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🦞 Buttered tails and baseball
Fans gather outside Segra Park for the Battle at BullStreet pre-game plaza party, featuring live music, food trucks and family-friendly fun before first pitch. | Photo via Columbia Fireflies
The rivalry energy is starting early at BullStreet this year.
The Columbia Fireflies are bringing back the Battle at BullStreet pre-game plaza party ahead of the 3 p.m. SC vs. Clemson baseball game at Segra Park on Saturday, Feb. 28. Starting at 12 p.m., the plaza at Boyce and Freed streets in front of the stadium will feature live music, drinks, and food trucks, so you can do all of your pre-game tailgating at the park.
Save room for a lobster roll — Cousins Maine Lobster Truck, the brand that broke out on Shark Tank, will make its Cola debut with buttery rolls, lobster tots, and New England Chowder. If crustaceans aren’t your thing, there’ll be brats, hot dogs, and brews for sale. DJ Roy Neptune will provide the soundtrack while fans eat, face off in some friendly rivalry at cornhole and bucketball, and let the kids enjoy face painting and balloon artists.
Hop aboard — South Carolina women’s basketball is offering fan bus trips to Greenville for the SEC Tournament on Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8. Packages include round-trip transportation with options for bus-only or bus + game ticket bundles.
Number
$400,000 — that’s how much SC Launch Inc. is investing in Columbia-based QWERKY AI. The startup builds tools that help businesses use artificial intelligence more efficiently, aiming to lower costs and energy consumption while maintaining strong performance. (Greenville Business Mag)
Eat
The 4th annual Black Eats Week 803 returns Monday, June 22 through Sunday, June 28, culminating in a new “Best Of” Festival and Food Competition on Sunday, June 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Gala Event Center. Black-owned restaurants and food entrepreneurs can register to participate through Sunday, May 31.
Real Estate
The City of Columbia Community Development Department will host a Homebuyer Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Virginia Bedford Community Park. The session will cover money management, credit scores, and debt strategies for first-time buyers. Registration is required.
Play
🎲 Are you looking for our Games page? You can find it here. Thanks to all of our readers who let us know you’re enjoying this page — our team is continuing to work on even more ways to play in future.
Community
What happens when faith, family, and feminism share the same stage? On Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m., the University of South Carolina’s Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse hosts a free conversation at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law featuring Erika Bachiochi. Learn more + register.*
Eat
Some nights you have the energy to cook. Other nights, you have the energy to… stare at the fridge and negotiate with it.Forkful meals arrive fully prepared, use grass-fed beef and free-range chicken, and are 100% seed oil-free. Get 50% off your first box with code CMD50.*
Health
Don’t forget to take your heart seriously. Even mild signs — like unusual tiredness, a queasy stomach, or a general sense that something isn’t right — can signal a problem. Use Prisma Health’s free Heart Health Assessment to take the first step toward a healthier heart.*
Finance
Americans are choosing this powerhouse card for smarter spending. It boasts 0% intro APR on all purchases and balance transfers for nearly two years, up to 6% cash back, a generous sign-up bonus, and zero annual fee. Add it to your wallet.*
Pro Tip
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Health
Crowded restaurants, bustling cafés, lively gatherings — your social life can be loud. These best-selling hearing aids cut through the noise so you hear every word with clarity + confidence. Built with cutting-edge technology and a nearly invisible design, they fit seamlessly into your life. Start a 45-day no-risk trial.*
Category
Sports
Ready, set, sign-up
Richland County offers Shinkickers soccer for kids to developed their skills. | Photo via Richland County Recreation Comission
With even warmer weather on the horizon, you may be thinking about signing your kid up for spring sports or getting back on the field yourself. The Midlands has a wide range of leagues for both youth and adults and if you’re looking to join a team this spring, registration deadlines are approaching.
Check out these leagues to find a team sport near you.
Columbia Parks and Recreation
From youth baseball and lacrosse, to chair volleyball for seniors, and kickball for adults, Columbia Parks and Rec offers a wide variety of activities available with registration still open. Some of the leagues begin in March, so don’t wait to get signed up.
Everplay Social
From kickball + softball to volleyball, bowling, and cornhole, Everplay Sports and Social Club offers an array of sports to choose from. Registration for spring leagues closes today, Feb. 18, so pull the old squad together for a run at a rec league championship.
The Buy
A 4.6-star rated collagen mask that features a Botox-like peptide developed using Nobel Prize-winning technology. It deeply moisturizes dry skin while boosting elasticity and improving skin sebum levels.
If you can’t wait until the Battle at Bullstreet to try the new lobster food truck, Cousins Maine Lobster Truck will soft launch at the Finlay Park Friday concert series on Feb. 27 from 3 to 8 p.m. The Jon Rooks Band will hit the stage at 6 p.m., so pick a good spot to picnic on the oval.