Meet Columbia’s 2025 ambassadors: James Agens, Aditi Bussells, Trahern Cook, and Michaela Leung. | Photos by Forrest Clonts
Experience Columbia SC announced its 2025 Columbia Ambassadors — the locals chosen to highlight the best of Soda City — alongside the release of this year’s Columbia SC Insider’s Guide, now available at the Columbia SC Visitors Center in the Vista.
Meet your 2025 ambassadors
James Agens | Owner of Terracotta Nursery and vice president of SC Pride, James Agens combines an eye for plant design with a dedication to fostering inclusivity and community in Columbia.
Aditi Bussells | Serving as Councilwoman-at-Large for the City of Columbia, Bussells is dedicated to advocating for the community and fostering positive change throughout the Soda City.
Trahern Cook | Known as Easel Cathedral, Cook documents Columbia and many of its events like Vista Lights and the Jam Room Music Festival by live painting at events.
Michaela Leung | City Editor David here. Michaela is our coworker and a Campaign Strategist here at 6AM City, so we know firsthand how great she is. Outside of her work with us, she writes her own newsletter, All is Well, is a local Pilates instructor, and supporter of all things Cola.
Organic Wine Tasting | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost — Franklin Street | Free | Learn about the processes of organic wines, talk with friends, and enjoy a relaxing winter evening.
Live in the Lobby Jazz: Joe Gransden | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $20+ | Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Gransden’s singing voice has been compared to that of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra.
An Evening of “Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis” | 7:30 p.m. | Harbison Theatre, Irmo | $40 | Enjoy an evening of storytelling and music as Patrick Davis brings three immensely talented performers showcased on Season One of his brand-new public television series to Harbison Theatre.
These Are the Nights Tour — Niko Moon | 8 p.m. | The Senate | $21 | This country pop singer and songwriter has written songs for Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, and Morgan Wallen.
This month, we’re connecting readers with the heart specialists at Prisma Health. | Photo provided by Prisma Health
Welcome back to Prisma Health On Call, our Q+A series that connects you, our readers, to Prisma Health providers who are ready to answer your questions. This month, we’re focusing on how to keep your heart healthy — and we’re pumped.
Prisma Health’s cardiology experts are here to answer your queries related to this vital organ. Think:
Winter weather in the Midlands has some schools, businesses, and agencies closing today with icy conditions possible through Thursday. Stay tuned to WLTX for an up-to-date list of closures.
Open
One kitty and one coffee coming right up? Cat Daddy’s Cafe is now open on Main Street at the corner of River Drive. From the owners of Noma Bistro, the new cafe combines a coffee shop feel with a cat adoption center. (WLTX)
Development
Crews are demolishing buildings downtown at the corner of Sumter and Lady streets to make way for Palmetto Citizens Credit Union’s five-story, 100,000-sqft headquarters. A groundbreaking is planned for spring, with completion expected by early 2027. (Post and Courier)
Ranked
Two area schools earned recognition in US News & World Report’s 2025 Best Online Programs. USC’s online master’s in nursing ranked No. 1 nationally for the fifth year, while Columbia College ranked No. 84 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and No. 51 for Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice. (US News)
Biz
Columbia-based Rhodes Companies announced leadership changes, promoting W. Jason Phelps to President of Rhodes Graduation Services and Dan Wyar to President of Rhodes Branding. As Rhodes Graduation Services approaches its 50th anniversary, Rhodes Branding is focused on expanding its work with schools across the country.
Theater
Columbia Children’s Theatre will hold auditions for Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh KIDS!” on Sunday, Feb. 2, and Monday, Feb. 3 at Brookland Lakeview Empowerment Center. Open to students in grades 1-6. Participants will learn a song, practice a short dance, and read lines. Scholarships are available to cover participation fees.
Sports
Here’s how USC football can make the National Title Game next year. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of Gamecock footballwith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
Is it just us, or are tweens super into skincare? Find out what’s fueling the craze, what parents need to know about kids’ growing interest in skincare products, and more insights from an aesthetician in this Q+A.*
Finance
Financial grace periods are few and far between these days. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day — time speeds by between them. But these credit cards allow you nearly two years to pay them off (with zero interest), allowing you flexibility in 2025.*
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
56%. That’s the percentage of full-time employees in the US who want a new job in 2025. Of this, 27% have already started searching. What’s more, the first part of the year sees the largest uptick in job postings + submitted job applications online.
If you’re hiring this year, don’t let your job posting get lost on over-saturated job sites. We created 6AM City Job Board to help you cut through the noise and find top local talent. Share your opportunity with the most connected locals, COLAtoday readers.
A really good beanie. With 4,000+ five-star reviews, this warm winter beanie is a favorite for a reason: the inside is lined with satin, which absorbs less moisture and causes less friction than other materials, keeping hair nourished and frizz-free.
The War Mouth in Cottontown is teaming up with Bierkeller chef Brent Bullard for another collaboration dinner on Sunday, Feb. 16. Expect a flavorful fusion of the War Mouth’s Southern-style dishes with Bierkeller’s German-inspired flavors, paired with Bierkeller brews on tap. You can email The War Mouth to make your reservation.
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