Botanical Garden celebrates 30th anniversary
By Josh Cruse
joshc@thecolumbiastar.com | May 29, 2025
The Riverbanks Botanical Garden will be celebrating its 30th anniversary Tuesday, June 10. “I think it’s important to celebrate 30 years and to recognize it because this Botanical Garden is...
Lakewood Tree Farm, a family affair
By Mike Cox | May 29, 2025
Glen Miller first met Lindsey Lake in the summer of 2001. Glen was struggling with the death of his 15-year-old brother, as was everyone in his family. He was...
Richland One announces new superintendent
Contributed by Richland One | May 29, 2025
The Richland One Board of School Commissioners voted unanimously Friday, May 23 to offer the position of superintendent to Dr. Todd Anthony Walker, pending contract negotiations. Dr. Walker, who is...
USC Board of Trustees provides approval in next phase of the Williams-Brice Stadium Project
Contributed by USC | May 29, 2025
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees has given its approval to the next step of the Williams-Brice Stadium...
Richland County Council receives public input on FY26 budget
By Anita Baker | May 29, 2025
The Richland County FY 2026 Budget Public Hearing took place Thursday, May 22. All council members were present except Councilman...
CVETS offers free care for local law enforcement dogs
Contributed by Emily White, CVETS | May 22, 2025
CVETS (Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty) has announced a new initiative providing free emergency and specialty veterinary care to...
Keeping the Weight Off
Mike Cox
mwc0423@gmail.com | May 29, 2025
I’m sure even those isolated Indigenous People who try to kill missionaries have heard about Ozempic by now. The weight...
Googling Fun and Laughter
Julia Rogers Hook
jrhook@thecolumbiastar.com | May 29, 2025
“Marty, I have to write my column…do something funny.” My husband peered at me across the table over the rim...
Jeff And Gary
Mike Cox
mwc0423@gmail.com | May 22, 2025
Jeff was part of the group I found when we moved to a magical community called Lynnwood. His older brother,...
FOLKS ABOUT TOWN
May 29, 2025
Matt Kossman has been named chief executive officer for Urgent Care Group. Brent Chitwood has joined the NAI Columbia brokerage...
BUSINESS BRIEFS
May 29, 2025
Governor Henry McMaster has officially proclaimed June 2025 as Youth Empowerment Month, a statewide recognition of the critical role young...
FOLKS ABOUT TOWN
May 22, 2025
Russell Bauknight, CPA, has been recognized among Forbes’ Best-In-State Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). John Gregory, PE, SIOR, CCIM of NAI...

Columbia Children’s Theatre presents Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience!
Contributed by William Mitchell | February 6, 2025
Experience the whimsical fun and heartfelt lessons of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience with Columbia Children’s Theatre...

South Carolina Ballet presents Romeo and Juliet
January 30, 2025
South Carolina Ballet will present Romeo and Juliet February 8, with performances at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at the Koger...

Dr. Whitehouse performs at St. Timothy’s
Contributed by Sallie Hook Boggs | January 9, 2025
Dr. Matthew Whitehouse opened St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church’s 2025 Concert Series Sunday, January 5. He is an organist, composer, and...
Eau Claire Music Club celebrates National Music Week
Contributed by Brenda Dean and Kathy Folks | May 29, 2025
On Sunday, May 4, the Eau Claire Music Club presented a “piano ensemble” of four Steinways being played simultaneously by...
CHNA Yard of the Month
May 29, 2025
The Cross Hill Neighborhood Association (CHNA) Yard of the Month committee has named the Grissom Family of Devereaux Road for...
Woman’s Club of Columbia honored for 100 years of service
May 29, 2025
S.C. Representative Seth Rose presents a House Resolution to Karen Galloway, president of Woman’s Club of Columbia, celebrating the club’s...
Beyond the Beach
By Arlene Marturano
South Carolina Garden-based Learning Network on Facebook | May 29, 2025
While K-12 students may be out of school for summer vacation, their teachers head back to the classroom for additional...
Richland One communications team wins 16 state PR awards
Contributed by Karen E. York | May 29, 2025
The Richland One Office of Communications received 16 awards from the South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations...
Two Richland One high school seniors named South Carolina Teaching Fellows
Contributed by Ilyssa Weiner | May 29, 2025
Two Richland One high school seniors have been named 2025 South Carolina Teaching Fellows. The Teaching Fellows program’s goal is...
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 29, 2025
•ART Alexandra’s Art Studio, 111 Sparkleberry Crossing Road, offers adult...
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 22, 2025
•ART Alexandra’s Art Studio, 111 Sparkleberry Crossing Road, offers adult...
Lady Stout to headline Historic Columbia’s 2025 Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture
Contributed by Historic Columbia | May 22, 2025
Historic Columbia has announced Lady Stout, the genre-defying artist known...
Falcons fly to first state championship
May 29, 2025
Find these pictures and many more here! On one wall in the A.C. Flora gym are painted banners commemorating each Falcon state championship. Later this year, A.C. Flora administrators will...
Gray advances to the 4A state championship series
May 29, 2025
The Gray Collegiate War Eagles advanced to the 4A softball state championship series by scoring nine runs in the first two innings en route to a 13-0 win over the...
Gray/York Game 1 delayed
May 29, 2025
Find this picture and many more here! Game 1 of the 4A softball state championship series between the York Cougars and the Gray Collegiate War Eagles Tuesday, May 27 was...

A game I teach every puppy I meet (and why)
By Jenna Pellerito, Owner and Head Trainer Columbia K9 Training & Behavior www.thefutureisforcefree.com | May 22, 2025
As a dog trainer who specializes in both behavior modification and puppy socialization, I see many adult dogs presenting behavioral issues that could have been prevented by teaching them certain...

Why you should hire a force free dog trainer and ditch punishment based training methods
Jenna Pellerito, Owner and Head Trainer Columbia K9 Training & Behavior www.thefutureisforcefree.com/ | March 13, 2025
Force free dog training is a style of dog training that does not use force, fear, intimidation, pain, dominance, punishment, or corrections as a behavior modification strategy. This training primarily...

Are you ready to train? How to know if your dog is ready to participate in a training session
By Jenna Pellerito, Owner and Head Trainer Columbia K9 Training & Behavior https://www.thefutureisforcefree.com/ | February 13, 2025
Timing is incredibly important in the world of dog training. Timing of reinforcers, markers, cues, you name it. But what about timing when it comes to training sessions? How do...
A Middle East Expedition— Mt. Nebo, Moses’s Last Chance
By Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D. | May 29, 2025
Editor’s Note: At the request of his readers and in memory of Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D, we will continue to publish his Adventure Travel stories for the time being. “And...
A Middle East Expedition— Wadi Rum
By Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D. | May 22, 2025
Editor’s Note: At the request of his readers and in memory of Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D, we will continue to publish his Adventure Travel stories for the time being. Nena...
A Middle East Expedition— Wadi Rum
By Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D. | May 15, 2025
Editor’s Note: At the request of his readers and in memory of Warner M. Montgomery, Ph.D, we will continue to publish his Adventure Travel stories for the time being. Jordan...
Cultivate a family sensory garden
By Arlene Marturano
South Carolina Garden-based Learning Network on Facebook | May 29, 2025
School may be out for summer but learning never stops especially when gardening at home. Parents and children can collaborate to create a summer sensory garden. Most sensory gardens focus...
Star Chefs
allrecipes.com | May 29, 2025
Heavenly Raspberry Dessert 1 (9 inch) angel food cake 2 (3 ounce) packages raspberry-flavored gelatin mix (such as Jell-O®) 1 ¼ cups boiling water 1 (15 ounce) package frozen raspberries...
The Power of Produce (POP)
By Arlene Marturano
South Carolina Garden-based Learning Network on Facebook | May 22, 2025
For parents having the problem of getting their children to taste and eat their daily MyPlate serving of half a plate of fruits and vegetables, help is as close as...
Master’s Sales
May 29, 2025
MASTER'S SALE C/A#2023CP4002153 BY VIRTUE of a decree heretofore granted in the case of: Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. vs. Jonathan M. Martin; Stephen F. Martin; Any Heirs-at-Law or Devisees of...
Public Notices
May 29, 2025
SUMMONS STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF RICHLAND IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS FOR THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 2024-CP-40-03224 Heather Ann Byer, now known as Heather Ann George, Plaintiff,...
Storage Auctions
May 29, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE To satisfy the owner's storage lien, PS Retail Sales, LLC will sell at public lien sale on June 18, 2025, the personal property in the below-listed...