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Watching like a hawk
A cardinal rests on a limb in Columbia, SC. | Photo by sylviefsmith
Dial in your binoculars, Cola. The Great Backyard Bird Count starts today. The annual Bird Count runs Friday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 16. The community science event — the first online citizen-science project of its kind — invites people from across the globe to go outside, watch, learn about, count + celebrate birds.
The annual winter event helps scientists better understand bird populations before their annual migrations.
During the Bird Count, 32 state organizations will collaborate to observe + collect data on our local avian friends to better understand bird habitats, global bird populations, and annual migration patterns.
Anyone can participate — all you have to do is go outside and observe for as little as 15 minutes. Count all of the birds you see or hear using one of the following tools:
16th Annual Pettyfest | 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. | $10 | Meet racing royalty and tour the Petty museum and garage at this family-friendly event. Vendors + food trucks will be on site, and the first 100 cruise-in cars will win autographed dash plaques.*
Scale your business without scaling your costs thanks to T-Mobile. | Photo provided by T-Mobile
With T-Mobile for Business, leveling up your business communications comes with smart, built-in savings.
With the CoreMobile plan, get 10 or more business voice lines for just $15 per line, per month. You’ll keep your current devices and phone numbers, resulting in zero interruptions + no contact updates.
It’s a simple way to scale your communications and streamline operations — the perfect solution for growing teams ready to save without sacrificing reliability.‡
Ladder 13, the signature restaurant inside the new Lantern Hotel Columbia, is open in the restored firehouse on Senate Street in the Vista. The menu, developed by James Beard-nominated chef Kevin Johnson, features Mediterranean-inspired dishes and cocktails. (Free Times)
Holiday
Roses are red, violets are blue… how much will Valentine’s Day florals cost you? The average price of a dozen roses from a florist in SC is $102, according to a new FinanceBuzz study. But if the way to their heart is through their stomach, these local lunch deals will do the trick for way less.
Award
Former Gamecock football standout John Abraham will receive the inaugural Herschel Walker Award at the 89th Maxwell Awards Gala on Saturday, March 14 in Atlanta. The honor recognizes former players who return to complete their undergraduate degrees. Abraham earned his bachelor’s degree in 2025.
Cause
The Big Red Barn Retreat will host its fourth annual Southern Shuckdown Oyster Roast on Friday, March 27, from 6 to 10 p.m. Proceeds support programs for veterans and first responders.
Today Is
Friday the 13th, a day that has been long associated with bad luck. We hope it doesn’t impact you. Research shows, however, that superstitions like these definitely impact black cats, who are less likely to be adopted than other felines. Lizzy June at Final Victory Animal Rescue needs a home. (History.com)
Family
The Lemonade Twins, a popular Soda City Market vendor, will host their fourth annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 21 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Woodland Park Recreation Center. The free, rain-or-shine event includes egg hunts for all ages, food trucks, giveaways, and vendor opportunities.
Community
We love our readers — this Valentine’s Day and always. Your thank-you emails pour in each week, often asking how you can support us. In this season of love, consider making a contribution to support our team and power local storytelling.
Featured Lot
Meet Arrowhead Lake in Jonesville, SC — ±290 acres of mature forest wrapped around a nearly 40-acre lake. With utilities in place, a large metal building, extra pond, and miles of trails, it’s a rare, ready-to-go property just minutes from Union, Spartanburg, and the new Union Medical Center. Check it out.*
Featured Deal
Meet THC Libido Lift Gummy: a gummy that combines THC, CBC, and four ancient aphrodisiac botanicals backed by science to boost mood, reduce anxiety, and support blood flow. Get a pack of Libido Lift free with purchase when you spend $50 on TribeTokes. Use code VDAYGUMMY.†*
Category
Festival
A fest with local love
The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and goes through the Rosewood neighborhood. | Photo by COLAtoday
Cola’s biggest Mardi Gras celebration is back — and bigger than ever — bringing a full day of live music, food, and fun to City Roots on tomorrow, Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day), from 12 to 7 p.m.
The 16th annual Mardi Gras Columbia festival, hosted by Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya, will feature a record-setting 19 local bands performing across three stages, marking the largest lineup in the event’s history. E.Z. Shakes, 48 Fables, and Dylan Hayes Band will headline the bill.
Before the festival kicks off, a free Mardi Gras parade will roll through Rosewood at 11 a.m. Community members are invited to walk, bike, ride golf carts, or bring leashed dogs. Parade lineup begins at 10 a.m. along Jim Hamilton Blvd., across from City Roots, and ends at the festival gates at noon.
Expert-built lessons, podcasts, and speaking practices to help you learn a new language (and gain confidence in your life). Shop Babbel’s 60% off Lifetime subscription sale, giving you unlimited access to all 25 languages forever. Whether you’re planning travel, boosting your career, or learning for personal growth, this is the perfect time to start — and continue for life.
We have big Valentine’s Day plans Saturday night at my house. We’ll be watching the Gamecocks women’s basketball team take on SEC rival LSU at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN. We’ll have our Cromer’s popcorn ready as Columbia’s own Mylasia Fulwiley faces her former team for the first time in an LSU uniform.
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‡10 lines for $150/mo; each additional line $15/mo/line with AutoPay; plus taxes & $35 device connection charge.
