David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

David Stringer

Newsletter Editor

David is based in Columbia, SC where he’s lived since graduating from UofSC’s School of Journalism in 2006. In his 20+ years in the Soda City, he founded Scene SC, an outlet covering the SC music scene, and has contributed to local publications including SCETV, Jasper Magazine, Free Times, and The Post and Courier. He currently serves on boards for One Columbia for Arts and Culture and the Jam Room Music Festival.

Support Good Local News

thevistasc_1750172146_3657031477691448165_61892139941.jpg

Entertainment

Live in the Lobby Jazz shares full 2026 concert lineup

ColaJazz Foundation and the Koger Center announce seven intimate jazz performances running from February through December.

January 13, 2026

·

Lexington Med 2

Fitness

Find where to get more steps in around Columbia

If you’re trying to reach new running goals, consider signing up for one of these upcoming races or find ways to get more steps in around Columbia

January 12, 2026

·

A close up of the white blossoms of the Bradford pear tree.

City

How to get free trees to replace those stinky Bradford Pears

For every Bradford Pear you remove from your property, Clemson and the Forestry Commission will give you a free replacement, but only while supplies last.

January 8, 2026

·

Danielle Johnson

Bourbon Main Street-4307.png

Food

Wine and dine around Columbia for Restaurant Week South Carolina

Get your calendars out and start booking your reservations at these Midlands eateries offering special dishes, menus, and deals for a limited time during Restaurant Week South Carolina.

January 8, 2026

·

City

What our readers love about COLAtoday

We compiled all of the feedback from our Giving Campaign to learn what readers love most and want to see more of in our newsletters. Here’s a peek at what they said.

January 6, 2026

·

MLK Five Points - DStringer.JPG

Events

Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Columbia

Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.

January 6, 2026

·

Gather Opening-9826.png

Food

Restaurant Roundup: New and coming-soon restaurants in Columbia

Dining in Columbia is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.

December 29, 2025

·

thedroponmain_1732306260_3507161564283444389_70857226961.jpg

Events

12 New Year’s Eve events in Columbia to ring in 2026

Block parties, early ball drops, free games — whatever your vibe, there’s a Columbia-area New Year’s Eve for you.

December 16, 2025

·

Kendall Briles.jpeg

Sports

Beamer rebuilds Gamecocks’ offense with trio of hires

South Carolina is reshaping its offense with coordinator Kendal Briles and longtime assistants Stan Drayton and Randy Clements joining Shane Beamer’s staff.

December 11, 2025

·

Food

Columbia Food & Wine Festival adds new initiatives

Columbia Food & Wine Festival returns with new Tastemakers memberships and a USC hospitality scholarship added to its five-day lineup.

December 11, 2025

·

Business

A spring class for future music industry pros

Registration is open for MAI’s spring Audio Engineering Certificate, a six-month program led by Jam Room’s Jay Matheson.

December 10, 2025

·

Screenshot 2025-12-10 at 11.40.01 AM.png

Development

Vista block along Senate Street set for redevelopment

The $80 million LOCAL Columbia development will add new apartments, retail space, parking, and streetscape improvements just one block from the State House.

December 10, 2025

·

2222 MV - Pool Courtyard Dusk Rendering (2025-09-09) Large.png

Development

Work on 2222 Main View apartments is underway

CF Evans has started building 2222 Main View, a 320-unit luxury apartment project coming to Main Street by 2027.

December 8, 2025

·

GATHER COLA Rendering.jpg

City

COLAtoday 2025 Recap: The big news stories of 2025

It’s not just your year in music — we’ve also rounded up your year in local news.

December 4, 2025

·

Yellow flowers outside

Outdoors

How to turn your Midlands yard into a mini wildlife haven

A grassroots effort is helping Midlands properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.

December 3, 2025

·

Perspective-Fall-2025-rendering-by-4240 Architecture-webres.jpg

Business

Publix to open new downtown store in BullStreet District

Publix will open a new 50,000-sqft downtown store in the BullStreet District, expanding walkable grocery access with construction starting in 2026.

December 3, 2025

·

Slip 53-Renderings-4.png

Business

Slip 53 to open in Five Points in spring 2026

Slip 53, a coastal-inspired oyster and seafood spot, will open in the former Pecknel Music Co. building.

December 2, 2025

·

Business

How to shop local on Small Business Saturday

The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on November 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle into your holiday shopping.

November 26, 2025

·

IMG_4854 Large.png

1.75 million lights illuminate Segra Park

Here’s what to do, see, and eat during this year’s Fireflies Holiday Lights at Segra Park.

November 24, 2025

·

usc-clemson_1479608626788_7080987_ver1.0

City

Tigers vs. Gamecocks: A Rivalry Week history

The Palmetto Bowl returns to Memorial Stadium this weekend.

November 22, 2025

·

Seaboard Street.jpeg

Development

All aboard Seaboard Vista, a new mixed-use redevelopment

Seaboard Vista will restore four historic Vista buildings into a 47,590-sqft mixed-use district with dining, retail, offices, and lofts.

November 20, 2025

·

Events

Prepare for the holidays with these local markets and pop-ups

The holidays are just around the corner in Columbia, and these local vendors are offering food, drinks, and decor perfect for each seasonal festivity.

November 18, 2025

·

Finlay Park Fountain-4113.png

A guide to the grand re-opening weekend at Finlay Park

Explore all 18 acres of the freshly renovated park and enjoy two days of free live music.

November 12, 2025

·

Peace of Soul employee holding two plates of food

Food

Where to pre-order your Thanksgiving dinner

Allergic to your stove? No problem — here’s where to go.

November 12, 2025

·

Devine Night Out_-4.jpg

City

Kick off the holiday season at Devine Night Out

Devine Street transforms into a holiday block party with shopping deals, live music, food, and snow.

November 10, 2025

·

Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 12.17.43 PM Large.png

City

Craig Melvin’s Columbia homecoming tour

Columbia looked good on national TV this week.

November 6, 2025

·

Two lion sisters interact playfully on a rocky habitat at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

Hello and goodbye at Riverbanks Zoo

Get ready to say hello to some new zoo friends and bid farewell to a few others.

November 6, 2025

·

GrandWillow_Front View_Rendering.pdf.jpg

Business

A first look at the Grand Willow Hotel planned for BullStreet

Renderings show plans for the seven-story Grand Willow Hotel behind REI in Columbia’s BullStreet District.

November 5, 2025

·

Di Vinno Rosso-4078.png

Food

Two Vista restaurants earn spots in inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South

Columbia’s fine-dining scene gets a boost as two Vista staples earn a spot in the MICHELIN Guide.

November 4, 2025

·

Startup Sprint Boyd Innovation Center-9737.jpg

Business

Can you build a startup in 24 hours?

Startup Sprint returns for a free 24-hour challenge at Boyd Innovation Center where teams build and pitch startup business ideas.

November 3, 2025

·