Gus Herlong is taking it to the bank… as in taking hundreds of pounds of rice, beans, tomatoes, peas, peanut butter, soup, tuna, pasta, and sundry canned goods to a downtown food bank every few days. It’s the result of a new hunger-fighting initiative he launched last week to assist folks whose livelihoods have been jeopardized by a COVID-slammed local […]
East Point Academy racks up dance awards in international competition
Often referred to as “the Oscars of dance,” the Taoli World Dance Competition was held online in December of 2020. Dancers from East Point Academy competed with over 600 performers earning a total of eight awards. Dance teacher Yihao Chen remarked on their hard work saying, “I feel their performances were outstanding. I am proud to teach them.” In addition […]
Gray mares ain’t for hair!
I’m just saying...“Umm…Baby… aren’t you due to go see Danielle pretty soon?” This remark came from my husband, Marty, the other day as we were watching television. I was sort of lying against him with my head on his chest, and our dog Charlie was snuggled in between us. The fire was going, and it was a cold and blustery day outside. […]
Sunnybrook
50–SomethingExcerpt No. 4 from Mike Maddock’s novel available now on Amazon
Editor’s Note: We are pleased to publish Mike Maddock’s novel, Sunnybrook, in its entirety as a “50 Something” weekly series for 2021. All published excerpts will also be available on our website, www.TheColumbiaStar.com. PROLOGUE (Cont’d) “K,” Chris said as he followed his friend into the store. The 7-Eleven had been Joey’s obsession for nearly a year. The glass-front store along […]
Holy Land—Part 3: Samaritans, Hasidic, Orthodox
I have always been attracted to the Holy Land, modern Israel, and Jordan. Three times I have found myself wandering through the historic sites searching for the meaning of life. In 1970, after doing research in Thailand for my dissertation, I stopped off in Jerusalem for three days. In 1983, after completing two years as principal of an American school […]
FOLKS ABOUT TOWN
Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, South Carolina (The COMET) has received the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget. The COMET accounting team, led by Rosalyn Andrews, chief financial officer, has won several awards for fiscal excellence. The Columbia Chamber announced the recipients of the annual Columbia Impact Awards—The Cathy Novinger Trailblazer Award 2021 recipient […]
REAL ESTATE
NAI Columbia announced the following transactions: Leased Jeff Hein, SIOR, and Thomas Wyatt represented the landlord, Decker Plaza Associates, in the lease of 2,800 square feet of retail space located at 1735 Decker Boulevard, Suite 60, to Decker’s Jewelry & Pawn. John Gregory, PE, CCIM, represented the tenant, Overstock Liquidation, LLC, in the lease of 6,000 square feet of retail […]
ATTORNEYS HONORED
Attorney Ben Gooding has been named Robinson Gray’s newest member. Ashley Johnson, an associate with Robinson Gray law firm, has been named to the Special Olympics South Carolina’s board of directors. Attorney Kelsey Brudvig has been elected as a shareholder of the Collins & Lacy law firm. Eric L. Nelson has been named managing partner at Smith Currie.
Reminder to renew Richland County business licenses
Richland County Business Service Center in Columbia would like to remind businesses, organizations, and 1099 contractors that Richland County business licenses expired December 31. The deadline to renew is March 15. Renewal forms were mailed in early January. Richland County offices are still closed due to the pandemic. Therefore, business licenses may only be renewed online or by mail. Businesses, […]
Columbia City defers new zoning map
Columbia City Council held a virtual meeting Tuesday, January 19. Council deferred the first reading of a unified development ordinance to adopt the official zoning map for the City of Columbia. The request was to repeal the current zoning map and adopt a new one to take effect March 31, 2021. Council approved the first reading of an annexation, comprehensive […]
