How to get started

• Pick up a tracking record at your local Richland Library location, or download one from its website to print.
• Complete your tracking sheet by participating in activities.

Prizes

• Free admission to the Columbia Museum of Art
• Tickets to Columbia Fireflies games
• Items from the Friends and Foundation Book Sale
• BOGO Kiddie SnoBalls from Pelican’s SnoBalls
• and more

Three tips

• Start by borrowing a book, and once you’ve learned the basics, you can rent your gardening equipment from the Library of Things and choose your favorite seeds from the Seed Library.

• Dust off that record player, Richland Library relaunched its Vinyl Collection in October 2022 with more than 150 albums ranging from classic rock, pop, and rap to local favorites. If wax isn’t your thing, you can stream your favorite songs on Hoopla.

• Did you know that 1% of the construction budget for each library location goes toward public art? From Michael Hagen’s 3-D Wild Things at the Main location to Jarod Charzewski’s “Water Tower Pavilion” outside Blythewood, there’s art to enjoy at each location.

• Sip and Plant Workshop: Summer Perennials | Tuesday, June 4 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $35 | Participate in a hands-on workshop where you will get to build a summer perennial planter.
• Columbia Fireflies vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Tuesday, June 4 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $6-$18 | It’s Fort Jackson Night: Join the Fireflies as they honor the soldiers stationed at Fort Jackson with a pre-game swearing-in ceremony.*

• Local Author Showcase: Chuck Brown | Wednesday, June 5 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Chuck Brown is a multiple Eisner + Ringo award-winning writer known for his work with Marvel and DC comics.

• Public Tour: Behind the Collection | Thursday, June 6, Sunday, July 28 | 6-7 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | Get a glimpse into the story behind the art.

• Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, June 7 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Nashville Nights features talented singer/songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances.

• Richland County Ag + Art | Saturday, June 8-Sunday, June 9 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 20+ tour sites across Richland County, Columbia | Free | Take a self-guided tour of farms and markets featuring local artisans at every stop.
• Tropic Like It’s Hot Party at Publico | Saturday, June 8 | 12-6 p.m. | Publico, 2013 Greene St., Columbia | $10 | Enjoy an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil, a DJ, a slip + slide, watermelon mojito kegs, pineapple margaritas, and Publico Passion fruit guava seltzer bucket specials.

• Gamecock baseball coach Mark Kingston was fired after seven seasons, having reached the NCAA Tournament four times but only twice advancing to the Super Regionals. The 2024 season ended with a loss to James Madison in the NCAA Raleigh Regional. (Gamecocks Online)

• Rio Express Grill Brazilian BBQ will open on Monday, June 10 at 5594-B Sunset Blvd. in Lexington, in front of Home Depot. The restaurant features Brazilian cuisine, including brisket dishes and sides, and an atmosphere with bossa nova music. (The State)

• Columbia is implementing mosquito control efforts, including a spraying schedule, to manage the mosquito population and reduce health risks. Spraying will occur throughout the summer, targeting high-risk areas. (WLTX)

• Small businesses inside Columbia’s city limits are eligible for the BRITES Program, launched by the Columbia Empowerment Zone. The initiative helps reduce energy-efficient retrofit costs in partnership with Dominion Energy’s Small Business Energy Solutions.

• SC agencies will conduct a full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise on Wednesday, June 5. The exercise will test the state’s transportation + emergency response systems. Residents can expect to see increased activity along designated evacuation routes.

• Could Dawn Staley receive a lifetime contract? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of Gamecock women’s basketball with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
  

• Ford & Sims Pressure Washing’s mid-year sale is happening now through Sunday, June 30. Get your space sparkling with rates starting at $250 for areas under 1,500 sqft. Pro tip: Soft wash roof cleaning starts at $200 + includes a complimentary gutter cleaning. Snag the deal.*

• These cannabis gummies keep selling out — just one can get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off your first order with code FIRST20.*^†