⚡ Leading the charge | COMET is keeping Columbia moving, but it may not hit the gas. The transit system unveiled four new zero-emission buses: two New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE electric battery buses + two New Flyer 40' Xcelsior hydrogen fuel cell buses.
🏆 Columbia stays winning | Soda City Market was one of 20 farmers markets nominated for USA Today 10Best + encouraged folks to vote. Well, Cola, we did it! Soda City Market was named the No. 1 Farmers Market in the nation by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
🧺 Another one in the basket | You never need an excuse to plan a picnic in Columbia, but if you ever needed one, Wednesday was National Picnic Day. From historic gardens and riverfront spots, Soda City has many places to throw down your blanket and grab a meal with friends + family.
Asked
Asked
2024 wasn’t the first time Hotel Trundle won a USA Today’s 10Best recognition. Which year did the historic accommodation destination win two awards, ranking No. 4 for Best Boutique Hotel and No. 9 Best Historic Hotel?
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 in West Columbia, 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 | Price of purchase | Enjoy a day filled with craft beer, live music, and brews from your favorite local breweries nationwide.
Sunday, April 27
CKNT: Swiftie Brunch | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Hideout in WeCo, West Columbia | $10 | Head to The Hideout in WeCo for Swiftie Brunch, where drag meets your favorite Taylor Swift eras in a high-energy, rhinestoned celebration of queerness, brunch, and bangers.
Columbia Food & Wine: Grand Tasting | 1-4 p.m. | Robert Mills and Hampton Preston Estates | $85 | For the grand finale of the Columbia Food and Wine Festival, plates will be filled with creative and delectable samples from local chefs + glasses clink to an array of drinks.
USC Gamecocks Baseball vs. CSU Buccaneers | 6:30 p.m. | Founders Park | $5 | Root, root, root for the home team as they take on the Buccaneers inside Founders Park.
“Les Miserables” | Through Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | Koger Center for the Arts | $78 | Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption.
96 million. That’s how many Americans are bird watchers, according to a survey from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Check out the NYT’s birdwatching tips before heading out on a local hiking trail known for bird sightings. (New York Times)
Travel
Good news, travelers: The costs you see when eyeing that gorgeous Airbnb will now include all fees, meaning you won’t be hit with a $300 cleaning fee after going to check out. Explore local Airbnbs with our guide to unique places to stay in COLA. (CNN)
Tech
A new study suggests that adults over 50 who use smartphones may experience lower rates of cognitive decline. Yet another reason to subscribe to COLAtoday. (The Guardian)
Eat
Strawberry + Cream Pebbles. That’s the new cereal flavor from Post, the brand behind Fruity Pebbles. You can look for it on grocery store shelves, but if you’re in a berry mood, you can pick your own strawberries at one of these Midlands spots.
Sports
Hornets’ plan B if they miss Flagg, and why it shouldn’t be Ace Bailey with Nata Edwards. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Seasonal
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.*
In case you missed it; this week was 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.
A versatile memory foam pillow with 45,000+ five-star reviews. It features a crescent-shaped design to support optimal alignment and the fill can be adjusted to your preferred level.
Happy Saturday, Columbians. A friend and I were chatting over a cup of coffee at Drip Coffee in Five Points when an employee made an announcement reminding folks to pay their parking meters. Cue several coffee goers standing to step outside — and good thing — because parking rates + penalties have increased around Columbia. Before heading out for a fun weekend, read through the new parking fees and fines, put into effect in March.
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