11.01.2023

Today’s Forecast

55º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:43 a.m. | Sunset 6:31 p.m.

🏀 Gamecocks hoopin’ for a big season

Gear up for the 2023-24 Gamecock Season

Second year Coach Lamont Paris during the school’s Alma Mater. | Photo by Gamecock Athletics

The Gamecock men’s and women’s basketball programs are in two different positions again this year. The Gamecock men are looking to prove the pundits wrong, and the women have their eyes on another championship run.

Let’s take a quick look at this year’s teams.

Gamecock Women’s Basketball as they announce their starting lineup at Colonial Life Arena. | Photo by Gamecock Athletics

Gamecock WBB

Following the departure of the acclaimed “Freshies” class, the Gamecocks women’s basketball team is eager to establish a new legacy with a team of seasoned leaders and a heaping of fresh talent.

Veteran players Kamilla Cardoso, Bree Hall, and Raven Johnson are stepping up to guide the team, with Kamilla embracing a leadership role. Newcomer Te-Hina Paopao, a transfer from Oregon, has quickly become a pivotal team leader.

Ranked No. 6 in the AP preseason poll, the Gamecocks are ready to fight back to the SEC and NCAA championship.

Hometown Hero

Columbia native MiLaysia Fulwiley is one of the top new faces on the team, whom Coach Staley praised as a “generational talent.”

Home opener

The Gamecocks will take on No. 14 Maryland in their home opener on Sunday, Nov. 12. The game will likely sell out, so if you can’t get a ticket, be sure to tune in to ABC at 1 p.m.

Gamecock MBB

Gamecock men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris made the point at a recent press conference that the SEC predictions from last year were completely wrong. The Gamecocks are predicted to finish last.

With seven returning players, Coach Paris has utilized the transfer portal, bringing in veteran players like graduate transfers B.J. Mack, Stephen Clark, Ta’Lon Cooper, and junior guard Myles Stute. Junior guard Meechie Johnson, back from NBA draft consideration, could have a breakout season. We also hear they can shoot.

Hometown hero

Cola native and A.C. Flora graduate Collin Murray-Boyles hopes to make a big impact as a freshman and is ranked by The Athletic’s Tobias Bass as the No. 13 high-impact freshman in Division I basketball.

Home opener

Watch the Gamecocks take on Wofford in a charity exhibition at 7 p.m. tonight at Colonial Life Arena. Admission is $10 with funds going to support Maui Strong Fund. Admission is free for students.

Events

Wednesday, Nov. 1

1 Million Cups | Wednesday, Nov. 1 | 9-10 a.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Join this event for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the thriving peer network of founders in Columbia.

Thursday, Nov. 2

First Thursday | Thursday, Nov. 2 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia participate in First Thursday on Main by keeping their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more.
Joshua Ray Walker: What Is It Even Tour w/ Jayce Turley | Thursday, Nov. 2 | 7-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $15 | In the vein of country songwriters like Blaze Foley and John Prine, Joshua is the latest of the Texas singer-songwriters.

Friday, Nov. 3

Fall Back Festival | Friday, Nov. 3 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Corner of State and Meeting Streets, Columbia | This free event perfectly celebrates the fall season with live music, art, food, and drinks.
Meet the Author: Walter Mosley | Friday, Nov. 3 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame in 2013, Walter is the winner of the O. Henry Award, The Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award, a Grammy, and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Jam Room Music Festival | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 12-10 p.m. | Downtown Columbia, Main St., Columbia | Free | Jam Room Music Festival returns to Columbia, SC’s Main Street with a diverse line-up of national, regional, and local acts on two stages.
Opera at USC - Le Nozze di Figaro | Saturday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Drayton Hall Theatre, 1214 College St., Columbia | $10-$25 | Known also as The Marriage of Figaro, the comic opera was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Sunday, Nov. 5

12,000 Year History Park - Native American Lifeways | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 1120 Fort Congaree Trail, Cayce | Free | Walk the beautiful trails at the 12,000 Year History Park to learn more about how the historic resources of the park are relevant to the lives and culture of Native peoples today, including the Cherokees and Catawbas.

Calendar events here

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Shop

COLA Holiday Picks: Southeastern Esthetics Institute

The Massage Therapy Program is a new and innovative education opportunity at Southeastern Esthetics Institute. | Courtesy of Southeastern Esthetics Institute

This season, we’re helping you shop for all your holiday gifting and hosting needs by highlighting local businesses, like Southeastern Esthetics Institute.

Southeastern Esthetics Institute provides its students with the most modern business knowledge and business ownership assistance for its graduates, as well as in-depth science knowledge and well-rounded clinical care education that sets its students apart.

Here are our top Holiday Picks from the brand:

Massage Therapy Program — learn how to apply massage techniques to treat soft tissue injuries, chronic pain and myofascial injury, and structural and postural distortions
Nail Technology Program — the primary focus of this curriculum is sanitation, infection control, ingredient knowledge, and science-based understanding
Esthetics Licensure Course — learn from industry experts and perfect your skills as you work with real clients

Learn something new this Holiday Season

News Notes

Coming Soon

Lincoln Street Bakery and Cafe is coming soon to 1213 Lincoln St. in the Vista with hopes to open by Valentine’s Day. Owner Sharisa Boyle, transitioning from Cake Collection Boutique in Irmo, will focus on baked goods and breakfast items. (Free Times)

Real Estate

Colliers’ Craig Waites brokered the sale of a 37.4-acre land tract at I-20 and Spears Creek Church Road in Northeast Columbia for a 300-townhome development. The buyer, Spears Creek Towns, will partner with Colliers to re-sell three acres for retail. (Who’s on the Move)

Number

$146,952. That’s how much Historic Columbia made in rentals over the last year via 125 bookings and 34 weddings. Check out the new fall annual report highlighting its fiscal year in growth and the new research robot for local history.

Festival

The Korean Festival returns to downtown Columbia on Saturday, showcasing traditional music, dance, Taekwondo, and a K-Pop contest. Enjoy bulgogi, kimchi, and more, with food tickets available on-site. Admission is free.

Plan Ahead

Celebrate the Day of the Dead with Palmetto Luna Arts in Boyd Plaza at the Columbia Museum of Art on Saturday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event will include live music from LOS DEL 954 Norteño Band, folkloric dances, an interactive altar, live art, and kids activities.

Seasonal

‘Tis the season at the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Visitor’s Center with the Holiday Open House and Gift Shop Sale opening on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Grab a Lake Murray gift, including the exclusive “Murray & Bright” holiday t-shirt.

State

The SC Department of Motor Vehicles will offer self-service kiosks in grocery stores known as “SCDMV Express,” allowing customers to complete select tasks instead of going to the DMV. The first Midlands location will open in November at the Kroger Marketplace at Killian Crossing (1028 Roberts Branch Pkwy.).

Health

Finding out you have prediabetes can be a shock — and questions can abound. Here’s everything you need to know about prediabetes and what to do next.*

Try This

🇹🇹 New Caribbean cuisine

A Taste of Trinidad in the Midlands

Trini Lime Caribbean Cafe is now open across the street from Piecewise in Cayce. | Photo by COLAtoday

Trini Lime Caribbean Cafe, the Midland’s first Trinidadian restaurant, is now open at 2008 State St. in Cayce.

Trinidad native Chef Sullange Soloman, known by some for her popular pepper sauce at Soda City Market, is now showcasing the full spectrum of island flavors at her very own restaurant.

Now open Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the restaurant will soon expand its hours to include Sunday brunch and more.

The Sunday brunch will feature eight dishes, live music, or a DJ, in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. You can bring a big appetite, but you’ll surely still have leftovers for dinner.

What’s the first dish you should try off the menu? From daily specials like Sada Roti, saltfish, and tomato choke to everyday dishes like stew fish or curry goat, there’s a variety of flavor-packed island dishes to try from Chef Sullange.

The Buy

The Buy 11.01.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Lume whole-body deodorant. It goes on as a lotion (yes, it’s true) and targets the bacteria that cause odor to keep you smelling good for 72 hours.

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I stopped by Trini Lime Caribbean Cafe in Cayce after seeing a Facebook post that it was recently opened to poke my head in. A voice from the sky, or a security system, told me to wait five minutes. It was owner and chef Sullange Soloman who rushed back and gave me a full tour and rundown of the menu. When I asked her what I should try first, she told me everything was delicious, and I couldn’t go wrong. I’ll take it.

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