The Hometown Weekly
September 3, 2025
By Tom Poland In my youth we had a daily newspaper, The Augusta Chronicle. What we didn’t get every day was local news. That’s what made The Lincoln Journal…
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One Columbia unveils new headquarters at historic Keenan House with community open house
September 2, 2025
One Columbia announces the grand opening of its new headquarters at 801 Wildwood Avenue, within the iconic Keenan House, and invites the entire community to a celebratory Open House on September…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Town Theatre Unveils Complete 106th Season
September 2, 2025
Five shows, one century of tradition, and a season full of music, mystery and magic! Town Theatre is raising the curtain on its 106th season, continuing its legacy as the…
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Caffeine
August 29, 2025
By Tom Poland “Cocaine,” JJ Cale wrote it. Eric Clapton sung it. Clapton described the song as anti-cocaine and that seems to be the case, if you read between…
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S.C. Arts Commission names seven new ‘emerging artists’
August 26, 2025
New cohort receives project funding, mentoring Seven artists establishing themselves in their artistic pursuits will benefit from the South Carolina Arts Commission Emerging Artists program, receiving a project-based grant and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Streams Art public art program announces new smartphone-based filmmaking contest, Columbia Cell-A-Brates Cinema
August 20, 2025Red Carpet Access is Right In Your Pocket! The City of Columbia opens the gateway for cellphone, mobile, and smartphone films from filmmakers of all levels. Submission portal for contest entries…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move, the-arts
Grandma’s Petunias
August 13, 2025
By Tom Poland A Short and Sweet, Fragrant Memory Vintage petunias, those flowers my grandma loved, I saw them in youth. As I sort through my memory album they…
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ColaJazz Academy launches new 4-week jazz improvisation course with pianist & composer Nicholas Vlandis
August 12, 2025
The ColaJazz Academy announced the launch of a brand-new 4-week course on Jazz Improvisation, taught by acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Nicholas Vlandis. This immersive program kicks off Monday, September…
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ColaJazz Foundation awarded grant to “Invigorate Cayce” through pop-up jazz concert series and community cleanup
August 11, 2025
The ColaJazz Foundation has secured funding to launch its Invigorate Cayce Project, a community-driven initiative to transform three underutilized sites along the Congaree River into vibrant pop-up jazz venues. With funding from the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Queen Of The Shoals
August 7, 2025
By Tom Poland Her May-June reign approaches. The rocky shoals spider lily, Hymenocallis coronaria, will soon flaunt her crown of white, green, and gold. Exquisite, ephemeral, and periled. Much…
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Popular event series ‘Harvesting Heritage’ returns to the State Museum
August 6, 2025
Guests will enjoy a discussion panel, crab crack reception, and more. The South Carolina State Museum is excited to announce the return of the popular Harvesting Heritage event series with…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, hospitality, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Streams Art public art program awards 12 local artists with more than $15,000 in micro-grant funding for creative projects
July 31, 2025
A jury pool of local artists/arts professionals reviewed seventeen micro-grant applications submitted The City of Columbia’s Columbia Streams Art program has awarded $15,250 in micro-grants to 12 local artists, with funding ranging from…
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Highway 13, Cemetery Road
July 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Pot holes pockmarked the old road. She promised a bumpy ride, but rivulets of tar stitched her together, and that was good enough for me. I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
My Love Affair With Miss Zebco
July 24, 2025
By Tom Poland I fished many a farm pond as a boy. When I left my red-varnished cane pole for Miss Zebco, I fell in love. I filled my…
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Ensemble Eclectica! presents: TAPESTRY OF SOUND! From Bluegrass to Broadway and More
July 24, 2025
Saturday, August 23 – 7:30 pm Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College Classical Meets Bluegrass and Broadway in the new signature production Tapestry of Sound: Bluegrass to Broadway and More.…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, music, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia announces new headquarters, launches new artist support fund, and prepares for next cohort of Garage Studio artists
July 21, 2025
One Columbia for Arts and Culture announced a new chapter in its work supporting the creative community of Columbia, SC. With a new location, a new artist grant initiative, and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia announces new headquarters
July 21, 2025Also Launches New Artist Support Fund, and Prepares for Next Cohort of Garage Studio Artists One Columbia for Arts and Culture is excited to announce a new chapter in its…
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Blink Book Review: “Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism” by Sarah Wynn-Williams
July 17, 2025
By Reba Hull Campbell For anyone who hates social media – and Facebook in particular – you’ll get a real satisfaction from reading this book and all the awfulness surrounding…
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My Southland, Maybe Yours
July 16, 2025
By Tom Poland April, along a back road to Athens, G-A, I saw ghosts. Amid new homes a shed and barn cast blue shadows across brilliant-green grass. Then I…
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Nailing Down A Mystery
July 9, 2025
By Tom Poland Old doors rife with nails. Rows and rows of nails. Studs. Like handsome lads, all in a row. All in precise order. I’ve come across two…
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Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Town Theatre – July 11-27
July 7, 2025
“Just look at the world around you ~ such wonderful things surround you ~ what more is you lookin’ for?” Indeed, life under the sea is a magical kingdom. But…
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Entries are now open for the South Carolina State Fair’s 2025 competitive exhibits
July 1, 2025
The South Carolina State Fair is now accepting entries for its annual competitive exhibits, which will be on display Oct. 8-19, 2025 during the S.C. State Fair. Exhibitors from across…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: agriculture, food, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The Songs Of Summer
June 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Nature blessed my boyhood summers with music. Cicadas’ rising-falling singsong gave days rhythm. Katydids chimed in evenings with a nightshift song backed by cricket twitter. The…
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Summer Blink Book Review: “That Which Binds Us” by Cathy Rigg
June 26, 2025By Reba Hull Campbell When traveling light, I still indulge in the luxury of carrying a hard copy book with me. For a recent vacation trip, I chose Cathy Rigg’s…
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Granddad’s Fiddle
June 25, 2025
By Tom Poland Long did Grandad’s fiddle hang on my mother’s living room wall. I could never walk by it without wondering … “What’s its story?” Best I recall,…
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Blink Book Review: “Uncommon Favor: North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three” by Dawn Staley
June 18, 2025
By Reba Hull Campbell I’m not usually one to pick memoirs by sports icons. Musicians, journalists, writers or politicians, yes. But not often sports heroes. I admit, I just…
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They Just Upped And Left
June 18, 2025
By Tom Poland Late 1950s. May 1. Riding with Dad by a cement block house. White. A few clothes out back on the clothesline. Diapers mainly. A tricycle with…
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USC School of Music celebrates first recipients of Music Teaching Artist Certificate
June 9, 2025
In response to South Carolina’s critical shortage of music educators and limited access to instrumental instruction in public schools, the University of South Carolina School of Music has launched an…
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Columbia Operatic Laboratory presents Forever Lifted, Forever Free – June 20
June 5, 2025
Columbia Operatic Laboratory (COLab) is honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth through “Forever Lifted, Forever Free.” This beautiful concert, which features the works of Black composers, will be…
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Trustus Theatre presents the 26th Annual Vista Queen: Queens of Pop – June 6
June 3, 2025
Trustus Theatre is set to dazzle audiences with the 26th Annual Vista Queen: Queens of Pop!, a glittering lip sync battle and fundraiser celebrating the icons of pop music. Hosted by the…
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Steel Hands Brewing kicks of Nashville Nights concert series
June 3, 2025
Steel Hands Brewing is excited to kick off its fifth anniversary of its Nashville Nights concert series, presented by Jim Hudson Audi of Columbia, with a hand selected lineup of…
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SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Gala raises over $250,000 to support Thrive25 Initiative
June 2, 2025
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities celebrated 25 years of transformative arts education at its milestone 25th Anniversary Gala, held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Man Will Always Wage War
May 29, 2025
By Tom Poland Cynicism Sometimes Is Backed By Reality I remember the Vietnam anti-war protests at the University of Georgia. Some group firebombed the Army ROTC building and I…
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Galactic Visions, Nantahala by Teri Leigh Teed selected for Healing Power of Color Invitational Exhibition
May 26, 2025
Galactic Visions, Nantahala, a fine art photograph from Teri Leigh Teed’s Eleanor’s Dream series of her Healing Spirit Art© Collection, has been selected for the 2025 Healing Power of Color…
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Entrepreneur Minute – Cathy Rigg, Author
May 20, 2025
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, the-arts
LADY STOUT to headline Historic Columbia’s 2025 Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture
May 20, 2025
Historic Columbia announced that LADY STOUT, the genre-defying artist known for her electrifying fusion of soul, rock, and jazz, will headline the 47th annual Jubilee: Festival of Black History &…
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Columbia Museum of Art June 2025 Calendar
May 15, 2025
EXHIBITIONS Sam Gilliam: Printmaker On view May 24 through August 31, 2025 Sam Gilliam (1933 – 2022) was one of the great innovators in postwar American painting. Early in his…
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Free summer at the Columbia Museum of Art is back
May 15, 2025
Two must-see exhibitions open May 24 The Columbia Museum of Art announces the return of Free Summer at the CMA, the reopening of first-floor galleries, and the opening of two…
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Juke Joints & Dive Bars
May 14, 2025
By Tom Poland Mom never darkened the door of a juke joint, but that didn’t stop her from rendering a harsh judgment. “The only people who go to juke…
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The Nick announces return of Kids Summer Movie Series
May 13, 2025
The Nickelodeon Theater is thrilled to announce the return of its Kids Summer Movie Series, bringing classic animated and live-action family favorites back to the big screen for a second…
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Trustus Theatre presents Samuel D. Hunter’s A Case for the Existence of God
May 12, 2025
Opening May 16 in the Trustus Side Door Trustus Theatre presents A Case for the Existence of God by Obie Award-winning playwright Samuel D. Hunter, opening Friday, May 16 in…
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A cure for FOMO (or also entitled 48 hours in the company of hooting, cackling and snorting friends*)
May 7, 2025
By Reba Hull Campbell At my age, there’s not much that can gin up a full-blown case of FOMO anymore. But when I recently realized I was the only one…
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The Birds of Death
May 7, 2025
By Tom Poland Forever Fly, You Black Riders Roads tell stories. I’ve come across the “Mule Kick That Killed Eight People” in Edgefield County. I’ve seen stores fall to…
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Fireworks with the SC Philharmonic returns to Segra Park
May 7, 2025
Celebrate Independence Day with a concert and fireworks in the BullStreet District The Columbia Fireflies and the South Carolina Philharmonic today announced that Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma…
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Monty Python’s Spamalot at Town Theatre
May 5, 2025
Join King Arthur and his sidekick Patsy as they recruit a few good men to form the Knights of the very, very, very Round Table. Upon gathering an incomparable assortment…
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Capt. Mose Rogers & The S.S. Savannah
May 1, 2025
By Tom Poland I visit cemeteries never knowing what I’ll find. February 10, a cemetery gave me a story that has the elements of a great movie—risk, bravery, tragedy, the…
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South Carolina Arts Commission and SC Future Makers launch video series highlighting the creative side of advanced manufacturing
April 28, 2025
The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) and the SC Future Makers are partnering to show K-12 students how creativity and the arts play a vital role in advanced manufacturing across the state. Their collaboration…
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Nature’s Fierce Defiance
April 23, 2025
By Tom Poland For seven years I only read Russian writers, Boris Pasternak, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and my favorite, Alexander Ilyich Solzhenitsyn. Solzhenitsyn wrote of life under Stalin.…
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Entrepreneur Minute – Sharon Tchonev, Varna International
April 23, 2025
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, the-arts
Satchel Ford Elementary theatre teacher wins South Carolina Theatre Association’s Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award
April 23, 2025
Satchel Ford Elementary School theatre teacher Scott Vaughan has been named the recipient of the Deborah Smith Hoffman Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award by the South Carolina Theatre Association. The award…
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