Native plants like the Southern Magnolia can be found at Gardener’s Outpost. | Photo via @gardeners_outpost
Spring is right around the corner and the days are getting longer — but your indoor space isn’t going to change itself. If the idea of an inside refresh is growing on you, check out these 12 Midlands stores where you can buy indoor plants.
Blossom Plant & Produce
Discover a new indoor plant at this new Five Points store that has a variety of native plants. Pro tip: Level up your gardening skill by attending one of its Plant and Pour workshops.
Forest Lake Gardens
You’ll find plenty of household plants at this garden center, but that’s only half the fun. You can also browse ceramics and decor to fully transform your interior.
Gardeners Outpost
There are plenty of indoor plants at both of this business’ Columbia locations, and you’ll be able to find the perfect option for your space. The knowledgeable staff is able to make suggestions based on the amount of light, care requirements, and moisture levels.
Handmade: Color Yourself Calm | 6-7 p.m. | Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library, West Columbia | Free | Find a sense of relaxation and relieve stress at this adult coloring session.
Movie Trivia | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Babylon Kino | Free | Test your knowledge of films for a chance to win prizes including tickets to limited screenings.
University Band Concert | 7:30-9 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Dr. Quintus Wrighten lets the music play as he leads an ensemble consisting of musicians from the USC campus.
Thursday, Feb. 20
12th Annual Postcard Art Event | 6-9 p.m. | Hilton Garden Inn — Downtown | $35+ | Start with cocktail hour, then find a unique creation with 200+ art pieces for sale on 4-by-6-inch canvases.
Constellation Concert Series | 6:30-10 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $16+ | R&B singer Death Ray Robin performs for this Music in the Observatory series show where you can check out the stars through the telescope.
Friday, Feb. 21
Porch Party | 5-7 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | Free | Unwind and enjoy the weather with the Franklin Street community while enjoying a selection of snacks + drinks from the bar.
Expect rain to move into Columbia tomorrow morning, with forecasts indicating northern parts of the Midlands may see a wintry mix. Cold air will likely move into the area tomorrow afternoon which could result in freezing rain, but ice accumulation is expected to be minimal. (WLTX)
Sports
The Gamecocks opened their baseball season with a clean sweep against the Sacred Heart Pioneers, winning three games this past weekend. The opposing team’s swings and misses are attributed to USC’s pitchers; a Gamecock starter struck out nine batters at each of the three games.
Closing
Joann Fabric is trimming down its number of stores after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including its location on Two Notch Road. Its final day of operation has not been announced, but the chain’s website lists it as a “liquidation store.” The West Columbia location has not announced plans to close. (Good Housekeeping)
Announced
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in northeast Columbia is temporarily closed while it goes through an ownership change, but the sports bar won’t be permanently benched. It plans to return with a grand reopening, though its timeline has not been made public. (The State)
Civic
The City of Columbia has posted 20+ boards and commissions vacancies and is looking for locals interested in filling these roles. Openings include positions focused on climate protection, community relations, and parks and recreation. Applications are due by Sunday, March 2.
Cause
The Columbia community is invited to bust a move at the USC Dance Marathon this Saturday, Feb. 22, at Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center. The 14-hour fundraiser will feature performances, speakers, activities, and dancing to benefit the life-saving work at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital - Midlands.
Arts
Picture this: West Columbia’s Art on State will return to the 100-200 blocks of State Street for its seventh year on Saturday, May 9, 5:30-9:30 p.m. The event showcases the city’s arts with live music, a live mural display, food, and the Meeting Street Artisan Market.
Plan Ahead
It’s time to celebrate the creatives who make the Midlands look great. The 2025 American Advertising Awards are taking place this Saturday evening, Feb. 22, to honor local marketers, advertisers, and communications professionals; tickets are still available to attend.
Listen
Get caught up with the four Hurricanes players in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Hurricanes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Meet Happy Head: a prescription-strength, dermatologist-prescribed treatment designed to grow back your hair in as little as three to six months. Get $160 off + free shipping.*
The Buy
The Buy
This No. 1 best-selling exercise dress. Wear it for your afternoon walk, then add a cardigan for dinner and cocktails.
Grape news — today is “National Drink Wine Day.” While this isn’t an observance that gets me out of work, I now know what I’m doing when I get off work. Local wine bar, anyone?
Answered
Answered
What percentage of Columbia’s population is aged 65+?
The new pickleball courts at Southeast Park in Columbia. | Photo via Pickleball Group of the Midlands
When we wrote about activities for older adults in Columbia, we asked COLAtoday readers how much of the city’s population is older than 64.
It’s safe to say we stumped most of you. The correct answer is 11%, but only 4% of participants responded correctly.
Based on US Census data, that means roughly 16,000 Columbians are aged 65+. If you (or someone you know) fall into that demographic, you can find retirement-friendly activities by hitting the button below.
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