Plus, SC is the best state for manufacturing in 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.
 

Consider this our meet cute

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves — meet the COLAtoday City Editors
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Meet Sam and David. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Hi Cola, Sam + David here — the faces behind your fave ~5-min. morning newsletter. Between the two of us, we enjoy sharing local news, events, and conversations on the coolest happenings in Cola.

You’re probably thinking — wait. I’ve been seeing these guy’s faces at the bottom of my newsletter for a while now. We know. But with so many new faces, we felt like we wanted to take the opportunity to formally reintroduce ourselves.

So, without further ado,

Meet David

Question 1: What makes you the local expert in Cola?

A: I’ve lived in five different Cola neighborhoods since moving here to attend USC in 2002, and tried to make myself a regular at a local business in each area.

Question 2: If you were taking someone on a tour around Cola, where are the three places you’re going?

A: I’d begin the day with a walk around the USC campus and explore the hidden areas around the Horseshoe. Hopefully, that walk helped work up our appetite for a chicken sandwich from Drake’s Duck-In, followed by a trip to the Columbia Museum of Art.

Question 3: If you could only write about one Cola-specific topic for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Columbia’s music scene. I filmed and edited live videos with 49 local musicians at iconic Cola locations + public art installations over the past few years.

Meet Sam

Question 1: What were the last 3 things you did downtown?

A: I grabbed Saturday brunch at The Gourmet Shop, tagged along while my husband bought a new skateboard at Bluetile Skateboards, and got Gong Cha milk tea for the ride home.

Question 2: If you could only write about one Cola-specific topic for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: I enjoy writing about the history of Columbia. I learn more about my city, and I absolutely love it when readers email us with memories.

Question 3: If you were writing a song about Cola, what would your first line be?

A: “Columbia is the best city in SC; live here for a while and you’ll see.”
Events
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Wednesday, Sept. 6
  • Blythewood Farmers Market | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 4-7 p.m. | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | This market has food, live music, and special promotional events throughout the year (don’t miss the free wine tasting every 3rd week).
Thursday, Sept. 7
  • First Thursday | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in the Main Street District keep their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more.
Friday, Sept. 8
  • The Big Grab | Friday, Sept. 8-Saturday, Sept. 9 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m. | Various locations | Free | Shop the annual 50-mile yard sale and take home a few treasures.
  • Columbia Craft Kickoff | Friday, Sept. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Company, 520 Greene St., Columbia | $15 | Kickoff the USC football season at Columbia Craft with a tour of the brewery, live music, food trucks, and a free pint of your choice.
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
Cause

How to help local high schoolers reach their career goals
A mentorship meeting through Young Men United.
Make a local impact by mentoring 10th- and 11th-grade students. | Courtesy of United Way of the Midlands
Last spring, United Way of the Midlands launched Young Men United (YMU) — a program to help 10th- and 11th-grade students get to college, excel through it, and begin their careers.

The program is designed to increase post-secondary education attainment + retention and improve workforce development for young Black men, working to reduce the inequity gaps they face.

In a few short months, YMU has expanded its workforce development initiative to four high schools around Soda City: Eau Claire, Richland Northeast, Columbia, and Irmo.

United Way plans to scale the program to 200 students in the next five years. Read: More volunteer mentors are needed to help these young men reach their academic and career dreams (see what it’s like). United Way is recruiting 60 in-person and virtual mentors for the 2023-24 school year.
Volunteer to help local students succeed
News Notes
Opening
  • Kao Thai is hosting a grand opening ceremony and drop-in celebration on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at its newest location beside Cantina 76 on Main Street. Enjoy happy hour specials, live music, and paint portraits.
Plan Ahead
  • The Big Red Barn Retreat is hosting the Fall Jam at the Ballpark on Saturday, Oct. 7, and features Grand Ole Opry Member and Multi-Platinum songwriter and country music artist Chris Janson. Tickets start at $25 and will take place at Segra Park to honor military + first responders.
Development
  • We’ve had a few pickleball fans reach out and ask about the progress on 24-hour Pickleball coming to 4590 Augusta Rd. in Lexington. Good news — concrete has been poured + the bubble building is to be installed next week.
State
  • SC is the best state for manufacturing in 2023. Site Selection Group, a consultant firm that helps companies find locations for operations, ranks states based on workforce talent, operating costs, and geographic access.
Arts
 
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The Wrap
 
Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam
From the editor
I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day and spent time with friends and family. Also, I’m not trying to get too far ahead of myself, but the weather this week looks pretty promising; even dropping into the 60s some nights this week. I wish Fall would hurry, but events like the annual Nightmare in Elmwood 5K have me excited for more fall weather festivities.
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