What is composting?

How do you get started?

• For beginners | Try it out before you commit. This bin is easy to clean and is perfect for collecting scraps on your counter.
• For style icons | Composting, but make it cute. Just don’t mistake this odor-free bin for your cookie jar.
• For the serious gardener | This 43-gallon container rotates — no more mixing compost by hand — and has two chambers so you can add fresh waste while the older batch finishes up.
• For the landscaper | If you plan to compost mostly yard waste, this open-top bin is a good alternative to a pile.
  

City of Columbia

Richland County

Lexington County

• April Harvest Dinner at City Roots Farm | Monday, Apr. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | City Roots Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd., Columbia | $85 | April Harvest Dinner features Guest Chef Josh Wilson and a whiskey tasting by Angel’s Envy.

• Coffee Talk | Tuesday, Apr. 4 | 8-9:30 a.m. | Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center, 800 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo | Free | Join the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce every Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Stars & Strikes Family Entertainment Center for some networking and coffee from Bart’s Crazy Good Coffee.

• The Market at Richland Library | Wednesday, Apr. 5 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Price of purchase | The Market is back at Richland Library bringing you farmers, bakers, artists, creators, and local authors all in one place.
• Ask the Gardener Happy Hour | Wednesday, Apr. 5 | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | Free | Join Randall, Gardener’s Outpost’s resident gardener, for drink specials and free gardening discussion.

• First Thursday on Main Street | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | Explore the Main Street District as businesses stay open late and live music takes over Boyd Plaza.
• Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$18 | Enjoy the game and post-game fireworks on Budweiser Thirsty Thursday.*

• Spring Plant Sale | Friday, Apr. 7-Saturday, Apr. 8 | Times vary | Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | Prices vary | Arrive early for the best selection of native plants from Historic Columbia’s gardens.

• Weeding Blooms for Ballentine Library: Help weed the flower beds that welcome customers at Richland Library.
• Juvenile Justice Jeopardy: Take part in a fun game to teach kids ages 12-18 about SC laws.
• Healthy Learners: Pitch in to wash, detail, and vacuum the fleet of vehicles used to take students to medical appointments.
• And more.*

• The Gamecock’s women’s basketball team fell to Iowa on Friday in their Final Four matchup. The team set a school record for wins in a season (36) and consecutive wins (42) dating back to the previous season. (Gamecocks Online)
• The No. 9 ranked Gamecock baseball team won two of three games at Mississippi State, taking them to a 26-3 record. Next up, the team travels to Charlotte tomorrow to take on North Carolina. (Gamecocks Online)

• Plan for possible traffic delays beginning Friday, April 14 at 9 p.m. traveling on I-77 southbound from the Bluff Road exit to I-26. That’s when the Interstate 77 Bridge Rehabilitation Project will begin and is expected to last nine days. The detour is a 20-mile route.
• The Town of Blythewood and Richland County broke ground on the Blythewood Road Expansion last week to help with the heavy traffic flow. The project will widen Blythewood Road from two lanes to five and add a roundabout. Construction will begin in the fall and be complete by 2025. (WISTV)

• It’s time for spring cleaning, Cola. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Councilwoman Tina Herbert launched a month-long community clean-up initiative named “Columbia Clean-Up.” The City of Columbia’s Solid Waste department will place dumpsters along collection routes throughout the month. Check the map for one near you here.

• Columbia software startup Terrastride — a mobile hunting map app developer — was acquired by GSM Outdoors late last year for an undisclosed sum. Founded 11 years ago, Terrastride made the Inc. 5,000 list of fast-growing companies in the country in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

• Meet Macy, a newly retired pup from the MUSC Therapy Animal Program. For five years, Macy pranced the halls of MUSC Health’s Charleston hospitals, helping patients in need. Read more about Macy.*

• Looking for a summer job? The YMCA of Columbia is now hiring Camp Counselors, Swim Lesson Instructors, Lifeguards, and Fitness Attendants at multiple locations. You’ll gain valuable jobs skills while having fun and making new friends. Bonus: Membership is free for employees. Learn more + apply.*

• Our tip for a gentle, gradual wake-up: Amazon’s Halo Rise, which uses smart alarm clock technology to simulate a sunrise. Bonus: Turn on the sleep tracking feature to help improve your sleep — no wearable device required.

• Celebrate COLAtoday’s birthday with 20% off items in our online store, Six & Main. Use code COLABIRTHDAY at checkout. There’s no minimum purchase + all products on the site are eligible to receive the discount.