CONTENTS Volume 20 Number 8
A Capital Election
Who will be Columbia’s next mayor? By Sam Morton
DEPARTMENTS
Celebrating 20 Years
With Alicia Barnes
13
1989 Rewind Rosewood – a brief breakdown
By Jessica Berger
Local Seen
Two Columbians build a giant chess set to improve North Columbia By Sam Morton
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14
27 65 12
FEATURES
27
Celebrating 20 Years
Playing for a Draw
65
Undeniable Love Affairs
Men and their cars By Robin Cowie Nalepa
Palmetto Business
Shop Proud, Shop Columbia urges buyers to stay local By Shani Gilchrist
Carolina Home
Creating space in unused areas By Katie McElveen
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A New Shop Talk
CH6 Nooks, Crannies and Corners
CH14 No Crying Over Spilled Milk
Learning how to decorate your home to be disaster-proof By Katie McElveen
CH18 Leprechauns in the Kitchen
CH14
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St. Patrick’s Day recipes that will add some “luck o’ the Irish” to the day By Susan Fuller Slack, CCP
M A R C H 2010
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COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN 3
CONTENTS Volume 20 Number 8 71
CH26 Rainy Day Boredom Busters
Creative ways to entertain the kids indoors By Janey Goude
CH29 New to the Neighborhood?
CH26
ADVERTISING SECTIONS
24
Getting Down to Business
IN EVERY ISSUE
6 8 22 68 71 72
From the Publisher City Scoop Spread the Word Good Eats Just Married Out & About
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M A R C H 2010
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COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN 5
FROM THE PUBLISHER
C
olumbians face an open mayoral election with no incumbent on April 6 – something we have not seen in 20 years. The national debate raging over the role of the public sector versus the private sector has implications for the direction of our city. Columbia, predominately known as a government town, needs to work harder at becoming a business and entrepreneurial town. The next mayor will play a vital role in leading this city toward or away from that direction. State government, Fort Jackson and USC have long been the underpinnings of Columbia’s economy, which has kept this city somewhat recession-proof until now. With an unemployment rate of more than 10 percent, Columbians can no longer rely on its past resiliency to national down cycles. Government has been cutting back along with the private sector. More than 20 percent of Columbia’s workforce is employed by the government, compared to Raleigh’s five percent. Columbia is not Raleigh, but the two cities have similarities: Southeastern capital cities and home to big universities. Raleigh, however, has a vibrant private sector that creates a fertile environment for a high standard of living that consistently ranks the city as a top national location to live and work. The next mayor should take an aggressive role in transforming Columbia’s economy from a heavy reliance on the public sector to a more balanced economy fueled by the private sector. Even though we have a mayor-council form of government that weakens the mayor’s office, the right person can be a strong mayor and take the lead in pursuing this goal. The mindset of creating public government projects that will attract businesses needs to be jettisoned and replaced with a mindset of nurturing a favorable environment that is conducive to attracting and growing businesses. Lowering the cost of managing a business and reducing regulations and governmental interference will help Columbia to grow organically, raising the standard of living in this community that has lagged the national average in per capita income. Tea parties, rancorous town hall meetings and the election of Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown reflect the independent American attitude of liberty that has served this country well. Most Americans just want the government to protect them and get out of the way. The American Revolution Gadsden flag depicting a coiled rattlesnake with the inscription “Don’t Tread On Me” nicely sums up the mood of the country in regards to the ever-expanding role of government in our economy and in our lives. Columbia has the opportunity to take a fresh approach – April 6 is your chance.
COLUMBIA M E T R O P O L I T A N PUBLISHER
Henry Clay E D I TO R
Emily Tinch A S S O C I AT E E D I TO R
Robyn Culbertson A S S I S TA N T E D I TO R
Lindsay Niedringhaus E D I TO R I A L A RT D I R E C TO R
Dennis Craighead Design A D V E RT I S I N G S A L E S
Shawn Coward Denise Luka A D V E RT I S I N G A RT D I R E C TO R
Robyn Culbertson O F F I C E / P R O D U C T I O N / C I R C U L AT I O N MANAGER
Lindsay Niedringhaus CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jessica Berger, Shani Gilchrist, Janey Goude, Katie McElveen, Sam Morton, Robin Nalepa, Susan Slack P H O TO G R A P H Y
Jeff Amberg, Robert Clark, Jennifer Covington, Bob Lancaster INTERNS
Cate McGraw, Brittany Robinson Columbia Metropolitan is published 10 times a year by Clay Publishing, Inc., 3700 Forest Drive, Suite 106, Columbia, S.C. 29204. Copyright © Columbia Metropolitan 2010. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Advertising rates available upon request. The publishers are not responsible for the comments of authors or for unsolicited manuscripts. SUBSCRIPTION price $19.97 a year, $29.97 for two years in the United States. POSTMASTER send address changes to: COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN, P.O. Box 6666, Columbia, South Carolina 29260. (803)787-6501.
Sincerely,
Henry Clay Publisher
6 COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN
About the cover: Kristen and Jason Tompkins’s daughter Libby, 4 1/2, and their dog Jimmy enjoy hanging out in their kid- and pet-friendly home. Photography by Robert Clark
M A R C H 2010
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COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN 7
CITY SCOOP
Central Carolina Food & Wine Festival T
he Central Carolina Community Foundation’s 16th Annual Central Carolina Food & Wine Festival, running from March 1 through April 30, begins with four Private Food & Wine Dinners held at local restaurants. Diners will enjoy delicious five- to sixcourse meals, and guest speakers will offer information about the complementary wines paired with each course. The dinners begin at 6:30 p.m., and the cost is $100 per person, per dinner. The first event is Monday,
8 COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN
March 1 at Mo Mo’s Bistro. Guests will enjoy an exceptional dinner prepared by Chef Jason Wilcox and paired with wines from Southern Wine & Spirits. On Mon-day, March 15, the Foundation will host a dinner at Rosso Trattoria Italia.where.chef Henry Griffin will prepare a delicious dinner paired with Italian wines from Kennett Distributors. The third event, held on Sunday, March 28 at Solstice
Kitchen & Wine Bar, will feature a dinner prepared by owner and chef Ricky Mollohan. The meal will be paired with wines from Republic National Distributing Company. The final dinner will be at Four Moons in Orangeburg on Monday, April 12. Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by Chef David Quintana and wines from Aleph Wines Corporation. Arrangements are being made for transportation between Orangeburg and Columbia. For additional information about these dinners and all other events, visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.yourfoundation.org. Tickets for all events may be purchased online or by calling Kerrie Newell at 254-5601, ext. 327. All proceeds assist Central Carolina Community Foundation in awarding grants to nonprofit organizations in its 11-county service area.
M A R C H 2010
Historic Columbia Foundation’s 3rd Annual Gardening Symposium T he Historic Columbia Foundation annual Gardening Symposium is scheduled for March 5 and 6. The attractions of the twoday event include informative presentations, workshops and a reception, as well as tours of historic houses and gardens. The symposium will be held at the Clarion Hotel Downtown on Friday, March 5 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and the historic Robert Mills House and Gardens on
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Saturday, March 6 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Admission is $50 for a one-day participation and $75 for the two-day symposium. Student admission is $25 for one day and $35 for the twoday symposium. Member admission is $30 for one day and $55 for the twoday symposium. Deadline for early registration is Feb. 26. There is an additional $20 registration fee after
this date. To register, call 252-1770, ext. 24. For more information on the 2010 Spring Gardening Symposium, visit www.HistoricColumbia.org.
COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN 9
alaG to Benefit Glenforest School The first annual alaG Fundraising Event & Gala will be held on March 25 to benefit Glenforest School, a K-12 nonprofit day school for students of average to above-average intelligence with learning differences and focusing issues. “alaG,” which is “Gala” spelled backwards, characterizes the changing face of Glenforest School, led by the board of directors and the recently appointed head of school Chris Winkler. In his new position, Chris is passionate about stimulating awareness for the school in order to benefit students and their families. The money alaG raises will help generate much-needed funds to create more educational sponsorship opportunities for children with learning differences in Columbia. Contributions can help provide the optimal educational environment to any student in need of academic, social and emotional support and will help the school work towards its goal: to ensure no child is turned away or denied the education they deserve due to lack of funds in the future. The festive occasion, held in partnership with Clemson University, includes special guest speakers, a meal provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and presentations to alaG 2010 honorees Ted O. McGee, Jr. and Candy Fant. The event will be held at Glenforest School Auditorium at 1401 Harbor Dr. in West Columbia. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased at the door. For more information or to RSVP, contact Naomi Jones at 796-7622 or visit www.glenforest.org.
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M A R C H 2010
Party Animals 2010 Edwin McCain
T
he Animal Mission, the nonprofit support group for the Columbia Animal Shelter, will hold its 11th annual Party Animals concert and silent auction o n F r i d a y, M a r c h 1 9 a t 6:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel Downtown. Music will be
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provided by Edwin McCain and Nashville recording artist Patrick Davis. “Party Animals will once again bring Columbia the best entertainment in the best setting. It’s a party everyone remembers, and we plan to have a great time again this year,” says Jim “Soni” Sonefeld of Hootie & the Blowfish and president of the Animal Mission. Party-goers will enjoy an open bar plus a lavish buffet from Blue Marlin Signature
Catering. A silent auction will feature a wide variety of fun and practical animal-related items as well as concert tickets, vacation packages, gift baskets and more. A special room rate of $99 is available for March 19 at the Clarion; call 1-800-277-8711 and ask for a Party Animals room. Tickets for the event are $100 each, or receive a special pre-sale rate of $150 for two. Tickets are available at the Animal Mission Web site, www.animalmission.org
C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 11
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS WITH
A
s we settle onto our couches after our hectic workdays, we flip on the television and see Alicia Barnes’s bright smile. Luckily for us, as we are slowing down, Alicia is just getting started. As primary news anchor for ABC Columbia, Alicia, along with co-anchor Daniel Seamans, gives us the news at 6 and 11 p.m. from the downtown Side Street Studio on Main & Gervais. We especially enjoy her segment at 11, “Wrinkle Free Wednesday,” which educates us on the latest health and beauty trends.
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Alicia enjoys golfing, playing tennis and sailing on Lake Murray. And though she just joined the Columbia community in May 2008, we feel as if she’s been a regular forever. We can’t help but see her as someone with whom we’d love to sit down and have coffee. So as Columbia Metropolitan continues to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’d like to take a moment to thank Alicia for bringing a newfound energy to our weeknights.
“My City. My Magazine for the next 20 years.” 12 C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER COVINGTON
Alicia Barnes
M A R C H 2010
1989 Rewind By Jessica Berger
As we are now a few months into a new decade – a time surely measured by the ambitious resolutions that have been abandoned along the way – let’s take a look at what life was like when Columbia was preparing for the 1990s. The federal minimum wage was $3.35, the University of South Carolina was mourning the loss of football coach Joe Morrison, and “The Cosby Show,” one of the most-watched television shows from the year, was causing America’s infatuation with sweater-enthusiast Bill Cosby and the rest of the lovable Huxtable clan. The new year meant a new magazine for the Midlands, as Columbia Metropolitan was busy preparing the first issues for newsstands. To mark our 20th year, Columbia Metropolitan will highlight the 1989 happenings of different parts of the Columbia area. Join us as we take a look into the past to recall what happened, as well as what didn’t, and see how much Columbia has changed in two decades
Rosewood – A Brief Breakdown of1989 ➤Some memorable changes occurred at the 1989 South Carolina State Fair. This year saw the prohibition of beer, as well as the end of the fair’s traditional freak shows.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATE MCGRAW
➤Shandon Village was constructed at the corner of Rosewood Drive and South Shandon Street. The 6,530-square-foot facility was built to accommodate seven retail businesses. ➤Rosewood Drive was experiencing an identity crisis. Since Rockaway Athletic Club its widening in the early 80s, the road began to attract commercial strips in addition to the small neighborhood shops that it traditionally housed. The neighborhood’s future became a topic of debate among politicians and residents.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATE MCGRAW
➤Rockaway Athletic Club, a Rosewood institution, held its seventh annual Crawfish Festival. The Rosewood Merchants Association began its own Crawfish Festival, stretching a fourblock span of Rosewood Drive, in 2006.
➤In May, an early morning fire destroyed the Video Visions store in Rosewood Shopping Center. The local video store suffered $60,000 in damages.
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C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 13
LOCAL SEEN
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M A R C H 2010
Playing for a Draw buildING a giant chess set to improve North Columbia By Sam Morton / Photography by Jeff Amberg
F
(L to R) David Jones and Jim McGrew are building a life-sized chess set in order to improve the look of North Columbia.
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orty years ago, the place where Main Street, U.S. Highway 321 and Monticello Road converge in North Columbia stood as the gateway to the Capital City. The iconic Coca Cola plant, a bustling Zesto’s, Columbia College and the vibrant Eau Claire neighborhood — then home to many of the city’s movers and shakers — all welcomed visitors to Columbia. Then along came I-77, and North Columbia began its gradual decline to, well, a stalemate of sorts. J i m Mc G r e w o f Mc G r e w Woodworking and David Jones, owner of Stee-Rike 3, Inc., which manufactures whiffle balls, have made a larger-than-life strategic move to change all that through chess. The idea began with another convergence – the meeting of a novel idea and breakthrough construction technology. With years of experience in specialty woodworking in some of Columbia’s finest homes and with a father in the real estate business, Jim saw the real estate bubble and knew its life span was nearing its end in 2006, so he sought a way to stay relevant and profitable.
“I got involved with CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machinery and 3-D software from Aspire Software out of the United Kingdom,” says Jim. The new applications allowed Jim to use relatively inexpensive materials to create opulent cabinetry and trim details, making a high-end luxury look both affordable and accessible. “We found a way to change the pricing infrastructure of the market. Now people can get what they want in their homes in and around Columbia without having to pay New York City prices,” he says. Then in walked David one day with a wild idea: using the software to build a life-size chess set. Says David, “I was on vacation in Holland and was taking a walk through a park. I saw all these people gathered around watching two guys play chess with oversized pieces. Chess started in Holland in the 16th century, by the way.” David, a community developer and a pioneer in remaking the Vista (Jim says David was instrumental in naming the area), saw an opportunity to revitalize North Columbia and give the rest of the city a reputation for uniqueness in a spectacular way.
C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 15
“I sat on a board for North Main Street development. We spent thousands of dollars on surveys on how to bring people out to that area. This will do it,” David says. David had wanted to do a lifesized chess set in the square where Trustus Theatre is, but the technology to build one just wasn’t there at the time, and he didn’t want to do one from plastic or from molds. Then, while sharing a building with McGrew Woodworking, he heard about Jim and his 3-D carving wonder. The men searched the Internet looking for life-sized chess pieces. The closest they came across were some in Japan. “But those were just posts with details carved into them,” David says. Not ones to be dissuaded easily, Jim put his robotic CNC saws and 3-D software to work to create a king. Or as Jim puts it, “David bought the bits. I tore up the machinery!” “We use 24 pieces of one-inch medium-density fiberboard. We carve three pieces at a time separately, but relative to the next piece,” Jim says. After all cuts are made, they glue the pieces together to form a semifinished chess piece. Then David handcarves some of the details – fingers and facial features – and hand-sands and burnishes the piece to a smooth finish. Bring in a faux paint artist for veining and glaze, and voilá – a 6-foot, 3-inch, 250-pound marble king. “I had one of my marble suppliers look at the king. She thought it was real marble, and she’s in that business!” Jim said. “The fun part is that we’re not under any constraints. I just wanted to learn how to do something like this and David just wanted to do the project,” he says. The duo has completed six chess pieces: a king, queen, bishop, knight, rook and pawn patterned after a Renaissance set that belonged to David’s father. The pair estimates that a complete set will cost in the neighborhood of $60,000. David plans to have the chess set become a permanent part of North Columbia’s fabric and make chess a
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M A R C H 2010
“The fun part is that we’re not under any constraints. I just wanted to learn how to do something like this.” Jim MCGREW
spectator sport. Then he hopes to take the set on a multi-city tour to showcase both the pieces and Columbia. So can the world’s original war game draw tourists to town? Judging by just the attention the carving technology itself has drawn, it ought to be a phenomenal hit. “There are 14 of these machines in South Carolina, 30 more between North Carolina and Georgia,” Jim says. “Last October we brought more than a hundred people to Columbia, including the guys from Great Britain who wrote the software, to learn about this process. Upper-small to mediumsized businesses will survive this economy because with this technology they have the flexibility to change and adapt.” In addition, an Internet forum created for the software and carving process has drawn more than 300,000 unique views. Jim and David have been interviewed by a host of national woodworking magazines and have mentions in countless blogs. In August the S.C. Chess Association hosted the Columbia Open chess tournament. It was there that the six completed chess pieces made their first public appearance to rousing reviews. “The Upstate has the mountains. The Lowcountry has Charleston. Columbia has always wanted to have a draw, to be known for something,” David says. “I think this would be a great something to be known for.”
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C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 17
PALMETTO BUSINESS
A New Shop Talk
Shop Proud, Shop Columbia urges buyers to stay local By Shani Gilchrist / Photography by Jeff Amberg
P
eople are having a renewed conversation as they shop in Columbia. They are talking about values, but not in the way that “shopping” and “values” traditionally go together in a sentence. Instead, shoppers are evaluating the deeper impact of their shopping habits and what they mean for the sustenance of their community. This renewed conversation, a dialogue that was once an accepted standard, has been given a strong boost by sightings of Shop Proud, Shop Columbia stickers all over town. A group of Columbia merchants and retail partners launched the Shop Proud, Shop Columbia campaign in October 2009. Their aim was to get people excited over the many wonderful shopping resources that can be found in the city that has been deemed “Famously Hot.” When Perry Lancaster, manager of Britton’s on Devine Street and president of the Devine Street Association, sat down with City Center Partnership’s retail recruiter Amy Stone to compare notes on shop local campaigns that each had seen in their travels, he knew how important it would be for local merchants to work together to promote local sales. Together, Perry and Amy began to piece together plans to gather other business owners to start a city-wide conversation about why retail shopping is crucial to the local economy and character of the community. Soon, Merritt McHaffie of the Five Points Association and Alicia Morgan of Carter Todd and Associates also became involved, and together the group enlisted the help of local printers,
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Local resident Robin McNair enjoys shopping locally on Devine Street. Robin’s clothing provided courtesy of Round Robin.
M A R C H 2010
Web designers and volunteers to kick off the campaign. After a launch party at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, stickers were handed out to shoppers, proudly stating “I Shop Columbia.” From there, more stickers were handed out to merchants, as well as table tents displaying facts about shopping local. For instance, if each employed person in Columbia spends $100 per month in locally-owned retail businesses, it would create $32 million in annual revenue. That equals money for needs such as fire stations, police cars and even garbage pickup. The materials have since become conversation starters. “Shop owners say ‘thank you’ for putting this message out there to improve the retail environment for the City of Columbia. People are listening!” says Amy. At the Columbia Museum of Art Shop, manager Bohumila Augustinova has witnessed shoppers taking notice of the campaign: “People see the table tents as they are walking around,” she says, “and they start to talk about the facts on them.” As they talk, they realize the impact of their actions. “It makes people think of the significance and economic impact of how shopping habits impact other people, such as your friends and neighbors,” says Amy. With such a conversation occurring between small business owners and customers, the character of the community is strengthened. People place more value upon the relationships that are built between customers and storeowners. These local owners are the people who remember the selections and preferences of their customers and who go out of their ways to help them suit these preferences. Melissa Blanchard, owner of Pout and VanJean on Devine Street, says that people are more likely to come back when they realize that they can pick up a beauty product to try out from someone who they might also see when picking up their child from school. The interaction that ensues provides comfort for the customer in knowing that the person on the other
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C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 19
When you spend $100, online with a non-local retailer, none of it returns to the local community. in a national chain store in Columbia, $43 returns to the local community. in a locally owned store, to the local community.
$68 returns
side of the counter is someone like him or her. While it is helpful for customers to be familiar with their retailers, it is also encouraging to know the origins of the products that they are buying. Many local retailers sell goods obtained from merchants in the area. Some of the most popular pieces sold by the Columbia Museum of Art Shop are baskets made by Columbia artist Clay Burnette. Shops like Bohemian and Kicks also carry jewelry made by South Carolina designers. Recently, the All Local Farmers Market located at 701 Whaley also became involved with
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the campaign. The weekly market sells produce, meats, cut flowers and other goods that come only from South Carolina merchants. Since moving to its permanent location in Olympia, the market has become a Saturday morning tradition where locals gather in a cheery atmosphere to eat a delicious brunch, shop for luscious produce and mingle with friends and Columbia neighbors. Shop Columbia is not just limited to locally owned businesses within Columbia’s city limits. Amy says that businesses in Lexington and West Columbia have approached campaign members for promotional items, growing the initiative into an area-wide effort. This growth shows the staying power of Shop Columbia, which its founders intend to continue to strengthen by keeping the message current and the conversation ongoing. “These are not one-time answers,” states Amy, who, along with Perry, is geared up to plan the campaign’s next steps. In a time when people are seeking comfort, the Shop Proud, Shop Columbia campaign has provided one of the most basic needs for community members: interaction. The campaign reminds shoppers of the impact of their shopping habits and how their actions truly affect others. Furthermore, the campaign builds relationships between community members and forms new friendships and partnerships. As the message grows, shoppers remember just how comfortable buying can be.
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C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 21
SPREAD THE WORD
Dr. Jerry D. Odom
Cyndee Fraley
Sally Kinard
Clarence Kinard
Dianne Harris
Cecilia Wade
April James
Whit Moore
Angel Marvin
Sam Sammataro
J. Kenneth Carter
Susan Brill
Amy B. Hill
Leighton McLendon
David Bornemann
James Lichty
W. Bert Brannon
Daniel Long
Marlana Brown
Melissa Canepa
Julia Eckhardt
Samantha Gutknecht
Lisa Hooper
Gerry Stricklan
Ahh Spa and Salon, under the direction of Angela Heaton, L.E., has opened at 929 Gervais Street in the former home of Mais Oui. Jennifer Scoggins has joined Holder Properties as tenant services coordinator for the Meridian Office Building. Laura Hewston Holmes has joined the company as assistant property manager for Aspyre. David Branham has joined the company as building engineer for Meridian. Dr. Robert R. Weyeneth, history professor at USC, has been elected to lead the National Council on Public History. Dr. Les Sternberg, dean of the College of Education, has been elected to the board of the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education. Dr. Ed Madden has been selected for the 2009-2010 Visiting Fellowship in Irish Studies. The Career Center has been awarded a Call to Serve Innovation Grant by the Partnership for Public Service. Dr. Marjorie J. Spruill, history professor, has been awarded a fellowship from the National Endowment of the Humanities to finish her book. Gretchen Lambert, Kay Hampton and Brittney Martin have been elected officers on the board of the Congaree Vista Guild. Jerome D. Odom, PhD, William L. Cogdill, Jr., Sara B. Fisher and Traci Young Cooper have
22 C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N
been elected officers on the board of directors for Palmetto Health. Candy Waites and Rosalyn Frierson have been named members of the board. Cyndee Fraley, Sally Kinard, Clarence Kinard, Dianne Harris and Cecilia Wade have joined Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® as sales associates. George Jameson, broker in charge of the Midtown office, has been named 2009 Realtor® of the Year by the Central Carolina Realtors® Association. April James has joined the agency as a commercial real estate advisor. Whit Moore has celebrated 40 years with the company. Edmund H. Monteith, Jr., has joined Saluda River Club as vice president of sales and marketing. DayBreak Adult Care Services has celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Mart have joined the staff of Health Sciences South Carolina.
been elected to the Richland County Bar Association Executive Committee.
G. Michael Baughman, CFP, has joined Abacus Planning Group. Angel Marvin, CPA, has earned the Personal Financial Specialist credential.
Leighton McLendon has joined First Citizens Bank as commercial relationship manager and senior vice president.
Sam Sammataro has been elected a shareholder in the firm of Turner, Padget, Graham and Laney. J. Kenneth Carter, shareholder in the firm, has been elected to the board of directors of Business Counsel, Inc.
David M. Bornemann has joined the office of McAngus Goudelock and Courie. James H. Lichty has been elected as a member of the firm, and Weston C. Adams has been elected as an equity member of the firm.
Susan Brill, Jamie Harpootlian, Bud Kibler, Frank Houston, Eleanor Pope and Daphne Williams have been elected to the board of the Historic Columbia Foundation. Beverly and Ron Harrington have opened The Arrington Real Estate Company in Lexington.
Magen Starnes has joined Scott McElveen as staff accountant, assurance and advisory services.
J. Holt Chetwood, Judith M. Davis, Melissa A. Drescher, John H. Hudgens, III, G. Scott Middleton, R. Michael Sisk and G. Larry Wilson have been named to the board of the Midlands Technical College Foundation. William T. Mahoney, Thomas E. Persons, Sr., Barbara D. Willm and Marion A. Knox, Jr., have been named officers of the board.
J. Todd Thornburg, PhD, Katrina Fryar, MBA, PMP and Derek
Amy B. Hill, an attorney with Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, has
Mike Gardner, president of hospital operations for American Security, has been selected chairman of the South Carolina chapter for The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety.
Darra Coleman and John Phillips of Rogers Townsend & Thomas have earned certification as family court mediators. Cynthia Blair and Jennifer Rubin have been elected to the board of The South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. Amanda Van Ardsall Tharin and Melanie Dawn Hornsby have opened The Shoe Boutique at Hope Ferry Center in Lexington. Erin P. Stone has joined The Alzheimer’s Association – South Carolina Chapter as director of development. Tushar Chikhliker, Suzi Grigg and Ernie Pearson have been elected partners of Nexsen Pruet. John Sowards has been elected chairman of the law firm’s board. Rick Mendoza has been elected to
M A R C H 2010
Edmund Monteith
Mike Gardner
Magen Starnes
Michael Baughman
Weston Adams III
Rick Mendoza
Frank Cureton
Robert Gahagan
Yvonne Orr
Dee Dee Chewning
Mike McCabe
Thomas Otis
the board of directors of The Sisters of Charity Foundation. Richard M. Glover won the Capital City/Lake Murray Country annual Poster Artwork Contest for the Taste of Lake Murray. Carolina Business Equipment has been named an Elite Dealer of 2009 by OfficeDealer magazine. ADCO has been honored with four awards at the SC Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators’ 11th annual Palmetto Awards.
Marlana Brown, Melissa Canepa, Julia Eckhardt, Samantha Gutknecht, Lisa Hooper and Gerry Stricklan have joined Southern First Bank. Palmetto Health Richland has been awarded a Silver 1 Medal by the Department of Health and Human Services for its commitment and participation in the organ donor program. The hospital’s Total Joint Center has been named a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina.
Frank Cureton, Robert E. Gahagan and W. Bert Brannon have been elected officers of the board of the Richland County Public Library Foundation. Nathaniel A. Barber, Barbara S. Griffin, W. Steven Johnson, John S. Nichols, Lenora Price, Lee Rambo, Dr. Walter Tobin, Jr. and John C. Bradley, Jr. have been elected board members.
The principals of LandTech, Inc. of South Carolina have formed an affiliated company, LandTech Asset Management to provide real estate asset management and consultant services to banks.
Rogers Townsend & Thomas has merged with the Charlotte, N.C. firm of Kellam & Pettit.
Crawford Conservation has opened a new studio in Lexington.
Daniel Long has joined City Center Partnership as outreach coordinator for downtown Columbia.
Providence Hospitals has been named a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina.
Cheryl Behymer of Fisher & Phillips has been named chair of the SC Diversity Council.
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Yvonne Orr, Dee Dee Chewning, Mike McCabe and Thomas Otis have been named officers of the board of the Sisters of Charity Foundation.
C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 23
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS WITH
Willm Construction
I
t seems like just yesterday when Lee Willm moved to Columbia from Surfside Beach to make a go out of remodeling in the Midlands. In fact, it was in 1993 that Willm Construction was started with a focus on home remodeling. And whether it’s a home on the Historic Registry or a small remodeling project, each job is as important as the next. “From the minute we meet a homeowner until the final inspection, we ensure our customers get the service they want,” Lee says. “Remodeling a home can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. We ensure you have the support and assistance
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you need throughout the process.” As a general contractor, Lee keeps up to date on the latest advances in his field by being a member of the Home Builders Association and a Certified Green Professional. He gets support and assistance from his wife, Carmen, who provides office support and customer assistance. She also is an occupational therapist and can advise a client about building to accommodate a disability. The construction industry over the last few years hasn’t come without challenges. The economy certainly slowed things down,
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but it also brought about some interesting opportunities. “We are proud to say we are still standing strong and have added to the company,” Lee says. “We have a new subsidiary, Willm Closets, that custom builds closets, pantries, home offices, garage systems and more. We are excited that we also will be adding a showroom to our shop in the upcoming months.” “Despite tough economic times, we promise to offer our homeowners customercentered service from day one through to the end, and we will continue to be a trusted source for home remodeling in Columbia.”
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GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS WITH
Peterson & Plante Internal Medicine Associates
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eterson & Plante Internal Medicine Associates joined the Lexington Medical Center network of care in July 2009. The practice has two offices that are conveniently located in Columbia and Northeast Columbia. Founded by Alan Peterson, MD, and Paul Plante, MD, in 1993, Peterson & Plante Internal Medicine Associates now has seven physicians who specialize in adult primary care and provide a variety of services such as nuclear stress tests, echovascular exams, carotids, anklebrachial index (ABI) exams, dexa scans, nebulizer therapy, pulmonary function testing and lab services. Dr. Peterson is a graduate of Utesa University of Technology in Santiago,
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Dominican Republic. He completed his residency at Palmetto Health Richland. Dr. Plante graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed its residency program. Jaiprakash Patel, MD, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his residency and a one-year cardiology fellowship at Palmetto Health Richland. Doctors Peterson, Plante and Patel treat patients at both locations. Joseph M. Cavanagh, MD, graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed his residency in 1995. After graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completing his residency, Jeffery C. Ford,
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MD, also completed a pulmonary medicine fellowship. Nehal Desai, MD, is a graduate of the Government Medical College in Surat, India. He completed his internal medicine residency at Palmetto Health Richland. Doctors Cavanagh, Ford and Desai work at the Columbia location. Stuart Hooks, MD, who works exclusively at the Northeast location, graduated from University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed his residency with the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Peterson & Plante Internal Medicine Associates is accepting new patients. For more information, please call 779-3378 (Columbia) or 865-2122 (Northeast) or visit www.lmcpetersonandplante.com.
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GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS WITH
Spring Hill Woodworking
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n an industry seemingly dominated by computer-operated machinery and medium-density fiberboard, there exists a small woodworking shop in the Chapin area where solid wood and plywood are worked with basic machinery, traditional hand tools and some skilled hands. Spring Hill Woodworking is a partnership of two cabinetmakers: Doug Williams and Steven Fear. Doug began the business upon his graduation from USC in 1975 with a degree in English and Art. At first, it was a small shop in his one-car garage. Through the years, although he built an occasional piece of furniture, most of his career was spent building cabinets in homes, primarily in the
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Chapin area. In the fall of 2008, Steven joined Spring Hill Woodworking. A native of England, Steven graduated from Brunel College, Bristol with a degree in furniture and cabinetmaking. His experience is vast – he has worked in high-end shops in New York, Colorado, San Francisco and England. Spring Hill Woodworking prides itself on quality materials and superb workmanship. There’s a lot of old-fashioned joinery, wood glue and clamping, and the hardware used is the finest available. Each piece that leaves the shop is heirloom quality. The shop routinely crafts kitchen cabinets, media units, bookcases, gun cabinets, closet cabinets and furniture.
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An especially challenging project recently was a round saucer-shaped bed with back rest. Other examples of Spring Hill Woodworking’s furniture can be seen in M. Gallery, Lexington, and a new Web site is forthcoming. “There are those out there who appreciate quality. They enjoy the opportunity to pick out their own wood, hardware and finish, as well as having input in the creative process,” say Doug and Steve. “Our pieces won’t end up being curbside rubbish – they’ll be passed on. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll make the Antiques Roadshow!”
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FEATURE
A Capital Election Who will be Columbia’s next mayor? By Sam Morton / Photography by Jeff Amberg
Steve Benjamin
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ecoming mayor of the state’s capital city can be a daunting proposition at any point, but the 2010 race for mayor comes at a particularly crucial time. Trapped in the midst of a great recession, facing rising unemployment and ever-tightening budget constraints, but still expected to make Columbia grow and prosper, it’s a brave soul who aspires to this full-time job with limited power and part-time pay. To help you see where they stand on certain issues, as well as to help you get to know them better on a personal level, Columbia Metropolitan sat down with Steve Benjamin, Kirkman Finlay and Steve Morrison, the three candidates identified as the front runners by Phil Bailey, political consultant and executive director of the S.C. Senate Democratic Caucus. Q: What are the most pressing issues facing Columbia?
Benjamin: As I make my way around the city, regardless of where people live – Eau Claire or Shandon or Woodcreek Farms – the concerns can be distilled down into some pretty simple, basic facts: They want a safe city. They want a clean city. They want a city that’s run well. And they want a city focused on creating city jobs.
Kirkman Finlay
Finlay: To make our city great, I would argue that we need to make our government accountable, our city safe and make our city clean. To argue that one of these is more important than another puts them in a comparison that’s not absolutely correct. M orrison : Number one would be jobs and economic vitality. Number two would be safety – secure streets and neighborhoods. Number three would be getting our financial house in order. Those can’t really be done separately. The role of the mayor is to build a level of confidence and trust in the community so that you have the potential for a community of hope and justice. Recently, because of our financial mismanagement, we’ve lost that trust. Q: What is your specific plan to address these issues? Finlay: The budget next year is going to be more difficult than this year. We (City Council) agreed to up our bond issuance for water
Steve Morrison www.columbiametro.com
Steve Benjamin: Off the Record and sewer from $85 million to $190 million, and this is absolutely crucial. Borrowing rates are very low right now. We’re buying construction projects for about 70 cents on the dollar. We have over $500 million in our Capital Improvement Projects budget, but if we do it right, we might be able to get that $500 million in projects for $400 million. Two-thirds of our water system is over 50 years old. We’re seeing functional obsolescence throughout the city. It (the project to replace the water/sewer system) conserves water, prevents us from dumping effluent in the river and creates Columbia’s own jobs program. We’ve got to get our public safety budget efficiently and effectively drawn. We’ve got to continue our fire service contract with the county. We’ve got 450 firefighters, give or take. If our contract with county goes away, we’ll only need 225 of them. We’ve got to get to a longer-term contract that really allows us to do a much better job. This is the best piece of news we know: The city is over a million dollars in the black on its budget. Massive sacrifice has gone into making that. But with estimates that the 2010 to 2011 and 2011 to 2012 budgets will
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be down, we’ve got to start preparing. We’re putting money away right now to rebuild our budget surplus. If we can keep adding to the surplus with less revenue coming in, it’ll be a sea change in our culture. We’ve also got to fill Main Street up. It has a million square feet empty. We need to fill up what we have before we continue building. I propose we help with business license fees: no fee the first year, half the second year, and you go to a full fee the third year. Our cost is virtually zero. If the businesses aren’t there, we’re not getting any revenue anyway. Morrison: It’s very important for us to rebuild that trust with absolute financial accountability and transparency. It’s a fundamental foundation for the growth of the city. If you put your own house in order from a business standpoint, then you can create a climate of enterprise that produces new job creation. You should have weekly management statements that should be clear. You should know where your revenues come from and what your expenses are. You should know your budget is balanced, and you should have the tools with which to see that.
Q: What’s the last movie you’ve seen? Law Abiding Citizen Q: What books are on your nightstand? It might sound kind of hokey, but my Bible and The Audacity of Leadership by Anton Gunn. Q: What’s your car radio tuned to? Kid’s stuff – nursery rhymes! If not, it’s usually CNN or NPR.
Economic vitality requires three parts: schools – higher education, k-12 and early childhood; creative culture – rallying around excellence wherever you see it; and sustainability. These are critically connected to economic vitality and job creation. We have to (conduct) our economic development in a way that builds a sustainable, livable city environment. People are looking for smart policing, smart fire protection and smart first responders. To do that,
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we’ve got to let the people who run toward the gunfire, toward the burning building, toward the medical emergency know that we’ve got their backs and there is a smart career path for them to be professional first responders. We have to give them the tools with which to respond in a smart way. The other thing is, we can get some of our administrative crew out on the streets a little bit more. Finally, we’re going to have to ensure we have adequate numbers (of public safety staff). Again, build confidence and trust in your first responders. Without that, it’s hard to get people excited about their communities if they don’t feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods. Benjamin: First, I think we’ve got to get back to the basics. The city’s number one job is to provide public safety. We have to fund fire protection. We have to fund law enforcement protection. Our second priority is making sure we have a clean city. We’ve got to make sure we protect our water sources. It’s obvious – we have to run well. We have a city government that’s the poster child for unaccountability. And lastly, and probably most important to people in these economic times, is that we have a city government focused on creating jobs. We’ve got to aggressively address the issues of our environment and make sure we are investing in our water/sewer system to address illicit connections, overcapacity issues and
crumbling infrastructure that not only affect the day-to-day lives of our citizens receiving our water service, but also that lead to some pretty disastrous challenges: dumping of raw sewage into our waterways, which seems to be happening with some regularity over the last year or so. We’ve got to come up with our own local stimulus plan. I’ve got some pretty specific ideas about revitalizing Main Street and making sure we turn it back into a destination location. We should look at waiving business license fees for businesses that locate on Main Street and doing low interest or no interest façade loans. We ’ v e g o t t o s u p p o r t a comprehensive solution to the homelessness challenge. The city needs to work with the Midlands Housing Alliance with the comprehensive services center and make sure that we
have the proper protections in place. We need to seriously look at consolidation of services – solid waste collection, planning, zoning, possibly law enforcement. Q: Given that the mayor has no more power than other council members, how do you, as mayor, propose to make a difference? M o r r i s o n : The mayor has what Teddy Roosevelt called the bully pulpit – the best capacity to speak directly to the people; to rally the people to a particular cause; to explain why a particular investment will benefit all of Columbia. My personal leadership has made a difference in organizations throughout my life based on my ability to communicate and persuade. It’s a matter of trying to bring people together to continually
Kirkman Finlay: Off the Record Q: What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten? My wife knitted me a needlepoint formal vest. It must’ve taken her hundreds of hours. Q: If you were a food, what would you be? A Pawley’s Front Porch burger. Q: What’s your car radio tuned to? WCOS.
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build confidence through truth-telling at all times. You want to have a mayor building trust by being trustworthy. B e n j a m i n : I’m an advocate for changing to the strong mayor form of government; however, this form of government we have – council, manager – works in Sumter, in Charlotte and in Greenville, but it requires that we respect it and utilize it. What we have now is council micromanaging every aspect of government and you wind up having what Kevin Fisher calls “the Seven Little Mayors.” I’m not sure I’d go that far, but we have situations routinely when council members deal with assistant city managers and department heads. We have a city with a $230 million budget and $1.08 billion in assets, and with no clear chain of command, things will fall apart. That’s what’s happened the last few years. F i n lay : The key to any form of government is how you do your budget. It’s the guidepost. I think what we’ve proven through audit and finance committee chairmen is that any council member can put forth very good proposals and move them down the road, and the mayor, through his bully pulpit, can do an even more effective job. My father was mayor of the City of Columbia. Absolutely no one ever accused him of being a weak mayor. Q: What cities doing things right should Columbia emulate, or should we not compare Columbia at all and simply capitalize on our assets? Benjamin: Places that have effectively gone through consolidation – like Jacksonville or Charlotte – we should model ourselves after. If Columbia would consolidate with Richland County, we’d go from being the 252nd largest city into the top 55. Our population would be larger than Orlando, Pittsburgh, Newark and Buffalo. For those who follow things like federal funding, community block
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grants, etc., it would mean that we’d become a first-tier city. F i n lay : Nobody ever challenges the assumptions. You show me where the Atlantic Ocean touches Columbia or where we have the manufacturing base of the Upstate, and I’ll show you where Charleston and Greenville are applicable comparisons. We should look at Tallahassee, Jackson, Baton Rouge, Austin, Raleigh, Richmond ... capital cities of Southern states with large university presences and a large federal presence. We spend so much time trying to emulate that we never create for ourselves. M o rri s o n : Greenville has a weak mayor system, and it has done an outstanding job of developing the city. They have tree-lined, historic neighborhoods that have been preserved and a vital downtown corridor. We have a ballpark, a wonderful Vista filled with art galleries and nightlife and restaurants and music. On Main Street we have three new beautiful buildings. So there is a Renaissance going on already, and we need to capitalize on that. Mast General Store will bring people in. Nickelodeon will have 200 nights of entertainment. The adaptive reuse of the Barringer Building and the Palmetto Building, we’re already making it, but I’d say Greenville would be an excellent place to look to as a city that’s vibrant and progressive. Q: What is your vision for Columbia over the next five to 10 years? F i n lay : The next five years? Clean, safe, accountable. I think as council changes and change happens more frequently, you get a more dynamic vision of the City of Columbia. We’ve got to prioritize, and we’ve got to say “no” a lot more frequently. Our employees are now without holiday pay. We’ve done furloughs. We’re going to have to continue to cut back on medical benefits. We just cannot be in the position of doing that
to employees and continue to hand out money. We’ve got to re-establish the basics in Columbia. We’ve got to turn around trends that are eating us alive. Forty percent of the top quintile of housing in the region is now in Lexington. With SCANA moving out, we’ve lost our one Fortune 500 Company. We’ve got to quit worrying about Charleston and Greenville and put our eye on the bedroom neighborhoods that are sapping our economic strength. The City of Columbia cannot continue to set the table, let everyone else come dine, and let them get away without paying part of the bill. M o rri s o n : Build a community of hope and justice, and let me explain that. Economic justice means you’ve created a vital economic community that’s inviting new investment and creating jobs. Educational justice is something I’ve fought for all my life, and it means we provide school excellence for all our children. From the standpoint of racial and religious justice, you have to shine a light on unfairness and discrimination and hatred, and you have to root out that cancer. For criminal justice, you have to have speedy and just resolution of criminal cases. I have a unique resume in those areas where I could, I believe, make a significant impact. Over a fiveto 10-year period, I’d like us to begin to trust ourselves enough to say we have a just city. At the same time, you’re trying to create a city of hope to determine where we can go together. Benjamin: Long term, we need to make sure we’re creating an environment where businesses can grow and that is attractive for folks who want to bring significant investments in development here. We need to land the next Boeing. We have a long-term vision for the city and a Day One plan, and that’s what we’re concentrating on right now. Q: Do you think Innovista is a good idea? Can it be improved, and what else should we be doing with USC?
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Steve Morrison: Off the Record
Morrison: Innovista is a good idea. Partnering with the University of South Carolina is a good idea. You talk about the creative culture – it very much resides in the programs at USC. USC is doing some remarkable things in sustainability and livability. It can be a hotbed of innovation that we could transport into other public places. As mayor, I would look for key opportunities to partner with them. Innovista has gotten off to a disappointing start, and it’s another area where trust has been lost in fundamental economic, financial management. Could it drive job creation, education and innovation? Absolutely. Is it worth investing in? I think so. It has the potential to create thousands of jobs – high paying jobs. B e n j a m i n : I’m a supporter of Innovista and making Innovista and the waterfront park happen. I think it’s a transformational opportunity facing the city, looking at possibly creating $1.3 billion in private investment and
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a world-class waterfront park. We need to commercialize all the venture capital that’s being developed on campus right now. We need to take all the patents and technologies developed there and turn them into jobs for this community. We have a brain drain. The vast majority of people who graduate from USC, Benedict and Allen every year leave the city. We need to invest in arts and culture to create an environment where young people want to stay. F i n lay : If the university is spending its money, that’s wonderful. My biggest concern is that we as a city can’t be expected to pick up the tab, because we just don’t have the capacity. We’ve got to get to a partnership mentality. In other words, we’ll do something like geo-bond $6 million for a parking garage. But I think the university needs to come to the table with direct help to the city – maybe an impact fee on students – some way the university directly helps offset the impact costs it has on the city.
Q: What’s your favorite childhood memory? Fishing with my dad and grandfather. We fished in little farm ponds where my grandfather lived in Oklahoma, and Dad and I fished in the glacier lakes up in Michigan. Q: What’s the best decision you’ve ever made? Marrying Gail 37 years ago. Q: What’s your car radio tuned to? NPR. Q: Do you think city council should use the power of eminent domain for development purposes? Benjamin: No. It’s anti-American. F i n lay : I voted against eminent domain at the corner of Gervais and Millwood. Remember South Carolina has very specific criteria. I’m not willing to condemn property as kindling wood to start a project.
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Morrison: I would be very reluctant to go there. That power, assuming it even exists in South Carolina under the constitution, is a blunt instrument that reduces trust and the confidence of the community in your ability to communicate and persuade. Q: What are your views on the city tax structure? Finlay: It’s too high. Our millage rate is 150-200 percent that of Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg. Part of it is our base. Fifty percent of our commercial property is off the tax rolls because it’s city, county, state, federal, university, churches, charities, hospitals and military. So you shift the burden disproportionately. I would advocate changing it, but our problem is we can’t afford to have our revenues shrink in the next three years. It’s like going on a diet. We have to move slowly to move from the tax structure we have to one that makes a lot more sense. That means the property we have needs to go up in value – filling up Main Street, for example. We have to make our property tax base broader and the collection system point-of-sale where there’s no penalty for selling property. If we don’t get the tax structure fixed correctly, it’s going to cripple commercial real estate because it means transfers can’t happen. M orrison : I view the city revenue stream in three fundamental parts. Part one is property tax, essentially the funding for the general obligation fund for core services. It allows you to maintain and enhance your neighborhoods by improving property values. Part two is water and sewer fees. Part three is the recent implementation of the hospitality tax that focuses on the creative culture. My view is that they are fundamentally fair. You have to be sure you continue to have fundamentally fair taxes. B e n jam i n : It’s difficult to make the case right now that the city is being good stewards of the taxpayer dollar. We have to look at taxes, business
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license fees, water and sewer fees, hospitality tax, accommodations tax, and figure out if that structure is sustainable and responsive to the needs of the community. The city lacks the moral authority to raise taxes. I will not support or endorse – and will fight – any tax increase. I will find ways for the city to act more efficiently and effectively and reduce the tax burden. Q: How can Columbia become more attractive to businesses looking to expand or relocate and also become more small business-friendly? Morrison: We’ve covered some of this in the answers already, but I think small business is critical. Grainger-Owings has been on Main Street for 25 years. That’s an example of a small business that’s growing, consistent and expanding. We have the same kind of things down in Five Points with great service and sales operations. What we need to be small business-friendly is to create a source of credit, of investment. There has to be a capacity to build a small business. B e n jam i n : We need to invest more in education. The challenges that face Richland School District One, and to some extent District Two, overlap with the city. We’ve got to find ways to help children succeed and partner with the school districts to put programs in place. A mayor doesn’t need to run the schools, but you can create an environment where children are more likely to learn. We need to work closely with Midlands Tech to give them life skills and 21st-century job skills they need to make it. F i n lay : As a broad spectrum, clean, safe and accountable makes everybody feel better. We streamline business application and tax code, expand our business base and diminish the costs.
Columbia’s general election will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010. In addition to the mayoral race, Districts I and IV will be voting to elect one council member each; the council’s at-large seat also is open. All contests are for terms ending in 2014. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In order to be eligible to vote, you must have registered by Friday, March 5, 2010. To find out how to register or to locate your polling place, visit www.richlandonline.com/ Departments/Elections. The following candidates had filed to run for the mayoral election by the filing deadline of Feb. 5. Joseph S. Azar http://voteazar.com Stephen K. Benjamin www.stevebenjamin.com Sparkle Clark http://sparkleformayor.com Kirkman Finlay, III www.kirkmanfinlay.com Aaron Johnson www.aarongrant2010.com Stephen G. Morrison http://morrisonfor columbia.com Nammu Muhammad blackvista2010@aol.com Gary L. Myers, Jr. garymyersc@aol.com Irwin D. Wilson wilson_irwin@yahoo.com
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CAROLINA HOME
Nooks,
Crannies and Corners
Lisa Dye turned a bit of extra space behind her laundry room into a wrapping room that holds all of her supplies.
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Creating space in unused areas By Katie McElveen Photography by Jeff Amberg
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t first glance, 16-year-old Will Norris’s bedroom resembles the bedrooms of 16-year-old boys everywhere: a pair of twin beds covered in blue spreads, sports posters on the walls, a bookcase filled to the brim. Looking a little closer, however, there is a noticeable absence: there’s no desk or place to study. That’s when Will’s mom, Terry Melloh Norris, smiles. Stepping over to the bookcase, she reaches in and gives it a pull. Silently, the bookcase swings outward, revealing a compact niche complete with a desk and computer. Light comes from a window that takes up almost a whole wall. Since the space isn’t large, the back wall was painted with magnetic paint so it can act as a bulletin board of sorts, holding notes, reminders and mementos. Although the space is small, thanks to the window, it’s cozy, not confining. “He loves it in here,” notes Terry. “When he was little, it was a secret hideout. Now it’s a study area. He was willing to take the smallest bedroom to get it!” When the family first moved into the Shandon home, Will’s bedroom was more traditional. But a fire, which gutted the entire upstairs, changed that. Working with John Strevens of Celtic Works, a local renovation company, Terry and her husband Tom enlarged the second story. In keeping with the style of the home, however, the addition created an oddly shaped space in what would be Will’s room. After briefly considering doing nothing, they asked John for ideas. “My husband is super-efficient and hates wasted space,” says Terry. “He felt there must be a way to make it useful.” There was. Spotting the idea for a hidden room
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF TERRY MELLOH NORRIS
A bookcase in Will Norris’s bedroom swings outward to reveal a compact niche where he can study in private.
in a trade publication, John pitched it to the family, who immediately liked the plan. If curbside appeal could be abandoned, homes could be constructed to utilize every square inch in the most useful manner possible. Since that’s generally not an appealing option, homeowners often find themselves dealing with rooms with awkward shapes, challenging ceilings, alcoves and staircases that take up more than their share of the space. Renovations, too, can wreak havoc: expand one room and its neighbor may end up too big for a closet but too small for anything else. But a little creativity can go a long way. Todd Downey ran into that issue recently. Returning from a long-term project in China, the landscape architect needed to set up a home office. It didn’t need to be large, but a door was a necessity so he could participate in phone calls and video conferences with international clients during their work hours
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without disturbing his sleeping family. He found what he was looking for in what had once been a closet tucked under the staircase. Lee Willm of Willm Construction helped Todd transform the space, adding hardwood floors, shelves and drywall to cover the wooden lathes that had once been coated with plaster. Recessed incandescent bulbs offer good task lighting; fluorescents brighten the office. “It works for me, and I can close the door if it gets messy,” says Todd. “That was the other benefit of having a door.” New homes aren’t exempt from quirkiness. Architect Jeff Lewis had just about finished the drawings for Lisa and Madison Dye’s Kings Grant home when Lisa decided that she wasn’t entirely pleased with the powder room. “The location was great, but it adjoined a guest room,” she explains. “It didn’t seem fair to ask overnight guests to keep their bathroom clean enough so that other people could use it.” Not wanting to rework the basic floor plan, which
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the couple loved, they went on a search for an unused bit of square footage large enough for a powder room. Like Todd, they found it under the stairs. With the toilet set into the space where the ceiling slopes steeply, the sink built into the corner and a door that opens out, there’s plenty of room. And thanks to a few decorating tricks, it feels larger than it is. To give the illusion of more space, two mirrors fill the wall from the counter to the ceiling in the corner above the sink. Walls painted in shades of chestnut create an artsy vibe that adds so much interest it’s easy to forget the room’s diminutive size. Instead of a pedestal sink, which seemed a more logical choice for such a small room, Lisa chose a vanity. It turned out to make much more sense. “With a pedestal sink, you need floor space for a trash can and extra toilet paper,” she explains. “I can keep all of those in the vanity, as well as a set of cleaning supplies.” A born organizer, Lisa didn’t stop with the powder room. “I love to wrap gifts – to me, it makes such a difference to give someone a beautiful present – and one of the things I missed in our last house was a place to keep all my supplies.” Noticing a bit of space under the eaves on the second floor behind the laundry room, Lisa set to work designing a room where art and wrapping supplies would be well organized and easily accessible. Since she’d once worked in a store creating and wrapping gifts and gift baskets, she knew she’d also need a counter large enough to hold big boxes. The resulting room perfectly suits her needs. Positioned precisely above a wide, smooth countertop that has a hole cut in one corner so that trash can be pushed into the trash can below, spools of ribbon in every shade hang from a long reel, ready to be unfurled. Glue guns, sharpies, glitter paint and other art supplies (the room doubles as a hobby area) sit in marked cubbies. Wrapping paper is organized by holiday in large bins. “I’ve got a television, music and a little refrigerator, so this is definitely one of my favorite spots in the house,” says Lisa. “It’s hard to believe it was almost nothing!”
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RL BRYAN
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CAROLINA HOME
By Katie McElveen Photography by Robert Clark
risten and Jason Tompkins’s home shouldn’t look as good as it does. In the den, buff-colored sofas are completely devoid of Popsicle drips, paw prints and mystery globs. The throw pillows, with their jazzy zebra design, are equally stain-free. Even the kitchen, usually the toughest room in the house to keep free of sticky fingerprints, is amazingly spotless. It’s hard to believe that the Tompkinses have four young children and three large, indoor dogs and that they’ve lived here for more than five years. Although she keeps up with clutter and wipes up messes before they have a chance to do real damage, Kristen gives most of the credit to Verve interior designer Christi Edens, who helped the Tompkinses create a décor that’s both stylish and kid-friendly. “From the beginning, Christi knew that whatever she recommended had to be able to withstand family life without tons of upkeep,” says Kristen. “I couldn’t be worried about every drip and spill or about tables turning over with the slightest bump.” But the house had to suit the Tompkinses’ style too. “This
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Kristen and Jason Tompkins’s daughter Libby, 4 1/2, and their dog Jimmy enjoy hanging out in their kid- and petfriendly home.
sofa fabric is a perfect example,” she says, pointing to the creamy den sofas. “It’s the best. I wanted a lighter color – because I like it and, to be realistic, the dog hair blends in – but without the work and risk that usually comes with paler colors. Christi promised me that ultrasuede would stay clean and she was right. No matter what gets on it, you can wipe it right off. I used it on the bar stools too.” Christi, who gleaned her expertise from years as both a mother and interior designer, not only found the right furnishings but also put into place a full
array of dirt-hiding strategies, such as using granite with a mosaic-like design for the kitchen countertops (crayon rubs right off!), installing hardwood floors in a medium shade that conceals just about everything and painting banisters and interior doors black, which provides a crisp look against nearly any wall color and offers the added advantage of hiding fingerprints. She knew from experience that they’d work, particularly the ultrasuede. “I’ve used it on my sofas at home and it’s remarkable,” she says. “My boys will spill a Coke and I can wipe it right off.”
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For most families, it’s a conundrum. You want your house to look good, with elegant touches and pretty details, but dealing with spilled drinks is just a small part of having kids. Add impromptu indoor sports tournaments that crop up the moment you turn your back, “art projects” that utilize walls and furniture as their canvases, muddy feet and zero time to clean and you may find yourself holding off on decorating until your children leave for college. Luckily, experts say you can have a home that balances style with durability. Brandon Shives, owner of Brandon Davidson Interiors, says that heavy duty, work-horse fabrics like ultrasuede and jumper can be jazzed up with a decorative tape or a contrast welt – the rolled fabric that runs around the edges of cushions and pillows. “A pretty tape added to the skirt really ups the wow factor,” she says. “It adds punch, but it’s safe since it’s on a part of the sofa that takes less abuse.” Although commercial fabrics have a reputation for being less than attractive, Steven Ford, who owns Steven Ford Interiors, says that’s changing. “Don’t rule them out,” he notes. “There are a few out there that look residential. They tend to be more expensive, but they’re practically indestructible − some can even be bleached.” Also a proponent of faux suede and microfiber for upholstered furniture, Steven adds vinyl to the list of designer-approved synthetics. “There are some great ones out there that really have the look of leather but offer the durability of vinyl,” he notes. “You can even get them stamped so they resemble ostrich or other exotics.” If you have your heart set on natural fabrics, incorporating them into a childfriendly decorating scheme is possible. Since the biggest risks to real leather are deep scratches and punctures – they’re nearly impossible to repair – Steven is comfortable using it in households that have children but no dogs. Cotton slipcovers are worth considering as well, since they can be removed and laundered if they get stained. “You can
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have them made so they stay very tight and don’t have that rumpled look,” notes Christi. “They’re also a lot less expensive to replace than a whole piece of furniture, especially if you purchase a sectional. That way, you can just replace the covers on the sections that need them.” And, with slipcovers, even white isn’t taboo. “It may show the dirt, but you can throw it into the wash with bleach or Oxyclean,” she continues. Christi also likes sectionals for their ability to bring the family together. “For some reason, everyone loves to curl up on a big sectional. They make a great place for your whole family to pile up together.” No matter what kind of fabric you choose, with the exception of leather and vinyl, experts agree that treating with a spray such as Force Field or Scotchgard, or even having your pieces professionally protected, is vital. “Even if the label says it’s been treated, douse it with Scotchgard,” says Steven. “Just remember to re-apply after any type of cleaning.” Safety is also a big part of furniture choice when you’re decorating with kids in mind. “A toddler can pull a delicate table down on herself in a second, so we went with substantial pieces that can take a bit of a hit and not fall over or break,” says Kristen. Rounded corners whenever possible are a given, and think twice before investing in a glass, stone or metal coffee table, all of which can be dangerous and will show every scratch and fingerprint. Instead, consider using a large, low ottoman as a coffee table. “If anyone bumps into it, they won’t get hurt,” says Brandon, who also instructs clients to tape electrical cords to the undersides of tables so that running feet won’t catch them and trip or cause lamps to tumble to their destruction. Flooring options abound, with wood being the most popular choice for its durability and ability to hide dust and dirt in the grain. Germophobes who may not like wood’s inability to withstand heavy cleaning can disinfect tile to their heart’s desire, but know it can be extra slippery when wet and
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unforgiving to anything unlucky enough to be dropped on it. To keep little feet happy, cover tile floors with rugs, particularly those woven in colorful patterns. “They’ll hide the dirt much better than a solid,” says Steven. Brandon agrees with Steven about rugs, adding that nylon is her material of choice for high-traffic rooms. “Nylon can be spot-cleaned to get rid of those everyday ‘sins’ that family room rugs are prone to.” Designers know that paint can make or break any room, but it turns out that using the right one can have a tremendous impact on how good your walls look in the long run. Semi-gloss gets high marks for wipeability and its knack for repelling scuffs, but the shiny surface means that when you do get a mark, the entire wall will probably need to be repainted. Eggshell, with its softer glow, may not be as dramatic or durable, but it touches up better than any other finish. Just be sure to invest in a name brand of paint. In the kitchen, Brandon suggests glazing your cabinetry. “The glaze helps camouflage fingerprints and smudges better than plain paint,” she notes. Or take Steven’s advice and paint the cupboards black for a sleek look that’s surprisingly at home in nearly every décor. Another trick of the trade is to create enough interest in a room that eyes will be drawn away from the occasional mess or smudgy tabletop. “Add life to the room with lots of art on the walls, a cool color on the ceiling and interesting fabrics on the furniture and people won’t notice a fingerprint or two,” says Brandon. Steven suggests festive table decorations (which generally don’t get knocked around), brightly painted kitchen chairs and cool light fixtures as additional attention-getting details that will give rooms a shot of style without the upkeep. Back in Kings Grant, Kristen is looking around her formal living room with a smile. “The kids know not to play in here, but when I’m in the office paying bills, nine times out of 10 I’ll peek in and one of the dogs will be asleep on the sofa. It’s so much less stressful to know that all I’ll need to do when they get up is brush off a little bit of hair or maybe wipe up a paw print.”
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CAROLINA HOME
Leprechauns in the Kitchen St. Patrick’s Day recipes that will add some “luck o’ the Irish” to the day By Susan Fuller Slack, CCP / Photography by Jeff Amberg / Food Styling by Susan Fuller Slack, CCP
O
n March 17, as you don green clothing and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, take the time to also become a little creative in the kitchen. Salmon, pork, lamb and spiced beef are Irish favorites, and you can pair these tasty entrée items with sides and desserts in a shade of Irish green. Tempting as it is to artificially color your way to a St. Patrick’s Day meal, keep in mind the ease of preparing dishes with naturally green foods like vegetables, fruits and herbs. Green foods across the board are nutritious in terms of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and this is the perfect time to add them to your diet. You also can make your celebration environmentally green by purchasing local, organic ingredients and brews. Here are a few tasty dishes that will make your friends green with envy on St. Patrick’s Day. And that’s no blarney!
St. Patrick’s Day Cheese Platter
We associate green with St. Patrick’s Day, but Irish gold, blue and orange are significant colors too. The President of Ireland’s standard depicts a golden harp on a blue field, and color orange is closely linked to Ireland’s Protestant minority. Ireland has a rich heritage of making cheese, so an Irish cheese board that represents these colors is a fitting treat. Below is a suggested assortment of Irish cheeses. Choose 2 or 3 and present them on a cheese board with several items like green grapes, Granny Smith apples, green pear wedges, sliced kiwis, green melon wedges, Clementines, green olives or strips of green and orange bell peppers. Dried fruits and nuts also are a complementary addition. Consider a log of fresh goat cheese or a small round of Brie rolled in bright green minced herbs. Green jalapeno
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jelly and green chutneys are delicious served over soft spreadable cheeses. Plan on about 2 ounces of cheese per person. Garnish the board with fresh herbs or shamrocks, if available. Add a touch of green with crackers and crisps made from toasted wedges of spinach-flavored tortillas, wraps and colorful green herb breads. Cashel Blue, an artisan blue cheese Coolea Cheese (a Gouda-style cheese) Kerrygold Irish Cheddar Kerrygold Blarney Irish Cheese Sage Derby (English in origin)
Visit The Gourmet Shop, The Fresh Market, Earth Fare and other fine markets in the area to purchase Irish cheese.
Minty Green Pea Soup
This pretty green pea soup is delicious served warm or cold. 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium chopped onion 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 1 large clove minced garlic 1 10-ounce package frozen green peas, thawed 2 cups homemade or store-bought chicken broth 1 .66-ounce package fresh organic mint, stems removed 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup plain yogurt, preferably Greek style sea salt and white ground pepper, to taste mint leaves or fresh chives, for garnish
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and garlic; cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the peas and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
Remove from the heat and mix in the mint leaves and lemon juice. Cool slightly and puree in a blender. Add yogurt and puree again to mix. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with extra fresh mint leaves.
Grilled Salmon with Emerald Cream
Salmon is one of the most popular types of fish eaten in Ireland. Here the cooked fillets are served with a zesty, green-hued cucumber and herb sauce. 4 6-ounce pieces salmon fillet, preferably wild salmon 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 fresh lime or lemon (reserve 1/2 for Emerald Cream) salt and black pepper, to taste
Prepare Emerald Cream (recipe below); remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving if made ahead. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush a heavy baking pan with olive oil. Place salmon fillets on pan; brush with the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle with lime or lemon juice, salt and pepper. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or to desired degree of doneness. The center should still be slightly opaque. When fish is done, remove each portion to a serving plate; top with Emerald Cream. Salmon can also be served chilled. Serves 4. Emerald Cream
This tasty pale-green cream sauce also can be used as a dip for poached shrimp and crisp veggies or spooned over sliced avocados on tender lettuce leaves. If you prefer a brighter shade of green, carefully measure and stir in 1/2 to 1 drop green food coloring. 1 cup regular or low-fat sour cream 1/4 cup regular or low-fat mayonnaise 1 rounded tablespoon prepared horseradish
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1 small finely chopped green onion (about 1 tablespoon) 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded, cut in small dice 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice 2 heaping tablespoons finely minced mixed herbs (parsley, basil, dill) dash of salt and white pepper, to taste
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients. Serve at once or cover and refrigerate up to 1 day ahead.
Spring Green Spaghetti
Many green vegetables can be substituted in this dish, like zucchini, green beans, broccoli, sugar snap peas, tender baby collard greens, edamame (green soybeans) or bok choy. Serve this dish for lunch, as a light supper or as a side for grilled salmon, poultry or pork. If you include cubes of orange bell pepper, the white, green and orange dish will resemble the colorful Irish flag. 1 bunch Swiss chard leaves, rinsed, ribs removed, cut in 2 or 3 pieces 1 cup frozen green peas or baby limas 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed, slant-cut into 1/2-inch pieces 2 tablespoons butter 1 small leek, separated, well rinsed and thinsliced 1/2 cup half and half 1/3 to 1/2 cup pesto (homemade or store bought), to taste 1/2 pound spaghetti or linguini (plain or green spinach flavor) sea salt and black pepper, to taste 1/3 cup fresh-grated Parmesan cheese, more if desired
If using homemade pesto (see recipe below), make ahead of time and refrigerate. Steam the chard, peas and asparagus about 4 minutes or cook in the microwave just until crisp-tender and still bright green. Set aside. Heat a large sautĂŠ pan over medium high heat; melt butter and add leek. Sweat the leek until white parts are translucent. Add half and half; cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken slightly. Reduce heat to low. Mix in pesto; keep warm. Cook spaghetti until al dentĂŠ, following package directions. Drain well; add to pan
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of warm pesto mixture and toss to coat. Gently mix in vegetables. Add salt and pepper. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 to 5 side servings. Pesto
This aromatic basil sauce contains parsley to help preserve the sauce’s green color; a few drops of lemon juice help too. Stir into pasta dishes, swirl into vegetable or bean soups and blend into deviled eggs, potato salad or mayonnaise. This recipe comes from A Taste of Italy (American Cooking Guild) by Susan F. Slack. 2 large garlic cloves, peeled 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves 1/4 packed cup fresh parsley sprigs 3 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted 1/4 cup freshly-grated imported Italian Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup virgin olive oil, or as needed 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Place garlic, basil, parsley, pine nuts and cheese in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process to chop ingredients. Slowly pour in oil to create a paste, adding more if needed. Add salt and use at once. Can be refrigerated 2 weeks in a jar with olive oil drizzled on top. Freeze for longer keeping.
Green Mashed Potatoes
A St. Patrick’s Day meal wouldn’t be complete without potatoes. One of Ireland’s beloved potato dishes is Colcannon, or mashed potatoes blended with cabbage, cooked kale or even broccoli. When mixed with green onions, the dish is known as Champ. A gold ring (for marriage) or a coin (for wealth) might be hidden inside the lumpy dish for lucky diners. Here are several delicious options for preparing your bowl of green Irish spuds. 1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes (2 large), peeled and cut into chunks 1/2 teaspoon salt, more if desired 1/3 cup half and half or milk (more if needed) 2 tablespoons butter or quality margarine 2 generous tablespoons sour cream 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh snipped chives or minced parsley black pepper, to taste grated Parmesan cheese or shredded cheddar cheese, if desired
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2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled, if desired vegetable add-in (choose one from the list below)
Choose and prepare one of the vegetable add-ins listed below; reserve. Put potatoes into a medium saucepan; cover with water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cover pan. Simmer potatoes 15 to 20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a knife. In a small pan or in the microwave, warm half and half and melt butter, together. Drain water from hot potatoes and put them into a bowl. Mash with a potato masher or fork, while drizzling in warm milk mixture. Stir in sour cream, chives, pepper and additional salt, if desired. Add in the reserved cooked vegetable, as directed. Scoop potatoes into a warm serving bowl and top with cheese and bacon or a pat of butter, if desired. Serves 4 to 5. Vegetable Add-Ins:
Stir in 1/2 to 3/4 pound young kale, cabbage or chard, cooked and chopped (wash fresh greens, remove any ribs, cook in salted water 4 to 6 minutes until tender yet bright green; rinse in ice water, squeeze out moisture and chop finely). The greens can also be sautĂŠed in olive oil with chopped onion and garlic until tender. Mash into the potatoes 1/2 pound steamed or microwaved-tender broccoli crowns. Broccoli should retain bright color after cooking. To make Champ, stir in one cup sliced spring onions that have been quickly sautĂŠed in 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in 1/2 box frozen spinach, thawed, briefly cooked, with water pressed out. Stir in 3 to 4 tablespoons home-made or prepared pesto, to taste.
Lime Shamrock Squares
You’ll know why Irish eyes are smiling when you taste these tangy lime dessert squares. The filling can also be baked in a 9-inch round crumb crust and served in wedges. 1 1/2 cups cookie crumbs (shortbread cookies, ginger snaps, vanilla wafers) 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons shredded coconut or finely chopped macadamia nuts 5 tablespoons melted butter 4 juicy Persian limes (for the zest, juice and garnish) 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 3 large egg yolks 1 drop green food coloring 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch salt 1/4 cup regular or low-fat sour cream 1/2 pint cold, heavy cream whipped with 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla thin slivers of lime zest for decoration
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine cookie crumbs, sugar and coconut; mix in melted butter. Pat crumbs into an 8-inch-square baking pan. Bake for 5
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minutes; cool. Grate zest from 1 lime; add to a mixing bowl. Squeeze 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons juice from the limes and add to bowl. Whisk in condensed milk, egg yolks, green color, vanilla and salt. Add sour cream; whisk just until smooth. Pour into crust; bake 12 to 14 minutes. Cool for 1/2 hour. Chill at least 1 hour; top with whipped cream. Refrigerate or freeze until serving time. Decorate with lime zest. Makes 9 squares.
Irish Kiss
If you’re not a beer drinker, try an Irish Kiss – a festive drink that sparkles with champagne. 1/2 cup sugar green food coloring 1 lime, cut in half 4 ounces Korbel California Brut Champagne 1 ounces Midori Melon Liqueur thin lime slices or a lime curl, for garnish
In a small bowl, combine sugar with 2 drops green food coloring. Mix well to blend color evenly. Rub a champagne flute rim with a cut lime half, then dip into the green sugar. Fill glass with champagne and melon liqueur. Garnish drink and serve at once.
Leprechaun Dust for Kids
Your little ones will be fascinated watching the “leprechaun dust” turn into green pudding. Prepare one jar or several, depending on the number of kids. 1 3.4-ounce box pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix about 1 1/2 cups milk 6 empty, clean baby food jars with lids Put one heaping measuring tablespoon of the “leprechaun dust” (pudding mix) into a jar for each child. Pour 1/4 cup milk into each jar; cover jars tightly with the lids. Have the children shake the jars until the pudding turns green and becomes slightly thickened. Serve with small spoons. Serves 6. Variations: Sprinkle pudding mix over Cool Whip in small bowls or into appropriate foods. For more ways to add a little green to your St. Patrick’s Day festivities visit www.columbiametro.com.
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CAROLINA HOME
Rainy Day Boredom Busters
Creative ways to entertain the kids indoors By Janey Goude / Photography by Jeff Amberg
“w
hen the children can’t go outside, they follow me around announcing how bored they are,” shares Mandy Dufries, a Lexington mom of four. “Sometimes they aren’t bored at all. They are just so wired that they don’t know where to focus their energy, so I have to find a way to focus it on one activity at a time.” Many parents feel like Mandy, sometimes wanting to pull their hair out at the end of rainy days. It’s easy to get in the same old routine when the kids can’t go run outside. This time, instead of putting the kids in front of the video games, have fun with some of these creative ideas.
Cuddle Up
Rain makes for better sleep and repeated taps on the alarm’s snooze
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Ethan, 7, MacKenzie, 13, Allie, 7, and Sarah, 10, enjoy making forts under the kitchen table on rainy days.
button. “Rainy days make me feel like staying in bed curled up under my blanket where it is warm and dry,” Mandy admits. “Sometimes my kids feel the same way. They just want to watch television all day.” A rainy day movie fest provides low-key family time. Lexington grandmother Ruth Varner enjoys reading storybooks to her grandchildren. “They like a good story any time. They also love interactive books like the I Spy series.”
Get Wet
“Kids love to be outdoors, rain or shine,” says Michelle Woods, a Chapin mother of four. “Why not put on rain coats and boots and go for a walk? As long as it’s just raining and not thundering or lightning, there’s no harm done.” Depending on the time of year, rain gear is optional. “If it’s not stormy or
too cold, I let my boys put on bathing suits and play in the rain,” says Mary Beth Shumpert, mother of two.
Bake Off
“Although I don’t have little ones around the house any more, when they were at home on rainy days, we would make cookies or cinnamon rolls from leftover biscuit dough or have good oldfashioned taffy pulls,” remembers Buffy Crabtree, a Columbia grandmother. Ruth also enjoys rainy day cookie baking with her grandchildren. “They love to stir, lick and eat!” “We bake anything from cookies to bread to homemade pizza,” says Michelle. Mandy uses refrigerated pizza dough cut into individual-sized pieces for a decorate-your-own pizza party. “You could even have a taste contest to see whose pizza tastes best,” she says.
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Ruth also uses rainy days to make some special treats that don’t require baking. “We pop and eat popcorn. They also like to toast marshmallows in the fireplace,” she says. Since just a few minutes of flame produces an ooey-gooey marshmallow, gas fireplaces can accommodate this tasty treat year-round. Cake or cookie decorating is popular with budding culinary artists. “Divide a rectangular cake into equal pieces,” suggests Mandy. “Let the children decorate their individual cakes with frosting and different colored tubes of icing and sprinkles.” Mandy used peanut butter play dough to make a topographical map of South Carolina. “We used M&Ms and Skittles to designate different counties and Twizzlers for highways. Blue icing made the bodies of water.”
“Another favorite rainy day activity is to play ‘Fancy Restaurant,’” says Melodie. “One child dresses as the chef and the other as the waitress. They take our ‘orders’ for what we would like to eat and then enjoy serving us as their patrons.” Girls enjoy giving fashion shows with clothes, makeup and hairstyles. Little girls can practice their beautician skills on dolls. Moms can join in the fun to play reality beauty shop – like Buffy: “I used the indoor time to give my daughter a perm.” Kids love creating puppet shows. Mandy explains how to set the stage: “Drape a blanket or sheet over a small table. Have the children hide behind the table and perform their puppet show.” If pre-made puppets aren’t available, old socks or paper lunch bags will do in a pinch. Use markers and any craft materials to make animals, people or even characters from their favorite stories. Children never grow tired of the old standbys like house, cowboys, school, grocery store and police. Baby dolls are also good for hours of makebelieve fun.
Fort Rainy Day On the Table or On Cheryl Wolfe, a Chapin the Floor grandmother, recalls, “When my boys were young, they would get out all of my dining chairs and put quilts, sheets or blankets over them to make forts and tunnels – or whatever their little minds could think up.” Some activities never go out of vogue. Mandy also enjoys tent-making escapades with her children. “We drape sheets or blankets over a table. The kids sit under the fort and have an indoor camping trip. They tell stories and use flashlights to make shadow puppets.”
Unleash Your Imagination
“My kids’ favorite rainy day activities involve a great deal of imagination,” says Melodie Griffin, a Lexington mother of three. “The prep time is as fun as the event – especially when the event is one of their variety shows.”
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“When my son was really young, he loved for me to stack up his building blocks so he could knock them down with his cars and trucks,” recalls Columbia grandmother Brenda Gable. “When he was a little older he liked to construct spaceships with Lego kits.” Ruth shares, “For the grandchildren who are kinderg arten-aged, we designate a table for puzzles that can be worked on throughout the day.” Buffy remembers sitting around a table with her children putting together puzzles. “We also played board games and cards,” says Buffy.
Communicating through Creative Art
“Rainy days are a great time to keep in touch with loved ones,” says Michelle. “You can include artwork
that your children created while the rain drops fall. Snail mail has become a thing of the past, but don’t we all love to open the mail box to see we’ve received a hand-written letter or card?” Ruth shares, “My grandkids like to make crayon pictures or a crayoned card for a relative or friend.” Brenda and her daughter enjoyed twodimensional art projects, “We created major messes with glitter, glue and construction paper.” Michelle kicks it up another notch into 3-D. “My kids like to paint and make clay creations, which can be a little messy. But in 20 years, what will it matter? They will remember the fun they had.” Tiny hands can mold play dough more easily than clay. If you find yourself rained in, homemade play dough recipes are only a Google away. Stock a bin with craft materials like googly eyes, faux fur, feathers, sequins, cotton, popsicle sticks, ribbon and yarn. On a rainy day, pull out the bin and let your kids’ creative streaks go wild as they make things like bookmarks, pictures and cards. Include a special message to encourage a nursing home resident, a friend recovering from illness or an elderly neighbor who can’t leave home. Younger kids enjoy making paper chains. Most commonly used to countdown Christmas, they can also be used for counting down birthdays, field trips, summer vacation, or any special event. Use ribbon instead of paper for a fancier look the child can use to decorate his or her room. Fabric paints are a fun alternative to use on old purses, hats or shirts. Jewels can be attached while the paint is wet. Older children can spend hours scrapbooking. Smaller project books can be completed in a day, making a treasured surprise for grandparents or friends. To contain the craft time mess, lay down plenty of newspaper or paper bags. When the glittering, painting and clay creating are finished, just fold up the paper and toss it in the trash.
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Inside Out
“I have discovered that on rainy days my kids love to play in the garage,” says Michelle. “So I back my van out and they ride their scooters and roller skates for hours.” Gina Lane, Lexington mom of two, agrees. “Being in the garage satisfies my kids’ need to go outside when they can’t. They ride their tricycles and color with sidewalk chalk on the garage floor.” The garage is also the perfect space for messy crafts. A space heater warms a closed garage during cooler weather.
Around the House
Michelle uses rainy days to get organized. “A little organization can go a long way! Rainy days are the perfect time to sort through seasonal clothes, organize closets and stow away hand-me-downs for the next child in line.” For those naturally messy kids, practicing tidying up their bedrooms is always helpful. Break the chore into small tasks. Set a timer for each task. Have a small reward for each task completed before the timer goes off. Set an overall goal (80 percent of tasks performed in one hour) with a larger reward. “Because we were a military family, we moved quite a bit,” remembers Brenda. “There were always home improvement projects to do. Rainy days were the perfect time to work on a kitchen remodel.”
Armed and Ready
Now that your mind is swimming with ideas, make your own “My Kids Are Bored” list. Begin with the activities listed here and add your own. If your kids are old enough, let them make their own lists. The next time rain comes, you’ll be armed with creative ideas to while away the hours.
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NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
New Home Communities 1. Baneberry Place Price Range of New Homes: $127,990 - $189,840 School District: Lexington 1 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Eric McCord, (803) 356-1544 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-20 West to Exit 51/Longs Pond Rd. Turn left onto Longs Pond Rd. and continue to community entrance on right. 2. Beasley Creek Price Range of New Homes: $150,990 - $260,480 School District: Richland 2 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Deronda Lucas & John Bray, (803) 735-1203 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-77 North to Exit 24/Wilson Blvd. Turn left onto Wilson Blvd, then right onto Turkey Farm Rd. Beasley Creek is ahead on the left. 3. Blythecreek Price Range of New Homes: mid-$130,000s - $200,000 School District: Richland 2 Midlands Realtors, LLC Steve Applewhite, (803) 309-2023 Kendrick Chiles, (803) 730-9553 www.midlandsrealtors.com Directions: Take I-77 North to Exit 27/Blythewood Rd. Turn right onto Blythewood Rd., then left at light onto Boney Rd. Blythecreek is 1.5 miles ahead on the left. 4. Congaree Downs Price Range of New Homes: $109,990 - $156,490 School District: Lexington 2 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Alicia White & Jeannie Michaels, (803) 755-0406 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-26 East to Exit 113 toward SC-302/Columbia Airport/Cayce. Turn right onto Ramblin Rd. and continue 1 mile to community entrance on left. 5. Courtside Commons Price Range of New Homes: $104,900 - $119,900 School District: Lexington 1 US Properties – SC, Ltd. Deborah C. Hall, (803) 234-7810 www.courtsidecommons.com Directions: Take I-26 East to Exit 111/ US Hwy 1 to Lexington. Turn right onto Oak Drive at Barnyard
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Flea Market. Community is .25 mile on left next to Lexington Tennis Facility. 6. Creek Ridge Price Range of New Homes: $200,000 and up Price Range of Lots: $33,500 - $66,900 School District: Richland 2 Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Peggy Fowler, (803) 600-5741 www.creekridgeblythewood.com Directions: Take I-77 North to Exit 27/Blythewood. Turn right and go to second light. Turn left onto Wilson Blvd. to immediate right on Langford. At first light, travel 4.5 miles to left on Grover Wilson, 3.5 miles to right on Bear Creek, .5 mile to right on N.E. Miles to right into Ridge Creek. 7. Dawson’s Park Price Range of New Homes: $99,900 - $147,900 School District: Lexington 1 Midlands Realtors, LLC Donna Reed, (803) 422-4700 www.midlandsrealtors.com Directions: Take Highway 1 away from Lexington. Community is .5 mile from Lexington High School on the right. 8. Eagle Pointe Price Range of New Homes: $130,000 - $170,000 School District: Lexington 5 Great Southern Homes Bill Guess, (803) 360-0941 www.gshomes.gs Directions: Take I-26 West to Exit 91 and turn left toward Chapin. Go approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Lexington Ave. Go approximately 2.5 miles and turn right onto Stucks Point Drive. Eagle Pointe will be .25 mile on the left. 9. Eagles Rest at Lake Murray Price Range of New Homes: $204,990 - $265,480 School District: Lexington 5 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Donna Stevens, (803) 407-3708 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-26 West to Exit 101A/Ballentine/White Rock/US 176. Merge onto Dutch Fork Rd., then left on Johnson Marina Rd. and left on Richard Franklin Rd. to community entrance on right.
10. Eagles Rest at Lake Murray Garden Homes Price Range of New Homes: $214,990 - $236,990 School District: Lexington 5 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Vickie Proper, (803) 732-5950 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-26 West to Exit 101A/Ballentine/White Rock/US 176. Merge onto Dutch Fork Rd., then left on Johnson Marina Rd. and left on Richard Franklin Rd. to community entrance on right. 11. Eve’s Garden Price Range of New Homes: $250,000 - $364,000 School District: Kershaw County Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS ® Novella Taylor, (803) 730-3738 www.NovellaTaylor.com Directions: Take I-20 East to Exit 98. Turn left toward Camden, then right at Black River Rd. 12. GreenHill Parish Price Range of New Homes: $325,000 - $600,000 Price Range of Lots: $35,000 - $80,000 School District: Richland 2 Manning Kirk & Associates Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Barbara Puffenbarger, (803) 699-0015 www.greenhillparish.com Directions: Take I-20 East to Exit 82/Spears Creek Church Rd. Turn left onto Spears Creek Church Rd., and continue 2 miles to GreenHill Parish entrance on right. 13. Haigs Creek Price Range of New Homes: $270,000 - $360,000 Price Range of Lots: $40,000 - $48,000 School District: Kershaw County Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc. Shelba Wooten Mattox, (803) 600-0527 www.haigscreek.com Directions: Take I-20 East to Exit 87, left onto White Pond Rd., right onto Whiting Way (frontage road) and left into Haigs Creek. Follow the new homes signs to new construction. 14. Indigo Place Price Range of New Homes: $109,900
indicates a natural gas community
School District: Lexington 2 Midlands Realtors, LLC Bridget Biviano, (803) 479-8349 www.midlandsrealtors.com Directions: Take I-77 South to Gaston Exit. Go straight across Charleston Highway (Hwy 321) onto Fish Hatchery Rd. Indigo Place is .5 mile ahead on right. 15. Indigo Springs Price Range of New Homes: $150,000 - $230,000 School District: Richland 2 Great Southern Homes Debi Burke, (803) 546-9000 www.gshomes.gs Directions: Take I-20 East to Exit 80 and turn left onto Clemson Rd. Go approximately four miles and turn right at Summit Parkway. Turn right onto Timber Crest. At stop sign, turn left and then right onto Indigo Springs Drive. 16. Jacob’s Creek Price Range of New Homes: $120,000 - $250,000 School District: Richland 2 Great Southern Homes Robert Perry, (803) 360-9165 www.gshomes.gs Directions: Take I-20 East to Exit 82 and turn left onto Spears Creek Church Rd. Jacob’s Creek is approximately 3 miles ahead on the right. 17. Jasmine Place Price Range of New Homes: $114,000 - $208,300 School District: Richland 1 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Christine Landers & Sharon Thomas, (803) 754-0674 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-77 North to Exit 19/Farrow Rd. Turn left on Farrow Rd. then left on Hardscrabble Rd. Community entrance is ahead on right. 18. Kelsney Ridge Price Range of New Homes: $160,000s - $300,000 School District: Kershaw County ERA Wilder Realty Ken Queen, (803) 600-3361 Directions: Take Two Notch/Hwy 1 north to just over Kershaw County
line. Turn right on Steven Campbell Rd. Go approximately 1 mile to Kelsney Ridge on left. 19. Lake Carolina Price Range of New Homes: $140,000s to $2,000,000+ School District: Richland 2 Lake Carolina Properties, (803) 736-5253 www.LakeCarolina.com Directions: Take I-77 North to Exit 22/Killian Rd. and turn right. Killian Rd. will become Clemson Rd. At the third light, turn left onto Hardscrabble Rd. Continue for 2.5 miles. Turn right into Lake Carolina. Please proceed to the Information Center for your personal tour of Lake Carolina. 20. Lake Frances Price Range of New Homes: $150,000 - $220,000 School District: Lexington 1 Great Southern Homes Beth Gardner, (803) 360-3599 www.gshomes.gs Directions: Take Blossom St. Bridge and continue to follow SC215/US-176/US-21/US-321. Take slight right at Airport Blvd/ SC302. Go approximately 5.5 miles and turn right onto Ramblin Rd. Lake Frances is on the left. 21. The Landings at Night Harbor Price Range of New Homes: $215,000 - $235,000 Price Range of Lots: $39,000 School District: Lexington 5 ERA Wilder Realty Debbie Erdman, (803) 917-3521 www.landingsatnight harbor.com Directions: Take I-26 West to Exit 91/Columbia Ave., toward Chapin for 2.1 miles. Continue through the light and you will be on Amick’s Ferry Rd., continuing 5.4 miles. Turn left on Green Meadow Drive then turn left into Night Harbor and take an immediate right to the sales center. 22. Longtown Place Price Range of New Homes: $195,090 - $251,580 School District: Richland 2
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Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Amanda Little, (803) 732-1515 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-77 North to Exit 22/Killian Rd. Turn right onto Killian Rd. and take to end. Turn left onto Longtown Rd. and continue to community entrance on the left. 23. Orchard Pointe Price Range of New Homes: $200,000 - $375,000 School District: Lexington 1 Sycamore Development, LLC, (803) 788-8300 Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS速 Jean Reed, (803) 358-1158 www.orchardpointe.info, www.cbunited.com Directions: Take I-20 to Highway 378 West toward Lexington/Lake Murray Dam. Turn left onto Mineral Springs Rd. Orchard Pointe is 1.2 miles ahead on the right.
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24. Paradise Cove on Lake Murray Price Range of New Homes: $299,000 - $700,000+ School District: Lexington/ Richland 5 ERA Wilder Realty Todd Beckstrom, (803) 719-2090 www.paradisecovelake murray.com Directions: Take I-26 West to Exit 91/Chapin. Turn left over interstate and follow Columbia Ave. through Chapin. Go straight at stoplight, Amicks Ferry Rd. and veer to right after one mile. Continue on Amicks Ferry Rd. for approximately 2.1 miles and turn right on Crystal Lake Rd. Follow to end on left. 25. Peach Grove Villas Price Range of New Homes: $199,000 - $275,000 School District: Richland 2 Epcon Columbia Daniel Elmaleh,
(803) 223-9545 www.peachgrovevillas.com Directions: Take I-20 West to Exit 80. Turn left onto Clemson Rd. Go 1.5 miles (towards the Village at Sandhill) and turn right onto Earth Rd. Peach Grove Villas is located on the right just before the entrance to Woodcreek Farms. 26. Rabons Farm Price Range of New Homes: $84,900 - $155,000 School District: Richland 2 Great Southern Homes Jody Styron, (803) 360-1558 www.gshomes.gs Directions: Take Bull St./SC-277 North and go approximately 9 miles. Take the Farrow Rd. exit and turn left. Turn right at Rabon Rd., slight left to stay on Rabon Rd. Turn left at Flora Dr. Turn Right at Rabons Springs Rd. 27. Saddlebrook Price Range of New Homes: $140,000s - $220,000s
School District: Kershaw County ERA Wilder Realty Charlie Thomas, (803) 413-9607 Directions: Take Two Notch Rd./ Hwy 1 North. Go through Elgin, approximately 3 miles. Saddlebrook will be on the left. 28. Saluda River Club Price Range of New Homes: $190,000 - $1,000,000+ School District: Lexington 1 Saluda River Club Realty, LLC Bridget Downing, Kathy Seymour & Ted Johnson, (803) 358-3969 www.saludariverclub.com Directions: Take I-20 West to Exit 61/Hwy 378. Turn right and take immediate right onto Corley Mill Rd. The entrance to Saluda River Club is located 1.5 miles down Corley Mill Rd. on the right.
29. Stonemont Price Range of New Homes: $203,990 - $265,980 School District: Lexington/ Richland 5 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Darlene Reese, (803) 732-1515 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-26 West to Exit 101A/Ballentine/White Rock. Turn right onto Koon Rd. to community entrance on left. 30. Summer Lake Price Range of New Homes: $285,000 - $800,000 School District: Lexington 1 Southern Visions Realty, Inc. Anne Wilkins Brooks, (803) 359-9571 www.svrealty.com Directions: Take I-20 to Hwy 378. Take Hwy 378 West through Lexington approximately 4 miles. Summer Lake is on the right just past the Piggly Wiggly.
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31. Wellesley Price Range of New Homes: $149,990 - $207,300 School District: Lexington 1 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Matt Shealy & Brantley Jones, (803) 957-3290 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-20 West to Exit 61/US 378 toward Lexington. Merge right on US 378 and turn left at first light onto Ginny Ln. Continue to community ahead on right. 32. Westcott Ridge Price Range of New Homes: Patio Homes $180,000 - $250,000; Traditional $300,000 - $500,000 School District: Lexington/ Richland 5 Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Rhonda Jacobs Walsh, (803) 781-6552 www.westcottridge.com Directions: Take I-26 West to Exit 97/ Peak. Veer Right on Hwy 176. Westcott
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Ridge is on the left, across from Waterfall subdivision. 33. Willow Tree Price Range of New Homes: $114,000 - $208,300 School District: Richland 1 Shumaker Homes, (803) 787-HOME Angelia Jefferson, (803) 783-7183 www.ShumakerHomes.com Directions: Take I-77 North to Exit 9/Garners Ferry Rd./US 378. Turn right on Garners Ferry Rd., left on Trotter Rd., left on Caughman Rd. and right onto Ulmer Rd. Continue to community entrance ahead on left.
This listing is provided by the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia.
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LOCAL SEEN
Mike Speers restored his beloved MGB-GT, which has become the family’s favorite car.
The Undeniable Love Affair MEN AND THEIR CARS
By Robin Cowie Nalepa / Photography by Jeff Amberg
T
he attraction is undeniable. Some simply appreciate fine curves. Others look to find “the one.” Still others never get over their first. Men and their cars can be a complicated (and sometimes humorous) relationship. Take a look at three Columbia car owners to see what makes their vehicles so special.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN Mike Speers’s car tales might strike some as misadventures. But one only
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needs to see the easy smile stretch across his face to know that Mike’s classic – and at times temperamental – British sportster captured a piece of Mike’s heart a long time ago. Mike’s father originally purchased the 1967 MGB-GT new for $3,198. The acquisition caught Mike by surprise, as his father was exceptionally conservative, fiscally and otherwise. A slick, mod coupe in British racing green seemed a bit outside the lines. Yet, Mike’s parents took great pleasure in driving their MGB-GT. Mike, too,
loved it when his dad would occasionally turn over the keys. He loved the way the car handled and how he could float through curves “defying gravity.” He loved the long nose and sleek lines of the car he’d dreamed of since boyhood. “It was a thrill to drive,” says Mike. “I thought I was a racecar driver. I loved to see what it would do.” Upon Mike’s return to Columbia from a military tour in Vietnam in the early 1970s, his father gifted him the car. Mike drove the car through college and into his professional life. He met and married
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his wife, Marcie. The car remained their primary means of transportation. Alas, it wasn’t always a smooth ride. They kept a hammer in the backseat in case the battery needed a good knock before starting. If that didn’t work, a few jumps on the bumper were in order. “It would take you anywhere you wanted to go, but it wouldn’t always bring you back,” says Mike. Once, Mike and Marcie decided to attend the Carolina Cup in Camden and thought they would arrive in style driving the MGBGT. Unfortunately, a teeth-jarring wheel vibration prevented the Speerses from exceeding 30 mph. “It’s a long way to Camden from Columbia going that speed,” laughs Marcie. Things got more than a little bumpy when the line of traffic headed to the races stretched far, far behind the MGBGT on two-lane Highway 1. On another occasion, Mike was asked to give the vice president of his company a ride home. As he drove the car, his boss sitting shotgun, Mike felt the plastic steering wheel cracking in his hands. He delivered his charge to his destination, but awkwardly deflected the parting handshake, holding the wheel together just long enough to get out of sight. Besides being predictably unreliable, the car became impractical as the Speers family grew to include two daughters. Soon the MGB- GT became a dustcollecting garage decoration. For nine years it sat. Mike couldn’t bring himself to sell it. Eventually, he moved the car to the junkyard of a local auto shop, Sussex Motors, where it became the home for a family of squirrels. Still he wouldn’t sell. Mike’s chosen career was in international sales. Marcie recalls he worked long hours, traveled often and had no hobbies. She encouraged him to
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restore his beloved MGB-GT. Mike, who doesn’t fancy himself much of a tool guy, worked with a mechanic at Sussex Motors – the same mechanic his father used for original maintenance of the car nearly 30 years prior. The nine-month restoration project, completed in 1997, overhauled the car with a rebuilt engine, stripped and repaired body and an all-new leather interior.
the car, even though Marcie mainly drives it now. In fact, Mike has grown increasingly fond of his convertible 1964 Austin Healy 3000. However, if one of the cars needed to go, it wouldn’t be the MGB-GT. Mike and Marcie’s now grown daughters, who once referred to it as the “clown car,” want to keep it in the family. Too, the car is a connection to Mike’s father who lived into his 90s and continued to love riding in the car he originally owned. Mike says unlike the cars of today, the old sportster has character. The lines, the handling and the beauty of the MGB-GT leave an impression. No doubt, however, it’s the 43 years of adventures that make Mike’s car so special.
Ray Dent’s 1999 Corvette C5 looks like a silver streak on the highway and a piece of art when it’s parked.
Soon after, Mike and Marcie took their again-stylish car and joined a local auto club, the British Car Club Midlands Centre. There they met others with a love of British cars and their quirky ways. Marcie says the club continues to offers Mike “play dates and playmates.” Mike says it offers him a social circle, a chance to talk cars and swap parts and advice. The Speerses now travel to car shows around the country, where the MGB-GT has collected a number of people’s choice awards. Sometimes they drive it. Other times they trailer it, depending on the distance and the time of year. While the car is fully restored and dependable, it still has no air conditioning, lacks the comforts of a modern car and continues to present unique challenges – like melted shoe soles. An Americanized steering column combined with British engineering places the scorching exhaust pipe only inches under the driver’s feet. Mike has no thoughts of ever selling
PROUD PAPA
A bumper sticker on the wall of Ray Dent’s garage reads, “Bad Boys drive Bad Toys.” Yet, while the car Ray drives could make him one bad dude, he acts more like a proud papa. Ray owns a 1999 Corvette C5. Convertible. Sleek. Powerful. It looks like a silver streak on the highway and a piece of art when it’s parked. The special tiger shark nose and tail package adds a sense of menace to the dynamic exterior lines. The interior resembles a leather-clad cockpit. Once started, the machine seems to respond to its driver’s wishes in milliseconds – accelerating, cornering, stopping. “It does everything I ask of it,” says Ray. The car flies low to the ground, smoothly, until Ray asks more of the engine. With a press of the pedal, it roars and steadily eats up the miles. “When I get on it, it’ll make some noise,” says Ray, grinning. Ray bought the C5 new in 1999. He since has invested thousands in upgrades, time and TLC. “Baby,” as the car is affectionately
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known, receives the kind of care one might bestow on, well, a baby. Ray parks it protectively in the garage atop a Corvette floor decal, the doors padded from damage by cushions on the wall. Specialty cleaning supplies stock no less than four storage shelves. He uses no-lint towels as soft as baby blankets to wash and polish the car whenever it needs it. (Once he washed it four times in a week.) Only 100-percent cotton towels will do for drying. Ray changes the oil every 3,000 miles. The car even has its own birthmark of sorts. Ray commissioned a colorful tiger shark painting on the inside hood, along with a “sports car graveyard” depicting Ferraris, Mustangs, Vipers and other cars beaten by Corvettes in certain racing circuits. Until recently Ray served as the president of the Capitol City Corvette Club of Columbia. He and his long-term girlfriend, Stacey Shugart, are well-versed in all things Corvette. They rattle off
the names of Corvette engineers, plant managers and racecar drivers with ease. Ray’s car is a showpiece and has shelves of trophies to prove it, yet he insists on driving it wherever he can. Often he and Stacey pack it up and head to car shows and Corvette events from Key West to Bowling Green, Ky., also known as “Mecca” to Corvette enthusiasts. While Ray wouldn’t think of locking his car up in a trailer, he says he is always watching and driving defensively. Others don’t treat Baby with the same care he does. Minivan moms assume he will yield the right of way and pull out in front of him. Kids in “rice burners” pull up along side and want to race. The radar detector is just there to keep him honest, he says. He knows there’s no hiding in a line of traffic in a car like his, no matter the speed. However, he did have the opportunity to run his car several laps at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte during a 2009
Hot rods, sports cars or racers:
whatever your flavor, the Midlands has a car-enthusiast group just for you. Here are just a few: British Car Club - Midlands Centre www.bccmc.com BMW Car Club of America, South Carolina www.sandlapperbmw.org Capitol City Corvette Club www.capitolcitycorvetteclub.com Central Carolina Mopar Club www.centralcarolinamoparclub.com Central Carolina Region - Sports Car Club of America www.ccrscca.com Central SC Mustang club www.oldride.com/clubs/561665236.html Jeep Clubs www.jeepn.com/jeep-clubs.htm Porsche Club of America Palmetto Region www.pcapalmetto.org Mercedes Benz Club of America Carolinas http://mbcacarolinas.web.officelive.com The Carolina Jaguar Club www.jcna.com/clubs/main.php?club=se21&Vref=se21
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kick-off event for the 15th anniversary of the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky. Still, he insists, “We’re polishers, not racers.”
MUSCLE MEMORY When Kevin Milliken drives down the road in his Chevy Chevelle, people notice. One SUV driver cranes his neck to get a good look at the smoke-gray beauty. Another driver hears the car’s 450horsepower engine rumbling up behind and stares in the rearview mirror at the black racing stripes and cowl hood. Often Kevin gets a thumbs-up sign. Frequently he catches looks of admiration. “It’s the kind of thing you get used to,” says Kevin, “when you own a classic muscle car.” As a teenager in the late 60s and early 70s, Kevin loved working on cars with his friends. “We’d wheel and deal and fix them up,” he says. Kevin and his friends also traded their hot rods without a thought to their future value. As Kevin grew older he vowed to again own a muscle car. His chance came in fall 2009. Kevin bought the fully restored 1970 Chevelle from a motivated seller in Pennsylvania. The car had undergone a full-body, 360-degree restoration. Yet, Kevin wanted to do more to make the car his own. He converted the fuel system, gutted the inside, reupholstered the seats and added sound-deadening material in the walls of the car to give it a more solid feel. Originally, the car would have sold new for around $5,000. Now it’s worth about five times that much. Yet for Kevin it isn’t about the money. It’s about the nostalgia and the way the car makes him feel. He just has a thing for old cars. “I get pleasure cleaning it or just sitting in it in the driveway,” he says. He also has fun taking it out of town to deserted back roads and seeing how it performs. Kevin regrets the speedometer only goes to 120 m.p.h. Regardless, Kevin declares, “It’s my dream car.”
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GOOD EATS
Restaurant Guide DOWNTOWN & THE VISTA AMERICAN Bernie’s $ B,L,D 1311 Bluff Rd., 256-2888 Biscuit House $ B 1019 Bluff Rd., 256-0958 Blue Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge $ Voted Best Cocktail 721 A Lady St., 251-4447 Finlay’s Restaurant $$ B,L,D 1200 Hampton St. (in the Columbia Marriott), 771-7000 Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries $ L, D Voted Best French Fries Voted Best Hamburger 931 Senate St., 799-0441 Flying Saucer $ L,D 931 Senate St., 933-999 Gervais & Vine $$ D Voted Best Wine Menu 620-A Gervais St., 799-VINE Hunter-Gatherer Brewery $$ L,D 900 Main St., 748-0540 Liberty Taproom & Grill $$ L,D 828 Gervais St., 461-4677 Mac’s on Main $ L,D 1710 Main St., 929-0037 Ruth’s Chris Steak House $$$ L,D Voted Best Steak 924-A Senate St. (at the Hilton), 212-6666 ASIAN M. Café $$ L,D 1417 Sumter St., 779-5789 Miyo’s Fine Shanghai & Szechuan Cuisine $$ L,D Voted Best Chinese Restaurant 922 S. Main St., 779-MIYO COFFEE/DESSERT Immaculate Consumption $ B,L 933 Main St., 799-9053 Nonnah’s $ L,D Voted Best Dessert 930 Gervais St., 779-9599 DELI Cloud Nine Market $ L 916 Gervais St., 256-0043
Cool Beans! Coffee Co. $ B,L,D 1217 College St., 779-4277 No Name Deli $ L 2042 Marion St., 242-0480 FINE DINING Columbo’s $$ B,L,D, SBR 2100 Bush River Rd. (in the Radisson), 744-2200 Hampton Street Vineyard $$$ L,D 1201 Hampton St., 252-0850 Hennessy’s $$ L,D 1649 Main St., 799-8280 Motor Supply Co. Bistro $$ L,D Voted Best Sunday Brunch 920 Gervais St., 256-6687 P.O.S.H. $$ B,L,D 1400 Main St. (at the Sheraton), 988-1400 Ristorante Divino $$$ D Voted Best Fine Dining Restaurant 803 Gervais St., 799-4550 ITALIAN Mellow Mushroom $ L,D 1009 Gervais St., 933-9201 Villa Tronco $$ L,D Voted Best Italian Restaurant 1213 Blanding St., 256-7677 NATURAL/HEALTH Garden Bistro $ B,L 923 Gervais St., 933-9085 Nice-N-Natural $ L 1217 College St., 799-3471 Zoe’s $ L Voted Best Bang for the Buck 1320 Main St., 771-0122 SEAFOOD Blue Marlin $-$$ L,D Voted Best Grits Voted Best Seafood Restaurant 1200 Lincoln St., 799-3838 The Oyster Bar $-$$ D 1123 Park St., 799-4484 SOUTHERN 300 Senate at the Canal $-$$ L 300 Senate St., 748-8909 Lizard’s Thicket $ B,L,D Voted Best Family Restaurant 818 Elmwood Ave., 779-6407
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KEY $ - $10 or less $$ - $11 to $20 $$$ - $21 and up
Columbia Metropolitan’s 2010 Best of Columbia contest winners are in red.
STEAK Longhorn Steakhouse $-$$ L,D 902-A Gervais St., 254-5100
The Gourmet Shop $ B,L Voted Best Chicken Salad 724 Saluda Ave., 799-3705
SUSHI Camon Japanese Restaurant $$$ D 1332 Assembly St., 254-5400
Groucho’s Deli $ L,D Voted Best Sandwich 611 Harden St., 799-5708
SakiTumi $$ L,D 807 Gervais St., 931-0700 WINGS Carolina Wings $ L,D 600 Gervais St., 256-8844 Wild Wing Cafe $ L,D Voted Best Wings 729 Lady St., 252-9464
FIVE POINTS & DEVINE STREET AMERICAN Cellar on Greene $-$$ D 2001-D Greene St., 343-3303 Goatfeather’s $-$$ D, SBR 2017 Devine St., 256-3325 Granville’s $-$$ L,D 2865 Devine St., 779-3277 Harper’s Restaurant $-$$ L,D 700 Harden St., 252-2222 Mr. Friendly’s $$-$$$ L,D Voted Best Restaurant in Columbia 2001-A Greene St., 254-7828 Salty Nut $ L,D 2000-A Greene St., 256-4611 Top of Carolina $$-$$$, L (Fri only), SBR 902 Barnwell St., 777-7919 or 777-0848 Yesterday’s $$ L,D 2030 Devine St., 799-0196 ASIAN Baan Sawan $$$ D 2135 Devine St., 252-8992 Egg Roll Chen $ L,D 715 Crowson Rd., 787-6820 DELI Andy’s Deli $ L,D 2005 Greene St., 799-2639 DiPrato’s $ L,D, SBR 342 Pickens St., 779-0606
B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner SBR - Sunday Brunch
FINE DINING Dianne’s on Devine $$$ D Voted Best Business Lunch 2400 Devine St., 254-3535 GERMAN Julia’s German Stammtisch $$ L,D 4341 Ft. Jackson Blvd., 738-0630 GREEK Devine Foods $ L,D 2702 Devine St., 252-0356 INDIAN India Pavilion $ L,D 2011 Devine St., 252-4355 IRISH Delaney’s $ L,D 741 Saluda Ave., 779-2345 ITALIAN Garibaldi’s $$$ D Voted Best Wait Staff 2013 Greene St., 771-8888 MEXICAN El Burrito $ L,D 934 Harden St., 765-2188 Eric’s San Jose $ L,D Voted Best Mexican Restaurant 6118 Garners Ferry Rd., 783-6650 NATURAL/HEALTH Mediterranean Tea Room $ L,D 2601 Devine St., 799-3118 PIZZA LaBrasca $ L,D 4365 Jackson Blvd., 782-1098 Village Idiot $ L,D 2009 Devine St., 252-8646 Za’s Brick Oven Pizza $ L,D Voted Best Pizza 2930 Devine St., 771-7334 SOUTHERN Lizard’s Thicket $ B,L,D Voted Best Family Restaurant 7938 Garners Ferry Rd., 647-0095 SUSHI Saky $-$$ D 4963 Jackson Blvd., 787-5307
Sushi Yoshi $ D 2019 Devine St., 931-0555
NORTHEAST AMERICAN 5 Guys Famous Burgers & Fries $ L,D Voted Best French Fries Voted Best Hamburger 460-2 Town Center Place, 788-6200 Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar $$$ L, D 841-4 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-6966 Village Bistro $$ L,D,SBR 498-1 Town Center Place, 227-2710 DELI Groucho’s Deli $ L,D Voted Best Sandwich • 111 Sparkleberry Ln., 419-6767 • 730 University Village Dr., 754-4509 Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery $ B,L Voted Best Bakery 8502 E Two Notch Rd., 736-CAKE FINE DINING Arizona’s $$$ L,D 150 Forum Dr., 865-1001 GREEK Zorba’s $ L,D Voted Best Greek Restaurant 2628 Decker Blvd., 736-5200 ITALIAN Travinia Italian Kitchen $$ L,D Voted Best Restaurant in Northeast 101 Sparkleberry Crossing, 419-9313 MEXICAN Hola Mexico $ L,D 10014 C Two Notch Rd., 865-7758 San Jose $ L,D • 801 Sparkleberry Ln., 419-8861 • 420 McNulty St. #C, 735-9787 • 808 Highway 1S, 438-2133 SEAFOOD Blue Fin $$ L,D,SBR 461-4 Town Center Place, 865-7346 SOUTHERN Lizard’s Thicket $ B,L,D Voted Best Family Restaurant • 7620 Two Notch Rd., 788-3088 • 10170 Two Notch Rd., 419-5662 Mint Julep $-$$ D 120 Sparkleberry Crossing, 419-7200
M A R C H 2010
STEAK Longhorn Steakhouse $-$$ L,D 2760 Decker Blvd., 736-7464 Steak Carolina $-$$ L (Sat only), D 5 Lake Carolina Way, Ste 170, 661-6424 WINGS Carolina Wings $ L,D 2000-18 Clemson Rd., 419-0022 D’s Restaurant $ L,D 111 Sparkleberry Crossing, 462-1895 Wild Wing Cafe $ L,D Voted Best Wings 480-2 Town Center Place, 865-3365
IRMO AMERICAN Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries $ L,D Voted Best French Fries Voted Best Hamburger 285 Columbia Dr., 407-6443 Sticky Fingers $-$$ L,D 380 Columbiana Dr., 781-7427 ASIAN Miyo’s at Columbiana Place $$ L,D Voted Best Chinese Restaurant 1220 E-2 Bower Pkwy., 781-7788 Miyabi Kyoto $$ L (Sun only),D
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Columbiana Centre, Harbison Blvd., 407-0574
Little Mexico $ L,D 6164 St. Andrews Rd., 798-6045
Thai Lotus Restaurant $ L,D Voted Best Thai Restaurant 612 St. Andrews Rd., 561-0006
San Jose $ L,D • 1000 Marina Rd., 749-9484 • 498 Piney Grove Rd., 750-3611
DELI Groucho’s Deli $ L,D Voted Best Sandwich • 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 749-4515 • 2009 Broad River Rd., 750-3188 FONDUE The Melting Pot $$$ D 1410 Colonial Life Blvd., 731-8500 GREEK Zorba’s $ L, D Voted Best Greek Restaurant 6169 St. Andrews Rd, 772-4617 ITALIAN Alodia’s Cucina Italian $-$$ L,D 2736 N. Lake Dr., 781-9814
WINGS Carolina Wings $ L,D 7587 St. Andrews Rd., 781-0084
5074 Sunset Blvd., 957-2422 MEXICAN Eric’s San Jose $ L,D Voted Best Mexican Restaurant 604 Columbia Ave. 957-9443
D’s Restaurant $ L,D 285 Columbiana Dr., 227-0238
NATURAL/HEALTH Sun Ming Chinese Restaurant $ L,D 7509 St. Andrews Rd., 732-4488
Wild Wing Cafe $ L,D Voted Best Wings 1150 Bower Parkway, 749-9464
PIZZA Custom Pizza Company $$ L,D 6801-3 St. Andrews Rd., 781-6004
Wings & Ale $ L,D 125-C Outlet Pointe Blvd., 750-1700
SEAFOOD Bonefish Grill $$-$$$ D Voted Best Appetizer 1260 Bower Pkwy., 407-1599 Catch 22 $$ L,D Voted Best Restaurant in Irmo 1085 D Lake Murray Blvd., 781-9916
San Jose $ L,D 4510 Augusta Rd., 957-5171
LEXINGTON BARBECUE Hudson’s Smokehouse $ L,D Voted Best Barbecue Voted Best Ribs 4952 Sunset Blvd., 356-1070
SOUTHERN Lizard’s Thicket $ B,L,D Voted Best Family Restaurant 621 West Main St., 951-3555 WINGS Buffalo’s Café $ L,D 5464 Sunset Blvd., 808-6001 Carolina Wings $ L,D 105 North Pointe Dr., 356-6244
DELI Cafe 403 $ L 403 N. Lake Dr., 808-2992
CAYCE & WEST COLUMBIA
INDIAN Delhi Palace $ L,D 1029 Briargate Cir., 750-0866
SOUTHERN Lizard’s Thicket $ B,L,D Voted Best Family Restaurant • 7569 St. Andrews Road, 732-1225 • 1824 Broad River Rd., 798-6427
MEDITERRANEAN Al-Amir $$ L,D 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 732-0522
STEAK Longhorn Steakhouse $-$$ L,D 171 Harbison Blvd., 732-2482
FINE DINING Lexington Arms $$ D 314A West Main St., 359-2700
MEXICAN El Chico Restaurant $-$$ L,D 1728 Bush River Rd., 772-0770
SUSHI Inakaya $-$$ L,D 655-C St. Andrews Rd., 731-2538
ITALIAN Travinia Italian Kitchen $$ L,D Voted Best Restaurant in Lexington
Groucho’s Deli $ L,D Voted Best Sandwich 117 1/2 East Main St., 356-8800
COFFEE/DESSERT Café Strudel $ B,L 118 State St., 794-6634 DELI House Coffee $ B,L,D 116 State St., 791-5663
C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 69
FINE DINING Al’s Upstairs $$$ D Voted Best Romantic Dinner 300 Meeting St., 794-7404 Terra $$ D 100 State St., 791-3443 GREEK Grecian Gardens $$ L,D 2312 Sunset Blvd., 794-7552 Nick’s $$ L,D 1082 Sunset Blvd., 794-9240 SOUTHERN Lizard’s Thicket $ B,L,D Voted Best Family Restaurant • 2240 Airport Blvd., 796-7820 • 501 Knox Abbott Dr., 791-0314 • 2234 Sunset Blvd., 794-0923 WINGS Carolina Wings $ L,D 2347-C Augusta Rd., 791-0260 D’s Wings $ L,D 920 Axtell Dr., 791-4486
FOREST ACRES AMERICAN Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries $ L,D Voted Best French Fries Voted Best Hamburger 4751 Forest Dr., 787-3178 Tombo Grille $$ D 4517 Forest Dr., 782-9665 ASIAN Miyo’s on Forest $$ L,D Voted Best Chinese Restaurant 3250 Forest Dr., Suite B, 743-9996 Sakura $-$$ L,D 20 Forest Lake Shopping Center, 738-9330 Sato $$ D 1999 Beltline Blvd., 782-1064 DELI Groucho’s Deli $ L,D Voted Best Sandwich 4717 Forest Dr., 790-0801 Happy Cafe $ L Voted Best Cookie 4525 Forest Dr., 787-8411
70 C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N
Hooligan’s $ L,D 26 Trenholm Plaza, 782-1293 McAlister’s Deli $ L,D 4710-A Forest Dr., 790-5995 ITALIAN Pasta Fresca $$ D 3405 Forest Dr., 787-1838 Rosso $$ D Voted Best New Restaurant 4840 Forest Dr., 787-3949 MEXICAN Casa Linda $ L,D 2009 Beltline Blvd., 738-0420 San Jose $ L,D 4722 Forest Dr., 462-7184 NATURAL/HEALTH Zoës $ L,D Voted Best Bang for the Buck 4855 Forest Dr., 782-1212 PIZZA Village Idiot $ L, D 4515 Forest Dr, 787-5005
SEAFOOD Bonefish Grill $$-$$$ D Voted Best Appetizer 4708 Forest Dr., 787-6200 SOUTHERN Lizard’s Thicket $ B,L,D Voted Best Family Restaurant • 402 Beltline Blvd., 738-0006 • 3147 Forest Dr., 787-8781 WINGS D’s Restaurant $ L,D 2005 Beltline Blvd., 787-2595
ROSEWOOD AMERICAN Rockaway Athletic Club $ L, D 2719 Rosewood Dr., 256-1075 Utopia $ D 406 Howard St., 733-2222 DELI The Deli at Rosewood Market $-$$ L,D,SBR 2803 Rosewood Dr., 256-6410
PIZZA Dano’s $ L,D 2800 Rosewood Dr., 254-3266 Pizza Man $ L,D 341 S Woodrow St., 252-6931
REMBERT FINE DINING Boykins at the Mill Pond $$$ D 84 Boykin Mill Rd., (803) 425-8825 Lilfreds of Rembert $$$ D 8425 Camden Hwy., (803) 432-7063
CHAPIN FINE DINING Mark’s $$-$$$ L,D,SBR 2371 Dutch Fork Rd., 781-2807 SEAFOOD Rusty Anchor $$-$$$ D Voted Best Lakeside Restaurant 1925 Johnson Marina Rd., 749-1555
ITALIAN Moe’s Grapevine $$ L,D 4478 Rosewood Dr., 776-8463
M A R C H 2010
W W W . J O H N W R I G H T E N B E R R Y P H O T O G R A P H Y. C O M
Kris Wicker and Kristen Stanley
787-6501
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Lauren Propst and Jared Libet
W W W . J O H N W R I G H T E N B E R R Y P H O T O G R A P H Y. C O M
Ashley Sloan and Mark Lentz
W W W . J O H N W R I G H T E N B E R R Y P H O T O G R A P H Y. C O M
W W W . J O H N W R I G H T E N B E R R Y P H O T O G R A P H Y. C O M
Laura Studstill and Justin Self
W W W . J O H N W R I G H T E N B E R R Y P H O T O G R A P H Y. C O M
LONNIE HOKE
JUST MARRIED
Ginny John and Berry Mattox
Nancy Gunter and Louis Cote
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C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N 71
OUT & ABOUT
march
Animal Mission, 776-PETS March 19 Party Animals 2010, Clarion Hotel Downtown, 6:30pm Capital City/Lake Murray Country, 781-5940 March 18 The Taste of Lake Murray, Radisson Hotel Columbia and Conference Center, 6:30pm Central Carolina Community Foundation, 254-5601 March 1 Food and Wine Festival Private Food and Wine Dinner at Mo Mo’s Bistro, 6:30pm March 15 Food and Wine Festival Private Food and Wine Dinner at Rosso Trattoria Italia, 6:30pm March 28 Food and Wine Festival Private Food and Wine Dinner at Solstice Kitchen and Wine Bar, 6:30pm Chapin Community Theatre, 240-8544 through March 6 Cheaper by the Dozen Colonial Life Arena, 576-9200 March 26 Jeff Dunham Columbia Children’s Theatre, 691-4548 March 2 Darion McCloud, storyteller, 7pm March 9 Noree Boyd, opera, 7pm March 16 Jonathan Gangi, classical guitar, 7pm March 23 Tara Lee Nixon and Aaron Ames, vocal/piano, 7pm
African-American Masters from the Collection through April 25 Exhibit: Columbia Post-Graffiti March 3 Wee Wednesdays: Color Everywhere, 10 to 11am March 5 First Friday Book Club, 7 to 9pm March 5 The Diva Hair Weaver presents From Canvas to Runway: An AfricanAmerican Hair and Hat Show, 7pm March 7 Artist Reception: Rose Chiu, 3pm March 9 Humanities American Lecture Series: Conversations with a Conservator with Ginny Newell March 12 & 19 One Room Schoolhouse: Experience Art! March 12 to 14 Narrative Painting Workshop, 10am to 3pm March 12 & 14 Film: Note-by-note: The Making of Steinway L1037 March 16 Best of Indie Grits, 7pm March 21 Concert: United States Air Force Celtic Band, 3pm March 23 Birthday Art Breaks! March 24 Contemporaries Oyster Roast and Keg Party, 5:30 to 7:30pm March 25 Wadsworth and Friends Concert, 7pm March 28 Film: Faith Ringgold: The Last Story Quilt, 1pm March 30 Concert: Konk Pack, 7pm EdVenture, 779-3100 March 6 Carniball! A Lowcountry Celebration, 7:30pm March 20 Farmville Five Points Association, 748-7373 March 5 Kickoff to St. Pat’s Leprechaun Launch and Sidewalk Sale March 12 St. Pat’s Battle of the Bands, 6 to 10pm March 13 St. Pat’s in Five Points The Little Mermaid
Columbia Museum of Art, 799-2810 through May 9 Exhibit: The Chemistry of Color: Contemporary AfricanAmerican Artists through March 21 Exhibit: Skate and Create through May 30 Exhibit: Color Vision:
72 C O L U M B I A M E T R O P O L I T A N
Glenforest School, 796-7622 March 25 alaG 2010, Glenforest School Auditorium, 6:15pm Historic Columbia Foundation, 252-1770 March 5 Third Annual Gardening Symposium, Clarion Hotel Downtown,
Mother’s Finest
9am to 3pm March 6 Third Annual Gardening Symposium, Robert Mills House and Gardens, 9am to 2:30pm Home Builders Association of Columbia, 256-6238 March 12 to 14 44th Annual Carolina Classic Home and Garden Show, SC State Fairgrounds Junior Woman’s Club of Lexington, 665-5157 March 25 6th Annual Fashion Show, Country Club of Lexington, 6pm Koger Center, 777-7500 March 5 Columbia Classical Ballet presents Aladdin, 9:30am and 7:30pm March 12 to 13 Columbia City Ballet presents The Little Mermaid March 15 Classic Productions for Students presents Charlotte’s Web, 9:45 and 11:45 am March 16 USC Symphony Orchestra with Arthur Tollefson, piano, 7:30pm March 20 USC Dance Company presents Stars of the New York Ballet Gala, 7pm March 25 USC Spring Bands Concert, 7:30pm March 27 SC Philharmonic Master Series 6, 7:30pm
March 16 Mozart Festival Opera presents Don Giovanni, 8pm March 17 The Jason Bishop Show, 8pm March 20 Air Supply, 3 and 8pm March 21 Ronnie Milsap, 3 and 8pm Nickelodeon, 254-8234 through March 2 Broken Embraces March 20 to 22 Eli and Ben March 20 to 22 The Debt March 21 to 24 Lemon Tree March 21 to 24 Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg March 21 to 23 Hello Goodbye March 21 to 23 Killing Kasztner March 26 to April 1 Greenberg Project Pet, 407-0991 March 9 Project Pet Night at Cantina 76 SC State Museum, 898-4921 March 20 Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers exhibit opens March 27 Celebrate the Earth Day, 11am to 4:30pm Town Theatre, 799-2510 through March 6 Always ... Patsy Cline! Trenholm Artists Guild, 996-4692 March 5 to 26 29th Annual Juried Member Show, HoFP Gallery
Lexington Presbyterian Church, 359-9501 March 6 Free Community Health and Safety Fair, 9am to 1pm
Trustus, 254-9732 through March 6 Crowns March 26 to April 17 The Last Five Years
Newberry Opera House, (803) 276-6264 March 1 Arlo Guthrie, 8pm March 2 ABBA-Mania, 8pm March 4 Al Stewart, 8pm March 7 Mikado, 3pm March 9 “A Night at the Oscars” with Shirley Jones, 8pm March 10 The Oak Ridge Boys, 3 and 8pm March 13 Mother’s Finest, 8pm March 14 Cathie Ryan, 3pm
Woodley’s Garden Center, www.woodleygarden center.com March 20 to 22 Spring Fling Festival, Woodley’s Garden Center’s Two Notch Road and Irmo/Ballentine locations, 9am to 6pm
For an extended listing, visit www.columbiametro.com/ outandabout.html
M A R C H 2010