It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Robert Mills House and Gardens gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Columbia, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ruth's Chris Steak House or visit Historic Columbia, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Columbia, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Columbia, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Columbia, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — News19 and the WLTX Weather Team continue a NEWS19 Weather Impact Alert going into Saturday, Sunday and Monday, a 3-day stretch with temperatures nearing 100 degrees.Even before the unofficial start ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. — News19 and the WLTX Weather Team continue a NEWS19 Weather Impact Alert going into Saturday, Sunday and Monday, a 3-day stretch with temperatures nearing 100 degrees.
Even before the unofficial start to the summer season, Memorial Day weekend, the humidity levels have been elevated, making for muggy weather conditions.
Now, add the elevated humidity to temperatures that will be getting close to the century mark, and this makes for heat index values nearing the criteria for the National Weather Service forecast offices to issue a heat advisory, excessive heat watch or or excessive heat warning.
From Saturday to Monday, there is very little chance for any precipitation.
A broad area of high pressure is currently parked over the south branch of the Appalachian Mountains. This has been stationary for the better of 3 days. The high pressure location contributed, in part, to the tropical wave that began to develop off the east coast of Florida, crossed over the northern side of the peninsula, and continued on a westerly track, pushed along on the southern rotation of the area of high pressure.
This set up will allow drier air from the upper level of the atmosphere down toward the surface, not allowing much in the way of clouds but allowing more sunshine to the heating of the day.
High temperatures for the first one-third of the 7 day forecast will be close to 100 degrees.
On the surface, a strong southwesterly flow will provide moisture enriched air to travel from the Gulf of Mexico into the U.S. southeast region. The summertime Bermuda high will continue the transport of the humid airmass into the the southeast Atlantic states. Both will merge and stay over the Carolinas and Georgia keeping it very humid, still, and through the next 7 days.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — It's a beastly weekend ahead of us! Everything from bookworms and purple martins, to beekeepers and K9s -- there's event a two day championship rodeo featuring real and mechanical bulls to ride.If you're like me, a little more laid back, you might enjoy Richland Library's Summer Book Sale on Saturday or an evening cruise on Lake Murray to watch thousands of purple martins head for their roost on Bomb Island.The more active might opt to run or walk with Richland County Sheriff's Department K9 units at the ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. — It's a beastly weekend ahead of us! Everything from bookworms and purple martins, to beekeepers and K9s -- there's event a two day championship rodeo featuring real and mechanical bulls to ride.
If you're like me, a little more laid back, you might enjoy Richland Library's Summer Book Sale on Saturday or an evening cruise on Lake Murray to watch thousands of purple martins head for their roost on Bomb Island.
The more active might opt to run or walk with Richland County Sheriff's Department K9 units at the annual Guardians of the Night event at the State Fairgrounds -- or test your skills staying atop a mechanical bull at the South Congaree Rodeo Championships on Friday and Saturday nights.
Whatever your level of activity, there's bound to be something to interest you to get out and get going.
Here’s a sampling of things to do this weekend:
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, you choose time, SC State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia. Oooh and aah over 70 costumes from beloved Disney characters such as Cinderella, Maleficent, and more worn by actors such as Johnny Depp, Glenn Close, and Angelina Jolie. Tickets available online, select time you wish to enter the exhibition at time of purchase as gallery capacity is limited.
Forest Acres Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. Gills Creek Memorial Park, 24 Forest Lake Place. Come out and shop local food and craft vendors – and take advantage of the park’s splash pad!
Opening reception: Koger Center Project winners, 5:30-7 p.m. Koger Center, 1051 Greene St. Free exhibit featuring works of winning artists in annual call for art. Coincides with Third Thursday Art Night with Virginia Russo.
Palmetto Palate, 6-9 p.m., South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Enjoy an evening sampling bites from local chefs created from products from local farms. This fund raising event for South Carolina Farm Bureau features a silent auction with all proceeds to benefit SCFB Land Trust for future farmers.
Jazz Party Thursdays, 7-10 p.m., The Aristocrat, 1001 Washington St. Enjoy the sounds of the Amos Hoffman Trio as they open the evening with a jam session following the first set.
Purple Martin Cruise, 7-9:30 p.m. Spirit of Lake Murray, 216 Shadowood Dr., Ballentine. Enjoy an evening cruise to view countless Purple Martins as they return to Bomb Island on Lake Murray to roost for the night. Food and drink available for purchase.
Meeting Street Artisan Market, 4-8 p.m., Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia. Shop local handmade arts and crafts, fresh baked goods and treats.
South Carolina Beekeepers Conference, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (registration opens at 7:30 a.m.), Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St. If you’ve ever wanted to learn about beekeeping and the importance of pollinators, this is the event to come to. Seminars targe every level of beekeeping, with a special kids program and track for non-beekeeping general public on Saturday. Registration required.
AIDA, 8 p.m., Trustus Theater, 520 Lady St. Music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice tell the love story of Aida, an enslaved Nubian princess who loves the Egyptian soldier Radames who is betrothed to the Pharaoh’s daughter. Will love conquer all?
Pigskin Poets, 3-4:30 p.m. Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way. Mingle with University of South Carolina Gamecock football players as they read to kids, sign autographs and pose for pictures (bring your own camera). Wear your coolest garnet & black to show your support
Nashville Nights: Jack McKeon (trio), featuring Collin Nash, 6 p.m. Steel Hands Brewery, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce. Catch a free show highlighting Nashville singer/songwriters. Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, street tacos, and Nashville Nights Summer Shandy available for purchase.
Fireflies vs Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, 7:05 p.m. Segra Park, 1640 Freed St. It may be scorching outside, but inside the park, it’s Christmas in July! Santa will be making an appearance and there will be a snow globe giveaway
South Congaree Rodeo Championships, gates open at 5 p.m., rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m., South Congaree Rodeo, 395 Oak St., West Columbia. This 10th anniversary, two-day event is IPRA Sanctioned and will be held rain or shine. Features roping, riding, rodeo clowns, food trucks, kids zone, western wear and a mechanical bull for wannabe cowpokes.
Free Dental Day for adults, doors open at 6 a.m., clinic begins at 7 a.m., Orangeburg County Gym (park at Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, 305 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, and take the shuttle). Palmetto Place, America’s Dentists Care Foundation, and local providers will set up to provide dental treatment for adults, including x-rays, exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions for free.
Jump Start Back-to-School, 9 a.m.-noon, First Choice Community Center, 217 Park Terrace Way, Columbia. More than 20 agencies and community partners will be helping children K-12 get the school supplies they need for the new school year. Bilingual staff supplied by Select Health on hand to assist Spanish-speaking families.
Kershaw County Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, 906 Broad St., Camden. Locally grown produce, plants, arts and crafts, food.
Soda City Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Main Street Columbia. Feed your brain, body and belly with offerings from local artisans and food purveyors.
Market at Icehouse, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., Icehouse Amphitheater Pavilion, 107 West Main St., Lexington. A farmer/grower and local artisan market
Richland Library Summer Book Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Richland Library Operations Center, 130 Lancewood Rd., Columbia. Select from over 30,000 gently-used items, available in all genres for children, teens and adults. Prices for paperbacks start at $1, hardbacks at $2. Proceeds go to support Richland Library programming
Freedom Farm Fundraiser, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 2:30-6 p.m., Uhuru Farms Sustainability Institute, 207 Misty Meadows Rd., Hopkins. The event is a fundraiser for the Mobile Culinary & Farming School and will feature food, culture, and activities related to the Gullah Geechee people and the South Carolina food growers community. Choose morning or afternoon session.
Second Annual Saluda River Duck Run, 11 a.m., Meet at 391 Bridge Lake Murray for an unforgettable day on the river. Bring your boat to go up the river to the sandbar to hang out and socialize and enjoy the river.
Richland County Back-to-School event, noon-4 p.m. Meadowlake Park - 600 Beckman Drive Columbia. Free school supplies for local communities, while supplies last. Children (ages 5-18) must be present to participate in these events. https://richlandcountyrecreation.com/event/back-to-school-bashes/
Craft & Draft 11th Anniversary Party, noon-7 p.m. Craft & Draft, 2706 Devine St. Live music, food trucks, and specialty beers on tap for C&D’s 7-Eleven party. https://untappd.com/v/craft-and-draft/1766582/event/877266
Field Fest 2025: Boots On the Ground, 2-10 p.m. 3155 Oswego Highway, Sumter. Slip on your favorite pair of boots and get ready to dance, dance, dance! This country-themed event will feature music, food vendors, and non-alcoholic beverages. Bring chairs, tents or blankets and make yourself comfy (when you’re not dancing) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-vibes-entertainment-presents-field-fest-2025boots-on-the-ground-tickets-1332596695589
Fireflies vs Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, 6:05 p.m. Segra Park, 1640 Freed St. A salute to the classic comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz! Post-game fireworks and a jersey auction with proceeds going to South Carolina Dept. of Social Services
United Way of Kershaw County Summer Bash, 7-11 p.m. 1011 Galleria Events Venue, 1011 Broad St., Camden. Fundraising event for United Way featuring music by the Jebb Mc Band and delicious food.
Guardians of the Night K9 5K, 8:30 p.m. run/walk, 9:30 p.m. 5K, South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr. Runners and walkers can join in alongside Richland County Sheriff’s Department K9 deputies and partners. Race course is certified and chip timing will be used for scoring. Proceeds go to benefit ICSD K9 team.
Wicked of Oz: A Comic Fable, 2 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Richland Library Sandhill, 763 Fashion Dr., Columbia. Columbia Children's Theatre presents a comic take on the classic tale featuring yellow brick roads and ruby slippers. New characters add a bit of mischievousness and humor.
Fireflies vs Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, 7:05 p.m. Segra Park, 1640 Freed St. FOOD FIGHT! Plus: Kids Club takeover night with kids running the bases post-game and team autographs
Purple Martin Cruise, 7-9:30 p.m. Spirit of Lake Murray, 216 Shadowood Dr., Ballentine. Enjoy an evening cruise to view countless Purple Martins as they return to Bomb Island on Lake Murray to roost for the night. Food and drink available for purchase.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above is a livestream of content from WIS as well as Gray Media’s Local News Live. We will update this with relevant video as necessary.COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) confirmed to WIS Monday evening that there is a case of a brain-eating amoeba in the state.DPH said in a statement that the case was confirmed the week of July 7 but also said that the amoeba in question, Naegleria fowleri, is very common in freshwater lakes, rivers and pond...
EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above is a livestream of content from WIS as well as Gray Media’s Local News Live. We will update this with relevant video as necessary.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) confirmed to WIS Monday evening that there is a case of a brain-eating amoeba in the state.
DPH said in a statement that the case was confirmed the week of July 7 but also said that the amoeba in question, Naegleria fowleri, is very common in freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds.
“The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) was made aware of one case of Naegleria fowleri in our state the week of July 7. Naegleria fowleri is not required to be reported to DPH. The agency does not track infections from the amoeba and does not provide information about or comment on individual cases, including the person’s condition,” DPH said. “Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater; however, the risk of infection is very low. There are less than 10 cases annually in the United States. While rare, Naegleria fowleri is nearly always fatal.
DPH would not confirm the exact location where the case occurred. Per state law, testing of the water for this specific amoeba is not mandatory, and South Carolina agencies are not required to issue an announcement when a case like this occurs.
WIS reached out to the CDC and environmental services as well for specific details but were unable to obtain confirmation of the location and any additional details.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WIS for the latest details.
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COLUMBIA — Honey, they’ve shrunk the art.A pair of Columbia artists are bringing a vendor market to Richland Library Main from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 2. The catch?“Nothing over 4 inches,” said Caroline Clark, a ceramicist...
COLUMBIA — Honey, they’ve shrunk the art.
A pair of Columbia artists are bringing a vendor market to Richland Library Main from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 2. The catch?
“Nothing over 4 inches,” said Caroline Clark, a ceramicist who’s putting on the tiny art market with fellow Columbia artist Caroline Fields.
Small Mart is a one-day market at the Assembly Street library featuring hand-held art. The market, which will feature workshops and crafts, is accompanied by an exhibit of tiny artworks in the library’s lobby. “Pocket Places” will be on display at the library from July 25 to Aug. 10.
“We just wanted to create this fun, joyful event that we felt like everybody really needs right now,” Clark said. “There's a lot of really unpleasant things happening and tiny art really brings this sense of wonder and this sense of slowing down and examining things closer.”
Clark and Fields met doing vendor markets at NOMA Market. Since the Cottontown business has closed, they haven’t been able to find a spot to sell tiny art. But Fields and Clark found a new home at the library.
In addition to 27 artists from the Carolinas, the market will also feature tiny games, mini cupcakes and tiny tarot readings, Clark said. It’s free to attend.
Stacey Black of Bee Bottom Art — the “OG of tiny art” in Columbia, according to Clark — will be selling her wares at the Aug. 2 market. She started painting in 2016 and selling at Soda City Market in 2020. Her tiny paintings offer a window into a whimsical, playful world.
“I've learned working with customers on a weekly basis … I can see it brings them joy and happiness to see people just love small things,” Black said. “It just makes people smile.”
Tiny art has been an increasingly popular trend the past few years, and the market on Aug. 2 will see tiny artists and traditional creators trying their hand at the small works. Black’s pieces range from $2 to more than $100, and many other tiny art pieces fall into that same range, making them more affordable than thousand-dollar landscapes and sculptures.
But just because they’re tinier than traditional artworks doesn’t mean they’re easy pieces to craft.
“People think, ‘oh, it's smaller. Well, it should be cheap,’” Clark said. “But it often takes longer to make the tiny art than it does to make something bigger.”
Angie Cook was handed the keys to a World War II-era landmark in Lexington County this week. She hopes to revive it as a haven for the Columbia area’s country music lovers better than ever before.If all goes to plan, local cowboys will be welcomed back to the previously longstanding Skyline Club, where line dancing and live country music will again be the emphasis.The planned revival comes at a time when line dancers have been left with few options. The Vista’s Carolina Western Pub, then the area’s only remain...
Angie Cook was handed the keys to a World War II-era landmark in Lexington County this week. She hopes to revive it as a haven for the Columbia area’s country music lovers better than ever before.
If all goes to plan, local cowboys will be welcomed back to the previously longstanding Skyline Club, where line dancing and live country music will again be the emphasis.
The planned revival comes at a time when line dancers have been left with few options. The Vista’s Carolina Western Pub, then the area’s only remaining dedicated country bar, shut down in May.
But it seems the void will be filled by a club that longtime local country music lovers remember fondly.
The 14,000 square-foot Skyline Club, located at 100 Lee St. near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport holds relics of decades of country music revelry. Photos stacked on a countertop recall performances from country legends such as Blake Shelton and Brooks & Dunn.
The historic spot was known for decades for offering line dancing lessons and live country performances before closing in late 2023.
Cook plans to hold a grand reopening event on a Saturday in mid-August. Bands will play inside and out, and local community vendors will be invited to advertise their businesses.
“We’re just going to have a big party,” she said.
In complete darkness, with electricity not yet installed, the club looked frozen in time when Cook unlocked the door on Wednesday. Neon beer signs, half-empty liquor bottles and mounted game heads, their antlers adorned with glow stick necklaces, remain untouched.
Thousands of locals have recalled fond memories on Facebook since Cook began teasing the reopening, including one woman showing off a matching tattoo of the club’s coordinates that she shares with her best friend.
“This club has touched so many people,” Cook said Wednesday, standing on the porch with a good friend, who went on her first date with her now husband at Skyline nearly 30 years ago.
Cook is originally from Tennessee, so country music is in her roots, she said, but she’s been a Columbia resident for 38 years and has fond memories of the club.
Speaking to her approach with getting the club back up and running, she said that while “you have to keep the original Skyline the original Skyline,” she also has bold plans to expand and hopefully draw more people in from far beyond Columbia.
She wants to add a restaurant component and an in-house cowboy boots store. Where that store will go is still being decided, but vendors Arriat and Corral have been chosen to be on sale.
Cook has a menu for the planned “Chuckwagon Trail Restaurant,” working with a North Carolina crew that will roast their meat and make their own butter. The club will be a place for people landing in Columbia at the nearby airport to experience their first taste of the city, she said.
Cook intends to keep most of the club’s key features after a previous owner did a full renovation. The iconic grand line dancing floor, popping as loud as ever, will remain the focus, she added.
She said she values the longtime memories held in the space and has asked Facebook users to share their stories and photos from days gone by. She plans to put them into a “generational mural” by the line dance floor. That post has received over 500 responses.
The VIP area built in place of the original front stage is the only thing she plans to remove.
“This is not a VIP club,” Cook said. “The thing about Skyline was it didn’t matter how much money you had or didn’t have. When you come in and you pay your money to get in this place, we’re all the same.”
Live music will be another focus, she said. The bands, some of which are already booked, will range from Columbia locals to country acts from Nashville, Arkansas, even Ohio. It’s important to her that Skyline has “a new sound.”
Her plan is to relocate the main stage, which had since been moved to the right side, back in sight of the front door. People online have been “screaming about wanting that old stage back,” Cook said.
“I remember when I used to come in here in my younger days,” Cook said, “When I hit [the front entrance], seeing that band on that stage was the greatest part of the night because of that anticipation as you stood in line.”
As she readies the club for its August re-launch, she’s making her ambitions clear.
“Let’s show the next generation why this place is ready to shine again,” Cook said on Facebook.
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