Start the new year strong with Labcorp OnDemand. | Photo by Getty Images
‘Tis the season for reflection. Year-end is the perfect time to check in with yourself, get a clear picture of your health, and set the stage for your 2025 lifestyle goals. (Think: Trying to drink less alcohol, wanting to eat more veggies from Noma Bistro, or planning to train for the Governor’s Cup Road Race.)
Labcorp OnDemand makes it easy to take charge of your wellness by allowing you to buy the same reliable lab tests your doctor orders — directly, conveniently, and on your own schedule.
What kind of lab tests?
The most popular tests are:
Heart health: Monitor cholesterol, lipids, ApoB, and more.
Hormone health: Assess your hormonal levels for energy and well-being.
Annual wellness: Get a comprehensive view of your overall health.
Why test yourself in December?
Most tests are FSA/HSA eligible, meaning you can use those benefits before they expire at the end of the year.
Establishing a baseline before the new year can highlight areas for improvement as you work toward your health goals.
Knowing your numbers can empower you to make informed decisions about your health plans in the new year.
How it works:
The process typically takes less than a week. All you have to do is:
Purchase tests online and get tested at one of Labcorp’s 2,000+ service centers (find a lab near you).
Be notified by email when your results are ready in as little as one business day.
Wine Tasting: World of Sparkling Wine | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Sour and Salt Bakery Event Space | $68 | Explore the essentials of sparkling wine with a tasting thoughtfully paired with delicious small bites and dessert to top it off.
Fall Farmers Market | Tuesday, Dec. 10, Tuesday, Dec. 17 | 2:30-5:30 p.m. | Free | Community Artisan & Farmers Market — located inside Village of Sandhills between Books A Million & Massage Envy | Free | Browse this weekly Farmers Market with fresh produce, baked goods, honey, artisans, and more.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
44th Annual Economic Outlook Conference | 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Pastides Alumni Center at USC | $45-$75 | Hear the experts discuss the future of our economy.
Holiday Market | Wednesday, Dec. 11, Wednesday, Dec. 18 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Browse a charming array of handmade crafts, artisanal goods, and seasonal décor from local vendors.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Trans-Siberian Orchestra — The Lost Christmas Eve | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $35+ | Hear the band and their elaborate Christmas-themed rock operas, blending heavy metal, classical music, and theatrical storytelling.
Sparkle On Main | Thursday, Dec. 12-Saturday, Dec. 14 | 5 p.m. | The Pastor’s Study | $40 | Get ready for a dazzling event filled with music, lights, and good vibes.
Friday, Dec. 13
Greater CWC Parade Day and Holiday Parade of Lights | Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14 | Times vary | Greater Cayce-West Columbia, Cayce | Free | This longtime community event is perfect for supporting our local small business community and seeing holiday lights.
Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $25+ | Watch some of the world’s best athletes do some rim-rattling dunks.
Bring the whole family to soak in the spirit of the season. | Photos provided by City of West Columbia
Hunting for unique, handcrafted gifts? The Meeting Street Artisan Market in West Columbia is decked out for the holidays.
On the first three Saturdays in December (7, 14, and 21), stroll through a festive wonderland at the Interactive Art Park to shop everything from handcrafted jewelry and original art pieces to tasty homemade treats.
Psst… It’s the perfect opportunity to support local businesses while finding one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list.
Mary J. Blige — a Grammy and Emmy award-winner and Oscar-nominated star — will be adding a stop at Colonial Life Arena during her “For My Fans” tour on Wednesday, Feb. 5 with guests NE-YO and Mario. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. (WLTX)
Opening
Local leaders and community members will gather today, at Papa Jazz at 12 p.m. to celebrate the the grand re-opening of the local record shop. Fun fact: Papa Jazz has been located in the Five Points District since 1982.
Sports
The Gamecock’s football team’s offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is leaving USC for a head football coaching position at Appalachian State. USC will be looking for a new coordinator before next season. (The State)
Development
Back in October, the City of Columbia + Columbia Water held a press briefing, giving Columbians an update on the progress of restoring the historic Columbia Canal. The city now approved the allocation of $31 million toward the project, backed by FEMA. Updates will take ~2.5 years. (WLTX)
Arts
Get ready for a Whimsical Couture evening where elegance + fantasy will meet traditional black-tie attire — of course, we’re talking about Columbia Fashion Week’s Annual Met Gala. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Columbia Museum of Art at 6:30 p.m. Get tickets.
Civic
The City of Columbia’s Community Development Department is required to create a Consolidated Action Plan every five years, guiding strategy, prioritizing needs, doing a market analysis, assessing demographics, and more. The department is looking to garner local input. Take the survey.
History
Talk about historical — check out the finalists for our COLAtoday historical markers contest. Vote for your favorite historic location by Wednesday, Dec. 11 + be sure to read our newsletter on Friday, Dec. 13 to see which location you, our readers, determined should get the recognition it deserves.
Listen
South Carolina was picked over Alabama for the Citrus Bowl. Should USC make drastic scheduling changes? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Pro Tip
Take the hassle out of holiday cooking by pre-ordering a feast without the fees. Yes, we’re talking about the tasty and convenient catering boxes from Lowes Foods. Think: Fried chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes, and more. Customize your order.*
Finance
Everyday banking, big rewards. AllSouth Federal Credit Union’s Premium Checking account offers up to 4.59% APY* — that’s 30 times the national average interest rate (APY = Annual Percentage Yield). Ready to maximize your earnings? Learn more.*
Plan Ahead
There are only a few weeks left in 2024. Use the remainder of your end-of-year budget + get your business in front of thousands. For a limited time, take 25% off ads in our self-service ad portal when you use promo code “2025" at checkout.
Category
Holiday
🥂 Get your toasts ready
Ring in the new year with a few of these NYE events around Columbia. | Photo by @famouslyhotnye
We’ve shared holiday markets, pop-up bars, where to see festive lights, and where to enjoy the holiday season around town. As 2024’s days continue to dwindle, we’re sharing four New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Columbia’s Comedy Countdown | The Corley Mill House will host some of the best comedians in the southeast to celebrate 2025. Enjoy comedy shows — including headliner Sean Finnerty, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, and more — drinks, food from Shealy’s BBQ, free parking, champagne at midnight, party favors, and more. Doors open at 9 p.m. + tickets start at $100.
German New Year | Be home before bedtime and celebrate 2025 at 6 p.m. — midnight in Germany — at Bierkeller Columbia. For $99, grub on a four-course German meal, two drinks, and a Sekt toast (German sparkling wine) at “midnight.”
A meaningful gift that will surprise and delight: a hidden photo bracelet. Customize with the photo of your choice — the gift recipient can hold it up close to their eyes to see it, or project it on the wall with their phone’s flashlight.
Don’t miss this weekend’s 5th Annual Light Up NOMA & Cookie Crawl, happening on Saturday, Dec. 14. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the NOMA Cookie Crawl will feature a myriad of the NOMA merchants as “cookie stops” where you will take your professionally designed cookie tin to collect them all. Plus, enjoy retail specials, tasty treats, and other holiday delights before the annual NOMA tree lighting.
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