In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia’s Monday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 62 & low of 47

📰 Family Invites Car Lovers to Pay Tribute to 16-Year-Old Kayden Patterson After Tragic Crash

📰 Tennessee Lawmakers Advance Bill to Tax and Regulate Vape Products

📌 March 7: The Mulehouse Songwriter Series 

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ 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!

Monday, March 3rd

• Vet 2 Vet Breakfast Meet Up at Puckett’s - 7:00 - 9:00 AM

Tuesday, March 4th

• Network Columbia Business Networking Meet Up at The Factory - 9:00 AM

• Tri-Chamber Mixer - 4:00 - 6:00 PM

• Mule Di Gras (Fat Tuesday Dinner) at Rebel Bar & Grill - 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 5th

• Donate Tree Trimmings to The Elephant Sactuary - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Ribbon Cutting for Boot Stompin’ BBQ - 2:00 PM

• Vet2Vet Meet Up at McCreary’s - 5:30 - 7:30 PM

• Volleyball at Columbia Aquatics & Rec Center - 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Thursday, March 6th

• Connect Spring Hill at Viking Pizza - 9:00 - 10:00 AM 

Friday, March 7th

• Pre-First Fridays - Downtown Businesses Stay Open Until 8:00 PM

• The Mulehouse Songwriter Series - 7:30 PM

*More events coming soon!

Family Invites Car Lovers to Pay Tribute to 16-Year-Old Kayden Patterson After Tragic Crash

A tragic accident happened on Friday afternoon, taking the life of 16-year-old Kayden Patterson.

From Maury County Fire Department’s post…

On Friday, 2/28/2025 @ 2:57PM, Maury County Fire Department was dispatched to the 1900 Block of Mooresville Pike for a single vehicle, MVA rollover. MCFD responded with an Engine, Heavy Rescue, and a Chief Officer. Units found the only occupant, the driver, entrapped in the vehicle and quickly went to work to free them. Unfortunately, the driver was declared deceased on scene by Maury Regional EMS. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. 

Kayden was a student at Culleoka Unit School, who also posted in response…

As you may be aware, our school community experienced a heartbreaking loss on Friday afternoon with the passing of a sophomore student in a car accident. This tragedy has deeply impacted both our students and staff.

In response, our district’s crisis support team is prepared to assist students and their families during this difficult time. We understand the importance of providing a supportive space for students to process their emotions, and counselors will be available at school on Monday to offer guidance and care.

Thank you for your compassion and support as we come together to navigate this loss as a school community.

Kayden’s mother, Cassidy Faith Nicole, posted on Saturday…

“As some of you might know, my son, Kayden, died yesterday in a car accident. He was only 16 and loved cars. Saved up for his first car. Started working on it. Did a few mods. Changed his oil. Etc. Was finally getting into the car scene on his OWN. He was just a kid….

We are setting up a ‘Cruise for Kayden’ meet after the visitation on Monday at 8pm, at Heritage Funeral Home, 609 Bear Creek Pike in Columbia. Then we will leave the meet and take a cruise down the main strip in town. Anybody is more than welcome to come.”

The family is requesting that anybody that has a neat or unusual car, motorcycle or truck to consider parking in the parking lot at Heritage Funeral Home on Monday afternoon/early evening in honor of their deceased son Kayden who loved cars, trucks and motorcycles. The idea is to have almost a “cars and coffee” during and following the visitation. This family is hurting badly and this is one small way our community can help. Thank you in advance. -per Patrick Carter

The visitation will be held Monday, March 3 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home.
Patterson’s funeral will be held Tuesday, March 4 at 1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home.

Go here to read more about Kayden’s life, and for details on the services.

Tennessee Lawmakers Advance Bill to Tax and Regulate Vape Products

Tennessee lawmakers have taken the first step toward implementing a 10% tax on certain vaping products, including vape pens, cig-a-likes, and pod mods. The proposed bill would also require vape products to receive FDA approval before being sold in the state.

The Republican-led measure was introduced in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, where it passed with a 7-1 vote despite strong opposition. Tennessee is among roughly 20 states that do not currently tax vape products, with an estimated 400,000 residents using them regularly.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to curb the sale of unregulated vape products, particularly those imported from China, and to prevent underage nicotine addiction. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Ken Yager and Senate Finance Chairman Bo Watson, includes additional consumer safety measures. If passed, it would require manufacturers to register with the state and pay an annual $25 fee, ensuring only FDA-approved products are sold. Customers would also need to provide proof of age when purchasing tobacco, vape, hemp, and smokeless nicotine products.

Opponents, including members of the vaping industry, argue that the bill benefits major tobacco companies and threatens small businesses. They warn that the requirement for FDA approval could remove nearly all vape products from the market, potentially forcing hundreds of stores across the state to close. Some critics also point out the inconsistency of tightening restrictions on vaping while traditional cigarettes remain widely available.

A fiscal analysis estimates that the new tax could generate approximately $16.5 million in revenue for the state. Currently, Tennessee imposes a $0.62 per pack tax on cigarettes and a 6.6% tax on other tobacco products, while smokeless nicotine products remain untaxed. The bill will now move forward for further debate and consideration.

March 7: The Mulehouse Songwriter Series

The Mulehouse Songwriter Series - The First Show is Here!

This will be a monthly show featuring Nashville's most talented songwriters from all ages and tenure in the business. Relax, sit back in our intimate setting and hear the stories behind these songs. These will be evenings of music you DON'T want to miss!

Y'all can purchase tables for up to four, as well as individual seats at our eight-top tables! The front-of-stage velvet couch is also up for grabs for those who like to be right up front, family room style!

ABOUT THE SONGWRITERS:

J. Michael Harter, also known as J Mike by many, is a singer songwriter and producer from Arizona. Bringing his western roots with him to Nashville in the early 2000’s. His latest project is a collaboration with none other than Forrie J Smith(Lloyd from Yellowstone)!! Along with that 13 song album he is also releasing his first self titled 13 track album “J Mike”. Both set for release in 2025.

Rhonda Funk was the 2022 ISSA USA Entertainer of the Year. A brain surgery survivor, Rhonda moved to Nashville in 2108 to see what she could do as a songwriter. Since then, she had her first cut with T Graham Brown and has opened for Sara Evans, Ella Langley and Darryl Worley.

Collins Horton is carving out his place in country music with his captivating storytelling and his timbering baritone voice. His future is unwritten but there is no doubt that he is making his way into country music. He has written with several hit songwriters including Rodney Atkins, Scott Sean White, Russell Sutton, Barrett Baber and Terri Jo Box and more!

Lockwood Barr has opened for artists and writers like Lori McKenna and Angaleena Presley (Pistol Annies). She has played in several festivals from Arizona to Mississippi to Key Largo, and regularly hosts rounds at the Bluebird Cafe. Her recent cut "Nicotine" is performed by Allie Colleen who is currently on tour with Lee Brice. She has written with Jeff Silbar (“Wind Beneath My Wings”) and TV music savant Devin Powers, as well with Barrett Baber from NBC's The Voice, to name a few. Lockwood is in a family line of musicians. She learned the banjo from her dad, her mother performed with John Hartford and the Dillards, and her cousin Al Barr fronts the Dropkick Murphys.

Find more information and purchase tickets here.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Monday, March 3rd

Troy Castelland, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Tuesday, March 4th

Rob Harris, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Los Swamp Monster, The Rebel, 6 PM

Wednesday, March 5th

Austin Byrd, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, March 6th

Matt Marinchick, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Neal Pennington, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, March 7th

Nick Bentley, Grinder's Switch, 6-8 PM
The Tim Turner Band, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Songwriter Series ft. J. Michael Harter, Rhonda Funk, Lockwood Barr & Collins Horton, The  Mulehouse 7 PM
Smith & Gone, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Escape, Fozzy's Bar &  Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, March 8th

Andy Liter & the Lite Beers, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Kenny Durham Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
CJ & The Whiskey Sundown Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, March 9th

Brandon Bratley, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM
Aaron Sizemore Band, The Rebel, 4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM