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93º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:16 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.

Food

🥨 Expert-approved munchies for 4/20

Presented by Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero is spilling the beans on the best snacks to pair with 4/20 festivities. | Photo provided by Hometown Hero

If you’re partaking in 4/20 festivities today (safely, of course), here are five expert-approved snacks to make (or to order on your fave food delivery app… because, let’s be honest, we’re not leaving the couch today), courtesy of the pros at Hometown Hero CBD.

🍣 Omega-3s

Omega-3s are a type of acid found in fats and oils that offer all sorts of benefits. They’re a great energy source that helps keep your cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune systems functioning.

Additionally, research shows that a whole bunch of chemical reactions in your body convert omega-3 fatty acids into endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate vital functions such as memory, appetite, sleep, temperature, emotional processing, and much more. (More on the science around that here.)

Foods rich in Omega-3s include:

Salmon, oysters, mackerel, and anchovies (sushi, anyone?)
Walnuts
Peanut butter
Soybeans
Flaxseed and chia seeds (hello, smoothie bowl)

🍫 Chocolate

Before gummies came into the spotlight, the humble brownie was the most iconic cannabis edible — and for a good reason too. With its sweetness and deep earthy undertones, chocolate does a spot-on job of covering up any “meh” grassy aftertaste.

But there’s another benefit: Chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) is rich in anandamide, an endocannabinoid that gets its name from the Sanskrit word “Ananda,” which means “happiness” or “bliss.”

Snacks on snacks on snacks.
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Photo by Christian Kaye Photography via Hometown Hero

🥭 Mangoes

Ever wonder where plants get their smell? (Stay with us here.) Through naturally occurring compounds called terpenes.

Mangoes are rich in a terpene called myrcene, which may help transport cannabinoids into the brain. Plus, this terpene may help the transdermal absorption of cannabinoids too — aka help topical Delta-8 products absorb through the skin.

Keep reading for two more ideal munchies — and snag Hometown Hero’s bonus offer of a free sample, offered today only for our readers.*

2 more ideal munchies

This content was created in partnership with Hometown Hero CBD. Please note: Hometown Hero advises consumers to read the company’s terms and 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.

Asked

What’s the origin of the “4/20" holiday?

A. 420 is the number of active chemical compounds in marijuana.
B. 420 is police code for marijuana violations.
C. The location of Denver Interstate mile marker 420.
D. 420 is what you get if you multiply 12 by 35, the numbers from the title of the Bob Dylan song “Rainy Day Woman no. 12 and no. 35.”
E. 4:20 is the time when a group of teens from California would search for a legendary lost marijuana crop near the Point Reyes Coast Guard Station.

Puff, puff, guess

See the correct answer in The Wrap.

Events

Thursday, April 20

NOMA Business Association Coffee Talk | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 8-9 a.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | Free | Grab some coffee and chat with other business owners to see what they have been up to.
CAE Flight Night at Steel Hands Brewing | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 5-7 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Enjoy a special CAE Flight of craft beers — plus, CAE is giving one Steel Hands fan + one guest the chance to win a roundtrip flight to Miami this summer.*
Harlem Globetrotters | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $27-$107 | Your favorite Globetrotter stars will bring their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism, and a non-stop good time.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Thursday, April 20 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed Street, Columbia | $5-$7 | Don’t miss Budweiser’s Thirsty Thursday — $1 fountain sodas, $2 domestic draft beers and $3 craft draft beers and cocktails. Plus, it’s Karaoke Night — an in-game Karaoke contest where fans vote on the winners. *

Friday, April 21

Sensory Night | Friday, Apr. 21 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Guests can look forward to lowered lighting and sounds, limited crowd size, programming from educators, and resources from partner organizations.
13th Annual Blythewood Doko Rodeo | Friday, Apr. 21-Saturday, Apr. 22 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Blythewood Rodeo Arena, 10433 Wilson Blvd., Blythewood | $12-$20 | See top-ranked professional cowboys and cowgirls compete in eight action events including bucking broncs, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding.

Saturday, April 22

2nd Annual Run With All Your Heart 5K Fun Run | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 8 a.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $30 | This event is dedicated to raising awareness for childhood cancer research and supporting critical pediatric research projects at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.
West Columbia’s Meeting Street Artisan Market | Saturday, April 22 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting Street, West Columbia | Free | Enjoy a boutique shopping experience, park, play, eat + explore at the Meeting Street Artisan Market every Saturday.*
Columbia Green Presents the 30th Annual Festival of Gardens | Saturday, Apr. 22-Sunday, Apr. 23 | Times vary | Registration is at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 2827 Wheat St., Columbia | $30-$50 | Enjoy spring at the 30th Annual Festival of Gardens featuring 13 gardens in the Shandon neighborhood.
City of West Columbia’s 4th Annual Kinetic Derby Day | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | State and Meeting Streets, West Columbia, SC | Free | This event spurs creative thinking, competition, and family fun as teams come together to build unusual vehicles and awe-inspiring art installations.*

Saturday, May 6

Rosewood Crawfish Festival | Sat., May. 6 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia | $10.00 - $15.00 | Enjoy live music, family fun, Rosewood artisans, and 10,000 pounds of fresh Louisiana crawfish at this annual festival.*

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Calendar events here

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News Notes

Coming Soon

Drake’s Duck-In, which temporarily closed its Main Street location at the beginning of March for remodeling, will temporarily open another location settled at 1840 Hampton St. Head to Hampton St. between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, April 21 for some of your favorite Drake’s Duck-In’ dishes. (The State)

Sports

Gamecock football’s head coach, Shane Beamer, will compete against ~20 college football coaches in the 16th annual Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament for a share of a $300,000 charity purse. Proceeds will benefit charitable foundations selected by each coach. (Gamecocks Online)

Try This

NoMa Warehouse will celebrate local coffee, sustainable shopping, and ways to keep the planet clean with Vintage Haul Coffee Crawl. The Earth Day event, featuring 20+ local vintage sellers, will take place on Sunday, April 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Proceeds from this event will support the Congaree Riverkeeper.

Community

The Nickelodeon Theatre is hosting a free affordable housing panel discussion on April 24 at 6:30 p.m. The conversation will feature local housing experts to present facts about housing, ways to keep cities affordable, and the challenges that come with increased affordability. Find more info here.

Pets

Pawmetto Lifeline’s Bark to the Park, the largest dog event in the Midlands, returns to Saluda Shoals Park on Saturday, April 22. The organization’s spring event to help homeless pets of the Midlands will offer walking routes, food vendors, live music, an after pawty + more. Events begin at 10 a.m.

Read

All Good Books is launching Soda City Series — a monthly reading and community discussion group. To kick off the series, locals are invited to join John Sherrer + Jonathan Lopez for a discussion about the book “Remembering Columbia” on Wednesday, April 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. Buy the book here or purchase it in-store.

Health

Did you know you can increase your body’s natural production of melatonin by drinking tart cherry juice? Sleep medicine specialist Russell E. Ditzler, MD, shares this and more natural ways to help improve your sleep.*

Kids

The perfect family-friendly activity does exist, and you can even do it all spring and summer long, rain or shine. We’re talking about Kids Bowl Free — a national program that connects you with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling each day. Learn more + sign up.

Correction

Rerouting. Yesterday we reported that a new $48 million apartment complex, slated for the corner of Bull and Assembly Street, could also include a live entertainment venue and dining space. Our COLAtoday GPS must have been confused because Bull and Assembly Streets run parallel. If approved, the new development will be located near the corner of Bull Street and Elmwood Avenue. (The Post and Courier)

Answered

Earlier this week we asked “What’s your favorite way to participate in sustainability efforts around Columbia?” and here’s what you said:

NOMA GARDEN-0008 — A local garden | Photo by COLAtoday team

We’re sharing links along with the answers so you can explore some of these resources around Columbia + find ways to get involved.

“I love the community garden in Rosewood!”

If you like community gardens, check out these five or find ways to start your own.

“Donating shoes to Keep the Midlands Beautiful for their annual Shoe Recycling Drive!”

Lace up your shoes and jump into this sustainable outreach initiative. Learn more and donate through May 31.

“I recycle everything properly that I can curbside and also plastic wrap at the grocery store and e-waste at the city public works site. I drive a hybrid Camry, and we live where my husband can walk to work and does. We only fly at most once a year, to Germany.”

Explore the Waste Wizard tool to learn how to properly dispose of tricky items.

“Working with greenstepschools.com as part of EEASC.org”

The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

Answered: E. According to several sources, 4:20 is the time when a group of teens in Marin County, California would search for a legendary lost marijuana crop near the Point Reyes Coast Guard Station in the 1970s.

One of the kid’s older brothers was friends with Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, who co-opted and popularized the now-iconic association between the number and the recreational activity (and, ultimately, the celebration of both on April 20 — aka 4/20 — each year).

From the editor
Need some weekend plans? I recommend going to see Judah & the Lion at the Senate on Friday night. They’ve been a favorite band of mine since high school. Check out their most-played song “Take It All Back” which has over 93,000,000+ plays on Spotify.

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