US Airways | Columbia

56 june 2012 usairwaysmag.com

Columbia, S.C.

Discover S.C.

A new day is dawning for this “New Southern Hot Spot.”

Columbia, South Carolina, has proclaimed itself the “New Southern Hot Spot” — bold words for a place that’s little more than 100 miles from Charleston.No doubt, Columbia is a venerable Southern city, the state capital no less, with a winning home team, the South Carolina Gamecocks, and enough fork-tender barbecue to feed all the tailgaters at Williams-Brice Stadium. But can it live up to its new slogan? We’ll investigate . . . ➺

57usairwaysmag.com june 2012

By Lynn Seldon and Waynette Goodson

The 1928 Gervais Street Bridge spans the Congaree river.

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0 .5 miles

CONGAREE VISTA

Congaree River

FIVE POINTS

Main St.

Devine St.

Pickens St.

Pickens St.

N. Sum

ter St.

Huger St.

Assembly St.

Lincoln St.

Gervais St.

Blossom St.

Greene St.

Pendleton St.

Wheat St.

Taylor St.

Hampton St.

Bull St.

Harden St.

Gregg St.

Assembly St.

Main St.

Elmwood Avenue

USC CAMPUS

Salu

da A

ve

Millw

ood Ave.

59usairwaysmag.com june 2012

marks the fi rst phase of plans to redevelopan area called City Center.

In fact, the City Center Partnership has spent the last decade revitalizing the down-town, and today it’s paying off. Just last year, Mast General Store, Cowboy Brazilian Steak-house, Wedding 101, Wine Down on Main, Anthony’s Past Time Cafe, J. Gumbo’s, and RB’s Bodacious Barbeque all opened in the area. But perhaps the crown jewel is the reno-vation of the 1979 Nickelodeon Theatre, the state’s only nonprofi t art house fi lm theater.

City Center Partnership CEO Matt Kennell says it best: “Columbia has been transformed into a must-visit destination. It’s a safe, clean, and exceedingly friendly place to visit, shop, dine, and most of all, have fun!”

Crowning AchievementBut there are even more exciting downtown plans in the works to the tune of a $200 million investment. The new project will transform the grounds of the former state mental hospital on Bull Street into a multiuse urban space. It’s even expected to become a national model for sus-tainable development practices — potentially

Columbia, South Carolina, is fi rst and foremost a college town where the University of South Carolina Gamecocks rule the roost.And sports fans agree that the hottest thing to ever happen here is the Gamecocks’ back-to-back College World Series championships in 2010 and 2011. Enough said.

USC’s campus is part of a vibrant downtown area, where Columbia’s new “hotness” thrives

at the historic riverfront dis-trict. The Congaree Vista, or “the Vista” as locals call it, is home to more than 60 restau-rants and bars, and about 40art galleries and specialty shops. The Vista’s revival

“Columbia has been transformed into a must-visit destination. It’s a safe, clean, and exceedingly friendly

place to visit, shop, dine, and most of all, have fun!”

Columbia, S.C.From left: Woodrow Wilson

family home, uSC Horseshoe gates, pedicab on Main Street

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Meetings that meet your needs. Surroundings that suit your style.Columbia’s atmosphere is an ideal mix of gracious Southern hospitality and 21st century

business savvy. Meeting planners are fired up about our unique variety of convention, conference

and exhibition spaces – from contemporary to intriguingly historic – with South Carolina’s only

downtown Convention Center at the city’s heart.

THE NEW

SOUTHERN HOT SPOT

With 12,000 hotel rooms, top-rated attractions and

an eclectic selection of restaurants, vibrant nightlife,

urban art galleries and naturally inspiring river front

parks, we’ve got what it takes to make everything

memorable and any leisure visit the start of a

beautiful friendship.

Call 800.264.4884 | ColumbiaCVB.com/HotSpots

columbia cvb.indd 2 4/24/12 8:54 AM

Meetings that meet your needs. Surroundings that suit your style.Columbia’s atmosphere is an ideal mix of gracious Southern hospitality and 21st century

business savvy. Meeting planners are fired up about our unique variety of convention, conference

and exhibition spaces – from contemporary to intriguingly historic – with South Carolina’s only

downtown Convention Center at the city’s heart.

THE NEW

SOUTHERN HOT SPOT

With 12,000 hotel rooms, top-rated attractions and

an eclectic selection of restaurants, vibrant nightlife,

urban art galleries and naturally inspiring river front

parks, we’ve got what it takes to make everything

memorable and any leisure visit the start of a

beautiful friendship.

Call 800.264.4884 | ColumbiaCVB.com/HotSpots

columbia cvb.indd 3 4/24/12 8:54 AM


Faces of Columbia:

Mayor Steve BenjaminSteve Benjamin was elected mayor in 2010 with a record turnout. He’s the first-ever African-American mayor of Columbia, and by the end of his second year in office, the city enjoyed a second straight year of budget surplus.

Where do you take out-of-town visitors?From the three rivers flowing through the heart of our city to marquee destinations like Riverbanks Zoo and the South’s largest chil-dren’s museum, EdVenture, there is so much to do and see that I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one.

What has changed the most since you took office?The most spectacular transformation has been on Main Street, where new businesses and res-taurants are lighting up storefronts like never before, and people are crowding the sidewalks for the first time in a generation.

What do you love most about Columbia?While we benefit from all the urban hallmarks of a modern metropolis, we’re still an old-fashioned Southern town. People still pull over for funerals. Gentlemen still hold doors open for ladies. We still serve sweet tea in every restaurant, and we still remember that the two most important words in the English language are “Thank You.”

one of the largest downtown green areas on the East Coast.

“At 165 acres, this represents the single larg-est neighborhood project in our city’s history and the largest piece of undeveloped down-town property east of the Mississippi, so the stakes are high,” says Mayor Steve Benjamin. “But I’m confident that, when completed, this project will be a crowning achievement for our city.”

No doubt, that’s hot!What do Benjamin and other area leaders

attribute the new energy to? They’re quick to point out the avid volunteerism and unbridled regional spirit. As president and CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Ike McLeese puts it: “We have become a can-do, coalition-building community.”

For example, the Midstate Chambers Coali-tion comprises 19 chambers of commerce in an 11-county area smack-dab in the center of the state — including Fort Jackson, which handles a majority of the U.S. Army’s basic combat training.

Cooperation Is KeyLexington Mayor Randy Halfacre, who spear-headed the group, believes the coalition sets a regional cooperation record. “If the central region of our state is to prosper in what is now a global economy,” Halfacre says, “we must all work together in the Midstate footprint to make it happen.”

Mayor Benjamin agrees, citing more than $1.1 billion in regional capital investment since he took office in mid-2010, perhaps best seen in the burgeoning insurance information technol-ogy industry that’s rivaled only by Hartford, Connecticut (see “Up and Coming” on p. 78).

Despite its new hot status, Columbia is still a place where Southern hospitality and volun-teering are a way of life. “If you want to make something cool happen, not only does no one stand in your way, they’ll go out of their way to help you,” says Tracie Broom, a partner at Flock & Rally: Events + Communication for a Brave New South.

Broom sites community involvement at events like the Indie Grits film festival,

Columbia, S.C.

Where to StayWhen it comes to where to lay your head in Columbia, it’s hard to beat the Hilton Columbia Center, located in the historic Congaree Vista district and recently named a AAA Approved Four Diamond lodging. hiltoncolumbia.com

Mayor Steve Benjamin in front

of the State House

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Columbia, SC is home to Fort Jackson–the U.S. Army’s largest Initial Entry Training Center–and McEntire Joint National Guard Base. Annually, more than 65,000 soldiers attend basic training at Fort Jackson and over 350,000 family members and friends visit our city to attend graduation ceremonies. Our leaders work hard to make our “Famously Hot” city the most military friendly community in America. Welcome.

www.columbiachamber.com

Basically

Very Friendly

misc_6380 Cola Chamber Military Ad_FINAL.indd 1 4/27/12 11:31 AMgreater columbia cvb.indd 1 4/27/12 1:26 PM

64 FeBruary 2012 usairwaysmag.com

701 CCA Columbia Open Studios, Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival, Jam Room Music Festival, and the region’s Famously Hot New Year Event. “Volunteerism is huge here,” Broom says, “so the nonprofit event scene is really hopping.”

Always HotThe more than 750,000 residents ofthe state’s largest metropolitan area might argue that Columbia has always been “hot,” starting from its founding in 1786.

The area’s rich history as a Civil War hotbed (the Secession Convention was first held here) and its numerous his-toric sites, from the State House to the family home of President Woodrow Wilson, attract a steady stream of heri-

tage tourists, who line up for tours of antebellum abodes. Think shaded sidewalks, wraparound porches, pal-metto trees, and blooming magnolias (see “History” on p. 96).

But residents and visitors don’t live in the past. Today, culture is alive and well in Columbia. Expect an array of museums (EdVenture Children’s Mu-seum and the Columbia Museum of Art), a wide range of art galleries and shops (Devine Street is just the start), and a diverse dining scene (see “Bon Appétit, Y’all” on p. 94). Folks can also venture out to charming small towns like Lexington, Blythewood, Irmo, Little Mountain, and Forest Acres.

“Forest Acres continues to be a spe-cial place, offering superior residential opportunities with great schools and

Viva la Vista festival

The Bistro at Shoppes at Flight Deck in Lexington

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midlandstech.edu

At Midlands Technical College,students really can get anywheretheir education or career goals take them.

Midlands Technical College(MTC), located in central SouthCarolina, has more than 100 programs of study. The college offers many strong choices inHealthcare, Engineering and Industrial Technologies, and Business and Public Service.

The college has options such as the Bridge Program and Gamecock Gateway for studentswho seek to transfer to the University of South Carolina orother four-year institutions.

Many of MTC’s students havebachelor’s or master’s degrees and come to the college for careereducation and training. Othersseek a fast track into the world ofwork through Corporate and Continuing Education programssuch as QuickJobs.

You can get Anywhere from here.

midlands tech.indd 1 4/25/12 4:36 PM

convenient shopping and dining,” says Forest Acres Mayor Frank J. Brunson. “In the Midlands, we share a reputa-tion for friendliness that is genuine.”

Even better, the area’s temperate year-round climate keeps lucky resi-dents and tourists kayaking the trio of rivers, hiking the Congaree National Park, and fishing at Lake Murray. (The temperate temps are one of the reasons CNN Money magazine named Colum-bia One of the 25 Best Places to Retire in the country.)

“Where else can you visit a nation-ally recognized zoo [Riverbanks Zoo & Garden], enjoy a cocktail in a former

bank vault [at the Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel], purchase folk art on the side of the road, stroll past palmetto trees on Main Street, and splurge on some of the best barbecue in the South?” asks Ric Luber, president and CEO of the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism.

But all this action is just a taste of the big platter of reasons the center of the Palmetto State has become so, well, hot. It’s Columbia’s unique combina-tion of attractions that keep people coming for a sip — and staying for a long, tall glass of Southern hospitality (and maybe a bite of barbecue).

Expect an array of museums, a wide range of art galleries and shops, and

a diverse dining scene.

if arT Gallery

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www.lexingtonsc.org www.lex-co.com www.lexsc.com

Lexington provides the best of all worlds. Residents and guests can enjoy our three rivers and Lake Murray, stroll through historic neigborhoods or take part in one of our many festivals, celebrating a culture, uniquely ours. What else? An abundance of natural beauty; a thriving, pro-business environment; top-tier schools and a safe, family atmosphere. We invite you to visit Lexington and see all we have to o�er.

Make a Living Make a Life

Our Southern Hospitality Awaits You!

www.lexingtonsc.org www.lex-co.com www.lexsc.com

Lexington provides the best of all worlds. Residents and guests can enjoy our three rivers and Lake Murray, stroll through historic neigborhoods or take part in one of our many festivals, celebrating a culture, uniquely ours. What else? An abundance of natural beauty; a thriving, pro-business environment; top-tier schools and a safe, family atmosphere. We invite you to visit Lexington and see all we have to o�er.

Make a Living Make a Life

Our Southern Hospitality Awaits You!

lexington.indd 1 4/27/12 8:59 AM

68 june 2012 usairwaysmag.com 69usairwaysmag.com june 2012

Focal Point

The Congaree Vista

Once a cotton warehouse district and railroad terminal by the Con-garee River, the Vista has experi-enced a modern-day revival. In fact, it’s one of the places to hang out downtown. Think restaurants, art galleries, creative agencies, retail shops, and antique dealers, all anchored by the South Carolina State Museum. vistacolumbia.com

Columbia, S.C.

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Kayakers can’t get enough of the Midlands’ three rivers, which are calm enough for inner-tube rides but also offer up rapids, ranging from Class II to Class V, to keep things interesting along the way. Across the region, walking paths meander along waterways, past Civil War ruins, through sun-dappled forests, along historic canals, and over what was once the nation’s largest earthen dam, located on Lake Murray. Renowned as a bass-fishing destination — Bassmaster regularly holds tournaments here — the lake also attracts swim-mers, boaters, and Jet Skiers to its cove-strewn shoreline. Need more? Golf is enjoyed year-round, and there’s even a national park.

With an office that is the Congaree National Park, park ranger Lauren Gurniewicz loves to go to work. The 26,000-acre swath of floodplain is filled with towering trees, moody swamps, and wide, lazy creeks. Recently transferred from a park in Oklahoma, Gurniewicz can’t get over the range of landscapes, plants, and animals she sees in the park. Her tip for first-time visitors? “Visit the boardwalk. In two and a half miles, you’ll see everything from old-growth forest with gigantic champion trees to swampier areas where cypress knees protrude out of the water and on to Lake Weston,” she says. “If you take the canoe trail that runs through Cedar Creek, you’ll probably spot a few river otters playing.”

Congaree National Park isn’t the only way to take in the region’s waterborne beauty. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Columbia, Lake Murray offers almost 650 miles of shoreline and

ou don’t have to go far to find Columbia’s outdoor activities. Brimming

with opportunities to embrace your sporty side, Columbia is custom-made for recreation-minded visitors.

Go Outside! YReel in enough outdoor adventures to enjoy every season.By Katie Mcelveen

Bassmaster holds tournaments on Lake Murray.

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Columbia, S.C.

0 10 miles

Columbia

C A L H O U N

F A I R F I E L D

K E R S H A W

L E X I N G T O N

N E W B E R R Y

S A L U D A

R I C H L A N D S U M T E R

CayceColumbia

Lake Wateree

Lake MurrayIrmo

Forest Acres

Newberry

SOUTH CAROLINA

Little MountainBlythewood

Lexington West Columbia

Chapin

Camden

Sumter

Jenkinsville

Saluda River

Broad River

area of detail:

Congaree River

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Shaw Air Force Base

McEntire Joint National Guard Base

Congaree National Park

Columbia Metropolitan

Airport

Sesquicentennial State Park

Harbison State Forest

Columbia Regional Visitors Center

Saluda Shoals Park


nearly endless options for water-based activities. “It’s the largest recreational draw for the re-gion,” says Miriam Atria, president and CEO of the Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board. “The lake also is what consistently brings in visitors for overnight stays.” But hu-mans aren’t alone in staying the night on Lake Murray. “Each summer, hundreds of thousands of purple martins arrive at dusk to spend the night on Lunch Island, which is the largest natural roosting sanctuary in North America,” Atria explains. “Just before dawn, they all leave. It reminds me of the [Alfred Hitchcock] movie The Birds!”

During the summer, kids splash along sandy beaches; bright kayaks, water-skiers, and per-sonal watercraft crisscross the calm water, and sailboats glide across the surface. Most week-ends, boaters meet up at one of the waterfront restaurants that line the lake to jam to music, grab a bite to eat, and just enjoy the sunshine.

Throughout the year, bass boats bob above favorite fishing sites. According to guide Dale Gossett, they’ve likely found one of the many submerged islands that rise from the bottom of the lake and attract the highly sought striped bass. But you don’t need a boat to catch fish on Lake Murray. Along the shore, hooks baited for bream, shellcrackers, catfish, and crappie get plenty of hits.

Columbia’s three rivers, the Broad, the Saluda, and the Congaree, also are worth ex-ploring. Riverfront Park in Columbia and West Columbia’s Riverwalk — both part of Three Rivers Greenway — meander for miles along the scenic rivers. Only a few miles from down-town, both bike-friendly parks are also set with benches and green spaces. Michael Mayo owns Palmetto Outdoor Center, which operates kayak, canoe, and tubing excursions along Columbia’s waterways. His favorite place to take kayakers and tubers is the Saluda River,

Roll On!Women’s roller derby has hit Columbia, and it’s hot! Watch “Leighthal,” “pinky slamstockings,” and other Columbia Quad-squad rollergirls (columbiaquadsquad .com) and richland County regulators (richlandcounty regulators.com) crash, cruise, and dodge their way around the rink from January through october.

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Columbia, S.C.

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in many ways, University of south Carolina (UsC) gamecocks head baseball coach ray tanner is the face of Columbia, thanks to two straight College World series championship wins.

Faces of Columbia:

Meet Coach Ray Tanner

specifically from Riverbanks Zoo to the Ger-vais Street Bridge. “The current is good, there are a few rapids along the way, lots of wildlife, and at about the halfway point, a little island where you can stop, have lunch or a snack, and watch the ospreys dive-bomb into the water for fish,” he says. “It’s also one of the few places along the river where you can get a glimpse of the State House.” He particularly enjoys the ride in the spring, when hundreds of rare rocky shoals spider lilies burst into bloom along the banks, transforming the landscape into a wonderland of white.

Columbia’s mild climate also makes golf

a four-season sport; public courses throughout the region are surprisingly diverse, offering a range of elevations and challenges. Greens fees are reasonable, and golfers can choose from several courses designed by well-known archi-tects including P.B. Dye (Northwoods, Cobble-stone Park, and, with his father, Pete Dye, Win-dermere); Davis Love III and Steve Melnyk (Oak Hills); and Willard C. Byrd (Timberlake Plantation).

Rather spectate than participate? No matter the season, the University of South Carolina’s Gamecocks are playing on a field, pool, track, court, or diamond. Fall brings the power and passion of Southeastern Conference football to 80,250-seat Williams-Brice Stadium. Pregame tailgating, which begins hours before kickoff, ranges from Champagne and candles to beer and barbecue, and is as much of a tradition as the team’s dramatic, smoke-filled entry onto the field to Richard Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathus-tra, or the theme song from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

During winter, men’s and women’s basket-ball takes center stage at the Colonial Life Arena. Come spring, the baseball team — which won national championships in 2010 and 2011 — can’t wait for the umpire to yell, “Play ball!”

“University of South Carolina Athletics provides one of the top fan experiences in the country,” says Athletics Director Eric Hyman. “The unbridled passion and tremendous support of our fans, coupled with nationally acclaimed programs competing at the highest level of inter-collegiate sports in some of the finest athletic venues in the nation, makes attending a Caro-lina game a memorable event.”

Ready to play?

What’s so special about Gamecocks baseball?to come to a game at Carolina stadium is an event. it’s the entire atmosphere — the engagement of the university, community, and all of our great fans.

Are any players you’ve coached still in Columbia?We have quite a few who have come back to either live or work — or they have never left. Colum-bia is a wonderful city to live in. We have a lot of former players who said, “this is where i want to be.” that speaks volumes about their experience at the university and the city of Columbia.

What are your three favorite things to do?We have a tremendous zoo [riverbanks Zoo and garden]. Children enjoy it, but so do adults. Downtown — it’s an area that’s home. it’s not corporate america; it’s local. there’s also the univer-sity, whether it’s a sporting event or just any day. it exudes energy, and it’s fun living here.

Above: Williams-Brice Stadium, kayaking on the Congaree

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FORESTACRES SOUTH CAROLINA

a city apart for Dining & Shopping!

Casual DiningBonefish GrillCafe Caturra

Lizard’s ThicketMiyo’s

Pasta FrescaRosso Trattoria

SakuraSato

Tombo GrillTGI Fridays

Delicatessens Groucho’s Deli

Hooligan’sLinda’s Little Deli & Deck

McAlister’s Deli

Lunch PlusCasa LindaChina Max

D’sDino’s

Five Guy’s Burgers and FriesHibachiI WOK

Kim’s LunchboxLillian’s BakeryMilano’s Pizza

PJ’s To GoSan Jose

The Happy CafeThe Other StoreThe Pizza Joint

Tokyo GrillVillage Idiot

Yummy Yummy II

Sweet TreatsBaskin Robbins

32°Yumilicious

Fast FoodChipotle

Firehouse SubsMoe’s Southwestern Grill

Pizza HutSonic

SubwayTaco BellWendy’sZaxby’sZesto’s

Zoes Kitchen

Breakfast & MoreBruegger’s BagelsDunkin’ Donuts

Joe Muggs (in Books-A-Million)

StarbucksThe Original Pancake House

www.forestacres.net

In the heart of the Midlands of South Carolina…

city of forest acres.indd 1 4/18/12 1:05 PM

www.1x1design.com

Asheley C. Scott, President

221 Pickens Street | Columbia, SC 29205803.834.4048 | p [email protected]

architecture | interior design

We Are ColumbiaWWe Ae AWWe AWW rre e CCoolluummbbiaiaWWe Ae AWWe AWW rre e CCoolluummbbiaiaWWe Ae AWWe AWW rre e CCoolluummbbiaia

ColumbiaSC.net

Blessed with a unique blend of 21st Century sophistication and small town charm,

the City of Columbia has something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for cutting-edgearts and culture or first-class dining and

entertainment, we’ve got it all served up with a healthy dose of southern hospitality.

WE ARE COLUMBIA!

SOUTH CAR OLIN

A

RIC

HLAND COUNTY

Richland County Economic DevelopmentPROMOTING CORPORATE SUCCESS

Richland County and the Columbia MSA offer:

• Ayoung,skilled,andabundantworkforceofover380,000

• UniversityofSouthCarolina’sMooreSchoolofBusiness ranked#1undergraduatebusinessprogrambyUSNews andWorldReport

• Excellenttransportationsystemincludingaccesstothree interstates:I-20,I-77,andI-26

• WorldclassattractionsincludingRiverbanksZooand CongareeNationalPark

For more information contact the Richland County Economic Development Office at 803.576.2043 or [email protected]

Summer Concert Seriesin Finlay Park through aug. 18, columbiasc.net

jubilee: Festival of Heritage aug. 18, historiccolumbia.org

Viva La Vistasept. 29, vivalavistasc.com

uSMC ultimate Challenge Mud Run oct. 13, usmcmudrun.org

Famously Hot new Year Dec. 31, famouslyhotnewyear.com

World Beer Festival Jan. 19, 2013, columbiacvb.com/beerfestival

Souper Bowl of CaringFeb. 3, 2013, souperbowl.org

St. Pat’s in Five Pointsmarch 20, 2013, stpats5points.com

Columbia International Festival apr. 6–7, 2013, cifonline.org

Indie Grits Festivalapr. 17–21, 2013, indiegrits.com

Artista Vistaapr. 25–27, 2013, artistavista.com

Lexington Wine Walk may 11, 2013, lexingtonwinewalk.com

Famously Hot Festivals & Events

With nearly a million visitors annually, south Carolina’s top tourism attrac-tion, riverbanks Zoo & garden, is much more than a great “can-do” in Columbia. it’s a must-do.

situated on the banks of the Lower saluda river in West Columbia, more than 2,000 animals roam the zoo’s natural habitat–style exhibits, from african savanna to Lemur island. barriers such as wet and dry moats create an environment virtually freeof bars and cages.

and temperate year-round weather allows daily activities such as penguin feedings, bird shows, gorilla and elephant presentations, and div-ing demos at the pacifi c coral reef tank. Zookeeper talks and personal animal encounters occur throughout a typical day. to make visits even more special, check out the carousel rides, pony rides, rock climbing, up-close-and-personal animal feeding, and the new sky-high safari ropes course for kids and kids at heart.

Just across the river, riverbanks botanical gardens features wood-

The Inside Poop on Riverbanks Zoo & Garden By Lynn Seldon

lands, gardens, historic ruins, and vast plant collections. the Walled garden showcases hundreds of plants suitable for home use, while the Woodlands Walk boasts a log-cabin interpretive center and the ruins of an antebellum textile mill.

and get a load of this: home gar-deners will love learning that the zoo sells one of the most unique souvenirs found in Columbia — or anywhere. riverbanks Compoost is all-natural composted zoo poo compliments of the animals. that’s heavy doodie. riverbanks.org

Columbia, S.C.

Did you know that the souper bowl of Caring started in Colum-bia, south Carolina? in 1990, brad smith, then a seminary intern at spring Valley presbyterian Church, delivered this prayer: “Lord, even as we enjoy the super bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat.” and the inspiration for a national youth-led movement was born.

today, Columbia is home to many exciting events year-round, from a juried fi lm festival (indie grits Festival) to a foodie ex-travaganza (Viva La Vista). be sure to mark your calendars!

USMC Mud Run

Columbia International Festival

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Up and Coming

BWhile Fort Jackson, the University of South Carolina (USC), and state government are still major employers, insurance services and technology — led by names like BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Aflac, Colonial Life, and Computer Sciences Corp. — have blossomed, making the Columbia area one of the nation’s leaders in that sector, even rivaling traditional stronghold Hartford, Connecticut.

But high-tech ventures are not limited to

Insurance IT helps boost Columbia’s traditional economic base.By Marc Rapport

olstered by a major Army training post, a flagship university, and state government, Columbia has emerged as a leader in insurance IT.

insurance. Nuclear energy is big here and get-ting bigger, and there’s a growing community of research and spin-off firms coming from incubators in and around USC, including those in the areas of hydrogen fuel cells and biomedical products.

Westinghouse employs about 1,200 people locally, producing fuel rod assemblies at a plant that’s among the largest of its kind. In other nuclear energy news, partnership agreements have been made linking efforts in Columbia and at the Savannah River Site near Aiken to develop small, modular nuclear reactors that could represent the future of safe, clean elec-tricity production.

Speaking of the future, the insurance IT

Columbia, S.C. IT-oLogy is a nonprofit group dedicated to growing the IT talent pipeline.

South Carolina State House

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field — including software development com-panies, suppliers, and service providers — has taken on a particularly strong role, employing an estimated 15,000 people, with an average salary of $62,000 and an annual economic impact of $6.7 billion, according to research by Dr. Joseph Von Nessen at USC’s Darla Moore School of Business.

“We have large, nationally known firms here but also a number of smaller startups and well-established niche operations, all of which com-bine to create a business environment and demand for people with those kinds of skills,” says C. Grant Jackson, senior vice president of community development for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

“The local talent base is not large enough to sustain long-term growth in the insurance IT market, or in the skilled trades whose demand [will greatly increase] with the construction of

two new nuclear power plants by SCANA [parent company of SCE&G, the state’s largest utility],” Jackson adds. That $10 billion project — the first new nuclear plants in the U.S. in decades — is expected to create about 3,000–5,000 jobs during construction and up to 800 permanent positions afterward.

To grow the IT talent pipeline, IT-oLogy, a nonprofit collaboration of businesses, schools, and organizations, helps to advance the profes-sion through initiatives such as special teaching programs, career fairs, and job shadowing. Ensconced in a state-of-the-art facility in down-town Columbia, the center unites industry and education to address what its director, Blue-Cross BlueShield executive Lonnie Emard, calls “an epidemic, as companies are all strug-gling to find the talent they need.”

“We’re working to create a model that can be used around the country to show how you can begin with curriculum in schools and move on to technical schools and internships and influ-ence the whole chain to create a ready work-force that presents all kinds of opportunity,” Emard says.

While insurance IT and nuclear energy are up and coming, traditional industries still drive Columbia’s economy. Verizon Wireless has a 1,600-person call center in the area, and new-comer Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. has announced plans for a $313 million, 700- employee plant in Lexington County. More than 1,000 people work at a Michelin plant there that produces some of the world’s largest tires for earth-moving equipment. Meanwhile, Continental Tire is building a factory of similar size in Sumter. Other local manufacturers include Husqvarna, Bose, and Komata.

Richland and Lexington counties — the core of the Midlands of South Carolina — are

Top 10 EmployersLet’s count them down:

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Columbia, S.C.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport handles more than 1 million passengers per year.

Graduation at Fort jackson

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No. 1 public university Honors College • Best B.A. for the buck according to

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance • No. 1 program in international business • Economic

impact of more than $4.1 billion • National sustainability leader for LEED green

buildings • The flagship university for South Carolina • Nationally recognized

programs for freshmen • A leader in sustainable energy research • Last year, 23,895

faculty, students and staff donated 331,836 hours of community service • Back-to-

back national champions in baseball • More than 50 percent of AAAS fellows

in South Carolina teach at USC • Football ranked in the top 10 nationally • South

Carolina’s leading educator, serving more than 45,000 students on eight campuses

More than 260,000 alumni around the world • Fifteen SmartStateTM Endowed

Chairs changing the world through cutting-edge research • Top 5 percent in faculty

awards for U.S. public universities • Tier One Carnegie research and community

engagement university • $227 million in research funding • Top 50 “Best Value

Public University” from Princeton Review • One of the most beautiful campuses in

the nation • Global initiatives on all seven continents • Largest “green” residential

complex in the world • Top 5 women’s equestrian team in the nation • Top 25 public

university school of music • $1 billion Carolina’s Promise capital campaign underway

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also home to several major hospitals employing about 15,000 people, in addition to the more than 3,500 civil-ian jobs along with a similar number of military people stationed at Fort Jackson. Most of the 77,000 or so state government jobs also are in the Co-lumbia area.

On the warehousing and services side, Target has a major regional distri-bution center in nearby Lugoff, not far from Camden, and Amazon is ramp-

ing up a new distribution center ex-pected to employ at least 1,200 at full operation (and another 2,500 around the holidays) near Columbia Metro-politan Airport, which handles more than 1 million passengers per year and

Thenavigating From Good to Great FoundationisanoffshootoftheGreat-erColumbiaChamberofCommercethatunitesexperts,stakeholders,andfundingtofurtherthecommunity.

“Weneededanadvocatetobringpeopletogethertoworkonissuestomovethingsforward,”saysGrantJackson,chamberseniorvicepresi-dentforcommunitydevelopment.“That’swhatwe’vedonewithGoodtoGreat.”

Thegroupaddressesissuessuch

Columbia, S.C.

serves as a Southeastern regionalhub for United Parcel Service.

Providing the brains for all these industries is a challenge, and the Columbia-area educational infra- structure is up to the task, starting with the local schools, according to Dr. Kaye Shaw, executive director of the Mid-lands Education and Business Alliance (MEBA), a private-public consortium that connects students, parents, and educators to career opportunities.

“We’re working with educators to create a business-oriented culture here,” Shaw says, “so our young people know they can find good jobs, stay here, raise their families, and contrib-ute to their community.” Sounds like the perfect formula for success.

astransportation,homelessness,andworkplacedevelopment.Itplayedakeyroleinthecreationofthedowntown’snewTransitionscenter,ashelterandtrainingfacilityforthehomeless.

“Reachingourfullpotentialasacommunityrequiresthatnothingseparateus,beitaroad,neighbor-hood,race,age,oreventheriverthatformstheboundarybetweenourcounties,”Jacksonsays.“Wecanalwaysdomore.”

From Good to Great

“We’re working with educators to create a business-oriented culture here, so our

young people know they can find good jobs, stay here, raise their families, and

contribute to their community.”

The dawning of a new age of aerospace research is at USCSouth Carolina’s number one ranked engineering and computing school*, is home to one

of the most comprehensive energy research programs in the country, one of the strongest materials research centers in the country and one of the strongest condition-based

maintenance programs in the country. To match the rapid growth of our College (42% increase in enrollment in the last five years), we are rapidly increasing and expanding our research

initiatives and graduate degree programs to include system design, aerospace, information security, engineering management, and more. Learn more about us online at cec.sc.edu.

*For faculty research productivity by the National Research Council. For more info, see http://www.nap.edu/rdp AXIAL FANS CENTRIFUGAL FANS FLUID DRIVES COMPRESSORS AIR PREHEATERS BLOWERS

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In1991,BillKennedypurchasedNephronPharmaceuticals,whichmanufacturesgenericrespiratorymedications.Hiswife,Lou,hasledthecompanyaspresidentandCEOsince2007—aperiodof300-percentsalesgrowth.TodayNephroniscapableofshippingmorethan100milliondosesmonthly.AsnativeSouthCaro-liniansandUniversityofSouthCarolinagraduates,thehusband-wifeteamholdsaspecialplaceintheirheartsfortheiralmamater—andforColumbia.TheymetataGamecocksfootballgameandthey’requicktopointoutthatUSCbeatGeorgiathatday.

Why did you build Nephron’s $300 million-plus plant in nearby Cayce, South Carolina?Weareveryexcitedaboutaskilled-laborpool.Wearemostexcitedthatthisisanon-unionstate.Theaveragewageforthisnewplantisgoingtobejustabove$70,000ayear.Also,thebackofourpropertyisservicedbyrail.SouthCarolinaiswell-positionedforgettingproductsoutofthestate.

What’s so special about Columbia?Thefolksarefriendly,hospitable,andwelcoming.Itwasaverybigdrawinourdealingswitheco-nomicdevelopment.ThesecondattractionisUSCandthewholeschoolsystem.Anddon’tforgetthefunofGamecockssportingevents!

What are your favorite things to do here as a couple?Ourwholefamily’shere.Ourdaughter’sastudentatUSC.So,certainlyspendingtimewithfamilyisanicedraw.ButIwouldhavetosaythattailgatingisacompletelywonderfulsportinthestateofSouthCarolina!Also,welovetoeatattheBlueMarlin.Wewereintroducedtoeachotheratthatrestaurant,anditisveryspecialtous.Theshrimpandgritsareafavorite!

Faces of Columbia:

Meet Lou and Bill KennedyThese Nephron owners may be based in the

Orlando area, but their hearts belong to Columbia.

By Lynn Seldon

Columbia, S.C.

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LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS EDUCATION, APPLIED RESEARCH, OUTREACH TO GLOBAL BUSINESS PARTNERS TO GLOBAL BUSINESS PARTNERS

AND SUSTAINABILITY

PROJEC T GOALS:• LEED Platinum and a Net-Zero rating• More than 40% more effi cient in water use over code.• Landscaping with native plants using collected rainwater for irrigation.• Stormwater management practices will remove 80% total suspended solids• Over 20% of the project area will be dedicated to open, green space• A green roof that helps improve energy effi ciency• Completely eliminate CFCs and HCFCs in the refrigeration systems• High effi ciency lighting and HVAC systems• Maximize the use of natural light• Utilize CO2 monitors in common spaces such as classrooms to manage air fl ow

Adjacent to the historic University of South Carolina’s 200-year-old academic campus in Columbia, SC, the Innovista research district is becoming a nexus of new knowledge developed in University research laboratories in partnership with start-up companies and expanding industry. At the gateway to the Innovista is the new home of the University’s Darla Moore School of Business. When completed in 2013, it will be one of the greenest buildings of its size in the world.

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usc moore school.indd 1 4/23/12 9:50 AM


The economic landscape of the Palmetto State has changed since BlueCross was formed to provide health coverage to working-class South Carolinians. Textile mills have shuttered, banking headquarters have come and gone, and now small businesses are struggling under tough financial times.

Yet one company still stands tall after 65 years … BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. And our success is South Carolina’s success.

As a highly diversified corporation of more than 40 companies, BlueCross employs more than 8,000 South Carolinians in 1,200 different job types.

As an innovator in health care delivery, BlueCross has offered new products and services that have evolved over time to improve

access to and the quality of the health care our customers need.

And as a community investor, BlueCross is heads and shoulders above other organizations. To date, our Foundation has allocated more than $30.1 million to address health care issues for our state’s most vulnerable populations, including the uninsured and underinsured.

Since our founding in 1946, BlueCross has offered security, stability and strength to the people of South Carolina. And

we plan on doing it for many more years to come.

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The education and business com-munities in and around Columbia have a long history of working together to offer targeted and general educational opportuni-ties that fi t a changing workplace and society.

A centerpiece is the state’s technical college system. In Richland and Lexington coun-ties, Midlands Technical College has seven campuses that enroll more than 18,000 students a year in more than 100 credit-earning and certifi cation tracks. In addi-tion, the college serves another 30,000 people in corporate and continuing-education programs.

New and existing companies turn to Midlands before they expand or relocate to ensure appropriate programs exist, or to create targeted training if they don’t, says the school’s president, Dr. Sonny White.

“We are really very well-positioned here,” White says. “For every scientist and engi-

neer they produce [at the state’s four-year schools], we’ve got to produce seven technicians to support them. So we need to stay connected in a big, big way.”

In addition to Midlands, the 30,000-student main campus of the University of South Carolina is more than a growing sports power in the premier South-eastern Conference. Its Honors College was named the nation’s best among public universities, according to a soon-to-be-published guide, A Review of Fifty Public University Honors Programs.

USC’s College of Engineer-ing and Computing boasts the Condition-Based MaintenanceResearch Center, which aids the U.S. Army via research to sup-port a timely and cost-effective aircraft maintenance program. The director of the CBM Research Center, Dr. Abdel E. Bayoumi (mechanical engineering), saved the government almost $40 mil-

A Well-Schooled Business Community

lion last year through his work.Not to be outdone, USC’s Darla

Moore School of Business offers a graduate program in international business that’s consistently ranked among the top in the nation. Just as impressive, the school is moving to a new home downtown that’s planned to be the most energy-effi cient build-

ing of its size in the world. Design goals include earning LEED Platinum and Net-Zero ratings, meaning the building will generate as much energy as it consumes.

But Midlands and USC aren’t the only schools in the area. Other educational institutions include 3,100-student Benedict College

(one of the country’s largest private, historically black colleges), as well as Columbia College, Allen University, and South Carolina State University, about 45 miles away. So whether you’re in downtown Columbia or on the outskirts, a good school isn’t hard to fi nd — making fi nding a good job a lot easier.

Columbia, S.C.Left: uSC campus

Right: Midlands Technical College

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BB&T is dedicaTed To sharing financial knowledge gained over 140 years, while providing stability and the best possible products to the communities we serve. Because we’re more than your bankers. we’re your neighbors, families and friends.

Our community roots run 140 years deep.

BB&T, Member fdic. BBT.com. © 2012 Branch Banking and Trust company.

McCutchen HouseKnown as the “portal into USC,” McCutchen House was originally built in 1813 as the second faculty residence on campus. Today, the house operates as a “living labora-tory” for students in the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management.

“No other school in the South runs a restaurant in a historic building that’s so prominently featured on campus,” according to Neal Smoak, McCutchen House director. “That’s what sets us apart, and that’s why our graduates are so heavily recruited. It’s our leadership and on-the-job training that makes us so marketable for the hospitality industry.”

But the best part for USC students and area residents is that McCutchen House is open for lunch during the fall and spring semesters. That means soup, salad, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and homemade desserts, such as the famous chocolate-walnut pie. Sweet! hrsm.sc.edu/mccutchen-house

Columbia, S.C.

McCutchen House

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The Arts C

Alive and (Very) Well

In fact, the area offers more than130 cultural organizations, with programs and exhibits ranging from avant-garde movies at Nickelodeon Theatre to tours of historic buildings at the Lexington County Museum.

Andy Smith, the Nickelodeon’s executive director, is thrilled with Columbia’s progress as a cultural city. “There’s a lot of great energy here right now, particularly in the arts scene,” Smith says. “From the opening of 701 Center for Contemporary Art to the launching of bands like Toro y Moi and Washed Out to the Nickelodeon’s move to Main Street, Columbia is like a wave that’s just beginning to crest.” Here are a few noteworthy swells:Dance: The city’s multiculturalmix shines in its 16 dance companies. Don’t miss the high-energy perfor-mances of Borenya West African Drum and Dance. And in the realm of the avant-garde, Alternacirque com-bines belly dancing with fire, acrobat-ics, and the occasional hula hoop. Too much? At the Ira and Nancy Koger Center for the Arts, two professional ballet companies — Columbia City Ballet and Columbia Classical Ballet

Columbia’s arts scene melds the old with the new.By Katie Mcelveen

ulturally curious? Columbia is awash with both traditional and contempo-rary programs in the visual arts, film, dance, music, and drama.

— stage elegant and often edgy ver-sions of classics like Swan Lake, as well as their own premieres.Music: The South Carolina Phil-harmonic’s unique programming — think jazz paired with Beethoven on the same bill — brings excitement to the classics, while the Red Hot Chili Peppers and other major concerts sell out the 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena. At the recently renovated 3,099-seat Township Auditorium, artists like Tony Bennett regularly wow crowds.Theater: Columbia’s Town Theatre stages traditional productions in the country’s oldest continually op-erating community theater building. You’ll also find respected community theaters in Lexington and Chapin. For an off-off-Broadway vibe, head to the Vista district of downtown Columbia, where Trustus Theatre assures thought-provoking produc-tions — and comfy recliner seating.Visual Arts: Although it ownsa fine collection of European and American art, the Columbia Museum of Art also hosts major traveling exhib-its. Next up: The Art of Seating, which

will showcase 200 years of American chair design. For more modern tastes, 701 Center for Contemporary Art features contemporary exhibits and an artist-in-residence program. There are also a number of private galleries in the Vista, as well as at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, where works from local artists can be viewed at no charge.History: South Carolina’s State-house is a piece of living history; the six bronze stars on the outer walls mark direct hits during Civil War battles. For more Civil War memorabilia, the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum in the South Carolina State Museum presents an array of impressive artifacts, includ-ing the original signed copy of the Ordinance of Secession. And at the Lexington County Museum and His-toric Columbia Foundation, guides lead tours of antebellum homes. Kids: Columbia Children’s Theatre and Columbia Marionette Theatre stage imaginative productions. And kids can use their own imaginations to anchor news shows at the mock TV area in the EdVenture Children’s Museum. Other play areas include a blooming butterfly garden, as well as “Eddie,” a 40-foot-tall boy that teaches children how the body works by allow-ing them to climb inside and explore.

Alternacirque

eddie at edVenture

From The Art of Seating exhibit, designed and manufactured by Vivian Beer (born 1977), Penland, north Carolina. Current, 2004. Welded steel, automobile paint. 24” x 16” x 36”

Columbia, S.C.

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A chAir thAt begs the question:PAPer or Plywood?

The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design presents the history, innovation and construction of American chair design from the 1800s to the present, curated from a private collection.

Columbia Museum of Artcolumbiamuseum.org | 803.799.2810 1515 Main Street in downtown Columbia, SC

“Easy Edges” Line Designed by Frank Gehry | Manufactured by Easy Edges, Inc. | High Stool, 1971 | Photo by Michael Koryta. The Art of Seating is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville in collaboration with the Jacobsen Collection

of American Art and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C.

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The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Designconstruction of American chair design from the 1800s to the present, curated from a private collection.

Faces of Columbia:

Meet DesignerAnnaBelle LaRoqueLike a modern-day Jackie O., AnnaBelle LaRoque is always perfectly put together. She should be: As the owner and designer of LaRoque Studio: Boutique, she’s known for her soft, feminine dress-es, tops, and skirts. LaRoque also understands the value of fl attering separates that will outlive trends without a trace of dowdiness. But Jackie O. isn’t her only inspiration: Students from the nearby University of South Carolina regularly pop into the atelier and help keep LaRoque ahead of the style curve. “Their youth keeps my designs fresh,”she says. “Once I see what’s new,I translate it into a classic design with a modern perspective.” La-Roque also draws on the nature of Columbians. “The people here are warm and inviting, and my clothes refl ect that. There’s nothing jar-ring or jagged.” Case in point: the Carolina Bow Dress. A comfortable, elegant A-line embellished with a fl irty bow, it was one of LaRoque’s fi rst designs and remains a top-seller today. shoplaroque.com

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Bon Appétit, Y’all

Y’all

hen it comes to Columbia cuisine, chefs know their grits — and their farmers. So who better to ask for

local recommendations than Mike Davis, acclaimed chef at locavore-leaning Terra in West Columbia?

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Terra’s shrimp remoulade

Great recommendations from a local chefBy Lynn Seldon

“The food scene in Columbia is really getting going and we’re proud to be at the forefront,” Davis says. Known for his dynamic menu that focuses on local produce and meats, Davis effuses about what’s available fresh from local farms and markets — and subsequently seen on lots of area menus. Here’s where he likes to eat — his inside dish on Columbia dining:@116 “Our neighbors on State Street have a fun, ever-changing menu and great Spanish tapas. This is our staff ’s regular spot for after-shift drinks and food.” 116state.comBaan Sawan “I love when co-owner and chef Alex Suaudom has boar on the menu. This bistro has awesome curries and the best Thai food in town.” baansawan.blogspot.comThe Gourmet Shop “This European-style cafe is great at lunch. Try a panini or their chicken salad. Pick up a bottle of wine from their wine shop and choose from a great selection of cheeses in their market on your way out.” thegourmetshop.netMotor Supply Company Bistro

“Motor Supply has a daily-changing handwritten menu, great wine list, and it’s the spot in town for Sunday brunch.” motorsupplycobistro.comBone-In Artisan Barbecue on

Wheels “This food truck serves up originals like smoked brisket in hickory-hoisin sauce with handmade focaccia bread. Find the truck’s location on the offi cial Web site.” artisanbbqtruck.comLizard’s Thicket (14 area locations)

“This ‘meat and three’ [an entree and three sides] is a Columbia institution for Southern favorites and a hearty breakfast. Don’t miss the fried chick-en.” lizardsthicket.comMr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe

“Great favorite Southern dishes atdinner with a wine list to match, butI love the po’boys on the lunch menu.”mrfriendlys.comRosso Trattoria Italia “A cool neigh-borhood Italian spot [in nearby Forest Acres] with a great bar. Don’t skip the pizza menu.” rossocolumbia.com

Palmetto Seafood Company

“Lucius Moultrie [the owner] has a great selection of local seafood to take home to cook, and prepared shrimp, scallops, clam strips, fried oysters and fi sh to go.” palmettoseafood.com

Davis also digs his ’cue. “My favorite Southern comfort food is without a doubt barbecue,” he says. “I love ribs, shoulder, and whole-hog cooking.” When possible, Terra’s menu features BBQ Lamb Shoulder Stuffed Mac & Cheese Gratin. “It takes two Southern favorites — barbecue, and mac and cheese — and combines them into a rich explosion of fl avor,” Davis says, adding that locals know to ask for “Lamb Mac.” His current favorite place for great local ’cue is Bone-In Artisan Barbecue on Wheels, part of the na-tional food-truck craze that’s hit down-town Columbia.

Right on ’Cue!Favorite barbecue styles (mustard versus vinegar versus ketchup) can spark heated discussions. These fi ery Columbia-area hot spots most defi -nitely do their ’cue just right: Maurice’s BBQ (mauricesbbq.com); Palmetto Pig Barbecue Restaurant (palmettopig.com); Hudson’s Smokehouse (hudsonsbbqsauce.com); RB’s Bodacious Barbeque (rbsbodaciousbbq.blogspot.com); Little Pigs Barbecue (littlepigs.biz); Doc’s Barbeque & Southern Buffet (docsbarbeque.com); Shealy’s Bar-B-Que (shealysbbq.com); and Big T’s Bar-B-Que (bigtbbq.com).

Bone-In Artisan Barbecue on

Wheels

Columbia, S.C.

Antique Mall

1528 Main Street Little Mountain, SC I-26, Exit 85 803-345-6440

Antiques & classic cars, Civil war items & jewelry, CAFÉ & outdoor Garden,

Repurposed finds, Estate service & auctions.

Over 25,000 sq ft. We Ship anything, Anywhere!

Mon-sat 10—6

Sunday 1:30—6

Not visiting sC? View our store & photos at

Www.littlemountainantiques.com FIND US ON FACEBOOK!

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Pack your sneaks for a self-guided tour.By Waynette Goodson

And that spells one thing: history, and a lot of it. Thankfully the Historic Colum-bia Foundation makes it easy for visitors to explore all the historic homes and gardens. While there are a half-dozen self-guided walking tours, the one with the biggest historic return goes through the Robert Mills district. Mills was one of the first architects born and trained in the U.S., and he designed some of the nation’s most prominent buildings, including the Washington Monument.

“Walking through the Robert Mills district under the canopy of old oaks, visitors have access to some of the most notable historic buildings and gardens in Columbia,” says Robin Waites, the foundation’s executive director.

Visit the Museum Shop at the Robert Mills House at 1616 Blanding Street to pick up your free self-guided walking tour brochures or to purchase a guided tour of the Robert Mills House,

Columbia, S.C.

Born in 1786 to establish political and regional parity between the Lowcountry and the backcountry, Columbia is a hub of culture, education, and government.

Hampton-Preston Mansion

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924 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201www.hiltoncolumbia.com (803) 744-7800

On-Site audiovisual equipment Complete conference services staff & audiovisual team Complimentary wireless internet Adjacent to Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Fitness Center Located within Columbia’s premier Congaree Vista shopping and restaurant district 222 signature guest rooms

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Mann-Simons site, or Hampton-Preston Mansion (a former Union Army headquarters).

“Spanning more than 200 years, these dynamic historic sites offer a glimpse into the lives of Columbia’s wealthiest planter families before the Civil War,” Waites explains, “as well as a young man who would become the nation’s 28th president [the Woodrow Wilson home] and an entrepreneurial African American family who ran a lunch counter and grocery store at their property [the Mann-Simons site] during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.”

The foundation has been exca-vating the Mann-Simons site for several years and processing all the new artifacts, which will go into a free public outdoor exhibit sched-uled to open this summer.

“We uncovered a rich diversityof artifacts, from bottle caps and cans to unexpected items like 30 one-inch copper straight pins, coins, and 10 cartridges of unfi red ammu-nition,” says archaeologist Jakob Crockett — proving that history is still very much alive in Columbia. historiccolumbia.org

Visitors haveaccess to the most notable

historic buildings in Columbia.

Administered by the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind

FREE TELEPHONE &

ALERTING DEVICES

Contact our office for an application!Toll-Free: 1-877-225-8337 VoiceToll-Free: 1-877-889-8337 TTY

www.scedp.org • [email protected]

• Deaf• Hard of Hearing• Deaf-Blind• Speech Impaired• Blind/Low Vision with Hearing Loss

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Robert Mills House

US Airways | Columbia

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Transcript of US Airways | Columbia