Hello Friday.
April 26 2024
Oh buoy, Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is making waves.
The local zoo is undergoing a large transformation by renovating the Aquarium-Reptile Complex. The reptile house is set to close in August for the construction and is expected to be finished + open in spring or summer of 2022.
A rendering for the outside of the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center | Photo provided by Riverbanks Zoo
The new center will be named Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center that will include coral colonies, a desert biome with cacti, chuckwallas, spiny-tailed monitors, and Gila monsters.
Guests can expect to see close-up encounters of wildlife that will bring animal care + conservation efforts that Riverbanks play a part in behind-the-scenes to the forefront of guest experiences. With the new project comes a rare opportunity that will allow guests to witness propagation of coral species as part of a new coral conversation lab.
A rendering for the inside of the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center | Photo provided by Riverbanks Zoo
Water they doing to kelp coral conservation?
Riverbanks Zoo has partnered with zoo aquarists off the coast of Florida near Key West and have played a part in the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project. The 360-mile stretch of coral has been dying or destroyed by unknown disease, and both parties have been caring for ~40 rescued coral colonies since 2019.
See ya later alligator, kind of.
In preparation for the renovation, Riverbanks transferred two false gharial crocodiles that are enjoying their new habitats at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California. Prior to departure, the pair lived at Riverbanks Zoo for more than 30 years.
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Show
- Friday Night Laser Lights | Fri., July 16 | 6-11 p.m. | SC State Museum | $8-15 | Watch a laser show set to music in the museum’s planetarium. ⚡
- The Local Boys | Fri., July 17 | 7-9 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater | Free | Enjoy a night of Bluegrass music + food and drinks from local vendors. 🎸
Active
- Self Defense for College Girls | Fri., July 16 | 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. | FIT Columbia | $30 | Ages 18 + up can join SASS for a workshop to help fight sexual assault and violence on campuses.
Dish
- Summer Tasting: Butter Beans | Fri., July 16 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | SC State Farmers Market | Free | Sample them, purchase them + pick up recipe cards to learn how to incorporate them in your next meal. 🍴
Saturday
- South Carolina Food Truck & Beer Festival | Sat., July 17 | 12-5 p.m. | SC State Fairgrounds | $5+ (food + drinks separate) | Enjoy some of Cola’s best food, beer + live entertainment. 🍻
- LUSH Botanicals Grand Opening | Sat., July 17 | 7-10 p.m. | 1117 B Ave., West Columbia | Free | Check out the new plant shop that will also feature local artists within the community.
- 1940s Canteen Dance | Sat., July 17 | 6-10 p.m. | American Legion Post 7 Hall, 211 Legion Dr., Lexington | $10+ (free to WWII veterans) | Take a trip back in time with a night of authentic 1940s music + entertainment. 📻
Sunday
- Summer Bridal Expo | Sun., July 18 | 1-5 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | $12 | Meet with the area’s best wedding professionals to help plan your big day. 💍
- Dollar Sunday — The Museum of the Reconstruction Era | Sun., July 18 | 1-4 p.m. | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era, 1705 Hampton St. | $1 | Take a self-guided tour for $1 with a Richland or Lexington County ID. 💸
- Casual Pinball Tournament | Sun., July 18 | 5-8 p.m. | Transmission Arcade | $5 | All levels are welcome to compete for cash prizes + trophies. 🏆
Weather
- 92º | Scattered thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain ⚡
Announced
- A $100 million investment that will create 250 new jobs was announced by Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The new Nephron Nitrile will locally-produce nitrile gloves. Those wanting to join the Nephron team can visit the careers webpage.🧤
Biz
- Market Wagon has launched its online farmers market + delivery service in the Midlands. This service allows customers to browse local products through multiple vendors and place an order using one checkout. Think DoorDash or Uber Eat but local foods instead. Orders are delivered every Wednesday afternoon. (Midlands Biz)
- TakoSushi is moving back into town as Indah Coffee moves out. The restaurant known for its sushi and taco combos was formerly in the Vista and closed in 2018. The new TakoSushi location will be filling both the Indah + former Pita Pit spaces in late August. 🌮 (The Post and Courier)
ComingSoon
- A new wine bar is opening on Devine Street in the fall, in the former location of HandPicked. Molto Vino, meaning “a lot of wine,” will offer 24 self-serve taps for customers to try. Another location is currently being finalized for Forest Acres. 🍷 (The State)
- Pilates studio The WKRT is coming to 121 State St. at Brookland, with an anticipated opening date of Sept. 1. The new 1,440-sqft. location will be its third, joining those on Devine St. and Sunnyside Dr. in Forest Acres. Ⓟ
ForPets
- Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming will be opening at 1221 Chapin Rd. in October. The franchise location will host events for you and your furry friend, while also offering dog grooming, healthy dog food + treats, and other pet necessities. 🐶 (Cola Daily)
Job
- $36,500. The starting pay for Richland County jail officers after Richland County raised the minimum pay for jail officers. Officers will now make $4,000 more than the previous starting pay. To cover the payroll costs, 50 budgeted positions out of the center’s 264 will be frozen.💰 (The Post and Courier)
Apply
- Interim HealthCare is expanding and hiring in the Midlands. Interim HealthCare offers home health, hospice, chronic disease management, personal care services, and Telehealth programs. They are currently looking to hire health care individuals for 6+ positions. 🩺 (Midlands Biz)
Civic
- The City Forest Acres is replacing a commonly-traveled, 80-year-old bridge for local residents + businesses thanks to a request in the state budget. The city will be given $500,000 for the project and the unveiling of the new bridge is expected to be at the end of next year. (WLTX)
Outdoors
- The sale of Bradford pear trees, an invasive species, will be banned in South Carolina starting Oct. 1, 2024. While this will make it illegal to sell or trade the trees, residents can still possess them on their properties. 🍐 (WIS)
State
- Carowinds unveiled their newest attraction; the Grand Carnivale. The attraction will run from Saturday to Aug. 1 and include international, celebratory events like live-entertainment, games, food, parades, and more. The festivities run from 5-9 p.m. 🎢 (The State)
Dish
- Two months from today, chefs from all over the country — including 7 Michelin-starred chefs — will embark to Greenville for euphoria: 40+ food, wine, and music events over 4 days (Sept. 16-19). Events include dinners, lunches, classrooms (from whiskey to caviar) — and many are already sold out. 🍽️ Ⓟ
Learn
- One Day University brings the nation’s greatest professors to you — live and on-demand. Learn something new about history, politics, music, art and more with daily live streams from top instructors. Try 2 weeks free, then just $8.95/month or $89/year. Ⓟ
Meet Ashley Kinart-Short. She’s Peak Drift Brewery’s head brewmaster + is bringing her knowledge, female power, and industry talents to Cola.
She’s the Soda City’s first female brewmaster that came from 1 of Wisconsin’s oldest regional craft breweries. DYK that only 10% of women are brewmasters? She is an avid hiker + outdoor enthusiast that has worked with experts all over the country.
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If you’ve been keeping up-to-date with the latest mural at Uncle Festers, you’d know that Uncle Fester from the Addams Family and — as of yesterday— the lettering is complete.
“Now for the hard part,” @celestialviking said in yesterday's post. Any thoughts or guesses as to what the next phase of the mural will be?
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