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Editor’s Pick
The Columbia Food and Wine Festival is a chance to taste a variety of the Midlands’ best restaurants. | Photo provided by Columbia Food and Wine Festival
Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and pollen is about to do its thing to sinus tracts across the Midlands. Spring is officially here, and we’re coming up with a few bucket list activities we’re eyeing up for the season:
Take a “Bloom Walk” at Boone Fox Farm in Rosewood and learn how to cut what is blooming.
The Columbia Fireflies return to Segra Park soon — nothing says spring like tickets for a ballgame.
We’ll spare you the slides — but this Power Point Lane home is worth presenting. Set on 252 ft of Lake Murray frontage, the Lexington estate features a remodeled kitchen, updated owner’s suite, multiple garages, and a dock with three boat slips. Bonus for anglers — there’s a green dock light designed to attract fish.
Development
Plans for a Toyota dealership and additional commercial space are moving forward along West Main Street in Lexington after Planning Commission approval. The project includes road improvements, with construction expected to begin in 2027 pending final approvals. (The Post and Courier)
Biz
Columbia teens can apply to join the Soda City Market Student Pop-Up happening Saturday, April 11. The free event gives young entrepreneurs ages 16+ a chance to run a booth alongside vendors, with applications due Saturday, March 28.
Transit
Lexington County is asking residents to weigh in on its first transportation improvement plan through an online survey, with feedback helping shape future road and traffic priorities. The effort comes as officials study congestion, safety, and growth across the county. (WLTX)
Drink
More Columbians might be grabbing a bar stool (and maybe a mocktail) instead of stocking the home bar. Liquor store sales in the US dipped roughly 5% last year while spending at bars rose 4%, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (NBC News)
Sports
Get a taste of Augusta National at home. Did you know you can order an official hosting kit with pimento cheese, egg salad, barbecue, and other classic Masters concessions? Plus, no need to recreate the Azalea Cocktail when you can get the real thing.
Real Estate
Looking to get more eyes on your listing? Feature a property with a strategically-placed blurb right here in this section that guides readers straight to your listing. Try it out.
Event Spotlight
More than 1,000 people gather at the event each year. | Screengrab from Dining on the Dam
Dining on the Dam is set for Sunday, March 29, from 5 to 9 p.m. atop the Lake Murray Dam, featuring a full dinner from Southern Way Catering, drinks, and live music from Finesse — all set against sunset views over the lake.
Heads up, drivers and walkers: The top of the dam will close to vehicle and foot traffic starting at 7 a.m. that day, with attendees parking in designated lots and taking shuttles to the event.
The Buy
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. These five products offer easy + effective ways to level up your sleep hygiene for more restful nights.
🧴 Lather sore muscles with this magnesium lavender lotion to help ease tension + wind down before bed.
💤 Don’t let the sun or other bright lights interrupt your sleep thanks to these top-rated blackout curtains.
👁️ For even more light-blocking, try this breathable cotton eyemask that’s designed with cooling fabric.
🍬 Try these science-backed meltaway sleep mints that are crafted with melatonin and calming herbs.
🌜 Get this best-selling white noise machine to block out unwanted noises thanks to 20+ sound settings.
Researchers at the University of Oxford in England have discovered a new planet — approx. 60% larger than Earth, 35 light-years from our solar system, and boasting a “magma ocean” with “large amounts of sulfur.” A bit closer to home, you can check out the State Museum observatory. I recently got a good look at Saturn’s rings at the Constellation Concert Series.
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