. Speed Rack, the global, all-womxn+ bartending competition is coming to Charleston Wine + Food (CHSWFF). This global competition is designed to highlight the bar industry's leading womxn+ and raises money for the fight against breast cancer. Qualifier rounds will happen on March 4th at Last Saint. More information on the event, dates, and applications to compete can be found here: (holycitysinner.com)
3. Despite record-breaking inflation and the surge in Omicron cases, Charleston locals and tourists continue to dine-in and take-out, helping restaurants continue to rebound from years of COVID-19. SC Restaurant owners surveyed show 76% say it will take at least seven months before returning to pre-pandemic levels - but this data was collected before the omicron surge. See why "Restaurant Week" takes place in January and how it plays a major role in the local economy: (Live 5 News WCSC)

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Doing a "Dry January" or just looking for a flavorful alternative to regular cocktails? Here's a suggestion: try a non-alcoholic drink from our partners at Betera. Created by an award-winning chef from natural botanicals, Betera's drinks come in 3 flavors — Ginger-Orange, Elderflower-Lime and Rhubarb-Hibiscus. We tried Ginger-Orange, and it was excellent — lightly effervescent, floral with a hint of bitterness and the sippability of a cocktail.

Betera is offering readers of the Daily a 15% discount on their first order: use PATCH15 at checkout. Highly recommended — you can try Betera here.

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Today in Charleston:

• Charleston Scavenger Hunt - Charleston County Courthouse at 100 Broad St (8:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• After an intense weekend of high winds and cold high pressures, the US National Weather Service for Charleston, SC shares the weather outlook ahead of this week. Sunny and cool weather expected through Wednesday, with a chance of precipitation returning on Thursday. (Facebook)
• The Charleston County Public Library will have its Kids Café up and running again today at select branches between 3pm-5pm. Children up to 18 years old can stop by for a free, healthy afterschool snack provided by the Lowcountry Food Bank. (Facebook)
• Charleston City Paper posted that Wild Blue Ropes is offering extra hours of adventure for the long weekend. Get your tickets and climb anytime from 10am to 6pm today. (Charleston City Paper)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.