Soda City Comic Con fans fill the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. | Photo by Forrest Clonts
“Gosh!” Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) is one of the headlining guests coming to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center for Soda City Comic Con. The two-day event kicking off Saturday, Aug. 23, will also feature Katee Sackhoff, Randy Quaid, and voice actors from “One Piece” and “My Hero Academia.”
Fans can dive into celebrity panels, photo ops, and autograph sessions, plus explore more than ~150 vendors, gaming tournaments, and the 10th Annual Children’s Cosplay Contest. Tickets start at $20.
Asked
Asked
Which local HBCU did Sanford Greene —a Columbia-based comic book artist who worked on Marvel’s Spider-Verse — attend?
A. Allen University B. Benedict College C.Claflin University D. South Carolina State
Art in Focus with Dr. Abbe Schriber | 11-11:30 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free with membership or admission | The USC assistant professor of art history and African American studies leads this talk on Carrie Mae Weems’ “Untitled (The Shape of Things).”
$1 Down $15 per month | Planet Fitness | Planet Fitness is offering memberships for just $1 down, $15 per month — offer expires Wednesday, Aug. 20.*
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Ask the Gardener Happy Hour: Tame the Rain! | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | Free | Learn how to tame the rain by designing and maintaining a beautiful, eco-friendly rain garden using native perennials.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Fall Garden Workshop | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Prosperity Civic Center, Prosperity | Free | Newberry Conservation Mobile Lab hosts this workshop discussing plant, soil health, and other info for healthy crops.
Take My Hand and Wave Goodbye | Thursday, Aug. 21-Saturday, Aug. 23 | 8-10 p.m. | Trustus Theatre | $35+ | This play follows a family grappling with grief after a random act of gun violence.
Friday, Aug. 22
Unbound Dance Company “Love Is Louder” | Friday, Aug. 22-Saturday, Aug. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Lexington 2 Performing Arts Center, West Columbia | $35 | This show explores the quiet battles we face in a noisy world.
Live Outside with Black Nerd Mafia | 5 p.m. | Koger Center Plaza Stage | Free | This Friday evening concert series features “The Cool Table,” a diverse group of independent creatives.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Columbia Punk Flea Market | Saturday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 24 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Jamil Shrine Temple | $10 | Shop vintage, vinyl, oddities, and art from dozens of DIY vendors at this indoor-outdoor punk market.
Whether it’s cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, or interventional cardiology, Lexington Medical Center offers unmatched expertise. | Photos provided by Lexington Medical Center
When it comes to matters of the heart, every second — and every detail — counts.
At Lexington Health Heart & Vascular Center, patients gain access to a highly coordinated team of heart surgeons, vascular surgeons, and cardiologists who work together to provide seamless, world-class care.
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report and honored as South Carolina’s first HeartCARE™ Center of Excellence, Lexington Health is the Midlands’ leader in heart and vascular care. From the very first screening to advanced treatment and recovery support, the center’s experts use cutting-edge technology to help patients get back to living life to the fullest.
Crispy Cones, a grilled dough ice cream shop that appeared on Shark Tank, is opening soon on Main Street beside the Moxy Hotel. | Photo by COLAtoday
Coming Soon
In mid-July, we shared that Crispy Cones, a grilled dough ice cream shop launched from Shark Tank, was coming to Columbia. Now we know where. The new shop will be located on Main Street next door to the Moxy Hotel, just across from the State House.
Opening
Knowledge Perk Coffee at Gateway 737 will celebrate its grand opening on Monday, Aug. 25. Swing by for 50% off drinks all day, plus a coupon if you tag them in a post on social media. The ribbon cutting will take place at 12 p.m.
Quoted
“Chapin is a quintessential small Southern town on Lake Murray, perfect for those seeking a relaxed outdoor lifestyle,” says Amy Byrne in Travel + Leisure. The Charleston Realtor highlights its affordability, strong schools, and proximity to Columbia as reasons it made the list of top SC towns.
Outdoors
Mays Park near Trenholm and Beltline is officially reopening today with a new splash pad, basketball tree, pickleball + tennis courts, new playgrounds, and a fresh green space. The ribbon cutting is at 10 a.m.
Plan Ahead
Care about where your food comes from? The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s Sustainable Agriculture Conference returns to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Nov. 14–16, with workshops, tours + talks for growers and advocates. Early Bird pricing runs through Sunday, Aug. 31.
Holiday
The Junior League of Columbia’s Holiday Market returns Thursday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 7, raising over ~$250,000 annually to support health and wellness programs for Midlands families. Held at the State Fairgrounds, it features 100+ vendors plus events like Ladies Night Out, the Holiday Ball, and Sundaes with Santa.
Civic
The candidate list is set for Columbia’s Tuesday, Nov. 4 municipal election. Voters will choose the next mayor, plus councilmembers for Districts 1 + 4 and an At-Large seat. Three candidates are running for mayor, and all four incumbents face challengers.
Wellness
Support your liver’s daily grind with Dose. This orange juice-flavored shot blends curcumin, milk thistle, ginger, and dandelion root into a vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free formula. Try Dose for 30% off — your liver will thank you later.*
AI won’t take over the world — people who know how to use AI will. Learn AI skills in three minutes a day with Superhuman AI newsletter. Subscribe for free.*
Post of the Day
Estates & Companies shared a first look at Devine and Heidt — a 55-unit residential project planned for the corner of Devine and Heidt Streets, one block from Five Points. The rendering shows a four-story building with a modern design, offering one- to three-bedroom apartments and parking tucked behind.
Designed for everyone from grad students to empty nesters, the project is still moving through early development stages.
The Buy
The bra your wardrobe’s been asking for:
For the gym: Shop this strappy sports bra for a cute, ribbed look that’s non-padded and stretchy for extra comfort. For v-necks: This best-selling deep v bra features no underwire, seamless edges, and a material that’s soft on skin. For tees: Calvin Klein’s Invisibles comfort bralette is made from soft and smooth microfiber and is lightly lined for coverage.
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.
Looking forward to trying new restaurants in the Lexington area?Lexington’s Week of Restaurants is set for Thursday, September 11, through Sunday, September 21, with a growing list of local spots offering specials. Check out the lineup now and start planning your foodie week.
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