Plus, Free Times Best of Columbia nominations are now open.
04.07.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.
 

Culture

Meet Experience Columbia SC Ambassador Bianca Crawford Shelton
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
Bianca working in Soco Conference Room.jpg
By day, you can often find Bianca working at SOCO BullStreet. | Photo provided by Bianca Crawford Shelton
Meet Bianca Crawford Shelton. She’s an Experience Columbia SC 2023 Ambassador, USC graduate, wife, and mom to a 2-year-old girl. Originally from Anderson, she started her own strategic communications firm, The Crawford Austin Agency, in 2007, and recently told us a few of the things she loves most about living in Columbia, like:
  • the cost of living
  • the restaurants, bars, and museums (EdVenture is her new favorite)
  • the concerts and special events
  • the business community
We hope our Q+A with Bianca inspires you to reflect on what you love most about our city — and maybe make plans to live it up like a tourist this weekend.

Q: What brought you to Columbia? What’s the most exciting change/development you’ve seen in your time here?

A: The USC Journalism and Mass Communications program is what brought me here (to my mother’s surprise, because at the time she was working for Clemson in the football office). The most exciting change/development has been the evolution of Main Street. I lived in the Lofts at the Tapp’s Building, and Main Street has evolved since I moved in 2011.

Q: You can choose one local restaurant menu to bring with you to a deserted island — which is it and why?

A: Hands down, Halls Chophouse. I’m addicted.

Q: What’s your favorite “hidden gem” in our city?

A: The city and county public parks. My daughter loves going to the park to run around, swing, and slide. My husband and I have been visiting a new one each month.

Q: You’re describing Cola to a friend who’s never been here in three words. Go.

A: Warm. Southern. Intriguing.

Q: What does your ideal Columbia Saturday look like?

A: Pilates at Club Pilates on Forest Drive, Soda City (for the flowers, food, and fellowship), shopping at Home Goods ( I always need something), home drop off + nap, and dinner with the family at Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar.

Q: Give us one person, place, and thing every Soda Citizen should know more about.

A: Person: Steve Benjamin (the ultimate connector). Place: SOCO (if you are in town for work or need a cool place to meet, they have everything you need; I’ve been a member for years). Thing: The public art around the city; it’s absolutely beautiful and the artists are so talented. The Hotel Trundle Butterfly by Megan Carn and the “Cayce Wonders” mural on State Street by Ija Charles are two of my favorite pieces of public art.” *
Plan your weekend
Asked

What do you love most about living in Columbia?
A. The food and bev scene
B. The outdoors
C. The festivals and events
D. Other
Go on, tell us
MUSC Health
 
Events
Friday, April 7
Saturday, April 8
  • Big Tree Hike | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 1-4 p.m. | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins | Free, registration required | This three-hour hike goes off trail and covers up to five miles total.
  • Main Street Food Tour | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 1:45-5 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | $50 | Learn about the Capital City and try the local cuisine from five or more locally-owned restaurants.
  • Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Celebrate the Columbia Fireflies opening weekend and pick up a 2023 magnet schedule at the gate. *
Sunday, April 9
  • Apollo 16 & Beyond: South Carolina in Space | Sunday, Apr. 9 | 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $8.95 | Fun fact — 50 years ago, South Carolinian Charles Duke became the youngest person to step on the Moon.
  • Dragon Room Pop-up | Sunday, Apr. 9 | 4-8 p.m. | WECO Bottle and Biergarten, 626 Meeting St., West Columbia | Price of purchase | Chefs will cook and serve dishes like Lobster Rangoon and Dandan Noodles showcasing the new menu of The Dragon Room restaurant coming to the Vista later this year.
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
The Columbia Museum of Art
 
Civic

🍃 A conversation with law enforcement about CBD, Delta-9, and hemp
Hometown-Hero-Law-Enforcement.jpeg
Hometown Hero is asking the questions we all want to know the answers to. | Photo by Hometown Hero
As 4/20 approaches, Hometown Hero is asking law enforcement all the need-to-know questions about the legalities of CBD, Delta-9, and hemp.

Questions like:
  • Can police testing kits tell the difference between marijuana and hemp-derived THC?
  • Have K9 units adapted to hemp legalization?
  • What could you expect if you get pulled over with a bag of gummies?
Partaking? Get a free sample in time for 4/20 if you order by April 9.*
WATCH THE EYE-OPENING CONVERSATION
Please note: Hometown Hero advises consumers to read the company’s terms & conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume Delta-9 before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by COLAtoday.
News Notes
Sports
  • The Major League Bass Fishing Tournament is hosting a watch party and championship trophy presentation today from 1-6 p.m. at Dreher Island State Park. Stick around after the awards for a meet and greet with the final 10 Bass Pro Tour anglers.
  • Dutch Fork girls basketball coach Faye Norris is retiring after 30 years in the sport. In her coaching career, she’s won 500+ games and was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. (The State)
Awards
  • Nominations are now open for the annual Best of Columbia awards hosted by Free Times. Nominate your favorite businesses, events, and performers around town. We would be honored if you also nominated COLAtoday for a few in the local media category.
Eat
Read
  • Turning Pages SC had a booth at the Soiree’ on State and invited attendees to share their favorite books. By the end of the day, the literacy station had collected over 100 book titles. If you’re interested in the state’s oldest adult literacy council, Turning Pages’ Story Book Club meets every other month on every other third Wednesday at 5 p.m. Participation is free and open to all adults.
Community
  • City of Columbia offices will be closed today in observance of Good Friday. However, emergency services can still be reached if necessary.
Number
  • 54 million. That’s the number of Americans affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass. Learn more about this extremely underdiagnosed condition in this ~15 minute listen from MUSC Health.*
Giveaway
  • Hotel Trundle is celebrating its fifth birthday, and wants to celebrate with you. Enter their Instagram giveaway for a chance to win a $250 gift card for a stay and a $250 donation to a local charity of your choice. The hotel is hosting a giveaway each Friday in April.*
Travel
  • What’s your vacation vibe — coastal, lavish, or off the beaten path? For something coastal, check out these stunning oceanfront views in Hilton Head, SC. For a lavish stay, you’ll love this award-winning vacation home in Palm Springs, CA. And for something off the beaten path, peep this modern cabin with views of Mount Rainier, WA.
Columbia Fireflies
 
Shoutout
Shoutout to my best friend. I’m so happy for you and Mark and look forward to your wedding this summer! — Andrea H.

This could be your shoutout here, but you haven’t joined our COLAtoday membership program yet. We can change that. — COLAtoday team

The COLAtoday + 6AM City team wants to shoutout Mabry S., our server at Cafe Strudel last Friday. Thanks for taking such great care of our group! The food was delicious as usual and our water glasses were always full. — COLAtoday team

Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in Columbia. Become a COLAtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.
Become a member, get benefits
The Wrap
 
David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
It’s looking like we’ll have some heavy rain in the forecast for the next few days. If you’re looking for a good true crime podcast to cozy up with, check out Audible Original “Exeter” — a thrilling murder mystery podcast set in the Upstate of South Carolina with several scenes taking place in Cola.
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