Plus, Soda City FC makes history.
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🗓️ Good ol’ Columbia fun

Pickleball Columbia.jpeg
You’re never too old to try your hand at pickleball. | Photo via Pickleball Group of the Midlands
Goodbye, 9-5. If you (or someone you know) recently retired, you might be looking for activities catering to older adults. Clock into our retirement guide and find opportunities in Columbia that work for you.

Get fit

If you’re not planning on slowing down in your retirement, keep moving with fitness classes designed for older Columbians.
There’s no wrong way to get fit. Your first step could be as easy as finding walking trails at a local park or exploring one of Columbia’s easier hikes.

Spend time with the grandkids

If you’re looking to spend time with the grandchildren, explore these 25+ kid-friendly activities in Columbia and pick one that’s your speed. Pro tip: Don’t drive — the COMET transit system offers reduced fares for kids 6-18 and adults 65+.
Explore more opportunities

Asked

What percentage of Columbia’s population is aged 65+?

A. 11%
B. 16%
C. 21%
D. 26%
Take the population pop quiz

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 4

Teen Makers: No-Sew Heart Pillows | 4-5 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Teens 18 and under can celebrate the month of love by crafting a heart-shaped pillow, no sewing skills required.

Tacos, Tequila, and Tunes Music Bingo | 7-9 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free | Name that tune and fill your board as you enjoy tacos + deals on tequila and margaritas.

Wednesday, Feb. 5

Gather and Grow | 8-9 a.m. | Segra Park | $15 | This month’s theme is headshots and handshakes: Get a professional headshot while you network, grow your small business, and eat hot breakfast.

Cathy and Lance | 7-10 p.m. | Top Dawg Tavern | Free | Listen to the local duo — vocalist Cathy Jansen + acoustic guitarist Lance Roper — perform, plus score food and drink deals.

Thursday, Feb. 6

First Thursday | 6-9 p.m. | Hotel Trundle | Free | Love is in the air at this social night with jazz by Mark Rapp and the ColaJazz Foundation, drinks, and pop-up shops with Valentine’s gifts for sale.

USC Symphony Orchestra Rising Stars | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Koger Center | $16+ | Winners of the 2024-25 Concerto-aria Competition show off their talents by performing pieces by classic composers.

Friday, Feb. 7

Good Kid, M.A.A.D Party: Kendrick Lamar Night | 9 p.m. | The Senate | $15+ | Be humble and listen to DJ Mike Tech spin tunes from the “Not Like Us” Grammy-winning rapper.
More to do this week
Click here to have your event featured.

Holiday

Plan a Valentine’s dinner to remember

Presented by LTC Hospitality Services
A chandelier at The Venue
A romantic evening awaits at The Venue. | Photo provided by The Venue
Make this Valentine’s Day magical at The Venue. Enjoy an elegant evening featuring:
  • A romantic five-course dinner crafted to perfection
  • Optional expertly paired wines for an elevated experience
  • Enchanting live music by pianist Suzanna Swearingen
Whether it’s a date night or a special outing, The Venue’s cozy and elevated atmosphere is perfect for celebrating love. Don’t wait—reserve your spot and make Feb. 14 truly extraordinary.
Save your seat, lovebirds

News Notes

Sports

Soda City FC scored a championship that will go down in United Premier Soccer League history. The team defeated FC Folsom 4-2 at the UPSL National Championship game on Sunday. This makes Soda City FC the first UPSL team to win back-to-back championship cups.

Environment

The City of Columbia opened applications for the second round of funding for its Youth Climate Action Fund — a collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies. The city will award microgrants totaling $100,000 to youth-led climate initiatives focused on people ages 15-24. Applications are open through Saturday, March 22.

Edu

The South Carolina State Fair is now accepting applications for its annual Ride of Your Life Scholarship through Saturday, March 15. The fund is open to SC high school seniors who will pursue higher education in the state, and 50 students will be selected to receive $10,000 awards.

Arts

The music continues for the South Carolina Philharmonic’s Morihiko Nakahara. The organization announced he has renewed his contract as music director through June 30, 2029. Nakahara has served in this role since 2008.

Plan Ahead

Plan for some future history — Historic Columbia announced its February events. The calendar begins with a virtual talk tomorrow focused on the untold labor and hardships of enslaved people in kitchens. Other offerings this month include walking tours and birdwatching.

Listen

After a promising rookie season, it looks like Ja’Tavion Sanders could be the tight end the Panthers need. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Concert

On Sunday night, banjo extraordinaire Béla Fleck won his 19th Grammy — and you can catch him here in Cola later this month performing with wife Abigail Washburn and the South Carolina Philharmonic. Learn more + snag tickets.*

Health

Your primary care physician (PCP) is more than just a doctor — they’re your health partner, too. From managing chronic conditions to catching potential issues early, regular visits to your PCP are crucial for long-term wellness. Find out why having a trusted physician is the key to maintaining your health.*

Number

3.5 million. That’s how many Americans subscribe to 1440 — a daily digest for unbiased national news on business, politics, culture, and more. Subscribe for free.*

Development

🌳 Finlay’s fall finishline

Construction on Finlay Park with COLA's skyline in the background.
Finlay Park is coming together. | Photo via COLAtoday
Finlay Park is aiming to reopen this fall. According to a recent update from Assistant City Manager Henry Simons, the City of Columbia is hoping the redevelopment will be completed by September.

This would roughly keep the city on its anticipated timeline. When crews broke ground in September 2023, they anticipated construction would take 22-24 months. However, Simons said that delays still are possible, but the park should be completed by at least the end of 2025.

The city has invested $24.1 million into Finlay Park’s revitalization. The plan is to update existing amenities and increase accessibility, safety, and visibility so citizens are encouraged to partake in outdoor activities.
What will be added?

The Buy

Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling water bottle — the Owala FreeSip. It’s a top seller for good reason: Owala has perfected a spout design that allows you to either sip upright through a built-in straw or tilt back to swig a gulp. It’s actually patented.
More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Mike NCT Blue
Good morning, Columbia. I’m a national city editor at 6AM City — COLAtoday’s parent company — so you’ll see me helping out David + Sam occasionally. I must say, for a city with the nickname “Soda City,” Columbia has quite an impressive coffee scene to explore.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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