River levels rose dramatically in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Hurricane season is in full swing, and it’s the right time to make sure you’re storm-ready.
“As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from Hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities,” said Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm.
Columbia sits in a moderate hurricane risk zone, according to FEMA, meaning we’re vulnerable to heavy rain, high winds, and flooding from storms that track inland. While severe hurricane damage here is uncommon, Helene’s aftermath last year caused extensive power outages in the Midlands, and debris cleanup took months.
We’ve put together a guide to help you prepare now, so you have safeguards in place if a storm impacts our area again.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | This one’s for all your feline friends — bring your cats to Segra Park for a claw-some time during Purr at the Park.*
Thursday, Aug. 14
Meeting Street Artisan Market | 4-8 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, West Columbia | Free | The market includes vendors selling original art, crafts, foods, and produce.
Pop Art Paint and Pour | 6-8 p.m. | Tandem Treasures, Elgin | $50 | Sip wine and unleash your creativity as you paint your pop art masterpiece with local artist Sharon Funderburk.
Friday, Aug. 15
Food Truck Friday | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 2300 Bull St. (REI Co-op parking lot at BullStreet) | Price of purchase | This week’s lineup features King Kone Ice Cream, Right Way Wings & Things, Fishers of Men (P-Nuts), Smoke It Up, and Spicy Voo-Doo.
Yesterday – A Tribute to the Beatles | 6 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington | $24 | Sing along to “Let It Be” and other Beatles favorites during a night celebrating the Fab Four.
Arboretum Open House | 1-4 p.m. | W. Gordon Belser Arboretum | Free | Walk through 10 SC biomes along a 1/3 mile trail and lead from faculty-led presentations.
This new community offers easy access to top amenities
Presented by The One at Columbia
Ready to see The One at Columbia for yourself? | Photos provided by The One at Columbia
Immerse yourself in uncompromising luxury and comfort at The One at Columbia, where modern apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms offer a seamless blend of style and functionality.
Located just 20 minutes from downtown and close to top attractions like The Spur at Northwoods Golf Course, Sesquicentennial State Park, and the Village at Sandhill, this new community features resort-style amenities designed for active, connected living.
Curious to learn more? Schedule a tour or swing by at your convenience.
The Beacon Coffee and Café will open in October in Blythewood’s Food Lion shopping complex on Blythewood Road. Locals Landon and Jordan Thompson will serve specialty coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch, Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Blythewood Online)
Development
A $65 million project off Highway 6 in Red Bank is nearing completion, with most commercial sites expected to be completed in 2026. The 57-acre development will feature retail, restaurants, and 142 townhomes, plus businesses like Lowes Foods, Planet Fitness, and Prisma Urgent Care. (WIS)
Coming Soon
Melrose Market, a neighborhood grocer and restaurant, is set to open in the former Tripp’s Fine Cleaners location in Melrose Heights next spring. Plans call for a café-style menu, bar, patio, and neighborhood store selling items like beer, wine, and groceries. (The Post and Courier)
Plan Ahead
The SC State Fair will hold a one-day Flash Sale on Monday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fairgoers can purchase five admission tickets for $45, along with optional $33 ride vouchers. This year’s theme is “Harvesting Happiness.”
Festival
Cayce Fall Fest returns Saturday, Oct. 4, from 12 to 6 p.m. at Granby Gardens Park with live music from Coley Williams, Willie Wells and the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass, and Kendall Lanford Music. The free event will feature food, crafts, kids’ activities, and pets are welcome.
Civic
Literacy SC will launch “Road to Work” on Monday, Aug. 18, at Transitions Homeless Center, offering free, twice-weekly job readiness classes for adults experiencing homelessness. The program covers applications, interviews, and job matching to boost income and housing stability. Volunteer sign-ups are open.
Read
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Post of the Day
Ridge View High grad and USC alum Chaz Bear (aka Toro y Moi) wrote the new theme song for McDonald’s psychedelic McDonaldland ad — the first to feature the brand’s full cast of characters in more than 20 years. The spot reimagines a 1971 commercial and promotes the new McDonaldland Meal.
In 2023, Toro y Moi returned to his Cola roots with the release of the “Sandhills” EP, accompanied by a short film from Columbia filmmaker Steve Daniels and producer Katherine Perry.
This summer, make every weekend count with Groupon. Score up to 70% off chef-curated experiences, wine tastings, riveting tours + attractions, spa days that melt the dress away, and more.
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.
Transmission Arcade and The Dragon Room are teaming up on Friday, Aug. 15, for a late-night “Birthday BBQ Bao-dega.” The creative collab menu with Chef Josh Bumgarner + Chef Alex Strickland runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and features sliders, reuben bao, crunchwraps, peach emoji lo mein, and fried rice boudin balls.
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