Birdwatchers scan the canopy at Historic Columbia during a spring migration walk led by John Tjaarda. | Photo by COLAtoday
City Editor David here. 👋 When I signed up for “Birdwatching in the Gardens” with Historic Columbia, I didn’t expect my last name to come with a warning. Guide John Tjaarda let me know that in the birding world, a “stringer” is someone who fakes rare bird sightings. Not exactly the reputation I was hoping for.
Thankfully, John tracked everything we saw in real time using the eBird app — so there’s a verifiable list of the 20 species we spotted, from curious Catbirds overhead to a passing Cape May Warbler.
The walk covered more than birds. We learned about the history of house sparrows (blame a Shakespeare fan), the role of dull-colored female birds, and how chimney swifts spend almost their entire lives in flight. It made for an engaging mix of science, storytelling, and springtime observation.
The Night Shift | 6-9 p.m. | Re•Find | Free | Fern Studio Flowers will be on site for build-your-own bouquets and pre-made arrangements.
UniverSoul Circus | Friday, April 25-Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | Columbia Place Mall | $25+ | The circus is coming to town with a show that combines circus arts, theater, and music while celebrating cultural diversity.
Aquatics Open House | 5:30-7 p.m. | Jeep Rogers Family YMCA | Free | Meet aquatics coaches, tour the facility, enjoy food + drinks, and learn more about the Y’s Summer Swim League kicking off May 12.*
Columbia Fireflies vs. Carolina Mudcats | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | Join the Fireflies as they celebrate barrier-breaking pioneer Jackie Robinson and other prominent figures from the Black baseball community.*
Saturday, April 26
Harambee Festival | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Charlie W. Johnson Stadium | $15 | Celebrate community, culture, and music with live performances, food, exhibits, health screenings, and a special 25th anniversary gospel concert.
6th Annual Kinetic Derby Day featuring iMAGINE | 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | State + Meeting Streets, West Columbia | Free | Enjoy a day of creativity, competition, and family fun, featuring the Kinetic Sculpture Parade, soapbox races, and the iMAGINE STEAM Festival.
Hop to Trot Beer Fest 2025 | 12-6 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Company | Free | Spend a day filled with craft beer, live music, and brews from your favorite local breweries nationwide.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Carolina Mudcats | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s Faith + Family Night: Enjoy some family time at Segra Park with a pre-game concert by Forward City Church and a post-game fireworks show.*
Sunday, April 27
Columbia Fireflies vs. Carolina Mudcats | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s Sensory Safe Sunday: Sundays are for family fun and post-game autographs. Enjoy a sensory-safe environment, plus kids can run the bases post-game.*
Fresh blooms, fresh budget — let this sunny BullStreet District view be your sign to spring clean your finances. | Photo by the COLAtoday team
Just like your closet, your finances could probably use a little spring cleaning, so AllSouth Federal Credit Union is sharing three simple ways to refresh your budget:
Cut the clutter (and save money) by canceling unused subscriptions.
Review your recent spending to spot habits and save smarter.
Set fresh, realistic money goals that match your lifestyle.
Ready to tidy things up? Check out this full list of tips to begin your financial fresh start.
Tripp’s Fine Cleaner has closed its location at Gervais and Woodrow streets due to an upcoming redevelopment. The space will soon house a ~5,500-sqft wine and tapas restaurant with patio seating and a ~7,000-sqft hair studio. Nearby locations remain on Harden Street and Forest Drive, with free home pickup available.
Development
It’s full steam ahead in Columbia — The Nuclear Company is establishing its primary headquarters here, bringing 100+ jobs and launching site evaluations for a 6-gigawatt reactor fleet. It will use a rapid build approach with an AI-powered site selection strategy that aims to speed up timelines and cut costs. (WLTX)
Ranked
SC topped Realtor.com’s 2025 State Report Card, ranking No. 1 nationwide for housing affordability and new home construction. The Palmetto state earned the only “A” grade, with 1 in 4 homes priced under $350,000 and typical mortgage payments below 30% of household income.
Civic
Leadership Columbia’s Class of 2025 will unveil major renovations to The Free Medical Clinic on Harden Street during a re-launch event Monday, May 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. The public is invited for food, entertainment, and remarks from local leaders. Updates include interior upgrades, exterior improvements, and rebranding.
Shop
Columbia’s community yard sale, The Big Flea, returns Saturday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Shoppers can hop through the Historic Earlewood neighborhood or browse booths at Reformation Lutheran Church. The event is free and open to the public.
Listen
Listen to several early takeaways for the Hurricanes after two games. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Hurricanes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Cause
Raise a glass for a great cause at Steel Hands Brewing’s Cayce taproom, today through Sunday, April 27. In honor of Officer Drew Barr, Steel Hands Brewing will donate $1 for every pint of Steel Paws Wheat Ale poured to support SC law enforcement + K9 programs. Learn more.*
Give the gift of comfort this Mother’s Day with a Pride Lift Chair from Hawthorne Medical Equipment. Enjoy special discounts and free local delivery during their Mother’s Day Sale. Shop at one of their three DME (Durable Medical Equipment) locations — Taylor St., Sunset Blvd., or Lugoff.*
Columbia native Craig Melvin gives TODAY show co-host Jenna Bush Hager a chilly wake-up call during her #SpeakYourMIND Challenge moment. | Screenshot via TODAY
USC’s MIND (Mental Illness Needs Discussion) club has reignited the Ice Bucket Challenge, a cool trend to spotlight mental health awareness. Dubbed the #SpeakYourMIND Challenge, it encourages participants to donate after they douse themselves with ice water, share their experiences on social media, and nominate others — all to support Active Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to youth mental health.
Launched in March by USC junior Wade Jefferson, the campaign initially aimed to raise $500. It has since gone viral, amassing over $320,000+ and drawing participation from celebrities like Peyton Manning and Jenna Bush Hager, who was doused live on the Today show by none other than Columbia native Craig Melvin.
To join, participants should:
Nominate two to five individuals by tagging them in their videos.
Donate to Active Minds via the official fundraising page.
Share their videos using the hashtag #SpeakYourMIND and tag @uscmind.
Stay in the know by following @uscmind and @active_minds, and visiting activeminds.org.
If you felt the earth move under your feet this week, you weren’t dreaming. A 2.3 magnitude earthquake near Elgin hit early Thursday morning — the sixth tremor recorded in SC this year.
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