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Coming Soon

• Great American Whiskey Fair | Friday, Oct. 6 | 5:30-9 p.m. | 701 Whaley, 701 Whaley St., Columbia | $90 | This is an evening of festive appreciation dedicated to America’s native spirit and its culture, as well as to whiskey from around the globe, from cask to glass.
• Fallapalozza | Friday, Oct. 6 | 6 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St., Lexington | $18 | The show will be headlined by Angry Chair: Tribute to Alice in Chains.
• American Aquarium | Friday, Oct. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $20 | This popular NC Americana band will be joined by local act Admiral Radio.
• 2023 Annual Blythewood Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 6-Saturday, Oct. 7 | Times vary | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | Free | There will be German food and beverages, biergartens, and swag for the whole family.

• Rosewood Art & Music Festival | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Rosewood Park, Columbia | Free | This one-day festival is a nonprofit event showcasing the artsy side of the historic neighborhood.
• Columbia Craft Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 1-10 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Company, 520 Greene St., Columbia | Free | Celebrate with the release of the new Festbier and grab a Curry Wurst from The Wurst Wagen.

• Miniature Market | Sunday, Oct. 8 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | NoMa Warehouse will be transformed into a wonderland of tiny creations.

• Blow-fill-seal manufacturing: Nephron’s facility was designed to be a leader in blow-fill-seal (BFS) manufacturing. This technology forms, fills, and seals vials in one continuous process. With BFS technology, Nephron is able to produce one billion doses of generic respiratory and other sterile compounded medications each year.
• Automated syringe fillers: Nephron uses automated machinery designed to fill and cap syringes. These robotic arms can fill more than 1,000 syringes per hour.
• Laser-guided vehicles: These unmanned forklifts transport finished medications from Nephron’s manufacturing lines to its warehouse, where an automated packaging system places the vials into cartons for shipping.

• Doug and Sabrina Seidenstricker are opening The Tent Coffee Shop in Lexington’s Old Mill, transitioning from Sabrina’s salon, Studio B. The shop, focusing on gourmet coffees and prepared foods, is near the soon-to-open Mill Pond walking trail. The Tent aims to open in December. (Lexington Chronicle)

• West Fraser, a leading North American timber producer, is investing $17.7 million in its Newberry County sawmill, marking its third expansion in the past decade. The project will create 30 jobs and is set to be operational by early 2024.

• Cayce’s Piecewise Coffee is the top choice in The State’s reader poll for the Midlands’ favorite coffee shops, securing 40 percent of over 30,000 votes. Owned by twins Jacob and Zach Kirby since September 2022, the coffee shop is considering expanding to new areas.

• Richland County residents can drop off unwanted household items on Richland Recycles Day, happening Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Drop off items, including tires, scrap metal, household hazardous waste, and paper for shredding at Columbia Place Mall’s former Sears building parking lot.

• $750,000. That’s how much Playfora, a tech startup, received in funding, mostly from Comeback Capital. The tech platform looks to integrate charitable giving with bargain shopping. (The Post and Courier)

• SC is predicted to experience average temperatures and an exceptionally rainy winter, according to forecasts from the Farmers’ Almanac and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (The State)

• Fall means perfect biking weather — and studies have shown that e-bike riders typically ride more often (and for longer distances) than traditional bike riders. This brand carries new and certified pre-owned e-bikes at up to 60% off retail; delivering them 99% assembled to your doorstep. Use code RUN for $100 off.*

• National Manufacturing Day. Interested in getting into the manufacturing field? Explore jobs at Nephron Pharmaceuticals, located right here in the Midlands.*

• Trick or treat yourself to Publico at BullStreet’s Halloween pop-up, Nightmare on BullStreet, happening all month long. Sip creative seasonal spirits in Halloween-themed tiki mugs while surrounded by floor-to-ceiling spooky decor, and more. Get the details.*

• Your COLAtoday Editors here. We care about Columbia. We also care about the people in it. That’s why every day, we bring you positive, impactful news stories about our city — skipping the political talk, crime coverage, and biased reporting. Support our approach to local news by joining our COLAtoday membership club.