Columbia Skyline at Night by Timothy M.

Concrete and Gold by Valerie B.

Derby Day by Freddy L.

• USC Men’s Basketball vs. Kentucky Wildcats Men’s Basketball | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $30-$65 | The Gamecocks take on the No. 8 Wildcats.
• Sew Divine: A Gathering of Crafters | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | Times vary | Richland Library Southeast, Southeast Social Meeting Lab 1 7421 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia | Bring your portable craft projects and share some fun with fellow crafters.

• South Carolina Green Industry Association Conference & Trade Show | Wednesday, Jan. 24-Thursday, Jan. 25 | Times vary | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia | $25+ | The South Carolina Green Industry Association will bring together over 100 exhibitors and 17 industry speakers.

• Exploring the Quilts of Peggie Hartwell Opening reception and artist talk | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 5:30-7 p.m. | 2nd floor, McKissick Museum, 816 Bull St., Columbia | Free | Hartwell will discuss her work and her experiences teaching children to make story quilts.
• Art in Focus with Dr. Frank Martin | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | In a series of spotlight talks, Dr. Frank Martin explores themes found in an individual artwork on view, offering an opportunity to discover new insights with a true fine arts specialist.
• Business Networking Happy Hour | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 5-7 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Make meaningful connections with other business-minded Soda Citizens at Happy Hour.

• Moon Over Buffalo at Town Theatre | Friday, Jan. 26-Saturday, Jan. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Columbia | $15-$25 | It’s 1953 in Buffalo where actors, George and Charlotte Hay, are fading faster than a New York minute.
• Private Winter Book Sale | Friday, Jan. 26, Friday, April 26 | Times vary | Richland Library Operations Center, 130 Lancewood Rd., Columbia | Donors with gifts of $25 or more in the past year are eligible to attend the private sale.

• Alpine Wine Tasting | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 3-4 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $33 | Sip and learn about the wines of Alpine region of Europe and try six different wines with advanced sommelier Jonathan Lopez.

• The Roses & Rosé tasting hosted by Lula Drake’s Tim Gardner
• Art Class: Floral Design led by Sarah Shell, founder of Fern Studio Flowers
• Classes where you can learn to make paper with plants, the Japanese art of flower arranging, and more
• A demonstration and dialogue with Louesa Roebuck, author of “Punk Ikebana” and “Foraged Flora”
• New this year, two Foraging Walks with Matt Kip of Full Belly Foraging
• The Art Blossoms Sunday Teatime

• USC is looking into a potential campus redevelopment plan, featuring a $240 million reconstruction of Russell House, new student housing, and revitalization of historic sites. The proposal aims to address the university’s growing student population + enhance campus facilities. Pending approval, construction could commence in summer 2025. (The Daily Gamecock)

• NAI Columbia’s Kelly Team secured Lowes Foods as the first anchor tenant for Platt Springs Crossing, a 57-acre mixed-use development in Lexington, SC. Set to include a 51,000 sqft Lowes Foods, the project is underway, with the first openings expected in early 2025, and a Lowes Foods opening in Q3 of 2025.

• USC’s Associate Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator Pete Lembo was announced as the new head football coach for the University of Buffalo. Lembowill will lead the Bulls and make his debut on Thursday, Aug. 29. (The State)

• Columbia saw a 5.3% year-over-year increase in home prices, with the median listing price reaching $299,900 in December. The prediction for 2024 suggests a more balanced market with a slight easing of home prices, according to several realtor sources. (The State)

• Mason, the Columbia Fireflies’ mascot, is spreading love this Valentine’s Day. Fans within 20 miles of Segra Park can receive a special delivery including a Firefly squishy, two opening night tickets (Tuesday, April 9), and flowers for $50. Valentine’s packages can be delivered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, or Wednesday, Feb. 14.

• USC’s head football coach Shane Beamer welcomes James Coley as the wide receivers coach and Marquel Blackwell joins as the running backs coach. Coley is renowned for recruiting + Blackwell helped lead one of the best rushing offenses in the nation.

• Tom Hall, a prominent figure in Columbia’s cultural and entrepreneurial communities, passed away on Saturday. Known for leading The Plowboys and founding Mardi Gras Columbia, Hall was the owner of Between the Antlers in Georgetown, SC. (The Post and Courier)

• ICYMI, our latest edition of COLA Wellness in partnership with Prisma Health features: local ways to make New Year’s resolutions more fun, deets on a new sauna fitness studio, how to beat the flu + more. Subscribe (and never miss an issue).*

• Cozy and cold winter mornings call for something sweet for breakfast. Whip up this maple french toast bake or these banana oat pancakes and thank us later.*

“6 April Haiku” by Chelsea B.

“Mourning Routine” by Rachel M.