February 20, 2009 RSS feed / Front Page

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A toast to Town's 90th birthday

By Anita Baker
From its start as a wandering band of actors who performed in a USC athletic field, Columbia's very own first community theatre, Town Theatre, has earned the distinction of being the "oldest continuously operating community theatre in the nation" a More...

Opinion/Crime

Thirty-something speaks

It's not fair!
Mike Maddock

An ugly phrase has arisen in our household lately. More...

Call the Cops!

Maverick GPS leads driver astray

Hans, a 36- year- old German stockbroker, is driving along a highway north toward the City of Bremen. More...

It's not a criticism, it's an observation.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Mike Cox

Last Saturday, the mailman brought the scourge of librarians and mothers all over the country a guaranteed path to eternal damnation, at least in the eyes of some. Last Saturday, I got the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. More...

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Government / Neighborhood

Artists appreciate Forest Acres City Council

Photo and story by John Dixon

The February 10, 2009 Forest Aces City Council Meeting was called to order at 5:15 by Mayor Frank Brunson. More...

Richland County hassles over the dirt road paving ordinance

By Mike Cox Cox-star@sc.rr.com

Roll call Chair Paul Livingston, Vice Chair Damon Jeter, Joyce Dickerson, Val Hutchinson, Norman Jackson, Gwendolyn Kennedy, Bill Malinowski, Jim Manning, Greg Pearce, Kit Smith, and Kelvin Washington were present at the Richland County Council me More...

West Columbia Zoning Board rejects halfway house

By Benjamin Higgins Higginsb2@yahoo.com

Call to order The meeting of the West Columbia Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 6:02 pm. More...

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Education

Salvation Army awards Battle of the Bells trophy to Heathwood Hall

Contributed by The Salvation Army

Salvation Army officials recently recognized the student body at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School for winning the 2008 Battle of the Bells competition. The school raised an impressive $2,110. More...

Sarah Brotman organizes hair collection at Wella Professionals School

Contributed by Sarah Brotman

Sarah Brotman, age 12, is organizing a hair collection for those in need, Saturday, March 7 from 9 am- 3 pm at Wella Professionals School, 105 Sparkleberry Crossing in northeast Columbia. More...

Second time around for seven CAP honor roll students

Seven students at the Center for Accelerated Preparation made the school's A/B Honor Roll for the second quarter. More...

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Sports

Highlanders knock off Cardinals

BOYS BASKETBALL
By George Kaupp

Mac Whalen scored 18 points to lead Heathwood Hall to a 44- 39 Senior Night victory over Cardinal Newman on Thursday, February 12. The game was close throughout, as neither team had more than a six- point lead. More...

Lady Cardinals' slow pace halts Hall

GIRLS BASKETBALL
By George Kaupp

Beth Eckstein had ten points and seven rebounds to lead Cardinal Newman to a 33- 21 victory over Heathwood Hall on Thursday, February 12, spoiling Senior Night for the Lady Highlanders. More...

Smith's 36 gets Dreher into second round

GIRLS 3A BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS
Story and Photos by Michael Orr

It took every one of Shakeina Smith's career-high 36 points to save Dreher's season in a 70- 67 victory over Lake Marion on Tuesday February 16 in the first round of the girls' basketball 3A state playoffs. More...

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Two Hours From Home

The Heart of the Lowcountry

North Charleston, South Carolina Driving Distance: 1 Hours 45 minutes from Columbia
Contributed by City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department

The City of North Charleston is in the heart of the Lowcountry and offers a variety of attractions and events. It also leads the state in retail sales. More...

Covered bridges, waterfalls, wineries, and mountain vistas

By Pamela Edwards pamedwards@sc.rr.com

I read a book a few years ago by Robert Morgan, who has written several historical novels about the early days in the backwood mountains of Upstate South Carolina, mostly the area just outside Landrum, on the border of Greenville and Spartanburg co More...

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Heathwood Hall welcomes head of school

(L- r) Cooper, Shay, Charlie, Charles, and Reese after the induction of Charles H. Jones III as the new head of school at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. More...

Columbia dog lovers get a bite of the big time

Photos and story by Karen Petit

William, Solomon, Sumo, Mickey, Cole, Kaz. They're my new acquaintances, though they're not likely to share an afternoon with me or Louise, my two- year- old Standard Poodle. More...

News

A home for the homeless

By Jackie Perrone jacper@bellsouth.net

Military veterans who hear the words "Base Camp" may think they're being drafted again. But for those who find themselves homeless and in need of help, the Palmetto State Base Camp, Inc. provides a haven in Columbia that promises shelter and aid. More...

Clemson deals with Indian water crisis

By Warner M. Montgomery Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com

Clemson professor Stephen Moysey spoke to the Greater Piedmont Chapter of the Explorers Club February 13 about his project in a small village in India. Dr. Moysey is a geologist with degrees from the University of Arizona and Stanford. More...

Virginia Gourdin

First female legislator from Charleston County

Virginia Brockington Gourdin, the first woman from Charleston to serve in the state Legislature, died Saturday. She was 88. Gourdin was born in Kingstree and grew up farming cotton, tobacco, and pine trees. More...

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Business

Apartments readying for summer occupancy

By John Temple Ligon temple@thecolumbiastar.com

Targeting this summer for completion and occupancy, the development team of aspyre at assembly station appears to have the right product for the right time. More...

Star Profile

Scott Middleton of Agapé
By John Temple Ligon temple@thecolumbiastar.com

The Agapé facilities dedicated to assisted living are distributed along the Grand Strand and across the Midlands, and there's one in Laurens, all called Agapé Senior. On the coast, there are facilities in Conway and in Garden City. More...

Briefs

by John Temple Ligon

Hard assets Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach could be reopening soon, but it won't open as Hard Rock Park. A name change is part of the reopening mix. Expect new rides and expect a drop in the original entry ticket price of $50. More...

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Society

Nell Barr named Most Honored Woman

Compiled by Mimi M. Maddock

Nell Mason Barr was chosen as the Most Honored Woman at the 87th Convention of The Episcopal Church Women of The Diocese of Upper South Carolina February 7, 2009. More...

Columbia Green celebrates The Year of the Tree

Columbia Green board members Hannah Rogers; Kathy Robinson; Bonnie Ball; Susan Hamilton, president; Susie Heyward; and Carol Shropshire celebration the Year of the Tree proclamation. More...

Shandon UMC dedicates quilt

Contributed by Shandon United Methodist Church

The second in our series of special services for the Shandon Centennial Celebration took place on Sunday, February 15. More...

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Events

Light the Way art benefit, March 5

Contributed by HoFP

Art Patrons can contribute to Columbia's Homeless Transition Center by purchasing a piece of original art at the Light the Way Art Benefit on Thursday, March 5, 2009, at House of Frames and Painting, HoFP, Gallery, 2828 Devine Street, Columbia. More...

It's happening right here in your community

-BOOKS The 13th Annual SC Book Festival will be February 27- March 1 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. More...

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Travel

The South's prettiest small town

Part 1: Halloween in Edenton
By Warner M. Montgomery warner@thecolumbiastar.com

It was a dark and stormy night. The air was heavy and mysterious. Evil lurked behind every tree. All Saints Eve, the Hallowed Eve, a night f illed with ghosts, spooks, devils, and …rock stars. More...

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Public Notices

Public Notices

NOTICE OF UNCLAIMED VEHICLES/PUBLIC SALE The following vehicles are subject to towing, repair and/or storage liens; are declared to be abandoned pursuant to Section 56-5-5810, More...

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Columbia City Council

A public hearing on the following proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Columbia, South Carolina will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. More...

CITY OF COLUMBIA PLANNING COMMISSION

March 2, 2009 - 5:15 P.M. 1737 MAIN STREET CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 825 Heidt Street, TMS# 11409-15-03; rezone from RG-1 -DP to PUD-R -DP. 903, 911, 919 S. Edisto Avenue, TMS# 11211-06-18, -19, 20a; rezone from M-1 to RG-2. More...

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Beauty in the Backyard

Ten Lessons from the Westminster Dog Show

10. Dogs rule. 9. The television broadcast of the Westminster Dog Show is only a snapshot. 8. It is possible for more than 1,200 dogs to co- exist on a single day with one another and not fight, bark or snap. 7. More...

Stopping to smell the flowers

The Mint Museum of Art Garden
By Arlene Marturano marturanoa@yahoo.com

With spring on the horizon, one of the best ways to get ideas for your garden is to visit other gardens. One gem of a garden within an easy drive from Columbia is the garden surrounding the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte. More...

Southern Spring Home and Garden Show

The Southern Spring Home & Garden Show will be March 4- 8 at The Park in Charlotte, N.C., formerly known as the Charlotte Merchandise Mart. The Southern Spring Home & Garden Show is produced by Southern Shows, Inc. More...

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