Plus, The Skinhouse opens in Five Points.
 
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66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.
 

🎸 A musical ode to Cola

Toro y Moi’s “Sandhills” EP: A Journey Back to Columbia Roots
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Chaz Bear sits back after enjoying a hot dog from Jimmy’s Mart. | Photo by Chris Maggio
“Didn’t tell anyone I was coming home, then I stayed for three months. Spent the summer in South Carolina, doing what I want,” sings Toro y Moi, AKA Chaz Bear, on the opening track of his new EP titled “Sandhills.”

The new release from the Columbia native is accompanied by a short film directed by Columbian Steve Daniels. This project is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a homecoming.

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Ernest Lee (perhaps better known as Chicken Man) created the cover art for the new Toro y Moi Sandhills EP. | Cover art provided by Toro y Moi

A personal homecoming

The EP is a collaborative effort filled with local connections. Producer Katherine Perry was Chaz’s high school photography teacher (Ridge View High School), and director Steve Daniels, who is also Perry’s husband, worked with Bear on a video for his high school band. Adding to the local flavor, the football team appearing in the film is the one you’ll see on Friday nights. Columbia-based artist Ernest Lee, better known as Chicken Man, is responsible for the EP’s artwork.

Sonic evolution

After ushering in the chillwave genre, Chaz has explored various musical styles over the past decade. “Sandhills” marks a new chapter, focusing on Americana — a genre that allows him to dissect his Southern upbringing. This comes after collaborations with pop stars like Flume, Blood Orange, and Tyler, The Creator.

About

The “Sandhills” EP serves as both a love letter to Cola and an acceptance of the bittersweet nature of homecomings. It’s a nostalgic journey that harkens back to where it all started with Chaz and his six-string and an album filled with folk-pop songs that are lyrically retrospective and emotionally resonant.

Listen to “Sandhills” and watch its accompanying film to experience Toro y Moi’s heartfelt return to his roots.
Columbia Fireflies
 
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 29
  • Smoked Oyster Series | Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Smoked, 1643 Main St., Columbia | $60 | Learn to appreciate oysters like a fine wine by discovering the nuance of flavor by the climate of origin, taste, texture, and salinity.
  • Columbia Fireflies vs. Delmarva Shorebirds | Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Miller Lite $2 Tuesday ($2 hot dogs, popcorn fountain sodas & 12oz Miller Lites)*
Wednesday, Aug. 30
  • The Lunchbox Lift | Wednesday, Aug. 30 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | Free | Grab your lunch box and enjoy time with other women to be inspired and get your midweek boost so you can conquer the rest of the week.
  • Columbia Fireflies vs. Delmarva Shorebirds | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | USC Night // Budweiser Thirsty Thursday ($1 fountain sodas, $2 domestic draft beers & $3 craft draft beers and cocktails)
Thursday, Aug. 31
  • Modern Shag Night | Thursday, Aug. 31, Thursday, Sept. 7 | 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, Sept. 1
  • Live Music with Paisley Marie | Friday, Sept. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | Free | Enjoy live music amongst the plants at the Franklin Street location.
  • Chapin Labor Day Festival | Friday, Sept. 1-Monday, Sept. 4 | Various locations, Chapin | Free | Returning to the Chapin Labor Day festivities for this year is the Taste of Chapin, Chapin’s version of Restaurant Week.
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
City of West Columbia
 
Community

City

Help spread the love of reading this school year
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
A volunteer with Midlands Reading Consortium playing a reading game with a student.
Volunteering begins in early October 2023 and ends in May 2024. | Photo provided by United Way of the Midlands
Looking for an opportunity to make a difference and volunteer this year? Enter: Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC), a literacy-focused program that supplements and enhances shared reading experiences to ignite a love of reading for students in Pre-K-3rd grade.

MRC is a partnership between United Way of the Midlands and 19 elementary schools across Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Calhoun, and Orangeburg counties. Volunteers work with students one-on-one, once a week during the school year to help ensure they are reading proficiently by third grade (which is key to later student success).

While sessions last for 30 minutes, many volunteers choose to work with two students back-to-back for one hour during the week to increase their impact. MRC provides volunteers with free training, materials, and the support needed to help focus on improving language skills and reading for students.

This school year, MRC is introducing a STEM component to its programming. The goal: to destigmatize STEM by cultivating an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math from an early age among elementary students.
Ready, set, read — register for MRC
News Notes
Open
  • The Skinhouse, a new skincare business, is now open at 2000 Blossom St. in Five Points. Inspired by a Parisian open-concept skincare space, the beautique offers educational, interactive skin bars, and premium express services.
Real Estate
  • Columbia’s seen a 7.1% increase in home values, bucking the national trend of sluggish demand, according to a recent Redfin report. Cola came in just behind Charleston and Greenville for markets with biggest gains in home value.
Biz
  • A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last week for a new community resource center at the Kathryn M. Bellfield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center. The center will offer free space for local small businesses and nonprofits, operating Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weather
  • Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to impact the Midlands this week, potentially reaching hurricane strength before downgrading, according to the National Hurricane Center. Prepare for high winds, heavy rains, and possible flooding.
Outdoors
  • A new garden at Ballentine Richland Library aims to provide a sanctuary for displaced wildlife. Funded by the Richland County Conservation Commission and installed with help from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, the garden seeks to attract native species impacted by county development. (WLTX)
Community
  • The Central Midlands Council of Governments is hosting a public workshop today from 5 to 7 p.m., at Richland Library Southeast. The event will focus on transportation and land use along the Garners Ferry Road corridor and aims to gather citizen feedback.
Finance
  • How many cards are in your wallet? Make your answer “one.” Earn a $200 sign-up bonus simply by spending $500 in your first three months with this card. Pair that with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for your first 15 months — oh, and unlimited cash back.*
 
Award

And the winner is...

Wingard’s Market named Small Business of the Year
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The greenhouse at Wingard’s Market is filled with indoor plants to brighten your home. | Photo by COLAtoday
Wingard’s Market, a family-owned Garden Center in Lexington, was honored as the Small Business of the Year by the Lexington Chamber and Visitor’s Center last week.

Established in 1968, Wingard’s has been an area staple, not just for its plants but its efforts to give back to the community. The business sponsors local initiatives like Mission Lexington and the Lexington County Museum gala, and collaborates with Habitat for Humanity.

In recent years, Wingard’s has expanded its team to nearly 40 members and now offers much more than plants. Shop local at its Gift Shoppe, Produce Market, and Greenhouse. The latest addition, a Backyard Nature Center, is spearheaded by the owner’s son, Zach Steinhauser.

Zach, also the owner of Carolina Safari Company, educates the community about local wildlife and conservation through his documentary film, “Purple Haze: A Conservation Film,” and seasonal Purple Martin cruises to Bomb Island that always sell out.
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The Wrap
 
David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
Bluetile Skateboards in Five Points was packed out with Toro y Moi fans there to catch first listen and viewing of the new “Sandhills” film. The local skateshop had special merch for sale, custom Toro skateboards, and Village Idiot slices for all. There are still shirts for sale, so make sure to grab one before they sell out.
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