06.06.2024

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90º | 30% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:12 a.m. | Sunset 8:33 p.m.
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We’re dedicated to delivering you impactful, relevant, and positive local news. | Graphic by 6AM City

Hey there. It’s Sam and David, the local City Editors you know and love. Allow us to pass the mic to 126 of our coworkers. (Yes, that’s right — an entire team is behind each day’s newsletter, and we couldn’t do it without them.)

We are 6AM City, the parent company of COLAtoday. We’re the people on a mission to engage communities by aggregating the most positive, impactful local news and events into a free, daily email newsletter. Maybe you caught the magic word in there — free. We’re proud that our product comes at no cost for subscribers, and we intend to keep it that way.

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Events

Thursday, June 6

Columbia Fashion Week: Expansive Runway | Thursday, June 6 | 12 a.m. | Lincoln Tunnel, Vista Greenway, Columbia | $30 | Step into the heart of the city and experience a fashion spectacle like no other as we showcase the latest in streetwear fashion.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Thursday, June 6 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $6-$18 | It’s Retro Video Game Night: Relive the nostalgia of your favorite video games at Segra Park.*

Friday, June 7

Gentle Morning Yoga | Friday, June 7 | 7-8 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | The class takes place on Boyd Plaza and can be taken on a mat or sitting in a chair; both will be provided.
Weekend With The Pros | Friday, June 7-Saturday, June 8 | Times vary | Captain’s Choice Marine, 3216 Columbia Hwy., Batesburg-Leesville | Free | The event offers wakeboard lessons, signed autographs from the pros, and food trucks.

Saturday, June 8

Cool for the Summer: A Weekend-Long Pride Party | Friday, June 7-Sunday, June 9 | 9 p.m. | Three businesses around Columbia | $20-$40 | Enjoy bubbles, a DJ, go-go dancers, food trucks, and more at New Brookland Tavern, Capital Club, and the Hideout at WeCo this weekend during takeover events.
Tropic Like It’s Hot Party | 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.
Richland County Ag + Art Tour | Saturday, June 8-Sunday, June 9 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Support local farms, meet artisans, enjoy live music, and learn more about rural life at this free, self-guided event.*

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Opening

StretchLab, an assisted stretching studio, will open in Lexington Square shopping center at 5232 Sunset Blvd., Ste. A, near Lowes Foods. Try a free 15-minute stretch during the grand opening from Thursday, June 13 through Saturday, June 15.

Civic

Columbia City Council approved a $69 million sewer upgrade project for north Columbia, driven by the upcoming Scout Motors plant in Blythewood. The project includes an 8-million-gallon storage tank and pump station. Construction starts in July and will be completed by mid-2026. (WLTX)

Community

The city of Columbia seeks $3.6 million to complete a $5.4 million project creating quiet zones at 14 train crossings. The state budget proposes $1.8 million, pending approval from Norfolk Southern. Completion could take 18 months, addressing resident noise complaints. (The Post and Courier)

Festival

The 11th annual Reggaetronic Lake Murray Music Festival returns to Spence Island on Saturday, June 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy performances by Madds, Zack Deputy, and Treehouse. The free-floating music festival supports the Children’s Hospital of South Carolina.

Drink Up

Own a local beverage business? Offer a drink deal to our readers during Drink Up Week from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. Whether it’s BOGO smoothies or 20% off wine bottles, drop your deal into this form by Friday, June 28 and let’s get this party poppin’.

Sports

Ray Tanner has a huge advantage going for him in the Gamecock baseball coaching search. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of Gamecock baseball with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Award

Lexington Medical Center Cayce — the healthcare hub’s latest urgent care center — recently received the Business Beautification Award from the Cayce Beautification Foundation. Take a look.*

Number

27,000: That’s the number of trees that are cut down each day to make toilet paper. This luxury three-ply bamboo toilet paper is changing that. It feels just like regular high-end TP, but doesn’t harm trees. Use code 6AM30 for 30% off through midnight. Learn more + shop.*

Home

Did you know you can bring all your debt under one roof by borrowing from your home to pay off high-interest loans, bills, and credit cards? Calculate your payment.*

Try This

🍄 ISO a fungi

Hunt for mushrooms around Columbia during this worldwide art event

Find pieces of mushroom pottery when the Game of Shrooms commences. | Photo by COLAtoday

On Saturday, June 8, you could find one-of-a-kind, mushroom-inspired art on your morning walk.

Game of Shrooms is a global art scavenger hunt which began in 2019. Hundreds of artists sign up to hide unique, fungi-full works in their area and give clues to their whereabouts on social media. This year, several Columbia artists are on board.

Starting a little after midnight on Saturday, works will be stowed around the Capital City. Check out the map of participating artists and follow them on social media — they’ll likely leave hints throughout the day about where their work can be found.

Screenshot 2024-06-05 at 11.32.13 AM.png — Artists from all around the Capital City will be hiding works this Saturday.
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Screenshot via Game of Shrooms

If you find a piece, be sure to tag or message the artist to let them know.

Participating local artists include:

Want to get involved? There’s still time to sign up as an artist. You can create and hide as many pieces as you like.

The Buy

Six & Main is turning 2. Celebrate with us and enjoy 25% off sitewide. Use code BIRTHDAY25.

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Here’s a little news and a pro tip from the SC seafood community — it’s officially shrimp season, and you can pick up fresh + local shrimp from The Shrimp Guy. If you’re craving oysters, you’ll want to hold off. The saying goes you should only eat oysters in the eight months of the year that contain the letter “R,” meaning September through April.

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