COLAtoday staff here. We receive hundreds of thank you emails every week, and often you ask how you can support us. That’s why we’ve created this campaign with a goal to raise $4,000 by the end of the week. If you’ve gotten something out of being subscribed to COLAtoday, like finding that life-changing concert in our Events section. Or using our City Guides to plan the perfect way to spend the day with family, we couldn’t be more honored to be a part of your life — and we’re calling on you now to help support our mission.
👥 Introverts included
You could go from free agent to league champion with your new friends. | Photo via @everplaysocial
Have you ever felt like an introvert living in an extrovert’s world? While most people fall somewhere between introversion and extroversion, it’s not uncommon to gravitate toward the introverted side of the spectrum.
Luckily, you don’t need to silently wonder how to get out of your comfort zone in Columbia; there are spaces for everyone to socialize in the city.
Author Talk: Steven Jacobs | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Lexington Main, Lexington | Free | The local author will discuss his true crime book with a signing + opportunity to purchase a copy.
Open Jam + Acoustic Open Mic | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern | Free | Head upstairs to jam along with the Sam and Illia Band or go downstairs to watch open mic performances.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Watch Freely: “Twisters” | 2:30-4:45 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Get swept away with this 2024 film starring Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones + Anthony Ramos.
“Six” | Tuesday, Feb. 25-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Koger Center for the Arts | $32+ | It’s opening night for this musical about historic heartbreak told by the six wives of Henry VIII.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Umphrey’s McGee | 8 p.m. | The Senate | $35 | The experimental rock band performs for their “Cruising Altitude 2025 Tour.”
Comedy + Beer | 7:30-9 p.m. | Old Mill Brewpub, Lexington | $15 | Jesse Warren hosts this showcase of SC comedians with Mike Reed, Comedian Pudgee, Will Kelly, and Shawna Jarrett.
Mark your calendar for the luckiest day of the year. | Photos by Perry McLeod
Get ready to celebrate all things green and Gaelic at St. Pats in Five Points on Saturday, March 15.
The fun kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 27 when the Five Points plaza fountain is dyed green. Bring your little leprechauns (the kids) for face painting, traditional Irish music, and more.
On Saturday, March 15, the celebration continues with a full day of fun events:
Get to the Green | 7:30 a.m. | Register for the 5K, 10K, or 1-mile family fun run + walk.
Pot O’Gold Playland | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Located in the Andy’s Deli parking lot, this family-friendly play area is free for kids 12 and under.
St. Pat’s Parade | 10 a.m. | Grab a spot early for this free parade along Devine Street.
Irmo is getting ready to rock out with its new spring concert series, “Irmo Town Limits.” Three shows are on the schedule at the Prisma Health Amphitheater at Moore Park, starting with headliner Shot Thru the Heart on Friday, April 25. Ticketing information will be announced soon.
Theater
South Carolina Ballet’s production of “Romeo & Juliet” will come to the Harbison Theatre on Friday, March 7, featuring choreography by William Starrett and principal dancers Claire Rapp + Joshua Van Dyke in the titular roles. Wherefore art thou sitting?Tickets are on sale now.
Arts
The 2025 Richland County Ag + Art Tour is looking for local artisans who would like to be a part of this year’s event. If you’d like to show off your goods, applications are due by Friday, April 25, and the self-guided tour takes place Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8.
Active
Want to put some spring in your step next month? Local walking group Columbia Girls Who Walk is hosting its virtual March Walking Challenge through the Pacer App. The activity is meant to be fun and help you achieve your movement goals one step at a time.
Award
The SC Restaurant and Lodging Association honored Steve Cook as their 2025 Restaurateur of the Year. Cook became a local owner when he opened Saluda’s Restaurant in 1996. Since then, he has also opened il Bucato and Arroyo Tacos + Tequila and plans to open a new steakhouse in Lexington.
Sports
The Panthers may not have won the Super Bowl this year, but they seem to be climbing in NFL rankings. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Biz
Connect with our 58,000+ Instagram followers by partnering with COLAtoday for a sponsored social post. Choose between our feed or story placements — or why not both? Explore even more advertising opportunities with us + elevate your brand’s reach.
Category
Environment
🚮 A little trash talk
Volunteers help Keep the Midlands Beautiful with their work. | Photo via @kmbgreen803
Local nonprofit Keep the Midlands Beautiful pickedup data on visible litter in Richland + Lexington counties and released results from its annual audit.
The study rated 11 areas on a 1-4 scale by assessing 123 random roads. Across both counties, the overall average score was 1.66, generally indicating some visible litter that could be cleaned in a short period of time. While slightly higher than last year’s results, this marks an improvement over 2023 and 2022.
The scores can be further broken down by county and area:
1.63 — Richland County’s average, based on five areas: Upper Dutchfork (1.33), Blythewood (1.43), Columbia (1.60), Upper Richland (1.83), and Lower Richland (1.95)
1.70 — Lexington County’s average, based on six areas: Chapin (1.23), West Columbia (1.44), Irmo (1.63), Rural SW (1.69), Gaston (1.88), and Batesburg-Leesville (2.31)
Keep the Midlands Beautiful relies on the support of 6,000 volunteers each year — you can find opportunities to help online.
The Buy
The Buy
A great dermaplaning razor for unwanted facial hair. This reusable, plastic-free one comes with 11 refill blades and can remove dead skin cells, peach fuzz, and hair on the upper lip, cheeks, and eyebrows.
Am I the only one who tried to collect all 50 state quarters in the series that came out from 1999 through 2008? If you remember the South Carolina quarter, it was released in 2000. It’s one of the more common coins, but if you have one in mint condition, it’s appreciated in value — probably to about $3.50 at this point.
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