Living Here 2012

WHERE THE
MONEY FLOWS
Where we work, what
we make and how we
keep America safe
Page 20
HOME, SWEET
HOME
Historic showplaces,
waterfront retreats,
suburban comforts
Page 32
READY, SET,
PLAY!
From parks to rivers,
Columbia invites
active lifestyles
Page 48
WWW.THESTATE.COM/LIVINGHERE
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2 LIVING HERE | June 24, 2012 | www.thestate.com/livinghere
www.thestate.com/livinghere | June 24, 2012 | LIVING HERE 3
6 WHO WE ARE
Getting to know Columbia
8 BY THE NUMBERS
Population, shopping, entertainment
10 MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
People you might hear about as you settle in
14 FAITH
A diverse community of worship
16 CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
USC and other institutions of higher learning
20 MILITARY
The sounds of freedom in Columbia
24 WHAT WE MAKE
The business of Columbia
26 DOING THE TOWN
Where to have fun
32 HOME SWEET HOME
From historic to lakefront, homes for every lifestyle
46 THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Fishing, hunting, cycling, golf and more
TIM DOMINICK/THE STATE.COM
Two young girls take down a sail during the Lake Murray Sailing Club youth camp. The camp is one of hundreds in
the Midlands that help make school breaks fun and educational for kids.
contents
BUY PHOTOS: See photos from our stories and
purchase photos published in this issue; order
online at thestate.com/livinghere.
A view of
the popular
Five Points
neighborhood,
taken from the
17th foor of the
Finlay House at
Blossom and
Harden streets.
Photograph by
C. Aluka Berry.
ONLY AT THESTATE.COM/
LIVINGHERE
The enjoyment of Living Here doesnt end with the
publication of this magazine.
Get the most out of living in Columbia at thestate.com/
livinghere, with daily updates of events, things to do and
more.
ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE
Living Here is an annual publication of The State Media
Co. Email suggestions to Dawn Kujawa, dkujawa@
thestate.com. For additional copies, call (803) 771-8504.
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION
>>VERY COOL: ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN COLUMBIA IS ITS CENTRAL LOCATION IN THE STATE. ITS JUST A TWO-HOUR DRIVE TO THE MOUNTAINS OR BEACH, LESS THAN FOUR TO SAVANNAH OR ATLANTA.
GERRY MELENDEZ/GMELENDEZ@THE STATE.COM
5 facts about Columbia and
neighboring Lexington, the
largest cities in Richland and
Lexington counties:
Columbia was founded
March 22, 1786, when the
state Legislature approved
a bill to establish Columbia
as the capital city.
The state Senate chose
to name the city after
Christopher Columbus.
The Senates second
choice was Washington,
after President George
Washington. Columbia won
on an 11-7 vote.
The historic
Waverly
community, off
Taylor Street, was
the frst residential
community
outside Columbia
city limits. It
has since been
annexed into the
city.
In colonial days,
the Lexington
area was
known as Saxe Gotha to
commemorate the home
area of a German princess
who married into British
royalty. It was rechristened
Lexington, after the
Revolutionary War site in
Massachusetts.
Lexington sits along two
major trails once used
by Native Americans: U.S.
378 follows the Cherokee
Path and U.S. 1 follows the
Occaneechi Path.
Columbia: Storied past,
bright future
By JEFF WILKINSON
jwilkinson@thestate.com
C
olumbia has always been a crossroads, even long before it
was a city.
Its a crossroads between places and people, politics
and culture. It is a place where history is cherished, and the
future embraced.
It is built on the fall line between the Piedmont and the
Coastal Plain, where rivers connect in rocky shoals on
their way to the sea. Sandhills and scrub pine cover the
land north of the line, Spanish moss and oaks to the south.
Native Americans
on the Cherokee
Trail used the shoals
to cross the rivers.
Later merchants and
soldiers would travel
up waterways and
highways, northwest
from coast, to trade
and fght.
Columbia was
founded as a political
intersection, the
nations frst planned
city older than
Washington, D.C.
a new state capital
where lawmakers
from the Lowcountry
and the Upstate
could meet in the
middle and hammer
out compromises.
Today, Columbia
is the states center
of government, where laws are enacted and political stars are
made or broken. Strom Thurmond was governor here, and
James Byrnes. More recently Mark Sanford and Nikki Haley
made national headlines some good, some not.
It is home to huge military bases, drawing soldiers and
KIM KIM FOSTER-TOBIN/KKFOSTER@THESTATE.COM
LEFT: Karleigh Brunson, left, and
McKenna DuBose enjoy warm May
weather in a hammock along the
Congaree River, just downstream
from the Gervais Street bridge.
ABOVE: Main Street bustles with
weekday activity.
WHO WE ARE
A HISTORY LESSON
SEE COLUMBIA ON PAGE 11
>>VERY COOL: ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN COLUMBIA IS ITS CENTRAL LOCATION IN THE STATE. ITS JUST A TWO-HOUR DRIVE TO THE MOUNTAINS OR BEACH, LESS THAN FOUR TO SAVANNAH OR ATLANTA.
GERRY MELENDEZ/GMELENDEZ@THE STATE.COM
RICHLAND COUNTY
Land area: 757 square miles
Population: 384,504
White: 47.3 percent
Black: 45.9 percent
Hispanic: 45.3 percent
Women: 51.3 percent
College graduates: 36.5 percent
Home matters
Average household income:
$47,922
Average home value: $146,300
Shopping & business
Number of businesses:27,370
Annual retail sales (2007): $4.4
million
Average annual retail spending
per person: $12,127
LEXINGTON COUNTY
Land area: 699 square miles
Population: 262,391
White: 79.3 percent
Black:14.3 percent
Hispanic: 5.5 percent
Women: 51.2 percent
College graduates: 27.6 percent
Home matters
Average household income:
$52,205
Average home value: $136,800
Shopping & business
Number of businesses: 22,886
Annual retail sales (2007): $3.7
million
Average annual retail spending
per person: $15,027
GETTING TO WORK
Average time spent commuting
Richland: 21.5 minutes
Lexington: 24.5 minutes
Kershaw: 27.6 minutes
People driving alone to work
Richland: 145,194
Lexington: 104,001
Kershaw: 20, 774
People carpooling
Richland: 16,717
Lexington: 9,517
Kershaw: 3,332
People who walk to work
Richland: 3,908
Lexington: 898
Kershaw: 240
OUT & ABOUT
Parks in Richland County: 79
Parks in Lexington County: 54
Miles of hiking trails at Congaree
National Park: 25
Acres in Peachtree Rock Heritage
Preserve: 460
Bars and restaurants in Five Points:
56
Bars and restaurants in Vista: 53
Frozen yogurt shops in Richland
and Lexington: 10-plus
Riverbanks Zoo annual
attendance: 1,000,224
Giraffes at the zoo: 8
Poisonous snakes at the zoo: 76
Height, in feet, of Eddie, a popular
attraction at EdVenture Childrens
Museum: 40
Community theater facilities in
Richland and Lexington counties: 6
Artifacts in S.C. State Museum
collection: 70,000-plus
Historic structures at Lexington
County Museum complex: 36
SPORTS
Williams-Brice Stadium seats:
80,250
Colonial Life Arena seats: 18,000
USC home football games in 2011:
7
Blowfsh home games in 2012: 29
EDUCATION
Colleges & universities: 11
USC students: 30,721
USC faculty: 1,604
Books at Richland County Public
Library: 1.1 million
Items checked out from RCPL in
2011: 4.7 million
WEATHER
Julys average daily high: 92.3
Decembers average daily high:
58.5
Compiled by Noelle Phillips
BY THE NUMBERS
TRACY GLANTZ/TGLANTZ@THESTATE.COM
Riverbanks Zoo, the states top attraction, offers Free Fridays in January and
February for residents of Richland and Lexington counties.
The Cooperative Ministry C.A.R.
Program is in desperate need of
automobiles to donate to the working
poor. We ask you to please consider
donating your old car. We accept
all vehicles even if they are not
operational. We can arrange to pick
it up or if necessary, have it towed.
Donating will get you a tax deduction
while helping the working poor.
Please call
803-799-3853 ext. 512
The CooperaTive MinisTry
By DAWN HINSHAW
dhinshaw@thestate.com
H
ere are some people you might
hear about or run into as you
settle into the Midlands, folks
who make this an interesting and
ever-changing community in which
to live.
STEWART AND DELORIS
MUNGO
Stewart and Deloris Mungo each
had their own reasons for getting
in the thick of the new Pawmetto
Lifeline animal shelter.
She feels called to stick up
for vulnerable creatures. He
is an advocate of government
consolidation who wanted to
encourage Richland and Lexington
counties to pull together.
Between them, they helped launch
a non-proft organization in 1999
that promises to dramatically reduce
the number of unwanted dogs and
cats in the Midlands by promoting
pet sterilization.
The couple, both 59, share their
Lake Murray home built by The
Mungo Co., of course with three
dogs and six cats, all rescues.
SKIPP PEARSON
They call him South
Carolinas Ambassador
of Jazz because hes
traveled the country
and the world, making
music.
Here in his adopted
hometown, Skipp
Pearson is known simply as a classy
entertainer who hosts of some of the
best jazz around.
Pearson picked up the saxophone
when he was an 8-year-old in
Orangeburg. He was playing
professionally by the time he was 14.
Over the years, hes shared the stage
with the likes of Sam Cooke, Otis
Redding, Patti LaBelle and Wynton
Marsalis.
Now 75, he lives in Hopkins
and maintains a busy performance
schedule.
Jazz Under the Stars, his
signature event, is Sept. 7-8 this year
on the State House lawn. Bring a
picnic and lawn chairs. Or catch a
set at Hunter Gatherer on Thursday
nights.
ROBBIE AND ERIC MCCLAM
Three years ago, Robbie McClam
and his son Eric started an organic
farm on three acres in downtown
Columbia that has become an engine
in the local food movement.
The two, along with a cadre of
interns, volunteers and customers,
grow 75 varieties of fruits and
vegetables, keep bees and raise
chickens. In the fall, they expect to
sell their frst farm-raised tilapia.
Six days a week, customers can stop
by the barn on Airport Boulevard to
buy fresh produce.
An unexpected by-product: The
farm has become a place for farm-to-
table dinners and Sunday brunches,
outdoor movies and festivals.
After a career in architecture and
downtown redevelopment, Robbie
McClam, 58, heard a piece on NPR
that inspired his work as a food
activist. He broached the idea of a
partnership with one of his 26-year-
old triplets, Eric, whod graduated
from Tulane in 2009 with his own
degree in architecture.
The recession threw them together,
but now Eric has switched careers for
good: I would prefer to be a farmer.
DEBBIE BLOOM
Debbie Bloom calls the atmosphere
at her offce electric not a
description often associated with
libraries.
We call this The Salon, said
Bloom, 55 and manager of the
local history room at
Richland County Public
Library downtown.
We just start talking
about things, and
were all interested in
Columbia and Richland
County history.
Some of the most-
handled items in the room are City
Directories dating back a century.
Folks can look up their own addresses
to see who lived in their home before
them.
Most visitors to the local history
room are working on geneology.
Because she works so much with
geneologists, Bloom blogs under the
name Dead Librarian.
JAN JERNIGAN
Jan Jernigan used to take leisurely
drives to Lake Murray to watch
sailboats glide on the water and
dream of owning one herself.
Now she lives in Lexington
County. She owns two
boats. And, just like she
knew it would, sailing
gives her a sense of
freedom whether
the winds in her face
or at her back.
A fnancial advisor
and volunteer
fundraiser, Jernigan is involved in the
racing community. Four years in a
row, she chaired the Easter Regatta,
which attracts sailors from all over
the country.
She organizes women-only classes
ONLINE: For more profiles, log
on at thestate.com/livinghere.
SPECIAL TO THE STATE
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
SPECIAL TO THE STATE
airmen from across the nation
and the world to train and fy.
Columbia is home to the
states fagship university, the
University of South Carolina
and its Fighting Gamecocks,
as well as at least 10 other
institutions of higher learning.
And increasingly Columbia
is becoming a crossroads of
tourism and the arts, nightlife
and dining.
Riverbanks Zoo is the most
popular ticketed attraction in
the state. EdVenture Childrens
Museum, S.C. State Museum
and others draw thousands of
visitors a year. The S.C. State
Fair is the center of the universe
each October for shows and
rides and all things fried.
In the past decade,
Columbias downtown has
seen a renaissance, drawing
residents, restaurants and shops
to newly landscaped streets in
the Vista, Main Street and Five
Points. Festivals draw people
to celebrate everything from
foreign cultures to crawfsh.
Theres Artista Vista, Indie
Grits and St. Patricks Day in
Five Points, one of the biggest
parties in the South.
And new galleries and
artists are increasingly
transforming Columbia into
an arts crossroads. Arts centers
have opened on Main Street,
augmenting the galleries in
The Vista and the Columbia
Museum of Art. It is a center of
music, dance and theater, too,
and of course, home to Hootie
and Blowfsh, complete with a
statue and street named in their
honor.
But most of all Columbia
is a crossroads for families, a
comfortable city with a good
climate. Although sometimes
Famously Hot, its comfortable
place where people come
together to live, work and play.
Jeff Wilkinson writes about business and
the military for The State.
COLUMBIA FROM PAGE 7 to encourage women to learn to sail. Other
causes: caring for stray animals, scholarships
for USC dance students, protecting victims
of domestic violence and juvenile diabetes
research.
HARRIETT GREEN
Harriett Green was an aspiring artist
before she threw in the towel, switched to art
history and helped maintain the collection at
the Columbia Museum of Art.
For the past 20 years, though, Green, 54,
has been visual arts director at the S.C. Arts
Commission, promoting the work of South
Carolina artists. (We accept
South Carolina as by birth or
by choice, she said. For the
record, Green is the former.)
She sometimes takes the
state-owned art collection on
the road to rural parts of the
state, talking with residents
about art and artists. More
often, she works with other arts professionals
to advance the careers of S.C. artists beyond
the states borders.
Greens private life, too, revolves around
art. Each year, she looks forward to Spoleto
and she collects a little bit of everything.
Dawn Hinshaw writes about people, historic preservation and
county government for The State.
Accepting Applications for
2012-2013
Serving Students With Learning Differences
1st through 12 grade Small Class Size
One on One Tutoring
IEP Plans Tailored to Each Student
Located at First Baptist Church,
Downtown, Columbia
www.hcatoday.com
(803) 790-4028 or (803) 318-6357
275-AA Harbison Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29212
803-781-FANS(3267)
www.dansfancity.com
The Nations Largest
Independent Ceiling Fan Retailer
QUIET QUALITY FANS FOR
OVER 25 YEARS
DANS FAN CITY
>>VERY COOL: DURING FOOTBALL SEASON, FAMILIAR SOUNDS RICOCHET AMONG DOWNTOWNS HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS: THE SCREECH OF A GAMECOCK, THE OPENING REFRAIN OF 2001AND THE USC FIGHT SONG.
Fun facts about South
Carolinas State House
During Gen. W.T.
Shermans 1865
assault on Columbia, 10
cannonballs shot from the
banks of the Congaree River
hit the State House. Four
landed inside but did no
damage; six hit the exterior,
slightly damaging the blue-
granite structure. Those
spots are marked today by
bronze stars on the west
and southwest walls, facing
Assembly Street.
There are 30-plus historic
monuments and markers
around the grounds.
And, speaking of historic
buildings...
The Historic Columbia
Foundation has several
homes and gardens open
to the public, among
them the Woodrow
Wilson family home. Visit
historiccolumbia.org for a
list of homes and events.
Columbia: The place for politics
By THE BUZZ
W
hen next you fnd yourself at
Assembly and Gervais, park your
car, get out and walk around the
State House grounds.
You live here because that building
is there.
And its here because Charleston,
South Carolinas holy city that lives to
sin, and Greenville, South Carolinas
Bible-thumping economic capital that
loathes sin, cannot get along.
Charleston, the states colonial
capital, was founded in 1670, when,
according to South-of-Broad
Charlestonians, Adam and Eve
discovered the next best thing to Eden
the confuence of the Ashley and
Cooper rivers, which join to form the
Atlantic Ocean. With some of their
English royal friends, they invested
in real estate and opened a bar,
conveniently near an Anglican church.
Greenville County was founded
about 100 years later by penniless
Scots-Irish who had walked down
the eastern side of the Appalachians,
evicted the Cherokee owners, opened
a mill, put the children over age 6
to work, and built a Presbyterian
church, which now, as predestined, is
evangelical.
The two Charleston and
Greenville were a marriage made in
Hades and, promptly, starting fghting
over control of the then-colony,
including where its capital should be.
Enter Columbia, founded in 1786 as
a compromise between Charlestonians,
who couldnt understand the need for
anything beyond Summerville, and
the Upstate, which felt Charleston was
too far away, too stuck up and in a
threat to godliness too wet.
In 1790, the Legislature held its frst
session here, resulting in an explosion
of law frms, lobbyists, state workers
and ... well, the things those folks need
restaurants, hotels and hospitals.
Today, Columbia augmented by
USC, opened to allow the Charleston
dandies and Upstate hillbillies to co-
mingle, and Fort Jackson, founded
before World War I and saved
from closure by the Korean War
continues its vital role as the states
not-Charleston, not-Greenville.
In fact, the city fnally is succeeding
in uniting the two longtime
rivals. Today, Charlestonians and
Greenvillians regularly lambast state
government in Columbia as if
its some little Washington on the
Congaree. In fact, state government
remains controlled by the politicians
they elect, who say theyre all
Republicans but cant agree on what
that means.
But thats OK. Columbias role
always has been to be the buffer
between aloof superiority and
disagreeableness. We remain a little
DMZ of sanity.
The Buzz writes a sometimes irreverent
column on S.C. politics, in The State
each Sunday.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY TRACY GLANTZ/TGLANTZ@THESTATE.COM
LEFT: A springtime view of the State House, at Main and Gervais streets
downtown. ABOVE: Re-enactors portray Gen. William Tecumseh Shermans
firing on the State House from the banks of the Congaree River.
GOVERNMENT
A HISTORY LESSON
>>VERY COOL: DURING FOOTBALL SEASON, FAMILIAR SOUNDS RICOCHET AMONG DOWNTOWNS HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS: THE SCREECH OF A GAMECOCK, THE OPENING REFRAIN OF 2001AND THE USC FIGHT SONG.
>>VERY COOL: IMPORT SOME CAMELS, AND THE COLUMBIA SILICA SAND MINE COULD BE A MOVIE SET FOR THE SAHARA. DRIFTING SAND HAS BEEN UNEARTHED IN DIXIANA SINCE 1948.
Here, stops on the Columbia
congregational tour you wont
want to miss:
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral:
The gothic exterior of this church,
modeled after York Cathedral
in England, is a treat to see. But
enter and be prepared to be in
awe of the eye-popping stained
glass windows and a beautifully
painted nave.
Shandon Baptist Church:
This Forest Acres area church
provides ministries for all ages,
from youngsters to young at
heart. The congregation, led
for more than 20 years by the
Rev. Dick Lincoln, seeks to be a
welcoming, missional church with
opportunities that extend beyond
the two distinctive Sunday
worship services, one traditional
and the other contemporary.
Established in 1795, First
Presbyterian Church is the
oldest congregation in Columbia
and its 180-foot spire was once
the citys tallest structure. The
current sanctuary was built in
1853, and along with the churchs
graveyard, is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
The Jewish corridor: Along
Trenholm Road and up Decker
Boulevard, the citys three
synagogues provide rich
spiritual life for Midlands Jews.
Beth Shalom, a Conservative
congregation, is just blocks
away from the Reform Tree of
Life Congregation. Around
the corner, Congregation Beit
Midrash provides a worship
space for Orthodox Jews.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
on Devine Street and St. Peters
Catholic Church on Assembly
provide historic and ornate
sanctuaries for area Roman
Catholics.
Come, all ye faithful, to worship
By CAROLYN CLICK
cclick@thestate.com
W
elcome to the land of
Wednesday night church
suppers, ornate steeples,
the Big Nosh, prayer, and that
ubiquitous, cheery salutation: Have
a blessed day!
If South Carolina is the buckle of
the Bible belt, then Columbia is the
middle notch, sandwiched between
the evangelical Baptist Upstate and
the hybrid Lowcountry with its mix
of high church Episcopalians, AMEs
and Pentecostals.
Newcomers are asked where
they are from and to what faith
they belong. If there is the slightest
waffing, never fear, an invitation to
worship or to break bread will be
forthcoming.
Southern Baptists dominate but
the mix of other Protestant Christian
denominations is breathtaking.
Lutherans, Episcopalians,
Methodists,
Presbyterians,
African-Methodist
Episcopals and
black Baptists,
among others,
have established
distinctive,
architectural gems
of churches that dot
corners of downtown
Columbia. Roman
Catholics and Jews
have fourishing
congregations, and
Muslims have come,
too, adding to a
growing interfaith
mix.
Our congregations
are the lifeline to
the homeless and
less fortunate,
often the frst to volunteer in times
of disaster. Their work is evident
in places such as the Soup Cellar
at Columbias Washington Street
United Methodist Church and
the Transitions center providing
homeless services in Columbia,
among others. In West Columbia,
Brookland Baptist Church, one of
the areas largest African-American
congregations, ministers to prisoners,
the homeless, the aged and others.
The 9,000-strong Bibleway Church
of Atlas Road in Lower Richland
has an equally impressive listing of
ministries.
Sometimes, congregations have
served as the conscience of the
city and the region, speaking out
against video poker and Sunday
liquor sales and for the removal of
the Confederate battle fag from the
dome of the capital.
For many in Columbia, a life lived
in faith seems the best path to take.
Carolyn Click writes about schools, faith and
TIM DOMINICK/TDOMINICK@THESTATE.COM
ABOVE: The Rev. David Wagner of St. Martins-In-The-
Fields Episcopal Church administers ashes during an
Ash Wednesday service.
LEFT: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church opened a
new sanctuary adorned with beautiful icons painted
by George Kordis.
FAITH
A TOUR IN FAITH
>>VERY COOL: IMPORT SOME CAMELS, AND THE COLUMBIA SILICA SAND MINE COULD BE A MOVIE SET FOR THE SAHARA. DRIFTING SAND HAS BEEN UNEARTHED IN DIXIANA SINCE 1948.
>>VERY COOL: USCS WILLIAMS-BRICE FOOTBALL STADIUM HOSTS FOOTBALL GAMES ATTRACTING AS MANY AS 80,250 FANS. HOME GAMES ARE AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF DETOURS, TAILGATING AND POST-GAME PARTIES.
USCs Capstone is topped by
a rotating restaurant open
for Friday lunch and Sunday
brunch with a panoramic,
360-degree view of Columbia.
The mechanism was acquired
from the 1965 Worlds Fair in New
York. A full rotation takes one
hour.
Ten of the 11 buildings on
USCs Horseshoe, the original
campus, are on the National
Register of Historic Places.
J. Rion McKissick is buried in
front of the South Caroliniana
Library. A 1905 graduate, he
was president of USC from 1936
until his death in 1944. He is
the namesake for McKissick, the
building that sits at the top of the
Horseshoe and the only structure
there built after 1854.
Rutledge College was USCs
frst building, erected in 1805.
It was used as a temporary State
House right after the Civil War.
The South Caroliniana Library,
on the Horseshoe, was the frst
free-standing college library in
the United States.
The center of the citys universe
By NEIL WHITE
nwhite@thestate.com
A
nyone new to Columbia will
learn quickly that life here
revolves around the University
of South Carolina, better known as
USC to folks in these parts.
(Do not listen to people outside
the state who try to tell you USC
stands for the University of Southern
California. Not here it doesnt.
Everyone in the Midlands knows
which school you mean when you say
USC. Or you can just say Carolina,
but that would require you not to
listen to those snooty people from
North Carolina who try to say that
name only applies to their school.
Again, not here it doesnt.)
You also will discover that USC
serves as the center of activity
in Columbia, from education to
entertainment to athletics. The
campus, with nearly 31,000 students,
sits in the heart of the city, a few
blocks from the State House. And
since the bustling college grounds are
so close to downtown area, it may be
tough for newcomers to distinguish
where one ends and the other begins.
Heres a hint: If a group of casually-
dressed young people wearing
backpacks steps out in front of your
car and collectively acts like its no
big deal that you had to slam on your
brakes, then youre on campus. Drive
through at your own risk.
And dont even think about parking
to take a look around. The last time
a parking space came open anywhere
near campus was in 1977. Three cars
arrived simultaneously and tried to
pull in at once, prompting a heated
discussion between the drivers over
which one got there frst. Im pretty
sure theyre still there arguing today.
So when you cant fnd a space but
want to hang out, you can always
head to Five Points or the Vista, the
rival restaurant and shopping districts
that border the campus on opposite
ends. Five Points is where the cool
college kids hang out, and the Vista is
where the people who wish they were
still cool college kids hang out. You
decide where you belong.
Native Columbia residents love
their sports, too, and when I say
sports, I mean Gamecock athletics.
If you think anybody wants to hear
you talk about the professional team
in your former city, think again. Its
all about cheering for the Gamecocks
here, and the words Go Cocks!
are openly shouted in public places
without fear of disapproving looks.
For many years, South Carolinas
teams were viewed nationally as
either underachieving mediocrities or
mediocre underachievers. No more.
With big-name coaches, from
Steve Spurrier in football to Dawn
Staley in womens basketball to Ray
Tanner in baseball, the Gamecocks
have fnally ended the long-standing
and diabolical Chicken Curse with
a history-making 11 football wins
last season and back-to-back national
championships in baseball. And
now theyve hired a frebrand mens
basketball coach in Frank Martin,
whose glare has been reported to turn
referees into liquid butter.
So welcome to Columbia. Enjoy
our beautiful city and, by extension,
U-S-C now that you know what it
stands for.
Neil White is a sports writer and columnist at
The State.
Prospective students and
parents tour the USC campus.
Capstone House is in the
background.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
A HISTORY LESSON
LEFT: USC president Harris Pastides
and his wife, Patricia Moore-Pastides
walk in a parade to the State House
to honor the USC baseballs team
second NCAA championship in 2011.
>>VERY COOL: USCS WILLIAMS-BRICE FOOTBALL STADIUM HOSTS FOOTBALL GAMES ATTRACTING AS MANY AS 80,250 FANS. HOME GAMES ARE AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF DETOURS, TAILGATING AND POST-GAME PARTIES.
COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY
The banners that line the entrance
to Columbia International University
are more than decorative. They
represent fags of countries where
graduates of the evangelical Bible
college have planted Christian
missions or embarked on other
endeavors to fulfll CIUs mission of
spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Founded in 1923 as Columbia
Bible School, CIU now has
nearly 1,300 students enrolled in
its undergraduate, graduate and
seminary programs. Among CIUs
ministries, Ben Lippen School ,
a pre-K-12 college preparatory
Christian school, is nestled on its
400-acre suburban campus in north
Columbia. CIU also operates two
Christian radio stations.
COLUMBIA COLLEGE
Columbia College survived the
torching of the city by Union
General Tecumseh Sherman, and
two more 20th century fres, to
become known as a place where
young women can become leaders.
The college began in 1854 with a
bold ambition: to educate young
women for fruitful service to church,
state and nation. The academic
experiment by the South Carolina
United Methodist Conference defed
the eras view of womens roles,
but ended up launching thousands
of young women into successful
positions in business, education and
other professions.
The private four-year college in
north Columbia has about 1,300
students. Once considered a white-
glove school for young ladies of
the South, Columbia College has
evolved its mission to become a home
to frst-generation college students
from diverse and international
backgrounds. Since the 1990s,
women have held the presidency as
well.
BENEDICT COLLEGE
When you hear that gathering
storm of trained young male and
female African-American voices, you
know it is Benedict Colleges award
winning Gospel Choir. The choir,
under the direction of Darryl Izzard,
has put Benedict on the musical
map and is a draw for its 3,000
undergraduates who audition to be
part of the troupe.
Benedict was born out of the havoc
of the Civil War when Bathsheba
Benedict, a Rhode Island native,
established the college on an 80-
acre plot in Columbia in 1870. She
RENEE ITTNER-MCMANUS/ RITTNERMCMANUS@THE STATE.COM
Former President Bill Clinton, a friend of retiring Columbia College President Caroline Whitson, right, delivers the
2012 commencement address in May to graduates at the Township Auditorium.
SOME OF COLUMBIAS OTHER AREA COLLEGES
Printing Mailing Digital & Variable Data Promotional Products Design
www.proprinters.com
Challenging economic times can create new opportunities for success. In that spirit, Professional Printers, Inc. and
and book business by partnering with Professional Printers, Inc. to handle their commercial printing sales.
electronic media. Professional Printers, Inc. is honored to be selected to carry on the proud tradition of excellence
that has made the R.L. Bryan Company a part of South Carolina history for over 160 years.
To learn more, please contact
Professional Printers at either location.
Locally Owned. Nationally Recognized.
1730 Old Dunbar Rd.
West Columbia, SC 29172
803-796-4000
800-948-1074
301 Greystone Blvd.
Columbia, SC 29210
enlisted the Baptist Home Mission
in educating emancipated slaves and
elevating the newly freed African-
Americans to be powers for good in
society.
Since then, the private, co-
educational Benedict College has
educated thousands of African-
American students and served as a
beacon of hope during the civil rights
era of the 20th century.
ALLEN UNIVERSITY
Care to take a walk down historys
lane? A stones throw from Benedict
sits Allen University, which can lay
claim to designation as an historic
district on the National Register of
Historic Places for its four buildings
situated around the campus green.
Allen offers its undergraduates an
education steeped in the mission
of its institutional founder, the
African-Methodist Episcopal Church.
Initially, a student could walk on
to the 19th century campus and be
educated from kindergarten through
graduate school in law and theology,
as the church sought to turn newly
freed slaves into thinking, prosperous
citizens.
Today, Allen offers the schools
700 students eight academic majors
and 17 concentrations in areas of
math and science, business and
the humanities. In 2012, Allen
inaugurated Pamela M. Wilson as its
frst female president.
MIDLANDS TECHNICAL
COLLEGE
Think of Midlands Technical
College as a creative funnel to
the states four-year colleges and
universities. With six campuses
spread throughout the Midlands,
Midlands Tech is a gateway
institution for 18,000 students
annually to develop career skills or
go on to obtain their undergraduate
degrees at four-year institutions.
Founded in 1974, Midlands Tech
offers more than 100 associate
degree, diploma and certifcate
programs and aims to make college
affordable to people at all income
levels. Midlands Tech, part of the
South Carolina Technical College
System, is the largest source of
transfer students to the University of
South Carolina.
Compiled by Carolyn Click
Benedict College is a member of the
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference and plays home games
at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
Things that go boom in the night (and day)
By JEFF WILKINSON
jwilkinson@thestate.com
I
f you are living or traveling east of
Columbia near I-77, youre likely to
hear the occasional bugle call.
If you are living or traveling in
Lower Richland, youre probably
used to the sound of jet fghters or
helicopters.
Those arent just random noises
coming from somewhere out of the
piney woods. Thats the sound of
freedom.
And even more important, thats
the sound of money rolling into
the Midlands, courtesy of the U.S.
military.
Fort Jackson in Columbia,
McEntire Joint Nation Guard Base in
Eastover and Shaw Air Force Base in
Sumter put $7.1 billion a year in total
economic impact into the Midlands
economy. Thats $1 billion more than
the estimated economic impact of
Boeing on the Charleston area.
In addition, Fort Jackson, the
nations largest U.S. Army training
base, employs more than 12,000
people military and civilian. In
addition, the fort graduates about
50,000 soldiers every year, and the
once-a-week graduations awesome
and open to the public draw
thousands of families to Columbia to
eat, drink and cheer for junior.
Shaw hires another 5,300. It is
home to the largest F-16 fghter
wing in the U.S. Air Force as well as
Third Army and Ninth Air Force,
the planning and logistics arms for
ground and air forces in the Middle
East and Afghanistan.
McEntire adds another 900
employees to the local payroll,
and that doesnt include the
Guards substantial presence at its
headquarters on Bluff Road near
Williams-Brice Stadium.
So the next time you hear the far-
off bomb of a tank, or are startled by
a low-fying helicopter in the middle
of the night, remember: Its one of
the things that make the city great.
Jeff Wilkinson writes about business and the
military for The State.
TRACY GLANTZ/ TGLANTZ@THESTATE.COM
Fort Jackson, as the U.S. Armys main center for basic combat training, trains 50 percent of those entering the Army each year. The base was established in 1917 to train troops for World War I.
>>VERY COOL: ADVENTURERS EVENTUALLY FIND THEIR WAY TO THE COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT TURNOUT, WHERE ITS OK TO STOP AND WATCH AIRPLANES AS THEY TAKE OFF AND LAND.
THE MILITARY
Fort Jackson has several
facilities and activities open
to the public. Here are three:
Palmetto Falls Water Park:
Located at 3318 Marion Ave.,
water park features include
a 10,000-square-foot pool,
two water slides, a lazy
river and more. Its open to
the public every Tuesday
through Friday; season pass
holders and military families
can go Tuesday through
Sunday. Cost, hours and
other details: (803) 751-4056.
The posts 14-mile section
of the Palmetto Trail is
open to bikers and hikers.
It is a relatively fat, winding
trail that borders the fort,
mostly along Leesburg
Road.
Watch for special events
or activities, including the
nearly weekly graduation
ceremonies, the annual
Fourth of July freworks
displays and the Come See
Your Army Tour, a chance for
civilians to see how soldiers
train, eat and live.
Other details: www.
jackson.army.mil
DISCOVER YOUR
ARMY BASE
FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THE STATE
McEntire Joint National Guard Base, in Lower Richland, is home to the 169th
Fighter Wing, also known as the Swamp Foxes. The unit flies F-16 Fighting
Falcons, a fighter with the capability to fly at twice the speed of sound.
GERRY MELENDEZ/GMELENDEZ@THESTATE.COM
Fort Jacksons Palmetto
Falls Water Park
TRACY GLANTZ/ TGLANTZ@THESTATE.COM
Fort Jackson, as the U.S. Armys main center for basic combat training, trains 50 percent of those entering the Army each year. The base was established in 1917 to train troops for World War I.
>>VERY COOL: ADVENTURERS EVENTUALLY FIND THEIR WAY TO THE COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT TURNOUT, WHERE ITS OK TO STOP AND WATCH AIRPLANES AS THEY TAKE OFF AND LAND.
>>VERY COOL: THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY DOWNTOWN IS WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. HAVE A CHILD? FIND YOUR WAY THERE.
The Columbia areas top 5
private employers
Palmetto Health, a
consortium of hospitals
and health clinics, employs
9,000 people.
BlueCross BlueShield
of South Carolina, an
insurance and technology
services provider, has nearly
6,500 workers.
Lexington Medical
Center is a hospital system
with smaller community
campuses that is expanding
this year. It had 5,200
workers last year.
SCANA is an electricity and
natural gas provider for the
Midlands and other parts
of South Carolina, North
Carolina and Georgia. It had
more than 3,200 employees
last year but is building two
nuclear power plants that
will create hundreds more
jobs.
Michelin North America
makes passenger tires and
massive commercial tires at
plants in Lexington County.
Expansions announced
recently will bring total
workers to 2,200.
A good place to do business
By KRISTY EPPLEY RUPON
krupon@thestate.com
W
ork is an essential part of who
we are. Its where we spend
most of the day and often builds
relationships that extend beyond the
boundaries of a job.
Work provides us with money to
live, but beyond that, is an outlet for
using our talents to contribute to
society, whether we are building a tire,
crafting a law or training for combat.
Workers in the Midlands do all of
those things and much more.
Lawmakers gather in Columbia from
throughout the state to shape how we
live. Many go home to practice law,
run a business or even work the soil.
University professors help shape
minds at colleges large and small.
Soldiers train here, at Fort Jackson,
to go to war to protect the freedoms
enjoyed by all U.S. citizens.
Folks punch the clock at
manufacturing plants and distribution
centers, building tires, fshing rods and
nuclear power plants and flling orders
for retailers from Target to Amazon.
com.
And a rich insurance/technology
sector has workers processing 1 billion
insurance claims a year and managing
massive data centers in the Midlands.
To be sure, the Great Recession
wiped out jobs. Still, Lexington and
Richland counties typically have the
states lowest unemployment rates.
And jobs are returning, with the
state landing commitments in the
past year from major companies like
tire makers Continental, Bridgestone
and Michelin, who plan to invest,
combined, more than a billions dollars
and hire thousands of workers.
Entrepreneurs who started their
own companies after losing a job are
building up their businesses. Retailers
are opening new stores. And hospitals
are expanding.
It adds up to making the Columbia
area a strong, dynamic and innovative
place to work.
Kristy Eppley Rupon is assistant business editor at
The State.
PHOTOS BY KIM KIM FOSTER-TOBIIN/ THE STATE.COM
ABOVE: At 14 stories, a BlueCross
BlueShield building looms above
Interstates 20 and 77 that intersect
nearby.
LEFT: A SCANA employee makes
his way among buildings at the
companys campus in Cayce. The
buildings feature a number of energy-
saving devices that help the company,
which sells electricity and natural gas.
WHERE WE WORK
BIG BUSINESS
THE STATE FILE PHOTOGRAPH
A Palmetto Health medical
resident views scans.
>>VERY COOL: THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY DOWNTOWN IS WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. HAVE A CHILD? FIND YOUR WAY THERE.
Build it, and they will come (and buy)
WHAT WE MAKE
By KRISTY EPPLEY RUPON
krupon@thestate.com
H
ere in Columbia, we make things.
Lots of things.
Chances are, youve eaten,
driven on or flled out forms using
products made right here in the
capital city.
WE MAKE DINNER
That chicken and pasta you had for
dinner last night? It could well have
been made right here at the American
Italian Pasta Co., which runs around
the clock, cranking out one-quarter
of all the pasta consumed in the
United States some 33,000 pounds
a day.
Louis Rich in Newberry, Pilgrims
Pride in Sumter and Amick Farms
in Batesburg-Leesville all poultry
producers are the three top
manufacturers in the area. Thats not
to mention all of the chicken and
turkey farms in the Midlands rural
areas.
And when youve stuffed yourself
and cant eat any more, the Midlands
also produces refrigerators to store
the leftovers. Haier America located
its frst U.S. manufacturing facility in
Camden 13 years ago.
WE MAKE YOU GO
Whether youre riding on
Michelin, Continental or Bridgestone
tires, they are probably made right
down the street.
South Carolina is on the road
to becoming the tire capital of the
world as production gets ready to
ramp up at several new facilities
being built here. The three tire
makers produce millions of tires a
year in the Midlands from passenger
tires to large, industrial tires. But it
doesnt stop there. Husquvarna in
Orangeburg is one the Midlands
largest employers, making riding
lawn mowers, among other products.
WE MAKE THE CLOUD
Youve heard of the cloud. Its that
place in the ether that hosts all of
your emails, documents and other
important data.
But a chunk of it is right here in
Columbia.
BlueCross BlueShield of South
Carolina has two massive data
hosting centers on its Columbia
campus that process nearly 1 billion
insurance claims a year and serve as
storage houses for data from other
companies. And Earthlink recently
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KIM KIM FOSTER-TOBIN/KKFOSTER@THESTATE.COM
bought a local company, Business
Vitals, which has a data hosting
center right on Main Street that can
hold the equivalent of 50,000 laptops
chock full of data.
WE MAKE NUKES
The nuclear power renaissance
is happening right in the Midlands
back yard. Two of the frst four new
nuclear reactors approved in more
than three decades are being built
by Cayce-based power giant S.C.
Electric & Gas at its V.C. Summer
Nuclear Power Station in Fairfeld
County. Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel
also employs 1,200 people at a plant
in Richland County. And Savannah
River Site in nearby Aiken County
is home to 95 percent of the nations
non-weapons plutonium and is
positioning itself as the site where
manufacturers will experiment with
building mini-nuclear reactors, an
emerging product.
WE MAKE YOU WELL, AND
THEN WE PAY FOR IT
By far, the largest employers in the
Best Mattress
has been
making and
selling custom
mattresses in
West Columbia
for more than
80 years. A new
showroom on
Devine Street
was opened in
May.
Midlands are related to health care.
Palmetto Health and Lexington
Medical Center have more than
14,000 employees combined, and
theyre still growing. The region
also is home to a range of insurers,
including BlueCross BlueShield
of South Carolina, Colonial Life
and Afac. BlueCross cuts checks
amounting to $1 billion per day
about 10 percent of the total
payout in the United States and
handles three-quarters of all claims
for U.S. military personnel and
retirees.
AND, THERES MORE
The lists could go on.
In downtown Columbia, we make
four and grits at Adluh Flour Mills,
circa 1900. In Northeast Richland,
we make military machine guns at
FN Manufacturing. And in Richland
County, Pure Fishing makes fshing
tackle.
But we know you might be tired by
now. In that case, you could head to Best
Mattress. In West Columbia since 1928,
they make 10 to 25 custom mattresses
a day in the factory behind the store.
Sweet dreams.
Our Paths
Have Crossed
Five people. Five successful career paths,
now merged into One.
Their vision and their values unite them.
At their center are long-term client relationships
built on trust, sound fnancial advice and honesty
One customer at a time.
Their vision for each one is to
create, build and preserve wealth.
One team. One vision. One customer at a time.
VISTA WEALTH MANAGEMENT
L-R: James Braun, Registered Client Associate; Caroline Bennett, Non-registered Associate; Bruce
Snell, Senior Financial Advisor; Mary Kennemur, Executive VP; Paul Bennett, Registered Principal.
>>VERY COOL: SKATEBOARDING IS NOT ILLEGAL. IN FACT, ITS ENCOURAGED AT THE OWENS FIELD SKATE PARK IN COLUMBIA. THE PARK OPENED IN MARCH 2010.
Stay connected to whats
happening here.
Follow The State newspaper,
@thestate.com. Others for
the list:
@theshoptart: For food,
fashion and fun
@mandiengram: For
whats good in Columbia
@columbiasc: For whats
famously hot in Columbia
@wesleydonehue: For
politics that bear right
@HBoydBrown: For
politics that bear left
@SCLegislator: For
stinging parody on politics
@cthagod: For the real in
hip-hop. The S.C. native and
New York-based radio DJ
is in the middle of the hip-
hop game
@AntiBonIver: For rock
musings
@RickCaffeinated: For
coffee tawk and photos
@adam_fogle: For
humorous thoughts
@davidadedokun: For
late-night humorous
thoughts
@USCSquirrel: For
humorous thoughts from
an annoying squirrel who
lives on the USC Horseshoe
@Reptar: The fshy mascot
of Gamecocks baseball
@SteveBenjamin:
Columbias mayor
@HarrisPastides: USCs
president
@NikkiHaley: South
Carolinas governor
Eat, drink and live merry
By OTIS R. TAYLOR JR.
otaylor@thestate.com
W
hether its business or leisure,
you need a place to meet or
hangout. Of course, your social
calendar will dictate where youll be.
Heres an example of our calendar, set
by the time of day morning, noon
and night. Unlike socks, you can mix
and match when appropriate.
EARLY MORNING
Run into politicians staying at the
Clarion Town House Hotel, 1615
Gervais St., during the legislative
session. Hang out with early-bird
students and others recovering from
late-night Five Points partying at
Drip, 729 Saluda Ave. Wait in line
for breakfast at The Original Pancake
House, 4840 Forest Drive. Slide into a
booth at the Lizards Thicket, various
locations, www.lizardsthicket.com (A
must stop if you have Yankee friends
visiting).
MIDMORNING
Have a casual business meeting
at Cafe Strudel, 118 State St., West
Columbia. Kill time between classes at
USC at Carolina Cafe, 925 Sumter St.,
or Cool Beans, 1217 College St. Take a
break at Cafe Chartier, 711 East Main
St. Suite R, Lexington.
LUNCH
Take a client for a taste of Southern
food at Motor Supply Company, 920
Gervais St.; Blue Marlin, 1200 Lincoln
St.; or Mr. Friendlys, 2001 Greene St.
A. Grab a quick bite at Garden Bistro,
923 Gervais St.
EARLY EVENING
Start happy hour with a view at the
rooftop bar at the Sheraton Columbia
Downtown Hotel, 1400 Main St.; or
recess into the darkness at Speakeasy,
711 Saluda Ave., or under Hunter-
Gatherer, 900 Main St.
Play pool at Jakes, 2112 Devine
St.; sample craft brews at World of
Beer, 902 Gervais St., Space F; order
the tapas at 116 Espresso and Wine
Bar, 116 State St.; try the lambics at
Goatfeathers, 2017 Devine St.; meet
friends at Main Street Cafe & Grill,
131 East Main St., Lexington; or sit
out on the deck overlooking Lake
Murray at Rusty Anchor, 1925 Johnson
Marina Road, Chapin.
EVENING
Take that special someone to Terra,
100 State St., West Columbia, or Blue
Tapas Bar, 721 Lady St. A. Start your
night in the Vista at Pearlz Oyster Bar,
936 Gervais St.; Gervais & Vine, 620
Gervais St. Treat out-of-town visitors
to Macs on Main, 1710 Main St.
See a band at New Brookland
Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia,
or Tin Roof, 1022 Senate St. Belly up
to the bar at Group Therapy, 2107
Greene St.
LATE NIGHT
Join the crowds at Delaneys, 741
Saluda Ave.; Jillians, 800 Gervais
St.; The Whig, 1200 Main St.;
Art Bar,1211 Park St.; State Street
Pub, 136 State St.; PTs 1109,
1109 Assembly St.; or Kellys, 1001
Washington St.
AFTER THE AFTER-PARTY
Bar none, its Bar None, 620 Harden
St.
Otis Taylor writes about nightlife and
entertainment for The State.
DOING THE TOWN
TWITTER
>>VERY COOL: SKATEBOARDING IS NOT ILLEGAL. IN FACT, ITS ENCOURAGED AT THE OWENS FIELD SKATE PARK IN COLUMBIA. THE PARK OPENED IN MARCH 2010.
LEFT: Yesterdays in Five Points is
known for its home cooking.
FILE PHOTOGRAPH THE STATE
O
nce youve found your place
in Columbia, youll no
doubt have your own list of
recommendations for must-do
activities.
In the meantime, feel free to use
this as a starting point.
Find fellow foodies at South
Carolina All-Local Farmers Market
at 6 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m.
Saturday, 711 Whaley St., www.
stateplate.org; or the State Farmers
Market, 3483 Charleston Highway.
Hear a cover band at Wild Wing in
the Vista.
Dance on the weekend at Art Bar,
1211 Park St.
Get late-night pizza at Pops N.Y.
Pizza, 707 Harden St.
Get an alternative to late-night
pizza at Pita Pit, 2002 Greene St. A.
Be willing to wait for great Korean
and Mexican dishes at Blue Cactus
Cafe, 2002 Greene St.
Hang out with college students
along the 600, 700 and 800 blocks
of Harden Street.
Get icy and fruity drinks at Doctor
Roccos, 801 Harden St.; or Wet
Willies, 800 Gervais St.
Head to a beach thats within an
hours drive at SCE&G Recreation
beach, North Lake Drive on Lake
Murray
Hear acoustic music at Delaneys,
741 Saluda Ave.
Watch soccer at Cock n Bull, 326
S. Edisto Ave., and British Bulldog
Pub, 1220 Bower Parkway.
Get dressed up and go to one of
Columbias many performance art
companies.
Shop for South Carolina products
at the S.C. State Museum gift shop,
301 Gervais St.
Shop the merchants on Devine
Street, as well as the businesses
in the Vista and Five Points, for
eclectic local offerings.
Order a pimento cheeseburger
at Rockaway Athletic Club, 2719
Rosewood Drive.
Order a burger when its on the
menu at Motor Supply Company,
920 Gervais St.
Get the pita chips at DiPratos, 342
Pickens St.
Shag in public at The Woody, 808
Lady St.
Learn how to square dance at
Yellow Rock Hall, 2211 Platt Springs
Road, West Columbia.
Take a walk on the wild side at
PTs 1109, 1109 Assembly St.
Compiled by Otis Taylor
DOING THE TOWN FIND IT HERE
The State Farmers Market is located in Lexington County on Charleston Highway.
DOING THE TOWN
THE VISTA
PHOTOGRAPHS BY C. ALUKA BERRY/CABERRY@THESTATE.COM
The Vista comes alive at night, with restaurants, bars and entertainment in restored shops and warehouse buildings.
Augusta Thompson, left, Matt Gillman and Justin Bristol
enjoy a laugh in the outdoor courtyard at the Art Bar.
Dianne and Bruce Parker chat with friends over glasses
of wine outside Nonnahs on Gervais.
DOING THE TOWN
FIVE POINTS
Nwely and Dave Simpson enjoy a cup of coffee at Drip in Five Points.
Speak Easy doorman S. Patrick Dover waits to help
folks at the Five Points bar.
Five Points attracts a mostly young crowd; here,
hanging out in front of Red Hot Tomatoes.
ONLINE: A PHOTO TOUR OF FIVE
POINTS, LAKE MURRAY, THE VISTA
Want to know whats happening in these popular spots?
Check out our staff photo galleries at thestate.com/
livinghere.
C. ALUKA BERRY/CABERRY@THESTATE.COM
Ashley Blue, Jackie Blue and their father, Dan Blue, visit Chapins Lighthouse Marina.
The day begins early for anglers and boaters on Lake Murray, a primary
recreational resource for the Midlands. Chris Bilinsky, left, and Jill Chappell-
Fail, right, take kayaking lessons from Michael McCaulley, launching from
Koon landing in Lexington County.
An osprey tends to her chicks on one
of the raised platforms that was built
to keep them from nesting on power
poles at Lake Murray.
DOING THE TOWN
LAKE MURRAY
BUY PHOTOS: See more photos from our stories and purchase photos published in this issue; order online at thestate.com/
livinghere.
>>VERY COOL: HAVE DRINKS 17 STORIES UP AT THE SHERATON HOTELS ROOFTOP BAR, CORNER OF MAIN AND WASHINGTON STREETS.
>>VERY COOL: HAVE DRINKS 17 STORIES UP AT THE SHERATON HOTELS ROOFTOP BAR, CORNER OF MAIN AND WASHINGTON STREETS.
Why we love living here
By DAWN HINSHAW
W
ho hasnt thought it, when the daffodils bloom or the
baseball team jogs onto the feld, kicking up clay on
opening day?
This is why we love living here.
Spring reminds us.
It comes early, following an easygoing autumn and
tolerable winter, with infrequent snows that turn the entire
state into children with an unexpected day off school.
But theres more than great weather to recommend us
here in the Midlands.
The Columbia area has much to offer: history,
architecture, walk able neighborhoods, hospitality,
fascinating politics, diversity, stimulating college life and
engaged citizens working to make all that even better.
As new residents explore living in the Columbia area
and more than 120,000 people moved to the metropolitan
area in the past decade the variety of communities and
home sites is pleasantly surprising.
Historic downtown neighborhoods, orderly with
antebellum homes, mill houses and bungalows, have gained
esteem in recent years. They offer sidewalks, grand trees,
parks and gardens.
Most recently, downtown storefronts have been
reconstructed into deluxe condominiums where residents
can easily take advantage of art exhibitions, college lectures
and concerts, riverfront recreation.
Just minutes from downtown are ranch-style
neighborhoods, with their large lots and convenient
shopping. Farther out are new suburban communities,
move-in ready and loaded with the extras.
Out in the country or on the lake, people wave as they
pass on two-lane roads.
Spring reminds us.
But in the end, its our neighbors who make living here
feel like home.
Dawn Hinshaw writes about people, historic preservation and county
government for The State.
LEFT: Comfortable porches, a feature found in many of
Columbias historic downtown area communities, invite
neighbors to stop by for a visit.
HOME SWEET HOME
THE ABCS
OF SCHOOLS
For many families, schools
are a key factor in deciding
where to put down roots.
In Richland, Lexington and
Kershaw counties, there are
eight public school districts.
Top of the class:
Three districts are rated
consistently among top
academic performers
statewide: Richland 2,
Lexington-Richland 5 and
Lexington 1.
Where everyone knows
your name: Lexington
3 and Lexington 4 are
the smallest districts. Each
has one primary, one
elementary, one middle
and one high school, so
students grow up together.
Others serving some of the
areas small communities,
include Lexington 2 and
Kershaw County Schools.
Rising to the challenge:
Among Richland 1s
specialized programs is the
Challenger Learning Center,
emphasizing math and
science. Its named for the
astronauts who died in the
Space Shuttle Challenger
among them, S.C. native
Ron McNair.
Private school options:
There are several private
schools in the Columbia
area. Among the
largest, with programs
through high school,
are Heathwood Hall
Episcopal, Hammond,
Cardinal Newman and
Ben Lippen. Others offer
programs for specialized
learning, including
Glenforest, Sandhills and
Hope Academy.
SPOTLIGHT:
HISTORIC HOMES
Historic architectural treasures,
now lovingly restored
The master bathroom in the home of Paul and Deborah Livingston includes a
garden tub and shower.
By DAWN HINSHAW
A
fter 20 years of restoring, enlarging
and furnishing their home, Paul and
Deborah Livingston can relax.
Their century-old house is done.
Well, Deborah Livingston
equivocated, I dont know that you
ever really stop.
Their cheerful-blue house, with a
front porch in greeting distance of
the sidewalk, was built in 1907. It is
set along a shady street in Elmwood
Park, a downtown neighborhood
where residents are loving caretakers of
architectural treasures.
Each house has an identity, said
Deborah Livingston, 55.
She and her husband work in
community development, she at the
city of Columbia and he at Midlands
Technical College.
Paul Livingston, 61, is also a veteran
member of Richland County Council.
Their neighborhood, within walking
distance of Main Street, has attracted
other politicians as well in state Rep.
Though Columbia was
established in 1786, much
of its architectural history
was lost to the Civil War and,
much later, urban renewal.
But the push to create
neighborhood historic
districts and capitalize on
the old warehouse district
in downtown Columbia has
intensifed in recent years.
Deluxe condominiums
have been created over
old storefronts along
Columbias Main Street.
One big selling point:
theyre within walking
distance of ever-more
vibrant cultural events
including art exhibitions,
live music, community
theater and lectures.
Since the mid-1960s, 14
neighborhoods have been
designated as historic
districts by the city of
Columbia. They range
from Granby (circa
1897-88), a working-
class textile mill village;
to University Hill (circa
1895 to 1940), which
politicians, businesspeople
and university faculty
continue to call home; and
Cottontown (circa 1910
to 1942), where a cemetery
is a fnal resting place for
Confederate soldiers.
In the town of Lexington,
those who cherish historic
homes have maintained
a residential area in and
around the Lexington
County Museum. Some
homes on the northern
edge of downtown date
back nearly 200 years.
Homes in whats
affectionately called The
Avenues, in Cayce, are not
offcially designated historic
but the alphabet-named
streets have the bungalows
and big trees that provide a
cozy charm.
A chess set is on display in the homes
library. SEE HISTORIC ON PAGE 36
New Construction Renovations HotSpring
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Paul and Deborah Livingstons Elmwood Park home was built in 1907. They have spent the past 20 years restoring it.
Todd Rutherford and Columbia
Councilman Cameron Runyon.
In 1992, when the Livingstons
moved in, their house was in decent
condition. The city had condemned
two houses down the street that were
in danger of being torn down.
The transition began in the mid-
1970s, when the city offered $5,000
grants to encourage people to buy
and rehabilitate houses in disrepair.
Now Elmwood Park is one of 14
neighborhoods where exterior changes
must be approved by a review board.
In a sign of how far it has come, the
neighborhood held its 30th home and
garden tour this spring.
Its a very cohesive, diverse
community now, Paul Livingston
said.
Dawn Hinshaw writes about people, historic
preservation and county government.
BUY PHOTOS: See more photos from our stories and purchase photos published in this issue; order online at thestate.com/
livinghere.
The Livingstons relax in their living room with dog Princess Grace. Each
house has an identity, Deborah Livingston said of Elmwood Park.
HISTORIC FROM PAGE 34
V ~a..`oo ' ....
The Arts
Human Services
Animal Welfare
Health Services
The Environment
Educat on
Philanthropy begins with your passion. No mater what that passion,
Central Carolina Community Foundaton can help you achieve your
charitable goals. Since 1984, weve helped hundreds of our donors
individuals, families and companiesby connectng their charitable
passions with real needs in our community. Feeding the hungry,
assistng the elderly, providing educatonal scholarships, sustaining
the artsthese are just a few of the areas that receive support each
year through grants from Central Carolina Community Foundaton.
Ready to Turn Your Passion into Philanthropy?
Were here to help. Call the Community
Foundaton at 803.254.5601 or visit us
online at www.yourfoundaton.org.
SPOTLIGHT:
RETRO 50s, 60s
In the 1950s, builders
inspired by the work of
modern architects built
new suburbs around
Columbia. These days,
those rambling, Ranch-
style houses along with
1950s housewares and even
fashion have gained new
admirers.
For some of the coolest
1950s and 60s homes,
cruise down Trenholm
Road. Drive around Forest
Acres and Lake Katharine.
A little farther from the
core of the city, homes
throughout St. Andrews,
in Richland County, and
Saluda Terrace, in West
Columbia, represent the
fashionable Ranch-style era
well.
For a trip down memory
lane, toddle over to the
Atomic Owl, 505 12th
St., West Columbia. Since
February, it has been
offering real-deal 50s
collectibles, lamps and
small furniture. Id say our
biggest base of clientele
are people who really dont
remember the era, owner
Nelson Dowdey said.
For those hooked on TVs
Mad Men, it would be
easy to imagine advertising
executive Don Draper
stepping outside the
building at Gervais and
Barnwell streets for a
cigarette break. The purely
modern offce building at
1800 Gervais St. was built by
the Columbia architectural
frm of Lyles, Bissett, Carlisle
& Wolff for its own use. It
was later occupied by the
S.C. Arts Commission, which
just moved out. The new
tenant is the University
of South Carolina, which
will be using it for its
psychology department.
This Wyndham Road home, designed by architect Maynard Pearlstine in 1957,
represents 1950s housing in Columbia. An extraordinary architectural piece, the
home is still furnished with original fixtures such as built-ins and lighting. It was
recognized as one of South Carolinas best.
The dining room still has its colorful, original light fixtures.
BUY PHOTOS:
See more photos
from our stories and purchase
photos published in this issue;
order online at thestate.com/
livinghere.
A salute to the classics
By DAWN HINSHAW
A
rchitect Maynard
Pearlstine may have
designed 30 houses
in Columbia during his
career.
By now, many have been
renovated.
But a celebrated house
on Wyndham Road
unlike many modern
buildings from the 1950s
and 60s has remained
virtually unchanged.
Walk up the wide
fagstone steps and enter
the living room, where
sliding glass doors food the
room in sunlight. In the
dining room, the original
light fxtures dangle over
the table in turquoise,
yellow and orange.
Its like returning to
1957.
That year, Pearlstines
peers recognized the house
on Wyndham Road as one
of South Carolinas best.
I was mostly
trying to do not
traditional architecture,
but contemporary
architecture, he said,
taking in mind the light
and orientation and views.
Having retired to
his native Charleston,
Pearlstine remembers the
homes nice, high ceiling to
emphasize the comfortable
family living space.
I like a sense of
light and brightness
and spaciousness, also
in entrances, he said.
Instead of having a three-
foot walkway, I tried to
have wide and welcoming
entrances.
In the modern home,
assymetrical rooms fow
into one another.
Wide eaves shade the
summer sun and let in the
winter sun.
Signs of the latest
technology are on display.
Here, that means large,
dial dimmer switches
and an intercom system,
a sunburst clock on the
brick freplace and built-in
television speakers.
Pearlstine-designed
houses are concentrated
in Heathwood and Lake
Katharine. During a 40-
year career, he designed
buildings for the University
of South Carolina, private
offce buildings, shopping
centers and high-rise
apartment buildings in
Columbia, too.
Hes aware of changes
that, in many cases, have
destroyed the essence of his
original work.
I guess its not old
enough to be saved by the
preservationists, he said.
Its in the middle ground.
Pearlstine, 89, is working
on his memoirs now and
painting.
Dawn Hinshaw writes about
people, historic preservation and
Before you
dig, call 811
or visit
SC811.com
The original intercom is
still in place.
The original kitchen tile.
The home still has original
light and dimmer switches.
By DAWN HINSHAW
dhinshaw@thstate.com
C
assandra Jones relatives like to
gather at her house, even though she
hasnt had time to buy living room
furniture yet.
The new, custom-built home where
she and her boys moved in January is
spacious and full of nice architectural
touches.
In fact, their southeast Columbia
home has all the newest features that
new homeowners expect: arched open
doorways, built-in cabinets and a master
bathroom with a spacious, walk-in
shower and separate jacuzzi tub.
The kitchen came with stainless-steel
appliances, granite countertops and, for
company, a trough sink in the built-in
bar.
Its a good entertaining home,
said Jones, a 44-year-old physical
therapist whos working with an interior
decorator-friend to fnd just the right
furnishings.
Its open and airy. I love all the
windows.
The boys son Jabari Holas, 10,
and nephew A.J. Anderson, 9 take
advantage of nearby Caughman Road
Park, where they play baseball and
Its open and airy, Cassandra Jones said of her southeast Columbia home, which
features arched doorways and a modern kitchen with upscale features.
SEE DREAM ON PAGE 42
A dream home becomes reality
Looking for a new place
thats on the cutting
edge? The Columbia area
has live-work units and
urban condominiums for
people on the go, smaller
new homes tucked into
old neighborhoods and
suburban communities
planned on the front end
with nearby schools and
shopping.
Second- and third-story
apartments may be as
small as 500 square feet.
But the trade-off is paying
comfortable utility bills
and getting rid of the car.
The 28 apartments over
Mast General Store on
Columbias Main Street
were rented by 20- to
30-something professionals
before the paint was dry.
Like many converted
commercial spaces,
they have high ceilings,
hardwood foors, oversized
windows and trendy
fnishes.
Energy effcient
construction practices are
becoming more prevalent,
helping new homeowners
control their monthly
heating, cooling and
water bills while avoiding
exposure to chemicals.
The Mungo Co. just won
a national award for its
hauSmart program, used
in all of its neighborhoods.
Everything old is new
again: Some builders are
integrating neo-traditional
elements in their home
designs. That might mean
Craftsman-style columns at
the front door and, inside,
generous use of moulding,
built-in shelves and arched
doorways. In suburban
subdivisions, like Lake
Carolina in Northeast
Richland, the concept may
be expanded to include
commercial villages, too.
SPOTLIGHT:
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Clinical occupations of particular need include:
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West Columbia 796-2888
Ballentine 749-9500
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Gaston 936-1252
Batesburg 532-3060
Broad River Rd. 731-1735
St. Andrews Rd. 781-6004
Lexington 951-2841
Lugoff 408-9992
Garners Ferry 776-7526
Decker Blvd. 699-9200
Locally owned and operated
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Where you get all your favorites, all the time
BRANDI COMPANIES
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803-957-7367 ext 1501 PS
803-957-7367 ext 1502 BK
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SUMMIT
Collision Centers, Inc.
Summit Collision Centers, the largest body
shop chain in the Columbia area, now has
4 locations to serve its customers: NE &
SE Columbia, Irmo and Lexington. We are
growing and expanding and always looking
for dedicated and skilled employees. We have
positions for: Managers, Collision Repair
Estimators, Receptionists, Experienced
Autobody Technicians and more. If you are
interested in applying with Summit Collision
Centers you may: stop at any of our 4 locations
and fill out an application, fax a resume to
803-788-8133 or you may email it to:
mikeb@summitcollisioncenters.com
summitcollisioncenters.com
Managers, Assistant Managers
and Sales Associates
We are seeking Managers, Assistant Managers
and Sales Associates for our C-Store and
Restaurant locations in greater Columbia. Previous
Convenience Store and/or Restaurant experience a
plus. Comprehensive benefit package including Paid
Vacations, Insurance, Bonuses and much more.
We will train the right individuals.
If you are self motivated and want to grow with our
organization, please send/Fax resume with salary history
to or apply in person at:
Carolina Convenience Corp.
557 Whiteford Way Lexington, SC 29072
Fax: 803-356-2084
basketball.
The Richland County park is one reason Jones
chose to settle where she did. The park staff makes it
their business to know the kids who use the park, as
well as their parents, she said.
Jones purchased a lot in 2007 and spent a couple of
years talking to builders and exploring her options.
Ultimately, she chose as her builder Wade
McGuinn, who has won recent industry awards for
design.
I was very impressed with the things he was doing,
and I trusted he would be able to help me with what
I wanted, Jones said. I know it when I see it, but he
could pull it out of my head, make it a reality.
Shes happy with her new house in the suburbs,
20 minutes from her job downtown a place with
good fow, natural light and built-in refnement,
room by room.
Dawn Hinshaw writes about people, historic preservation
and county government for The State.
The kitchen
features granite
counter tops and
stainless steel
appliances.
Jones, with son, Jabari Holas, 10, right, and nephew
Anthony Anderson, 9: Its a great entertaining home.
BUY
PHOTOS:
See more photos
from our stories and
purchase photos
published in this
issue; order online
at thestate.com/
livinghere.
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DREAM FROM PAGE 7
PHOTOGRAPHS BY KIM KIM FOSTER-TOBIN/KKFOSTER@THESTATE.COM
Jim McLean was building this one-room playhouse for his children many years ago on the day that Elvis died. When
his two oldest children were teens, the McLeans had a third child who also enjoyed the space. Now, the McLeans
grandchildren love playing in it.
By DAWN HINSHAW
N
ot only did Jim and
Frankie McLean build
a comfortable home
in the country, they built a
one-room playhouse in the
back yard for the kids, flled
with pint-sized housewares
and fngerpaints.
Its next to a garden for
digging and sprinklers for
cooling off.
Near an old magnolia for
climbing and a fre pit for
roasting marshmallows.
This is where we
all play, said Frankie
McLean, 65, the mother
of three and grandmother
of fve.
Jim McLean, 68,
was born and raised in
Blythewood.
The McLean name goes
back seven generations
in Northeast Richland
County.
The two-story home the
couple built in 1972 on
15 acres of family land is
flled with the reminders
of ancestors, whether its
a deep porcelain sink, a
colorful quilt or potted
ferns nearly a half-century
old.
Their property, off a
two-lane road at the edge
of Blythewood, is wooded.
The honeysuckle is
fragrant.
Relatives live in shouting
distance, sharing a view of
a large pond.
Last summer, the
McLeans said, they noticed
a barred owl that arrived
each evening at 7:45 p.m.,
swooping into the yard on
the hunt for crickets and
other critters.
It was such a sight, they
invited friends over for a
party, to watch.
A wooded family retreat: This is where we all play
Jim and Frankie McLean relax in their living room of
their Blythewood home they built over 40 years ago.
Subdivisions and malls have
crept into the countryside
surrounding Columbia, but
there are still plenty of areas
where people can go to
spread out.
Cedar Creek, north of
Columbia, has an air of
the foothills. It has the
SPOTLIGHT:
WIDE OPEN SPACES
rolling terrain, clear-water
creeks and woods that
generate occasional tales of
mountain lions and bears.
Its the only place that ever
gets really cold in winter.
here. Subdivisions are
unheard of; the land is still
held by families unwilling to
sell, for the most part. It has
history and lore, like tales
that people threw gold and
silverware into Cedar Creek
rather than have it stolen by
Shermans troops.
Gaston, Swansea and
Gilbert, communities
just a few miles apart in
southern Lexington County,
have plenty of open and
affordable space. Its an
area where people can go
either for privacy or to fnd
friendly neighbors. But its
country living without a lot
of nearby conveniences.
People in Lower Richland
have begun to preserve
historic sites and capitalize
on the states only national
park at the Congaree
Swamp. The area is
characterized by farm land
and rivers, old churches
and hunt clubs. Its home to
McEntire Air National Guard
Base, Cooks Mountain,
Mr. Bunkys Store and
Kensington Mansion. Its
known for political muscle,
too.
Its loved and lived in, Jim McLean said of his 40-year-
old home, on 15 acres in Blythewood.
Rooms in the home, including the dining room, are
decorated with family heirlooms.
A welcoming downstairs guest bedroom.
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY KIM KIM FOSTER/KKFOSTER@THESTATE.COM
Margaret Ravenel and her son Cory Alpert, 16, have renovated an old family home into a colorful showplace. They
live together with Gus, their Newfoundland dog, in a home they describe as Dr. Seuss combined with Frank Lloyd
Wright. Here, Ravenel relaxes in the main living area, which offers expansive views of Lake Murray.
Ravenel and her son like to prepare meals together in their kitchen. Their
4,000-square-foot Ballentine home on the lake features more than 30
different wall colors, along with contemporary furnishings.
The master bathroom gets a lot of
natural light from a window inside
a stall.
When folks say The Lake,
they mean Lake Murray,
the big daddy of lakes in
the Midlands, with 650
miles of shoreline spanning
four counties. But there are
plenty of other places where
people can live by the water.
Congaree Park
downtown is a new
subdivision being built on
the West Columbia banks
of the Congaree River. The
Riverwalk, a picturesque
walking trail that extends
for more than three miles
along the west bank, is just
beyond the gate.
Lake Katharine is one
of the largest lakes in a
Richland County chain that
runs from Arcadia Lakes
through Forest Acres.
People who live there fnd
its like a remote resort, yet
they can be downtown
The water is our shared
experience
By DAWN HINSHAW
A
s a child, Margaret
Ravenel was part of a
brood who gathered at
her grandparents home on
Lake Murray for holidays
and the carefree weeks of
summer.
When Ravenel acquired
the property in 2005,
she enlisted Columbia
architect Michael Haigler
and woodworker Allen
Petroff to transform the
modest brick house into a
contemporary showplace
with a sunset view of the
water.
Ravenel added a second
story topped by a private
turret where her son Cory
Alpert, 16, can survey the
lake that takes in parts of
four counties.
At one end of the
house, she retained her
grandmothers cozy little
den, which she uses as an
art studio. The lawn is
still lined by the daylilies
and birdfeeders of her
childhood, too.
A Newfoundland named
Gus lumbers across the
yard, hoping to hear the
magic word (boat) that
means he can climb aboard
a pontoon docked in the
cove behind the house.
Alpert, a senior at Irmo
High School this fall, said
a love of the water creates
a sense of community on
Lake Murray.
If youre just driving by
on your boat, everyone will
wave to you, even if they
have no clue who you are,
he said. Thats our shared
experience.
Dawn Hinshaw writes about
people, historic preservation and
LAKESIDE LIVING
SPOTLIGHT:
ON THE WATER
in minutes. The lake
attracts cool breezes and
wildlife galore, plus its
deep enough to ski, fsh
... and host neighborly
cocktail cruises by
pontoon.
Lake Carolina, in
Northeast Richland, is a
series of neighborhoods
built in a traditional
downtown style with
the lake as a scenic
backdrop. Among
amenities of the 200-
acre lake are Sunset Park,
with picnic tables and
walking trails.
Like Lake Murray, Lake
Wateree, about 30 miles
northeast of Columbia,
was created to generate
energy. Its 216 miles of
shoreline includes a bird
refuge and a couple of
recreation areas. It takes
in parts of Kershaw,
Fairfeld and Lancaster
counties.
BUY PHOTOS: See more photos from our stories and
purchase photos published in this issue; order online at
thestate.com/livinghere.
The exterior of Ravenels Lake Murray home. She used to
visit the home as a child when her grandparents owned
it. She acquired the home in 2005 and renovated it,
adding a second story and private turret.
One of the largest private collections
in the Southeast!
4659 Carolina Hwy
Denmark, SC 29042
Intersection of Highway 78 & 321
803-793-4739
Mon-Sat 10:00-5:00
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A
J
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4
5
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>>VERY COOL: THE ROCKS IN THE CONGAREE RIVER PROVIDE PERCHES FOR SUNNING. WADE IN ON A HOT SUMMER AFTERNOON. JUST DONT FORGET THE SUNSCREEN.
Editors note: We asked Columbia
outdoor enthusiasts to share, in their
own words, a favorite recreational
experience. Here, Joel Townley talks
fishing.
By JOEL TOWNLEY
T
hat summer morning years ago
started with a shore breakfast
cooked by the side of the Broad
River, just as the eastern horizon
started to light up. Breakfast consisted
of fresh eggs, venison sausage, bacon
and bread cooked in a cast iron skillet
over an open fame.
The day was coming to life.
The ducks began to fy and the fsh
started busting the surface for their
morning meal; my friend Talbert and
I needed to get started fshing. Before
long we were launching our kayaks. I was
still tying my frst bait, a shallow diving
crankbait, when I heard Talbert yell,
Got one! I couldnt let him get too far
ahead of me, so I quickly tied my bait,
and within a couple of casts I had my frst
smallmouth bass on the Broad River.
The fsh busted the surface several
times, and I kept the line tight so he
wouldnt spit the treble hook.
I immediately knew how special this
river is.
We spent an hour or so in that area
catching several bass, bream and even
a catfsh. As we headed down river, we
stopped in several places along our fve-
mile adventure to the takeout at Harbison
State Forest, catching a few fsh at each
place we stopped. Halfway through our
trip we ate lunch on a group of rocks that
separated a good set of rapids, and each of
us bragged about who caught the biggest
and most fsh.
As the temperature starts to rise and the
kids are out of school for the summer, the
lakes and rivers can become crowded, but
you can get away from the crowds on the
Broad River between Peak and Columbia.
There are only a couple of public access
points along the river before you get into
the Columbia city limits. These include
the S.C. 213 bridge and a throw-in site
at the Palmetto Trail Peak-to-Prosperity
Passage parking area, both near Peak,
and another throw-in-only site 17 miles
downriver at Harbison State Forest.
Due to the small number of public
access points, there are plenty of fsh to
be caught; many that have never seen
artifcial bait.
As you get into the city of Columbia,
the access is more plentiful. The parks and
walkways of the Three Rivers Greenway
have open fshing spots along the banks
of the Broad and Congaree River with
many access points for launching a canoe
or kayak.
A few years ago I introduced my young
son to this special river. I would strap him
in my one-man kayak and paddle through
some of the calmer areas of the river.
Now that hes pushing 5 years old we have
upgraded to a canoe, which provides more
room for both of us and our gear. Im on
my sons schedule when were on the river;
when hes ready to go home, we pack up
and leave. I always try and make our trips
enjoyable, so he will want to continue to
fsh.
Taking your children fshing can be a
wonderful way to provide a lifetime of
memories.
In addition to nearby Lake
Murray, a boaters paradise,
Columbia is one of the few large
cities where you can play in
top-notch whitewater and get
out of the river a block away
from top-notch restaurants.
The true whitewater is
along a 12-mile section of the
Saluda River from the Lake
Murray dam to the Gervais
Street bridge. Even if you have
whitewater experience, you
should get a local to show
you the lines through the Mill
Race Rapids just upstream of
Riverbanks Zoo. The rest of
the rapids are relatively easy
to navigate except when the
river is running at extremely
high levels.
Flatwater kayakers
can explore a number of
meandering black-water
creeks in the area. The
twisty Cedar Creek through
Congaree National Park can be
a challenging paddle, but the
view of the old-growth forest
is worth the trouble. Congaree
Creek in Cayce is the second
best creek paddle in the area
and slightly easier for novices
if you dont get spooked by
the occasional alligator.
Finding that special river
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: FISHING
MORE ON THE WATER
>>VERY COOL: THE ROCKS IN THE CONGAREE RIVER PROVIDE PERCHES FOR SUNNING. WADE IN ON A HOT SUMMER AFTERNOON. JUST DONT FORGET THE SUNSCREEN.
Fishing
enthusiasts
will find plenty
to love in
and around
Columbia, from
quiet rivers to
cast a line to
large lakes with
secret coves to
pursue the catch
of the day.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY
TRACY GLANTZ/
TGLANTZ@THESTATE.COM
experience. Here, Kevin Roberts talks
about cycling.
By KEVIN ROBERTS
I
am loyal to a road.
Its called Dixie, and it lives
within the boundaries of Fort
Jackson, the U.S. Armys largest basic
training facility here in Columbia.
Dixie Highway is the driveway
to my own bicycle Shangri-La. Its
length is 10 miles, which is not a
distance that begs cycling dreams
when compared to other routes of
greater renown. The scenery on
either side is forgettable, unless you
like control-burned pine thickets and
rife ranges. And until a few years
ago, Dixie Highways pavement was
anything but smooth. Crater-flled
was more like it.
But for Columbia cyclists, they
were our craters to memorize and
dodge, created by random and rare
Humvees and battalion trucks and
soldier transport buses.
I have ridden countless miles with
buddies named Bucky and Ray and
Greg and Todd and Neil and Kenny
and Daniel and Zach and Tom and
Brian and lately my son Jake. And I
could go on about routes with better
scenery and better conditions. But
good manners dictate that I dance
with the one that brung me.
Dixie Highway is a conduit
connecting me to Wildcat and
Hartsville Guard and Fort Jackson
Boulevard, and once I gain entry
I can ride to my hearts content;
10 miles, 20, 30, 40, all within a
controlled road course.
Shangri-La.
For me, the basic elements
of a great ride are a clean and
meticulously maintained bicycle, a
smooth road uphill or down or fat,
and a dry sky. These elements birth
a silence I have yet to fnd elsewhere.
The gentle fow of wind over my
ears, the fuid movement of my chain
and pedals rhyming with thin tires
on glass pavement creates a chorus of
Zen.
But here is my disclaimer if you are
considering a ride on Dixie: When
you do so, at times the Zen is cracked
with the sound of rife or automatic
gunfre. Its more than loud.
But I keep riding with the gunfre.
I am loyal to my road because of that
very gunfre. My loyalty is gladly
given because of the loyalty those
soldiers pledge to me every time they
shoulder a practice weapon or hoist
a pack or lace a boot to march beside
roads I glide upon.
Riding Dixie is cerebral. I think
about what makes my days hard,
and then I see those soldiers in
basic training, war training, and
I am embarrassed by what caused
me anxiety earlier in my day. I ride
on and posit the merits of war, the
lessons learned, or forgotten. I
often say Thank You to a standing
column when I whiz past. I dont
know if they hear me, but maybe it is
just as well.
Dixie Highway puts me up close
and personal with patriotism and
faith. And, I think it is good for me
to hear myself say Thank You to
young soldiers whose names I will
never know but whose service to me
goes far beyond allowing me to ride
on Dixie Highway.
You see, its their road, too. And I
am thankful.
I hope they can hear me now.

Mountain bikers in the
Midlands flock to the state
forests and state parks.
Harbison State Forest is the
Mecca in the Columbia, with
more than a dozen miles of
well-maintained trails. Some
are only for experts, but theres
room for all levels here.
Manchester State Forest in
neighboring Sumter County
has about 16 miles of biking
trails, ranging from fat and
easy to hilly and tricky. Both
state forests have minimal
annual or daily trail fees.
Sesquicentennial State
Parks bike trail is less
demanding technically, but
the sand base poses different
challenges.
For a list of mountain
biking trails in the area
(and statewide) go to www.
sctrails.net/Trails/alltrails/
mountainbike/MTN%20BIKE.
html
Shangri-La, the open road
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: CYCLING
HIT THE TRAIL
>>VERY COOL: THE ENGINEERING MARVEL OF THE LAKE MURRAY DAM NOW HAS A PEDESTRIAN FEATURE, A LANE RESERVED FOR WALKERS. PARK ON ONE END AND TAKE IN THE VIEW.
FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THESTATE
There are many trails in
and around Columbia to go
mountain biking.
Kevin Roberts cycles a stretch of
Dixie Highway in Fort Jackson.
>>VERY COOL: THE ENGINEERING MARVEL OF THE LAKE MURRAY DAM NOW HAS A PEDESTRIAN FEATURE, A LANE RESERVED FOR WALKERS. PARK ON ONE END AND TAKE IN THE VIEW.
experience. Here, Theresa Penney talks
about running.
By THERESA PENNEY
Y
ou actually like to run? is a
question I hear a lot when
people fnd out Im a runner.
Surprisingly, yes, I love to run!
Columbia actually has a pretty big
running community. There are several
groups you could join at different
levels and intensities. You just have to
fnd which one fts you best.
I found my niche with a group
named 621 Ninjas. We meet
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
at 5:30 a.m. and Saturdays anywhere
from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., depending
on the season. That might sound
crazy early, but the majority of the
people that run with this group have
families with young children. Its the
only time of the day most of us can ft
it in.
Ive been running with the group
for about fve years. In those fve
years Ive made some unforgettable
memories, including one that stands
out. On Nov. 3, 2011, I got to run
with Olympic gold medalist Joan
Benoit Samuelson. Joan was in town
for the weekend to be a guest speaker
at the Governors Cup road race
and of course wanted to get in a few
miles on the pavement while here.
One of my friends from 621 Ninjas,
Steven Johnson, was asked to put a
small group together to guide Joan
through Columbia. I was one of
those lucky people, along with friend
Amos Disasa. Steven called me up
the day before we were to run and
asked if it would be OK to go in late
to work that Thursday morning.
When he said it was to run with The
Joan Benoit Samuelson, I knew I had
to make it OK. Luckily my boss is a
runner, too.
The plan was to do an easy
eight miles touring Columbia that
morning. I was so excited to run
with Joan. I couldnt wait to hear
about her adventures and soak up her
knowledge as an Olympian. The frst
mile was maybe about her and her
accomplishments, the second mile
was about ours, and the last six miles
were about family, current events and
just life in general. Joan is a pretty
amazing woman. She has a husband,
two grounded kids, and an Olympic
gold medal. Family has always been
a priority for her. After winning the
frst Olympic womens marathon in
1984 she put off the 1988 Olympics to
raise her young children, Abigail and
Anders.
Listening to Joan gave me great
respect for her as a wife and a mother.
Balancing everything together can be
tricky, and running provides a balance
for it all. Im blessed to have found a
running group of moms and dads who
have to raise a family, work a full-time
job and still fnd time for running.
We have a core group of about 20
people that can grow as big as 40 in
the summer. It makes running fun and
not a chore to stay in shape. We even
try to get together outside of running.
When folks are having babies, we
throw a shower. When a family
member passes, we go to the funeral
for support. Were also hardcore.
We run in everything from torrential
downpours when all you can do is
laugh because its so ridiculous to even
be out there to snow storms when all
schools and state agencies are closed
for the day.
Ive defnitely met some really
amazing people that I will keep in
my life forever, even when Ive fallen
apart and cant run anymore. All this
in the little city called Columbia.
Hiking trails abound in and
around Columbia, offering
everything from a stroll along
the rivers downtown to a jaunt
through one of the last old-
growth bottomland forests in
the country.
For an easy, picturesque
hike, try the Three Rivers
Greenway, which is a
collective name for all of
the paved trails along the
downtown sections of the
Broad, Saluda and Congaree
rivers. The best sections
include Riverfront Park in
Columbia and the Cayce and
West Columbia Riverwalks.
The top nature trail network
in the area is at Congaree
National Park in southern
Richland County. The 2.5-mile
boardwalk trail gives a good
taste of the parks huge trees
and amazing biodiversity. To
get into the edge of the old-
growth forest, try one of the
longer dirt paths the 11.1-
mile King Snake Trail or the
10.4-mile River Trail.
Sesquicentennial State
Park in Northeast Richland,
Dreher Island State Recreation
Area in Newberry County
and Congaree Creek Heritage
Preserve in Lexington County
have sweet, short trails. And
Peachtree Rock Heritage
Preserve in Lexington County
offers an interesting walk
through unusual sandstone
formations.
Columbias running family
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: RUNNING
MORE ON TRAILS
>>VERY COOL: STROLL THROUGH DOWNTOWN AND THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS TO SEEK OUT PUBLIC ART AND REFRESHING FOUNTAINS.
>>VERY COOL: STROLL THROUGH DOWNTOWN AND THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS TO SEEK OUT PUBLIC ART AND REFRESHING FOUNTAINS.
You actually like to run? is a question Theresa Penney, in front with the blue hat, hears a lot when people find out
she is a runner. Columbia has an established running community, with several groups to join at different levels and
intensities. Check out a few to find out which one fits you best.
Editors note: We asked Columbia outdoor enthusiasts to share,
in their own words, a favorite recreational experience. Here, a
Q&A with Norris Ashford about golf.
N
orris Ashford, 45, grew up near Monticello Road, just
a few miles from LinRick Golf Course. He didnt play
golf, but as he hit the work force like so many others,
he graduated to the golf course.
We caught up with him after he toured the LinRick
fairways and greens during a fund-raiser for the
Promise Foundation, which encourages giving to set up
endowments.
When did you start playing golf?
Ashford: I was probably around 28-29 years old. That
for me was a little late. I worked for UPS, in corporate
America, and a lot of the people I knew or associated with
were playing. A lot of older guys I found out later, I didnt
know, especially a lot of black guys, had been playing for
years.
I grew up playing basketball and football, and I guess I
just developed an interest after I realized a lot of people I
was associated with were playing. Im a competitor. So I
took it up and realized its not as simple as you might think.
What is it about golf that makes it special?
Ashford: The thing that you like is when you hit that
SHOT, and sometimes its only one shot in a round that
you may hit. And for me, I really like the openness of being
out in nature. Its so beautiful. Anytime you come to a golf
course, the grass is always neatly manicured. Its nice and
serene. So for me its really about relaxation.
Describe your best day on a golf course.
Ashford: Some days mentally, if I have it
together. Maybe an 86, an 88. I typically like to
play when its warmer. So it probably was spring
or summer. The weather was something like it was
today, not a whole lot of sun but nice and warm.
Im sure I was super relaxed because thats when
you play the best. I probably had a lot of other
things that were going well so I was relaxed when
I came out to play. I came out and had a couple of
long drives, and I was putting pretty decent.
I was consistent, not a lot of bad shots. Hit the
ball straighter that day. I didnt have to recover as
much. If you dont play on a regular basis, its all or
nothing.
Compiled by Joey Holleman
Tennis is huge in the Midlands.
How huge? The U.S. Tennis
Association named Charleston
as the Best Tennis Town in
America, but the Columbia area
with a similar metropolitan
population has more
league tennis players. Here are
some Midlands tennis stats to
consider:
The Columbia Tennis
League had 7,355 adult
players in 2011.
The Lexington Area Tennis
Association had 6,643 adult
players in 2011.
Richland and Lexington
have 175 public courts and
more than 580 total courts.
The Lexington County
Tennis Complex and the
new Cayce Tennis and
Fitness Center lure major
recreational tournaments to
the area, including the USTA
National Junior Team Tennis
Championships in October.
The other large complexes
include the Columbia Tennis
Center, Richland County
Tennis Center, Southeast
Park, Caughman Road Park,
Trenholm Park, Crooked Creek
Park and Seven Oaks Park.
Its all or nothing
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: GOLF
TENNIS, ANYONE?
>>TEE IT UP: THERE ARE ABOUT 350 GOLF COURSES IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND NEARLY 10 MILLION ROUNDS ARE PLAYED EACH YEAR, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE S.C. DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM.
>>TEE IT UP: THERE ARE ABOUT 350 GOLF COURSES IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND NEARLY 10 MILLION ROUNDS ARE PLAYED EACH YEAR, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE S.C. DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM.
GERRY MELENDEZ/GMELENDEZ@THESTATE.COM
Irmo resident Norris Ashford plays a round of golf at LinRick Golf Course. Golf enthusiasts will find several public
courses in and around Columbia, as well as many others within a short drive.
LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR?
Find the right car for you.
Galeana-Chrysler-Jeep-KIA
180 Greystone Blvd.
779-7300
Sales: M-F 9-8, Sat 9-6
Service: M-F 8-6, Sat 8-12
Jim Hudson Hyundai
Greystone Blvd.
799-1234 or 1-800-962-0684
Sales: M-F 9AM-8PM, Sat. 9AM-7PM
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 8-1
Jim Hudson
Buick-GMC-Cadillac -Saab
Sumter Hwy.
783-0110 or 1-800-922-5291
Sales: M-F 8:30-8, Sat. 8:30-6
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-1
Jones Buick GMC
1268 Broad Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Toll Free
1-800-768-9331
Sales: M-Thur. 8-7 Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-4
Service: M-F 8-6 Sat. 8-1
www.jonesbgmc.com
JTs Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge
5215 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC
803-359-2501
Sales: M-Sat 9-9
Service: M-F 7-6, Sat. 8-4
Dodgeland of Columbia
190 Greystone Blvd., Columbia, SC 29210
799-1900
Sales: M-Sat 9-9
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat 8:00-1:30
DRIVE
DEALER DIRECTORY
Lugoff Ford
979 Hwy 1 South Lugoff, SC 29078
803-438-6124
Sales: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9-8
Wed & Sat. 9-6:30
Service: M-F 7:30-6:30
Sat. 7:30-2:30
Jim Hudson Ford
(formerly Ben Satcher Ford)
1201 West Main Street Lexington, SC
359-4114 or 1-877-294-2564
Sales: M-F 8:30-7, Sat. 8:30-6
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-3
McDaniels Acura/VW/Mazda
501 W Killian Road, Columbia, SC
29203
803-786-6400
Sales: M-F 9-8, Sat. 9-6
Jim Hudson
Sumter Hwy.
783-0110 or 1-800-922-5291
Sales: M-F 8:30-8, Sat. 8:30-6
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-1
Jones Buick GMC
1268 Broad Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Toll Free
800-768-9331
Sales: M-Thur: 8-7 Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-4
www.jonesbgmc.com
180 Greystone Blvd.
779-7300
803-359-2501
Sales: M-Sat 9-9
Carolina Chrysler Jeep Dodge
891 Hwy 1 South Lugoff, SC
803-438-9160
Sales: M-F. 8:30-9, Sat. 8:30-7
Service: M-F 7:30-6:30, Sat. 7:30-2:30
Jim Hudson
Sumter Hwy.
783-0110 or 1-800-922-5291
Sales: M-F 8:30-8, Sat. 8:30-6
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-1
Honda Of Columbia
256-0156
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 8-3
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
Dick Dyer & Associates
5825 Two Notch Road
Toll Free
1-800-505-3597
Service: M-F 7:30-6:00 Sat. 8:30-4:00
Land Rover Columbia
I-26 @ Piney Grove Rd.
803-731-7493
Sales: M-F 8:30-7, Sat. 9-5
Service: M-F 8-6
JTs KIA
230 Killian Commons Parkway
803-509-5555
Sales: M-Sat 9-9
180 Greystone Blvd.
779-7300
803-359-2501
Sales: M-Sat 9-9
Dick Dyer Mitsubishi
3215 Two Notch Road
(877) 813-6266
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-5
Jim Hudson
Sumter Hwy.
783-0110 or 1-800-922-5291
Sales: M-F 8:30-8, Sat. 8:30-6
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-1
Dick Dyer Scion
786-4111
Service: M-F 7:30-7, Sat. 8:30-5
Jim Hudson Scion
970 Columbiana Dr., Irmo, SC 29063
803-407-5678
Dick Dyer & Associates
5825 Two Notch Road
Toll Free
1-800-505-3597
Sales: M-F 9-7 Sat. 9-6
Service: M-F 7:30-6:00 Sat 8:30-4:00
Lugoff Toyota Scion
878 Hwy 1 South, Lugoff, SC 29078
803-438-2772
Sales: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9-8
Wed & Sat. 9-6:30
Service: M-F 7:30-6:30
Sat. 7:30-2:30
Jim Hudson Toyota
970 Columbiana Dr., Irmo, SC 29063
803-407-5678
Sales: MF 9-8, Sat. 9-7
Dick Dyer Toyota
786-4111
Service: M-F 7:30-7 Sat 8:30-5
Dick Dyer Suzuki
3215 Two Notch Road
(877) 813-6266
Service: M-F 7:30-6 Sat 7:30-5
Jim Hudson Lexus
328 Killian Road Columbia, SC 29203
1-800-277-0225, 754-9500
or 1-800-922-5291
Sales: M-F 8:30-7:30, Sat. 8:30-6
Service: M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-1
Service: M-F 7-6, Sat. 7:30-4
Jones Nissan, Inc.
1260 Broad Street, Sumter SC 29150
Toll Free
1-800-868-0338
Sales: M-Thur. 8-7 Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-4
www.jonesnissan.com
McDaniels Subaru of
Columbia/Porsche
6409 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223
803-461-0257
Service: M-F 7:30-6
DRIVE
DEALER DIRECTORY
LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR?
Find the right car for you.
Some of the
next big things
for Columbia
By ADAM BEAM
abeam@thestate.com
B
aseball wisdom says a team is only
as good as tomorrows starting
pitcher, and the same could be
said for cities: A city is only as good
as the next weekend.
Columbia has a lot of great
things. But to thrive, the city needs
something look forward to.
What does Columbia have?
Consider this sampling.
RETAIL
Its not the quantity but the quality
that counts. And Columbias quality
will get a boost this summer with the
arrival of Whole Foods, near Devine
Street and Fort Jackson Boulevard,
followed by Trader Joes in early 2013
on Forest Drive. Consider them the
Coke and Pepsi of specialty grocery
stories.
The two grocery stores appeal to
a similar demographic but compete,
attracting cult-like followings, and
some in Columbia long have lamented
their absence.
Whole Foods and Trader Joes will
join several other small speciality
food stores, as well as larger chain
groceries, all within a few miles of
these two highly anticipated arrivals.
BULL STREET
You know that giant red dome
you see when driving into Columbia
on Elmwood Avenue? Its part of a
massive 181-acre site of the former
state hospital that a developer wants
to transform into an urban paradise.
Plans include 3,550 homes, 13
entrances, a new through-street and
possibly a minor league baseball
stadium. It essentially would be a
makeover for South Carolinas capital
city.
The project is still a long way from
breaking ground, as the Greenville-
based developer works with city of
Columbia offcials on permitting and
other details.
But many say the development, if
successful, would be a turning point
in the citys history.
RUN, COLUMBIA, RUN
Columbia is fast becoming a
running haven in South Carolina.
The city hosted its frst marathon
in more than a decade in March, and
there are at least four half marathons
on Columbias running calendar each
year.
But lots of cities have road races,
and Columbia runners are still
searching for a signature event like
Charlestons bridge run to set the
city apart.
Two candidates: The Quarry
Crusher Run and the Main Street Crit.
The Quarry Crusher is the only
race of its kind in South Carolina,
and possibly the Southeast. Runners
run to the bottom of a rock quarry
in the Olympia area, where they
are surrounded by 375-foot walls of
granite. The views are breathtaking,
and so is the climb out of the quarry.
The inaugural race was in April, but
organizers hope to make it an annual
part of Olympia Fest.
The Main Street Crit is a new
race, scheduled this year for Dec.
8, that aims to be just as much of a
social as athletic event. Its a fve-mile
race on a 1 kilometer course. That
means eight laps. The course is a
square on Main, Hampton, Blanding
and Sumter streets. With a compact
course, spectators wont have to go
far to keep track of runners. And
the race is in prime time, under the
lights, to add that big-time feel.
Crits, short for criteriums, are
usually bicycle races. The Main
Street Crit could be the frst running
crit in the nation.
ARTSY FARTSY
Remember that art history class
you took in college? The one you
thought would be easy but wasnt?
Chances are, the Columbia Musuem
of Art is bringing some of the
paintings you studied to Columbia
next year.
Impressionism from Monet to
Matisse will run from Jan. 25 to April
21 next year. The show will feature
55 works of art, including some
from the most well-known French
impressionists, among them Claude
Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
At the very least considering
how The Scream, another famous
impressionist work, sold this year
at auction for $120 million its a
chance to see painted gold.
Adam Beam writes about the S.C. legislature for
The State.
190 runners participated in the Quarry Crusher Run in 2012. The 3.72
mile route started and finished in front of the Olympia and Granby Mills
Apartments. The quarry is mined by Vulcan Materials Co.
THE SHAPE OF
THINGS TO COME

Living Here 2012

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