Community Citizens Encouraged to Donate Blood and Become Local Lifesavers

Columbia Lifesavers blood drive to take place Feb. 4

What: Mayor Steve Benjamin and the American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region Board of Directors are teaming up for the first annual Columbia Lifesavers blood drive.

Date/Time: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4

Location: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St.

Why: The Columbia Lifesavers blood drive is being held to raise community awareness about the need for blood and to collect blood for hospital patients undergoing cancer treatments, lifesaving surgeries, and emergency care related to accidents and trauma.

The drive comes at an ideal time to boost blood donations as severe winter weather throughout much of the eastern half of the United States in recent weeks has caused the cancellation of more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations through the American Red Cross, 800 of which were in the South Carolina Region. The severity of the impact has stressed even the Red Cross’ robust national inventory management system, which can move blood products to where they’re needed most, such as when severe weather hits.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in 54 hospitals. Approximately 500 people need to give blood or platelets each week day to meet hospital demand.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

All presenting donors will receive an American Red Cross T-shirt plus a chance to win other prizes including two domestic roundtrip Delta Air Lines tickets through the Red Cross “Take to the Skies!” promotion. Also, the first 100 presenting donors will receive a Chick-fil-A coupon.

More Information: Call 803-331-3629 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code columbialifesavers.

32°, A Yogurt Bar, Opens at Trenholm Plaza with fundraiser benefiting The Nick

32°, A Yogurt Bar, Opens at Trenholm Plaza | MidlandsBiz

COLUMBIA, SC - January 20, 2011 - The coolest frozen yogurt brand to hit the Columbia market, 32°, A Yogurt Bar – has opened at Trenholm Plaza. 32° offers 14 individual flavors of yogurt including fat free, kosher, no sugar added and low sugar selections on a rotating basis. They also specialize in serving the freshest toppings including daily fresh cut fruits, seasonal favorites, and over 40 candy, nut and sauce options.

In addition to their first week in business, a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for January 27. From 5-8 p.m. that same day, guests can enjoy an all you can eat cup of self-serve frozen yogurt and toppings with a $5 donation. All proceeds from the grand opening afternoon event will benefit the Nickelodeon Theater.

"We couldn't be happier about the opportunity to give back to the Columbia community and work with the Nickelodeon Theater," says Jeff Pizitz, President of Pizitz Management Group. "Self serve frozen yogurt is a new concept rapidly growing in the United States and we offer a healthy, tasty product in an updated and contemporary environment."

Located next to The Pilates Studio at Trenholm Plaza, the 1,500 square foot store will provide both interior and exterior seating. 32° is privately owned by Pizitz Management Group, LLC, of Birmingham, AL with three South Carolina locations.

To learn more about 32 Degrees and upcoming promotions and events, visit www.facebook.com/32degreesyogurt or Trenholm Plaza's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/trenholmplaza.

Stop the Brain Drain: SC Coalition of Mayors Seeks Part Time Administrator

The newly created SC Coalition of Mayors is hiring someone part time to do administrative work. The job will be three days a week, 21 hours at $12/hr. The Coalition will be run out of an office in West Columbia. They are thinking this would be a good position for someone just starting out who needs some experience. If you know of anyone who might be interested please ask them to contact Sandy Boozer at 926-3462 or sboozer1@bellsouth.net.

Stop the Brain Drain: Marketing and Public Relations Director Job Posting

Job Posting: Marketing and Public Relations Director, NAI Avant (Columbia); NAI Avant (Charleston); and Avant Healthcare

Reports to: The Chief Executive Officer of the Company

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or Journalism or Public Relations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• High degree of professionalism, team orientation, and attention to detail
• Must take initiative and be flexible, able to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment
• Good graphic design taste and facilitation skills
• Proficient in technology
• Experience with post production print management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General

• Implement company-wide marketing and public relations plan
• Order all printed materials (stationery, envelopes, business cards, invitations, etc.)
• Customized holiday cards and e-blast graphics
• Select, order, and maintain an adequate supply of company promotional gifts.
• Coordinate design and placement of all print advertising
• Manage the “advertising” line item of the company budget
• Support owners in community activity involvement and client entertainment
• Coordinate graphics with Vice President of Research and the Marketing Assistant(s)
• Join and be an active participant in NAI Global Marketing Council.

Conventions/Meetings/Trade Shows

• Reserve and set up booth/displays (Evaluate new display booth re-design)
• Coordinate booth coverage
• Schedule arrangements for client entertainment
• Reserve rooms for Company Officers.

Company Annual Event

• Reserve venue, caterer, photographer, etc.
• Order invitations and coordinate distribution
• Order employee/broker awards
• Oversee layout and set up
• Coordinate preparation of Company presentation
• Plan a company-wide annual, casual social in addition to quarterly Company “Happy Hour”
• Plan and coordinate an annual company-wide charitable theme and effort for Christmas/Holidays.

Website/Social Media

• Update (“In the News) section on a routine basis
• As needed, maintain up-to-date personnel roster and update accompanying bios
• Periodically review all website designs and content issues
• Institute methods to maximize website search positioning.

Marketing Brochures

• A to Z review of all collaterals for re-write and brand/graphic consistency
• Regularly submit press releases on company activities and personnel news
• Maintain ongoing contact and relationship cultivation with publications to ensure maximum opportunities to submit contributions to news articles
• Maintain quality control for any and all marketing/public relations related materials and efforts.

Communications

• Develop an internal company monthly newsletter
• Develop external client communication plan, newsletter, and direct implementation.

Photography

• Maintain current photo bank of all company projects and key assignments
• Ensure up-to-date personnel photos.

Email resume/cover letter to:

Todd Avant
Chief Executive Officer
NAI Avant, LLC

1901 Main Street, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201

Email: tavant@naiavant.com
Website: www.naiavant.com

12.18.10 | Deep South Tailgate BBQ

What: Traditional Deep South Tailgate BBQ at Upstairs Audio & Video

This Saturday at Upstairs Audio & Video in 5 Points, 746 Harden St at Greene St., we are having the third annual Traditional Deep South Tailgate BBQ, and everyone, the whole city, the midlands, everyone, is welcome! We have around 2000 lbs of food to cook and serve, so there should be just enough for everyone. Food will be served from around noon to 4 or 5 p.m.

What is the occasion? Simply good friendship.

We do take donations of clothes, toys, working cell phones with chargers (even unactivated, they dial 911), working home items such as vacuums, fans, telephones, etc., building supplies (Home Works uses them to rehabilitate houses for those in need), blankets, linens, cans and boxes of food (Harvest Hope), and anything else in good condition you feel would help someone else. We will find good homes for all of it. Check below for a list of items needed by some groups.

But a donation of anything is NOT a prerequisite for attending. It is all on us, and our delight to see and serve you. Bring the family, friends and coworkers; all are welcome!

All of us hope to see you Saturday.

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Things Home Works needs:

Domestic Program Needs

Donated labor is needed for: electrical, plumbing, roofing, flooring, carpentry, masonry, chimney, hvac, etc. However, the greatest need is for tasks that can only be performed by trained, licensed workers such as repairs dealing with air conditioning units, heaters, plumbing and electricity.

Repairing a home costs less than building a new home so funds received are stretched further with Home Works' program. In-kind donations of new or gently used building materials from local businesses are needed to keep the cash amount needed for each home low. Examples include:

Materials • Nails, Screws • White Paint • Roofing Materials • Lumber

Equipment • Power tools • Hand tools • Trailers • Ladders • Garden tools

Food • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Gatorade

Other Items • First-Aid supplies • Gloves • Safety glasses • Scaffolding • Cleaning supplies

International Program Needs

Ongoing items needed include:

• multi-vitamins (to be distributed to pregnant women and children),
• airline miles (the largest expense of the trip is the plane tickets), and
• cash (to purchase building materials and tools after arriving in Peru).

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Things needed by Lyon St. community:

The Lyons Street Community Association is looking your help! We are looking for used computers in working condition for our youth and elderly community. We can use camera phones as well for the community watch groups. Contact willie king at chesspins@yahoo.com or 803-708-5327.

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Of course, Oliver Gospel, Hannah House (911 cell phones for women), Christ Central, Toys for Tots, Carolina Childrens Home, Habitat for Humanity (including their Resale Store) and many others can use just about anything. Please do not bring big items like furniture and lumber.

12.21.20 | Change for Change Auction and Volunteer Opportunity

What: Change for Change Show and Auction
Earlier this fall, 85 artists received defunct parking meters to transform into pieces of art as part of the city's Climate Protection Action Campaign. Come see the unveiling, show and auction of these one-of-a-kind pieces. WACH Fox will match the proceeds and use all funds to promote sustainability in the Midlands on air.

There are a few ways to show your support:

1. Volunteer! We have four one-hour shifts available, and before/after you work your shift, you get to enjoy the event for FREE! One hours shifts at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 with a final "break down" shift at 8:30 p.m. To volunteer, contact mpbaldauf@columbiasc.net!
2. Attend the event. I know it's Christmas week, but if you're in town, what better way to celebrate and support sustainability?! The price is right - just $10 per person. Purchase tickets online at http://www.midlandsconnect.com/directory/changeforchange/.
3. Get your company to commit to purchasing a meter! It's a piece of art + a conversation piece + a way to support sustainability in the Midlands OR one heck of a stocking stuffer! Just send someone that night with "the ability to purchase and pay."

If you have any questions, please contact the City's Sustainability Facilitator, Mary Pat Baldauf at mpbaldauf@columbiasc.net or 545-2722.

When: December 21, 2010, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: 701 Whaley

12.18.10 | Sistercare Holiday Gift Drive

Sistercare is holding a Christmas gift drive for our shelter residents and clients on Thursday, December 18 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and we are in need of volunteers to greet donors and accept and sort the gifts at the site of the gift drive. A tractor trailer will be set up in the parking lot of a local business for donors to drop off gifts and nonperishable food to fill the trailer rig. We anticipate a good response because WOLO TV has been running a story on the gift drive and WIS TV will air a piece.

PROJECT: Christmas gift drive for battered women served by Sistercare in our three emergency shelters and in our community-based programs.

DATE: Thursday, December 16, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

LOCATION: The parking lot in front of D.W. Headquarters Salon, 2313 Sunset Ct, West Columbia, 29169. The parking lot is on Sunset Blvd (Rte 378), across from Grecian Gardens Restaurant, and close to the Sunset Blvd exit of I-26 near Lexington Medical Center.

COORDINATOR: Denise Williams, owner of D.W. Headquarters Salon, 794.0005

GIFT IDEAS:

1. Bathrobes of all sizes for women and children

2. Bedroom slippers of all sizes for women and children

3. Pots/pans sets

4. Nonperishable food

5. Financial donations

6. Sets of dishes

7. Educational toys for children of all ages

8. Board games (Scrabble, Scrabble Jr., Monopoly Jr., Clue Jr., Apples to Apples, Are you Smarter than a 5th grader, etc.)

9. Children’s pajamas of all sizes

10. Footballs, basketballs, baseball bat and ball set

11. Dolls for multiple ethnicities

12. Clothes for babies and toddlers

13. Jewelry (necklaces, earrings, bracelets)

14. Watches

15. Jogging suits of all sizes for women

16. Towels and hand cloths

17. Bed linens of all sizes

18. Sweaters of all sizes for women and children

19. Small household appliances

20. Varieties of DVDs and CDs

Sistercare greatly appreciates the assistance of volunteers to manage the donated gifts and greet donors during our gift drive. We hope to make the Sistercare Christmas gift drive a complete success.

12.09.10 | A Devine Night Out

A Devine Night Out is tonight!

“A Devine Night Out” is Columbia’s PREMIER holiday event. More than 40 stores on Devine Street in Columbia will welcome guests from 5 – 8 p.m. on December 9^th for an evening of shopping, socializing and festive cheer.

Grab a friend. Book the sitter. Enjoy shopping the most fabulous mile of locally-owned businesses in Columbia. Walk the event or catch a ride on the FREE limo service to get from one end of Devine Street to the other.

End the festivities by attending the After-Party from 8 - 10 pm at MoMo’s Bistro. Incredible door prizes include a set of 1.5 carat diamond earrings, restaurant gift certificates and an abundance of men’s and women’s couture.

Admission is free but donations (food or monetary) to Harvest Hope Food Bank are recommended. Presented by the Devine Street Association and the City of Columbia. For more information, visit www.devinenight.org.

Richland/Lexington Homeless Count

Every two years the community conducts a ‘count’ of people who are homeless living in emergency and transitional shelters and literally on the streets and other placed not meant for human habitation. Every two years, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires housing and service providers to complete a count of people who are homeless in their community. The count helps us understand the issues and experience of homelessness.

United Way conducts the homeless count in Richland and Lexington counties. The count is conducted by trained volunteers doing one-on-one surveys with homeless people. This year’s count will be conducted between Thursday, January 27^th- Sunday, January 30^th to obtain a snapshot of the people experiencing homeless in our community.

United Way will hold interest meetings for all who are interested in learning more about how to volunteer for the 2011 Homeless Count. The interest meetings will be held at United Way’s office at 1800 Main St.

The dates and times for the interest meetings are:
Wednesday, December 15^th from 10:00-11:30
Wednesday, December 15^th from 2:30-3:30
Wednesday, January 19^th from 10:00-11:30

Volunteers will be selected after an interview with United Way’s Financial Stability Director, Jennifer Moore. There will be a mandatory two hour training prior to the volunteers participating in the 2011 Homeless Count.

The trainings will be held:
Friday, January 7^th from 10:00-12:00
Wednesday, January 12^th from 1:00-3:00
Friday, January 21^st from 2:00-4:00

If you wish to register for the interest meeting, please contact me at bmolony@uway.org or (803) 758-6987.

Board Placement Opportunity

The Lexington Young Professionals are taking nominations for 2011 LYP Board members. The nomination deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec 10th. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else that you feel would be a good leader for LYP in 2011, send the name to Lee Pitcovich.

A board election will be held after the nomination period is over (probably the following Monday, December 13th). This will be a one day only event. Only registered LYP members will be able to cast a vote, so if you haven't registered on the Web site yet, please go ahead and do so.

Mingle and Jingle is tonight!

Mingle and Jingle is tonight!

Rather than hosting our usual Young Professionals Holiday Party (YPHP) this year, COR is promoting and participating as a partner organization in Mingle and Jingle. We encourage you to meet us there

What: Mingle and Jingle on Main St.
Mingle and Jingle is the retail kickoff for the holiday season in downtown Columbia. It is designed to highlight the businesses in the downtown corridor. This year, they will have live music, dancing, spoken word, and some surprises in store on the outdoor stages. Art will be the name of the game with at least six different art shows going on inside locations up and down the street.
When: Tonight! December 2, 2010, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Where: 1500 Block of Main St.

See you there!

12.11.20 | Deck the Halls 5k

What: 1st Annual Deck the Hall 5k Cross Country Race to benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank
Runners and walkers alike will enjoy the beautiful cross country trail near the banks of the Congaree River and through the surrounding forests and fields.

Where: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (3000 South Beltline Blvd.)

When: December 11, 2010; Registration and packet pick up: 7 a.m.; Start: 9 a.m.

For additional information regarding race details, awards, etc. visit www.heathwood.org/deckthehall or contact Nancye Bailey at deckthehall@heathwood.org or 929-6650.

Arbor Day in the Midlands

The Midlands community will celebrate South Carolina Arbor Day on Friday, December 3, 2010. Arbor Day creates awareness of the importance of trees to the community and encourages citizens to plant and care for trees in their areas. Numerous activities have been planned by members of the Midlands Arbor Day Committee:

• 9:00 AM - Entertainer and environmental advocate Tim Womick performs his Trail of Trees program for the students at Pendergrass-Fairwold School. Sponsored by the City of Columbia.

• 11:00 AM - Town of Irmo Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting at the corner of Lake Murray Blvd. and Irmo Drive.

• 1:00 PM - Tree Planting at the southwest corner of the Statehouse grounds to celebrate the five billionth seedling planted in South Carolina since 1928. Sponsored by the SC Forestry Commission.

• 1:00 PM - Entertainer and environmental advocate Tim Womick performs his Trail of Trees program for the students at Satchel Ford Elementary School. Sponsored by the Richland County Conservation Commission and Richland County Conservation District.

• 2:00 -5:00 PM-Arbor Day Festival at the USC Challenge Course on the field underneath the pedestrian bridge between the Blatt Physical Education Center and Bates House residence hall. Featuring tree planting, games, snacks and playing on the challenge course. Sponsored by USC Outdoor Recreation, the Green Quad Learning Center and SAGE (Students Advocating a Greener Environment).