07.12.2023

Today’s Forecast

92º | Sunny | 17% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:22 a.m. | Sunset 8:37 p.m.

🌅 Sunrise on the Saluda

Explore Boyd Island in Columbia

Sunrise on Boyd Island. | Photo by COLAtoday

Tucked away beside Interstate 126 as it flows into Columbia, where the Broad and Saluda Rivers converge to form the Congaree, is the lush, seven-acre Sanctuary at Boyd Island. It’s here where nature, artistic exploration, and conservation commitment converge.

Thanks to a more than $1 million donation by the Darnall W and Susan F. Boyd Foundation and support from the River Alliance, the island now flourishes with a winding trail, benches, picnic tables, a gazebo, and an observation deck that offers the best view of the confluence outside of being in a tube.

Let’s take a quick look on how to get there, what you’ll see, and how it was transformed into a space for the community.

Where the journey begins

First, park at the entrance to the Saluda River Greenway at 650 Candi Ln. From here, you’ll take a left towards downtown Columbia and venture about two miles along the Saluda River. In the future, you’ll be able to take a right and walk all the way to Lake Murray.

The gazebo on Boyd Island was constructed to resemble the rare Rocky Shoals Water Lily. | Photo by COLAtoday

The art on the isle

The island is filled with metal sculptures of native plants and animals. Beware, the bobcat on the rock looks so realistic you might jump when you first see it. Most recently, the new gazebo was completed. The large structure with picnic tables underneath was built to resemble the rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lily that blooms from May through mid-June.

Saluda River.jpg — The Congaree Riverkeeper hosts several clean-up events throughout the year. | Photo by COLAtoday

Conservation effort

The island houses over 75 plant species showcasing the diverse flora native to the Midlands. Did you know that this is one of the only places in the country that have both white water rapids and hanging Spanish Moss?

After years of construction, the island is now fully accessible via a paved pathway and a pedestrian bridge that is friendly for wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles in addition to pedestrians. Add this jewel of the Saluda to your Soda City list of hidden gems.

Asked

In honor of French Fry Day on Thursday, what local spot serves your favorite fries?

Share your favorite spud

Events

Wednesday, July 12

The Market at Richland Library | Wednesday, July 12 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St. | Free | Shop your community to get fresh produce, meet your new favorite author or pick out an interesting piece of art.
Gallery Talk with the Curator | Wednesday, July 12 | 12-12:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. | Free with admission | Take a midweek break and join CMA Curator Michael Neumeister for a special tour of the house-organized exhibition Tina Williams Brewer.

Thursday, July 13

Modern Shag Night | Thursday, July 13 | 8:30-11 p.m. | Bill’s Music Shop, 710 Meeting St., West Columbia | $5 | Learn this Southern staple dance and mingle with other Shag dancers.

Friday, July 14

Galan, H3RO, Sherwoods Florist, Travel Therapy | Friday, July 14 | 7:30-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10 | Indie bands from across the state come together, headlined by local act, Galan.
Friday Night Laser Lights | Friday, July 21 | 6-10 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $10 | Friday Night Laser Lights is back with new shows featuring the music of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé choreographed to a stunning display of lasers inside the museum’s 55-ft. digital dome planetarium.*

Saturday, July 15

Storyboarding workshop with Corey Davis | Saturday, July 15 | 1-3 p.m. | 701 CCA, Main Exhibition Gallery, 701 Whaley St., 2nd floor | $25 | In conjunction with Tyrone Geter’s Artist in Residence, Corey will guide the participants through the history of graphic novels while helping them develop their own hero’s storyline.

Sunday, July 16

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Sunday, July 16 | 1-4 p.m. | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era, 1705 Hampton St. | Free | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home is the nation’s only museum dedicated to showcasing the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and is housed in SC’s only remaining presidential site.

Calendar events here

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Asked

Prisma Health On Call: Teenage health + safety questions

GVL,COLA-Prisma Health teen health-7.12.23.jpeg

Prisma Health pediatricians are here to help you navigate teenage-hood. | Photo provided by Prisma Health

Any parent of a teenager will tell you: Raising a teen is tough. From changing emotions to peer pressure to drugs, alcohol, sex, and social media, there’s no shortage of challenges.

That’s why in this month’s installment of Prisma Health On Call, we’re connecting readers to Prisma Health pediatricians who are here, on call, and ready to answer your teen health + safety questions.

Think:
❓ What negative impacts of social media do I need to be aware of?
❓ At what age is it okay to leave an adolescent home alone?
❓ What are the signs of teen depression?
❓ Do you have any advice on talking to my teen about sex?
❓ What’s causing my teen’s acne?

Submit your questions and we’ll share the physicians’ answers in a few weeks.

Ask the experts

News Notes

Coming Soon

CO, a restaurant that puts a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine, is coming to the former Rosso Trattoria location in Trenholm Plaza. The restaurant chain has five locations across the Southeast, including Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Charlotte.

Development

TakoSushi is opening a second Midlands location, this one in the Forest Park shopping center anchored by Lowes Foods. The Southwestern + Asian-inspired restaurant plans to renovate the former Baskin Robbins and Pizza Hut to a ~2,400-sqft space.

Sports

Gamecock tennis athletes Toby Samuel and Connor Thomson made their Grand Slam main draw debut at Wimbledon last week. The duo made it to the second round where they fell in a close match to the No. 5 seeded duo. (Gamecocks Online)

Community

Rapid Shelter Columbia is seeking donations to continue its work providing shelter, supplies, and healthcare to the homeless. Hygiene supplies, shower shoes, COMET bus passes, pillows, blankets, towels, underwear, journals, books, water bottles, and storage bins are among the requested items. Contact the city for donation drop-off information.

Festival

Solfest Rollfest, an annual sustainable and environmentally conscious music festival, is returning on Saturday, August 26 to NoMa Warehouse. This year’s event will be headlined by Charleston band Homemade Haircuts. Early bird discount tickets are on sale now.

Kids

Columbia Children’s Theatre and the Spaghetti and Meatball Players present “The Commedia Little Mermaid” on July 15 and 16 at the Richland Library Sandhills Auditorium. This adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale combines improvisation, slapstick, and the traditions of commedia dell’arte. Join the bumbling troupe for a show suitable for all ages.

Health

Here’s a diet that’s not quite a diet — but more of a “do as the Romans do.” See how sixteen Mediterranean nations do food right, plus the scientifically-proven health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet.*

The Word

Broncearse. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Trending

It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Shop the deals, including 30% off the TV that looks like a picture frame on your wall.*

Traffic

Midlands Connect Project update

The above diagram shows roads that are now open in green. | Graphic via SCDOT

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) announced the opening of the new Columbia Avenue overpass and ramps at Exit 91 on Interstate 26. With the revamped configuration, Columbia Avenue’s new alignment will serve as the sole crossway over I-26 in the area.

While the old Columbia Avenue overpass bridge heads for demolition, businesses located on the road will remain accessible. Ramps illustrated in orange on the above project layout will be opened in subsequent phases.

This development forms part of the Midlands Connection Project to widen and replace seven overpasses in the 16-mile segment of the I-26, from Exit 85 in Little Mountain to Exit 101 in Irmo.

The Midlands Connection Project will boost capacity and reduce congestion in much-needed areas. They don’t call it “malfunction junction” for nothing.

Shop

It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day sales — aka, discounts on everything from iPads to furniture to nugget ice makers. Surf the sales or check out our picks. Note: Deals may be subject to change.

Family

Keep crumbs and messes under control with the iRobot Roomba that empties itself — it’s $400 off (yes, you read that right).

Eat

Bread makers are making a comeback, and we totally get why (read: soft, warm, homemade bread). Snag the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker that’s $34 off.

Arts

Customize tees, pillows, and totes with the Cricut Heat Press Machine’s pro-level heat-transfer that lasts through repeated washes. Get it while it’s 20% off.

Outdoors

Keep comfy and cool this summer with wear-anywhere black running shorts, discounted down from $24.99 to $18.39.

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

If you get to the riverwalk early enough in the summer, you’ll see the morning fog lift from the river as the sun rises above the trees. On Tuesday, I saw that, along with a deer, six fishermen, and about a dozen people walking dogs. This closeness to nature is one of Cola’s finest features.

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