This truck partially runs on biofuel made from recycled cooking oil. | Photo by City of Columbia
Throwing recyclables into the wrong container? What a waste. People around the world are trying to live in increasingly sustainable ways. From reducing carbon emissions to changing eating habits, there’s a range of ways to do your part for our planet — and you can start by recycling in Columbia.
Today is Global Recycling Day, so we decided to break down some of the details about recycling. Pro tip: Use this interactive map to help you find recycling locations across the state. It showcases what you can recycle in each county and drop-off centers.
Play Freely: Mah Jongg | 6-7:45 p.m. | Richland Library, Ballentine | Free | Grow your skills at this exciting tile-based game with a growing community of players.
Tuesday, March 11
Songwriters Night | 7-9 p.m. | Bill’s Music Shop, West Columbia | Free | Hear new tunes from local artists at the Pickin’ Parlor.
Wednesday, March 12
Arnold Aging Lecture | Wednesday, March 12-Thursday, March 13 | 10-11 a.m. | USC | Learn the steps of healthy aging from current research guided by experts.
Uncle Festers Comedy Night | 8-11 p.m. | Uncle Fester’s Music Pub | $10+ | Get a dose of local laughs at this show with comedians Ben Jennings, David Dowdy, and Matt Blizz + Gabby.
Friday, March 14
St. Patty’s Celebration | Friday, March 14-Saturday, March 15 | Times vary | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Shamrock at this three-day celebration sipping Irish stout, watching bands perform, enjoying food, and playing games.
Get an inside look at the Sea Turtle Care Center, get up-close to stingrays, and dive into more marine life fun. | Photos provided by the South Carolina Aquarium
Spring break isn’t just for kids. Embrace your inner child at the South Carolina Aquarium, where you can explore the wonders of marine life while enjoying the beauty of Charleston.
From exhilarating dive shows and scavenger hunts to interactive talks and hands-on animal encounters, there’s something for everyone to see and do.
Whether you’re enjoying family time on the kids’ days off, taking a break from school, or unplugging from work, the Aquarium is a magical spring break destination.
The Gamecocks are SEC champs — again. No. 5 USC defeated No. 1 Texas 64-45 to claim its third straight SEC Tournament title and ninth in 11 years under Dawn Staley. Chloe Kitts earned MVP honors, and both teams are projected No. 1 NCAA seeds. (WLTX)
Festival
The Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival returns Saturday, March 22, bringing peak blooms, art, and family fun to Irmo Town Park. Expect picnicking, Plein Air painting, handcrafted art, and local food vendors under the Yoshino cherry trees. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Transit
The COMET CEO, Maurice Pearl, proposed turning the $1.7 million site at Lucius Road and River Drive into a driver-training facility. The location was originally planned as a transit hub, but structural issues made it unsuitable for heavy bus traffic. (WLTX)
Edu
The SC State Fair’s Ride of Your Life Scholarship deadline is Saturday, March 15. Thanks to a $37,000 donation from Circle K and EMC Tickets, 53 scholarships — worth $10,000 each — are available to SC high school seniors.
Arts
The SC Philharmonic’s Tasting Notes fundraiser returns Monday, March 31 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the SC State Museum. Enjoy bites from top Columbia restaurants, live music, wine tastings, and a silent auction. Tickets start at $125 with proceeds supporting music education and outreach.
Eat
The State newspaper wants your vote for the best barbecue in the Midlands. From pulled pork to brisket, and mustard-based to tomato-based sauce, 22 locally owned barbecue spots are in the running. Cast your vote by Wednesday, March 12.
Sports
Does SC have the most to gain in spring football? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Dreaming of your next vacation? Now’s the time to book — and save. Favorite Day Adventures has exclusive pricing on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship for cruises happening during Thanksgiving, Christmas 2026, and spring break 2027. Lock in rates by Friday, March 21 (before prices increase by the thousands). Browse trips + book.*
Job
Do you have a passion for all things Northern Virginia, a knack for storytelling, and a drive to engage readers? We’re hiring a creative and dynamic Newsletter Editor to join our team at NOVAtoday and craft daily, hyper-local content. We’ve got the perks just for you: competitive salary, 401K with company match of 4%, and so much more. Apply now.
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Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Photo by @columbametrocc
Two new Urban Canvas tapestries debuted at the Cottontown Art Crawl on Saturday showcasing Columbia’s river wildlife. The tapestries, created by local artists Michael Cassidy and Stephen Chesley, now hang outside Il Focolare Pizzeria on Sumter Street.
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