Plus, SCDOT announced a three-step plan to permanently close the I-26 interchange at Bush River Road.
 
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84º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. | Sunset 7:24 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

Education

How virtual school set this student up for real-world success
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
Annika is shown carrying a fellow cadet during her training at The Citadel.
The flexibility of a personalized education at Cyber Academy of South Carolina helps students pursue their passions + achieve their goals. | Photos provided by Annika Trochesset
Cola, meet Annika Trochesset — a college student at The Citadel and Cyber Academy of South Carolina (CASC) alum.

When COVID-19 hit, Annika switched to CASC because, while many schools struggled to adapt to virtual learning, CASC had been leading the way in online education in South Carolina since 2013. She wanted a school where she could excel academically while learning from home.

Annika thrived at CASC, earning straight A’s and taking several honor roll classes. She loved the flexibility, which taught her valuable life skills like time management + independence.

The flexible schedule also allowed her to learn at her own pace, fitting school around her hobbies. Think: crochet, judo, guitar, and even playing in a band at the local brick-and-mortar high school. She even balanced her babysitting job with school, essentially working anywhere with an internet connection.

Annika especially loved her chemistry class, thanks to the teachers who gave her personalized attention — something she didn’t get in a traditional classroom.

Annika is playing an instrument in the marching band during her first year at The Citadel.

Annika is excelling in her sophomore year as a civil engineering major at The Citadel.

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Photos provided by Annika Trochesset

After graduating early, Annika followed her two older brothers’ footsteps and now attends The Citadel in Charleston.

“Virtual learning taught me how to pace myself and get things done,” Annika said. “It taught me a strong work ethic and self-motivation skills.”

The perks of virtual learning

Public school from home gives parents and students the ability to control learning environments. While each student’s experience is unique, most CASC students enjoy benefits like:
Plus, this online school is tuition-free.
Learn more + enroll
Asked

How would your kid benefit most from a more flexible schedule?
A. Personalized attention from teachers
B. Better school-life balance
C. Improved digital skills
D. Other
Let us know
Lexington Medical Center
 
Events
Thursday, Sept. 19
  • Columbia’s 37th Annual Greek Festival | Thursday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 22 | Times vary | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | Free | Enjoy the music, atmosphere, food + drink, and learn a little about Greece.
  • Townsend Lecture: Governing the South| Thursday, Sept. 19 | Karen J. Williams Courtroom (Joseph F. Rice School of Law) | Free | The interview will explore Gov. David Beasley’supbringing in SC, his education, and accomplishments, and provide a glimpse into his life.
Friday, Sept. 20
  • Park Less, Create More! It’s Park(ing) Day! | Friday, Sept. 20 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Main Street | Free | This event is about reclaiming on-street parking spaces as public space for people, for one day out of the year.
  • Live Music in the Garden: Paisley Marie | Friday, Sept. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | Free | Bring your friends, grab a drink, and enjoy some tunes surrounded by plants.
  • Friday Night Laser Lights | Friday, Sept. 20 | 6-10 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $10+ | The captivating show returns for cosmically cool fun, featuring the music of Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and more.
Saturday, Sept. 21
  • Children’s Storytime | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m. | All Good Books | Free | Ashley Blas will be reading from her picture book “Animal Party: A Book of Fun from A to Z.”
  • South Carolina Gamecocks vs. University of Akron | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium | $55+ | It’s Saturday in South Carolina, and this time, you’ll be watching the Gamecocks take on Akron under Willy-B’s stadium lights.
  • Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | This one-day festival by Historic Columbia features headliner Sunshine Anderson, live entertainment, artist demos, historic storytelling, and vendors.
100+ more local events
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Eat

Doctors’ Orders: Eating healthy at Il Giorgione
The exterior of Il Giorgione
At Il Giorgione, you can enjoy tasty Italian specialties in a cozy atmosphere. | Photo by COLAtoday
If you’re like us, the craving for classic Italian food comes more often than not. So for our next round of Doctors’ Orders, we’re dining at pizza and wine bar Il Giorgione with Dr. Roman Blount, IV.

Here’s what the Lexington Family Practice Ballentine physician would order at this slice of Italy on Devine Street:

“The Autunno Delizioso salad sounds delicious and has several healthy components,” Dr. Blount said. “This nutrient-packed choice can be slightly modified to better fit a Mediterranean diet and low-carb focus. By adjusting the vinaigrette, reducing or replacing higher-carb ingredients, and ensuring portion control, you can enjoy this dish while promoting heart health and maintaining a balanced diet.”

Bonus: This tasty salad (which translates to “delightful autumn”) features superfoods like kale, Brussels sprouts, and apples. Sounds like fall to us.
Another seasonal superfood
News Notes
Announced
  • The Harlem Globetrotters will return to the Soda City with their laundry list of trick shots + signature slam dunks on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. inside Colonial Life Arena. General public tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 30. (Cola Daily)
Traffic
  • SCDOT announced a three-step plan to permanently close the I-26 interchange at Bush River Road + route drivers to Colonial Life Boulevard Interchange, which began yesterday at 9 p.m. when crews closed the off-ramp from I-26 eastbound to Bush River Road. Steps two and three will begin on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Film
  • A new indie horror movie by local filmmaker Chris Bickel — “Pater Noster and the Mission of Light” — will feature scenes in familiar places like Papa Jazz + New Brookland Tavern. The film’s world premiere will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5 in Charlotte, NC. (The Post and Courier)
Eat
  • Beginning yesterday, Drake’s Duck-in has extended its hours and will now be open on Sundays. Its new hours will be Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. + Sunday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. (The Post and Courier)
Asked
  • As outdoor dining season arrives, we want to know your favorite Midlands spots for enjoying a meal al fresco. Share your go-to patios, and your suggestions might inspire someone else’s next outdoor meal.
Sports
  • LaNorris Sellers won’t miss any time with injury. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Award
    • Looking for a job? SC Biz News, in partnership with Best Companies Group, named Lexington Medical Center a 2024 Best Places to Work honoree in the large employer category (250+ employees). Explore careers.*
    Civic
    • Election day is just around the corner (aka, Nov. 5) — are you registered to vote? If you still need to register, the online deadline is Sunday, Oct. 6. Check your voter registration info.*
    Trending
     
    Biz

    💅 Just in time for the holidays

    Almost 30 salon studios owned by Image Studios are coming to the BullStreet District this November
    Image Studios.png
    “Image Studios is a thriving national brand that is a wonderful addition to the BullStreet District,” Robert Hughes, President and CEO of Hughes Development said. | Photo proved by Flock and Rally
    Image Studios — a salon suite that provides high-end salon studios to professionals — is coming to a 5,700 sqft space on the ground floor of the First Base Building at Segra Park in the BullStreet District + will open its first luxury salon studio in November.

    The salon studio will offer private, customizable spaces to 29 independent local beauty professionals to own + operate their own fully-equipped mini-salon suites — think: hair stylists, estheticians, massage therapists, nail technicians, microblading artists, lash technicians, and more.

    “We’ve had incredible success across the country with our innovative approach to helping independent beauty professionals take more control over their careers,” Charles Stovall, owner of IMAGE Studios® Columbia said.
    The Buy

    The Buy 9.19.24 (Affiliate)
    L.L. Bean’s customer-favorite flannel blanket — perfect for camping trips, picnics, and staying cozy this autumn.
    More worth The Buy
     
    The Wrap
     
    Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

    Today’s edition by:
    Sam
    From the editor
    Don’t let it sneak up on you. Here are a few dates you may want to know as the seasons begin to change.
    • Sunday, Sept. 22: The first day of fall — don’t miss your favorite seasonal activity.
    • Wednesday, Oct. 9: The beginning of the SC State Fair — save up to 50% off tickets by buying in advance.
    • Sunday, Nov. 3: The end of daylight savings — you’ll turn your clocks back an hour.
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