Plus, a play center coming soon
 
06.19.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER
6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

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

🎓 Get schooled

Where to take an adult class in Columbia
A widely grinning person sits before a completed bowl on a pottery wheel, hands wet with clay.
Give pottery a whirl at State of the Art Gallery and Pottery Studio. | Photo via @stateoftheartsc
They say you never stop learning… especially when there are so many great classes to take around Columbia. Become an amateur barista or pick up new pickleball skills. You’ll have a ball learning to do it all.

Crush the cuisine

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio
Grab a friend (or a more-than-just-friends friend) and learn to cook everything from pasta to paella. Couples cooking classes are around $75 per class.

Piecewise Coffee Co.
Learn to make a cup of joe in your own home. Check the events page for upcoming classes and brush up on your barista skills.

Two glasses clink before completed terrariums.

Sipping and succulents? It’s possible at Planthouse.

|

Photo by COLAtoday

Artsy activities

State of the Art Studio
Paint like Bob Ross or give wheel throwing a spin. Part gallery, part pottery studio — this is the spot to get creative.

Planthouse
Plant and sip. Make your own terrariums, wreaths, and centerpieces… while sipping on something scrumptious.

NoMa Warehouse
There’s always something happening here. Learn portraiture or make clay face masks. Follow its Instagram to keep on the up-and-up.

Columbia Art Center
Take specialty classes in skills like jewelry making and needle felting. Heads up: most of the classes last six weeks unless noted otherwise.

Allstar athletics

Pickleball Group of the Midlands, SC
Whether you’re looking for classes or community, this is a perfect place to get started. Connect with fellow Midlands Pickleball players and support its “more tournaments in Columbia” initiative.

Columbia, SC Grown-Up Dancers Community
Dust off your dance shoes. This group helps connect adult dancers and teachers of all forms of dance.

Looking for fitness classes? We got your guide to local gyms right here.

This is just the tip of the paintbrush when it comes to local classes. Got a recommendation? Let us know by clicking the button below.
Asked

Where do you take classes in Columbia?
We have a lot to learn.
Teach us
SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar
 
Events

Monday, June 19
  • Juneteenth Celebration | Monday, June 19 | 2-7 p.m. | Historic Harriet Barber House, 116 Barberville Loop, Hopkins | Free | This annual event includes food, vendors, live music + entertainment from Roy & Revelation, Joshua Rogers, and Latrice Pace.
  • Teen Workshops at the CMA | Monday, June 19-Saturday, Aug. 5 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | The Columbia Museum of Art’s summer camps for teens include workshops on photography, printmaking, metalsmithing, painting, ceramics, and more.
Tuesday, June 20
  • Nom Nom Namaste | Tuesday, June 20 | 12-1 p.m. | Good Life Cafe, 1218 Taylor St., Columbia | $10 | Learn from yoga instructor, Carol Caulk, and get a complimentary juice with a grab-and-go lunch.
Wednesday, June 21
  • Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Water Water Everywhere | Wednesday, June 21 | 10-11 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Take your children aged 4 to 5 for story time, gallery exploration, and a creative studio activity related to the exploration of water in art.
Thursday, June 22
  • Columbia Fashion Week: The Icons Party | Thursday, June 22 | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Venue on Main, 1626 Main St., Columbia | $40 | Celebrate a night of non-stop, pulse-pounding, fashionable fun announcing Columbia’s 2023 Fashion Icons.
Friday, June 23
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
Seasonal

Business

Join the Shop Carolina Co-Op
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
Lowes Foods employee stocking shelves
Head to your nearest Lowes Foods to join the Shop Carolina Co-Op this summer. | Photo provided by Lowes Foods
Lowes Foods is rolling out its brand new Shop Carolina Co-Op this summer in Midlands stores.
    What is Shop Carolina? Think: A movement to engage, rally, and activate local shoppers to support local growers, producers, makers, and businesses.

    Here’s what Shop Carolina members can expect:
    • Supporting local vendors | Members will receive a Shop Carolina Passport that identifies 10 vendors from the Carolinas and featured products. Members can meet the vendors in-store and purchase featured items to earn a gift at the end of the summer.
    • Giving back through volunteerism | Members will be invited to give back during monthly events, like farm visits in June, food bank events in July, and in-store candle workshops in August. In September, Lowes Foods will be hosting a ticketed event called “Eat Like a Local,” partnering with local chefs and organizations — and Shop Carolina members get early access to tickets.
    • Discovering local businesses | Members can use their Shop Carolina Local Guide to find locally-owned and operated businesses, and can receive rewards when they show their guide while supporting those businesses.
    How to join:
    • Head to your nearest Lowes Foods and snag a $35 membership ($75 value) at Guest Services. (Note: Guests must purchase using their Lowes Foods Rewards Card.)
    • Bonus: New members score a “Welcome to Shop Carolina Kit” when they join, including local treats, your Shop Carolina Passport and Shop Carolina Local Guide, and a calendar of events.
    Find your nearest Lowes Foods
    News Notes
    Coming Soon
    • A new indoor play center for children is coming to West Columbia. Play Matters encourages early child development through the Montessori method. The center plans to open at 3685 Leaphart Rd. in August or September.
    Holiday
    • Today is Juneteenth, which marks the end of institutional slavery in the US. Commemorate the day at the Columbia Museum of Art. The CMA is offering free admission and a tour of the “Tina Williams Brewer: Stories of Grace” exhibit led by Dr. Nancy Tolson at 2 p.m.
    Traffic
    • A new ramp from Interstate 26 eastbound to US 378 is now open. The two-lane exit ramp adds an extra lane and is longer than the previous ramp — allowing more time to slow down.
    Health
    • Uplift Lexington County will host a Mental Health Pop-Up Event to create a safe space for those struggling with their well-being. This free event will take place on Thursday, June 22 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Leesville Walmart (115 E. Church St.).
    Sports
    • Gamecock Track and Field head coach Curtis Frye retires at the end of the month. In his 27 years of coaching, Frye has trained 28 Olympians, 60 NCAA Champions, and 126 SEC Champions. Big shoes to fill — the search for his replacement begins now.
    Finance
    The Buy
    • Bring the scoop shop to you with the Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker. Use it to make everything from ice creams, milkshakes, smoothie bowls, and sorbets.*
     
    Feel Good

    🐸 Let’s go, gopher frogs

    89 gopher frogs released
    gopher frog
    That thing on its leg is a transmitter — kind of like a GoPro for gopher frogs. | Photo courtesy of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
    In 2019, it was estimated that only 10,000 gopher frogs remained in the wild. Difficult to conserve due to their elusive habits and habitat loss, it was looking dire for these little dudes.

    Enter Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. These powerhouse partners provide a “head start” for gopher frogs by collecting eggs in the wild, and providing tadpole daycare before matured frogs are released into the wild.

    The frogs aren’t left to totally fend for themselves. With the help of an $8,500 grant + Riverbanks staff, University of Georgia graduate Adam McFall is expanding on a “soft-release” launch method.

    This year, 89 gopher frogs received a little help during their release. Soft-released frogs have access to 18 enclosures and excavated burrows. Hard-released frogs are fitted with transmitters tracking their locations and patterns.

    Good luck, gopher frogs.
    Answered

    Last week we asked “What’s your favorite way to spend the day for free?” and here’s what you said:
    • On a historic tour: 10 votes
    • At Richland Library: 12 votes
    • Outdoors: 24 votes
    We hear you. Summer is too nice to be spent indoors. But in case you change your mind, here are 8 free things to do in Columbia.
     
    The Wrap
     
    Jessalin Nagamoto.jpg

    Today’s edition by:
    Jessalin
    From the editor
    That’s it from me for a bit, Soda City. I’m moving on to greener pastures, so to speak. If you’re subscribed to GVLtoday, you might spot me in an upcoming newsletter. Just know I left my heart in Columbia.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Subscribe     ›
    Advertise     ›
    Shop     ›
     
    Share COLAtoday
     

    Share the good news. Get rewarded.

    Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

    {{profile.vars.rh_reflink_10}}
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

    {{profile.vars.rh_totref_10}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
    Claim your rewards
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY