The start of the New Year provides a wonderful time for “out with the old, and in with the new.” We at CMM are excited to launch our new website after many months of planning, designing, and programming with the amazing team at Columbia’s own Mad Monkey. I can’t wait for you to see it! Visit ColumbiaMetro.com and enjoy all content from the past decade at no charge for a limited time.
Similarly, the New Year offers a moment of reflection on where we have been and where we are going. In Columbia, we should certainly be proud of our many inspiring individuals as well as impressive businesses. Renowned photographer Constantine Manos is one Columbia treasure featured this month. After growing up in Columbia and studying photography at USC, “Costa” went on to capture many images that are now in museums around the globe as well as to cover historic events, such as Martin Luther King’s funeral and President Richard Nixon’s inauguration. You will enjoy learning more of his story and perusing a select gallery of his work on page 100.
For this issue, publisher Henry Clay sat down with USC President Harris Pastides for a discussion about his time as a Gamecock and where he sees the university heading in the future. Read this Q&A on page 134. President Pastides has been such an incredible asset to our city over the past 10 years in leading USC to new heights, including achieving and maintaining the Honors College’s No. 1 ranking in the country. He will be greatly missed after his retirement in June.
Incorporating more dark, leafy greens is an excellent way to meet the frequent January goal of a healthier diet. If Jim Kibler’s recipe for Hoppin’ John from our December issue whetted your appetite for greens over New Year’s, we have much more in store for you! Read Helen Dennis’ article on page 126 for fresh recipes on collards, radish greens, and especially kale, which is packed with antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K, fiber, and folate.
Nothing pairs better with greens than a tasty grain, like Carolina Gold Rice. Anson Mills, probably Columbia’s best kept secret, is reviving Southern heirloom seeds. Its artisanal grains include corn, rice, wheat, and rye, just to name a few. Milled locally, the grains are then shipped to top chefs around the world. Read about Glen Roberts’ vision that has come to such successful fruition on page 108.
For the past 28 years, we have been celebrating the finest in our great city through the Best of Columbia contest. The Midlands is lucky to have so many inspiring local enterprises offering the ultimate in business to consumers in our area. We are proud to announce the much-anticipated list of this year’s winners on page 34.
Happy New Year to all who are fortunate enough to live in our fabulous community!
