It is no surprise we love our four-legged friends in the Soda City. Recently, Martha Stewart released a list of The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Every State of the US, andcan you guess which pooch South Carolinians love the most? According to the list, the Boxer claims the top spot in the Palmetto State. 🐶
Surprised? As cool as Boxers are, we were a little shocked the Boykin Spaniel didn’t make the cut.
Chances are you’ve crossed paths with one of these small, brown hunting dogs on any given Saturday at Soda City, on a stroll down the river front, or maybe at yappy hour. Did you know that the Boykin Spaniel is South Carolina’s official state dog?
Boykin Spaniel fast facts: • They typically weigh between 25-40 lbs + live 10-15 years. • They are known for their friendly, eager + lovable temperament. • They were originally bred by South Carolinians to be hunting dogs. • The breed was officially named SC’s state dog in 1985.
In the early 1900s, South Carolina hunters on the Wateree River needed a dog that could retrieve on land + in water and was small enough to fit in compact boats during hunters’ river travel.
To allow for enough room for both a dog + hunting gear, Camden’s L. W. “Whit” Boykin experimented with selective breeding to produce the ideal companion. During this time, his acquaintance Alexander L. White stumbled upon a small, stray dog that he took in + named Dumpy, who showed an interest in retrieving. (Check out Dumpy’s book here.) White brought him to Whit to use for breeding, and thus the first Boykin Spaniels were born.
Boykins are known for theirwebbed feet that allowed them to swim exceptionally well, and were originally used for huntingturkey + waterfowl.
Today, the Boykin Spaniel is both a hunting dog + beloved pet, and can be found in homes across the U.S. If you have been itching for a new furry BFF and want one of these small canines, we recommend checking out Boykin Spaniel Rescue in Boiling Springs or if you wanted to go with Martha’s list there is the Carolina Boxer Rescue, where you can help save the nubs. 🐾
Let’s settle this. Which would you think to be the Palmetto State’s most popular pooch?
Let’s raise the woof because tomorrow is National Love Your Pet Day. We know deep down that that is just another day since everyday is love your pet day to us. Tag @COLAtoday in your pet appreciation posts so we can see them too. #COLAtoday
NEWS NOTES
Weather ○ 51º | Showers | 50%chance of rain
Announced ○ Actor and comedian Mike Eppswill return to the Colonial Life Arena on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. The In Real Life Comedy Tour will also feature Sommore, Michael Blackson, DC Young Fly + Kountry Wayne and tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m.
UofSC ○ Did you see the Perseverance Rover landing on Mars yesterday? DYK that UofSC chemistry professor Mike Angel is one of hundreds of scientists working with NASAin search of Martian life? He is on the team that directed the rover, made decisions about where it should travel on the planet, and the kinds of tests to run on Martian soil and rocks. Watch this video to learn more about the mission. 🚀
WaterCooler ○ The Columbia Firefliesreleased the 2021 season schedule, which includes 120 games from May 4-Sept. 19. The Fireflies will play 60 games at Segra Park, with the first home game series on May 11 against the Charleston RiverDogs. All matchups will be six games long, beginning on Tuesday + ending on Sunday. View the schedule here. ⚾
Biz ○ Piecewise Coffeeis expanding into the next door space to increase its indoor seating capacity. The expansion will also allow for new opportunities, like hosting local discussions or offering private rental space. (Post and Courier) ○ The owner of Michaels Jewelers (4840 Forest Dr., Unit 6B)has decided to retire after 46 years in the jewelry business. Ron Koenig started the company in Five Points when he was 20 years old. The store will remain open for another four to six weeks with sales on the current inventory. (Cola Daily)
Edu ○ This week, Gov. Henry McMaster + the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education are askingstate lawmakers to provide more need-based scholarships for college students. The $80 million in funding would come from the South Carolina lottery funds.(ABC Columbia)
BlackHistoryMonth ○ The Columbia Fire Department has highlighted the legacy of Claude C. Stewart, the first paid Black captain, battalion chief, and assistant chief in the history of the local department. He served the community from 1953 to 1989.
Drink ○ Cheers to Columbia’s local brewers.If you want to pour one out this weekend, try one of the 10 Best Beers from this list compiled by the Free Times. They talked to 18 local experts + asked each to rank their top 10 sips, which includes a wide variety of styles from breweries in Richland and Lexington counties. 🍻 (Free Times)
ComingSoon ○ Smoked – a restaurant and microbrewery with a focus on specialty smoked meat, oysters + libations – is planned to open this fall at 1643 Main St. Take a peek inside+ help the new eatery choose its logo. 🦪 Ⓟ
Asked ○ Ralph H. asked, “What does it mean when the CDC says the COVID vaccine is 95% effective?”Here’s the answer from Dr. Anna Lim-Kates of Spring Valley Family Medicine in NE Columbia.❓Ⓟ
Cause ○ The Blood Connection has received several pleas for help from blood centers in Texas, who are struggling to meet their local hospitals’ needs as a result of the winter weather. While the community blood center will always prioritize local hospitals’ needsfirst, TBC wants to be in a position to help if more donations start to come in. Find a mobile drive here. Ⓟ
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
The Woody received the Golden Nail Award during the Columbia Chamber’s Impact Awards this week. The 1649 Main St. building might be feeling a little deja vu since this is the second year in a row its tenants won this award.
#DYK that your photo could be featured in our newsletter? Just use #COLAtoday on social media.
#MUSTDO
Show ○ Walker & Kayley Live Music!| Fri., Feb. 19 | 6-10 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing | Free | Bring your lawn chair and enjoy some live music in the biergarten. 🍻
Dish ○ Hott Mess at WECO | Fri., Feb. 19 | 5-9 p.m. | WECO Bottle and Biergarten | Free | Skip the cooking tonight and grab a Hott Mess burger at WECO. 🍔
Saturday ○ 8th Annual Pig and Oyster Roast #shuck2020| Sat., Feb. 20 | 12-4:30 p.m. | F2T Productions | $65+ | Reserve a table and enjoy an evening of good food with your friends. 🐖 ○Telescope Livestream – MARS| Sat., Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join the State Museum’s educators for a look at the sky on Facebook Live. 🔭 ○ Nerf Gun Games| Sat., Feb. 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | 851 Wise Ferry Rd., Lexington | Free | Children ages 5-11 are welcome to bring their nerf guns for a day of fun. Text 803-354-0740 to reserve your spot. 🔫
Sunday ○A Candid Conversation with Jane Elliott| Sun., Feb. 21 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Registration is required for this discussion on prejudice and bigotry. ○2021 Lexington Chili Cookoff| Sun., Feb. 21 | 12-5 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater | $10 | Sample chili from the best chefs in the area and vote for a winner. 🥣 ○CDL presents a Virtual Film Screening: The Ice Storm| Sun., Feb. 21 | 2-4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join the Columbia Museum of art for a film screening + discussion. Event will be streamed on Kast. 🎥 ○Art & Makers Mark| Sun., Feb. 21 | 7 p.m. | Whiskey Kitchen, 8105 Two Notch Rd. | $50 | Sip on some cocktails or wine while creating a cow themed masterpiece. Tickets include two drinks, painting materials + heavy hors d’oeuvres. 🎨 ○Doggy Adoption Day| Sun., Feb. 21 | 1-4 p.m. | River Rat Brewery | Free | Love on some doggos + you can even take one home for $35. 🐶
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Youth e-cigarette use in the U.S. has skyrocketed to what the U.S. Surgeon General and Food & Drug Administration have called “epidemic” levels| Photo provided by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Vaping + e-cigarette use among youth in SC is on the rise. In this #SlowtheSpreadSC podcast episode, Pediatrician Dr. Kyle Guyton discusses the considerable concern of compromised pulmonary function associated with vaping.
With the ongoing pandemic, teens who have been quarantining due to COVID-19 may be more susceptible to vaping. Dr. Guyton encourages parents + grandparents to talk to teens about the dangers associated with vaping, especially now.
Listen to his advice in this short, eight-minute podcast. Ⓟ
Answered: Yesterday, we asked y’all if you’ve ever been cast as an extra in a movie or TV show and ~40% responded that you had. Reader Chuck A. also reached out to us and shared the photo below saying “a freeze frame from my scene with Jessica Biel in Accidental Love. I got to hug her and tell her “that everything is going to be alright”… it was great being a part of the cast and meeting James Marsden, Jake, Tracy, Kirsty, Beverly and others.” We’re star-struck that our readers are practically famous.
Reader Chuck A.’s photo with Jessica Biel in Accidental Love | Photo provided
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