Find the perfect gift to express gratitude and love for the role models in your life. | Graphic by 6AM City
Shopping for a loved one? With Mother’s Day falling on Sunday, May 11, it’s a great time to give to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends. Browse the gifts we think will do the trick:
Custom initial jewelry dish | $16.99 | A sweet, delicate ceramic jewelry tray you can customize with their initial.
Local pick: Fresh flower bundle from Fern | $35+ | These seasonal, designer-selected blooms make a thoughtful, ready-to-arrange gift.
Weighted silk lavender eye pillow | $19.99 | A silk sleep mask and a cooling gel eye mask are included in this spa set named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2023.
Golf practice net | $99.99 | Golfers can perfect their swing before stepping out on the course with this golf net great for backyards, basements, or even the living room.
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey | $25 | You don’t have to worry about this lipstick flattering them — Black Honey is designed to look incredible (and different) on everyone.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Hickory Crawdads | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | Food Fight Night: Cheer on the Carolina Grits as they take on an opposing food identity in a flavorful face-off.*
Friday, May 2
The World Goes Round | Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | Broad River Arts Center | $18+ | Hear an eclectic collection of love songs and humorous tunes.
The Soft Girl Era | Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | 1220 Knox Abbott Dr., Cayce | $50 | Participate in an event celebrating all things soft and feminine, embracing pastel colors, cute aesthetics, and gentle vibes.
Saturday, May 3
Kite Festival | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Patriot Park, Sumter | Free | Get ready for a day full of colorful kites, fun competitions, and family-friendly activities.
BirdFest Music Festival | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Wildlife Education Center, Pinewood | $65+ | Lounge back for an afternoon of bluegrass headlined by Ricky Skaggs.
Book signing: “The Southern Awakening” | 6 p.m. | All Good Books | Free | Head to All Good Books to hear from and have your book signed by award-winning author Barnard “the Barber” Sims.
Que! Bueno Mexican Bar & Grill opened its newest location this week in the former Barrio Tacos spot on Devine Street. This marks the Midlands-based chain’s third full-service restaurant. (The State)
Community
Nominations are open for the 2026 Columbia SC Ambassador Program, spotlighting locals who celebrate and elevate the region. Nominees must be 18+ and live in Columbia, Richland, or Lexington counties.
Number
$30 billion — that’s the annual economic impact of SC’s tourism industry, supporting 200,000+ jobs. Travel and Tourism Week runs Sunday, May 4, through Saturday, May 10, with statewide events raising awareness of the industry.
Civic
The City of Columbia will host two drop-in workshops to shape the future of land near the planned Vista Greenway extension. Join Monday, May 12, or Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Eau Claire Print Building.
Traffic
Starting Monday, May 5, Community Road in Blythewood will close through April 2026 for the I-77 Exit 26 Interchange Project. A traffic shift on Blythewood Road begins May 7, and will last six months. (WLTX)
Sports
South Carolina finds a diamond in the rough in the transfer portal. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
$5,000. That’s how much you may have to drop if your dog or cat tears their ACL — a surprisingly common knee injury in pets. To the rescue: pet insurance. With this plan, 90% of that cost could be reimbursed.*
Biz
Last chance to invest in the “Uber of mobile phones.”Mode Mobile grew 32,481% from 2019-2022, and just secured their Nasdaq ticker with plans for a potential IPO. The opportunity to invest at $0.26/share closes today.†*
Number
540,000+. That’s how many customers choose this hearing aid when it comes time to make that decision for their loved ones. See why.*
Biz
Did you miss the chance to feature your business’s product or service in today’s feature of the 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide? Don’t worry — you can still secure your spot in time for Father’s Day. Bonus: Use code PGG2025 for 20% at checkout.
Category
Try This
🚲 Bike and learn
Riverfront Park is one of Columbia’s most scenic places to ride. | Photo by COLAtoday
May is both National Historic Preservation Month + National Bike Month, and Columbia is celebrating with rides, talks, and tours that explore the city’s past and pedal into its future.
Swim trunks with pockets. These quick-drying swimsuit trunks have a hidden pocket built into an anti-chafe compression liner — perfect for keeping phones, keys, and cash safe on beach days.
Dawn Staley is set to release her new autobiography, “Uncommon Favor,” on May 20. | Photo by COLAtoday
Hundreds gathered in the shadow of the State House on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the unveiling of the new Dawn Staley statue. When Sam and I walked up, we realized former Gamecock football coach Steve Spurrier and his wife, Jerri, were in front of us — just a few of the legends in attendance. Stay tuned to tomorrow’s newsletter for more on the star-studded ceremony.