Cheers to craft brews and wild views at Riverbanks’ Brew at the Zoo. | Photo via Riverbanks Zoo
Brew at the Zoo, one of Riverbank’s signature events, returns Friday, Aug. 1, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sip with sea lions, spot nocturnal neighbors, and sample pours from more than 40 breweries. Then, refuel with eats from local food trucks and enjoy live music by Prettier Than Matt. Grab a ticket and map out your evening.
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.
Savage Trivia Night | 7-10 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, West Columbia | Free | Test your knowledge and compete for prizes every week at this summer trivia series in the Armory.
Lexington BlowFish Blood Drive | 12 p.m. | Lexington County Baseball Stadium, Lexington | Free | Donate blood, earn $70 in TBC rewards, and hit a home run for those in need.*
Wednesday, July 30
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, July 31
Double Danger Pinball Weekend | Thursday, July 31-Friday, Aug. 1, Saturday, Aug. 2 | Craft and Draft Irmo; Transmission Arcade, Irmo | $5+ | Try this fun weekend of pinball competition for everyone in the whole family
The new 3RVRS logo is unveiled at the Saluda Riverwalk. | Photo by COLAtoday
Announced
Business leaders unveiled a new riverfront brand for Columbia: “3RVRS.” The proposed logo represents the Saluda, Broad, and Congaree rivers and may appear on merch like hats, shirts + totes. (The Post and Courier)
Wellness
Michael P. Gibson — aka Gibby Siz — was featured in The New York Times for his distinctive “Gibson method” of topiary, blending plant art with mental wellness. He’s building a therapeutic sensory garden at Columbia’s Edisto Discovery Park to help residents manage stress through horticulture.
Announced
Dust off your bucket hat and your boyband T-shirt. Tickets are on sale now for the Best of Columbia bash on Thursday, Aug. 15. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres by Chef Scott Hall, full bar access, and immersive Y2K-themed experiences. Throwback fashion is highly encouraged.
Eat
The SC State Museum’s “Harvesting Heritage” series returns Friday, Aug. 22, with “Changing Tides” — a celebration of Black foodways in SC. Enjoy a crab crack reception and panel with Chef Amethyst Ganaway, Tia Clark, and Keisha Rainey.
Civic
More than 2,200 Columbia households may qualify for free energy upgrades through Dominion Energy’s Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program. Through September, eligible residents can receive LED bulbs, weather stripping, smart power strips, and more — installed at no cost.
Mansion Monday
Reflections of Woodhill, a ~7,000-sqft estate on nearly two acres, blends European design with luxury upgrades — think Zuber French wallpaper and dual chef’s kitchens. Outside, you’ll find a pool, a cabana with retractable screens, and a an outdoor ping pong table.
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
Finance
More central banks are stocking up on gold. Want in on the gold rush? Gold IRAs can be a good way to own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks. Prospect for gold — no miner’s helmet needed.*
Jobs
Whether you’re a small business looking to grow your team or a large company filling a key role, COLAtoday Job Board can connect you with engaged, qualified locals who are ready to work. Post your open roles for free + watch the applications roll in.
Home
Mold, roof leaks, foundation cracks — clogged gutters can cause costly home damages. Get HomeBuddy’s top-rated gutter guards installed over your existing gutters in under a day.*
The Boyd Passage Trailhead opens a fresh route on the Palmetto Trail, thanks to The Boyd Foundation. | Photo by COLAtoday
From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and mountains, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Midlands area with eight routes to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Traverse a self-guided loop boardwalk through ancient cypress‑tupelo swamp — home to 1,000‑year‑old trees and rich wildlife with 140+ bird species for the birders.
Explore sandstone formations, fossils, and the Midlands’ only natural waterfall on this easy trail. Choose a short loop to see Little Peachtree Rock and the falls, or hike the full preserve for a longer adventure through sandy pine forest.
This best-selling titanium cutting board. Take this as your cue to swap out your grimy old cutting boards for this highly rated upgrade — praised by reviewers for its easy cleanup, durability, and everyday functionality.
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.
Vedha Indian Cafe, a new restaurant serving Biryani, dosa, and curries, celebrated its grand opening in Lexington near Hudson’s Smokehouse. The new spot serves a wide variety of dishes, including vegetarian options, and offers take-out and dine-in options.
}})
