Plus, SC ranked No. 6 on Wallet Hub’s States with the Best and Worst Early Education Systems list.
 
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66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.
 

🎣 Your o-fish-al guide to fishing

5 places to fish around Columbia, including rivers, lakes, and shorelines
Fishing-at-Lake-Murray
Fishing at Lake Murray | Photo via @julianachitolina
Fishing is a great way to get outside whether you make it a family affair or use it as an oppor-tuna-ty to snag some much-needed alone time out in nature. Don’t know where to go? We put together a list of local fishing spots + resources for you to have a reely good time.

Lake Murray

The 50,000-acre man-made lake has over 650 miles of shoreline waiting for you to cast a line. Pro tip: Check out Capital City Lake Murray Country’s many guides to fishing.

What you’ll catch
  • Striped bass
  • Largemouth bass
  • Bluegill
  • Crappie
  • Redear sunfish
  • The illusive catfish
Pro tip: See multiple marina locations and 11 public lake access areas around Lake Murray.

Saluda River.jpg

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

Saluda River

The Saluda stretches ~170 miles throughout SC and hosts a variety of species.

What you’ll catch
  • Trout
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Stripers — Fun Fact: During the summer, the river boasts some of the largest concentrations of Striper fish on the east coast.
One of the popular access points for this river can be found at Saluda Shoals Park, located at 5605 Bush River Rd. Pro tip: purchase a Fisherman’s Pass, allowing visitors 24/7 entry for $80 a year.

Hope Ferry Landing, located at 1047 Hope Ferry Rd., Lexington, is another popular fishing spot + free to visitors.

Tips for beginners

Read our guide on how to obtain a fishing license.

SCDNR created an interactive fish attractor + locator map, showcasing saltwater and freshwater locations around the state where you can fish publicly from a boat, pier, or shoreline.

SC State Parks showcases 10 major reservoir lakes across the state. In some cases, the park is the only public access point for sailing, boating, and fishing.

Click the button below to find more fishing spots, pro tips, and local bait + tackle locations around the Midlands.
Fin-ish reading
Asked

Where’s your favorite place to fish around the Midlands?
Let minnow
Prisma Health
 
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 2
  • Blythewood Farmers Market | Wednesday, Aug. 2 | Times vary | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | Free | This market has food, live music, and special promotional events throughout the year (don’t miss the free wine tasting every 3rd week).
Thursday, Aug. 3
  • Artists For Africa 11th Anniversary Performance | Thursday, Aug. 3 | 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $25-$50 | The annual summer performance event features original live entertainment, food, and drink.
  • First Thursday on Main Street | Thursday, Aug. 3 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | This installment features live music from Columbia band Dear Blanca and Charlotte-based rock group Junior Astronomers.
Friday, Aug. 4
  • Countdown to Kindergarten | Friday, Aug. 4 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | EdVenture’s free Countdown to Kindergarten event, hosted by First Steps, features activities to calm nerves, generate excitement, and prepare young students and their families for their next chapter.
  • Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, Aug. 4 | 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.
  • Devine Street Sidewalk Sale | Friday, Aug. 4 | Devine District, Columbia | Price of purchase | Enjoy half off and BOGO specials on SC’s Tax-free weekend.
Saturday, Aug. 5
  • Hot Summer’s Night 5K | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Strictly Running, 2515 Devine St., Columbia | $20-$40 | When the sun is going down is the coolest time to run the pavement in Columbia.
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
Cause

City

An easy way to support local schools
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
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You can get your shopping done and support local schools at the same time via Lowes Foods’ Cart to Class program. | Photo by the COLAtoday team
If the phrase “back to school” makes you want to take a 12-hour nap, we hear you.

No worries if you’re not ready to shop for supplies, plan lunches, or return to the pick-up line just yet. Here’s a way you can start the school year on the right foot while getting your weekly groceries. Enter: Lowes Foods’ Cart to Class program.

Through Cart to Class, Lowes Foods will give up to a quarter million dollars to local schools this year.

How it works:
  • Enroll in the program online.
  • Select up to three participating schools — so if you have one child in elementary school, one in middle school, and one in high school, all three schools can reap the benefits.
  • When you shop, your selected schools will be automatically rewarded based on your purchases. Well done.
Learn more and sign up (for free)
News Notes
Open
  • The Standard, a 17-story, 678-bed student housing complex next door to Richland Library on Assembly Street, opened this week. Developed by CRG and Landmark Properties, it offers fully furnished apartments with extensive amenities. Several new murals on the property were also unveiled. (Columbia Business Report)
Transit
  • Beginning tomorrow, access to Garner Lane in Columbia (right off the Broad River Bridge) will move from the I-20 eastbound ramp to Longcreek Drive, with few exceptions. The I-20 on-ramp will offer temporary access to local businesses until a new entrance is established. Construction may cause delays + is related to the Carolina Crossroads Phase 2 project.
Community
  • Riverbanks Zoo and Garden joined forces with SCDNR and the University of Georgia to rescue over 200 trafficked eastern box turtles in 2019. Riverbanks provided a $8,750 grant for research, which led to the successful release of the hatchlings last week.
Ranked
  • No. 6. That’s where SC ranked on Wallet Hub’s States with the Best and Worst Early Education Systems list. The rankings were based on 12 key metrics, including program availability, quality benchmarks, and per-child spending. To find the best fit for your child, check our school guide for local education options.
Arts
  • Transform metered parking spaces into public spaces on PARK(ing) Day, happening on Friday, Sept. 15. This year’s theme is “One word to describe your park.” Reserve your meter(s) now, first-come, first-served. Applications are due by Friday, Aug. 18.
Edu
  • Absolute Total Care, Coach Dawn Staley, and the Inner Sole Foundation will host a Back to School Bash on Friday, Aug. 4, 4-7 p.m. at Earlewood Park. Enjoy entertainment, giveaways, and school supplies. Coach Staley will dance, interact, and gift sneakers to children from her Inner Sole Foundation.
Listen
  • Whether starting daycare, moving up to a new grade, or heading off to college, that first day of school can be stressful — for both kids and parents. Get tips for reducing back-to-school stress by listening to this podcast with Prisma Health psychiatrist Brittany Peters, MD.*
 
Shop
Wellness
Travel
  • Searching for the perfect luggage set that’s both lightweight + durable? We love this set for its polycarbonate shell and quiet double spinner wheels.
Eat
  • Slice and serve your favorite meats + cheeses on this sleek yet durable maple wood cutting board. Bonus: It’s preconditioned with beeswax, linseed, and lemon oil.
Pets
Answered

Last week we shared some unwritten rules with you and asked you what we missed. Here’s what you said:
Columbia, SC State House

Columbia is ranked as one of the best places to start a business. | Photo by COLAtoday team

“Remember when Cromers Peanuts was in The Dutch Square Mall and they had live monkeys you could watch play?” — Bobbie A.

“If you have not been to Bernie’s Restaurant, have you even had good fried chicken? Bernie’s is a must-have!” — Paige R.

“Adluh Flour...a landmark in Columbia for as long as I can remember. Elementary schools took classes there for field trips. We were served warm biscuits made from Adluh Flour with butter and jelly and a small Coca Cola.” — Vicki L.

“People don’t know that there is an underground mall that was built in the 70s? Under Main Street. It’s closed to the public but they do tours sometimes.” — Ricardo M.

Read our full unwritten rules guide at the button below.
Unwritten rules guide
 
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The Wrap
 
Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam
From the editor
Smoked announced “The Burnline,” its new speakeasy with rare bourbon + spirits, is now open to the public beginning today at 4 p.m. Previously exclusive, it now offers premium liquors and a unique cocktail menu. Fun Fact: The name is inspired by historic burn lines left after Sherman’s March on Columbia in 1865. DM Smoked on Instagram for the password.
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