Enjoy a sunset, rooftop view of Main Street. | Photo by COLAtoday team
What are the best and worst things about Columbia? Let’s play a game — kind of. This article requires some participation and we’d like for our readers + followers to add their two cents to bring this all together. For those who claim to be fairly opinionated or have some passionate thoughts about our city — this will be a breeze.
We call it: Best + Worst
Playing is easy. Simply share what you love most about Columbia. What are the best things about it? You know; the items that make it on your pro list for Cola.
Then, you’ll share what you dislike the most about Columbia. What are the worst things about it? You guessed it — your con list items for Cola.
Finally, share your suggestions for fixing the worst things about Columbia. Psst, this will be more fun if you share practical things that would initiate real change.
Note: for us to share your responses, you need to enter at least one thing in each category. We’re looking for balanced feedback about our city and aren’t interested in reading a laundry list of only positive or negative things about Columbia. If we see something really solutions-oriented, we may even forward it to city decision-makers or those with the power to elicit change.
Ready to share your bests and worsts for Columbia? Take our survey below in the asked module + we may share your responses in an upcoming newsletter.
Asked
Asked
So, what are the best + worst things about Columbia in your opinion? And how do we fix it?
Reminder: enter at least one thing for each category.
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.
Frightmare on Main Street | 5-10 p.m. | Curiosity Coffee Bar | $10 | Stroll through a night of Halloween fun, music, prizes, local food, costumes, and more.
10 Minute Play Festival | Thursday, Oct. 24-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | University of South Carolina | $10 | Enjoy a fast-paced evening of laughter, heartbreak, and everything in between.
“Dracula: Ballet With A Bite” | Friday, Oct. 25-Saturday, Oct. 26 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $35+ | This Halloween weekend, immerse yourself in gothic romance with South Carolina Ballet’s “Dracula: Ballet with a Bite.”
While festive fun is on the way, ‘tis also the season for scams. | Photo provided by AllSouth Federal Credit Union
The holiday season brings joy and generosity, but it also invites an increase in scams. According to a 2023 study by the AARP, 80% of US consumers have experienced or been targeted by at least one form of fraud.
Columbia may make local history. Since record-keeping began in 1887, Columbia has never seen an entire month without a drop of rain, until now. If our city doesn’t see rain for the next nine days, a new dry spell record will be set. (Wach Fox 57)
State
North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida — those are the top three states SC gained the most folks from in 2023. In total, SC gained 203,674 people, according to population Census data. 21.9% of people cited family as the reason for moving to SC. (The State)
Development
Local community members, SCDOT, and various lawmakers discussed the transportation future of Cola’s historic Mill District. $500,000 was thrown around and may be allocated to help redesign, realign, and repave Heyward Street. This is the first of many community discussions to come.
Number
$1,500,000 — the largest amount ever awarded by Lexington Medical Center’s Community Outreach Committee and the Lexington Medical Center Foundation — was donated to ~30 local organizations that enhance the health and wellness of local residents. See the full list of organizations. (Cola Daily)
Civic
A record-breaking turnout for the first day of early voting in SC topped the previous record for early voting set in 2022. The old record from 2022 was approximately 70,100, and this year reached 125,900. (ABC Columbia)
Community
Get a Big Apple sneak peek. The Carolina Band is heading to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, and the public is invited to watch the mock parade as the band marches to the SC State House. Stay for a free performance at the State House after the march.
Sports
Is there an actual path to the playoff for South Carolina + where is the ceiling for this team? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Number
Five minutes. That’s how quick it is to start advertising with COLAtoday using our self-service ad portal. Explore your options. Psst — no long-term contract required.
The Third Eye Man is said to roam USC’s underground tunnels. | Image via Maleen Windbrooke
Oh no — City Editor Sam has been tricked! She was walking along and began following a trail of candy (because she couldn’t resist a sugary treat.) She was lured into one of USC’s old service tunnels sometimes referred to as the catacombs by someone — or something.
Local legend has it — there lives a Third Eyed Man, rumored to terrorize students at USC.Help City Editor Sam to safety by solving the puzzle above and showing her the way out.
You can make this as difficult or easy as you like (from six to 1,054 pieces) and there’s even a multiplayer mode. It also keeps track of your time — send us a screenshot of your quickest finish and we might just have to shout out your puzzle prowess.
The only thing we love more than a trendy find is a timeless one. Check out these five fall and winter fashion must-haves you’ll be wearing for years to come:
About a week ago, I shared a poem — “I was out and about when I spotted a new mural painting. I got a good look because, “a table for two, please” is why I was waiting. Showcasing a few local scenes inside a butterfly’s wing, the fairly new mural paired well with my dinner offering. Think you know where I saw this piece of local art? Play Where am I before you depart.”
I tricked some of our readers, but Bill R. (and several others) correctly guessed where I was. We were waiting for a table outside D’s Wings in West Columbia when this new mural caught my eye. If heading to D’s, I recommend ordering the lemon pepper wings — they’re my favorite. Pro tip: Order them as all flats + extra crispy.
