Carolina Distinguished Professor and poet Nikky Finney speaks at the inaugural festival. | Image by SC Poetry Festival
Poets from all corners of SC will be in Columbia Friday-Saturday, June 27-28 for the Soda City Poetry Festival at Richland Library Main. The free, two-day event features workshops, readings, open mics, and kid-friendly programming, including “Poetry Story Time” and a teen songwriting session.
Featured poets include former SC Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth and Columbia Poet Laureate Jennifer Bartell Boykin, who founded the festival last year. It all wraps with a ticketed Poets Laureate Dinner on Saturday at the Koger Center Gallery.
Events
Events
Monday, June 23
Computer Basics Learning Lab | 4-5 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Learn basic computer skills such as using a mouse, saving files to a computer, navigating the Internet, or setting up and using an email account.
Tuesday, June 24
Wine Tasting: High-End, Exclusive, and Rare Varietals | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Sour & Salt Bakery | $25 | This event offers a relaxed, drop-in format with no formal start time, allowing you to savor these selections at your own pace.
Wednesday, June 25
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.
Thursday, June 26
Miss SC’s Got Talent | 4 + 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $85 | See contestants compete in talent rounds during the Miss SC competition.
Friday, June 27
Yoga on the Plaza | 8-9 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | This class focuses on the shapes and general alignment of basic yoga poses along with variations of sun salutations.
Summer is officially underway, with temperatures expected to hit triple digits in the Midlands this week. Columbia has set up nine misting stations in city parks to help folks cool off. (WLTX)
Cause
Transitions Homeless Center is helping those experiencing homelessness stay cool through Operation HEAT, its summer outreach running now through Labor Day. Guests can access water, meals, air conditioning + showers daily. Want to support? Donate bottled water, hats, or sunscreen on weekdays.
Stat
Have you clocked in yet? According to recent data, 40% of people online at 6 a.m. are checking their work email. If that’s you, this is our gentle suggestion to put your phone down and don’t come back until you’ve gotten some coffee. (Microsoft)
Mansion Monday
This Heathwood gem is a gardener’s delight, set on a beautifully landscaped corner lot. Originally built in the 1940s, the home features 11-ft ceilings, a renovated kitchen, built-ins, and a spacious owner’s suite. A guest-ready suite sits above the detached garage.
Eat
3.3%. That’s how much the price of bananas rose in May, according to Consumer Price Index data. The good news is that it’s peach season anyway, and you can find plenty at local farmers markets. And it could be worse — remember the $6.24 million banana duct taped to a wall? (Axios)
Number
62. That’s the age when homeowners qualify for a reverse mortgage to turn home equity into cash without monthly payments. See how it works and view Money’s list of best lenders with A+ BBB ratings and competitive pricing.*
Play
City Guide
💦 Dive in
Orangeburg County YMCA is well worth the drive. | Photo by: @columbiaymca
Are you feeling the heat, Soda City? We’ve got the solution: splash pools, water parks, and outdoor pools. Beat the heat with 10+ local water parks, pools, and splash pools in Columbia.
Water parks and splash pads
Palmetto Falls Water Park, 6511 Strom Thurmond Blvd., Fort Jackson
Slide down two water slides, swim under a splashdown pool, float down the lazy river, and swim in either the kiddie or family pool.
Virginia Hylton Park, 111 Maiden Ln., Lexington
The new park features an in-ground splash system for when it gets too hot.
Pools
Greenview Pool, 6700 David St. | Beat the heat with a pool, waterslides, and a zero-depth splash pad.
Hopkins Park Pool | This 50-year-old pool recently reopened after repairs to the pool.
The No. 1 best-selling apparel item on Amazon and your new shoe of the summer: Crocs. If you haven’t tried them, Crocs are having a comeback, beloved for being lightweight, comfortable, and easy to slip on and off. See what the fuss is about.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Speaking of local poets, former USC football star running back Marcus Lattimore has a new book coming out on Friday, June 24. “Scream my Name” blends memoir and poetry, with excerpts already shared on his social media. Watch him perform a piece about Hall of Fame coach Steve Spurrier.
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