Wellness

Q: I always get horrible anxiety when I go to the doctor. What can I do to relax?

• Deep breathing. Try breathing in through your nose for 5 seconds and then out through your mouth for 5 seconds and then repeat.
• Do something relaxing before your appointment. Listen to calming music or complete a guided meditation.
• Bring a family member or friend with you as support. They can help ask questions and write things down for you if your anxiety makes those things more difficult.
• Let your provider know you’re anxious. They can help provide more clarity and address your concerns.

Q: Is there a test that screens for all forms of cancer? It seems that doctors often detect it too late.

• Roundtable Discussion: Entrepreneurship & Community | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 8:30-10 a.m. | The Irmo Chamber House, 1235 Columbia Ave., Irmo | Free | Every third Wednesday morning, meet for a one-hour forum with like-minded people seeking business connections.
• Columbia Fireflies vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Bringing your dog to the game with you is free, but all dogs must sit in the Bojangles’ Berm.*

• Jazz on the River | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater, 109 Alexander Rd., West Columbia | Free | Enjoy this free public event featuring local musicians coordinated by ColaJazz Foundation, as well as food truck offerings and beer and wine for purchase.
• Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at Terra | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Terra, 100 State St., West Columbia | $120 | As each course is served, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive.
• Camden Burials | Thursday, Apr. 20-Saturday, Apr. 22 | Times vary | Historic Camden Campus, 222 Broad St., Camden | Free | This event honors some of America’s first veterans, fourteen soldiers who lost their lives at the August 1780 battle of Camden.
• 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.*

• Copeland | Friday, Apr. 21 | 7-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $25 | Copeland will perform their album “Beneath Medicine Tree” on its 20th Anniversary Tour.

• Chaye Alexander presents Live on Boyd Plaza ft. Letron Brantley & Friends | Sunday, Apr. 23 | 4-6 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St, Columbia | Free | Enjoy the spring weather and jazzy renditions of songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Louis Armstrong, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and more.*

• 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. Redevelopment could begin in 2027 and Richland County Council will soon vote on tax incentives. (The Post and Courier)

• Biscuitville, a North Carolina breakfast chain, announced it would open seven South Carolina restaurants, including Columbia and Irmo locations. The Southern eatery is known for its fresh biscuits and breakfast sandwiches. The exact spots have not been announced.

• Giddy up. The 13th Annual Blythewood Doko Rodeo begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21 for a two-night event. This year it will take place at a new location — 10433 Wilson Blvd., Bythewood — between I-77 and Farrow Road. Watch top-ranked cowboys compete in eight events.

• The Koger Center is now accepting submissions for “The Project: A Call for Art,” the fourth annual art competition displayed in the Upstairs Gallery. Submissions are open through July 17, which coincides with the opening showcase of last year’s contest winner, Nick Bruno. (Cola Daily)

• Santee Cooper Counties Promotions Commission, the Public Service Authority, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have collaborated to create a large concrete culvert in Lake Marion to be used as a fish habitat. The $40,000 project will help the fish population on the lake and support anglers.

• Camp Cole is hosting a Happy Campers Oyster Roast on Thursday, April 27, on its campus at 1571 Crossing Creek Rd. in Eastover. The annual fundraiser is the camp’s signature spring event to raise money for the fully accessible camp and retreat center.

• Would you try chorizo pizza with al pastor sauce on a corn masa crust? How about a red pepper hummus and spinach pie? Check out these five adventurous pizza options from Lowes Foods, perfect for those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking.*

• The Midlands Business Leadership Group just launched the 2023 Elevate Midlands report, highlighting growth in our region and the people making it happen. Learn more about our region’s talent retention potential.*

• Before you write off your aches and pains as just a part of aging, consider this: Shoulder pain after 40 can have multiple causes and trying to “live with” the pain might lead to more severe problems later. Find out how to minimize shoulder pain + regain a comfortable range of motion.*

• In case you missed it, there’s still a chance to win $500 by taking our brief survey. Your feedback is important to us, and we want to ensure the content we deliver to you is relevant. Take the survey.

• Many Americans worry they’re not saving enough for retirement — and rightfully so. Find out if your savings meet the recommended amount by age, and how a financial advisor could help.*

• 33.7+ million. That’s how many bottles of Champagne the US consumed in 2022. Keep the bubbly flowing with our favorite vacuum insulated Champagne + wine chiller from S’well, plus the easiest Champagne stopper you’ll ever use.