More than 800 Midlanders walk for NAMI
Story and Photos by John Temple Ligon temple@thecolumbiastar.com
      Saturday morning, April 19, more than 800 registered walkers gathered at the amphitheater on the west bank of the Congaree River as part of a fundraiser for NAMI, the National Association for the Mentally Ill. Walkers raised an average contribution of about $100, translating to tens of thousands of dollars benefitting NAMI.
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Briefs
by John Temple Ligon
      Senate passes Senate On Wednesday night, April 16, the S.C. Senate passed the $7 billion state budget. The Senate version fully funds the Education Funding Act at a rate of $2,578 per pupil, and it provides for a 1% state- employee pay increase. The Board of Economic Advisors warned the week before to expect a $180 million decline in state revenue over the next 15 months.
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Sanford gets half page in The Wall Street Journal
By John Temple Ligon
      On Saturday, April 19, The Wall Street Journal's assistant features editor, Brendon Miniter, took more than half the page to cite the aspects of Mark Sanford's character and public profile suitable to be tapped as Sen. John McCain's running mate this fall. McCain says he has a list of about 20 prospects, and he admits Sanford is on the list.
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Debbie McDaniel of Revente and Sid & Nancy
Star Profile
Story and Photo by John Temple Ligon
      Revente, the consignment shop on Saluda Avenue in Five Points, began 16 years ago. Sid & Nancy, an invested inventory shop a few doors up Saluda from Revente, began a little over a year ago. Both shops are owned and operated by Debbie McDaniel.
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Folks about town
      Katie Renninger has been named volunteer/event coordinator for Palmetto Health Foundation. William C. Boyd, Frank W. Cureton, J. Donald Dial Jr., Randolph B. Epting, Manton M. Grier, Theodore J. Hopkins Jr., Stanley H. McGuffin, Stephen F. McKinney, Tara E. Nauful,William H. Short, H. Simmons Tate Jr., and Benton D.
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The do's & don'ts of home appraisal
Contributed by the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs
      With the weather warming up and spring season in full gear, many homeowners are looking to spruce things up around the house with a little remodeling by using a home equity loan. Others are looking to cash in on the economic stimulus package by purchasing their very first home.
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Ad campaigns moo- ving in
Compiled by Mike Maddock
      Some companies have chosen to spend their advertising dollars a little differently than others. Two such companies are Blue Bell ice cream out of Brenham, Texas and www.CockyMenus.com from Columbia. As part of its promotion called Free Lunch Columbia, www.CockyMenus.com will provide free lunches to selected offices in downtown Columbia.
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