Columbia Girls Who Walk founders — Tabatha Dillon on the left + Christine Bonarrigo on the right. | Photo provided by Columbia Girls Who Walk
Have you heard of Columbia Girls Who Walk? It’s a walking group that began on Instagramtwo months ago + meets weekly for two-mile walks.
Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s backtrack. Two friends and co-workers — Christine Bonarrigo and Tabatha Dillon — began walking together during lunch breaks to brainstorm ways they could make new friends after college and find a balance between their social + physically active lifestyles.
They decided to see if anyone else in the Soda City felt the same way + wanted to join in on their walks.
“People are walking on the river walks by themselves, so why don’t we all do it together and socialize while we do it?” Christine said.
Two has quickly turned into 20-50 girls each week meeting in popular walking locations around Columbia and has garnered over 1,000 Instagram followers.
“I guess there’s a need for something like this, you know?” Tabatha said.
The group has grown so much that it’s begun planning ways to involve more parts of the community.
“Everyone there wants to make friends so it’s a very welcoming environment. Just show up. There aren’t any fees, no sign-ups, and you just come to a walk whenever you can.” Christine said.
Use the links below to share this free newsletter with family and friends who would love to join a new group in our city.
The Supper Club At Chayz Lounge | Wed., Sept. 21 | 6-9 p.m. | Chayz Lounge, 607 Meeting St. | $20 | Experience a symphony of flavors and artistry, lovingly prepared with flair by Chef Augusta and her talented team. 🎺
Thursday
Garden Asana | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 8:15-9 a.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St. | $15 | Join in on breath-centric in-person yoga. 🧘♀️
Postnatal Yoga | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 9-10 a.m. | Rooted in Wellbeing, 141 S Shandon St., Ste F | $15 | Postnatal Yoga gives moms the opportunity to feel both physically and mentally supported by the community.
Friday
Steel Hands Brewing Oktoberfest | Fri., Sept. 23 | 12-11 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Celebrate Oktoberfest with authentic German music, contests, a menu of Oktoberfest-themed delights + its new Festbier beer on tap.
UofSC vs. UNC Charlotte 49ers | Sat., Sept. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium, 1174 George Rogers Blvd. | $46+ | Watch as the Gamecocks take on the never-before-played Charlotte 49ers in Williams-Brice stadium. 🏈
COLAughs Comedy @ NoMa Warehouse | Sat., Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St. | $15.50 | Jas Gill from Greenville, headlines COLAughs at NoMa Warehouse and features Melanie Goldey + Shaine Laine. 🎤
Columbia Craft Oktoberfest | Sat., Sept. 24 | 12-8 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Company, 520 Greene St. | Free | This event features a triple German-style beer release along with German food by The Wurst Wagen food truck, games, and 16 additional taps available on the rooftop. 🍻*
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Picnic ships plans directly to your door, on your schedule — and COLAtoday readers get 20% off. | Photo provided by Picnic
At COLAtoday, we love everything about fall — except the inevitable allergy spike. (No, it’s not just you — allergies are much worse these days.) But — news flash — you don’t have to suffer (read: sneeze) in silence. 🤧
This at-home allergy test can pinpoint your exact allergy triggers from 294 common irritants. You’ll also receive advice from a doctor on managing symptoms, or even a customized treatment plan of over-the-counter and prescription solutionsso you can live your best Columbia life unbothered.*
Clutch Coffee — a drive-thru coffee stand — is coming soon to 4716 Devine St., where Taboo used to be. This will be the second location for the NC-based chain if everything goes through for both the Columbia + Lexington locations. ☕️ (The Post and Courier)
Closed
Willie Sue’s Food and Spirits closed the doors of its Columbia location over the weekend. The southern cuisine restaurant, formerly located at 380 Columbiana Dr., cited building and staffing complications as reasons for closing. (Columbia Business Report)
Community
A new art exhibit from Transitions Homeless Center is now on display at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). The paintings will be on display as part of the Art in the Airport Program until mid-October. The artwork will then be relocated + auctioned off at the Columbia Museum of Art. ✈️
Sports
The Gamecock Men’s Basketball season-opening gamehas been moved. The team will now face SC State at Colonial Life Arena on Tues., Nov. 8. More information on the tip time for this game + others will be shared on a later date. Season tickets are available here. 🏀 (Gamecocks Online)
The SEC released the Gamecock’s 2023 football schedule. UofSC will host seven teams in Williams-Brice stadium — with the last four games of the season being consecutive home games. Their season will kick off against the North Carolina Tar Heels at a neutral site on Sat., Sept. 2. 🏈 (Gamecocks Online)
Drink
Lula Drake Wine Parlour (1635 Main St.) will host Dave and Lois Cho at tomorrow’s Guest Winemaker Series event. Cho Wines was listed in USA Today’s + Wine Enthusiast’s Top Ten Wineries of 2022. Dave and Lois will be pouring glasses of their own world-class Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from 6:30-9 p.m. 🍷
Seasonal
The 2022 Fall Plant and Flower Festivalis coming to the South Carolina State Farmers Market (3483 Charleston Hwy.) Oct. 7-9. The event will be open Friday + Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Shop fall plants, flowers, pumpkins, and in-season produce. Admission and parking are free. 🎃
The South Carolina State Museum recently announced details of their upcoming month of Halloween programs, andyou won’t want to miss it. Dark History guided tours will explore the spooky side of SC’s legends, Friday Night Laser Lights return, and little Soda Citizens will love the Scooby-Doo-themed 4D experience. 👻 *
Arts
Cayce welcomes a fresh new mural on the corner of Knox Abbot Drive + Ninth Street. Kevin Pettit, a local art teacher and artist, spent three months painting the vibrant mural on the side of Mrs. Goodfoot, featuring peacocks, 3D objects, and glow-in-the-dark paint. (WLTX)
Heading to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) soon? Be on the lookout for Cait Maloney’s arthanging throughout the connector. Cait was one of four local artists chosen as a part of CAE’s 2022-2023 Art in the Airport program, and her work will be on display through November. 🖼️ *
Trending
Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” broke records for new Prime memberships last week, with more sign-ups over a three-hour periodto view the Chiefs-Chargers game than on Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday. Tonight’s game? Steelers vs. Browns. Join the party with a 30-day free Prime Video trial. 🏈 (CNBC)*
Health
Thanks to a number of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this humble vegetable has been elevated to a “superfood” by many experts. Learn more about the vegetable that’s good for your heart, skin, gut, bones, immune system + more. (Yes, please).*
Eat
It’s the first day of fall, which means it’s officially soup season. Celebrate by trying this yummyChicken and Vegetable Soup recipe. 🍲 *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
The Irmo Skate Park Committee has been partnering with the town of Irmo since 2020 to build a new concrete skate park in the Friarsgate neighborhood — and it’s beginning to take shape.
Last August, we wrote a story about Friarsgate skate park — a park born out of citizens seeing a need for a recreational outlet + finding a way to bring one to their community.
Now, a little over a year later, Friarsgate skate park just released a video showcasing the design and concept for the new skate park, created from a collaboration with 5th Pocket Skateparks + community input.
The final result will be very similar — though some details may be changed — and an opening date for the park has not been announced.
Follow along on Friarsgate’s social outlets to keep up with the project.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Sam.
Editor’s pick: Today’s newsletter really encouraged me. I had the privilege of sharing two stories regarding regular citizens who simplysaw gaps in their communities + found (or are finding) ways to fill them. I myself feel challenged but also challenge you to do the same.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See what kind of weather you can expect this fall in Cola, here.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
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