Briefs
by John Temple Ligon

Innovista gets new leader

John Parks, formerly the director of the University of Illinois Research Park and most recently the director of the University of Kentucky Research Campus, will become executive director of USC's Innovista as of February 1.

Hydrogen fuel cell classes

Beginning February 5, students and USC faculty will meet Monday nights at 6:30 pm through March 19 at USC's Swearingen Center for basic instruction in hydrogen fuel cell technology, something on the level of the previous courses in nanotechnology. To register, plan on a $30 fee for the seven classes, and call 777-2221.

The State Ports Authority

The SPA maintains control over the Jasper County port on the Savannah River. The Fifth Circuit Court ruled in favor of the SPA's eminent domain over the 1,800 acres on the north bank of the river.

City sewer and water maintenance costs

The City of Columbia needs more money for its sewer and water costs, while for the past several years it has averaged a transfer of about $10 million a year from the sewer and water funds for other purposes such as the general fund. Now the city is about to vote an impact fee increase for each new residence from $300 to over $2,600.

Smoke- free US

More than half of all Americans live in a smoke- free environment, as determined this year for the first time by local and/or state laws.

Delta looking at China

Still in bankruptcy and still being chased for a merger by US Airways, Delta has filed an application with the USDOT to initiate non- stop flights between Atlanta and China, specifically Shanghai. If approved, the daily flights begin March 25, 2008.

Greenville bus rides

The Greenville Transit Authority (GTA) runs bus transit for Greenville County, the state's largest. The GTA logged 890,000 rides last year, compared to Columbia and Charleston bus systems, the state's smallest.

Dr. Whitson making house calls

A Richland County transportation committee has a new chair, Dr. Caroline Whitson, president of Columbia College.

Catawbas

Columbia- based Dwight Drake represents the Catawba tribe and their designs on video poker. The S.C. Supreme Court is deciding the case with Chief Justice Toal recusing herself since the Chief Justice represented the Catawbas earlier in her private practice. The State of S.C. is represented in the court room by an assistant attorney general.

Flush Duke

Charlotte- based Duke Energy is facing plenty of opposition to its planned power plants, a pair of coal- fired power units in the western reaches of North Carolina, specifically at Cliffside in Rutherford County. The utility, America's largest, has 2.2 million customers in the Carolinas. Now the company cites the cost as $3 million, another million more than the previously disclosed $2 million for the same project.

Don't complain, Columbia

On a page titled, "Small but Sufficient," The New York Times reported on well- worn medium- priced one- bedroom and studio urban apartments. A half- block from Carnegie Hall but not on Central Park, a 501- sq.- ft. one- bedroom condo is on sale for $725,000 with monthly regime fees of $385. In Pacific Heights, San Francisco, near Gordon Getty's place and the James Flood mansion, a one- bedroom condo (500 sq. ft.) is on sale at $549,000. Regime fees are $481.The only coastal cities included with prices just below $500/sq. ft. are Portland, Ore., and Charleston, S.C., both with regime fees less than $200/mo. In Columbia, there are new one- bedroom units on the market downtown in the $200- $300/sq. ft. range.

Tough times in the magazine business

Time Inc. , publisher of People, Time, Sports Illustrated , and others, is cutting 300 magazine jobs, to include 44 editorial workers at People , arguably the most successful magazine of all time. Joey Huey, editor in chief of Time Inc. , commutes to work in NYC from his family's home on Sullivan's Island.

Interesting times in the newspaper business

Two bids came in last week to buy the Tribune Company, publisher of 11 daily papers, including The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times , and 23 television stations. It appears the company can be worth $11 billion, but the broadcasting business might be spun off separately for $3.7 billion. The company's inclination, reportedly, is to pass on the current offers. Over the past few months, there was talk of buying the Los Angeles Times separately, which is what media mogul David Geffin said he wanted to do when he sold False Start by S.C.'s Jasper Johns for $80 million and a painting by Wyoming's Jackson Pollock for $140 million.