Summer Celebration of Water in Columbia, August 28

One of the cool things about living at Broad River Trace Apartments in Columbia is that it is right near the Broad River.  So if you enjoy any sort of water sports, it doesn’t get more convenient than this.  You may also be interested in the city’s Summer Celebration of Water coming up on August 28.

The Summer Celebration of Water is a unique event where for an entire day, kids can splash around at the events Wet Sandals play area, you can go on river walks with City of Columbia Park Rangers, and my favorite part, free tubing and canoeing in the Columbia Canal!  It’s literally a whole day dedicated to the water.  For more info and the event schedule, visit the festival website!

In the mean time, if you’d like to learn more about the Columbia Canal, check out this video!

Brew at the Zoo, Aug. 7

As any beer connosisseur will tell you, there is a real art to tasting beer correctly.  Sure, it’s one thing to throw a few back at the bar with your buddies while watching the game, but when you really want to enjoy a beer by savoring its unique flavor…well, then you have to know what you’re doing.

According to the BeerAdvocate website, there are four main steps to follow: 

Look.  What is the beer’s true coloe and consistency.

Agitate.  Pull the aromas out of the glass by swirling the beer gently.

Smell.  90-95% of what you experience is through your sense of smell.  Breath through your nose with two quick sniffs, then with your mouth open, then through your mouth only.  Enjoy its bouquet.

Taste.  Sip the beer but don’t swallow it immediately.  Work it around your entire palate in order to detect any sweet, salt or bitter new flavors.  As a beer warms, its true flavors will pull through and become more pronounced.

These simple rules will help you become a true gentlemen of discerning taste when it comes to the suds.  Now all you have to do is step out into the wilderness of pubs and breweries and start rating the lagers that capture your attention.

Speaking of beer and wilderness, a great beer sampling opportunity will hit Columbia next weekend, only a few minutes away from the Broad River Trace community.  The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (500 Wildlife Parkway) will host Brew at the Zoo, a beer tasting extravaganza  with samplings from specialty brews, domestics, imports and microbrews…not to mention a chance to check out some cool animal exhibits while you are enjoying your beer.

When: Saturday, August 7, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online or at any Riverbanks ticket booth.  They’re going for $30 for Riverbanks members and $40 for the general public.  Day of event: $50. Designated Driver tickets are also available for $15 and include unlimited softdranks.  That’s a great move for the Zoo to provide that option.

(Photo Credit: mccun934)

Island vibes

Has anyone here been checking out the Summer Concert Series in Finlay Park?  I give the event organizers some props for really laying out a diverse arrangement of music for Columbian’s to taste; from blues to beach music and from reggae to rock.  This weekend coming up will be a special treat, as The Latin Project takes the stage (Saturday, July 31) from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Latin Project brings together a diverse group of latin vocalists and band members for a comprehensive collection of latin sounds representing Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guadalupe and Cape Verde.  Here’s how the group describes themselves on their website…

Since its inception, the Los Angeles-based group has delivered an iconic signature sound that fuses deep house, broken beat and hip hop with Afro polyrhythms and vocals to deliver a high-energy, danceable sound with electronic experimentation and virtuosic live players throwing down notable performances in equal measure.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to check out some live latin music, there is no better time than now.  They will have you on your feet dancing and feeling the latin/caribbean vibe all night.

First Friday at Village Artists

I like art.  I mean I really kind of dig it.  I probably couldn’t tell you diddly about who the hot, up-and-coming artists are, or much about art history in general.  But when I know what I like when I see it.

Art, from what I’ve learned, is supposed to invoke feeling.  Particularly abstract art.  For example, a piece that is full of sharp angles and deep reds will trigger a different emotion in you than say a piece that is full of flowing, subtle lines or blues and yellows.  Make sense?

I’m certainly no expert, but I’m open to learning more about art.  If you’re interested too, check out First Friday at Village Artists located in the Village at Sandhill in northeast Columbia off of Two Notch and Clemson Roads (631-8 Promenade Place, Columbia, SC 29229).  The event runs on July 2 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Each month several artists in this cooperative gallery are highlighted with a special wine and cheese gathering and are on hand to talk about their medium and techniques.  They also exhibit additional works not normally on display at the gallery.  The featured artists for July are Rita Smith, Mary Hartfield and Julie Larkin.

(Photo: qthomasbower)

Bank of America offers “Museums on Us”

Let me first say this: I’m a Wachovia customer.  I really don’t have any big issue with them as a bank (besides a recent overdraft fee they charged me…but that’s another story), however right now my hat is off to Bank of America.

I just learned of their “Museums on Us” program that has actually been around for 12 years.  I must say that it’s pretty cool.  Basically, if you’re a card carrying Bank of America customer, on the first full weekend of each month you can get free access to select museums nationwide.  Here in Columbia, the museum that’s participating in the program is the EdVenture Children’s Museum (211 Gervais St., 29201).  This is actually a perfect opportunity to take out my twin 5 year-old nieces!

Has anyone been to EdVenture Children’s Museum before.  According to the trusty Internet, they have over 350 hands-on exhibits for young kids (12 and under) to run around and explore.  It’s actually the largest children’s museum in the southeast.

So if you’re with Bank of America, grab your kid, or your sibling’s kids, or your neigbors kids even (with their permission of course) and make plans to hit the EdVenture this weekend…for free!

Movies in the Park: The Blind Side

On Friday, June 25, Movies in the Park will be showing the critically acclaimed box office hit “The Blind Side” at Finlay Park (930 Laurel St.), a short 5 minute drive from Broad River Trace.  Surely you’ve heard of the movie based on the real-life adoption of Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher.  It stars award-winning actress and recent divorcee Sandra Bullock.  Maybe you’ve already seen it.  Well, go see it again.  It’s FREE.  If you take a date with you, then you will have achieved the most economically efficient date in the history of man.  There’s something to think about!

And that’s not all, folks!  As as an added bonus, local band The Love Handles are going to perform from 6:30 – 8pm.  The movie will begin at shortly after they’re finished.

That’s like two dates for the price of none!  But wait, there’s more!!!  FREE popcorn and drinks will be served!  OMG, can you believe it?  Movies, music, food…all for free!  It’s almost like stealing something, but without the guilt…or having to go to jail.  Remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and tell all of your friends and family!

Looking for adventure? How about kayaking on the Columbia Canal

So you’re trying to plan a date for you and your mate, or even a fun outing for you and your dad as a Father’s Day gift.  You want to do something kind of unique and impressive, right?  Dinner at a new restaurant?  Blah.  Movies?  Been there, done that.  How about paddling on the Columbia Canal.  On Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 8:00 pm, you can join River Runner Outdoor Center’s weekly kayak trip for only $30.  Traveling down the historic canal, you’ll pass through classic Columbia landmarks like the original pump house buildings and the 100 year-old footbridge.  You’ll also see a nice variety of birds and wildlife!

The trip starts with a meetup at the State Museum parking lot and ends near the hydroelectric powerhouse at Gervais St.  If you’re ready for a neat new adventure, give them a shout and register for an upcoming trip.

River Runner Outdoor Center

905 Gervais St.
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 771-0353

Toucan Tuesdays at the Riverbanks Zoo

When was the last time you made it to the Riverbanks Zoo?  It’s been a while, right?  You should go back.  You’re furry friends there miss you!  When you go, make sure you take a friend and that you go on a Tuesday.  Why?  Well, because beginning Tuesday, June 15, Riverbanks will be running there “Toucan Tuesday” promotion, where two can come for the price of one.  All you have to do is bring two cans of food or other non-perishable food items. Each week collected food items will be donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank to help feed hungry families in South Carolina.

In case you’ve never been before, the zoo is literally a hop, skip and a jump away from Broad River Trace.  Just take Broad River Rd. to Graystone Blvd, make a left, and follow it to Wildlife Pkway.  The zoo will be on the right!

Network with Columbia area Tech Pros

Do you work (or want to work) in the tech industry?  If so, how is your network?  No, I’m not talking about your AT&T wireless plan, I’m talking about the business associates you’ve worked with or have met that could potentially help you advance your career.

The wide-ranging technology industry is one of the most important and fastest growing sectors to work in…and will be for quite some time.  Building a strong network of contacts in the field will give you a great pool of recources to call upon when you’re ready to advance (or get into) your career.  And luckily for Broad River Trace residents, Columbia is an excellent area to build a tech career with great companies such as Avaya, Concurrent Technologies, Xiotech and Immedion in the area.

So where can I network with others in the tech industry?

Tech after Five is a networking event designed to exclusively connect tech entrepreneurs and professionals in the Columbia area.  Their next free networking event (where the first beer is on them if you bring a business card) is at Carolina Ale House (708 Lady Street, Columbia SC, 29201) on Wednesday, June 9, at 5:30 pm.  To attend, RSVP online at their website!

Let’s Go Gamecocks!!!

Broad River Trace would like to send a shout out to the University of South Carolina Men’s Baseball Team who will play Bucknell University tonight in the NCAA Carolina Regionals at 7 p.m. (The Carolina Stadium).  The winner will move on to play The Citadel on Saturday for a chance to continue advancing to the NCAA College World Series! This has been a great year for South Carolina baseball teams!

Did you know that USC’s baseball program, over the past 10 years, has gone 468-201 and has the 4th highest win total among NCAA Division won schools.  They have the most wins of all 12 SEC schools over the past 10 seasons.  Great job Gamecocks!

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