07.06.2023

Today’s Forecast

91º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:19 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.

Travel and Outdoors

Help Carolina Wildlife Center save baby animals

The baby squirrel that fell from its nest last October. | Photo by COLAtoday team

For most of us, summer is a season for sunshine and relaxation. For animal rescue services, it’s also baby season.

Between February and October — but especially in the summer — you’re much more likely to come across baby animals that appear sick, injured, or abandoned. Our advice: Trust the pros.

Meet Carolina Wildlife Center

Carolina Wildlife Center rehabilitates over 5,000 orphaned, sick, and injured animals each year before releasing them back to their native habitats.

They also work to educate our community about wildlife through their outreach programs, volunteer opportunities, and events like the annual Baby Shower in March.

Never guess when it comes to animal care. Check Carolina Wildlife Center’s Rescue Advice — note that the center currently cannot accommodate fawns, raccoons, mice, or rats — then call (803) 772-3994 and leave a detailed message. But before you do…

Assess the situation

Many animals brought into wildlife rehabilitation centers aren’t actually abandoned. An animal displaying no indicators of distress or injury may just be waiting for mom. If the animal is bleeding or obviously injured, it’s time to get the experts involved.

Be mindful of the animal’s well-being

Don’t act immediately when you’ve determined an animal is abandoned. Human contact stresses the animal and could lead to injury and disease (to you and the animal). Human food or improper feeding techniques can also cause harm. Keep a close eye, be patient, and consult Carolina Wildlife Center or another licensed rehabilitator.

At this point, you’re in good hands. Follow their instructions to safely bring in the animal, and go cash in on your good deed for the day. Mother Nature thanks you.

Events

Thursday, July 6

First Thursday | Thursday, July 6-Thursday, Dec. 7 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia participate in First Thursday on Main by keeping their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more.
Purple Martin Tour | Tuesday, July 4-Friday, Aug. 11 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Jake’s Landing, 220 Jake’s Landing Rd., Lexington | $50 | Join Wingard’s Naturalist and USCG Captain Zach Steinhauser for a pontoon tour of the largest purple martin roost in North America.

Friday, July 7

Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, July 7 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Nashville Nights feature talented singer-songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances on stage.

Saturday, July 8

Big Tree Hike | Saturday, July 8-Saturday, Nov. 11 | Times vary | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins | Join Volunteer Park Naturalist John Cely for a guided hike to some of the park’s big trees.
Rosé Wine Tasting | Saturday, July 8 | 3-4 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $33 | Try six different rosés with Advanced Sommelier Jonathan Lopez.

More July events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Biz

Just Jonesin’ Commissary Kitchen, a new shared kitchen space, is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at 5618 N. Main St. at 3 p.m. The new space will feature two full kitchens + serve as a permanent location for Just Jonesin’ Food Truck. The kitchen aims to provide a space for small business owners, particularly food truck operators, to prepare their food. (The Post and Courier)

Community

The Yellow Shirt Ambassadors of the City of Columbia and the Main Street District have extended their services to Elmwood Avenue, providing clean, safe, and well-being assistance day and night. Learn more about the Yellow Shirt Ambassadors.

State

A new online + statewide marketplace, WeShopSC, is launching soon across South Carolina to connect small businesses via a new initiative created by The Municipal Association of South Carolina. The new program aims to help businesses without e-commerce platforms by offering annual subscription packages, exposure, and profits for small businesses.

Try This

The State of the Art Gallery and Pottery Studio in Cayce announced it will be offering Bob Ross painting lessons Saturday, July 8, and Saturday, August 5. The cost is $75 per person and will be led by a Bob Ross Certified Instructor.

Today Is

I hope you set your alarm clucks, because today is National Fried Chicken Day. If you’re looking for some local bites, flock to Lizard’s Thicket for breakfast, Drake’s Duck In for lunch, and Zesto for dinner.

Cause

The Columbia Police Department (CPD) is asking for donations for its annual Fan the Heat program. From now until Labor Day, CPD is collecting fans, air conditioners, and financial contributions to support residents ages 55 or older who are vulnerable to the summer heat.

Health

Is it a summer cold, or something more serious? Enter: LMC MyChart’s new Symptom Checker, which removes the guesswork when it comes to where to go to get care.*

Shop

If you’re looking to buy a new pair of sunglasses this summer, you’re in luck. Our online store (Six & Main) has you covered with a variety of polarized, floating sunglasses… that’s right they float in the water. Find your perfect pair now.

Outdoors

🪶 What the flock?

How to see the Purple Martins in Columbia

Each summer, hundreds of thousands of Purple Martins flock to Bomb Island on Lake Murray, forming the largest known roost of its kind on the planet.

These migratory songbirds gather here nightly through the summer, filling the sky in a swirling display before making their way to South America.⁠ | Photo via Carolina Safari Co.

Did you know that thousands of birds call Lake Murray home for the summer?

The purple martin is a part of the swallow family and every summer one million + take flight to Bomb Island, providing a glimpse at this natural phenomenon right in the Midlands.

Why do they come here?

Think of it as summer vacation. The purple martins roost on Bomb Island from the end of June to the start of August.

Fun fact: Bomb Island is the largest sanctuary for the purple martins in the United States. The birds have been known to fly up to 160 miles every evening + take shelter in the trees on this uninhabited island, which was once used as target practice during World War II.

Pro tip: the best time to see them is just before sunset. Click the button below to read more about these local birds and how to see them.

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Last October, I saved the baby squirrel pictured in the baby animals story after it fell from its nest unharmed, thanks to a nifty contraption I put together. I immediately called Carolina Wildlife Center. They told me its gender, what kind of squirrel she was, and that I could call back in about a week to see how she was doing. Rest assured, when I called back, they told me she was a spunky one + going to make a full recovery.

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