EVENTS

Today

• Sleigh Bell Stroll | Mon., Nov. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park | $5 | Explore festive light displays on the river. 🎄
• Beers & Hymns | Mon., Nov. 22 | 7-9 p.m. | The Main Course | Free 🍺

Tuesday

• Operation Turkey | Tues., Nov. 23 | 12 p.m. | Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington | Free | Families in need can attend this drive-thru event to pick up a Thanksgiving basket to prepare at home. 🍗
• Sleigh Bell Trot | Tues., Nov. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park | $30+ | Go on a nighttime, four-mile run + see the holiday lights on the river. 

Wednesday

• The Nutcracker Presented by Carolina Ballet | Wed., Nov. 24-Sun., Nov. 28 | Times vary | Township Auditorium | $16.50+ | Student, senior + military discounts are available at the box office for Friday and Sunday shows. 💃
• Dragsgiving — Thanksgiving Eve Spectacular | Wed., Nov. 24 | 7 p.m. | The Main Course | $10 | Enjoy a DJ, drinks + food. 

Thursday

• Turkey Day 5K Run & Walk | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 8 a.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $30+ | Proceeds will benefit the Boys + Girls Club of the Midlands. 

Friday

• Patrick Davis & His Midnight Choir — 5th Annual Toys 4 Tots Show | Fri., Nov. 26 | 9 p.m. | The Senate | $40+ | Don’t forget to bring a toy to donate at the show. 
• Shandon Turkey Trot & Burn 5k | Fri., Nov. 26 | 10-11:30 a.m. | 2706 Devine St. | $30+ | Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes.  🦃
• Bourbon and Blues — An Evening with Will Freed | Fri., Nov. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | The Joint at 1710 Main | $50+ | Eat a four-course meal and pair it with bourbon + live music. 🥃

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

• 62º | Scattered showers | 40% chance of rain ☔

Development    

• The largest interstate improvement project in South Carolina's Department of Transportation history — Carolina Crossroads — has released the plans for phase one. More details to come on this $1.7 billion dollar project. 🛣️ (WLTX)

Coming Soon

• Scooter’s Coffee — a drive-thru chain — is coming to Columbia and owners plan to open seven + eight locations in 2022. Owners have the rights to operate up to 25 kiosks, but don’t have set locations yet. ☕ (The Post and Courier)

Announced

• Transitions Homeless Center announced + launched its adult day care service. The program will help keep participants' physically, mentally and emotionally stimulated to help positive function. (Cola Daily)

Real Estate 

• There’s a home for sale in Newberry county that was built in the early 1900s by a famous builder, C.C. “Cam” Davis. The four bed, three bath, 3,400 sq ft. O.L. Shumpert House features some of Cam’s signature work. Homebuyers will find dark woodwork, built-in cabinets + a grand staircase. 🏡 (The State)

Biz

• Columbia startups are merging efforts with city + county to improve entrepreneurial support with Mapquest co-founder, Chris Heivly. GrowCo has grown from eight members to 33 in less than two years. See what it's doing to bring support to local businesses through tech, mentorship, and community. (The Post and Courier) 
• SC Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey recently visited Nephron Pharmaceuticals to preview their recent (and eye-catching) workforce development exhibit. Check it out. Ⓟ

• If you’re looking for reliable, trustworthy employees for your biz, ProScreen has your back. They provide detailed background checks with up-to-date information about potential new hires — at affordable prices. Bonus: They can do tenant + drug screening, too. 🔍 Ⓟ

Edu

• UofSC announced its plan to freeze tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year, making it the fourth year in a row the state’s flagship has held tuition at the same rate. 💰

Outdoors 

• The outdoor recreation center in Great Falls, SC — the Great Falls-Dearborn Development — will offer hiking, fishing, rafting, kayaking + canoeing along the Catawba River. It’s been a century since the falls have been operational, and thanks to Duke Energy, is set to be operational in 2022. (The State)

Sports 

• The return of the Tiger Burn. Following a UofSC tradition, students will burn a 20-foot-tall effigy of a Clemson tiger today at Bluff Road intramural fields before the rivalry game this Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium at 7:30 p.m. There will be an afterburn that will feature live music + food trucks. 🔥

Eat

• Our humble, Southern opinion: Sweet potato casserole deserves a place on every Thanksgiving menu. Here’s an easy recipe to bookmark for later. Ⓟ

#COLATODAY

REWARDS

THE WRAP

Editor's Pick: Ever wonder what it’s like to live near UofSC? Here are some thoughts I have as an alum:

👍 Pros — The size of Columbia is perfectly midsized + proximity to all Gamecock sporting events.

👎 Cons — It can feel college-y + parking is not for the faint of heart.

 

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