Paddling for a Cause: A 265 Mile Journey to Protect the Duck River

Issue #248

22 Oct

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia Weather - Sunny with a high of 81

🛶 Paddling for a Cause: A 265 Mile Journey to Protect the Duck River

🏠 City to Host HOME Grant Seminar

📌 Wednesday: Exclusive Open House

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🍁 Check out The Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun Things in Middle Tennessee Here (Just Updated With More Events!)

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, October 22nd

Wednesday, October 23rd

Thursday, October 24th

Friday, October 25th

Saturday, October 26th

Sunday, October 27th

🍁 Check out The Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun Things in Middle Tennessee Here (Just Updated With More Events!)

Paddling for a Cause: A 265 Mile Journey to Protect the Duck River

Credit: John Guider on Instagram (@jguider)

On a sunny Saturday (Oct. 12) in Maury County, environmental advocate John Guider stopped at Columbia’s Riverwalk Park during his mission to canoe the full 265-mile Duck River, recognized as the most biodiverse river in North America.

His two-week journey aims to raise awareness about the growing environmental threats facing the river, which was recently named one of the top three most endangered rivers in the country. Problems like drying riverbanks, endangered aquatic life, pollution, and declining water quality have placed the Duck River in jeopardy.

As Guider continues his journey, he witnesses signs of the river’s environmental challenges firsthand. The Duck River, which supplies drinking water to 250,000 people, also supports a variety of rare species, including mussels that naturally purify the water. It is an essential resource for the region, providing not only water but also serving as a habitat for diverse wildlife.

Recent legislative efforts, including a law signed by Governor Bill Lee, have expanded protections for the Duck River, aiming to safeguard its water quality, recreational value, and ecosystem. However, local advocates, including the nonprofit "Protect the Duck," stress that the fight to preserve the river is far from over. A proposed solid waste landfill near the river, by Baton Rouge developer Trinity Business Group, threatens to introduce potential pollutants. While the Marshall/Maury Municipal Solid Waste Planning Region Board rejected the landfill proposal, legal battles continue as the developers seek to overturn the decision.

Protect the Duck and other concerned groups are actively working to prevent the landfill’s construction, fearing the irreversible damage it could cause to the river. The case remains under review by the courts, and state agencies have yet to make a final decision on permit applications for the project.

As efforts to protect this natural resource continue, advocates remain committed to ensuring that the Duck River remains a vibrant and sustainable part of the local environment.

City to Host HOME Grant Seminar

The City of Columbia will host a public meeting on October 29, 2024, at 3:00 PM on the first floor of City Hall located at 700 N Garden Street to kick off the HOME Grant Program. This meeting will provide important information regarding the application process for the $810,000 in grant funds recently awarded by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) for home rehabilitation and repairs.

The HOME Grant Program is designed to support low-income residents by funding the rehabilitation of single-family homes, ensuring they meet residential building code requirements. The City aims to assist 8-13 homeowners with necessary repairs, improving the quality of housing for those in need. During the meeting, attendees will receive details on how to apply for assistance. Applications will be accepted for 30 days following the meeting, with a submission deadline of November 29, 2024.

Homeowners interested in this program are encouraged to attend to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. For further inquiries about the grant and application process, please contact Tia Lockridge, Director of Housing for the South Central Tennessee Development District, at 931-379-2957 or via email at [email protected].

Wednesday: Exclusive Open House

*If you would like to advertise an open house in What’s Up Columbia, please reach out here.

(Sponsor)

How To Become Self-Sufficient on a ¼ Acre

👆 Click to Learn More 👆

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, October 22nd

Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Wednesday, October 23rd

Josey Clay, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, October 24th

Rhonda Funk, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Taylor Barton, Buck & Board, 6-9 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Murphy Ridge, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, October 25th

Ryan Keeler, Buck & Board, 6-9 PM
Ella & Blaine, Grinder's Switch, 7-9 PM
November Blue, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Lisa Law Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
The Bald Kernal Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, October 26th

Braise Killen, Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Box of Rox, Hampshire Hills Distillery, 3-6 PM
Willie Van Hook, Don Phillips & Donna Schaucher, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
The Nature Project, Buck & Board, 6-9 PM
Stevierock, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Boomerang, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Black Hole Sons, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, October 27th

Jim Fox Trio, Amber Falls Winery, 1-3 PM
TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Mary Lou, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk