08.16.2024

Today’s Forecast

89º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:46 a.m. | Sunset 8:08 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

💫 See a movie under the stars

Here’s your guide to experiencing The Big MO

The Big MO peach on Field 1, where the concession stands are. | Photo by COLAtoday team

There’s just something about going to a drive-in movie theater, ordering buttery popcorn, maybe grabbing candy or a large soda, and watching a movie on a big screen. Next time you want to go out for a movie, experience The Big MO.

The Big MO is a drive-in movie theater — a ~45-minute drive from downtown Columbia in Monetta, SC. Pack up your car with snacks, a few drinks, blankets, and pillows to see movies under the stars. The Big MO has three different fields with three different movie showings Friday through Sunday and releases the double features for each field on Tuesdays via its website.

Processed with VSCO with j2 preset — The gates before the ticket booth showing which movies are playing on each field | photo by COLAtoday team

Our recommendation? Meet up at 6:45 p.m. at Shealy’s BBQ — which is ~10-minute drive away — to pick up a to-go order for dinner. The gates open at 7 p.m. and the movies start around 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for kids ages four through 11. Kids three and under are free.

Processed with VSCO with al5 preset — The view before the movie starts. | photo provided by COLAtoday team

Visitors have the choice between three screens, with a double feature on each screen. After paying for your tickets, pull down the tailgate and set up shop with all the goodies you brought along. Walk over to the concessions — found on Field 1 — to grab some movie theater popcorn, and turn on the radio station that correlates with the movie to play over your car speakers.

Three Pro tips

Don’t forget to bring cash with you. The ticket booth only accepts cash while concessions accept cash or card.
There’s a playground on Field 1 for children to play on while waiting for the movie to start.
You’re allowed to bring your dog as long as they are leashed.

Asked

Have you ever been to The Big Mo?

A. Yes
B. No
C. No, but I plan to

Let us Big MO know

Events

Friday, Aug. 16

Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, Aug. 16 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing | Free | This is the last week for this year’s Nashville Nights, featuring talented singer/songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN.
Jubiläumsbier | Friday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 18 | Times vary | Bierkeller | Celebrate Bierkeller’s one-year anniversary all weekend with live music and vendors.
Friday Night Laser Lights | Friday, Aug. 16, Friday, Sept. 20 | 6-10 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $10-$12 | Friday Night Laser Light at the State Museum returns for cosmically cool fun, featuring the music of Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and more.

Saturday, Aug. 17

Garnet & Black Bash | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 5-10 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing | Free | Kickoff football season with a beer release, vendors, special guests, and a cookout featuring a tailgate-inspired menu.
“Dandelion” | Thursday, Aug. 15-Sunday, Aug. 25 | Times vary | Trustus Theatre | $30-$35 | “Dandelion” — a brand-new, completely original contemporary musical — examines what it means to truly love yourself and the people you’re closest to.

Sunday, Aug. 18

Free Sundays | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 1-4 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | On the third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free.
Cocktail Classroom | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Smoked | $65 | Master shaking vs. stirring, elevate ice’s role, and embrace mixology essentials.

100+ more local events

Click here to have your event featured.

Health

⚽️ All high school sports parents should know about this condition

High school soccer players posing for a photo on the field.

If you or a family member is diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, immediate family members should get screened. | Photo by AT Media & Productions + Dreher Mens Soccer

Before we know it, the season of crisp nights spent under the lights of high school stadiums will be here. With fall sports comes increased physical activity, and maybe more trips to the doctor’s office.

In addition to knowing what team your kid is on, physicians say it’s even more important to know about a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

What it is

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic condition that causes the heart muscle to be abnormally enlarged. This can cause decreased blood flow through the heart, which could significantly impact quality of life if left untreated.

What to look for

Signs and symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fatigue
Chest discomfort
Heart palpitations
Stroke

Most people develop symptoms between their teenage years and early 40s. However, it’s possible to never experience symptoms.

What to do

If your athlete has concerning symptoms, talk to a doctor and consider getting screened. The good news: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is typically easy to detect with a non-invasive ultrasound.

More heart health tips

News Notes

Open

Ferrara Real N.Y. Pizza and Pasta opened in Irmo where Hungry Howie’s used to be near Irmo High School. Guests can expect NY-style ‘zas, calzones, stromboli, and various pasta dishes. (The State)

Coming Soon

Broad River Arts Center, a new performing arts center set inside The Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church in the St. Andrews area, will premiere its first production of “Showtune” on Friday, Sept. 5. The church opened its 140-seat sanctuary + helped fund needed supplies. (The Post and Courier)

Soda Citizen

Cornbread Cowboi, aka Orry Lee Kenndey — a local celebrity influencer, will be featured in an upcoming comedy-thriller movie called “Stranglehold.” He will be featured as a character named Dale who is a “local redneck.” (The State)

Number

$250,000 — that’s the grant amount the the SC State Museum received from the Institute of Museum + Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America so it can continue to digitize its 1.1 million collection of artwork, specimens, and objects. The museum has inventoried over 20,000 items so far.

Development

As part of 2025 Pavement Improvement Program, SCDOT will repave + improve roads across the Midlands next year. So far, SCDOT has improved over 8,500 miles of roads. See which roads will get the SCDOT treatment. (The State)

Sports

Hear Locked On talk about how Shane Beamer’s hot seat is already cooling + rant about fall weddings. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Eat

It may be hard to stop munching on these bite-sized spicy tuna wontons, but that’s a risk we’re willing to take. See the recipe.*

Home

Cringe alert: Every 24 hours, 27,000 trees are cut down for toilet paper. But this new bamboo toilet paper just might save the planet. It feels just like high-end TP, but doesn’t harm trees. Plus, code 6AM30 gives you 30% off your first purchase. Read more.*

Finance

Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. These are hands down some of the best.*

Wellness

Curious about CBD gummies? Cornbread Hemp is giving first time customers a second jar for free with code SUMMERTIMEBOGO. Choose from watermelon, berry, peach, or special sleep varieties.*

Transit

🚧 Road work ahead

Phase Two of the Carolina Crossroads Project is causing a weekend detour for a major exit in the Midlands

The detour route drivers will need to take this weekend if traveling down I-20 Westbound and needing to take Exit 64B. | Photo by SCDOT

Drivers may be feeling like this over the weekend.

As part of Phase Two of the Carolina Crossroads Project, SCDOT announced it will temporarily close the I-20 westbound ramp (Exit 64B) onto I-26 westbound over the weekend. Beginning at 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 construction will begin and the ramp is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19. Clear signage will be displayed to guide the detour.

The detour route

An alternative route has been put into place for those traveling and looking to use Exit 64B to I-26 Westbound. Drivers will instead:

Exit onto Exit 64A onto I-26 Eastbound
Take Exit 107B onto I-20 Eastbound
Finally, travelers will exit at 64B onto I-26 Westbound

Plan your routes ahead of time, catch up on all of the updates from the Carolina Crossroads Project, and watch the Phase Two Design visualization video.

The Buy

The Buy 8.16.24 (Affiliate)

These waterproof Chelsea rain boots. Prepare for rainy months ahead with these stylish rubber boots — available in three different colors — that will keep your feet safe and dry from any inclement weather.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

A friend and I spent time on Main Street Wednesday night by grabbing dinner at Cantina 76 before heading to The Nick to see the “It Ends With Us” movie. We stayed after the showing to participate in an All Good Books discussion, comparing the book to the movie + chatted through how our experience of the story changed after reading the book vs. watching the plot unfold on screen. As a movie-goer and a reader, I loved this local hybrid event. It was almost like a book/movie club — and I enjoyed both experiences with movie theater popcorn in hand. I was told more collaborations between The Nick and All Good Books could happen in the future, so be on the lookout. I know I will be.

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