Photo by Chad Nicholson ImprovEverywhere sent several agents to Best Buy dressed in khaki pants and blue shirts identical to the store’s uniform. They were not to claim to work at Best Buy but be friendly and helpful if anyone had a question. Growing up, Charlie Todd never dreamed the pranks his family, friends, and co- workers played on each […]
No Pants Subway Ride
The New York No Pants! Subway Ride began in 2002 by Improv Ever ywhere with seven participants. This year the ride had 1200 participants on four trains during a snow storm. The next ride will be Januar y 2010. New York has no law against wearing underwear in public.
Abe Lincoln has a shifty legend
Don Thacker, who has been a social work professional at the Veterans’ Hospital since 1969, claims to have been a neighbor of Abraham Lincoln in Kentucky. So much for honesty in this story…unless Don is much older than he looks. Thacker’s talk at the May meeting of the Columbia Torch Club focused on his old friend, Honest Abe, the man […]
Part 8: Commodore Gillon
Nestled in the middle of an isolated woodland near the south bank of the Congaree River within the COWASEE Basin lies a simple granite marker to Alexander Gillon (1741- 1794), Commodore of the South Carolina Navy during the Revolutionary War. You may ask yourself, as did I, what navy? You can read a lot about the Revolution in South […]
It was a very good year
The Columbia Museum of Art had a banner year. At least that was the message given at the Columbia Art Association’s 93rd annual meeting of membership held May 28. According to the president of the board of trustees, Ronald Rogers, the museum exceeded all projected goals in areas like membership and attendance. The year was characterized by four large exhibitions: […]
Happy 100th birthday, Mary R. Foster
Family and friends, including Mayor Bob Coble, gathered at the Finlay House to help Mary R. Foster celebrate her 100th birthday May 23, 2009. Foster was born in Denmark, SC on May 26, 1909, and has always lived in South Carolina. In her early years as a teacher she taught in several different small towns in our state. She even […]
Duke hits up N.C. and SCANA scores S.C.
Duke Energy Carolinas is asking the N.C. utility regulators for a 12.6 percent increase, which adds about $11 per month to the average residential customer’s bill. Meanwhile, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G), SCANA’s principal subsidiary, has filed a request with the Public Service Commission (PSC) for an overall 1.1 percent increase to its electric power rates. Even though […]
Scott Bills of Paul Mitchell Schools
For men, a decent haircut is usually $20- 25 plus tip, and the tip can come to another $5, depending on the customer’s criteria. But that’s in the chair at a professional shop, some place in the urban mix of high- end shops and services. On the other hand, in the chair at a cosmetology school, the haircut might cost […]
Briefs
Eco- tourism According to a study recently released by USC’s Moore School of Business, South Carolina’s natural resources add nearly $30 billion annually to the state’s economy. The report was prepared by economists Dr. Douglas P. Woodward and Dr. Paulo Guimares in the Moore School’s research division. Besides the impact on visitor count, the natural resources are credited with talent […]
Folks about town
Allstate Insurance Company has recognized Allstate exclusive agency owners C-Anne Able (both of her West Columbia agencies), Kellie Ballentine (Blythewood), Laurie Griner (West Columbia), Scott Johnson (Columbia), and Jim Macfie (West Columbia) with the Regional Champions award for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention, and profitable business growth. Columbia police officer Walter P. Parker has been presented the J.P. […]