Shine bright like diamond. | Photo by James Simpson Photography
Earlier this year, we polled our readers for their zaniest predictions for 2024. Here are some of your responses... and how they panned out:
Prediction: “A new Coca Cola mural will appear.” — Beth B. Outcome: Greenville is lucky to have so many amazing murals, but a new Coca Cola piece is not one of them.
Prediction: “Greenville will be featured on the TODAY show.” — Jonnie B. Outcome:We have a winner. Greenville was featured on the TODAY show in February for the TODAY Walking Challenge.
Prediction: “The Greenville Drive will repeat as conference champions.” — Max F. (Reader Bonnie K. had the same thought) Outcome: We love our local baseball team, but alas, they did not bring home the trophy this year.
Prediction: “A local chef will win a James Beard award.” — Mary F. Outcome:Wade’s Restaurant in Spartanburg won the James Beard Foundation America’s Classic Award for the Southeast + Sum Bar won for it’s short film, “Great Wall.”
Events
Events
Thursday, Dec. 12
Cookies and Cocoa | 6-8 p.m. | Cartwright Food Hall, Greer | $37 | Decorate six sugar cookies as you sip on the bottomless hot cocoa bar + nibble on Dip’t Cookies.
True Crime Watch Party | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The People’s Tap | Free entry | Pay close attention to the true crime documentary and guess whodunnit with fellow attendees.
Friday, Dec. 13
HauntFest Christmassacre | Friday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 15 | 2-11:30 p.m. | Nightmare Dungeon Haunted House | $20+ | Summon the spirit of Halloween and enjoy live music, art vendors, spine-chilling entertainment, and bewitching activities.
Ice Cream with Santa | 5-7 p.m. | Clare’s Creamery’s Overbrook Shop | Free entry | Say hello to Santa and enjoy a scoop or two.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Swoon Booksellers Pop-Up | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sun and Soil Plant Parlor | Free entry | Shop at this brand new mobile romance bookstore while you peruse plants.
Sunday, Dec. 15
ShofarPalooza | 3 p.m. | Sigal Music Museum | $7+ | Spend a unique evening with this stand-up comedian + musical instrumentalist.
Lima One Capital is moving its corporate headquarters to corporate headquarters to 300 E. McBee Ave. The lending firm will occupy 60,000-sqft on two floors of the building, and plans to move in the summer of 2025.
Announced
Did you know contractors picked up 181,000 cubic yards of debris from Helene in Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee counties? Well now you do. If you still need debris cleaned up, email your name, address, a brief description, and a photo to debris@greenvillesc.gov. (Greenville News)
Number
$25,000. That’s how much the South Carolina Research Authority (a nonprofit corporation that works to “fuel the state’s innovation economy”) awarded to Greenville’s information technology startup software company Go Fig AI LLC in a grant. The startup allows business owners to combine and access their data in one place. (Upstate Business Journal)
Edu
Beginning in 2025, USC Upstate is launching an industrial engineering program.“Offering an engineering program has been a goal of mine since I started at Upstate, and I am excited about welcoming our first students next year,” celebrated Chancellor Bennie Harris. Way to go, Spartans. (Greenville Journal)
Try This
If you need a respite from all things holly and jolly, head to Carolina Bauernhaus this Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. for a clean comedy night featuring comedians like Peachy Tom and Ryan Cox.
State
We love learning. The U.S. Department of Education is helping The University of South Carolina’s College of Education by funding tutoring, mentoring, standardized test preparation, family outreach, and college campus visits for students across seven school districts in SC, including Greenville. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Feel Good
Do you love GVLtoday? We’re calling on you to help support our mission to create free, unbiased local media. Donate now — your generosity will help support us, your GVLtoday team.
Theater
Looking for some non-traditional holiday entertainment? Buckle up. Based on the iconic novel by Stephen King, “Misery” is running now through Sunday, Dec. 29 at The Warehouse Theatre. Learn more and snag tickets.*
Shop
To help you find the best local gifts this season, we’re sharing our GVL Holiday Picks — including the diverse selection of bikes from Reedy Rides. From traditional rides to electric-assist models, this downtown store has wheelie good gifts. Pro tip: Stop by for a test ride. Browse bikes.*
Wellness
Thinning hair doesn’t stand a chance with KilgourMD’s dermatologist-developed serums. Increase follicle growth by 200% when you get the bundle for $150, featuring 15% + free shipping.*
Sports
Looking for a gift the kiddos will actually use? Enter: Dribbleup’s Smart Basketball. It features guided coaching sessions so they can train anytime, anywhere. Psst — it’s 60% for the holidays.*
Announced
Meet Jobs, our virtual job board for all industries that can connect you with top local talent. Post your first listing for free and watch those applications roll in.
Category
Seasonal
Calling all green thumbs
A different kind of winter wonderland. | Photo by @lichtenfelts
Be-leaf it or not, January is a good time to get gardening. Now is the time to shop seeds, do some routine maintenance, and even sow certain plants.
Spring for seeds
Peruse seed catalogs and grab those springtime favorites that are so popular they tend to sell out come the thaw. We’re talking seeds like snap peas, radishes, specialty lettuces, and heirloom tomatoes. You can also get your wishlist going for the spring planting of fall bulbs like hostas, gladiolas, and dahlias.
Get growing
While you’re at the nursery, grab some seeds that you can plant right now (or, at least, very soon). Use this tool to calculate when to sow some of these early-season crops:
Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kale
Lettuce
What was your most successful plant last year? Lettuce know and you might be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
I’m so happy to see that my alma mater, USC Upstate, is adding an industrial engineering program. I got my communications degree there in 2016, so if you love my writing, you have them to thank. If you don’t love my writing... well... just keep that to yourself.
