We don’t know about you, but we love the Columbia skyline. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Picture this: You just moved to Cola and you need some help with the practicalities of life (we can’t just walk the riverwalk all day). That’s where we come in. Keep reading for Soda Citizen 101, our guide to all things Columbia residency.
The essentials
Voter registration
Make sure you’re eligible and registered to vote, find your polling location, and preview upcoming elections and sample ballots here. Don’t forget: early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election begins today.
Driver’s licenses and vehicle registration
New residents in need of a South Carolina driver’s license will need to provide proof of legal status, a Social Security document, and two documents confirming your residential address.
Find a DMV near you to obtain a state driver’s license. Registration for your vehicle is conducted on a walk-in basis.
Dreher High School is ranked No. 7 in SC’s high schools. | Photo via Dreher High School
Educational needs
School registration
Prepare your student for the school year by registering them with Richland or Lexington County Public Schools. Here, you’ll find your school zone (based on your home address), a list of registration and immunization requirements, and the student entry form. With your required documents in hand, you’ll then make an appointment at your student’s zoned school to complete the registration process.
For information on Cola’s private schools, check out our Columbia area schools list.
Learn how to tube down the river. | Photo by Forrest Clonts
Outdoor fun
With access to three rivers and Congaree National Park, Columbia has no shortage of spots to soak up the famously hot sun. Renting a kayak or a donut and floating down the Saluda and through the spot where they all meet is on our bucket list of things to do as a Soda Citizen.
Click the link below for more information about our city’s history, home utilities, and more.
U.S. Air Force Band | 7-9 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Enjoy a virtuosic performance of classic and contemporary band music and patriotic favorites.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Sip & Plant Workshop: Spooky Terrarium | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | $35 | Get into the Halloween spirit with this fun and creative event where you can sip on your favorite beverage while planting your very own spooky terrarium.
Tiny Taste- a sensory food experience for children ages 3-5 | Times vary | Richland Library Main | Free | See How We Grow is a sensory taste-testing experience designed to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables among preschoolers.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Wes Fulmer Collaboration Dinner | 6-8 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard | $125 | Wes Fulmer and Hampton Street Vineyard are collaborating on a four-course dinner paired with six wines from HSV’s deep cellar.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Not-so-Spooky Halloween Stroll | 2 p.m. | Richland County Public Library (Main Branch) | Free | Dress your family in their costumes and head downtown to celebrate Halloween with a trick-or-treat stroll through the library.
20th Annual Palladium Silent Auction | Bidding & BBQ | 6:30-10 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens | $50 | A wide variety of unique gifts and experiences will be up for auction, as well as an added dose of history.
The SC State Museum announced a new exhibition from Walt Disney Archives exploring the art of Disney costumes; Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, set to open in May. The exhibition will feature 70+ costumes from characters such as Cinderella, Maleficent, and more.
Open
A local coffee shop on wheels. Blossom Plant & Produce shared that Hendrix the Bus coffee shop is officially open + located on the back patio most days. Pro tip: the new coffee bus recommends tasting its signature Horchata Lattes or refreshing with a Mazapán Cold Brew.
Seasonal
Black Nerd Mafia + The Jasper Project are collaborating to bring back Frightmare on Main Street. On Friday, Oct. 25 from 5-10 p.m. Enjoy horror movie trivia, pumpkin carving + costume contests, live music, food trucks, drinks, and more. Tickets are $10; children 10 and under are free.
National
We’re less than 70 days away from Christmas — and if you’re planning to ship out gifts, it’s time to start planning. Here are the shipping deadlines, if you want a package to arrive by the holidays.
Asked
We all have those dating stories that still haunt us to this day. It’s time to share your top horror date night stories that took place around Columbia (totally anonymous + just in time for Halloween.)
Sports
South Carolina absolutely dominates Oklahoma. Listen to a full game recap episode. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Civic
Election season is here — and the early voting period is open in South Carolina for registered voters now through Saturday, Nov. 2. Find an early voting center.*
Scammers’ tactics are increasingly sophisticated — OmniWatch offers a groundbreaking layer of identity protection (think: 24/7 monitoring, full-scale identity restoration, and up to $25,000 in scam insurance).*
Category
Civic
Join a city board or commission
We took a look at just how walkable a block of Elmwood Park is. | Photo by @sodacityaerials
Want to get more involved in the city’s happenings, but don’t know where to begin? Joining a board or a commission can help fill that void in your life + an empty seat at their table.
In Columbia, there are 30+ boards and commissions focused on things like parks, airports, and food insecurity. Today we’re sharing a few that are currently vacant or have terms ending soon.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
How ‘bout that football game this weekend? Hopefully, you’ll be able to high-five and share fun weekend highlights with coworkers this morning — one of mine was watching the Gamecocks beat Oklahoma. Another one of my weekend highlights was going thrift shopping and finding some treasures and great deals. If you enjoy thrifting or antique shopping like me, check out our guide here, featuring ~30 spots around town where you can shop, sell, and save.
