08.21.2023

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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

🏫 Welcome home

USC’s Campus Village: Part of the No. 1 First Year Experience

The new campus village has a community feel. | Photo by COLAtoday

On Friday morning, USC President Michael Amiridis and company celebrated the opening of the new Campus Village, four six-story red brick buildings with green spaces, courtyards, and a clock tower. The completion of the $240 million project is a milestone and is considered the most ambitious construction project in the University’s 222-year history.

A walk way past the Bates House dorms leads to central campus and comes out beside the Russell House. | Photo by COLAtoday

Located on the southern region of campus, the village smells brand new even from the outside. Look south and you’ll see Williams Brice Stadium on the horizon. Look north and you’ll see the USC smokestack shooting up from the Horseshoe with the downtown Columbia skyline behind it.

If that’s not enough school spirit for you, the “Mighty Sound of the Southeast” practices in the mornings around 9 a.m., so the fight song and a steady metronome beat will be the wake up call to the 1,800 resident students.

Campus Village has a transportation hub and access, a walkway to central campus, and a COMET bus stop. | Photo by COLAtoday team

A closer look

Dining: Campus Village is home to The Pavilion, a nearly 14,000 square-foot dining hall that seats 650 and is open to all USC students.
Retail: The Gamecock General Store sundry shop, a Jimmy John’s and a Starbucks coffee accessible to the entire community is scheduled to open this fall.
Living/learning communities: Campus Village is home to several USC student living-learning communities.
Transportation: The transportation hub and pedestrian access make it easy to get to and from central campus. Additional campus parking within walking distance of Campus Village is available to students with automobiles.

Again this year, USC welcomed a record number of freshman. With over 7,000 in the class of 2027, enrollment growth is projected at 1.5% to 3% annually looking forward. Students will continue to see the No. 1 spot for First Year Experience around campus, projects like this and the University 101 program are big reason why.

Events

Monday, Aug. 21

Play Freely: Board Games for Grown Ups | Monday, Aug. 21 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Join the library and Firefly Toys and Games to play board games with other adults.

Tuesday, Aug. 22

Small Business Breakout | Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 8:30-9:30 a.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | Free, registration required | Sales expert Walker McKay, shares methodologies to help small businesses accelerate their sales growth and build a successful sales team.

Wednesday, Aug. 23

90s TV Trivia | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Tin Roof, 1022 Senate St, Columbia | Free | Put that “Friends” re-watch to use at this trivia night.

Thursday, Aug. 24

Gamecock Sports Preview | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Pastides Alumni Center, 900 Senate St., Columbia | $60 | Enjoy socializing with fellow Gamecock fans over dinner and drinks while you hear updates on the upcoming season from several head coaches.
EMO NIGHT | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 7-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10 | Your heart may be in Ohio, but you could be here in your skinny jeans.
Urban Tiki Grand Opening | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Urban Tiki-below The Grand on Main, 1621 Main St., Columbia | $45-$80 | It’s Tiki Time! Escape reality in downtown Columbia’s newest hidden Oasis.*

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

The cheapest US destinations to fly to, according to travel experts

A plane flying over a blue sky, possibly to a cheap US destination, with palm trees below.

Start dreaming of your next vacation. | Photo by Tom Cattini via Pexels

Our partners at Going search for cheap flights for a living (and then email you about them for free). Check out their list of the cheapest destinations in the US to fly to, including:

No. 3: San Francisco

Last year, the Going team found 89 flight deals here.
Fun fact: San Francisco International Airport has direct flights from 88 US cities.

No. 2: Los Angeles

Going finds ~10 deals per month to LA — like Chicago to LA for $138 roundtrip.

See the No. 1 cheapest place

News Notes

History

Richland County Representative Seth Rose is looking to redevelop the historic Taylor Street Pharmacy and Columbia Tire Service buildings. The 1950s properties recently gained initial approval for landmark status from Columbia’s Design, Development Review Commission. (The State)

Development

Crews placed the red dome on top of the BullStreet cupola on Friday morning, capping off the renovated Babcock building. Learn more about the cupola’s restoration after a devastating fire in 2020. (WLTX)

Biz

Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities is hosting a “Lender Matchmaker” event on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The event, designed to connect small businesses with potential lenders, will be held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required.

Edu

Richland County schools can now apply for conservation project grants. The program, funded by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, supports environmental education and sustainability initiatives. Applications are open until Sept. 30. (Cola Daily)

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.*

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Last week, Soni Sonefeld, the drummer for Hootie and the Blowfish, author, and local legend, released a new song featuring his most famous bandmate, Darius Rucker. Lend your ears to their new track, “Sitting in the Green Grass.”

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