Around Town
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March 8, 2011
Columbia: Join Me with One Book, One Columbia
If you're like me, then you're always on the lookout for a great book to read. Imagine for a moment that you and all your neighbors and friends found such a book and were reading it at the same time. What interesting conversations and discussions might take place in our city! -
February 2, 2010
Should Columbia Hear From Our Voters About Form of Government?
I think so and addressed this matter at recent City Council meeting. -
November 16, 2009
Turning our face to the river
I returned yesterday from the National League of Cities meeting in San Antonio, Texas. This meeting drew some 3500 city council representatives from around the country for workshops and training sessions on a host of municipal issues. -
October 31, 2009
New initiative to nurture a love of reading in Columbia's children
Police Chief Tandy Carter and the Columbia Police Department have launched an exciting new initiative to nurture a love of reading in Columbia's children. This new program, the "Readers Are Leaders So Book 'em Now," is designed to get new and gently used books in the hands of our schoolchildren. It was launched today with a Halloween party and book give away in Earlewood, and I joined Chief Carter for the kickoff event. -
September 4, 2009
A Gift to Five Points and Our City
A few months ago Wales Garden neighborhood resident Carey Shealy, owner of Statewide Security Systems (SSS), contacted me to discuss his interest in making a special gift to Five Points and our City. -
July 11, 2009
All Local Farmer's Market has a new location at 711 Whaley Street
It's Saturday morning, so I headed over to Emile De Felice's All Local Farmer's Market to get some fresh vegetables. The interest in buying local produce grows daily in our city, and I saw numerous District 3 residents shopping this morning. -
July 4, 2009
America's Birthday in District 3
Across our nation today friends and neighbors, young and old, gathered for July 4th celebrations for America’s 233rd birthday! I attended programs hosted by the Hollywood/Rose Hill Neighborhood Association and the Melrose Heights Association. -
June 27, 2009
A New Park in Edisto Court
What better way to cool the children off on a 100-plus degree Saturday than at the new Edisto Court Discovery Park with its fabulous splash pad! -
June 26, 2009
A Dynamic Leadership Duo at the CCN
Districts 3's Edisto Court neighborhood president, Bessie Watson, is the new president of the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods (CCN), an umbrella organization for leadership and coordination of the city's 80 neighborhood associations. I attended her "Swearing In" ceremony last night along with Mayor Coble and other city representatives. -
June 19, 2009
Marking Our History At Bethel AME
I was indeed deeply honored with an invitation to speak at the Historic Marker dedication today for Bethel AME Church and join church and civic leaders in the celebration of this remarkable religious institution. -
April 16, 2009
Principal For A Day
I served as "Principal for the Day" at AC Moore Elementary School today. This is a new initiative, launched by Superintendent Percy Mack, that brought a host of business and community leaders into District One schools to learn more about the educational experiences of our children and the administrators and teachers that serve them. -
December 20, 2008
Mike Miller and Fiction Writing in Columbia
Rosewood resident Mike Miller is one of the most creative and interesting folks that I know. He has authored a new collection of short stories... -
December 12, 2008
An Appointment With The Obama Transition Team
The first order of business for President-Elect Obama and congressional leaders in January will be an economic stimulus bill designed to jumpstart our staggering economy and put increasing numbers of unemployed Americans back to work. -
October 18, 2008
Community Gardens in Rosewood
It is that time of the year again - cool enough to enjoy a beautiful fall workday in the garden! As one who treasures gardens, it was with great interest that I attended the special "Gardening and Compost Demonstration" at the Rosewood Community Garden. -
August 23, 2008
Celebrating Columbia's African American Heritage - The 2008 Jubilee Festival
What a treat to attend and participate in the Historic Columbia Foundation's (HCF) 30th annual Jubilee Festival. -
July 21, 2008
Cities Mean Business: The Municipal Association Meeting in Charleston
I traveled to Charleston July 17-20th to attend the 68th annual meeting of the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC). The Conference theme was "Cities Mean Business" and various topics explored the ways in which South Carolina cities and towns serve as engines for our state's economic development. -
July 15, 2008
Learning More About Our City
I am an advocate for strong neighborhood leadership that can address issues of concern with appropriate staff at Columbia City Hall. To this end I arranged a workshop for District 3 neighborhood presidents to make certain that our local leaders know about our various city programs and staff. -
July 15, 2008
A Ride Through Rosewood
I joined Rosewood Community Council President Travis Wheeler and longtime neighborhood advocate Bob Amundson for a ride through Rosewood to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in this important city neighborhood. -
June 30, 2008
A Center For Our Homeless
My good friend Dean Guess from the Rosewood neighborhood emailed me last week to urge my attendance at the June 26 press conference at the Salvation Army Center on Main Street. Dean shared the concerns of thousands in our city that it is now time for Columbia to address the issue of homelessness in a significant and compelling manner. -
June 29, 2008
Our Wonderful Congaree River
I recently attended the June 27th announcement of the one-year anniversary of the Congaree River Blue Trails initiative and learned that this great river has received the prestigious federal designation as a National Recreation Trail. We are now on the map of important tourist destinations!