Dominion Energy will begin performing tree trimming activities along overhead utility lines in the following neighborhoods on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Distribution Line Tree Trimming:

• Central Rosewood Neighborhood
• South Kilbourne Neighborhood
• Chestnut Hill Plantation
• Brandon Acres/Cedar Terrace Neighborhood
• Northwood Hills Organization
• Eau Claire Community Council

Citizens with specific questions or concerns should contact Forestry & Beautification at 803-545-3860 or Dominion Energy at 1-800-562-9308 to meet and discuss in advance of the work being completed.

Customers can also access Dominion Energy’s new website to follow the tree trimmers in real time at https://treetrimming.dominionenergyse.com/

The trimming will be completed by Dominion Energy’s contractors and work will be closely monitored by the City’s Certified Arborists from the Forestry & Beautification Division.

The purpose of the trimming activities is to increase safety and reliability of the electric service. The trimming guidelines include removing vegetation within 8-12 feet below, beside the power lines and up to 20 feet above the power lines.

Dominion Energy and their contractors trim in accordance with International Society of Arboriculture guidelines, using ANSI A300 pruning methods leaving good cuts that will generate new growth.

Dominion Energy’s re-conductor work includes pole replacements and new wire in select locations. The goal of re-conductor work is to improve reliability.

For more information about Dominion Energy’s tree trimming efforts, including helpful tips and suggestions regarding the planting of trees and other vegetation, visit www.dominionenergysc.com/treetrimming.

You can also contact Dominion Energy’s 24-hour Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-800-562-9308.

For continued updates from the City of Columbia follow us on X @cityofcolumbia or “like” the City of Columbia on Facebook.

Who: City of Columbia At-Large Councilman Sam P. Johnson, Richland County District 9 Chair Jesica Mackey, The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities ,and  Owner Shirine Arzu.

What: The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities and Richland County will be hosting the ribbon cutting of Lavender Café, Wednesday, August 19th at 11:00AM.  Richland County District 9 Chair Jesica Mackey and City of Columbia At-Large Councilman Sam P. Johnson will be in attendance. Lavender Café is inspired by the timeless beauty, charm, and hospitality of the South of France.  Their vision is to create more than a place to purchase coffee or tea; Lavender Café is designed to be a warm and welcoming space where people can slow down, gather with family and friends, enjoy exceptional handcrafted beverages, and experience genuine hospitality.  Their menu consists of handcrafted espresso beverages, ceremonial grade matcha prepared traditionally and served in classic and flavored varieties, loose-leaf teas, blooming teas, Vietnamese coffee, fresh pastries and light café offerings.  In addition to this, they proudly serve black and green teas grown at the Charleston Tea Garden, one of the most distinctive agricultural treasures in South Carolina.

When: Wednesday, August 19th at 11:00AM.

Where:: 101 Sparkleberry Crossing Road, Suite 3, Columbia, SC 29229

Who: Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City of Columbia’s Office of Economic Development, and 5 Points Social Owner Ryan Ferguson.

What: The City of Columbia celebrates the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of 5 Points Social Tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. 5 Points Social is the marquee spot for food, drinks, sports, music and memorable nights. Gamecock owned, operated and located at 632 Harden Street. They will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Columbia’s 5 points district. City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, 5 Points Social Owner Ryan Ferguson, and the City of Columbia’s Office of Economic Development, will give remarks and cut the ribbon for this grand opening event. Immediately following the ceremony, the sports bar will officially open its doors to the public. Media are invited to attend the celebration, capture the ribbon cutting, interview speakers and tour the new restaurant.

When: Tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Where: 5 Points Social, 632 Harden Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201

Who: Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City of Columbia’s Office of Economic Development, Vista Guild, and Aura Kitchen and Bar Owner Ramy Singh

What: The Congaree Vista Guild has announced the ribbon-cutting and grand opening for its newest business, Aura Kitchen & Bar, on Thursday, August 13 at 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at 916 Gervais Street.

Aura Kitchen & Bar is a Pan-American fusion restaurant offering dishes from China, India, Japan and Korea. Guests will find dishes such as butter chicken, orange chicken and bulgogi platters, among other options.

“Aura Kitchen & Bar is a great addition to the restaurant community here in the Vista,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director, Abby Anderson. “They offer a broad variety of dishes from all across Asia – something for everyone.”

“Our goal was to offer a different experience for restaurant guests in Columbia, with a spirit of adventure both in atmosphere and food options,” said Ramy Singh, owner.

When: Tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: 916 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Who: Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Columbia City Councilwoman Tina N. Herbert, City of Columbia representatives, Tribe Slam urban poets, North Columbia community members.

What: The City of Columbia’s public art program Columbia Streams Art is thrilled to present North Columbia’s Tribe Slam poetry ensemble reading selections from poems they created for new urban canvas tapestries. Following the poetry presentation, the urban canvas movable mural tapestries will debut on the exterior walls of the historic Eau Claire Print Building. The presentation will be held at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Eau Claire print building at 3907 Ensor Avenue.

North Columbia’s Tribe Slam Team is a competitive poetry ensemble who has represented the Midlands at major regional and national poetry slam competitions.

The Urban Canvas movable mural tapestries are a signature creative form unique to Columbia. Stormwater Studios artist Stephen Chesley describes the large-scale, movable tapestries as “anti-murals”, as they do not occupy fixed spaces. Urban Canvas tapestries have been exhibited across Columbia’s exterior public spaces, maximizing viewing opportunities for the widest cross section of citizens.

When: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.

Where:: Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203

Who: Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann

What: Mayor Daniel Rickenmann will host a monthly Coffee with the Press from August through November. These informal media briefings will provide members of the press with updates from the Mayor, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion.

The sessions will be held in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall, located at 1737 Main Street, and will last approximately 45 minutes.

When and Where:  

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

City Hall 2^nd Floor, Mayor’s Conference Room

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

City Hall 2^nd Floor, Mayor’s Conference Room

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

City Hall 2^nd Floor, Mayor’s Conference Room

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

City Hall 2^nd Floor, Mayor’s Conference Room

Who: City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE), Columbia Police Department, Be SMART, community organizations, educators, healthcare professionals, public safety partners, and local leaders.

What: The City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, in partnership with Be SMART, will recognize National SMART Week through a community press conference and panel discussion focused on promoting responsible firearm storage and preventing gun violence.

Held as students return to school, the event will bring together community leaders, educators, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and violence prevention advocates to discuss the importance of secure firearm storage and the role the community plays in preventing unintentional shootings, youth suicide, school shootings, and firearm theft.

SMART stands for:

• Secure all guns in homes and vehicles.
• Model responsible behavior around firearms.
• Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in homes your child visits.
• Recognize the role of firearms in suicide.
• Tell your peers to Be SMART.

The event will feature remarks from community leaders followed by a panel discussion highlighting local efforts, resources, and strategies to create safer communities through education, awareness, and responsible firearm ownership.

When: Monday, August 24, 2026

Press Conference: 10:00 a.m.

Panel Discussion: Immediately following the press conference

 
Where: Columbia City Hall, City Council Chambers (3rd Floor), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Members of the public and media are encouraged to attend.

For more information about Be SMART, visit BeSMARTforKids.org. The City of Columbia remains committed to working alongside community partners to reduce gun violence through education, prevention, and collaboration.

For additional information about this event, please contact the City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement at (803) 545-3373.

PC_08-13-26_Agenda_FINAL_v1

On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the City of Columbia Planning Commission meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m. respectfully at City Hall, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Members of the public and/or media who want to observe the meeting may do so remotely by accessing the live stream at www.ColumbiaSC.gov or www.YouTube.com/CityOfColumbiaGovernment.

The public may submit letters and statements via e-mail to CoCPC@ColumbiaSC.gov prior to the meeting. Please be sure to include your name and the case information, such as the address and topic of the request.

Questions can be directed to the Zoning Division by calling (803) 545-3222 or by e-mailing lucinda.statler@columbiasc.gov. For additional information, please visit our website at https://planninganddevelopment.columbiasc.gov/planning.commission.

*Please see attached agenda

Jennifer Bartell Boykin has served as the second Poet Laureate of the City of Columbia since 2023. Her four year term ends on December 31, 2026, and she will not seek a second term. “Poetry saved my life and has brought me so much joy and connection,” Boykin said. “I have enjoyed sharing poetry with the city these past four years.” 

During her time as Poet Laureate, Boykin founded the Soda City Poetry Festival, which hosted poetry workshops, readings, and poetic conversations for the city. Additionally, she penned the poem “Finally Finlay” for the grand opening of Finlay Park in 2025 and has taught poetry workshops through the city and the state. 

One Columbia for Arts and Culture serves as an administrative and artistic collaborator between the poet laureate and city officials. One Columbia, through powers established in Resolution R-2014-08, convenes a committee responsible for selecting the next poet laureate. 

Applications are now open for the next City of Columbia Poet Laureate, which is an honorary position that recognizes a poet who champions poetry and increases poetic engagement across the city. The organization invites poets from across Columbia to apply; this includes any poet with a verified Columbia, South Carolina address. The application is available on the One Columbia website, under the What We Do Section, City Poet Laureate. 

The application window will run through September. A selection committee will convene in October to review candidates and identify the individual best suited to serve as an ambassador for poetry and literature throughout the city. One Columbia will announce the new Poet Laureate in November during Boykin’s final official reading event, a fitting moment to honor the outgoing laureate while welcoming her successor. 

In accordance with the City of Columbia’s Poet Laureate Resolution, the selection committee will include representatives of the Mayor’s Office and the Arts, History & Preservation Committee, members of the local literary arts community, and other individuals with relevant expertise. This diverse and thoughtful committee structure ensures the process remains firmly connected to the city and its civic mission. 

“Columbia has a vibrant poetry community of page poets and stage poets. It’s time for the next poet to carry the laureateship forward,” Boykin said. 

The Poet Laureate serves as a public advocate for poetry, literature, and creative expression, sharing work at community events and encouraging residents of all ages to engage with the arts. One Columbia looks forward to continuing this meaningful tradition and celebrating the power of poetry to connect and inspire the people of Columbia.

Dominion Energy will begin performing tree trimming activities along overhead utility lines in the following neighborhoods on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Distribution Line Tree Trimming:

• Central Rosewood Neighborhood
• South Kilbourne Neighborhood
• Chestnut Hill Plantation
• Brandon Acres/Cedar Terrace Neighborhood
• St. Marks Wood Neighborhood Association
• Ashewood Homeowners Association

Citizens with specific questions or concerns should contact Forestry & Beautification at 803-545-3860 or Dominion Energy at 1-800-562-9308 to meet and discuss in advance of the work being completed.

Customers can also access Dominion Energy’s new website to follow the tree trimmers in real time at https://treetrimming.dominionenergyse.com/

The trimming will be completed by Dominion Energy’s contractors and work will be closely monitored by the City’s Certified Arborists from the Forestry & Beautification Division.

The purpose of the trimming activities is to increase safety and reliability of the electric service. The trimming guidelines include removing vegetation within 8-12 feet below, beside the power lines and up to 20 feet above the power lines.

Dominion Energy and their contractors trim in accordance with International Society of Arboriculture guidelines, using ANSI A300 pruning methods leaving good cuts that will generate new growth.

Dominion Energy’s re-conductor work includes pole replacements and new wire in select locations. The goal of re-conductor work is to improve reliability.

For more information about Dominion Energy’s tree trimming efforts, including helpful tips and suggestions regarding the planting of trees and other vegetation, visit www.dominionenergysc.com/treetrimming.

You can also contact Dominion Energy’s 24-hour Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-800-562-9308.

For continued updates from the City of Columbia follow us on X @cityofcolumbia or “like” the City of Columbia on Facebook.