06.09.2023

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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

13 free things to do in Columbia

The Richland Library auditorium offers free family entertainment. | Photo by @jackiepierce91

What’s better than a day in Columbia? Free activities in Columbia. If you’re looking for something to do in the Soda City — but don’t want to open your wallet — we’ve got fun things to do that will suit every interest.

Free tours

The State House, 1100 Gervais St.
Take a free guided tour from Monday through Friday. Walk the 100 year-old floors and witness history in the making.

Anne Frank Center, 1731 College St.
The Anne Frank Center at USC also offers free tours. Explore the life and legacy of Anne Frank through photos, and original artifacts.

Historic Columbia, multiple locations
Residents of Richland and Lexington County can tour a house museum for free, every third Sunday of the month. The next free tour is on Sunday, June 18 at the Mann-Simons Site. Grab your ticket online. Can’t make it? Try a self-guided tour instead.

Family time

Richland Library, multiple locations
First stop? Richland Library. Check out the events page for storytimes, craft hours, and classes. There’s something for all ages. Even teenagers can enjoy events — like the Play Freely: Role-Playing Character Creation on Monday, June 12.

Columbia Fire Museum, 1800 Laurel St.
Take your aspiring firefighter to this one-room exhibit with displays and antiques commemorating the history of Cola’s fire department.

Dense woods in Congaree National Park — Congaree is home to champion trees.
|
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Get outside

Congaree National Park
With its free entry, Congaree National Park is the obvious choice. Check out our guide to the park for everything from getting there to where to fish.

Owens Field Park, 1401 Jim Hamilton Blvd.
There’s a 15,000-sqft outdoor skate park, a pump track, and sports fields — including a Miracle League field (think: a rubberized turf field designed to enable kids with disabilities to safely play baseball).

Or maybe you’re beach bound. In that case, take a day-cation to any one of these five beaches within driving distance.

Asked

What’s the best free Cola activity?

A. Historic tour
B. Anything at Richland Library
C. Outside
D. Something else

Freestyle your answer

Events

Friday, June 9

JaVonne Jones Live! An Evening of Rhythm & Soul | Friday, June 9 | 8-10 p.m. | Chayz Lounge, 607 Meeting St., West Columbia | $32 | Join this electric violinist for a night of soulful, jazzy grooves.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Friday, June 9 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Night // Carter Jensen Bobblehead Giveaway pres by SAFE Federal Credit Union (first 1000 fans)*

Saturday, June 10

Public Art Dialogue | Saturday, June 10 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | South Carolina Arts Commission, 1026 Sumter St., STE 200, Columbia | Those with an interest in public art will enjoy speakers, roundtable discussions, and a workshop — register in advance.
Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show! | Saturday, June 10-Saturday, Dec. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | Cambria Downtown the Vista, 1000 Lady St., Columbia | $59.99 | Get ready to tackle a hilarious and challenging crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner.
Soda City Market | Saturday, Jun. 10 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street Columbia, 1300-1600 Main St., Columbia | Find everything you need to nourish your brain, body, and belly — helping establish our city as the real southern hotspot for locals and visitors alike.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Saturday, June 10 | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Little League Takeover // Wands & Wizards Night // Post-Game Fireworks*

Sunday, June 11

Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade: Summer of Green Tour | Sunday, June 11 | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $49.50-$79.50 | Catch this incarnation of the ever-morphing act, which boasts longtime Frog Brigade members.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Sunday, June 11 | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Mason’s Birthday Party pres by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina // Sunday Funday (pre-game autographs & post-game run the bases)*

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Finance

🪺 How’s your nest egg doing?

Don’t make these seven mistakes when hiring a financial advisor. | Photo by SmartAsset

Life should be a balance of adventure and relaxation — not finances. Enter: Working with a financial advisor.

But choosing the wrong one could potentially wreak havoc on your retirement and investments.

Check out these seven secrets comfortable retirees know about hiring one, so you can optimize your savings and get back to the balance that matters most — explore, relax, or both?*

See all 7 secrets

News Notes

Development

Notice a lot of construction around the Main Street District? That’s because nearly a dozen businesses are either expanding or opening. We’re talking the opening of restaurants like Hanabi Hibachi (plus more coming soon) and renovations like the ones at Drake’s Duck-In. (WLTX)

Try This

Have you read news anchor Greg Adaline’s “True Story” yet? Head to Tribal Coffee on Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for signings, plus a Q+A hosted by Judi Gatson. Snag the collection of faith-based short stories.

Cause

Kitten Palooza. Pawmetto Lifeline is hosting a cat adoption event today through Saturday, June 10. Kittens are two for $150 and adult cats (think: six months and older) are $75.

Eat

You don’t have to go to Italy to experience fine dining. Master Sommelier, Brett Davis, will host a wine dinner on Monday, June 12 at Hampton Street Vineyard. Tickets are $120 and include a four-course meal paired with six high-end wines.

Columbian

The iconic home of Jasper Johns — midcentury artist and former resident of Columbia — is for sale… or is it? Though the idyllic property in Stony Point, NY was originally listed in May for $600,000 the listing has been taken down, possibly due to demand. (New York Post)

Health

Feeling pain or body discomfort? Maybe it’s not from your last gym session — it could be your diet. Here’s how inflammatory foods play a role in pain.*

The Word

Harissa. This flavorful, versatile spice goes with just about anything, featuring a burst of heat from aleppo peppers. Pro tip: Try it sprinkled over these foods.*

Holiday

Reminder: Father’s Day is a little over a week away. Give Dad a listening upgrade with the second generation AirPods Pro. Or help ease muscle soreness with the Theragun Mini 2.0. Plus, this portable neck fan will make everyone laugh — but catch Dad using it the very next day.*

Announced

Congrats to @kristenmcgeehon for winning our euphoria2023 giveaway in partnership with euphoria Greenville. While many events are already sold out for euphoria2023, there are still plenty of opportunities to sip + savor during the weekend festivities. See the schedule.*

Community

Garvin Design Group interior designer, Liza Brockman, graduated with the Leadership Columbia class of 2023. She’s the firm’s ninth Leadership Columbia graduate. The class completed its project at St. Lawrence Place, a comprehensive renovation of outdoor space and the addition of select interior finishes.*

Answered

We asked “What should take over the former Joyful Alternative space on Saluda Avenue?” and here’s what readers said:

A bar chart with four horizontal bars: joyful alternative revival, bar and music venue, coffee shop, something else. Joyful Alternative revival has the largest bar, followed by something else, coffee shop, and bar and music venue.

The people have spoken (112 of them to be exact) and they want a revival.

Dale Bailes, what say you?

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jessalin

From the editor

Before the smoke took over the east coast, I was able to grab some shots of Hettie Anderson in Central Park, NYC. If you aren’t following us on Instagram already, this is your sign.

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