08.25.2023

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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 to the Soda City

10 tips for students living in Columbia, SC

Tripping on bricks in the Historic Horseshoe is basically a right of passage. | Photo by COLAtoday

Classes for USC students are underway and with the largest incoming freshman class in school history, we know there are a few new Soda Citizens walking around. Being new in town can be a little disorienting, but that’s where we come in. Here are 10 things you should know as a new Soda City resident.

USC campus

1. We hope you brought some walking shoes. USC is 444 acres spread across Columbia and you’ll definitely get your daily steps in. Here’s a map of campus so you don’t get lost.

2. One of the best things about being a USC student is rooting for the Gamecocks at sporting events. Be up-to-date with the latest sports happenings and get excited about football season.

3. Join one of 500+ campus clubs to make new friends, branch out, and find something you enjoy.

Health + wellness

4. Columbia is known for our beautiful rivers + we recommend walking by a few of them.

5. Many local fitness centers, studios, and gyms offer student discounts. Check out our yoga guide to find which one suits you best.

Local eats

6. We’ve got you covered for late-night bites.

7. Some go-to local grub spots around Cola if you’re headed out on a date.

five points 2 — Several new businesses have opened in Five Points since last semester. | Photo by COLAtoday

Our City

8. Familiarize yourself with our main districts and cities — this will help you as you navigate around town.

9. If you want to avoid parking, call the Jaunt, a free ride-share service, or catch the COMET. USC students + faculty ride for free.

10. There are two things you should know about our trains. One, if you haven’t been caught by one yet, you will. Two, you might want to invest in some earplugs for nighttime. Trust us.

Bonus tips: Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know + don’t forget to call your mom once in a while.

Events

Friday, Aug. 25

She Did Day | Friday, Aug. 25 | 10-11 a.m. | Intersection of Gervais and Main Streets, Columbia | Free | From Celia Dial Saxon to Ethel Martin Bolden, women educators have been advocates for teaching full and fact-based histories in the classroom.
Paddle and Pint - Paddle and Craft Beer Tasting | Fri., Aug. 25 | 6-8 p.m. Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia | $47 | Paddle the Lower Saluda River followed by a craft beer tasting where you will sample eight different craft beers.
Red Carpet Movie Premiere of “Reunion” | Fri., Aug. 25 | 6:30 p.m. | Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8, 201 Columbia Mall Blvd. #Ste 211, Columbia | $25-$35 | Join and celebrate with Emmy Award Winner, Gregory Alan Williams, at the first-ever theater release.
The NoMa Flea | Friday, Aug. 25 | 6 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | The market features several anchor vendors and at least 10 rotating, pop-up vendors each week.

Saturday, Aug. 26

Main Street Latin Festival | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Main Street Latin Festival, 1300 & 1400 blocks on Main St., Columbia | Free | This fest showcases the culture and vitality of Columbia’s Latin community through food, art, dance, and music in a fun, family-oriented environment.
SolFest RollFest 2023 | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 4-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | $20 | Musical acts are Homemade Haircuts, Danielle Howle, and Monti Rabbit.

Sunday, Aug. 27

Country at Koger | Sunday, Aug. 27 | 5:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | Free | The featured artists include Jordana Bryant, Vincent Mason, and Will Cullen.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

10 reasons why Fayetteville, NC should be your next golfing destination

Gates Four Golf & Country Club-Fayetteville NC.jpg

Fayetteville, NC is home to great golf — including Gates Four Golf & Country Club. | Photo provided by Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Whether you’re a fanatical golfer or just looking for the next best spot for a hole-in-one weekend away with friends, we’ve got a hidden gem alert: Fayetteville, NC’s Sandhills region is home to some of the best golfing in North Carolina (and it’s just two-and-a-half hours away).

From private golf clubs and nationally recognized courses to carefully designed holes and more, here are 10 Fayetteville-area golf courses to plan your next golf trip around:

1. Highland Country Club

Highland Country Club is touted as Fayetteville’s premier private golf club. Amenities include a Donald Ross-designed 18-hole golf course, seven tennis courts, a swimming pool, full-service dining, and extensive banquet facilities.

2. Kings Grant Golf & Country Club

Voted Reader’s Choice Award Winner for best Cumberland County Golf Course, King’s Grant offers rolling bent grass greens and five sets of tees. Each hole is unique, with a strong emphasis on shot placement and accuracy.

See 8 more courses

News Notes

Coming Soon

Here’s a twist. Philly Pretzel Factory at 2800 Rosewood Dr., closed since December 2022, is set to reopen under new ownership. Located across from Rosewood Market, the shop’s reopening date is pending with plans to share the opening date on its Facebook page. (The State)

Festival

Jam Room Music Festival, an annual free festival on the 1400 Block of Main Street, announced its lineup for this year’s event happening Saturday, Nov. 4. Headliners include influential Chicago-based band Tortoise along with SC native Adia Victoria. See the full lineup.

Plan Ahead

The SC women’s basketball team will host a community event at Hyatt Park on Sept. 17. The event, open to the public from 4-5 p.m., includes a youth clinic, food trucks, music, and face painting. The park’s courts were refurbished in 2022 in collaboration with all-time great A’ja Wilson.

Community

Serve and Connect will host a Woodfield Community Clean Up on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 8-10 a.m. at Woodfield Park Baptist Church. Join Richland County’s Overture Walker and Sheriff Leon Lott in the initiative to foster community unity and beautify public areas.

Outdoors

Planning to cool off in the river this weekend? Weekly water quality testing from the Congaree Riverkeeper shows all greens. See full results here.

Finance

Pro tip: Peek into finance experts’ wallets and you’ll see this card. Where to start with the perks? This card is one of the best with 0% intro APR for over a year, up to 5% cash back, and no annual fee. Learn more.*

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Hello, my friends. Andy’s Deli in Five Points is celebrating its 45th anniversary on Saturday and turning the menu prices back to 1978. Dress is your best 1970s attire for a chance to win a free sandwich a week for a year.

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