This week is National Volunteer Week, and we’re in the giving-back spirit. Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are ~40 ways to get involved in Soda City.
Epworth Children’s Home | Become a cottage partner and provide caring relationships with groups of children.
Able SC | Whether as a Travel Ambassador, Travel Navigator, Volunteer Driver, or Office Volunteer, your skills are needed.
City of Columbia Career Fair | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Free | Prepare for on-the-spot interviews, and you may get an offer.
Arboretum Open House | 1-4 p.m. | W. Gordon Belser Arboretum | Free | Walk through 10 SC biomes along a 1/3 mile trail and learn from faculty-led presentations.
Conservation Conversation | 5-8 p.m. | Nickelodeon Theatre | $5 | Celebrate Earth Day by talking with tribal leaders about the importance of nature trails in Indigenous culture.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Carolina Mudcats | 11:05 a.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s WLTX Weather Day: Enjoy $2 Miller Lites, hot dogs, popcorn, and fountain sodas.*
Wednesday, April 23
Comedy + Beer | 7-9 p.m. | Old Mill Brewpub, Lexington | $15 | Laugh along with rising comedians from the Southeast and get there early to order pre-show food.
Devine in Bloom Fashion Show | 6-10 p.m. | Riverside Community Church | $60+ | Watch many of Devine Street’s fantastic boutiques model an array of spring and summer’s latest fashions.
From the (blissfully air-conditioned) galleries to concerts, group exercise, family activities, and more, the CMA has a ton to offer SC residents this summer — admission-free. | Photo provided by the Columbia Museum of Art
Did you take advantage of free summer at the CMA last year? Whether it was your go-to way to beat the heat or you spent all of September kicking yourself for missing out, we have good news:
Earth Day. This year’s theme is Our Power, Our Planet, calling for folks to unite around renewable energy with a goal to triple clean electricity by 2030. Get involved with some Midlands Earth Day events.
Eat
Mo’s Dairy Bar will open in May at the former Zesto’s on Forest Drive. It will serve classic fried chicken, burgers, and ice cream, and will also offer Euro sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks. (WIS)
Biz
Palmetto Garage Works has acquired Nuttall Tire, expanding its Midas network with a 24,000-sqft shop in northeast Columbia. The Two Notch Road location will be slowly rebranded. The local company now operates 27 Midas shops across three states. (The Post and Courier)
Plan Ahead
The Blythewood Spring Championship Rodeo returns Friday and Saturday, May 2–3. Alongside pro bull riding and barrel racing, children ages 4 to 8 can compete in mutton bustin’ — sheep-riding for kids. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at Prisma Health Arena.
Try This
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at the Tour of Tea on Wednesday, May 7 at Boyd Plaza. Free to attend, the event features teas + snacks from Korea, Japan, and India, plus live performances.
Theater
“Clyde’s” is now showing at Trustus Theatre through Saturday, May 3. This sharp, funny play follows diner workers with criminal records building new lives. Directed by Erin Thigpen Wilson, the show explores resilience and second chances.
Listen
LaMelo Ball must get stronger as new Hornets coach Charles Lee challenges him, while Tre Mann’s future remains uncertain. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Featured Apartment
Take a tour of Brookland, an award-winning, riverfront community in the heart of WeCo’s River District. Enjoy city views from floor-to-ceiling windows, plus rooftop access and resort-style amenities. Bonus: Receive a $500 move-in credit with code COLATODAY2025 when you lease by April 30.*
Stat
$10,000. If you owe that much in debt, this organization can reach out to credit card companies and potentially reduce what you owe. See how it works.*
Category
Eat
Doctors’ Orders: Eating healthy at Il Giorgione
Presented by Lexington Medical Center
Take a bite out of this feel-good dish from Il Giorgione. | Photo by @ilgiorgionesc
Welcome to our newest installment of Doctors’ Orders, our series in which Midlands physicians share their go-to dishes at our favorite local eateries.
When it comes to eating out, it’s all about balance — finding dishes that are flavorful, satisfying, and still support your health goals. At Il Giorgione, that’s more than possible.
“Starting the meal out with vegetables and fiber helps with satiety and regulates blood sugar,” she says. “Garlic is also a delicious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.”
For her main course, she’d go with the Capesante: pan-seared scallops with sweet corn and saffron purée, pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, and a touch of chili oil.
“Scallops are both lean and high in protein,” she explains. “Protein helps your body stay fuller longer and aids in weight management, as well as muscle, bone, skin, and hair growth, immune function, healing, and hormone production.”
To top it all off? An affogato. “Gelato is a lower fat alternative to ice cream, and when enjoyed in moderation can help improve happiness — literally, by triggering the release of dopamine and serotonin.”
If you’re craving more inspiration for healthy choices that don’t sacrifice flavor, check out this month’s superfood spotlight featuring carrots.
Irmo Town Limits, the upcoming outdoor concert series at Moore Park, is looking for experienced stagehand volunteers for Motown Night on Friday, May 2. It’s a great way to gain hands-on event experience and be part of the show.
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