The City of Cayce announced the grand opening of its new TRACK Trail yesterday at the Cayce Riverwalk (201 Naples Avenue, Cayce). The new TRACK Trail is designed to transform an ordinary hike into an engaging adventure for families and is a part of Kids in Parks — a free national program that encourages folks to explore the outdoors through interactive activities.
Visitors are invited to use self-guided brochures that offer activities and educational experiences throughout the 1.4-mile trail. Pro tip: some of the most popular activity brochures are offered in Spanish or bilingual Spanish/English versions.
Need a rainy day activity? Pro tip: several of the popular TRACK Trail brochures have been turned into e-Adventures that children can enjoy on a smartphone or tablet. Explore and complete activities in various locations, whether it’s the backyard, schoolyard, local park, an official TRACK Trail, or anywhere else.
“The City of Cayce is grateful to Kids in Parks for selecting our prized Riverwalk as a site for this cool, educational, and healthy opportunity. We look forward to watching the public enjoy it for years to come,” Tracy Hegler, the Cayce City Manager, said.
Several trail activities
Types of Trees | This activity helps children identify various species of oak, maple, and pine trees along the trail.
Birds of the Woods and Wetlands | This activity provides information for helping to identify local bird species.
Pro tip: you can also choose your own TRACKtivity adventure based on the season. Check out a list of Spring TRACKtivities or plan ahead for summer.
Sushi Making Class at Hanabi | Thursday, May 16 | 6-8 p.m. | Hanabi Hibachi and Sushi, 1624 Main St. #100, Columbia | $75-$130 | Learn the art of creating delicious sushi rolls.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Thursday, May 16 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $6-$18 | Halfway to Halloween: Show up to Segra Park in costume and join the Fireflies as they celebrate the halfway point to Halloween.*
Friday, May 17
The Last Match: A Pro-Wrestling Rock Experience | Friday, May 17 | 8 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $29.50 | Watch this rock experience with pro wrestlers Mickie James, Simon Miller, Bull James, Afa Jr., McKenzie Mitchell, and Matt Rehwoldt.
2024 Red, White, and Brews | Friday, May 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Irmo Town Park, 7330 Carlisle St., Irmo | $40-$50 | Enjoy an evening of hand-selected wines, craft beer, food from local restaurants, live music from Rhythm 54.
Saturday, May 18
SC Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival | Saturday, May 18 | South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | $5 for parking | Try some of the area’s most popular food trucks and regional brews.
Artist Pop-Up Featuring Somer Parker-Palmer | Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19 | Times vary | Columbia Visitors Center, 1120 Lincoln St., Columbia | Free | Come down this weekend to see the work on display and for sale in the outdoor Vista space.
Sunday, May 19
Drink Pink Rosé Festival | Sunday, May 19 | 12-4 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | $75 | Enjoy wine, locally prepared dishes, jazz music, cheese tastings, and more.
Columbia Black Expo | Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | Parking is $5 | Get your ticket, bring your appetite, your dancing shoes, and prepare to experience the Taste of Black Columbia.
Thursday, June 6
BMW Charity Pro-Am | Thursday, June 6-Sunday, June 9 | 6:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Thornblade Club, 1275 Thornblade Blvd, Greer | Tickets vary | Presented by TD SYNNEX, this is the only golf tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with professionals in a three-day competition over two golf courses. Start planning your trip to Greenville.*
Doctors’ Orders: Eating healthy at Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
What would a doctor order at Travinia? | Photo provided by Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Good news, Cola — our next dish of Doctors’ Orders, a series in which Midlands physicians weigh in on what to eat at some of our favorite local restaurants — is served.
Today, we’re dining at Travinia, a slice of Italy founded by a group of dedicated food enthusiasts, celebrating “family, tradition, and the joy of savoring life’s special moments.”
“For starters, I’d order the Granny Smith Apple Salad. The toasted pecans, apples, red grapes, and blue cheese crumbles add protein and fiber and pack big flavors. Next, I’d have the veal scaloppine with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and lemon butter. This traditional Italian dish always reminds me of home.”
USC is expanding its Brain Health Network, opening several clinics across SC to screen for Alzheimer’s + dementia. The clinics aim to improve brain health care access and research. Plans include opening a Brain Health Center in Columbia in early 2026. (SC Biz News)
Sports
With the SEC expanding, the 2024-25 Gamecock’s women’s basketball schedule will experience changes alongside the men’s — as mentioned yesterday. Five NCAA Tournament teams will visit Colonial Life Arena, including Texas + Oklahoma in their SEC debut. (Gamecocks Online)
Development
Plans to add cottage-style homes near Gervais + Bull Streets are in the works. The project will expand the W.B. Smith Whaley renovation, including six, two-story cottages, a duplex, a central courtyard, and more. The city’s Design/Development Review Commission will consider the project during today’s meeting. (The State)
Biz
Ever heard of ColaRitz Dress Rentals? It’s a casual, semi-formal, and formal rentable dress company, created out of a 23-year-old Clemson graduate’s bedroom. Rebecca Dooley hopes to promote sustainability and cost-effective fashion. (The Post and Courier)
Volunteer
Fort Jackson National Cemetery is looking for volunteers to honor veterans on Memorial Day by placing flags on graves. If interested, meet at the gravel parking lot after entering the cemetery (at 4170 Percival Rd., Columbia) on Friday, May 24 at 3 p.m. (WLTX)
Listen
SC’s Women’s Basketball Program got a fair draw with their 2024-25 SEC schedule. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
Hot flashes may be the cliché symptom of menopause, but they are only one of a litany of changes a woman may experience. Here are three common treatment options that can help with menopausal symptoms.*
Try This
Unsure which lottery ticket to buy? Don’t overthink it — a Lowcountry man purchased the same ticket as the customer in front of him and won $200,000. Try your luck.*
Festival
🍀 St. Pat’s is giving back
St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival donated a record $67,100 to local charities and nonprofits
Plan ahead for this year’s festival, taking place on Saturday, March 15, 2025. | Photos by Perry McLeod Photos; gif by COLAtoday
$67,100 — that’s the amount of money the St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival donated to 40 local charities and nonprofit organizations at its annual charitable check presentation, bringing the total contributions to over $1.2 million since its inception.
By the numbers
$67,100 donated to 40 local nonprofits + charities
32,000 attendees
2,237 participants from 14 states participated in the Get to the Green race
More than $1.2 million donated over 40+ years
“It is an honor to have donated more than $1.2 million over the festival’s history, with this year being our largest donation amount to date, and we could not be happier,” said Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association.
Go ahead and mark your calendars for next year, Columbians — the St. Pat’s Festival, including a 5K race, parade, live music, and more will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
The Buy
The Buy 5.16.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Lululemon’s fan-favorite running shorts in newly dropped colors. The Hotty Hot shorts have a built-in liner for secure coverage, and they still feel light as air.
Are there any Carolina Panthers fans out there? The Panthers announced they will be playing the New York Giants in Munich, Germany at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. in Charlotte).
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