If you’re a commuter in search of a new car, look no further. Kia vehicles are the perfect combination of efficiency, reliability, comfort, and entertainment. Let’s talk about some Kia models and what makes them a great option for your commute.

Rio

You know the old saying, “Big things come in small packages?” That perfectly describes the 2019 Kia Rio. This subcompact car comes equipped with a powerful and efficient 130-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and has a highway rating of 37 miles per gallon. Its responsive handling takes the stress out of your commute. Even more relaxing is the Kia’s plush seating and six-way adjustable driver’s seat. The sliding center armrest has been lengthened to provide you with even more support. With the Kia’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, you’ll be able to make calls, access apps, and listen to your favorite tunes. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Commuters
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Spring is upon us, and that means the start of event season in Orangeburg. No matter what your interest, you’re sure to find a special event in the area to enjoy. Let’s talk about some of the upcoming spring events and what they have to offer. 

St. Patrick’s Day Festival

The Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association invites Orangeburg residents and visitors alike to don their best green apparel and gather in downtown’s Memorial Plaza for it’s third annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival, held on March 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The festival promises fun for the whole family, with music and dancing provided by Jimmy Joyner and the Main Street Band. The Downtown Leprechaun will be in attendance to hand out a special gift to children under 12 who come dressed in green. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and while you’re downtown, make sure to check out the area’s unique shops.  Read the rest of this entry »

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The Kia Optima is a quality midsize sedan that has gained high praise from sources like U.S. News & World Report and Car and Driver. If you’ve settled on this make and model, you can rest assured that you’ve picked a fantastic vehicle known for its fuel efficiency, drivability, and comforts. The next step in your shopping experience is to pick a trim that’s best for your needs. We’ve outlined the options below to help you decide on the right 2019 Kia Optima model. 

LX

The LX is the base Kia model with the lowest MSRP. This option starts at $22,990 and is available in six colors. You always have two choices for the interior: brown or black cloth. The LX gets 185 horsepower out of a 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve I-4 engine. The LX gets 25 miles per gallon in city and 35 on the highway. All 2019 Optima powertrains have a dual continuously variable valve timing transmission. Read the rest of this entry »

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The 2019 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV, and despite its size, it’s got a surprising amount of utility. This is only one factor that elevates this vehicle over others in its class. These are four reasons why you’ll love driving a Kia Sportage. 

Utility

Compact vehicles usually don’t have much utility, but the new Sportage changes things. Though it’s not as powerful as a full-size SUV, it’s still got ample space. With the seats up, you’ve got 30.7 cubic feet of cargo volume to work with. You can lower the back seats to access double that amount at 60.1 cubic feet of space.

The convenience of ample room in a compact SUV is nice, but this isn’t the only way the Sportage delivers in terms of functionality. This vehicle offers a max towing capacity of 1,650 pounds, which is great news for families who like to travel with luggage, kayaks, or a small trailer. Read the rest of this entry »

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Orangeburg is loaded with delicious places to eat, and if you crave Italian, you’re especially in for a treat. There are many local eateries that specialize in this type of cuisine. Check out these restaurants specializing in pizza, risotto, and other Italian foods.

Villa Tronco

From the 19th century building its housed in to its traditional Italian fare, Villa Tronco stands out as a particularly romantic eatery. The menu is loaded with tasty entrees, including classics like tomato sauce and cheese pizza and linguine with clam sauce. There are also a few unique specialty items, including Carmella’s Famous Cheesecake and salads tossed in their special Villa Tronco dressing. The restaurant is also known for its generous slices of pizza. Read the rest of this entry »

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Looking for the perfect way to spend a date night around the Orangeburg, South Carolina area? Whether you are looking for a traditional night of romance, a fun and exciting night out, or a unique and thrilling experience, the Orangeburg area has plenty of places to plan a good date night. 

Wine and Design

If your idea of a great night is relaxing and enjoying some wine with your loved one, why not step it up a notch by trying a wine sampling and painting class at Wine and Design. There are multiple classes to choose from, and you will not only have an amazing night making masterpieces but making unforgettable memories with your loved one as well. The one- to two-hour classes include everything that you would need for the perfect evening of wine sampling and painting, including a painting guide to help you realize your potential.  Read the rest of this entry »

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In today’s busy world, sometimes you need to take a break and hit the links. If you happen to be in South Carolina, you couldn’t ask for a better selection of world-class golf courses. We’ve put together this short list of our favorites to help you get started.

Harbour Town Golf Links

Imagine losing yourself in the game with the sound of the water lapping at the shore just behind you, while a striking red-and-white lighthouse towers over the course. This is the picturesque reality of golfing at Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort. The course has been selected as a favorite by multiple PGA players. The holes reward finesse and subtlety, as opposed to sheer strength, and the careful golfer will find a lot to enjoy in these pleasant surroundings. Interestingly, the course has been recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, adding to its unique appeal. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: golf, golf course, orangeburg sc
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There is an all-new all-electric Soul coming in 2020. This popular urban vehicle will get its power from an electric motor and a state of the art lithium-ion battery, and it will feature improved driving dynamics and some tools for the driver to use if they want to customize their driving experience. Here is the new and improved 2020 Soul EV.

The Power

The electric motor in the 2020 Soul will use a new liquid-cooled lithium ion 64 kWh battery that will need less charging time than the previous version. This new battery along with the Combined Charging System DC fast-charge that comes standard will significantly reduce the charging time.

The powertrain in the Soul will now produce 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque, and it will also have a new independent rear suspension to improve the driving dynamics.  Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2020 kia soul ev, kia soul
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Tired of the same old attractions? There’s only so many times you can stop to see a famous monument or historical building before growing bored. Instead of letting ennui set in, transform your next South Carolina road trip by stopping at one more of these odd and unusual sights you won’t find anywhere else.

UFO Welcome Center

Are you an alien visiting Earth from a foreign planet? If so, feel free to stop at the UFO Welcome Center to get a reprieve from the traffic jams of space. Ordinary humans are welcome to visit the site as well, although don’t raise your expectations too much. This strange pit stop is patched together with pieces of metal, scrap wood, and other various parts to create a truly out-of-this-world hodgepodge. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: community, odd attractions
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The Kia Soul will get some significant updates for the 2020 model year. The updated model will still have the same unique look that combines a hatchback with a crossover SUV, but Kia will build in on an all-new platform. Inside, passengers will get a new musical experience, and there is a new engine in the lineup. The 2020 Kia Soul will also get some technology upgrades, and there are some new trim levels. Here are some of its best features. 

The Exterior Design

The 2020 Soul will stay true to its boxy roots, but with some modern updates. Up front, the front headlights will have a new high-tech design and a new configuration that includes a connecting trim piece to make it look wider. There are new slim daytime running lights and turn signal indicators, and it has a new, larger grille with a two-tone look. New for 2020, some Soul models will come with roof rack mounting points, and then around back, boomerang-shaped taillights will wrap around the rear end.  Read the rest of this entry »

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