10.13.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

🚲 Get to know this community cycling group

Get to know community cycling group Street Meat

The Street Meat biking group rides Peak to Prosperity is Columbia, SC.

Street Meat is sponsored by local businesses like Outspokin’ Bicycles and Cola Town Bike Collective. | Photo by @streetmeatcola

If you’ve ever looked into trying a new hobby (or restarting one that you used to love) only to be met by an intimidating or exclusive crowd, chances are you didn’t pursue it. That’s why local community cycling group Street Meat has built its principles around creating an inclusive environment for all.

What’s the meaning behind the name?

It’s inspired by some of the dangers of urban cycling as well as its phonic similarity to “street meet.” South Carolina has been ranked the fifth most dangerous state for bicyclists, so the group was founded in 2020 to provide Cola riders with a space to explore bike-friendly streets in the area. Fun fact: It’s a “no drop” group, meaning no rider gets left behind.

Street Meat riders grabbing some grub at WECO Bottle and Biergarten in Columbia, SC. — Street Meat riders grabbing some grub at WECO Bottle and Biergarten.
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Photo by @streetmeatcola

Want to join Street Meat for a ride?

The group hosts weekly rides on Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m. The rides begin in the parking lot of Cola Town Bike Collective + typically include 1-2 stops at a local bar for food and drinks. While rides vary in length, the first ride of the month is typically the shortest, clocking in at ~6-8 miles and ending back at the Collective for a cookout.

The rest of the month’s weekly rides are between 10 and 16 miles + Street Meat posts the routes for these rides on its Instagram beforehand so that people know what to expect.

To ride, you must fill out a waiver + have a light and a helmet.

In addition to its weekly meetups, Street Meat hosts other community rides and activities like scavenger hunts, family days, and volunteer clean ups. Announcements about these events are made on Street Meat’s Instagram + website.

Events

Friday, Oct. 13

The NoMa Flea | Friday, Oct. 13 | 6-9 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.
Folklore & Legends Lantern Tour | Friday, Oct. 13 | 7-8 p.m. | Historic Camden, 222 Broad St., Camden | $10 | This popular tour involves some walking, so come prepared.

Saturday, Oct. 14

First Time Homebuyer Workshop | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Foundation Mortgage Corporation, 2330 Devine St., Columbia | Free | Find out what options are available to finance a first home, learn about steps that can be taken to prepare for home ownership, and gain the insights that will make a first home purchase as successful as possible.

Sunday, Oct. 15

Nightmare on Bullstreet Brunch | Sunday, Oct. 15, Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Publico, 2013 Greene St, Columbia | $10 | Grab your friends and get dressed in your finest Halloween getup.
Oktoberfest at Bierkeller | Saturday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 15 | 12 p.m. | Bierkeller, 600 Canalside, Columbia | Free | Bierkeller has that Oktoberfest feels year-round, but the new German-inspired bar will host its first official festivities this year at the new Canalside location.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Tech

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News Notes

Cause

Twenty-six organizations in the Midlands received a collective $1.4 million to help improve the well-being of community members. A few of the orgs that received funds were Brookland Lakeview Empowerment Center, Camp Cole, Sistercare, Feonix Mobility Rising, MedNeed of SC, and Palmetto Place.

Seasonal

This is the last call for submissions in our COLAtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest. Decorate your pumpkin, take a picture, and submit it by this Sunday, Oct. 15 for a chance to win the inaugural COLAtoday best jack-o’-lantern award. Make a submission.

Plan Ahead

Mark your calendar — Art in the Yard will return to Historic Melrose on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The free, family-friendly market will be spread across multiple blocks in the neighborhood, showcasing ~100 artisan vendors + food trucks.

Outdoors

The Bassmaster Elite Series will return to Lake Murray between May 9-12, 2024 at Dreher Island State Park. This will be the professional fishing tournament’s 10th time at Lake Murray + the 2024 series will include nine events across six states, including South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, New York, and Florida.

Travel

Calling all ghost hunters. Take a road trip down to Jacksonboro — a small South Carolina Town that’s ~2 hours from Soda City. It recently ranked No. 5 in the US for having the most ghost sightings. Learn about Jacksonboro’s spooky sightings + plan a trip. (The State)

Film

According to a study by USDish, South Carolina’s favorite Halloween movie is “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Did they get it right? What is your favorite movie to watch during spooky season? Let us know + we may share your answer in an upcoming newsletter.

Soda Citizen

And the best neighbor award goes to… you, for directly supporting COLAtoday with the gift of your membership. Not only will you join our super cool membership club (and get perks including birthday shoutouts), but you’ll keep this newsletter free for the entire neighborhood. Way to go, neighbor.

Health

Thinking of scheduling a mammogram? Good for you. If this is your first one, you might have some questions (and maybe a little anxiety). Here’s what to know before you go.*

Wellness

Noticing hair changes? Root causes of hair thinning can change over time making it difficult to know where to begin. Learn more about how Nutrafol can help.*

State

💡 South Carolina’s energy bill by the numbers

South Carolina’s average monthly energy bill is $465

Passionate about parks, planning, or public art? There’s likely a board for that. | Photo by @sodacityaerials

In a recent WalletHub study, South Carolina ranked the No. 29 most energy-expensive state in the US. We’re breaking down what this ranking means + how our state stacks up against others.

Methodology

WalletHub formulated an equation to compare “the average monthly energy bills in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.” The equation accounted for residential energy types, including electricity, natural gas, motor fuel + home heating oil.

South Carolina’s stats

Average total energy cost: $465
Average monthly electric cost + rank: $170; No. 3
Average monthly natural gas cost + rank: $87; No. 15
Average monthly motor fuel cost + rank: $149; No. 36
Average monthly home heating oil cost + rank: $59; No. 34

Comparisons

Wyoming ranked the No. 1 most energy-expensive state with an average monthly energy cost of $845.
North Carolina ranked the No. 31 most energy-expensive state.
Hawaii has the highest average cost of natural gas at $186 per month.

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The Wrap

Emily Shea wearing a black shirt next to houseplants

Today’s edition by:
Emily

From the editor

My favorite movies to watch during spooky season are “Hocus Pocus” and anything that’s part of “The Conjuring” Universe — my favorite being “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.”

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