Take an accessible hike on one of these trails in Columbia
Congaree National Park’s 2.4 mile boardwalk is an excellent introduction to the park. | Photo by @annadiller
The outdoors are for everybody — and there are plenty of hikes in our area that are friendly to wheelchairs, strollers, and other mobility aids. Get some fresh air on three of our favorite accessible trails.
Congaree National Park, Boardwalk Loop Trail | 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins | If you’re looking for a relaxing walk through the hardwood forest where you can observe many types of trees and wildlife throughout the walk, this trail is for you. The boardwalk is stroller and wheelchair accessible; however, the park is within a floodplain, so check the trails’ conditions before going.
Three Rivers Greenway, various entry points | The Three Rivers Greenway is currently a 12.5-mile linear park that runs through Columbia, West Columbia, and Cayce. This path runs along three riverfront pathways – where the Broad and Saluda riversand form the Congaree.
Sandhills Hiking Trail, 9564 Two Notch Rd. | Enjoy this resurfaced trail winding through forests and over the wetlands. The path consists of pavement and boardwalks and there are two designated accessible parking spaces at the Two Notch Road parking lot. Be aware: the trail is a bit narrow as it averages at 4 ft wide, and you may need all-terrain tires after 0.3 miles.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Carolina Mudcats | Wednesday, July 26 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Trash the Poop Dog Days of Summer (bring your dog with the game to you) // White Claw Wednesday ($5 16oz White Claws)*
Bad Luck, Stress Fractures, Distractions, Yellow Boots | Wednesday, July 26 | 6-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $12-$15 | Bad Luck is a dynamic and energetic band from New York, known for their raucous performances and a blend of punk, rock, and pop influences.
Thursday, July 27
EMERY - In Shallow Seas We Sail Anniversary Tour | Thursday, July 27 | 6:30-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $25 | Emery is a post-hardcore band known for their emotionally charged music and energetic performances and they have SC roots.
Disney’s “The Descendants” | Thursday, July 27 | Times vary | Harbison Theatre, 7300 College St., Irmo | $15-$18 | Descendants the Musical follows the lives of the children of classic Disney villains and heroes.
Friday, July 28
Cola Love x The Spice Dhaba: Indian Summer Night | Friday, July 28 | 5-10 p.m. | femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | Enjoy a culinary journey featuring crispy Pappadum, aromatic Pulao, and Mughal Korma.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Carolina Mudcats | Friday, July 28 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Cayden Wallace Bobblehead Giveaway presented by SAFE Federal Credit Union (first 1000 fans)
Saturday, July 29
“Murder on the Menu,” a Mystery Dinner Theater Event | Saturday, July 29 | 6-9 p.m. | The River Center at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia | $70 | The event includes a buffet meal, beer and wine tickets, an optional costume contest, and door prizes.
Sunday, July 30
Becoming Catawba: A Conversation with Dr. Brooke Bauer | Sunday, July 30 | 2-4 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free with admission | As part of the 50-year anniversary exhibition join CMA Director of Art and Learning Jackie Adams in conversation with Catawba citizen, historian, writer, and artist Dr. Brooke Bauer.
The monthly wellness newsletter will offer both fun and informative health topics that make living healthy anything but boring. | GIF by COLAtoday
We’ve been working on something special for you, COLA.
We’re launching a brand new wellness newsletter in partnership with Prisma Health, focused on eating better, moving more, sleeping well, and feeling all-around stronger in mind, body, and soul in the Midlands.
Look for the first edition of COLA Wellness in your inbox today at noon, where we’ll cover:
10 ways to embrace summer (the healthy way)
How to stay safe and cool in the SC heat
Local farmers markets to check out
Free at-home workouts
And more.
Bonus: You can also let us know what topics you want to see in future newsletters.
News Notes
Coming Soon
The Bierkeller Columbia, a local brewery opening a brick + mortar location overlooking the canal, announced a slight delay for its soft opening date. Once the new dates are announced, patrons are welcome to try everything out, and Stammtisch Subscribers will be able to test the full experience.
Sports
South Carolina basketball alum, Aja Wilson, tied the WNBA record for best-ever field goal percentage, making 14 of 17 shots. The two-time league MVP also scored 35 points, secured 14 rebounds, and made 3 steals in a recent game. (Garnet and Cocky)
Award
In its 20th anniversary season, Colonial Life Arena secured the 36th spot in Pollstar’s Top 200 Arena Tickets’ report. With 118,395 tickets sold and a gross of $10,848,285, the arena also ranked first in the Carolinas and 68th in the world. CLA credits the success to our supportive community and strong partnerships.
Environmental
The Town of Lexington announced the Watergate wastewater treatment plant’s connection to the regional sewer system, ending discharge to 14 Mile Creek, a Lower Saluda tributary. The move eliminates the last of the old Carolina Water Service wastewater plants in the area. (The State)
Eat
The Guignard Brickworks Dinner is coming back for a second year on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Tickets for the farm-to-table event are $100 and go on sale on Friday, Aug. 25. Proceeds benefit the Cayce Beautification Foundation and the Cayce community.
Seasonal
The 2023 maze theme at Clinton Sease Farm is “Lake Murray, the Jewel of South Carolina.” The farm eagerly anticipates visitors to experience and dive in to this year’s exciting corn maze.
38 million. That’s the number of Americans impacted by migraines. Find out how to know if your bad headache is a tension headache or a migraine — and see prevention tips + common headache triggers to avoid.*
Progress report on the historic Bull Street cupola
The base of the new cupola being constructed outside of the Babcock building. | Photo by COLAtoday
Next week, construction workers will raise the base of the new cupola atop the Babcock Building, followed by the new dome addition. For Clachan Properties, the company renovating the historic mental health facility, this marks the pinnacle of a nine-year process.
A fire in September 2020 destroyed the iconic dome, once a recognizable skyline landmark. Thanks to a heroic and quick response from first responders, the project was able to be salvaged.
The construction to update the cupola, with many original features, began in January with a team of ~50 people from different companies working together on this rare project.
Over the next two weeks, the new dome will arrive in Columbia and the new 58,000-pound structure will be secured back on the building.
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Start a new self-care routine, just in time for the new school year. From vitamin skin serums to shaving sets, we’ve got you covered.
Get 12% off when you upgrade your Going membership to Elite or Premium with code 12DAYS. Think: Even more cheap flight alerts, including first-class tickets.
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Parking your car on sunny streets while running errands around town? This No. 1 bestselling sunshade keeps your car’s interior cool and minimizes rays.
As you could imagine, there aren’t many companies specializing in cupola reconstruction, so Clachan Properties worked hard to put together a restoration team of people from across the country. Kudos to them for bringing this icon back to the Cola skyline.
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