The Columbia Center for the Arts has devised a plan that helps make something one might consider useless (plastic shopping bags) into something useful and desperately needed—and it all involves a little something called “plarn.” What is plarn? Yarn that is made out of plastic bags, which in turn are crocheted into lightweight bed rolls for homeless people. “Operation Bed […]
Award-winning realtor to head up BullStreet real estate operations
Award-winning Columbia realtor Beronica Whisnant will head up real estate sales and marketing for the BullStreet Neighborhood, as well as serve on project-specific boards such as the BullStreet Master Owner’s Association and the planned BullStreet Merchants’ Association. As director of real estate at BullStreet, Whisnant will be responsible for recruiting and growing the number of commercial users in the 181-acre […]
Heise, Moore answer questions about coach’s leave, resignation
When Kevin Heise resigned from Brookland- Cayce High School April 19, it left many unanswered questions. Nearly a month since Heise’s resignation some answers are coming to light. During Heise’s first block class February 9, he was interrupted by Brookland Cayce athletic director and football coach Rusty Charpia. It was that interruption that led to Heise’s speech. Neither Heise nor […]
Lost Landscapes
In 1961 the Ansley Hall Mansion, the Robert Millsdesigned residence at 1616 Blanding Street, was under threat of demolition. The call to preserve this landmark building turned into a rallying cry that led to the formation of Historic Columbia Foundation. When Historic Columbia gives tours of the property, known today as the Robert Mills House & Gardens, visitors are astounded […]
Part Two
Before the water began receding; before FEMA showed up with forms and promises of money; before the threat of continued rain had diminished; volunteers, both official and freelance, were looking for someone to help. Neighbors helping neighbors, strangers assisting strangers; people pulled on rubber boots and pitched in. This isn’t unusual. Anytime a major catastrophe hits an area, or someone […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Forest Acres Forest Drive: Police were called to a coffee shop at 3 p.m. Friday after employees received several complaints about a man begging for money outside. When police arrived, they found the man standing on the street corner holding a sign that asked people for financial help for food and gas. The officers told him he wasn’t allowed to […]
ASK US AT THE STAR
After reading about stump meetings in a recent column, I would like to know about the tradition of camp meetings in South Carolina.I first learned about camp meetings in the lowcountry of South Carolina through a roommate from St. George, who introduced me to the week- long annual fall gatherings in Dorchester County. Although they are a centuries-old tradition that continues today, they now have assumed a modern vibe with a Facebook page and a Wikipedia entry. Hanna Raskin, food editor for […]
Wolves and other scary creatures
It’s not a criticism; It’s an observationDuring a recent round of golf with Terry, I received a surprise. No, neither of us played like Sergio, or hit a PGA caliber shot and admired it lovingly. Our golf games are hamstrung by low levels of natural talent and an aversion to lengthy practice sessions. A good round of golf for us is finishing with the same ball […]
Busted!
I’m just saying...“JULIA HOOK!!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING??? This guttural scream was from my husband Marty when he came home from work early one day last week and caught me vacuuming four days after having a total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. (And I had to change the words because what he really said is unprintable.) I was so busted, and […]
My Brown Thumb
40–SomethingYard work is not my favorite pastime. I’m not very good at it, and I really don’t have much time for it…at least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Unfortunately, it is true that people with much busier lives than mine seem to be able to maintain immaculate lawns. So, if I can’t blame a lack of time, then maybe […]