11.29.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

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

🌟 12 stellar neighborhoods

Columbia neighborhoods written in the stars

Aerial view of Main Street District buildings at sunset

You can’t beat a Soda City sunset. | Photo via Main Street District

One of the most loveable things about the Soda City is the distinct character found in each neighborhood, district, and corner of town. They all have their own personalities and purposes — some would say it was written in the stars. Let’s take a look at how our neighborhoods align with the zodiac signs.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Shandon

Taurus, known for their appreciation of stability and beauty, will feel at home in Shandon, one of the Soda City’s oldest neighborhoods. Shandon’s picturesque streets are lined with charming homes ranging from traditional to craftsman styles.

The neighborhood’s close proximity to shopping on Devine Street, the nightlife of Five Points, and local parks, along with its strong sense of community, offer Taurus everything it needs in the heart of Columbia.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Earlewood, Elmwood Park, Cottontown

Cancer, with its sentimental and nurturing traits, resonates with the charm of Earlewood, Elmwood Park, and Cottontown.

These neighborhoods on the north side of Columbia offer historic homes, peaceful streets, and a strong sense of community and comfort — qualities that Cancers cherish. They often meet in the middle at spots like Curiosity Coffee and The Vino Garage or at annual festivals like Cottontown Art Crawl + EarleJam.

Capricorn (Dec. 22- Jan. 19): Main Street District

For the hardworking Capricorn, Cola’s Main Street District is the ultimate blend of ambition and relaxation. The area offers a mix of art, live entertainment, and cultural events.

With places like Soda City Market for weekend explorations, First Thursday on Main for evening fun, and events at the Columbia Museum of Art, it caters to both your professional and personal sides. Not to mention, annual events like Columbia’s Greek Festival + Main Street Latin Festival highlight Cola’s diversity.

Is there a Columbia neighborhood that pairs perfectly with one of the zodiacs missing from our list? Tell us about it — bonus points if you can explain why.

This is your sign to click

City Guide presented by AllSouth Federal Credit Union.

Events

Wednesday, Nov. 29

Historic Columbia’s Holiday House Tours | Wednesday, Nov. 29-Saturday, Dec. 30 | Times vary | Hampton-Preston Manion, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | $18 | Tour guides will provide stories of holidays past in Columbia and discuss how families decorated and entertained during the 19th century.

Thursday, Nov. 30

Midlands Clay Arts Society Annual Holiday Sale | Thursday, Nov. 30, Friday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Stormwater Studios, 413 Pendleton St., Columbia | Price of purchase | Local ceramic artists will showcase their sculptural, functional, and whimsical wheel thrown and hand built ceramic art.
Holiday Planetarium Lighting | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 4-7 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Kick off the holiday season with an after-hours event featuring special shows, and shopping time in the museum store.
Home for the Holiday’s Pop Up Bar | Thu., Nov. 30 | 4 p.m. | The Venue, 1624 Main Street, Columbia | $10.00 - $50.00 | Step into a winter wonderland to sip on specially crafted holiday beverages and sing along to your favorite holiday tunes.*
Christmas in Cayce | Thu., Nov. 30, Fri., Dec. 1, Sat., Dec. 2 | 6 p.m. | City of Cayce/Cayce Riverwalk/Cayce Historical Museum, 1800 12th Street, Cayce | Free | Kick off the magic of Christmas with three unique events to celebrate Christmas in Cayce.*

Friday, Dec. 1

Gamecocks Mens Basketball vs. George Washington | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $10-$45 | Spend Friday night in the Vista watching the Gamecocks men’s basketball look to continue their winning season.
Shane Gillis Live | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $35-$45 | Known for sharp, unfiltered comedy, Shane Gillis brings his unique humor to the stage, blending edginess with captivating storytelling.
The Nutcracker | Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $10-$25 | Columbia Classical Ballet presents three nights of this holiday classic.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Santa Saturdays | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $6.95-$8.95 | Meet Santa at the South Carolina State Museum, see holiday shows, explore four floors of exhibitions and shop in the museum store every Saturday leading up to Christmas.
Holiday Meeting Street Artisan Market | Saturday, Dec. 2, Saturday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 16 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free | Stroll through a wonderland of artisan booths showcasing handcrafted jewelry, art pieces, and homemade treats — it’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local artists.*

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Pine Island, now a SC State Park on Lake Murray, is slated to open in 2024. The park’s development is underway following a land transfer to South Carolina’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism by Dominion Energy and a traffic study of the area. (The Post and Courier)

Opening

It’s the year of Banh Mi in Cola. Paris Banh Mi, a Florida-based Vietnamese sandwich restaurant, will open on Saturday at 3071 Longtown Commons Dr. in northeast Columbia, near Lexington Medical Center’s northeast campus. (The State)

Weather

Protect your plants, pets, and pipes — Cola’s seeing temps in the low 20s in some areas of the Midlands today. We’ll start to warm up late in the day on Thursday as the rain rolls in.

Eat

Taste of Lake Murray is set for Thursday, March 21 at the DoubleTree Hotel (2100 Bush River Rd.). This event is the fundraiser for fireworks at the annual 4th of July Celebration. The event features live music, regional dishes, and a silent auction. Snag an early bird ticket.

Concert

Cozy up to fire pits at Bierkeller Columbia during its Jazz Wintergarten by ColaJazz series happening on Tuesdays through December 19. The German-inspired brewery overlooking the river also offers “2x Tuesday” where you get double rewards on purchases.

Plan Ahead

Ring in the New Year at The Hoot on Rosewood. The neighborhood bar’s NYE party will feature two live bands, a DJ, a special menu, and a dance floor so you can show off your Toosie Slide. Tickets are available beginning Friday and Include a champagne toast and hassle-free overnight parking.

Finance

We aren’t given many 21-month grace periods. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day... time speeds by between them. But The Ascent found a credit card offering 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months — among the longest we’ve seen to avoid interest charges. Learn more.*

Health

Caring for someone at the end of their life can feel overwhelming — and you may be asked to make decisions on your loved one’s behalf. How do you know when hospice is right? See what Prisma Health hospice and palliative care physician, Keais Pope, MD, has to say about hospice decisions.*

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.*

The Buy

The Buy 11.29.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Anything off of this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.

Answered

Have you decorated your home for the holidays yet? Here’s what you said:

If you’re in the 34% percent who haven’t started your holiday decorating, find a tree or greenery on the SC Christmas Tree Association website showing locally grown trees including the Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, Leyland and Murray Cypress, Eastern Red Cedar and Deodar Cedar, White Pine and Virginia Pine. Did you know you had so many options?

Share COLAtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_10}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Here are a few Christmas tree tips I’ve learned from personal experience over the years:

Shake the tree down outside. Of course for the loose needles, but one year we shook out a small green snake.
Measure twice and account for the height of the tree stand.
Have patience with the fam when you’re checking for vertical alignment. This is more our speed.
Don’t forget to water that thirsty evergreen.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY