Compasses at the ready, we’re going on an adventure. | Screenshot via LatLon Connect
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you walked in a straight line around the world from Columbia? Wonder no longer, wanderer.
Let us introduce you to LatLon Connect, an online tool that allows users to explore cities across the world that share the same latitude and longitude.
Do you recognize this place? It sits on the same latitude as Columbia. | Photo via Canva
Here’s what we found
In our search, we stuck with the default settings, looking for places with 100,000+ people with a buffer zone of 6.21 miles (that’s 10 kilometers).
Dozens of results popped up in our search, with the most populated city lying directly to the west: Los Angeles, California.
Up next, in the opposite direction with ~1.7 million people, is Rabat, Morocco (pictured above). The entire city is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acknowledged for its blend of historical charm and ambitious modern development.
For more info on Columbia’s international connections, we threw together a guide featuring three of our sister cities.
Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Out in the Open | 10-11 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free with reservation | Bring the toddler in your life down to enjoy larger-than-life sculptures outside for an opportunity to learn + play.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Fall Festival at Cottle Farm | Thursday, Sept. 4-Saturday, Nov. 15 | Times vary | Cottle Strawberry Farm, Hopkins | $15 | Wander through a corn maze, explore the pumpkin patch, hop on wagon rides, and snap fall photo ops at this family-friendly festival.
First Thursday Short Story Reading and Discussion Group | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Richland Library Sandhills | Free with reservation | Join like-minded bookworms for a reading and discussion of Gabriel GarcĂa Márquez’s short story “Eyes of a Blue Dog.”
Friday, Sept. 5
Couples Date Night Pottery Class | 7-9 p.m. | From Dust Pottery Studio | $100 per couple | Plan a hands-on date night with a collaborative, creative twist — and it’s BYOB.
Soda City Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street | Price of purchase | Browse this lively downtown market to find local artisans, businesses, and food vendors — rain or shine.
For the Love of Gardening | 10-11 a.m. | Richland Library Blythewood | Free | Bring your gardening questions and get ready for some tips + tricks from COLA’s green-fingered experts.
Sunday, Sept. 7
Sensory Sunday at Surge Adventure Park | Surge Adventure Park | $8 | Those young and young at heart can experience the adventure park with quieter music, no flashing lights, and smaller crowds.
Renovations at Finlay Park are taking longer than originally expected. The $25 million project is restoring the park’s lawns, and bringing new features like public art, a stage, and new gardens. Officials had for a September completion, but it could now run as late as November. (The Post and Courier)
Coming Soon
COLA’s dining scene is preparing for a new face. Melrose Market is set to open in the Melrose Heights neighborhood early next year, offering American brasserie eats in a cafe-style setting. There will also be some retail options for pantry items and other kitchen goodies. (Columbia Business Report)
Legacy
Charles Bierbauer, a former CNN correspondent and past president of the White House Correspondents Association, died at age 83. Bierbauer was the first dean of the University of South Carolina’s journalism program, with a legacy including the launch of Cocky’s Reading Express and leading the effort to open the state-of-the-art journalism building on the Horseshoe. (AP)
Soda Citizen
Do you remember Marcus Lattimore, the beloved Gamecocks football star? He’s making waves in his new home in the Pacific Northwest — but not on the field.Learn more about Lattimore’s rise through Portland, Oregon’s poetry + theater scene. (Oregon Live)
Cause
Help make Halloween special for local kids at Riverbanks Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo event. Returning in October, 700 volunteers are needed to help out guests and hand out candy on the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Those who sign up will also get free admission ticket for another time.
State
Did you buy a Powerball ticket this weekend? If you did, you might be sitting on $50,000. That’s how much someone is owed after buying a ticket at a Circle K gas station in Aiken. Tonight’s jackpot drawing is estimated to be around $1.3 billion. (The State)
Ranked
No. 10. That’s where the Gamecocks rose three spots to in the AP Top 25 after their season-opening win over Virginia Tech at the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Clemson Tigers slid to No. 8 following their home loss to LSU.
Biz
“Straightforward, transparent, and low stress.” That’s how one business described our self-service ad portal. No sales pressure. No hidden fees. Just you, your message, and the tools to get it out there — your way. Get started.
Listen
Will 2025 be the year Bryce Young breaks out? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Drink
Enjoy an evening of cocktails, cuisine, and conservation during ZOOfari on Friday, September 26, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. General admission is $100 ($85 for members), with a limited number of VIP upgrades available, including exclusive curator-led tours. Reserve your spot.*
Coming Soon
Drum roll please. COLAtoday’s Best launches on Sept. 15, which means you get the chance to tell us your fave local businesses. Get ready to cast your nominations and stay tuned for when polls open.
The ~78,000 fans at Williams-Brice Stadium will bring the noise as the Gamecocks aim for their second win of the season. If you want to be among the supporters, there are resale tickets up for grabs starting around $50.
Your go-to item for upping fall runs and workouts: a top-selling weighted strength training vest. Choose from six pounds up to 30 pounds and add the weighted vest to runs, classes, or gym sessions to enhance calorie burning, improve your core, and increase muscle gains.
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.
The folks at the National Hurricane Center are keeping their eyes on the tropics as we approach the time of year where the Atlantic hurricane season sees the most activity.
Now is the perfect time to prepare for any future storms. The last thing you’ll want to do is fight over the last can of Chef Boyardee’s finest at Walmart. Don’t ask me how I know that.
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