10.16.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

Culture

Who belongs on Columbia’s Mt. Rushmore?

An image of Mt. Rushmore with questions marks replacing the faces of the four boulders.

Switch it, change it, rearrange it — what rocking four belong here? | Graphic by 6AM City

Help us out with this monumental question — who would you put on a Mount Rushmore for Columbia?

Last week, we asked you to submit your recommendations — we chiseled down the results and gathered the top 10 names submitted.

Mary McLeod Bethune | Mary Bethune emerged as a pivotal Black educator and advocate, founding Bethune-Cookman College and advising President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Bob Coble | As Columbia’s mayor from 1990–2010, Bob Coble championed downtown revitalization and initiated the Three Rivers Greenway.

Cocky | This Gamecock mascot, with their community of Cocky’s Reading Express, makes an impressive entrance at home football games and often shows up at weddings.

Alex English | Columbia native and USC basketball standout, English dominated the NBA in the 1980s, becoming the decade’s top scorer and earning a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Kirkman Finlay Jr. | Mayor Finlay served from 1978 to 1986 and championed projects like establishing the Koger Center, initiating the Congaree Vista development, and relocating railroads to improve traffic flow.

Narciso Gonzales | The co-founder of The State newspaper advocated for journalistic integrity and reform, solidifying his legacy even after his assassination by Lieutenant Gov. James H. Tillman in 1903.

Robert Mills | Born in Charleston, architect Robert Mills designed many well-known buildings and private residences in Columbia, along with 18 courthouses across the state.

George Rogers | George Washington Rogers Jr., USC’s legendary running back, won the 1980 Heisman Trophy and remains an iconic figure in Columbia with a statue outside of Williams-Brice Stadium.

Dawn Staley | As Gamecock women’s head basketball coach, Coach Staley has achieved unparalleled success, including multiple national championships and perennial top rankings, while being a beacon for community service.

A’ja Wilson | Recognized as the most decorated athlete in South Carolina’s history, she holds 86 school records, was the unanimous National Player of the Year in 2017-18, the first three-time SEC Player of the Year, and was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft.

Asked

Who would you put on a Mount Rushmore for Columbia?

Vote for your top four by filling out our finalist survey at the button below by Monday, Oct. 23. The winners from this ballot will then be featured in a special newsletter celebrating their achievements, with — of course — visuals of what we think their mountain would look like. It’s a face-off, Cola.

Join the conversation

Events

Monday, Oct. 16

October Harvest Dinner | Monday, Oct. 16 | 6:30 p.m. | City Roots Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd., Columbia | $85 | Enjoy a four-course dinner by Chef + Owner Kristian Niemi of Bourbon, Black Rooster, F2T Productions, and Honey River Catering, featuring local seasonal ingredients.
Yoga in the Galleries | Monday, Oct. 16 | 6-7 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $12-$15 | Begin your week with a restorative beginner’s yoga practice appropriate for all skill levels.

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Spooky Terrarium Workshop | Tuesday, Oct. 17 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $45 | Your ticket includes terrarium glass, plants, moss, miniature figurines, and all of the tools, soils, and amendments you’ll need to make your own spooky terrarium.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

4th Annual Contractors for Hope | Wednesday, Oct. 18 | 5-10 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | $100 | Your ticket includes an open bar, appetizers, dinner, raffles, and silent auction items.

Thursday, Oct. 19

19th Annual Palladium Silent Auction | Bidding & BBQ | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 7-10 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | $40-$60 | Dozens of items will be up for auction, including destination packages, experiential packages to explore local cultural sites, behind-the-scenes tours, and gift cards.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Finance

That vacation you’ve been planning could disappear

Experts say The Credit Card Competition Act could destroy the future of credit card rewards and cash back. | Photo by Delmaine Donson/Getty Images

Have you heard about The Credit Card Competition Act?

Currently: Card issuers use robust payment networks to process card charges, and charge the merchant a fee to fund card benefits and secure their network.
Proposal: If passed, the act could move that payment to a cheaper, less secure network, reducing card issuers’ abilities to fund rewards programs.
Future: Without funds, credit card points and miles could disappear overnight.

Good news: Citizens can contact their representative to protect their points.

Learn more

This message is brought to you by The Points Guy.

News Notes

Sports

The Bash at Ridge View High School — a basketball showcase featuring some of the top high school players in the nation — will be held Dec. 7-9. Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA great Carmelo Anthony, will be playing in the showcase. Grab a ticket.

Health

Lexington Medical Center received Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention from the American College of Cardiology. The accreditation means that the center is proficient in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating individuals who may be experiencing a heart attack.

Outdoors

Fall migration has hit Congaree National Park. Monarchs are Mexico-bound, hawks head south, and warblers journey to the equator. Let us know what you spot in your neck of the woods.

Seasonal

Kick off Halloween weekend at Smoked’s Mad Hatter Tea Party on Friday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. Dive into the world of Alice in Wonderland with live performances, themed decorations, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Use code “COLATODAY” for $5 off tickets. Purchase tickets here.

Biz

Located in West Columbia, Nephron Pharmaceuticals’ award-winning, 800,000+ sqft facility boasts a completely automated manufacturing, packaging, and distribution process. Here’s how they do it.*

Holiday

Celebrate the holiday season at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, where sunshine and splendor mingle with decked halls and salt-kissed air. Enjoy fun festivities like Santa’s island arrival, the unveiling of a chocolate masterpiece, a tree-lighting ceremony, and award-winning Lowcountry holiday feasts. Start planning your holiday getaway.*

Featured Deal

Is your home’s exterior covered in dirt, grime, or mold after the long summer months? Ford & Sims Pressure Washing LLC’s professional pressure washing and driveway cleaning services can help make your home shine. And they’re offering a fall special: Schedule your appointment (803-351-6086) and receive 10% off — snag the deal.*

Try This

What would you do with $1 million? Retire early? Buy a vacation home? All of the above? ICYMI, here’s your chance: The Two Million Dollar Puzzle awards each buyer with a cash reward — and two people will snag that lucky $1 million. Use code 6AMCITY for an extra 10% off.*

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Thanks to everyone who submitted their designs to our 2023 pumpkin carving contest. We received some amazing submissions, and we can’t wait to select the finalists and present them to you all. Stay tuned. 🎃

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