In a world where there is so much depressing news lately, luckily, for us Cola-ites, there are a lot of good things to celebrate this week! First of all, we have a feel good story to share and celebrate, as the bald eagle is making a huge comeback. January 16th-18th is Bald Eagle Appreciation Week and we now have around 10, 000 mating pairs. When the bald eagle became our national symbol in 1782, we had over 100,000 nesting eagles. However, by 1963, they had dwindled down to a scary 487. Thanks to national attention and new Federal conservation laws, the bald eagle is on the rise again,
and many have just laid their eggs in South Carolina, as they do this from December to early January.
As of today, we have over 220 active nests in South Carolina! Keep an eye out, over our many lakes and you just might see one circling overhead.
Now if Bald Eagle Days aren't enough to celebrate... all you beer lovers have something to look forward to this weekend. The World Beer Festival is once again coming to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on Saturday, January 23rd. Sponsored by All About Beer Magazine, the event will be featuring over 200 crafted beers local, national and international breweries. They will be doing food pairings, and premier demonstrations from over 70 breweries. The best part might just be the Silent Disco where only you and the other dancers actually hear the DJ. Odd.... I'd say yes... a little crazy...yup.... but oh so fun after tasting all those Belgian beers. With the expanded Beer Garden from the Palmetto State this year, I'd say it's a "must attend!" If "silent disco" is not your thing, there will be to other live music to enjoy. The tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.
The doors will be open from 12PM to 10 PM.
And if beer doesn't float your boat, and you feel like broadening your horizons with a little poetry, head on over to Blythewood for the Poetry Out Loud Competition. The Blythewood Cultural Arts Council will be sponsoring this event and celebrating the life of one of their own famous poets.
Blythewood's native son, J. Gordon Coogler will be highlighted at the Blythewood Academy Auditorium. Coogler actually wrote his famous, "poems while you wait" at a small print shop in downtown Columbia. He became well-known in the South and eventually throughout the country during the turn of the 20th century.
With so many varied activities this weekend.. I'm staying focused on all the great things that are always going on in and around COLA!
