July/August 2011 Columbia Metropolitan magazine

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contents Volume 22 Number 1

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Features 28 Columbia Then and Now

225 years old and still growing

By Rachel Haynie

Departments Athlete’s Corner 20 Want to Be a Better Golfer?

It’s all in the swing

By Katie McElveen

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Carolina Community Bow, Curtsy, Dance English country dancing has a following in Columbia

By Deena C. Bouknight

Home Style 32 Great Bones A designer brings a homeowner’s vision to reality

By Margaret Gregory 38 A Child’s Paradise Creating a kid-approved backyard oasis

By Melissa Andrews

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contents Volume 22 Number 1

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Setting the Stage Staging Style helps sellers get their houses sold

By Katie McElveen

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54 A Summer Fling with Seafood

Fresh seafood recipes are quite the catch

By Susan Fuller Slack, CCP

Palmetto Business 68 The Big Impact of Small Business Local business owners generate jobs in the Midlands

By Robin Cowie Nalepa 76

68

54 95

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The Future of Recycling Local business owner turns waste into energy

By Margaret Gregory

advertising sections 82 Getting Down to Business 86 Look Good, Feel Better

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In every issue From the Editor City Scoop Spread the Word Just Married Picture This

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FROM THE EDITOR Publisher

Henry Clay

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et’s face it … Columbia is “famously hot,” and anything below 90 degrees is considered a cold front during the dog days of summer.

We can choose to wilt like delicate magnolias or embrace the heat and enjoy the great outdoors, right in our very own backyards.

Summer is a time for kids to be kids and for families to savor more relaxed paces with each other. Writer Melissa Andrews looks beyond the garden gate for ways to help make your backyard a world of imagination and discovery for your children. Learn how to turn your turf into a place where summer memories are made for the entire family.

Working on your golf swing? The extra daylight hours of summer bring plenty of time to improve your game. Robin All, a local golf pro with more than 50 years of experience, shares useful tips to improve your game. With helpful hints from Robin and a few technology tools, you are sure to be a scratch golfer in no time.

A vacation to the beautiful South Carolina coast is the perfect getaway from the asphalt jungle of the city, but if you can’t escape, bring the coast to you.

Writer Susan Slack shares delicious recipes using fresh local seafood that will surely enhance any summer supper. Pan-Seared Halibut with Spicy Mango Salsa sound tempting? Turn to page 54 to get started.

Between all of your summer activities, please take a quick moment to vote in our annual Best of Columbia contest. It’s your chance to give a shout out to your favorite businesses in town. Your vote will be much appreciated.

Whether you are reading in the hammock of your own backyard or taking a respite indoors, we hope you enjoy this issue of Columbia Metropolitan magazine.

e d i to r

Emily Tinch A SSO C I ATE EDITOR e d i to r i a l A rt D i r e c to r

Robyn Culbertson a d v e rt i s i n g A rt D i r e c to r

Dennis Craighead Design SENIOR A DVERTISING E X E C UTIVE

Shawn Coward A DVERTISING s a l e s

Emily Clay, Margaret Clay production manager

Nancy Lambert INTERN s

Hannah Chillag, Sallie Gregory, Lara Leitner contributing writers

Melissa Andrews, Deena Bouknight, Margaret Gregory, Rachel Haynie, Katie McElveen, Robin Nalepa, Susan Slack P h o to g r ap h y

Jeff Amberg, Jennifer Covington, Robert Clark, Bob Lancaster Columbia Metropolitan is published 10 times a year by Clay Publishing, Inc., 3700 Forest Drive, Suite 106, Columbia, S.C. 29204.

Copyright© Columbia Metropolitan 2011.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Advertising rates available upon request. The publishers are not responsible for the comments of authors or for unsolicited manuscripts. Subscription price $19.97 a year, $29.97 for two years in the United States. Postmaster send address changes to: Columbia Metropolitan, P.O. Box 6666, Columbia, South Carolina 29260. (803)787-6501.

Sincerely,

Emily S. Tinch Editor

There are two ways to vote in our annual Best of Columbia contest! Fill out and mail in the ballot on pages 93 & 94 in this issue of the magazine, or go online and vote at www.columbiametro.com.

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About the cover: Pam and Daniel Litchford’s home in Blythewood Photography by Robert Clark

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city scoop

Building Unity in the Community Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigator hits the water for a good cause

By Hannah Chillag

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rom Aug. 25 to Sept. 5, Richland County Sheriff ’s Department Investigator Amy Hartland will be pushing herself mentally and physically to honor those who were affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. She will be participating in the 2011 World Police and Fire Games in New York City, N.Y, which will coincide with the attacks’ ten year remembrance.

This will be Amy’s second trip to the event, having placed second, third and fourth in the 2009 games. This time around she

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will compete in five swimming events in three days of competition, hoping to improve on her previous times.

The World Police and Fire Games is a not-for-profit organization with two main goals in mind: to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the September 11th tragedy and to express gratitude to those who supported the victims. Amy says that she is more than happy to join other police officers and fire fighters from around the world hitting the water for a great cause. It is also a way for her to keep up her swimming skills, which began at the age of 10 and have remained with her even while working for Richland County Sheriff ’s Department.

If you are interested in making a donation to help Amy offset expenses associated with participating in the World Games, c a l l ( 8 0 3 ) 3 0 9 - 2 6 47. Fo r m o r e information visit http://2011wpfg.org.

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city scoop

Historic Columbia Foundation Honors Local Preservation Projects

By Hannah Chillag / Photography by Kathryn Gaiennie

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his past May, the Historic Columbia Foundation honored local preservation projects that epitomize and encompass efforts to maintain and add to the historically, architecturally and culturally significant buildings, neighborhoods and landscapes within the city and Richland County.

These awards, which are given annually during Preservation month, were presented to the Township Auditorium and Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library under the category of New Construction in a Historic Context; 601 Gervais Street and 1218 Pulaski Street under the Adaptive Use category; Goodwill Plantation, Pine Grove Rosenwald School and Wesley United Methodist Church under the Preservation/Restoration category; and Trinity Cathedral under the Preservation/Restoration and

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Preservation Leadership Award.

One award in particular, given to Trinity Cathedral, is directed toward the $2 million capital improvement of its Cathedral and Parish House. When it was completed in 2010, the work far exceeded initial estimates in extent and cost. However, the end result, made possible through the dedication of skilled South Carolina craftsmen, led to a stateof-the-art restoration of this circa-1846 site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The conservation and upkeep of these particular sites is in hopes that the community can better understand and appreciate the importance of preservation.

For more information on this year’s Preservation Awards recipients and Historic Columbia Foundation tours, visit www.HistoricColumbia.org or call (803) 252-1770. Â

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city scoop

SC Women Legislators Form Honorary Girl Scout Troop

By Hannah Chillag

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ixteen women from the S.C. House of Representatives came together on May 11 to form the first-ever South Carolina Honorary Girl Scout Troop. Their troop, which was given the troop number 1912 in recognition of the year Girl Scouts was founded, comprises all 16 women in the House of Representatives. They will work in partnership with local Girl Scout troops to address contemporary issues that impact girls. The two Girl Scout councils in the states, Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina and Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands, hosted a late afternoon tea at the Capital City Club to celebrate the formation of this honorary troop.

Kim Hutzell, president/C E O of Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands, says that the primary focus of Girl Scout programming is developing leadership skills. She is delighted to include this special group of bipartisan women leaders whose contributions as policymakers and role models for all girls in our state are an invaluable asset as they work towards a mission of building

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girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Loretta Graham, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina, says the four areas of interest on the Girl Scouts legislative agenda are promoting girls’ physical, social and emotional health; increasing girls’ involvement in science, technology, engineering and math; advancing girls’ leadership development; and strengthening financial literacy.

Loretta hopes that with the help of the honorary troop members, Girl Scouts will be able to make a powerful impact on the community.

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ATHLETE’s CORNER

Want to Be a Better Golfer?

It’s all in the swing

By Katie McElveen / Photography by Jeff Amberg

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ndy Warhol probably wasn’t referring to golf when he said, “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself,” but he could have been.

“Golfers tend to expect to get better the longer they play, and when they don’t, they can’t figure out why,” says Robin All, a local golf pro with more than 50 years of experience under his belt. “In my opinion, players don’t improve because they continue to do things — usually swing — the same way.

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The only way they can improve is to force themselves to change. And that’s really hard.”

But it’s not impossible. Robin has learned through teaching and playing golf that those old habits of yours are more than likely what’s keeping your ball from going where you want it to go.

To help students truly understand why their shots have a tendency to zig when they should zag, zoom upward when they need to stay more grounded or simply not travel

as far as they could, Robin has long employed a camera as one of his most useful teaching aids. “Problems can usually be traced back to the swing,” he explains. “Seeing yourself in an incorrect position makes it easier to adjust. I suspect it has to do with the fact that seeing is often believing: you may think there’s not something in your swing, but when it’s right there in front of you, it’s hard not to accept.”

To d a y, t h a n k s t o c e l l - p h o n e cameras that shoot both stills and video, it’s easier than ever for golfers

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“Problems can usually be traced back to the swing.

Seeing yourself in an incorrect position makes it easier to adjust. I suspect it has to do with the fact that seeing is often believing: you may think there’s not something in your swing, but when it’s right there in front of you, it’s hard not to accept.”

Robin All, golf pro, on using video to help his clients improve their swings

(L to R) Robin All, a local golf professional, works with client John Connery to make corrections to his swing.

and their pros to pinpoint the source of problems. “Have a friend take photos or videos of you swinging and you’ll be amazed at what you see,” notes Robin, who also recommends taping as much of each golf lesson as you can, too, then playing it back so you can remember the details and see how you corrected your form. Then the hard part begins: practicing your newly-improved swing. “Practice makes permanent, and there’s no substitute,” s ays Robin. And while Robin believes that lessons are critical to

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improvements in golf, he readily admits that there are plenty of things golfers can do on their own, between lessons, to supplement and support what they’re learning.

First, though, be sure that you’ve got the right equipment. With so many variables — weight, length, lie and flex of the shaft — within each club, getting professionally fitted is a vital part of the process. Robin suggests buying betterquality used clubs rather than clubs that are new, but perhaps inferior, particularly if you’re new to the game. “As players improve, they need new clubs with different features,” he says. “Your third set

Thanks to the internet, you can find thousands of photos and videos of golfers from every era hitting every golf shot imaginable from nearly every angle. Looking at them, and noting the details, can help you visualize the tiny changes you can make. of clubs is usually the one that works for the longest.”

To start your search, attend golf events and demo days at local golf shops and courses. “Company reps who know their clubs inside and out tend to show up at those events, and they’re good at matching players with the right clubs,” Robin notes. At larger events, you might even be able to test drive technological gizmos that will dissect every aspect of your swing, from the angle of the face at contact to club-head speed and beyond. “The more you know about your tendencies, the easier it will be to find the right club,” he says.

Once you’ve got a set of clubs, use them, particularly at the driving range, where you can hit ball after ball to get a feel for them, and on the putting green.

If you can coerce a friend to take more pictures, all the better.

If you’re really looking to progress, or if you’re a brand-new golfer, Robin offers advice that might seem a bit unconventional: consider staying off the

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course for a while. “Putting it out there too soon and changing your focus from proper form to where the ball lands can keep you from really getting to the point where you truly trust your swing,” he explains.

There are plenty of things you can do at home, too. Thanks to the internet, you can find thousands of photos and videos of golfers from every era hitting every golf shot imaginable from nearly every angle.

Looking at them, and noting the details, can help you visualize the tiny changes you can make. If you have photos of your swing in action, compare them to the pros. You might be surprised at what you find. Then head to the mirror and practice your swing, again and again, in slow motion. “Correct repetition really does help create good habits,” notes Robin. A weighted club, which will help build club awareness, flexibility and strength, is a good investment for this exercise, especially if you can find one with a training grip that will position your hands correctly. If that’s not in the budget, some golfers suggest using a broom since it offers a bit of resistance.

Kids love to play with the nearly weightless golf “wiffle” balls that come with toy clubs, but Robin thinks they’ve got a place for real golfers as well, since they offer a bit more reality than shadowing a swing. They can also get you outside with your kids. “If you’re playing well, the ball should just get in the way of a good swing,” says Robin.

“Those lightweight balls can help you see if you’re on the right track.” He’s also had good luck with the more expensive variety that can read how they’ve been hit and do what a real ball would have done, only in about a tenth of the space.

This is also the time to develop a pre-shot routine, the first step toward turning your back on all the mistakes you’ve made in the past and concentrating on executing a pictureperfect swing. “If you find yourself becoming too ‘ball-bound,’ or fixed on the ball, and not the swing, think about blind golfers,” notes Robin. “They actually exist, and some are quite good.

They’re proof positive that having a correct swing is about the most important aspect of golf.”

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carolina community

Bow, Curtsy, Dance

English country dancing has a following in Columbia

By Deena C. Bouknight / Photography by Jeff Amberg

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hink Pride and Prejudice. Dance halls are filled with young ladies and women who have taken care to dress beautifully; men, young and old, are dapper in their attire. Music fills the space and the dancing begins.

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English country dances, passed down for centuries and boasting names such as the Postie’s Jig, Draper’s Gardens, or Duke of Kent’s Waltz, are enjoyed by the group.

Some are lively and aerobic while others are slow and elegant.

While this may seem like a scene straight out of a Jane Austen novel, these dances are actually still enjoyed and shared today right here in Columbia, as well as in other parts of South Carolina.

Each year, the home-school group

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(L to R) Hannah Sherman, Zac Seymour, Tim Caiello and Natalie Maggelet demonstrate a type of English country dancing called “long ways” dancing.

Forest Acres Christian Educators hosts a Heritage Ball, where English country dances and other forms of formal dancing are taught and then enjoyed.

When Margaret Smith, a homeschooling mother and a member of FACE, saw how much her daughter Kelly (now 19) enjoyed participating in the Heritage Ball in 2007, she jumped at the chance to expose her to a group in Greenville called the Carolina English Country

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Dancers. Margaret took her daughter to a few practices. She tried to learn the dances herself, but it was her daughter who caught on quickly to what is called “long ways” dancing, in which a couple progresses down a line of other dancers, enjoying the camaraderie as they go.

After a few practices, Margaret took Kelly to the group’s Dream Ball. “We walked in and it was just exquisite,” she says, “like something out of a fairy tale.

There was beautiful live music.”

Margaret did not dance at that first Dream Ball, but she says Kelly enjoyed it immensely.

“It wasn’t like a prom … it was more beautiful,” says Margaret. “There was a comfort level because everyone there was exercising etiquette and manners.

Everyone brought food, but on crystal, china and silver. There was chivalry … young men asked many of the ladies to dance. There was no element of awkwardness.”

Margaret took videos of the dances performed at the ball, then played them over and over again at home, practicing until she learned them. Her husband and son, Jake, 14, also learned the dances.

“My husband caught on a lot quicker than I did,” quips Margaret. “It took me a while watching the videos before I learned them. Now the jigs are my favorites.”

Because her family enjoys the dances so much, Margaret founded Legacy Dance Society in Columbia in January 2009 so that they – and others – would not have to drive to Greenville, Abbeville or Anderson to join with other dance groups. Margaret Talbot Swait, who was heavily involved with Carolina English Country Dancers before she married and moved from South Carolina, came to Columbia to facilitate the first practice for Legacy.

“She was a great encourager and supporter,” says Margaret. As word spread through the home-school community and through friends, acquaintances and family members, Legacy has grown to include about 40 regular dancers. Dance practices are scheduled at various times. A ball is typically organized at least once a year at various locations.

“We call them ‘balls on a budget,’” says Margaret. “Several people pitch in to help create a beautiful ambiance.” A small fee per person helps to pay for the space.

In 2009, Legacy hosted a Reformation Ball, which about 90 people attended. The ball drew interest from dancers in Columbia and from other areas around South Carolina. The next

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year, the group hosted a Christmas Ball with upwards of 140 attendees.

“During the balls, you step back into a gentler time,” says Margaret. “These are very family oriented affairs. Sometimes multiple generations of a family attend.

Fathers dance with daughters, mothers dance with sons, teenagers dance with one another.”

For practices, women wear “twirly skirts” according to Margaret. “We try to find skirts at the consignment stores that have a twirl factor.” For balls, women and girls wear dresses just below knee-length or floor-length while boys and men wear everything from formal kilts to military uniforms to tuxes to dress shirts, ties and dress pants.

Practices and balls abide by the etiquette of the 1800s, when dancing was considered a type of social mixer.

The long-ways dances enable people to talk while dancing. There are manners and responsibilities outlined, especially for the gentlemen, including ensuring all the ladies have an opportunity to dance.

Also, courteousness and politeness are imperative.

“We want people to participate who are serious about learning the dances and about abiding by the rules of modesty and etiquette,” says Margaret. “We enjoy much camaraderie and frivolity, and it is a wonderful setting for ladies to exercise feminine grace and for gentlemen to practice chivalry.”

“There is such an enthusiasm at our practices and balls,” she adds. “It’s so wonderful to see. English Country Dancing is thriving all throughout the United States.

We’re just glad we’re able to have it here in Columbia.”

Jargon and Rules Margaret Smith, who helped establish the Legacy Dance Society, says there are certain terms that dancers should become familiar with. They include: Proper – means all the men are on one side of the long-ways dance Improper – means alternating ladies and men in the long-ways dance There are four couples to each jig.

There are no limits on the numbers of couples in a long-ways dance.

There are also Circular Promenades, which means couples progress in a circle.

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feature

Columbia Then and Now 225 years old and still growing

By Rachel Haynie / Images courtesy of Historic Columbia Foundation

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xit signs from three Interstate highways direct 21st century vehicular traffic to the Palmetto State’s capital city. More than two and a half centuries ago, arrowheads dropped along the banks of the Congaree River pointed to the geographic center of territory the Lords Proprietors named South Carolina.

The state’s central seat of power, Columbia, is defined today by its three rivers as it was 225 years ago when John Gabriel Guignard first surveyed the peninsula-shaped tract at the meeting of the Congaree, Saluda and Broad Rivers.

Among the first lucrative businesses established in the area were ferries to convey humans, livestock and goods across the confluence.

In addition to providing hydro-electric power, as the pervasive waters have since the 1890s, the rivers’ aesthetic today draws fishermen, canoeists and kayakers to the tannin-stained waters. Home dwellers, cyclists, walkers and runners

South Carolina State House, 1860s

Columbia’s Main Street, 1876

1786 Columbia was established as the nation’s first truly planned capital city. It also was the first city named for Christopher Columbus, who is depicted in a bronze sculpture located in Riverfront Park.

1790 The first meeting of the General Assembly was held in the new state capital.

1791 George Washington stopped by on his tour of The South’s Revolutionary War sites.

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1800

1806

John Taylor was elected as Columbia’s first intendant.

1806 Benjamin Wa r i n g b u i l t w h a t was believed to be the first paper mill in the nation, just above the old Congaree Bridge.

share boardwalks meandering through riparian forests, gently cobbled into place by the River Alliance, formed in the mid-1990s to unlock the rivers’ potential for recreational enjoyment.

From the bridge traversing the Congaree River, sojourners can see the city’s original 1906 waterworks, and the first hydroelectric plant, its pump house still in place, now is a nostalgic feature of the city’s Riverfront Park.

Harnessed to power saw mills ripping timber for building materials, to mix with abundant clay deposits for bricks, and to grow an array of crops, reliable water access has proven Columbia’s location as capital city a wise choice.

Since 1856, some iteration of the South Carolina State Fair has showcased outstanding examples of agrarian living in spirited but good-natured competitions.

But from the Civil War forward, agriculture in the Columbia area has diminished in economic importance, in spite of rural and urban reliance upon

1824 Th e Co l u m b i a Canal was completed. It was one of several the state constructed to better link transportation and freight conveyance between the state’s geographic center and the Port of Charleston.

1825 Columbia’s first pageant marked the occasion of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit.

1825

1840

Th e f i r s t free-standing library building in the country was built. The South Caroliniana Library, an architectural gem designed by Robert Mills, was the anchor of South Carolina College’s (now The University of South Carolina) Horseshoe.

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“For over three generations, many Columbians ... have dedicated themselves to preserving the culture of our area. In doing so, they have often faced competing interests that fail to appreciate the intrinsic historical, cultural, and environmental costs of tearing down reusable buildings that inform of us of our evolution as a culture. Fortunately, many victories have been won, though for preservationists, educating the public as to the value of their efforts remains a constant battle.”

John M. Sherrer, III, director of cultural resources, Historic Columbia Foundation crops for the family table. The 21st century is bearing witness to a renewed awareness of agriculture’s importance. Just recently the General Assembly discussed serving up collards as the official state vegetable. Large farm and produce businesses stimulate the local economy, and the All-local Farmers’ Market, held Saturday mornings at 701 Whaley Street, provides independent farmers appreciative customers – with no middle man.

Recently, the long-awaited, much debated location of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s new farmers market – serving Columbia and all the Midlands – opened at 3483 Charleston Highway in West Columbia. As the farmers’ market location was being debated, City Roots – Columbia’s in-town sustainable farm situated on 2.75 acres along Airport Boulevard near Hamilton Owens Airport – began introducing the community to the century’s best growing practices. And, by leasing 5-foot by 12-foot growing plots, providing soil,

1855 E. J. Arthur was elected mayor in Columbia’s first civic election.

1856

Th e f i r s t State Fair was held at the first fairgrounds, located in the Elmwood Park area.

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compost and water for $20 a year, the City of Columbia is encouraging its citizenry to return to its agrarian roots.

While agriculture’s importance as a factor in Columbia’s economic equation has declined, three others have been stabilizing forces: government, education and military. Designed expressly as the state’s seat of government, Columbia has enjoyed consistent growth and economic reliability, starting with the General Assembly’s first Columbia meeting in 1790. Hotels and restaurants swelled when the legislature was in session, and provided accommodations and hospitality to other visitors when the halls of law were quiet.

South Carolina College, now the University of South Carolina, was chartered in 1801 and built on a 24-acre rectangle just east of the Capitol – and under its shadow – to unite the state, ideologically. Founders believed students studying and living together would bring about good order and harmony.

Crawford and Son Cotton Warehouse, 1890s

Columbia’s City Hall and Opera House, 1920s

South Carolina College’s Science Hall (now USC’s Longstreet Theatre), 1920

1891 Reconstruction of the Columbia Canal, which was destroyed in 1865 by Gen. Sherman, was completed. It supplied hydroelectric power, allowing water-borne freight safe passage around shoals and rapids at the head of the Congaree River.

1875

Th e f i r s t African American was appointed to serve on the South Carolina College faculty. Richard Greener had been Harvard’s first African American graduate.

1891 First issue of The State newspaper was published.

1895 The first textile mill in the world powered by hydroelectricity was opened. The building is now the South Carolina State Museum’s largest artifact – and its home.

1899

The first movie shown in Columbia was shown at Merchants and Manufacturers’ Hall.

1875

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1200 Block of Columbia’s Main Street, 1949

USO Club, 1950

Robert Mills Historic Home, built in 1823, was for a time home to Columbia Thelogical Seminary.

1900 On June 4, Columbians saw the first automobile driven on their city’s streets.

1 9 0 3 Th e c i t y ’ s f i r s t skyscraper was completed and occupied by builders National Loan and Exchange Bank.

1906

Elmwood Park was annexed into Columbia on Dec. 16, making it the first time the city’s original 1786 municipal boundaries were extended.

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The environment of learning created for the state’s flagship institution of higher education soon spawned others.

Third in Columbia’s successful compound for economic stability is the comprehensive contribution made

by Fort Jackson. Since the groundwork for Columbia’s establishment was laid at nearby Fort Granby, the capital city’s military genealogy builds upon those origins of protection.

According to Ike McLeese, Columbia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Columbia first began building its reputation as a military-friendly community when Edwin Robertson traveled to Washington, D.C. to inform the War Department, later known as the Department of Defense, that a committee had purchased 1,200 acres east of the city for what they hoped would become a military base. Impressed with Columbia’s desire to become a military town, the U.S. Army began the development of Camp Jackson later that same year.

Ike, now serving his third term as civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, explains, “Today Fort Jackson covers more than 52,000 acres and serves as the Army’s largest initial combat training facility, producing approximately 51 percent of the Army’s new soldiers and more than 70 percent of new female soldiers a year.”

Ike says the close working and mutually supportive relationship between Columbia and Fort Jackson has continued over the years, and Columbia continually

1910 On Dec. 7, the first airplane was seen flying in Columbia airspace.

Students were allowed to miss school to crane their necks skyward and watch for the barnstorming avi-antics of Eugene B. Ely, flying under the auspices of Glenn Curtiss.

1 9 1 7 J . E . Yo u n g , proprietor of a wholesale fruit and grocery e s t a b l i s h m e n t a t 8 27 Gervais Street, bought the first $10,000 war bond. His business also was thought to have had the city’s first cold storage units.

is referred to as the most military-friendly community in the country.

The principles of the Chamber of Commerce date to a time when trade was synonymous with business in Columbia.

When England’s Lords Proprietors sent John Lawson to explore upriver from Charleston, he reported vast evidence of promise along the banks, and as far into the forests as he could range.

That report from well over two centuries ago foreshadowed a report from London received in Columbia just recently. fDi Magazine, from the Financial Times Limited, has ranked Columbia third in its Best Small City category.

Jim Gambrell, director of economic development for the City of Columbia, received the news as part of the revered international publication’s American Cities of the Future, a systematic rating of cities with the best prospects for inward investment, economic development and business expansion potential.

Growth has been a business builder from the beginning. Sawmills, brick kilns, stone quarries and ironworks segued into enterprises proffering hardware, blacksmithing, tack for horses and mules and seed to feed the burgeoning population. As frontier years gave way to civility, Columbia’s commercial landscape became dotted with real estate and insurance offices, cotton brokerage houses, as well as seed pressing establishments. Main Street hotels, theatres and restaurants began vanishing

1922

The city’s first traffic light was installed at the corner of Sumter and Hampton streets.

1923

The first known night flight over Columbia occurred. Paul Redfern celebrated July 4 by flying over what now is the State Fairgrounds with only lanterns to illuminate his landing strip.

1929

On Oct. 24, the first Big Thursday game was held between USC and Clemson.

It also was Black Thursday, the day the stock market crashed.

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decades ago, but their resurgence is helping revitalize the commercial corridor.

Harkening back to earlier mercantile days, the recent Main Street opening of Mast General Store is rejuvenating the corner on which Lourie’s Clothing Store thrived for nearly a century.

Columbia’s downtown, its wide Main Street punctuated by the State Capital complex, has been the pulse of the city’s business, civic and cultural life from the start. With the University of South Carolina campus just east of the State House and the Coliseum, Koger Center and Colonial Life Arena to the west, much of the city’s hospitality and entertainment occurs within these thoughtfully-planned blocks.

Just out Elmwood Avenue is Riverbanks Zoo, one of the nation’s top zoos. One million visitors a year visit to see the 2,000 or more animals in environments as close to their natural habitats as possible, from African plains to coral reefs. A short distance from Main Street, the Township Auditorium recently was restored to its 1930s grandeur, and once again, delighted audiences and welcoming touring shows.

Th e p r e s e n c e o f d o w n t o w n churches, from the late 1700s, has been a bellwether of civility and tolerance for Columbia. They began springing forth about the time Columbia as a frontier evolved into Columbia as a capital city.

Their architectural contributions to our distinguished skyline may have inspired

1930s The Big Apple, w h i ch o r i g i n a t e d i n Columbia at Fat Sam’s – formerly the House of Peace Synagogue – became a national dance craze.

1936

Delta Airlines flew its first air express flight from Owens Field (now Hamilton Owens Airport.)

Educating Columbia 1854 Columbia Female College (now Columbia College) 1890 College for Women in Hampton-Preston Mansion (Presbyterian, later merged and moved, Queens College in Charlotte) 1911 Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (moved from Mt. Pleasant to Eau Claire) 1921 Columbia Bible Institute (now Columbia International University) 1870 Benedict College 1880 Allen University (began as Payne Institute, 1870; moved from Cokesbury, SC) 1923 Columbia Bible School (now Columbia International University) 1921 Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School 1974 Midlands Technical College Worshipping in Columbia 1795 First Presbyterian Church 1803 Washington Street United Methodist Church 1809 First Baptist Church 1812 Trinity Episcopal Church 1830 Ebenezer Chapel

1963 Robert Anderson, James Solomon 1951

Columbia was named an All American City, in large measure for its implementation of a city manager form of government.

The honor was bestowed again in 1964, a reflection of its peaceful integration.

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the city’s first skyscraper, today referred to as the Barringer Building.

A Madrid newspaperman visiting Columbia late last century noted that churches on nearly every Sumter Street corner each represent a different denomination. St. Peter’s Catholic Church is just a few blocks over on Assembly Street. Not just for Sundays, the urban roles assumed by these churches that have spawned other faith communities now include outreach programs, childcare and cultural offerings during the week.

And church sports leagues mirror the local friendly furor fans exhibit seasonally for their favorite teams. A climate for competition, dating back at least to 1801 when the legislature granted licenses for billiard tables, still envelops the city. Play on USC fields permeates games played throughout the city, at every level, from pro and semi-pro teams to Little League and T-Ball.

In fact, a hard, round ball became the icon for Columbia’s flash onto television and computer screens throughout the country in 2010 when the USC baseball team prevailed to become national champions. In recognition of such an accomplishment, the team’s flag flew briefly above the State House dome, manifesting the symbiotic relationship between the state capital, the University of South Carolina and the city that nurtures them all so proudly – Columbia.

and Henri Monteith registered as the University of South Carolina’s first African American students.

1994 Kimberly Aiken was the first Columbian named Miss America and the fifth AfricanAmerican to win the crown.

2010

1955 Miriam Stevenson became the first Columbian named Miss Universe.

Co l u m b i a elected Steven Benjamin its first African American mayor.

1975

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home style

Great Bones A designer brings a homeowner’s vision to reality

By Margaret Gregory Photography by Robert Clark

P

am Litchford had a vision in her mind of the look she wanted for her home, but actually creating that look proved to be a bit more of a challenge. To help make her dream home become a reality, Pam and her husband Daniel turned to Westend Interior Design owner Evon Kirkland McAngus.

Daniel is the owner of Pineapple Homes and actually developed their neighborhood and built their house, as well as most of the other homes on their street in the Arden Park comnunity in Blythewood’s Longcreek Plantation. The Litchfords have been in their house for three years and retained Evon’s services to help with the interior design.

“I had an idea of how I wanted the home to look, but it got to the point in the building process where it was time to choose floor stain, wall colors, tile and so many other fairly permanent decisions.

It became overwhelming. I hoped that we could create a home that would be visually pleasing to both of us, but we needed someone to help bring it all together,” Pam says.

So Pam decided to pay a visit to Evon’s showroom. “I just decided one day to get in my car and drive to West Columbia. I walked into the showroom and immediately asked if I could just move in there,” she laughs. “My biggest

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The family room, along with the adjoining kitchen and breakfast room, creates a large open area that is perfect for entertaining. “This space has worked out great,” says Daniel Litchford. “It’s perfect for impromptu guests.” w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

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Large wood panels painted in the trim shade of Import Ivory cover one dining room wall. “When you have unique trim you don’t need to put as much on the walls,” says Pam Litchford.

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regret is that we didn’t get with Evon earlier.”

While she can’t name a specific style of design that she prefers, Pam describes her taste as a mix of traditional and modern. “I am drawn to a classic elegance but with a dash of glitz. My neighbors all say that I am a bit modern.

What makes me smile is when friends walk in the front door and immediately comment on how peaceful it feels to be here,” she says. “I love clean lines, fabrics that feel good and all shades of ocean colors.”

Daniel, however, has a preference for earth tones, and he credits Evon for helping to bridge the gap between their tastes. “We incorporated darker colors for contrast in some rooms, including darker wood floors and stained window blinds.

The interior doors are also painted a darker shade.”

Throughout the house, the blend of color and warmer tones is apparent.

The large kitchen features dual ovens along with a professional cook top. The cabinetry is cream colored, while the island is painted Sherwin Williams’ Hi Tech Black and topped with Venetian Gold granite. The island offers plenty of food prep area along with storage space and a seated bar. A ceramic tile backsplash from Walker Zanger provides an interesting contrast behind the stove and sink, while the refrigerator is disguised to appear as part of the cabinetry.

The kitchen, along with the adjoining family and breakfast rooms, creates a large open area that is perfect for entertaining. “This space has worked out great,” says Daniel. “It’s perfect for impromptu guests.” A butler’s pantry helps provide additional space for setting out trays of hors d’oeuvres. “We are part of a supper club and every few months we host the group,” says Pam. “I feel like I’m connected if I’m in the kitchen and everyone is relaxing in the family room or on the back porch and courtyard. The house really flows well.”

Pam attributes one of her favorite décor pieces in the house to former “Today” show co-anchor Meredith Vieira. “I saw a set of sconce lights

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mounted on either side of her kitchen sink in a magazine article about her house,” recalls Pam. “I thought it was a genius idea. It adds such a warm, cozy light at night and is a pretty accent during the day.”

Daniel incorporated some unique features into the construction of the house as well. Keeping things tidy with three kids can often be a challenge, so when the kids come home from school or playing, they each have their own cubby area at the rear entrance of the house.

The master bath provides several his and her features. A large walk-in shower located between his and her walk-in closets allows them each to use their closet areas as dressing rooms. In the common area are separate sinks, and Kohler’s deepest cast iron soaking tub is undermounted and surrounded by sandstone with glass mosaic tiles in shimmering, watery colors of blue. “I really am a blue kind of girl,” laughs Pam. A favorite feature of the master bath is his and her water closets. The house also features one bathroom for each of the four upstairs bedrooms, as well as two half baths.

Daniel lays claim to what is perhaps the most interesting feature in the house – a hidden entry disguised as a bookcase in his study. “The kids really have fun with this,” Daniel says. The bookcase moves like a pocket door and, when tucked back, leads into the master closet.

The mahogany used to build the panels and bookcases in Daniel’s study also was used to build a bed with drawers underneath for their son. Cypress beadboard gives their son’s room a more boyish charm. Their daughters’ rooms are stylish; one features a clean lined French style wrought iron bed complete with miniature chandelier hung from the center, while the other has twin beds with wall mounted canopies and striped silk fabric that cascades to the floor.

Evon was able to convince Pam to take a step out of her comfort zone with some of the colors selected for the house. They painted Pam’s office off of the kitchen and the mud room half bath a bright turquoise color called Drizzle.

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Pam Litchford describes her taste as a mix of traditional and modern. “I am drawn to a classic elegance but with a dash of glitz,” she says. “I love clean lines, fabrics that feel good and all shades of ocean colors.” w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n 37

The kitchen features cream colored cabinetry and an island painted Hi Tech Black and topped with Venetian Gold granite. A ceramic tile backsplash provides an interesting contrast behind the stove.

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It’s a spectacular contrast next to to the dark brown kitchen wall. The foyer, dining room and master bedroom provide a soothing feel with a Historic Carolina Lowcountry color by Duron named Coffered Green.

The color can appear to be light blue one minute and look green the next.

The living room and dining room also offer interesting architectural touches with raised panel trim on the stairwell and on the moulding throughout the rooms. Large wood panels painted in a Sherwin Williams trim shade named Import Ivory cover one dining room wall. “When you have unique trim you don’t need to put as much on the walls,” says Pam. “This house has great bones,” adds Pam. “The craftsmanship makes the home feel old yet it also feels contemporary. We achieved our goal of creating a comfortable and functional home for our family. Working with Evon enabled us to not make costly mistakes. She has the experience and eye for design that I needed. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and the result is that we love our home.”

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home style

A Child’s Paradise Creating a kid-approved backyard oasis

(L to R) Wells Coleman, 12, hangs from a tree while his siblings Stevens, 7 and Hundley, 11, cultivate vegetables in their family’s kid-friendly backyard.

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By Melissa Andrews / Photography by Jeff Amberg

T

he backyard – it’s the place where memories are made, knees are skinned, barbecues are held, and it’s also where the children spend much of their time after homework, baseball practice and ballet.

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Wells and Stevens Coleman enjoy the playset in their family’s yard while their sister, Hundley, swings from a rope tied to one of the yard’s many trees.

So what makes the perfect backyard? There is no single answer to that question, as a backyard is as individual as the family who enjoys it.

From swimming pools and play sets to gardens and basketball goals, the possibilities for a kid-friendly backyard are endless.

Michelle and Atwell Coleman’s backyard oasis consists of a swimming pool surrounded by trees and pine straw, along with a basketball court, a play set and a garden tended by the whole family.

“Our backyard is very natural. There is no grass, only pine straw on the ground, and it’s surrounded by trees,” says Michelle. “We love the area – looking up at the trees and hearing the sounds of the waterfall is very peaceful. The children love it.”

For Michelle, the backyard is the ultimate way to cultivate her children’s creativity. She and the kids will take a trip to their local homebuilding store and purchase scrap wood, ropes, hammers and other supplies, and then they go home and create. “My son got some tongue blades and a hot glue gun and spent two days building a ship for the pool,” says Michelle. “It may have sunk, but he had a ball making it. The kids will build something, tear it down and start over. They learn a lot from creating.”

Her advice to other parents? Ask your kids what they would like to do, what would be fun for them. Her children asked for the boards, the rope, the scrap wood. And many a masterpiece has since been created.

John Jordan and his wife quickly found their children’s favorite spot after they purchased their home. No surprise – it’s the pool. Having two young children, John was at first very hesitant to buy a home with a pool. “We were quick to research all of the safety equipment available before we purchased the house,” says John. Today, parents can rest a little easier thanks to the advances made in pool safety, including alarms that sound when something over a pound enters the water and door monitors that alert parents when a child has gone outside toward the pool. “We made sure our children had survival swimming lessons and understood pool safety. We didn’t want them to be afraid of the pool, but we wanted to make sure they respected the water,” says John. They were also sure to have benches installed in the water so the children could take a rest and relax without having to get out of the pool.

The Jordans also created a welcoming pool house, complete with kid-sized barstools and refrigerators, ensuring everything they need

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Stevens Coleman enjoys climbing trees in the backyard oasis his parents created.

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is easily accessible and there is no need to track water inside to grab a juice box or catch a cartoon. “We wanted an open space that allowed us an uninhibited view of the children, so the pool house has glass doors and a lot of windows to keep everything as open as possible,” adds John.

What backyard would be complete without a play set? The giggles and squeals from children swinging high into the air and barreling like bullets down the sliding board are what summers are made of. For the Colemans and the Jordans, play sets and sand boxes have been invaluable parts of their kids’ childhoods. Just add a few wood chips to keep the bugs at bay and some greenery to create a lush surrounding. These backyard staples provide hours of entertainment as

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Some tips to consider when creating a kid-friendly backyard: • Ensure you have an open line of sight from inside the house to wherever the children are in the backyard • If you are close to a road or cul-de-sac, make sure you have a barrier to keep the children out of the street • Don’t use a lot of sticky bushes, like hollies and yuccas; they have points that can hurt children • Make sure to add a fence around the pool • If you have a fountain, consider installing a grid structure just below the water’s surface in case a small child falls in Source: David Stack, Hay Hill Services

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kids turn a wooden play set into a captain’s ship or a princess’ castle. “Our play set is separate from the pool setting, giving the children their own little private area,” says John.

For Michelle’s children, memories are also made high up in the treetops, where they can spend hours climbing or building a tree house. And really, what child doesn’t want to face his fears and conquer the world by climbing a gigantic tree? After all, isn’t that what they are made for?

Backyards are also ideal places to practice layups, cheerleading dances or curve balls – keeping in mind the neighbors’ windows, of course. Michelle’s children enjoy a game of pickup basketball in the backyard, while the Jordan boys spend hours perfecting their baseball swings … and occasionally hit a few into the pool.

The Atwell children also help out with the family’s garden. They cultivate the garden early in the season and are thrilled to pick the delicious okra, tomatoes, squash and green beans that pop up in the summer.

The perfect backyard. If it makes you and your children happy, keeps them entertained and allows for memories to be made, then you have created your own little piece of paradise.

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home style

Setting the Stage Staging Style helps sellers get their houses sold

By Katie McElveen / Photography courtesy of Staging Style

R

eal estate agent Elizabeth Ferguson finds it difficult to show a client a home that is cluttered and dated. “You want your clients to immediately be able to see themselves and their things in a house,” she says. “That’s almost impossible if the house isn’t inviting.”

Empty homes, where the sellers have already relocated, are another problem, since there isn’t any furniture to show how the home’s potential quirks, like an oddly-shaped room or a funky layout, could be turned into assets.

And so, while watching a real estate program on television, Elizabeth had an idea: What if she could go into a home and get it ready to sell before it went on the market? Would sellers pay for that service?

She discussed the idea with two friends, Lynsey Jordan and Erin Croft, and the trio got to work

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researching the possibility. It turned out that “home staging,” as it’s called, is an emerging industry that’s growing rapidly throughout the country. Stagers evaluate a house then do what it takes to make it more appealing to buyers. In some cases, that means just a bit of decluttering and the addition of scene-setting lifestyle elements, such as candles and bath salts surrounding a deep soaking tub or a pretty serving tray set with china and a flower vase on a guest room bed.

In others, stagers will literally bring in furniture and accessories to fill empty rooms or replace dated items to create a clean, modern look.

Like many new business sectors, home staging is driven by the internet. “Potential buyers look at every room of a house online before they do anything,” explains Elizabeth. “A well-staged house draws more visitors and sells faster.” There’s even research

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Staging is visual. To help you see the impact that just a few changes can have on a room, take a look at these before and after photos.

It’s hard to even begin to get excited about a large, empty room. Worse, details that furnishings would hide, like the large air intake, become negative points.

Strategic placement of the furniture in this room showcased the open floor plan; drew attention to the focal point of the room – the fireplace and the built-in bookshelves – which is very important ... it’s like the main character in the play; and created walkways to the outside and the kitchen. Details count, too. The mirror was placed behind the sofa to reflect the gorgeous fireplace and built-in bookshelves. The team also took the room’s scale and traffic flow into account: no tiny shades on big lamps, no huge accessories on tiny tables and no one piece of furniture dominating the scene.

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to back up her claims. According to a recent survey by the Real Estate Staging Association, homes that had been on the market for nearly a year sold in about

“P otential

buyers look

at every room of a house o n l i n e b e fo r e t h e y d o anything .

A

well - staged

house draws more visitors and sells faster.”

Elizabeth Ferguson, real estate agent and co-founder of Staging Style two months once they’d been staged.

The more they learned, the more the three friends were convinced that the Columbia area needed a home staging company. In May 2010, they launched Staging Style.

The Staging Process The staging process is surprisingly formulaic. “It’s all about highlighting the good points, minimizing the things that are less attractive and creating possibilities that potential buyers can see,” notes Lynsey. “When we remove family photos, we’re helping people see themselves in your house. A table and chairs shaded by a big sun umbrella on your patio brings that space alive.”

And if you don’t have the furnishings, Staging Style will provide them. “We’ve got a 2,000-square-foot warehouse filled with furniture, lamps, rugs and other accessories,” says Erin.

“We bought everything new so that the houses can all look fresh and on trend.

We even have a few fake big-screen televisions so we can answer the question of where the tv goes before it even comes up.”

Staging Style can also help you depersonalize your home. “If you really want to sell your house, you have to be ready to give it up so that potential buyers can, in their minds, move in,” says Lynsey. “It’s hard, but it means

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“The main thing to highlight with this home is that we used their things,” says Elizabeth. “With the exception of a few minor accessories, nothing additional was brought in to stage this property.” Don’t minimize the power of fresh eyes.

The white chair in the corner had been in one of the bedrooms, and the rug was also brought in from another part of the house. The blanket and pillows tie it all together and add a pop of color. The sofa was angled to highlight the home’s open floor plan and to open up the view of the fireplace while also offering a glimpse onto the gorgeous screen porch and backyard. The furniture placement creates a traffic pattern from the foyer, through the living room, through the family room and into the bright, large, open kitchen. In staging, brighter is better, so the team added more lamps and replaced some shades to brighten things up. Floral arrangements and palms on the mantle bring the outside in.

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taking down your children’s artwork, painting the walls a neutral color, getting rid of random furniture, cleaning out the pantry and getting all the appliances you don’t use every day off the kitchen counter.”

Pricing for the service varies, but Erin says that a full staging, which generally includes a consultation, decluttering program, the addition of furniture and accessories and upkeep like keeping

“The

staging process is all

about highlighting the good points , minimizing the things that are less attractive and creating possibilities that potential buyers can see.”

Lynsey Jordan, Staging Style flowers fresh and replacing light bulbs, usually costs about the same as a single mortgage payment.

Agent Amanda Payne was one of Staging Style’s first clients. Skeptical at first, she now recommends the service to her clients. “I’d had a home on the market for 60 days when I decided to have it staged,” she says. “Within a month, I had two contracts. It really helps give people vision if they can walk into a house and see how terrific it can look.”

Staging also works in occupied homes. “The first thing they did was remove a lot of little things that were cluttering up our house,” recalls client Kelly Daves. “They put everything in boxes, labeled them and put them in the garage. Then they rearranged the furniture. The house had an open floor plan that we’d separated into rooms.

They explained that while that might work for living, the house would show better if we highlighted the openness.

They also added details, like fresh flowers and lots of pretty throw pillows.” Kelly’s house sold in less than a month.

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home style

A Summer Fling with Seafood Fresh seafood recipes are quite the catch

By Susan Fuller Slack, C.C.P. / Photography by Jeff Amberg / Food Styling by Susan Fuller Slack, C.C.P. “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy, Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high...”

“Summertime,” from the operetta Porgy and Bess, 1935

C

harleston resident Dubs Heyward wrote the lyrics for the song “Summertime.” I imagine, like most seafood-loving South Carolinians, he would have preferred that the aerial acrobatics of jumping fish would land them right in the frying pan.

Fish and shellfish are local favorites for summer dining. What’s not to like?

Seafood is nutritious, offering valuable protein without the calories and high 54 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n

levels of saturated fat of other meat sources. The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association recommend that we eat two servings of fish a week, especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, halibut, albacore tuna, trout, Arctic char and sardines. The Mayo Clinic reports that eating one or two servings a week could reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack by a third or more.

Choose seafood for a light, delicious meal. It is versatile and cooks quickly – a requirement for the easy living of summertime. It has little connective tissue and requires a short cooking time at a high temperature. Fish and shellfish

can be steamed, poached, baked and fried. Some enjoy it raw: oysters on the half shell, citrus-marinated raw fish (ceviche) or sashimi.

The Asian kaleidoscope of seafood shapes, textures, aromas, colors and flavors inspired the recipe, Seafood Noodle Salad with Peanut-Sesame Sauce, shown in the photo. Pan-Seared Halibut with Spicy Mango Salsa also has Asian overtones. You will find a variety of quick-cooking seafood dishes here and the flavorful sauces that accompany can be prepared in advance. However you decide to prepare it, remember that fresh or quality fresh-frozen seafood is always best – and don’t overcook it. j u ly / a u g u s t 2011

Recipes Seafood Noodle Salad with PeanutSesame Sauce Seafood alternatives: red or golden kingklip, lobster, smoked salmon, lump crabmeat, surimi crab, squid rings Perfect for summer, this noodle dish features a nutty-tasting sauce with an explosion of flavor. Don’t overdress the noodles so as to preserve the seafood’s delicate flavor. In the photo, the Ka-me brand of thin, dried Chinese Misua wheat flour noodles from local markets were used. These quick-cooking noodles are popular at Chinese festivals and birthday celebrations. A similar type of Asian noodles or even spaghettini – a thin spaghetti – cooked to package directions can be substituted.

8 ounces dried, thin Chinese noodles 2 tablespoons safflower or canola oil 1 medium scraped, trimmed carrot, cut in matchstick julienne strips 1/2 each red and yellow bell pepper (or 1 whole bell pepper), cut in matchstick julienne strips 4 ounces fresh snow peas or sugar snap peas, cut in half on the diagonal white portions of 4 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal (trim remaining green portions into thin shreds for garnish) 2 ounces small button mushrooms, sliced 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1 pound large fresh shrimp, cooked, peeled, deveined 6 to 8 ounces bay scallops, poached 2 to 3 minutes 1/2 pound fresh salmon fillet, cooked, broken into bite-size pieces 16 fresh mussels, rinsed well, steamed in 1 cup dry white wine or water in a covered pot 3 to 4 minutes until opened Peanut-Sesame Sauce (recipe below) Prepare Peanut-Sesame Sauce. Cook noodles about three minutes, according to package directions. Rinse in cold water then drain well; toss with safflower oil. Set aside lightly covered. Prepare vegetables and seafood as directed. Cook and shuck the mussels, keeping a few in the shells for garnish.

In a large bowl, toss noodles, vegetables and about 3/4 of the prepared seafood; place on a large serving platter. w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

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Arrange remaining seafood and any garnishes over the top. Serve with a large bowl of Peanut-Sesame Sauce and individual serving bowls or plates. Each diner should dress his own portion with the spicy sauce, to taste. Serves four.

Note: The peanut sauce, noodles, vegetables and seafood, except for mussels, can be prepared up to three hours ahead. Refrigerate vegetables and seafood until serving time. Noodles taste best at room temperature.

Peanut Sesame Sauce 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup rice vinegar 4 tablespoons quality soy sauce 4 tablespoons safflower or canola oil 4 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk or water 2 to 3 slices fresh, peeled ginger root 1 large garlic clove, peeled 2 tablespoons brown sugar juice of 1 fresh lime 2 to 3 teaspoons Sriracha or chili garlic hot sauce, to taste dash black pepper 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted  Put all the ingredients, except sesame seeds, into the work bowl of a food processor. Using a steel blade, process until mixture is smooth. Taste and adjust flavor, as desired. Stir in sesame seeds.

Use sauce at once or pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Use within three hours or refrigerate up to three days. Shake well before serving. Makes about two cups.

Pan-Seared Halibut with Spicy Mango Salsa Seafood alternatives: black cod (sablefish), summer flounder, U.S. haddock, mahi-mahi, yellow tail snapper, U.S. Atlantic swordfish Fo r t h e m o s t a t t r a c t i v e s a l s a appearance, dice the mango, bell pepper and onion close to the same size.

2 medium-ripe juicy mangoes, peeled, diced 1 small roasted or fresh red bell pepper, seeded, diced 1/4 cup chopped red onion juice of 1 fresh lime 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or basil leaves, chopped pinch salt and black pepper 2 pinches dried, crushed red peppers, or to taste 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 56 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n

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4 6-ounce pieces Pacific halibut fillet 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 fresh cilantro sprigs 1 fresh lime, cut in 4 wedges In a medium bowl, combine mango, bell pepper, onion, lime juice and cilantro or basil with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add crushed red pepper. Set aside for flavor to develop while fish cooks.

Add flour to a large zip-top plastic bag; season with salt and pepper. Put halibut pieces into the bag; shake to lightly dust with the mixture. Place fish on a plate. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil.

Sear fish in hot oil four to five minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. The fish should be opaque inside and beginning to flake.

Place fish on individual serving plates; spoon a generous portion of mango salsa on top. Garnish with cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Serves four.

Sizzling BBQ Shrimp This recipe was inspired by the classic New Orleans shrimp dish. Serve as a “finger-licking” good outdoor party appetizer or as an entree with Gouda grits and a green salad. Either way, include lemon wedges and warm, crusty French bread for sopping up the tasty sauce.

Wild-caught American shrimp from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico or the South Atlantic are good seafood choices. Abita Amber Beer is a favorite in Louisiana for cooking and drinking; if unavailable, substitute a mild brown ale.

1 1/2 pounds fresh large shrimp, in their shells 4 ounces quality salted butter 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup sliced green onions juice of 1 fresh lemon 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 large minced garlic clove 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary leaves 1 teaspoon dried oregano 2 teaspoons sweet paprika 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon creole seasoning, if desired 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper about 1/2 to 3/4 cup room temperature beer, dry white wine or shrimp stock, as desired

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kitchen scissors, cut lengthwise through the shell of each shrimp along the back curve. Make an incision into each shrimp and remove the veins, leaving shells intact. Set aside. In a large cast iron skillet or other heavy baking pan add the remaining ingredients, except beer. Heat in the oven three to four minutes, stirring once, until mixture is sizzling-hot. Stir in shrimp and cook, uncovered, about five minutes, stirring often. Mix in beer and continue cooking five minutes or until shrimp are opaque and firm. Don’t overcook or shrimp will be tough. Pour shrimp and sauce into a serving platter; garnish with lemon wedges. Serves four.

Variation: For stovetop cooking, heat butter mixture in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp; cook and stir eight to 10 minutes or until done. Sprinkle in beer, as desired.

Cold Poached Salmon with Cucumber-Mint Sauce Seafood alternatives: black sea bass or striped bass, grouper, mahi-mahi, red or golden kingklip This is a great summer do-ahead dish.

Poached salmon can also be used in salads, chowders or sandwiches.

3 cups water 1 cup dry white wine 1 large shallot, thinly-sliced, or 2 tablespoons chopped onion 1/2 lemon, thinly-sliced 1 bay leaf 3 sprigs fresh parsley 4 6- to 8-ounce center-cut salmon fillets sea salt and ground white pepper Cucumber-Mint Sauce (recipe below) Prepare Cucumber-Mint Sauce. In a 10- to 12-inch sautĂŠ pan or skillet, bring water, wine, shallot, lemon, bay leaf and parsley to a rolling boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat slightly and simmer five minutes. Sprinkle salmon fillets lightly with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to the lowest setting. Gently lower salmon fillets, skin-side-up, into the barely simmering broth, which should just cover fish. Cover pan and poach fish about seven to eight minutes until it begins to flake yet is springy to the touch.

Remove pan from heat and allow fish to stand in cooking broth three minutes more. Test for doneness. Use a skimmer to lift poached salmon fillets from the liquid to a plate; remove skin. Salmon 58 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n

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can be served at once or refrigerated overnight in a covered container, sprinkled with a small amount of strained poaching liquid to keep it moist. Twenty minutes before serving, remove salmon from refrigerator container. Arrange fillets on serving plates and top each portion with some of the Cucumber-Mint Sauce.

Serves four. Â Cucumber-Mint Sauce 2 cups Greek yogurt 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 minced garlic clove 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, finely chopped 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint or dill 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice 1 teaspoon sugar dash sea salt and black pepper Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Keeps well for two days.

Fried Catfish Dijon Catfish has long been the star of that favorite Southern social institution, the fish-fry. I developed this tasty catfish recipe for the Columbia Junior League Cookbook, Down by the Water. This outstanding cookbook is filled with many more delicious seafood recipes.

4 4- to 6-ounce boneless catfish fillets 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper 1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 3/4 cup safflower oil lemon wedges, for garnish Creole Tartar Sauce (recipe below) Arrange the fillets in a nonreactive dish. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and lemon pepper in a bowl and mix well. Pour over the fish, turning to cover. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, turning occasionally; drain. Combine the cornmeal, salt and garlic powder in a shallow dish and mix well. Coat the fillets with the cornmeal mixture. Heat the safflower oil in a heavy skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add the fillets. Fry until crisp and brown on both w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

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sides, turning once or twice; drain. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and Creole Tartar Sauce. Serves four.

Creole Tartar Sauce 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon dill pickle, chopped 1 tablespoon rinsed capers, chopped 1 tablespoon roasted red bell pepper, minced 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced 3/4 of 1 green onion, minced (trim off portion of green stem) Tabasco sauce, to taste Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Use at once or store covered in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Catfish Dijon Poor Boys Seafood alternatives: flounder, tilapia, mahimahi Small, thin catfish fillets fry up best for these sandwiches. Equal parts of cornmeal and corn flour make an excellent fish coating also, but with less texture. Super-fine corn flour is milled from the dried kernels of whole corn.

(Mexican masa harina is corn flour ground from dried hominy.)

1 recipe Fried Catfish Dijon (with Creole Tartar Sauce) 4 crusty 6-inch long French bread rolls or a loaf of French bread cut in 4 pieces, warmed 2 cups baby arugula leaves or shredded leaf lettuce 2 medium garden-ripe tomatoes, thin sliced First prepare the Creole Tartar Sauce recipe, substituting fresh minced basil for the parsley. Then prepare the Fried Catfish Dijon; keep warm. Slice rolls in half lengthwise; spread cut sides with tartar sauce. Inside each roll, arrange a fried catfish fillet and 1/4 of the arugula.

Top with sliced tomato. Serves four.

Orange Marinated Tuna Seafood alternatives: striped bass, wild Pacific salmon, Pacific halibut, cobia, U.S. Atlantic swordfish Marinating the tuna keeps it moist and adds flavor. Tuna is best served medium-rare – pink in the middle. You can adjust the cooking time to suit your personal taste. Any substitute fish 60 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n

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may require a bit longer cooking time.

Grate the zest from the orange first then squeeze it to obtain the fresh juice.

1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for brushing fish 1/4 cup quality soy sauce 2 tablespoons dry sherry grated zest of 1 orange 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 1 clove garlic, crushed 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 4 yellow-fin or albacore tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted 2 green onions, shredded into thin julienne strips 1 seedless orange, thin sliced

Whisk together 1/4 cup oil, soy sauce, sherry, orange zest, orange juice, garlic and oregano in a shallow glass dish. Add tuna steaks, turning to coat in marinade.

Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes, turning once or twice. Prepare an outdoor grill for cooking. Remove fish steaks from marinade; brush each side lightly with oil.

Place on the grill, five to six inches above the hot coals. Cook four minutes on each side. Baste fish steaks with marinade as they cook. When done, transfer to a platter. Boil remaining marinade in a small saucepan; drizzle over fish. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onion shreds and orange slices. Serves four.

Arctic Char with Braised Kale Seafood alternatives: wild Pacific salmon, black cod, U.S. Pacific or Atlantic cod, striped bass, grouper (HI), mahi-mahi Farmed Arctic char is a delicious, mild-tasting fish produced in an ecologically responsible manner. Like salmon, it is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and tastes similar. Kale is rich in calcium and Vitamins K, A and C. Small, tender, organic leaves are best for this recipe and available at your local farmers’ market. You can use Swiss chard, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.

In this recipe, the fish is steamed on top of the greens, but it can be dusted with flour and cooked in a sizzling-hot pan with butter and oil. Umami-rich Asian glazes are especially delicious on top.

Kikkoman offers several convenient varieties to choose from.

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2 garlic cloves, minced about 2 cups cooking liquid (half chicken broth and half water) 1 to 1 1/2 pounds tender young kale, well-rinsed, dried, stemmed and coarsely chopped sea salt and black pepper, as desired 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste 2 to 3 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar or fresh lemon juice 4 5- to 6-ounce Arctic char fillets, skin removed 1 lemon, thinly sliced homemade or top-quality purchased tomato chutney, if desired Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until translucent and soft, stirring often. Stir in garlic and cook one minute more. Add about 3/4 cup cooking liquid. When it simmers, add the kale in batches, stirring until wilted down. Season lightly with salt and pepper, red pepper flakes and balsamic vinegar. Cover pan and cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes.

Add remaining stock; cover and cook five minutes more or until almost tender.

Season char fillets with salt and pepper and arrange on top of the kale. Cover pan and cook six to seven minutes or until fish is cooked through. Serve each char fillet on a bed of the kale. Top with tomato chutney and garnish with a lemon slice. Serves four.

Spicy Tilapia with Avocado Salsa Seafood alternatives: rainbow trout, mahimahi, yellowtail, snapper, U.S. Pacific flounder, mangrove (grey) snapper Tilapia or “St. Peter’s fish,” is considered one of the top 10 seafoods in the U.S. The mild white fish is grown in environmentally friendly systems.

References to tilapia were found in Egyptian tombs 4,000 years ago; some biblical scholars believe it was the fish Jesus multiplied to feed the masses at the Sea of Galilee. Good to know: The KidSafe Seafood program recommends U.S. farmed tilapia; it is low enough in mercury and PCBs to be served at least once a week to children age three and up.

4 6-ounce tilapia fillets juice of 1 fresh lime 1/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 62 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n

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1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, if desired canola oil for frying Avocado Salsa (recipe below) Prepare Avocado Salsa; set aside up to one hour. Squeeze lime juice over fish fillets; drain off. Mix flour and the five spices in a large zip-top plastic bag. Put one tilapia fillet into the bag at a time; dust with the mixture. Place fillets on a plate. Put a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat; add enough oil to coat the bottom. (If necessary, cook fish in two batches.) Sear fish in hot oil three to four minutes on each side until slightly crisp and golden brown. Serve tilapia fillets with Avocado Salsa. Serves four.

Avocado Salsa 4 garden-ripe fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped 1 large garlic clove, minced 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, minced 1/2 serrano chile or jalape単o, seeded and finely minced, or to taste a big pinch salt and black pepper, to taste juice of 1 fresh lime 1 firm-ripe avocado, peeled, seeded, cut in small dice Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. If made ahead, add the avocado up to one hour before serving.

Blueprint for Tilapia Tacos To begin, prepare a recipe of Cilantro Coleslaw by combining three cups finelyshredded red cabbage, one tablespoon brown sugar, pinch of salt, 1/4 cup each cilantro leaves and shredded green onion, one minced Serrano chile and three to four tablespoons sour cream. Squeeze one juicy lime into the mixture. Alternately, you can stir-fry a large bag of coleslaw mix until crisp-tender, adding seasonings to taste. Refrigerate until serving time.

Co m b i n e 1 / 2 c u p l o w - c a l o r i e m a yo n n a i s e w i t h one tablespoon chipotle adobo hot sauce. Refrigerate until serving time.

Make one recipe of the Spicy Tilapia with Avocado Salsa (above). Heat eight to 12 medium-size flour or corn tortillas on a hot griddle or between damp paper towels in the microwave. To serve, arrange fish on a large plate and carry to the table with the Avocado Salsa, Cilantro w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

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Coleslaw, flavored mayonnaise and warm tortillas. Each diner should spread a warm tortilla with some mayonnaise, a small portion of the fish, some coleslaw and salsa. Fold up the tacos and eat out of hand. Serves four.

Gui deli n es for Selecti ng an d Cooking Fish Purchase seafood from a retailer following proper food handling practices.

Seafood displays should be properly iced/ refrigerated. Fish should smell fresh and mild, not fishy, sour or ammonia-like.

Fish fillets should display no drying, darkening or discoloration around the edges. Thaw frozen fish in refrigerator overnight or under cold running water.

Discard uncooked mussels, oysters and clams with cracked, broken shells.

If open shells won’t close up when tapped, discard since they are probably dead. Discard any that are not open after cooking.

The USDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

A good rule to remember: cook fresh fish fillets eight to 10 minutes per inch of thickness at 400 to 450 degrees. (Measure fish at the thickest part.) Cook fish steaks 12 minutes per inch of thickness. Small whole fish require 10 to 14 minutes; larger whole fish 14 to 17 minutes. Check fish at the minimum time; if not done, check at two-minute intervals. Remember, fish continue to cook one to two minutes after being removed from the heat.

Fish is done when the center becomes opaque and it begins to flake. Some firm fish, like mahi-mahi, don’t flake easily.

Cut into them with the tip of a small knife to check for doneness. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna taste better when cooked less – opaque outside with a slightly translucent center. Freshwater fish are more prone to parasites and should be cooked completely through.

Fish fillets up to one inch thick can be grilled directly over charcoal. Brush with oil before placing on the grill. Place whole fish to the side of the hot charcoal (indirect grilling) for even cooking and to prevent thin areas from drying out. Fillets with skin can be placed skin-side down and cooked without turning. Some cooks prefer to sear the fillets on the flesh side one minute, then flip and finish cooking on the skin side. Both methods work well.

Marinades can double as basting sauces. Reserve a small portion before the 64 C o lu m b i a M e t ro p o l i ta n

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fish is added or bring marinade to a quick boil after the fish is cooked.

Pan-roasting is a great method for cooking thicker cuts of fish. Sear the fish quickly on both sides in an oven-proof pan for color, then place the pan of fish into a 350 degree oven 10 minutes or until done.

Test with an oven-proof thermometer. Top each portion with herb butter and serve at once.

Certain people, especially babies and pregnant women, should be careful about the types and amounts of fish they eat from local waters. Too much consumption of fish with high levels of mercury is hazardous to their health. They should avoid king mackerel, shark, swordfish, tilefish and cobia. Harmful levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) have not been found in fish sold in the commercial marketplace, including farm-raised species. Check fish consumption advisories for information about local fish and shellfish safety. Visit www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/fish/.

Pe s t i c i d e s a n d t o x i n s t e n d t o concentrate in the fatty parts of fish so it might be best to discard the skin and fat deposits when cleaning fish. Or choose fish fillets instead.

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Recent worldwide environmental problems, caused by over-fishing our oceans, have depleted certain species and caused health risks from pollutants. South Carolina’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SSI) is working to help make positive changes by teaching Partner Chefs about sustainable and local seafood. This, in turn, will help insure our future supply of seafood. Dining at a Partner Chef ’s restaurant helps us make wise, healthy seafood choices. Buying locally helps support sustainable seafood and the economy.

Sustainable seafood means the seafood is caught without doing harm to other species and wildlife. Sustainable fishing practices include fish farms that aren’t polluting waters or affecting surrounding ecosystems in negative ways. Fish farms in this country are generally subject to more stringent regulations than overseas.

Here is a partial list of “Best Choices” sustainable seafood in the Southeast from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.

• Arctic char (farmed) • Catfish (U.S. farmed) • Clams, mussels, oysters (farmed) • Crab: dungeness, stone • Crayfish (U.S. farmed) • Halibut (U.S. Pacific) • Lobster: spiny (U.S.) • Mahi-mahi (U.S. Atlantic) • Salmon (Alaska wild)

• Scallops (farmed off bottom) • Tilapia (U.S. farmed) • Trout: rainbow (U.S. farmed; Central and South America farmed is a good alternative) • Tuna: albacore, including canned white tuna • Tuna: skipjack, including canned light tuna • Tuna: yellowfin (U.S. Atlantic)

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Palmetto Business

The Big Impact of Small Business Local business owners generate jobs in the Midlands

By Robin Cowie Nalepa / Photography by Bob Lancaster

I

From his first day of medical school, Dr. Brian Hurley knew he wanted to be his own boss. After working for nearly 20 years in hospital systems caring for patients, he finally got his wish and opened Illumination MedSpa three years ago.

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t doesn’t take an M BA to know that big business is big business. The comings and goings of large corporations make headlines on a regular basis. Yet the scaffolding of the state and local economy relies on small businesses and their owners.

The Small Business Administration defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees, while the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce considers companies with 50 or less employees to be small businesses.

As much as 80 percent of chamber membership includes businesses of 50 employees or less.

“Small businesses in the Midlands are the largest job generators collectively in the community,” says Ike McLeese, president and CEO of Chamber.

“They tend to get overlooked quite often.”

Small businesses purchase locally, shop locally, pay personal property, business and sales tax, and donate to local churches and organizations, according to Frank Knapp, South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce president and C E O. “ S m al l businesses impact the economy of every town and every state,” he says. “If you spend a dollar in a locally-owned business, it will have three times the impact on the local economy than if you spent it at a national chain store.”

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Kenneth Shuler (seated) opened his first Kenneth Shuler Schools of Cosmetology in 1981. Today, he runs seven campuses across the state, including two in Columbia, with a student body of more than 800, including (l to r) Devonia Hazel, Ashlee Bannister and Stephanie Walz-Britt.

A 2011 Small Business Profile, published by the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, says South Carolina’s small businesses are key to the state’s well being. In that report, the number of small businesses in South Carolina numbered 363,918 in 2008 (last year of data included in report).

More than 81,000 of those were employers, and they accounted for 49.4 percent of private sector jobs in the state.

According to the same report, women and minority business ownership has grown significantly in the last decade. Minority-owned businesses increased more than 55 percent in the five year period from 2002 to 2007.

Dr. Brian Hurley is a minority business owner.

Th r e e y e a r s a g o , B r i a n opened Illumination MedSpa, a cosmetic medical practice specializing in laser treatments, body sculpting and injectables like Botox.

From his first day of medical school Brian wanted to be his own boss. But the rise of the HMO and organized medicine in the 1980s made his dream seem impractical. He worked for nearly 20 years in hospital systems caring for patients, but never forgot his wish to open his own practice.

When Brian finally was able to open Illumination MedSpa, he continued to work another full-time job. He employed just one person full-time, shared space with a cosmetic dental office and was open only eight days per month.

Now, the practice is his full-time endeavor, with seven employees, leased space all its own and a growing client base. Brian says, “It took a leap of faith, but it was a great strategy to start out small and slowly grow.” Finding his way, paying the bills and controlling overhead has at times been scary, especially with the recession. Despite the economy, though, the demand for minimally- and non-invasive cosmetic procedures continues, he says. “For me the whole adventure has been a learning experience,” says Brian.

Brian isn’t the only businesses owner who has learned along the way. Kenneth Shuler’s career started 53 years ago and has

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Nearly 20 years ago, Debbie McDaniel (left) took an idea, a little bit of information and a big bunch of retail experience and turned it into Revente, a high-end women’s resale store.

Sara Beth Masek (right) loves to shop the deals.

had its ups and downs.

Th e b a r b e r - t u r n e d businessman has owned shops, cut hair, set trends and even failed a few times. Now, he not only runs Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, but he also sets students on a path to run their own businesses and learn a skill that never goes out of vogue.

Kenneth opened his first Kenneth Shuler Schools of Cosmetology in 1981. Today, he runs seven campuses across the state, including two in Columbia, with a student body of more than 800. Kenneth says he measures his success in part by the success of his students. He doesn’t just want them to learn to do hair or nails. He wants to see them succeed as well, by getting jobs and opening their own businesses. “It bothers me when graduates aren’t in the business three or four years down the road,” he says.

So Kenneth and his staff focus on preparing students as professionals and encouraging them as business people. His schools offer business fundamental courses, career counseling and placement.

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South Carolina is the fifth top paying state for hairstylists and cosmetologists, according to the U.S. Labor and Statistics Bureau. “We teach them how to do hair and how to build and run their own businesses,” he says.

Building a small businesses isn’t always easy. It’s one reason advice from many businesses owners includes the

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caveat, “Do what you know.” Debbie McDaniel knew women’s retail. So nearly 20 years ago, she took an idea, a little bit of information and a big bunch of retail experience and turned it into a small business. Debbie used her Ford Tempo as collateral on a $2,500 loan.

She leased a newly-vacant space on Saluda Avenue in Five Points and opened Revente, a women’s consignment shop.

The first year she was the sole employee. Debbie worked six days a week in the shop. On Sundays, when the store was closed, she did the paperwork.

Today, Revente thrives as a high-end women’s resale store offering name brand and designer clothing and shoes at a fraction of the retail cost. Contrary to when she started, everyone talks consignment these days, Debbie says.

Some see it as a smart way to shop and be eco-friendly, reusing instead of just consuming. “Some people wear their steals like a badge of honor.”

Four years ago, Debbie expanded her operation and opened Sid and Nancy, just a few doors down from Revente. Sid and Nancy carries resale and new items geared to the hip and edgy. In 2010, she opened Revente’s Last Call, where items that do not sell at Revente are donated and sold at bargain prices. The net profits go to The Women’s Shelter in Columbia.

These new stores mean new jobs, new taxes and new opportunities to shop local and keep money and resources in the community.

Debbie has seen consignment grow from little-known to Oprah-endorsed.

Competitors have come and gone, “But we’re still going strong,” she says.

Going strong isn’t always easy. The economy, market trends and more affect small businesses. Commonly quoted statistics include a failure rate of 50 percent within the first five years.

Still, in an article in The State newspaper in May, Connie Evans, president and CEO of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, indicated that businesses of five or less employees make up 87 percent of South Carolina c o m p a n i e s . “ Mo r e p e o p l e b e c a m e entrepreneurs last year than at any time in the past 15 years,” she said.

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Running a small business takes constant innovation, says Jim Reynolds, CEO of Comfort Services, a residential heating and air conditioning business in Columbia that e m p l o y s 2 5 , a n d To t a l Comfort Solutions, a statewide commercial HVAC company that employs 80.

His companies, with the help of the Chamber of Commerce and the Midlands Education and Business A l l i a n c e , r e a ch e d o u t t o local high schools to help students develop an interest in the HVAC field. Through job shadowing, internships, co-op work opportunities and school speaker programs, Jim’s companies have benefited from workforce development and young people have discovered career opportunities and technical programs available to them.

Th e i m p a c t c o u l d b e seen at Midlands Technical

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Left: Jim Reynolds (right), pictured with employee Will Andrews, says his companies, Comfort Services and Total Comfort Solutions, have benefited from workforce development.

Young people have discovered career opportunities and technical programs available to them through job shadowing, internships, co-op work opportunities and school speaker programs.

Lower left: John Denise (left), president of Advanced Automation Consulting, is pictured with Lonnie Emard of IT-ology, a business partner. John’s company and its employees provide information technology consulting and staffing to organizations ranging from mediumsized businesses to state agencies.

College, where enrollment in the HVAC program doubled in a fouryear period according to “Focus on the Workforce – Growing a Workforce,” an article published in Manufacturing Engineering, the official publication of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Jim also understands that businesses large and small need each other. The focus on business growth shouldn’t be an either/or proposition, he says. “Both are essential,” Jim says. “When they grow their businesses it allows us to grow ours.”

John Denise, president of Advanced Automation Consulting, believes an increasing emphasis on creating high tech jobs and the knowledge economy would benefit our area. His Columbia company and its 40-plus employees provide information technology consulting and staffing to organizations ranging from medium-sized businesses to state agencies.

He s ays he has no problems with the state trying to land large corporations, but he thinks the impact of small businesses and knowledgebased jobs has been ignored. “Forty of

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The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce considers companies with 50 or less employees to be small businesses. “Small businesses in the Midlands are the largest job generators collectively in the community,” says Ike McLeese, president and CEO of Chamber.

our employees make as much as 200 typical manufacturing employees,” says John. “Our people have disposable income. They buy more products and services and pay more taxes. All those things flow through the system.”

John sees the conditions for tech sector start-ups to be as good as they’ve ever been in Columbia. Yet he thinks there are plenty of things that could be done to encourage small businesses. One change would be to give preference to local companies in the procurement process for state government projects. Keeping jobs local, rather than awarding bids to out-of-state or out-of-country companies, means state funds impact the local economy, he says. No matter the challenges faced by small businesses and their owners, John says they will find a way to get the job done.

The power of the small business is found in the collective contribution to our community and local economy — through job creation, revenue, taxes, innovation and collaboration and so much more. “These are the people that are heavily invested in improving their community,” says Frank Knapp.

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palmetto business

The Future of Recycling Danial Rickenmann, CEO of W2E, sits at the future site of his anaerobic recycling facility, which will begin accepting waste from various sources in early 2012.

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Local business owner turns waste into energy

By Margaret Gregory / Photography by Jeff Amberg

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hen it comes to reduce, reuse, recycle, Columbia is definitely in the mix. Daniel Rickenmann, CEO of Columbia’s newest effort to move toward a greener environment, is excited about what the future holds.

Daniel, who is also a member of Columbia City Council, is the CEO of W2E, a waste-to-energy facility that will convert organic waste via anaerobic digestion into several end products, including electricity, heat and a nutrient-rich soil amendment that will be used by local agriculture.

Anaerobic digestion is a process by which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. “It is the most environmentally friendly solution and is the most flexible with the waste streams it can accept,” says Daniel.

There are currently 152 anaerobic systems in the U.S., according to Daniel, but the systems are much more common in Europe, which has more than 6,000 facilities. “A friend of my family has a system like this in Switzerland,” he says. “I saw it when I was overseas and toured the facility.

This type of landfill diversion is true recycling.”

The $12 million W2E facility will accept waste streams of food, grease, produce, yard debris and other types of organic material. “Seventy percent of the materials will be pre- and postconsumer food waste. Twenty-five percent will be grease trap waste and the remaining five percent will be yard waste,” says Daniel.

Trucks will unload the materials

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into appropriate separators. The waste will then be shredded and combined, then fed into the digester. The digester will heat up, essentially cooking and agitating the waste stream to produce methane gas, which will be harvested to create electricity. The digestate co-product, made up primarily of water and nutrients, will be sold for agricultural and landscape use.

The facility will keep approximately 26,500 tons of waste out of area landfills, according to Daniel. “The average person throws away 200 pounds of garbage annually. This is a way of creating a renewable resource and reducing the carbon footprint.

And down the road it could potentially produce pipeline quality natural gas.

Where it now takes 20 years to develop landfill gas, we will be able to produce it in 28 days.”

W2E will bring benefits, both economic and environmental. If a typical landfill doesn’t have a gas recovery system in place, the gas escapes into the atmosphere as greenhouse gas.

The anaerobic system at W2E processes waste before it goes into the landfill and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as well as dependence on fossil fuel and foreign oil.

“The ideal opportunity would be to turn our landfills into energy parks,” says Daniel. “If we could develop the ability to convert the waste streams going into our landfills through these anaerobic facilities, we not only would extend the life of the landfills but also have a tremendous impact on the development of renewable energy sources.”

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Initially, Daniel says the facility will produce 1.6 megawatts of electricity. “That is enough electricity to provide power to 1,300 homes,” he says. Eventually he hopes to double that output to 3.2 megawatts.

There’s another plus to the process. “When people think of a facility handling organic waste, the smell is the first thing that comes to mind, like a landfill smell. Because this is a totally enclosed system, there is no odor,” says Daniel.

Another benefit is the size of the facility. Where landfills can occupy hundreds of acres, the W2E facility will cover a scant four acres. W2E already has commitments from several local businesses to provide waste materials, including Walmart, Quest Recycling, Dorado, BlueCross Blue Shield, Pascon, Palmetto Health, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Pontiac Foods, McEntire Produce, the State Farmers Market and WP Rawls. Purchasers also are being lined up for the end products of electricity, green natural gas and potentially compressed natural gas to be used for transportation

W2E

is a waste - to - energy facility

that will convert organic waste via anaerobic digestion into several end products, including electricity, heat and a nutrient-rich soil amendment that will be used by local agriculture. purposes in the future. Santee Cooper has committed to purchasing the electrical power generated from the facility in a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.

W2E’s plant site located at the corner of Shop and Beltline received a solid waste permit from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Control in January, and Daniel is now awaiting construction permits. “We plan to begin accepting waste after the first of 2012.” But even though the first site isn’t completed, Daniel already is making plans for expansion throughout the Southeast.

W2E has partnered with Eisenmann, a German company that specializes in developing and manufacturing biogas facilities that use organic materials for heat and power generation. “We are currently in the permitting process in three other states, and we hope to expand to Baton Rouge, La., Gastonia, N.C., and eventually into Tennessee and Georgia,” he says.

W2E also will provide an educational opportunity for local schools. “We’re going to add greenhouses to the facility for demonstration purposes,” notes Daniel, “and we also plan to provide tours for the schools. Kids are learning to recycle, reduce and reuse and this will provide an opportunity for them to see that in action.”

“We can take what we are now burying in our landfills and convert it into a commodity. For every material produced as a result of this process, there’s a market for it.

An apple core goes into the system and an apple tree will result in the end,” says Daniel, with a smile.

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spread the word

Lee Bullington

Franklin Jones

Christina Chappel

Emma Dunovant

Jeff Lawson

Catherine S. Cantey

Chris Halkowitz

Cynthia Saunders

Molly A. Thomas

Amy Landers May

Angela M. Kirby

Rex L. Casterline

Gary A. Pickren

Justin Abrams

Elizabeth F. Render

Weston Adams, III

Bob Coble

Libby Anne Inabinet

Nanci Conley

Lauren Johnson

Beth Kelly

Sister Christopher Vozobule

Connie Leppard

Rosemary Miller

Lee Bullington and David Labrecque have joined the Lexington office of Coldwell Banker United, Realtors® as sales associates. Franklin Jones has been named the company’s top producer for 2010. He also is the number one producer in units sold in the state among all Coldwell Banker associates and the number one producer in home re-sale volume for the Columbia market.

promoted to a position on the Synovous Treasury Management Group. Chris Halkowitz, CPA, has been promoted to In-Charge Accountant. Cynthia Saunders has been licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

South Carolina. He also is a full member of the American Institute of Architects.

Molly A. Thomas of Abacus Planning Group has completed all requirements for the Registered Paraplanner credential.

Weston Adams, III, has been re-appointed to the board of the South Carolina Conservation Bank.

The AAF of the Midlands has been named National Club of the Year by the American Advertising Federation.

The 2011 Leadership Columbia Class has completed renovations of the Doug Gray Cottage at Epworth Children’s Home.

Laurie Becker of Nexsen Pruet and Marcia Benson of Bank of America have created Next Steps, a program that teaches leadership skills to middle school-aged girls.

Sara B. Fisher, Daniel P. Schaaf and Joe E. Taylor, Jr. have joined the NBSC board of directors.

Amy Landers May, a shareholder of Rogers Townsend and Thomas, has been named the SC Bar Young Lawyer of the Year. Angela M. Kirby, a shareholder with the firm, has been recertified as a specialist in estate planning and probate law.

Rex L. Casterline and Gary A. Pickren have joined the firm.

Christina Chappel, Emma Dunovant and Jeff Lawson have been named senior accountants, assurance and advisory services with Scott and Company.

Catherine S. Cantey has been

Justin Abrams, AIA, of Quackenbush Architects + Planners has completed architectural registration exams and is registered to practice architecture in the state of

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Elizabeth F. Render has joined McAngus Goudelock & Courie’s Columbia office.

Healthy Learners Midlands has been selected as the March winner of the DayBreak Adult Care Services Charity Begins at Home program.

Miles Purvis, a USC art education student, has received the 2011 Runaway Runway award by the Columbia Design League of the Columbia Museum of Art. Duncan McIntosh, Luther J. Battiste, Kathryn Hilliard Stuart and Joel A. Smith have been elected board officers for the Columbia Museum of Art. The museum’s President’s Award has been given to Ann Holtschlag. The Director’s Award for employee of the year has been given to Joyce Miller. The Chariman’s Award has been given to the

late Bruce Bahr. The Vendor Service Award has been given to Andrew Streit of Sunstore Solar Energy Solutions. The Volunteer Educator of the Year Award has been given to Maureen Mahon.

The Mac Arthur Goodwin Award has been given to Dr. Mary Lou Hightower.

Former Columbia Mayor Bob Coble will co-lead the Alternative Energy Team at Nexsen Pruet.

Libby Anne Inabinet has been promoted to regional chief development officer with The American Red Cross of the Columbia Region. Nanci Conley has been promoted to regional senior major gifts officer. Lauren Johnson has been promoted to regional major gifts officer.

Beth Kelly has been named business development coordinator at Cohn Construction Services.

Sister Christopher Vozobule, CSA, Connie Leppard and Rosemary Miller have been inducted into the Providence Hospitals Heritage Society.

Daniel Apple, a medical student j u ly / a u g u s t 2011

Daniel Apple

William A. “Bill” Prince

Olivia S. Jones

Cal Watson

Dr. Jerry Ranking

Betty Dent

Jon Ozmint

Aisha Grant Taylor

Sarah Luadzers

Zoe Louise Ayers

Candice Johnson

Eric Elkins

Robyn Fisher

Chrisopher M. Joye

Ashley M. Dusenbury

Viday Avinash Koli

at the USC School of Medicine, has received the Dr. Preston A. Jones Memorial Scholarship.

The hospital has announced its affiliation with Thoracic and Cardiovascular Associates of South Carolina.

CB Richard Ellis Group has been ranked the number one U.S.-based commercial real estate brokerage firm for the eighth year in a row by National Real Estate Investor.

Marcy J. Lamar of McKay, Cauthen, Settana & Stubley has been selected to serve on the 2012 Medical Seminar Committee for the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association. The firm has been included in the 2012 Edition of the Recommended Insurance Attorney Directory, published by A.M. Best Company, Inc. William A. “Bill” Prince has joined the Columbia office of Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough. Olivia S. Jones has been designated as the Nelson Mullins Fellow and has started a one-year Fellowship at South Carolina Legal Services.

David E. Dukes and James F. Rogers have been recognized

by Law Business Research in the 2011 edition of the International Who’s Who of Life Sciences Lawyers.

Cal Watson, managing member of Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

has been sworn in as Secretary of the South Carolina Bar. Dr. Jerry Ranking has been named the new director of the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies at Columbia International University. Betty Dent has been honored with the Doctor of Humane Letters.

Sam Morton has released his new novel, Ten Weeks Til…: From the Austin Files.

Half-Moon Outfitters has presented a check in the amount of $8,000 to the SC Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

Leonard F. Moore, an Allstate Personal Financial Representative, has received Allstate’s President’s Conference award for high standards in customer satisfaction and financial services sales.

Jon Ozmint has joined Collins & Lacy and is spearheading the firm’s new public policy and consulting practice. Aisha Grant Taylor has been appointed to the Executive Committee of The Frye Foundation.

Pope Zeigler has been named one of the top 10 firms nationally in the category of “Top Disclosure Counsel: All Issues” by The Bond Buyer.

Kelly Glynn, Brian Glynn and Matt Barrie have opened

their second Midlands-area Yumilicious location in Lexington.

Sarah Luadzers has been named executive director of The Congaree Vista Guild.

Zoe Louise Ayers and Candice Johnson have received Gold Awards from Girl Scouts of South Carolina.

Eric Elkins of KeenanSuggs BowersElkins has qualified for membership in the Million Dollar Round Table’s “Top of the Table.”

Robyn Fisher, Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate, has joined Studio 2LR. Christopher M. Joye has been elected chair of the Midlands Technical College Commission. Randall Jackson, Robert P. Wilkins, Jr. and George P. Rogers have been elected board officers.

Palmetto Pediatrics and Adolescent Care Clinic has opened in Park Central, a professional medical park on Sunset Drive near Palmetto Health Richland.

Palmetto Health Heart Hospital has announced that it is the first hospital in South Carolina to offer the Arctic Front® Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter system to treat atrial fibrillation.

Catherine Heigel, Harry Shealy, Jr., Natalma McKnew, Patti McAbee and Doug Raynor have been elected members of the board of the Nature Conservancy.

Ashley M. Dusenbury, director of public relations at Palmetto Health Foundation, has earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) distinction from the Public Relations Society of America and the Universal Accreditation Board.

Jason Bradley with BlueCross BlueShield of SC has been named Board Member of the Year by Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.

Lexington Young Professionals and Columbia Opportunity Resource have received an official proclamation and recognition from Lexington County Council.

Ross Travis, PE, has been named chief operating officer for Dennis Corporation.

Dr. Viday Avinash Koli has joined the staff of Mid Carolina Internal Medicine.

The Columbia Medical Group has joined Lexington Medical Center’s physician network.

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getting down to business with

Pate Graham, Ferguson’s Columbia showroom manager

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

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our passion for beautiful things is why you spend so much time and effort to update or beautify your home. Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery at 9221 Farrow Road showcases some of the world’s finest home products – things so beautiful it’s easy to be passionate about them. Browse through vignettes of lighting, appliances and bath and kitchen faucets, fixtures and accessories. From luxurious to practical … from traditional to contemporary … there’s something for every taste and budget.

But at Ferguson you’ll find more than just beautiful things. You’ll find product expertise, an understanding of the design/building process and showroom consultants who are passionate about working with you and your building professional to make just the right solutions. While showrooms encourage browsing, appointments are recommended for project product selection. Call (803) 699-4000 today, and make an appointment to see just how easy Ferguson can make your building or remodeling experience.

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S P E C I AL A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

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getting down to business with

Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate ...

Trusted Name, New Approach

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ussell & Jeffcoat Real Estate has been a well-known name in the Midlands area for the last 45 years. Being the largest independent company in South Carolina and the market share leader in the Midlands has made them synonymous with the term real estate. Fully determined to maintain their industry position, the company has not rested on its laurels, but instead has invested heavily in technology to ensure it can meet the demands of today’s real estate market.

Currently made up of over 500 professional agents and staff, Russell & Jeffcoat has seen a rapid change in the industry over the last few years and Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate adheres to the Better Business Bureau Standards for Trust w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

has had to adapt to the new “rules” of real estate. With property information now readily available to consumers on the internet, the company adapted to this major change by creating a new consumer friendly website (www.russellandjeffcoat.com) that not only gives consumers information they need, but also gives virtual tours of the property, area maps, school information and more. In addition to the website, Ru s s e l l & Je f f c o a t h a s r a p i d l y incorporated one of technology’s most recent innovations: quick response or QR codes. The codes can be scanned by a barcode application on a mobile phone. Consumers looking at a home

can scan the code to receive photos, information, or even take a virtual tour on their phone, once again giving them immediate access to information.

In addition to tools the consumer can use, Russell & Jeffcoat also provides cutting edge technology tools for their sales professionals, such as Circlepix, List Hub, Xpressdocs and other tools to enhance the marketing of their clients’ properties.

While excellent customer service has always been at the core of the success of Russell & Jeffcoat, these technology tools are an additional way of making certain the company remains the industry leader.

803.779.6000 www.RussellandJeffcoat.com S P E C I AL A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

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getting down to business with

(L to R) Scott Taylor, Drew Babcock

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Marcus & Millichap

arcus & Millichap’s mission is to help their clients create and preserve wealth by providing the best real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services available.

Since 1971, Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has been the premier provider of investment real estate brokerage services. The foundation of their investment sales is the depth of their local market knowledge. The company’s 40-year history of maintaining investor relationships in local markets enables them to be the best information source and transaction service provider nationally.

In 2010, Marcus & Millichap closed 4,302 investment transactions for private and institutional investors. By closing more transactions annually than any other firm, their investment professionals are able to provide clients

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with an unparalleled perspective on the investment real estate market locally, regionally and nationally. Included in these transactions were shopping centers, office and industrial buildings, apartment properties, single-tenant net-lease properties, hotels/motels, senior housing facilities, manufactured home communities, self-storage and land.

Marcus & Millichap has established itself as a leading and expanding investment real estate company with more than 1,200 brokers in markets throughout the United States. Drew Babcock and Scott Taylor are the lead brokers in the Columbia SC, office, and they serve as the point men for the national firm in South Carolina.

Marcus & Millichap’s goal is to bring clients closer to the firm, and to ensure South Carolina investors access to the nation’s number one book of investment assets.

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getting down to business with

Surface (L to R) Georgia Lake, owner, and Emilie Black

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erving the Carolinas for over 12 years as decorative finishers, Georgia Lake and Emilie Black create quality custom spaces in your home and business.

Surface specializes in unique furniture finishes, using all types of material – paint, plaster, paper or fabric. It’s all amazing on furniture.

Kitchens represent the heart and soul of a home. Refinishing cabinets is an easy upgrade that makes a dramatic physical change without the cost of a new kitchen. This can be done to any standard cabinet. All Surface cabinetry is like brand new after it undergoes a unique process which includes a top protective coat of waterborne lacquer. w w w. c o l u m b i a m e t ro . c o m

Any color, any style, any way!

Surface is educated and professionally trained to work with many Italian plasters, both real and synthetic. Plaster can be applied to any wall or architectural element in the home. Give your dining room glam with a fabulous metallic ceiling and stenciled plastered walls. Want a yummy apricot or lime, smooth-as-glass Venetian plaster? You got it! Surface will make your powder room sing with metal leaf that is scrumptious and to die for. Got an old boring painted wood fireplace?

Let Surface turn it into a timeless limestone masterpiece in a week.

No job is too big for Surface. “We believe that timing is everything! In S P E C I AL A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

the construction business it’s the rule of thumb everyone should follow.

We respect the work of others and demand it for ourselves. After all we are working toward the same goal – to make our client, you, satisfied with the return on your hard-earned investment,” Georgia says.

Georgia and Emilie are members of IDAL (International Decorative Artisans League) and Society of Gilders.

“Surface adds tremendous value to every home and business we work in. Value is what feeds our industry,” Emilie says. For more information, visit www.surfacesc.com or call (803) 237-2838 to schedule a consultation.

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Medical Q&A

Look Good, Feel Better Ask the Medical Experts

Q: How do I know if I’m a candidate for cosmetic surgery?

A: One of the first things that a plastic surgeon must determine is the presence of a functional problem causing the concern.

Common functional problems are prior trauma or cancer causing a deformity, enlarged breasts causing pain, or excessive skin from massive weight loss. Aside from these issues, patients usually have a very good idea about what they want and often a very good idea of what procedures are available to correct their cosmetic needs. The doctor should explain the expected outcomes and decide if the patient’s expectations are in line with what can be delivered with a surgical procedure. The doctor must also determine the patient’s motivations for seeking out a cosmetic procedure. If all of these are in line with good reasoning and the patient is in good overall health, then they are excellent candidates for surgery.

Oliver P. Simmons, MD Carolina Cosmetic Institute Q: What is the best advice you can give to patients with obstructive sleep apnea?

A: In our practice, we treat many people who suffer from sleep disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a condition that causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. It can lead to a variety of serious complications that include high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, depression and diabetes. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with OSA, please follow through with the plan of treatment prescribed by your physician and/or sleep specialist. With some general lifestyle changes and possibly using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device during sleep, you will see life-changing improvements in your health.

M. Christopher Marshall, MD Carolina Pulmonary and Critical Care at Lexington Medical Center

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Q: Can I lose vision from diabetic eye disease?

A: The ocular complications of diabetes continue to be the most common cause of blindness among American adults 20 to 74 years of age. More than 40 percent of diabetic patients over the age of 40 have retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retinal blood vessels leading to fluid buildup in the retina and growth of abnormal blood vessels. Leakage and bleeding from these vessels cause vision loss. Improved control of blood sugar levels and blood pressure reduce the rate of complications. People with diabetes should strive to maintain a Hemoglobin A1c level less than 7 percent, blood pressure less than 130/80 and have an eye examination at least annually. Diabetic retinopathy can be treated and vision stabilized or improved with office based intraocular administration of special types of medication and retinal laser procedures to reduce the need for surgery in the operating room. There are many clinical research studies to identify better methods to treat diabetic retinopathy.

Jeffrey G. Gross, MD Carolina Retina Center Q: What are the benefits of prenatal yoga?

A: Yoga is a practice for the spirit, mind and body, so it has many benefits during pregnancy.

Yoga poses build flexibility, strength and stamina, and your body is opened and prepared for childbirth. Yoga also helps alleviate many of the common physical complaints of advancing pregnancy.

Yoga is taught along with breathing and imagery techniques that are useful for relaxation, stress relief, meditation and focus – all important skills to have as you navigate pregnancy, labor, childbirth and the changes to your life once your family grows.

The spiritual path of yoga will aid your desire to be your best self and parent.

The benefits of taking a class are the attention and adjustments you get from the teacher that ensure you are safely in alignment in each pose, as well as the sense of community and fellowship you establish with other pregnant students.

Dr. Rachel E. Hall, M.D., RYT-200 Expecting Well

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Q: How do I know if I have a meniscal tear of my knee?

A: The knee is a complex joint of ligaments, bones, cartilage, muscle and synovial lining, so you should always see your primary care doctor or orthopaedic surgeon for knee complaints.

The knee has two menisci, medial and lateral, which serve a primary shock absorbing and stabilizing function. In general, the menisci have poor blood supplies and are torn frequently in both young and mature athletes.

There are many causes of knee pain. Meniscal cartilages can become worn or torn, but if the pain lasts longer than six weeks, it’s possible that you are suffering from a meniscal tear.

Pain from disc tears can be located anywhere along the joint line, but most pain is in the back inner or back outer part of the knee where 80 percent of tears are located. In years past, surgery would remove the entire disc. Today, disc sparing surgery is used where only the torn portion of the disc is removed.

Other techniques allow the repair of some 20 percent of meniscal tears, particularly in the vascular zone of the disc.

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These new techniques allow the repair of the disc through the same incision where the knee arthroscopy is performed. Not all repaired discs heal completely.

Visit www.mccainortho.com for a video on meniscal repairs and look at our Case Reports for laser prints of meniscal repairs.

Dr. Rick McCain McCain Orthopaedic Center Q: What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how can it help me?

A: Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a prescription alternative t o conventional hormone replacement therapy (conjugated estrogens, medroxyprogesterone, t e s t o s t e r o n e g e l , e t c . ) .

Bioidentical medications are plant-derived and chemically ch a n g e d i n a l a b o r a t o r y until they are identical to what your body would naturally produce. BHRT is customizable; in other words, it can be adjusted to fit your needs, unlike conventional HRT, which has a few standard dosage strengths.

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BHRT can help alleviate symptoms in men and women that may be hormonally related, such as mood changes, sleep loss, fatigue, joint pain, low libido, hot flashes in women, mental foginess and weight gain. Many people do not realize that they do not have to suffer and that there is help. For more information call Midlands Medical Wellness Center at (803) 223-9328 or visit www.MidlandsMedWC.com Dr.Jandrette Adu Boahene Midlands Medical Wellness Center Q: Who needs a Bone Density (Dexa) Scan?

A: A dexa scan is a quick, painless diagnostic test that measures bone density. Bone loss typically increases with age, which can lead to fractures from otherwise minor trauma like a fall. It is reversible if identified and treated appropriately.

Individuals in the following categories should consider getting a dexa scan: men age 65 and older; women entering menopause; and men and women whose X-rays suggest osteoporosis, who take drugs that cause bone loss, who have experienced one or more low-impact fractures, who have a disease known to contribute to bone loss and/or who have lost more than one and a half inches of their peak height.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include advanced age, family history, smoking, low calcium and vitamin D intake, high caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, menopause, low body weight, steroids and proton pump inhibitors, previous fractures and a sedentary lifestyle.

To improve bone health, participate in impact activities to strengthen bones, eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D daily, and have your vitamin D blood level checked.

Lee Webb, RN, MSN, APRN, NP Midlands Orthopaedics Q: I think I may have a sports-related concussion. What do I need to do now?

A: Any sports-related head injury that is followed by certain symptoms should be evaluated by a physician trained to manage concussions.

Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, fogginess and amnesia, just to name a few. A medical history and clinical exam are components of a concussion evaluation. Baseline testing, done before possible concussion, is also very helpful in diagnosing the level of a concussion.

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Balance, coordination and reaction time can all be affected after sustaining a concussion and can result in problems in the classroom, at work or behind the wheel.

Concussed athletes are encouraged not to drive until they are cleared by a physician. Returning too soon to sports can put the concussed athlete at risk for prolonged symptoms. Even worse, permanent damage can result from second impact syndrome, which is when the brain responds abnormally and swells as a result of a second trauma before the first has resolved.

Long term problems may occur as a result of concussion, including migraines, depression, seizures, memory problems and dementia. For these reasons, physicians monitor the resolution of symptoms, lowering the risk of complications. Athletes may resume activity once cleared by a physician and educated on what to watch for in the future.

Contact the Moore Sports Medicine Concussion Center for more information or to make an appointment at (803) 227-8170.

Craig M. Burnworth, MD Moore Clinic Q: Are heart attack symptoms the same in both women and men?

A: While women and men may both experience sudden chest pain or pressure, women are more likely to have pain in t h e i r b a ck , j a w, n e ck o r stomach. Women are also more likely to experience unusual fatigue, have cold sweats, dizziness, episodes of disturbed sleep and feelings of nausea or vomiting. They can also feel light-headed or faint.

Knowing your risk factors is the first step to avoiding heart disease. Common risk factors include family history of heart disease, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight and diabetes. If two or more of these risk factors apply to you, your risk of heart disease is greatly increased. Working together with your doctor, you can take charge of these risk factors and significantly cut your risk of having a heart attack.

Dr. Lee Butterfield, Cardiologist Palmetto Cardiology and Carolina Cardiovascular Associates at Providence Hospital

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Q: Who goes to the urogynecologist and why?

A: A female patient, that’s who! Urogynecology is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology involving the evaluation of all the structures and systems of the female pelvis including organs, nerves, ligaments, muscles and blood vessels. A urogynecologist deals with the management and treatment of urinary issues like incontinence, voiding dysfunctions, chronic urinary tract infections, painful bladder issues and pelvic organ prolapse (also known as a “dropped bladder”). Women are benefiting from this subspecialty as it is exclusively designed to address these particular problems both medically and surgically.

Sadly, many women try to hide their problems and limit their lives, unaware of the effective treatments that are readily available. If you suffer from any of these issues, ask your doctor to refer you to a urogynecologist in your area.

Dr. Andrea Pezzella Southern Urogynecology

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Q: I have excessive fat around my midsection. How can I best get rid of it?

A: Diet and exercise are always the best ways to remove excessive fat from anywhere on the body.

However, despite valiant efforts, there may be a stubborn area that just won’t go away. The traditional way to accomplish this was with liposuction, but now there’s Laser Lipolysis. It is quick and effective, permanently removing stubborn fat deposits, and it can be accomplished in an office setting using only local anesthesia. However, this method does necessitate the wearing of a tight garment for a week or two.

There may be some minor bruising and fluid drainage from the tiny incisions required to do the procedure.

Recently, a totally non-invasive form of treatment for fat volume reduction and body contouring has become available.

This device, called Exilis, delivers radio frequency energy to the skin and underlining fat, heating the tissue to a degree that effectively reduces wrinkles, tightens fat and shrinks the fat cells.

Results are accomplished in four 30-minute treatments usually one week apart. This technique is considerably less expensive ($1,600) than liposuction ($3,000-$4,000). However, the results are not permanent and are more subtle in nature.

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Call today for a consultation. Your medical history will be reviewed by Dr. Manly Hutchinson before either procedure is scheduled. Let us answer your questions and get you in those skinny jeans.

Dr. Manly Hutchinson, Jr. The Laser and Skincare Center Q: Why should I have yearly mammograms and what criteria must a patient meet for a breast MRI? A: Current medical studies show a 40 percent or greater decrease in breast cancer deaths in all women age 40 or older who have annual s c r e e n i n g s . Th e m o d e r n technique of full field digital mammography significantly improves the ability to visualize subtle abnormalities, even in women with dense breasts.

Breast MRI is indicated for pre-operative evaluation of newly diagnosed breast cancers and for high risk screening in women with a very strong family history of breast cancer or with positive genetic testing for breast cancer genes (BRCA I, BRCA II).

Dr. Tommy Cupples Women’s Care At Image Care Q: What is sciatica and how do you treat it?

A: Sciatica is a non-specific term used to described a condition in which the sciatic nerve is pinched. The typical pain pattern starts in the lower back and travels down the buttocks, lower legs and feet. In addition to the pain, other symptoms may include numbness, tingling or weakness.

In most cases the sciatic pain only occurs on one side of the body but can occur simultaneously on both sides. The sciatic nerve can become pinched due to a herniated disc, bone spur or subluxation.

In order to treat sciatica, a thorough examination must be performed to assess the etiology of the pain. If it is caused by a herniated disc or bone spur, the treatment would include non-surgical decompression, injections or, in some cases, open-back surgery. The most common form of sciatica is due to a subluxation which can easily be treated by a chiropractor. A chiropractor experienced in specific adjustments to the affected area will help reduce the pinching of the sciatic pain.

Dr. Dan Handford Vitality Spine

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