By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net When it’s spring and the rocky shoals spider lilies bloom, spring’s my favorite season. When mornings of chilled air and radiant leaves arrive, fall’s my favorite season. When I think of autumn memories, first on my list are my days standing by the AugustaContinue Reading
Three-day event features plants, pumpkins, garden décor and local produce The South Carolina State Farmers Market will host its annual Fall Plant and Flower Festival October 9-11, offering visitors a variety of seasonal plants, flowers, pumpkins and garden-related items. One of the market’s largest annual events, the festival welcomed moreContinue Reading
Saluda Shoals Park event offers family-friendly Halloween fun Families are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes for the Trick-or-Treat Trail Saturday, October 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Saluda Shoals Park East. The trail will follow the path around Leo’s Landing Inclusive Playground, which will remainContinue Reading
Sessions help families prepare for Special Education Parent Advisory Council School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties hosted a two-part, in-person Parent Leadership Training September 19-20 to help families become more involved in supporting students receiving special education services. The training was led by Family Connection of South CarolinaContinue Reading
350 volunteers help clean up waterways in Richland and Lexington counties Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) coordinated its annual Lake Sweep/River Sweep on September 19, bringing together 350 volunteers to remove litter and debris from Lake Murray and surrounding waterways. The cleanup involved more than 30 event partners, including DominionContinue Reading
Exhibition features 12 South Carolina artists and a variety of contemporary art forms The South Carolina State Museum will open In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina on Saturday, October 10, showcasing the work of 12 artists and the diversity of contemporary craft across the Palmetto State. The juriedContinue Reading
Families invited to learn about gifted magnet pathway School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties will host an Escolares Pathway Information Night Thursday, October 15, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Irmo Middle School. The event will give families an opportunity to learn about the Escolares Pathway and meetContinue Reading
Maria Yturria becomes one of only three Richland County Sheriff’s Department leaders to graduate from the elite six-month course By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Deputy Chief Maria Yturria recently graduated from the FBI’s “uniquely” intensive six-month National Executive Institute – designed specifically for executive-level lawContinue Reading
Columbia native Frankiee Veney will bring his award-winning short film BLOODED home for a screening at the South Carolina Black Film Festival October 10 at the South Carolina State Museum. Film screenings begin at 3:30 p.m. Veney is the founder of Nine Ninth, a creative collective that develops culturally groundedContinue Reading
After a 12-year absence, the Italian Festival returns to Columbia October 10 at Finlay Park. The free festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 2-2:30 p.m. on the park’s main stage. Festival Lead Organizer Tripp Roche, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and RichlandContinue Reading
Saluda Shoals Park East will host a Boo-vie in the Park this Friday, October 9, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The drive-in movie event will feature the Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus. Guests can enjoy the movie from the comfort of their vehicles or bring chairs and watch under the stars. The eventContinue Reading
Discount admission and ride tickets are now on sale for the 2026 South Carolina State Fair, returning to Columbia October 15-25. Fairgoers who purchase admission and ride vouchers in advance through October 14 can save up to 50% at participating Circle K locations or online at SCStateFair.org. “Fair season willContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Chapin headed to The Swamp last Friday looking to secure its first region win in two years. It was a seesaw battle which saw the Eagles take a one-point lead into the fourth quarter. River Bluff responded with 10 straight points in the final 12 minutesContinue Reading
Turning a minor disappointment into a measurable victory By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Stupidity, defiance, or calculated risk: Probably a bit of all three. Yesterday morning I had routine blood labs done. Everything looked good – Praise God – though my hemoglobin levels (the culprit in my 2024 stroke) wereContinue Reading
Daniel Baker becomes the sixth S.C. game warden to graduate from the elite Quantico, VA-based school By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Captain Daniel Baker, a 19-year veteran of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Law Enforcement Division, recently joined a truly elite corps of law enforcement officers nationwide –Continue Reading
Free festival celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, cultural performances and family activities COLUMBIA, S.C. — Carnaval del Barrio, one of the Midlands’ largest celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month, will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at Finlay Park in downtown Columbia. Admission is free. The family-friendly festival draws hundredsContinue Reading