06.30.2023

Today’s Forecast

92º | Sunny | 3% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:15 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.

🍓 Jam queens in the shoppy shop

Sakhar Jams: Putting Columbia’s Agribusiness on the National Stage

SAKHAR is the creation of Reshma Mahadkar and Jessica Henry pictured here. | Photo via Sakhar Jams

Columbia’s Sakhar Jams, known for artisanal jams with a twist of Indian flavors, recently received funding from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s (SCDA) Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) for its agribusiness venture. The company is one of the 12 state businesses sharing a $185,000 grant.

ACRE’s investment in local agribusiness

Founded by the SCDA to nurture new ideas and businesses in the Palmetto State’s agribusiness sector, each awardee presented a business plan to demonstrate their history of business success. Sakhar Jams aims to leverage this funding for warehouse and kitchen space — and they’re going to need it.

You can find Sakhar Jams in Pop Up Grocery in New York City. | Photo provided by Sakhar Jams

National spotlight

Sakhar Jams is featured in Pop Up Grocer, a traveling pop-up grocery store that showcases the finest and most groundbreaking products in the food and beverage industry. This is no small feat — out of 30,000 brands, only 600 are selected. You can now find Sakhar Jams on the shelves of Pop Up Grocer’s permanent location in New York City. The achievement highlights their craftsmanship and Certified SC’s tasty fruits.

A win for SC

Sakhar Jams’ success is not just a company victory; it is a win for our state. As the sole brand from SC featured in Pop Up Grocer, Sakhar Jams carries with it the spirit of the local community. If you follow Sakhar on Instagram, you’ll see them highlighting local farms where they shop for local blueberries, figs, peaches, strawberries, lavender, and more.

Looking forward

As Sakhar Jams continues its journey, it aims to increase its local bond and embrace its pride in place. By establishing the new production facility in Cola, they are proving their commitment to the local economy and the farmers who make the jam possible.

Asked

What’s your favorite product that is made in Columbia?

Share your Soda City fave

Events

Friday, June 30

Little Shop of Horrors | Friday, June 30 | Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St., Columbia | $35 | Little Shop of Horrors is directed by Trustus’ Executive Director Jessica Francis Fichter, with the cast including company members Jonathan Monk, Brittany Hammock, and Katrina Garvin, featuring Hunter Boyle as Mr. Mushnik and Terrance Henderson as Audrey II.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets | Friday, June 30 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Fan Vote T-Shirt Giveaway (first 1000 fans)*

Saturday, July 1

Blythewood Independence Day Celebration | Saturday, July 1 | 4-10 p.m. | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | Free | The Fourth of July celebration features food, live music, games, giveaways, fireworks, and more.
Fort Jackson Independence Day Fireworks Celebration | Saturday, July 1 | 4-10 p.m. | Fort Jackson- Hilton Parade Field, Hartsville Guard Rd., Columbia | Free | Enjoy live entertainment, fireworks, carnival rides, and more at Fort Jacskson’s Independence Day Celebration.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets | Saturday, July 1 | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants Night feat Spongebob + Patrick // Post-Game Fireworks*

Sunday, July 2

Upstate Minis | Sunday, July 2 | 9 a.m. | Upstate Mini Cooper Meetings, 410 Willow Winds Dr., Columbia | Free | Bring out your Mini Cooper to meeting other minis from around the state.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets | Sunday, July 2 | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Military Appreciation Night pres by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina// Sunday Funday (pre-game autographs & post-game run the bases)*

Tuesday, July 4

Fireworks with the Phil | Tuesday, July 4 | 6-9:45 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $10 | Gates for the event will open at 6:00 p.m.; the concert will begin at 8 p.m., and the fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.
Lexington County Peach Festival | Tuesday, July 4 | 8 a.m.-11 p.m. | Gilbert Community Park, 115 Rikard Circle, Gilbert | Free | Festivities will celebrate the community, Independence Day, and the Queen of all fruits, the peach.

Calendar events here

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Try This

Two new exhibitions at the Columbia Museum of Art

Try This: Two new exhibitions at the Columbia Museum of Art

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

“Everybody’s going to have their opinion about what it is that South Carolina means. I choose to believe that this is our ancestral home.” - Tina Williams Brewer | Photo by the COLAtoday team

Hi, Cola — Kayla here, feeling inspired after a visit to the Columbia Museum of Art and its two new, house-organized exhibitions: “Tina Williams Brewer: Stories of Grace” and “Resurgence and Renaissance: Art of the Catawba Nation Since 1973.” Read on to learn more about these shows and why you’ll want to plan a trip to the museum to check them out this summer.

What we tried:

We started with a tour through Tina Williams Brewer’s body of work, comprised of quilts she started making in the late ‘80s as a new mother. (She’d worked with ceramics and photography prior.) Brewer quickly developed her own style, working with found fabric, family heirlooms, photographs, newspaper clippings, and more, while exploring African and African American history and heritage through her pieces (which deserve to be experienced in person — they are stunning).

This career-spanning exhibition of Brewer’s meticulous work is the first of its kind in the Southeast, and we’re honored to have seen it.

What not to miss

News Notes

Open

Bring a big appetite. KPOT Columbia, a new AYCE (all- you -can-eat) Korean barbecue + hot pot restaurant, is now open at 280 Harbison Blvd. The new spot is open from 12-10:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 12-11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Try This

Integrated Media, a custom audiovisual integrator for smart home installations, is expanding its showroom to include new GolfZon TwoVision golf simulators. Located at 105 Snapdragon Ct. in Chapin, Pro Swing will open Saturday, July 1 offering you the chance to swing every club in the bag and play in monthly tournaments. Book your tee time today.

Award

From “Hold My Hand” to Hollywood Star, Gamecock alum Darius Rucker, known for his successful country music career and as frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish, will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Anderson, SC native and late Black Panther lead actor, Chadwick Boseman, will also receive a posthumous star.

History

Celebrate “Baseball Day at the State Museum” on Saturday, July 22 inspired by the current exhibition, “The 521 All-Stars: A Championship Story of Baseball and Community.” Immerse yourself in baseball history alongside the Columbia Fireflies mascot Mason. There’s also a chance to win the opportunity to throw the first pitch at a Fireflies game.

Concert

Influential American rock band, Dinosaur Jr., famed for shaping 1980s alternative and indie scenes, is set to perform at The Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Tickets are on sale now so you can secure your spot.

Drink

The popular Brew at the Zoo event at Riverbanks Zoo in Gardens returns on Friday, August 4. If you’re interested in volunteering at the event to pour drinks and helping support the event, reach out via email.

Try This

How does an Experience Columbia SC Ambassador spend a Saturday? We asked Mattison Heatherly, and she delivered. Read on for weekend inspo.*

Health

Facial paralysis is one of the most complex areas of reconstructive surgery due to the wide variety of functional and cosmetic deficits. Here’s how the experts at MUSC Health are working on the future of facial reanimation.*

Outdoors

Decorating tip: Show your patio some love with a cute and colorful area rug. We love this outdoor-friendly geometric green one.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Giveaway

To celebrate our revamped referral program, we’re hosting a special giveaway until Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The top referrer will receive $500, and one additional person who refers at least one friend will automatically be entered for another $100 giveaway. Find the referral section at the bottom of this newsletter.

Biz

🔌 Juicing up the Palmetto State

EV Charging Stations under construction in West Columbia

Eight State Park systems across the country offer EV charging stations, including Sesqui in Columbia. | Photo via Energy.gov

On Tuesday, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Congressman Jim Clyburn visited ABB Inc’s
West Columbia manufacturing plant where workers are building electric vehicle fast-charger stations.

The Swiss company is the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers and its impact on our local economy is significant. In 2021, there were 136,442 South Carolinians employed in the energy sector. In the Columbia area, 36% of the electric power generation workforce was in wind, solar, and hydroelectric, and over 4,500 workers were employed in energy efficiency.

The visitors from Washington DC were here on a multi-state road trip to showcase how electric vehicle chargers are being made in the U.S.A.

In addition to boosting the local economy, the initiative goes hand in hand with Columbia’s goal to reach 100% clean and renewable energy by 2036.

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I’m a fan of local jams. One of my favorites is a Frog Jam I get from the Cayce Farmer’s Market. What’s Frog Jam you may ask? It’s made with fig, rasberry, orange, and ginger. It’s sweet.

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