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Hello Columbia! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Leo’s Landing fully accessible playground, a student AI course pilot, and the Shamrock Parade + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
A new way to play: Leo’s Landing in Columbia brings a sprawling, fully accessible playground to families, with adaptive and tandem swings, musical play, smooth surfaces, and winding bridges that welcome kids of all abilities — see the playground features.
Drivers face new patterns: Traffic is changing near Eastover as a $40 million Garners Ferry Road bridge replacement advances. Signals at McCords Ferry Road are covered during construction, with completion expected by April 2027 — see what’s closed and when.
Early adopters guide curriculum: Richland Two is piloting a state AI course for 10th to 12th graders, one of 14 sites where students test tools and share feedback to help shape a broader rollout — get all the program details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Small plates, big vibes: Share Spanish-style tapas and sip from a deep wine list at Gervais & Vine in the Vista. Think spicy shrimp gambas, eggplant fries, and other craveable bites. It’s an easy pick for midweek catch-ups or low-key dates, cozy inside and breezy on the patio.
Gear up, Columbia: Barron’s Outfitters keeps locals ready for river mornings and woods weekends with fly gear, hunting essentials, solid boots, and friendly advice that saves you three trips. Expect hands-on know-how, dependable brands, and a nudge toward feeling dangerously prepared when Saturday rolls around.
Indie night, anyone? At The Nickelodeon, first-run indies meet curated series and one-off screenings that spark conversation… not just popcorn cravings. This week brings Oscar Shorts and sharp throwbacks, turning moviegoing into a low-key, high-quality ritual.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🍿 Mustang Movie Night! @ Woodland Park | Friday (3/6) at 6:00 PM – Feel like catching a flick without leaving the neighborhood? The Mustangs are hosting the annual movie night and PTO meetup, so bring blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic. Popcorn and candy are on sale, community gossip is free, and bedtime is negotiable.
🍺 True to the Brew 5K 2026 @ Palmetto Trail | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Swap the treadmill for Columbia’s Capital City Passage, a legit Palmetto Trail 5K that kicks off the race series and winds through downtown without gridlock. It’s capped at 500, so sign up fast, and every stride helps grow the Palmetto Trail from mountains to sea.
🐕 Bark to the Park @ Saluda Shoals Park Soccer Complex | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – If your dog’s been angling for beads, here’s your Mardi Gras fix, Midlands style. Join the pup parade and easygoing walk, then let tails roll at After-Pawty with contests, freebies, a car show, K9s in Flight, and more, all benefiting pets in need.
🏅 Cornhole Tournament for Special Olympics @ Publico at BullStreet | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – In the spirit of the Winter Games, Publico at BullStreet is hosting a cornhole tournament for Special Olympics, so your underhand toss actually does some good. Play, cheer, or just donate and hang out. $15 gets you in, kids under 12 are free.
☘ St. Paddy’s Day Art Class @ Artistic Aspirations, LLC | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Got a kid who thinks green glitter is a food group? This St. Paddy’s art class gives your young artist 90 minutes of shamrocky projects and a snack, ages 6+, $30, while you enjoy a quiet coffee, and not cleaning.
🐶 Puppy Pals Live @ Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College | Saturday (3/7) at 3:30 PM – Think your dog’s talented? These rescue pups pull off stunts and goofy tricks in a family show where the dogs are in charge. Bring kids or grandkids, and snag $5 off for seniors, students, and military, plus savings when you bundle three or more shows.
🍀 11th Annual Shamrock Parade @ Downtown Lexington | Sunday (3/8) at 3:00 PM – Downtown’s turning emerald for the Shamrock Parade, with Irish dancers, brass, and more beauty queens than a church cookbook. Claim a spot on Main, sip something warm, and let the floats, local characters, and color commentary roll by. Wear green, avoid pinches, bring the kids.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Columbia report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 77°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 1%
Areas of fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 0 to 3 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 2 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This 4-bed, 3.5-bath Cape Cod in Hampton Ridge blends classic lines with smart updates. A sunny screened-in sunroom faces a private, landscaped backyard. The main level adds a renovated primary suite and a true office. Upstairs offers three bedrooms and two baths. A finished room over the attached garage plus a detached garage with expandable loft deliver flexible space.
Take a peek inside →
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