Columbia Off-Topic

[CorgiMatt]

I don't remember which thread I posted the info about United Airlines's Hemisphere Magazine featuring Columbia, but I was wrong. It was US Airways magazine. Over 5 million passengers fly with them each month, and here is their Profile article on Columbia for May 2007. The magazine is behind every seat on every plane.

http://usairwaysmag.com/profile_series/Col...e_Columbia.html

[The_sandlapper]

Gotta say that's pretty cool! Good to see Columbia getting that type of national exposure.

[Mr.Marc]

Very cool but I wish they (Columbia Chamber of Commerce) would use better vantage points when taking pics of Columbia's skyline. Driving from West Columbia (a little before the Jarvis Klapman bridge), one is able to see the entire city skyline (including the state capitol and the BOA building) which would be a better pic of the city as a whole (IMO).

[waccamatt]

Or this:

[Mr.Marc]

^

EXACTLY

[CorgiMatt]

This is so far off the topic of Columbia that it's about me. I have just realized at 48 years old and counting that 80% of my obsessions fall under a succinct topic, and I can interchangeably make the topic as local, regional, national or global as I wish; and I have simultaneously learned that there are masters degrees and PhD's to be earned on the topic: urban geography.

My new dream is to one day be a consultant with a PhD. I can't wait to tell my family. They'll no longer wonder why I'm so obsessed with things urban. They do a pretty good job of accommodating me in conversation, but now they'll really understand.

My B.A. is in English, and I love photography and maps. In my graduate studies I would learn how to use computer technology to bring Columbia to the world and vice versa.

I became obsessed with cities when I was 20. I was a student at Clemson and all I knew was that I had to get out of there. I dropped out and went to NYC for a spring and summer, then moved to Washington, D.C., where I lived for five years (not my kind of town). Then I moved to Columbia and finished at USC in English. I immediately recognized Columbia's enornous urban potential.

Whereas you guys think I'm obsessed only with Columbia, I am obsessed with cities and towns of the world, the nation, the state, and the Midlands, and with Columbia and where Columbia fits in. Urban geography, also known as human geography, is focused on these concepts.

The train is on the tracks, and it will be there for a while; there's still time for me to hop on it.

[waccamatt]

Corgi, I know exactly how you feel. My degree is in business, but my love has always been geography, meteorology and cartography. I can't believe I let my mom talk me into majoring in business instead of geography. Alas, it makes a good hobby, though, along with my photography. Good luck in your pursuit.

[emerging.me]

Ha! I hear you guys. What we really need to do is form a think tank!

[krazeeboi]

Consulting is big business these days. I have no doubt that you'll find your niche, Corgi; just follow your heart.

[waccamatt]

Krazee, did you change your address from Rock Hill to Orangeburg?

[krazeeboi]

Yeah, I'm in my hometown for a few weeks this summer.

[Firefox]

since Krazee is in the metro, Anyone wanna toss up some ideas about a Forum Meet again?

[waccamatt]

since Krazee is in the metro, Anyone wanna toss up some ideas about a Forum Meet again?

I'm always game on an evening or weekend.

[TheCarolinaKing]

Me too, I just work during the day.

[krazeeboi]

It's kinda iffy for me; I'm an assistant residential counselor for a summer program with high school students, so my job is pretty much 24 hrs., and my weekends are pretty full as well.

[Chtimi]

Yes. Fantastic ! Good idea Sonof this picture bowled me over.

[waccamatt]

Hi Chtimi

[krazeeboi]

The Wilbur Smith tower is going to get a new sign at the top of the building. I assume it will be the same logo on the company's website:

[Firefox]

Awsome I love the blue signs like SouthTrust use to have and with the current NBSC

[BrasilnSC]

The new sign is up and I like it. I hope it's illuminated (doesn't look like it though)

So I've been out of the country for a whole month and was excited to come back and see all the progress and new announcements. I guess a month is just not long enough to see much of a difference. The only things I really noticed: Hilton garage is now open, couple of floors added to Adesso, and cosmetic improvements and signage on the Courtyard Hotel (former Holiday Inn).

[Chtimi]

Hi Waccamatt,

[krazeeboi]

Within a few months, we can expect to see visible (vertical) progress at CanalSide, the transformation of the exterior of Vsion, the Horizon and Biomedical blocks nearing completion, the Sheraton on Main Street opening, the Battery at Arsenal Hill erecting some structures, the Lofts at Printers Square beginning construction, the extended stay hotels on Lady and Huger beginning construction, and perhaps some dirt turned at the site of the Lady Street parking garage.

This week's edition of the Free Times reveals that the city's new wayfinding signs will extend from the Congaree River to Harden Street and from Elmwood to Blossom streets, pointing out to tourists the main attractions in the city such as the S.C. State Museum, Williams-Brice Stadium, Five Points, the Vista, the Columbia Museum of Art and Fort Jackson. The city’s entire project will cost $224,276 for the signs and installation. Signage Industries of North Carolina won the bid. The project will begin once the city has the go-ahead from the S.C. Department of Transportation.

[waccamatt]

Tres bien, et tu?

[Chtimi]

Fine !

[CorgiMatt]

It would seem the Palmetto Pride campaign, the one where businesses adopt a stretch of interstate and erect a sign that says "Palmetto Pride" and something to the effect of "thank you for not littering," with the name of the company at the bottom, has had a very significant positive impact. Yesterday I drove a friend up to Charlotte to see her daughter, and I was amazed at the litter along

I-77 in N.C. and 485 around Charlotte. Compared to them it looks as though someone came through S.C. with a giant vacuum cleaner and sucked up all the litter. I would like to think that the message on our signs has helped, but I definitely appreciate the people who risk their lives to pick up trash, even if they are prisoners who have no choice. It was so nice driving back into Columbia and seeing how much cleaner it is in comparison. Just one piece of litter stands out here like a sore thumb, whereas up there you don't know which piece of litter to focus on or try to ignore.